Another bell rocked the earth, I braced myself, grabbing back ahold of Luca's arm. The shaking stopped leaving us standing in a large stone courtyard. The Remedy's symbol etched deep into the floor spanning around the tower. 

This place was strange, it wasn't a palace or a city, more temple-like in its design. I squinted catching more buildings in the distant twilight.

 Luca pointed up, staring, as red flowed through four glass pipes. Coming out of the tower, they came together as one, the pipe resting over an empty fountain. Red dripping over it, the blood of the kings started filling it. 

I shivered, something severe about this place. The shadows draped across the courtyard. A small whisper drew my attention to someone in the shadows. Luca looked over, into the covered walkway surrounding the square. It was hard to see inside it, the cove drenched in shadows. 

"Who's there?" He called, waiting for an answer.  A young woman poked her head out, close to us in age. She pushed back her brown hair, beckoning for us to follow. Her hazel eyes caught in worry.

 "Come quick! It isn't safe." She hissed quickly. Her expression didn't let me hesitate. Luca and I stumbled after her, joining her in the shadows. 

"What's going on?" I asked quietly, the sky rumbling in the background. The girl looked back out into the courtyard.

 "A fight no one wants caught in the middle of." She stated, biting her lip. "That's very cryptic-" I stopped, watching as someone else walked up and entered the courtyard. The first rain drops started to fall, they left little splats on the stones. Augustine. His dark cloak, wiping in the breeze. His stern expression matching his scar. 

The girl watched tensely, stepping back. She frowned, seemingly worried about something. “Just stay out of sight and you'll be safe." She turned, running away down the corridor. I bit my lip watching her run. Who was she?

 Augustine walked over to the fountain, pulling something from inside his cloak. He dropped something into it. A hiss sounded, reacting with the red liquid. I couldn't see exactly what he was doing. I craned my neck, trying to get a glimpse. Pulling out a dagger he pressed it against his finger, letting a drop of his blood fall into it. 

"You brought this on yourself." He muttered, his expression deathly serious. He stepped back from the fountain. The rain picked up as he settled in the center of the square, the rain drops falling on his head. 

He stepped aside pulling out a large flask from his coat. Twisting off the lid he poured Its contents on the ground. The water flowed together, circling in a raging torrent. The Looking Glass. Undoubtedly hypnotizing. Could it be the gate of death?

I looked over to Luca; he seemed just as enthralled by it. He suddenly stepped back, rubbing his chest. He keeled over, looking uncomfortable. 

"What is it?" I asked, forgetting about Augustine. He frowned, "I don't know, I just felt a sudden pain. I think I'm alright." He mumbled, straightening back up. 

Augustine lifted up the torrent, it solidified into a perfect mirror. He rolled it over to the wall, leaning it up against it. He turned back to face the door of the tower, waiting. 

The doors swung open. Merle walked out, the rain pelting against his feathers. I was starting to understand what the strange girl meant. This was not going to end well. 

Merle wore a pained expression, walking towards him. "All things must run their course. In suffering perfection is obtained. Perfection is mankind's sacred aim. I still can't get those lies out of my head." 

Augustine glared up through his scar, "I don't know why you're so bent on dying. You could've finished this with me. Seen the world you helped create." 

Merle looked up with saddened eyes. "Everything we've done, there's no healing. We just deepened the wound." 

"Only if we stop now!" Augustine asserted, his voice growing angry. 

Merle laughed, "Your delusional to think all this death will amount to anything but death." 

Merle walked in front of the mirror, looking more like the old man I first met in the reflection. He shuddered, turning away, "I am a monster Augustine, but at least I understand that."

 He grinned bleakly. "I will make sure justice finds you. I will make sure justice finds everyone." A tear fell down from his birdy face. It sent chills down my spine. What was he talking about? 

"Listen to reason!" Augustine hissed. Merle laughed, "You mean listen to you. You're arrogant Augustine." 

Merle walked over to the fountain. "So arrogant you don't see that this is right."

"You and I have different ideas of what's right." Augustine growled, watching him closely. Merle stopped at the fountain, tracking the drops of blood. "I'm not here to rehash the same argument, I'm here to finish what I started." 

Merle didn't flinch, he stared back at Augustine, waiting. The two stared at each other, a thick tension building. Seconds passing the two stood in place. 

Merle lifted his eyes, grinning. "Where's your backup. Are you really going to face me alone?"  Augustine stood straighter, "Yes. I don't need anyone else." 

"Very confident." Merle said, dipping his finger in the red liquid, he looked back up at Augustine. 

Augustine froze, his eyes locked in confusion. "All that work and you're just going to stare at it?" He gave a nervous laugh, Merle joined him. "Yes I want to see how you are going to stop me."

Merle raised an eyebrow, "Nothing? Your plan is nothing?" He tilted his head, "What a thoughtful strategy. Don't you think an army would be more effective?"

Augustine stepped back, gawking at him. Merle laughed, locking his eyes on Augustine "You've wasted your counter spell on raspberries." He licked his fingers. 

"What?" Augustine's eyes grew wide. "How did you-"

"A little bird told me your plan." Merle grinned, stepping in a defensive posture. "I'm assuming it's some sort of control caster. Or is it a kill switch? Either way, I'm honored that you'd use such a costly spell on me.”  Augustine stepped back.

Merle widened his grin, “How much of your life force did you sacrifice to try and end mine?"

"You're a dead man Merle!" Augustine roared, drawing his sword. "We'll see."He smiled a sinister bird grin, drawing back his blade. Augustine charged him, their swords clashing, sparks flying as the blades slid together. The two struggled against the force.

 "What...exactly...was your goal?.... Let me burn the world...so you could play...hero?"  Merle struggled out his words. 

Augustine, leaned in with more power. Merle shoved him back, aiming a decisive strike. Augustine blocked it, the two locked between the graceful swoops of metal. 

"You...are...going to burn the world... regardless." Augustine hissed, between strikes.

 Swinging his sword around, Augustine slid by Merle. Merle pulled back his sword in time, the metal clamoring. Augustine ducking back, as Merle countered. A few feet apart, Merle paused. 

"No I'm going to burn the Remedy off of it."

He shifted his feet, turning his sword to the floor. It fractured the stone, a line ripping apart right towards Augustine.

 Augustine flipped back, ripping off his cape, he let it fly. His scowl stayed stern, he spat on the ground.”Two can play at that game.”

Reaching in his pocket he threw something out towards him, the ground erupting in little sparks. Merle jumped back, his cape catching fire, "Pathetic." He beat out the flames. 

Augustine shrugged, the ground collapsing under Merle's feet. He squawked, jumping to one side of the ledge. His cloak spread like wings. He found his footing, tracing his sword across the ground. It fused shut, the ground shaking. 

I bit my lip. How did they do that?

The mirror shook, falling to the ground, it returned to the raging torrent.

 "Aren't you curious to know what's within the depths?" Merle grinned circling the pool opposite to Augustine. 

Augustine shuddered, "Stay back-" he looked for a way around. 

"You can't love ignorance forever." Merle launched himself over the pool, attempting to shove Augustine towards it. Augustine protested flicking his sword up. Merle jumped back, Augustine leaned over trying to lift the mirror back up. Merle charged him, the two almost stumbling into the torrent. 

Augustine steadied their weight, throwing Merle off. Shallow cuts on his arm where Merle's talons locked onto him. Augustine threw the waters up in the air. It flew up in a splash landing upright, locked back in their circle.

I gasped, Augustine swinging around just in time to block Merle's next attack. The shadows danced across the walls. I looked over nervously at Luca. Either way I didn't know how this would end.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

 Augustine swept around, swinging his blade after Merle. He jumped back, running off the wall. Hitting the floor, he settled facing Augustine. 

Luca pulled me back further in, Merle standing right outside of cover. I took Luca's hand, he held it tightly. 

Augustine hissed something, his sword bursting into flames. A reddish orange flame, it flickered contrasting the fading light. Merle roared in complaint, taking a better grip of his sword. "Is playing fair too much to ask?"

 Augustine smirked, swinging his blade of fire. "If you can't keep up you deserve to lose."

Merle laughed, "That isn’t what I said."

He ran at Augustine, jumping into the air he took a huge swing. Augustine ducked down, swinging his fire blade upwards. Merle slid under, turning around, swinging his blade back up. Augustine countered, swinging his blade down. 

In the clash, Merle's blade stole a touch of the flame. He flipped back, landing on his feet. The flame growing, it stood brighter. Across the ring, they ran towards each other, both jumping up in full swing. I held my breath, as I watched. The metal clashing violently. The flames erupted, the fire turned bright blue. 

They both fell, flying back. Augustine skidded on his feet, Merle rolling, falling to a clump on the floor. Augustine laughed, walking over, victory slapped across his face. He stood over an unresponsive Merle, raising his sword. "Sorry old friend." He muttered, bringing it down. 

Merle rolled aside, kicking his legs under Augustine's. Augustine fell, Merle jumping back up to his feet, holding his blade down to his neck. "No…I'm sorry." 

Augustine held his hands up, as Merle thrust his blade down. I winced, shutting my eyes. He turned the blade, pulling it out. I blinked in shock. Augustine was dead. Blood dripping from the blade. Merle stepped back, stumbling. 

The rain pounding down, it seemed to chill the air. Merle threw his blade down, falling to his knees. He hung his head, shaking. Was he crying? Merle looked up to the sky and screeched out a scream. Something in my stomach turning. He shook, wiping his cheeks. His fists tight as he fought with himself. Something about it made me angry, it fueled my rage. He didn't have a right to mourn. He didn't deserve to. He was his killer.

He struggled back up to his feet, walking towards the fountain. He struggled to breathe. Cranking a tap on the fountain, the red liquid drained away. He wiped his forehead, closing it. He dragged his feet back to the tower.

 I stared out stunned, my hand still interlocked with Luca's. "Should we follow?" I asked, turning when I didn't get a response. Luca's eyes glazed over, he didn't react.

 "Luca!" I shook his arm, waiting for anything. His eyes still unfocused, I waved my hand in front of his face. 

I stepped back, his hand tight on mine. His arm pulling up with me as I backed up. I turned to watch Merle shut the door of the tower. There was a chance I could finish this, chase after him before he completed the real spell. I couldn't leave Luca here. 

Augustine bleeding out on the floor, I couldn't win this fight anyway. I wasn't a warrior. The mirror still standing up, the light shone against it, the surface rippling. I frowned, watching the stillness interrupted.  

"What are we going to do Luca?" I huffed, knowing very well I wasn't going to get a response. "Are you dreaming?" I sighed, trying to distract myself from my frustration. I couldn't do this on my own. I looked up at him, his messy brown hair hanging over his forehead. 

He was the only one still by my side. The one who had always been on my side. I fought a well of tears building inside of me. I needed him. I didn’t want to finish this on my own.

I hung my head, the bell ringing again. The ground shook in response. 

"Anytime Luca." I muttered, watching four new lines of red, dart down the pipes dripping down into the fountain. 

The door swung open again, Merle walking out. "If you don't wake up, I'm going to do something stupid. You know me." I huffed watching Merle walk over to the fountain.

"Luca?" I tried once more. I couldn't let Merle win. 

I stood up, prying my hand from Luca's. I picked up the sword Wren gave me. Why did he give it to me? He put it in my hand just to stop me from using it. The gleam shining off, not giving me an answer. Either way it didn't matter, it was time to put this to use. This was my chance. I had to make it count. 

I let my panicked heart lead me to the pulse, the pounding feeling like a battle cry. Here goes nothing. I dropped into it, reappearing behind the fountain. The blood dripped down it, evidence of my past failure. I ignored the sick feeling in my gut. Almost face to face with Merle, I was hidden behind the fountain.

Pulling out a glass syringe he drew up the blood into it. I took a breath, I couldn't wait anymore. I stepped up on the first level of the fountain, ready to jump off when a voice startled me. 

"Stop!" Luca called out , his hand outstretched. Eyes caught in desperation. I stepped down, looking out.  

Merle set down the syringe, turning around to face Luca. "What are you doing here Luca?!?!" Luca paused, "You don't have to do this. There is still a chance. I have a new plan." He spoke strangely, choosing his words carefully. 

Merle stepping forward. "What are you talking about?" He hissed. I backed up. This message was for me.

 Luca shrugged, "I don't know. Just don't do this." His tone switched, emotion leaking through. "If you ever cared about me at all you'd stop."

 Merle sighed, "The amount of times you've betrayed me, you betrayed your family line. You're lucky you're still alive." 

"I've had to be loyal to something bigger." Luca concluded, standing straighter. 

"You tell yourself that." Merle squawked. "Stay out of my way Luca. This is your last warning." He stepped forward. 

Luca backed up, raising his hands, "Okay." He said, nodded, "You've made your decision." He muttered, disappearing back into the shadows. Merle blinked at him shocked, scanning the courtyard, scratching his head. 

"What are you doing Luca?" Merle growled. He didn't get an answer. I needed to move before he saw me. "Luca!" Merle shouted again. 

The rain was still beating down, I shut my eyes, finding myself back under the cover. I found Luca, his hands shaking. "Glad you got the message." He met my eyes.  

"What did you see?" I bit my lip. Luca looked up, a light in his eyes,"How we're going to end this, I think." 

He gave a half-grin. "Even after he fixes his spell this isn't over." Luca looked back out to the courtyard. Merle injected the blood in his arm, he hissed out."When it's settling, it's unpredictable. He'll be vulnerable until it does." 

Merle's eyes wide, his hiss turning into a yell, he dropped the empty needle. The glass smashing on the floor. He fell to his knees, gripping the dust. I shivered, watching his agony. The thunder crashed through the rain. The shadow of Augustine's body, still visible, dead on the floor. 

Luca tightened his fists, " No more chasing him." His voice, more certain. "We let him come to us, and when he does. We'll be ready for him." 

Luca took my hand, pulling me down the corridor. I would've asked where we were going but I didn't care. This confidence in his eyes was the most hope I'd felt in awhile. Our pace quickened as we ran down the corridor. Running felt good, my lungs screaming for more oxygen and my feet jumping stone to stone. I felt more alive. For the first time I felt sure this would work. We would finish this. 

Getting  to the end, Luca turned the handle. Pulling me inside, we stood facing the girl who had helped us earlier. She quickly wiped her eyes, stiffening her posture. She looked at us surprised.

 "Sorry," Luca apologized, tightening his own body language. "We need to find the armoury. Do you know where it is?" He asked. 

She blinked at us grabbing her coat, "Follow me." She beckoned, heading out the door. Luca shrugged, before turning after her. I was surprised she was helping us without question. Maybe it was fate?

She walked, fast looking behind every corner as we passed. The light faded, the rain was slowing. Angry drops still falling on our heads, it made everything feel more dismal. She stopped, turning back, "We have to leave the Mantle and go into the town, if you want weapons." She echoed, continuing. Leading us out of this place and out onto a winding path. 

The wind whipping at us, the sunset bold against the barren looking landscape. It reminded me of the camp, but instead of a forest in the distant background there was nothing. Loose rolling hills, that were grey and dusty. You could see for miles on all sides. It was gloomy here, overwhelmingly so. I pulled my limbs close, fighting off shivers. 

"Everything is about to change, isn't it." She whispered, looking thoughtfully over the landscape. Luca nodded in response. Even if we won this world would change. That was evident. The strange girl slipped her hair back behind her ears. "I've felt that now for awhile, dread." She shook her head, loosening her solemn expression. 

A gate coming into view. The girl was leading us right to it. I hid the uneasy feeling in my stomach. The guard whispered to the other, as we approached. Their expressions were cold as the girl walked up. I hoped she knew what she was doing, we didn't need any more trouble. 

"You're the Fowler girl, aren't you?" The guard asked. She nodded innocently. The guard poked his head out, looking back at us. 

"Who are they?" The girl smiled, "Visiting cousins of mine. They're here to help my family. You know how my Nana gets, especially at this time of year." She sniffed back a tear, staring at him dolefully. The guard shifted uncomfortably, stepping back, "Send my well wishes then." He muttered letting us pass. I gave Luca a shrug, surprised at how quick the guard changed his manner. 

"Is your Nana sick?" I asked her quietly as we passed. She shrugged, no sign of her teary eyes. "A bit, it's chronic she's never quite well." Luca looked back at me warily. I noticed the shift as well. She was more calculating than she appeared.

The buildings in Arcane were darkish brown, looming over, contrasting the gray-brown dirt. Red weaving in and out, reminding me of their armour. The few people on the streets wore cold expressions, seeming to take no note of us as we walked by. Something off about the air of this place. I tried to keep my head. 

"Just in here." She whispered, ducking us into the side door of a little patrol tower. The musty, fresh rain smell, following us inside. The walls were lined with weapons of every kind, a little light peeking in. 

The girl scratched her head. Pausing at the entrance, "I need to go. People will wonder where I am." She stopped, before exiting.  “I suggest choosing a different exit. The guard will ask too many questions." She slipped out the door. 

"Wait! What's your name?" I asked, watching her turn. She grinned, "Didn't you hear the guard I'm the Fowler girl." She winked, shutting the door behind her. I shook my head at her dodge. 

"That was a bit strange." Luca muttered, preoccupied with the wall of weapons. "This whole place is strange." I sighed, turning with him. 

He pulled out a leather pack from under the shelf, pulling crossbows off the wall and throwing them inside. "Why all the crossbows? This is becoming a recurring theme." I snorted, watching him gather arrows. He smirked, "They're necessary for the plan." He said, shutting the bag.

"This should be good-" he said, voices growing louder from outside the door. I

 took his arm, pulling him up the short winding staircase. He grabbed the bag, as we bounded up the steps. Reaching the top, we stumbled through the door. I quietly shut the door, listening to make sure whoever it was wasn't following us. 

I stepped out into the open air, staring down at Arcane. Luca, already standing by the edge of the watchtower. I was amazed at the size of it. It looked much bigger from here. They had a grand palace too, a deep charcoal colour. It stood menacingly looming over the city. I shivered, stepping to the edge. Candlelight, darting through the landscape, it was beautifully eerie. 

"I haven't been here since I was very little." Luca mused, leaning on the railing. 

"Were you born here?" I asked. Luca nodded, "I lived here till I was around four. My father got really sick and my Mother wasn't coping well. I went to live with Merle after that." 

I wanted to ask him more about it but I was afraid. This place didn't reflect happy memories in his eyes. 

Luca frowned, looking back out at Arcane. "Sometimes I wonder how I would've turned out, if I stayed here." He stepped away from the edge. "There's something poisonous about this place. Something that taints everything." His expression, heavy. 

He set the bag down, pulling out his sketchbook. Quickly, he marked up the page with graphite.

 "What are you doing?" I asked, looking over at his page. "Giving you our destination." He ripped the page out handing it to me.  A city of ruins, surrounded by leafless trees. A forest in the distance, it contrasted against the city. I turned my head at the curious picture.

 "Where is it?" I muttered. He met my eyes, before shoving his book back in his bag. "The true edge of the wastelands, the cursed city."