We few born of Chaos

Made for war and death.

-Korek Song of the Covenant

“Are you hurt?” Kriss asked, blood dripping from his mouth onto Celeste's shoulder. Celeste stared wide eyed. With both hands beside her head, Kriss knelt above her unwavering. A splinter of wood as long and wide as her arm had pierced Kriss through the abdomen.

“K... Kriss you're...” Her heart raced. What had happened? One moment they had been sitting peacefully, talking to one another. Then... Chaos.

“I'm fine.” He lied. “It’s you I’m worried about.” He forced a grin on his face, a gruesome sight as blood covered his lips.

Celeste reached up, and faster than she ever had before, she tore open the flood gates on her soul. Light poured into Kriss, his body seemingly more than ready to take the power in and use it. The chunk of wood was pushed out from within, and the wound quickly sealed up. Kriss grunted as the wood fell to the ground, then looked at her, his chest heaving with heavy breaths.

“Celeste, I...” Kriss gasped, but was cut off by dozens of crossbow bolts flying through the air above them. One swiping close enough to rustle Kriss’s long hair. With only a glance up at the assault above them, Kriss's face seemed to imitate Gardinal’s perpetual scowl. “We need to get you out of here. Now.”

Kriss moved quickly, rising and grabbing Celeste by the hand. He pulled her to crouch behind what little remained of the wall. A large hole had burned out half the wall, yet the remaining corners still proffered some protection. It was only about chest height, but it provided them some respite from the constant barrage of crossbow bolts. Not to mention anything else the Chaos may have given these people with which to harm innocents.

Innocents…Arabella and Valleresa. Celeste shot her eyes back to where the hearth had been. Now it was just a pile of stone with the slight glow of embers within. In front lay two still bodies. Her sisters. Small pools of blood were forming beneath them. Panic bloomed in her. The girls’ chests still rose and fall in a rhythm. They weren't dead yet. Thank the Mother for that.

A shrill scream caught Celeste's attention. Loud enough to hear over the hailstorm of crossbow bolts striking plaster and stone. Looking over the debris strewn across the floor, she saw Thelyra clinging to Rekiak’s large form. The man had a chunk of wood the size of his head jutting from his chest. He was limp and growing pale fast. Celeste looked back to Kriss.

“I have to save him.” She locked eyes with him. She would brook no arguments.

“I know.” Kriss responded. “I'll do what I can to help.”

Celeste blinked at him. Kriss’s face looked so serious, so stern. Vallerian and Gardinal would always argue when she wanted to help. She had forgotten how Kriss had always stood by her side, no matter what. As he bit his lip and glanced over the edge of the low wall, Celeste felt her heart flutter a bit. Not the time Celeste, she admonished herself. She glanced around once more, where was Vallerian?

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Alright.” Kriss said, ducking back down behind the wall just as a bolt flew where his head had been moments earlier. “I'll get their attention. When I do, you run as fast as you can.” at that, Kriss pressed his back against the wall and breathed heavily. Preparing himself for whatever it was he was about to do.

“Kriss.” Celeste whispered, drawing his gaze. “Be careful.”

Kriss glanced back at her, shone a comforting grin and said. “Aren’t I always?” Then he burst into action. Running out in front of the huge hole, Kriss swept up a rock in one hand and lobbed it at the attackers.

Celeste didn't wait, Rekiak needed her. She too ran, rushing across the rubble strewn floor towards the desperate couple. They were maybe only twenty paces away, the room wasn’t big, but with bolts flying every-which way and broken furniture obstructing every straight path. It seemed so far. Celeste rushed across the tight space as best she could.

Her foot caught on something. Tumbling hard, Celeste hit the floor. With hands stretched out she felt the sharp pain of rough gashes as the plaster and wood cut into her palm and up her arms. Just as she hit the ground, she heard a woosh as a bolt flew right by her head.

Celeste’s heart began to beat rapidly, eyes darting around everywhere. She couldn't die here, not while Rekiak and her sisters were in danger. Rekiak. She looked to the man, dying so close. Then more bolts struck the ground right next to her. At the sudden explosion of dust and splinters, she stumbled back on her hands and knees. She was trapped. She looked towards her attackers, a small wooden chair partially obscuring her. There were so many people out there, more than she could count quickly enough. Trapped. Can’t help. Just a little girl on the streets.

A strong hand grabbed her.

“What in the Chaos are you thinking.” Vallerian cursed, wrenching her off the floor and behind a nearby fallen cabinet. At the force of the pull, she fell into his embrace. The heavy thud of bolts striking the cabinet made her flinch, but the surprisingly well-built furniture held.

“R... Rekiak. Rekiak is dying.” Celeste forced out through shallow breaths. “I have. I have to.” Celeste felt her heart racing, so much destruction, so much chaos. Trapped. Can’t save.

“Look at me Celeste.” Vallerian grabbed her by the shoulders. More bolts, more dust and debris. Rekiak dying, Valleresa and Arabella not far behind. Death, so much death and destruction. What could she... Vallerian shook her. “Snap out of it!” he barked. He was breathing shallowly, she realized, and had a gash across his cheek. Celeste grabbed his face in her hand and pushed her light into him. Before she could finish, he grabbed her hand and pushed it away.

“Why?” She gasped, shocked at the sudden severing their connection.

“Save it for someone who needs it.” He responded, though Celeste could tell that he was breathing easier now, and only dried blood remained of the cut on his face. Vallerian looked her up and down, then reached down and tore the hem of her gown.

“What are you doing?!” She gasped.

“This,” he said, lifting up the ripped cloth. “Is why you keep tripping.” He tossed it away.

“Now go do what you do best, save Rekiak then get to my sister. I'll handle our unexpected guests.” Having finished his say, Vallerian moved to rush back out into the fray. Celeste grabbed him by the arm.

“Vallerian. We don’t kill. Ever. Even now.” She met his eyes, Vallerian returning with a cold gaze. She held. This was not negotiable. Vallerian pinched his nose and exhaled loudly.

“Fine.” He eventually relented, then dashed off to join Kriss in keeping their attackers at bay. The two men dashing between cover and tossing rocks. Celeste waited only a moment to breath before returning to her goal. Rekiak.