Auriella’s POV

Seconds seemed to drag into minutes and minutes into hours as I waited beside the forge. It didn’t make sense. I understood that mother wanted a tool to use on the lower plane. We needed one desperately or we’d have to send one of our own to deal with the betrayer. That was a risk we couldn’t afford, not while we were at war with the demons.

What I didn’t understand was mothers choice of tools. Silvon was already a danger when he came to us. When I soared with him I did so in an effort to instill fear and ensure he would never turn against us, but at the end of the fight something didn’t feel right. It was then that I knew. Avary was still alive and well inside Silv. We were warned by the betrayer. “One day I’ll return. It will be your arrogance and pride that opens the way for me. You’ll know your end is near when a blackened light enters your halls.”

Even I thought it was just crazy talk at first. Then a corpse filled with light appeared in the soul plane. I had been excited at first, thinking this mage could be the one to eliminate the betrayer for us. It wasn’t long after we arrived that his core turned black and Avary appeared in its place.

I lost two men trying to hold Avary at bay, then he disappeared inside Silvon. I didn’t think for one second that Avary had been defeated, but I knew it wasn’t my place to decide the elf’s fate.

Mother saw only his potential. She called me blind and foolish, believing I couldn’t see it; I could, but that his potential worried me more than anything. His rate of growth was unnatural and each day he accomplished things beyond what should’ve been his limits.

Mechanical whirring intensified until the soft noise of the machine became a roar. Inside the chamber, mana pressure was building rapidly, but the machine should’ve been in the decompression phase. I checked the gauges to be sure. Seeing that everything was set right, I went to the chamber door and peeked through the small window.

Silvon was curled into a ball, gripping his head. He appeared to be screaming. Mana particles swirled violently around him, vibrating so much that space was beginning to warp. The elf glowed with golden light and his form seemed unstable. Cursing to myself, I hurried to turn off the machine.

“Lady Aura, what’s going on?” A commander shouted as several soldiers poured into the room. “Are you—”

The forge chamber collapsed in on itself with a loud metallic pop. Vicious energy surged out of the machine through cracks in the crumpled metal shell. The air was thick with tension, then everything came to stand still. The room fell silent as everyone looked toward the chamber, then my chest seized. Mana rushed into the forge as if a portal to a void space had opened inside it. Mana was even drawn from my own body.

The soldiers felt it too. It was plain in their eyes as panic painted their faces. Then the chamber hatch shot off of the forge, slamming into a young soldier. Silvon stepped out of the device, though his aura was completely different than ever before.

He looked calm as his eyes drifted around the room, his gaze detached and cold. He shouldn’t have been aware of alta, but he seemed to be molding it as it gathered around him, twisting space and inhibiting my perception of his form.

A crystal spear shot from the wall behind Silvon. Manipulated by one of the soldiers, it moved at the speed of light toward the elf’s back. Instead of piercing him though, the spear moved through twisted space and pierced through the frazzled divanory who launched the projectile.

Lifted by his spear, the soldier was pinned to the wall. I’d have tried to help him, but I knew immediately he was dead. The spear pierced straight though his core and his body was already beginning to dissolve.

“Fall back, don’t try to fight him,” I commanded. Then stepped between the soldiers and Silvon.

Some ran for the exit, but one of them attacked with a space cutting void sword. He rushed forward, raising the weapon above his head, then jerked to an abrupt halt. His sword fell behind him then his body broke into pieces that dissipated entirely before reaching the floor.

Silvon took a step forward, his dead eyes locking me in place. It should’ve been the other way around, but I knew instinctively that I would die if I made any move at all. I didn’t have to look to feel the fluctuations of alta and mana as crystal spears rose out of the ground to pierce the fleeing soldiers. All at once, the entire group was defeated.

Silvon’s form flickered as he moved past me. Through the disorganized space, I thought I saw the face of a smiling woman. She had long golden hair and eyes bright with elation. His form flickered again and I saw Avary, the demon’s form and that of the woman overlapping perfectly. It was then that I realized what was truly meant by a “blackened light.” The betrayer wasn’t referring to Silvon himself, the elf was only a vessel. The horror Mirin was hidden within him.

Mother was horribly wrong in her confidence, but now it was too late.

My breath caught in my chest as the evil saint turned toward me.

***

Silvon’s POV

“You took everything from me!” I roared at the pale elf. Like every time before, my uncle appeared on the cusp of death. His ragged skin clung to his bones like that of a decaying corpse. His appearance disgusted me. Previously I’d been powerless against him, only capable of running away; but now I could finally help him settle fully into the grave. Gritting my teeth, I growled, “It's time you gave something back.”

One of the cursed mages threw an ice spear at my back. I didn’t have time to react, but the spear seemed to phase through my body without harming me. Continuing on its path, it struck another mage in the chest killing him instantly.

Sizal appeared just in front of me, swinging down with a sword. With a thought, an array of wind blades sliced through him like butter. Something didn’t seem right… This was too easy. Sizal should’ve been stronger, faster even. Perhaps he was just playing with me like he did with Lumia. For good measure I burned away every piece of his flesh.

“Fa….ck….don’t…” I heard a familiar voice, but I couldn’t make out everything she said.

“Don’t get distracted Silvon, you still have us to deal with.” Kinzla said as he launched his sword at me. Several mages behind him prepared spells of various elements, but I didn’t give any of them a chance to cast. Jerking my arm up, I raised spikes from the ground. Each spike lifted at just the right angle to pierce a mage in the core. The spikes receded immediately letting their bodies fall limp on the floor.

I caught Kinzla’s sword as it reached me and stepped toward the corpses. Vale still waited, but I’d lost track of the bastard.

Scanning around, I shouted, “Where are you hiding, asshole!”

“You can find him, Silv,” a soothing voice said in my ear. At the same time, a gentle hand pressed against my cheek, turning my face right. “Just look for the strongest source of mana.”

I closed my eyes briefly, searching the area around me as instructed. Finding the strongest mana core I’d encountered yet, my lips parted in a hysterical grin. “There you are,” I said, with unbridled glee as I swung Kinzla’s sword. Vale resisted, blocking with the shaft of his cursed staff.

“Don’t do this, Silvon.” My uncle buckled under the weight of my blade, then twisted out from under the sword, striking my cheek with the end of his staff as he hurried away.

My jaw ached, it might’ve even been broken, but I didn’t let that stop me growling, “Get back here and die!”

I reached after him, unsure what I was doing, but somehow knowing this action would bring him back within my grasp. “Give them back! Give back everything you stole from me.” I roared. My hand closed around his thin neck.

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“Silv…Please,” Aura whined, in synchronization with my uncle’s lips.

I paused, searching for the divanory, but I didn’t see her. I raised my blade to Vale’s exposed chest, pressing just enough to pierce skin. I wanted to savor this moment. Looking in his eyes, I sneered, “Your time ends here.”

The sting of hot metal rushed through my stomach. Dropping my uncle, I stumbled backward then the white scene faded away. Aruiella stood before me, her face twisted in shock. A red hot pole protruding from my midsection slowly melted, dripping molten liquid on the floor and my feet. The crystal hall was stained with thick golden fluids. Weapons were strewn about but none far from a yellow-brown puddle. I fell on my back, then everything was swallowed in darkness.

“Good boy…” I heard the silver eyed woman’s voice. “You tried your hardest, but I’ll take it from here.”

***

A faint orange glow beyond my eyelids warmed my face. Gentle crackling, like the sound of logs splitting in fire, reminded me of Lumia. A man nearby hummed a somber song; It was a familiar tune—the last march—a song commonly played at a soldier’s funeral. The smell of burning nectar met my nostrils with a sweet aroma.

With a deep raspy voice, the man began to sing. “You’re lost, but not alone. The battle is done, you must go home. This is your last march. The heavens are—”

I opened my eyes. A few feet away, an elderly council member sat near a small fire. His back was turned to me but he stopped singing. “Still alive then,” he said, “something fewer and fewer of our people can say.” Without looking over his shoulder, he continued. "Do you know why you didn’t die?"

Instead of answering, I examined myself. My body ached like hell but otherwise seemed fine. I wasn’t injured, it wasn’t difficult to move, and my mana core was intact and brimming with mana.

‘Was that all just a dream?’

The councilman’s shoulders slumped slightly forward. He remained silent for another few minutes while I pushed mana to my hand and formed a small wind gale on my palm. There was dark mana present in my magic, but the power seemed lacking compared to what I was expecting.

Finally, the geezer spoke, “You should be dead, Silvon.”

At first, I wasn’t sure why he’d said that. I was clearly fine; then I recalled the state of my body when I first awoke on Lumosa. I didn’t fully understand that world, but I wasn’t sure it really existed. My memories of the place were already fading, kind of like waking from a dream. Considering that and the councilman’s words, I had a theory, but I wasn’t sure yet. Looking away from him, I took note of our surroundings.

We were inside a structure made from earth, and probably somewhere high up because I could hear wind howling endlessly beyond the exit. I didn’t think the place was made with magic. I also didn’t believe the old guy carried me all the way here, wherever here was.

My thoughts drifted then to Lumia. She should’ve been with Melinda and my sister, but it felt like she was somewhere nearby. Aside from the old man and myself, there was no one in the cave. The space was small and didn't stretch on much beyond where I sat, so it wasn’t like she was deeper in. I opened my mouth, but my throat was so dry and scratchy that when I tried to speak I wound up coughing instead.

With a grunt the old man turned and tossed a sack of water to me. "You're lucky. If I hadn't been there, you might really have died."

I drank as he talked, then asked, "If you're so powerful, then where were you during the battle?"

With an irritated snort, he asked, “Is that how you say thank you?” Then shaking his head, he added, “I thought a prince would have better manners.”

“And I thought the council was a group of the most wise, loyal, and powerful elves. I guess we've both been disappointed.”

The old man rolled his eyes. "You understand little about being a leader, but now isn't the time for lectures. Eat that there, then I'll answer whatever questions you may have," he added as an aside, glancing toward the entrance, perhaps expecting others.

"How exactly did you find me?" I asked, reaching toward the plate of... well, it might’ve been a roasted bird. "I remember passing out, but I wasn't dying."

"Your body was in taters when I found you—that dragon friend of yours was beside herself too. Anyway—"

"Lumia, was there? Where is she, and where is my sister?"

"One thing at a time boy! You won't be leaving right away, so have some patience." He gestured to the food again and waited for me to start eating before he continued talking. "I don't know exactly what happened to you, but there was a column of light then a bright flash came a few moments after the column disappeared. When I reached your body, it looked like...I don't know; it looked bad. I wasn't sure I could save you." He paused, staring blankly at something on the wall, likely remembering the scene.

"...and then?" I prompted, annoyed at his distraction.

“…then, that Lu-mi—something or other, nearly took my head off. I wasted all my mana trying to reconstruct your body and you still didn't wake up." He shook his head, hints of frustration presenting in his furrowed eyebrows. "I told her you were dead, but she insisted you were still alive. Then she brought us both here and demanded I stay with you until you wake up."

Silence fell upon the cavernous space as I considered everything I learned. If what he said was true, then I owed Lumia a thank you. Illudrasile had warned against using his power, but I thought it was just so that I wouldn't be tempted to keep it. Listening to the old man's story, I realized that I must have suffered a massive amount of magical trauma when it came time to release the light. If I had known using the light would mean my body would be torn apart, then I wouldn't have used it.

When I finished chewing and swallowing the meat, the old elf got to his feet. "You wanted to see that girl right, the dragon?"

I nodded and stood as well. My legs felt somewhat numb and weak, but I could walk.

"Then follow me." Without waiting for confirmation, the elderly man turned away from me and stepped outside of the cave.

The gentle violet light of the moon illuminated the night and the grassy plains we stood in. A constant breeze, gentle and cool, carried the scent of flowers and blood across the field—an odd mix, but it meant we weren’t far from the ransacked camp. A chorus of chirps and chitters rose from the short grass, as insects moved restlessly through the area.

“Damn that infernal howling!” The councilman said—it was probably about time I asked his name.

Looking back, he waved his hands and the ground shook. There was a stony rumble and bang as the walls of the ‘cave’ receded into the ground. The wind noise died down significantly, but didn’t stop.

“Who are you?” I asked.

The man whirled around, giving me a somewhat incredulous look.

“Your name, I mean what’s your name.”

“They used to call me swift foot or giant slayer, but for the last thousand years I’ve been known as councilman Odel.” With a faint smile, the elven man closed his droopy eyes. He looked quite pleased and I guessed he must’ve been remembering his glory days.

“Right… anyway you were taking me to Lumia,” I prompted. Odel stopped walking, but I didn’t see anyone else in the field.

The old man sighed heavily, opening his eyes as he pointed to a dark patch in the grass. “Beneath there. She’s with the Kalestin’s girl; I’m not sure what happened to Silvia though.”

“Thanks…” I said somewhat bitterly. I still had to rescue Silvia only I didn’t know if I had the strength to do so alone. I also needed to find Stylnyx.

“Oh, and before I forget…” as he opened his hands, a familiar green blade appeared laying across his palms. “I don’t know what you did to Vorlin’s old sword, but take the damned thing back and be careful with it, there’s some kind of shadow spirit in it.”

I was surprised. I knew Stylnyx couldn’t possess me, and now I knew he couldn’t possess anyone with a light, but I had thought he’d jump at the first opportunity to take a body, even one as old as the councilman’s.

“Thank you,” I said again. “What will you do now?”

“I’ll scrape together what’s left of our people. Continue the journey. I hope you’ll join me, but I understand if you need some time first.”

I nodded. “See if you can find the hunters we hired while you’re at it. If they aren’t dead already.”

Odel held up a hand. “Your hunters were most useful. When the fighting broke out, they cleared a way for civilians to escape. Although, I suspect some of them may have been in league with the slavers, but we can discuss that later.”

The dark patch of grass opened to reveal a tunnel beneath. I took the first step down then the councilman followed after me. Behind us, the grass closed leaving us in darkness. It took my eyes a few minutes to adjust and even then things weren't terribly visible.

We traveled deeper into the earth, at least thirty yards below the surface. My sense of direction became confused. Then finally, the slope of the ground began to rise slightly and I caught sight of a small light ahead of us.

“I want my mom,” my little sister sobbed, her voice echoing through the chamber. My heart ached hearing her cry, but I was glad to know she was safe. My pace quickened until I reached the bottom of the slope and saw Lumia, Melinda and Mirina all huddled together under a softly glowing orb.

They weren't alone. The other council members were present along with roughly thirty soldiers.

Mirina ran toward me. Without saying anything she wrapped her arms tightly around me and buried her face in my stomach. Lumia approached next, looking somewhat concerned. “How are you feeling, Silv?”

Meeting her eyes I answered, “I’m fine.” After a brief pause, I added, “how long has it been since the raid?”