Chapter 24 - The Archon's Blood
"Oh dear..." I sighed
"What is it?" Litia asked
"I can't use his blade, even though he left it for me..." I told her. I took out the blade. "this is the Sword of Aeons…I have to sacrifice someone from my bloodline to use it…" I stabbed the sword into the ground. "What have you done Chase!" I burst out.
"He gave into his heart." A voice said, I turned to face Ali.
"Go away!" I growled
"Scared hero? I was promised to be with you forever…" Ali smirked, then stopped."Oh, right…" He pulled something out.
"Th….NO!" I ran at him, and dived for the object, I missed and hit the ground. "uff….oww." I sighed. Suddenly someone picked me up from the back of my dress. I looked back and snarled, I kicked back knocking me from his grip. I stood drawing my blades, facing a whole new person. "you!" I glared, before me was Jack of Blades, his amber eyes shone from under the mask.
"Dear Hawk, I have waited hundred years for this chance." He said
"well, it was a waste." I told him, placing my hands on my hips. "you can't have me or your sword."
"Really, my sword will be easier to get, with so many Archons in this one place." Jack looked at Litia and Lilah, they shrunk back.
"Touch my children and you will regret ever returning to albion." I threatened.
"Hawk, you don't frighten me in the slightest…" Jack smirked,"now,,, which one is worth sacrificing…"
"Girls RUN!" I Yelled, Litia did, but Lilah remained standing looking at Jack. "lilah?" I asked
"…Then…I sacrifice myself for The hero of Bowerlake!" Lilah yelled,she drove the silver blade into her heart.
"LILAH!" I cried. She fell, lifeless. The sword of Aeons glowed into life. I picked it up and faced Jack, but he had gone. I bowed my head, I pushed the lid of an empty tomb and placed Lilah inside, before closing it again.
"mom?" Litia asked, I looked her and smiled
"Yes, sweetie?" I smiled
"When this over…please put me next to Lilah." Litia said, I sniffed and nodded. I picked her up.
"Of course." I muttered sadly. "Lets go and save the others."
We snuck into the castle, dodging guards, maids, butlers and visitors. I didn't want Azura alerted to my presence. We entered the throne room via a secret passsage way, we hid behind a pillar to watch. Azura was pacing, Reaver stood with Vincent, Rosa and Logan. Darrian watched Azura, anger blazing in his eyes.
"Why are you after Albion?" Darrian asked
"Because I do!" Azura growled "What I want,I get. And I want that sacrifice DEAD!" I stood with my back go the pillar.
"Hawk?" Florian breathed, I knew he was on the other side of the pillar, his back against it.
"Yes?" I whispered
"Rem...Remember the song you sang? My song...d-did you ever complete it?" Florian said, his voice barely audible over Azura and Darrian's agreement.
"The child without a name grerw up to be the hand.
To watch you, to shield you or kill on demand
The choice he'd made, he could not comprehen
His blood a grim secret they had to command
He's torn between his honour and the true love of his life
he prayed for both,but was denied." I sang in a soft whisper. "So many dreams were broken and so much was sacrificed.
was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind
so many years have past, who are the noble and the wise?
Will all our sins be justified. "
"What came after, Friend?" Florian asked, I said nothing. I heard him beginning to walk away. Litia watched me, I smiled at her. I stepped around the pillar.
"The curse of his powers tormented his life
obeying the crown was a sinister price." Florian turned with a smiled, everyone else looked shocked. "His soul was tortured by love and by pain
he surely would flee but the oath made him stay.
He's torn between his honour and the true love of his life
he prayed for both,but was denied." I looked at Florian sadly "Please forgive me for the sorrrow for leaving you in fear
for the dreams we had to silence, that's all they'll ever be.
Still I'll be the hand that saves you
though you'll not see that it is me.
So many dreams were broken and so much was sacrificed.
was it worth the ones we loved and had to leave behind
so many years have past, who are the noble and the wise?"I smiled
"Will all our sins be justified?" Florian spoke the last words. "That song was the only thing keeping me sane."
"Don't be over dramatic." I told him, Florian smiled sadly
"We are opposites. You are a being in every right. Protector of the people. I ..."Florian looked away
"A servant to the crown." Reaver finished
"Oh boo hoo. Florian, dear...KILL HER!"Azura snarled. I drew my two blades, facing Azura.
"Do your own dirty work!" I smirked
"Is that, a challenge?" Azura drew her own blade.
"What does it sound like?" I asked
"Hawk..." Florian began
"She knows what she's doing." Reaver joined his side. "I hope."
"Have a little faith boys." I smiled "Your looking at the second living hero that was trained by the heroes guild." Suddenly, Azura dived at me, I crossed my blades, sparks emitted from our blades as they collided. I pushed her back. "How rude." I mocked "A lady should never act so violently. "
"Like wise." she answered
" I am not a lady, your Majesty." I smiled "I am a hero. By title, by name and by blood." I slashed with both blades. Azura dodged. Our blades locked locked once more. I tried to overwhelm her with my strength, she was attempting the same thing.
"Sorry...dear." Florian whispered , suddenly a silver blade, coated in glistening red produced from Azura's chest. I backed off, Florian pulled his sword out and Azura collasped.
"Well...That I never saw coming." Vincent muttered
"That makes you king alone, Florian." I said after a while "You are free."
"Then we are no longer different." Florian looked at me. I laughed.
"Florian you are king, you make rules, listen to no one." I told him "I am under the rule of a king. I am not as free as some may believe."
"You are the freest person I know. Personality wise..." Florian smiled "I should go, before our worlds collapse beyond repair."
"Let's hope we can meet again." I nodded, Florian smiled and headed out, but stopped at the door. He turned back at me. "I am sorry about Lilah and Litia." He said, Litia took my hand and smiled.
"Nothing I haven't lost before." I replied "At least, I can put her to rest with Lilah and others of my bloodline this time." I picked her up. Florian nodded and left for a final time.
"Hawk?" Reaver asked
" I am going to take Litia to the tomb." I said
"So, I can be with Lilah and the hero of Oakvale." Litia smiled
"It was nice to meet Litia." Reaver said
" be nice to my mommy. Or Lilah and I will haunt you." Litia warned. Rosa laughed.
"That is a family trait." Rosa grinned "We won't forget you for sure."
"It will be impossible to forget this, or you." Vincent nodded
"Let's go. I'll see you at home." I left, Litia in my arms.