Common Ground

Chapter One ~ Making An Offer

'How could I have let this happen?

Tarik... How could I not have realized how much I needed him?

How could I have been so... blind?'

My singular ruby lens watered as I crept silently through the darkened streets of the Castle Town, clinging to the darkness of the nighttime alleyways. Two years had passed since my defeat at the hands of the Four Heroes. But they'd had an ally who was majorly responsible for my downfall.

Shadow Link. The traitor.

Unfortunately, his actions proved to be far more severe than he could handle. He shattered the Dark Mirror and cut off my supply of dark magic. But in doing so, he had paid the ultimate price. His life.

And not just his own... But Tarik's, as well.

Tarik had been my sole remaining loyal servant after Shadow betrayed me in favor of the Violet Hero. He obeyed my every command without complaint, and was loyal until the very end. When Shadow broke the Dark Mirror, his and Tarik's ties to the world had been severed. They were shadows, drawn from the Dark World and kept in existence by my powers. And with my powers gone, they were gone too.

And now, two years later, I was still mourning.

Finally, I approached Violet's dwelling. I was hesitant to knock on the door, for fear that he would strike me down the moment he saw me. But I needed his help if I were to bring Tarik back. And in exchange for his cooperation, I was prepared to offer to bring Shadow back, as well. I no longer cared about any of our past differences. I simply wanted Tarik back. Because...

I loved him. After two years of searching within myself, I knew that it wasn't just a feeling of power his loyalty brought. It was love that I harbored.

Drawing my robes tighter around myself, I reached towards the door. Swallowing my terror, I rapped the wood softly with trembling knuckles. Three soft but still sharp taps broke the frosty silence in the air, and I shivered as the crisp breeze bit into my skin.

'I have to do this. I have to bring Tarik home.'

There was the sound of slow footsteps that approached the door. The moment it cracked open, a pair of sullen cerulean eyes suddenly flared with pure hatred. The voice that erupted from within the house grated rather painfully against my tapered ears.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?" Violet snarled, hatred dripping from his voice. I caught a faint flash of glinting steel as he threw the door open, drawing his sword from its sheath that he wore across his back.

I immediately held up both hands, stepping back slightly. "Please, Violet... Let me-"

"NO! FUCK WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO FUCKING SAY! YOU COWARD, YOU'RE THE REASON SHADOW IS DEAD! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, VAATI YOU SCUM!!!"

"Violet, please! Let me speak! I'm NOT here for a fight!" I cried out, but he was far too enraged to hear me. I took another step backwards, my hands in full view of the purple-garbed Hero.

He seemed to regard my behavior with mild confusion. "Then why the HELL would you come here?! Are you so sick of your miserable existence that you've come seeking your end? Because I'd be thrilled to oblige. Your insane quest for omnipotence cost Shadow his LIFE! AND WITH HIM WENT ALL OF MY REASON FOR EXISTENCE!"

I flinched at his rage. "I am aware of your loss, Violet. You have every right and reason to want my head. But please... I..." My voice dropped.

"I need your help."

I was nearly deafened by his screech of fury. "ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE?! WHY THE HELL WOULD I HELP AN ENEMY LIKE YOU?!? I'D SOONER TAKE MY OWN LIFE THAN HELP YOU!!!"

I felt my stomach tighten in despair. 'He hates me... He'll never help me...'

"What do you need my help with, anyway? You're an all-powerful Mage, AREN'T you?" His tone was mocking. I hung my head in defeat.

"No... I'm not. Not anymore. When the... Dark Mirror was..."

"Shut the fuck up about that fucking mirror!"

"Sorry... After that happened, I lost my terrible Mage powers. I... I'm no longer the evil Wind Mage. I am back to my Wind Picori state. But... I need your help... In bringing Tarik back."

A long silence followed. Just as I was preparing for him to slice me in half for even THINKING of enlisting his help, I heard him speak again, albeit it an icy tone.

"... Go on."

I sighed softly. "I believe I may have JUST enough necessary magic to safely get us into the Dark World. From there, I intend to enlist the assistance of the Sage of Shadow. With his assistance, I can bring Tarik back."

Vio scoffed. "And just WHY would I help you bring him back? How do I benefit from this?"

"You may not believe me if I tell you..."

"Enlighten me anyway."

"I plan to have him bring Shadow Link back, as well."