PART 1

Upon returning to Xerixes, Xerath, Trygve, and several hundred soldiers were greeted with the armies on high alert. The Thrak were nearly there. Only hours behind them.

Rayman and Durlan would not be reuniting with their people. They were cut off. Whatever happened, they were on their own now. No help would be coming to the capital.

Xerath took Cara from the wagon in which she was lying and took her straight to their room in the palace. She held tightly to his neck and groaned occasionally from the pain in her side. The wound had yet to fully heal.

He kicked the door open and entered their chamber. Gently, he placed her on the bed and brushed her cheek softly.

“Ow.” she frowned but winked to reassure him.

Her forearm was nearly healed but the gash in her stomach would still take quite a bit of time before it fully mended. He had almost lost her. The gratitude he held for Kaladin couldn’t be repaid.

Every city south of Xerixes had been overrun by the Thrak, including Xorya and Unari. Every major city south of the capital was no more. Only the strongholds on the northern border were left and he hadn’t gotten word from them in days. Xerath had called any who survived to gather in the capital to make a stand against the menace. So far, few had responded, either dead or fleeing. A few groups of stragglers lucky enough to not have been caught by the horde were all the reinforcements he could hope for. Even some Vulkirians had arrived, battered and hungry, also defeated.

Xerath had been overjoyed to hear most of the Vulkirians had escaped to Aslone but it was bitter-sweet news.

There wasn’t much anyone could do, though his people still looked to him for a solution. His only recourse was to make a stand in the greatest city in Isulia. Here, they would defeat the enemy like they had in Unari, or die.

Xerath’s already fractured courage and dwindling confidence was destroyed upon hearing the Thrak were numbered in the millions. He couldn’t bring himself to hope for victory. And it showed on his face.

It was in the air itself. Everyone knew it. Hope was something of the past and a fog of doom lay like a shadow over the city.

“How are you feeling?” asked Cara, noticing his grim blank stare.

“Me?” Xerath chuckled. “I’ll be fine. It’s that wound I’m worried about.”

“It still hurts, but I am fine.” she smiled. “You should go. Our people need you. Everyone needs you.”

“I want to stay with you,” Xerath said simply.

He knew all too well that wasn’t a possibility. He would have to leave her soon, and lead for it was his duty.

“I know,” Cara said. “I want you to stay with me and never leave my side ever again. But.” she paused.

“I know.” Xerath frowned. “I-I don’t think we can…” he paused for a long moment. “We can’t win. There are too many of them. At best, we could hold them off for a few days.”

“You can. And you will.” Cara pulled his head down to kiss him. “You are the greatest man in the world. Prove your strength. Prove you are worthy to be called king. You’ve never faltered. Never backed down. And I know you won’t now.”

“I only need one person to believe that,” he whispered, kissing her lips tenderly. “You are my reason to live. You… are my strength.”

“My love, you must save our people. Do whatever it takes. Do not rely on me for your strength, but rather from Hashem. He will save us.” Cara stared intently at him with her piercing violet eyes. “Xer needs you to win. The whole world needs you to win and only Hashem can give us that victory.”

“I will.” Xerath smiled, though inside, his gut twisted and he wanted to puke. The doubt was too strong. Nothing could overshadow it. “I will do what I must.”

He thought of Jebbin and his prophecy. It weighed heavily on him. As if an anchor dragged behind his every move, his every decision.

“Only he can save us.” he thought to himself.

Stepping away from the bed, Xerath moved to the corner of the room, opening his closet. Rummaging through clothing, he grasped a long wooden box at the bottom. Pulling on it gently, he removed it and stood. He placed the perfectly rectangular box on a small desk to Cara’s left. Slowly and methodically he pulled the string on his neck and removed a key from under his shirt.

Turning the small silver key, the box clicked open to a crack. With his fingers, Xerath lifted the lid and stared intently at the contents. Peering down he ran his fingers along the smooth bundle of cloth. “This is your last favor,” he muttered under his breath.

“What is that?” Cara asked. She had been staring at him silently the whole time, waiting for him to reveal what the box contained.

“It’s nothing.” Xerath lied. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Tell me.” Cara frowned.

“It was from Jebbin,” Xerath admitted. “He told me long ago to give this to Kaladin.”

Cara only stared at him, a look of confusion and worry lay across her brow.

“It’s past time I give it to him,” Xerath said softly as he removed the bundle from the box and walked from the room. “Goodbye, my love.”

PART 2

Cara watched her husband leave the room. Confused by his behavior. Whatever Jebbin had told him, she wondered its true meaning. Jebbin was many things, but if he had told her husband to give whatever that was wrapped in the cloth to Kaladin, it was for a reason.

Her heart sank at the hopelessness of everything. She wanted to yell after him. To tell him to come back and hold her till the very end, but she resisted and remained silent.

After some time her exhaustion finally took her. And she fell soundly asleep.

Cara opened her eyes to a figure standing at the foot of her bed. She didn’t know how long it had been but a shiver ran down her spine as she saw who stared at her.

It was the assassin in black. His cloak and black mask obscured his features except for his eyes. Swiftly she rolled over and grabbed the dagger on her nightstand and unsheathed the blade. Before she could scream, he was on top of her, his hand over her mouth and the other keeping the blade from stabbing him.

She bucked and kicked to no avail, his strength was superhuman, unnatural. Gazing into his eyes, her heart stopped, realizing who it was.

He froze, staring back at her with those eyes. Eyes that darted away in shame. “Don’t speak,” he whispered.

She knew those eyes and she knew that voice, she was certain of it now.

The assassin gagged her mouth, Cara nearly choked on the cloth as it was shoved down her throat. Almost puking, the assassin let up on the cloth, seeing her choking on it.

Using his free hand, he used his knee to pin her arm and tie her left arm to the bed. Before she knew it, she was completely helpless. Utterly at his mercy.

Another figure at the door moved, and she caught a glimpse of a pair of bright orange eyes staring back at her.

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“Wait outside,” he ordered his accomplice.

It hit her like a punch to the gut. Every memory. Every encounter. The man before her had truly betrayed her. Betrayed everyone. The look of shame and guilt written in his eyes.

It was Cassius.

“M-Cas-m-us.” Cara sputtered through the cloth.

The man in black slowly pulled his mask free, revealing his face. The rhetorician, her trusted advisor, Xerath’s spokesperson, frowned deeply.

Cassius the assassin. It was unbelievable. His never-ending cheerful manner. His chiming voice that brought a smile to the room. A traitor.

Shock was an understatement. Rage and sorrow overwhelmed her at once. It was him all along. The man that had killed her son. Her baby boy.

“I’m sorry it’s come to this.” he bent his head low. “I truly tried to give you every opportunity to escape but… now my master is watching closely.”

“M-wh-ma-tr-or?” Cara mumbled behind her gag, tears forming in her eyes.

“I know,” he said sadly. “You all trusted me. I never meant for this to happen. Ever since…” he gulped. “Ever since my family died. You know I was never the same. Xerath must’ve told you. But it’s too late now. I can’t defy him.”

“Who?” Cara thought.

She tried to ask aloud and Cassius seemed to understand her question.

“A spawn of darkness and madness. But… that doesn’t matter now. He is more powerful than you can ever imagine.” Cassius continued to frown. “He has plans for Isulia. For me. For those who serve him.”

He stood and paced back and forth, pondering the situation. Cara could only stare at him helplessly.

“He’s coming soon. I can feel him drawing closer.” Cassius turned to her. “Before he does, I want you to know something. I’m sure you’ve had enough time to work it out by now. And I don’t expect you to forgive me, only that you understand that I had no choice. I tried to warn you both. I tried to warn Kyburn too. But you all were too trusting of me. I could do nothing.”

Cara burst into tears as she knew what he was about to say. Rage and sorrow coincided with her emotions, neither overwhelming the other. Her heart broke into pieces once again as the memories came rushing back. At her son lying dead in his crib. She knew his words before he spoke.

“I killed Asar. For that, I shall burn in hell. No one can save me from that.” Cassius said. “He believed it would break you. He believed it would break Xerath. But you both were always stronger than me.” Cassius furrowed his brow. “I resisted him, you know? When he tried to kill you too. I resisted and paid dearly for it later. If you knew the agony of resisting… you may not judge me so harshly. You were supposed to die that day but thankfully Xerath came back to intervene before he could kill you. It was a miracle really. You both should have died a long time ago. I suppose you do have a guardian angel. Perhaps Hashem truly does exist. And perhaps He gave me the strength to resist for as long as I did.”

Cara felt confused at his last words. “Hashem intervened?” she thought. “Who was he? Who was his master?”

“I can never atone for my sins but… I had to confess to you before…” he trailed off. “Before he comes.”

Looking at him, Cara blinked away her tears and tried to scream at him but the gag muffled nearly all cries.

“Shh. Shh.” Cassius walked over to her. “It will be over soon. I can end it here and now before he takes my body. Would you want that?”

Cara frowned and squirmed, trying to break free from her bonds. Unsure what he meant, she merely screamed at him, frustrated and angry that she was helpless.

“He will take his time with you,” Cassius warned. “I can do this small favor for you if you wish. All you need to do is nod your head.”

Cara shook her head, wishing she could punch him and strangle the life from him.

“I understand,” Cassius said. “I wouldn’t want me to either. Are you sure?”

She tried spitting at him but only inhaled her own saliva. It sent her into a fit of coughing and gagging as Cassius stared at her.

“My master is a monster. He wishes to burn this world to the ground and build it anew. With him as our lord and savior. He desires the one thing Hashem has…” Cassius paused. “The power of a god. He wants to be God.” Cassius said through a pained expression.

He frowned again and looked her in the eyes.

“Please believe me. I was ensnared by his lies. In my weakest moment, I fell for his tricks and have paid dearly ever since. That’s how he gets us.” Cassius breathed deeply, trying to calm himself. “I am so sorry I wasn’t strong enough. I would’ve rather died but… he won’t allow it. I am a coward. I’m glad I face you and not Xerath. I wouldn’t be able to look him in the eye.”

His face showed his sorrow and for a moment, Cara truly saw him. For one instant, she felt sorry for him. She didn’t know why but she believed Cassius. He looked tormented. Tortured. Perhaps he was forced. Perhaps he was telling her the truth, that someone was making him do all these things. Her sliver of sympathy vanished when he opened his mouth again.

“I could have killed you so many times,” Cassius said as if convincing himself that he was good. “I-I had so many opportunities after. I made sure not to use the power, so I could control it more. He caught onto it of course. That’s when he forced me to take his blood in intervals. I tried. I really did. I had a plan to break free but… there isn’t any more time I’m afraid.”

His words were hollow. Cara hated every word that came out of his mouth. She glared daggers at him, which made him flinch.

“I’ll ask you one last time,” Cassius said. “I can kill you quickly. He won’t b-” he cut short, and his eyes bulged.

Before she could respond, Cassius convulsed in front of her, his arms twitching and his eyes rolled to the back of his head. What met her eyes a moment later... was not Cassius.

Black eyes and an evil smirk greeted her instead of Cassius.

“Finally.” His voice was deep and not Cassius’s. “It has taken far too long. Cassius still tries to resist me, even now.”

He grinned wildly at her and giggled. It was a pure giggle as if a child was being presented with a present.

“I’ve waited for this moment a long time,” it said in a low demonic voice. “Oh. Oh, how I’ve waited for this moment.”

She squirmed and he placed a hand on her wrist. “Shh. Shh. Shh.” he pursed his lips.

A searing pain shot up her arm as Cassius twisted her wrist, snapping her bone with ease.

Cara screamed in pain and flailed about, trying to break free. This made Cassius giggle again, followed by another grin of joy.

“Do you know what you did to me thirteen years ago?” he asked out of the blue.

Cara’s face contorted in horror and pain as Cassius’s face scrunched up and looked alien. Whoever, or whatever this thing was, she guessed was the master he spoke of moments ago.

“Where are my manners?” he laughed as if reading her mind. “I… am Mulguran. Master of the universe. Well, soon to be. You, a simple human thwarted my plans. I had Jebbin in the palm of my hand. And you…” he sighed deeply. “You had to go and kill them. Your parents were mine, did you know that? They sold me their lives in exchange for the world. They would have had it too. The plan was going splendidly. All you had to do was shut your damn mouth and do as you were told. But they went and gloated their victory over you. Which in turn brought about their demise.”

Cara’s eyes were wide open as he spoke. Not only was it unsettling to hear a completely different voice come from Cassius’s mouth, but the story he was telling. Her parents. Her life. It was all him. He had been a part of it all.

“They followed my orders to the letter. Mostly.” He chuckled again. “They completed their task in bringing Kligira to ruins but… you had to go and kill them before I could get to Fel. At the time I didn’t realize Jebbin was hiding from me. He was a crafty bastard. I'll give him that.” a demonic voice spoke to her. “But in the end, I got to him. He thought he was untouchable but my new minion proved her worth.”

Cara knew immediately he was referring to Amira. Which meant Cassius hadn’t killed Jebbin. That revelation caused even more twisted pain in her heart.

“I never expected you’d have such a fire in you. You changed everything. If only you had listened to your parents, you would be the queen of my new world.” he paused to make that horrid giggle again. “Granted you’d be a slave to it but, at least you’d be alive. For quite some time I debated whether to kill you or not but once you had a son...” he tilted his head in anger. “I just couldn’t have you breeding with Xerath without my control. I had such plans for you but you kept resisting at each turn. You just wouldn’t let yourself be defeated. I suppose Jebbin really did keep you afloat after all.”

Cassius’s face bared his teeth in a sickening smile. Then his lips trembled in rage.

“You caused me so much trouble I even resorted to having my army chase after you. They wouldn’t have killed you. Mamed you, yes. But not kill you.” the demonic voice said. “I wanted the pleasure of such a task.”

He laid a hand on her shin. It snapped like a twig and Cara let out another muffled scream.

“Unfortunately I don’t have as much time as I’d like.” he shook his head in disappointment. “My armies are here. Can you hear them?” he tilted his head and cupped his ear for extra effect. “Beautiful. I can smell the fear. The smell of hopelessness.”

Cara couldn’t concentrate on anything else. Her wrist and leg throbbed horridly.

“It won’t be long now. I’ll present you to them. It will be their final straw.” he grinned again. “You will be the instrument to break their spirits. Not that it really matters. You are all doomed either way. But this way, at least I’ll get a little more pleasure from it.”

He grabbed her left leg, which he broke effortlessly. Cara screamed and moaned again. It was unbearable. She could feel herself slipping from consciousness.

“Ah. Not yet.” he waved a finger at her in mockery. “Not yet.” he sat down next to her. “I want to see it. The life drain from your eyes. I want to see the hope leave your body as you realize, everything you’ve ever loved will end this very day.”

Cassius bent over her and started choking her violently, and Cara couldn’t do anything to stop it. She fought for air in vain, kicking and bucking but her effort was feeble. The slightest movement sent stabs of pain and her restraints kept her from moving. The grip on her throat was like iron.

“Xerath will be slain. I’ve already taken care of Kyburn. And Henry, your precious secret, is also gone. All you have worked for is crumbling and you won’t be here to stop it. I’ll finally have won. My victory over Malik is assured.”

Cara’s vision blurred and black spots filled her eyes.

“Once I’m done with all of you, Malik will have failed once again,” he said, chuckling to himself. “I’ll show him,” Mulguran screeched in annoyance, almost in desperation. “I’ll show him the bleak future he fought so hard to prevent,” he yelled in hysterical lunacy.

Going limp, Cara couldn’t fight any longer as her strength failed and her eyes closed, never to open again. A horrid evil laugh was the last thing she heard before her world fell into nothingness.