Chapter 18 Reconciling the Past

After everyone had left the dinning hall for the day, Genar headed back to his chambers. There in his bed slept a young druel woman with golden sable colored hair. He sat down beside her and leaned in gently kissing her cheek. She slowly opened her eyes looking up at him.

"Are you feeling better Nomey?" He asked softly.

"I...I guess." She answered in an unsure tone.

"I know you still feel the loss of the baby. I feel that loss as well, but consider that maybe it isn't time for us to have a child yet." Genar replied.

"I don't understand why. Why would a life begin inside of me and then be taken away?" Nomey asked.

"I don't know either Nomey. But it doesn't mean that we will never have a child. It may just be too soon for us. Namoria is a peaceful planet, but we may soon find ourselves in a time of chaos. Rescuing the king has fanned the flames of war on planet Doom. King Zarkon will not be kind in his retribution. That is not the kind of enviroment to bring a child into. Children should be allowed to grow up in a peaceful time when they are not threatened by war and destruction." Genar explained.

"Genar, I'm scared for you. What if something happens, and you don't come home? I can't imagine my life without you." Nomey said trying to fight back tears.

"Nomey, I will always come home to you. No matter what happens, you must always have faith that I will come home. We have hope now because our king has returned to us. And he has not come alone. We discovered on planet Doom King Danzar has a son, Leena's twin brother Lotor." Genar replied.

"Leena has a twin brother?"

"Yes. He was stolen from Namoria by Zarkon after he was born. While he was raised to do terrible things, his heart is not truely evil. He has learned about his true family and who he really is. And tonight he must face a very difficult challenge. Tonight we will know if he is the one chosen to carry Keltor's spirit into battle against Zarkon."

"I...I'm sorry I've been so moody. I realize it's selfish of me to want a child so soon when we may end up going to war. It's just that I've seen so many women scorned and abandoned by their husbands and familes because they couldn't bear children."

Genar cupped Nomey's face in his large hands. "That will never happen Nomey. It makes no difference if we have children or not. I married you because I love you, not because of the children we may or may not have. Always remember that." He said softly.

"I will. I'm going to bathe and get dressed. I'd like to visit the garden while you're doing your work out." Nomey replied.

"That would be a good idea." Genar said.

He left her to attend to her bathing as he went on with his daily routine. He entered his work out room and stripped to the waist and took off his boots. Afterwards he lit a few candles and various incense to help him focus his mind. He started by stretching out his legs and arms so as not to hurt himself during his excersizes. After his stretches he took a heavy metal staff in his hand and closed his eyes. Taking in a few deep breaths and exhaling them slowly, he proceeded to do a one handed stand on his head and extended the arm with the staff outward. His body was perfectly still as he continued his deep breathing to keep from breaking his concentration. His hair cascaded downward spilling onto the floor like a garnet pool.

For several minutes he stayed in this position before slowly planting his feet back on the ground. After that he took out his sai's and began practicing his offensive and defensive manuvers so that they stayed fresh in his mind. While he prefered not having to use them, he never let the knowledge go stale. He never knew when those skills would have to be used. While he practiced foward thrusts and slashing movements, he also practiced side kicks and foward punches. He moved with great speed, sometimes to the point where his weapons were only blurs. Every move had purpose, but also employed with the grace of a seasoned martial arts master. He began the rigiorous training by his own choice and practiced each and every day. He prefered using the excersizes to keep his body in good form and focus his mind as well. But when the occassion called for it, he used his skills to protect those he loved. He did not like to kill, but knew sometimes there was no other choice but to end an opponent's life.

There were no artificial lights in the room. It was lined with several windows to let the sun light the room naturally. Many candles would be lit in the evening when he chose to meditate at night. A small fountain was at the center of the room. The center of the fountain was made of clear quartz like crystal with water streaming off of it. The sounds of it dropping into the bowl beneath were soft and helped to enhance a sense of relaxation. For now all was tranquil in the castle. And all who inhabited it would take advantage of the peace while it lasted.

On Planet Doom the mood was anything but tranquil. While the surgeons had successfully repaired Zarkon's wounds, he was less than pleased with the results. He stood in the operating room glaring menacingly over the remainder of the surgeon's staff with his remaining good eye. The head surgeon lay dead on the floor with blood gushing out of his chest. He'd been run through on the king's sword by the tyrant himself. Before the incident he'd taken a look at the grotesque wound that had once been his right eye. His left arm now heavily bandaged after being stitched together. His anger was most likely aimed at the who'd escaped his grasp, but since the surgeon was within reach he made a suitable target.

Haggar hobbled in behind him seeing the dead surgeon now laying on the floor. "I hope we can find another one soon. He was the best surgeon we had." She said with a cautious tone.

"He was an idiot and a butcher! Look what he did to my face!" Zarkon barked.

"Yes, he botched the job horribly. But there is a more serious matter at hand. The prisoners have escaped, and several territories within the empire are much disturbed by this news. They are considering whether or not to align their forces with ours. This is something we cannot permit." Haggar replied.

"They doubt me? They DARE to doubt my power!" Zarkon roared. He turned and stormed from the operating room back to his throne room with the old witch in tow.

Zarkon walked with intense purpose. His strides were stern with his feet hitting the floor with force. The guards stood by nervously bowing in respect to their king as he entered the throne room. A court of his advisors stood at the bottom of the staircase nervously bowed hoping not to raise the king's ire anymore than it already was. He sat down upon his throne where Coralle stood beside him. Sylvana stood at her side ready to engage anyone who would dare to attack the queen.

"My king, planet Corribus is not pleased with the escapes of the traitors. They see this as a terrible mistake and weakness on your part and are reconsidering their decision to contribute their forces to the war against Arus and Voltron." One advisor said with an unsteady voice.

The king's visage was already one of great anger, and the news of one ally backing out of the alliance only served to fuel the king's rage further.

"They dare to turn against me?" He snarled.

"We must reassure our allies that this oversight will be soon corrected. Their faith in your kingship must be restored." Another advisor added.

"I gave them status within the druel empire! They enjoyed every luxuary and indulgence because of my efforts, and now they dare to turn on me! I will not tolerate mutiny! I will make an example out of those ingrates!" Zarkon thundered.

The huddled group of advisors knew this news did not bode well for Corribus. They knew the retaliation would be swift and without mercy. But they had no idea as to how severe his judgment would be. They cringed when they heard that judgement pronounced.

"Haggar, I want you to unleash your creation upon Corribus. Let it lay waste to every structure and every living thing! Let it leave nothing but destruction in its wake!"

"It will be done sire." Haggar said with a hint of anticipation. She would be able to see just how destructive her newest pet would be. Corribus would be shown no mercy. They dared to defy Zarkon, and now that defiance would cost them dearly. She cackled to herself as she hobbled off to where the beast was being kept. As she exited the throne room, Zarkon gave orders for Cossack and Mogor to meet with him immediately. They would command a flag ship to take any survivors and bring them back to planet Doom as prisoners. They would also transport the dragon to Corribus to unleash its destructive power upon the planet. Zarkon's last command was that every minute of destruction be recorded to be later broadcast along with the executions of any survivors. He would make sure none of the other territories would think twice before turning on him.

Avian sat in his crusier having just finished adjustments to its enhancements. He sat back with a heavy sigh and rubbed his forehead. "Damn, thought I'd never get this done." He said to himself. He got up from the cockpit and exited the cruiser. Looking at the exterior for a moment, he rubbed his shoulders and left the hanger. He headed back to his room. Passing by the garden he saw Nomey sitting by the gazing pool. She sat quietly watching the rainbow fish swim and taking nibbles off the crystals growing upward. He said nothing to her and quickly passed her by so as not to disturb her. He continued walking until he reached his quarters.

Opening the door he walked into his room and plopped down on his bed. He looked around at the collection of artifacts from Earth he'd kept all around. Since his father had been killed when he was very young, Avian never had the chance to really know him. He knew his father was human and came from Earth. When his father, Avery settled on Namoria he had belongings from Earth with him. Those posessions passed to Avian who took ardent interest in them. The most cherished of possessions was an old cd stereo and collection of heavy metal cd's. And Avian being the kind who liked to tinker with contraptions managed to make an outlet to supply power to the device. He grabbed the remote and pointed it at the stereo turning it on. As soon as he selected a track, thunderous guitar riffs began to fill the room.

If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man
You win some, lose some, all the same to me
The pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you say
I don't share your greed, the only card I need is
The Ace Of Spades

Avian reclined back listening to Motorhead's Ace of Spades singing along with the lyrics. "Genar's got his way to relax, and I've got mine." He said with a smirk.

The day passed as Lotor became aqauinted with his family and home. It was all a lot for him to take in, but somehow he didn't feel traumatized anymore by all that he had learned. His sister Leena was full of energy as she showed her father, brother and Kaladan around the castle. It had been so long since Danzar had been there, he himself had forgotten much of the interior. Everything seemed new yet familiar at the same time as he looked through the halls and various rooms. But while they all reveled in the reunion, all knew that this night was important. It would be a crucial turning point in all their lives, especially that of Lotor. It would be he who faced a great challenge.

"Lotor, come with me. There is something I need to tell you about before you are tested tonight." Danzar said.

"What is that father?" Lotor asked.

"The challenge is to claim more than just the spirit of your grandfather. If you succeed, then you will also inherit his sword...Redeemer." His father explained.

"Redeemer?" Asked the young prince.

"Yes. Even after he helped many escape the empire, he continued to help the defectors settle upon Namoria. One such family had a young daughter who was very ill. Those within the empire would simply have let her die as she was seen as an expendable life. But Keltor did everything within his power to save her life. There were several healers and doctors among the refugees and all of them put foward their best efforts to save the little girl's life. Sadly all their efforts were not enough and the girl died. But the family was grateful for all that Keltor had done on their behalf. Keltor was visibly saddened by the child's death. He was present when she was buried. While her family felt grief over her loss, they wanted to thank Keltor for all he'd done. They gave to him a sword that had been in there family for a long time." Danzar explained. After taking a brief pause he continued the story.

"At first your grandfather was relunctant to accept the gift. He felt he was not worthy because he could not save their daughter's life. But the mother explained that the sword was no ordinary blade. In the hands of ordinary people and those with bad intentions, the blade remained normal. But in the hands of one who had a just and noble heart the blade would change from steel to crystal. And the crystal was said to be indestructable. When Keltor took the sword into his grasp, the silver steel changed into white crystal and glowed brightly. The mother said he was indeed worthy to carry the sword. She then told him the sword had a name...Redeemer. He accepted the sword and carried it at his side until the moment of his death."

"What happened to the sword after my grandfather was killed?" Lotor asked.

"I took the sword and hid it within a dark chamber. It has been sealed away for a long time. I feared that if Zarkon or any of his minions were to get their hands on it, it could be used for a purpose darker than what it was intended for. It is believed that Keltor's spirit rests within the sword. Before he died, he said an heir would come to claim the sword. It is believed my son that Keltor will be reborn through you. The power that eminates within Redeemer is said to be beyond the known universe. Some say that it may even be of divine origin." Danzar explained.

"Father, you said I must face my past. Is that all?"

"The task is simple, but more complicated than it sounds. In addition to facing your past, you must face yourself. As I told you when we met, you must face the person you once were. And you must dual the spectre of your old life. You must fight and win in order to claim Redeemer. The challenge will be mentally and physically exghausting. I wish there were more time for you to prepare. But time may be short. We must know tonight if you are the one." Danzar said.

"I understand father." Lotor replied.

"Come. You should retire to your room for the rest of the afternoon to rest and clear your mind. You will need all your physical and mental strength to face the test tonight." Danzar said.

Lotor went to his room as his father suggested. He sat down on his bed and took in a few deep breaths. He lay back and closed his eyes. Any doubt that dwelled within in his mind and spirit had to be banished. He began to breathe in deeply and exhale slowly putting himself into a more medatative state. He hadn't had use for meditation in a very long time. He needed to practice it now. Physical ardors were nothing new to him. He could handle the physical aspect of just about anything. But the emotional and mental aspects would be far more challenging. While he was with his uncle, all he had to do was escape the mental and emotional anguish he felt. And that was done mostly through alcohol and women. But now he would be stone cold sober when facing the many terrible things he'd done. That was something he was not looking foward to. The countless lives that he'd helped destroy and worlds he'd decimated in his uncle's name would all be set before him. How would he answer for the sins he had committed? No amount of apologies or atonement would ever make up for all he'd done. All these matters now weighed heavily upon him. But what weighed most was the memories of past encounters with Allura. How he'd threatend the lives of her people and friends to coerce her into being his. How many innocent people had he threatened to kill or enslave if she didn't consent to marry him? He tried to push the negative thoughts from his mind. He had to be focused. A great many lives, including Allura's would depend upon his success.

That evening, Danzar, Leena and her cousins gathered in the great hall. Kaladan stood with them as he also wished to be present. He considered Lotor a friend and allie and would be there to give him encouragement. Also a number of castle staff and leaders from several neighboring villages also attended. Most were druel, but there were also some humans there as well. They all stood anxiously awaiting the prince's arrival. While several of the castle servants had seen him, there were many from around the castle that had yet to see Lotor for themselves. As he entered the great hall, a collective gasp eminated from several of the tribal leaders. They could not believe how much Lotor resembled Keltor. Some swore they were looking upon a ghost.

As he walked foward, a hush fell over the crowd. He approached his father trying to be as confident as possible. Deep down, he was nervous and unsure of himself. Could he really be the heir Keltor spoke of?

"It is time my son. Behind that door the sword Redeemer is hidden. Once inside, the chamber will lock itself off from all of us. We will not be able to see or hear you. This is a battle that you and only you can wage. Of all wars, the war against one's self is the most difficult. We will wait for you here in the great hall. You must have faith in yourself. Remember this above all else Lotor. Faith is your greatest allie. Doubt is your greatest enemy." Danzar said.

"I will not fail father. I will make it through this challenge no matter what." Lotor replied trying to be as sure of himself as possible. With a deep breath, he walked toward the dark wooden door. He looked back to his family, then he opened the door and entered the chamber.

Cossack and Mogor stood upon the captain's deck of the flag ship as the huge coffin bearing the dragon of Azrinos was loaded into the slumber chamber. The box, while shrunk to a more managable size for the journey, was no less imposing. Haggar too would accompany the two commanders to see the beast unleash all its terrible power upon Corribus. She could hardly wait to see her newest pet in action. But even in her anticipation, a troubling thought entered her head. The memory of seeing the young purple haired druel she thought she'd eliminated.

"Even as young as he is, the brat survived. His power must be even greater than I thought. How was he able to survive? Mere humans could not even hope to survive my dark magic. He is powerful for a druel indeed. I must have his abilities. I can become even more powerful with his energy. I will have to catch him and find a way to harness his powers for myself."

Her train of thought was interrupted by the sounds of the coffin being loaded onto the ship. She did her best to put the thought of capturing Kezrin out of her head for now. There were more important things to be dealt with. She noticed Cossack and Mogor talking amongst themselves.

"I can't imagine how Lotor could have managed to escape Carnos, and then planet Taebos. He's either incredibly lucky or much stronger than any of us gave him credit for." Cossack replied.

"He is a traitor. And traitors are to be exterminated no matter who they are. He and those other druel rogues he fled with must also be hunted down and made examples of. For now we are to focus upon Zarkon's anger with Corribus. They have transgressed against our king, and they must be punished." Mogor stated sternly.

The chamber was dark as Lotor entered it. An ordinary man wouldn't have been able to see his own hand in front of his face. It was hard for even Lotor, but with his keen eyesite he was able to walk carefully away from the door. He stood still. There was nothing but emptiness and silence as he stood waiting for whatever challenge he would face. The silence was suddenly broken by a chorus of disembodied voices.

"Who are you? Why are you here?"

"I am Lotor, son of Danzar. I've come to claim the sword of my grandfather." He answered firmly.

"Redeemer." The voices said in unison.

"Yes. I've come for the sword Redeemer. And I've come to prove myself worthy to carry the spirit of my grandfather, Keltor." The prince stated.

"And what makes you worthy? You who have lived a life of wickedness and excess."

"You destroyed my family! You took my wife and my children! You left them without a husband and father!" An angry male voice shouted.

"I was saving myself for the man who would have been my husband. You stole my virtue! I wanted to give it to the man that I loved!" Cried the voice of a young woman.

"You defiled my daughter! You killed my sons!" A mother exclaimed angrily.

With the voices came a host of phantom like figures. They were faceless grey shadows with only the forms of their bodies visible.

"Heartless!" One cried.

"Monster!" Another barked.

"Cursed be the day you were ever born!" Added a third.

"You bastard! My brother Avok died because of you." Said the voice of a woman Lotor was all too familar with. He recognized it as that of Allura's cousin, Romelle.

"You ruined my life! You defiled my body to satisfy your lust! You used me because I resembled Allura! You don't deserve her love! You don't deserve her forgiveness! I hope you burn in hell!"

The words were becoming too much for the young prince to hear. He knew every cry, every curse was true. He had done all these things in abundance. His hands clenched into tight fists and he fought to keep from closing his eyes. He remembered how he used to escape from the guilt and pain he harbored upon his concience. He would always drown out the screams and the nightmares with alcohol. But now there was none to be found. He was stone cold sober and had to face his demons.

"You want to run don't you?" Said a sinister voice that sent chills surging through the young prince's body. It was his voice.

Before him appeared a small round table with a flask of wine on it and a glass. Lotor's eyes widened at the site.

"You don't have to do this. You can make it all stop. You can make them all go away." The voice of his sinister self teased.

"No. I have to do this. So much depends upon me. I can't fail." Lotor said staunchly.

"Who are you kidding? Do you honestly think you can win? Do you honestly think you've got the strength to resist me?" The sinister voice jeered.

"I can resist you, and I will." Lotor answered defiantly.

"Just pick up the glass and raise it to your lips. Just let the wine make all these fools dissapear. It can all end right now. All you have to do is take the glass in your hand."

The voice goaded him over and over to pick up the glass of wine. His fists were so tight his nails dug into his skin. His teeth clenched and ground against each other. To his horror he found himself reaching out for the glass. He couldn't stop himself. Before he could stop himself the glass was in his hand being moved toward his mouth.

"That's it. One sip, and it will be over. You can go back to the life you once knew." The voice encouraged.

The glass came ever closer and closer to his mouth. The liquid was so tempting and its smell heavy with the promise of false peace it often gave. Then his eyes widened when he realized what he was about to do.

"NO!" Lotor screamed and hurled the glass into the darkness. He hoisted the table up and flung it as well.

"That life is dead to me!" He shouted.

Where the table had once stood suddenly appeared an aparition of Lotor himself. But it was a vision of his old self. He wore the old military uniform and ax blade helmet. His wicked twin struck him in the lower jaw with a vicious punch. Lotor fell to the ground. Before he could get up chains shot out of the ground. Grey steel shackles clasped around his wrists pulling his hands toward the ground. He pulled trying to free himself but it was of no use. They kept him firmly restrained on his knees.

"You fool. Do you think you can just forget who you are, who you really are? You're a monster. You're a conquoror and a destroyer. You lay waste to all who stand against you, and make them tremble at your feet. That is who you are." The evil Lotor chided.

"No. That may have been whom I once was, but that wasn't the real me. That isn't the man I was meant to be. My uncle stole my destiny away from me...and now I've come to claim it." The true Lotor replied with an ever defiant expression.

"And what makes you think you can? What makes you think you can ever be a part of this pathetic little planet? You think its people will ever accept you as those trusting little fools do?"

"They are my family." Lotor snarled.

"You don't have a family. You never needed a family. Zarkon made you strong. He gave you the desire to dominate all around you. And you betrayed his expectations." The evil Lotor scowled.

"No. You are the one without a family. You're not even real. You're just a sad shadow of my former life. You're just a pathetic reminder of the man I used to be. You're just a ghost. You died on Carnos, and now you're just making this feeble attempt to ressurect yourself. I won't let it happen. You will never threaten anyone again. You will never threaten her again."

"You're a fool if you think she could ever truly love you. Her friends will never let you near her. You've lost her. Admit it. You lost her the moment you saw her."

"The moment I saw her was the moment I realized the only one I need to lose...is you." Lotor snarled and gritted his teeth. He pulled with all his might and the chains began to lose their hold. He pulled and pulled grunting and growling like an animal. He didn't stop until the chains began to weaken. Creaking and clanking gave way to a crashing sound as the chains suddenly broke in two. Lotor willed himself to his feet with an angry glare in his eyes. The chains vanished from his body.

"I will never let you threaten her again. You're no longer in power here. You're a creation of my uncle. You're an extension of his evil that is finally being purged from my soul." He said boldly.

"You can't make it without me! You can't!" The twin protested.

"No. You can't make it without me." Lotor replied.

"You can't destroy me!"

"No, I can't. I can't destroy you, but I can banish you. It may not happen over night, but with time the damage done will be made right. I will see to that. I will fight against the scurge of the empire. I will protect the ones I love. I will protect Allura. If we are meant together, it will be by her choice as well as mine. Above all else, my grandfather's legacy will not die. Not now, not ever. Your legacy will die with you and my uncle. Through my family, through their children, and through my children my grandfather's dream shall live. You will become nothing but a memory. You will be only a reminder to the generations that come after myself and my family not to repeat the mistakes I made. And that is a promise."

"NO!" The evil twin screamed as his form began to vanish.

Lotor stood in the darkness once more. He felt weary, but managed to remain standing. Before his eyes a light began to shine. It was bright, but not blinding. One more figure appeared before the young prince. He was a druel who appeared to be in his early fifties. His white hair fell to the upper middle of his back. He stood in deep silver pants and a matching tunic with a royal blue cape draping his back all the way to the floor. His knee length boots were black and silver. A simple head band like crown encircled his head.

"Grandfather..." Lotor gasped.

"Yes Lotor. I've waited a long time for the heir who would come to claim my spirit. You have faced the challenge, and you have passed. You and I are mirror images of each other. The paths that brought us to this place have been frought with danger, heartbreak and sorrow. But it is you who now has the chance that I never took. You must not let the dark cloud of your past hover over you as I did mine. That is what created your uncle, my first son...Zarkon. I wanted to protect him from the evils of my life before I denounced the empire. But in refusing to tell him the mistakes I made in my life, I doomed him to repeat them and worse. My refusal to face my past was my undoing in the end." Keltor's spirit told.

"Grandfather, my uncle made his own choices. He chose to leave the peaceful existence you intended. He chose to force you from your throne by fighting you. He chose to take your life and in a cowardly fashion. That wasn't your doing." Lotor said.

"His choices were his own, but I did not help sway him in the way I should have. I must acknowledge my own foolish misgivings in this matter. If I had looked past my own hesitancies I could have saved him. I could have kept him from becoming a monster." Keltor replied sadly.

"You were only doing what you thought was right. My uncle cannot be saved. He cannot be saved now as he could not be saved then. He made his choice. I have done terrible things in the young years I've been alive. And I cannot put the full blame upon my uncle for what he did. I hate him for all the pain he's caused me and those whom I hurt. I became an extension of his cruelty, his evil. I can never undo all the suffering I've caused. I can never undo the pain I caused...her." Lotor replied lowering his head.

"Allura is Alfor's daughter, and her capacity for forgiveness goes deeper than any of us can understand. In her heart, she has forgiven you for the history between you both. She understands it wasn't all your fault for the way you were. And in time that understanding will bring you both closer together. A bond shall form between you both stronger than even that of myself and my beloved Loeena. I cannot lie to you and say that all others will be so kind. There were still those who cursed my name even after I left the empire. Namora's family blamed me for her death even as they watched her being ripped apart."

"So that is how she died. I've heard stories of how people were executed upon my father's torture wrack. That's how I was to be killed along with my father and Kaladan."

"She gave her life for a cause greater than herself, though it does not sadden me any less with that knowledge. She paid the heaviest price for the dream I and so many others sought to make reality. She wanted her sister to be happy, and she knew she was happy at my side. That is something your uncle Zarkon has never and will never understand. He wants only to dominate and destroy all life. You and Allura will be the strongest power against him. It was love that brought me to my redemption, and now it has done the same for you. Now my grandson...Redeemer shall pass onto you."

With those words the spirit of Keltor vanished and in his place a magnificent sword hovered. Lotor reached out and took the sword by the hilt turning the blade upwards. The hilt was a carved golden angel holding a sword toward the heavens. The wings stretched upward forming the ornate lower blade guards. The long flowing gown stretched downward and twisted into the spiraling hilt. The blade which had been silver started to glow in Lotor's hand. Before his eyes it turned from silver into shimmering irredescent white crystal. Never in his life had he beheld such a glorious weapon. Truly it was not a blade of the mortal world.

"Carry this sword at your side always my grandson. When all hope seems lost and your enemy is ready to crush you, it is this sword that shall be the key to defeating Zarkon's evil forces. Within it my spirit shall reside, and when the time comes all scores will be settled."

"Grandfather...grandfather when will I know?" Lotor asked.

"When the time comes, you will know. Until then, I shall rest within Redeemer waiting for the time I am needed." Keltor's spirit answered.

Again all was silent. The room was nothing more than darkness save for the light of Redeemer's blade. Using that light as his guide, Lotor turned and left the chamber. Those waiting outside held their breaths as the door slowly opened. Lotor emerged clutching Redeemer in his hand. He was weary and walked slowly from the chamber. Many gasped when they saw the glowing sword at his side.

"Redeemer! Redeemer is glowing! He is the chosen one!" A tribal leader exclaimed.

"Keltor's heir has claimed Redeemer!" Another proclaimed.

"You've passed the test my son." Danzar said with a look of both pride and relief. He and Kaladan came foward to help the young prince walk through the small crowd of onlookers. Leena pressed her folded hands to her chest while Avian and his cousins looked on.

"He's done it." Genar said quietly.

"Genar, let's get him to his room. The test has taken a great deal out of him, and there's not much night left." Danzar said.

"How, how long was I in there?" Lotor asked wearily.

"Half the night. The challenge made you lose track of time, but that was to be expected. You need to rest now and regain your strength. There is much to be done in the coming days, and we shall all need our strength for the coming war." Danzar replied.

"He came to me father. My grandfather came to me." Lotor said.

"He is part of you now. The prophecy he gave is coming true. Come my son. Let's get you to bed." Said his father.

"Father! Is Lotor all right?" Leena called.

"He's fine Leena. He just needs to rest." Danzar answered.

Soon Lotor was in his room and resting in his bed. His eyes closed as he drifted off to sleep. As he turned in his bed, he subconciously touched the hilt of his sword as it stood propped against his bedside.

"Allura..." he unconciously whispered.

On planet Arus Allura was in her bedroom. It was approaching dusk as she looked out of her window. While she did not protest the over protectiveness of her friends, she was none the less despondent and sad. She still worried over the fates of Lotor and Kaladan. She wanted to know if he was still alive. Despite the news from a mysterious spirit telling her she would see Lotor again, she didn't know if that would still hold true. The fact that he may have died to save her life weighed heavily upon her heart. The more time that went being apart from him, the more she longed to see him again. She realized that her feelings for him were growing beyond the friendship they had forged. She began to realize that perhaps it was possible to love him. Even with all the terrible things he had done, she knew deep down if Zarkon hadn't raised him the way he did, perhaps Lotor would have turned out differently.

Small tears began to fall from her blue eyes. So much worry plagued her spirit. She wanted to know the prince and his friend Kaladan were all right. They had shown such bravery when she had been threatened. Had they somehow managed to escape Doom? Or did Zarkon at last cast his deadly judgement upon them.

"Allura..."

Allura's eyes widened when she heard a familar voice whisper to her in her mind. "Lotor?" She gasped.

Next

Disclaimer: "Ace of Spades" by Motorhead

lyrics found at: http://www.thesonglyrics.com/songlyrics/motorhead/motorheadsonglyrics2.html