*
High above the train, hidden from sight by the veil of the heavens, however, there were no smiles to be had. Standing in the clouds, with the world splayed out under them, were two Avatars. Terra, always uncomfortable with the thought of being so far from the land, had constructed a mile-high pillar of earth, atop which he had fashioned a diamond throne. Ion, on the other hand, had no such qualms about being away from the sea, and so let herself float gently in the moisture laden air.
“They have done well brother,” said the Avatar clothed in dark-blue cloth.
“Yes, they have accomplished their mission, but it remains to be seen what Raigan's reaction will be to his champion's defeat,” replied Terra.
“I do not think that we should worry ourselves over that. While his actions in the past have bordered on direct interference, he has become more cautious as of late. He will not move openly against them, and it will be a long time before he can acquire another champion. For now, they are safe, and free of his dark shadow.”
A sudden bout of thunder made Ion look down, towards the planet's surface. She had not predicted a thunderstorm, nor had she ordered the water in the air to gather, leaving only...
“Raigan!” she exclaimed, pointing towards a shadowy figure gliding towards them.
“How foolish you are, to act as if you have won a great victory.”
“What do you mean? Barsch defeated Kain. Your champion's plan has been undone. You have failed!” shouted Terra, rising from his gleaming throne.
Raigan, still walking ever closer, flashed them a deranged smile, before exclaiming, “You are a fool Terra! And you as well, Ion, for standing beside him! Did you really think that you had me beaten? My great plan is not so fragile that it would fall apart if a mere pawn was defeated. That madman was just one of many who have heard my call and have chosen to kneel before me. His failure was insignificant in the overall scheme, and yet you sit here and gloat as if you had won? I pity your so-called champion, for having the misfortune of being under your guidance.”
Ion, still floating in the air between her two brothers, allowed the wind to carry her backwards, closer to safety. Terra, in response, extended a portion of his earthly tower, making a space on which he could fight if need be. Although he would be weaker than if he were closer to the ground, he still had enough strength to hold Raigan back for a while. Even as Ion landed beside him, he was gathering energy, ready to launch a pre-emptive strike at a moment's notice.
However, Raigan had already seen through his plan, and loudly declared, “Do not misunderstand, Avatar. I have not come here to end you, not yet. I merely felt like striping you of your baseless hope, and informing you of the futility of your actions. Do not fear, I will not kill you yet... not until I have shown you the full scale of my hatred for those you so cherish. And when the last of your precious humans lies dying, when the last man curses the names of the gods who failed him... then I will end you. Until then, continue to live in ignorance. Continue to hope that your champion will succeed. Continue to believe in those who would destroy our home for the sake of their greed. Until then, I bid you farewell.”
“Brother! You don't have to do this! Come back with us... to where you belong! I am sure that we can find a way to heal you, and return you to how you once were! Please... big brother... please...” Ion wept, as the thing which had once been her beloved brother turned away.
At her stinging words, Raigan stopped, and, for a brief moment, Ion believed that her words had touched him. However, when he turned back to them with a smile of purest evil, all hope of his salvation died.
“I am no longer your brother. The man you knew was weak, and filled with foolish thoughts. He is gone now, and he will never return. Farewell.”
And, as Raigan slowly vanished from sight, Ion wept, for the man she had once called brother.
Awakening Page 246