Chapter 24: SILVER

I awoke then, chest heaving. What on earth?

Salant.

He was there, I knew that. But I didn't know how. Nor did I realize the true horror of his power. Even if it was my dream, my hands trembled with the thought of his darkness consuming me.

"General Song." It was no more than a whisper, and it was then that I realized I wasn't alone, "what has happened?"

Chimer was an elderly woman that wore black all the time, her skin was wrinkled with age, but her brown eyes shined with intelligence that no other human possessed. I didn't know much of her history, only that she had taken the place of the previous prophet when she was only 22, and she had been doing the work of the Goddess ever since.

"Salant," I said, wetting my dry lips, "he attacked me."

"Through your connection with the Princess?"

It wasn't a surprise to me that she already knew, it wasn't like there was a whole lot I could keep from the servant of the Goddess, I nodded in response. Her face darkened then, "Ellora is weaker than I thought, this bodes ill for the coming prophecy."

"Prophecy?"

"Salant's goal...his purpose in all of this is to awaken Zelnaris."

Eyes shot open in surprise. The God of Ruin had been sealed away more than a millennia ago, it was the conclusion of the War of Light, and the reason that Ellora's light had vanished from this world for more than 800 years.

"Princess Lania. What does he need her for?" I asked quietly,

"In days of old, magic on great scales requires circles, or a continuum, a way to channel energy." Chimer explained, "the magic that sealed Zelnaris is no different. There are five points throughout the land that connect all magic, and it was through these sources that the power came to seal Zelnaris."

I was listening, but I didn't really understand where she was going with all this. All I wanted to know was the part my Princess had in this madness. "It was the light of Ellora that bottled up these five points, a servant that had done her will. A servant of the light is required to unbottle these magical reserves, only then will Salant have the power to break the seal on Zelnaris."

"Princess...Lania...they want her to reverse what was done 1000 years ago?" I asked to clarify, and she nodded simply,

"It is why they captured me as well. It seems as though our Princess is more uncooperative than she appears."

I smiled slightly at her words, truly, there was none braver than my Princess. To willingly defy the demigod that left me in a fit of shivers, even from just a dream. She was right in saying I should worry more about myself. Had she not had a necklace that controlled her actions, it was likely she would have killed Salant at the first opportunity and been done with it.

"Prophet Chimer, Princess Lania says she has a necklace that houses a demon, it can control her body."

Her face became encompassed by thought, "it would seem that controlling Lania through the use of a demon is his plan."

"But he can't, right? Ellora is protecting her."

"Even Ellora is not all powerful, especially not now in her barely awakened form, should despair enter the heart of the Princess, all will be lost."

"Then how do I stop it? How do I get rid of the necklace?" I asked desperately, hoping she knew of some ancient spell that could expel the darkness—

"Just hit it, really hard."

"Pardon?"

She chuckled at my reaction, "vessels that hold deep and ancient magical power are chaotic and destructive by nature. Hitting the necklace with enough magical force will sever the link, and likely kill the demon."

Well, that was certainly simpler than I had thought.

I was good at hitting things. Especially annoying geezers like Gerald, I wouldn't mind adding demon necklaces to my repertoire. I took a breath, the conversation with Chimer giving me enough time to get me on my feet, and not act as though I had seen a ghost.

"While you were asleep, we sent word to the Griffin Knights, they are joining us in an assault against the Fortress. It will be heavily guarded, the least we can do is get you through those doors, perhaps draw some of them out. Anything to make your infiltration easier."

"Thank you, Chimer," I whispered then, "I hope you realize how important your help is to me, to both the Princess and I. She misses you."

"And I miss her too, it seems as only yesterday she was hanging onto my skirts, begging to hear about legends and forgotten stories." She smiled then, glancing at me, "by the grace of Ellora, may you save your Princess."

"There's the sleepy head!" I heard Gerald shout and I let out a hiss behind my teeth, and I had to fight back the profanity threatening to rise up, the least I could do is offer the servant of Ellora some show of respect.

I would prove to the others that Gerald and I were not alike.

"Good morning Gerald," I said pleasantly and he slung an arm over my shoulder,

"You save the Princess, you hear? But if things get to be too much, there's no shame in waiting for backup, you know, right?"

I pushed him away then. Perhaps it was his concern that set me on edge, I would much rather be throwing hands at one another other than talking about...feelings. "Sure thing Gerald."

I saw the way his eyes narrowed at mine but we were interrupted by Fera, who had dark circles under his eyes. He normally looked terrible, but now he looked to be death incarnate. "I finished your sword, and your shield, you should try them out before we do anything."

I perked up then, "you didn't have to do that." I rummaged in my void space then, realizing I had absolutely no money on me, it seemed as though my financial status was getting more and more apparent.

"I'll cover any costs incurred," Gerald said then and I wrinkled my nose,

"Like hell you are, I'm an adult, I don't need to be in your debt."

"Shut the hell up, kid, I'm trying to be nice for once." He growled at me,

"Well stop," I snarked right back, "being nice doesn't suit you."

There was a heavy sigh, "I don't care about the money, dammit, Silver, just come here." Fera grabbed my arm then and pulled me away from Gerald, we glared at one another. "You guys are like a ticking time bomb, normally I would be amused, but now I'm just tired."

"Sorry," I admitted, "you shouldn't have stayed up all night."

"Nah I'm happy to, they both turned out really well." He said, pulling out the shield from his void space and my eyes widened. A brilliant gold, like the desert sand beneath us, greeted my eyes. The design was immaculate, I gasped as I grabbed it from him, feeling the weight, it was...lighter than I was used to.

He must have seen the way I looked at it. "That's ancient turinman metal, the stone is a blue opal—"

"For mana purposes." I said, letting my fingers slide down the giant stone set in the middle, "it's...beautiful."

"And functional." He promised, I turned it over to see how to strap it to my arm, it was the same as my other one, he must have taken that into account when he made it. His attention to detail was stunning, from the curves of the shield to distribute weight, to the spines on top where I could see my enemy on the other side, but avoid getting my head swiped off.

I strapped it to my arm then, it was a lot lighter than I was used to, and for a brief moment, I doubted his words at its functionality. It was true it was a beautiful piece, but I normally stayed clear of anything that was too...pretty, they ended up failing when you needed them most.

"And here's the sword." He said,

"By the gods." I whispered, it seemed to be made of the same materials as the shield, gold wrapped around the outside edges of the sword, the blade itself curved and fanned out, creating ridges all the way to the tip. More blue opals were set in the hilt and on the flat side of the blade. "Gimme." I grabbed for it, and just like the shield, its weight took me off guard.

"It's so...light, are you sure they won't break?" I questioned, and I could tell he was offended by the look in his eyes. I moved instinctually as he hit me then, lightning rippled along his blades. I felt the force of his impact, but surprisingly, it was incredibly evened out, I didn't even slide backwards, as though the shield had cushioned and pushed back. He leapt back, allowing me to inspect where he had hit the shield, there wasn't even a scuff mark, which was surprising, considering his blades.

"That's some of my best work." He admitted proudly, and I felt my heart swell with gratitude.

"Truly, Fera, I will repay you...as soon as I get my paycheck."

He stepped closer than, "you can repay me by actually getting with the Princess. You know. Like we talked about." He muttered quietly so none could hear, but I still glanced around to see if there were spying ears.

"I'll do that, and pay you." I finally said, and he let out a dry chuckle,

"Sure thing, gaylord."

"Bitch."

Shortly after, the others had to come and admire my new set of weaponry, Ken poked the opals. Gerald seemed less than amused, saying he didn't trust the finery, and he was sure they would break under pressure.

So I tested my new blade and sword as I pummeled my foster father into the ground. "I stand corrected." He said then, "what the hell are those things made of?"

I helped him to his feet as Fera went into detail about the process of making them, I understood up until he talked about imbuing them with abilities. I knew how to process weaponry, the generals of it all, I had helped the smith when making my last sword, but Fera...his skills went way above anyone in the capital.

Maybe I should get lost in Stygaea for four months too, no doubt I could make a hell of a lot of money if I sold things like these, and then I'd have more money—

'More money to spend, perhaps.' I heard Tagris's voice mutter in amusement, I wrinkled my nose with distaste, because he was right. I had always struggled to hold onto money. I preferred to live each day as though it were my last, I had no need for riches accumulating in the bank.

My gaze glanced over to the black towering spires of the Fortress that could be seen. She was there. We could do this.

"We can do this." Adora said beside me then, and I stiffened,

"Reading my thoughts again?" I asked drily, and she shrugged with a grin,

"Oh, you know me, the ultimate spy." She snickered, and I glanced down at her, making sure the height I had told Lania was correct, and it was, her head barely reaching my hips.

"What will you do? After all this is over? Go home?" I asked her then, wondering what kind of plans she had.

"Actually, I was thinking of sticking around, Ellora knows I could do more good here than being glued to my Goddess's side." She glanced at me, "plus, I want to know how things will end up between you and the Princess."

I scowled then, "not so loud." I hissed, "it's still treason, you know."

"For nowit is."

Only when our forces had been gathered, did we take to the skies. The plan was for the troops to move in first, drawing the attention of the Fallen Legion, we would break the barrier with the distraction.

I had already triple checked that the key was in my void space.

It wasn't like me, to be so anxious before a battle. It was because I had a new sword and shield, of course, not because I was actually—

'You fear Salant.'

I stiffened then, glancing down at the dragon beneath me, "no. I don't." I muttered, knowing in my heart it was a lie, "I fear letting the Princess down."

'It is okay to fear multiple things at once.' Tagris said then, and we landed on one of the giant rocks that overlooked the fortress, I could see the shimmering edge of the barrier and how it covered the entire thing. Down below, was the entrance, and a winding path cut into the desert led up to it.

"Okay, what do you fear then?" I asked off-handedly.

'I fear a future where Ruin takes hold.' He said it so simply I was taken off guard, I thought he would have given me a speech on how dragons feared nothing, and he was a God to the dragons, to know he feared as well was both comforting and terrifying.

"It's starting," Fera said then, Ruby at his back, Winter had been left in the oasis, since Ruby would have been unable to give her the spells she needed to ward off the desert heat. Ken's own Hakanian Water Cucumber was hidden in the depths of his void space.

I turned my gaze below us, I saw as the Fallen Legion rose to meet the Griffin and Dragon Knights. My heart turned uncomfortably when I realized I couldn't even hear the sounds of battle. Perhaps I should have wished Gerald good luck.

'One should not start the day with regrets, little one.' Tagris murmured in my head, and I shook myself, he would be fine, there was nothing to worry about.

"Be prepared to move," I commanded the others, Ken nodded, on the back of Pony. I could see reinforcements from the Fortress flying out. I steadied my breath, going over the plan in my head once more, I pulled the key from my void space. We would swoop down, I would deactivate the barrier, and the others would fly through. We would fight our way to the Fortress entrance, and then I would kill any that stood between me and Lania.

Even if it should be a demigod.

Tagris leapt then, I crouched low across his neck then as his wings tipped forward in a steep dive, I was grateful then for the spell Ruby had given me so I didn't feel the pressure build up in my ears, that was the thing I hated most about flying.

It was such a pain in the head.

I was jumping off of him now, running simply on instinct, my mind already in the depths of that Fortress, for Lania.

I found where the key fit and pushed it in, there was a flash of sparks and I glanced up, watching as the barrier fell, my companions had already gone through, and I could hear them fighting on the other side of the wall. One Fallen Legion was unwise enough to step within the range of Tagris's jaws.

There was a sickening crunch as teeth punched through armor, the soldier shrieked before Tagris flicked his head, shattering the bones of its back.

"Remind me not to get on your bad side," I said to him as I jumped on his back,

'You could never get on my bad side, little one.'

"Sure, sure," I muttered, we leapt into the air, sailing past my companions. Surprisingly, the way to the entrance was relatively clear. I killed the two guards once we had landed and pushed the heavy doors open. Tagris grabbing me with his foot was what saved me from plummeting to my doom.

"It's underground," I whispered, the massive spires above were just for show, the real fortress was buried deep within the desert sands. It made sense, since every Fallen Legion had wings, it would be easy for them to get back and forth. "And you can't fit," I muttered forlornly at Tagris, his wingspan was much too big.

'I will aid the others, abate your worries, you won't have to worry about regrets.'

"Thank you." I murmured as soon as the others had joined me. Ken let out a whistle as he looked over the edge, Adora grabbed his arm, not trusting him. "Adora and Ken, you take Pony, Fera...can't you use the shadows?"

I had the power of lightning from my bond with Tagris, I knew Fera had power over shadows from his bond with Zeroth.

"Yeah, I guess. It makes me sick though." He must have noticed my glance, "but that's fine. Ruby can heal me."

"How will I get down?" Ruby asked uncomfortably then, I smiled at her.

"Oh you're not going to like it."

She wasn't screaming, for that I was grateful for, but she did have her arms wrapped uncomfortably tight around my neck as we fell. I could see the ground below us then, I jammed my new sword into the wall of the fortress, loving how it sliced through building materials like a hot knife through butter.

Ruby squeaked then, tightening her grip on me and I nearly choked, well, I suppose it was my fault for grabbing her and then jumping into the abyss. I heard her whisper and felt our bodies grow lighter. By the time we reached the floor, our descent had slowed to a crawl, gently floating to the bottom.

"Wow, that was adventurous." Fera said, his face a shade of green in the dim purple light. I heard wingbeats above us as the others came down. Ruby unlocked herself from my body, pale and shaky.

"Sorry, I really should have warned you." I admitted, and she just shook her head, face flushing as she turned to help her brother. I scouted outside of the tube, it looked as though there were multiple possibilities. Forces patrolled each way. "We'll have to explore each one." I muttered unhappily. The others nodded, ready for battle.

Our arrival was announced with the flashing of spells, and the screams of the wounded. Each enemy I cut down was one less enemy between me and Lania. She was here.

I would not fail.

The enemies fell before us, and I was hit with the uneasy feeling that it was easy, almost...too easy. Something was up, it was like they were only meant to buy time. To slow our descent into the belly of the beast, to tire us out.

Our first real challenge was a heavily armored Fallen Legion General. They attempted an ambush, which was easily thwarted by Ken and Adora's long-range attacks. Fera and I kept track of the General, his armor was thick, but with my new sword, it was almost nonexistent as I sliced deep grooves every time I swung.

It was no surprise that I was conserving my magical energy. It was unfortunate that I didn't have the time to store any in the brilliant blue of the opals in my shield. But that's how life tended to work out.

I was preparing for the fight with Salant.

"You're going to be too late." The gravelly voice spoke out, dark lips pulled back in a cruel smile. I frowned before planting my feet and uppercutting with my sword, the soft spot in his arm exposed from his swing, and his arm fell free from his body. I jumped back as hot blood splashed along the floor.

He gave a feral shriek before Fera leapt up, spinning, he knives cut the head clean from his body, silencing the cry, sparks flew. I glanced over my shoulder quickly just as Ken picked off the final imp, its body hit the floor, and then there was silence.

I took a breath, it was time to continue, our first challenge had been conquered. The words of the General were repeating in my head, but I pushed them down, "let's go." Ruby held out her staff and I felt the tiredness leave my body with a few of her quick words.

It really was a wonder to have someone skilled in the healing arts around. It felt as though I could fight forever. I jogged out of the room, careful not to slip in the pools of blood that were almost indistinguishable with the cobbled floors.

It seemed as though the enemies would never end, we didn't have any idea where Lania was being held, it was frustrating to have to check every area, we were wasting too much time like this. But splitting up was a bad idea, we had learned as much in the Temple of Sands, Fera would not be so hasty again.

The second General was waiting for us in another room, and I resisted to groan in frustration. This was infuriating. Lania was so close, I knew that, and yet I was still stuck here. She was a mage. I always found mages infuriating to deal with. All their flashy spells and effects that made it difficult to move my body.

She targeted our own magic users, and it was Fera's and my duty to regain her attention, to see that we were the more obvious threat. Dodging away from her attacks, we got closer, but suddenly everything froze.

Our bodies were stopped in their tracks. I hissed angrily, I hated these kinds of magical spells, it took time or an incredible force of will to break free.

She chuckled, and I glanced out of the corner of my eye, Fera was in the same position, and he did NOT look happy, his eyes were glowing with concentration. There weren't any magical attacks from behind us either, our companions were immobile, a wide area stun effect?

Annoying.

Incredibly annoying.

This ass bitch was infuriating me.

"Listen, do you hear it?" She suddenly inclined her head, horns tilting, seriously, how long was this stun going to last, and why wasn't she attacking?

My heart stopped.

I did hear it.

The screaming.

Lania!

I broke free in an instant, anger and fear fueling me. "Silver!" I heard the others shout as I sprinted from the room. Her voice echoed through the halls. But I ran towards the source, the final hall we hadn't gone down yet.

Purple light and malice seeped from the room, permeating in the air.

Here!

Lania was suspended in the air, her white dress glowing, but her face was contorted in pain, rage filled me as I saw the back of the figure who was hurting her. I ran forward, vision almost red. I flicked my sword at him and he turned with a speed I didn't think possible and stopped me in my tracks.

His eyes glowed with unholy determination. This was him. Salant.

Something screamed at me to retreat. Instincts, perhaps. But I was too far gone to give this being mercy.

He had hurt her.

I felt my body fill with energy as I used my skill of mastery, awakening the true strength inside myself. Wings of light beat back the energy. And I pushed at him, and he slid backwards, a cruel smile on his face.

He would die.

His eyes glowed and Lania screamed louder. Filthy bastard, how dare he? In front of me?! My sword moved faster than I could register, aiming to separate his disgusting head from his disgusting body. The sword sliced across his cheek before he stopped it.

He was no longer smiling.

He pushed me back, I hit him with my shield and used the force to right myself. I turned to Lania, forming a chain to pull her from the confining magic that held her bound. He moved like a shadow, fast, threatening. I barely had the time to block his blade.

Never before had I struggled before an opponent after activating my awakening. Never before had I been pushed back, as was happening now. Summoning a massive shield of light, it struck the ground before me, shattering the pristine tiles, I felt electricity crackle along my body then as the storms inside my head were brought to life.

Thunder shook the room we were in as I gave an angry shout, smashing into Salant once more. He let out a grunt then and my breath caught in my throat when I felt something stab into my armor. I quickly leapt back, glancing then, an arrow of dark magic had pierced straight through my armor.

I hissed then, glaring at Salant. I should have known a demigod would be well versed in magic.

"Thank you for coming all alone, Silver." He said then, and I saw the magic circle flash beneath my feet, I jumped away, not a second too soon before I turned to face him, activating soul barrage as he charged, knowing he would run straight into the slice of my blade. Beams of light shot from my sword as it flashed. Slicing the air, moving too fast for the eye to see—

And that's when I saw his hand, he was sidestepping my sword, blood flying from the deep wound on his shoulder, a wound I had given him.

He had sacrificed to get this close to me, I gritted my teeth as I attempted to thwart his advances. His hand reached forward as I took a step back to prevent myself from toppling, my shield moving to block his hand that was covered with black and swirling purple light. A spell.

A spell I didn't recognize.

And then his hand brushed my armor, my shield, a millisecond too slow. I felt the magical energy render my armor useless, ripping through skin. And I flew backwards. I tried to land so that I was on my feet, but my body curled in on itself, trying not to be hurt.

I rolled to a stop, feeling my breath stolen from my lungs. Ice seemed to enter my veins. I struggled to my knees before a cough that shook through my entire body resulted in blood on the floor.

Fuck.

I propped myself up with my sword hand, I could hardly move my shield, my arms felt so weak. An intake of breath as I saw the red drip ceaselessly from my body.

There was so much blood.

Thump. Thump. Thump. My own heartbeat drowned out all kind of sound. Was I going to die here? Die without rescuing Lania?

Despicable. Worthless. What kind of Knight was I? I lifted my gaze, another cough on the horizon, I could practically feel my lungs deflating. There wasn't any air.

He was right there. His armored boots right on the edge of my pool of blood. Lania. I couldn't die before I saved Lania. And we made eye contact. I hadn't seen her in weeks, heard her laugh, felt her touch. I had had my dreams, my way of communicating with her, but we both knew it wasn't real.

But this was. I was going to die.

And she was scared, no, horrified, it was plain on her face. I had failed her. I had failed us both. I'm sorry.

God, I'm so sorry.

"No!" She screamed, and the darkness swirled around her. Her skin turned pale, hair colored raven black. And her eyes, glowing and orange. And I felt myself go numb. The necklace at the base of her throat glowed a violent crimson. Despair. She had been overcome, even the power of Ellora could do nothing for her now.

I had done nothing for her.

My Princess. Tainted by darkness. And I had watched. Done nothing. Caused it. I lowered my gaze, vision turning hazy. Ah, what a shitty way to go. Failed my teammates, the kingdom, my Princess.

"Take me to Zelnaris." It was her voice, and yet it wasn't. Distorted, perhaps that was because of my blood loss. I could see her feet poke out from the darkened skirt, I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to look up.

That wasn't Lania. That wasn't my Lania. Her eyes seemed to rip through me, haunting, glowing, disgusted. My arms were beginning to shake, I couldn't hold myself up much longer. Her face seemed to soften after a moment, she dropped something from the folds of her skirt before turning away.

The Elloran Relic. My eyes widened, there was no reason why a demon would want me to have this. Lania. She was still in there. She still had some sort of conscious. Hope wasn't lost.

It wasn't lost for her.

I collapsed then. "Save her...Fera...for me." My eyes fluttered shut, the Elloran relic clutched between my bloodied fingers.

Author's Note: I'm sorry that I'm not sorry, I literally had to add an angst tag because of this.