Sword of the Stars Part 19
Destiny
A few hours later, the wagon stopped again. Heero pressed his ear to the door and listened. There was a lot of noise, but less than when they had been traveling through the towns and cities. The soldiers were talking to some other men. Heero had a sinking feeling he was in the palace.
He moved back when he heard the bolts on the doors slide open. The doors swung open, letting the daylight in. No less than ten guards were there. One of them motioned for him to get out.
"Let's go, boy. I'm eager to find out what you did to have soldiers escort you all the way back here."
Without comment, Heero climbed out of the wagon. If they knew why he was here, well, he didn't know what they would do. But telling them wouldn't do any good. They would believe him if he said their Emperor had made a pact with the Dark Lord.
They circled him and gave him a shove to start him moving. He was in the Triantian Palace. It was incredibly large, made of smooth, white stone. They led him through the doors and inside. He had never seen such a beautiful place before. There were tiled floors, paintings on the walls, golden torch holders, carpets, and many other expensive things. Servants scurried about with their tasks, and guards patrolled the halls. No one gave Heero or the guards a second glance.
They led him down countless halls and up many stairs. He was beginning to wonder of they would ever reach Grantis, when they arrived at the great wooden doors. Two soldiers were standing guard. When they saw Heero and the entourage of guards, they frowned, but opened the door anyway.
Grantis' throne room was large and extravagant. A red carpet led up to the dais where the golden throne was. Grantis sat upon it. Grantis was a rather large man with dark hair and a short beard. He wore the crown of Triantia on his head. His eyes locked on Heero's for a moment, and he smiled.
"Well done, men," he said, standing. He straightened his regal clothes and stepped down the dais, his black cape flowing behind him. The soldiers kneeled to him. Heero just stood there, glaring.
Grantis smiled almost warmly. "Rise, my loyal subjects, and leave. This boy and I have important things to discuss."
The soldiers stood, looking confused, but they asked no questions. They bowed as they backed out of the room, shutting the doors.
As soon as they were gone, Heero spoke. "Why don't you tell them?" he demanded. "Why don't you tell them you've made a pact with the Dark Lord? If they are your 'loyal subjects', why don't you tell them why they're really fighting the war?"
Grantis was unmoved. "Why? Because they are fools. They are far too bent on morals and goodness. No one understands the glory of the Dark Lord as I do! The Dark Lord was in danger, and he offered me everything I could ever want if I helped him. He is truly generous and powerful. He will be a wonderful leader."
Heero shook his head. "I think you are the fool, Grantis. Do you not think he is merely using you?"
"The Dark Lord? Never! He is honest and giving. Do you know how many women I have taken to my bed since I made a pact with him? That was part of his promise: to have all the women I please."
"You're a fool," Heero repeated.
Grantis shrugged. "Believe whatever you wish. It doesn't matter. You won't be able to think for yourself soon, anyway." He unsheathed his sword and seized Heero's shoulder. "Walk."
Heero didn't comply, but ended up walking anyway. Grantis shoved him toward the edge of the room where a tapestry was hanging. He moved the tapestry over, revealing a door. When Grantis opened it, he went inside, pulling Heero with him, and shutting the door behind them.
Behind the door was a long flight of stairs. It took the two of them quite some time to climb them, given the fact that Grantis had to move Heero himself. When at last they reached the top, there was another door. Grantis opened it and pushed Heero inside.
Heero fell to his hands and knees on the ground. He glanced around. From the shape of the room, he knew they were inside a turret. The room was dark and empty, but he could see the shadow of a throne before him.
"He is here, my Lord," Grantis said.
WELL DONE, GRANTIS. YOU WILL BE WELL REWARDED FOR THIS.
Heero gasped at the sound of the voice. It sounded like an echo, but slightly stronger, like two people were speaking at the same time.
"Would you like me to stay, my Lord?" Grantis asked.
NO. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MUST BE DONE WITH JUST THE TWO OF US. BUT, GRANTIS, I HAVE A REQUEST OF YOU.
Grantis kneeled. "Name it, my Lord."
ONCE I TAKE HIM, I WILL NEED TIME TO ADJUST TO HIS BODY. WHEN I TAKE A NEW HOST, I WILL BE WEAK FOR SEVERAL HOURS. I ASK THAT YOU LET ME REST AND ADJUST TO MY NEW ABILITIES DURING THAT TIME. ALL RIGHT?
"As you wish, my Lord." With a bow, Grantis left the room.
Heero swallowed hard as he stared at the dark figure on the throne. He wanted to run and hide, but was too scared to move. The figure on the throne laughed.
THERE IS NO NEED TO BE FRIGHTENED. YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY. THIS IS YOUR DESTINY. YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS MOMENT.
Heero glared. "It was never my intention to help you! You have no right to say I am destined for this! I am not evil!"
NOT EVIL...? I AM AFRAID THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE WRONG.
Heero's glare faded. He narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
AS I SAID, THIS IS YOUR DESTINY. YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS, HEERO ARIARK.
Heero back up a little. "Born for this...? What do you mean 'born for this'?"
EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE. WHY DO YOU THINK I WENT THROUGH ALL THE TROUBLE OF GETTING YOU? IF ANYONE COULD BE A HOST BODY, I WOULDN'T HAVE PURSUED YOU. IT TAKES SOMETHING SPECIAL TO BE A HOST.
Heero's heart began to beat at an incredibly fast rate. As much as he didn't want to know, he asked the next question. "What... What does it take?" he asked a small voice.
The Dark Lord laughed again. As Heero waited for the answer, the Dark Lord rose from the throne and stepped into the faint light coming from the lone window. Heero gasped in surprise. The Dark Lord was not what he expected at all. For one thing, the Dark *Lord* was a woman. And a beautiful one at that. Long, midnight hair cascaded past her shoulders, matching her dark onyx eyes. She wore a low-cut black dress that flattered her slim figure. The collar, sleeves, and hem were lined with sparkling silver fringe. She smiled at Heero and folded her arms.
SURPRISED THAT I AM A WOMAN? DON'T BE. GENDER MATTERS LITTLE TO ME. THIS WOMAN WAS ONCE CALLED ROSE. SHE WAS MUCH LIKE YOU. WHEN HER TIME CAME TO BE FULFILL HER DESTINY, SHE ALSO REFUSED TO SERVE HER PURPOSE.
"What do you mean?" Heero demanded. "What purpose? What does it take to be a host? You didn't answer me!"
WHAT DOES IT TAKE? The Dark Lord laughed. ALLOW ME TO EXPLAIN. MY HOSTS CAN ONLY LIVE FOR A THOUSAND YEARS OR SO. WHEN THEIR LIVES ARE NEARING THE END, I MUST MAKE CERTAIN THERE IS ANOTHER WHO IS STRONG ENOUGH TO BEAR MY POWER. THEREFORE, I DIVIDE, SENDING A SMALL PART OF MYSELF ACROSS THE WORLD. The Dark Lord spread his--well, *her*--hands apart. THIS SMALL PORTION OF MY TRUE SELF TRAVELS THE WORLD OVER AND SETTLES INTO A RANDOM PLACE. THEN, IT POSSESES THE BODY OF A MAN FOR ONE NIGHT AND EMPREGNATES A WOMAN. Heero began shaking his head. He didn't want to hear any more, he knew where this was leading. But the Dark Lord smiled at his denial and went on. THE CHILD BORN TO THE MAN AND WOMAN BEARS A SMALL AMOUNT OF MY POWER. THIS POWER MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR THE CHILD TO BEAR AND BALANCE MY ENERGY. The Dark Lord reached out and patted Heero's head. YOUR FATHER MADE LOVE TO YOUR MOTHER ONE NIGHT WHILE HE WAS POSSESSED BY MY POWER. THE POWER WAS PASSED ON TO THE CHILD: YOU. THE POWER-MY POWER- IS A PART OF YOU. IT WARNS YOU OF DANGER, BUT IT IS ALSO EAGER TO BE JOINED WITH ME AGAIN.
Heero moaned. It all made sense now; how he always knew when he was in danger, the way he felt around the Netherworlders, and the way part of him felt the need to be close to the Netherworld. SO YOU SEE, the Dark Lord continued, IT IS YOUR DESTINY TO BE THE NEXT HOST. IT IS YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE; WHAT YOU WERE BORN FOR. YOU ARE A PART OF ME...MY SON.
"Don't say that!" Heero shouted, leaping to his feet. "Don't *ever* say that!"
The Dark Lord waved a hand. THE TIME FOR TALK HAS PASSED. NOW YOU KNOW THE TRUTH. IT IS TIME TO FULFILL YOUR DESTINY. The Dark Lord--no, *Rose*. Her name was Rose. Rose raised her arms. Black lightning crackled around her, circling her and traveling over her head. Silver lightning joined it. Heero backed up against the door. He turned the knob, but it was locked tight. He watched in horror as the lightning flew above her. As it left its trail, it tore a black shadow from her body, causing her to scream uncontrollably. The shadow lifted into the air and hovered there with the black and silver lightning crackling around it. Rose stood there with her arms raised for several moments as the darkness and power drained from her body. When she was free of it all, her arms fell loosely to her side and she fell to her knees. Her empty eyes locked onto Heero's and she began to cry.
"Forgive me," she whispered. "Please forgive me."
Before Heero could say anything, she fell over on her side and was still. He looked up at the essence of the Dark Lord, at that black cloud of what seemed to be smoke or mist. He glared at it with all the bravery he could muster.
"The Star Sword has chosen a Warrior. He'll defeat you."
BELIEVE WHAT YOU WISH. I AM NOT AFRAID OF THE WARRIOR.
The dark mist plunged toward him with great speed. Heero tried to back himself further into the door, but it was no use. The essence of the Dark Lord tore into him, and he screamed.
TBC...
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