Elemental Courage

by M. W. McDonald

  “Because we want you to live,” David growled, the commanding presence of a father was undeniable. “That is Khorynn, warn the house.” Michael stared at his father he knew what it meant to leave. David closed his great amber eyes so his son wouldn’t see the emotion, and turned his head.

  “Now Michael!” David said. Michael’s howl tore the air, and he was gone in a flash of fur and energy.

  Khorynn had made no attempts to attack them she held her hands to her side and continued to scan the sky. She never broke eye contact with the path her beams just traversed.

  “I mean you no harm.” She said off-handedly.

  “That’s a first for you isn’t it?” Owen retorted. He charged his core, focusing intently on a battle he felt was imminent. She made no move to charge her energy or defend herself.

  “Are you going to make this easy for me?” Owen asked. “Or do you plan on attacking me when my guard is down?” She remained silent a moment, her robes blew in a gentle breeze that flew through the canyon.

  “Do what you must things have been made clear to me now. My weakness brought about my own demise.” Tears began to well up in her eyes as the tremendous weight of guilt bore down on her as she recalled everything she had done, all of the lives she took. There was a time when she couldn’t have possibly taken a life, and apparently, without the Reaper’s influence, she couldn’t have. That didn’t matter now, she would have to answer for the thousands of lives she had ended because of her weak-minded hatred. It had been her power that caused it this was her responsibility and her price to pay.

  “At least let me see if she is ok,” Khorynn said as she motioned to the raven-haired beauty.

  “Who is she?” Owen asked quickly, he was still focused.

  “She is my daughter,” Khorynn replied in a near whisper.

  “The Shade?!” Owen exclaimed. He didn’t wait for the answer. He hurled his massive hammer at the woman. The weapon flew so fast careening at its target. Khorynn motioned with her wrist and the hammer dissolved. Her eyes lit ablaze as Owen was lifted off of his feet. He was being raised by a vortex of air around his neck that squeezed. His arms and legs were bound in place by the same whirlwinds. Khorynn spoke again anger was dripping from her voice.

  “If you try that again I will kill you, Owen.” Khorynn then lowered her hands and Owen fell to the ground gasping for air. She walked up to her daughter and dropped to her knees. She took her daughter’s head and placed it on her lap. Khorynn brushed some of the matted hair out of her daughter’s face. Owen looked on re-gathering his energy just in case. Khorynn ran her fingers through her daughter’s hair. It had been ages since she had done it. The last time she had seen her, and not the shade form, was the day she had returned home to see her dead. She was the mirror image of her mother, but her hair was darker than Khorynn’s, something she certainly got from her father. All of the women in the family had a lovely face and long lashes. She was no exception. Her skin was pale, but that was to be expected. Tears streamed down Khorynn’s face as she felt her daughter’s pulse weaken.

  Khorynn channeled a significant portion of her very essence into the woman. She repaired the damage caused by the chains but was unable to do anything about her daughter’s destroyed power reserve. She was going to live a healthy life if she survived. Well, as healthy a life as someone hundreds of years old can lead.

  “Mom?” The tired voice whispered from the pale body. Khorynn hugged her child for the first time in 500 years. She smiled down at her.

  “Yes, Irys it’s me.” Khorynn sighed standing up slowly. “Can you stand?” Irys nodded tiredly.

  “What… What happened? I can’t remember anything.” Khorynn smiled and stayed silent. She was thankful that Irys would be spared the heavy conscience resulting from deeds of the Shade’s, the same heavy conscience she herself had. All of the Shade’s decisions were made by a collective of souls that had inhabited the corporeal form.

  A laugh erupted from the night sky that sent shivers down Owen’s spine. Khorynn’s kissed her daughter’s forehead and put her own blue pendant around her daughter’s neck.

  “Keep that with you always. I will always be watching.” Khorynn kissed her daughter’s forehead one last time. Her eyes closed.

  “Mom?” Irys asked confused and scared.

  Khorynn turned to Owen and David. Her eyes were heavy with sadness.

  “I know I don’t deserve it, but please, I beg of you, please take care of her for me. Owen, find Dyaina, please.” Owen looked at Khorynn’s tear-streaked face, and then the face of Irys. He nodded to David.

  “What are you going to do?” Owen asked suspiciously as David talked to Irys quickly, still in wolf form. Irys got onto David’s back.

  “I am going to repay my debt to mankind.” She said. Another laugh echoed in the night air.

  “Can you beat him?” Owen asked. Khorynn looked down sadly. “No, no I can’t. But I can give you enough time to get away from here. He’s coming, please leave…Please.” Owen extended his hand. Khorynn looked at it at first not understanding the gesture. She smiled weakly then took it.

  “I’m sorry for everything.” Khorynn choked the words out. Owen felt no hate in her, only a tremendous love for her daughter. Owen nodded and quickly strode to David and jumped upon his back behind a crying Irys. He bowed his head to Khorynn.

  “Let’s go, David, it’s about to get nasty,” Owen stated simply.

  She saw the rift open, saw her daughter and her new caretakers disappear.

  She screamed with a rage, not of this world. Bolts of electrical energy carved massive swathes from the stones beneath her feet. Her body lit ablaze as she propelled into the air to meet the creator of her own hell.

  “I love you Irys,” Khorynn whispered.

  Energy danced across the sky as the two most powerful titans of shamanic history collided in mid-air.

  41

  Dyaina was tending to Renai’s cuts and bruises when she felt the stab at her heart. Her breath caught in her throat as a tremendous pang of loss tore at her. Tears welled up in her eyes as her soul made the connection clear. Splashes from her tears now spotted Renai’s sheets. Her sister was gone. She clutched at her sapphire pendant tightly, quiet sobs wracked her body.

  Owen came into the room quickly. He looked at Renai.

  “She ok?” He asked. Dyaina nodded, not trusting her voice.

  “You need to follow me, we have a new development.” He paused a moment, he walked up to Dyaina, whose back was to him. He put a hand on her shoulder gently. Dyaina’s body was still shaking with silent sobs.

  “She’s gone.” Dyaina managed to say. Owen didn’t reply, she had already known. He was impressed with Khorynn. He hadn’t expected her to have such a drastic change of heart. Brian had been able to make out some of the Reaper’s conversation, and he relayed everything to Owen upon his return. It was no wonder she changed her outlook. The Reaper was banking on her confinement holding. If she stayed locked up, she would stew in anger and become that much more twisted. The Reaper made a disastrous mistake. By attacking Khorynn’s daughter, he caused Khorynn’s motherly instincts to take over. The seal upon her was only meant to contain her evil, so when she was consumed by the need to protect her daughter, the large blood ruby could no longer hold her.

  “I knew I would lose her one day, but nothing really prepares you for it.” Dyaina’s sobs stopped, but her tears continued to stream down her face as she clutched Owen’s hand.

  “How?” Dyaina’s voice trailed off.

  “She stayed in the canyon to protect her daughter’s escape. She gave her life to buy us enough time to get out.” Owen’s tone was caring but strong.

  “To protect her daughter?” Realization lit Dyaina’s face then turned to confusion as she turned around to face the tall man.

  “The child was a girl?” Owen nodded at her.

  “Come with me, it’s important,” Owen said as he squeezed her shoulder lightly then stepped back allowing her t
o stand. Owen didn’t feel the need to speak anymore he walked through the door and down the hall with Dyaina in tow. He stopped after the first pair of crystalline statues and opened the door of an unused bed-chamber. He opened the door and was greeted by Alex who sat in a heavy chair behind two of the more significant crystalline statues. Their heads turned simultaneously to assess the new occupants. Owen nodded to them and responded in kind, refocusing their glowing onyx eyes at the bed.

  “Why are they here-“ Dyaina stopped herself. Encased in the bed, was a dark haired woman, her head was turned to the side, but Dyaina could see that she had been crying. Dyaina didn’t know why, but she was compelled to see the woman. She walked to the side of the bed and sat down upon it, next to the woman.

  “What’s the matter child, you're safe here.” Dyaina moved her hair from the girls face. As she brushed the hair to the side, Dyaina’s eyes were drawn by the chain to its end. She instantly recognized it as the twin to her own sapphire pendant.

  “You are Khorynn’s daughter?” The woman didn’t respond. She blinked away another series of tears. Dyaina continued.

  “Miss your mom?”” Stupid question, Dyaina thought to herself. “That’s a pretty pendant you have there.” The woman realized her pendant wasn’t hidden and quickly hid it beneath the bed coverings. Owen stood behind Dyaina with his arms crossed.

  “What’s your name honey?” Dyaina asked soothingly. Still the woman made no move to answer. Dyaina leaned forward and spoke softly.

  “You aren’t the only person who will miss her. When you want to talk, find me.” Dyaina unclasped the ornate chain of her pendant and set the gem down next to the woman’s face so that the woman could see it. Dyaina stood up and straightened her dress before turning to Owen and Alex. She patted Owen’s chest.

  “Let’s give her some space, she is mourning.” Owen resisted a moment then conceded. Alex exited the room first and then Dyaina. Owen stopped at the door.

  “You are safe here Irys, at least for now. I don’t recommend using any shamanic energies. Your guards don’t appreciate it much.” Irys nodded quickly then went back to looking at Dyaina’s pendant. It was the exact same as the one her mother gave her, only minutes before. Inside of the glowing blue gem, was a picture of Khorynn and Dyaina as kids, smiling in Irys’ direction. Irys cried until sleep took over. Her silent guards stood ever-vigilant, their crystalline bodies glowed softly.

  42

  Dyaina had exited the room, she had kept her cool. Owen was impressed. Once the door closed, however, she slumped against the wall.

  “You ok Dyaina?” Alex asked, genuinely concerned. She nodded as her body was wracked by one final silent sob. She composed herself quickly.

  “I wasn’t prepared…to see Khorynn’s face.” She struggled to complete each sentence, holding back her emotions. “Her hair is darker than Khorynn’s, but the face is the same. She has my mother’s eyes.” Dyaina smiled and then turned to Owen who was leaning against the wall opposite her. “How could this be possible? She is a shade.” Dyaina’s question was redundant at this point, but it still begged to be answered.

  “She was a shade” Owen corrected her.

  “What happened?” She restrained her skepticism. “Who or what could have reversed the process?”

  “The Reaper did this to her.” Brian's voice came from down the hall as he slowly walked around the corner and up to them. “But I don’t think her survival was part of his plan. I think he wanted Khorynn to see her child die. He took, absorbed the shades shadows himself. It sounded horribly painful.” Owen turned around to lean his back against the wall.

  “You look like hell Brian,” Owen said.

  “Love you to Owen,” in truth, Brian felt exhausted, he was observing everything in the canyon, he had never done it for so long before, and it had been taxing.

  “You saw what happened?” Dyaina asked.

  “Yeah, I did. Still confused, but I saw it.” He paused Dyaina tapped her feet restlessly waiting for him to continue.

  “Well?” She said annoyed.

  “I saw…an old man…turn into the shade. I saw another older shade wield a massive scythe that cut the very shadows from the other. He tore the remaining shadows from the first shade, leaving behind a woman.” Brian emphasized again. “it was just an old man, but now it’s a wo-man.” Brian scratched his head. “I am so confused.” Owen figured it was probably best to help him out.

  “A shade can take the form of anyone they have consumed essence from,” Owen said.

  “So that old man-” Brian stopped his question mid-sentence.

  “Was a victim of the Shade,” Owen said slowly, glancing at Alex. Alex didn’t seem to notice.

  “Well, that sucks,” Brian said. “Anyways, the other shade swung that massive scythe down at the exposed woman when her red pendant shattered and Khorynn appeared. Khorynn stopped the blade path with her hand. Still gives me goosebumps. She struck him harder than anything I have ever felt, but he got up unscathed.

  Dyaina interrupted him. “How is that possible? If Khorynn wanted him dead, he should be dead.” Brian paused, wondering if he should continue to tell her what happened to her sister. Owen knew there was more to the story.

  “Tell her Brian,” Owen said sternly.

  “This other shade, the older one, has apparently been in Khorynn’s shadow since her sentencing. Whispering things to her, bending her will. Khorynn’s mind was too strong before the death of her friend.” Brian paused again. Owen beckoned for him to continue. Brian’s eyes were closed as he continued. “He killed her friend, pushed her off the cliff. He felt her capacity for hate and weakened her mind with the death of her best friend.” Dyaina held up a hand to her mouth. Brian continued slowly. “All Khorynn knew was hurt and this Reaper amplified that hurt. He only allowed her relief if she acted upon her hatred. He, in time, became immune to her energies by merely being near him mentally.

  Dyaina was relieved and frightened now. Relieved that her dear sister couldn’t have possibly done her deeds on her own, and frightened by the power this Reaper could have after absorbing the shadowy essence of the first shade.

  “Did you see what happened to Khorynn?” Dyaina asked quickly, the worry was sharp in her voice. Brian shook his head no.

  “There was no way I could keep up with her. I do know that she hurt the Reaper badly. I even felt his energy waver, but hers faded shortly after that.”

  “I need you to remember the feeling Brian. Did her energy fade over a short time, long time, or all at once?” Brian closed his eyes, now reliving the sensation.

  “It faded over a short time,” Brian said. Dyaina stood up in an instant. “Where is William?” She asked quickly.

  “I told him to practice more after seeing that,” Brian said just as quickly.

  “Good call,” Owen stated. Dyaina ran down the hall towards the training chamber.

  “What’s the deal?” Owen asked, keeping up with Dyaina’s every stride.

  “He absorbed Khorynn, the Reaper took her energy!” Owen’s face slackened briefly. She continued. “He has the energy that he started with, which was immense, to begin with. Now its combined with the shadows from Khorynn’s daughter and Khorynn herself.” We need to up the ante. Will’s training has to reach a whole new level, now.”

  “What do you want to do?” Owen asked.

  “We are all going to test him at once.” She replied.

  Owen slowed his pace to run with Alex. “Alex stop a second, I need to talk to you.” Alex slowed to a walk and an eventual stop. Dyaina and Brian continued down the hall before turning into the training chamber.

  “What’s up?” Alex asked excitement from the vibe around him surged adrenaline through his veins. Owen was silent a brief moment as he found the words.

  “The old man… The one Brian saw turn into the shade… It was your grandfather.” Alex shook his head. “Impossible, he isn’t a shade.”

  “I know he isn’t.” Owen paused. “A shade
can take the form of anyone they consume energy from directly.” Owen’s tone was solemn. “I’m sorry Alex.”

  Alex’s face grew red with rage and denial, steam started coming off of his face. “How do you know it was my grandfather?!” Owen was silent, Alex’s question was more of a statement. Owen would answer it anyway.

  “When Brian lurched forward in the kitchen, he grabbed me. Showed me what he felt.” Owen’s tone grew sadder. “Your grandfather was a mentor of my own. I would recognize him anywhere.” Alex had too many emotions running through him. Those endless feelings fueled him. Flames teased along his arms, changing from blue, to red, to white as various emotions registered in his mind.

  “Why him?!” Alex asked, a red glow coming from his throat, flames in the edges of his eyes. Owen turned to the emotional man.

  “I think he was just a casualty of circumstance. The shade probably came across a memory of his that pertained to me.” Owen continued seriously. “I was the shade’s next target, and with the illusion of your grandfather it would have probably succeeded.”

  “The woman in there is the sole survivor of the collection that was the shade?” Owen nodded. “And you brought her back here? The shade? After it killed my grandfather?!” Anger was pouring from Alex like thick syrup. Owen had to shield his face from the heat. Alex didn’t wait for Owen to respond, he turned from whence he came and bolted back towards Irys’ room bent on vengeance.

  “Stop!” Owen’s voice echoed down the hall past Alex. Two larger crystalline golems on either side of the hall closest to Alex, burst from the wall. Their blades crisscrossed the hallway, blocking his path. Alex stood motionless, his body trembled with rage.

  “Let me through Owen,” Alex said evenly.

  “I will do no such thing,” Owen replied quickly.

  “These won’t stop me,” Alex replied defiantly.

  “True, you could get by them but not with me chasing you.”

  “You protect it, you protect the shade?!” Alex was flushed with anger, his mouth frothing like a rabid animal.