Selerim woke with a choked gasp, clutching his throat as he bolted upright. He could still feel the sensation of his throat being cut, and the brief sight of his own headless body was forever burned into his mind.

“You’re awake,” a soft voice said.

He turned towards the voice. “Veile.” His voice came out as a growl. It dulled as Selerim took in her appearance. It wasn’t long since he’d last seen her– but those days had clearly taken a toll.

Her multi-colored eyes had lost some of their previous lustre; and as dark as the room was, the bags under them were still visible.

Some of Selerim’s anger dissipated– but only some. “Aren’t you supposed to know everything?” He growled. “You–” It struck him a moment later. “You used me.” She told him to leave Nyx and his weapon behind. It was too perfect to believe otherwise.

“You told me to trust you,” he growled. “But I don’t. I trusted in your love for Viria. But clearly you don’t–”

Veile cut him off, her voice as cold as ice. “Don’t you dare finish that sentence.”

Selerim shivered, but refused to be cowed. “Why shouldn’t I?” He spat the words out. “You knew. You knew. Did you set this all up?”

She looked away. That was all the answer he needed.

“What if things went wrong?” He growled. “I can hardly even wrap my head around everything that’s happened in the past few months.”

“I took the necessary precautions.”

His anger rose. “But you let all of that happen. You let Viria get wounded. You let Vanis cut my head off.”

“Yes, I did,” Veile said defiantly. “Because now her safety is guaranteed– and I’ve gained another card in the process.”

“How?!” Selerim snarled. “Vanis nearly killed her.”

The elf’s icy tone returned. “I know you’re ignorant of our politics, but do you truly believe that my sister has been safe up until now?”

His mouth snapped shut. “I…”

He hung his head. Truthfully, he had thought it strange. Just not strange enough to question.

“Exactly,” Veile said. “And now your actions have guaranteed her safety. You slew Vanis– without suffering a single injury. You made it clear that you care for my family. And, what’s more, they believed you used magic.”

Selerim snarled. “It’s not magic.”

“So you say. And yet you survived having your head cut off. And destroyed completely, if I’m not mistaken. Those rosy flames that heal you– what are they, if not magic?”

He bared his teeth. “Not magic. I Feasted on the Heart of a Reaver. That’s–”

“– Different,” Veile said. “Yes, I get it. The distinction means something to you; I won’t press it further.” She sighed, and for a moment, she just looked like a very tired young girl.

“Regardless, you are correct. I owe you an apology. I used you to guarantee my sister’s safety.” She bowed her head deeply. The same moss-green hair as Viria’s fell over her shoulder like a curtain, and for a moment their images overlapped.

My sister’s upbringing was much the same.

Those were Viria’s words.

Selerim bit down on his tongue, stemming the hateful words that threatened to spill out. I get it,” he said. “Vanis is dead?”

Veile snorted. “Quite. You practically seared her in half. Her body is, in fact, in two pieces. Just not quite halves. You incinerated too many of her organs– and bones– for that.”

Selerim’s stomach lurched as the sensation of flesh melting under his hand came roaring back; just as the stench of burning flesh filled his nostrils.

He forced the bile back down. She deserved it. “But why lie to me?” He asked slowly. “Why not just ask me?”

“I was afraid you would leave,” she said simply. “Your family is your priority– just as Viria is mine.” Veile tilted her head. “Is that not so?”

“I–” He couldn’t finish the sentence.

She was right.

Even so…

“You used me,” he said quietly. “That’s all that matters. You asked me to trust you, and then you used me.”

“True enough.” Veile nodded. “I’ll have supplies waiting for you tomorrow. And though you may not want it, I will offer you my advice.” She raised a hand to forestall Selerim’s protests. “Regardless of whether or not you trust me, I’m going to speak. So unless you’re going to cover your ears, I’d avoid wasting your breath.”

Selerim sighed. What was he supposed to say to that?

“Regardless of my actions, you would have become involved in this either way. Our world is a dark one, and the times ahead are darker still. You will have a role to play in the coming storms, whether you desire one or not. You bear Auvun’s will, and that alone is reason enough.”

Auvun. The Reaver that he’d Feasted on. “You refer to that Reaver by a name,” he said slowly. “Which means… that it’s not a Reaver.”

Veile smiled. It was a dark, ugly expression.

“Now you understand what lies ahead.”

Selerim’s head whirled as he tried to make sense of the revelation. “Why haven’t you told anyone?”

“Because that is the surest way to doom us all– your family included.”

He bared his teeth. “Don’t drag them into this.”

“I don’t need to. The world will do that just fine.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I need you to understand what’s at stake– and because you represent my sister’s best chance of survival.”

“I can’t stay here,” Selerim hissed.

“I’m not asking you to. I want you to return to your family. Like I said– you need to understand what’s at stake.” Veile’s eyes burned. “You may not know me, Selerim, but I know you. You are many things. A hollow. A hunter. A killer. And deep down, you are a protector, Selerim. I need you to remember what it is that you’re protecting.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“But,” her voice grew thin, “you’ve experienced it now, haven’t you? How powerless you really are.”

Selerim grimaced but didn’t protest. She was right– Vanis had overwhelmed him with a mere thought. “Are you mocking me? Why rub it in my face?”

“My sister will one day be the strongest being in this world,” Veile said quietly. “But someday you will stand at her shoulder. And no matter how soon that day comes, it won’t be soon enough.”

He scoffed. “I’ll never stand a chance.”

“And yet you killed one of our nation’s strongest mages.”

“After she cut me into pieces. Multiple times.”

“You’re alive. She’s not.”

“...”

It was hard to argue with that.

“I need you to grow strong. Strong enough to weather the coming storm, and to shield those who would stand behind you.”

Selerim growled. “I don’t care. You have nothing but your words. And I don’t trust them.”

“Are you willing to risk your family’s safety? It’s true, I have nothing to prove it, but you knew it before I ever voiced it: that Reaver wasn’t normal.”

“... Damn you.”

“I’m damned for many reasons. This is the least of them. I don’t require your trust. All you have to do is return home. Mara can take you to the edge–”

“No,” Selerim cut her off. “I’ll go on foot.”

“It’ll add quite some time to your journey.”

“I know. But no magic.”

“... Very well. At least say goodbye to my sister properly.”

“You don’t need to tell me that.”

“I’ll send her in now, then. However,” Veile said as she stood. “One last word of advice. The doctor watching over your sister. You’re going to be suspicious of him. You’re right to be. But for now, he is of no harm– and you can believe what he says.” With that, she stepped out of the room.

Viria stepped in moments later. She wore the same white dress as before, but now, four white bandages joined it. One on each shoulder and each leg. Not a spot of red showed on any of them. That struck him as odd.

“How long have I been out?” Selerim asked, fearing the answer.

“... Three days.” The elf’s lip trembled as she answered. She held one elbow awkwardly with her hand, face downturned. “I was afraid you wouldn’t wake up.” She refused to look him in the eyes. “Vanis, she… she…”

He winced at the reminder. “I know. But I’m still alive. And… it’s not your fault.”

“But…”

“It’s fine.”

Viria nodded once. “You’re…” She trailed off. “You’re leaving tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah. It’s been too long.”

She nodded again. “Then… is it alright if I sleep in your room tonight?” The elf shuffled her feet uncomfortably. “It’s just… if we’re never going to see each other again, then I want to spend as much time as possible with you.”

“Alright.”

Viria smiled gratefully. “Thank you.” She flicked her wrist, and an entire mattress flopped onto the ground, complete with a blanket and pillow.

Selerim laughed.

“What?” She asked, clearly embarrassed.

“Nothing. It’s just different.”

“That’s true,” the elf said with a smile. She visibly hesitated. “It’s late. I know you’ve been asleep for three days, but… if you’re leaving tomorrow, you should rest. So… goodnight.” Viria’s voice caught as she slipped under the covers. Before long, her breathing evened.

Selerim turned back. His thoughts churned as he forced his mind through everything Veile said. No matter where they traveled, they always reached a single destination: he couldn’t risk his family’s safety. Veile had no proof, but her words rang true. The Reaver he Feasted on wasn’t normal. He knew that from the moment he laid eyes on it.

He sighed. It was overwhelming.

But, little by little, his mind calmed, and Selerim fell into an uneasy sleep.

image [https://i.imgur.com/T7fdvjj.png]

“Are you sure?” Viria asked. “It’s going to add time to your journey… I thought you wanted to find your family as soon as possible.”

Selerim shook his head. “It’s already been so long. I’ll move faster alone– a few more days won’t make a difference.”

His lavender eyes were still weary, and it was obvious what whatever troubled the hollow last night was still on his mind, but Viria didn’t push any further. There was no point. He was leaving.

She watched as Selerim hefted his pack up effortlessly. He’d forgone most of the supplies that Veile offered him, settling for only a number of ration bars and a sleeping bag. “And besides,” he continued. “I need to be alone for a little while.”

Viria’s chest tightened at the thought of Selerim alone in the vast darkness, but she knew he would be happier there than here.

“Be careful, she whispered, stepping up to him. He wore a set of clothing identical to the ones Veile gave him previously. It struck her as odd, but then again, she was a Grovetender. Very little was likely to be out of her reach.

Before she could lose her nerve, Viria reached up and pulled Selerim’s head down, pressing her forehead to his. Her heart pounded as his face reddened, but she refused to be flustered. This was a display of friendship: nothing more, and nothing less.

“This is how we say hello to our loved ones– as well as goodbye,” Viria murmured. “It serves as a reminder that each may be our last.”

She pulled away a moment later– but Selerim caught her wrist. His pale violet eyes peered into hers, and for just a moment, she saw a hint of… not fear, but something close. A mix of concern and wariness.

“You said you’ll always be on my side.” Viria shivered as his breath tickled her face.

“I did,” she answered softly, “and I will.”

“The same goes for me. We may never meet again, but I’ll always be on your side. Remember that.”

Her heart skipped a beat. Before she could say anything more, Selerim stepped back. The distance between them widened– and the thin thread binding them snapped. “Goodbye,” the hollow said softly.

Viria only nodded, unable to speak as he turned and headed into the forest. She wanted to follow him– to see him to the edge of the forest, but she would only slow him down.

And she’d kept him from his family for long enough. Selerim’s slow pace sped up as he strode away, and before long, he was a figure in the distance.

There was the sound of breaking glass, and a figure winked into being next to Viria. Mara. her sister’s attendant. She wore a military uniform now, which struck her as odd. “Your sister would like to see you.” Her voice was gruff, but not unkind.

“Very well.” Viria took her offered hand in one of her own. The same sound played again, and they were inside Veile’s ornate chambers. Her sister sat at the center of a large desk, poring over a number of papers haphazardly scattered over its surface. She looked up, no doubt alerted by the sound of Mara’s magic.

“Viria.” A smile spread across her face. “I take it Selerim has departed?”

She nodded. “Just moments ago.”

Veile stood, making her way towards where they stood. Without preamble, she threw her arms around Viria. “I know you’ll miss him. But you’ll see each other again.”

Viria took a trembling breath. “I hope not,” she said slowly. “That would mean things have gone terribly wrong.” She wiggled free of Veile’s grasp. “Why did you want to see me?”

“I want your help.”

“With what?” Viria hesitated. “You don’t mean…”

“I do.”

“No,” she protested vehemently. “I want no part of it.”

Veile’s expression softened. “Can you give us a moment, Mara?” She waited until the other elf vacated before continuing. “I understand what you’ve been through better than anyone else,” she murmured. “I don’t ask this of you lightly.”

Viria’s heart clenched at that.

“But I’m not asking you this as a Grovetender, or even an elf. I’m asking you this as your sister. I need your help, Ria.”

“... What do you need me to do?”

“Our Grove is in disrepair. It will take time to restore… and time is something we have precious little of. Our father’s name still carries weight. An exile you may be, but his blood still runs through your veins. Our veins. That has meaning.”

Viria grimaced. She’d said much the same.

“And you want to help Selerim, don’t you?”

Her head snapped up at that. “What do you mean?”

Veile’s voice softened. “I know you’re smarter than this, Ria. It doesn’t take a genius to understand that these are tumultuous times. You’ll both have a role to play. And you stand better odds together.”

“But he’s gone,” Viria said bitterly.

“But you’re on his side, are you not? And he’s on yours. That’s all that matters.”

She forced her thoughts to settle.

“... Alright.”

“Excellent.”