32 The Call of Blood (1/2)
'Darkness ruled over his subconscious as Will struggled to come to. Within the darkness he saw a pair of familiar eyes lurking within the shadows. A pale form of Maya, sword in hand and wound to her abdomen bleeding freely. Her lifeless eyes bore into his very soul. Lifting a blade as dark as his vision, Will could do nothing but scream as she stabbed him in the same place as her bloody wound.
Looking down, all he could do is watch as his own blood flowed as a light stream down his white shirt. Maya just stood and watched, a haunting smile played on her lips as she saw him slowly join her within her agony. As he tried to cover the wound, it felt like the blood only flowed faster. The more he tried to save himself, the more he lost.
Thinking back to the day she lost her life, Will witnessed Maya's final expression replay itself over and over. The smile seemed like it was a final gesture of kindness, she fought so hard to stay with him, but no matter how hard she struggled the wraiths wouldn't release her chains. He would have done anything possible to change the fate that had been dealt to her, to have her smile back. Instead he was staring at a pale reflection of the smile as he was bleeding to death, fear consumed him. Would Bianca and Leo be able to carry out the fight without him? Would the Advisers send more wraiths to demolish them?
Will thought back to the moment he had saved Maya from the guards, the cruelty they had shown her. If not for him, she would be a slave within the guards quarters or had already succumbed to their ill treatment. He thought of what their injustice had awakened within him, the flames of vengeance that had been born. Only just awakening, he was able to fend off the guards to save her. They had spent months together, growing more and more within such a short time. She had been there as he was only just experimenting with his flames. She had watched him for hours as he struggled to get a hold of his power.
He had only learned her true feelings the night before he lost her. Will had turned down those feelings for Bianca. Knowing that she had died thinking she wasn't good enough for him was enough to allow him to feel the wound for what it was. It was a stab of betrayal. As the wraiths brought the sword down, it was truly his own feelings that caused her the pain.
As he stared into the shadow figure of Maya, he welcomed her smile as the blood from his wound slowly receded. Standing in a pool of his own blood, Will smiled. If this was the end, at least he could spend his last moments with the one person he wished was with him. Before his legs gave out, Will felt a presence behind him. A heat had erupted into the cold darkness. A ruby red flame had appeared to his side, warming his chilled heart.
When the flame appeared, Maya's smile vanished. Will looked deep within the flame and saw Bianca. He remembered the moment he summoned the sword for the first time, what it meant. The blade was there to protect his friends, to be the beacon of strength within the world of darkness. To cast out the shadows and restore hope to a fallen kingdom.
Will raised his pale hand to his face. He felt cold, as if awaiting deaths embrace as he stood in the small pond of his own blood. Looking at the flame, he couldn't succumb to the gentle calling of rest. Without him, all hope would be gone. Slowly, Will casted away the weakness of his failures. 'If I truly wish to make amends, it won't be the easy way,' he thought as he glanced at the pale figure of Maya, her hand stretched out as if desperately pleading for him to follow her.
With the injustices that had befallen his friend clear in his mind, Will's expression turned from lost to determined. He wouldn't give up, he wouldn't allow darkness to rule the kingdom of his birth. She was the last to fall to the Advisers.
As his resolve grew, the pool of blood began to steam. Will brought his hand to his chest and released the cross from the chain. The moment it came undone, the flames erupted from his hand. Instead of his usual sword coming forth, The flames instead swirled in a vortex around him. the blood around him began to glow crimson and gold as the flames lit the area. He was no longer standing in a world of darkness. He was instead standing at Maya's cottage. Instead of the pale figure standing before him, Will saw his true friend smiling back at him. ”Don't give up.” She said before going back in her home.'
Will finally had enough strength to open his eyes, he was back in his room once more. Thinking back on what made him pass out, he looked around. Sleeping at his desk, Will found Bianca. She wore the same pink top and jeans as she had earlier, the only thing that was different was the ring in which had a ruby at the center.
Getting up from his bed, Will took off his jacket and put it around Bianca. His heart was warmed as he watched her sleep. She could have gone back to her room, yet he couldn't help but be grateful. It felt as if her presence within the room was what renewed his resolve in his dream. He remembered the red flame which stood with him as he confronted his demons.
”Thank you.” Will whispered quietly as he kissed the top of his girlfriends head before leaving the room.
Taking the steps to the lounging area, Will had a seat on a black leather couch facing the fire place. As he stared at the black stone box in which was devoid of flame, he heard footsteps behind him.
”It seems to be another night that I can't be alone.” Michael sighed as he took a leather recliner next to Will. ”Your dreams are getting worse aren't they.” He said, not taking the effort to question.
As Will stared at the fireplace, he lifted his hand ever so slightly as he accessed his aura. In the raised hand, a small flame appeared, with a nod of his head the flame followed the command and went to the fireplace. Within moments the room was filled with light from the ruby red flame.