Faery Island

The Goddess

Chapter XXV – The Goddess

Dian

The darkness began to fade, light ate away and soon overcame it. Hands pulled her up. "It's okay, Dian. It's over," it was Gyrin's voice. His body shook underneath her as well.

The air was cold. "Their waiting for us," Pyry informed. Her eyes became adjusted to the light, his jawline was tight, his eyes were distant, his body posture was cold.

Something happened that shook him up as much as Gyrin and herself.

As they walked, Gyrin held on to her for support almost as much as she did to him. They needed each other to get through it.

"Halt!" A voice commanded. A guard stepped in front of them, standing on the opposite side of the gate. "What is your intent in Amarathine?"

"We seek the goddess." Pyry said, in a tone equal to the guards.

"And who ask for her?"

"Pyry Auburn, the Captain," the air got colder and Pyry clenched his fist. "I don't feel like repeating myself. Please, let us through."

The guard glanced to his partner and they exchanged knowing looks. "Follow me then."

The gate with out even a creak opened for them. The guard didn't dare wait, he had already begun his track through the city.

The city, Dian realized was crowded, fey of all sorts stared at them as they passed. It smelt like flowers in some ways, and something else she couldn't put her finger on. . .

"Guard!" Pyry shouted, and he stopped. "Isn't there another way to the goddess?"

The guard narrowed his eyes at Pyry, and his eyes flickered to hers. He smirked. "For the girl? Isn't she a bit old to coddle?" He chuckled. "Many are married younger than she and baring children. No."

Without another word the guard turned back around and continued, this time he didn't stop for anything.

"what was that about?"

"Is there anything you've learned about the general nature of faeries in your book?" Pyry asked, sounding distant and keeping his eyes glued to the guards back.

"They are very cunning, they like making deals and playing tricks." Dian recited. She seemed to know that all to well thinking about the cath sith and the will-o-wasp from the beginning of her journey.

"And?"

They were on small road, tents surrounded them on either side. Giggling and incorant noises came from them. Dian stopped in her tracks, nearly tripping Gyrin up in the process. Her stomach turned and the sudden erg to vomit took over her. In horror she remembered, "Lust."

She didn't know what to do. The guard kept walking, and she was glued in place right in the middle of Faery Vegas. "You mean there is people in there? They actually do that to them?" Her voice was squeaking like an unsure child. The vision of humans in a trance, chained and seduced by the fey filled her mind. "We have to do something! We- "

"Dian! There's nothing we can do right now. Come on." Pyry softly tugged on her arm. Gyrin looked as sick as she felt and embarrassed, the tip of his ears turning red.

She stumbled behind them, allowing herself to be pulled forward. Soon the guard stopped at an even nicer structure than any of the others she's seen in Amarathine. The door was nothing but silky cloth.

Nothing happened.

Minutes passed by till the curtain was drawn back and Dian had to remind herself that she wasn't in a dream. The Goddess was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She was tall, slender with the perfect figure. A light rainbow dress clung to her body and flowed out from behind her. Her face was flawless, her eyes were a golden yellow. Multicolor feathers spread out from her scalp, smooth down in place, colors of blue, green, and every color imaginable.

"Hello Prince," she said smiling at Pyry. Even he seemed to stunned to reject at first.

"I'm not a prince, and I never will be. That isn't me."

The Goddess didn't waiver. "Indeed, but you are still a leader, no matter what you try to do, Captain." Dian knew they had some type of history, and those words had more meaning than they seemed too.

Then the Goddess turned to Dian.

"Welcome to the Immortal City, Dian Fleece. I've been expecting you."

Dian didn't reply as soon as the Goddess spoke, to stun by her beauty and suddenness. "You have?" Was all she could muster.

The Goddess smiled and tilted her head forward. "Yes, and I am so sorry for your lost. . .Anthony was precious to the Island myself."

Images of her brother standing before the Goddess flooded her mind. How critical he might have been, or how stunned by her was he? He was gone though, and she would never get to ask him.

She clenched her fist and nodded, trying not to get carried away by her emotions. "Then you know why I'm here?"

"Yes. There was no way you would have known to avoid his unleashing. Unfortunately, we've all known inside that he wouldn't stay trapped long."

"How can we stop him?"

The Goddess gave Pyry one look a back to Dian. "Can you walk with me for a moment?"

Dian did so, not wanting to leave Gyrin's side. He reluctantly gave her up and they walked through the crowd. Fey parted and made way for the Goddess, never taking their eyes off her.

"I have nothing to give you to stop Zelroth-,"

"Nothing?!"

"No, be quiet now, nothing I can give you. Dian, you're the only one that can stop Zelroth. I've already seen the possible outcomes," the Goddess Says looking out in the distance. "Both involve you making an important choice."

"And what is the right choice?" Dian asked, already feeling the terror and weight on her. She couldn't possibly make a choice that either destroys or saves two worlds, can she?

"I can't tell you. I can tell you, it will be difficult choosing between blood and friends, and either way will be a sacrifice." The Goddess stopped and put her hands-on Dian's shoulders. "Know that no matter what, your choice must be selfless, and save us from further danger and darkness. Not just Zelroth."

Dian blinked tears away. They came so far just for this? How is that possible that Anthony died all for what? So, she could be told nothing? She was angry and broken. Angry at the Goddess, angry at Faery, angry at herself for getting into this mess.

Just as that anger was going to bubble up to the surface the Goddess' eyes glazed over like a glass mirror. "You must make an important decision now, Dian."

Then the screaming started.