At long last, when the seal bearers were reunited with the exception of Vialla, things couldnt have gotten worse as darkness prevailed over Freezias heart like a thick black veil. Men continued to resist the armies of Erulans, arrows leaping out of bows and steel clashing against steel. Surrounded by a group of hard faced Hyrule swordsmen near the ruined gates, Aridol glanced down at his companion, the girl whose first appearance was like that of a drama, dropping out of the sky on her magnificent bird. As a commander of Eyres, Aridol had fought against many foes, winning time after time to enable his own survival. He had lost comrades dear to him, yet somehow through all these traumatic experiences, he had pulled through to live another day. The sight of Freezia being swallowed in her sorrow laid heavy in his mind. She must be suffering deep inside, carrying the tremendous burden of the death of the entire Windsong clan. Gritting his teeth unconsciously, his hands balled into fists, Aridol looked over the desolate Windsongs head and his eye caught Clises. Worries itched on her face, mirroring the same concern he held.
For a moment, one of that seemed to have stopped the passage of time, the seal bearers stood in mutual silence. Then Aridol and Clise gently took hold of Freezias hand at the same time, one on the right and one on the left. Still without so much as a word, Clise reached out to grasp Tarens on her right as Aridols met Roens. One by one, the seal bearers linked hands to join in a circle, ready to unlock the light.
A flood of emotions rushed through Odens mind as soon as the circle was completed. It must be some kind of a godly miracle. Waves of emotion washed over him with sadness, worries and fear peaking at an overwhelming level. The tint of anger in his heart was instantly swept away, and relief closed in. Oden spared a look for Freezia with a small feeling of guilt, he was glad that he now understood her weakness and that the root of anger had not sunk in for the evil one to take control.
Light gave energy to growth, air gave breath to the livings, earth sustained all kinds of creatures and all sorts of plants, water flowed in the blood, gem represented all that were held dear, and life was the summation of all.
A flicker of realization hit Freezia like a small stone being thrown into unmoving water, causing ripples to spread out, fishes to evade and atoms to move aside.
Child of Windsong, do you see the meaning of life?
Memories of her journey to find the seven seals raised up to surround the image of her lost eagle, and the block hiding her lost family was flung aside. Why was she even here? Why had she participated in the fight so eagerly and willingly?
Unbidden, the scene of her capture by Erulan played in her mind. She was shocked to see the bravery she had once shown for the Lord was now buried under piles of cold, white snow. Freezia
. Her name was Freezia. In the crucial moment when everyone needed her, she had fled into the dark recesses of her mind. She had unwittingly allowed darkness to sap away her will to fight, the will to fight for life.
Freezias hand tightened over Aridols and Clises, and the life seal beckoned. The Shadowkin hesitated for an instant as the sense in the air changed in a flash. A light intense to those from the shadow burst forth suddenly, golden ringlets radiating from the circle of seal bearers that quickly expanded to engulf the entire city and beyond. Its effect was frighteningly clear. One after one, the Shadowkins were immobilized the moment the light touched them, their mouths opening in soundless terror as their body outlines thinned out, becoming mere shadows that retreated in the presence of light. The barrier that prevented the seal bearers to fully activate the seals had been removed by the grace of God. Freezia stood trembling as a channel to the combined power of all seven seals, and she was hardly alone anymore.
Men from all sectors of the city cheered, their voices rising into the sky and piercing the clouds high above. The fight continued for another hour or so but Erulans army was already scattered. Trolls, goblins and dark elves fled back to the route they took just days ago, scrambling over each other in their rush to safety. Reon whooped in joy along with the surviving soldiers somewhere behind one of the breached wall, and Clover smiled thankfully into the new dawn.
----
The seal bearers sat heavily on the stony ground. All seven of them were utterly exhausted when Lorgain approached them bearing a rare smile. Freezia was barely conscious with her head resting upon Aridols shoulder. Clise let go of Tarens hand and flexed her finger slowly. Patyrn sat gazing away. Roen laughed at seeing Reons face once more.
I wonder about the seals, Patyrn said quietly, she was finding it difficult to open her mouth.
I think theyll be redistributed to their new hiding places, Oden said in passing, his eyes bright.
Anyhow, I dont think well be needed anymore, Aridol said happily, Im glad this is over.
Yeah, finally. Taren said in understanding. He and Aridol had no knowledge regarding magic, yet both of them had been pulled into this chain of events. Not that he regretted it though. Is Kyne well?
Clise smiled knowingly, Shes sleeping with the other dragons. It may be a long time before she can fight again. She patted Tarens arm, Kyne will be glad to give you a ride though.
A golden mist was left in the wake of the power of the light seal. Soft and gentle to the eye, Clise raised her hand. The light past through her skin, bathing her dirty fingers and palm. The hand shimmered in the mist as if undergoing a transformation, a transformation that would bring about many happy tidings.