Seclusion Chapter 3
By Aujang Abadi
The silence was palpable as Kain stood alone, surrounded by the natural mirrors in the summit of Mt. Ordeals. A thousand Kain's stared back at him, boring into his soul. His consciousness played at the images, reminding him of days long past, of sins long buried.
"So this is my answer? You've nothing to show me but the depths to which I can sink?" Kain whispered, disturbing the silent sanctity with his malignant words.
"No, Kain... that's not all we have for you." A harsh, grating laugh echoed throughout the room, as a hundred replicas of him emerged from the crystals. "Weakling, fool, rapist, killer... you come here for redemption?" Another series of laughs, as they all surged forth, plunging their individual lances through his body. "It shall be your burial ground, you arrogant bastard... that's what you are, aren't you? Conceived of rape, now doling it out... watch, dragoon, and understand your own devilry."
Kain, pierced at a thousand places, gasped as his own blood filled his mouth. The pain was excruciating, like wildfire throughout his entire body. He screamed in agony, watching his life's essence spill everywhere, onto the lances, and onto the crystal... and then it began to move.
On the crystal facets, he could see a picture... the first Great War, spoken of in legends, and four heroes, bearing the orbs of Light. The final battle, the strength of thousands... and the banishment. Each of the heroes smashed their orbs into the beast, condemning it to the Moon. He smiled in spite of himself. It had been he, along with his companions, who had fought the reawakened darkness in the Moon.
Then he saw Cecil, journeying into the depths of the Moon, and standing before the Wyvern, challenging it for right to bear the Crystal blade. He smiled again, almost able to ignore the pain at the fond memories. It was after he'd betrayed them, but they'd accepted him again anyway. It was all that ever mattered, fighting for the world. Even if it was a world in which he had no place.
"This is your idea of torture?" He spit at his images, more blood than saliva. "If you're going to kill me, get it over with... I didn't come here to relive my past."
"Insolent bastard!" They all wrenched their spears deeper, cruelly drawing a cacophony of screams from him. "Look closer, dragoon! Your paladin friend is not the man who walks there!" Kain fought the haze of unconsciousness threatening to steal over him, choking as he tried to focus.
They were right, it wasn't Cecil... the hair was darker, the build lighter. "KluYa?" KluYa was Cecil's father- a Lunaran... one of the Moon, sworn to preside over the sleeping evil. A sharp, torturous twist of the lances confirmed his guest. He cried out again, fighting tears as well as unconsciousness now. He tilted his head, looking back to the image. Slowly, the Wyvern began to change, as scale became flesh. Kain's breath, shallow as it was, halted, as he looked at the mirror image of himself.
"Yes, Wyvern-spawn... watch, and understand." Kain obeyed wordlessly, too shocked to protest. In the Wyvern's hands was the Crystal blade, and on his face was the most twisted smile Kain had ever seen. He began to comprehend words, as he slipped further into delirium.
The sword is needed, Wyvern... you must let the prophecies pass. KluYa's voice.
I do whatever I please, Lunaran. I know my boundaries very well... Kain inadvertently flinched; the voice was so similar to his own. The laugh following was identical. I have a condition, Moon man... and you must accept, or the sword will not be granted.
What? You've no choice, Dark one! Give me the blade and be done with it!
Quite the contrary, KluYa... I can delay the giving of the sword long enough to make you suffer. You came too late, and you know it. Only if I relinquish the sword now do you stand a chance.
You have NO choice, you black-hearted fiend. He who fights the prophecies-
I can throw this sword over this crystal cliff right now, and give you the honor of retrieving it. Silence, as KluYa's eyes widened in understanding. I have all the choice, KluYa. Now be a good idiot and listen. Kain's face twisted in pain as well as horror. Bring your dear mystic here, tomorrow. I require something of her. She will leave with the sword... and something else. The laugh again. Kain's laugh.
The scene twisted, as did the spears embedded in his body, making him scream with the excruciating pain of it all. He could feel himself being ripped apart... but his cries were echoed. Barely seeing through the filmy haze that barred his vision, the scene showed the Wyvern, hunched over the Lunaran. He watched, then began to weep along with her, understanding. The Wyvern laughed again. Kain's laugh. Kain's voice. Kain's father.
"You understand, dark one... not even human! Poor, pathetic fool... you were corrupt before you were even conceived! Borne of rape, cursed to pass it on! You are no better than Zeromus! And you come seeking redemption? Burn in the hell you were conceived in, bastard!" The voices raised in unison, as they all simultaneously yanked their barbed lances from his broken body. The vision abruptly stopped, exploding into a thousand, glittering pieces. Just like Kain's world.
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