“What the hell happened here?” Solomon pauses to take in the scene. So many familiar faces, some more welcome than others.
“A little too late there.” Luxor speaks up, who Solomon just notices properly. “Now, would someone kindly come here and help out your God?”
Haemon and Rufina rush over to him to lift the rocks. Solomon goes to help as well, thinking that it might further their chances, which earns her a suspicious look from Haemon. Benedict also comes to help, which the bat just finds strange, judging by his expression. The four of them manage to get the stones off the white fox, whose hand and abdomen then shine white briefly. Luxor dusts himself off, then sneers at the gravely injured Ludwig trying to crawl away. Even from her brief time in the cult, Solomon can tell that that doesn’t happen often.
“You…” He begins to say, as he trudges over to the silver wolf, who is now whimpering. “You trespass on my territory, my castle, my tabernacle, and not only BLASPHEME my name, but dare to attack me as well?!” Ludwig’s lips tremble as he looks up at the white fox. “What say you, in your defence for this iniquity?”
“They have more light!” The silver wolf shouts, pointing at Adelar, who in turn seems furious at what he said.
Solomon feels utterly disgusted by the idea of Ludwig handing over Durazo just to save himself. Genesis, no, every other Mystic One seems to share her sentiment in one way or another, to her surprise, even Haemon and Rufina.
“Your petty lies will not save you.” Luxor replies, incredulous. However gullible he might be, he still won’t trust a single word of Ludwig after what he tried to do.
“Shaquia!” He yells out, but the lynx says nothing. In fact, Solomon can see that her right hand is ever so slightly shaking, gradually growing much more violent as she grits her teeth. She then clenches her fist, causing the quivering to stop as steam rises from her entire upper body.
“Sheila! Benedict! Help me!” Their once leader demands, but no one steps up. “Why isn’t my System helping me?!”
“Your “system” lacks a foundation.” Says the fox, staring at him with his glowing, white eyes. Whatever thought might be behind them, it is without a doubt that of deep, indignant disdain. “Your sentence is death.” He points two fingers at him, slightly open. “My word is absolute. My word is inalterable. My word is sacrosanct, as am I.” A beam of light shoots out from each of them, one at each side of Ludwig’s neck, causing him to yelp.
“Isn’t that enough?! Isn’t that what you want above all?” Ludwig yells in one last desperate attempt to change the fox’s mind.
“Perish.” Luxor says and with one simple motion, closes his fingers. Ludwig tries to protect himself with his power, but it doesn’t help him whatsoever. The light cuts through his neck like a hot knife would through butter. It takes no more than a few seconds for his whole body to turn into a pile of reddish brown dust after the divine fox finishes him off.
“Judgement is served.”
Solomon can’t help but feel delighted by seeing the silver wolf’s demise, a feeling she shares with Genesis. Haemon and Rufina, they may not speak their mind, but given what she learned about their past relation to Ludwig… She figures that their looks of utter, vengeant glee is justified.
As this is happening, the remaining cultists gather as Luxor turns to look at them with bittersweet pleasure.
“Sweep through our home.” He orders in a calm voice. “Count our losses. Bring any intruders to the dungeon. It is time we use it.”
The cultists go through the doorways, completely ignoring anyone else in the hall.
“As for you…” He turns to look at Adelar and Yaroslav. “For what reason have you trespassed upon here?” He asks with a slight frown.
“In all honesty, we didn’t know you lived here.” Says the bear.
“We’re here for one reason.” Adelar steps forward, pointing at Solomon. “Her.”
Everyone in the hall turns to look at the cat, which she really doesn’t like.
“She’s one of yours?” Haemon questions.
Adelar nods in confirmation.
“So she’s one of you, dressed as one of us, helping two of them?” The albino says in a sarcastic tone.
“Listen, mates.” Lisa says in a nonchalantly calm manner, putting a hand on Solomon’s shoulder, which comforts her greatly. “We just want her back, then we’ll leave ya to whatever you were doing.” She states with a smile.
Luxor tilts his head to the side.
“I am afraid she belongs to us now.” He declares.
Solomon hears a low growl from Lisa. She may have only known her for a few months, but she has never heard her make such a sound. She’s about to say something when the white fox continues talking.
“However, I recognise that you have helped me. Who might belong to this group of yours?” Adelar and Yaroslav go to stand next to Lisa. The remaining members of The System stay where they are. “For the rest of you, judgement awaits.”
“Ludwig is dead.” Solomon speaks up, stepping forward. It may be an extremely foolish decision, Genesis certainly figures it to be that, but she wants to save them as well. “Blame the leadership. Not them.”
Benedict nods vigorously.
“What she said!” He says, partially hiding behind Sheila.
The bat siblings look downright insulted.
“Why are they so important to you all of a sudden?” Adelar questions with a frown.
“Just… trust me on this one.” She turns to plead with the eagle.
“They killed your worshippers!” Haemon chimes in, apparently catching Luxor’s attention more. “People, scalded, shot, shocked, charred and frozen alike!”
Benedict crosses his arms to hide his markings.
Luxor pauses, listening intently. Solomon is certain that he’s angry, terribly so, but he doesn’t show it. For what reason, she’s not sure.
“What say you in your defence?” The fox finally asks.
Solomon sighs, already thinking of a way to fix this. She doesn't like it, she knows that Genesis won’t like it either, but it may be the only chance to help them all. She wants everyone to be free so much… And she will see to it.
“Take your anger out on me!” She says, causing Genesis to panic. “I’m the reason for all this! If I wasn’t so good at destruction, none of this would have happened! Go on, cast your judgement upon me and let them go!” She declares.
The hall falls silent. Solomon looks around and sees that everyone looks to be quite surprised by her decision, Haemon especially. “Please let this work…”
“Rox…” Says Lisa, stepping forward, reaching out with a hand.
“You don’t have to do this!” Shaquia exclaims, attempting to get closer to her, an attempt which is quickly shot down by a mere glance of Luxor.
Solomon holds her arms to the side.
“I am capable of causing great destruction!” She states, glancing at Benedict. “Please pick up on it.” Genesis seems to understand her plan now. He doesn’t seem eager to unleash his wrath once more per se, but if the circumstances demand it, he will surely listen to his host. “So what are you waiting for?”
Luxor looks at her indifferently.
“Very well.” He says, putting his hands together. “If your wish is to absolve these sinners through your sacrifice, then I shall grant it. Such a shame, for I have thought of a use for you in our society.”
Solomon feels her heart beat faster. “Come on… Work with me here!” She sees the raccoon hold his hands together and light up his markings. Along with that, the soft sound of a sword being unsheathed.
“Oh no you don’t.” Says a new voice coming from the direction of the entrance. Turning her head, Solomon sees a welcome sight, Thalia, standing in the doorway. The lanterns that used to light the way there have been smashed, covering it in a dim darkness.
“Who might you be?” Luxor asks with a curious look.
Solomon glances at Lisa, who sheathes her sword with a smirk.
“You are light, correct?” Thalia asks, confident in whatever her plans might be.
“The embodiment of light, the God of light, the one who-” The fox begins to say, only for Thalia to cut him off.
“Then I’m your worst nightmare.” Colour drains from her, fur and clothes alike turning black, taking the fox by surprise. “Now let me ask you one question, o, embodiment of light.”
Darkness spreads from around her, enveloping everything in her vicinity. When it reaches one of the few remaining magical lanterns, it extinguishes, rather than the light dispersing the darkness. Luxor watches on unmoving, a look of absolute terror on his face.
“Impossible!” Says Haemon, grabbing the fox by the arm, snapping him out of his trance.
“What is darkness but the absence of light?” Thalia asks as her darkness spreads further.
“Solomon!” Shaquia whispers, stepping towards her. “Where did she come from? That’s True Darkness!”
Luxor fires a beam of light into the spreading darkness, but can’t pierce its veil.
“Light of the Bright Ones can never exist within its presence!” The lynx explains to her. Solomon shoots her an “I know” look with a smirk.
Luxor runs to the back of the hall and to the marble throne, Thalia’s darkness having spread to block the entrances. It covers most of the hall and the people inside it, members of the cult flee from what to them, is the antithesis of their god.
Solomon is plunged into the same, uncomfortably shadowy darkness, barely able to make out any of the other people. Haemon, Rufina, and Luxor scramble to the one spot that hasn’t been obscured yet, lighting an emergency torch, keeping the approaching darkness at bay. That sight seems to please Genesis greatly.
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“What’s going on?” Sheila asks, keeping close to Benedict, holding his hand tight.
“I hate to say it…” The raccoon replies. “But I see about as much as you do right now.”
“Keep calm, everyone!” Lisa exclaims. “She’s on our side!”
Solomon looks at Thalia, who gestures to the entrance. She herself then does the same to the others, who then all quietly begin to go there. Luxor is speechless as he’s huddled in the lit corner with the two bats.
“I’ll need you to tell me exactly how you found out about this.” Adelar says to Lisa as they approach the doorway.
Solomon squints and she sees the vague figure of what must be Lumi, taking off her welding goggles.
“This… This is it.” She sees her take off her gloves, the darkness having extinguished every lantern in the hall. “Please! Let me make contact!” She pleads, walking towards Thalia. The silhouette of the panther stops, Solomon is certain she turns her head to look at Lumi.
“You’re what I’ve been waiting for!” Says the bat, throwing off her coat and freeing her face from the fabric. “I beg of you, let me make contact!” She reaches out with an arm.
“You know I’m like, a person, right?” Thalia asks in a confused tone, causing Lumi to pause. “I guess you can?” She shrugs, then reaches out and allows Lumi to take her hand.
“This… This power!” She exclaims through delighted chuckles. “My destiny is fulfilled! Please, take me with you!”
Solomon feels mildly concerned about Lumi now unable to tell what exactly happened in the darkness.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” Says the voice of Haemon.
Thalia turns towards the remaining three in the corner. Despite everything, not even Luxor’s light can compare to the power of True Darkness.
“Now to finish this…” Thalia takes a stance, ready to pounce.
Solomon is almost at the entrance door when she hears a sound she hasn’t heard for days, having all but forgotten, a sound which sends chills down her spines. The sound of quiet footsteps and dripping cause her to pause as she looks to the doorway, the darkness not having gone through it. A figure stands there at the edge of the darkness, Solomon rubs her eyes in disbelief before realising who it truly is.
He lets out a screech, which the others take notice of and stop. He then points at Thalia, and fires a bolt of electricity.
The panther collapses onto the floor. The darkness retreats, revealing a now less terrified Luxor and Rufina along with a positively furious Haemon. Some cultists take tentative steps into the hall.
Solomon can’t decide who is more devastated, Lumi, Lisa, or Genesis.
“No!” The bat and the wolf speak at the same time.
“Don’t believe… A single word they say…” Says the one who just arrived, who turns out to be none other than Fulmine, wet and partially covered in mud and what looks like kelp. He then looks at Solomon with betrayal. “Especially her!”
Her heart sinks. “Now we’re in trouble…” Her mind races, trying her best to come up with something, anything that can help them in this situation.
Lumi crouches down to Thalia and checks her pulse. She breathes a sigh of relief, thoroughly confusing Lisa. And the marking on her face… It seems to be glowing an intense black.
“What is the meaning of this!” Luxor stands up, clutching at his chest, the two bats at his side.
“How could you do that?” Says Fulmine, pointing at Solomon. He could just shoot lightning at her as well, but she feels a little solace in the fact that he doesn’t. “How could you break my heart like that?” He adds, now with a pleading expression.
Adelar and Shaquia, concerned for the cat’s safety, rush over and blast him with steam and the end of a fiery whip, pushing him to the ground. He yells out, covering his face.
Solomon feels a sense of immense guilt, one that is mixed with Genesis’ awkward disappointment. Whether it’s meant to be towards her or something else, she isn’t sure. She wonders if she could have handled that entire situation better.
Shaquia doesn’t seem to take notice of what he said. “This is it. We’re dead. Luxor will cut us all to pieces…” The exit… So close, yet so far, it isn’t even ten metres away. No matter, no one can outrun the speed of light.
“Lumi…” Says Luxor. “My warden, what was it that you said?”
“You see, Radiant One…” She begins to explain with a hint of urgency in her voice as she stands up. She then takes one of her knives and throws it straight into the fox’s face, dark ice quickly spreading across it soon after. He yelps out in pain and closes his eyes.
“Run!” Lumi exclaims, trying to pick up Thalia. Yaroslav goes to help her, easily putting the panther over his shoulder.
Haemon gathers his remaining strength and charges at Lumi with a blade made of blood. Lisa steps in to block his strike with her sword, resulting in a loud clang echoing in the hall. She then powers up, a brief shock causing the bat to recoil and step back.
Members of both Bird’s Eye and The System waste no time and make a run for the exit, led by Solomon.
She feels her foot bang into a small rock she failed to notice in the darkness, causing her to trip and fall over as some of the others overtake her. Only then, she sees a small, crimson blade fly over her head and pierce Shaquia’s calf, the lynx biting her tongue, slowing down to a crawl. She quickly gets up and helps her run, at least as much a person in that condition can. Adelar takes her place shortly after, trying his best to get her out.
With one quick glance back, Solomon sees that Luxor’s eyes are obscured. He’s shining his light onto the dark ice, steadily melting it. Lisa runs by her side, followed by the rest not far behind.
“AFTER THEM!” Luxor exclaims, the sound of footsteps rushing footsteps accompanying his voice. When everyone is through the entrance door, Lumi covers it in dark ice, which grows much faster than normal, covering the doorway in seconds.
They all run into the woods, not a single thought of looking back. On Solomon’s mind, but one thing: get away. Get away, and never have to come back. Not her, not anyone she’s with. The idea that she will finally be free of these two parties leaves her with a mild, but ever-present sense of peace. Or at least she certainly hopes that whoever will take Ludwig’s place will be more agreeable and won’t try and hunt her down. Not her, nor her friends.
“That’s the Acid One!” One agent says as they run through.
“Ludwig’s dead! Forget it! Just run!” Shaquia responds, her wound bleeding profusely.
“What’s going on?” Says the voice of Durazo somewhere nearby.
Solomon questions what he was doing there with the agents.
“I’ll explain later, let’s get out of here!” The cat shouts. She can hardly wait to see the ex-priest again, along with a proper retelling of what happened to her.
As they run through the dense woods, she can hear Sheila grunt as she runs into trees and low-hanging branches on more than one occasion.
“You are the worst guide I have EVER seen!” She berates Benedict.
“We’re either fast or careful, your choice, really!” The raccoon retorts, Sheila seems to give in. Solomon is certain she hears a soft “ow’” soon after. She remembers just how long it took to get to the castle first, this won’t be a pleasant escape, but it’s an escape nonetheless.
The group runs through the woods, the sound of their hurried footsteps and panting disrupting the silence of the forest. The mere presence of her friends encourages Solomon to keep going, she won’t let anyone take her again, she won’t let anyone take any of these people. Although she doesn’t hear anyone follow them, she feels deeply concerned about being chased.
Shaquia is now being carried by two agents with Lumi by their side.
“Stop!” Says the bat. “We’ve lost them!” It takes a few moments for everyone to halt. They may be deep enough in the woods now, but Solomon finds herself glancing over her shoulder, just in case.
“Everyone keep watch!” Says Lumi. “We’ll know if they catch up. We need to treat the injured!” She gestures to the agents to put down Shaquia. She then walks over to her along with Durazo.
“I can help, I have healing light!” He declares.
Lumi shakes her head, inspecting the lynx’s wound, the blade still sticking out of it.
“In the middle of a forest at night in the presence of True Darkness? She’ll bleed out before your light even starts to take effect.” She states and takes out her other knife. “Fire! I need fire!” She announces. “Anyone with fire, come here right now!” Solomon sees that her dark markings are still glowing black, but not her frost ones. Genesis seems intrigued.
“We have two here!” Benedict looks at Sheila.
“I still can’t see.” The lioness responds, unamused. “You go ahead.”
The raccoon releases her hand and quickly goes over to Shaquia.
“We need to cauterise it.” Lumi states.
“I’m part fire.” The lynx shakes her head. “That won’t work.” She rolls up her sleeve to reveal markings of fire and wind.
“That’s…” The bat replies, pausing to find the right word. “Bad. But I’ll try.” Lumi then cuts Shaquia’s trousers open to reveal the wound more. “Listen, this may not work at all, but it’s your best chance.” She grasps the end of the blade stuck in her and yanks it out. Shaquia bites a piece of fabric as Lumi works. The bat then quickly places her right hand over the wound and powers up.
“I won’t lie, this’ll hurt.” She says, Shaquia flinches as dark ice gathers to temporarily seal the wound. It looks rough and incredibly uncomfortable, but it may just be enough. “I’m no medic, but this should work until the Sun comes up.”
“Are you certain?” Shaquia inquires, unsure how much she can trust the bat.
“Anyone else in need of help?” Lumi turns to look at the rest of the group, disregarding Shaquia’s statement.
“The priest has already helped us, sire.” Says the voice of Andreas. Solomon didn’t even notice that he joined up with them.
“I told you I’m not a priest anymore!” Durazo grumbles as Solomon steps towards him.
“Father…” She begins to say, the older canine smiling at her warmly. “It’s good to see you again! You won’t believe what I went through.”
“She needs help! Now!” Yaroslav shouts, breaking the momentary peace. “Thalia, she has no pulse!”
Lisa and Lumi immediately look over.
“NO!” The bat shouts. “We can’t let her die!” Sounding like her life depends on it, she rushes over to the panther, leaving the knife behind.
“Oi, what are you doing?” Solomon hears the voice of Lisa and quickly makes her way over to where she, Lumi and Thalia are. The panther’s extremities are rapidly turning black, Lumi has her right hand around a non-darkened part of her neck, holding it firmly.
“Stay back! I can help her!” Says the bat, clearly panicked and impatient.
“What’s happening to-” Lisa begins to say in a worried tone.
“STAY BACK!” Lumi shouts and slams the ground with her right hand. A dome of jagged, dark ice quickly forms around her and Thalia, catching them all by surprise.
“Open up, ya twat!” Lisa shouts, thoroughly insulted by being denied so easily. Scowling, she picks up a rock and hits the dome with it. It hardly even cracks the ice. Adelar runs up to it and tries to melt it with the heat from a fire in his hand.
“You won’t get in that way.” Says Shaquia, walking over, supporting herself on two agents. “You can’t melt dark ice with fire. You have to use light.”
Lisa then gestures over to Durazo with a pleading expression. The ex-priest comes over and shines his light on the side of the dome, making sure the light doesn’t touch Thalia or Lumi. It takes an uncomfortably long while to melt an opening, Lisa paces around, visibly worried for the panther.
Durazo gasps from the sight within the dome and takes a step back.
Solomon And Lisa peer inside, the bat is performing CPR on Thalia. Seeing that it no longer hides her, Lumi removes the rest of the dome. But it isn’t just that… Dark ice covers the panther’s limbs and neck, darkness isn’t spreading past it.
“This will keep it at bay… But she’s gone.” Lumi admits with a sorrowful look.
“No!” Lisa yells with tears in her eyes. “Get away!” She shoos away Lumi.
Lisa crouches down and puts her ear against Thalia’s chest, followed by soft sobbing. She then powers up her magic, arcs of electricity begin jumping across her body, causing those nearby to take a step back. She readies her hands and brings them down on Thalia’s chest, causing her body to jump. She checks again, the panther is certainly still dead.
“No! No! NO!” Lisa screams, tears falling from her eyes as she shocks Thalia again. “You can’t die on me! You can’t!” Thalia is shocked again and again, but there is no result. Lisa weeps as she hits the ground with her fist, the area around her is illuminated by her electricity. No one dares to speak or move.
“You can’t take her away from us!” She screams into the sky, refusing to give up, and allows more energy to collect within her hands, she then brings her hands down on the panther one more time in a final attempt at bringing her back.
Thalia’s body jumps, and then takes a deep breath as her eyes shoot open. For a brief moment, she looks at the wolf with a subtle, slight smile before falling unconscious again. Lisa appears bittersweet as she holds her former partner in her hands, checking her pulse. Not a word is said. The only sound heard is the gentle weeping of Lisa. This time, of joy.
“You…” Shaquia breaks the silence, pointing at Lumi. “I will need to talk to you.”
“I’ll have some questions myself.” Lisa states, wiping tears from her eyes.
“Lisa…” Solomon says as she steps next to the wolf and kneels down next to her.
“Yes, Rox?” The wolf responds with a sniffle.
Solomon puts an arm around Lisa, pulling her into a half-hug. Even just that makes her feel pleasantly warm on the inside.
“I’m just glad we’re all mostly okay…” She herself really wants to know what exactly Lumi did. “Let’s go home.”
“Well first, we’re getting you proper clothes.” Lisa teases, seemingly in a better mood. “No plane will let you on looking like that.”
Solomon pulls her robes closed in response.
“No commercial plane, no.” Shaquia grins.
Solomon nods, knowing exactly what she has planned for them.