CHAPTER FOUR: A TIME TO BE BORN...
When Dyne landed on the roof of the Goddess Tower, all he could see was a bright light. Then as his vision cleared, he saw a sight that would stay with him for the rest of his life. The Goddess Althena stood within a column of golden light that extended high into the midnight sky. The Four Dragons circled high above her slowly, surrounded by golden auras.
The Dragons stopped their hovering and faced Dyne. Althena gave him a regretful look.
“Forgive me, Dyne,” she said. “I never meant to involve you in this way. I certainly never wanted to take from you the power of the Dragonmasters, which you worked so hard for.”
Dyne smiled. “There’s nothing to forgive. I became a Dragonmaster for the sake of the people of Lunar and their future generations. What I do now, I do for those same people. I believe in the future you have foreseen for us all. And I know in my heart that we will live up to your trust.”
He looked curiously at the Dragons, then at Althena. “What happens now?”
“Approach me. The aura surrounding me will do the rest. It shall transfer the power of the Dragon Armor into me...as well as your own magical energies. Then I will be able to spread that magic throughout Lunar, so that I may be reborn as a human infant. The Dragons are conduits for both my power, and the Power of Humanity. As the spirits of the humans grow stronger, the Dragons shall store that energy within them.
“Then, one day, when the Power Of Humanity has grown strong enough, the Dragons will contact my avatar on The Blue Star. She will channel the power the dragons have collected so that The Blue Star may be reborn. The Dragons will then be able to use their remaining energy to return the humans to their rightful home. Although it may take many thousands of years, I shall always keep the promise I made to the firstborn of Lunar – that one day, they shall return.”
“We’ll make you proud. Your gift of love will be what holds Lunar together in the future. I know it.”
Althena’s aura intensified, and her eyes closed. “It is time,” she said. “Are you ready?”
Dyne nodded. “I am.”
“Then come to me.”
Slowly, Dyne marched along the ivory path that would lead to Althena. Strangely enough, he felt no fear. No anxiety. Only an eagerness...a sense of comfort...a sense of...
Danger!
There was an ominous thundering sound, a blaze of energy...and Ghaleon stood before him. His eyes were bloodshot and haggard from the strain of the teleportation spell, but his face was set with grim resolve. “Step aside, Dyne!”
The Dragons stiffened, ready for action, but Dyne motioned for them to continue with their task. He opened his mouth to speak, but Ghaleon didn’t give him the chance. “I have no more to say to one who will not listen to the voice of reason!”
Ghaleon anxiously looked towards the figure of Althena. “However, perhaps it is not too late to return Althena to some semblance of sanity.”
Dyne merely kept walking. Ghaleon would not be pushed aside so easily. “Don't you understand? If Althena carries on with her plan, the whole word shall perish!”
“Ghaleon...”
“This is a travesty, Dyne! A crime against her progeny! Scattering Althena's powers into the world to be reborn as a human...and you, willing to throw away your powers as well! Willing to join her in this madness!”
Ghaleon’s anger turned into desperate pleading. “Why, Dyne? Why do you continue to travel this selfish path?”
Dyne decided to give it one last shot. “You’re wrong, Ghaleon. Though she shall cease to be a goddess, Althena shall never pass from this world. She will live on in the heart and soul of every human being.”
He looked upon Althena and smiled warmly. “She will smile each time two people fall in love.”
But Dyne’s words only incensed Ghaleon even further. “Nonsense, Dyne! That is nothing but a deceptive stream of romantic rhetoric! The world needs Althena! She is all that holds order from chaos!”
Dyne said nothing. It was clear that Ghaleon was beyond reasoning with at this point. He continued his approach towards Althena. He put aside Ghaleon’s angry words. This was something he would just have to deal with on his own. He continued on the path.
Again Ghaleon tried summoning his power to try and restrain Dyne...or worse, if that’s what it came to. But to his horror, he realized that the teleporting had taken too much out of him.
There was nothing he could do now but watch.
“Wait, Dyne!” Ghaleon’s voice was laced with desperation. How could he be so blind? How could he be so uncaring about the future of our world?
He wasn’t sure what he was afraid of more at this point...a world without The Goddess, or the danger that Dyne was putting himself in. What if he ends up sacrificing more than his power? What if Althena’s magic ends up killing him?
Again, he cursed his indecisiveness...his sympathies that would not let him prevent this catastrophe. I swore not to let my feelings get in the way of my responsibilities. Yet three times, I have done so. Now it may be too late. And all of Lunar is about to pay the price.
*****
Dyne finally stood before Althena in all her divine glory. Never had she looked more majestic...more radiant...more beautiful. He stood there, lost in admiration.
Her enchanting blue eyes opened slowly. For the first time, Dyne looked directly into them. He could tell she was afraid. Afraid that maybe this was the wrong choice...afraid she had acted too impulsively...that maybe humanity wasn’t ready.
But she looked into his as well. She could see in them his trust and belief in her vision...his determination to make that vision a reality...and the love that he had never had the courage to declare, but felt with all his heart. And she knew that she had made the right choice.
Dyne’s Dragon Armor now began to shimmer. He closed his eyes as he felt his magical energies slowly being absorbed into the aura. But there was no pain. Only a serene calmness.
Ghaleon also saw what was happening to Dyne. “Wait! Dyne! Stop!” he cried desperately, putting all his effort into a final plea. “Stop before the path you have chosen strips you of the very power that safeguards your soul!”
Dyne remained motionless as the aura around him continued to absorb his power. He felt the Dragon Armor fading away. The aura’s energy kept growing brighter and more intense. Soon, his power was gone. He no longer felt the strength of the dragons or his magical energies flowing through him.
He was no longer the mighty Dragonmaster Dyne, leader of the Four Heroes, but simply Dyne of Burg.
Upon seeing Dyne as a normal man, Ghaleon realized it was too late. The transformation was about to take place, and he was powerless to stop it. “DYNE! NO!!!”
Althena smiled one final time and closed her eyes. The she vanished in a flash of brilliant light. Dyne stood there watching, straining his eyes to see the miracle that was taking place before him.
He heard Ghaleon’s voice from behind him. “Why have you done this?” Ghaleon implored, his voice filled with so many conflicting emotions: betrayal, anger, fear...but maybe hope as well. “What is it that you can see that I cannot? Tell me!”
From within the midst of the light, Dyne made out a tiny figure. He solemnly held out his hands. The figure finally materialized as a small infant girl. She floated into his hands, and he gently cradled her.
“I see a bright hope for the future that resides within each and every human being,” he said solemnly.
Ghaleon stood transfixed by the scene before him. It had happened. It had really happened. He could scarcely believe it. The Goddess was no more. Dyne was powerless. His hands trembled as he closed his eyes, and trying to envision the future as they had. He wanted to believe they had truly done the right thing. But all he could picture was lawlessness, chaos...humanity tearing itself apart without the guidance of a strong ruler. Haunted by what he saw, he opened his eyes, now ice-cold.
“I see only despair,” he whispered.
*****
Ghaleon sighed and turned away, sick at heart. He headed down the steps of the tower that would lead to the sanctuary of Althena’s Shrine.
“Ghaleon.”
He stopped and turned around to see Dyne walking towards him, still holding the baby in his hands. “Ghaleon, I know how you feel about what has happened this night. I know you don’t believe in the future Althena and I believe in. And I know you think I let you down.”
“You know me very well, it seems,” Ghaleon snapped. “So what do you want?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
For a minute, Ghaleon wasn’t sure he heard right. A favor? After you stab me in the back like this, you have the audacity to...
Dyne saw the hostile expression on Ghaleon’s face. “Please. Hear me out.”
Ghaleon folded his arms and glared at Dyne. “What?”
“What happened tonight must be kept a secret. Tell nobody about what happened tonight. Not Mel, not Lemia, nobody. I beg you. If you were ever truly my friend, do this one favor for me. Please.”
Ghaleon hesitated. He didn’t think he owed Dyne anything after what he had just done. However, he was still unable to turn a blind eye to his best friend.
With another sigh, he nodded sternly. “Very well.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Thank you.”
There was an uncomfortable silence as the two faced each other uncertainly for a long time. Neither was sure what to say at this point...or if there was even anything left to say.
Finally, Ghaleon said, “You’re not coming back to Vane, are you?”
“No. With my powers gone, there would be too many questions. The people wouldn’t understand. I think everyone would be a lot better off if after tonight, Dyne no longer exists.”
Ghaleon nodded understandingly. “Where will you go?”
“I have to deliver the baby to safety. After that...I don’t know. I think I’m just going to travel around for a while.”
Ghaleon’s sullen expression turned remorseful. “Will I ever see you again?”
Dyne smiled cheerfully. “Maybe.”
Ghaleon also smiled, but wistfully. He clapped Dyne on the shoulder. “If I don’t...well...I wish you all the best. I’m going to miss you...old friend.”
“You too. Look after Lemia and Mia for me.”
“I will.”
With that, Ghaleon descended the staircases of the Tower. He took one last look at Dyne and the baby, and disappeared into the shadows.
*****
Dyne watched Ghaleon walk away, a lump in his throat. He had known Ghaleon for what seemed to be his entire life. Not they were parting, and with a rift between them. He wondered if there would ever be an opportunity to patch things up.
“Dyne.”
Dyne looked around and saw Quark seated behind him. “I was hoping he would understand...”
“Perhaps he shall, some day. But there are more immediate concerns.”
“I know. I have to take Althena to safety.”
Quark nodded. “And also...”
He held out his hand to Dyne. Suddenly, a tiny creature appeared in his palm, fast asleep. It looked like a kitten with tiny wings.
“My infant son,” Quark said solemnly. “I named him ‘Nall.’ In the language of the dragons, it means ‘friend.’ Take him with you. If Althena is in any danger, Nall’s power shall emerge and he can come to her aid.”
Dyne cradled the baby Althena with one arm, and scooped up Nall with the other. “What will happen to you and the other dragons?”
“We shall remain in our caves. When we pass on, our children shall take our places as the protectors of humanity and the conduits of Althena’s power, as it has been done for countless millennia. The children of Blaize, Saphyr, and Shakor are not yet born, and will not be for many years to come. But as long as one of us exists, the Dragon Tribe will be able to fulfill its purpose.”
“Will there ever be another Dragonmaster?”
“Maybe. Our strength must be conserved, so we cannot always spare our power. The Dragon Armor still exists, and you still have Althena’s Sword.”
Dyne blinked and looked down, noticing that the Goddess’s sword was still by his side. “How can I still have it?”
“Althena wanted you to have it. As a keepsake of sorts, I guess. But also so that it may be passed on to another who is worthy. If Lunar must ever endure another Time Of Trial, we will be able to grant our power to at least one more Dragonmaster.”
Dyne nodded. “In that case, I’d better be going. I don’t suppose I’ll ever see you again.”
“One never knows. You determine your own destiny now. Perhaps we shall meet again some day.”
Dyne sighed. “In that case...I’ll see you around.”
“Farewell, Dyne. I wish you well in all your future adventures.”
“Thanks. I can never thank you enough for what you’ve done for me.”
“There is no need. I merely told you what your future had to offer. You chose to face your destiny and your responsibility with pride and honor. That is thanks enough.
“Now go. Take the child and Nall to safety. Find someone who will raise them with love and kindness.”
Dyne grinned. “I already have someone in mind.”
*****
The next morning, as Lemia entered the Main Hall of the Magic Guild, she was surprised to find Ghaleon seated at his place.
“Ghaleon? Is everything all right? You look terrible.”
Ghaleon didn’t respond. But Lemia was right. His eyes were glassy, his silvery hair was matted, and he was almost deathly pale. His white robe was wrinkled and disheveled. He was barely moving. He looked like he was in shock.
“Have you been there all night?”
Again, no response.
She looked around anxiously. “Ghaleon? Where’s Dyne?”
Ghaleon slowly turned his head to face her. When he answered, his voice came out as both a whisper and a croak.
“Dyne’s not coming back.”
Lemia gasped. “By The Goddess...no...”
She sat down besides him, too stunned to say anything. All she could manage was “How?”
Ghaleon merely shook his head. He wanted to tell her everything, just get it all off his back. But he remembered his promise to Dyne and kept silent. Almost mechanically, Ghaleon lumbered out of his chair and walked to his chambers, leaving a tearful Lemia by herself. Upon arriving, he slammed the door behind him.
He threw himself onto the window seat, absent-mindedly staring out the window, trying to sort out how he really felt. Anger towards Althena and Dyne gave way to grief as he realized that he would probably never see his best friend again. He hadn’t felt such sadness since his brother Zain’s death.
He buried his face in his hands. For the first time in over a century, Ghaleon wept.
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