Chapter Forty-Four: Eva

Yue screamed into the air, walking around, pacing around, searching for someone, anyone, who could help her, bring Zade back.

But there was no one there. Everyone was too busy fighting the monsters, and the healing mages didn’t have a second to spare. They had dozens, hundreds of people to heal, and Zade was just one of them. He wasn’t special, at least, not when war started.

Zade was starting to breathe less. High Mage Roshan was clearly distraught, and HIgh Mage Aegon was trying to comfort him, but there was nothing they could do.

Yue didn’t completely understand what High Mage Roshan meant when he said he was running low on mana. How could he not do magic? But it didn’t matter. If he said he couldn’t, she believed him.

“Are you sure you can’t do anything?” She asked High Mage Aegon.

“I never learned how to heal,” He replied. “The little I know isn’t enough to make him better. It might just hurt him.”

“But you’re a high mage,” She accused. “You’re supposed to be an expert.”

“Only in certain areas,” He replied. “Are you an expert on hammers?” She shook her head. “It’s the same with magic. Healing and necromance are two different things. If I’d joined the general field I might know, but I don’t.”

“Is there no way to give him mana?” She pointed at High Mage Roshan, who shook his head sadly.

“No,” He replied. “It takes hours to do that. Zade doesn’t have hours. He has minutes at most. Plus, we still have a battle to fight. The monsters won’t ignore us for long.”

Yue looked around, and found that he was right. The beasts were starting to notice them, and she protectively wrapped her arms around Zade.

A weeping sound caused her to turn around.

“Xavier,” She said. “I’m so sorry.”

“First Astil,” He whimpered. “Then Zade. I…I can’t.” He fell to the ground, distraught, suffering.

“I’ve lost friends recently too,” She said. “I lost Diamond, then Jos. They took Astil. I didn’t know him well, but I still linked him.

“And they took Xander from me,” She growled. “He’s alive, but I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again. I hate it, but there’s nothing we can do.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Xavier asked.

“Because you’re not alone,” Yue told him. “We’re all with you.”

— — —

I swim in darkness. Normally, I’d use a metaphor like that as a joke with Xavier, but it’s real. I am swimming, but there’s no water. I’m floating in a sea of darkness. It’s not black, it’s…nothing.

I don’t know whether to feel awed or terrified.

Am I dead?

The last thing I remember is the monster stumbling into me, and me stumbling to the ground, my head hitting on the sharp cobble.

I remember the sharp feeling of pain.

I don’t know where I am, but this can’t be heaven or hell. They’re supposed to be opposites, one good and one bad.

Maybe I’m in some sort of middle ground.

Unless I’m not dead yet. But I think I am. I don’t feel anything. I’ve got no senses. I can’t feel, taste, or smell.

I can’t see, as all I see is nothing.

I haven’t heard anything, but maybe it’s time I tried.

Am I dead? I ask the air, and I can hear it, but not how I expected. It feels artificial, like it’s not coming from my mouth, like I’m speaking telepathically. At this point, I have no idea what’s going on, and if I could feel, I would be feeling panic.

No, Zade, you are not dead. I want it to stay that way.

The voice shakes me from my stupor. It’s sweet and kind. Making me feel warm inside, and happy. But I don’t know where it’s coming from.

Who are you?

Oh, Zade. Let me show you.

The world lights up, and suddenly, in front of me, I see a woman. Much taller than me, she glows in radiant white light, and she isn’t wearing anything, but I don’t feel immodest. Although she looks very human, she clearly isn’t. I feel an attachment for her immediately, like she completes my life.

Her hair is golden, but not blonde. It looks like physical gold, it’s the only way to explain it. And she’s gorgeous, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Her full lips and wide eyes, her smiling, comforting expression, and her hands held out to hold me.

I grab hold of her hand and she lifts me.

My name is Eva, but you may have heard me called Leah.

I feel a faint familiarity when I hear the name, but I can’t quite remember it. Embarrassment clouds me.

I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are.

She laughs, a beautiful tinkling noise that warms me up.

Oh, the world forgot about me a while back. I’m sure you know about Dautha and his Cult?

I nod. I’ve been trying to fight them, but they’re so much stronger. I…I fail every time. The Cult is smarter.

Yes, they are, Eva responds genuinely, a look of concern on her face. I’m sorry you had to suffer that. I’ve been watching you, Zade. Doing everything I can to help you.

Why? Who are you?

The right questions, Zade. Let’s take a ride, shall we?

— — —

Yue had always wanted to protect her friends, but she never realized how hard it would be until she had to face an oncoming horde of beasts while protecting a friend on the verge of death.

The Er’litahnus and Er’litahns fighting her didn’t give a damn about Zade. But they could see he was alive, and it should’ve been easy prey for them.

Yue couldn’t let that happen.

And, apparently, neither could Xavier. Something had come out of him when he realized the monsters wanted to desecrate Zade.

He exploded in lightning. One minute, he’d been a normal human, the next he was enveloped in lightning and he was raining hell on the beasts. They scattered from him, but he pursued them, his face irate.

She took down another Er’litahn and charged at the next one. It stabbed at her, but she moved away from it, and smashed in its skull, dodging out of the way as another Er’litahnus came up. It spat poison at her, and she ran, ducking his blow, slashing at his legs. As he fell, she turned to the next opponent.

They were all gone.

She and Xavier had just taken on over twenty beasts and come out without a scratch.

Xavier smiled.

“I just got a skill,” He laughed. “That was fun. It needs to recharge, though. It’s telling me it’ll be a while before it’s ready.

“I don’t know what that means,” Yue shrugged, “But it was badass.”

Zade groaned. They turned towards him. Alyx was standing over him, face horrified.

“What’s going on?” Yue asked.

“Look.”

She ran towards Zade and held him, gasping. Blood and black liquid was coming out of his mouth, and his pulse was gone. No, not gone, but slow. Maybe three times a minute.

“No one could heal him now, lass,” Roshan told her. “I’m so sorry.”

Yue nodded. “Thank you for healing the others.”

Xavier knelt next to her and put his palm on Zade’s chest.

“I’ll miss you, man,” He cried, tears spilling on Zade’s cheek.

Th’ul appeared as well, crying too.

“It’s not fair,” He whispered. “I didn’t do anything wrong this time.”

Yue bowe her head.

Why?

— — —

I’m in a strange world now. My body had become midnight-black, dark like the night sky. Eva next to me is radiant, shining in all her glory. When I look at myself, I realize I’m just as naked as her, but once again, I don’t seem to mind.

I feel an affection from Eva resembling a love a kid has for her parents. I don’t understand it.

The world I’m in is empty. Empty of life. There’s a beautiful shining city that I can’t explain but there seems to be no one there.

This is the best way I can describe what my home is.

Where is it?

It isn’t real. You wouldn’t understand. This is where I was born. I am the Goddess. The only one. Your people affectionately called me the Goddess of Life.

But if you’re the only Goddess, then who’s Dautha.

Dautha is my only enemy. I said I was the only Goddess. Dautha is the only God.

So did you create us? I ask. The world shifts and suddenly we’re standing in what I assume is my world, but it’s…older. Well, younger, but it feels like a long time ago. There are people around, and I can see them doing magic spells, but the city here isn’t as advanced. The houses are smaller, and there is no building like Zenyth.

No, we did not create you. We found you. Don’t ask how. We found you, and your people recognized us and worshiped us. We are gods, after all.

All was well. Dautha, sadly, wanted more power.

You know how the story goes. He tried to kill me and so started the first Mage War,

But that one wasn't about you!

I’m speaking of the first. Your people, when they speak of the Mage War, they speak of the second one.

The outcome of the war was strange, to say the least. Nobody won. Duatha and I made a deal to leave the world alone until others recognized us.

But Dautha broke the deal, something I only realized recently.

What did he do?

I’m getting there. The world shifted again, turning into a massive cavern, filled with strange glyphs and signs.

There’s a lot more to this story, but I’m not ready to speak on it yet. Her voice was soft, hurt, torn apart. I felt for her, even if I couldn’t understand why. From what I’ve been able to glean, Dautha left behind writing, something he shouldn't have. Those writing left your mages to discover his existence, and so, the Cult was founded.

Suddenly, mages appeared in the cavern, bowing and scraping to a shadow on the wall.

Duatha could not join the world, because humans had not summoned him, but he could now influence and use his power on the world. I didn’t know he'd broken the rule, and I was devastated. The world had chosen him.

But I soon figured out what he’d done. And so, I decided to work in the shadows to defy him.

And that’s why you’re here.

What are you talking about?

— — —

Zade had stopped breathing. Yue couldn’t tell if he was dead now, but he didn’t seem to be alive. The battle seemed to have stopped, the monsters realizing the pure sadness and rage in their eyes.

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Yue screamed into the air again.

Yet another death to add to the cult. This was too many. All Zade wanted to do was help his friends, just like Jos, and Diamond. And Xander. They didn’t deserve this.

And where was Xander? She hoped he was safe, but she assumed he was in Magefell, which meant he could be having to fight the monsters. She hated not knowing.

The Cult was always ahead, no matter what they did.

The only good news was that the monsters’ ranks were dwindling. There were only a couple hundred Er’litahn and L’lorian left. And as far as Yue knew, there only seemed to be four or five thousand Er’litahnus and L’loriannes on the field.

The humans had turned the tide. But it was too late for Zade.

Yue didn’t want to fight anymore. She wasn’t a hero; she wasn’t Sterkona. She wanted to curl up into a bell and stay there until Death’s cold grip came to get her. She didn’t want to die, but she felt too sad to do anything.

Everyone was dying. It wasn’t fair for everyone.

She needed motivation, and that came in the form of Alyx.

“I will kill you all,” She heard her whisper. “I vow to hunt you, chase you, until you’re all gone. The Cult shall be destroyed, and I will have a helping hand in that.”

“And I shall be with her,” Yue said, grimacing.

Alyx stood up. “We have time to mourn later. Let's kill these bastards.”

“Yes, let’s.”

— — —

Are you saying you chose me for something?

No, Eva laughs, don’t be silly. I’ve been helping those on my side. But you particularly, I wanted to help, because I have realized how normal you are.

HEY!

It’s not normal. You’re a good person, and a skilled one, just like everyone else. You aren’t a prodigy, and so, you were the perfect mage-in-training for me to help.

The world shifts again, and suddenly I’m there, a version of me, smiling and laughing.

When I chose to jump in and help the world, I didn’t have many mages-in-training to help. You were the perfect option, and so, I did what I could.

Your visions came from me, Zade. I showed you the way. You saw what was coming, and that gave you the strength to oppose the Cult because you saw the visions I gave you.

That was you? I ask incredulously. Why did you stop? I needed those.

You did not need any more, Eva says. But that does not mean I didn’t affect you in any other ways. Can you think of how I did?

No. What did you do? I say this accusingly, scared of what she’ll say.

Your dagger, Nightwielder, only came into your possession because of me. The inscription says: When the night reigns, then shall the blade be drawn and the Gods clash. It does not mean much to you now, but it will soon. It has magical properties, but I’ll let you unlock that on your own.

I also became an illusion to save you from the grave,

I wrack my head, trying to think of what she’s talking about.

Angela? You sent Angela?

Yes, I did. You would’ve died if I hadn’t done that. I have also done very subtle things, but those need not be said.

Why would you operate in the shadows? Why not reveal yourself before and why now?

Because I didn’t want Dautha to know what I’d figured out. And now, I’m done. He’s gone too far, and it’s time to fight him.

I think I’m dreaming. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. It’s so…crazy, impossible.

Zade, you are my champion. Well, one of them. I need you. You are here to fight the darkness.

What do you mean by one of the champions?

Ah, now we come to the interesting part. Your mission, and your allies.

— — —

Yue and Alyx were a frenzy of anger and power. Her other friends soon joined in—Xavier, and the High Mages excluded—and they attacked the beasts ferociously, with a strength before unseen.

It is said that humans are stronger when under strong emotion.

The proof was in that group.

Yue hacked at an Er’litahnus, slicing her blade in the direction of a passing L’lorianne, who tumbled to the ground where Yue finished it off.

The next Er’litahnus-L’lorianne duo that attacked her was more cautious, diving from the sky and quickly retreating up, trying to avoid her wrath.

They couldn’t do it, though.

When they dived again, she threw her sword, piercing its neck. The L’lorianne fell to the ground, and, retrieving her sword quickly, she stabbed down, ending the Er’litahnus’ life.

She attacked the next few beasts, destroying them each with just one strike, ignoring the claw marks one L’lorian gave her back.

Some fighters stopped to gape, as she and her friends decimated the animals. Alyx stabbed at a L’lorianne, sending it to the ground where Yue ended its life.

“I know you!” One man yelled. “You’re Zade’s friend.”

“Who are you?” She asked.

“One of Raakhshas’ friends,” The man screamed, throwing his hands forwards. Suddenly, Yue was flying through the air. She crashed into a building, and gasped at the pain, but, ignoring it, she stood up.

“A mage,” She spat. “What do you want with me?”

“Where’s Zade?” The man asked. “He deserves his just penance.”

Yue looked down, tears in her eyes. The man laughed.

“Dead, eh? Well, he deserved it.”

With a yell of anger, Yue dived at the man, throwing him to the ground. Once again, she was thrown in the air, and he threw a fireball at her, and she dodged it.

“Is that all you can do?” She growled. “You lack imagination.”

The man sent another Fireball, and she ran forwards, escaping it, and sliced at the man. The man grabbed her sword with his hands, but somehow, he didn’t bleed. He ripped the sword from her hands and head-butted her.

Her nose bled but she held her ground and punched the man. He fell to the ground and she advanced on him, hitting him repeatedly. The man gasped and screamed in pain but she kept punching him, caving his head in, screaming with each punch.

“YOU. BASTARD. DON’T. SPEAK. OF. ZADE. LIKE. THAT.” Eventually, the man stilled, and Yue looked at the bloody, mangled mess she left. Alyx whistled next to her.

“He got you pretty riled up.”

“Shut up, Alyx,” Yue said, trying not to smile. “He deserved it.”

“That he did,” Neena told them, walking up.

Another Er’litahn attacked them, but this time Neena took care of it, slamming it in the head with the butt of her sword, then decapitating it.

“Is it just me or are these monsters getting easier to kill?” She asked.

Yue watched as a woman was torn apart by a L’lorianne, screaming for help.

“It’s just you. It’s tha anger ,” She provided.

“Yeah, probably,” Neena admitted. “It feels good. Won’t bring Zade back, though.”

Yue nodded. No matter what they did, how much they fought, how many times they avenged Zade’s death, he wouldn’t come back.

She already missed him.

— — —

I have many I have chosen for my tasks, Eva tells me. You are not the only one. But you do not, and maybe will never know any of the others.

Once again, the world shifts, changing to a massive group of people. Not all of them are human, but I’m there, in the midst of them. There must be about fifty of them, maybe a little less.

These are my champions. They are my hope for the world.

Who are they? Where do they live? Arcadia? Aleumdaun Seom?

Eva laughs. Oh, Zade, you think you're alone. The world zooms out, and suddenly, I’m looking at a map of the known world. There are all the countries I know. All the countries that had participants in the tournament.

Then the world expands more, showing more continents. I gape. I don’t even know half of the world. There are dozens of more countries. There must be millions, maybe billions of people here.

This is your world, Zade. You may not realize it, but it is massive. And this is not the only world, but you shall learn soon, as a mage.

This is…I don’t know what to say. How can it be so big?

Dautha has been infiltrating the whole world. It started with your continent: Horvafell, but he’s been influencing the others as well. Because of this, I have my champions in every single continent. Some know of me, some don’t. Some continents require several champions: yours only requires you for now.

And you’re doing this to stop Dautha?

That’s all I want.

Then why don’t you attack him yourself.

Eva sighs, and she grows somber. I…don’t like to talk about it. Let’s just say me and Dautha don’t like to directly hurt each other. And I don’t want to kill Dautha. I just don’t want him to kill you.

So you want me to stop them.

Eva nods softly. Kind of. I need you to figure out everything you can about the Cult. Get me information. Fight them, make allies, protect your own. It’s a tough job, but you need to do whatever you can to protect your country. Don’t worry, I shall be with you, helping you when you need it.

I don’t know.

You’re overwhelmed.

I am. I don’t know what to think. This is so much happening all at once, and it’s hard to even believe it. I want to agree desperately but at the same time, I just don’t know if I can deal with the danger.

If I do, will I become stronger?

Eva laughs again. A little. I can’t make you a much stronger mage, but I can give you certain magic that you can pass on to some of your friends. Just like Dautha does to his cult, I shall do to my church.

I don’t know if I want to be part of a church.

Oh, don’t worry, it’s not a religious thing, just a fancy name.

Can I have time to decide?

Of course, take all the time you need. I’ll be waiting. And Zade, thank you for listening.

I nod and she disappears, along with the world, leaving me with the nothing.

I’m lost now, mentally and emotionally.

— — —

The monsters were really beginning to fight fiercely now, and they’re amassing too. Many more monsters that had waited outside of Magefell were inside now and doing everything they could to fight the city, killing as many innocents as possible.

But Yue was too focused on her fights to notice. She struck at every beast she could find, killing any that came within her grasp. Her friends joined in too, and together, they made a formidable group. Even Xavier fought well. He hadn’t been able to use his skill again yet, but he was consistently sending stronger fireballs and other strange magics that Yue couldn’t explain.

Other soldiers were starting to notice them and they were starting to get motivated as well. It was turning the tide of battle efficiently and Yue was proud of it.

“We salute you, Sterkona!” Gunnar said as she passed him. She nodded at him, chopping of an Er’litahn’s hand.

Many others joined in, chanting for the Sterkona and her friends. It was all exhilarating, and Yue tried not to let it get in her head.

She failed.

She smiled as she fought ferociously, helping the cheers invigorate her, letting it distract her from Zade’s death.

Yue needed that.

She was trying not to think of all her worries now. Xander and Zade. They clouded her mind, but when everyone cheered she forgot for a second. She knew it was narcissistic but for now she used it to her advantage.

Eventually, the cheering stopped as those soldiers still had a battle to fight, and so did Yue, although now she needed to focus on the noises of the fight to distract herself.

There was a man on the ground, screaming as an Er’litahn ran at him. Yue got there first, slamming into the Er’litahn and stabbing it. It reacted instinctively, swiping at her, but she stabbed it again, ending its life. She turned around,

“You’re safe now…” She paused, as the only thing she could see now was the bottom half of the man, bleeding profusely on the ground. Craning her head up, Yue saw a L’lorianne with the remains of the man’s torso, eating it.

That was Xander.

The thought hit her like a brick, and she knew it wasn’t the truth, but she couldn’t help thinking that.

“Help!” Another man cried. Turning to him, Yue found Zade staring at her, bleeding on the ground. She screamed.

The man looked at her strangely, his left limb missing.

It wasn’t Zade.

Yue needed to breathe, her chest was constricting, she felt like she was going crazy.

Everywhere she turned, she saw Xander and Zade. Pleading with her for help.

“Yue, we need you.”

“Where’s the Sterkona now?”

“Help me. Why’d you leave me alone?”

Yue screamed and ran into a nearby alleyway.

She couldn’t breathe. She was hyperventilating.

“Yue, you need help?”

“I’m fine, Neena,” Yue opened her eyes. “I just can’t stop seeing Xander and Zade everywhere.”

“Are you sure about that?” Xander was suddenly where Neena had just been, smiling evilly at her, his sharp teeth glistening. She whimpered.

“Yue, you’re not okay,” Neena said. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know, I think I’m going crazy.”

“It’s the Cultists,” High Mage Aegon appeared, grabbing her by the shoulders. “They know how strong you are, and they’re messing with your head. You need to push through it.”

“I don’t know if I can,” Yue admitted. “It’s so real.”

High Mage Aegon grabbed her head. “May I?”

She nodded and suddenly she was flooded with pain. Yue screamed and bucked, clawing at the High Mage, the pain drowning her. The world grew blurry and she didn’t know if she could live through this.

“Stay still,” High Mage Aegon breathed. “I have to take the Cultists out of your head. I know it hurts. Just be strong.”

Yue screamed again, ignoring High Mage Aegon’s voice. She could barely hear him, much less obey him.

Then the world grew silent and color returned. Yue looked up to find HIgh Mage Aegon beaming at her.

“It’s done,” He told her. “You’re free.”

She weeped on his shoulder. “Thank you. So much. That was the worst experience I’ve ever had.”

“You’re welcome,” He said. “But that took too much mana. I don’t know how I’ll recover from that. I’m just glad you’re fine. Those Cultists shouldn’t be messing with your mind; it’s illegal.”

“Well, it’s done now. Neena, thank you for being here.”

“But I didn’t do much,” Neena protested.

“You came to help me, even though you couldn't do anything. You stuck by. That means a lot.”

Neena smiled sadly. “Well, I should be getting back to the fight.”

“Me too,” Yue said. “Let’s go.”

She narrowed her eyes and walked forwards, preparing for her next fights. With an angry mind, she was prepared to take on any mage now.

She hated them, and they didn't know that all they did only served to fuel her.

Xander, Zade, and now her.

They thought they could break her.

She would prove them wrong.

— — —

I don’t know if I want to accept Eva’s mission. I just want to have a normal life, although I guess being a mage changes that. But I don’t want to have to face the Cultists anymore. I just almost died from them, and they are so powerful. It’s so stressful.

Not to mention my friends. I’d only be putting them in danger by doing this. They'll be targets from now on.

On the other hand, I do want to end the Cult. I can’t help but love Eva, and after all I’ve learned, it feels like the right thing to fight Dautha. Not only do I feel like I have the duty to do it—seeing as Eva had already begun working with me before—but I also feel the need to do it. It sounds like fun.

And this whole story, I want to believe it, I do believe it, but at the same time, it’s so far-fetched. Two gods, more continents, champions to save the world? It’s so unbelievable, but yet it has to be real. I did see Eva with my own eyes, and she did look like a Goddess.

Unless this is all in my head, and if it is there’s no problem in accepting, because I’ll just wake up and nothing has changed,

But if this is true, does that mean I’ll spend my life fighting a God of Death, someone so much more powerful and smarter than me? Is that how I’ll live my life? Does that mean I’ll have to ignore my friends?

And does it mean I’ll never see Jade again? I can’t stand that. I just want to graduate from Zenyth and move to Erenfeld. Jade is my best friend, how am I supposed to never see her again? Of course, maybe I still can while being Eva’s champion, but there’s always a chance.

But I could be more powerful with this. I could finally have a slight edge on the Cultists. For once, I could be close to even ground with them. I can’t help but feel a little excited about that. If I’m being honest with myself—I always am, I don't know why anyone would use that phrase—a part of me can’t help but be excited about the chance to have more power.

And Dautha killed Astil. He’s killed my friends, my friends’ friends. He needs to pay, and if I need to be the one to do it, then I guess I should.

Eva?

She appears next to me again, shining like the sun. Have you made your decision, Zade?

I will not be your champion.

Eva sputters in shock. What, I thought you would take the opportunity. I don’t know what to say…

I’m just kidding, I say. Of course I’ll be your champion.

Eva laughs uproariously, her shoulders shaking. Oh, you got me. I’m so happy you’ve chosen to be my champion. Together, with dozens of other champions, we shall end Dautha’s rise. We shall stop him. Zade, are you with me? She grabs me by the shoulders, and presses me to her chest.

I am, Goddess.

None of that now, She chides softly. I will be with you at all times. You shall not be able to contact me, but I will contact you if need be. You have a large responsibility now, Zade, but I know you’ll do well.

May I go back now?

Of course.

Then she kisses me. It doesn’t feel like anything, but I still react in a shocked way. But as she kisses me, the world begins to fuzz and disappear.

Thank you, Eva says as she leaves. Thank you so much for choosing to do this. The world is blessed with your life.

I open my eyes, and all I can see is clear skies.

The first thing I notice is that my senses are back. I can see the battle, smell the death—oof, that smells horrible—touch the cobblestones, taste the dirt, hear the clangs of swords.

I’m alive.

I don’t feel any different, but I’m sure I wasn’t dreaming.

Eva was real.

I stand up and begin to float in the air, my mind filling with memories of the encounter with the Goddess.

My body fills itself with lightning, spiraling around, filling me. Then I catch fire, the lightning staying while the flames lick my skin.

“Zade?” Yue says, looking at me, awed.

When I speak, the words burst forth like thunder, and I feel powerful.

I’m here. Let’s burn this place to the ground.