Kaladin gazed over the walls, taking in the overwhelming scene before them. There were over a hundred thousand soldiers in Xerixes now but no one could hope to defeat the impending doom.
Thrak, as far as the eye could see, surrounded the city in every direction. Millions of black creatures grouped, waiting patiently out of range of any arrows. Normally, they would attack head-on but as they were unmoving, Kaladin, more than ever now believed there was a mastermind behind all this. Someone controlling them from the shadows. Mulguran.
Perhaps Fel had been right all along. It didn’t make sense otherwise.
“What are you thinking?” Yvlana asked.
Kal said softly, still staring at the aliens. “I was thinking how the Thrak are behaving strangely. They know we are utterly outnumbered but yet they wait, why?”
“They got bored.” Yvlana joked, trying to make him smile. “I don’t know Kal. There’s no point in losing sleep over it. It is what it is. We should have left while we had the chance. There’s no escaping now.”
“No,” Kal said seriously. “They are being controlled by someone. They are responding to orders. Just look at them. Sitting there, staring at us. Have you ever known a Thrak to sit still?”
“They could just be waiting for more of them to come before attacking,” she said, but Kal knew she didn’t believe it. “You haven’t been listening to Fel again have you?” Yvlana frowned. “How would he know about this… Mulguran person you keep mentioning.”
“An educated guess.” Kal shifted the question. “They’ve never behaved this way and you know it. The Thrak attack and kill without thought, but this?” he shook his hand for emphasis. “This is not normal. Why would they wait? Why not just finish us off? They’ve even been targeting specific people.”
“Like who?” Yvlana scoffed. “Why would the Thrak target anyone? They are mindless beasts. You can’t expect to predict what they will or will not do.”
“Erik,” Kal said coldly. “Cara. Kyburn. Xerath. They all were targeted in each fight. Their focus has been orchestrated by a more intelligent being. I’m telling you Yvlana, there is more to this than we know.”
“What does that mean then?” Yvlana asked, raising her hands in defeat. “They targeted us. Why’s that Kal? Maybe, just maybe they understand what their greatest threat is. And we posed the most threat to them. They targeted us too. That’s why they target them. Sure, maybe they have more intelligence than we originally thought, but you’re being overly paranoid.”
“Please.” Kaladin shook his head. “Even you, don’t believe that. How would they know to go after Cara then? Erik? They pose no greater threat than any other human.”
“I don’t know Kaladin.” Yvlana huffed. “I don’t know. But if you expect me to believe some great conspiracy that a demon is in control of those things.” she pointed. “Then you don’t know me. You’re reading into it too much.”
“I believe he’s right.” the king of Xer came up the steps slowly, interrupting their conversation. “Forgive me. I couldn’t help but overhear some of your… argument.”
“What do you want?” Yvlana looked annoyed as usual.
“Felkuru and Kaladin are not basing their assumption out of thin air, Yvlana.” Xerath looked nervous. “I, too, have reason to believe there is a greater evil taking place here. At first, I thought that evil was the Thrak as did Erik. But now I’m not so sure. I, too, believe someone is manipulating those creatures from the shadows. Not only the Thrak but humans as well.”
“What do you mean?” Kal stood straight. “What humans? Have you encountered Mulguran before?”
“I-I do not know that name, but yes,” Xerath said. “Erik spoke of it once. He foresaw something coming, which is why he accompanied Kyburn to Riqun. I can’t be for sure, but I believe I have encountered this… demon you speak of. Not directly of course but through assassins doing the bidding of their master.”
“Of course.” Yvlana mouthed in mockery.
“Please.” Kaladin stood over him. “Tell me more of what you know. Any bit of information would be greatly welcome.”
“I don’t know a lot. But what I do know is there are some among us who wield great power. Unnatural power.” Xerath shifted. “I’ve seen it first hand. An assassin killed my son nearly a year ago. He almost killed Kyburn in Riqun and nearly killed me in Unari. There are more than one. How many, I do not know.”
“These… assassins?” Kaladin squinted. “Do they have black eyes? Far stronger than a normal human?”
“Y-yes.” Xerath frowned. “How did you know that?”
“Something Fel said to me. It doesn’t matter.” Kaladin pursed his lips. “Was the woman that killed Erik one of Mulguran’s servants? What of the other assassin that attacked you in Unari?”
Kaladin remembered the conversation he had with Felkuru in Unari. Amira hadn’t wanted to kill Erik but Fel was sure she was Mulguran’s servant. Perhaps not all of them had power. Kal’s frustration grew. Inwardly, he struggled to put the pieces together.
“I’m afraid I don’t know about Amira.” Xerath bit his lip. “As for the other one, he most certainly had black eyes the day my son was killed. And for the one in Unari, he did not have black eyes but was still supernaturally strong.”
“I see.” Kaladin started pacing. “Why didn’t you come to me with this information sooner?”
“I didn’t know you knew of such things.” Xerath defended. “I-I am not sure of everything myself. But the man who told me about it all was…” his lips twitched. “He’s dead now.”
There was a long pause as Kaladin brooded over the information when Xerath shifted and looked up at him once again.
“Kaladin Valhorn.” Xerath locked eyes with him. A seriousness to them that Kal immediately turned his full attention to. “There’s something I have for you. Something that I was tasked to give you a long time ago. For this very day.”
“And what might that be?” Kaladin raised an eyebrow, more questions popping into his head.
“This.” Xerath pulled a bundle of cloth from his coat. “A wise old man told me that you would need this. And that I could trust you with it.”
“What is it?” Yvlana asked.
“What its exact purpose is for, I do not know. But open it,” he said simply. “And see for yourself.”
Kal peeled the cloth back to reveal a shiny glowing dagger. The dagger was mostly silver with white embedded within the core. Black and gold markings were etched into it like veins. It seemed to glow and pulse. The silvery gold glow glinted then dimmed. It was beautiful and demanded his attention.
“Woah,” Kal whispered. “This… isn’t... from Isulia. Where did you get it?”
The dagger pulsed again and a shiver ran down his spine. An inaudible voice within it whispered something. He jerked his hands, unsure what was happening but judging from Yvlana and Xerath’s reaction, they hadn’t noticed anything.
“Did you hear that?” Kaladin asked. “I-I heard something.”
“No,” Xerath muttered, looking at him with concern.
“I didn’t either.” Yvlana touched his elbow, raising an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
He could feel a flow of power within it. Like it was alive. At first, he thought it was coming from the dagger but he couldn’t figure out where the sensation was coming from. Whatever this dagger was, it wasn’t of this world. And something had spoken to him.
“I don’t know where it's from, but the man that gave it to me was right,” Xerath said. “I’ve never seen anything like it and honestly looking at it frightens me.”
“It’s beautiful,” Kaladin whispered, gazing intently at it. “What was he right about? The man that gave it to you. Why did he ask you to give it to me? What is it?”
“A dagger?” Yvlana pursed her lips, mocking him. “What else would it be?”
Xerath glanced at her but continued. Kaladin paid her no mind either and waited for Xerath to finish.
“He… predicted all this would happen,” Xerath said simply. “Somehow he knew this great evil would rise and destroy us. He told me... ” he paused for a long moment. “He told me only you could stop it.”
“Stop what?” Yvlana stepped closer.
“I don’t know.” Xerath shrugged hopelessly. “This?” he gestured to the Thrak. “A number of things?”
Kaladin felt Felkuru reaching out to him, but he was too focused on the dagger and listening to Xerath. His thoughts drowned him as he remembered Felkuru speaking of a being that had chosen him. This only solidified Fel’s prophecy.
“Very well.” Kal raised an eyebrow. “There’s something special about this… thing. I don’t know how it will help me but… I can feel power emanating within.”
“Power?” Xerath asked. “But…”
“It’s just a dagger,” Yvlana stated. “I don’t know why you’re so mesmerized over it.”
“But.” Kal tilted his head in confusion. “It’s glowing. You don’t see it?” He raised it to eye level. “I felt something when I touched it.”
“Kaladin.” Yvlana chuckled. “You really are starting to worry me.”
“I don’t see any glowing either,” Xerath admitted, still looking worried.
Kaladin frowned. Perhaps he was slipping. Maybe Yvlana was right. But he couldn’t deny his eyes. It still glowed within the palms of his hands. He’d need to ask Felkuru later. “Maybe he’ll know something about it.” he thought to himself.
“Never mind.” Kaladin cleared his throat. “Thank you for the dagger, Xerath. I will keep it close to me.” he gingerly attached it to his hip where his F.S.A.P. suit encased it in nano-gel.
Xerath cleared his throat again. “Look. I know you two… and Lamir don’t have to be here. But I am grateful to all three of you that you have stayed to fight with us. I have no right to ask you to do so, and yet you stayed. I don’t know what we have done to you in the past. What Earth did to you. But it has been an honor.”
“You’re right.” Yvlana scoffed. “You don’t know.”
“Yvlana.” Kaladin glared at her. “I understand.” he turned to look down at Xerath. “You do not need to thank us. If we are to die here, then we will do so as allies. We are also honored to fight by your side.”
Yvlana frowned in annoyance at his last words. Kaladin knew she still wanted to run away with him and he felt guilty. She wouldn’t leave him to die alone and he knew that. But Kaladin also knew that if they ran, it would only be a matter of time before they were hunted down and killed anyway.
“Better to go down fighting than running.” he thought.
“Kaladin!” Felkuru yelled into his thoughts abruptly. “The palace! Look!”
Kal whipped his whole body around, scaring Xerath and making him jump. Looking to where Fel showed his vision, Kal spotted the figure atop the palace on the balcony edge. Black clouds formed overhead and thunder boomed with such force it made every man cower in fear. Even Kaladin covered his ears, startled by the storm’s enormous rumblings. Its sudden appearance was also flabbergasting.
The sun was blocked out by giant black clouds, leaving them in dim, shadowy daylight. It did not rain, nor was there lightning. Kaladin feared what that meant. This was no normal storm.
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“What’s going on?” Xerath shouted over the thunder.
Kal pointed and both Yvlana and the king whipped their gaze upward. A figure far above, on the palace balcony, stood motionless. A moment later that same figure dragged another from the ground and lifted the body into the air. Both were human, but from this distance, he couldn’t make out who it was.
Activating his helmet, Kaladin zoomed in on the two humans and was met with shock. A man he didn’t recognize held the queen in the air with one arm, her body was limp. She was either already dead or about to die.
“Here is your queen!” a demonic voice blasted over the city as if the clouds themselves spoke. “You looked down on me. Pitied me.” he hissed. “You have failed them, Malik! I have won! Your foolishness will be your downfall.”
“What is this?” Xerath asked, his voice loud but barely audible over the thunderous demonic voice. “That’s where I left Cara. Who is he holding?” his voice spiraled into panic. “If it's Cara you have to save her! Please!”
“I do not recognize the man. Don’t worry, Xerath. We’ll get your wife.” Kal responded. “Lamir,” he spoke into his com-link. “Come from your side and I’ll head straight for him. There is a chance the queen is alive. I’ll go for the man and you get the queen.”
“On it,” Lamir said after a moment of pause.
“Yvlana.” Kal turned to her. “Stay here and protect the king. I’ll need you on the wall if the Thrak begin their attack,” he said as he leapt off the wall.
“But…” Yvlana started to say.
Kal leapt from the wall and landed on the stone roads below. The brick shattered from the weight and Kal immediately jumped off the stone, cracking it even more. With one arm, he pivoted onto a roof and started hopping from building to building.
“I’m almost there,” Lamir said over the com.
“I see you both.” Yvlana cut into the conversation. “Kal will be right behind you. Lamir, climb up from the north side and Kal climb up the east.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Lamir chuckled.
“On my way,” Kal said, smiling in his helmet.
“Don’t mention it.” she huffed, obviously annoyed at being left out and on guard duty. She could, however, still guide them from her vantage point and still protect the king. “He’s moving. He’s about to drop Cara off the edge. Lamir, get back to the south side. There’s a building beneath for you to catch her.”
“I’m almost there.” Kal dug his fingers into the stone, clambering up the side of the castle and toward the palace.
More thunder shook the ground and screams echoed through the city as the citizens panicked.
“Only those who remained loyal to me shall live!” the demonic voice boomed again. “Lay down your arms humans! Kneel before me and you will be spared!”
“That’s Cassius.” Xerath bellowed in fury.
Everyone on the com-link heard his voice through Yvlana’s side. His anger and pain, clearly visible in his tone.
“Keep him away.” Kal huffed as he drew nearer to the top. “I don’t want Xerath getting in the way.”
“Focus.” Yvlana barked. “Kal, you're almost there. Another twenty feet and you’ll be above him. Lamir, stay there in case he drops the queen.”
“Anyone else find it odd that that human is effortlessly holding her body in the air like that?” Lamir asked no one in particular.
“It is,” Yvlana commented. “I’ve never seen a human with that kind of strength, especially judging from the size of him. He looks scrawny.”
“He’s got to be one of the assassins Xerath told us about.” Kal pulled himself up. “Supernatural strength, remember?”
Quietly now, Kaladin shifted to his left and saw the assassin, dangling the queen over the side with one arm.
Cassius seemed to be having a conversation with someone but there was no one around him. His mouth and body moved and he gestured to something in front of him but nothing was there.
The voice was no longer booming over the city but rather harsh and personal. He was speaking to himself, and Kaladin paused to listen.
“Ha!” Cassius spoke to no one. “What will you do? Kill me? We both know you can’t. Erik is gone, now Cara. Your precious humans will die this day. And your Emarine… I will enslave them. All of them. They will be more powerful than you can imagine. And I... will find a way to finally kill you and Hashem will be defenseless.”
Kaladin frowned, still watching and listening to the one-sided conversation. He wondered if Cassius was talking to his master. Regardless of who, it was more than odd.
“No. No. No!” Cassius screeched with a demonic cry. “You are the one who is blind! You cannot see what I see. Our father is a fool! He did not understand what he unleashed into the universe. I will fix it. I will fix everything! Just wait and see. He is not fit… to rule!”
Kaladin hung over the side and looked down at Cassius. He needed to act now.
“I’ve already won. You just don’t know it yet.” Cassius hissed.
Dropping, Kal kicked downward, shooting himself straight into Cassius. Kaladin landed directly onto him, slamming his knee down and crushing his body to the marble floor. He heard a sickening crunch as bones were shattered. Cara’s body flopped into the air but Kal quickly snatched her arm in his and brought his left under her armpit, steadying her. It was the second time to hold her like this and he did so tenderly.
This time, she was dead. Her gorgeous violet eyes stared into nothingness and he felt saddened by her death. His hope of saving her again was quickly dashed. If he could return her to Xerath, it may bring him some semblance of peace.
“I’ve got her,” Kaladin whispered into his com. “Sh-shes…” he trailed off.
Cassius lay still, his back was in an odd position and he guessed the knee slam had broken it. Looking over the side, he saw Lamir shrug at him from below.
Movement at the corner of his eye caught his attention and he whirled around to confront it.
Cassius was back on his feet and lunging for him. His back and arm that were previously twisted and broken were now normal as if he were never injured in the first place. An evil grin was plastered on his face.
Kaladin caught his throat with one arm as he used the other to hold Cara’s limp form. The momentum of Cassius’s body slammed Kaladin backward and he nearly lost his grip on Cara.
“Kaladin Valhorn.” the demonic voice said. “I really don’t like it when people eavesdrop. It’s impolite.” he giggled with mock hurt feelings.
“Who are you?” Kaladin strained to keep Cassius at arm's length.
“Don’t you know by now? That damned creature must’ve told you about me, surely?” he laughed. “He’s had far too much help. The old fool just won’t die. Perks of being a Vog I suppose.”
“Mulguran.” Kaladin sneered.
In a flash, Cassius gripped his fingers and twisted down, spinning. Kaladin jerked forward and released his grip on his throat. Cassius backed away, taking slow and methodical movements, sizing him up.
“Good.” he smiled again. “You really are magnificent specimens. I must thank you for everything you have done. Without you… I would have made a terrible mistake.”
“Kaladin!” Yvlana shouted into his ear. “What is going on up there? Is Mulguran up there?”
“The Thrak are becoming restless, Kal,” Lamir added. “Whatever you’re doing. It’s stirring them up.”
“What do you want? What is your goal?” Kaladin bared his teeth, ignoring Lamir and Yvlana.
“What I want… is to rule.” he laughed with a sick grin. “You don’t see it now. But I’m saving you all. From yourselves.”
“You're the one controlling them.” Kal frowned, putting some of the pieces together. “You attacked my homeworld. You destroyed Earth. You are the one feeding off the worlds. You’re the cause of everything.”
Cassius sneered and hissed. “I’ve always wondered how Felkuru knew everything before it happened. It’s as if he could see what was coming before I did.”
His words broke Kaladin’s concentration and he was taken aback by the statement.
“Everything I have done is to right a wrong! In time you will see. If you live that long.” Cassius laughed.
“You will pay for every life you have taken.” Kal clenched his fist.
“Will I though?” he mocked. “You can’t stop me. No one can.”
With blinding speed, Cassius bolted forward, low to the ground and arms folded. He feinted from the right and swiped a fist from his left. Kaladin brought one arm up, still holding Cara in the other.
Blocking, Kaladin saw the second blow coming and jerked backward just in time to block the blow with his one arm. Cassius didn’t stop, however. Bringing up a leg, he kicked Kaladin’s ribs, which bounced off like a ragdoll but it made Kal lose his grip on Cara, who fell from his hand.
Her body disappeared over the side but he didn’t have time to hope Lamir was still there to catch her. Kal brought his elbow up into the man’s face, jarring his head. Stepping forward, Kaladin slammed a palm into his chest, sending him across the room. He went flying and crashed into the wall and fell on top of a wooden desk.
Blood seeped from his head and his chest was indented but it didn’t seem to faze him more than a few seconds. In that time, however, Kaladin rushed him. He brought his elbow slamming down in the middle of his back, crushing the table and Cassius both to the ground.
Kaladin paused, taking in the damage he caused. Cassius’s back was bent at an odd angle again and several limbs were bloodied and bruised. A moment later, Cassius stood up again, his back made a sickening crack and popped back to normal along with his shoulder and whatever else.
“That one hurt.” Cassius laughed. “You’re gonna have to do better than that.”
“What are you?” Kal growled.
“Your God.” Cassius huffed and rushed him again.
He flung himself full tilt, a leg swinging mid-air. Kaladin brought his forearm to block but an instant later a fist blurred his vision for an instant. His helmet cracked and he stumbled backward.
Cassius was kneeling but both his leg and arm were shattered, looking like noodles. Kaladin jumped forward, giving him no chance to recover, and rammed a fist down. Cassius jerked to the side and Kal’s fist sunk into the stone where he was an instant ago.
Unable to use his right fist, Cassius brought his elbow up and crashed it into Kaladin’s helmet again. The force jarred his neck but he used one arm for balance and whipped one leg around and kicked Cassius straight in the ribs.
Again, he sent the man flying against the wall. Another sickening crash followed and Cassius lay motionless for a moment.
Static, then a flicker of Lamir and Yvlana’s voices came in and out of focus, trying to reach him but his helmet was too badly damaged. Commanding his suit, the helmet folded back onto itself and rested behind his neck. It was too much of a distraction now. He’d have to make do without his helmet until it repaired itself.
“Ah.” the demonic voice hissed. “Your face, finally up close. I’ve waited a long time for this moment. But it's obvious this body can’t go toe to toe with an Emarine such as you.”
Kaladin braced himself. He knew something was coming but he didn’t know what.
The fight had only been moments but it felt like an eternity in the midst of it. In reality, not even a minute had passed. Kaladin knew he could end this quickly now, but Cassius’s words made him hesitate. He was sure the man had something up his sleeve.
He heard something falling from the ceiling but he didn’t have time before a sword swung at his face. With a split-second reaction, Kal leaned to the side as a blade shattered off his shoulder armor but the force of it made his knees buckle.
It was Amira, the woman Felkuru had told him of.
She fell forward headfirst but she tucked her head and rolled with her momentum. She too, had the speed of Cassius. But Kal had a moment to recover.
Amira lunged at him, a dagger drawn and Cassius bolted toward him too. Still on the ground, Kal grabbed Amira’s hand, stopping the dagger from sinking into his face. Twisting, Kaladin flung Amira through the air and brought his leg up into Cassius’s face. In one fluid movement, he held the dagger in one hand and both enemies were sprawled on the floor.
He lunged for the man, stomping his heavy boot on his chest. Cassius, however, used one arm and slipped to the side just in time. He caught his elbow, however, and flattened it against the carpeted stone. Without hesitation, Cassius brought his foot up and kicked the side of his knee, causing him to stumble again.
Amira flung onto his back and tried to choke him out. Kaladin jerked onto one shoulder and crashed his and her body onto Cassius’s. Everyone groaned with a loud thud but Amira hung on still. Reaching one hand down, he grasped two of her fingers and ripped them upward, snapping them to the side.
Amira screamed and Kaladin elbowed her in the face, knocking her teeth out. Not willing to lose his advantage, Kaladin grabbed Cassius’s leg and crushed his bones with the pressure.
Amira shoved him off both of them with such force it threw him into the air but he easily adjusted his body to land on his feet.
“Careful.” Cassius giggled. “You wouldn’t want to hurt us, would you? After all, if you kill me, you’d only be killing Cassius. And poor Amira. The little thing doesn’t know what to do but obey me.”
Kal froze at that. Felkuru’s words came back to him. “What if I can save them both,” he thought. “Amira didn’t want to kill Erik. She was being controlled against her will?”
Cassius grinned evilly as he knew what he was thinking. “Decisions. Decisions.”
Kaladin sneered as he knew Mulguran was already getting into his head. Mulguran had wanted this, for him to hesitate. Kaladin steeled himself.
“Please, kill us,” Amira spoke for the first time but her body moved to attack him. Her eyes were not black, they were a normal color, orange eyes. He took a note of this as Cassius’s eyes burned a murky black.
The blow to Amira’s face hadn’t just knocked out teeth, her whole face was split open. Bone was cracked and her eyes were bleeding. He could see it slowly being healed and he froze again, unsure what to do.
“Stop,” he grunted after dodging a blow. “Tell me how to save you!”
“You can’t!” she screamed. “Kill us!”
“Be quiet, dear.” Cassius cooed. “We wouldn’t want him to feel guilty now would we?”
Kaladin remembered the glowing dagger. And he pulled his hand around to his hip and pulled it out of the nano-gel encasing it. Immediately, something whispered to him, a faint and low voice nearly inaudible. “Free them.”
Cassius snarled as if knowing what it was and lunged forward. “Kill him!” he barked.
Moving like a snake, Cassius ducked under the dagger then backed away. It was obvious, the demon controlling him was cautious now. More defensive and looked scared.
“Where did you get that?” Cassius hissed through clenched teeth.
Amira rushed him from the side and Kaladin ducked, and kicked her legs out from under her, and flung Amira’s dagger at Cassius. All in one fluid movement, Kal activated his sword and pinned Amira’s shoulder to the ground. Unwilling to kill either of them, Kal immediately readied himself for Cassius’s counterattack.
Amira groaned and tried to release herself but Kal kept the pressure on his sword. Cassius had dodged the dagger flung at him, unsurprisingly, and drop-kicked Kal.
Kaladin flipped backward and tried to keep his balance by doing a half-backflip. Again, Cassius flung himself at him and slammed a fist into his face before he could move.
Using Cassius’s momentum, Kaladin blindly swiped the silvery gold dagger across his chest.
Immediately, Cassius bellowed in agony, as did Amira, though she was already healed. He took note of it but kept his focus.
Kaladin brought his leg up and kicked Cassius across the face which once again sent him flying through the air. Tumbling across the stone floor, Cassius screamed again and clawed at his chest, scratching as if something was inside him.
Kaladin rushed him again but Cassius composed himself before reaching him but he froze from the sight of the blood trickling out of his wound.
He did not bleed red. He bled black sticky blood nearly identical to the Thrak. Eyes wide in shock, Cassius began to convulse and his black eyes started to fade.
Amira kicked and bucked. She convulsed uncontrollably and Cassius hissed again, glaring at him as he stumbled to his feet.
“Where did you get that? When did He give it to you?” his eyes looked crazed. “He cheated! It’s not fair!” he screamed hysterically, then bolted toward him again.
Looking over his shoulder, he saw Lamir hop over the balcony behind Cassius and instantly brought up his L.E.C. pistol and fired.
“Wait!” Kaladin yelled too late.
The laser bullet blasted through Cassius’s chest and into the wall next to Kaladin. Cassius stumbled and Kal caught him. The blackness of his eyes faded away and was replaced by human eyes, blue.
Immediately both Cassius and Amira stopped convulsing and lay still.
Cassius looked at him in pain and sorrow. “Forgive me,” he whispered through a choke.
Kal felt sick at ending his life like this, he simply didn’t have the whole picture. Now Cassius was dead. He hadn’t been unable to save him.
“Tell… Cara… I’m sorry.” Cassius breathed. “I n-never wanted this. If I c-could… go back… I would c-change ev-everything.” he coughed up blood. “Thank you… Emarine. Y-you have f-freed me.”
His body slumped further into him and he sighed as his eyes closed forever. Kal gently rested his body on the floor. Confusion and frustration filled him and he looked up at Lamir who stared at him with wide eyes.
“He was the enemy, right?” Lamir frowned. “I thought he was trying to kill you.”
“Mulguran.” Kaladin glared at the black blood on the ground.