As Mellewyn and Lord Aliester begin to clash, I feel that we are not alone. Lord Aliester feels it as well, but he is busy. Even though Mellewyn presses him, he does not stop trying to enlighten the others. He continues to speak, to answer their questions, as he deflect Mellewyn's assault.
Curious, I reached toward this one who is here, but not here. I extend my senses, until I can feel his mind. I smile just a little, as I recognize the one who came into Heimdal uninvented earlier. Heis watchng us from after, in a machine set to hover not far from the core. I can see him clearly in my mind's eye, using a set of lenses to try to see us. I suspect he is rather upset that he cannot hear us.
Welcome, I think, letting my thoughts carry into his mind,
I see that you still linger nearby. Have you finally realized the path to Harmony lies with Lord Aliester?
Reaching into his thoughts, I can sensehow he feels, unlike our first meeting. The first sensation I get is shock, followed by a very panicked,
What was that!?
It is Enlil, I tell him.
I felt your presence, that you were watching us.
I see, he replies; I feel something akin to both nervousness and annoyance from him. He is afraid and upset that I discovered him.
Do not worry, I assure him, letting him feelmy sincerity,
Lord Aliester already knows your here, but he is not offended. There is no reason to be concerned.
I feel sudden flash of anger at himself, for letting Lord Aliester see him. He believed that he could evade Lord Aliester's sight. Rather, he wanted to believe. I catch a stray word from his thoughts, as he berates himself: Sorata. He repeats it as his mentally curses his lack of stealth; I think it is his name.
Sorata, I send to him, paying no mind to the intensifying combat behind me, as I look in his direction,
Please do not think that. You have done nothing wrong. Lord Aliester is not upset with you. I am not mad at you either.
Stay out of my mind, his thoughts answer, sounding wearily patient.
Please, don't read them. I really hate it.
I shall, I reply, drawing back from his mind a little bit. I don't want to make him any more uncomfortable.
Thanks, he sends back.
I don't suppose there's any way I can convince you that Aliester's just plain nuts, is there?
It simply is not true, I reply,
All he wants is harmony.
That's easy for you to say! he retorts.
You've got nothing to lose! Seriously, what do you have to give up? Did you even have a choice? It's easy for you to say all that, when you haven't got anything at all to lose. I'm sick of your lectures, alright. Just shut up!
For a moment, I don't know how to react. Then, I answer.
How is it that you think that? I follow Lord Aliester because He is right. When I was created, He asked me if I would follow Him. I chose to because I believe in Him, becaue underhim, the atrocities will end.
And I have sacrificed for it. I gave Lord Aliester my service. I flolow His will because I desire to, because I know it shall lead to harmony. I have given my life to Him. I exist to serve Lord Aliester because I want to.
I feel a sudden upsurge of rage, near me, propting me to break contact from Sorata. Harsh words fly through the air, most too fast forme to hear. Looking back, I see Lord Aliester and Mellewyn caught in a bladelock. Rei is leaving, walking toward the corridor that brought us here; she is tired of it all, and turns her back to the whole affair. The others look on in confusion, no longer sure who to believe.
Lord Aliester cries out in anger, invoking a powerful sirocco that sends the Lord of the Dark Sidhe flying. Mellewyn slams solidly into one of the metallic walls. As the snow-haired Sidhe begins to pick himself up, I feel Lord Aliester's rage subsist.
Beware, my Herald, his voice echoes in my thoughts,
I must disperse this...
Suddenly, the windows all shatter, raining glass inwards! I cry out in surprise, wrapping my wings around myself to ward away the glass. I feel a chaotic energy ripple outwards, toward the edges of the chamber. Looking up, I see it pooling along the steel walls, glowing an angry red. The energy sears though the walls, serving through the metal as easily as my wings pass though the air. The energy explodes outwards, causing the walls to collapse!
But I do not fear. As the Ceiling begins to buckle, I feel Lord Aliester's power catch it. With a swift motion, from His hand, the fallen metal is sent flying over the edge of the Core. The open blue sky, still tinged with the colors of dawn, is open all around us.
I spread my wings and taste the breeze for the first time in this dimension, Lord Aliester's homeland. Then, the take to the air, and fly to the top of a metal tower, wanting to stay out of His way. As I sit upon the end of the tower, letting my legs dangle over the edge as I look down.
The one who oppose Lord Aliester struggle to their feet, even Mellewyn. such mercy he shows them! He could have channelled that energy into them, ending this with their lives. But instead, He tries to help them see; even Mellewyn. He shows them such mercy, how can they not see that?
Looking northward, I can see the machine that holds Sorata aloft, as he witnesses. I extend my thoughts to him once more, asking,
Sorata? Do you see now?
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