Remnants

Pale twirls the strange blue crystal in his hand, noting every facet and every glint of light on its surface and within as well. A messenger had left it for him, though who the original sender might be was not known. Something familiar dances on the edge of his mind. He feels no malice from it whatsoever, and in fact, its presence brings him great comfort. Something about it draws his gaze. It is as if he can feel its presence even when not looking directly at it.

I should fear such influence, but I do not. There is nothing of which to be wary.

For some time, he doesn’t look away, and some time later the world around him seems to fade. The memory buried deep inside it awakens to him:
He smiles to himself despite the danger that lies ahead. He knows soon the righteous cause for which he fights will lead to much reform in this cruel land. This battle will set in motion the events this world desperately needs. With a brief sideways glance, he eyes the somewhat round, balding man in bulging armor to his left, and a disapproving stare meets him.

The man appeals desperately to him, “Sire, though I know my council falls on deaf ears, I must implore you to return to your home and forgo this inevitable battle.”

He fails to suppress the same small chuckle as always, “Reginald, you know it is my sacred duty to ensure that every possible soldier lives through this day to return to his loving family. What kind of prince would I be if I did not care for my subjects? Besides, what good is my magic if it is left to stagnate in some empty court?”

Reginald lets forth an exasperated sigh and turns to face ahead once more.

Now, this must abide no more. Our solemn task must be realized.

He raises the well-worn horn of battle to his lips and signals the charge. He spurs his powerful warhorse into motion and looses the instrument to fall at the end of the leather strap to his side. Reginald follows with surprising agility as always, and behind him his loyal army moves in perfect formation.

Steadying himself with his legs, he raises his shield, his family’s crest of the golden dragon roaring in righteous anger alight, draws his family’s ancient long sword, Radiance, and leads the charge to assail their foes.

The charge last but a brief few seconds, though it seems an eternity. Their foes push forward with a great fervor that is almost a match for their own, but he knows they will fail against him. As the first of the enemy’s eyes lock with his own, he begins to pray for this lost soul. His horse weaves instinctively sideways to give him an opening. Radiance gleams with an intense light that catches his opponent off guard.

Forgive me. I know you fight for what you feel is right, but you will not be forgotten.

With trained precision, he separates the man’s head from his body, ending his life in an instant. Pausing briefly, he begins to chant arcane incantations, and everything seems to slow around him, but it is he who has begun to move at a much more rapid pace. Radiance alight with white fire, he focuses on the each enemy at its point. A scared young man barely able to muster the courage to hold his blade stands before him, but his fear is only momentary as he is cut down and turned to ash before the unworldly flame of the ancient weapon.

An entire existence annihilated so easily. Why do you fight that which you can never overcome?

More faceless foes stand before him, as he is lost completely in the carnage.

You would dare think to harm those who would gladly give their lives out of loyalty to my family. I will decimate you all myself.

The complex arcane language flows off his tongue easily as he traces his lithe fingers down the length of his ancestral blade. A snaking length of fire leaves his hand and spirals among the enemies’ forces, and screams rise above the din of weapons clashing.

It hardly seems fair, but I must crush them all. It is my duty.

A distant but familiar voice draws him from his thoughts for a moment as he glances back to see Reginald a great span away. A swathe of corpses, some more intact than others, forms a grim trace of his movements. He is deep among the enemy forces, his own unable to keep up with his ruinous pace.

You are all fortunate I am here. Most of you would not be standing were it not for my might.

The once pale flame of radiance now instead consumes the light around it. It is as if darkness now dances where the fire once engulfed it. A pale, soft hand reaches out to touch the blade. She is completely unharmed as the flame of unmaking is quenched.

So close I was once more. So easily I would be lost were in not for her.

The suffering and turmoil seem so far away when he looks upon her face. To look upon her now still reminds him of times so long ago, when everything was different. Her unnaturally pale eyes still hint at a beautiful blueness that surely once shone bright. She now looks far beyond the realm in which they exist. She sees many things in the sacred flames Radiance summons forth.

“Such fury has its place, Your Eminence, though this is not its haven.” She states softly but with a great authority behind her words.

He returns his sword to its scabbard as he stares deeply back at her.

Though I know it wrong to love her, I will not lie to myself.