Book 13: All's fair in love and war (Finale part 3)
"You pray to the wrong gods Mr. Sensational. My Mistress, Queen Ruby, is the only one who can grant your wish…if you do one thing."
"What's that?"
The woman smiled, evilly. "Your full loyalty to the demon goddess will suffice. You will be taken from this prison and once Queen Ruby wins this battle, you, your fiancée and little friend will be spared. All you have to do is shake my hand."
The woman held out her clawed hand, waiting.
Cedric raised his hand, towards hers….
But hesitated. The sorcerer knew that the woman in front of her was a demon despite the rather beautiful façade that she had on. The power she was offering was tempting but Cedric knew from the goddesses that power like that was addictive and could eat a person inside out. The woman noticed his hesitation and for a minute her tight smile fell into a grimace. As Cedric hesitated longer and longer, the woman started to become impatient.
"Come on mortal," she hurriedly prompted. "I don't have much time."
Cedric finally made his decision. With as much confidence he could muster, he glared at the demon woman in front of him and said firmly, "No."
The woman lost it completely. "What…?"
"You heard me demon," Cedric whispered. He felt his body tense up as if bracing for a hit. "I don't want whatever your mistress has offered. Even though I am locked up, I have full confidence that Sapphire would forgive me. And how do I know that your mistress wouldn't go back on her word? Sapphire and Sofia are the ones trying to kill her."
The demon was slowly becoming unglued. Her beautiful skin started to crack and becoming a deep blue color. Her amber eyes started to glow red and the pupils became silted like a dragons. The woman's dress started to tear in places that was rather…. revealing. A tail suddenly appeared and her blue, scaly skin was spreading. Her tongue and ears started to change as well. Her ears became pointed and large and her tongue became like a dragon, a forked and slithering teeth.
"You have made a rather horrible mistake, mortal," The demon woman whispered. Cedric's eyes widened as he backed up as far as he could but ultimately he realized he was trapped. The demon pulled out a rather large and sharp sword out and pointed it at him. Cedric felt his heart plummet to his chest, causing his stomach to twist in pain. The guard in the other room seemed completely oblivious to what was happening in the cell. He figured he could call for help from the guard, but would the warrior take the word of a supposed traitor?
"Oh don't waste your breath calling for help mortal," The demon cooed, as she made her way closer. "I placed a rather powerful concealing spell over us. Besides it's not like the mortal warrior would be able to do anything without celestial bronze."
"What's celestial bronze?" Cedric asked. He noticed how the demon had let something important slip, so he would use it as a bargaining chip tot get out of the situation he was in. The demon didn't seem to notice her slip up as she continued to give away secrets to the enemy.
"Celestial bronze is the only thing that can kill a god or a demon. Your pitiful armies can fight all day until the sun falls out of the sky. But without the special metal, they won't gain any type of advantage…that is for very long." The demon stepped forward with her sword ready to strike. "But enough talking. My mother always said never play with your food."
Cedric reeled back and shut his eyes as tight as he could as the unknown demon raised the sword above her head. Tears ran down his eyes as he realized his unfulfilled desires. Not the desires his selfish needs brought on but the desires to live with Sapphire for the rest of his mortal life. No matter what he was accused of, no matter what his fate was, Cedric prayed that his love found another, and loved him like she loved him. As those thoughts crossed his mind, he suddenly realized that he wasn't feeling excruciating pain from a magical sword. Suddenly, he heard the demon gasp in shock and slowly he opened his eyes.
The unknown demon's eyes were wide as a blade made of blue metal was sticking out of her chest. When the blade was yanked from her chest, the demon fell over dead. Sapphire stood at the cell door, bloodied sword in hand and breathing heavily. Her pale blue eyes landed on Cedric and immortal ice sorceress fell to her knees and embraced her love. Cedric was shocked by the action that he just sat there, his eyes falling on the demon as she started to wither away. Once Cedric shook himself out of the shock, he gently embraced Sapphire back.
"Oh Cedric," she whispered. Sapphire pulled back and hesitantly looked at Cedric with those startling pale blue eyes. "How did I ever think that you were evil? You have a pure heart. Roland's accusation, it means nothing to me!"
"But it's true," Cedric insisted. Sapphire shook her head vehemently but Cedric nodded. "I attempted to steal the Amulet of Avalor from Princess Sofia, over and over again because of you. I allowed my heart to be blackened by grief and I thought that having the throne and the most powerful amulet would give me insight to where you were. I was so heartbroken Sapphire."
A tear fell from Sapphire's face. "I know Cedric. I was too. When I was trapped within the mirror realm, I was so tempted to become the one thing that I despised jus to escape but I couldn't do that to myself…. or you."
Together they collapsed into each other's arm and cried silently. The years had not been kind to either of them and yet, their love has preserved through it all. And they were both darned fi they were going to let some pitiful demon goddess separate them now. Cedric and Sapphire both jumped when they heard footsteps running down towards them. Cedric's manacles clanked as he adjusted himself so he could see who was coming down the stairs. His eyes widened when he saw the two goddesses skitter to a stop. Both of their eyebrows shot up when they spotted the still disintegrating demon on the floor of the cell.
"What happened?" Argenta questioned. Sapphire took up the explanation, saying how a demon some how got passed the wall they put up and attempted to turn Cedric over to Ruby's side.
"But he never took it. I came down to talk to him, and I heard her talking about celestial bronze and us not being to gain any ground against Ruby if we don't have it."
The two goddesses sat there silently as they thought about what the immortal ice sorceress had said. Finally it was Jade who spoke, "Ruby is right about us not being able to kill her without Celestial Bronze…. but the metal is so rare in this part of the world it would be impossible to get any without having major casualties while we are gone. All we have is what our soldiers have…wait a minute!"
"What is it Jade?" Argenta asked.
"Sapphire can turn whatever she touches to ice and since she is the only one who is destined to kill Ruby, maybe we can do something experimental."
"What do you have in mind?" Sapphire asked ready for anything to end this centuries long war.
"We're gonna need a celestial bronze sword and you sorcerer," Jade said, pointing to Cedric. She looked at the guard who seemed to just now be awaking from his nap. "Unchain him now."
"Yes milady," the soldier saluted, fumbling for the keys. It was taking too long for the goddesses as Argenta just sighed and lashed her hand out. The shackles fell to the ground broken in half.
On their way out the air goddess glared at the withering soldier. "Next time you let something like this happen, I will have your head on a spike."
When they arrived at the place they were going to do the ceremony, Argenta had ordered Cedric to gather the things he would need and ordered a private immortal warrior form their army to hand over his sword. Once she had received the sword, she gave orders to the private to wait outside and make sure that no one disturbed them. The private complied and left the room in silence.
"Alright, let's begin," Argenta ordered. She pointed to Cedric. "Repeat after me sorcerer. By the power of the moon and the earth, I give power to this blade to snuff out the flame of evil."
Cedric waved his wand in circle and chanted, "By the power of the moon I give power to this blade to snuff out the flame of evil."
"This blade, forged in Heaven by the God of Blacksmiths, shall forever belong to the moon."
Cedric's wand was starting to send sparkles of magic as he again repeated, "This blade, forged in Heaven by the God of Blacksmiths, shall forever belong to the moon."
"And with this power of the spirits of the Air, the Earth and the Seas, we forever seal this blade to the One Wielder."
Lightning flashed outside as wind blew inside the castle and a drizzle of dirt rained down. Argenta ordered Sapphire to touch the blade. Simultaneously the three immortals did so. Their bodies suddenly were exploded in light, causing Cedric to cover his eyes. The sorcerer of Enchantia glanced down at the blade, as it was the only thing that wasn't surrounded in light. It was surrounded in darkness with ice spreading down the blade and up the hilt. Cedric watched in fascination and shock as the light died down, leaving only the sword.
Sapphire came out of her trance along with the other immortals. She stared at the sword before picking it up. The immortal sorceress gave the newly transformed blade a swing before glancing at her fiancé. Their eyes caught. They were having a silent conversation with their eyes, something that the goddesses picked up on immediately.
"We're just going to go and make sure there aren't any breaches in the wall," Jade informed them as they walked out. The door gently shut, leaving the two sorcerers in the room.
"Sapphire," Cedric whispered as they embraced. The grey-banged wizard placed his head on top of his fiancée's, letting her rest her head on his chest. "I am so sorry my darling."
"I know you are,'" she whispered back. Tears slowly built up in her eyes as she stood straight up to look her love in the eye. "I realized something, when I was watching you get dragged way. It's not me or Sofia or Jade or Argenta who are destined to defeat Ruby…. your destiny is intertwined with ours. That is the reason that she wants you out the way."
"Are you sure that it's not just because you and I are engaged?" He asked with a joking smile.
Sapphire gave a true natured chuckle that made Cedric's heart flutter with joy. Gods it had been so long since she had laughed like that. "I'm sure. If we can just surprise Ruby, we can destroy her finally."
"Okay," He agreed. He then noticed how her eyes dropped and how Sapphire fought to stay awake. As he went in for a kiss, Sapphire yawned rather hugely. She gave a chuckle when Cedric yawned slightly after her. "Why don't we go and get some rest? It's going to be a rather long day tomorrow."
"It was a long day today," Sapphire commented. "But tomorrow…I have a feeling that tomorrow will decide who wins this war. Once and for all."
"I agree." Cedric said. The two started to walk before Cedric bent down and scooped Sapphire off the floor and carried her. When she tried to push away and assure him that her legs were fine, Cedric held her tightly. Even before they stepped over the threshold, Sapphire was asleep in her fiancé's arms. Cedric silently walked down the empty halls that were once filled with servants and laughter. His eyes kept darting to the window, where the wall made of ice, air pockets and dirt blocked out the stars and moon. The grey-banged wizard felt that the dark sky would've been perfect for Princess Amber to stargaze.
Suddenly his thoughts wondered to the rest of the Royal Family and how they were faring. He figured a person could see the wall that encased the Enchantian Castle all the way form the Jade Valley. Soon he arrived at Sapphire's rooms. Gently, he pushed the door open and laid his love in her bed. She curled up and let out a content sigh as she sank deeper into the dream world. Cedric was about to climb into bed himself when he heard footsteps echo down the empty halls.
Grabbing his wand, Cedric slowly moved form shadow to shadow, following the footsteps towards the parapets. The figure was broad shouldered, and several times as the person passed by windows, there was a glint of dull armor. The unknown person wore heavy combat boots and a helmet that was shinier than the rest of the armor. A sword, that looked thicker and as large as Cedric, hung at his side and thumped against his leg as the stranger walked. Right as the person was about to exit the main part of the castle and head on up to the parapets, he stopped.
"Why don't you come out of the shadows there friend?" the man asked. His voice was deep and commanding, like a general used to being obeyed. Not realizing that he had moved, Cedric stepped out and put the wand down. The man turned and in that moment, Cedric felt real and true fear. His face was chiseled like a statue but his eyes were red. Not like Ruby's eyes whose eyes looked like freshly spilled blood. The man's eyes were like burning embers in the dark of night.
The name of the man popped into Cedric's mind like a bubble. This was Ares, one of the gods of war that Argenta had called in reinforcements. Cedric heard tales from those who worshiped the god of war and from those who had encountered him, how terrifying the god was. Those tales don't even come close to Cedric felt. He felt the eyes of all those lost in battle and heard the screams and pleads of the dead and dying on the battlefield. Cedric blinked and they were suddenly gone.
The god scowled. "You're the sorcerer right?"
Cedric shook himself out of his stupor long enough to answer his question. "Er, yes I am. Why?"
"I'm looking for Lady Jade and Commander Argenta. Mind showing me where they are?"
"Uh…" Whatever Cedric was going to say died in his throat. It was never good to refuse a god, especially a god of war. "Sure. Right this way please."
Cedric felt himself wilt as they continued to walk towards the goddesses. Ares's aura was oozing off of him like a waterfall, infecting the mortal wizard. He felt fear at everything that passed them by. Ares didn't strike up a conversation and Cedric didn't feel like having a conversation with the war deity. Finally much to the wizard's relief they found the goddess talking to one of their soldiers, who was giving them a patrol report. King Roland and Princess Sofia had long since gone to bed, leaving Cedric the only mortal who had yet to fall asleep. When the goddesses had dismissed the soldier, they turned around and greeted Ares with open arms. Cedric who had stood in the back ground uncomfortably shifted on his sore and tired feet.
"Cedric, you are free to go," Argenta said. Cedric nodded wordlessly and headed back towards Sapphire's rooms. The three deities watched the mortal walk away before returning to their conversation. "How many men did you bring with you Ares?"
"Not enough I am afraid, My Lady," the god sighed. "I gathered all that I could but travelling through the Southern Mountains at the speed I was going cost me many lives."
"I apologize for the urgency Ares. But Ruby has not held back."
"Well I wouldn't blame her," Ares said leaning against the parapet. "There are four entities here that are destined to destroy her. There is no way I would hold back."
"I'll give you that," Argenta agreed. The air goddess sighed as she stared up at the wall that would come down at sunrise. "I hope that there is enough to finally defeat Ruby."
"I hope so too, sister," Jade whispered. She and the other two deities bid each other goodnight before going their separate ways for the night. While the others were sleeping rather peacefully, Sofia on the other hand was having a rather restless night. The young princess was sleeping with her father, who was snoring like a thunderstorm. She tossed and turned in her bed, the images of the previous day haunting her. Dead bodies of the immortal and demons strewn on the battlefield filled her vision every time she closed her eyes.
"Oh mom," Sofia whispered as she clutched her amulet. She sighed as she tossed back on her side. Her amulet let out a small shower of magical sparkles. All of the sudden, her eyes started to droop and she suddenly fell asleep. No images haunted her until she was shook awake by Lady Argenta. Sofia blinked as she glanced up at the clock that was placed on the mantel. It was almost six in the morning.
"What-" Sofia started.
"Sh," Argenta ordered. Sofia sat up and saw her father had already gone. "Come and get dressed. Today is the day."
"For what?" Sofia asked but she was already up and moving. She figured it didn't matter if she showered or not so she undressed and placed her clothes and armor from yesterday on.
"The war finally ends today," Argenta repeated. She stared at a portrait of some long dead monarch while Sofia dressed. "After centuries of bloodshed, heartache and despair, it all ends today." She turned and looked at the now dressed young girl. "Come on. The sooner the better."
The two hurriedly made their way towards the parapets where the wall still blocked out the sun. Sapphire, Roland, Lady Jade, an unknown warrior, and Cedric were already there staring at the wall before them. The four immortals slowly brought down the wall, their eyes widening at the sight before them.
Just like the day before, the sky was blood red, the sun like a drop of dried blood. The clouds were darker than night, staining the sky with their ominous presence. Surrounding the castle of Enchantia was a large demon army. There were much more than there was the previous day. It seemed like the demon goddess had called on reinforcements.
"Sapphire do you remember how to make a glacier?" Jade whispered. It was one of the first lessons the immortal learned. At first, Sapphire's glaciers were small and breakable. Now with the goddess Corundum lending her power to the immortal, there was no telling how powerful the glaciers were.
Sapphire cracked her knuckles and pulled loose her sword. "Of course I do."
"Then we will be right behind you," Argenta promised. She spread her hands out and engulfed Roland, Cedric and Jade in a bubble of air. The unknown deity launched himself in to the air and landed in the middle of the battlefield with a large crash. About a dozen or so demons fell within a few minutes. Sofia and Sapphire both concentrated their power and created the wings form the other day. With a strong flap, they took off towards Ruby. As she promised, the group was right behind her. They landed in front of Ruby's carriage, still pulled by two black horses with fiery red manes. The demon goddess didn't seem all that concerned that her enemies were right in front of her, her army retreating in fear.
"Well hello sisters," She greeted softly. The demon goddess looked over the group right as the unknown deity appeared. "Well if isn't the war god Ares. Your taste of blood seems to have changed."
"Not really my lady," Ares said. "I still thirst for the blood of my enemies."
"So now I am your enemy," Ruby said standing. Everyone removed his or her weapons in preparation. "Fighting hand to hand really isn't' my style."
"You were always the weakest one among us in hand to hand combat dear sister," Argenta commented, her grip on her katana tightening.
Ruby's smile was absolutely petrifying. "You are absolutely right. However, I have found something that suited me rather well." Her hand balled up, becoming engulfed in dark flame. Speaking in a smooth form of tongue, she chanted, "Xire os que se opoñen a min en pedra."
Jade's and Argenta's eyes went wide.
"Move!" the air goddess ordered.
Unfortunately it was too late. Ruby slammed into the ground, the dark flame suddenly engulfing the entire area. Sapphire moved, launching into the air with her powerful wings. She was the only one that moved fast enough to avoid the spell. Everyone, even Cedric, got caught in the spell. Slowly stone started to spread on them, eventually freezing them. Their shocked expressions were immortalized as the stone engulfed them. When Sapphire landed, she stood shocked at the statues that used to be Cedric and Sofia. Her anger bubbled up when the statue of the young girl processed. She was shielded by her father, as if he could shield the young girl from the effects of the spell.
"How unfortunately futile that was," Ruby muttered as she took in the effects of her spell. "As if some mortal could withstand my power."
"I'll kill you!" Sapphire growled. Ruby's smirk only got deeper.
"You can't," She stated, pulling out a black bladed dagger. "At least not without killing yourself."
To answer Sapphire's confused expression, Ruby stabbed herself hilt deep into her leg. While the demon goddess only grunted, Sapphire cried out in pain. She looked down to the shrink in her armor. Her dress was torn and a cut was showing. A cut that was deep and bleeding. Her leg gave out and she grabbed the wound trying to staunch the blood flow. Ruby removed the knife and licked her own blood, rather sickeningly. With a swipe of her hand, her wound vanished. Sapphire just froze the wound and the blood slowed.
However the pain was there.
"How…."
"Oh my older sister didn't tell you?" Ruby asked as she stroked Argenta's stony chin. She softly chuckled as returned her gaze to Sapphire, who struggled to stand. "You and I are connected. Fire and water, heat and cold, flames and ice. Two very opposite elements that cannot live without each other. Without the cold, heat wouldn't have existed. Corundum and I are humanized versions of the embodiment of the elements fire and water."
"So you were connected to each other." Sapphire realized. Ruby nodded, though her eyes looked…. slightly sad.
"Through pain and mental strength we shared it all." Ruby moved away from the statue of her sister and faced Sapphire, whose heart pounded in her chest. "Now that you hold her spirit, you and I were connected. If you kill me then you risk dying yourself. And the best thing about being an immortal, you can get used to the pain."
Sapphire didn't know how but she realized that the deity was going to pull a knife out and kill her with it. But she did. She blocked it just as the blade was about to make contact with her skin. She shoved the goddess back and parried the goddess as she swung again. It seemed as though Sapphire could read her mind and use that. Voices echoed in her mind that she recognized as Ruby's. They informed Sapphire of the turmoil that Ruby was in. Two voices, one soft and soothing, the other hard and demanding, argued loudly, throwing off the balance and concentration of the goddess.
Which made it easy to fight her.
Sapphire, in her rage, kicked Ruby's legs out from underneath her and she was tossed to the ground. Sapphire, breathing heavy and enraged, pointed her sword at the deity's throat. She didn't give a blast about the connection she and Ruyb had. All she cared about was her fiancé, her friends and Sofia.
"I will give you one chance," Sapphire huffed. "One chance to tell me the counter spell. If you don't…. damn the consequences I will kill you."
"Oooh," Ruby feigned scared. "I am shaking in my boots. Tell me my dear, are you really ready to sacrifice yourself to save those you love?"
Sapphire's eyes never left the evil deity's face. She didn't miss a beat when she answered, "Absolutely."
"Then do it," Ruby ordered. "Go on: cut he head off of a snake."
Closing her eyes and bracing herself for the pain, Sapphire plunged the enchanted blade straight into Ruby's heart. Her breath suddenly caught as pain as hot as fire spread throughout her chest. Sapphire clenched her teeth as she wrenched the blade out of the disintegrating goddess's chest and plunged the blade into the ground to keep her upright. She was in such pain that her vision blurred. Sapphire fell to the ground staring up at the sky, her breathing really heavy. Suddenly her darkening vision suddenly filled with Cedric, Sofia, Roland, Jade, Argenta and Ares's face.
"Sapphire!" Cedric called worriedly. She tried to call out but she struggled to breath. "Help her!"
"We can't!" Sapphrie heard Argenta cry. "The only way to save her is to make a new connection."
Cedric looked back down at her before looking up at the goddesses. "I'll do it."
"Are you sure?" Jade asked. Her vision was starting to darken completely. "If anything happened to you, it will happen to Sapphire."
"YES!" Cedric shouted. "I'LL DO ANYTHING!"
"Fine," Jade said. That was the last thing before Sapphire felt herself stop breathing. A bright light appeared in front of her and before the young immortal could reach out and touch it, she was flown back into her body. She took a deep breath of air as her vision returned to normal. Cedric, his hair pure black except for his starch white bangs, stared back at her with tears in his eyes.
"Oh Sapphire," He sobbed as she slowly sat up. She looked around and saw everyone else looking at her. They were…..
"You're free!" Sapphire exclaimed happily.
Jade smiled tensely. "Thanks to you, Sapphire we are."
"How did you do it?" Sofia asked, hugging the immortal.
"She finally killed Ruby." Argenta explained. She sat down next to Sapphire and patted her shoulder. "You realized that without Cedric you would've perished."
Sapphire felt her heart drop to her feet. "What did you do Cedric?"
"He gave up his mortality for you," Argenta answered. She smiled, a pure ture smile that looked good yet foreign the goddess's face. "You were right Sapphire. You and he were meant for each other. You shall forever be with each other, never once will your hair grey and your face will never wither away."
Sapphire laughed happily at the battle won. She threw her arms around Cedric, collapsing in his arms. Sofia joined in, followed by Argenta, Jade and finally Roland. Soon they became a laughing ball of flesh as they all celebrated the victory and at being alive. From the castle, they could hear the soliders both mortal and immortal cheer in sync.
When they finally broke the hug, Sapphire caught a glimpse of red on the ground. After she picked it up, she realized that it was Ruby's amulet. The only thing that didn't disappear after the goddess had disintegrated. Sapphire tilted the jewel so it glinted in the sun. She saw a figure sitting in the jewel one with black hair, red bangs and sad brown eyes.
"Our real sister had always been trapped in the amulet." Jade stated sadly. Sapphire held the jewel out for the earth goddess, who gently plucked it from the exhausted warrior. The brown haired goddess held it out for her warrior sister, who stared at the figure crying inside.
"We have freed the jewel from the one who corrupted her," Argenta announced softly. "Now, we will free her from the jewel."
"How?" Sofia asked.
"We do what you're guardians have done. We find someone worthy enough to free her." Argenta looked at the castle in the background and smiled, placing the jewel in her pocket. "Time for a celebration, don't you think?"
Before they knew it, and with a wave of the air goddess's hand, they were transported back to the castle parapets, where the soldiers immediately surrounded them cheering. They raised their swords in happiness and slowly from their cheers, rose a chant from the soldiers.
Sapphire, Sapphire, Sapphire, Sapphire, Sapphire, They chanted. A few minutes later the chant changed, Sofia, Sofia, Sofia, Sofia, Sofia, Sofia.
Throughout the chanting, Sapphire and Sofia were raised above the crowd on the shoulders of the men who fought with both of them. Cedric kept hold of her hand as they carried them forward. When they finally set them down, Cedric pulled Sapphire in for a deep loving kiss. It was a kiss of longing, for them it almost seemed as though they almost lost each other. Which in truth they did.
Finally they looked at each other before lovingly embraced and laughed.
"I think it's time to tie the knot," Sapphire said. "Don't you?"
"Absolutely."