The Merge and others

The room was slightly large



                The room was slightly large, but devoid of
anything but a pane of glass held in the middle of the room by golden braces. An
orb that shifted colors stood at one end, softly shining.
                "This is the Chamber of Memories," Erdric
stated to the confused Aryun. "Any point in any one's history can be replayed,
whether you are conscience of those memories or not."
                Aryun blinked. "Why did you bring me here?"
                Erdric sighed. "I said I had something to
show you…" He walked over and his hands skimmed along the globe. "You say you
are unworthy, correct?" He saw her nod out of the corner of his eye. "Well, I am
the unworthy one. Let me show you the past I keep hidden from all I know…"
                Almost tenderly, Erdric placed his right
hand upon the swirling globe, and fluttered his eyes closed in concentration.
For a few seconds, nothing happened, then suddenly, his back arched, his head
fell back, and he released a soft cry of pain.
                Slowly, he floated upwards, so that only
the tips of his toes remained upon the ground. A soft light fell upon his
features and a gentle wind toyed with his hair and his robes. His eyes were
closed, almost tightly in pain, and his slender lips were parted, breathing as
if in a deep sleep.
          sp;&sp;     "Listen and watch, Aryun," a whisper seemed
to say.
                Aryun watched the glass as it projected
near holographic images. Her eyes watched the scene depicted unfold.
                A younger version of Erdric was sitting in
a field meditating. The wild flowers gently danced wthe the wind, and the birds
sweetly sang their joy to the world. The loving wind whipped a few strands of
hair into his face. Almost methodically, his hand rose to brush those strands
away and tuck them behind his ear.
                His face wasn't 'older' as it seemed now,
and there was still an innocent air about him that was captivating.
                Aryun's eyes caught a slight movement in
the grasses behind him, stealthily moving to intercept him. She saw the younger
version of Erdric smile slightly as if he knew who was hunting him.
                Suddenly there was a loud cry and a blur of
dark green hair as it pounced Erdric from the side, making him fall down in the
soft grasses.
                "Erdric!" The voice happily chirped. "Did I
fool you today?" The young girl was sprawled across the younger Erdric's lap.
Her long emerald hair was spread out upon him and was in much disarray. Her eyes
were wide and slanted and her ears were delicately pointed. Her face was
delicate and with out a doubt, this was an elf maiden.
                A thought ran wildly through Aryun's head.
'I didn't know he knew an elf! He never said anything about her or anything…'
                Erdric smiled and wrapped his arms around
her, gently plucking out a piece of grass from her hair. "Yes, you did. You got
a lot closer before I noticed you." He started to laugh as her slender bird-like
hand beat at his chest.
                "That's not fair, Erdric Cathaoir," she
said with a pout. Her hand went to wrap around his shoulders. "Anyway, what are
you doin' out here?"
                Erdric's right hand played with a strand of
her silky hair. "I just wanted to get away to meditate." He winced. "Just didn't
like all the commotion."
                She nodded. "Yeah, it's gettin' noisy for
some reason. Maybe it's because Alex is back. Still, that doesn't matter. The
Elder told us not to wander past the hedgerow. We could get in huge trouble."
                Erdric signed again. "I know. I know.
Mother knows I come to this field and since it's pretty damned isolated, she
doesn't worry too much."
                "But still, we're the youngest people in
the village, Erdric. The only one remotely as young is Alex, the over baring
brute."
                "Celia," he said. "Why are you worried?" He
sat up, gently placing her head into his lap.
                Celia sighed and closed her eyes. "The
Elder would have a coronary if he found out that we were here alone. You know
how much he cares for you."
                "Well, this'll likely be the first and last
time you'll hear this: He can have the heart attack. We're not behaving badly
out here, are we?" He brushed some of her hair out of her face.
                " yot yet," she muttered softly. She sat up,
her hands palm down between her legs. "Erdric! I've got something for you! I
nearly forgot!"
                Erdric blinked. "You do?"
                Celia sat on her knees in front of him and
dropped a pendant down from her hands as if by magic.
                It spun languidly, splashing sunlight upon
their faces. Slowly, it came to a stop and Erdric could finally see what it was.
                A delicate cage of silver held a piece of
heart-shaped crystal. Within, a delicate Star Tear wrapped with a few strands of
green-blue andk grk green hair.
                Celia was smiling and leaned closer to him.
"Happy Birthday, Erdric! You're seventeen today!" She leaned closer and gently
brushed her lips against his.
                Erdric's eyes fluttered closed. His hand
came to rest upon the back of her neck, his fingers tangling in the soft hair
there. Tentatively, he slanted his mouth over hers. It was a gentle first kiss
for them both. Very slowly, they pulled apart. Dark blue eyes met with sea-green
eyes.
                Celia blushed and lowered her eyes. Pulling
back slightly, her hands were folded demurely upon her lap.
                Erdric's eyes were wide and his high cheeks
had been delicately brushed with pink. He reached out a hand and gracefully
caressed her cheek with the tips of his fingers.
                "Erdric, I…" Celia started to struggle
getting her words out.
                "What?" Erdric whispered, his fingers
tenderly cupping her cheek. "What is it?" He looked at her with worry.
                She looked at him, her cheeks bright pink.
"I don't know how to say this, but I… I've had dreams about you."
                Erdric's eyes widened slightly. "Well…
isn't it common for friends to dream of one another?"
&n&nbs               Celia shook her head, her cheeks turning
pinker. "Not these types of dreams. They are not platonic." She nervously gnawed
her lip as she looked up at him. "Erdric, I… I think I love you."
                Erdric blinked, blown over by this simple
statement. His fingers tenderly stoked her cheek and he leaned forward, placing
his lips against hers.
         &nbnbspnbsp;     Celia closed her eyes and leaned into his
kiss, her hands reaching up to rest lightly upon his slim, yet strong shoulders.
One of her hands came up gently touching his face. She pulled back to look into
his perfect eyes. "How do you feel about me?" She whispered, afraid.
                Erdric pulled her into his lap. His hands
gently encircled her waist. "I feel love for you, Celia. Pure and simple."
                Celia smiled brightly as she laughed and
hugged his neck. She started to kiss his face all over, much to his chagrin.
                Both laughed delightedly, falling back into
the flowery field.
                Aryun watched the scene change to another
day, but the same field. She saw Celia and Erdric, walking hand in hand through
the grasses. Each held a blanket on their other arm, and Erdric also carried a
bottle of something in his left hand.
                They walked content through the field of
blooming flowers, and Celia stopped, spreading her blanket upon the soft grass
in the little meadow. Erdric gently placed the other blanket and the bottle on
the ground, and took Celia's hands. Together, they sat upon the soft cotton
blanket, looking at one another.
                Celia giggled. "You know somethin'? The
Elder will be furious if he finds out where, and why we stole off."
        &n&nbs       Erdric grinned. His youthful face was
shining. "He would indeed be furious, but remember, we've donedone anything bad
as of yet, have we?"
                Celia laughed wholeheartedly. "'Yet', says
he!"
                Erdric gra her her around her waist,
pulling her closer to him. He crushed her lips to his, laying his mark upon her.
He pulled back slightly.
                "Are you sure?" He whispered, tenderly
touching her cheek.
                "Why would I not be? I love you Erdric, and
I want to give myself to you."
                Lovingly, he lowered her down, gazing
deeply into her blue eyes. He was reclining upon his right side, his head placed
in his hand. His left one fell gently upon her stomach.
                Celia reached up and placed a hand upon his
cheek. "I want this to happen," she said softly to him. "I have a feeling that
something is going to happen soon, and I would regret not having this moment. I
want to be yours, and I want you to be mine."
                Erdric leaned forward and gently brushed
his lips against her cheek, nose, and finally, her mouth. His left hand slid up
Celia's body to gently cup her small breast. He felt her breath quicken as his
hand softly rubbed and caed hed her.
                Celia brought her right hand up to touch
his shoulder. She felt the tips of his fingers gently pinch her hardening nipple
through her bodice. She relaxed, letting Erdric do as he wished for the moment.
She felt him start to brush kisses across her cheek and down under her jaw.
Gently, those kisses continued down to flutter across her collarbone and she
felt his tongue dip into the hollow of her throat.
        sp;&sp;       Erdric felt her shiver and tangle her hand
in his hair. Slowly, he slipped his hand over the ties on her dress, and slowly
started to tug them free.
                Celia felt Erdric tugging at her laces, and
she rolled her head to the side. Soon, she felt those laces become undone, and
felt a gently questing hand slip into her bodice. Hesitantly, his fingers moved
over her milky white perfection, as she started to breath hard. Her hands
kneaded the back of his neck as she felt his face move lower, pushing the fabric
out of the way with his nose, and his hot breath fanned her skin.
                Erdric gently nuzzled the curve of her
breast. He lightly nipping the side, and running his tongue over the spot.
                She shivered at the alien feelings that his
hands evoked within her body. They were intense, and got stronger ever moment.
She felt Erdric's tongue wash over her flesh, and suddenly, she cried out when
be brushed his lips against her taut nipple.
                Erdric took satisfaction from her cry and
he started to feel his manhood swell. He knew how to make himself come; He had
done that plenty of times dreaming of Celia, but nothing compared with actually
touching her silky milk white flesh. Tentatively, he started to lap at the sweet
bud and softly sucked it into his mouth, running his tongue over it.
                Celia felt a scorching string pull taut
within her body. The more Erdric suckled her breast, the tighter the string felt
between that and the area between her thighs. They seemed intimately entwined.
She was also acutely aware of the feelings between her legs. It seemed to be
moist like when she awoke from her dreams of Erdric. Every thing felt swollen
and ached with something akin to pain.
                Erdric gently suckled Celia's pert nipple,
and was surprised at her reaction. Every time he suckled hard upon her, she
arched her back, as if she was trying to force more of breast into his mouth.
Tenderly, he gave that nipple once last lap, and started to trail kisses over to
her right breast.
                Celia gave a gasp as Erdric ignited more
fire within her, tightening the string further. She saw and felt Erdric gently
move over her, slipping a leg between hers. She felt something hard pressing
against her left hip that made her tremble in primal fear. She shivered and
gasped as Erdric lavished her breast with the same tender affection as her other
one received.
                Erdric gently caressed the side of her
breast and tenderly moved his leg against the apex of her thighs. Not really
understanding why he wished to do so.
                Soon, his tender kisses started to make
their way down to the underside of her breasts, and down further until the dress
stopped in a 'V' just above her small stomach. He moved his head back up to
gently nip at her throat, and then he rose up some and looked deeply into her
eyes. "You still have the chance to back out, Celia." He touched his hand gently
to her cheek.
                "No, I don't want to back out. I want this
to happen, and I want it to be you, Erdric, you and no other. Please, take the
gift I offer with sincerity. I wish for you to have it." She tenderly touched
her fingers to his cheek.
                He gently nuzzled the palm of her hand. "I
love you very much, Celia. No matter what ever happens, remember that. Please. I
want you to have the gift I offer you. I will forever treasure your gift, as I
hope you treasure mine. I am happy that we chose each other."
                Celia smiled softly, loving the fact that
he was so eloquent at only seventeen. "Who else would I pick? Alex the Brute?"
She gave a soft laugh. "Never. You captured my heart when we were little, and I
remember I cried when Alex bashed you over your head with his sword hilt. I had
worried, but the Elder told me not to, that you'd be just fine. I was extremely
relieved when I saw you up and about the next day. I think Alex felt really
badly over that."
       sp;&sp;        Erdric smiled softly. "Well, now it is just
us, no one else."
                Celia smiled as well. "You're right. No one
but us is out in this field of flowers. Just you, and just me." She leaned
forward and pushed her lips upon his, commanding his full attention.
                He groaned as he felt Celia's tongue dart
out to touch his lips. He rose himself over her, supported by his hands, as he
slated his mouth over hers, gently reaching out his tongue to trace her lips.
Her mouth opened for him, and hesitantly, they touched each other's tongues in a
dance. They swirled around each other, sometimes invading the opponent's mouth.
                Celia felt the soft silk of Erdric's shirt
brush against her hard nipples and gave a soft moan into his mouth. He made her
feel wonderful, but she was scared of this. Would this hurt? She was told it
would by the Elder's wife, but then, she was also told that this was wicked.
This touching, caressing and kissing which they were doing, was the worst crimes
according to the Elder.
                Celia had been a full functioning female
since she turned thirteen, which was only five years ago. She liked Erdric's
mother, Kathra, who helped her figure out what was going on with her body. It
was from her, how she learned what this blood was that was seeping out, and what
it was preparing her for. She was straightforward about everything and anything.
She didn't mind that one time, during a thunderstorm a few days ago, Celia slept
in Erdric's bed with him. Kathra didn't tell a soul, and Celia thanked her for
that. She knew that whatever they talked about, it would stay between them.
That's where Celia got most of her information about her body and they way it
reacted to certain things. She also told her about why her body was having those
dreams that made her wet down there. Kathra would be happy this finally
happened, and she would be the only soul beside them that would know.
                Erdric groaned as he felt Celia play with
the buttons on his shirt, the slender fingers brushing his warm skin, and soon,
his shirt lay to the side of the blanket. Gently, he started to tug Celia's
dress off her shoulders, and with a little help from her, she was exposed before
his perusal. His eyes gently traveled over the curves of her slender body, and
noticed that it was flushed a pale pink color. His hand gently trailed over her
body and over her hips.
                “You are beautiful,” he whispered as his
hand wandered over her exposed flesh. “Very, very beautiful...” Slowly, he
lowered himself over her, gently kissing her parted lips. “I love you, Celia.”
                Celia blushed, but returned the kiss,
letting her hands wander over his slim body. She wanted to see the rest of him
and gently tugged at the waistband of his pantI’m I’m at a disadvantage. I’m
layin’ here as naked as a lark, and you’ve still got your vitals covered.”
                Erdric laughed as he gently trailed a kiss
down her chest. "Not yet," he purred against her stomach. He kissed the area
above the handful of hairs covering her mound. Gently he nuzzled the silky soft
hair at the apex of her thighs. He took a deep breath, catching her scent: Warm,
inviting, and slightly musky.
                Celia felt Erdric gently push her thighs apart and she gave a
started cry when his fingers brushed her most intimate of places. She started to
pant, and her hands tangled in his hair. She shuddered when his breath fanned
her genitals, cooling and fanning the fire at the same time.
                Erdric's fingers slid wetly over her mound,
feeling the silky texture of her. He gently explored her, feeling the warm
liquid splash his querying fingers. They slowly felt every crevice, leaving no
area unexplored. When they reached the top of her, Celia moaned and pushed her
hips up against his fingers. Erdric's ears perked at the moan, and lowered his
head to gently kiss her nether lips.
                Celia gave a loud, startled cry, panting harshly. A few tears
squeezed out from the corner of her eyes. She let out another cry as he moved
his lips over hers.
                Erdric's lips wandered over her wet slit,
her wetness rubbing against them. Cautiously he licked his lips, tasting her
sweetness. "You taste wonderful. Like candy. Sweet Celia takes on a whole new
meaning, doesn't it?'
                His tongue darted out to gently lap at her opening, and slowly,
he made his way to the small bump at the top of her mound. His soft tongue slid
around that little bump, as Celia's hands grasped the back of his head. Gently,
he laved that area, rubbing his tongue back and forth, sometimes gently taking
it into his mouth, suckling and nippin it. it. Celia had never felt such
pleasure. What Erdric was doing to her had to be heaven. The area between her
legs felt open, like it was flowering, stretching her petals. She was happy that
they chose here, and not a place closer to the village. Her back arched and she
pushed herself into Erdric's mouth, moaning.
                "Gods," she groaned. "Erdric, you're making me burn." She cried
out as she felt his slender fingers probe her opening. Slowly, one of his
fingers penetrated her, making her moan in sheer ecstasy. Rhythmically, his
finger penetrated her, violating her hidden core. Slowly, the finger stopped and
he started to kiss his way back up her body, gently placing a kiss upon each
breast before softly kissing her mouth. He felt as if he would spill himself at
any moment.
                Celia groaned as he slipped his tongue into her mouth, mimicking
what his fingers were doing before.
                "Why did you stop?" she panted.
                "Because," he whispered, "I was going to loose myself in
pleasuring you." He felt Celia's hands fumble with the laces on his pants.
Quickly, she had undone the laces and pulled his pants down to his hips, and his
hard member sprung free. Her fingers tentatively touched his hard penis. The tip
was velvety and was slippery with some fluid. She heard Erdric pant and gently
started to rub her fingers against him.
                Erdric gave a quiet groan and pressed his
lips hard against hers. He gently clasped her wrist and pulled it up, pinning it
beside her head. Gently he nestled himself within the cradle of her thighs.
Erdric touched his nose to hers.
                “This is your last chance to back out,
Celia.” He looked intently into her eyes. “After this moment, you will be mine,
and I will be yours.”
                Celia closed her eyes with a groan, feeling
his hardness rub against her mound. Her eyes fluttered open and were bright in
passion.
                “Yes, Erdric,” she said huskily. “I want to
be yours in every way.” She pushed her hips up at his.
                A look of concern flashed across his
handsomely flushed face. “I’m sorry that I will hurt you. Um . . . what if . . .
what if after this, you carry my child?”
                Celia looked up at him and laughed softly.
“My reproductive cycle isn’t supposed to kick in until I’m at least 50. Safe
guard that way, besides, I wouldn’t mind having your child.”
            &nbsbsp;bsp;  Erdric smiled softly at her. “All right,
you’ve convinced me.” He bent down and gently kissed her lips.
                Slowly, he pushed his hips against her,
cautiously pushing his shaft at her womanhood. He slipped, and both groaned at
the feeling. Erdric angled his hips again, pushing a little bit harder this
time. They gave a soft moan as the tip of his manhood caught withir opr opening.
                Celia felt herself open before the slow,
gentle plunge of Erdric’s sword. She felt herself opening to accommodate him,
and gasped when he stopped, only a small portion of him within her.
                Erdric felt Celia’s sheath grip the head of
his penis. He paused at her barrier, allowing her to get used to the feel of
something within her slick channel. He felt the tight ring of tissue that was
her maidenhead squeezing around his head, and gently, he slanted his lips across
hers, and sent a silent prayer up to the heavens that this would go smoothly and
wouldn’t hurt her.
                Celia felt him quickly thrust hard into her
and she felt a sharp flash of pain between her legs, crying out into Erdric’s
mouth. Tears of pain mixed with tears of joy as they slipped down her slender
face.
                <Aryun felt her own tears slipping down her
face, feeling the emotions of both participants. Such love, she thought
to herself. What happened to her?>
                Erdric was immersed into her to the hilt,
as he gently kissed her crystalline tears away.
                “I’m sorry,” he whispered against her ear.
“I’m so sorry I hurt you.” His own tears mingled with hers. “I did not mean to
hurt you.”
                Celia’s hands came up to gently stroke his
soft hair. “It’s all right, love. It is life. Females were born to experience
this pain in joining. It makes us realize that this is nothing to take lightly .
. . besides, I highly doubt any woman in the world had a time so gentle as now.”
She gently kissed his ear. She felt his hardness shiver within her,
h
hesitantly moved her legs, raising them so that they were spread wide, her feet
sitting on Erdric’s hips. This made Erdric’s sword slip deeper into her sheath.
                Erdric sighed, rubbing his face in the
crook of her neck. Gently running his tongue along her collarbone. Cautiously he
pushed himself deeper into her warm sheath, hearing her breath catch in herhroahroat. He looked at her not noticing that her eyes were closed, her lips
parted, and her face flushed. He watched that beautiful face as he slowly
withdrew, thrusting back into her tight opening.
                Celia winced, feeling her torn opening
being pulled, but it was a mixed feeling. The pain was still there, but Erdric’s
slow, heated thrusts made a pleasant tightening within her loins.
                Erdric gently continued his slow thrusting,
watching the pain slowly fade from his beautiful lover. His hips lightly hitting
her thighs and hips, slowly speeding up his thrusting until Celia was letting
out loud cries of pleasure.
                Celia was in heaven with how Erdric’s hard
shaft moved within her gently stroking her insides as his pubic bone was ground
into hers, stimulating her clitoris. Her head thrashed from side to side as
those thrusts started to deeply penetrate her. She slipped her legs around
Erdric’s waist, allowing him to slip deeper inside.
                Erdric shuddered as he felt Celia’s legs
wrap around him. He held himself up with shaking arms as he angled his hips as
he thrust within her warm, slick sheath. He panted as Celia’s hands caressed his
back, throwing her head back in pleasure as her nails scored his sides. Erdric’
held his breath, praying that he would not spill himself within her yet. He
shivered, feeling the urge subside.
            &n&nbs   Celia was in complete ecstasy with Erdric’s
body. Both pain and pleasure scorched her from Erdric’s heated thrusts asy
y
invaded her core. She felt a wire within her tighten within her lower stomach,
tightening her muscles. Her back arched off the makeshift bed, her hands dug
into Erdric’s shoulders drawing a few pearls of blood. She was png hng heavily
and gave soft keening cries.
                “Erdric! Erdric! Oh! Dear gods!”
              p; Tp; The sound of her cries set Erdric over the
edge, and he started to quickly and powerfully thrust within her as he started
to feel her hard contractions. He was panting and when he heard Celia give a
rippling cry, he shuddered and cried out her name as he spent himself into her
welcoming body. He felt Celia convulse as he pushed himself as deep as he could
go, feeling her deep contractions gripping his hard shaft.
                Celia felt Erdric shudder and watched as
his perfect eyes opened, sedated and relaxed. Those perfect eyes shone with love
for her. She reached up and gently touched his sweat covered face. Slowly, her
face fell to the side, tired, and she fell into a deep slumber.
 
                She awoke some time later to the feeling of
something warm wash between her legs. She stifled a soft groan as her eyes
opened to behold a tender sight.
                Erdric was sitting beside her, gently
running a piece of cloth between her thighs. He took the rag away and dipped it
into a bowl of water beside him, wringing it out, and then reaching back to
gently wipe the blood away. He saw Celia move, and looked up at her with worried
eyes.
                “I hurt you,” he whispered. “I’m sorry.” He
played with the scrap of cloth as he tried not to choke on his tears.
     sp;&sp;          Celia noticed that the rag was stained
bright red with blood, also that the soft fabric came from his shirt.
                “It’s all right.” She reached out and
touched his shaking hand. “Virgins are meant to bleed on their first time. I’m
glad it was you, Erdric.”
                Erdric gently touched the back of her hand.
“I love you, Celia.”
                Celia sat up with a slight wince, and
wrapped her arms around him. Gently, she fell back upon the sheet, pulling him
down as well. Quietly, they snuggled there, upon the blood stained blanket until
the stars came out of their hiding place.
 
                Aryun glanced at Erdric’s floating body,
noticing the tears that stained his delicate face.
                “Celia . . .”
                The name whispered through the chamber with
a heavy color of sorrow in it.
                “Erdric,” she whispered, feeling the
palatable sorrow radiate from him. “Why did you show me this?”
                “So you will understand the meaning of the
word ‘unworthy’, my phoenix. Now watch.”
                Aryun turned back to the ‘screen’, and
watched it change to an image of a small, quaint village. They were little stone
homes with thatched roofing and had a homey feeling to them. The sky was blue,
and there was a light breeze. It seemed like the perfect day.
                She saw Celia lounging in a small spot of
flowers in the middle of the town. Her dark green dress matching her hair, as
she nearly blended in with the rest of the foliage around her. She seemed at
peace laying there, her eyes closed and her face serene. Aryun looked around as
much as she was able, and saw a blond man practicing with a long sword near
where Celia lay.
                Then she saw Erdric walking towards Celia,
a slender hand to his head. He wobbled slightly, accidentally bumping into the
blond.
             &nbnbspnbsp; “Whoa! Erdric! Are you all right?” The
blond haired knight asked.
                “I’m fine, Alex. Just a little tired
maybe,” he muttered as he rubbed his temple. “My head throbs.”
                Alex looked at him with a look of deep
worry. “Mayhaps you need to take a nap or take somethin’?”
                Erdric shook his head. “No . . . Pain
always comes before something drastic with me . . . It’s like . . . they are
harbingers of destiny.” He closed his eyes. “But I’ll be all right.”
                “Maybe it’s somethin’ more, Erdric. You
might be gettin’ sick . . .” Alex reached out to touch Erdric’s forehead.
                “Na-ah, I’ll be fine, Alex the Brute.”
                Alex smiled slightly, but then the worry
returned. Gently he ruffled Erdric’s hair. “Go get some sleep or go see Celia.
She might have something that could help, if you know what I mean.” He gave
Erdric a wink to cover his worry.
                Erdric smiled slightly, and nodded faintly
before walking off towards the flower patch.
                “Erdric! Come lay down in the flowers with
me!” She gently touched his leg, tugging his pants.
                He flopped down, his head falling into his
hands. Sighing, henedened his eyes to see Celia’s smiling face.
                She put the tips of her fingers upon his
cheek. “Are you all right?”
                “No,” he sighed. “I’ve got a bad headache.”
                “Awwww, I’m sorry! Is there anything I cano too to help?” Her fingers gently caressed his cheek.
                “I don’t know, Love.” He nuzzled her hand.
“But you can try whatever you like.”
                “All right!”
                Celia hauled herself forward, trying to
pull Erdric to his feet. “C’mon! I bet your mother would have the perfect cure!”
                Erdric started to rise when one of the
outer area guards rushed into the town.
                “Necros knows! The Hero must be protected!
Necros is on his way!”
                Panic ensured.
                Out of every door, the inhabitants of the
village swarmed around the bewildered Erdric.
                Quickly, Alex grabbed his arm, hauling him
up. “Come! Now!” Celia ran after them, trying to make sure Erdric didn’t
stumble.
                “What?” Erdric gasped as they ran towards
the back of the village. “What’s goin’ on?”
                Alex looked at him. “You are the child of
legend who will save the world from Estruck and Necros. We must keep you alive
or else the world’s hope with die with you.” Alex felt Erdric’s hand tighten
upon his. “An elderly wood cutter brought you to us, saying that his son had
died a few months ago, and the mother a few days after the child was born. He
said that he was an old man who didn’t have time to properly care for the child.
We took you in and called you as his son wanted ‘Erdric’.”
                Erdric was in shock over those words. He
was always told that he was special, but only now did the full impact of those
words come to him.
                They entered the cellar at the back of the
village and Alex took Erdric to the very back where there was a hidden area that
lead to a room.
                “We had been preparing this ever since you
came. We knew one day, that we might die to defend you. It appears that day has
come, so please, stay here, Erdric. What we do, we do out of love. I only hope
that one day you will understand the true nature of your blood.” Alex gave a
gentle kiss to Erdric’s forehead, and gently, he touched Celia’s cheek. “You are
the last defense, Celia. Defend him.” He calmly turned back to Erdric. “I love
you Erdric. You are my brother in arms as well as spirit. Live and defend the
innocent as you were born to do.”
          &;&nb;     With that, he turned and walked back to the
fighting above. Erdric knew that he would never see his friend alive again, and
he started to sob.
                Celia turned her eyes to him in sorrow, as
both felt tears course down their face, hearing the sounds of their loved ones
being slaughtered. Celia wrapped her arms around him and hugged him as close as
she could, for she knew that soon, she too must defend her love, for she
understood that Necros would stop at nothing until he found the body of the
Hero. She gave him a hard hug before she pulled back, gazing into his tear
filled eyes.
                “I am your last defense, and now I realize
that I must go. Necros won’t stop until the body of the Hero is found.” She
whispered a few words, and soon, she did not looke hee herself, but looked
exactly like Erdric.
                Erdric was frozen in shock. She was going
to give her life for him. He saw his image lean forward and brush a kiss across
his cheek, whispering that she loved him.
                He was still frozen when she rose and
walked out of the hidden room.
    sp;&sp;           “Celia?” Erdric asked in disbelief, and
suddenly, he felt very, very lonely.
                Slowly, he slipped down the wall, tears
streaming down his face. He buried his face in his arms, sobbing bitterly as the
fighting continued to rage above him, and soon, he heard a loud scream, then
silence.
                “The Hero is dead, Master! We have
triumphed!”
                “Are we sure that it is him?”
                “Yes! Here is his body!”
                There was a pause, and Erdric’s body
refused to breath.
                “All right. Let us return to Di’er. Then we
shall celebrate.”
                Erdric continued to hold his breath as the
silence deafened him. He felt it stretch out for what seemed like ages, and
slowly he rose, swaying slightly and braced himself with a slender hand upon the
wall.
                He stared at the dark opening for a long
time before he decided to go up into the light.
                Slowly, he walked along the corridor to the
deeply cut stairs. He tilted his head upwards, looking beyond the top step. He
felt the coil of dread within him tighten his stomach, making him want to vomit.
Cautiously, he placed one slim foot upon the first step, his hand still touching
the wall in support.
                Gradually he made his way to the top of the
stairs, slowly peeking his head out of the hole.
                What greeted his eyes, he could not
believe.
                Everything was destroyed. The quaint little
houses were rubble, and the small stream that ran through the village was now
black with poison. That’s when he saw the bodies . . .
                The Elder and his wife were shredded,
barely identifiable by the color of their robes. They were the only people who
wore purple. The next thing he saw was the body of his mother, no, his surrogate
mother’s body. Her head had been ripped off by sheer strength, and her sightless
eyes gazed heaven ward. Erdric heard a groan, and his head snapped around and
saw Alex lying upon the ground.
                Quickly, he scampered over to where his
friend lay, and saw Celia, still in his form, laying there as well.
       &n&nbs        Alex’s bright blue eyes opened, and focused
slowly upon Erdric’s torn face. “Erdric . . . You were like my little brother .
. . I wish . . . that you were . . . my brother . . . I . . . love you . . . 
little . . . one . . .” His eyes closed, breathing his last.
                Erdric was stuck with a profound sense of
loss, but what was worse was that Celia lay there as well, her breath coming in
gasps. He gently gathered her close to him as the magic faded, reveling her true
form.
                Celia sighed as she felt Erdric’s arm slip
under her neck as he pulled her into his arms.
                “Erdric,” she breathed. “I’m . . . proud
that . . . I knew you . . . that . . . I loved . . . you.” She coughed
violently, shaking her slender form. “I’m so glad . . . that you were . . .
fi
first . . . I and . . . yours.” Her hand slowly rose to touch his cheek.
“Remember . . . I love . . . you, Erdric . . . I . . . love . . . you . . .”
                Her eyes closed, never to see the soft
sunlight, or play in the fields of flowers with him ever again. She had passed
her life, as she knew she would, in defense of the man that she loved. Slowly,
the hand fell down to the ground, and her head slid to the side.
                “Celia? Celia?!” He started to shake her,
praying that this was some sick joke. “No! Celia!” Tears streamed down his face.
“Please stay! Please!” He held her limp body close, again sobbing bitterly. He
cried so hard that his body shook with every breath as he felt his world fall
out from under his feet.
                He sat there, crying over the lifeless body
of his love, for a very long time. He cried until he felt he could cry no more.
Then, tears came again as he gazed at Celia’s soft face, peaceful in death. So
he stayed there, rocking her body in his arms, his eyes wide and dry.
     &nbnbspnbsp;         “I’m alone,” he whispered to the soft wind.
“All alone . . .”
                There was a crash of thunder and the
heavens poured down their sorrow.
                He sat unmoving as the heavens continued to
pour. Slowly, the rain drenched him to his skin as he sat there, holding Celia’s
body. With deep sorrow, he looked down at Celia lying within his arms. She was
beautiful even in death, and it had not taken the edge off her beauty. A drop of
rain fell down and landed at the corner of her eye, slowly running down her cold
face.
                He reached out his slender hand and
tenderly brushed it to the side.
                “I love you, Celia. You shall always be
first in my heart.” He leaned down, gently kissing her cooling lips.
                Gently he arranged her body so that she
could properly return to her home. He did the best he could do to all his former
friends, speaking a few words over them to set their souls at peace.
                Soon he came back to Celia’s body and
pulled a medallion from his pocket. He held it up in the rain and watched as it
spun and sparkled with it’s own fire. It was a delicately shaped like a heart,
and was made of a deep blue sapphire. Within was a delicate, white star tear.
                Tenderly, he reached down and clasped it
around her neck. It was ironic she died on the day she was born.
                “Happy nineteenth birthday, Celia my love.”
                Gently he kissed her pale lips one last
time, and walked, his head held high, and his back straight.
                He did not look back . . .