A Hero in the Dark: 2nd Edition

Chapter 74: The End is Nigh

"Beloved Leader? You called for us?"

"Yes, I did. Thank you for coming."

"What's this about?" Ella asks. I can no longer tell whether Ella's being sincere or not—she sounds just the same anyway. "Are we in trouble?"

"Not at all," he says. "I called you both here because I've been meaning to check something. Ella, if you wouldn't mind—"

"Actually, I do mind."

"Ignite your Dreynon, granddaughter," he orders with a flare in his voice. Ella does as she's told, and within seconds, her palm burns a bright crimson; it's brighter than it was, but to me, it still doesn't look as strong as his. "Excellent. Now, if you may." He gestures to me, and I freeze.

"Why?" Ella asks.

"Because I said so," he states. "I will not say it again."

Slowly, Ella nears. I do my best not to back away—because even though I don't want her to remove my Legacies, I want to trust in Beloved Leader. I need to. Her fingers graze the edge of my gown, from where my skin meets the collar, and just like that, a gaping hole consumes the pit of my stomach. My Legacies are gone, and I'm back in an abyss.

Why? I try to ask him, pleading my telepathy works and that, just maybe, I'm wrong. Why would you do this? Why now?

"Emily?" he asks, and by that tone of voice, I know he didn't hear me. "Your ergokinesis?" I try to ignite it in my palms, but they don't glow. I shake my head.

"Why?" I ask, on the verge of tears. I don't like feeling this way... so empty and helpless...

"Do not take it personally. It is merely an experiment I have yet to do. Now, bond to the Loric Entity, would you?" I do as he says, close my eyes, and focus on the odd symbol carved into the amulet on my chest. I feel it, the Entity, and soon the blue is there too. "Ah," he says, in pride, I think. "Very good. Catch this." He tosses me a silver dagger that falls and clangs before I can.

"I don't understand. How—?"

"Dear, have you not been paying attention?" he asks, only slightly disappointed, I think. "Ergokinesis is rare. It has unique properties, and there are certain amenities it needs to function."

"Lorien."

"Precisely. Now," he drones on, resting both hands on my shoulders before leaving one out for me. "Your pendant."

"But—"

"Do not fear. You will have it back when I'm done."

Slowly, I pull it out and lay it into his hand, and as soon as I let go, the blue in my peripherals disappears. My hand-lights snap off, my connection to the otherworldly Entity tarnished. I try to call it back, but no matter how hard I try, I can't. It's dead.

"There. Now, do you see? You can use ergokinesis purely because of your connection, and through this pendant especially. Without it, you are as vulnerable as any of the Garde." He returns the necklace. "With it, it makes you stronger. You should be grateful of this."

"Will this pendant... Will it affect you?" I wonder.

"Of that I'm unsure," he says, "but it is not my obligation to find out."

"What do you mean?" Ella asks. "You're telling us you don't want to be stronger than you are because of this thing if you could?"

"Strength is not something I crave, Ella," he says. "Perhaps centuries ago, yes, but not anymore. I am strong enough as it is. My main concern is that Emily can use her ergokinesis given Dreynon was used against her, not that it will be."

"Why?" I wonder. "I mean, why is that your main concern?" It's not so surprising that he doesn't desire strength; I understand that. It's more his claim of Dreynon being used against me. If Ella stays with us, I don't see why either of them would take my Legacies away. I have no intention of betraying Beloved Leader—he's Beloved Leader after all!

"We are nearing the end," Setrákus notes, somberly. "I have no doubt the entire world—not to mention the Garde—know of the Anubis's relocation. I suspect they'll be here soon to put an end to me." He turns to us with a heady look upon his brow. "I assure you both," he continues, "I do not intend to let them kill me and destroy all the work I've done. This is merely a precaution. For if I need to take the Garde's Legacies, that will include you two. I need to know then, will you stand with me regardless of if you cannot do telekinesis?"

I glance at Ella. I have no ideas as to what she's thinking. I can only hope and face Setrákus Ra. I nod. "I'll stand with you until the end, Beloved Leader."

He nods back. "Very well. Emily, there is something I want you to see." He takes me by the back and guides me forward, where a grey sheet roughly covers the borders of a painting, I think. "Go ahead. It is a gift I had especially made for you." A gift?

"But I—I didn't expect anything, Beloved Leader."

"And expect nothing you shall. It's honourable of you," he says. "But I insist."

I do as I'm told and pull the bottom of the sheet. Behind it is a frame, and even more stunning, it's glistening with gold! Its corners sparkle; I can see my reflection, the deep brown of my eyes, the resolve in my stature. I've never looked so toned before in my life. "Wow," I remark, glaring at the image. It's of me, standing in the middle of the clearing in Mexico, the temple behind me, Marina and the others behind. In it, there's a hint of cobalt blue in my eyes. "I look..."

"Remarkable?" Setrákus suggests.

"No. I mean, yes, but... I was going to say strong, I guess," I say. Despite how I felt at the time—like a royal betrayer—here, I look like a Goddess. "And brave," I add.

"You are," Setrákus assures, squeezing me by the shoulders. Together, we stand in front of it and marvel. "You are all of that and more. You are the most honourable and delightful associate I've ever had the opportunity of meeting, and you will do more than I can say."