Believing in Myself

For those who read this... or notice... or care... I changed the opening details. I wanted to let you all know how things will be changing as I go along... Either that or I write this thing in series, which I don't feel like doing. And don't worry... that M/F you've been seeing? You'll see it come true next chapter... I'm writing it now!

For now, here's more to the story...


Chapter 11


It felt so much longer then a few minutes. His mind thought it was hours, but his body ached as though it was put through days of hard work. All the magic he had used was starting to affect him, now of all possible times. He didn't notice before, but casting all those spells had indeed worn him. Now that he was out of danger, his body was adjusting, although not in the way he would have liked.

John still had one more thing to do. Forcing himself up from the ground, he turned and dragged his feet over to Jessica.

"John, please don't push yourself."

"Jessica… I'll free you. Hold still."

He rested his hand on the chain nearest her wrist. Already he could feel the darkness in the chain, the horrible feeling of draining what little strength he had left in his body.

"Fire."

A small flame shot, but it was enough. With one hand free, Jessica's hand began to glow a white light. She rested her hand on her other wrist, then her ankles, the chains falling harmlessly to the floor. Along with John.

"John! Are you ok? Answer me!"

"The demons… they-."

"I'll help you. I can keep them away at least… I'll heal you, but not here… it's too dangerous."

She supported him up and together they walked through the door. John's eyes were a little unfocused, although he wondered how they would get down the steps without falling. Jessica opened the door and they stepped through. John instantly recognized the circular room in the entrance. They reappeared through one of the many doors that branched out. He could see the circle staircase that led upward in the center of the room.

Exiting the tower into the night, they saw the entrance was unguarded by the demons. It was as if when Beras had left, everything else did as well. Jessica moved as quick as she could, heading to what was left of John's house. Jessica searched through the rubble until she found them, the stairs that lead to the room full of spells. As John had accurately believed, the room survived.

Jessica opened the door and carried John through the hallways of spells, never stopping, and always checking on him, making sure he would stay conscious. Finally they reached a table and Jessica laid John down on it.

"Alright… this won't hurt a bit."

"I… trust you… Jessica…"

Laying her hands on his body, her hands glowed a bit. "Heal." John's breathing started to become steadier, and soon he passed out into a deep sleep.

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He watched them leave the tower from his viewpoint. He stood at the very tip, balancing his body on the small space available. His scarf hid his face, and seemed to have a kind of life of its own, for the ends which wrapped around him seemed to float without any support. His black cloak covered his clothing, and was fastened by a silver buckle shaped in the crescent moon, that seemed to glow in the night.

"To think… you might be the one. But why… why must you… must we be involved? Light and shadow, divided and yet… we exist together. But why?"

He looked up into the night sky, the endless bounds of space, as he searched for the answer. It was as though someone did answer him for he slowly bowed his head and whispered words no one could hear.

"I see… it is destiny… but… can't we choose? Are we not free… to run from destiny? We have choices…"

He shook his head, although he was being spoken to harshly. He sighed and looked upwards again.

"I understand… but he still has the choice. He is free to make it. I will not force this upon him. I would not force this upon any man, no matter how the world will fare."

He jumped up and vanished into the night.

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John slept the rest of the night, with Jessica watching over him, healing as he rested. When dawn approached, although they didn't know it, John finally awoke.

"Oh… my head…"

"John! You're awake! Finally!"

Jessica stood over him, although there was worry over her face. For that reason alone he didn't freak out like the last two times she had decided to lean over him.

"Jessica… are we… where are we?"

"Back at the training room… your house is completely gone."

"Ah well… I guess that's that then." John looked away. "Although I wish I was able to beat Beras."

"John…"

"He got away. I wasn't strong enough. He beat me…"

"You're still alive John. Be thankful for that."

"I am… but I was hoping to avenge my father. I was hoping… so much."

Jessica didn't say anything to him, but patted his head. "Don't worry about it. Beras is gone now…"

"No… he's not gone. And I won't give in. Not until he falls. Tomorrow we can start retraining and maybe I can learn more new magic."

Jessica turned away. "John… about that. You've started to develop your skills quite well. It's time you've started to train on your own."

"On my own… but what about you?"

"I… my duty is done. I did what I came to do. To teach you magic. I don't think I can stay."

John expected this. But he wasn't just going to take it lying down. "No! Can't you stay? Can't you be a human and stay? I don't want you to leave!"

"John… I… must go and think."

Without another word, she ran off, and John reached out his hand to stop her. But she moved out of sight before he could even stand, and simply sat there a look of surprise and defeat on his face.

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"No! Lord Beras, forgive me!"

A sickening crash was heard as a demon hit the wall behind him. He vanished into nothingness as Beras stood before what was once a demon, a look of hatred on his face.

"So close. And then you had to ruin it…"

He turned away from the damage he had done. It would be fixed later, but for now, he had other things to do.

"What do you want?" Beras called out, fully expecting an answer.

"Sharp aren't you?"

Someone emerged from the shadows of the room. He had blonde hair and wore what looked to be a blue vest, showing his well muscled arms. His black pants and red boots, looked to be a tight fit, but he moved as though they didn't bother him one bit.

"Like I said before, what do you want?"

"What I want? I want to know why you didn't kill him Beras."

Beras turned away from the newcomer, although he was fully prepared to answer. "Something else came up."

"Really now? You sure you didn't let your hopes for the boy get in the way?"

Beras shook his head. "I know my duty. I don't need you to remind me."

"Really now. In that case, would you mind telling me why I shouldn't kill you now for failure?"

Beras said nothing but merely showed the glass ball he had. The red flames continued to dance inside. "This should be more then enough reason."

"What!? But how? I was-."

"I didn't believe the boy a threat. And, in fact, he wasn't one. So I thought you could use the extra help and conducted a search of my own. Which, it seems, proved to be more useful then your methods."

"Why you little-."

"Enough Atrois."

Both of them turned to see another person walk over to them. His features remained hidden in the shadows, but one could see the form of a tall person, around seven feet in height, and overly muscled. A large handle for an axe rested on his back.

"Beras… you failed in the mission. However, your acquisition compensates for your action."

Beras smiled and walked over to a pedestal. A portion of it looked sunken from the rest, with a glass orb resting there, although the flames inside shone a bright blue. Placing the red orb, they watched as another portion of the pedestal sank to meet with the other. A red glow surrounded the portion, as though reacting to something, then it faded.

"One more to go. At this rate, we will be done in no time."

"Count yourself lucky Beras."

"I think I will Atrois."

"Enough from you two. Beras… head out and find another Destined. And don't fail in killing this time."

"I shall not sir." Beras bowed and walked away. The shadow turned to Atrois.

"You… keep searching. I want that last key as soon as you can find it. Understood?"

"Of course… brother." Atrois walked off, leaving the shadowed figure quite alone.

"The time is coming. Soon, we shall cast this world into Chaos."