Silent Night

Song recommendation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBSo5paUSRA

The mountain valley was plunged into the silent night. The snow continued to fall and the group had found new shelter in an abandoned outhouse. It was a devilish relic of old herdsmen and barely could withstand the battery of the wind.

"We won't be able to catch up with them in this storm," Darius sighed.

"Why did they only take Yona?" Veretta questioned soberly.

"Leverage perhaps?" Michael replied in deep thought.

"We have to go after them," Tomas said through gritted teeth.

"And we will, " Michael interjected," at first light. Until then, we have to went out the storm,"

Veretta laid a hand on Tomas' shoulder," we'll save them,"

He stared down bitterly but said nothing.

The night was passed in anxious anticipation of the morning. Veretta and Michael huddled together as the hours passed. Veretta's eyes the weight of tiredness. A vision entered her mind. She began to remember the night of the dinner thereafter. Soon followed Michael's goodbye. Her eyes fluttered open in a daze.

Finally, the first glimmer of light had broken through the dawn.

They set out to follow Silthus' trail. Veretta was quietly ruminating on her newfound memories. She realised Michael had never once told her where he planned to go once Ace had been rescued.

"Are you alright?" Michael asked as they emerged at the end of the trail.

Veretta stared at the great watery expanse ahead. A frozen blue lake sat entrenched in the groove of the mountain. It was pristinely clear, almost unnaturally so. The lake waters lapped softly at a rocky stone bed. For some reason, Veretta felt a surge of emotions.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked quietly as they headed to the shore.

Michael nodded, watching Darius and Tomas set off ahead.

"Where are you going after we rescue Ace?" Veretta asked, "You said you weren't coming back,"

"Did you remember?" Michael answered somewhat absently mindedly.

" Yes," Veretta searched his face seriously.

"I'll go home, I suppose," Michael replied reticently. His gaze was unreadable, yet Veretta detected something sad and determined in his eyes.

"I see," Veretta said slowly, "And what about Shallow? Didn't you have a deal with him?"

"Yes, he agreed to help me in exchange for the scroll, " Michael said quietly," but since I failed, I guess he decided the wouldn't help me anymore,"

"He made the same deal with me," Veretta said thoughtfully, "the Gods really don't want it to be opened,"

"A human with the power of a God...I imagine it's their greatest fear," Michael gave a small smile.

They reached the rocky shoreline. Darius stared ahead intensely, " I think I recognize this place,"

"You've been here before?" Tomas asked.

"Not exactly. But Cora once boasted about how one of Silthus' castles was in the middle of the ocean. The rest of the generals were never allowed to visit it. Maybe this is what she meant?" Darius said thoughtfully.

"But how will we reach it?" Veretta glanced around," there are no boats,"

"We'll walk there, " Michael grinned. He turned to Tomas. "It seems if the castle is out there, it must be concealed with magic. What we need is to make it visible,"

"How will we do that?" Tomas asked.

"Give me your hand," Michael gestured.

Tomas obeyed as they faced the water together, "What now?"

"I want you to push the water with all your strength, " Michael answered.

" I can't use water magic," Tomas sighed.

"Oh really?" Michael smirked.

The water at their feet began to quiver. The ripples spread out against the flat surface. The tide began to turn in reverse. Waves began to form, cascading out towards the centre of the lake.

"How is this possible?" Tomas' eyes widened.

"We're channelling each other's magic - water and wind," Michael explained, " now we just need to create enough energy to force the castle out of hiding. Focus. Imagine the tide flowing across the entire lake. Reach out your hand and feel any sign of resistance,"

This time, Tomas concentrated in earnest. He outstretched his hand and the water began to crystallize. A path made of ice extended out into the lake. The trail get going until suddenly it stepped. Tomas lowered his hand.

"There," he breathed, " I can feel it,"

"Well done," Michael smiled, " looks like we've found where they're hiding. "

"Let's go!" Tomas rushed forward.

He leant his hand to Veretta and they started down the path. Darius and Michael followed behind.

"This is incredible," Darius laughed," who knew such a thing was possible? You truly are an incredible wizard!"

"On the contrary, I'm finding my abilities have been grossly overestimated," Michael said flatly.

"How can you say that?" Darius raised an eyebrow, "I don't know of any mages who could achieve such a feat,"

"In my time, it wouldn't have been so astonishing," Michael returned, "Such magic was not only possible but there were great masters who could control all elements. It seems that is no longer the case,"

"Even so, " Darius argued," It is a wonder for our times. There is much you could achieve with such magic. You could change things in this world. Teach others to do the same,"

"You're wrong," Michael replied gravely," this magic doesn't belong here and neither do I,"

"What do you mean by that?" Darius frowned.

"Darius," Michael said in a low but determined voice, " Whatever happens in there, I want you to protect the others,"

" Michael, you're scaring me," Darius laughed nervously," with all of us together What can go wrong?"

****************

"Surprise,"

Ace's eyes widened. Yona had been dragged into Silthus' hall and dropped at the foot of his throne. Ace ran forward but was immediately grappled by the guards. Yona stirred, lifting her gaze to his.

"Master!" She cried.

"It's okay," Ace reassured anxiously. He turned his gaze to Silthus who was staring down from his Silver throne with a look of supreme and malevolent delight.

"Let her go!" Ace demanded, "whatever you want... I'll give it to you. Just release her,"

Silthus gave a roar of laughter, "And what exactly can you give?"

"I... I will be ...with you. Do whatever you ask," Ace replied through gritted teeth.

"But that will be servitude, not love," Silthus grinned.

"Then tell me! What can I do?" Ace exclaimed desperately.

"The surest way to prove love is a gesture of commitment," Silthus stepped down from the throne, pulling Yona to him. He grabbed her roughly by the hair dragging her up. Her skin burned under his touch and she stifled a sob.

Ace flew past the guards knocking them aside. Silthus immediately drew his blade to Yona's throat.

"Even she will die If I slit her throat," he warned.

Ace halted wide-eyed and fearful," A commitment? " he stammered," What kind of commitment do you want?"

Silthus smiled wildly," Give up the scroll. Forget about Clover. Be mine,"

Ace's body tensed, a look of unmitigated horror was smothered under a dark, murderous glare.

"Ah," Silthus chuckled, " And don't think I intend to let you renege on this promise too. If you ever attempt to open it or leave me, she will die. You must make the contract with your blood. It cannot be broken,"

Ace's jaw clenched and he bit his lip till it turned white. His heart raced rapidly and he grew pale.

"Master, "Yona said softly, "You saved me and gave me a life I could never have imagined. Do not make the contract. I want you to find your love. Let me die. It is alright,"

Silthus gave a spiteful cackle.

In that instance, Ace snapped to his senses. As he looked down at Yona, he saw the small child he had raised. He hardly knew what to do with her at the beginning. He felt a coldness in his heart from the time he parted with Clover. He never imagined he could love anything again. But as he watched her grow, he deeply regretted he could not show her the affection she deserved.

"I will sign the contract," Ace said calmly, " don't hurt my daughter,"

Yona's eyes widened in disbelief. She had all but accepted her fate. Now, for the first time, she heard the words 'daughter', her eyes filled with tears of joy and sadness.

"Are you certain?" Silthus questioned with a smile, "there's no going back,"

" I know," Ace smiled warmly at Yona.

Silthos snapped his fingers and a cloaked figure appeared at his side. They unscrolled a long parchment. Silthus was handed a blade. He pricked his finger against it and pressed his finger to the paper. He gestured Ace forward with a smile.

"Before I do this," Ace paused, " you will promise Yona to go free,"

"Master, no!" Yona cried, "I don't want to leave you!"

"You must," Ace smiled sadly," I cannot bear for you to be here once this contract is signed,"

"Very well," Silthus grinned, " She will be free, on pain of my death,"

Ace took the blade and produced a bloody fingerprint on the parchment.

"Then as it is written, so it shall be done," Silthus smirked.

Suddenly, Silthus unsheathed his sword. He drove the blade into Yona's heart.

"There, she is free,"

Silthus pulled back his bloody sword. Yona tumbled down the steps and hit the ground. Ace gave a heart-wrenching scream. He flew down the steps and dove to her side. He tried desperately to stop the bleeding, but she was dead. He gasped for shallow, rapid breaths. With a howl, he wrapped his arms around her, clutching her through broken sobs.

"WHY!!" He bawled," I AGREED! I agreed to everything,"

"I've waited this long," Silthus smiled coldly.

"I won't share your heart with anyone."