48 Glimpse of Gold (2/2)
The late king chuckled softly. ”As I said, this is no traditional initiation.” he said as he put a finger to her temple. ”Only because there has never been a candidate such as yourself before.”
The world around Maya began to fade, the darkness of the night overcame her as she looked up into the eyes of which were not Will's. ”We will continue this conversation elsewhere in just a few moments.” Cainus said as she finally lost consciousness.
Maya came to on a red carpet in what seemed like a golden room she could only imagine in her dreams. Looking around at the massive gold pillars was enough to give her worry. Where the hell am I? She thought as she stood.
As Maya took in her surroundings her eyes stopped at a golden throne, or more importantly who was seated in it. In wrist and ankle shackles, Will sat atop the throne unconscious yet she could see the rise and fall of his chest. She knew he had to be sleeping.
”What have you done to him?” she called out to who she knew would be lurking in the shadows. ”Why have you brought us here?”
A low chuckle came from behind one of the gold pillars. ”Don't worry Maya, my bro is just sleeping.”
Maya's breath caught, she knew that voice. Jake walked out from behind the golden pillar holding the same rusted iron sword she once held herself. The same sword that ran her through countless times in his own private room. She stared into the dark eyes of the man who defiled her night after night, the one who allowed his own men to take their turns with her after he was finished. The one who made her do unspeakable things.
Unbridled fury escaped Maya's lips. The room echoed with her anger as she charged for Jake. ”What the hell did you do to him?!” she repeated as she tried for a punch to his face.
”Come on Maya,” Jake said with a half hearted smile as he slapped her hand away with the flat of his blade. ”You really should know better than to go after an armed opponent with just your fists.” smirking he jumped back a few feet and presented her old sword hilt first to her. ”I'll give you your old one back of you want it.” a chuckle escaped him when he saw her grimace.
”I would rather take my chances with my fists than to ever have to rely on that thing again!” she spat at his feet as she prepared herself for another strike.
”That's not very smart Maya,” he said as he jumped back to the throne. ”You know it's never really been you I've been after right?” her old sword pressed up against Will's throat. ”What did I say before?” he put his hand up to his chin in a thoughtful manner. ”Oh yes, I remember now. I can kill you any time I want.”
Maya took a step towards the throne. She knew she didn't have many options available. She was fast enough to intercept any motion he made, but without a weapon how would she counter his strike?
Looking at the unconscious Will, she saw his cross hanging from where it usually was. The ornate silver with gold wiring, the ruby and now opal which took their place atop the cross.
I need a sword. Maya thought desperately. She didn't know how long Jake was planning to play with her. He was never the patient type in her eyes.
Taking a deep breath to prepare herself, Maya plunged herself as fast as she could towards Jake.
As she closed the distance, Jake prepared her old sword for a thrust to exactly where she was heading. Even if she tried to slow down at this point, the blade would still reach its mark.
Instead of stopping or even meeting the blade, Maya did something Jake didn't expect. Seeing Will train for so long, she was able to understand some of the different ways he used his aura in battle.
Closing her eyes, Maya relied on her memories to guide her in what she had to do. Her aura sprang out from underneath her, propelling her up into a flip over the throne. Half way over, Maya reached her arm out and snagged Will's cross from around his neck. In seconds, gold flame erupted from the cross and produced a pure golden blade. The familiar silver was nowhere to be seen. There was no crimson to accompany the all surrounding gold flame Maya surrounded herself in.
Having completed the flip, Maya turned and lodged her new sword directly into Jake's chest.
The man before her only smiled as he wiped blood from his mouth. ”Good for you Maya,” he said in a sincere tone, almost friendly. ”It seems you are not complete darkness after all.” he stared out behind a golden pillar only a few feet away. ”What do you think?”
Maya followed his gaze to the pillar and noticed a blonde man in a crimson jacket that could only belong to royalty. Sitting atop his head was a crown with a ruby and opal lodged in their respective socket.
”As I said twice before Maya, this isn't your traditional initiation.” Cainus said as he walked out into view. ”But I must say, you did exceedingly well.”
The closer Cainus got, the more brilliantly Maya's aura glowed a solid gold. ”Never forget Maya, this is your true aura.”
”No, Will gave me this aura in order to save me.” Maya said without a seconds hesitation. ”I'm just a farm girl, if anything I would be lucky just to have crimson.”
”Maya, the aura is not blessed to those in a powerful position.” Cainus said as he placed his hand upon her sword. ”The aura is placed upon those who have a powerful fate. Destiny chose you to be beside Will, to protect him and guide him.” he moved his hand along half of the blade. Where his hand trailed, darkness stained it.
Cainus ran his hand all the way down to the pommel of the sword. Now the sword had half the appearance of royal gold and half chaotic black. ”Consider this weapon an hourglass. You may be apart from Will up until the sword turns pure black. When this happens, your aura will no longer be strong enough to withstand the corruption. Being near Will, allowing his own aura to flow through you will sustain your life force until such a time that he can cure you of this darkness.”
Maya opened her mouth to speak, she had so many questions. But just as the battle started, so to did it end with a finger to the temple. ”You did well Maya,” Cainus said gently as she found herself falling through darkness. Protect our prince, she thought she heard before everything went dark once more.