Chaos Ascendant

Chapter 13

It was, of course, a gamble.

The strong mind within the fragile shadow was completely aware of that.

She was also aware of the probability that she would not succeed, and that her efforts would very well be in vain.

She was not to be the sacrifice for the Lord of Nightmares, but nothing had been said to imply that she wouldn’t be the sacrifice for Shabranigdo.

She needed to help. She needed to think, to do, to open her eyes and face the fact that as the Protector, she was failing. Nothing was answering her call, no-one was speaking quietly and telling her what to do. The gentle soul of Sylphiel felt a sinking feeling that she couldn’t fight back. Despair began to settle in, and she could feel a hollow pit form in her stomach. The War would begin, and she couldn’t do a thing about it.

Except… wait, what was that? That subtle glow that she could see without her eyes? Something swirling around the Knight of Shabranigdo…

The Protector raised her head, opening her eyes, and stalked across the distance between herself and the Knight of Shabranigdo. Something wasn’t right. There was a smaller glint of power that was totally unrelated to the Knight’s power. Instead, it felt like a glimmer of the same sense that had recently flowed around Lina Inverse. The Protector reached out, eyes still closed, extending her hand to touch the Knight.

The Knight backed away from the Protector as Cepheid’s agent moved towards her, and for a moment, those who were observing the two women thought that the War was about to begin.

But golden eyes settled on the two, and lips parted, a command that neither could ignore issuing forth: “Attend.”

The Four Worlds stopped to listen.

What was held must now come forth, as shattered fragments meld.

And what was Bound is now undone, the War unfought now won.

Chaos erupted.

The very world around Zelgadis and Amelia suddenly began to shake, and suddenly, Zelgadis was convinced that this was no longer a Good Place to Be. His main concern, however, was how to get out of wherever they were. He turned to catch Amelia as she stumbled when the ground gave a particularly vicious shake, and she smiled in thanks.

“Zelgadis! Amelia!” An old familiar voice broke across the chaos, and the two turned to see a very familiar and extremely welcome face.

“Filia! How did you get here?” Zelgadis called out to the Golden Dragon as the woman ran towards them, long hair loose, tail poking out from behind her long pink skirt.

“That’s not important right now. We have to get you out of here!” She reached gloved hands out to the two, catching them up with both fingers and magic, pulling the three of them out of the rapidly collapsing world-bubble.

They landed in the courtyard of what was immediately recognizable as Kuroryu, and Zelgadis looked up towards the sky, which held an eerie glow. “What’s happening, Filia?”

Filia looked up at the glow quietly, and then looked back to Amelia and Zelgadis with calm blue eyes. “The Seal has been broken. The War is at hand.”

Kira felt the Knight of Shabranigdo compelled by the Lord of Nightmares, and used that very opportunity to vie for control. If only she could get the ring off of her finger, she might stand a chance of fighting off the control of the fragment. But compelled as it was, her body wouldn’t move.

Damn! If only I could get that ring off! She ranted, completely aware that she wasn’t going to succeed, and the instant that the compulsion was gone, the Knight would be aware of her. She didn’t know until a moment later that she could be heard.

Ring, A mental voice echoed.

Suddenly, the world around Kira’s awareness shifted, and she blinked her eyes. Her eyes. Golden eyes blinked back, and the golden figure took several steps backwards, a silver ring held between two fingers.

So. This explains it. Very well, I understand. My apologies, Kira Inverse.

Kira blinked again. Xellos and Elena were flanking her, Sylphiel…no, the Protector looking at her, with the Cepheid Knight and the Warrior behind her. The stage for War was set, with one very strange addition.

A child with flaxen hair was sitting on the ground, her white dress spilled all around her as she colored very carefully on a sheet of paper.

The golden figure walked over and rested her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Cece, it’s time.”

Wordlessly, the child nodded and put her coloring to the side, standing and turning to look at the assembled group.

The golden figure that may or may not have been Lina put the ring on the floor and looked at it calmly. “And you as well, Bran.”

The ring shimmered, replaced by a boy with hair as dark as night. He was wearing solid black pants and jacket, a sharp and dark contrast to the girl who he obviously mirrored.

The thought struck Kira. They’re siblings!

The golden figure nodded to Kira. The Children of Chaos. Light and Dark, Order and Disorder. But now it is time. The rivalry must end, and you both must retake your places. You are not children, and it is time that you stopped behaving as such.

The two glared at each other, and then there was from each, a swirling of light and darkness, and two adults looked warily at each other.

The woman smoothed the skirt of her white dress, golden blonde hair falling around her waist, and looked over to her brother, who was busy doing his best to straighten the sleeves of his jacket.

Golden eyes glittered, and the golden figure folded her arms and looked expectantly at the two twins.

A musical voice lilted across the ears of the dumbstruck others. “I’m sorry that I said your tea tasted like you’d used the bottom of your shoes to brew it.”

Anger flared in the dark eyes of the man before he sighed, a voice as deep as night offering a counter. “And I’m sorry that I said your tea had to have been made from the rotten leaves of the Rithsa plant.”

The woman smiled faintly to the man, extending her hand. “Peace, Shabranigdo?”

The man sighed and took her hand lightly. “Peace, Cepheid.”

Those who were watching collapsed at the revelation that the entire War had been over tea. Lina Inverse, however, was still standing only because Lina had gained the knowledge when she Ascended.