89I let out a shriek. Whatever was here was far too large to be a rodent. I attempted to scramble up the wall, but of course, all that achieved was to bring more dirt clods raining down on my head.
"What?" I heard something croak.
"What?" I echoed back, shocked. Who would expect to find a person down here? The voice was undeniably human, undeniably hoarse, yes, but it was human.
They were so filthy I could barely differentiate mud from person.
"Are you a prisoner too?" I asked, as the person rose against the other side of the wall.
"Yes," came the shaky reply, " but I've been here so long they've forgotten me."
It was not a man; I could tell that much from the voice. But to whether it be a youth or a girl, I could not say.
"What's your name?"
"Malhariena," I gave my full name.
"And yours?"
"Iana."
"Well, happy to meet you. I wish it was only under better circumstances," I said jovially, but inside I felt afraid. Of this priestess, of this fate, of the unknown. I had journeyed far from Draestin's tower and I believed I still had a way tog go.
I didn't want to die in some filthy pit. I simply wouldn't allow that to happen. I couldn't, I had promised Lance I'd return. And, after all, I didn't want to die even if I wasn't in some filthy pit.
"Did you meet her?" the girl asked, and I immediately knew whom she meant. The Priestess.
"Yes. Does she have soul, or is she insane?" I asked.
"I don't know. I was put here because I didn't die. But I don't know why I didn't; I was just as shocked as they were. I'm nothing special, but they threw me in here and forgot me."
I stared at the girl; this was too much of a coincidence.
"I didn't die either," I said, "and she said she knew of someone who could have me. Did she say the same to you?"
"No, she told me I awaited the time when my sight would come, and a demon should dwell in my heart. But she spoke gibberish. I am not blind; I already had my sight.
"You are the sight, " I whispered, and odd feeling arose in my stomach. "And there shall come a sword."
"What?" asked …, but I was beyond hearing.
"The Sight and the sword shall unite."
Visions
Someone with my body stands next to a blonde man. They are speaking to each other, and smiling.
I am no one, trapped in a void-like existence. I have fear and rage. I am not myself. They leave, and I am left alone.
Eternally.
My body walks to a balcony, and waves to the people gathered below, thronged in, all clamoring for a view. And the man stands behind, simply watching.
I wait, for there is nothing else. There is only void.
XXXXXX
"Riena?" I turn to a voice behind me, and there is Iana. Her hair is golden. John's with her, and I am glad to see the pain of death gone from his countenance.
My husband takes my hand, and I smile at him, for now that she is gone, we are at peace.
Even the land itself feels better: more vibrant, more alive. And it brings me peace to see it thus.
"Shall we go to the lake?" I ask, and with general consent, we go.
It is nice to feel safe in one's home.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Aaira. The troops are ready to move. The night flower is ripe, and there is a strong tide of magic in the air this eve."
"Go then, and conquer!" After my victory over my homeland, the rest of the countries were ripe for the picking. I vowed I'd have them all.
No one would be able to stop me, and I greatly enjoyed my new form. It was lighter than my old, and younger.
The dark Queen had come again to power, and this time, my reign would be for eternity.
Reality
I shivered and slumped against the edge of the pit prison. … was asking repeatedly if I was well. I waved her away, trying to regain a memory of what I'd seen. It was hazy, but I could remember a distinct feeling of victory. It had been her, the Dark queen, and a terrible, terrible sense of wickedness ran through me. Part of me, at least.
The other half rejoiced.