I implore you both, for the sake of those who struggled
so long and hard before you, spread that flame anew. Feel the one
passion that can yet save us, the one emotion that moves even the
coldest distant star: the perfect glory of human love.
'Indeed, it is the one gift I have left to give you. Even now my
time grows short, for this place is no longer mine to command. Kalus, I
would ask that you take to your heart the young woman, Sylviana. Be to
her strength and shelter, for she is dearer to me than any words can
hope to express.
'But you must both know, I can promise you nothing. Your survival
must depend on your ability to learn from the ways of Nature, and upon
your will and desire to endure. Kalus, as it is still within my power,
I return to you now the gift of speech. Use it wisely. Farewell.'
Then both voice and spirit were gone, and only Earth-life remained in
the chamber.
'Wait!' cried Sylviana. 'You can't leave me here, please.
Come BACK.'
But even as she spoke the image in the mirror faded, and a narrow beam
of violet light shot forth from its place in the glass. Coming to rest
in the center of Kalus' forehead, it seemed to hold him there against
his will. He felt his whole body tingling with an electric sensation
that centered at the base of his spine, intensifying as it reached the
smooth-folding membranes at the uppermost portion of his brain.
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