Cedric remembered it all.

He remembered the capture in Freiya’kara, the long nights he spent in Azar’kara; months he spent in a dark, damp cell before anybody at all spoke to him.

And then it was her, Faunia Vleren. His eyes darted over to her atop the bronze plateau where they stood beneath the hot sun. Atop Azar’kara.

“My prison…” he mumbled to himself, looked down at his hands. “This was my prison.”

Then he remembered Akvum, that big cat who speaks only in dreams and illusions, he remembered when the cat sat across from him the first time, bartered for Cedric’s life…

But the boy was not himself. His mind was fractured, scarred, damaged beyond repair by the three inhabitants he’d taken up: Algirak, Serkukan, Tirolith… As they vied for control, vied for power over his weak willpower… he broke, crumbled into dust.

It was Akvum’s sinister smile that spelled out the terms of the deal.

“You give me Serkukan… and I return your mind to you…”

Cedric wiped his damp cheeks; he could no longer remember if he was here or there, inside the memory or outside of it. He could see Akvum in the flesh, feel the cold of the dark cellar, miles beneath the surface of the stronghold…

But he could feel the sun, could see Faunia just a few steps away, a few steps ahead, her boots now touching the grass at the bottom of the steps.

Cedric tripped, stumbled on the last step. He thought he was wearing the heavy Hunter-plate again. The armor they'd forced upon him after his brainwashing.

Viltar caught his robed arm, said something. But Cedric could not reply.

The big cat called out for Faunia. She turned back to him…

Viltar turned back to Cedric. He asked, in a voice that was not his own, “Do we have a deal?”

And Cedric, shaking, slobbering, barely maintaining his fortitude… Cedric said, “Yes. I accept your deal.”

X

Faunia Vleren breathed in deep, then let out a prolonged sigh. She looked around the clearing of the once-dreaded Siln forest, looked at all of her companions upon their felled logs and big boulders. They’d found a perfect spot to rest, in the shade, just by the creek which now separated them from Azar’kara.

But her heart could find no rest.

She looked to that creek, her chest tight with anxiety. There was Cedric. He came up from a low bow, splashed a great heaping of water into his face, wiped his arm into his red robe’s sleeve. Faunia wanted to call out to him.

She wasn’t in the mood for talking.

He turned back to her and their eyes met. He looked down, she looked away… Then he picked up his waterskin and began toward the party.

“Sorry everyone. Sorry Viltar, Faunia.”

“No need to apologize,” said the big cat, “likely we overdid it. A big heap of treasure did we procure.”

The whole group surveyed the glistening wheelbarrow they’d tugged along. It was filled past the brim with golden trinkets, coins, armors, and weapons. Loot. Something about it felt wrong to Cedric, like robbing a graveyard… but there was no blood, no evidence of the wreckage whatsoever. There were no corpses to deny them the privilege of supplementing their country’s thin coffers. Rebuilding Calamon would take an army; somebody has to pay them.

The boy looked down at Faunia, sat in place on her log with her armor laid beside her. He said, “I'm going to scout the skies.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No. Stay here.” His eyes narrowed slightly as if to say ‘no matter what happens.’

Faunia’s words caught in her throat. Then she said, “Okay.”

Cedric turned and walked away through the crunching grass. She watched him fade through the trees until he was a silhouette, and until he was gone. Then she looked down at her pale hands.

I’m responsible.

She remembered interrogating him in the chamber, arguing with him, fighting him… For months, she did everything within her power to have him sentenced to death. When it didn’t work, she followed him halfway across the continent to kill him herself.

I’m responsible for what he’s feeling…

Tears welled in her eyes. She took another deep breath and wiped them away.

Viltar sat down on the log beside her, placed a heavy and warm arm over her shoulders. “I know what it is you’re feeling, Faunia Vleren. Your place as a Hunter in a bygone era is not what divides you from him.”

“Wh…what?”

“He is resolved. He was not preparing to die in Alisa, but imbued with a new plan. There is something which he refuses to tell even his closest companions, for he knows it will spell disaster for his plan if they are to know.”

“...Because I’ll get in the way?”

“Because he wants to protect you.” Viltar smiled, tapped her chin twice with a big finger. “Chin up, girl. We have a long route ahead of us to Cromer.” And the big cat stood from the log.

The twice-ley shifted. Cedric used his ability. Faunia assumed it was Serkukan by how forceful the pull was. She shut her lips and grit her teeth, stared down at the grass.

But then her eyes widened. The hairs on the back of her neck had begun to stand on end. She gasped in a shuddered breath.

Her body became hot, she shivered as a chill rattled through her bones.

She stood, clutching her shoulders. She drew her rapier.

The ensemble of men all turned their attentions to her.

The air was choking. She couldn't speak through it, couldn't breathe... but it was thin enough to sprint through like an arrow. And so she did.

The chatter of her companions became deafeningly loud and silent, and she burst through the other side of the woods.

…Kogar!

The sky exploded in prismatic magic at the very same instant that Faunia leapt from the trees. The plains beyond were clear enough to see Dreslon, the scattered Hunter-towers off to the north, the forests engulfing the world like a border…

And the two-tone demon she’d struck out of the sky.

The ground where Cedric had been standing was a crater of dirt and stone, the debris was still flying.

And within the debris, Cedric had taken to the wind upon two crimson wings.

He spun to see her, “Faunia, stop!”

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The Silver Sword charged forward. Kogar regained his balance in the air, reeled back a fist and gnashed his fangs.

She leapt into the air. “Tirolith!”

I’ve got you, said the girl, and a suit of frozen armor encased her body.

Kogar’s fist rushed forward.

Faunia only narrowed her eyes and centered her energy. The entirety of the twice-ley rippled as another prismatic rainbow of energy exploded around Kogar’s fist and sprayed a rain of blood into the air. He recoiled.

Then Faunia’s rapier rushed for his throat.

“STOP!” Cedric howled. The world turned red for a moment. Faunia’s rapier vanished.

And there it was, in Cedric’s hand. Her mouth fell open in betrayal.

Kogar caught her throat and the whiplash slammed her body against his. He spun in the air, cackled with frenzied malice. “So, that’s how it is, Castelbre? You’ve given up on protecting even your beloved allies? Your whore companions!? Is that why you’ve left Marisol alone in Calamon?”

Cedric grit his teeth. “Leave her the fuck alone.”

Kogar cocked his head like a madman, his eyes bulging. “Too many times we’ve let things get too close.” His hand tightened around Faunia’s throat. She gasped. “TOO MANY TIMES!”

The world flashed red again. Cedric released his held breath, began to pant. Faunia was down on the ground beneath the boy. Choking, but safe.

“I know your secret now Kogar.” said Cedric. He hovered forward on his flapping wings. “And I know that we have no chance against you like this.”

“So you’ll submit?”

Cedric shook his head. “I—”

A painful ringing pierced Cedric’s mind—Antithesis! No!

His wings fell limp and dropped him like a sandbag to the dirt.

Ekzire and his men ran out of the woods, pointed their weapons up at the god.

“No!” Cedric tried to scream through the abominable pain wracking his body. He couldn’t tell if the words came out.

…And then the group of sel became a bloody crater. The detritus of their bodies scattered through the wind like rubble.

Cedric howled in horror.

The ringing began to subside. Faunia’s icicle armor had almost entirely melted into water. His own robes held small patches of flame as they fought not to unravel.

But Kogar just floated there as a dark spot before the sun. Cackling.

Kogar, I yield. Kogar, I want to make you an offer!

The two-tone god lowered himself down. His boots touched the grass.

Kogar! Listen to me! Accept my offer!

“I should have broken you in half in Calamon! I shouldn’t have wasted so much time on you! I’ve let you denigrate me, I’ve let you LOOK DOWN UPON ME! Fucking RATS! I’ve let VERMIN look at me like an ABOMINATION! AND NOW IT ENDS!”

Cedric shut his eyes. One final fight. One last battle, Kogar. In Calamon. Under the red moon, as Heji predicted… he told you that’s when you’d win.

“Prepare, Castelbre, for your execution!” A black and white scythe formed itself out of butterflies in his hand. He lifted it high over Cedric’s head.

Just give us time to evacuate. We’ll get everyone out of Calamon… and then we’ll fight.

The scythe came down.

And if you win… you take Serkuan.

The scythe stopped short. There was only an inch from the blade to Cedric’s forehead. The boy opened his eyes.

Kogar was glaring with ravenous ferocity. He hissed through his teeth, “...So when the scythe hits… you already had a plan.”

Cedric nodded. He revealed the silvery marble tight within his hand.

The same marble which stored Serkukan under Akvum’s possession. The same person who kept Serkukan away from you.

Kogar retracted his scythe. He turned his bitter gaze upon Faunia, standing now with her hands forming a triangle toward the marble.

“You told her… She was going to destroy Serkukan! Just as Akvum intended to…!” His voice hissed like a snake’s. “You fucking dogs! I don’t need Serkukan! I don’t need—”

“But you want him.” Cedric was at his feet behind Kogar. The two-tone man whipped around to face him. “Don’t you?”

No answer but the familiar expression of rage.

“Sick of getting kicked around by Rykaedi, mocked by Ivalié, betrayed by your group. The only person who hasn’t betrayed you is Kasian… is that right?”

“Kasian is dead. I’m in command.”

“...I know. But you’ve never had an ally besides him. Serkukan would give you the strength you’re looking for.”

He turned away from Cedric, took two steps, shut his eyes and lowered his head. “...Lord Kasian…” he asked, “...what should I do?”

And just like that, he lifted his head. It seemed he’d found his answer. The two-tone god said, “We fight in Calamon. ‘Neath the crimson moon.”

“The winner takes the crimson god…”

“...And the loser succumbs to the lowest pit of the deadworld, for the rest of eternity.”

Cedric reached his hand for Kogar.

Kogar turned back to him with a sneer. Then he took the grasp.

“You know what I’m going to ask for next.”

“If you so wish. But, when things go my way in Calamon…”

“I know.”

Kogar released the grasp. He looked over to the bloody crater where his companions had been turned into a mess of gibs. “Azatos,” he said.

And their bodies began to stitch back together; the blood congealed into floating bulbs, combined and grew until they began to form the shapes of men, the gibs clicked back together like puzzle pieces.

Then their eyes met again. Kogar, for once, almost looked human. Perhaps it was just that Cedric had never stood so close to him, or perhaps it was that they finally reached an understanding; he had no answer as to why.

“You have thirty days,” said the god. “Your execution is on the fifth of Dothis. And with it, the world will change.”

“Fifth of Eagerheart…” Cedric locked it into his memory. “Or, Dothis, sorry.”

Kogar’s eyes narrowed. “Goodbye, Cedric Castelbre. This will be the final time I spare your life.”

THOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The ground burst beneath him. Cedric was launched back, flipped, and slammed into the ground.

The god was gone.

Faunia quickly rushed to Cedric’s side in a mix of anger and confusion. “Cedric, the last thing he needs is more time! We’re still the underdogs, don’t forget!”

“I know.” He nodded solemnly, accepted her help in getting to his feet. “But that’s not the issue at hand. We’ll fight on our own terms, we’ll save as many lives as we possibly can. We need to get word to Calamon immediately; draft a letter, we’ll send it from Cromer.”

Faunia was taken aback, put at a loss for words at his quick-wittedness. “You were waiting for him. You planned this all along… You wanted him to kill the naturalists, bring them back with Azatos as he did for Ekzire’s men… instead of… me?”

“Faunia, I…”

“No, it… it makes sense…” Her voice became quiet. “I… wouldn’t have wanted to watch you die. I… understand.”

Faunia slowly stepped back, lingered there for a long moment as though inspecting him. She finally said, "We should have killed him, whatever the risk. That's the duty we embraced. Don't go out of your way for me next time." And she turned, marched back to where Ekzire’s men were. They were only just beginning to rise fully from the ditch, confused and naïve smiles of relief plastered across their faces. Faunia only glanced back once at Cedric from their succor.

And then they turned their backs to each other.