Imminent Victory

"Look at me, my child," Leva swept a tear from Veretta.

Veretta glanced up hesitantly.

"Do you know why the gods granted us magic? " Leva smiled.

" For enlightenment...a higher purpose?" Veretta answered with uncertainty.

"It was for our protection. Against wickedness and the things they cannot control," Leva said softly, "We have free will. So in turn we can commit terrible deeds and others can commit terrible deeds against us. If the gods intervene, how will we learn the difference between right and wrong? That is the purpose of magic. To pursue our own truth. The prohibition on dark magic is to protect mages against the darkness in themselves,"

"Then I have failed myself," Veretta uttered miserably.

"No, you have overcome the darkness in yourself," Leva took Veretta's hand warmly, " that is an admirable thing, indeed,"

"How can it be admirable when I hurt the people around me?" Veretta faltered.

"What human can lead a faultless life? " Leva chuckled," We all have our own sins to bear,"

" I've looked up to you since I started at the college. You exceeded everyone's expectations. Broke barriers for female mages. All the while, you always held up your ideals and beliefs, "Veretta sighed," whereas, I am swayed by my emotions. It makes me reckless and obstinate. I still am lacking,"

"You tapped into a perilous magic and emerged stronger. You brought us Michael and now we have overcome Silthus. You fought when no one else would fight," Leva replied firmly, " Sometimes the things we hate about ourselves can become our strengths. You must look past your fears and follow your own path. It may be difficult and without reward, but it will be your path nonetheless, "

Veretta's eyes widened tearfully and she nodded with a sob, " Thank you, thank you,"

"I only spoke the truth," Leva gave her hand a squeeze, " now, may I ask you something? "

" Of course, " Veretta wiped away her tears.

"The magic you used to raise Michael, has it had any negative side effects?"

" I think there are gaps in my memory, sometimes. I feel this consuming energy sometimes. I can sense there is great power in dark magic, but I am afraid to use it in case the darkness consumes me again," Veretta answered slowly.

"You are stronger than you think," Leva reassured, "look inside your heart and find what it is that makes you so afraid. You must face it. That is the only way to break its hold over you,"

*********

That night, Veretta could not sleep. She kept reflecting on Leva Veral's words. In the chaos of the battle and imprisonment, her escaping memories had been hardly her first concern. Now, she couldn't stop recalling every incident where her memories were frayed.

First, there was the night on the mountain. Michael said she had passed out from exhaustion. Yet she remembered nothing of the sort. Then there were the dinners. They were all a blur. Last was the morning Tomas came to her cell. He had been called away, but by who?

Each time she tried to remember, she would feel that slick sinking feeling. Like she was fading into the darkness. It reminded her acutely of the lofty temple where she had first met Shallow. If so, she could run away from it no longer.

Veretta sat up in bed and shut her eyes tightly. She let the cold darkness wash over her. She felt her soul fall beyond the floor, lower into the earth, then lower still. Suddenly, her eyes were open. She was staring at the mist-covered steps to the temple of the dead...

" I was wondering when you'd come," Shallow's crystalline purple eyes stared down.

"Shallow," Veretta said slowly," Where have you been?"

" I have been here, as I always am," Shallow replied.

" I called to you when I was imprisoned in the dungeons. You did not answer," Veretta said quietly.

"Must I answer every time you call?" Shallow stared down apathetically.

"No, it's just... I needed your help," Veretta faltered.

"Yes, I heard your prayers," Shallow answered categorically, " You promised me the scroll, and I granted you my powers. That was our deal,"

"But you never came!" Veretta protested.

"I promised my powers, not my presence," Shallow dismissed.

"But how am I suppose to use your powers without you," Veretta entreated.

"Simply take them," Shallow replied coldly, "You did before. It is not me which prevents you. It is your fear, guilt and shame that compels you otherwise,"

"Should I not be afraid? " Veretta shook her head grievously, "Ace told me that the powers of the Gods came at a cost,"

" The boy loved by the demon god..." Shallow said in a low voice, "Yes, he was swallowed up by my brother and vanquished as punishment,"

"But the Empress of Rotan also paid dearly for her deal with the Goddess," Veretta equivocated, "What is the cost I must pay?"

"That depends," Shallow smiled," What do you think the price should be?"

" I already promised you the scroll," Veretta hesitated.

" That is not what I asked you," Shallow rose from his seat on high. He descended the steps until he was a foot above Veretta, "I'm asking what do you think the price is for the power of a god?"

Veretta blinked rapidly trying to concoct in answer," My soul?"

"I have all the souls I need," Shallow glanced behind to the temple," This is where the dead lie. You have already offered me many,"

"Then, what can I give you?" Veretta asked fearfully.

Shallow raised a hand and pointed at Veretta's chest, "Perhaps, your heart will suffice,"

"My heart?" Veretta flinched, "you mean for me to die?"

" What is a heart? It is feeling - love, happiness, regret, pain," Shallow said emotionlessly," that is something I do not have,"

" I don't understand," Veretta stared into Shallow's eyes with trepidation.

"The demon god fed on loneliness. The Goddess called for supreme loyalty. What I want is to feel the unparalleled pain of love,"

"How can I give you my love?" Veretta tensed.

"You're already given it to me," Shallow stepped past her, "Look below,"

Veretta turned to face the mountain steps. Behind her, the once concealed path began to clear. The mist rolled back revealing more steps downwards.

"Clear my path for me," Shallow said coolly.

With these words, Veretta awoke startled back in her bedroom. She glanced around apprehensively. She was alone. Veretta released the breath tangled in the chest. Her hands were shaking. She steadied them, regaining her composure.

The rest of the night passed slowly. It was only when the sun, now free from Silthus' magic, entered the room that she allowed her eyes to close. She slept well until late noon when a knock roused her.

She sleepily found her way to the door.

"You are not dressed," Michael stared down.

"I have nothing to wear," Veretta retreated inside.

"Fortunately, I have pillaged Cora's wardrobe on your behalf," Michael briskly set down a dress. He turned to Veretta. She was sitting on the bed, staring ahead vacantly.

"You don't look well, "Michael observed," And after you forced me to go?"He grinned.

"Well let's skip it, shall we?" He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

"No, I will be fine," Veretta protested.

She glanced down at the dress. It was a rosy-hued embroidered dress.

"It's too fine for me," Veretta remarked, "I will look like a fool,"

"No, "Michael chuckled," You will look like the most beautiful woman there because you are the most beautiful woman,"

" You shouldn't flatter me," Veretta sighed," I will grow vain,"

"Then be vain. Be gloriously extravagant," Michael laughed," You should know that flattery is not in my nature,"

Veretta glanced at him unconvinced. He was an image of male beauty. Dressed In a dark suit with his hair pulled back, he looked like royalty.

"I fear I will not live up to your standards," Veretta stared drily.

" What standards are those?" Michael smirked.

"I'm hardly a princess..." Veretta murmured.

"A princess?" Michael chuckled," these are high standards, indeed. Shall I tell you about a princess I once knew?"

Veretta glanced up begrudgingly.

"She was a shallow, pampered little thing. No thoughts in her head other than the size of her crown," Michael smiled.

"And yet you..."

" I What?" Michael interceded, "I courted her to enrage the emperor? A success I think, " he added smugly.

"You used her?" Veretta scoured.

"And she used me to secure her own position. That is how it was in the Emperor's court. People using each other. A necessity of aristocratic life. A necessity I loathed. The constant charade of pleasantries, the jealousy and petty plays for power - I hated it all. I was a poor village boy who dared to become Grand wizard. They delighted in watching me fall from grace, so I made sure to make it worth my while,"

"That is why they called you the black wizard," Veretta said quietly, "my complaints must seem insufferable to you,"

"On the contrary, I much prefer your honesty to the tight-lipped royalty, " Michael undid the zip to the dress, "now, let us get ready to suffer through more aristocratic power plays,"

Veretta gave a nod. Michael left her to bathe and dress. She found him waiting outside. He held out his hand.

"Shall we, princess? "He smiled brightly.

Veretta took his hand and they proceeded to the dining room. Much had changed overnight. The bodies had been swept away somewhere. The dining room was simple but elegantly dressed. Everyone was present. There were a few new faces from Leva's party and women from the West. Though Tomas, Yona, Estelle and Darius were seated at the place of honour beside Leva Veral.

Michael escorted Veretta to a seat beside Leva Veral. Then joined her at the seat beside.

"Thank you for joining us," Leva stood with a smile. She was dressed in a pure white, modest gown. She rose a glass to the group.

"To our imminent victory."