The Silver Paladin

Battle Scars

~~~~Saoirse~~~~

It was dark, and it was cold. I stood in here in the middle of nowhere, feeling the energy that called to me for the past few months. An energy I knew all too well. All of a sudden, a bright light overshadowed the darkness, shining over me and the space I occupied.

"It is good to see you again, young Angel." A voice called to me from behind. I smiled and turned around to face who had spoken to me.

When I saw their face, I recognized it as the White Lion from Oriande. He had come to visit me in my dreams almost every night, whenever the stars didn't grant me a vision of my future.

He lay down at my feet and I sat down next to him, gently brushing my fingers through his warm, soft white fur. He was always able to calm me when I see him in my dreams. But I could tell that he was much weaker than last we met.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked.

"I'm afraid there is, young Angel." He answered, "The time is drawing closer, and I fear not only for you, but for the young Altean princess as well. You've been told the future path you must take, but I fear she will not accept it, much like the rest of your friends."

I sighed, turning around and laying against his side. His warm and powerful purrs helping me relax, but not enough to stop thinking about what I had to do.

"I understand. I know what I have to do." I said, "I won't lie and say that it'll be easy for any of us to accept, but the path I take will prove to be the path of peace and prosperity for the universe. I just hope they'll forgive me for not telling them."

"I'm sure they will understand. Your friends will be hurt for some time, but they shall understand why you have not turned away from this path. After all, you took this path for the safety of your friends and family."

I smiled, thinking that this might be the best choice for the universe, but I had to think even more about this choice, and if there was any kind of loophole I could use.

All of a sudden, the white area turned dark again. The air echoed with a cruel and venomous laugh thay shook me to my core.

I stood back up along with the White Lion, my friend growling as to warn whoever was laughing in the darkness.

"So... you are able to contact the guardian I see?" A familiar voice said to me.

I turned around in the darkness to see who was talking to me. Just then, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned back around and saw an old Altean woman in armor donating behind me.

I backed away along with the White Lion. It was her.

"What do you think you're doing here, Honerva?" I asked with all the hatred I could muster.

She stared at me with a curious expression before erupting into full out laughter.

"I can tell your connection to this creature is getting stronger. It will be all the more entertaining to see what will happen to you when I destroy him."

My eyes widened when she said that. I turned back to the White Lion, but instead of seeing him healthy and out of danger, he was now in a large bubble of corrupted energy.