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Chapter 56 One by one, Guardian went through the Zanespots, speaking to them quietly, individually. Xenritha was first, bowing at the familiar strangers feet only to be laughingly told to rise. An invisible wall of disinterest rose then between the pair and the seven waiting. It was as though each group was completely alone in the temple. The wookiee was called in next, as Xenritha walked out, disappearing into the darkness. “What do you think they said?” Katrina asked Cha-lee, a nervous anxiety filling her. “Perhaps we will find out.” “If we were to be told the same thing, we wouldn’t be going up there seperatly.” “Xenritha will tell us,” Cha-lee declared easily. “Will he?” Katrina wondered. One by one the Zanespots were called forward and sent out each exiting the temple silently. Cha-lee was fifth to go, squeezing Katrina’s shoulder with one hand on his way out. When all others were gone, Katrina stood alone. “Come here, my dear, sit with me awhile, Guardian’s deep voice boomed gently. She stepped slowly; apprehensive more than scared. By the time she reached him, he sat on the stone floor, no larger or taller than she. “I appear as what a being wants or needs most. To each of those here today I have appeared differently, yet this is the smallest I have been.” “Why?” Katrina asked, seating herself near his side but facing him. “He shrugged, much like a young boy uninterested in the answer. “This is more for you to answer than I, I suspect. But, were I to venture a guess, I’d say it is because you are willing to accept pretty well anything from me and would perhaps feel far more uneasy to be towered over.” “A guess? You do not know?” “Oh, I know,” he laughed, “but how important is it, really?” Katrina had no answer. She looked around, still very much awed by the temple and recent events. “Built so very long ago,” he said in a thoughtful tone, either following her gaze or reading her mind. “The very first Zanespots built this place and until Xenritha stepped in it had not been entered since they stepped out, their bodies housing me. So very much has happened since then.” “Did you know? When you chose to split yourself, did you know what would happen when you were gone?” “I know all, don’t I?” “Then-“ “All things are necessary,” he answered calmly, knowing her question before it was asked. “You know that, even if you wish not to.” “What happens to us now?” “You go home, live your lives, have your adventures and your families, and die in time, as all creatures must.” “That’s it then, ‘your life’s purpose is done, pretend to be normal now’?” He laughed heartily at that. “No, you will never be normal. Why would you want to be? Normal people don’t go to such lengths to deprive dead men of grandchildren. Normal women don’t fall for men so hard without being near them in the last ten years. Being normal means not being you. “You have a choice of two things, my dear, and little time to decide. This is my gift to you for serving me so well. “I can strip you of your powers. You would lead a quiet, normal life if you chose. Or, I could give you something you want more than you realize. Something far more than normal.” With a blink of an eye her time was up. |
