Kiyan drew on the temporal fragment and released supernova like waves of light that shredded Reign’s energy. The momentary headway only lasted as long as it took for more dark energy to flow into the void. Kiyan had lost most of the initial blind rage that had directed him through the portal but he still only had a single purpose. There was only one way that he knew of that would return Terra to life and he intended to accomplish that very thing. Even if he was never to meet her in the alternate timeline mattered little as long as she lived. To that end Kiyan blasted away with the potent energy that he extracted from the temporal fragment.
Kendra understood Kiyan’s purpose. She agreed with him and marveled at how much power he was able to command. On the other hand she knew that Reigns was more than a match for the three of them. She really didn’t see any way that they could survive let alone achieve victory against Reigns. Her goal was to weaken Reigns so that he could never again summon another portal. She had no desire to be sacrificed meaninglessly. By their death she hoped to save the rest of the people in the known universes.
Like his wife, Theo understood the hopelessness of their situation. His goals were similar to hers as well. They only differed in that he wanted to force Kiyan and Kendra through the portal just prior to sealing himself in. He had been trapped here once before and had only managed to escape with Kiyan’s help and the connection that they shared. Last time he had resisted giving in to the darkness but now Theo saw no other choice. As dark energy he could spend the rest of time keeping Reigns from escaping. A warden of sorts. One preventing the other from escaping. Each would be unable to harm the other until such time as the dark universe was crushed by the core light universes.
While Theo was trying to figure out how to out how to trick his wife and son into abandoning him, Kiyan opened the energy potential of the temporal fragment to his parents. Together they burned like the suns. The dark planet was burned away and the darkness was beat back. Their stars were surrounded by the clouds of darkness that pressed in against the blinding light. It seemed that they burned for hours before the fragment was depleted. Like a flood the dark energy surged in on them.
Without the fragment to bolster them they began to feel the strain of the prolonged battle. Now they battled in close proximity with the endless darkness that Reigns mustered. On every side they met the shadows with light. A pocket of light amidst an ocean of darkness.
Kiyan had to admit now that they were hopelessly out powered. There was not the faintest hope of victory. Even jumping back to the beginning could not have changed the outcome of this fight. It was doomed even before he had passed through the portal. Even staring defeat in the face and hearing Reign’s mocking, Kiyan looked back over his life and could find no other path. His last consolation was that Terra would never have to live under the Dark One’s control.
Theo was despairing of his plan to save his family. There had been no chance to force them through the portal. For all he knew Kiyan had traveled back in time and foiled his plan already. Looking back now Theo knew that even Kiyan’s gift would not have mattered against Reigns now. He was simply too powerful.
Suddenly the shadows took form enough to smash the orb of light apart. Thrown away from his parents Kiyan was engulfed in the sea of dark energy. He struggled against the shadows that burnt him but it was as futile as fighting a storm with a piece of drift wood. The agony that tore at Kiyan was echoed by the torment that his parents were also experiencing.
“Give in to the darkness, together we can rule the worlds.” Kiyan felt Reigns insinuating promises of power into his mind.
“Never! I will never become a monster like you.” At Kiyan’s response the darkness seemed to crush him from all sides. One last valiant blast was all that Kiyan was capable of. The shadows were shredding his energy ruthlessly. As his last strength diminished he felt his consciousness being pulled apart.
When he thought that he was completely destroyed the pain stopped. Paralyzed and powerless Kiyan waited for the final attack. It never came but voices broke into his mind.
“Who would have known? The time vortex would be our descendant.”
“It exists in all universes.”
“Many can ascend. Several can even merge with a universe but only one can merge with time.”
“I am only slightly surprised, time has always favored him.”
“The greatest paradox of all. The impossible sustaining the impossible.” The voices were disembodied but seemed vaguely familiar to Kiyan.
“Some of us became paradoxes in our own right. You merged with a universe and I became a set of stars but we all drew our power from the time vortex. He is far more powerful than either of us.” The absurdity of eavesdropping on a cryptic conversation at the moment of his death struck Kiyan funny. He sensed rage from around him. Odd, I’m listening to a star and a universe hold a conversation and Reigns can’t touch me. This only added to his amusement.
“Strange, it almost feels as if he is observing us. Not the other way around.”
“Shush, It is about to happen.” Kiyan was slightly confused. He opened his eyes to see what it was that the star and the universe meant. The only thing that he saw was darkness but then he made out the tendrils of energy that were spiraling around him slicing into the darkness holding Reigns back. Deciding that he had begun slipping back in time he decided to use the energy. The spirals of energy expanded until he was the center of a maelstrom. His reach expanded and cut into the darkness. It was not much longer before he found his parent’s energy. They were tattered fragments of themselves when he found them. A thought was all it took to restore their energy to normal levels.
Kiyan pondered the source of his energy. His mind traced the source to everywhere. All time seemed to be giving energy. Not only his own time stream but every time stream. He tested the waters and pulled on the energy. A flood responded to his request. He still did not feel the normal effects of a slip that would have made him feel like he was on fire by now. He waved a blast of the energy into the darkness with a thought. A giant hole was left in the wake of his attack.
Reigns retaliated with an attack like the original that was meant to separate Kiyan from Theo and Kendra. Predicting the attack he raised a wall of energy that rendered the strike harmless. He realized that time was not flowing backwards like expected. With energy like this he knew that he could defeat the foe.
Finding familiar time streams Kiyan followed them and discovered his friends in imminent danger. Left on the drakken home world they had been found by an army of drakken drones. They had put up a fight but were now being overwhelmed. He smiled inwardly. He would protect them like he protected his parents. It did not matter that they were corporeal and he pure energy. With a thought the drakken drones were erased from time and his friends were secured in the heart of his maelstrom.
One was missing though. Kiyan retraced the time streams until he found the one he was looking for. It had been close to his own but then it had ended. Damaged. In a moment it was repaired and placed with the other time streams.
Now without any distracting thoughts concerning his friends Kiyan roared. He requested power and relished the glut that flooded him. He let the massive energies build up before sending it into the clouds of dark energy.
Kiyan knew that his father was right although the plan to trick Kendra and him out of the universe to safety was frowned upon. The momentary annoyance was dealt with before he altered the plan to his own liking. Reigns had merged with the dark universe like Kiyan’s own ancestor had once done with a light universe. Finally recognizing the voices he smiled. Reigns was not going to be destroyed until the entire dark universe was gone. This was child’s play he thought. He held the power of countless light universes in his hand. One dark universe was nothing in the grand tapestry of reality.
Before committing the final act Kiyan witnessed Reign’s acts through time. The misdeeds of the past and future were observed. There was no longer any good left in the man that hadn’t
been consumed with the hunger. The balance was decided against Reigns. The past would stand as a testament to the future misdeeds and the justice of the sentence. Sentencing would be executed now and the future would be preserved free of the blight.
With that decision Kiyan channeled energy into the dark universe. He felt Kendra and Theo attempting to draw on the energy vortex that was him. He let them have as much energy as he knew that they could handle. The way they hurled these fragments of energy at the darkness was almost amusing. He grew bored and decided to end the conflict. His energy exploded and swept through the waves of darkness leaving nothing behind. He fed the explosion and watched its progress. The wave front expanded until it had reached the ends of the dark universe. With no more universe to expand in the flood changed direction and flowed through time.
Finally every speck of darkness was gone. Nothing remained of the dark universe of Reigns. Kiyan had obliterated him the moment he had entered the universe. Now devoid of energy the universe began to collapse in on itself. Soon only a pocket was left where he existed in his maelstrom. He found it nearly effortless to sustain his pocket universe for the time being.
Now that he had accomplished the purpose that drove him, Kiyan was left wondering what to do. His friends were safe and his parents were swirling in the vortex. The universe that he had called home for his entire life was being reshaped. The drakken universe was no longer recognizable. It was like the last few years of Kiyan’s life had never existed. That thought drew Kiyan back to the day everything had started. Time existed on the refuge worlds. Home. Kiyan could almost smell the scents that heralded breakfast wafting up to his room.
Chapter Twenty-Five: The Ending of Dreams
Sitting bolt upright in his bed Kiyan rubbed his eyes. Oddly everything felt normal. Like it should be. Breakfast was indeed wafting upstairs. Kiyan knew that Marisa would be after him to take a bath before breakfast momentarily if he didn’t hurry. Reaching for his cloths Kiyan stopped when he noticed that they were several sizes too small. Even his hands looked small. Stepping over to the mirror on the wall Kiyan saw a boy peering back at him where he had become accustomed to a young man.
Prodding at his face failed to produce any changes in the reflection. Ultimately deciding that he had been having a dream, Kiyan was about to finish dressing when he discovered that he was already clothed. Not recalling having dressed, Kiyan was further confused. Finally chalking it up to not being fully awake He made his way down the stairs. Marisa was busy in the kitchen talking with James so Kiyan slipped outside. Recalling that Marisa hated the door being slammed he softly closed it behind him.
“Do you want to go for a flight?” Kiyan just about leapt out of his skin when he suddenly heard a voice behind him. Turning he found himself eye to eye with Terra. She looked younger than he had remembered her but then again it had been a dream. How was she standing in front of him?
“I was, um, I was... I was going to take a swim.” Kiyan stumbled over the words in his confusion.
“Later then? Sorry I startled you.” Terra frowned and was about to say something before she turned and walked off. Freya glided down and shifted to a small bird that perched on Terra’s shoulder. A moment later the duo was lost to sight around a corner.
Unable to figure out what was going on Kiyan set out towards the lake. A slight rustling of air was the only warning that Kiyan got before Ray settled onto his shoulders. Kiyan reached up and scratched Ray's head and received a rough rumble that could be construed as a purr. Kiyan saw Jeremy up ahead and decided to take an alternate route to the lake. After entering the woods Kiyan decided to skip the lake altogether. He needed to get some things figured out. There were too many people from yesterday and last night's dream walking around in the village.
Finding a spot near the top of the ridge that overlooked the lake Kiyan took a seat. The sun was above the horizon by now and the valley was well lit. The lake and its waterfall reminded Kiyan of many fun filled days playing and learning bending. Kiyan scowled. He really was having a hard time telling what was dream and what wasn’t. He hadn’t even been tested yet so how could he remember learning to bend. The conflicting memories was making his head hurt. Dream and reality mixed and swirled in his head. Kiyan knew that Marisa was going to be worried if he didn’t show up soon.
A soft foot step on grass alerted Kiyan to the fact that he wasn’t alone. “Do you mind if I join you?” Kendra waited for Kiyan to nod before taking a seat next to him on the rock.
“I should have known that you would find me.” Kiyan glumly watched a pale blue dragon fly overhead.
“Is everything alright?” Kendra waited patiently for Kiyan to respond.
“I had a strange dream last night. Then I saw Terra then Ray and... I’m just confused now, I can't tell what is real or a dream.”
“I spoke with Terra earlier. She was worried about you.” Kendra noticed the agitated expression that Kiyan wore when she mentioned Terra.
“She isn’t supposed to be here. Terra came from the dream. She died.” Kiyan remembered the details of how he had met her clearly.
Kiyan didn’t see the surprised look that came over Kendra’s countenance before she answered. “Your testing is in a few days. Perhaps you are just a little stressed. Things like that can give you dreams.”
“That was in the dream too. It’s just that things here are not what they were yesterday. Terra wasn’t here and Ray wasn’t a draconic kayloo. Everything is different. You aren’t even supposed to be here. I only remember you from the dream.” Kiyan stood and began pacing.
“Have considered that it might not have been a dream?” Kendra’s comment made Kiyan stop pacing for a moment.
“Like I'm supposed to be some super strong bender that can ice form and shape shift into an ice dragon?” Saying it out loud made the dream seem even more like reality.
“Have you tried?” Kendra watched Kiyan intently.
“Of course not, I haven't even been tested yet. How.....” Kiyan was waving his hands around in an attempt to illustrate how insane the idea was when he caught sight if an ornate silver band that encircled his wrist. “Luke?”
“Yes Kiyan?” Luke’s response made pieces begin to fall into place. Kiyan held the hand in front of his face. Blue flames effortlessly burst into existence with a thought.
“Ice fire is a rather complicated technique. This year’s testing is going to be complicated.” Kendra reminded Kiyan of her presence.
“It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve skewed the test and hidden my true skills. In fact, it will be my third time taking it if I remember correctly.” Everything made sense now.
“Terra told me that there was something different about you this morning. She said that you mind was sealed tighter than a telepath with years of experience this morning.” Kendra stood and waited for Kiyan.
“So the war, everything really happened. I must have slipped all the way back here.” Kiyan still had a few loose ends that he couldn’t quite place.
“And brought all of us with you. Do you remember anything that happened after you went into the dark universe?” There was a sense of urgency in Kendra’s voice that made Kiyan look up. “The last thing any of us remember is entering the portal.”
“There was a time vortex and everything got destroyed. The universe was collapsing and I just wanted to go home then I woke up here.”
“The dark universe was destroyed? And a time vortex?” Kiyan had to suppress a giggle when he saw Kendra’s incredulous expression.
“Wait, you said us? How many came back through time with me? How did Terra get here? I saw her die!”
“You are the last one to remember. As for Terra? Well she has been here since you were a small child. She still loves you and has been watching for any sign of returning memories. This morning she was almost in tears when she came to me.” Kendra smiled and sank to a knee so she was the same height as Kiyan. “I do so hope I can be a part of your childhood this time.” There was a twi
nkle in her eye with a mischievous expression.
“It actually would be nice to have a childhood. Does Marisa and James know? They are probably worried sick by now wondering where I am.”
“Ha, I never remember you growing up the first time. Always running off and getting in trouble every time I turned around. As for James and Marisa, break it easily. It may take some time for them to get used to you having gone off and fighting a war in one night.” Kendra laughed and they started down the hill.
“Ya that might be awkward. I think I will wait on that one.” Kiyan felt much better than he had earlier. “Where is Theo?”
“He is on Samtan at the council. I managed to escape them for some time. Now about those tests that you cheated on. You said that you took two already?” Kendra tweaked Kiyan’s ear gently.
“I only pretended not to be able to bend hardly anything on the second test because everyone was too scared of me after the first test.”
“You time slipped! I should have known. You knew too much about me at that time.”
“There are still some things that don’t fit entirely. I mean what happened to Kayloo Prime and New Thoros with the time shift? On Sapphire’s world there is an elven boy that is supposed to be joining the protectorate in the future.”
“As far as Kayloo Prime and New Thoros, our involvement was a direct result of drakken involvement at some point. Of course you started the revolution that freed the Kayloo but that is the nice thing about being able to travel time. It won’t take much to alter events now that we know what happened. As for Riftor, we will keep an eye on him.” Kendra gave him a hug and told him that Marisa was probably getting worried. They had arrived at the door. Kiyan smiled and slipped inside. The war was a distant memory as he endured Marisa’s scolding for letting her food get cold as he ran off to climb the hill.