Chapter 18:
We spent the next three days coming up with a plan. Fane knew a way to get into the Academy, if we couldn't get in through the front entrance, for whatever reason. Though, it had been some time since he'd last been to the isle, so we were running on hope that it was still there.
Ifan and I had also spent the time practically glued to each other's side. When Lohse had pointed it out, I'd blushed and looked away, unsure what to say about it, but he'd looked her straight in the eye and said that he wanted me by him. Which had, of course, sent my heart all aflutter. It was nice to hear that he felt the same as me.
...
The isle came into view, all of us scrambling to the top deck to see it. It was breathtakingly terrifying. Half of it looked shattered, lava flowing between the pieces of land, and the rest appeared to be overrun with jungle.
When we reached the shore, a raven awaited us- the Red Prince in particular. It had a rolled up piece of parchment tied to its leg, which said the Shadow Prince was waiting for him at Zorl-Stissa's altar.
Naturally, we started on our way there first, but we came upon an encampment of Black Ring. They attacked us on sight. And there were many of them.
I created the dome again, mostly for the others to fall back into should they need a moment. The prayer for them to be empowered left me, and I watched as they visibly grew stronger and faster, lighter on their feet. Which was saying something for Sebille. The woman was a dart by her own power.
Lohse and the Red Prince suddenly froze, and I immediately started chanting for them to come to their sense before they hurt any of us. The Red Prince had walked through the dome barrier, unharmed since he was a friend, and had the tip of his blade against my neck, before he blinked. Coming back to himself. His eyes met mine as he lowered the weapon, anger blazing bright in his eyes, and he turned, running out back into the fight with a battle cry.
Between his anger and the others' renewed efforts, the fight didn't last much longer. Much to my relief.
"Are you alright?" He asked quietly, having come to me the moment the last of the Black Ring fell.
"I am. You didn't hurt me."
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, before nodding and turning away.
...
Just as the note had said, the Shadow Prince was waiting for us when we arrived. Sebille glared at him, and I rested a hand on her shoulder.
We'd talked about it on the way here. She wanted to kill him, because he was her Master. The Red Prince needed the information about Sadha that he had. So, he would speak with the Shadow Prince first, Sebille would go second. She'd agreed without a fight, the knowledge that she would get her chance pacifying her.
When we'd almost reached the altar, she'd pulled me aside, singing me her song. Entrusting me with it, for when the time came. Because it would. He would try to use her again, control her to do his will. And I would not let that happen.
Thanks to the conversation between the two princes, we learned that Sadha was in Arx- at the consulate.
The moment that they were done talking, Sebille stalked forward from the shadows, keen eyes tracking his every movement. Reminding me of a tiger.
He spoke of the Scions, her being the Prime Scion. It was... He said the mother tree and her Scions wanted to control the world. At that, the whispering in my mind became a loud roar, screaming and thrashing against the confines of my head, demanding his blood. I clutched at my head, struggling to pay attention.
Sebille needed me. I couldn't afford to be distracted by this. With herculean effort, I managed to straighten, forcing myself to focus on the conversation.
"You've no hope whatsoever of defeating your MASTER!"
With that, he began singing, and she stiffened, her eyes growing dull. Immediately, I sang, as well. My voice softer than his, but no less potent. Clearly, considering how she snapped back to herself and grinned like the cheshire cat. Seeing this, he hesitated, the words dying on his lips, and she leaped on him. Her needle pierced his neck and from the sounds of it, his throat was filling with blood, the gurgle loud enough for me to hear several feet away. I swallowed hard.
He clawed at his throat, falling to his knees, but it was no use. Soon, he lay on the ground, blood pooling around his corpse.
Without thinking, I flung myself at Sebille, wrapping my arms around her. Bouncing up and down with joy. She was finally free.
I remembered the stories she'd told me, back at Fort Joy. Of what he'd made her do. It had taken us spending a lot of time together, but she'd eventually opened up to me and, while it had been hard to hear, it was obvious she'd wanted to talk about it with someone, so I lent her my ear.
"I'm so happy for you." I beamed at her.
She held me in return, chuckling.
"How do you feel?"
"I feel... magnificent. Though it feels unreal." Fair, considering his body hadn't even cooled yet. "But first things first."
She pulled away, putting her needle to her other arm, carving a line across the word Master, the wound quickly covered in blood. Pursing my lips, I shook my head, before placing my hand on the new mark. Her eyes met mine, and I stared at her while I healed her arm.
"He doesn't deserve to be remembered." I said solemnly. "He doesn't deserve to hold any more room in your mind than he already does."
When I lifted my hand, the line and the word were gone.
She smiled softly, brushing her fingers over the cleared skin. "Thank you. You're such a sweetheart." A laugh left her, her eyes raising to the sky. "Now, it's over."
"I'm really proud of you. For being able to do that. And for being your own person."
She shook her head, looking back at me. "I can't thank you enough. I could never have defeated the Master without you. I owe you... everything."
I waved her words away, shaking my head. "You owe me nothing. I'm glad I could help."
The others came over, then, congratulating her on being free. Well, the Red Prince didn't, considering his views on the scars and their songs, on slavery. But still, he'd walked over with everyone else, so I decided that was a plus.
"Where to now?" Lohse asked.
...
We stood at the base of the elven encampment, Ifan and Fane having dealt with the two shrieks guarding the place. Which meant only one thing- the Order was here, as well. And Ifan was pacing like a caged animal.
Sebille had wanted to come here, saying she wanted to see the mother tree while we were here. Apparently, it was on the island.
Suddenly, he turned to me, coming over and pulling me roughly against him, devouring me with a fierce kiss. I was still dazed when we parted, my hand going to my lips, wondering if they were as bruised as they felt.
"I won't kill him." He growled, as if convincing himself and telling me.
"Whatever you decide," I touched his cheeks gently. "I won't stand in your way. I can't imagine how angry and hurt you feel toward him and what he's done. He killed... so many people with his decisions. I would not fault you, if you thought he deserves death. I'm here. For you."
His hand covered mine, eyes searching mine, before nodding firmly. "Let's go."
With that, we all slowly made our way up the ramps that led to the level Alexandar stood, looking as if he'd been waiting for us.
"Don't come any closer! I'll have your heads!" A magister shouted, glaring at us.
"Be at ease, Magister Roe! Weapons down!" Alexandar sounded exasperated.
With a quick look to me, Ifan stalked forward, grabbing the bishop and headbutting him. Then, he held him by the collar and demanded answers for his and Lucian's crimes.
"Why?" He jerked free of the Wolf's hold. "The same reason we did everything... to protect the realm. What price all of Rivellon against just one portion? Any Divine would do the same... if it meant saving everything."
I walked calmly up to the duo, moving between them. Before raising my hand and smacking the bishop across the face. The sharp sound of it echoed around us.
"How dare you say something like that? Only a coward would weigh a life against others cold-heartedly like that. Did their lives mean nothing? Pedicabo te." I spat. "Fuck you."
Gentle hands settled on my waist, guiding me behind Ifan. I peered around him, glaring at the bishop.
He glared back, before refocusing on the man in front of me.
"You should be proud my father picked you- his best right-hand man. He knew you would make it. But he also knew that if he told you the truth, you would falter. He knew you well, Ifan. He knew you'd have to be tricked. But I'm his son. I can be trusted to the end. And I will take any actions necessary, for the good of all. Nothing can stop me... not even death!"
"I'd like a go at that." I muttered darkly, the hunger rising up in me. And I had half a mind to let it consume me.
Ifan reached back, touching my arm. With a shake of his head, he turned to me and guided me back to the others. He'd made his choice. Alexandar wouldn't be dying today. Not by my companions' hands, at least. A small piece of me was disappointed.
"We'll be back for a chat." Lohse promised the bishop, before we moved to a higher level.
Where everyone just stared at me.
"What?" I felt defensive for some reason.
"You've never cursed before. Or hurt someone." The mage said, aghast at my actions.
"Oh." I felt the heat creep up my neck to my cheeks. "Well. He just made me so angry. That's not how a god should act! They should be for the people! Do what's best for the people! They shouldn't be sacrificing those same people they swore to protect! It's not right!" I felt like stomping my foot and just barely managed not to.
Unshed tears stung my eyes, but I didn't want to cry because of him. He didn't deserve my tears, regardless of what had triggered them.
Taking a deep breath, not giving any of them a chance to speak, I raised my chin slightly. "To the mother tree, then?"
Concern was still clear on their faces, but no one argued, so we went to the level where we could enter the tree.
Saheila was there, waiting for us. She bid us to kill the heart of the mother, to set Sebille free. To set all elves free. We defaulted to Sebille's judgement. If she wanted to kill her, then the others would, and I would help however I could. If she didn't, if she wanted to become the mother instead, then we would let her. I'd miss her terribly, but it was her decision. Though... considering she'd just won her freedom, I highly doubted she would choose the latter.
The Scion standing in front of the heart, blocking our way, gave Sebille a hard time, and I narrowed my eyes at her. Then, she laid on the guilt- very thick.
In my mind, the mother was silent, waiting with bated breath for my friend's answer, wanting her to root herself.
The moment the Scion was finished talking, Sebille straightened, shaking her head. "I refuse. My life is my own."
"Prime Scion... Prime Traitor... Strong is bark; weak is flesh. Even this dying heart will shred you!"
A scream tore from me as I fell to my knees, clutching my head. The mother was angry. So angry. Thrashing and gnashing and lashing out in my mind. Demanding Sebille's compliance. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, trying my best to lock her away, out of my mind, but she kept finding cracks in my mental defenses. She would be gone for a moment, only to come back with a louder demand. I curled in on myself as much as I could, refusing to do what she wanted- she wanted me to make Sebille comply. She wanted me to use her song against her. I clamped my lips shut, denying her.
I knew the moment the heart died, because my mind was silent once again. My own, once again. The silence was deafening, after the cacophony the mother had caused. Exhausted from the effort of controlling myself, I collapsed, hearing everyone shouting out.
Ifan's face was the first one I saw, my eyes fluttering, barely staying open for longer than a moment. I was so tired.
"What happened?"
"The mother." Sebille murmured. "Saheila linked her to the mother, remember? At my disobedience, she no doubt sought to use Eira against me." Even quieter. "She knows my song, after all."
"Are you alright, lass?"
Weakly, I nodded. "I just... I need a moment."
"You need rest. Let's get back to the ship." Lohse was frowning.
Saheila's voice reached my ears. She must have come down.
"They are angry. They wish to kill you."
We didn't need to ask- the elves all wanted us dead for killing the mother tree.
"Good thing we were about to teleport out of here." The mage grinned.
I don't think anyone was amused by the situation. No one cracked a smile at her.
...
I woke up several hours later. The next day? I wasn't sure. Inside the boat, it was impossible to tell the time. I just knew I was alone.
Slowly, I got to my feet, trying not to let the gentle swaying of the ship knock me on my butt. When I got my balance right, I made my way up to the top deck, finding Malady, but no one else.
"Malady?" I called out.
She turned to look at me. "Your friends are on the island. They wanted me to tell you when you woke up. They'll be back shortly."
"Oh. Okay."
With nothing else to do, I walked up to the head of the ship, and we fell into conversation again.