Face the Truth

Nathan wondered if his gift to hear truth had failed him for he could not believe what he just heard.  Speaking to Lana about what she had found and her next steps was interupted by an angel of malekites brining strange news.  "Yes seeker, we have Jeric,  he as joined us.  Its proof that what my master has always said is true.  Mankind is evil, some just pretend better than others.  As the seeker of truth its important we convince you of this highly contested subject.  Jeric is our case in point."

Nathan looked to Lana for only a moment, "Truth is that all men be they bond or free, rich or poor, high or low, wrestle with two opposing forces, one to do justly and kindly and one to do selfishly.  Some choose to spread their light out to the darkness and others decide to let the darkness extinguish their light-- where every man ends is his own choice.  And I know Jeric,  despite whatever tricks you may play he is good, he has chosen in."

"You know that is not true," the demon hissed, "Despite all your mentoring and protecting Jeric has always every only been constant to one thing -- his quest for power.  He can not resist it, it is who he is.  It is who we all are."

"I will not argue with you foul demon.  Jeric has made mistakes as we all have but he desires good and our loyalty and brotherhood is beyond any test you could provide."

"Prove it.  Jeric has sworn allegiance to the new Lord of Evil.  He will be given a test.  Kill you, and earn my lord's favor or spare you and be destroyed.  You must help us with this test and see for your self the truth.  The truth that no matter how hard you may wish it, some people can not be saved . . . no one can be saved, for who have you spent more time and energy saving than Jeric?"

"I will agree to your test demon on one condition.  If he selects to spare me, then he is free from your master's bondage and returns with me."

"So Be it.  By the end of this day you will be slain by your friend and he will be eternally bound to the Lord of Evil."

"No, you are mistaken.  I go forward with absolute faith in my brother.  Your over confidence is your weakness."

"Your faith in your friends is yours."

Nathan turning to Lana and Morgan gives orders, "Continue the research it seems we are very very close.  Morgan, with Jillian lost I need your leadership strong and true.  I shall return shortly and if not tell everyone Jeric killed me at the order of Malekite."

Lana emotions swirling decided to fire with anger, "NO!!! there is no reason to do this, I just got you back from beyond death.  I'm rescued you are alive we are close to completing your mission we could live happily. Don't go now, don't go and die for nothing."

Nathan with the gentlest of rebukes responds, "Lana, when I first saw you I believed you to be one of the angels who attended the isle.  You smiled at me, and I made a plan to be with you no matter the hardship.  You are beautiful and not just in your smile but in your soul. Hear this now, I will always come for you. And I do not leave for nothing.  I leave to save my brother."

Embracing him she cried only a single tear, "You've made my life brilliant.  My love for you is the most pure thing I know. and I don't know what to do."

"Have faith, Faith in the light, faith in Jeric, faith in me."

"But you'll be dead."

"Death can not stop true love, all it can do is delay it for a little while." Turning to the messenger, "I am ready."

The dark harbinger beckons, "Lets go, its time to face the truth."

Nathan kissed Lana sweetly and shared a salute with Morgan then left with the creature in a swirl of black smoke.

Lana sighs to herself, "...I'll never be with you..." Morgan ackwardly placed her hand on Lana's shoulder to offer comfort as it was and Lana glanced back at Morgan and said, "He's not coming back.  but we shared a moment that will last till the end of time.  I will fullfil his orders and solve this mystery."

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In the darkest caverns of Malekites domain power in dark real tendrils cascades and pulses through caverns cloaked in mist and shadow.  The great Lord of Evil, Emperor of the Sith, One Winged Angel, Half Blood Prince and now Lesser god of all evil carried a limp body in his arms and laid it before his would be next apprentice.  Nathan was foolish naive and short sighted to not now the absolute outcome here, but Malekite new that regardless of how this played out Nathan would be dead. He spoke in a voice of command, "Here my young apprenctice.  Your test is to kill him.  Only then will I know I can truly trust you and you have forsaken all the ways that lead to your weakness and strike back at those you used and betrayed you."

The being who once knew himself as Jeric, then 15 then a Darth Apprentice ignited he saber imbued with the soul destroying force only a god could make and struck the helpless man who have long been his mentor, hero and brother.  Power would be his.