Chapter 9

"There he is. Take him back into custody," ordered General Neil as he entered Kevin’s quarters.

With him were a command of guards, Wesley, Allyne, Mat and Jerald, Kevin’s second in command.

"Stop right there."

Surprising himself as much as everyone else in the room, General Liam stepped between Kevin and the guards.

‘All these years I’ve been wrong about you,’ the thought came unbidden.

"What is the meaning of this, Liam?" asked Neil.

"Kevin has been judged prematurely. It’s obvious now there is more to this."

The others in the room remained silent as the two experienced Generals faced off. Just as Neil was about to remark, a healer rushed into the room, his anxiousness obvious.

"General Liam! We have just uncovered some new evidence concerning the poison."

"What is it?"

"The poison was in fact not in the wine but was laced around the cup’s rim itself."

General Neil snorted. His disdain obvious, he commented.

"What difference does it make? The fact of the matter is the same poison was found in Richardson’s possession."

The healer unfazed by the interruption continued.

"That’s just it. There is no way someone could apply the poison to the cup’s rim unless it was done as the cup was being made. That’s the only way the poison’s effect on its victim would be guaranteed."

General Liam felt his hands clench as he recalled the conversation he had with King Barrett just before the poisoning.

-Flashback-

"Exquisite piece of work, isn’t it?" asked Barrett as he held up his cup for Liam’s inspection.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you with it before."

"No, it was a gift. Made from the finest crystal available from the Isle of Khaynash. It’s one of a kind. Apparently it was made just for me and I just received it today."

"From whom?"

"Neil. Said he had it made when he was there two weeks ago."

-End of flashback-

"Seize him!"

General Liam ordered even as General Neil made to escape. The soldiers still slightly confused by the startling turn of events managed to block both exits and had Neil cornered.

Kevin and the others were red from rage, but refrained from charging as Neil drew his sword. His face contorted into a sick smile as he focused on Kevin.

"You are too late. Soon, the half-breed’s blood will flow on Jikal’s moon and the Dark Lord will be free once again."

Then, before anyone could stop him, Neil plunged the sword into himself, madness still visible in his now lifeless eyes.

"We’re coming too, Lord Dorough."

Howie looked up to find Wesley, Allyne and Matthew approaching. Opening his mouth to protest, Allyne spoke up hurriedly.

"We’ve already informed Colonel Jerald, sir. He thought it was a good idea as well."

"Was that before or after you implied how defenseless we would be without the three of you?" asked AJ knowingly. His suspicion confirmed at their guilty looks.

A quiet voice joined them.

"Isn’t it better that they come along? The more of us there are, the more help we’ll be to Nick."

Howie smiled down at Cole. True to his convictions, he had accompanied them to the stables once Jerald had been left in charge of Kevin’s command. General Liam had agreed to update the King while the rest of them wasted no time in going after Nick.

Right now they were all waiting for Kevin and Brian. Kevin had shocked them all when he said he needed to go see Lady Gaia.

‘Something was definitely up there.’

-Khiranirn’s Temple-

Kevin walked the deserted halls having asked Brian to wait at the entrance. An acolyte had told him to head for the Chamber of Worship where Lady Gaia was already waiting.

"She’s been expecting you."

He couldn’t find the words to explain the sensations he was feeling to the others and even if he could, he doubted they would understand. Entering the massive chamber, he found himself in a circular room, huge pillars surrounding it. In the center of the room, there was a 5-ringed star on the ceiling. A mirror image was found on the floor with a candle burning at each tip. As Kevin stepped in the center of the star, he heard the door he had used close, casting the entire room in shadows except for its center.

"Lady Gaia?"

"I am here, Kevin." Turning he found himself facing the priestess, her white hair unbound.

"What’s happening to me?"

"Don’t you know?"

Frustrated, Kevin threw up his hands.

"Would I be here if I did?"

Unfazed, Lady Gaia remained silent. Kevin attempting to control himself, centered his thoughts.

"I’m changing."

At Gaia’s nod, he continued.

"It started happening when Nick……."

Kevin cut himself off, unable to continue. The emotions of that moment returned with a vengeance and Kevin forced himself to relive them. The surprise, shock and finally pain Nick had endured. It was so vivid in Kevin’s mind, he could feel his right hand throbbing, the intensity steadily increasing. Lifting his hand, he expected to see the open wounds from the cuts.

Instead he found his knuckles raw as if he had given someone the beating of their life. The pain in his hand now centered on his knuckles and he could feel it moving up until his elbow.

Kevin fell to his knees as the pain intensified, for the first time noticing that the star at his feet was glowing, Gaia nowhere in site. A cry of pain and shock left his lips as he saw the claws erupt from his hands, out of his knuckles. Just like that the pain was gone, so suddenly that Kevin wondered if it had been only his imagination. But looking down, he saw the claws once again. Four of them, extending almost double the length of his hand from his wrist to the tips of his fingers. He was surprised to realize he could feel the claws extending from within. He could tell just by looking at them that they were as sharp as his sword and as solid.

Concentrating, he focused on retracting them and smiled in satisfaction when they were pulled back into his hand. Feeling nothing now but the slightest discomfort, Kevin rose to leave.

"Master."

Kevin froze at the hushed voice. His eyes scanned the darkness, the claws instinctively unleashed. Peering into the shadows surrounding him, Kevin called out

"Who are you?"

At first there was nothing. Then, as though it was a living entity, the shadows around him moved, liquid-like in its movements. A piece broke off and glided towards Kevin stopping just before the lit star at his feet. Slowly a figure emerged from the puddle of shadow rising to about Kevin’s shoulder level. The figure was made of shadows, its features so ambiguous Kevin was unable to tell if it was male or female. Likewise with its voice, it sounded like a combination of both, whispering its words.

Observing Kevin, the figure surprised him by bowing. Straightening, it spoke.

"We are of the shadows, Master."

"Why do you call me that?"

"Because it’s who you are."

The words came not from the creature but from Gaia who Kevin saw had not moved.

"There is so much more to this than you can imagine, Kevin. You have a great destiny to fulfill and in order to do so, you must learn to accepts the gifts you have been given."

Turning to the figure, Gaia continued.

"The shadows obey you, Kevin. The creatures that reside within bow to your will. With time you will understand."

"Is all this happening because of Nick?"

"All this is happening because of what you and Nick are to each other, Kevin. He is the last………but he doesn’t have to be."

Just as Kevin was about to ask her more, he heard Nick cry out for him in his mind. Shutting his eyes, he tried to hold on to him but just as quickly Nick was once again gone.

"I have to go."

At Gaia’s nod, Kevin turned to leave. As he approached the door and passed the shadowy area between the pillars, he heard the rustle of voices whisper.

"We will be with you, Master."

He felt lips on his, a hand caressing his cheek moving to grip his neck. Another holding his head in place even as made to pull away. Finally, he was released and Nick lashed out, his eyes still closed.

"Nick!"

His eyes snapped open at hearing Kevin’s voice, seeking out the man. His eyes misted when he saw the familiar green eyes, the beautiful black hair neatly pulled back.

"Stop it damn you!"

Kevin’s familiar features twisted into a smirk, the expression so foreign on the beloved face, Nick turned away. Fingers grasped his chin forcing him to turn back and Nick saw Kevin’s features shimmer away to reveal Luke’s smiling face.

"What’s the matter, Nick?" Luke asked, still using Kevin’s voice.

"Don’t you love me anymore?"