Chapter Twenty-Five: The Dragon Head

“What happened?” I ask Anni urgently.

“It was…Raakhshas,” She sobs. “He appeared out…Out of nowhere. He was with… some adults. They tried to get us, but—” She whimpers. “Atty tried to protect me. He did everything. But they—” She pauses again, and I grab her shoulders. She looks up at me. “They just stole him. They took him away. I don’t know where they went.”

My gut feeling dissipates as if saying I did my job. Now all I have left is panic for my friend.

“Raakhshas,” I spit. “Why did he go after Astil? It’s me they want. Come on, Anni, we’re gonna find Xavier. Then, we’re gonna find Astil. And I’m gonna kill Raakhshas.”

— — —

I knock on Xavier’s door.

“It’s urgent,” I say, voice shaking like my legs.

He opens the door, and when he sees my face, his face oozes concern.

“What happened?”

I quickly tell him what Anni told me, words streaming quickly. I barely understand what I’m saying, but evidently Xavier understands, because he nods.

“Let’s go find him,” He says.

We reunite with Anni in the gallery. She’s shaking visibly, and her face is full of terror. Basically, she looks like what I feel inside. I’m trying to hide it, though. Anni clearly doesn’t want to.

“We’ll get him back, won’t we?” Anni asks. “He’ll be okay?”

I don’t know. Honestly, my hope is fading fast. But I can’t tell Anni that.

“Of course we will,” I force a smile. “We’ll be able to save him. Just like he saved you. Where did he get kidnapped?”

“Down in the gardens. Do you want me to show you where?” Anni’s quivering voice saddens me.

“Yes, please,” I tell her. “Lead the way.”

As we leave, two conflicting emotions rage in my head. The first is sadness, of course. I’m scared for Astil, and that makes me sad, knowing that whatever they do to Astil will only hurt him. I’m sad because the thought of never seeing him again scares me.

But I’m also angry. Irate at Raakhshas. Astil did not need to be involved in our beef. It was only ever about me and him. There was no need to go after my friend. When I find Raakhshas, I will kill him. I don’t care what it takes. I will make sure he ends up in the grave.

We walk down a flight of stairs toward the exit of Zenyth proper. I want to run as fast as I can, but I don’t know where he was caught. I need to follow Anni. She’s running too, but not too quickly.

We finally exit the Zenyth building and enter the gardens. I haven’t been here much, but it’s beautiful. As it’s getting dark, the flowers shine through the night. I wish I could appreciate them now, but I don’t have time.

The gardens are large, and Anni leads us through the twists and turns. We pass benches where couples snuggle, and I try not to wince. I don’t mind it, but I keep thinking that Anni and Astil were probably doing the same thing before he was taken.

Anni stops by a bench. There’s nobody in sight anymore, and now I can understand how Astil could’ve been taken by surprise.

“It was here,” She says. “They came out of that bush and swarmed us. We tried to fight back, but they were too strong.” She starts to weep again, and I hug her.

“Hey, guys,” Xavier says, caution in his voice, “You might want to see this.”

He’s looking at the bench. There are words carved into the bench that look like the work of a knife. I squint my eyes to read the words in the fading sunlight.

You have two hours to come to Dragon Head. I won’t kill Astil 'till then. The longer you take, the more he bleeds.

My eyes narrow the more I read it. Anni reads it, and her eyes tear up again. Xavier screams.

“What do we do?” Anni asks. “They’re hurting him!”

“I don’t know,” I growl. “Do you know where the Dragon Head is?”

She shakes her head.

“Xavier?”

Xavier’s rage is plain on his face as he looks at me. “I don’t know where it is either,” He says, struggling to not let his anger show in his words. “We should ask Th’ul.”

We rush off, not bothering to even think about what we’ll do after. I have nothing in my mind now except for Astil.

I hope that Raakhshas isn’t hurting Astil too much. I hope Astil can take it. I pray Astil can hold on until we arrive.

We search the cafeteria first, but Th’ul isn’t there.

“We should split up,” I suggest. “I go check his room. Anni, you go check the game room. Xavier, go to the library.

They nod and set off. I head towards Th’ul’s room. If we can’t find him, then I don’t think we’ll get to the Dragon Head in time.

I’m running so fast that I pass by his room and have to skid to a stop before I can turn back. I knock on Th’ul’s door and wait. There’s no answer so I knock again.

After a minute, I decide he’s not here. I turn to leave when the door opens.

“What do you want?” A groggy Th’ul asks.

“I need your help,” I manage to say. “Do you know where Dragon Head is?”

“There are three locations. Why?”

“No time to explain. Come with me,” I say.

“I can’t. I have things to do.” Th’ul’s voice is weary.

“Astil is in danger.”

Th’ul straightens up. “Let me get my cloak then.”

— — —

As we dash back to the cafeteria, I tell him what happened. Th’ul’s face darkens as I finish.

“I should’ve realized something like this would happen,” He said.

“It’s not your fault,” I breathe. “We just have to make sure we catch them. So tell me about this Dragon Head.”

We arrive at the cafeteria, where Anni and Xavier are already waiting for us.

“The Dragon Head is probably the most popular inn in this entire city. It’s definitely the most popular spot to gamble. It’s so popular that it’s branched into three different places. The first is at the market. The second is near the Harbor. The third is smack dab in the middle of the Antiquated Section. That one is the most expensive one. None of us would be able to afford any of it. My bet is that they’re at the market.”

“What are we waiting for, then?” Anni asks.

We run out of Zenyth in the direction of the market.

I’m running so fast that I need to make sure I don’t stumble. Magefell is a hill, and while the magic prevents exhaustion uphill, when I’m running downhill, I can feel how steep it is. It feels like I’m taking five strides with only one. Anni struggles to keep up with us, but I know that she would want us to be in front anyway.

Th’ul is by far the fastest of us, and when he turns a corner and I follow, I lose sight of him. A second later, I see him down an alleyway. I keep following. Normally, it takes a good thirty minutes to get to the market at least. Today I’m making it in five.

As the market comes into view, I groan. I totally forgot how crowded it would be. I have to slow down so that I don’t bump into any passersby, but I still manage a speed walk as I follow Th’ul. I assume Xavier and Anni are following but I can’t really be sure anymore. I’m focused on what’s ahead.

While I walk, I stretch my core. I’ve figured out that’s a good way to prepare it for magic. I imagine the core as the magic I might have to do. Then I put on my magic shield.

I finger the hilt of my sword, making sure it’s there. Then I check the inward pocket of my cloak for my dagger. It’s there. I breathe a sigh of relief. If I’m right, I’ll have to use it today.

Every second we take to find Astil, the more he gets hurt. We need to be quicker. I quietly make a prayer, hoping that the first Dragon Head we go to is the right one.

Th’ul skids to a stop, and I hold his arm as I try not to fall. Xavier and Anni are there a second later.

“We’re here,” Th’ul says.

I look at the building. It’s a simple wooden building with a sign on the front. The sign has a knight with a sword embedded on a dragon’s skull.

The Dragon Head.

We’re here.

I open the door. The bar is full of drunkards and barmaids. I quickly realize that I have no idea how I’m going to find Raakhshas. Where would he be in this bar?

“Do you want anything?” Asks a gruff looking man at the front of the bar. He glares at us

“Are there any mages here? Maybe a man names Raakhshas?” I ask.

“Ain’t no Raakhshases here,” The man replies. “If y’all want some beer, I got that. If you don’t, scram.”

“I don’t think he’ll be at this one,” Th’ul whispers to me. “But I think I know where he is.”

We leave the Dragon Head.

“Okay then, explain yourself,” I demand.

“The Dragon Head on the Antiquated Section is owned by a mage. I’m thinking that’s where Astil was taken.”

“Why didn’t you just say that before we came here?” Xavier complains.

“No time,” I reply. “Th’ul, get us there. As quick as you can.” He nods, and sprints left.

I follow him, immediately going down a path I’ve never been to. After a five minute run, I start to notice better houses. Some are made of marble. Some are obviously made of very expensive jewels. I’ve never seen a house made of rubies. It looks exotic, but too bright for my taste.

Not that I care. Right now, I just want to find Astil. No matter what it takes.

We pass a house that seems to have a shield around it. It’s probably magic protected, which on any other day would interest me.

I look over at Anni. She’s struggling for breath, and she’s also trying to keep her panic in. I want to reassure her, but speaking while running isn’t gonna do anything.

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I wonder how much time of the two hours has passed. At least forty-five minutes. I try not to think of Astil, innocent Astil, screaming in pain as they carve him. His blond hair drenched in blood.

No. It can’t be happening. Not to Astil.

We arrive at the Dragon Head. This one looks miles better than the other one. It’s made of marble, and it looks to be triple the size of the other one.

Th’ul slowly opens the door to the bar. There’s nobody inside. It looks like the other bar, except empty and made of marble.

“They’re closed but the door isn’t locked,” Xavier whispers. “That doesn’t sound good.” I agree with him.

We walk to the back of the bar where there is a door leading to what should be the hall to the rooms. As Th’ul opens the door, I hear a creak. It’s loud, but I hope it didn’t warn anybody of our coming.

We enter the dimly lit hallway. It’s spooky, and looks haunted. The light here is coming from the candles posted by the walls.

I hear a scream. A guttural, painful noise that splits the silence. I think I recognize the scream.

It sounds like Astil.

“That was Atty, wasn’t it?” Anni asks, scared of the answer. I nod softly, and she sobs.

I follow the scream I heard. It leads to a double door of iron. On the doorknobs are marble heads of a man and a woman, eyes filled with fire, tongue like snakes. I shudder and open the door.

There he is. Astil is in the middle of the room, tied to a plank of the wood held vertically in the air. He’s shirtless and bleeding from somewhere, but he’s alive. He sees us, and his eyes widen. He’s gagged, so I’m not sure of his expression. Anni screams and runs to him; me, Th’ul, and Xavier are on her heels. There doesn’t seem to be anybody else here, but it is dark, so maybe I just don’t see them.

I take out my dagger, and start to untie Astil. No one comes to stop me. Anni removes the gag, and he speaks to them.

“Thank you so much for coming,” He says, throat parched, “But it’s a trap. You should’ve left me here.” He starts to sob. “Anni, you shouldn’t have come.”

“I told you they were coming,” A familiar, snake-like voice comes from the darkness. “The entertainment is here.” Suddenly, the room is lit, and I groan.

It’s Raakhshas and four grown Mages, each wielding a sword I bet they won’t need. I get flashbacks from the torture I had recently, but this time I know it’ll be different.

I’m stronger. And I’m here to protect my friends.

Th’ul brought a sword from his room and he takes it out. Xavier brought a dagger, so I give Astil mine.

“Anni,” I say, “Stay away from this fight. You won’t be able to do anything.”

She raises her hands, and there’s water in the air above them. “Don’t underestimate me,” She growls.

“No surrender,” Raakhshas’ face looks sad. “Pity. Now.”

The four mages rush at us, Raakhshas staying behind, and I quickly make sure my shield is still up. I locate Anni throwing water at a mage, who defends it with his sword, water streaming out in two directions once it touches the sword. Astil and Xavier engage in a back-to-back fight with a couple of mages. I engage in the other two. I can’t see Th’ul.

I block a thrust from one, and back up as another swings at me. My back hits a pillar and I groan. I hadn’t even noticed these were here. I scan the room. There must be at least ten pillars. I duck desperately as the mages attack me again. I poke one of them in the leg and he jumps back, yelping a bit. I look at the other mage and try to levitate him. It doesn’t work. He must be using a shield.

I feel a poke against my shield, and I smile. Raakhshas is glaring at me, but he can’t get past my shield so far. I’m thankful I’ve been able to make it stronger.

As I fight with one of the mages, I hear something behind me. I realize what’s happening right before it’s too late. I’m about to die.

A Fireball whizzes past my shoulder and smashes the other mage in the head. The mage falls back. The Fireball didn’t hurt him as he was wearing a shield, but it did catch him off guard, giving me time to step back and restance myself.

I look at where Th’ul is behind a pillar and nod at him respectfully. He winks. I thought he’d left the fight, but I’m glad he’s still fighting for us. A Fireball comes my way, but before it reaches, a gush of water extinguishes it, Anni’s hand still stretched to where she threw the water. I yell a warning as a mage’s fist aims at her. The fist looks like a boulder. It smashes into Anni and she flies back, hitting a wall. Her chest heaves up and down. I would help her, but there’s no time. Thankfully, Th’ul rushes to her aid.

I bring my sword up to match the weapon of the mage attacking me. I match him in strength, but slowly, his sword seems to grow stronger, and I start to feel myself being overpowered. He must be magically enforcing his sword, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

But I have an idea, I levitate my sword only a centimeter then let go of my hand and step back. He doesn’t anticipate it, and suddenly he’s locking swords with the air. It’s my mental strength against his physical one. I try to levitate my sword higher, but he bring his sword back and rushes me. I smile. This is exactly what I wanted. As he runs at me, I do something I’ve been practicing. I fling my levitating sword with my magic.

It embeds itself in his back and he screams as he goes down, back spurting blood.

None of the other mages are dead yet. In fact, my friends are being forced to retreat. The mages are stronger at magic than the rest of us.

I feel a strength pulling at me and my shield breaks. I start to rise in that air, and I see Raakhshas concentrating on me. A blinding pain rushes through my body. With my last bit of concentration, I levitate a rock and throw it at him. The small pebble strikes him on the shoulder. It doesn’t hurt much, but it breaks his concentration enough for me to fall down and put my shield up.

My leg twists as I hit the floor, but I can ignore the pain. I’m ignoring my wounds while I do this. I see the sword of the fallen mage and I levitate it. I can feel my mana depleting but I still think I have enough. I attack a mage who was trying to get to Astil. I attack him with both swords, but I quickly realize I don’t have the concentration or strength to be fighting someone, sword in hand, and levitate another sword and fight him with that too. The levitating sword clatters to the ground.

“Psst,” I hear Th’ul whisper. I look over and see that my friends are all hiding behind pillars. I quickly rush behind one where Th’ul is.

“I killed one,” I say.

“I know,” Th’ul responds. “But we’re still losing. They’re too strong.”

“There are five of us, and only four of them.” I protest.

“It doesn’t matter,” Th’ul says. “They’ve been going easy on us. They’re clearly just taking their time. Unless a miracle happens, we’re gonna die here.”

“Well,” I say, “If I have to die, I’ll go down fighting.”

I send a fireball forward as one of the mages tries to get to us. He steps back as the fireball whizzes in front of him. His shield still manages to stop it.

I look at where Anni and Astil are huddled behind a pillar. Astil sees me, and I can tell he’s not doing so well.

An explosion rocks me. I look as I see Xavier rushing behind another pillar, what remains of his other one scattered on the ground.

“They’re blowing up the pillars?” I groan.

Th’ul nodded. “I told you. We’re not getting out of this.”

I concentrate hard and send forward a trio of Fireballs. I fully expect them to dissipate but they only get stronger and bigger, reaching the other mages. I look at Th’ul. He must be helping me. I focus on the fire with him. The Fireballs stop when they reach the mages’ shields, but me and Th’ul concentrate on keeping it up. It becomes a mental fight. I can feel my strength sapping, but I give this all I have.

Eventually, the Fireballs stop and boomerang back to us. I shriek and step behind the pillar again as the whizz next to my face.

“When do you think they’ll end this?” I wonder.

“Any time now,” Th’ul says. “We’re getting tired.”

Anni and Astil scream as they send a wave of water at the mages. I send a Fireball at them at the same time, and Th’ul strengthens it. Xavier sees what we’re doing and sends a pile of rocks, magically throwing them at the mages.

The mages walk forward and the rocks shatter. The wave washes over them, but they don’t get wet. The Fireballs, as always, do nothing.

One of the mages raises his hand. The marble from the broken pillar congregates around him, forming an armor. He jumps to the pillar where I’m hiding and punches it. It shatters, and I’m flung back, landing on a dazed Th’ul.

What Th’ul said before finally dawns on me.

We can’t fight them. They’re too strong. They’ve been learning to be mages for years. They’ve experienced so much more, and just know things I couldn’t dream of.

Plus, they’re Cultists. If the High Mage who tried to recruit me was right, then they have power imbued from Dautha. If so, then they’d be even more powerful than someone who’d been learning the same amount of time as them.

I’m going to lose. I know it.

And they’re going to kill me.

I hope Jade doesn’t miss me too much. I hope she lives a wonderful life and that she finds a great husband.

There’s just one thing I want to do now.

I want to kill Raakhshas. And I want to save my friends.

Okay, two things.

I yell and rush towards Raakhshas, ignoring all the other mages. The mage with marble armor punches me and I fly forward falling to the ground. I get back up soon after, and strike at Raakhshas. He steps forward to fight me. I hope my friends can at least cover me for now.

My sword strikes his and flies back. His sword must be magically protected. I groan. This is going to be harder than I originally thought.

I duck beneath his sword and strike with mine. It scrapes his stomach, and he groans, surprise on his face, The surprise quickly turns to anger.

“You never were the better fighter,” I sneer.

He shrugs. “I still win anyway. I don’t need to be better.” He steps back, and only a last minute scream from Xavier makes me step to the left. A sword strikes where I was a second ago, and I’m forced to fight another mage.

This one is a woman, and she looks terrifying. Her body has red markings all over them, and she stands at seven feet currently.

Part of me is scared to death.

The other part wonders what it’d be like to have that kind of magic.

I’m forced to retreat as I fight her. I need to do something to get the advantage over her, but I’m fresh out of ideas. This is a very strong mage, and I’m just a mage-in-training.

Her sword scratches my arm, and I scream in pain. I’ve got basically no mana left to do magic and even my shield is waning. I can see Anni fall through the corner of my eye. Th’ul and Xavier are clearly on their last stretch. I can’t see Astil, but he’s probably fighting someone too.

The woman swings at me again, and my sword flies out of my grip. It lands on the floor some ten feet away. I want to get it, but I know I don’t have time to get it.

I stumble back as she swings at me, tripping on the ground. She lifts her sword, ready to kill me. I prepare for death. I just wish I’d been able to keep my friends alive.

“Wait!” I hear Raakhshas scream. “I want him to see this before he dies.” The woman looks back. When she looks back at me, I can see her evil smile. She steps back, and I can see the other mages do the same.

What was Raakhshas talking about?

I look at him and I gasp. My eyes widen, and I try not to scream. Raakhshas is holding a dagger up to Astil’s throat. Astil is looking at me, desperation in his eyes. I look at Raakhshas.

“Don’t do this,” I beg. “Please. This is between me and you. He didn’t do anything.”

Raakhshas slits Astil’s throat.

Me and my friends all scream at the same time.

“ATTY!,” I hear Anni yell.

Th’ul screams in anger. Xavier yells in desperation.

“NOOOOO!” I scream.

Astil’s body falls to the ground, blood already pooling around him. Raakhshas’ dagger is red with Astil’s blood.

I can barely feel anymore. I’m going numb.

Raakhshas just killed Astil.

Astil’s dead.

My eyes water, and tears stream out.

Astil can’t be dead.

He was like my little brother.

I loved him.

He was so innocent, so sweet. He was my anchor, my hope.

He can’t be dead.

I look at Astil’s limp body, sobs wracking my body. Astil doesn’t move.

“No, no, no,” I whimper, in pain. Astil’s blood reaches me, and I feel its cold touch telling me he’s dead.

But I don't want to believe it.

I remember his happy laugh. How alive he seemed when he was with Anni. How much he looked up to me. All I want to do is bring him back.

But I can’t.

Astil’s gone now.

There’s nothing I can do.

And I surrender to death.

Because now all I want to do is die. I don’t want to live if the one person I wanted to protect is dead. Astil’s face looks at me guiltily.

I let Astil die.

The realization hits me again.

Astil is dead. He’s gone. Forever.

I hear a female voice in my head.

Skill Unlocked: Burning Pillar.

I look up at Raakhshas, and suddenly a pillar of fire erupts beneath him, consuming him. When the fire disappears, all that’s left of him is ashes and a couple of bones.

I’ve killed Raakhshas, but I don’t care.

Suddenly, I’m filled with rage in my heart. My mind explodes with fury. I strike at the woman with the red markings and she backs off, horror in her eyes. I focus on her and she explodes in a pillar of fire.

The other two mages’ eyes wien and they back off, clearly reinforcing their shields. I look at Xavier, who’s kneeling on the ground crying. Anni is looking at me fearfully.

“YOU KILLED HIM!” I yell at the mages.

Another pillar of fire erupts, taking the life of a mage. The last mage growls, knowing he can’t run away, and attacks my friends. Th’ul quickly jumps in to block him and they begin to fight each other. I slowly walk over to them, rage blazing in my heart.

I want to kill everyone.

As I get nearer, the mage gets more desperate. His swings grow wilder, and his thrusts less powerful. He knows that if I reach him, he’s dead.

Th’ul keeps him busy, and half of me wants to let him stall, but I need to end it now.

“Th’ul,” I say. “Back off.”

Th’ul tries to get away from the mage, who attacks harder. I groan and grab Nightwielder from where Astil dropped it. I fling it, and it takes the mage in the shoulder. He screams and falls to the ground.

I smile. “I hope you burn in hell.” Fire consumes him, and his screams please me.

The mages are dead. As soon as that hits me, so does everything else. I fall to my knees. My anger leaves my body, and all that is left is the sadness.

Astil is gone. I crawl over to his prone form. The blood pooling on the ground seems like too much for such a tiny cut. I grab his body and cradle his head. It moves limply back and forth in my arms, and I weep loudly.

Why couldn’t it be me? I would’ve died for him if I could. I could’ve done something.

I scream at the air. My tears hit Astil’s face, and I caress his blonde hair. He had so much to live for. Just today, he was so lively and happy.

And now he’ll never be happy again.

Th’ul comes to me and wraps his arms around me in a comforting way. It doesn’t help. All I want now is Astil.

I can hear Anni whimpering a few feet away from me. She’s in shock, so petrified she can’t even cry,

And Xavier… Xavier’s eyes are so full of sadness that just looking at them would be enough to change anyone’s mood. Tears fall down his face.

We’re drowning in liquids now. The blood, sweat, and tears falling on the ground threaten to overwhelm us, but we don’t really care.

The best of us is dead,

And we did nothing to stop it.

Why couldn’t I have unlocked the skill before he died? Before Raakhshas took his life in a cowardly way?

“Please wake up,” I beg Astil. “Please, please, please.” My voice becomes a phantom, a whisper. “Please… Please. You can’t go yet.” My sobbing muffles my voice. “Please come back. Please come home.”

Astil’s eyes stare at me, empty and lifeless.

I scream again. And again. And again.

I cry with my friends for hours. Nobody moves. If we move, then this is real. We stay for as long as we can, crying, denying the truth.

We cry for Astil.

Because he was my hope.

He was happy when nobody else was.

I weep.

Xavier weeps.

Anni weeps.

Even Th’ul weeps.

My tears fall over Astil’s eyes. Even he seems to weep.

Astil is dead.

And so are we.