The figure turned to her, smiling slightly. “Well, I think that’s it.” He said, bowing in front of her. At his bow, she smiled slightly, bowing her head in return. The staff began to glow again, and Emery watched as he snuffed out the light with a frown. “There will be a time,” He said slowly, ominously. “Very soon, when perhaps we will meet again.” Worry furrowed her brow. After what they had gone through? What could possibly draw them back into this nightmare again? But his words were reassuring. As long as there was hope, they couldn’t fail.
“Now let’s see…” He drew his sword, pointing it at her. Emery jerked back, blinking owlishly, then realized it was pointing behind her. She turned, eying the gates, and swallowed. She nodded slightly. “With that, I return you, all the remaining memories that embody your real selves.” Emery smiled slightly at that.
“Thank you,” She said, looking back at the knight. She went forward, glancing back once or twice to watch the Knight return to his castle, as the colors all faded around her. There was a sharp sound, making her ears flatten against her head briefly, followed by a soft reminder. As long as there are heroes in this world, I will be here to protect you. Emery smiled at that, peace winding its way around her, until the second voice crashed in, reverberated in her mind.
and as long as there is doubt in this world, there will be revenge.
The reverberated voice sent a shudder down her spine, deeper, into her heart. She flinched away from it, swallowing hard, and looked back. By now, the Knight, the Protector, ahd returned to his castle, and the colors were dark and dismal around her. She was on her own, now. But she was almost home. Grimacing, Emery went through the orange portal, back home. The falling was quick and then suddenly, quite suddenly, Emery was in a real, solid, heavy body. Memories, whispers and brief glimpses of imagery tapped through her mind as she tried to settle into her new legs, her new feet. They were reminding her of who she was, what she was. She was a hero, once, she had done something great –
Who do you think you are? Emery jerked at the voice, looking around sharply. There was no one there, except herself. Look at your shadow. Emery glanced down at it, squinting. It was just a shadow, wasn’t it? “I don’t understand.” She muttered to no one, hoping the voice would clarify.
But it was different. As she watched it, Emery realized how different it was. Her shadow was bright, resolute. Determined. There was no flickering, no blurred sides, it was decidedly not a normal shadow. She grinned. “Oh.” She muttered lamely, crouching down and touching the ground her shadow rested on. The shadow shifted as she moved, glowing now, a figure in armour, holding a great, familiar sword.
“Young knight.” She murmured, grinning a little at that.
You have forgotten something. Memories. I borrowed these from you, and now, you have my word I will return them. You are bound perhaps for greatness. Take these memories, and become more than you ever were. Greater than you can possible imagine. As long as there are heroes in this world, as long as someone calls for me, for the need to Protect this world, I will be there.
“Thank you.” Emery said softly, straightening up as her shadow wavered beside her, losing the figure of the Knight. It didn’t matter if she looked like one. She was a hero. Emery realized belatedly that something was off, and her hand went to her hip. There was a chain around her waist, now, settling comfortably (warmly, even?) on her side. She looked down at the lock, adjusting it to examine it closer.
Chains wrapped around the lock, almost covering the ornate watery symbols on it. She smiled slightly, letting go. It glowed lightly, a gentle blue, but it wasn’t heavy. It didn’t hurt as much as having a solid body did. She’d get them back, if it took her whole life.
