One Chance. Just One.

What you suggest is folly of the highest order, boomed the ''voice'' of the crystal on her mind. You have already proven that you cannot defeat Kazum. Even though I will heal you, you will not be restored to your full power. You will need to rest and recover. Yet even with your full strength he cast you down. There is no way that you can win a second fight, not even with the element of surprise. He will crush you.

"I know this," Elody told Nectanius. "I understand this. But the choice is between survival and condemning my friend to hell."

You will not save her.

"But I will at least die knowing I did everything in my power to try."

You can come back for her later.

"No," Elody said. "That won't work. There are two reasons for this: firstly, Kazum's power and influence over Vrasha will only grow as she consumes more water. If I am to break her free, it is now or never. Secondly, even if I were at full power, I would not be able to defeat Kazum. So whether I choose to engage now or later makes no difference on that score."

It is a doomed fight.

"Yes,"

But you will fight it regardless?

"I will."

For a long moment there was stillness. Then at last, Nectanius spoke again.

This is the height of foolishness. The sort of thing that mortals would be drawn to. You are not mortal and nor am I. we are eternal spirits, we have all the time in the world. Logic dictates that we should not risk ourselves here and now. Yet you will and gladly at that. In a doomed fight for a princess already chained, you will risk your very soul. It reminds me of something long ago...

The voice trailed off. Elody waited, aware that the great mind within the crystal was working through some past event she could have no comprehension of. Then, Nectanius spoke again and this time his voice was different somehow.

Very well. In memory of that which almost was, I shall give you a chance. It is only a chance, but it is all I can offer. when you fought Kazum before, you saw that he had a staff?

"Yes. He was using it to channel his power, but he didn't need it. I knocked it away from him at one point and he was fine.,"

He doesn't need it to cast, but it is the item he used to forge me. My power is bound to that staff. If you can break it, then Kazum's hold on my will be released and I will be able to act. That alone is your only chance at victory. However, that staff is far more than normal wood. I would almost say that for a spirit of your age and power it would be impossible to break.

"But there is a chance?"

Yes. There is a chance. If you can break the staff then he will not be able to command me. Not for some days until he repairs it. At that point I can help you but if the staff is not broken, I cannot come to your aid. Understand me, Elody. I will watch you die and Vrasha too if I must. If Kazum becomes aware of my true power, it would be worse for all. Better that the two of you die and suffer than so many others do as well.

"I understand," Elody told him. "I appreciate what you are saying. Thank you for what you've offered but before I go, I have one more question. Why are you willing to even help that much? Surely you would rather avoid all risks of discovery? Even without the staff, Kazum is an archmage. Do not tell me that you think you can defeat him without even a small risk of being bested in turn?"

No. Of course not. We clashed before and he beat me then. I am stronger now but my power is not the same as it once was. It is harder to control and I am not used to wielding it. To be truthful, even if you break the staff, I'd say the odds of my beating him are fifty-fifty at best. However if you are truly willing to risk your immortal existence for this human then I too will risk myself.

"Why?"

It would take far too long to explain. For people I once knew. For things I once believed in. For all I existed and fought for which had since come to nothing. Nectanius was a name once which struck terror and respect, but now even Kazum has forgotten why and what it stood for. I will remind him. One final time.