Ascension - (Alarian Warriors)

It was time.

Erosvent embraced her, a proud smile spreading across his lips as he pulled back to look at her.

“I’m so proud of you, of everything thing you’ve accomplished.” He told her.

His ascension had been a tremendous success; her work was currently completed, and all the warriors had now ascended. Though the word would truly never stop, not until she could find a workaround for the one they lost.

“Leave the Earth to us, you focus on finding all the chaos out there and we’ll crush it.”

“We need to purify it, not crush it.” She laughed.

“Same difference really.” He shrugged.

Shaking her head, she lightly squeezed his hand. “I’ll miss you, uncle.” She whispered. She could already feel the tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes.

“I’m only a scrying bowl away!” He reminded her.

Of course, he was right, but still, this felt like goodbye and for a very long time.

Letting her go he stepped through the fissure behind him and into Elaina’s waiting arms. She watched as he leaned down placing a kiss on the baby’s forehead. The child was so blessed to have a caring family.

“Thank you,” Elaina called from the other side before Erosvent ushered her out of the room.

Her uncle was quite perceptive. He was clearing the room so she could say goodbye to the one person that she dreaded saying those very words.

Blinking back tears, she felt him slip his arm around her waist from behind, she tilted her head back and into his shoulder allowing him to hold her.

“You’ve said your farewells to the boys?” she asked, referring to Damon and Karlos.

“Indeed, the little man is quite something, isn’t he!? You intend to train him here, don’t you?” Vincent asked.

She smiled. “Quite right. His control over the elements is extraordinary, here he will have the freedom to learn without restriction. Though I fear he has taken a liking to you.”

“What’s there to fear, he’ll come to visit the next time you open a fissure, I’m sure of it. You have my word that I’ll look after him like he’s my own.”

A tinge of sadness took her by surprise. It should be Emerald raising the boy, but here they were agreeing to take care of him in her stead. Together. “Thanks.” She whispered.

The fissure before them wavered reminding them that they were running out of time. She twisted in his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck so she could look slightly up at him. He didn’t even let her talk. He lowered his lips to meet her, kissing her deeply.

Her hold tightened, not wanting to let go and yet she knew she had to. She could feel her strong demeanour wavering as the fissure had just done. No, she wouldn’t allow herself to cry. She would see him off with a smile.

“I love you.” He whispered against her lips and she nearly broke.

Why was this so hard? Why couldn’t she have one more night with the man she loved? Why couldn’t she live the life she wanted, now that she actually wanted it? But in truth, this had been her choice, her reason for being. Her reason for living on.

“Vincent?” she asked as he finally stopped kissing her to rest his forehead against hers.

“Yes?”

“Look after the Earth for me, I can’t wait to live out the rest of our days together once this is over.”

“You have my word. I’ll even find you a nice house with a lake since you like them so much.”

“I what?” She asked, confused.

“You just can’t resist jumping into the water whenever you see one, I’ve found it’s a habit of yours.”

She burst out laughing, gods she was going to miss his banter. All too quickly their embrace ended, and he stepped out of her arms and toward the fissure.

Her hands slipped from his neck and down his arms, her hand gently clasping his as she turned to watch him leave. He walked backwards; their arms extended between the two.

“I love you too.” She told him as their hands slipped from each other’s and he backed himself through the fissure. She saw him smile as the portal slammed itself shut leaving her alone in the suddenly very cold room.

She turned, walking to the doorless entry that led outside to the terrace. Stopping she rested her hand on the wall as overbearing emotions slammed into her, she couldn’t hold it in anymore. She slumped against the wall turning her back to it and slid down the hard face. A light shake had set in as she was battling the tears that so desperately wanted to fall.

It hurt. More than she realized. More than physically being apart from him. Knowing that she would never again be able to see him. They both knew they couldn’t have a life together and yet they still dreamt of one.

The moment this was over, all the warriors she’d created would return to the state in which they were before the ascension. For Vincent, it would mean his death and, in turn, hers.

She felt hands around her shoulder as she was pulled into an embrace. Looking up she saw Damon’s sorrow-filled eyes. A single tear escaped the corner of her eye, rolling down her cheek.

“Don’t hold it in.” He told her.

Her hands found his shirt as he pressed her head to his chest. Her bottom lip trembled as her breathing didn’t want to obey her. The feelings welling up inside her were becoming too much to bear, the pain she felt from the separation mixed with the emotions of knowing that she could never be with him were utterly devastating.

She clung to her brother and allowed the tears to fall as she wept in his arms. Several minutes passed as she cried when suddenly she felt a small hand on her back. She looked up through tear-stained lashes to see Karlos’s own crying face.

She opened her arms to him, and he joined the embrace.

“Never give up.” He whispered.

“Sorry?” Sniffling she looked down at the small boy.

“That’s what the emerald-skinned elf... M- My mother told me to tell you when I gave you the letter... Never give up.” He responded cutely.

She couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh amongst her tears. “That is just like her.” She lifted a hand to the tear that was running down his nose. “No need to cry little one.”

“You crying makes me sad.” He told her.

“Then only bright smiles, fun times and happiness from now on.” She promised herself and him.

She was far from alone, she realized. Damon needed her as much as she needed him. Karlos was a ray of pure sunshine, the fates were bubbly balls of energy, and she had her mother, Vexous. Whom she would find a way to awaken.

A new determination rose as she embraced the boys, squeezing them gently. “We’ll find a way.”

“I have all the faint that you will,” Damon responded.

“I’ll help!” Karlos enthusiastically cheered.

This wasn’t the end; far from it, it was only the beginning.