In Wake

I: Das Wandern

Slowly the door to the church slid open, the hand firmly yet carefully pushing upon the rough wooden surface. It wouldn't do if someone heard it creak. The only light that filtered through was of that of the moon and stars through a large circular window above the altar. The breeze freely swept through the stone building as he took a silent step inside.

Just outside, his horse waited in silence, watching the man quietly creep into the sanctuary. Only pausing to make sure the steed was still in place, Lin faced the altar and began quickly walking across the stone floors. A mosaic of colored glass glimmered in the dark, until his shadow swept over it. Lying across the stone altar, bathed in the cool moonlight lay a figure swaddled in dark leather. A pair of white feet were left unexposed, a reminder to any who gazed upon the figure that they were dead in the eyes of both the mortals and God. Lin lingered only a moment in sweet memory, and then slipped his hands under the soft curves, slowly lifting the limp bundle up. He was now halfway prepared- he just needed the sword.

Making his way carefully back to Agro, the horse stirred a little when the bundle was rested across the saddle. With a reassuring pat, Lin held the reins and silently began leading Agro across the well-walked earth. Around him, the village slept, but yet he was extremely wary of his surroundings. His short walk led him down to a smaller, lichen-covered stone temple nestled between two very tall, old trees. It had looked that way forever.

We're not supposed to be near that temple. Lord Emon told me so!

Shrugging off the useless memory (and the unnecessary, childhood fear that came with it) Lin stepped within the entirely dark building, but was clearly able to see the polished steel. Stepping forth, he wrapped his hand around the strong hilt, and pulled it out of the carved niche. He carefully put it into his hilt (his old sword lay now on his own bed, useless in this venture) and then left. Mounting the black steed, and moving the bundle into place, he spurred the horse into a slow gallop. The path ahead was nearly swallowed by the low branches and hard to make out in the darkness, but the horse pushed on, ever growing faster. Though now free of the village, Lin still had much standing in his way.

The path eventually split into a main road, but Agro was led down a barely-existent trail, stray grass and stones being left behind in his wake. Lin continued to spur him on feverishly, in a hurry to get as far away from home as possible. As the morning grew closer, he found in the depths of the woods, surrounded by sheer darkness.

Lin could only imagine the sheer trouble he'd be in were he caught. He knew that what he just had done was a moral sin, but his true quest was much nobler. In the eyes of God, wouldn't he be more right doing this task than silently accepting what had happened? Wouldn't it impress God that, through sheer will, Lin would change the fate of the fallen one riding with him? He knew in his heart, somehow, that it would all be forgiven. Even if that wasn't true, the reward would be greater than heaven itself. The sun had begun rising.

"Lord Emon, someone had been in the church last night."

The old man had been stirred early in the morning. After readying himself to enter church, he donned a mask fashioned in the shape of an owl's face and followed two younger men to the building. He motioned for them to wait outside as he walked within. The blue mosaic shimmered in the low sunlight before him, the altar before lying empty.

"She's gone!"

Two days had passed. Lin had to face sharp winds and slapping rain as he slowly rode across grasslands, passing by rippling ponds and clumps of trees. He knew he was growing closer. Soon the fields gave way to another wood, the light filtered through the thick canopy. Just a little farther…

The third day announced his arrival. Emerging from the trees, horse and rider were greeted by huge, towering stone walls that seemed to make a hallway. Pressing onward, he stared at the sheer walls covered in worn and chipped patterns. The light poured from the other end, and as soon as he reached it, he forced Agro to a halt.

Before them, a huge bridge led to a massive temple, birds flying outside its walls. The wind howled, drowning out all other noise. Miles below lay curling sands that moved almost as if it were alive. The narrow bridge led to a door. Starting off again, the travelers made their way across the blue-tinged bridge.

It was shaped with massive, half-arches, towering up to the clouds themselves. The sheer size was a wonder, and Lin almost had to refrain from looking at the landscape below. He turned his eyes back to the temple. The stone door before them lay closed, and Agro ground to a halt before it, fussing a little. Lin hesitated, but then the door began to slide open. Dust fell loose as it rose into the ceiling, coming to a halt, allowing the party within. As soon as they were in, however, it closed again, sealing them inside.

Through the dark hall lay a tower with a spiral of stairs all down its length. Above, the roof was open to allow the sunlight pour down. Directly below was a shallow reflecting pond, completely still and perfectly reflective. Lin paid little attention as Agro descended; he had finally reached the place he had worried might not exist.

"That place… began from the resonance of intersecting points. They are memories replaced by ens and naught and etched into stone." The campfire crackled with heat as Lord Emon answered. "Blood, young sprouts, sky- and the one with the ability to control the beings created from light… In that world, it is said that if one should wish it one can bring back the souls of the dead…"

This was the answer that had brought him here.

"…but to trespass upon that land is strictly forbidden…"

Reaching the bottom, Agro turned quickly with a faint whinny, heading out the wide-arched door. Passing through, Lin was engulfed by the misty light that filled the corridor.

The inner chamber of the sanctum was breathtaking. The ceiling rose dramatically with arched niches carved into the walls, each housing a massive figure made of stone. Each towered over the pair, the cold eyes glaring down at them. Further on lay the yellow-stoned altar, facing an open balcony where some birds sat. But most astounding was the sheer light that poured from the roof, through an open hole. Lin felt dwarfed in such a place, but he didn't let that shake him. Bringing his horse to a halt just before the stairs leading to the altar, Lin dismounted then slowly took hold of the shrouded figure that he had carried so carefully on the long journey. Sliding it into his arms delicately, he began up the flight of stairs to the altar. He lay the body tenderly down upon it, careful to rest its head down and make sure the body was lying straight, yet comfortably. He grasped the shroud, and then gave a strong pull.

The shroud tore away and landed on the stone floor as a white skirt slowly settled upon pale, cold skin. Lying in silence, her brown hair moved lightly in the wind, as did the sleeves of her somberly decorated dress. Lin slowly took her right hand and rest it across her breast, over the still heart. How cold was that hand, but how tenderly and dearly he held it! She looked asleep. If only she would wake, at least, with enough time for him to tell her…

"Mono…"

Agro let out a whinny, backing away as black shadows rose from the floors. They grew up to full size, as tall as a man, dripping with darkness. The figures seemed disoriented, but soon focused on the two invading the sanctuary. Lin turned facing the creatures as they slowly began to draw closer. He rested his hand on his hilt. Drawing the beautiful, gleaming blade, he pointed it straight at the beasts. With not a word, they slowly dissipated, leaving nothing behind. But outside, the sky began to stir.

Thunder rolled through the sky, chasing the thunder. In the cloudy cacophony, a single bolt shot down as the light in the sanctuary increased tenfold. Billowing down like a beam from the ceiling, a haunting whisper graced the cold walls.

Hmm? The voice was of male and female at the same time, Thou possesses the Ancient Sword? So thou art mortal…

"Are you Dormin?" Lin put the blade away, sliding it carefully into the hilt. He stared up at the light, as it seemed to be the source of the voice. "I was told that in this place at the end of the world, there exists a being who can control the souls of the dead."

Thou art correct… We are the one known as Dormin.

Lin turned his head toward Mono's body. "She was sacrificed for she has a cursed fate. Please, I need you to bring back her soul…"

A chuckle rolled through the halls, echoing off the statues, causing a slight amount of hurt to come to the young man. The shroud had begun to blow away, as if it were being pushed out of the way. That maiden's soul? Souls that are once lost cannot be reclaimed, is that not the law of mortals? With that sword, however, it may not be impossible…

"Really?"

That is, of course… The voice grew a somber, almost sweet tone, …if thou manage to accomplish what We askest.

"What do I have to do?" He was ready for any request, staring up anxiously.

Behold the idols that stand along the wall… Thou art to destroy all of them. But those idols cannot be destroyed by the mere hands of a mortal…

"Then… what do I have to do?" He nervously repeated himself.

In this land there exist colossi that are incarnations of those idols. If thou defeat those colossi… the idols shall fall.

"I understand."

But heed this… The tone became warning. The price you pay may be heavy indeed.

"It doesn't matter."

Very well… Raise thy sword by the light… and head to the place where the sword's light gathers. There, thou shalt find the colossi thou art to defeat. Now, be on thy way.