That terrible laughter came out of Remelin's mouth, and Ninian found it disturbing that such an inhuman sound came from a lovely young woman.
Ninian glanced at Jhond, knowing how hurt and upset he had been over the entity's exploitation of Remelin. As if that hadn't been bad enough, now Jhond seemed nonplussed as he stared at Remelin. Whatever Jhond had expected, it wasn't that his magistry would fail. Ninian knew Jhond had taken the risk to keep both him and Remelin by his side when he could have sent them to safety, and he had already paid for that choice when the entity had taken over Remelin's body. But still Jhond must have believed that in the end there was no way he could lose this fight. Now he saw he'd been wrong.
Ninian stepped closer, trying to give what support he could, but in truth, he had no idea what Jhond would do next. Laughter still poured from Remelin's mouth, sounding more and more insane with each moment that passed. It seemed Jhond couldn't take his eyes from the awful sight.
Even as Ninian reached his friend, Jhond took a deep breath and straightened his back, gripping the crystal tighter in his left hand. He flicked a quick glance at Ninian and muttered under his breath so only Ninian could hear, "Whatever it takes."
Ninian sucked in a breath, knowing Jhond intended to end this now. He remembered Jhond's statement he would destroy the entity and, if necessary, anyone helping it. Remelin wasn't involved by choice, but if Jhond couldn't get it out of her body, then he might not have any alternative. If this thing could defeat the Eynan, who knew what else it might be capable of and what its next target may be. Before Ninian really had time to consider what that might mean, Jhond was already throwing bolts of energy at Remelin. Each bolt was more powerful than the one before, but the entity either deflected them or met them with shots of its own, so the energy cancelled out each other in a sharp explosion. Ninian found the power of the entity frustrating...and terrifying.
Ninian joined in sending his own energy at the entity within Remelin, but he kept his shots narrow, more like arrows compared to the large bolts Jhond and the entity were exchanging. A couple of his energy arrows got through, causing Remelin to totter. In a furious response, the entity threw a large ball of powerful energy at Ninian, who was forced to backpedal and duck behind some fallen rock to protect himself. The energy struck the rock, turning it to powder that showered all over Ninian. Jhond took the opportunity to send an even larger charge at Remelin, throwing her back against the cellar wall behind her.
Jhond moved forward, obviously intent on following through, but Remelin, still leaning against the wall, sent a barrage of shots at Jhond, forcing him to halt and defend himself.
Ninian braced himself to join in again. It was going to be a long fight.
* * * *
Remelin continued to struggle desperately against the being, which somehow was living inside her, totally controlling her body. Surprisingly, her thoughts were still her own, but she was very aware of the encircling pressure being exercised by the entity. Her mind was absolutely powerless to affect any control of her own body. She had tried repeatedly, however, she hadn't even been able to move a little finger. She was forced to endure everything it made her body do. She hated it with a vengeance as it made her attempt to destroy the man she had come to care for deeply. The man she loved. She had experienced one kiss with him and hoped one day to feel such joy again. To feel those arms around her again and to know he embraced her with love. Now he was being forced to use those arms to throw powerful weapons at her.
As if that wasn't bad enough, she heard every word, every threat the entity threw at Jhond; she was just grateful it wasn't actually using her voice, as at least that separated her from its vitriolic harangue. She desperately wanted Jhond to know her own thoughts, hear her own words, and kept trying to force her way past the barrier it had erected between her mind and her body, but so far she hadn't succeeded. It was galling to realize the entity had knocked Ninian off his feet, and she prayed he was all right.
Then the attack escalated as Jhond's anger rose. It was then she realized she could sense the entity's emotions--its growing rage, but also its increasing frustration that it still hadn't succeeded. Was there any way she could affect its feelings?
Then Ninian rejoined the fight, firing very precise energy darts at her body. She was feeling constant pain as powerful energy from the two magi got through the entity's defenses, but still she silently cheered them on. More than that, she wanted to do something to help Jhond defeat the enemy. She didn't want to die, but no way would she let this Hellas-created monster use her to kill Jhond.
She made another attempt to push past the barrier separating her mind from her body and, though the barrier felt less secure, still couldn't regain any influence over her body. Then, almost as if she could hear Jhond speaking, the memory rose up.
You have the ability, were it trained.
All right, she couldn't affect her body, but she still had full control over her mind. Could she somehow bring her talent into the fight? She had to try. She must believe in herself. She could do this. She had the talent; both Jhond and Ninian had repeatedly told her that. The entity would never have been able to influence and use her if she were not a mage. The experiment with the small crystal had confirmed it, too, and if what she'd overheard between Jhond and Ninian was correct, then she had the makings of a powerful mage. Their longterm plan was to take her back to Timendra with them and train her properly. Ninian and Jhond had faith in her ability, and she had faith in them. Now she just needed to trust in her own ability. She
could
do this!
The first thing she had to do was to calm her nerves. She knew how important it was to center her talent so she could draw on the power flowing through her. She distanced herself from what was happening all around her, concentrating only on what was within. There. She didn't think she'd ever felt it gather that easily before. Perhaps desperate need was the springboard to capability.
* * * *
Ninian was aware Jhond's main purpose for his sustained attack was to convince the entity that he was panicked because his spell had failed. Ninian knew Jhond was unhappy, even upset, but he wasn't panicked. The Eynan was planning his next move, presumably a better, stronger spell, perhaps to immobilize the entity controlling poor Remelin so Jhond could affect the control he needed to transfer it to the rod. Ninian also knew he had to take over the brunt of the attack to give Jhond the time to prepare and use whatever spell he had in mind.
Over the last couple of days, Ninian had become more aware how much he deferred to Jhond and his power since Jhond had become the Eynan. It had taken a passing comment to remind him that he had been the one to teach Jhond almost everything he knew, and if he hadn't done the job so well, Jhond wouldn't be as confident and powerful as he was as the Eynan. Ninian had needed to remind himself that he was a powerful mage in his own right. As Jhond himself had said, after the Eynan, Ninian of Hartees was the most powerful mage alive. He was going to prove how right Jhond was.
He needed to get behind Remelin, putting her in between them and making it more difficult for the entity to fight back. He gradually edged around Remelin, dodging the entity's energy as he did so. He was doubly careful, already having suffered from a direct hit once and not wanting to repeat the experience, but he needed to be the one drawing most of the fire. He drew on the center of his power, murmuring a spell of multiplication in the ancient magi tongue to increase his barrage. He shot a bolt of energy directly at the side of Remelin's head. The energy split into three; one striking her head and the other two her torso. He might regret the pain it would cause her, but that wouldn't stop him repeatedly attacking her to keep the entity occupied while Jhond got ready. Jhond also sent the occasional blast of energy at Remelin. Between them, they were forcing the entity to spend more time on defense than attack. Ninian hoped if Remelin's physical body reached a point where it could not take any more damage, it might give Jhond the opening he needed to reach the entity without hurting Remelin any further.
* * * *
Jhond kept his gaze on Remelin, but sent a silent prayer to the Lords of Light that his plan would work this time. He might have said whatever it takes, but the last thing he wanted was to harm Remelin. He was grateful Ninian knew him well enough to appreciate the help he needed to keep the entity occupied while he finalized his spell, but now he was ready.
Ninian's last couple of darts had separated, striking Remelin in the head and torso repeatedly, making her jerk like a rag doll, though those hitting her head seemed to affect her more than those aimed at her body. He sent one more bolt of energy at the entity, and his eyes met Ninian's over Remelin's bowed head.
Jhond lifted a hand, splayed out his fingers and flicked his wrist, as if flinging something at Remelin. He had chosen to dispatch his spell in a wide arc, expecting the entity to do everything in its power to avoid the attack, just the way it had been doing all along. Jhond believed the entity was expecting a focused direct attack, and he desperately hoped his widespread spell would connect sufficiently for his energy to discharge through Remelin and drive the entity out of her body. The second half of the spell would draw it back into the rod.
The last thing he expected was that Remelin would turn toward him with an expression of such peace on her face that Jhond was taken aback. His confusion only increased as the entity made no attempt to defend itself. The energy hit Remelin square in the chest and spread throughout her body. Jhond sucked in a breath. It was a perfect hit, so why did he feel as if he'd made a major mistake. He should be grateful the entity had made it so easy, but all he felt was puzzled.
Jhond watched carefully for the entity to emerge and for it to be reintegrated and trapped within the cracked crystal. He was ready to pronounce the spell that would put an end to this once and for all.
Instead, Remelin grabbed at her chest and dropped to her knees, clawing at her throat.
Jhond hesitated, suspecting a trick of some kind, but when Remelin rolled over onto her back gasping for breath and there was still no sign of the entity's emergence, Jhond couldn't believe he had blundered so badly again. He darted a glance at Ninian, asking the question with his eyes.
Ninian was over by Remelin's side in an instant, and Jhond shook off his shock to kneel beside her.
Jhond was surprised when Ninian said, "What did you do?"
For an instant, Jhond frowned as he thought Ninian was questioning him, but then he saw Ninian was looking at Remelin, and he suddenly understood. Jhond breathlessly repeated, "What did you do?"
Her back arched, and she cried out. Jhond reached for her, and Ninian put a hand on his arm.
"Are you sure that's safe?"
Jhond stared at him, then looked down at Remelin, who was muttering as she twisted her head from side to side, her back arched, her eyes tightly closed. Jhond shrugged at Ninian. "I have to," he said, passing the cracked crystal to Ninian for safekeeping as he pulled Remelin into his arms. "Remelin," he said, repeating it sharply when she didn't respond. "Remelin!"
Ninian didn't look happy, but he didn't say anything more, stepping back.
Remelin's eyes opened then and she looked deeply into Jhond's face. He was grateful that she responded.
"I was...trying...to help," she gasped. Her back arched again and then, with a sigh, she relaxed into his embrace. She tried to smile, but it was more like a grimace. "Sealed it inside...afraid it might escape your spell again."
Jhond was aghast. He finally understood why she'd looked at him that way, why she'd looked so peaceful under such trying circumstances. Remelin had found it in herself to use her magistry while under the control of that evil entity. She had wanted to help, whatever the risk to herself. He hadn't realized how strong-willed she was. It seemed he had misjudged her again.
She sagged against him once more, her eyes closing. Jhond was thinking about how to deal with what she'd done when her skin took on a sickly yellow tinge, and Jhond felt her body stiffen. He pulled her closer against him, her head on his shoulder. He could feel her heart beating against him, but it was weak and erratic.
"Remi, Remi, my love," he murmured, leaning down and kissing her hair. He wished now he had told her how he really felt, not allowed her to believe it was only as a reminder of Gallia that he had cared for her, loved her.
She murmured, and her head tipped back, her eyes opening. She stared at him. She struggled, and he realized she was trying to lift her body against his. He bent his head toward her, thinking she wanted to say something to him, but she angled her head and kissed his lips. A fleeting touch that ended too quickly as she slipped back into his embrace, her eyes sliding shut again. He kissed her again, gently, before releasing her mouth to press his forehead against hers. "Remi, what have I done to you?"
"You have to find a way to separate it from her body," Ninian said.
"I know but--" He stopped as her eyes snapped open again, widening even as he watched. A film slid across her pupils, that same sickly yellow shade as her skin. His heart pounded again, but now it was from fear. "I don't understand what's happening here. I don't know what to do," he admitted.
Remelin's strange gaze fell on him, and he assumed she could still see him clearly.
"You're safe, my love," she murmured. A shudder ran through her frail body. "I know the Eynan must live, but I did it for you, Jhond, always..." He leaned down and kissed her again, and for a moment, she responded. "It was...worth it...Jhond...dear Jhond..." Then her eyes closed once more.
Jhond was horrified that it might be for the last time. "Remelin," he pleaded, shaking her, willing her to open her eyes again. To kiss him again. Her weight simply disappeared, and Jhond was astounded as her body began to fragment within his embrace. "No!" he cried, trying to hold onto her, but it was impossible. He automatically released her and scooted back, kneeling and staring as her body completely disintegrated, until all that was left were small shards of a yellow metallic substance. "Remi," he begged, tears standing on his eyelashes.