By: Rhi Marzano
Chapter 1: Iscot
My name is Iscot. I don't have a last name; I'm an Ellimist. Or, at least, I will be. So, really, you can just call me Iscot.
I am the enigma. The one who shouldn't have been. My mother, you see, had twins- but she had not shared this information with my grandfather before our birth as customary. Perhaps, even then, she liked Briel best, knew that he would be the chosen one.
But I get ahead of myself.
Briel is my brother. We are twins, but we look nothing alike. He looks very much like our father, so I'm told, whereas my appearance's origin is unknown. I have never met my father. I have been told he is dead.
But I was talking about Briel, wasn't I? Briel, Briel, Briel. The handsome one, the clever one, the good-natured one, the one everyone loves. The chosen one.
My mother may not be as bad as the rest, but even she is not completely unbiased. She loves, nurtures, and protects the both of us, but in Briel she sees my father. Sometimes I feel that she views him as the blessing, and me as the curse.
Always Briel before Iscot. Always the golden boy before the black sheep. Always the younger twin before the elder. It is the way it has always been.
But today was different.
I was at Mette and Ajay's house. Now, my brother refers to the two as "Aunt Mette" and "Uncle Ajay"; but they aren't related to us at all. They are simply my mother's best friends. Why, you ask, do I not call them aunt and uncle as well? Let's just say that I am not as close to those two as my brother is.
I had the minor triumph of changing to second stage a few days ago, while my brother was still a gleeful little first stager. The fact was I was just beginning to notice the female population of Ellimists, and Mette and Ajay had two daughters. I had grown up with both of them, and when such is the case, it is acceptable to ask one to be your mate upon entrance into the second stage.
Kirby, Mette and Ajay's oldest, was stunningly beautiful but eyed me with a certain wariness. It was as if she knew something about me that I did not. Of course, I don't know exactly what that might be, and it is terribly impolite to pick minds. Kirby shared a connection with my mother; whether this had to do with her attitude towards me or not was beyond me. Tii was the one who fascinated me.
^Hi, Iscot,^ Tii said cheerfully. ^How's it going?^
^Okay,^ I replied.
Tii began to chat with me. She was the younger daughter, although slightly older than I. She was bubbly and effervescent. The kind of girl who lit up your day, and always had a smile on her face.
^So how long are you staying today?^ she asked.
^Until sundown. Mother should be stopping by soon to drop off Briel. Apparently she's going off to some convention with Dainn.^
^Auntie Dainn, you mean?^
Dainn was a shared friend of Mette and Mother. Not only did both of Mette's girls but my brother as well used this odd form of affection.
^Yeah,^ I said, squirming.
^Is Aunt Dainn dropping off Lisky, too?^
^I would think so,^ I said carefully, praying that she didn't have a crush on him. ^I don't think she would take her son to a convention.^
^Yes!^ she triumphed.
^Why does it matter?^ I said crossly. ^You won't see him anyway. He usually disappears.^
^Because,^ she winked, ^if he comes, then a certain sister of mine will disappear with him.^
^Ah,^ said I in relief. ^So it's true Lisky is courting Kirby, then?^
^Oh, yes.^
An idea popped into my head.
^Hey, Tii,^ I said casually, ^want to go for a walk in the gardens?^
^Sure,^ she said brightly.
Chapter 2: Kirby
My name is Kirby, obviously. I'm almost a full Ellimist. Being as Lisky and I didn't exactly "grow up" together, it's rather taboo for us to mate without a courtship. We should be able to legally mate within a week or two, but... well, with the Ellimist Council being a annoyingly prudent as they are, it could very well be delayed for a few more months.
Anyhow, Lisky told me this morning that he would be coming by today with his mom, as well as Auntie Rhi and Briel. Iscot had come here a little earlier. (Not like it matters. I can't stand that kid.) I told Lis to meet me in the gardens. So, this was why I was leaning against post in the gazebo, tapping my foot impatiently.
I heard a noise in the bushes.
It wasn't Lisky.
In fact, I wasn't quite sure who this skinny golden giant was at all.
^Hi, Kirb,^ the person greeted with a grin.
^Briel!^ I exclaimed instantly. ^You changed into your second stage! Congratulations!^
^Thanks!^ said Briel warmly. ^Where's Tii?^
^I'm not sure exactly,^ I replied with a puzzled look, ^but I think she's somewhere in the garden.^
^Thanks again. I'll go find her. Bye!^
And he jogged away.
I toyed with the vine that twirled around the post. Tii and Briel- an interesting combination. My innocent sister and the chosen one. As I thought about it, it seemed only fitting.
And really, if my sister were to mate with one of Aunt Rhi's children, thank goodness it would be the one who actually gets along with everyone in our family, and not Iscot, that cursed, disturbed child.
^Kirby,^ said a low teasing voice in my ear.
^It's about time,^ I told Lisky, and promptly planted a kiss on his nose.
^Sorry,^ he apologized. ^I got held up.^
^By what?^
^A large set of instructions from my mother,^ he said ruefully. ^Apparently we need to go see Aunt Rhi.^
^What for?^
^I'm not sure, but she sent Briel to go fetch Tii and Iscot.^
^Oh,^ I said, disappointed that maybe there wasn't anything between them.
^So shall we go?^
^They can wait a little,^ I said, smiling.
Chapter 3: Iscot
Minna, she was beautiful. Not just on the outside, (although that rich chestnut hair made my heart flutter), but her inside, full of light and happiness and wholesome goodness, as well. And that pretty little smile I'm sure she smiled just for me.
I loved her. It was time for me to ask the question.
^Tii,^ I said formally, ^would you do me the honor of becoming my mat-^
Before I could finish, a bellow wafted through the air.
^Tii!^
^Briel!^ she squealed, leaving my side and rushing across the yard to greet my kid brother. Briel caught her in his arms and spun her around, her peals of laughter sounding all the while.
In place of my perky, friendly, energetic tow-headed first stage brother was a towering second stage giant.
^Iscot!^ he greeted.
^Brother,^ I acknowledged stiffly, my eye on his arm casually draped around Tii.
He regarded me curiously. ^What's wrong?^
He said it with such sincerity that I almost had to laugh. For one as smart as he, you would think he would know. I had a snappish answer on my tongue, but lamely replied, ^Oh, nothing.^
I closed my eyes and mentally cursed. It's extremely hard to be mean to Briel. He's practically the embodiment of goodness. Doing anything harsh or rude to him brings on a twinge of guilt that not many can bear.
And today, I couldn't bear it either.
^You know you can tell me anything that's bothering you,^ he said easily. ^Oh, and Mum told me that she wanted to see the both of us.^
Uh-oh, I thought, grimacing.
^Oh, it won't be that bad,^ he grinned. ^Come on.^
^Will I see you later?^ Tii asked Briel in a small voice.
^Oh, Mum wants to see you too,^ he assured with that boyish charm.
Shrieking with delight she threw her arms around him. ^We'll have the best time,^ she promised.
^We're just going to see Mum,^ I said darkly, but I don't think they heard me.
^Coming, Iscot?^ he said mildly.
^Yes,^ I mumbled, and watched as my kid brother again took the lead.
Chapter 4: Jake
I squinted, bent my knees, and concentrated. After one fluid motion, the ball made a little clunk sound as it went off the rim.
Marco just laughed.
"Well, let's see you do better," I said, annoyed.
"Fine," he retorted, and we traded places.
Clunk. Off the rim.
"See?" I told him smugly.
"Why in the world are you two trying to make free- throws while standing on soda cans?" Rachel demanded from behind.
"Yeah, why?" Cassie asked, sounding more curious than annoyed like Rachel.
"Why not?" I replied lamely. "It's... uh..."
"Challenging," Marco supplied.
"Yeah," I said.
Rachel gave us a dubious look. "Let me try."
"It's hard," I warned.
"Really, really, hard," Marco agreed.
"Give me the ball," she said bluntly, and tried to preform the feat.
Clunk.
"It's not as easy as it looks," Marco smirked.
"You try it, Cassie," Rachel said, irked.
Hesitantly, she placed her left foot on one pop can and her right on the other.
She closed her eyes and shot.
Swish.
Marco's jaw dropped.
"That's my girl," I said expansively.
YOU HAVEN'T CHANGED ONE BIT.
Everything was frozen. Suddenly a light blinded us, and we were at Cassie's barn. Ax and Tobias had made it there somehow as well.
{Ellimist,} Ax snarled.
"Rhi?" Cassie whispered.
It wasn't just Rhi.
It was Rhi, Mette, Ajay, another full Ellimist I recognized but couldn't remember the name of, and five second stage Ellimists behind them.
{You can freeze time?} Tobias said in awe.
WE ARE FULL ELLIMISTS NOW, Mette reminded.
"Who is everyone here?" I said, a bit overwhelmed.
^I'm Kirby,^ said a 2nd stage girl who very much resembled Mette.
^I'm her little sister Tii,^ remarked a petite little 2nd stage Ellimist.
I'M DAINN, said the full Ellimist who I couldn't quite place. I SERVED AS A GUIDE FOR AJAY, METTE, and RHI FOR AWHILE.
"Oh," we human Animorphs said in unison.
{Ah,} said Tobias and Ax together.
^I'm Lisky, her son,^ the guy next to Kirby said.
"Why are you here?" Rachel asked impatiently,
obviously growing tired with this line of conversation.
TRAINING, Ajay said promptly.
FOR THE KIDS, Mette amended hastily. WE FOUR ARE NOT STAYING.
IN FACT, Dainn said, ISN'T IT ABOUT TIME FOR YOUR COUNCIL MEETING?
Both visibly winced. THE ELDER HATES TARDINESS, Mette said by way of apology.
WE'LL SEE YOU IN A FEW DAYS, Ajay said to the two girls
"Hey," I objected. "We haven't agreed to anything yet."
"We're not getting roped into becoming a training center," Marco added.
YOU WOULD REJECT THE AID OF FIVE SECOND STAGE ELLIMISTS IN YOUR BATTLE AGAINST THE YEERKS?
{Whoa,} Tobias said slowly. {Not that I'm complaining or anything, but I thought Ellimists couldn't interfere.}
THEY AREN'T ELLIMISTS, Rhi said shrewdly, YET.
"She's definitely an Ellimist now," Marco muttered. "Those blessed loopholes."
RHI, Mette said, WE OUGHT TO GET GOING.
YEAH, Ajay confirmed.
HAVE A GOOD TIME AT THE MEETING, Rhi smiled.
OH, LOADS, Ajay said sarcastically, and the two vanished.
AND WE, Dainn said to Rhi, ARE LATE FOR THE CONVENTION.
GO ON WITHOUT ME, Rhi advised. I'LL CATCH UP WITH YOU LATER.
SUIT YOURSELF, she shrugged, and teleported.
"So," Cassie said, trying to break the silence, "who the last two?"
^Iscot,^ said a wiry teenager that somehow reminded me of a snail. Or maybe a weasel. Or maybe both. One thing's for sure- I didn't like him.
^Briel,^ said the other.
Briel was tall, striking, and emoted a sense of trustworthiness.
After a second we all realized why.
{He resembles Erek very much, does he not?} Ax noted.
"He's like a carbon copy," Rachel noted. "Except he's blonder and taller."
^You knew my father?^ Briel said in amazement.
We all exchanged looks.
"Yup," I said finally. "Very well, in fact."
{In fact,} Tobias said quietly, {here he comes now.}
Chapter 5: Iscot
"Aryn's back, guys," said an adolescent-appearing human tersely as he walked into the barn. "It's been over a year since we saw her last, but-"
He stopped.
"Rhi?" he said uncomprehendingly.
At that point, my mother did a strange thing. She transformed into her second stage form.
^Hi, Erek,^ she said softly, and crossed the barn.
"Why did you change your hair?"
^Why do you smell like smoke?^
Erek laughed feebly. "A pose."
^I figured,^ she replied.
"How long has it been?" he asked, ruffling his hand through her hair.
^Far too long,^ she responded.
And then they kissed.
It wasn't a polite-peck-on-the-cheek-how's-grandma kind of kiss. It was an explosion of passion.
"Hate to break up the reunion," Marco said, "but this is going to go beyond PDA if we let you be."
Both flushed and pulled away from each other.
^Erek,^ she said with a tinge of pride in her voice, ^I'd like you to meet your son, Briel. He is the chosen one.^
^Dad?^ Briel said, his voice wavering as he tested out the word.
The two hugged and cried.
So that is my "dead" father, I mused.
^How is this possible?^ Lisky asked. ^He's an android.^
^Oh^, Mother said, shifting. ^That.^
^Yes,^ I said, staring her squarely in the eye, ^that.^
^She changed him into an Ellimist for a few hours with a catalyst I gave her,^ Kirby said.
^And we, er.... mated,^ Mother said, blushing. ^Then, since he had turned back into an android, I just told my father that he was no longer among us as an Ellimist.^
^You sneaky wench,^ Lisky said admiringly.
^Why, thank you,^ she said modestly.
"Rhi, you didn't marry after me, did you?" Erek said, puzzled.
^No,^ Briel shook his head. ^She never did.^
"Then, who is this?" he asked, gesturing towards me.
^That's Iscot,^ Bri said, ^my older brother.^
"Rhi, I know you weren't mated before me."
^Briel and I are twins,^ I said, rolling my eyes.
"No," Erek said quietly. "You are not."
^Yes, we are,^ I said firmly.
"No," he insisted. "Iscot, you are not my son."
^What the-^
^Language, dear,^ Mother chided.
^Is he right?^ I asked her.
She sighed. ^Yes.^
^JEEZ, Mom, you were precocious, weren't you?^ I exploded. ^Twins with different fathers- one, a souped-up toaster, and who knows about the other!^
^You're not my son, Iscot!^ she snapped. ^Alright? Does it make sense to you now? You are adopted. I took you in and tried to provide a good life for you!^
^A...a...adopted?^
^Yes,^ Kirby confirmed.
^I tried my best,^ Rhi said brokenly. ^Really, I did. I didn't want you to feel any different, so I didn't tell you.^
^Well, guess what, Rhi,^ I said angrily, ^your best wasn't good enough. I have felt different every DAMN day of my life.^
At that point she just started to cry, and vanished away back to her planet.
Chapter 6: Briel
I was almost dizzy. My father, alive. My brother, adopted. It was too much to absorb in one day. I had a guess who Iscot's father was, but I didn't want to think about it.
After things had quieted down, my father spoke up.
"Aryn," he said quietly, "is back. She is helping the Sharing to organize a mass-infestation plan."
When the dark tries to steal the souls
So begins the battle to save the world
I pushed the phrase out of my mind. ^She has brought another,^ I said, after locating her in my mind.
^Who?^ Tii said intently.
Frustrated, I responded, ^I can't see him.^
^Her mate,^ Kirby supposed.
"She has a mate?" my father said in disbelief.
^He is a renegade Ellimist,^ she said distantly.
It is Nigel, I realized, but I did not let the anger boil within me. Anger would do me no good now. I needed control.
"How can we stop her?" Jake pondered.
The way to open the winning gate
Is to destroy Evil's mate
No, I told myself quietly, we are not killing anyone. No.
"We could invade the Yeerk pool," Rachel offered.
"Let's not and say we did," Marco quipped.
^You're going to have to get on the inside somehow,^ Kirby said critically.
When you pass among them
Is when you become one of them
^No,^ I said sharply.
^Why not?^ asked Lisky.
I bit my lip. ^It's not a good idea.^
"Well, it's the best we've come up with," Cassie frowned.
^Bits of random prophecy are no reason to get yourself worked up, Bri,^ Kirby said to me privately.
I sighed. ^I know, I know.^
{What exactly is this plan of theirs anyhow?} Tobias wondered as he preened his feathers.
"It's an overnight camp," my father told them.
{In the woods, I surmise,} Ax said.
"Yeah," he affirmed.
"We should go," Jake said abruptly.
^If we go,^ said I slowly, ^we need to go now.^
^Now?^ Tii echoed questioningly.
"Now," agreed the Animorphs unanimously.
"Let's do it!" shouted Rachel.
Chapter 7: Kirby
I knew something was wrong. ^Briel's right,^ I spoke up before they began to leave. ^We'd be much better off if we could just locate Aryn.^
"Well, that sounds good," Marco said. "That means we really wouldn't have to do anything."
"Until we find her, that is," Jake said wryly.
"Well, which one of you can find her the fastest?"
Tii scrunched her nose. ^Not me.^
^Me neither,^ said Iscot.
^I can't,^ Briel said quietly. ^She's on a lookout for me- she'd catch me.^
^That goes for me, too,^ I said gloomily. ^She's watching for my powers.^
^I can do it,^ Lisky offered.
^Oh, good,^ Tii said in relief.
^You,^ I said sternly, ^are not off the hook. Help him.^
^But, Kiiiiirby,^ she wailed. ^I'm no good at it.^
"Dude, chill," Marco rolled his eyes. "It's not as if she's asking you to be a therapist for Ross Perot. She just wants you to help out."
^Fine,^ I said shortly. ^Iscot, you help him.^
"And Tii," Cassie smiled, "you can help me finish giving the animals their meds."
^Oh, great,^ she groaned.
^Bri, I need to talk to you. Come with,^ I instructed.
Briel dutifully followed me out to one of the meadows.
^What is it?^ he asked me.
^Do you feel something in the air?^
His facial expression changed entirely. ^Yes. It smells like tainted Ellimist.^
^That means she's close, right?^
Briel nodded. ^And Nigel as well.^
I posed the question I knew he would know the answer to. ^What will happen when we find her?^
^Kirb,^ he said gently, ^you know I can't tell you that.^
^Can't or won't?^
^We need to get back,^ Bri said, changing the subject.
^Why?^ I said suspiciously.
He sighed. ^Don't argue with me, Kirb, we don't have time.^
^No, tell me why, dammit!^
Angrily, he stopped time. ^For one,^ he said, ^Lisky has already found Aryn.^
^You imply there is another reason.^
^That would be that Aryn found Lisky first.^
I froze. ^We have to go,^ I yelped, and we both teleported to the barn.
***
His broken and bloodied corpse lay in the middle of the barn.
^Noooooooo!^ I wailed. ^Lisky!^
^Aryn came,^ Tii said with an utter voice of despair. ^She had Nigel with her. Nigel killed Lisky, and then the two kidnapped Iscot and left.^
Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at his still form. I thought of all we had dreamed of in our future- the planet we would get, the children we wanted, and everything. We had been so close. If only the council had approved our pairing a month earlier... a week earlier... even a day earlier.
As I wretchedly sobbed in Briel's arms over the death of the Ellimist who would have been my mate, the Animorphs looked sympathetic, and Tii just looked shocked.
^He is where he needs to be for now,^ Briel said to me so that no one else could hear.
^What is that supposed to mean?^ I replied, stopping my tears for a moment.
^It had to happen,^ he said simply.
^You could have stopped it!^ I shouted at him. ^Damn you, Briel!^
^I could have,^ he admitted, ^but I would have forsaken all to do so. He and all else would have died within the hour.^
I was silent.
"Dude," Marco said, exhaling explosively. "That would have sucked."
"Whoa," Cassie agreed.
^What do we do now?^ asked my frightened little sister. ^I mean, Aryn has killed one of us and taken another. What do we do?^
^Yeah, Briel,^ I echoed. ^What do we do?^
Chapter 8: Iscot
I was in Aryn's lair.
^What do you want from me?^ I said desperately.
IT IS NOT WHAT I WANT FROM YOU, BUT RATHER WHAT YOU WANT FROM ME.
My eyes narrowed. ^I don't want anything from you.^
OH, REALLY? she said speculatively. NOT ANYTHING? NOT EVEN THE IDENTITIES OF YOUR TRUE PARENTS?
^You lie,^ I spat. ^You don't know who they are.^
AU CONTRAIRE, ISCOT, Aryn said amusedly. I KNOW QUITE WELL WHO THEY ARE.
^Fine,^ I snapped. ^Tell me already.^
WHY, ISCOT, she said archly, CAN'T YOU SEE THAT YOUR DEAR OLD MUM IS ACTUALLY ME?
^LIAR!^ I screamed. ^I AM NOT YOUR SON!^
YES, YOU ARE, she replied, AND THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.
^I suppose my father would be your mate,^ I said dully.
SUCH A PERCEPTIVE BOY YOU ARE, ISCOT, she said mockingly.
^I am not your son,^ I repeated. ^I will never be your son.^
Aryn's red eyes flashed. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY SON, ISCOT, she hissed. DON'T YOU EVER TRY TO DENY YOUR ROOTS. YOU GO AHEAD AND TRY, BUT YOU WILL ONLY FIND THAT YOU BECOME EVEN MORE LIKE ME.
^I am not your son,^ was my adamant reply.
^Darn straight,^ came a voice from behind.
Briel, Tii, and Kirby were standing at the entrance.
Aryn whirled around. DAMN YOU, GABRIEL!
^His name is Briel,^ I retorted. Surely Aryn wasn't that stupid.
Tii nodded, as if backing me up.
^No,^ said Kirby, ^it's not. His name is Gabriel.^
I exhaled sharply. ^Like the angel.^
^Honestly,^ Gabriel interrupted, ^the discussion of my name can take place at another time.^
FINALLY SHOWING WHAT'S UNDERNEATH, EH, GABRIEL? Aryn taunted. ALL THAT TIME YOU SPENT FOOLING THE WORLD INTO BELIEVING YOU WERE A NICE LITTLE BOY, AND NOW YOU SHOW YOU'RE JUST AS NASTY AS THE REST OF US.
^If you wish to believe so,^ he said indifferently. ^I tried to make the most of my life by being happy. I knew the day would come when I would have to fight you, but I knew not the outcome.^
OH, FINE, she sneered. JUSTIFY IT AND MAKE IT PRETTY, WON'T YOU? THE FACT IS YOU KNOW I WILL WIN.
^No,^ he disagreed smoothly, ^the fact is that no one knows who will win. All that is known is that it will be a terrible fight. Someone will die.^
That dread prophecy spoken so calmly out of Briel's lips gave me the shivers. What else did he know? Had everyone misjudged him as a shallow person?
DON'T GIVE ME THAT BULL, GABRIEL, she scoffed. LET'S THINK ABOUT THIS. I AM A FULLY DEVELOPED ELLIMIST, AND THE DAUGHTER OF CRAYAK.
^And I,^ he replied, ^am the Chosen One.^
^Briel, walk away,^ I urged. ^Your aggressive power is no match for hers.^
^Perhaps not,^ he shrugged. ^But that doesn't really matter.^
He snapped his fingers. ^Enough of this foolishness. Aryn, I challenge you to a duel.^
FINALLY, she harrumphed. WHAT ARE YOUR CONDITIONS?
^We fight to the death or until one of us backs off; only us two may participate; and the winner's side will triumph for all time.^
AGREED, Aryn said boredly. LET'S GO.
^Ah ah ah,^ Gabriel said. ^I know you too well. We shall sign it with a blood oath.^
BLAST YOU, GABRIEL! she exploded.
^Honestly, Aryn,^ Gabriel said innocently, ^you shouldn't be so worried. If you're going to keep the terms anyway....^
Aryn gave him a look that could kill, but pricked her finger. Gabriel did the same, and they clasped hands.
^I swear on my blood to these terms,^ Gabriel declared.
I SWEAR ON MY BLOOD TO THESE TERMS, Aryn said grudgingly.
Done, proclaimed the universe. May the battle begin.
Chapter 9: Briel
In the instant I drew upon my power, I became a different person.
I was no longer Briel, son of Rhi and Erek. I was Gabriel. I was the Chosen One.
The power coursed through my veins. My aura intensified to the point where it was blinding.
Then, I simply did nothing.
WELL, she snarled, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
You have to release the power, my mind screamed. But I can't, the other half of my consciousness shouted. I can't just kill her.
^Bri,^ whispered Kirby. ^Remember Lisky.^
The power surged along with my anger. I threw the coldest ice at her. And as she begged for mercy as the frozen substance began to claim her soul, I torched her with a golden fire that would no die until she did.
The flame flickered out, and I stood up. ^Would any one else like to challenge the powers of the Chosen One?^ I roared.
The universe seemed quite quiet.
^I thought as much,^ I nodded.
Then, unexpectedly, the darkness claimed me.
***
^Bri,^ said a voice urgently. ^Briel, wake up.^
^Kirb?^ I mumbled.
^Yeah, Bri. It's me.^
^What... happened?^
^You blacked out for a second.^
^Do you feel okay?^ asked Tii.
^We were afraid you had kicked the bucket,^ Iscot said worriedly.
^I don't have much energy left,^ I said,
^Bri, you're going to be fine,^ Kirby said fiercely.
I coughed up some blood. ^No, Kirb. I will die. I wasn't prepared to handle so much power.^
^You CAN'T die!^ she said fervently. ^I won't let you!^
^Tii,^ I instructed, ^take good care of my brother.^
^I will,^ she replied, crying.
^Iscot,^ I continued, ^don't let her out of your sight. She is the best thing that will ever happen to you.^
^Always,^ he responded, choking on the words.
^And Kirb...^ I said softly. ^Don't hate me. Lisky was the sacrifice. If he hadn't died, I wouldn't have won.^
^I could never hate you, Bri.^
^I have something to ask of you, and it is not a light favor.^
^I will do anything for you. You know that.^
^You gave up a part of yourself to help the continuation of what my parents had before,^ I said softly. ^Will you do it again?^
^Bri,^ she said in a low tone, ^if you're asking me to mate with you, the answer is yes. But I refuse to do so while your brother and my sister and the daughter of Crayak's corpse are in the same room.^
^We wouldn't... have to mate,^ I said. ^Just give me your hand... and I will give you the last of my life force.^
Kirby was stricken. ^Surely you can't be serious.^
I cracked a smile. ^I'm serious. And don't call me Shirley.^
Tentatively, she gave me her hand. I concentrated what little control over the power I had left, and sent it within her.
GOODBYE, GABRIEL, she whispered in my ear just before the black enveloped me for good.
Epilogue: Kirby
With an eerie sense of calm about me, I went to Rhi's house.
AUNTIE RHI, I said, knocking lightly on the door. IT'S KIRBY.
Noisily, the door swung open. MY, GOODNESS. YOU'RE A FULL-FLEDGED ELLIMIST. YOU AND LISKY FINALLY GOT PERMISSION, EH?
NO, I said shortly, a wave of pain flowing over me. LISKY IS DEAD.
OH, DEAR, she said sympathetically. HE WAS SUCH A NICE BOY. WHAT ELSE HAPPENED?
BRIEL DEFEATED ARYN, I said, swallowing, BUT... HIS POWER OVERLOADED . HE DIED.
DEAD? Rhi said softly.
YEAH, was all I could offer in reply.
NO, she said in a tiny voice, weeping.
For about an hour, all we did was cried.
HE WAS SO YOUNG, DAMMIT! she said angrily. HOW DARE THE UNIVERSE TAKE HIM FROM ME! HE WAS ALL I HAD OF EREK. AND NOW THAT BRI HASN'T MATED... THERE WILL BE NO EVIDENCE OF OUR UNION.
WELL, I said, fidgeting, THAT'S THE OTHER REASON I CAME.
WHAT?
I'M... SORT OF... CARRYING HIS CHILD.
KIRBY, she said finally, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY THAT MAKES ME.
I'M GLAD YOU SEE IT THAT WAY, I said ruefully. NOW, DO YOU THINK YOU COULD TALK TO MY PARENTS?
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