For a minute, Dyne didn't recognize Ghaleon. He had never seen his friend so angry... no, this was beyond anger. This was pure fury, to a degree he didn't think Ghaleon was capable of.
He put up a cheerful front, hoping to calm Ghaleon down. "What are you doing here, Ghaleon? I thought you had some reading to do. Ready for that rematch after all?"
Ghaleon was not amused. "I sensed a powerful aura... one I couldn't ignore. I had to investigate."
"How long were you listening?"
"Long enough."
"So you know," Dyne said solemnly.
"Yes."
Dyne stared tensely at Ghaleon. The Premier was truly enraged, on the verge of snapping. Dyne hadn't the slightest idea why, but couldn't figure out how to ask without setting Ghaleon off.
Finally, Ghaleon spoke. "How could you just stand there and allow such an abomination to happen? How dare you listen to such blasphemy and say nothing? "
"What the hell are you talking about? Althena herself has made her decision!"
"Decision? Passing sentence is more like it! She's just sentenced us all to death! Why didn't you try and stop her, or talk her our of it? Humanity cannot survive without a protector! You know that!"
"She believes otherwise."
"She's wrong."
Now Dyne was getting angry also. "Oh yeah? Well if Althena was speaking such 'blasphemies,' as you put it, why didn't you try and talk her out of it?"
"Because I thought you would live up to your responsibility!" Ghaleon snarled. "As Dragonmaster, you're the ambassador of humanity! It was your duty on behalf of the people of Lunar to speak up for them, and I trusted you to do so!"
"I did act on their behalf! What Althena's doing is best for humanity! They'll have free will! A chance to grow, to reach their full potential! We've finally reached the point where we can choose for ourselves how to live our own lives! We all have that power within us!"
Ghaleon grabbed Dyne by his collar and stared him dead in the eye, his cat-like eyes blazing a fiery red. "You sentimental idiot! Have you forgotten everything I ever taught you? If humanity does not have a goddess looking out for them, they will destroy themselves! It will be utter chaos! How can you allow Althena to abandon us all? Who will look after the people of Lunar?"
Dyne defiantly returned Ghaleon's gaze. "What about everything the Four Heroes have accomplished? We're all mortal, aren't we? Who defeated Amalek? We did! Without the help of the Goddess! Who looked after me and rescued me from my grandfather? Who took me around the world and showed me wonders I could hardly believe? You did! Not Althena! You, a mortal!"
Ghaleon froze. His angry expression became one of sorrow, even desperation. He finally released his hold. "Dyne, you don't understand what's at stake here! I know you think it's the right thing, letting mortals make their own decisions. Believe me... I too would like to believe such a things is possible. But it's not! We need Althena to sustain the world of Lunar... to sustain the souls of its people! We've seen humanity at its worst with our own eyes! How many thieves and murderers have we fought, men who kill for a piece of silver? I've been alive for over a century, and I've seen more violence and cruelty than you could even begin to imagine! Her power is all that prevents this world from plunging into utter chaos!"
Dyne's tone became calm. "Althena may be giving up her power, but that doesn't mean humanity won't have a protector. Yes, you and I have seen the worst in humanity... but we've also seen the best. Humanity is capable of great evil, but also of great good. Why do you only want to see the evil?"
Before Ghaleon had a chance to reply, the White Dragon ring on Dyne's finger flashed brightly. Dyne winced suddenly, clutching his head as he sank to his knees.
Ghaleon rushed over to him, his anger forgotten. "Dyne? What happened? What's the matter?"
Dyne remained motionless for about thirty seconds. Then his eyes flashed open. He leaped to his feet and bolted for the stairway.
"Dyne!" Ghaleon immediately ran after him. "Wait! What's going on?"
Dyne headed to his private quarters and began putting on the Dragonmaster armor. Ghaleon burst into the room, slightly out of breath.
"What's happened?"
"I have to go," Dyne replied.
"Where?"
"The Goddess Tower. Something's happened."
"What do you mean, something's happened?"
"I don't have time to explain! I have to get over there!"
Dyne raced for the door to get back to the roof. Ghaleon blocked the doorway. "Tell me what's going on."
Dyne sighed in resignation. "I got a message from Quark. Something's gone wrong with the transformation. He's not sure what the problem is. It's too late to call it off or reverse the process. But it can't be completed... unless I use the Dragonmaster armor to do so."
"Meaning what?"
"I have to give up the powers of the Dragonmaster. Maybe even my magical abilities. That will give Althena the power she needs to complete her transubstantiation to human form."
Ghaleon's anger surged again, even stronger than before. "Have you completely lost your mind? You can't give up your power! Lunar cannot lose its Goddess and its Dragonmaster!"
"We've already been through this! Now's not the time!"
"I can't let you do this, Dyne. This world needs a protector!"
"This isn't up for discussion right now! Althena needs my help, and I'm giving it her!"
Ghaleon's eyes flashed dangerously. "You're not leaving."
"Ghaleon, please..."
"No! I will not let you betray us! I will not let you be the one responsible for destroying us all! And I will stop you, if I have to--by whatever means necessary!"
Dyne looked at his friend, astonished at what had happened to him. Where did all this hate and anger come from? Could Ghaleon really be so afraid of the future that he would strike down his best friend?
That didn't matter at the moment. He had sworn his allegiance to Althena. He believed in her judgment. Plus, this wasn't about the fate of the Goddess. It was about the fate of Lunar itself.
Dyne stared Ghaleon down, refusing to be deterred. "Then stop me."
Ghaleon began to channel his magical energies. "Don't make me do this, Dyne. Please. I don't want to fight you."
"I don't want to fight you either. But I can't let you delay me any longer. Althena needs my help."
"This is wrong. It's a crime against all humanity!"
"No. It's a chance for humanity to survive, become greater than we could ever have imagined."
Ghaleon scowled and raised his hand, preparing to cast a spell. His aura intensified, as did his anger and sorrow. His hand began to tremble. This has to be done... for Lunar's sake... Althena forgive me... I must do this! I must... I...
Finally, his aura faded. He turned away, unable to look Dyne in the eye.
Dyne looked at Ghaleon, feeling guilty for his harsh words. "Ghaleon..."
There was no response. Ghaleon didn't move.
Dyne sighed, and walked back to the rooftop. The White Dragon Wings began to glow as he called on their power. But before he could take off, he felt Ghaleon's presence behind him.
"Before you leave, Dyne, answer me one question."
Dyne turned back towards Ghaleon. "Yeah?"
"Be honest with me. Are you doing this for the people of Lunar... or for her?"
Dyne smiled. "Neither. I'm doing this for me. Because my heart tells me this is the right thing to do."
Ghaleon didn't reply. He merely watched as the Dragon Wings began to shine brightly. An ivory streak of light shot towards the Goddess Tower. Dyne was gone.
Suddenly, Ghaleon cursed harshly, his rage rising up again. What have I done? How could I be so stupid, letting Dyne talk me into believing such nonsense? How could I let my emotions get the best of me... like Dyne obviously has? I was wrong to trust him with this responsibility! I should have spoken up right away! If Dyne doesn't understand what's best for Lunar, maybe the Goddess can be convinced by someone who does!
He faced the Goddess Tower, and began a teleportation spell, one powerful enough to even get past the magical defenses. It was a long spell, one that would tax his power to the limit. But he had no choice. This time, his resolve would not be shaken.
I have failed twice already. I failed to speak out against Althena. I failed to stop Dyne. By all that is holy, I will not fail again.
Back to Comrades in Arms, Volume Three: To Everything There is a Season