Passing through the mirror was like descending into a chilling pool of liquid metal, a sensation that enveloped him both when he entered and exited on the other side. Initially, he believed the metallic substance had clung to his face and body, momentarily robbing him of breath. Desperation led him to scratch at his features, attempting to rid himself of this phantom grip. However, a deep inhalation revealed that all was well.
Brekan found himself at the terminus of an expansive corridor, its gracefully curved ceiling supported by robust columns fashioned in the likeness of male statues. Opposite these pillars, female statues mirrored their counterparts, all reminiscent of the grand statue he had encountered in the labyrinth. The ceiling appeared to be cradled gently by these dignified figures.
Underfoot, the floor boasted a mirror-like smoothness, its surface unblemished by the passage of time. Despite its age, the floor retained a lustrous shine, akin to freshly polished marble, creating the illusion of a tranquil pool stretched out before him.
Above, on the corridor's roof, an abundance of colorful carvings adorned the surface. These scenes, reminiscent of the ones on the labyrinth walls, depicted nature and the island's flora. However, on these carvings and illustrations, the plants appeared different-more vibrant, natural, and flourishing, hinting at a past when the island's verdant life thrived in abundance.
The corridor's walls were equally mesmerizing, featuring intricate and golden ornamentation, carved to emulate the interconnected roots of ancient trees.
As Brekan looked at the end of the corridor, ontop of an ascending a flight of stairs, he beheld a small yet dignified throne bathed in the soft glow of daylight streaming through three massive windows on each side. The windows opened to grand balconies.
Upon the throne, exuding grace and dignity, sat a woman. Her distinctive birdmask was one that Brekan recognized. It was the same witch who had set them on their journey in the cultist hideout.
Vikona took a few steps forward and then turned toward him, her smile inviting as she beckoned him with a word, "Come."
It was the moment he had been anticipating. Brekan's thoughts raced as he reviewed everything he had learned and the powers he had acquired from the Trials. Every bit of knowledge imparted by Vikona was fresh in his mind, and he mentally rehearsed the use of his own powers. He was ready to unleash every ounce of energy he could muster.
And with each step he drew closer the pressure rose. His breath hastened. In his mind he was already ready to unleash every and all energy he could muster.
When Brekan arrived with Vikona at the foot of the steps under the throne, his mind went silent. His gaze rested on the mask of the Witch Queen. And hers on him.
The Witch Queen first bent forward, then slowly rose. For a moment, her gaze remained fixed upon him. Does she know? Brekan watched her ascend the first stair, then the second. It doesn't matter, I have to do it. NOW! He had resolved not to betray the Sun Kingdom any longer, determined to fulfill his duty to the Sun King, the people, and Sari.
Brekan summoned every ounce of energy he could find, ready to unleash his most potent and desperate attacks as quickly as possible. But nothing happened. His orange energy, his Witch Power, remained silent. He gazed at his hand, his normal hand with no energy barrier. HOW?!
Panic surged within him, though he tried not to appear suspicious. The Witch Queen now stood directly in front of him. Was he truly this powerless at this crucial moment? The moment on which everything hinged? All he needed was one good strike, one decisive blow to her chest.
My sword! Even without his Witch Power, he was still a capable Inquisitor. The Inquisitor sword was their most vital weapon, second only to their skills. Brekan was ready. He took one last breath and prepared to draw his sword. Now.
Then, a flash of lightning streaked through the right window, striking the Witch Queen. Brekan saw it pierce her chest, pulling her to the side, impaled on the brilliant white light that resembled a spear. A spear that looked exactly like the Templar's.
Brekan turned his gaze to the other side, looking out the shattered window. In the open side hatch of an Agent Augo-Ship stood a Templar. He remained in the position he had when he released his spear, pulling back his arm and stepping aside to make way for the Agent behind him.
Brekan couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Joven!?"
The Agent, Joven, leaped onto the balcony. His face had hardened and grown cold, unlike anything Brekan had seen from his best friend before. In his hand, he wielded a sword made of white crystal.
"Joven, how ar-"
Without hesitation, Joven thrust the blade into Brekan's belly. "I'm sorry, old friend. You just couldn't resist, could you?" he whispered into Brekan's ear.
"Joven," Brekan coughed out, a torrent of emotions overwhelming his mind. Disappointment, despair, anger, and fear swirled within him. He felt the blood leaving his body..
"I really didn't want to do it," Joven continued. "But you had to ruin it and now we had to get rid of you."
"Sari…," Brekan whispered, and through the haze that shrouded his vision, he saw her face. "Sari…" She laughed and reached out to him.
As Brekan's vision dimmed, and the world around him faded into an obscure haze, he could still hear faint murmurs of voices. Sari's laughter, like a distant melody, filled his ears, mingling with the pained regrets that echoed within.
"Sari", Brekan said. First, he only heard the voice in his mind and then from his own lips. As Brekan slowly stirred back to consciousness, the first sensation to greet him was the sound of a storm outside the window. The roaring wind reached his ears, gradually pulling him out of the depths of unconsciousness. He felt the comforting touch of smooth bed sheets beneath him.
The familiar scent of Vikona enveloped him, a fragrance he had come to recognize during their journey together.
As his senses began to awaken fully, Brekan took in his surroundings. He found himself in an old bedroom of the palace.
Beside him, seated on a chair and gazing out the window, was a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Vikona. However, she appeared slightly older, with white hair and horns coming out from behind her ears. She wore a long dark gray dress and a long-sleeve top with golden embroidery.
The expression on her face held a mix of melancholy and weariness.
Brekan's gaze met hers, and recognition flickered in his eyes as he realized that she was Vikona, but not as he had known her before. This woman before him carried the weight of experience and maturity.
He tried to speak, but his voice was weak and hoarse. The pain from the recent betrayal and the stab wound inflicted by his best friend, Joven, echoed in his body.
Vikona turned her attention toward him, her eyes filled with calmness and understanding. She leaned forward, her touch gentle as she touched his forehead.
"Joven," Brekan said. He was still unable to acknowledge the betrayal.
"I live," he stated.
Vikona, now with a voice slightly deeper than Brekan was used to, said: "He tried to kill you. I saved you, even sacrificing my own life for it."
Brekan looked at her. "I tried to kill the Witch Queen if my powers didn't fail me."
To his surprise, Vikona's gaze softened, and she placed a comforting hand on Brekan's shoulder. "The path you tread is filled with darkness and uncertainty. But you must know the truth-the Witch Queen lives, and the one who died was not her, but a double." She leaned back and smiled: "I am the Witch Queen."
Brekan's eyes widened in astonishment. "What do you mean? You're the Witch Queen?" he asked, trying to make sense of the revelation.
Vikona nodded solemnly. "Yes, I am the true Witch Queen," she admitted. "The other witch was a carefully crafted decoy, meant to deceive the Agents of the White Sun. The web of deception has been woven for centuries, and you stumbled upon its intricate threads."
Brekan's mind reeled, trying to grasp the enormity of the revelation. That explained why she knew so much about the Witch Realm and the Trials. But that also meant he still had to kill her.
Brekan looked down to his hands, trying to use his powers. If she learns the truth, he thought. Brekan looked back into her eyes. He was aware that if she was really the Witch Queen she would be able to kill him in his current state.
Vikona shook her head, her expression unwavering. "No, I don't want to kill you, Brekan," she replied. "But I need to know why you still harbor the desire to kill me. Didn't the betrayal of your friend open your eyes?"
She knows, Brekan thought.
"You create death and suffering", he spewed. "For hundreds of years have you tried to destroy the Sun Kingdom."
Vikona showed no sign of emotional reaction to Brekan's accusations. Instead, she asked: "Why did your friend try to kill you?"
Brekan thought for a moment. He remembered what Joven said and answered: "Joven said I ruined it."
"Ruined what?" Vikona asked.
"I don't know, it was probably because I went against the Codex."
"Let me tell you the truth," she said. "The Sun King and his agents are the ones responsible for the Witches existing."
"The Sun Kingdom and the Sun King are responsible for the Witches?" he exclaimed, disbelief etched across his face.
Vikona nodded gravely. "Yes, it has been a false flag since the very beginning," she confirmed. "The existence of Witches and the fear they instilled in the kingdom was a carefully orchestrated deception. It serves to keep the citizens in a perpetual state of fear and submission, enabling the Sun Kingdom to maintain control."
Brekan's heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't believe it. "If this was true, are you working for the Sun King, then?" he inquired, his voice tinged with suspicion.
Vikona shook her head firmly. "No, Brekan," she replied earnestly. "I only learned about the truth in 'this life,' and I have no allegiance to the Sun Kingdom. Joven spared me because they deemed me 'just' a witch, carrying out their plan anyway, or maybe they did know I was secretly the Witch Queen but didn't want to kill me. Yet."
Brekan's mind reeled, trying to process the magnitude of what he was hearing. "So, the Witch Trials... were they real?" he asked, almost afraid of the answer.
Vikona nodded again. "Yes, the Witch Trials were real, but not for me. They were trials for you," she revealed, her voice filled with a mix of compassion and determination. "I led you through those trials to awaken and strengthen your Witch Power. Most Witches discover their powers long before they start the trial."
Brekan struggled to take it all in, the pieces of the puzzle finally starting to come together. "I can't believe it," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.
Vikona said: "The Witches are just a set-up, created by the Sun Kingdom to control their own people."
Brekan asked: "But even if you claim this to be true, you are willing to go along, supporting the very thing you claim to hate?"
Vikonas squinted her eyes in anger and said: "I did, for a long time and without knowledge about it. But I learned about the truth and it makes me want to destroy the Kingdom even more to finally end this cycle." Vikona's eyes filled with conviction. "It is a bitter truth to bear," she said softly. "But now that you know, you have a choice, Brekan. You can continue to live in the shadows of the past and under the lie of the Sun Kingdom, or you can step into the light of the truth and seek justice."
Brekan felt a mix of anger and determination rising within him. "I want to know the whole truth," he said firmly. "I want to see the proof and learn the extent of the Sun Kingdom's deception."
Vikona smiled gently, her hand resting reassuringly on his shoulder. "If you are willing, I am ready to show you the truth about the Sun Kingdom," she said. "But be prepared, for once you see the truth, there is no turning back?"
Brekan's resolve solidified, and he looked into Vikona's eyes. "Yes," he said firmly. "I am ready to face the truth, no matter how painful it may be. I need to know the whole story, and I won't back down."
Vikona smiled. "With our powers combined, we can free the people of this realm from their oppression and lies."
Brekan stirred in his sleep, slowly surfacing from the depths of unconsciousness. Murmurs and hushed voices reached his ears, and he became aware of a conversation taking place just outside his room. He strained to make out the words, the voices growing clearer as his senses sharpened.
Vikona's voice was unmistakable, and she seemed to be speaking with a group of people. Brekan furrowed his brow, trying to decipher the purpose of their gathering. His mind was still clouded with the recent events, and he couldn't piece together what was happening.
Then, as if summoned by his thoughts, the door to his room creaked open, and Vikona entered, holding a tray laden with food. Her presence was different now, a stark contrast to the Vikona he had known. There was a sense of maturity in her gaze.
She approached Brekan's bedside, and her voice carried a hint of concern as she asked, "How are you feeling?" She set the tray down on a nearby table.
Brekan met her gaze with a reassuring smile. "I'm fine," he replied, though the weight of his friend's betrayal still gnawed at him. "But the wound in my belly will leave a mark."
Vikona nodded solemnly, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. She gestured toward the tray of food, a simple yet comforting assortment of fresh bread, sausage, and radish. "Eat," she suggested, "it will help you regain your strength."
As Brekan partook in the meal, he watched Vikona closely, sensing that there was more to her presence than met the eye. And of course the horns who grew out from behind her ears.
Finally, she broke the silence, as she explained, "Today, I will take you back to the phoenix egg."
Brekan's curiosity piqued. "What is it that you're planning?" he asked, eager for clarity and resolution amidst the lingering uncertainty of his circumstances.
"You are going to see," she said. An ominous smile appeared on her lips.
Brekan finished the modest meal, the sustenance helping to alleviate the lingering dizziness that had clung to him. Slowly, he pushed himself upright from the bed, his legs wobbling slightly as he steadied himself. Vikona observed his movements with a watchful eye, ready to assist if necessary.
With a deep breath, Brekan managed to stand on his own. He looked to Vikona, silently signaling his readiness to follow her. She nodded in response, her demeanor a mix of authority and concern.
Together, they made their way through the long corridor with the imposing statues, the grand male and female figures standing as solemn sentinels. Brekan's gaze fell upon several other witches and their cultist consorts who they passed by, the Witch Queen's presence causing the assembled company to fall silent, if only for a moment. It was an acknowledgment of Vikona's status as Witch Queen.
Vikona took a moment to explain to Brekan, "I became the Witch Queen long before the inception of the Sun Kingdom. At that time, the Agents of the White Sun already existed, and they abducted me as a child. They conducted experiments in their quest to create an immortal threat to the Sun Kingdom, one that could rival the immortality of the Sun King himself, his counterpart."
As they continued their journey through the corridor, the story unfolded. Vikona said: "They infused me with the power of the phoenix egg. And then they killed me. To have me be reborn by the phoenix power. And each time my memories are buried with each death." Brekan couldn't even imagine how cruel that had been. Living, dying over and over.
Finally, Brekan and Vikona reached the mirrored portal that led to the hidden cave containing the phoenix egg. Without hesitation, they stepped through the mirror, emerging on the other side in the dimly lit cavern, the glistening egg resting upon its pedestal.
With a solemn tone, Vikona revealed the sacrifice she had made to save Brekan's life. "Giving one of my 'lives' was what saved you from death," she confessed. "But it will take time for the phoenix to regain its full power so that I can reclaim what was sacrificed." Her words held a solemn weight, emphasizing the cost of her actions for Brekan's sake.
Brekan hated it but he had to accept that the only reason he still lived was Vikona's sacrifice.
Vikona turned to Brekan and said: "I am going to inform you of my plan."
Brekans attention rose. He looked at the phoenix egg taking in the hum and pulse and then looked back at Vikona.
She continued: "The truth about the Witch Storms is, they are all orchestrated by the Agents. I don't need to wait an arbitrary amount of time to attack if I want. What is actually holding me back is the aftermath of a rebirth. With each resurrection I am like a newborn. At least in mind. It takes a long time before I get them back and even then it's a slow and tiring process. But in this current life, I got my memories back almost immediately. And I realized that I had to save myself before the Agents would kill me. Again."
Despite Vikona's elaborate explanation, Brekan found it difficult to accept the fantastical truth she presented. The convoluted nature of her tale left him skeptical.
Nevertheless, Vikona pressed on: "We are going to end this cycle once and for all. No more rebirths. No more Witch Storms. No more Sun King."
She walked to the egg and carefully placed her hand on the fleshy shell. Energy flowed into her hand. "At first we are going to take out the Inquisition. The cultists will start a mass attack, binding their attention, while you will enter the headquarters and take out the leaders, especially the Head Inquisitor."
Brekan listened to the plan, his reservations growing with each passing moment. "I can't and won't do that. They are my colleagues and comrades."
Vikona's voice remained resolute: "You are no longer one of them. Joven already reported you as a traitor, as someone who joined the cultists. And he would also have reported you as dead."
Brekan couldn't help but think of his godfather, Hanu. He wondered how he must have felt upon hearing of Brekan's death, and what he might think if he knew the truth.
Vikona's plan didn't end there: "After we have dealt with them, we are going to assault the secret headquarters of the Agents."
"You know where it is?" Brekan asked, doubt in his voice.
Vikona said in a bitter tone: "Of course I know. This is where they put me for experimentation. It's in Augolon II. Right in front of the secret palace of the Sun King. And right after we both dealt with the Agents, the Sun King will be the last hurdle to be erased.
Brekan shook his head, doubtfulness, anger and confusion clouded his mind. "I still don't know if I can do that. I don't even believe half of what you told me so far."
"I understand your reluctance," Vikona said, smiling at him. "Before we execute my plan, I promise I am going to reveal the dark side of the Sun Kingdom. And then you will agree with me that my cause is just and necessary."