Chapter 29 :: An End to Youthful Innocence

Weeks dragged on as did the peace talks. So deep was the mutual distrust that it took many days for either side to agree on concessions or demands. Each time the diplomats began to argue, however, Mithos yelled at them to return to the task at hand. No longer able to stand with half-elves, Lord Arcturus withdrew from the talks, replaced by Lord Altair's younger brother. News reached the camp that Eberus was building new airships to defend his stronghold in Derris-Kharlan. He also raised a new barrier around it to prevent any would be heroes from passing through. Apparently, he had yet to acquire Origin's power or else Aselia would have been under his control by now.

"It is said that time runs differently in the holy ground," the elven sorceress explained. "One hour there may translate to many days in our realm."

A full month passed after hostilities came to an end, not that either side had much to fight with anymore.

"His name is Noishe," Kepler said to Kratos one morning. "Since I'm held to this wheelchair for the rest of my life, I won't be able to ride him anymore. He makes a steadfast companion, so I would like you to have him."

"Thank you, Kepler," Kratos said, rubbing the fur on Noishe's back. Noishe gave a sad cry, but licked his new master's face.

"Now, you had better get going. Mithos said he intended to meet with all his friends today," Kepler replied.

In a field not far from the camp, Mithos, Kratos, Yuan, and Martel finally had some free time. However, the dark clouds above gathered, signaling that their tribulations were about to take a turn for the worse. A chilling wind blew over the fields. Winter was coming to Macerdon and they all knew quite well that they would have to help in building sturdier homes for the snow and ice.

"It's going to start getting cold soon," Martel said.

"Sadly, none of you will be around to feel it," a very familiar voice said. Eberus emerged from his magic circle with Procyon at his side.

"Eberus, what do you want now?" Mithos demanded.

"Your life. It seems that there was a final seal placed in Derris-Kharlan that requires the spirit of a half-elf untainted by darkness," Eberus answered.

"And my old friend Harold told us where to get one," Procyon continued.

"Arcturus? He sold us out?" Yuan said.

"That's Supreme Chancellor Harold Arcturus to you, halfling," Harold said, appearing later through Eberus' portal. "Once Antares is dead, we will march back into Delthis and crush every half-elf."

"Eberus, your mind must be even more clouded than before. This man is willing to kill all those you are trying to save," Kratos said.

"Save? I have abandoned them long ago knowing that only an omnipotent ruler can end all wars. Mithos, forfeit your life!" Erebus said.

"I will gladly take it with my Sword of Tartarus," Procyon said. Mithos drew Excalibur from its sheath while Procyon pulled out his own black sword.

"Apocalyptic Prophecy!"

"I summon..." Mithos started, losing the ability to stand. Erebus began to draw the life out of him as Procyon approached, ready to strike him down.

"Mithos!" Martel cried. She put herself directly in the path of Procyon.

"Out of the way, dog," Procyon said. Erebus' spell began draining from Martel.

"Martel, get out of there!" Yuan called. He rushed forward, but Erebus sent an Apocalyptic Prophecy at him with his other hand. The only one left, Kratos jumped and dived down upon Procyon.

"I've got him, Master. Kratos the traitor, Macerdon will remember this day," Harold said. He took a crossbow hidden under his cloak and fired it into Kratos as he descended.

"Now, perish!" Procyon brought his sword down, piercing through Martel with a rapid stab. In throwing herself in the path of his sword, Martel managed to save Mithos from Procyon's blade.

"Good, time to go," Erebus said. He let go of his life drain on both Martel and Yuan. "Martel's spirit will do fine."

Slipping away, Martel fell into Mithos' arms.

"Martel..." Mithos said. Tears were welling up in his eyes. "How could you?"

"After we tried to make peace with you, you turn around and ally yourself with Erebus. Human, your kind must not be allowed to live!" Yuan declared, striking Harold with a Fearful Raven attack. The last image in Harold's eyes was a black beam hitting him. Once Fearful Raven took the hold of a person's soul, the caster could condemn their consciousness to eternity in a dark abyss.

"How far are you willing to go to take control of the mana?" Kratos asked Erebus.

"I'll never forgive you. You humans are all the same, willing to sell your soul to darkness in exchange for power," Mithos said. His Angel Crystal exploded with light as his wings appeared, larger than the last two times he went into overlimit.

"Mithos, no!" Kratos yelled.

"I won't rest until you are dead, Erebus! Light of Ra!" Mithos cried. Excalibur unleashed its full fury on Erebus.

"You are still too weak," Erebus said. He levitated Procyon and lifted him into the path of Mithos' light. Procyon's body absorbed the attack in place of his master. "The Light of Ra is not an attack that kills. Instead, the light purifies one of the darkness within. Most will not have the strength to survive purification."

Procyon took the blast from the light, falling nearly lifeless at Eberus' feet.

"Help me... master," he begged.

"You are of no use to me anymore. Apocalyptic Prophecy!" Erebus replied. He pointed one hand to Procyon and the other to Arcturus and drew from them their mana. Like his previous victims, the two humans were nothing but piles of bones when he was finished. "Mithos, follow me to Derris-Kharlan if you dare to fight me."

"Martel," Mithos said. She was barely able to move for her mana now belonged to Erebus.

"We'll get you to Darius," Yuan said.

"No... let me pass on. I will only be able to live on like Alice, neither alive nor dead. At least in death, I will die with no regrets."

"Don't talk like that, Martel. We can still save you," Mithos said.

"Yuan... thank you for being with me," Martel weakly said. "Mithos, if you desire it, remove my flute from my bag. Carry it with you, for my spirit will always be in your heart. Please Mithos, create a world in which nobody will ever have to suffer because of how they were born."

"Martel... no... we were supposed to finish this together," Mithos said. Tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Mithos, we must continue to carry on Martel's hopes and dreams in our actions. Never forget that she died believing in a better future," Kratos said.

Martel was buried the next day on that same field, though Mithos never said a word at her funeral. For nearly two weeks, Mithos remained his shelter. When he needed to eat, Kratos would bring him his meal and he would silently partake. A few days after Martel's death, Solstice returned bearing good news. The dragons agreed to lend their assistance to the cause. At the end of two weeks, Kratos got up in the early morning to gather firewood for the camp. He headed past the plains and into the hills where the four friends stood together just over a month ago. Darius, an expert carpenter in addition to being a scientist, quickly hammered together sturdy cabins for them to live in over the past few weeks.

"Master," Mithos said, approaching him from behind. Light flurries sprinkled like salt from the overcast skies. He had Excalibur at his side.