63 Soul of Flame (1/2)

'Hearing Maya crying over his body, Will tried opening his eyes. It was an odd feeling, as if he were not at the controls, but outside trying to pry them open.

”Relax, William.” A voice rang out all around him. ”There is too much to discuss, yet so little time.”

Images came into focus , though not as Will would have hoped. He could see the castle not too far off in the distance. He stood in the field which had been torn away by the battle with the dark God, Aremesis. The slashes and craters in the earth from the inhuman attacks which he had gone up against, and the many bodies which littered the yard.

Getting to his feet, he could still hear Maya sobbing his name. Confused at first, he turned to her. ”Maya, it's okay, I'm right here.” He said as he looked at her.

At first, all he could see was her dark hair surrounding her face. Tears were still falling and he could tell something was wrong. ”You promised to take me to your world, Will. You promised me a date, don't forget.” She wasn't looking up at him, instead down at her lap.

Will followed her gaze, he stared in shock as he saw that laying on her lap was an unconscious Will. ”Maya, I'm right here!” He tried to shout, but no one heard him.

A hand was placed on Maya's shoulder, making Will turn to see his father. ”Worry not, child. My son's job is not over yet, he is just resting.” He turned his head to look at the son which was not within his body. ”Your job starts when you wake.”

A shiver went down Will's spine. His father looked directly into his eyes, as if he could sense him. ”Can you see me?” Will asked as King Ragnos turned to Michael and Jonathan.

”Bring him into the castle,” the king said as he himself turned to his home. ”He will wake in his birthplace.”

Will watched as his father left. Michael and Jonathan helped Maya to her feet, whispering soothing words to get her to leave Will's side. She didn't release him until Will's dad, Jonathan gently took him in his arms.

Maya went behind him to Michael who embraced her, helping her with the long walk to the city.

Will was about to walk with them when someone else caught his eye. Someone else was crying just a few feet back. Bianca.

She had her arms around Leo as her wide eyes watched as his limp body was taken from the battlefield. ”It wasn't him.” She whispered.

”Cainus probably gave him a boost of power at the end. It wouldn't have been the first time we have seen his speak through Will. Leo said as his eyes followed Jonathan's back.

Bianca shook her head. ”Cainus has never given off such power before, and it didn't sound like him.” She remembered the feeling of the man that stood behind her, feeding her power to use against the dark God. ”Cainus has never used any element besides the flame. The one supplying me with strength had every element crammed into one powerful force.” She forced her eyes from Jonathan and looked at Leo. ”We have never come in contact with such power before.”

Will's brother in life looked at Bianca and sighed. ”We won't figure this out sitting in a field of corpses, Bianca. Lets follow them and prepare our next move.” He knelt down and picked up Jake who looked in about the same shape as his brother

Will tried to follow them as they left, but he couldn't move. Lines upon lines of surviving aura weilders followed the two as they departed for the castle. Will recognized those that he had changed from all around Ebonhart. The orphans and widows he had given hope to, as well as the slaves he had set free from the trade city Holtz. He recognized the former slave trader, Roland as he walked towards the gates.

As the last of the men and women left the field, Will noticed some movement behind him. ”I thought they would never leave.” Will turned to see a man he had never laid eyes on before.

The man wore what looked like a black fur jacket and trousers. On his back, he wore a traveling pack. Long black hair draped over his shoulders. Will followed the hair up to a mouth which had a wild black beard, and further up were hawk-like hazel eyes. The man smiled at him kindly. ”It's nice to finally have time to talk, William.”

Will took a step back, not knowing what to expect. ”You can see me?” He asked with just a small amount of panic in his voice.

The man let out a throaty laugh as he placed an arm around Will's neck as if they were old friends. ”Of course I can see you!” He said cheerfully. ”I've been waiting for you.”

”I'm sorry sir, but who are you?” Will asked as the man was in the process of giving him a bear hug.

The man released Will and looked into his eyes. An annoyed expression played within his features. ”Of course you don't know me. He put a pointer finger on Will's temple. When he released it, a gold thread of power came with it. The man threw the thread, which opened and Cainus stepped forth.

Looking confused, the late king stared at Will with a look of bewilderment. ”Will, how did you summon me in this form?” He asked. The king would not tear his gaze from the young man, yet he noticed that Will's faze rested on another man.

”Long time no pray, Cainus.” The man moved his gaze to the scarlet wearing king. ”What exactly have you been teaching my lineage?”