Chapter 49 - Concealed in the Shadows

Winter stood in the darkness, in this place so familiar yet so foreign. The memory of a place she could never call home. She shivered slightly, involuntarily as she walked the mirror finished and glossy black onyx that swallowed any borrowed light. Far above in the mists that shrouded the ceiling, hung stalactites, the largest piercing the mists and into the expanse. She gave them a quick glance before letting her eyes drop to the matching twin rows of columns that framed the path to the dais and the throne of the Host. Her steel and copper flecked eyes narrowed as she walked closer, the throne was not present. Instead a door of two stout, black marble pillars with a shimmering field of violet energy stretched between them greeted her. It stood atop the dais, now no longer obsidian or onyx, but instead snow white.

Walking along the rows of columns she saw the smoldering black runes that scarred the dais around the doorway. Wisps of inky blackness rose from them. A demonic roar reverberated through the hall, echoing into the distance until it met silence. She frowned, placing one foot on the dais and casting her eyes on the runes in a mix of muted anger and idle fascination at the ancient design that made the first layer and ward of her prison. Another roar disturbed the silence, cutting deep into the hall until it died out to a hollow thin scream that made a twisted smile of shared pain come to her lips. Looking at the pillars, she could easily make out the scratches and gashes in the black marble, as if great clawed hands had tried to tear their way out.

“They weren’t mine.” Winter said softly to herself, “I could not even get fully free of the chains I was bound with.” she finished with a grimace, her fingertips tracing the gouges.

A strange pensive and expectant silence grew in the chamber as she walked in Antrandis’s memory of that place in the moments before she had been set free. She could feel it, the steady, deep and slow breath of a predator containing itself in anticipation of its prey’s next move. Winter glanced about warily before stepping through the violet flare, blinding her momentarily until her eyes became accustomed to the dim ambiance of the memory of her prison.

The walls immediately pressed in on her in an almost claustrophobic manner and bringing a faint burst of panic as she turned to find the entrance missing. The gentle squeeze of unseen tapered fingers laced in her own calmed her, reminding her that she was being watched over outside of this waking dream. A smile came to her lips; the presence of her first love, Sian teased the edge of her conscious thought momentarily.

She frowned, reaching out and touching the strangely luminescent yet dark walls, the scratches that ran deep, almost scoring the membrane of the construct itself. Every set of these jagged tears came in fours, claws outstretched. Winter slowly followed them, the repeated claw marks crossing over each other in some places. Looking up, she noticed scratches even in the low ceiling, random gouges made in frustration. The copper flared in her eyes as she took it in. She was walking in his memory, the place, the sounds and smells. Among the scratches were cracks and small fissures from repeated vicious attacks.

Narrowing her eyes in the low light she continued down the passages, following the torn walls, not bothering to look down the other routes. Finally, she stepped out into a series of chambered rooms with barred doors. She could hear the ghost of faint whispers, her own pleas to be found, now nothing more than a muted memory. Slowing, she stopped before the closed door to the cell that held her and grimaced, its unmarred surface telling. Turning quickly, her eyes flickered to the number of empty rooms behind doors that remained barred from the outside.

At the end of the narrow hall hung a door; slightly ajar, tears in its smooth surface and hanging on buckled hinges. Winter swallowed hard, crossing the floor, her fingers again tracing the scratches on the walls between the doors until she stood before it. A deep frown scored her brows, a sound that escaped her love’s notice that he still heard. A voice in the darkness, whimpering.

Winter drew closer, listening carefully to the faint whispers, her eyes widening in alarm. The sound of shaking breath and the scent of fear reached her.

“Please...” asked the whisper as it watched the shade of Antrandis, the door to Winter’s cell opening under his touch and swallowing him in the darkness.

Winter gasped, her eyes wide. She slowly slid to the floor with her back against the opposing wall, watching the damaged cell door as sad whimpers could be heard along with the sound of claws scratching at the floor. Immediately it came back to her, the young woman’s face, the ghost on the edge of her vision as she left the cell and ran to him eighteen years earlier. Closing her eyes, she concentrated, allowing her own and Antrandis’s memories to entwine. Opening her eyes again, the labyrinth was as she remembered, the walls started to shake and vibrate as the memory of his actions slipped around a corner and her horrible cries rang out.

Quickly looking at the door opposite, she waited. Holding her breath as it cracked further open. A strange mismatch of a young woman timidly stepped out with darting eyes. Winter took in a sharp breath and watched carefully, now on her knees. Tears streamed down the woman’s cheeks, being rubbed by what should have been hands, instead large paws and claws. Winter’s eyes narrowed in disbelief, the gorgeously expressive features of the young woman turned her way, looking through her and at the open cell as the demoness raged within.

Rich orange eyes, swollen with fresh tears looked forlornly at the passage Antrandis had walked down, her shoulders slumped, her lips moving silently. The sounds of chains hitting the floor loudly drew their attention. Winter kept her eyes on the woman, watched her as her past self exploded from the cell behind. The briefest of glances brought Winter’s past self and the terrified eyes of Ekavira’s other form in contact before the demoness was gone, chasing her freedom.

“I saw her, I thought I…” she whispered to herself as she stood and watched the broken spirit.

Winter moved closer, trailing Ekavira as she followed slowly, repeatedly whispering to herself silently as the labyrinth’s construct shook and started to crumble. Turning a corner, the emaciated ghost of Ekavira watched as the walls started to tear and break.

“Please.” she pleaded, her tears falling like diamonds until a small smile came to her lips as a faint flash of stormy blue momentarily met her orange in the brief moments before the construct tore asunder.

Winter closed her eyes, feeling heat build within them. She sighed deeply.

“Was she there, Winter?” asked Sian gently.

Winter nodded slowly, keeping her eyes closed as she thought, “The Host, he was meant to be her partial tether so she could remain in the mortal realm. And she is the anchor for the other seven, including Ja’Sessh.”

“But he took something?” said Sian.

“Yes, the bastard did, he cut something out of her, to keep her and the others in check how he saw fit.” she ground her teeth slightly, “He used me, Sian. To clip her wings.”

“She could fly?” Sian asked in surprise.

“No, the Host had me take something from her. But the deal was to…” Winter shook her head, “It doesn’t matter what the deal was, by being entrapped in my prison. Sian.”

Winter opened her steel eyes and met Sian’s silver-emerald, “Ekavira has been within the shadow realm, separated, her words…”

She quickly glanced at Antrandis, his eyes closed in concentration as he continued to reinforce the Sanctum from the deep rumbles that shook more sand down from above.

“Demons, to remain here in the mortal realms we need a tether, a host that anchors us that allows us to survive. Otherwise we burn out, weeks, days or even just an hour or so for the weakest of us.”

“Those foolish mages, arcanists and others that try to summon and bind those as familiars or servants.” Winter shook her head in frustration, “They give their life to gain, not knowing the cost.”

“Myself and the order were gifts given to the Host, the caretaker of the passage between worlds and the afterlife. The Rakshasa were crafted to walk the mortal realm. Just as he did with me and mine, the Host perverted the Rakshasa’s purpose before they were sent on.” her eyes returned to Antrandis, “He stole from us. He stole from our maker, Azzar Kah'Sharn.”

“Leverage, Winter.” Antrandis said softly, “Leverage to gain an advantage only he could perceive. Nothing more.”

Winter calmed, hearing his voice, “My Love…”

His eyes opened to thin cracks, the faint glimmer and spark of lightning with their stormy depths, “No more, Winter. She is the last.”

Winter took a deep breath, “Please, let me be selfish. I know you said no to her before. And the moment she leaves… The moment she leaves, she will be…” she stared at him, “You saw the damage to the cell, she was trying to get both of us out, she is already...”

Antrandis closed his eyes, “She is the last, Winter.”

Winter stared at him, another tear sliding down her face, “But I can’t just…Leave her.”

Sian gently placed her hands on Winter’s shoulders, drawing her close from behind, “Winter, we agree with you.”

Winter glanced at Sian and her smile before looking back at Antrandis and the slight shake of his head, “She has been a part of me as long as you have Winter. Not the same, but a part of me nevertheless. Since I freed you, I have felt her roaming around, peaceful, curious, but timid. Every time I get close, she is gone. So I was not certain what exactly she was.” he said.

“But I have never felt her.” Winter said softly, confusion in her eyes, “Why haven’t I felt her? I feel everything you do, your thoughts, desires.” she closed her eyes softly, “Everything.” she breathed out.

Sian rested her chin on her shoulder, “Familiarity. She was there with you, yet you were unaware. Her scent was not out of place in the cell, neither once you were free of that place, she was always in your shadow. How could you find something so familiar?”

Antrandis glanced up and gave a small smile, releasing the temporary core of Escorath from his influence. He stood and brushed off his pants, his eyes flashing as he walked to Winter and Sian. He reached out and touched Winter’s cheek, letting her nuzzle against his touch as his eyes met Sian’s. Slowly, he withdrew the golden coin from his pocket, rubbing a thumb over the emblem and let it glow, its etchings burning brightly. A faint flicker of lightning in his eyes and the etchings flared and dimmed before calming.

“Winter, escort Ja’Sessh and enter The DeKaalenstaad. My answer to Ja’Ekavira’s message.” he said, slipping the coin into her hand.

She swallowed and nodded, her eyes on his intently, “You saw her in there.” she said softly to him.

He nodded, “She has a beautiful smile.”

“She does.” Winter agreed quietly, her eyes searching his, “Is it your will, my love?”

Antrandis smiled gently, “Is it yours?”

She stepped closer and pressed against him, keeping her eyes on his as their lips met.

“It is.” she whispered, “As the Gatekeeper, she is my responsibility.”

He nodded slowly, his eyes briefly meeting Sian’s before returning to Winter, “What did the Host make you take from her?”

“Anonymity, her weapons and her fear.”

Sian sighed and shook her head, “It does not surprise me.”

Antrandis watched Winter as she bit her lip, and the slight shake of her head.

“He made you take something else.” he said softly.

She looked him in the eye, “Something that should never have been taken, he ordered me to strip it from her. Inside my prison I raged, watching as my physical self did as it was told.”

Winter took a shaking breath, “Ja’Sessh is correct in his fear of me.”

Sian took Winter’s hand, her eyes searching, “No.” she said, watching Winter’s grimace.

“Yes.” she said quietly, her eyes returning to Antrandis, “I will return with Ekavira and what was destined will come to pass.”

Winter smiled sadly as she rested a hand on his chest, “It took so long, the death and rebirth of the Eld, the will of Lumos in keeping me restrained. But, all of it led to now and the path ahead.” she chuckled, “I was so angry with myself, being unable to act, unable to lift a finger to protect her, your child. But now I see, it was a lesson for all, grief that humbled us and united.”

Antrandis nodded slowly, “It was what was destined, Winter. Do not shoulder it.”

“It was, just as this is. But that feeling will never leave me. It has given me something that I would never have had. Your pain has tempered me, my inability has humbled me, and…” she looked at Sian, “Sian, your return and open arms has taught me humility and fear.”

“You both gave me something I could never have hoped for.” she smiled in embarrassment, “You elevated me further than I was ever meant to be.”

“I know love, what it feels to be and the exquisite pain it brings.” she looked from Antrandis to Sian, “That pain I have to face by returning with Ekavira and giving back what was lost to her.”

“I will have to share the both of you with another.” she whispered, the glimmer of copper in her eyes rested on Antrandis’s stormy blue, “Her nature will demand it.”

“Winter?” Sian asked calmly.

“I am sorry, but there is no other way.” Winter whispered, her hand on Sian’s.

Her eyes slipped to Antrandis, a sad smile of longing on her lips. She stepped to him and allowed herself to be embraced as she kissed his neck.

“My Love, I love you both so much.” Winter said quietly before bursting into black smoke, the inky black tendrils wisping around them and snaking into the air.

“Winter...” Sian said again with wide eyes looking up to the closed iris far above.

Antrandis shook his head slowly as he felt Winter withdraw to the top of the Sanctum. Her presence strong as it always was.

“I can not speak of it. Why it cuts at me. Save me the pain. Please.” a small voice whispered in his thoughts.

He gently took Sian’s hand, meeting her eyes as she looked at him questioningly.

“Thank you, My Love.”

Antrandis shook his head slowly, guiding Sian back and under the tiers of walkways. The white glow of the core bathing the area in an ethereal light.

“Antrandis?”

She watched as he frowned, “Tell me why.” she said softly, searching his features.

He glanced at her, meeting her eyes, “It is to do with her purpose. Part of it was to act as the Gatekeeper of the demonic races that walked the Eld.”

Sian frowned, echoing his words.

“Partnered with the Host, the intent was for Winter to act as a tether or medium for Azzar Kah’Sharn’s creations to walk the mortal realm. She would act as a tether and safeguard for a key, as such.”

Sian stared at him, “A key?”

He nodded slowly in thought, “Another tether.” he met her eyes, “The idea was to create a racial connection, where a single entity could provide freedom for a group of others.”

“But what has this to do with Ekavira?”

“Ekavira is a key. She is bound to Winter and in turn, her Master. And Ekavira is the tether for the other seven Rakshasa, she is seen as their leader or deity. Free to live while she remains safe as a partner of Winter’s master. Protected, empowered and invulnerable.”

He looked at Sian, “The moment Winter was freed from her prison…”

“Ekavira was too.” Sian finished, her eyes on his, “But she was not restored. Being in The Dekaalenstaad, she has been residing within the shadow realm.”

Antrandis nodded.

Sian’s eyes widened, “Then when she met you in Scarosant…”

He nodded again, “She did not know how she knew where to go. Just that she was led there when she re-entered the Eld.”

“She has been part of you since you were a child.”

He gave a slight shrug, “Since she has been free of the cell she has been content, but elusive. That shell that was torn from her.”

Sian watched him carefully, “That is not all, why is Winter so pained?”

“As the Gatekeeper, she created a balance between the mortal and demonic planes. A safeguard that her presence alone upheld. A rift as large as Metara’Skarn opened would not have been possible, if she were whole at the time…”

Sian stared at him and bit at her lip, “The War of the Rift would never have happened.” she shook her head, “Aleika…”

“Yes. Aleika.”

She looked at Antrandis with pinched brows as he glanced up at the iris. He gestured with a hand, immediate rumbles and sand fell in streams as the leaves of the great ceiling started to crack open simultaneously. The faint and distant glow of stars shone down into the depths of Escorath, mixing with the light of the core.

“She feels that she is now forced to take up the mantle of Gatekeeper. But it can remain in the past, a broken safeguard hobbled by the constraints of the Host.”

Sian stared at him, “But what of Toth’s will?”

He raised an eyebrow and looked to the perfect circle of night, “Toth’s will? The moment Winter was restored she became what she was meant to be, as intended, regardless of who’s will or intent. Regardless of the pact I made with Azzar Kah’Sharn.”

He met her eyes, “It is the reminder that pains her. The title itself.” he touched his chest, “It bites deep, I can feel her pain as keenly as if it were my own.”

Antrandis’s lips twisted, “Ekavira is the last. There will be no more, if by some chance that were to change then it will be brokered between the Three, Toth and Azzar Kah’Sharn. As I discussed with the Demon King, there are other ways to accommodate the same goal.”

Sian nodded, “You are going to take it upon yourself.”

He chuckled quietly, “I already have, my dearest Sian.”