A/N: YES! I FINALLY FINSIHED!!!! AHAHAHAHAHA! Well, that's all my creativeness for the next couple of days used up –I had better not get an English assignment or I'm going to die-. Anyway, presenting…-drum roll- THE LAST CHAPTER:

Disclaimer: The world and characters you recognise all belong to TP.

Chapter 15: Reckoning

The world was blurry as Aly laboriously opened heavy eyelids and looked around.

So…tired…

The stone floor was pitted and rippled, as though a sheet of molten stone had been poured over the floor rather than the stone flags she remembered. Slightly awed at the power of her spell she looked around for Lungkata. Aly could see the collapsed form of Lungkata, just before her, lying on the ground. She hoped he was dead. As though to spite her, his body twitched. And she watched as he fought to regain his feet. After several attempts he made it to all fours, and managed to drag himself slowly towards her. He stopped about a metre away, glaring venomously at her. "Bitch." And then he smiled, "Ah, but in the very end despite your efforts…I have won. How does it feel to know you failed? And now you will lose not only your own life, but that of the Trickster as well? Your existence will be forgotten, I'll make sure of it."

It was beyond Aly's current energy levels to even glare at the Lizard, try as she might. He smirked, as though sensing her inner turmoil, and raised a taloned hand. "This may not have been how I planned on killing you, but a talon works just as well as a spell." He hand swung down, and she closed her eyes slowly in defeat.

There was a sudden noise from somewhere outside the chamber. With an effort, Aly cracked an eyelid to find the claw paused, centimetres from her throat. The Lizard hissed with annoyance, looking from the entrance of the room, to the Spymaster. The shouting drew closer, and Lungkata managed to drag himself slightly away from the Spymaster's body. "Ah, so I am to be denied the pleasure of seeing you die. If I weren't so weak…" He smirked, "But don't worry, we'll see each other again real soon. Not even a gifted healer could save you now…and when your soul does pass on, I will be waiting. Be assured of that."

He dragged himself unsteadily to his feet, and tottered towards the far wall. Reaching out, he opened a concealed door, and staggered into the passage beyond. Aly struggled to fight the darkness that threatened to swamp her. It collected around the edges of her vision, and she remained in that semi-conscious state. Disjointed images, followed by long periods of darkness over took her. It was impossible to tell which were real, and which were merely dreams.

The flickering of flames…The smell of smoke and screams of pain…Nawat's face leaning over hers, yelling something…Fear, horror, disbelief and sadness…A burning all consuming anger…A raka boy's concerned face hovering over her…Shouting…A familiar voice whispering in her ear that she couldn't die yet…

And then finally, another familiar face; this one lined with age and framed by white hair, stark against dark skin…

Full consciousness came slowly. Every breath was like inhaling molten rock, burning in her lungs, only making her gasp more. The blinding pain in her body had faded and now she only felt numb. Looking up at the group of concerned people above her she managed a weak smile. She could feel her life blood flowing from her, even as Tara tried valiantly to stop the flow, from the many wounds on her body.

"Stop," she managed to croak to her. "It's no use. I'm dying. I used half of my life trying to kill Lungkata." She paused gasping for breath that was coming with more and more difficulty. "It's useless," she repeated when the old raka woman showed no intention of stopping.

"No! We have t' try!" Cried Miki's familiar voice.

"Even a healer with the gift couldn't help me now. Let Tara tend to someone who she can save. This is how it must be."

"No!" Cried Miki again.

"Yes," she said gently to the boy, words slightly slurred. "All things come to an end, and this is my time." The world was now hazy and Aly closed heavy eyelids. She was tired…so tired. Someone placed a gentle hand on her forehead. She could see the gold glow emanating from them, even with her eyes closed. Her numb body slowly warmed as though she was by a fire. Though she knew it was only temporary it gave her strength. "…Kyprioth?"

"Hello, my dear."

She smiled, eyes still closed. "I'm dying aren't I? And he got away. Lungkata got away."

"Yes." There was a note in his voice she'd never heard before. "You're dying. And while that bastard may have got away, I have a plan. It may take centuries for the right people to come along but when they do he will fall."

"At least no one will have to bear this cursed mark as I have."

"One will, my dear. She will be the last."

"But how? I have no descendants."

"Not by blood perhaps. You will have a descendant of a sort. Maybe a better word is heir. She will inherit your task, your vow, and some of your powers. She and those with her will be far better informed about the effects this mark has as well. They will have your experiences to learn from."

Aly gave a weary smile, "So my memory will not be forgotten as Lungkata would have it. All those mishaps I had with this cursed mark will backfire on him. I like that." She felt Kyprioth's answering grin rather than saw it. "My only regret is I never got to fulfil my vow Kyprioth. I left him to continue to inflict misery on others." A single tear slid down her cheek, clearing a trail of pale skin through the blood and grime smudged on her face. "What will happen to my soul when I die? There is obviously no Black God to take me to the peaceful realms. I don't even know if the still exist." Another tear slid down her face.

"They don't. Without my brother, they faded. The souls that resided there are fine, they were released and became one with this world, with the land, the very air you breath, the sea, the animals and plants. I'm not sure it's a bad thing. Others though…the souls of those who believe in Lungkata go to him. I don't know what happens to them."

"He won't let my soul be at peace though will he? He'll haunt me and as he promised, I will be his."

"No, my dear. I will never let that come to pass. Of all my chosen you have given up the most, suffered the most for me. And you have gained nothing in return." His voice was soft and she had to strain to hear it. She no longer had the energy to open her eyes, but she heard a small voice ask,

"Aly?! Aly can you stil' hear me? Aly, Kyprioth isn't 'ere…"

"Aly you must live! What about your family?!"

She could still feel Kyprioth's presence, could feel his amusement, as she replied, "I can hear you, both fine. Tara, my family is fine, and will continue to be now Lungkata has been weakened. This government, won't recover from this. And Miki,…Kyprioth…Kyprioth…is…talking… to… me…" Her voice was halting, and weariness assailed her again in full strength, she felt her breath catch in her chest. She was breathing in, in, in…

…her body stilled, and ghosts of fear, pain, numbness and exhaustion dropped away. Aly looked down and found herself floating over the still from of her body. She looked up and saw Kyprioth's glowing form. She grinned, suddenly filled with the urge to laugh out loud. Finally, she was free…

Aly looked down at those below, at their frenzied efforts to bring her back into the shell, that had housed her for so many years. Tara was still with her, despite her orders to leave and save someone who could be saved. Miki frantically hovered behind her and the rest of them looked on from behind him. She watched as her discarded shell began to glow with gold light, to become indistinct…and then she was floating where her discarded body had been…

And they saw her. They saw the Cunning One in her true form, as she truly was in spirit; a great kudarung; black as night. Huge, feathered, crow-black wings spread from strong shoulders. She stamped a hoof impatiently, ebony eyes examining every detail around her with a seemingly innate wisdom. Muscles rippled under her glossy coat like water, with every small movement and as her wings flexed, as though ready to launch her skywards. Forever free.

Her audience watched captivated.

"Th-The guardian…" Miki's voice trailed off. Every small detail about her was engraved into their minds, the image flickered and her human form stood before them. Here, was an Aly full of life and at peace at long last. She raised an eyebrow at their stunned expressions, gave a cheeky wave then turned and half flew, half walked straight up towards Kyprioth, the hint of jet black wings surrounding her.

…Where are we going?… He reached out and took her hand as light bloomed around them…

The voice boomed around her, echoing in the dull space she had escaped Lungkata to. It felt somehow different to the vision,

…So now you know my story, and you understand the task that has fallen to you. When you have to face the Lizard, if you call me I will come…

Feathers brushed her face, and then the presence was gone, as light broke through the darkness and she opened her eyes.

"You're not going to make this easy are you?" He affected a hissing sigh, "Ah well, I couldn't persuade you to convert to my religion?" He paused, and then continued, when they remained silent, "No? Well that's too bad. Really, I admire your loyalty to the Trickster, but if you're going to be stubborn we'll have to do this my way."

Julia, Takeshi and Tau, simply glared in reply to the Lizard's threat. He smirked, and raised a hand sending them flying backwards towards the nearest wall. Fully expecting this, Tau twisted and pulled his knees to his chest, to take the force of impact with his feet. Takeshi and Julia, grabbed hands, and instead of reaching for their own gifts, reached for each others. Surprisingly, it worked. Julia focused on stopping their movement while Takeshi flung a spell at Lungkata. It simply slid off his shield, but it distracted him long enough for them to regroup. Now free to turn her attention elsewhere as her adoptive brother kept an eye on Lungkata, she focused the gift under at her disposal to undoing whatever it was they had done to make them unable to reach their respective gifts. Removing the spell was simple enough once she saw the filmy layer of magic that covered all of them. Tau stretched, a globe of his gift coming to his hand.

"Ah, much better."

Lungkata laughed, "Very good. Unfortunately, nothing your puny gifts can do will affect me." So saying he threw a bolt of power at them, which they managed to dodge. Barely. Tau smirked, and nodded to Takeshi as soon as he regained his feet. Unclenching his fist and allowing the globe to grow once more he flung it at the ground. It exploded in a bright flash of light, enough to momentarily blind anyone who hadn't closed their eyes. By the time, his vision cleared again, Takeshi had vanished and he was left with only two mages. He turned to his blindside too late, and his head snapped backwards to slam into the wall with an audible crack, as something hard and made of wood slammed into his face. The 'clone' dissolved completely, and Julia sunk to the ground, sitting cross legged on the ground. "I thought it was too easy. It must've just been a copy."

"Some copy. It could cast magic." Takeshi turned at the groan that issued from Lilith as she struggled to sit up.

"Heh, typical you would wake up after we did all the hard work," muttered Julia. Getting to her feet and heading towards the door she added, "Well, I don't know about you but I'm well and truly sick of this place. Let's scram." Other two nodded, and all three of them turned when Lilith didn't budge.

"I can't leave."

"What the hell are you talking about? You have two legs to walk on don't you?" Grumbled Tau.

"I can't." She raised the arm with the Lizard mark on it. "They can track me by this. There's no point."

"And you've known this since when?"

"Since, I had my latest vision."

'

"Oh joy. This just gets better and better."

"…Will it make it any worse, if I mention that I have to fight Lungkata?"

"I didn't hear that," muttered Tau.

……………………

The four of them watched the three mages that waited in the hall beyond the door before them. Eye pressed to the crack Tau growled, "One of them's Jamil. That guy is really starting to piss me off." Lilith rolled her eyes,

"That's nice. What I would like to know is how we're gonna to get past them." Takeshi sighed,

"So, Lungkata expected us to get past that 'clone' of him. Dammit."

"I would have thought it was obvious what we do," commented Julia. "The three of us each take one, and Lilith can go ahead, and fight the Lizard." She grinned savagely. "It should be fun."

"I can help," argued Lilith.

"No point," retorted Tau. "You're about to face a 'god'. Wasting even a scrap of your gift on these three, that you could need against Lungkata…"

"I still don't like it."

"Oh stop whining and just bloody do it!" snapped Takeshi, earning a glare from Lilith in response. So saying, he rose from his crouch, and opened the door.

………………….

Lilith hurried along the corridor, leading from the opposite side of the hall, a small grin on her lips despite herself. Tau's voice still echoed through her brain, right before he turned to face a livid Jamil.

"We believe in you Lilith." The other three had turned to stare at the Carthaki like he'd grown an extra head. "What?" He'd shrugged, "It always works in the movies." Takeshi had groaned and turned to face his mage,

"You-oh I give up."

Lilith had simply grinned, and cuffed Tau lightly over the head. "You idiot."

The semi-familiar door that appeared out of the gloom before her, wiped all trace of amusement from her. If it wasn't for this cursed mark she could have happily left this place. But no, she had to fight a deranged, obsessive-compulsive lizard-man. The door swung open before she could touch it, she muttered aloud,

"Kyprioth, if I die in here, I will never forgive you. I'll come back and haunt you for the rest of eternity." Come to think of it, scratch the eternity bit, she kind of liked that idea. She might just do it anyway, if she survived. He couldn't hurt a spirit, no matter how powerful he was.

"You know, I never intended for that mark to be passed onto one who wasn't related by blood to the Cunning One," the familiar voice hissed.

"Hello Lizard. I've heard a lot about you." The lizard-man sighed,

"Why do you bother? You only ever inherited part of The Cunning One's power, impressive as that is, it was barely enough centuries ago. Now even if you were as powerful as she was then…you are no match for me."

Lilith grinned, "But that's beside the point." She flung a globe of fire at the lizard which he easily blocked, smirking.

"This is pointless. Why don't you give up and just let me kill you now?"

Lilith grimaced inwardly. If she had her way, she wouldn't have to fight this thing much longer. A quick succession of attacks drove her to the ground, for what minimal cover was available, she looked at the familiar, rippled and pitted floor. Well, that was convenient, she was even in the right room. She cast a spell that blinded the lizard momentarily, as she took her time scanning the room for the place where Aly had been found dying by the rebels. Even as Lungkata cleared his vision, she was across the room, both hands pressed to the spot where the Cunning One had lain centuries before. Sending her power into the ground she called on the memory of the power that had engrained itself in the very floor of the room.

…Hello? You asked me to call. Well, I'm calling and this had better work… Light blazed, and Lilith looked around as it cleared. There was nothing there and she sighed, so much for that bright idea. Well, Kyprioth was going to get hell, if she had anything to say about it.

Lungkata smirked, "And what may I ask where you trying to ach-," He stopped mid sentence, eyes widening, along with Lilith's as the second form materialised beside her. The ghostly black Kudarung bowed its head fleetingly to Lilith before, turning, it's eyes glowing red with hate to the Lizard-man, as it shifted to be replaced by Aly's form.

…So Bastard, after all this time, we meet again… the familiar voice said in their minds. For the first time, Lilith saw something that approached fear appear in his eyes.

"He planned this!"

…How very perceptive of you…

"That, that-,"

"Trickster?" Offered Lilith sweetly. She really would have to have a word with said Trickster once this was over.

…So, how does it feel, Lizard, to know that it was you who allowed me to enter this place? If you hadn't brought Lilith and her friends here I wouldn't have been able to enter. That was some nice warding, you did. Even Kyprioth couldn't find his way in here. You have to be invited by someone inside. We have a very old score to settle…

The lizard's anger made the air seethe around him. "I knew your spirit had survived somehow. And now those stories about a Guardian finally make sense."

…Very good. It only took you a few centuries to work it out…

"I killed you once and I'll do it again! This time, you won't be coming back!" He attacked, his not inconsiderable power flaring towards the two women. Aly grabbed Lilith's hand, raising it while mouthing a single word. Their combined power lanced from their joined hands, slicing into the glaring light that surrounded Lungkata. They were both flung back, as the two gifts collided, in an soundless explosion of light and magic.

They slid backwards, Aly's feet digging into the stone beneath her for purchase. The light cleared and panting slightly, they turned to face each other again. Forked lightning crackled as it sped to wards them, Aly raised her free hand and causally caught it, watching as it dissolved.

"Is that really all you've learned in all this time?" The lizard stared,

"What-,"

"Your not the only one who gained power over the last couple of centuries…did I mention that as the guardian, I have the ability to draw power from the land and the remaining faithful?" She swept her open hand before her face. Everything was obscured in a thick layer of mist, and before Lilith could register it, Aly was moving, so fast she barely saw the mist close on the area where she had been standing moments before. There was a muffled cry of pain, and the mist cleared, to show the two locked together, by their own spell. Lungkata's blades of light, blocked and held by Aly's own lightning. They shuddered, both giving a few centimetres only to regain them shortly afterwards.

A shield flickered into place around them. The message to Lilith was clear. Stay out of this. Letting her spell flicker and die, Aly, lunged to his blindside, tossing a bolt of power at him and rolling to avoid his counter attack. Sweeping, a leg around she tried to knock his feet from under him, but he jumped. She quickly followed with a magical attack, which he blocked. He failed to see her fist coated in sparkling pearly fire, until it connected with his shield, breaking through, the lightning jumping from her hand to knock him off his feat. He looked up into the face of death itself and for the first time in his long existence knew fear.

"You forgot one detail bastard," Aly commented softly. "I survived if only in this form, and the last time we fought you were too weak to face a group of non-gifted mortals. You may have hurt me once, but no longer. I was only a child, in relation to my powers then. I also made a vow. I keep my vows." Lightening lanced from her fingers. She jumped back as he burst into flames.

Lilith looked down as her arm twinged. The mark slowly faded from her skin, and she rubbed her wrist, unused to the feeling of smooth skin.

………………

Aly smirked at the look on Lilith's face as they entered the smoking wreckage of the hall. Takeshi and Julia were staring at Tau with awe written all over there faces.

He grinned smugly when he saw Lilith's approach.

"And that my dears," said Kyprioth's voice, "Is why you never get on the bad side of an optimist. The quiet ones are always the most dangerous."

"Why thank you for that insight, into the inner workings of mortal minds, Kyprioth."

"Aly, that was not called for."

"Yes it wa-," she looked at the other three who were now staring at her.

"Lilith, why is she here?"

"Why don't you ask Kyprioth?" Lilith's voice was syrupy sweet.

"How about you don't?"

"Fine, wuss. That bastard," she jerked her thumb at Kyprioth, "planned all this. He put us through all that, just so we could bloody get taken into this hellhole. You were there to fight the mages, and I was here to call the Cunning One. The wards around this place wouldn't let them enter unless they were invited in by someone already inside who possessed a fair amount of power."

Kyprioth smirked, "Well, you'd have hardly just let yourself be taken in here."

Aly sighed, "If you want my advice, never ever accept anything given 'freely' by that bastard."

"What is with everyone calling me a bastard!?"

Aly ignored him, "I learnt that the hard way. There's always a twist. Look at me for example. The Kudarung was great, and it ultimately saved my life and many others…however, he didn't mention this whole Guardian Spirit thing…or the fact, that with me looking after his beloved Isles, he was free to leave this place, and dump all his work on me. He just pops up in history now and then, takes all the credit, and leaves all the real work to me."

"You'd think she'd be grateful that I saved her from eternal damnation, but no. This is Aly."

"Eternal damnation? You just wouldn't have been able to beat that bastard without me, and then where would you be."

"Tut-tut, such arrogance. You'd expect better from a Guardian don't you think Lil- OW!" Aly promptly kicked the god the shins,

"You're not one to be able to accuse someone else of arrogance." Lilith stared at Aly in awe. Noticing Lilith's look of wonder, at her bravery or stupidity in kicking a god she laughed, sticking out her tongue at the Trickster,

"Don't worry Lilith. He still needs me as a Guardian for the Isles so he can't do anything about it." Kyprioth grumbled sourly,

"Just you wait. I'll get you back ten-times worse when this is all over." Aly smiled slyly,

"Oh will you now. I'd like to see you try. After all the remaining Kudarung and the crows will be very annoyed at you, and I might find myself accidentally mentioning to a few choice people-,"

"Aly," he growled. She sniffed,

"Oh alright, be that way." She paused then added as an after thought, "Maybe I should mention it anywa-," she yelped as a large spark jumped from Kyprioth to her, stinging her. "OW! What was that for!?"

"To remind you who is the Trickster god here, and who's the Guardian Spirit." Aly grumbled,

"Sourpuss."

"Liar."

"Why thankyou." Kyprioth grimaced,

"That was not a compliment. You knew you had that coming as soon as you falsely warned her about my gifts." Lilith snorted,

"All the same, I think I listen to Aly just to be on the safe side." Aly grinned triumphantly, and Kyprioth affected a hurt looked,

"Traitors."

There are many theories as to what happened to the Cunning One. She of all those mentioned in the Kyprish prophecy disappeared into history. While some say she died in the Grey Palace, her body lost, others claim she never existed. But a few, suggest she escaped the inferno, and lived to watch the destruction of all she had known; lived to fight the darkness that swept through her home. It is claimed by these few, that she did not die in the end, but rose instead to serve the Trickster. All that can be said for certain is that the memory or idea that was the Cunning One, myth or not, has lived on through the centuries, even to the present day.

A/N: DUN DUN DAH! Yes, well, that was the end …I'm not sure how it is really. Ah well. Last chance to review! Go on. The least you could do is yell at me and tell me how crappy it was. You know you want to hit the little blue 'submit review' button! Can't you hear it calling?

"PrEsS tHe BuTtOn. YoU kNoW yOu WaNt To…"

Freaky huh? Now even buttons can talk... Anyway, hope you enjoyed reading this,

Firedraike08

P.S. Oh yeah! Thanks heaps to every one who reviewed this story!!!!! XD You all rock!!

(And now back to writing a page on the "economic diversity of the Asia-Pacific". –waves little flag and blows party whistle- whoopee. All hw should be burned.)