Cirque Periculum

Chapter 25

For the first time in his life, Connor felt like he was on fire. The light ripped his flesh and his vision quickly went dark. Then he stopped moving all at once, ice-cold stone under his fingertips. And still he burned.

"Meridian? Meridian!" His voice echoed around him, met by silence.

His body began to cool, and suddenly the temperature dropped.

"Congratulations young one," a voice whispered. "You saved your friend, putting loyalty above power. You are who I have been waiting for."

"Wh-who's there?" Connor asked, his body shivering.

"I go by many names. Before my ascension I was known as Rafael. Now I am known as Master Teacher, Philosopher, Magician. You know me as The Alchemist."

Connor's breath caught in his throat.

"Congratulations on passing all three of my tests, Connor DeGray. Fearless, logical, and selfless. You deserve to wield this portion of my power."

In front of him, the Alchemist's mirror descended from the darkness, glowing softly. Mesmerized, Connor grabbed the handle and looked into its rippling surface.

He gasped at the face looking back at him. Old and withered, with eyes a deep lavender. The face moved as the Alchemist spoke.

"You may see what you'd like with this mirror. You may kill instantly or resurrect the dead. I only have enough power to grant this to you once. What is your wish?"

Hands shaking, Connor stared into the all-knowing eyes staring back at him.

"My mom. Show me my mom."

The old man closed his eyes and faded into darkness. A moment later, the mirror showed a woman with dark brown hair tied back. She sat on a stool in the darkness, holding a drink with her left hand. She smiled at something, her eyes crinkling. Connor furrowed his brow. It was definitely his mother, but she looked older.

"When was this?" Connor wondered out loud.

"This is her now."

His mother's smile faltered. A mark on her arm began to glow silver- the mark of the Alchemist. She looked up, seemingly right at Connor. Her eyes widened, and she vanished from sight.

"You're lying. She's dead," Connor said, staring at the now dark mirror.

"Why would I lie? It is of no matter to me if she lives or is dead." The old man returned to the mirror's surface. "You should worry yourself with the actual dead."

Riley's image flashed on the mirror, right before the orb the Alchemist himself supposedly created took her life.

"I can bring her back, if you will it to be so."

The image shifted, showing her and Connor in front of the Speckled Owl, walking down the street hand in hand. Connor couldn't speak.

"I know your desires Connor DeGray. Bring her back. It is now in your power."

"I- I can't," Connor said. "It is your power, not mine. I won't free you."

Riley disappeared, and the mirror grew hot. The old man appeared; face contorted in anger. "You must. I am the Alchemist. I am destined to fix the ailments of this world. Free me, and you will go down in history as hero of heroes. And the girl will live again."

The room around him began to glow softly. Connor saw that he was trapped in a cave with no opening that he could find at least. He had to find a way to escape.

As if reading his thoughts, the voice spoke again. "There is no escaping our destiny Connor DeGray. Our paths are intertwined, and nothing can separate them."

Connor attempted to throw the mirror, but it stuck to his hand. He lit his arm on fire, but the flames danced around the mirror harmlessly. "I won't use your mirror."

"I grow impatient. Though I am not at my full strength, I have the power to kill you and whom you call friends. If you wish to save them, you will use the mirror, now."

The walls grew brighter, harsher. The light began to burn Connor. His skin blistered, his eyes seared with pain.

"USE THE MIRROR NOW!"

Connor screamed and focused all of his energy on the mirror, channeling it into the artifact. The mirror grew cold, and Connor's vision returned. Except it was not his.

Riley lay still near the circus tent. People ran past her in every direction, but Connor could not hear them. He focused on Riley, her eyes still open, glassed over and lifeless. Power coursed through him, more than he had ever felt before. He channeled the raw power to Riley's body, and she began to glow. Her body danced with light, as if just under her skin was a raging bonfire. She floated off the ground, hair floating around her head. Her eyes glowed brightly.

She blinked, and in a final flash of light the power was gone. Riley crumpled to the ground, and Connor's breath caught in his throat. She didn't move. Then, slowly she arched her shoulders back and planted her hands to the ground. She sat up, blinking her beautiful blue eyes. Alive. Riley was alive.

The raw power that Connor had felt was gone, and he felt his own energy was drained. He crumpled to the ground, again surrounded by the deadly light. His body numb, his eyes faded to black and his strength vanished.

"You have done well," The Alchemist said softly, voice floating in Connor's fading mind, "but your work is not yet finished."