Chapter 25 - Distractions

Too many, too many talking, his own mind cried. It was the only voice he was still sure was his to control. The others all tried to control him.

I see you, old man. These pitiful humans are all you could pull together? another voice laughed, mocking him. How long until they fall, as the others did? You're killing them. Murderer.

"But mommy, I want a picnic," yet another voice whined. He tried to ignore that one completely these days, and yet it was still the one that had the most control. He realized that it was the one that had spoken aloud again, and clutched his head. He thought it might split open any moment now, like some overripe melon.

You're so close now, Narien, the last voice reminded him. Rest will come soon, but you must keep trying to focus. We need you. They need you.

It wasn't fair that the fourth voice always sounded like hers. An image of her came to him whenever he heard it. The sadness threatened to overwhelm him.

He'd given them names, or titles rather. Father, Brother, Child, and Wife. Father expected too much of him, always demanding that he do things, despite how tired he was. Brother wanted him to do things too, but it seemed that Child always managed to interrupt him and keep Brother's influence from dominating. Father and Child got their way more often than not, it seemed. Often Wife would side with Father.

Wife and Brother weren't supposed to be there, in his head. He'd puzzled that much out. For some reason his mind kept getting clearer the longer he traveled. He forgot things less now. But there was still some things that he couldn't remember. And Wife kept using that name, Narien. He could only assume she meant to be speaking to someone else, not him.

Important things, Father scolded. You must focus. Look around you. Feel the energy. You must help them.

Yes, old man. Help them, Brother crooned. Your life will save theirs. They can live on if you stop now. How many more lives will you sacrifice to steal my power away, when I only want to help them...

"If we can't have a picnic, I don't want to play! Child pouted. He shook his head to try and clear away the symbols. They were coming again, the spell symbols in his mind, forming and taking shape.

Yes, Wife said softly. That will work. Hurry, Narien, be swift.

He found himself speaking the spell. He was outnumbered. Father, Wife, and Child all approved, while Brother screamed angrily to try and stop him. He didn't like Brother too much anyway. And the pain of resisting was too unbearable to try and stop it. He gave in to it, allowed the words to pass through his lips. Allowed the power to pass through him. The portal opened and shimmered like a mirror.

In it's reflection he could see them, almost as if an observer from afar instead of one standing in the midst of the chaos. The wizard girl was unconscious, having used herself up again. He'd been vaguely aware of her throwing the crude fireballs she made, and then attempting to use real magic when she was already too spent.

If she's not careful, she'll shatter her mind, Father warned sternly. You need to give her more instruction.

The warrior was still fighting, attempting to fend off far too many for one man. He was covered in blood, some his own and some the enemy's, and his armor looked battered and torn in more places than Alldeh could count. Yet still he fought on. Alldeh wondered idly what he was fighting for.

The tribal girl had backed away from the battle, clutching an arrow in her abdomen. She, too, was covered in blood. Something strange panged in his heart when he looked at her. She reminded him of someone he'd failed to save, someone... he stepped towards her first, and pushed her through the portal.

The thief knelt next to the priest, trying to lift him while attempting to fend off attackers. The priest was holding up his shield to fend off blows, but the large gash into one leg seemed to be his main problem. He looked close to unconsciousness, screaming from the pain.

"Through there!" he yelled, waving at the portal. He paused for a moment, pleased that he was able to voice himself. It seemed so rare these days. He picked up the wizard girl under her arms and began dragging her towards the mirror. "Ullden, through here!"

He wondered that he knew the warrior's name, but then forgot it almost immediately after speaking it. He nearly dropped the girl in his frustration about it, but most of the voices in his head kept reminding him about getting through the portal. The thief-girl was helping the priest limp the few steps there. He watched several arrows lodge themselves in the girl's back, just as she stepped into the shimmering surface, her scream cut off as she made her way through. The warrior seemed to be fighting his way backwards, fending off the enemy as best he could as he made sure everyone else got through the portal. Alldeh pulled, yanking the wizard-girl through with him as he stepped through himself. The warrior all but fell through it, stumbling backwards across the rocky surface. Alldeh cut the power off as soon as they were all through, and found himself giggling hysterically at the sight of the top half of an Elar as it fell to the ground before them, sliced apart by the closing of the portal.

"Red," Child said, pointing to the puddle of blood that formed around the half-corpse.

He reached down and covered his hands in the red. Red was important, he remembered that. He scooped some of it up and put it in his pockets, proud of himself for remembering to save some for later.

They're all going to die unless you do something, Wife said. I cannot help if the priest loses consciousness.

Alldeh moved and squatted down next to the priest, who was moaning and clutching his leg in panic.

"You were always nice to me," Alldeh said. "I don't think I remembered to thank you for that."

"You aren't hurt?" the priest asked.

"No, I'm fine. Don't die. I'll miss you if you die."

"I'll be alright, Alldeh. I'll still be around to take care of you. I can heal this," the priest said. He pressed his hands on his leg calmly now, and prayed.

That's better, Wife said, as a bright light came from the priest. Alldeh felt the warmth of the light on his face, and smiled. Then the priest moved around and healed the others.

Alldeh followed him, and poked everyone after they'd been healed to make sure they weren't dead. They all felt fleshy when poked, so he assumed they would all be fine eventually.

No, Brother said. They're all going to die.

"No," Alldeh promised. "Not this time."

"Eww," the thief-girl said, pointing at the half-Elar lying on the ground. The wizard-girl nodded next to her, her hand covering her mouth.

"Where are we?" the warrior asked, standing up. He had been the last one the priest had healed.

"I'm not sure yet," the tribal girl answered. "Still in the mountains. I need to go to higher ground to get my bearings. Why don't you all get some rest while I go up further and check."

"Like a bird?" Child said, causing images of birds soaring to come to Alldeh's mind. "Birds sound pretty."

"How did we get here?" the wizard-girl asked, looking around. "What happened exactly? I'm confused."

"Alldeh cast a spell," the priest answered. Alldeh realized that the priest was using water from his canteen to try and clean away the red.

"No!" Alldeh told him, pulling away. "I need that! It's red! I have to keep red for later!"

"It was some sort of doorway, a portal I suppose," the warrior explained to the wizard. "He pulled you through it. Saved our lives, to be honest." The warrior didn't seem too happy. Alldeh wondered who had cast the portal he was talking about. He didn't think the wizard-girl had it in her yet.

"Let me clean you up, Alldeh," the priest coaxed. "It's alright. Just stay still a moment."

"No!" Alldeh pushed him away. Why won't they listen?

"Maybe we need it?" the wizard-girl came forward, putting a hand on the priest's shoulder.

Tell her, Father ordered sternly. Tell her we need the blood. Tell her why.

More blood, murderer, Brother argued. More blood on your hands? Can't you just let the dead rest? Bad enough that you bring death to so many more, but then you can't let them lie in peace?

Too late, Father replied. She knows.

He looked up to see the wizard girl collecting some of the Elar's blood in a couple of small vials. Afterwards, she came over and showed them to him.

"It's alright, Alldeh. Let Father Marus clean you up. I've saved some for you."

She nodded at him, and Wife's voice echoed her words in his head.

It's alright, Narien. It's alright.