Chapter 15: Fall

The small band of Katolis's finest made their way through the ruined streets, as the dragon continued to circle overhead.

"Wait up!" Rayla whispered, holding out her arm as barbarians charged down the street ahead of them. They waited a moment, then cut across it, toward the entrance to the catacombs.

Unbeknownst to them, Talon watched from the rooftops, smirking under his hood, as they approached.

He let out two quick, loud whistles in the direction of the castle.

Then, before anyone on the ground could react, he jumped down, driving both of his blades through the seams of a soldiers armor.

The soldier let out a gasp, as Talon ripped the blades back out, and hurled one into the chest of another.

Both soldiers dropped, as Rayla turned around, rage in her eyes.

"I've had enough of you already." She hissed, charging forward and swinging her blades at him. "Callum, it's straight ahead, get them out of here!"

"What about you?" Callum asked.

"I'll catch up, go!" Rayla shouted as she tried to pin Talon against the wall.

Callum ran across the street toward the hatch.

And paused, as a fireball flew directly in front of him.

Azrael stood in the street, smoke pouring from his hand.

"That's far enough." He said, as five knives floated in front of his fist.

He held it up in front of him, as the Katolian soldiers went for their weapons.

Before they could, he opened his palm, and the blades shot straight out, each one seeking out a guard, dropping them instantly to the ground.

Ezran let out a gasp of shock, as they fell around him.

Commander Fen drew his sword and charged at Azrael, swinging wildly at him.

Azrael reached under his cloak, and pulled out a sword of his own, then quickly sliced it across the commander's chest.

Fen let out a cry of pain, and Azrael wasted no time slicing it across his side, drawing more blood, and downing the soldier.

Fen sank to one knee, turning to face Callum and Ezran.

Rayla kicked Talon in the chest, then slammed him against the wall of the building, temporarily stunning him. She turned in time to see Fen fall.

Azrael grabbed Fen hard by the shoulder, and Fen's eyes locked with Ezran's.

Ezran stared back at him with wide, horrified eyes.

"My king...please." Fen begged. "Close your eyes."

Ezran looked away, covering his face with his hands.

"What an obedient child." Azrael noted, turning and driving the blade through Fen's chest.

Fen let out a gasp, blood gathering near his mouth, then dropped to the ground, motionless.

"Now. Since all the distractions and dead weight is gone." Azrael said, stepping over the corpses of the Katolian guards. "It's time for you two to come with me."

Callum shook his head.

"We're not going anywhere with you." He said, hatred in his voice, as he stepped in front of Ezran, to block him from the view.

Azrael shrugged, holding up his hand.

The flames of the burning buildings were drawn to him, gathering in his hand.

"Then you die here. It makes no difference to me."

Rayla charged over, and threw herself into the two, knocking the crown off Ezran's head, and knocking all three of them into the catacombs.

As flames exploded overhead, and poured into the entrance of the catacombs.

The trio came splashing down into the water, and Rayla helped both of them to their feet.

"Come on. Quick. This way."

Tears streamed down Ezran's face, as Callum pushed him ahead, down the tunnel.

"I need you both to trust me. You keep goin straight, you'll find your way out of the city. Get back to Katolis. Get help."

Callum nodded, before pausing.

"Well aren't you gonna..."

As he turned around, she sliced a rope on the wall, bringing an iron gate slamming down between them.

"Wait...what are you doing?!" Callum demanded.

Rayla looked up at him with sad eyes.

"If they follow you into the catacombs, you won't make it. And if they can't get through, they'll send people and be waiting for you on the other side. But not if I distract them." She said, eyes pleading with Callum. Begging for understanding. "Callum, I love you, you know that..."

"No, come on Rayla, we need you. We need you with us, come on!" Callum shouted, reaching through the bars of the gate. "Don't do this!"

"I have to. It's the only way I know you'll survive." Rayla replied, tears gathering in her eyes. "Look at me. Callum, look at me, please, I don't know if we'll get another chance like this..."

Callum looked into her purple eyes, tears pooling in his.

"I love you." Rayla said, grabbing his hand firmly through the bars. "I love you, I'm grateful for every moment I got to spend with you, and I know you'll make it home okay."

Callum shook his head, gritting his teeth as tears poured down his face.

"Rayla I can't lose you, please..."

"I'll do my best to find my way back to ya, Callum. I promise." Rayla said, pressing her head against the gate. "I love you, please...please say it back." She said, closing her eyes. "Just in case."

Callum sighed as he laid his weight against the iron gate.

"I love you Rayla...please don't go."

Rayla kissed his hand, giving him a pained look, and closing her eyes.

"I have to...please, I don't have a choice. Just...stay safe. Keep your brother safe."

A pair of barbarians jumped down into the catacombs behind her.

"Go." Rayla commanded, her eyes narrowing, as they stomped up behind her.

"Rayla..."

"GO!" Rayla shouted, pulling out her blades, and turning to face her attackers.

Callum forced himself away from the gate, taking one last glance at the moonshadow elf.z

Then he grabbed the still shaken Ezran, and took off at a run, through the catacombs, toward the exit.