Page 94 of To Free a Soul (Duskwalker Beginnings #2)
A time unknown, but of golden opportunities
When Aleron and Gideon had left his realm, Weldir had been unsure about his decision. He hadn’t been able to monitor them, as the viewing disc of Aleron brought up nothing.
He’d wanted to know what would transpire, as he wasn’t fond of surprises.
I never thought it would be this, though, he mused, as he stared down at a fragment of the Gilded Maiden’s halo crown.
It glowed bright gold in his darkness, even if it didn’t illuminate far. Sitting cross-legged, with no viewing discs around him to disrupt his musings, he let himself dwell on it.
This is far more than I asked for, and more than I ever expected.
What Weldir could do with this... was limitless.
This wasn’t just some pretty piece of a crown, but part of Almethrandra’s life force. This was pure, unadulterated mana. Not just any kind, but one that could be manipulated in ways he normally couldn’t do.
At least, not on his own.
I have proven I can restore life, so long as it has some kind of anchor. Emerie was an example of this. I can create life. Proven by his many offspring. I can offer power through me. As he had with his mate.
I am a being of death, of life, and in between.
He made the crown shard float between his hands and sent a jolt of mana through it to see how well it mingled with his own. And since I’m her direct descendant, our magics mix well.
Now to test it properly, without informing anyone.
Weldir called Lindiwe’s soul to him. He broke off just the tiniest piece of the palm-sized fragment and pushed the grain of golden crown towards the citrine flame. Then he pushed in his own mana.
Immediately both began to vibrate, and threads began intertwining with each other. He immediately halted the spell, as it confirmed what he’d assumed without making it permanent. He would also need much more to successfully complete what he’d tested.
But it gave him his answer.
Next, he called the broken pieces of Nathair’s skull. He removed a little more of the crown, made it collide with the other detached fragment, and then put it between the many pieces of his skull. It vibrated, as did the skull, which began to reassemble.
The pieces meshed together so seamlessly that they were barely noticeable except for a hair’s width of gleaming gold.
Weldir held Nathair’s serpent skull, whole and mended.
The question is, will I be able to attach his soul back to it? He rotated it one way, and then the other. I don’t see why not, as his anchor is whole once more. If he could bond skull to soul, he could free him from death.
Uncertainty ruffled his mist, and he tapped a foreclaw against the skull’s snout. I would like to try. It may allow Nathair to live on Earth again. I know it would make Lindiwe happy if he is returned to her.
If it was successful, how could he do the same for Aleron?
We don’t have his skull pieces. He tapped his foreclaw faster.
Perhaps if she obtains the same fruit-bat skull and similarly shaped goat horns, I can mould them to his soul.
He could at least attempt it while informing her not to get her hopes too high.
Firstly, I’ll have to try with Nathair.
If this works... A rather foreign and unsettling emotion thickened the very space surrounding him. Sadness, perhaps? His own form of grief? It means they will leave.
He’d no longer be able to interact with his offspring and would once again be alone. Entirely.
I like my offspring nearby. He enjoyed conversing with them, playing with them, and teaching them. Oh well. This is what we wanted all along.
There was no point in being upset about it. He was used to the utter solitude, although he thought it might be more sorrowful now that he’d experienced companionship.
“Lindiwe,” he called, before he even pulled up her viewing disc.
When he did, it made a ring around her deep in the mountains of Mongulien on a summer’s day. Good, she hasn’t yet fully evolved our offspring . He figured she was nervous about doing so just in case something went awry.
“Yes, spirit of the void?” Her lips curled a little in mild humour.
He chuckled. I see she is back to being her perkier self.
“I didn’t inform you, but I sent Aleron to Nyl’theria to meet with the Gilded Maiden.”
She halted in her travels across the base of a mountain, and pushed back her hair when a rather strong gust of wind slipped it all forward. Her cloak and dress swayed, following its direction. “What? Why?”
“I wanted a gift, and I have received a rather substantial one. She has given me part of her life force.”
“Okay. So what does that mean?”
His answer was quiet and heavy as he said, “I may be able to bring Nathair, and possibly Aleron, back to life.”
Her eyes widened as her lips parted. She said nothing, utterly speechless.
Which was fine with him.
“I make no promises, but I have mended Nathair’s skull.
I may be able to attach it back to his soul, and he should reform his body like all Mavka do when they are beheaded.
” Then he looked down at it in his lap. “Firstly, I ask that you obtain a skull and horn type similar to Aleron’s before I do so, so that I can see if it’s possible to do the same for him. ”
“Yes. Absolutely. I can do that now if you send me back to Austrális.” There was a giddy spring in her movements, and she jumped up and down on the spot, so overjoyed she needed an outlet for it.
Her smile was bright and larger than he’d ever seen.
“I know exactly where I can find those pieces. I could probably get it done in just a few hours.”
“Excellent. I’ll bring you back there now.”
Before he did, he brought the crown fragment closer, noting how little he’d needed to mend Nathair’s skull. I wonder what else I can do with this.
If it could help him restore his offsprings’ lives, could it... possibly... give him one?
He looked at his beautiful mate, who smiled as she fought the wind, her brown eyes sparkling with cheer and life.
Or do I gift her a different life? One away and completely detached from him.
Something to consider and weigh later, he figured, as he brought Lindiwe to his weightless darkness.
First, let’s see if it’s at all possible.