© Copyright Michael Patterson, 2010-2011. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: Story idea is mine, but I do not own anything relating to the Magic: The Gathering franchise.
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Chapter Two: The Refusal
Ahkia hugged his knees close, watching as the golden grass ripple around him. He blinked and kept his eyes half closed as his bangs whipped his brow. He gnawed at his lip, searching the clouds for answers. Upon hearing something rustle behind him he looked over his shoulder. He smiled seeing his dear friend and he patted the ground.
She opened her pale dress a bit to allow her room and she sat beside him. She tucked in her wings and smoothed her lap. Her full, cranberry lips curved into a smile as her hooded head turned to him. He smiled back at her, looking down as he felt her hand on his.
"You had me worried." She said softly. "I didn't see you in your bed this morning. You just up and left without a note or anything."
"I know...I'm sorry. I didn't get much sleep last night and I needed to get out. I needed some fresh air." Ahkia answered, looking back over the plain. His friend smiled and caressed his hand. "I understand, Ahkia....I know this is not an easy thing to weigh..."
She looked out with him and her lips lost their curve. "Oh...this...this is...." She murmured. Ahkia nodded as he finished for her. "This is the place you found me." He looked down feeling her hand grip his hand and he slowly turned his palm up to hold her hand back. Her head found his shoulder and she let out a sigh.
"Did you know?"
Her hooded head tilted up as she asked, "Did I know what?" "Did you know what they were going to tell me? That I was the champion and that...I was going to die if I decided to go?"
Her hand gripped and a shaky breath escaped her lips. "I suppose I didn't want to know...I couldn't believe it when I heard it...I didn't know what to say, Ahkia." Ahkia slowly laid his head on hers. "I know....I'm at a loss of words myself."
They both sat there for a long time, neither breaking the overwhelming silence. Ahkia could still feel his friend's grip, however, knowing she was very upset about all of this. In fact, she seemed almost as upset as he was about the situation at hand. It were almost as though she were going to die as well.
"What do you think I should do?"
His friend lifted her head and looked over at him. Though her eyes were veiled, the way her lips parted showed him how surprised she was by the question. "Ahkia...I cannot answer that for you, nor could I bear knowing I am responsible for your ultimate fate. This is something you must choose to do or not..."
Ahkia looked down and shook his head. "But...I can't decide this on my own. We talk about everything. I rarely have ever made a decision without consulting you first."
He gasped feeling her suddenly hug his arm and cuddle close, smiling brightly. "Oh, Ahki. You know I would give everything to have you stay here with me, safe and sound. I never want you anywhere other than right here, to grow old and to share everything with me!"
She then fell silent and once again her smile faded away. A single tear rolled down her cheek and she did her best to hide it with the side of her hood. Despite her efforts, she could not hide her shuddering breaths. Ahkia took her hand again and held it sympathetically. "But I can't ask that of you, Ahkia." She wept. "In the end, you must do what you have to. I cannot and will not hold you here. I will support whatever your decision is, no matter what Ahkia."
Ahkia smiled and kissed her head, cradling her cheek with his free hand. She looked up at him and let go of his hand. To his surprise she stood, staring down at him as she wrung her hands. "I want you to go, Ahkia." She blurted suddenly. "I want you to go and save all the worlds from this new evil. It's too important to be passed up and you cannot deny that, Ahkia. I want you to fulfill your destiny..."
