The Eternal Darkness by Steven A. Tolle Page B

of his pockets and continued to sort through his things.
    Once he had gone through everything, he slowly turned around and took a last look at his room.  Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, he offered his hand to Hailyn.  Once she held it, he took that first, and hardest, step and headed for the door.
    As they walked slowly towards Tomaris’ study, not trusting his voice to stay steady, Jake whispered hoarsely, “Thank Jonas and Dominic for me.  I cannot thank them enough, but tell them anyway.”
    “I will,” she told him.  “They know, but I will tell them.”
    They reached the door of the study and the finality of it hit them.  They embraced again, holding each other tight, not wanting to let go.  Knowing that they had to continue, they parted and entered the study, foreboding and sadness dragging at their steps.  Tomaris was standing near the window, looking over the Keep.  The passing clouds outside muted the light in the study, giving the room a strange sense of loss that mirrored their own.  The sword was resting against the shelves near Tomaris.
    He turned to face them.  Sympathy and compassion were on his face when he addressed them.  “I know that you have come to love one another and this is a difficult day,” he said, voice gentle.  He looked at Jake.  “The choice is yours, child.  You do not have to leave.  You can stay here and live out your life, if you wish.”
    “We talked about it, Tomaris,” Jake replied, trying to stay strong.  “If you can send me home, then I have to go.  I cannot leave my family not knowing whether I am alive.”  He felt his heart rending in two as he said it, tightening his grip on Hailyn’s hand.
    “If that is your decision, Jake, then we should start,” Tomaris stated.  “The pain of separation will not be relieved by waiting.”
    Jake turned to Hailyn and pulled her close.  He buried his face in her hair as they embraced.  They clung to each other for a time, and then pulled back slightly.
    “I love you, Hailyn,” he said brokenly.  “I will never forget you. You will always be in my heart.”
    “I love you, Jake,” she replied, tears streaming down her face.  “I will always love you,” she whispered and tightened her arms around him.
    He leaned down and kissed her gently, the agony of leaving her a physical pain.  His resolve faded as he held her close, the warmth of her body next to his, her soft hands on his face.  He was prepared to tell Tomaris that he was changed his mind when the image of his mother crying and his father lost intruded into his mind.  How can I leave them like that ? he thought bitterly.
    “Come, children,” Tomaris said gently.  Jake looked up to see him with the sword in his hand, the blade pulsing brightly.  “If we are to do this, then let us begin.”
    Reluctantly, Jake forced himself to let Hailyn go.  One last kiss, one last squeeze of her hand and they separated.  She tried to give him a brave smile amidst the tears, but it faded into a sob as he stepped towards Tomaris.
    “You have done this world a great service, Jake.  Your efforts may bring an end to the demons,” Tomaris said as he came over to Jake.  “Never forget that when you are home.”
    He reached up to touch Jake’s forehead.  “I want you to think of your world, Jake.  Focus on where you were when you came here.”  Jake closed his eyes and pictured the pond in the Black Hole Woods.  He felt Tomaris’ power flow into his body.
    Then Tomaris stepped back and Jake opened his eyes.  Tomaris’ eyes were closed, his face full of concentration, the sword blazing almost blindingly in his hand.  Jake felt a warmth surround him as a swirling band of golden-white light spun around his body.  He looked over to Hailyn, wanting his last sight of this world to be her.  The golden light reflected off of the tears on her face as their eyes met.
    The light swirled faster and faster, the warmth increasing as the light