Sometimes the memory of a presence
is more intense than the presence itself.
The debris cracked and crunched under her feet, their footsteps echoing hollowly between the empty shells of once great houses. She was grateful they weren't going to pass by the large heap of collapsed stone and mortar that had once been her home; she wasn't certain she would have been able to handle that. Her companion followed her quietly like a shadow, at least having the wits to remain silent. Walking through the dead city tore up all the old wounds, as always, and she felt as if her skin had been scraped away, leaving sore nerves resting free for the moaning wind to claw at.
The debris and uneven ground made the walk slow, time stretching into eternity. The only living souls moving in this alien barren landscape of hollow stone and charred wooden beams, they made their way towards the ominous dome dominating the horizon like a half-moon of compact darkness.
The sunlight had grown golden, the disc halfway to the horizon by the time they finally reached the immense construction. Closer up it wasn't as impressive and black anymore; covered with a thin film of dust, the large cracks clearly visible the dome was as empty and hollow as any ruin in the city. They entered through the same crack they had used for exit last time and found themselves inside the gigantic amphitheater. Sounds and light seemed distorted by the raw space imprisoned between black walls, all sounds echoing not only once but indefinitely, new and old echoes mixing into a reverberating ambience. She walked in silence, relieved the city was finally out of sight. Her follower looked around, clearly uncomfortable with the memories of this place.
Slanted sunbeams filtered through the large hole in the structure, sharp and clearly etched in the swirling dust inside. The ground was rough, covered with fallen slabs of black stone. The closer to the center of the crater they got, the more his skin itched with discomfort. Not many people get the chance to walk across their own grave, he thought dryly. What a privilege...
Entering the streaming light they finally reached the center of the dome, the remains of her small fire and the rejected teacup still visible, if somewhat covered with dust. Picking an area free from larger slabs Sylphiel knelt upon the rough ground, muttering a few words under her breath to remove the water spell from the tender roots of the seedling, letting the wobbly sphere of moisture disappear into the ground. The gravel and ashes slowly turned into wet soil. Removing her gloves she dug deeply into the earth, then slowly put the sprout into place, tenderly covering the roots. She looked up towards the man standing in front of her, their eyes meeting for a second. Thoughts that would have taken hours to put into words were exchanged and understood.
She brushed her hands off and stood, bowing her head in silence, mustering strength.
Then she looked up, opening her eyes, sparks of jade glittering in their depth. With a dancer's grace she raised her arms.
"Blessed, humble hand of God,
Breath of Mother Earth!
I pray thee come before me...
Show your great compassion to this creature
and deliver them! "
Surrounded by a glowing halo of holy light she spread her hands over the equally glowing seedling, drawing power from her surroundings, cleansing it through herself. Then she released the surge of magic through a single word.
"Recovery! "
They both stood back in shock as the spell crashed into the Tree, the final catalyst needed to once again connect the ancient spirit to the life-force of the earth. Virtually exploding upwards, the Tree shot up past their heads, up into the light. The earth rumbled as roots claimed the ground, sending up sprays of dust and sand along their way. Its magic glow so intense their eyes watered, the Tree sped heavenwards, spreading branches like shading wings, sprouting with leaves, sparks of light falling like a blessed rain over the cursed ground and the two humans. Finally the tremors subsided, the Tree slowed and became still, the glow waning and disappearing. A moment of complete silence followed as they both just stared in awe at the huge tree before them, having grown high as a century-old oak in less than a minute, still shedding sparks of light like a soft summer rain.
Sylphiel closed her eyes, her troubled soul finally finding peace through the astral cares of the ancient guardian. Where the golden lights touched the ground, the lifeless dust turned into rich soil, grass sprouting and covering the rough stone slabs in a soft green carpet. Peace would come to the haunted city at last, a circle closed, a new beginning.
He steadied himself against the sensation as the Tree radiated sheer life-force, growing. Still connected to the ancient spirit he felt the blood of his veins throb in beat with the surge of sap through the mighty branches. The lights falling around him tickled like feathers when they touched, sending tingles of sheer white magic through him. Then the bond slowly faded and disappeared, the life-force that had held him up all this time shutting off. He felt his heartbeat falter as the guardian removed its presence and he shut his eyes, mercilessly fighting down the surge of panic.
I was given one more week of life, he thought. Not too bad a deal.
I should be grateful...
Then, as a final caress of farewell, Flagoon sent a burning wave of magic through him, and left. He looked up and blinked at the huge tree, his heartbeat finding its rhythm again. He raised his left hand to look; the white, scar-like traces of Flagoon's presence on his skin faded and disappeared before his eyes. And yet his heart kept beating, air burned in his lungs, life tingled through every cell of his body.
A final gift.
Life, independent of the Tree. A second chance, the possibility to choose again. To hopefully make a better choice than last time. Overwhelmed by the feeling of the withdrawing of the mighty presence that had been a part of him, so entwined he hadn't realized it was there until it left, he sank to his knees in awe.
For the first time given a life fully his own, the right to an independent mind, his own thoughts and actions.
Freedom.
His vision blurred and for the second time in his short life he wept, kneeling beneath the Tree, golden sunlight and magic rain falling around him.
Sylphiel opened her eyes. She didn't know how long she had been standing there, caught up in the Astral current of the newborn Tree.
The Guardian stood before her, already huge. She knew it would keep growing until it was as mighty as it had been, spreading its healing shadow over the dead city, bringing peace to that haunted place. Like in her dream she stood beneath the Tree, feeling the presence of her Shadow beside her.
Slanted red-tinged rays of sun filtered through the foliage, joined by the falling rain of magic.
The circle was closed, the past of pain finally changing directions to head into an unwritten future.
Beyond agony, grief and hatred.
A new beginning.
She turned to look down at her companion who seemed as overcome as she by the power of the Tree. Indecisive she studied him in silence for a while, then shrugged and smiled.
"Come," she said, and gestured slightly.
"Let's go home."
He slowly looked up, his mismatched eyes glittering with tears, finally free from pain. Then he nodded and stood.
"Yes," he said, his voice very quiet.
"Home."
As the two figures made their way towards the crack in the wall, walking over the soft carpet of new green grass, Flagoon stood tall and proud behind them. Catching the setting sun in its branches it claimed the dead land and gave back its life.
For centuries it had stood before, and for centuries it would stand again, warding off evil and healing those in pain. Created in the name of Light, to protect against Darkness it would stand, through wars and evil. The future, ever uncertain, would most likely bring both.
In time.
The quotes are from Oshiro-sama's Letters to a Red Priest (in other words, I made 'em up) and can't be used without my permission. If you ask nicely and give me credit you'll most likely get my permission, but anyways...
Let's close yet another circle here, return to the beginning...
Once again I have to thank my wonderful fellow Swedish weirdo Jen for encouraging me every step of the way on this, and providing me with endless inspiration through our mature and civilized conversations...
Also, thanks a lot P-chan, for actually liking this thing despite the lack of Gourry in it, and for making me the insane person I am today. Kram!
And finally, we should all thank Syrena, for taking the time to beta read every part of this story even though she was often strapped for time, making it all readable...
OK, show's over. Nothing more to see here. Shoo, off with you!