HELLO EVERYBODY! I am back with the second part of Chapter 19. I've had it written for months, but it was on paper and I didn't want to type it all up. However! I finally womanned up and did, and I have to say I'm very proud of this chapter. ALso please note I have the next two chapters written up as well, so hopefully they'll be out soon (hopefully before the new year). I'm going to be going over them though, because I wrote them a little while back and I want to make sure that they are how I want them to be.

Anyways, I REALLY hoped you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or anything regarding the Mortal Instruments franchise. That belongs to Cassandra Clare. All I own is my imagination!


Chapter 19: Silence Before Battle

It was still dark when Magnus heard a knock at the door. Groggily, he waved his hand, the knob turned and the door creaked open. One of the many palace guards, who were now patrolling until the morning battle, poked her head into the room.

"Did I wake you, Master Bane?" she asked quietly. Magnus had been somewhat asleep, but it was restless, dreams filled with blood and screams. These weren't his recurring, provisional dreams like the ones he had during the Dark War. These were regular nightmares one had every now and again. He shook his head.

"If it does not trouble you, Her Majesty wished to have an audience with you if you were awake. But she was adamant that it was alright if you desired to sleep."

"Where is she?" he asked, sitting upright.

"The grand library. I shall escort you."

"'scort where?" Magnus turned his gaze to Alec, all rumpled and disoriented from sleep. It relieved Magnus to see Alec was not suffering from nightmares. And seeing organized and well-prepared Alec like this was something he'd never tire of seeing. Gently, he leaned down and kissed the other man's temple, which was rewarded with a content, peaceful sigh.

"Kiara wants to talk, and I can't sleep. I'll go talk to her for a bit."

"Ok," was all Alec said, rolling over to pull more covers on top of himself. Magnus snickered quietly. Alec was always so selfless, so seeing him selfishly steal the covers was adorable. Magnus slowly got out of bed and grabbed the silk robe that was draped over the dresser. It wasn't from home, but it was comfortable and his style. Quietly, he crept out of the room, waving the door shut behind him.

Together, the two of them wandered through the halls, their footfalls echoing around them. The journey ended quickly, thanks to Magnus becoming more familiar with the castle itself. Once they approached the door, the guard turned to him, and gave a deep bow.

"Goodnight sir," the woman said. She turned on her heel and walked away into the dark halls. With a sigh, Magnus grasped the golden handle and pulled the door open.

Orange washed over the room, the cracks and pops of the fireplace deafening in the silence. The curtains were drawn, odd since he had always seen them open. Licking flames caused shadows to dance along the walls, as hypnotic and mysterious as faeire dances. A small cough turned his attention to the leather armchair closest to the fire. Kiara sat there, back straight and feet planted, eyes glued to the fire. She looked hypnotized, until she turned her gaze to his.

"Thanks for coming," she said softly, hard to hear over the roar of flames.

"Well, anything to stop nightmares," he said, trying to sound jovial. Kiara's eyes widened a bit, then a somewhat amused and sad look blossomed on her face.

"Me too," she said staring back at the flames. Magnus didn't really know what to say, but felt he wasn't supposed to speak next. He gracefully sat on one of the couches, facing his sister, and waited.

"Why didn't you go?" she asked quietly. "Why not go home with your boys?"

"Because you need us here," Magnus replied calmly, simply. "Because we want to help you."

"You know you probably signed your death warrant here, don't you?"

"Like I've done a thousand times before," he said, his tone still trying to sound upbeat. Kiara sighed and slumped in her chair. Magnus dropped the act and sat up.

"Kiara, look at me please," he said gently. Slowly, hesitantly, she turned to look at him, and their identical eyes locked.

"Kiara, every time I've chosen involvement in something I could have left alone, I did it for someone I cared about. The cases of this have increased dramatically since I met Alexander."

"You should have gone home, all of you," she muttered.

"Why do you keep insisting that we leave?" Magnus asked patiently. "I don't think it's because you feel guilty about dragging us into this. I think it's something else."

Kiara remained silent, turning her face to the fire again. Her hands curled into fists, the white knuckles washed orange. She sat there, like a coil ready to spring. Then, out of nowhere, she leapt from her place, her pink fuzzy robe billowing behind her as she furiously began to pace the room. Magnus stayed seated, eyes trained on her face.

"None of you should be here," she blurted angrily. "None of you! I should have wiped your minds right after you were brought before my throne. But no, I just had to let my emotions control me, I just had to learn the truth."

Kiara paced a storm as she spoke. The volume of her voice increased with every sentence. Her hands moved nonstop, constantly wringing and unwringing, twisting and fidgeting. Magnus only continued to watch. When she finally stopped, she looked ready to explode.

"Damn it!" she screamed, flinging her arms down. The room shook with her outburst, books flying off the shelves and furniture vibrating so hard Magnus had to cling to it. The fireplace roared hotter with yellow, almost white flames. The cinders almost hit Magnus. Still, he remained silent. Her breathing was harsh, strained and forceful. Sweat formed on her brow, soaking her hair at the roots. Her hands stayed at her sides, clenched, but trembling. Her entire being trembled.

"If I hadn't let you stay, if I sent you back, then maybe this wouldn't be happening!"

"What?" he asked calmly, his tone controlled and measured. She whirled at him, eyes blazing hotter.

"The war!" she exclaimed. "If I had kept you out of the loop, then maybe this wouldn't be happening yet! Maybe she only sent that assault because she knew you were helping me! So many people died because of that! She wouldn't have attacked and made me break what little resistance to fight I had! Now I'm leading my people, my children, into a slaughterhouse with a high chance of failure and its ALL! YOUR! FAULT!"

Kiara was screaming in his face by the end. And Magnus just sat there, expressionless, and took it in. Because he knew who she was really talking to.

"You know you'd have had to face her at some point," Magnus began, keeping his face blank and his tone calm. "And I don't think having it happen a hundred years later would make it feel any less terrifying. But Kiara, all that death, the suffering, the destruction, that was not your fault."

Kiara stared at him, frozen in place. Her mount gaped like a bass searching for water. At her sides, her hands still shook, slowly unclenching. Her face was pale as a ghost, and her eyes were wide, pupils wide.

She cracked.

Tears rolled down her face, first one at a time, then a few at a time, then the floodgates opened. She crumpled to the ground, sobbing hard. Wrapping her arms around her knees, she clung to them, pulling them into her chest. Her body heaved and shook with the weight of her emotion. Her nails dug into he fabric of her robe, hard enough to make marks. She hid her face, but Magnus could clearly see the tears rolling off and dropping onto her body.

Magnus reached out and covered her hands. Gently, he pulled her up and towards him, until she was seated next to him, almost in his lap. Without hesitation, she buried her face into his shoulder, letting years of repressed fear, guilt, and shame flow out of her. Her arms wrapped around him, encircling his torso and clasping at his other shoulder. Magnus wrapped his arms around her, pulling her towards his chest, as he'd done with Max and Rafael so many times. He held her close, letting her fall apart with him, giving her a safe place to finally release that responsibility and poise.

As she sobbed, he had to wonder, when was the last time she had truly let someone see her this way? So scared, ashamed, guilty. With so many eyes looking up to her, surely these moments of privacy and vulnerability were scarce. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, after all.

"Let it out," he whispered softly, soothingly. She latched to him, her sobs quiet and small, but powerful all the same. He just held her close, stroked her hair, and hummed a soothing toon that always relaxed little Max. Slowly, surely, she began to calm down. When she pulled away, her eyes were puffy and her face was splotchy. This crying was different from the feral, terrified sobbing a few days before. Instead of terror and shame filled eyes, they were calm, relieved, as if a weight had been lifted after years of bearing it. She pulled back, unwrapping her arms, but still leaned on his shoulder. He unwrapped one arm, keeping the other protectively around her shoulders.

"Better?" he asked. She nodded, wiping her eyes. "Now, would you like to tell me what's really bothering you?"

"It's just…" she paused, as if the words were difficult. They probably were. "I don't want to say it."

"Well you can't have your head distracted by what's bothering you tomorrow," he said calmly. "Tell me now, let me help. I want to help."

"I don't think you can," she said sadly, looking to her hands in her lap. He squeezed her shoulder.

"No shame in trying" he replied. "Talk to me. Let someone help you. You need to have a clear head tomorrow."

"I'm just…terrified." The words came out slow and pained.

"Terrified of what?"

"The battle, Helena, my tormentor, the outcome, you, the kids, everyone who evacuated, everyone who stayed, everything. It's overwhelming."

"Well, start with the first thing: the battle. You've done all you could to prepare, right?"

"How does one truly prepare for war?" Kiara muttered miserably, dejection and anger laced in her words. Magnus remained calm.

"You've done all you could to prepare, right?" he asked again. Kiara turned to him. He kept his gaze locked on her eyes, unwavering and solid. She was going to answer his question one way or another. She sighed in defeat.

"Yes…" she began, quietly. "But, if I had more time…if I'd just waited-" Magnus lifted a hand to stop her.

"Waiting another millennia wouldn't have made a difference," Magnus said. "You know this. You felt it was time and you acted. Nothing you can do can change that. Helena still would have found a way to start the war eventually."

"Yeah…" Kiara sighed, dropping her head into her hands.

"Why do you really want us gone?" he continued. He spoke quietly. Magnus was sure he already knew the answer, but he knew that Kiara had to admit it to not just him, but herself. She tightened her fists, her face still placed on them. He felt her take a deep, shaky breath under his hand.

"I'm scared for you all," she whispered. "I've lived over two hundred years. I've loved, been loved, made bonds, broken bonds, lost people, but I've never really had…family. I say that I view everyone in Krymenno Florr as my family, but it's not the same."

"What about Hannah and Alyssa?"

"Well, I mean, I haven't had a big family, you know? I only had my mom when I was born, but that was over two centuries ago, and I barely remember anything about her. Then I had you, but we know what happened there. Then I should I had Helena, but that was a lie. But then I had Hannah, and then Alyssa. I've only ever had one or two people at a time that I considered family or too precious to lose. Now, in less than a month, that number of people has at least quadrupled in size. It's all so new." Magnus felt a familiar tug in his chest.

"You see us as family?" he asked quietly, his voice unusually thick and unsure. Kiara lifted her head and looked at him again. Her eyes were swimming.

"Yeah, I do," she replied, her own voice equally thick. "And that's why I'm terrified. Just as I get a family, I could lose them. I don't want that to happen…I can't lose anyone else…I don't want to be the reason one of you…if one of you is…"

"Look at me, Kiara," Magnus said, placing a hand under her chin to make her face him. She looked at him with glassy, watery eyes. Wrapping his free arm around her, he pulled her to his chest again, setting his chin on her shoulder. Her chin rested on the crook of his shoulder, and her chest pressed to his. The hand that was under her chin moved to rest on the back of her head, keeping her in place. Her arms were stuck to her sides as he embraced her.

"You are not responsible for what happens to us," he spoke with quiet fierceness. "We stayed because we don't want anything to happen to you. You're part of our family now, and we fight when one of us is in trouble. We're not going anywhere, no matter what. And that is our choice."

Kiara didn't say a word, only wrapping her arms around his torso again and squeezing. Magnus felt the trembling breaths in her chest, and heard the shaky exhales in his ear. Warm wet drops fell onto his shoulder, soaking it, but he didn't care. He held his sister close, wanting to shield her from the world. Alec had told him many stories about how he had helped Izzy and Jace, how he listened and just made sure he was there for them, and how it felt when they were hurting. He's said it made him feel helpless sometimes, but just being there, trying to help, sometimes was all they needed. And it was something he never thought about, it became pure instinct. It was hard to explain, but Magnus finally understood in that moment.

"I can't lose you, none of you. What if something happens? Max and Rafael…what would they do? What if I can't protect you? What if Helena kills me? Then you'll all be at her mercy! What she would do to you…"

"You want to know how you can keep us safe?" He asked. He felt her nod. "Beat her. Win."

"What if I can't?" she whimpered. "Last time I beat her because of a potion Hannah had locked away. It was made by Queen Milan, her teacher, and there wasn't enough time to make it this time. The ingredients and requirements are too specific and rare. Without it, what if I'm not strong enough? What if the only reason I did be Helena was due to that potion?"

"Kiara, you've survived hell. You've grown into a warrior and a leader. You care so much for your people, for everyone. You have one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen, and that is your strength. That love makes you stronger than Helena, not some potion. You fight for the sake of others and for what's right. She doesn't. That is what makes you better than her, why it makes you stronger, and why it makes you the better queen."

"But what if…"

"Kiara, have faith. Don't worry about it now. We're with you. You won't fail. I know it."

"How do you know that?" she questioned.

"I don't," he admitted softly. "But I have faith in you. I always will."

They stayed embraced for a time, as Kiara let his words wash over her. So many people had faith in her, believed in her; she'd heard them a million times. This time, it was different. Hearing them come from Magnus, the brother she'd spent so long believing he'd hated her, it felt overwhelming. Even after all she'd said to and about him, he still took her in his arms, comforted her, forgave her, and believed in her. It was amazing, the feeling it brought to her. A light she never knew existed, a piece of herself she never knew she lost. It made her fill with a new feeling of strength and determination. She pulled away from him.

"You don't know what that means to me," she said earnestly. Suddenly, they were interrupted by a sharp knock behind them. They both turned to the door.

"Come in," Kiara said, not removing her arms from around her brother.

The door creaked open. Hannah stood in the entryway, dressed in armor. She glanced between the siblings.

"My queen, Lady Alyssa has asked me to check on you. She is anxious for your wellbeing."

"Right, of course," Kiara said. "How long until we rise for battle?

"Everyone is to be awakened in approximately two hours. Sunrise shall occur an hour after."

"Alright." Hannah looked at them again, her gaze fierce and powerful, but not terrifying or cold. Her eyes softened. She glided towards them, cape billowing behind her. She stopped just behind the couch, her eyes glued to them. Then, she softly reached out and placed her hand tenderly on Kiara's head. Kiara's eyes closed as Hannah's thumb stroked her hair. The queen yawned, her tongue curled like a cat's when they yawned.

"Kiara," Hannah began again, her tone motherly and soothing. "You should try and get some rest. You'll need it for tomorrow."

"She's right," Magnus said. "We should all get some rest."

"I guess you're right." Kiara stood and stretched over her head, groaning loud and long as her back and armed popped. Dropping her arms to her sides, she looked at Magnus. Bending down, she leaned close to her brother, and placed a gentle peck on his cheek.

"Thanks Mags," she whispered, then righted herself. "I'm off. See you in a couple hours."

With that, the queen walked around the couch, gave Hannah a quick hug, and walked out the door. The two of them watched her disappear, listening to the echo of her footsteps growing softer until they ceased. Hannah made her way to the door, but stopped. She turned to Magnus.

"Master Lightwood may also like your company at this time, Master Bane. Please allow me to escort you back to your room."

"That's a nice way to say 'go to bed,'" Magnus quipped as he stood ands stretched. "Lead the way."

Together, they traversed the halls in silence, the only sound being their footfalls on the ornate flooring. Soon they stopped in fron of a familiar door. He was about to grab the handle when a hand stopped him. Turning his gaze, he looked at Hannah. She seemed…nervous? Did this woman get nervous? Well, he supposed everyone had to be at some point.

"Listen…Magnus," she began, seemingly unsure of her words. "I…Kiara has always…I've always tried…She never…"

Magnus, stunned to silence, watched Hannah fumble over her words. It was kind of scary, like she was a whole different person. But then again, everyone did something out of character at some point or another. After all, she was only (partly) human.

Suddenly, he was torn from his daydreaming. He realized he was wrapped in a new pair of strong, sturdy arms. Hannah pulled him closer, forcing his chin to her shoulder and hers to his. She held him with determination, like she had to do it right.

Actions speak louder than words, that's the phrase. That was the exact instance here. Everything she felt, everything she wanted to convey with words but couldn't, she put into the hug. In that instant, he understood her. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged back, hoping he could portray what he means as well as she did. He didn't know how long they stood there, but by the time they separated his ribs hurt. She looked deep into his eyes, completely serious.

"Thank you, Magnus Bane," she said with such sincerity it seemed overwhelming.

"You're welcome," he replied. With a curt nod and the swirl of her cape, Hannah turned and walked away.

When he entered his room, Alec was still curled under the sheets, peaceful in his slumber. With a small smile, Magnus crawled onto the bed. Wrapping his arms around his beloved Shadowhunter, he snuggled under the covers. Alec, in his sleep, turned and nuzzled into him in the adorable way he did only for Magnus. Feeling content and safe, he kissed Alec's hair tenderly. Closing his eyes, he turned his mind away form the morning and fell asleep, safe in the warmth of Alexander's arms. He had no nightmares.


Another knock awoke Magnus from his peaceful slumber a couple hours later. He and Alec were still wrapped together, now with himself as the little spoon and Alec as the big one. Alec's arms were wrapped securely around the warlock's torso, keeping the immortal pressed against his scarred, muscular chest. It was little moments like this that made Magnus question what good he had done to deserve this blessed man, and how he thanked every heavenly being for the love and life they had together. Moments of quiet, just between them, their own little paradise. The safety, the security, the love, it was all so much sometimes that it astounded Magnus, and he knew Alec felt the same way at times. Magnus hated having to leave the safety of the embrace, but it had to be done.

"Alexander," Magnus said softly, craning his neck slightly to try to see Alec's face. When Magnus tried to shift and turn around, the arms holding him tightened a bit, keeping him immobile. On the back on his neck, Magnus could feel the change in his lover'

"Alexander, are you awake?"

"Yeah," Alec's voice answered in his ear. His voice contained minimal traces of sleep, but he replied in a quiet whisper. "I've been up for a little while. About ten, maybe twenty minutes." Magnus hummed in answer, and decided to ignore whoever was at the door. If it was truly important they would say so. Magnus wasn't going to leave his little paradise yet until he absolutely had to.

"Excuse me," a feminine voice from the door called softly. "I'm here to give you breakfast and clothes."

Magnus still wasn't getting up yet. That would make it more real, and he wanted to live in the moment of bliss for a few seconds longer. With a wave of his hand, the door opened. The guard that had escorted them the previous night stood there, but as soon as her eyes landed on the two men still in bed she rushed to look away. Her cheeks burned red and her eyes looked anywhere but back at them. She had a cart in front of her. Two silver domes covered plates on the top level of the cart. On the tray bellow, there were two sets of folded garments, both nearly identical, both black, and two pairs of boots underneath them. The guard pushed the cart into the room, just past the ajar door. She still didn't look at them, and as soon as the cart was through the doorway she stepped back, as if entering the room frightened her. Still avoiding eye contact, the guard cleared her throat softly, clearly trying to get her words straight and her nerves together. Magnus kept watching the girl, amusement bubbling up for a moment.

"Her majesty wishes for the two of you to converse with her in the throne room in half-an-hour," she said quickly, slightly stuttering over her words. Her face now rivaled a tomato, and she played with the hilt of one of her many, many knives strapped to her person. Magnus decided to take pity on the girl and smiled softly in thanks.

"Thank you. We will be there. You can go now." Alec's voice surprised Magnus. His tone wasn't rude nor was it forceful, but there was definitely a layer of finality in them. Without replying, the woman turned on her sole and sprinted away from the door, red to her ears. She hadn't even bothered to close the door, poor thing. Magnus fixed with a wave.

"What was that about?" Alec asked. He asked in a husky voice, laced with sleep and confusion, but alert enough to process. Magnus gave a breathy laugh and turned over. Alec kept his arms around the other man's torso but loosened his grip enough so Magnus could easily maneuver. The two now lay face to face, so close their noses were touching and they could both smell each other's terrible morning breath that neither of them refused to believe they had. Magnus grinned knowingly at his Shadowhunter, reaching up to place a hand in his black bedhead.

"Well, she opened the door to see two very handsome, half-naked men curled up together in a very luscious bed. I'm sure every woman, at some point in their life, has had a fantasy like that before."

"I doubt Aline has," Alec joked. Both men laughed for a moment. However, the next moment the atmosphere darkened as they consciously remembered what they were about to do. Alec held Magnus a little tighter. Magnus moved his arms around Alec's shoulders and squeezed back as well.

"We need to get up," Magnus whispered solemnly, wishing that they didn't have to. That he could just make time freeze and keep the impending bloodshed from ever happening. However, no amount of magic could do that, and even if it did, there would probably be a worse price to pay.

"We do," Alec agreed, through he made no move to remove himself from their position. They stayed wrapped together for a minute longer, holding each other for dear life. Neither of them spoke, they didn't kiss, they didn't move. They stayed still, safe in each other's arms. The silence said it all. Regretfully, Alec unwrapped his arms and moved to stand. Magnus followed suit, grabbing a plate form the cart. There wasn't much on it when he removed the silver dome. There was a small handful of eggs, a piece of toast, and a glass containing a silvery liquid that Magnus assume was some sort of sustenance potion. The two ate their food in a couple minutes, then moved to get dressed.

Each of the had been gifted with their own sets of battle gear. Alec's gear closely resembled his usual Shadowhunter gear, complete with the boots and jacket. Magnus's gear resembled one of his many warlock robes. However, they weren't their own clothes, and there were a number of differences. For one, the garments were black with golden trims, instead of straight black. They were adorned with special runes that shimmered on the black of the fabric. They were magic runes, so many of them and probably more that neither of them could see or sense. Magnus recognized some of the runes, but there were others he couldn't.

Alec's outfit consisted of cargo pants, combat boots, a thin shirt, a weapons belt, and a think leather jacket. The belt around his waist was loaded with knives and blades, but it didn't weigh him down. The arm and finger guards he wore were light and soft, flexible, but incredibly sturdy. Magnus could make out a small "True Aim" rune stitched in gold in the center of the arm guard. Alec's jacket hummed with energy as he put it on, faint runes and words fading in and out of sight on his sleeves. The clothes were foreign, but they also felt right.

Magnus's clothes gave him the same sensation. His cargo pants were black, as were his combat boots. He didn't have a belt, but he had a long warlock robe instead. It was a deep shade of silver, nearly black, with gold accents. The garment draped just below his knees, unable to trip his feet. The fabric sparkled as he moved, and enveloped him in a soft, protective sensation as he buttoned it The same runes adorned his sleeves, fading in and out like on Alec's clothes. He could make out a few of them: protect, purify, endure, strengthen, and luck. However, there were still many more he couldn't name. Nevertheless, he felt safe wearing the garments.

When they were dressed, they looked at each other before wrapping their arms around each other once more. Magnus and Alec clung to each other with all their strength, still unable to speak. They pulled back slightly, enough o star into each other's eyes. Blue met amber. Alexander's eyes glowed through the shadowy twilight that streamed through the window. They were swimming with emotions, fear, determination, love.

"I love you, Alexander," Magnus said quietly, like a prayer.

"I love you too," Alec echoed. Grabbing Alec's face, Magnus brought their lips together for a searing kiss, displaying everything they didn't have time to say. He could feel Alec's strong arms around his waist, pulling them together till they were practically one person. Magnus didn't know how long they kissed, didn't care, but when he pulled back he was gasping for air.

Alec pulled back first and walked to the door without a word. Magnus followed, reaching to take his love's hand. When Magnus slid his fingers between Alec's, Alec immediately squeezed back, and brought the hand to his lips, kissing the Lightwood family ring where it rested proudly on the warlock's hand. It was a silent promise that Alec didn't have the courage to muster. They would live to get married. They would go home to their kids. They would make it home.

Together, they walked through the darkened halls to the throne room. It was the only room they knew where to get to by heart now, since it was closest to their own room. When they approached, they saw the doors were ajar, firelight illuminating the entryway. Without hesitation, they walked through hand in hand.

Everyone else was already there as they approached the throne. Jace had his arm around Clary protectively, while Izzy and Simon held hands. As the two men approached, the group turned to greet them. The four of them were dressed in identical outfits to Alec's. Jace had a sword strapped to his back, Clary's at her hip. Izzy's whip was out and Simon held his bow in his free hand. As they approached, Jace held out a familiar blow and quiver to Alec. He took them gratefully.

A new collection of footsteps caught their attention, and they turned to greet their host. Three women entered silently, their steps echoing through the stone chamber. Hannah wore a pair of cargo pants, combat boots, and a read leather jacket. She dripped with knives on her hip, at her side, in her boots, on her sleeves. There was a sword at her hip and another on her back. Her golden hair was wound around her head in a tight braid.

Alyssa wore a similar outfit, through her jacket was silver. Her only visible weapon was the long crossbow she held in her right hand. Her long, auburn hair was pulled into a tight French braid that stopped around the center of her back.

Kiara stood in the center of the trio, leading them. She wore camo-cargo pants with black combat boots accented with gold. Her black top was covered by her silver breastplate, which still swirled and morphed as she moved towards them. There was no jacket to complete her outfit, but her forearms were covered by thick, strong arm guards. Black fingerless gloves adorned her hands, each engraved with a magic rune on top. A weapons belt slung around her hips, her fans sheathed on either side. Her chocolate hair was streaked with silver, held up by a ponytail. Around her head rested her chain-like gold crown, completing her regal warrior appearance.

The three women strode into the chamber. Silent and strong, they approached. The group parted like the Red Sea as they got closer. The trio walked past the them and towards the throne. Ascending the stops, they stopped and turned to face the others. Kiara stared at them, her face hard to read.

"Before what happens today happens, I just had to get something off my chest," she began, her tone carrying a slight wobble though her words were strong. "You could have left us to our own problem, taken the easy way out. Instead, you stayed to help an almost stranger in need. You've not only given me courage and hope, but you've given me a new family, on ei am not going to lose."

"Why the mushy speech," Jace asked lightly, only to have Clary stomp on his foot.

"Please come forward, to receive my mark," she said. One by one, they ascended the stairs. Kiara placed her hand on their arms, placing her symbol on each of them. When each of them was marked, Kiara and the other women descended.

"May Michael grant us his blessing," Kiara said gently, an almost silent prayer.

Together, they all made their way out of the castle and traversed through the city. As they walked, the sky above them shifted from black to purple and pink. Silently, they passed abandoned and shut-up homes, empty fields, silent shops and barren buildings. There was no sound save for their footsteps on the pavement. The city held it's breath as they approached the border, the mysterious edge where Krymmenno Florr vanished from the world, not connected to any one country or location on earth.

As they approached, lines and groups of people came into view. Hundreds of warriors, each with different gear and armor, lined up, eyes on the brightening horizon. When they got close enough , the lines parted and the group of nine walked through to the front. They put themselves before everyone else, with Kiara slightly before the rest of them. Then they waited.

Patiently, tensely, they watched as the sun emerged from behind the distant mountain range, painting the sky orange and blue. The sun rose higher, slowly, and they waited.

Suddenly, Kiara felt a prickle in her skin. Her ears heard a faint, familiar swooshing sound come from somewhere to her left. Then, she heard a blood-curdling scream from they direction. Turning, she gaped in horror as a woman in the back was stabbed through the chest. Behind her was another woman, dressed in black armor with blood red accents. She smiled maniacally as she shoved her sword through the woman's chest. She laughed as blood splattered on her face, before yanking the dirtied blade out. The other woman collapsed to the ground. Dead.

The sensation returned and Kiara turned to see another of her warriors be attacked, not by a woman, but by a Shax demon. Behind it, she saw a familiar sight of swirling blue smoke. More and more portals began to open all around them.

The war had begun.


I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Fair warning, the next few chapters are going to be full of blood, violence, death, trauma, and heartache. So you have been warned. Don't worry, I do plan on this story having a happy ending, though.

Please leave comments! They make me smile, knowing you enjoy my silly little world.

Love,

KiaraBaneTMI