Blade of Fire, Blade of Ice: Part Six

      "It is I," the creature replied. "I, the long-lost spirit of Elyx. Or so it would seem," she added with a mysterious smile.

      "You... "

      "It explains many things, does it not? How I can shapeshift. Why I seemed to know everything. Why I wanted to come with you so badly." She sighed. "I had to test you, you see, Swordmaster. I wanted to make sure that you were worthy. That you were able. For an unworthy one would surely have failed the task and then danger would be rampant on Neopia once more. I could not let that happen. The title of Swordmaster is not lightly bestowed, I knew, but I had to be sure - after this one chance there may not have been any more."

      "Elyx was not female," Talek protested once he had found his voice again. Secretly he was flattered that Ystrana had thought so highly of him.

      "True, but his spirit was - the spirit of any Neopian has always been of the other gender, for the spirit is all the body is not. Yes, I say he, for when Elyx split himself into three parts, although the greatest part of himself passed into myself, none of us have entirely embodied the great Swordmaster. Now, the Brothers. You have called them once, I know, because 'twas that very call which alerted me and brought me here. They have resisted it, for they wish not to be confined within the Blade again. But methinks if you called them here again they would have to come, willing or no, for 'tis hard to resist the call of a Swordmaster, harder still when that Swordmaster has the power of a Blade backing him. And your call would be irresistible if I added my voice to it, for though we live in different bodies now, my Brothers and I, we are the same, and there exists a tie which binds us together."

      Talek nodded. He still had many things he wished to ask of this extraordinary spirit but he knew that there was not a moment to waste. Once he had the Brothers sealed safely inside the Blade, then there would be all the time in the world to ask Ystrana questions. Once more the Swordmaster gripped the hilt of the Blade with both paws and advanced into the state which he had been in before. Only this time he was accompanied by Ystrana, and her presence made him more confident, more sure of himself.

     Again he saw the Brothers as if from far, far away. They were travelling, Talek realised with a stab of horror, over Evanagu. With desperation he called them, feeling Ystrana strengthen him. This time he felt the Brothers fight him with all their strength. Talithir lent Talek its power, adding its voice to the call. Slowly, gradually, he saw the two Brothers reluctantly move towards the pink cloudy land of Faerieland.

      "Don't stop now," Ystrana muttered, noting the strain on Talek. "We have them, but if we let go now they will go free." Her voice gave Talek more strength as he held on.

      "They are here," Ystrana whispered, but Talek did not need the warning. Irritated screeching and a harsh roar had already jerked him out of his trance. Holding Talithir in one paw and the Blade in the other he whirled to face the Brothers.

      They were a terrifying sight. They were not of any extraordinary size, but Talek still took a step back as he noted the flames which seemed to roll of one's skin and the beautiful iciness of the other. Their battle with each other momentarily forgotten, the two Brothers faced Talek together, snarling in rage at the one who would try to imprison them once more.

      Talek glared back coolly. Ystrana nudged him, reminding him what he was here for. Holding the hilt of the Blade he called the Brothers to him.

      But they fought. Seeking to distract him, the fire Draik spat flames, the ice Draik doing its best to encase him in solid ice. Ystrana tried to help to protect Talek who was trying to focus on the task at hand. The ghostly spirit created shields from thin air, reflected the missiles that were aimed at the Swordmaster. Fire flared in the air, evaporating quickly as soon as it hit Ystrana's ghostly shield. Spears of ice hurled themselves through the air, shattering on impact. Ystrana winced with every hit - the Brothers were powerful, and she knew that if this went on she would not be able to stand it for long. She knew that Talek had to pull the Brothers in, and quickly.

     Talek had scrambled to retrieve the Blade from its position on the floor. Calling on Talithir to help him, Talek held the hilt of the Blade, trying to call the Brothers to it.

      At once he was the Blade, looking out at the battle that raged in the Tower. Fighting out of desperation, the Brothers were slowly but surely pushing Ystrana back. Still she stayed valiantly in between them and Talek, who tried to pull the Brothers towards him. They fought but could not resist as the Blade's power drew them in.

      "Talek, no!" The Swordmaster heard Ystrana scream. "If the Brothers enter the Blade while you are still in it you will be trapped, just like them!"

      Talek heard but did not heed her words. This job needed to be done and if his life was to be sacrificed in the doing of it, so be it. At least he would rest easily knowing that Neopia was safe from the threat of Elyx.

      The Brothers drew closer and closer to the Blade. Talek watched them, trying to forget the fact that their entering it would mean his entrapment. Still he pulled at them, and they came.

      Ystrana watched on, shocked and feeling helpless. She did not try to touch Talek in any way, for she knew that lack of concentration on his part would prove fatal. The spirit knew that there was one thing that she would do. The Brothers would still be contained, and Talek would be able to live his life. All it required was a small sacrifice on her part.

      Without hesitation she rammed herself into the Blade, pushing Talek out. Talek stopped calling the Brothers and staggered back. In that instant they attempted to pull free, but Ystrana was ready for them. She viciously pulled them in, ignoring their shrieks of pain and rage. Mercilessly she tugged at them, knowing that her strength was failing her. With one last vicious jerk it was done.

      "Talek!" cried the blade. The dazed Swordmaster ran to it, picking it up. "I have caused you much sorrow, I know. But it is over. You are free to return to Maraqua. Do not worry about Kelpbeard - he has forgotten all about your disagreement. I have made it so. Do not hate him for attempting to restrain him - he cares for his people, there is no more to it. Now I must go. You will remember all that has happened, but 'twould most likely be to your advantage not to tell anyone, for 'tis not a tale that will be readily believed. I must go now for I cannot fight the pull of the Blade any longer. Farewell... " Ystrana's voice faded until it was gone. Talek could still hear her parting words ringing in his ears.

      "Why?" the Swordmaster was crying. "Why did it have to be her? I was ready, I was ready... "

      The Draik sobbed as he picked up the Blade and placed it on the table. Neopia had been saved from the curse of Elyx... but it had been at a price.

     The fight is over, the battle won,

     Blade of fire, blade of ice,

     Elyx' curse hath been undone.

     Blade of fire, blade of ice.

     Yet even though the end is here,

     Blade of fire, blade of ice,

     In the end the price was dear.

     Blade of fire, blade of ice.

     Epilogue

      Talek left Faerieland three days later, returning to his home. Deliberately he took the long was around, avoiding Evanagu Island for he could not bear to see them, the Evanagunites that reminded him so much of Ystrana. Fitting, that the spirit of Elyx had chosen the most peaceful, tranquil land on Neopia to hide on.

      Kelpbeard welcomed Talek back into Maraqua. Talithir had transformed Talek back into his old Maraquan self after he had left the clouds, and so the people of Maraqua noticed nothing strange about their Swordmaster, on the outside. Sometimes, though, they could see Talek staring off into the watery depths, as if he was thinking of a certain courageous Draik spirit...

The End

Author's Note: The Fire and Ice Blade has always held a special place in my heart. When I was a newbie on Neopia it was my favourite item. I wanted nothing more than to buy one and proudly display it for all to see. It was only afterward that I was told that the great Blade which I had admired for so long was in fact a waste of money. Better weapons were far cheaper. But still I admired it. To me, its looks were more than its worth.

The usual now, thanks for reading this, comments/constructive criticism appreciated. I hope you enjoyed this. Et cetera (yay, I know what it means now, thanks to my Latin classes! :D).

Talek and Kelpbeard were obviously from the plot of Maraqua. I thought the Swordmaster was too cool to not write a story about. Ystrana is based on two very special friends of mine. Everyone else is fictional.

I hope you enjoyed reading this! :)