Author's Note:
Sorry for the long gap in posting, I've been really busy. Enjoy!
-Tangent
It was a good thing, to have his mind unclouded by magic after so long. After all, it was the only thing keeping him alive. Ean's right arm shot up and deflected the vampire's crushing blow into the rim of the fountain, which exploded into hundreds of tiny stone shards. One nearly struck his eyes, and the elf's body instinctively leapt backwards to avoid the follow-up. The fragment of the witch's soul let out a guttural snarl, but did not press the advantage.
"You're no longer connected to me, and yet..."
"Surprised?" Ean murmured, trying his best to catch his breath.
"Hardly. Just curious." There was a loud bark, and Vincent bounded across the square, teeth flashing. One fang scored across the vampire's forearm, and he howled with rage.
Gotta get in close. Ean leapt forward explosively, surprising even himself, and landed a punch squarely to the spirit's gut. Horace didn't go down, and so he spun, lashing a kick into the creature's knee.
The returning punch was so fast he missed it entirely, and the elf felt himself flying backwards with the breath knocked out of him. His head struck something hard, but he forced himself to ignore it, rolling back to his feet in time to see Vincent get launched across the square and through a ruined house. The werebear vanished from sight, and he heard several loud crashes from inside.
Slowly, the soul fragment turned to look at him, blood dripping from his savaged arm. Another second passed, and Ean looked on in horror as wound closed entirely, leaving the pale skin smooth and unblemished. A grin spread across the creature's face, and he lunged for the elf once again.
They traded blows for a few seconds, but Ean almost immediately found himself on the defensive. The vampire's body was more powerful than his, and if the encounter was anything to go by, it was faster as well. He spun away from a kick and lunged, but the spirit slapped his arm down and countered with a hammerfist that knocked him backwards.
Can't let him pin me down. Come on, Ean! He dodged backwards, but the vampire was already upon him, teeth bared in a sadistic smile.
There was a furious roar, and Vincent exploded out of the mist, limbs glowing with red light. With one strike, the transfigured man sent Horace's body flying away. Ean didn't see where he went, as the elf was too preoccupied by the pain in his limbs.
"You alright?" Vincent snarled, pacing back and forth.
"My arms are starting to hurt. He's so much stronger than any one of you."
"I fear he's toying with us." His companion agreed. "Or perhaps Horace is struggling within him. Either way, we won't last long."
"We need the others. If we all fight together, we can win this! I need to free them somehow." Ean coughed as he rose to his feet, grimacing with the effort. "I'll stall him. See if you can make contact with the other spirits. Barring that, look for my friends!"
"Are you sure?" Vincent asked nervously as a yell of rage ripped through the air. Somewhere beyond the square, a house exploded in a blast of crimson light. Rubble rained down on them, and Ean thought he saw a figure moving through the smoke.
"Honestly? No. But I don't think there's a better option." Ean forced his fear down and grinned. "Just be prepared to back me up."
"Ean Okho!" The vampire shouted, but the elf was already running, ducking between two houses. The entire village seemed oddly distorted and twisted, but he had no time to think about as the vampire let loose another scream and gave chase. He hurtled down the next street over and turned, only to dive to the ground as a chunk of rubble shot over his head.
"Trying to stall?" The spirit taunted, reaching for another large rock. "How noble!"
"Well, you seem to have me beat up close, so..." Ean said resignedly. "Might as well have some fun before I die."
"How practical of you." The vampire pointed at him, and the pale fingers began to glow.
Uh oh. Ean dove to one side, and the house behind him exploded into flames, struck by the lightning bolt that had shot past him.
"You forget that I have the amulet." The soul fragment said calmly, walking towards him leisurely. "I am not merely one of the spirits you've bested thus far. Impressive though your tenacity is, it means nothing in the face of my power! You must realize this, Ean. It is not too late to join me, you know. The amulet will reunite you with your dear Iya."
"Be quiet." Ean said softly. "Don't you dare say her name." The vampire was closer now, and Ean shifted slightly, preparing to run. He saw a path to his right, between two houses.
"She's already mine. I'm not sure how you broke free of the amulet's connection, but I doubt they can replicate it. Still alive, but... maybe not for long. I can feel all of them struggling, but their voices grow ever fainter."
"Bastard." Ean snarled. "Let them go!"
"Join me, and maybe I will. It's not like she'll be able to complete the prophecy without you, though. Poor Iya, set up to fail just like Horace." Something inside him snapped, and Ean lunged.
He was fast enough that the vampire's first spell missed, soaring over his head, and Ean took the opportunity to slam his fist up into the monster's jaw. He heard the sound of bones breaking, and the elf spun, slamming Horace's body to the ground with a crash. As he did, he felt another mind touch his, and he felt Gavin's shock resonate through him.
Ean? Instinctively, he hid the emotions on his face and slammed the monster's face down into the dirt.
"Release them." He growled, but the vampire merely chuckled and moved underneath him, kicking him backwards.
"Nice try." The wounds vanished almost immediately, and the spirit raised Horace's left arm. This time, a blast of wind roared forth, knocking Ean further down the street, but the elf hardly noticed it. His mind raced frantically, stunned at the fact that his friends were still alive.
I need to make contact with them somehow, but he's not going to let me touch him. Hm.. Another lightning bolt came at him, and then he was running, sprinting between dilapidated homes. The vampire laughed loudly behind him, and more spells demolished what little cover he had.
Vincent, I hope you've got something, or else we're screwed.
"Run, Ean Okho. Run!"
Vincent prowled amongst the ruins on the other side of town, following the scent of his daughter. Violet felt so near, and yet, just out of reach, and he growled angrily.
Damn him. Once I get her back, I'll rip him limb from limb. He might be powerful, but he'll still bleed.
A series of consecutive blasts shook the town, and Vincent shook off the erroneous thoughts.
Not the time for that. I hope you're safe, Ean. Deciding to try something different, the werebear laid down and closed his eyes, focusing on the space inside of his mind. If Ean had made contact with him there, it was possible that he could do the same for others.
He was back in the void of absolute darkness that he recognized as the amulet, but there were no chains on his legs this time. His mind remained uncorrupted too, and he howled with happiness. The sound reverberated through the space, and he felt several foreign minds touch his. Forgotten souls, taken by the witch's power.
"Leave me be." He growled, and the presences retreated. He turned, and as if by some unknown design, saw the form of the dragar in the distance. Like him, her legs were bound, but the vampire had taken extra care to chain each of her heads to the void as well.
"Violet!" He roared, and bounded forward, but an invisible wall prevented him from going further. As the sound of his voice, he saw one serpentine head stir faintly, but his daughter did not speak. The werebear roared and pounded against the darkness, but it did not yield like it had for Ean.
"Calm down... Think." But thinking had never been his strong suit. It was why he had fought the changes to the village, fought to protect his daughter... and it had gotten him killed. Vincent stumbled as the amulet's presence pressed down upon him. It wanted him to submit, wanted him to feel nothing. It could make his pain go away!
And for one small moment, Vincent was tempted to let it all go. He would be reunited with Violet, after all. The most important person in his life would be safe, and his sacrifice would mean something at last! And yet, when he closed his eyes, he saw him... the elf.
He remembered the first time he had seen Ean, before his mind was restored. The boy had not yielded then either. They had fought, and Ean had taken the power for himself. For a while, he had been indifferent to the boy. After all, what difference was there in who he served? But then, the elf had surprised him by freeing Amari, and Edward, giving him some of the memories back. They had talked, and he had formed a loose camaraderie with the others.
After that had come Eredar. They had fought, and he... he had tried to kill Ean, mad with grief for his daughter. And somehow, despite everything, the elf had brought them back together.
"Dad?" Violet whispered, and his head shot up. The dragar had turned to look at him, and the eyes were no longer red, but her beautiful blue ones.
"I'm here, honey. I'll save you." The creature shook its head faintly.
"I felt him... Ean needs our help. Save him instead."
"I tried, but... the amulet is too strong. I need your help. He saved you, and I'll definitely return the favor. Can you move?"
"The chains hurt." Violet whimpered. "When I try to get up." The words set his blood boiling, but he shoved them deep down inside of him. Slowly, he raised one paw and pressed it against the magic separating them, pushing. He increased the effort, and slowly, he felt the barrier begin to give.
Pain shot through him, sharper than any blade, but Vincent did not falter, redoubling his efforts even as his essence screamed in agony.
"Let us go!" He roared into the darkness, pouring all of his energy into the magic opposing him. "You will not have us any longer!"
With one final, almighty push, the magic separating father and daughter splintered. And then, with a scream that echoed through both worlds, the barrier exploded into nothingness.
"Let's go, Violet. Together."
He blinked, and his sense returned in a rush, along with his memories. The vampire had cast some sort of spell, and then... he had been here.
Ean spat the dust from his mouth as he got to his feet, surveying the devastation. He had been thrown clear across the village form the looks of it, but he could feel the vampire approaching, savoring the kill a little longer. Whatever the blast had been, it had flattened most of the houses around him, leaving the elf standing in a sea of rubble.
His left arm flared with pain as he stumbled out into the ruined street, and Ean clutched at it, feeling the injuries beneath the skin. Nicholas could mend it in mere moments, but the prince wasn't here. For not the first time, it sank in that Ean was truly alone in his struggle, at least for now.
"Still alive?" The soul fragment said softly, and he turned to see the vampire behind him, the only undamaged thing in a sea of destruction. "Give it up, already. I could have cursed you, transfigured you, or done any number of horrible things."
"But you didn't." He retorted. "Still think you need me alive, then?"
"Not at all. Still, it seems only sporting to give you a third and final chance." The vampire spread his arms wide, a mocking smile on his face. "I'll give you one last shot." Ean raised his right arm to swing, and everything changed in an instant.
From somewhere beyond his perceptions, he heard two roars of triumph echoing across the void separating them He felt the sensation of chains falling away, and it was as though a door had opened within his mind, allowing two very familiar presences to enter.
"Sorry to take so long." Vincent told him. "We're on the way."
"I'll help you, Mister Ean!" Violet cried.
"No!" The vampire screamed, and Ean looked back at him to see the amulet glowing with an intense light upon his chest. His enemy stumbled backwards, and the elf saw the limbs trembling with a sudden fatigue. At the same time energy flowed back into him, and Ean shifted.
It was like seeing double. The dragar lunged, but so did he, and his arm held the same strength of the larger body. Ean spun on his heel and punched the vampire, and fire roared forth as Violet unleashed her power. Horace's body vanished under the onslaught of flames, as did the houses and street behind him.
The next moment, he felt the dragar's neck coil around him, greeting him like a dog might greet it's owner. Ean laughed and stroked the scaly heads, feeling Violet's own joy mingle with his. Vincent padded up next to them, gazing in the direction that the vampire had been thrown.
"He won't die from that." He warned them as Violet settled down, both heads snarling quietly.
"I know, but I think I know a better way to stop him." Quickly, Ean summarized what he had seen. "The amulet holds the spirits within it. If I can extract the others, he'll weaken even more."
"And then we kill him." Vincent finished.
"I'm not sure we can kill him." Ean said softly. "But if I can get the amulet off of him, then maybe Horace will be freed." The werebear turned to look at him, and its eyes were wide.
"You still want to save him?"
"I do. If we can separate the witch's soul from his, then maybe-"
He was cut off by a tremor, and cracks rippled through the earth, originating from somewhere he could not see. A second later, the vampire floated down from the sky, cloak rippling behind him. His face was marred by a vicious scowl, and the pale skin flexed and rippled with rage.
"No more games." He snarled. "Horace's friends have outlived what little use I have for them."
"We won't submit to you, witch." Vincent growled. "Come and get us, if you can." The white fingers flexed warningly, and Ean had just enough time to see them change into claws before they lashed at his face. He ducked to one side and countered, lashing a fist into his enemy's elbow, which immediately mended.
A flash of light warned him of an impending attack and Ean dodged again as the vampire bit at him, fangs gleaming in the dim light. The elf kicked at him, but was sent skidding backwards by a simple push.
"How dare you stand against me!" As he watched, the vampire's claws grew even longer, jagged points ripping out through flesh and bone. Ean raised his own fists, and allowed the familiar power of the spirits to flow over him.
I'm starting to get it. I don't need a full transformation. By mixing up the powers I use, I can keep him off guard. Crimson light encircled his own hands and left him with claws that matched Vincent's.
As one, he and the vampire lunged at each other, weapons flashing. Vincent and Violet fought as well, leaping in to drive the vampire back or to take a blow meant for him. Their pain was his pain, and so they fought on, driving the demented soul fragment ever backwards.
The moment came sooner than he had expected. The vampire hurled a cloud of acid at the trio, but Violet blew it aside with a gout of flame, and Ean slammed both claws directly into Horace's chest.
He was back inside the nexus of souls, even as his physical body fought on, aided by the spirits. Ean cast his mind out frantically, searching for familiar presences, but the connection was growing tenuous.
A spell struck him hard in the chest, and Ean fell backwards, rolling away as Vincent clawed at the vampire. The dragar breathed more fire, but it was diverted to one side as their enemy closed in once more.
The behemoth had been pinned down by so many chains, his body appeared distorted from a distance. Nearly every joint and limb had shackles attached, allowing for virtually zero movement. And yet, he could plainly see the two rivers of tears leaking down the creature's face. It was a sadness so intense, he could hardly stand it.
"He's going to make me go back..." Erik half-whispered, half-sobbed. "I don't want to go back, Ean."
"You won't, Erik. Never again."
There was a sharp crack, and Vincent yelped with pain as his right foreleg broke. The vampire tossed him aside and moved in on Ean, but Violet leapt in front of him, fangs bared. Both heads lashed out in unison, and the vampire was caught in the midst of the attack.
"I don't want to hurt anybody else." Erik said softly. "But that man... he wants to hurt you. I won't let him."
"Me neither." Ean told him gently. "He took Horace, but I think we can save him. Will you help me?" The behemoth stirred, the muscles bulging beneath its skin.
"I will help you." As he watched, the behemoth gave a roar and jerked upwards. Chains snapped taut, and Ean laughed as Erik ripped his bonds into shreds.
The spirit seized one of Violet's heads and began to twist, a mad light glinting in his eyes.
"You'll be the first." He snarled. "I'll make your head into my trophy." The girl screamed, and Ean charged as the amulet glowed once more.
The next instant, a massive fist caved in the vampire's chest, knocking him to the street. Erik bellowed with fury, standing in front of Violet, but the mortal would had already healed. A moment later, Ean was clashing with the vampire again, claws blurring and slashing at each other. Blood dripped from half a dozen wounds, but the vampire merely laughed and dodged backwards, avoiding a crushing kick from Erik.
"Is that all, Ean?"
"As much as I hate to admit it..." Vincent's leg had healed, but the werebear eyed the vampire warily. "He's got us beat in just about everything."
"He's slowing down, though. And I think I'm getting the hang of tapping into the amulet's power." Ean responded, trying to concentrate on finding the sensation of the amulet amidst the chaos. "I need time, Vincent."
"I will buy it for you." Erik said into his mind. "But I will not last long. Please, hurry."
"We'll help too." Violet said fiercely, her anger manifesting as flames shooting from the dragar's mouths. Vincent merely growled and charged back into the battle. Erik had forced the vampire further away by throwing him through a house, and the other spirits followed, flanking the soul fragment.
Ean hesitated for a moment, torn between protecting them and searching for the others. Then, with a sigh, he closed his eyes and cast his mind out into the world beyond.
It was easier this time to slip into the foreign realm, where souls roamed aimlessly, their powers bound to a higher entity. It could have been moments or an eternity that he wandered, and yet, he knew that time was irrelevant here. At last, he saw them a great distance away, but something was wrong.
"Help him!" Amari pleaded, and Ean moved closer. Her form, the cockatrice, was free to move, but she had not come to fight. After a moment, the elf understood. Edward was still bound to the amulet, and it seemed that she had been unable to free him.
"Hang in there, Edward." He said encouragingly, and the cyclops turned just enough to see him. "What happened?"
"Horace... the spirit, I mean, he put us together. He said it was a reminder, but he clearly didn't think that I was a threat. I tried to break the chains, but..." Amari's voice broke, and Ean felt his anger surge.
"Stand back for a moment." Edward's neck was bound by a series of looped chains, and Ean picked out the link in the middle. "This might hurt, but you'll have to bear it."
"I am ready." Edward rumbled softly, and Ean wrenched the chain up, applying a twisting forces that shattered each crimson link. The spirit bellowed in pain, but did not flinch as the chains fell away. He moved to Edward's right arm and did the same, over and over until the cyclops rose unsteadily, blinking his single eyes rapidly.
"Thank you." Amari merely pecked him affectionately, too full of emotions to form words.
"Have you heard from Cigne?" He asked as the spells binding the spirits to the amulet began to dissolve.
"She has been unusually silent. I fear she needs help." Edward placed a large hand on his shoulder. "We will fight with the others. Go, Ean."
"I will find her." He vowed. "You two stay safe."
He drew in shuddering breath and opened his eyes, feeling the ground shake as two more vengeful souls joined the battle. The village was all but destroyed, with fires raging across what little remained of the houses and streets. In the distance, he could see red light flickering amongst the ruins, pursued by Horace's former friends.
"Where are you, Cigne?" He muttered. There was no trace of her amongst what he could sense, even with his heightened understanding of how the amulet worked. It seemed that despite his growth, the gap in power between him and the vampire was still too great.
Where could she be? Why does she not respond? He was struck by a rather horrifying thought. Maybe... maybe Cigne doesn't want to be found? He could not imagine the woman giving up so easily, but who knew what the witch's soul had done to her? No, not the witch... Heptitus did this. Still, I think I know one last way to reach Cigne.
The elf turned and sprinted towards the sounds of battle, leaping from rooftop to rooftop. As he drew closer, he saw Edward's form lash out, knocking the vampire high into the air. Violet spat fire, sending a column of heat into the sky that engulfed their enemy.
"That's not enough!" The soul fragment howled, spinning in the air and using his cloak to fly. "This isn't nearly enough." He shot back down towards the spirits, and the resulting crash shook the whole village. The roof beneath Ean's feet crumbled, and he fell, rolling with the impact. A moment later, Vincent came crashing through the front door, fangs bared.
"You alright?"
"For now. I have a plan." Ean reached out to the other spirits, and despite their corporeal forms, found that he could still connect with them mentally.
"Can you hear me?" The link felt different than before, like he was seeing a new dimension within his mind. Ean sensed that Edward's right arm was wounded, that Violet's scales were beginning to crack, and that Erik's legs were trembling from the strain of battle. The feelings, along with a thousand other concerns, hurts, and pain, flashed over him in an instant, and the elf stumbled, clutching his head.
"I can hear you. I don't think the vampire can." Amari answered, and the sensation of her beak smashing through wood and stone flickered across the connection. "He has hidden himself in the rubble. Be wary."
"We hear as well." Edward rumbled, speaking for the others. "Where is Cigne?"
"I couldn't find her." Quickly, the elf ran through his idea, as well as the plan. "Just give me a chance to touch the amulet. I'll tell you when. Just stay hidden for now."
Ean opened his eyes, already moving deliberately towards the main street. Around him, he felt the spirits relinquishing their forms, returning to mere presences that hovered around him like a cloud. The whole plan relied on their ability to hide themselves from the vampire. If it failed... he supposed there was little point in wondering what would happen. After all, he already knew that the soul fragment intended to kill them all.
The fountain had been shattered almost entirely by the battle, the pieces scattered on the cracked cobblestones. Overhead, the twin moons cast an eerie, yet solemn light over the structure, as if mourning their loss. Ean paced over to it and gazed down at the broken stonework, his breathing light and silent.
"Why do you hide?" He called. "Even I know how this must end." The village seemed to shift and stir slightly, as if reacting to his words, but the vampire did not appear. "Or have you begun to realize that not all is as it appears?" The ruins around him shuddered again, and he realized with a start that the village really was moving, the houses and roads twisted and shaking from some unknown force.
There was a blur of motion to his left, and Ean spun, ducking under a set of gleaming claws that pierced the rock behind him like paper. His own set of claws flashed upwards, failing to draw blood, and the elf was forced to dive away as the vampire lunged at him once more, face set in a snarl of anger. Ean dropped to the ground, drawing strength from Erik, and his kick sent the vampire flying across the square.
"Well struck." His enemy spoke, landing lightly upon the ground. "You continue to resist, then?"
"Well, of course." Ean said, glancing to either side of him. The street behind him was marginally intact, but he could see an area that was mostly clear of rubble further down.
I have to get him down there somehow. Keep him talking so he doesn't suspect anything.
"Pointless, as I said before. I can feel your energy waning already. The spirits have deserted you, Ean. Just lay down and die." Ean raised his fists and glared at the man, projecting as much hate and fear as he could.
"What did you do to them?" The vampire scoffed.
"Don't try to bait me with something so obvious. They've either fled or hid, but I'll hunt them down at my leisure. After all, I have all the time in the world. Still.. I suppose I can show you something interesting before the end." The vampire spread his hands, and Ean felt a shiver run down his spine.
This can't be good. The village began to shake as a cloud of mist descended from the sky, obscuring Ean's vision. It swirled around the elf, disorienting him as the ground at his feet cracked and ruptured.
And then... it stopped, and the mist hung silently in the air.
"This is my domain." The vampire's voice came mockingly to him, echoing from all sides. "My home. I command every aspect of it, just as I will the world above. And the only one left to stop me... is you!" The voice shifted, and Ean had jut enough time to see two scarlet eyes gleaming in the fog before the vampire pounced. Ean dodged to one side, into the open street, and-
He struck something hard, shoulder first, and the elf heard his bones splinter on impact. Ean rebounded and turned, but he wasn't fast enough to avoid the follow-up charge that sent him straight through the same surface. Shards of rock flew everywhere, and he felt a flash of fire on his neck as one cut him.
What was that? Ean twisted frantically in midair, trying to see anything, but the mist was still obscuring his vision, making it impossible to see more than a few feet. A moment later, his feet struck the ground, carving furrows in the earth as the elf skidded backwards. His heel struck a wall, and he ducked as the vampire exploded out of the mist once more, electricity flaring up in his right hand.
Ean leapt to one side, dodged the bolt of lightning, and almost made it to the roof of the next house before something struck him hard in the side, flinging him back to earth. His instincts kicked in, and he rolled, barely avoiding the deathblow aimed at his neck. He had struck what looked like the wall of a house, but that couldn't be possible. There were no houses nearby, at least that he could see.
The vampire laughed mercilessly and came at him again, plunging in and out of the mist to disorient him. A claw slashed across his thigh, making him stumble, while another caught him in the side. Neither were fatal, but the blows made the vampire's intention clear.
He wants to draw it out. Desperately, Ean transferred his energy to his legs and bounded forward, trying to escape the mist. An alley between two houses came into view, and he lunged, but the houses moved, slamming together and cutting off his escape.
"How's he doing that?" Violet cried, Ean's pain reflected in her voice.
"Magic. He's had centuries to practice, but this... I don't even know how it's possible." Amari winced as Ean took another blow to the torso, a kick that he was fairly sure had cracked his ribs.
"He's enjoying this." Ean grimaced, torn between speaking and trying to dodge the vampire's strikes. "Get ready. I'll bait him in."
"He'll kill you." Edward warned. "Eventually, he will try."
"I won't let him. Just be ready to go." With a mental flick, Ean severed the connection.
His momentary lapse in concentration had cost him, and the soul fragment seized him, spinning to throw him through another house. A splintered beam caught his arm, and Ean fought down a scream of pain as the wood pierced his elbow. The elf spun and sized a rock, hurling it into the mist, but there was no sound of impact. It was like the magic had swallowed it up.
"Very impressive." He called out, trying to sound confident. "You need a whole village to beat me?" Every fiber of his body strained, trying to guess what would happen next.
Below! He dodged to one side as a pillar of rock shot up from the ground, and Ean shattered the column with a kick. Grimacing, he pulled the shard of wood from his arm and tossed it to one side. There was a lull, and then the world exploded into motion. The rubble on either side of him flexed and shot towards him. The elf ducked, using the downwards momentum roll away from a pit that suddenly opened in the earth. More rocks shot towards him, and Ean struck them from the air. One caught him in the hip, but he was up almost immediately, dodging another volley of wooden spears.
For a moment, it felt as though he might be winning, but his left foot suddenly sank several inches into the ground, trapped by the shifting earth. He ripped the limb free with a roar, but the delay had cost him. Rubble fell, and his senses were overwhelmed by the continuous impacts.
When the dust cleared, he found his lower body trapped underneath a pile of wood and rock. The weight was torturous, and Ean found that he could feel his bones slowly being crushed. The elf groaned in pain, trying to pull himself out, but to no avail.
Footsteps, in the mist. Through his hazy vision, Ean saw the vampire's face looming over his own.
"You managed to avoid death. I must commend you." The voice was flat and dispassionate. "But I grow tired of these games. Goodbye, Ean Okho." He saw a black shoe come into view, and knew that the vampire really was going to kill him this time.
"Now!"
Five voices roared their assent, and several things happened at once. A fist exploded from the earth next to him, and Erik bellowed as his strike hurled the vampire backwards. As he did, two columns of fire exploded into being, nearly roasting him, and the magical impact blew away the surrounding mist, along with any remaining structures nearby.
"Ean!" Vincent bounded from the shadows, and his paws went to work, excavating the trapped elf. In seconds, he was free, and Ean leapt to his feet, pushing through the pain.
"Come on!" He shouted, and charged the vampire just as he emerged from a smoking crater. The white hair was disheveled, and the eyes burned with a maddened rage.
"How dare you-" Ean cut off his speech with a hook to the jaw, sending the vampire sprawling once more. Edward and Erik pressed in, smashing at their enemy, but the former man slipped aside, lashing out with a kick that pushed the cyclops backwards. The dragar spit more fire, forcing the vampire to divert it, but at the cost of Ean hitting him again.
"We have the upper hand. Keep pressing forward!" Vincent roared.
The earth sprang up to crush them, but the behemoth smashed the wave of rock to rubble, even as Amari knocked spears of wood from the sky. Ean kicked the vampire's leg out from under him as Vincent pounced, but the earth heaved again, throwing them back even as the soul fragment rose up, murder in his eyes. Blood dripped from the pale skin, spattering on the ground.
"His healing has slowed." Erik rumbled. "The moment approaches. Are you ready?"
"I have to be. I just need one small opening." Ean sent the spirits the mental equivalent of a reassuring smile. "It occurs to me that I never thanked you all."
"It is we who owe you." Edward's voice reverberated gently through him.
"Yeah, what he said."
"We're all behind you, mister Ean!"
"You can do it."
The words faded, but their strength remained, firmly embedded in Ean's mind.
"Thank you."
The connection faded, and Ean lunged, placing every ounce of power into his right leg. The others charged with him, and the tableau exploded into motion so swift, he could barely process it all.
The whole village bucked, but Erik and Edward acted as the vanguard, bursting through everything in their path. Violet and Amari spat columns of flame that merged into one and exploded, dispelling the vampire's mist in an instant, and Ean flew through the gap they had made. The vampire's arm came up, but Vincent's fangs flashed as they pierced the undead neck, snapping the body's head violently to one side.
"Now!" Five voices roared in unison, and Ean attacked, pouring every ounce of energy he had into one simple punch. He saw Horace's eyes widen, saw the body contort with rage, but it was too late. With a shout, Ean struck the vampire's chest squarely upon the amulet, and the jewel cracked down the center.
There was brief moment of calm before the scene erupted, expelling a blast of power that took Ean, the vampire, and all of the spirits and tossed them aside like leaves in the wind.
Ean twisted lightly, landing on his feet in the center of the storm. The space contained within the amulet was the same void of darkness, but it was no longer empty. Hundreds, if not thousands of shadowy, distorted shapes roamed the environment, wailing in a hundred different tongues. Some lay curled up on the ground, while others congregated in groups, chattering softly. Further in the distance, he could see some shapes darting around at incredible speeds, almost invisible in the darkness.
"Where are we?" He asked, expecting Vincent or one of the others to respond. Nobody answered. The elf turned, only to see that he was alone, the only living soul amongst the horde of the dead. Hesitantly, he took a step forward, searching for Cigne, but as he did, the nearest shade turned to face him. It was humanoid, but with no details on the body or head. As he approached, more of the lost souls turned to look at him, and the weight of so many gazes hit Ean with a physical force.
"Who are you?" His voice echoed oddly in the silence, but the spirit did not answer. Then, with a howl, it lunged at Ean, arms flailing. Instinctively, the elf darted to one side, easily evading the clumsy attack. The figure charged again, and he reached out, pressing a hand to hi attacker's chest.
It was as though a veil had been lifted, one that had been there the whole time. The darkness seemed to flow away from the figure, revealing a face contorted with pain The former man stumbled forward, and Ean caught him.
"Help... Help..." His voice was tortured and weak. "I've been here for so long..."
"How can I help you?" Ean asked softly.
"It doesn't stop... Make it stop..." With a howl of agony, the figure staggered away, turning back into an indistinct shape. Ean moved over to another spirit and seized it's arm, revealing a young woman who screamed and tried to break free.
"Mother... Father! No, let me go!" After a moment, he released his grip, and the woman stumbled off, still wailing.
"What is happening?" He murmured. "And where is Cigne?" Seeing no other path forward, the elf began to walk, heading towards the area where the shadowy figures were thickest. Some of them reached out for him as he passed, but their fingers could not touch him, and so Ean moved on.
It was nothing short of a nightmare, with screams and pleas for help echoing through the air. Spirits clawed at him, begging for a respite that he could not grant. Their voices grated on his ears, wearing the elf down like waves on a rock.
"Cigne!" He shouted. "Cigne!" And then, in the distance, he saw the largest gathering of lost souls he had seen thus far. Hundreds of them, gathered in a circle around a small figure, bound with chains of red light. Ean ran forward, but the host of souls fanned out, blocking his path.
"You will not take them." Their voices spoke in unison, a thousand tones combining to create the voice of vampire, whose presence clawed at his own. Ean winced, but pressed on, moving steadily closer to where Cigne lay bound. As the elf drew within several feet of the first spirit, their limbs shimmered, and crimson weapons appeared in their hands. They were crude and misshaped, but no less deadly for the fact, and Ean stopped as the first rank of souls charged, shouting anguished battle cries.
Without access to his powers, he would have been slain instantly. Still, there were so many, and it was only a matter of time before Ean was enveloped in a seething mass of angry victims. Their bodies could not touch him, but the weapons could, and he let out a cry of pain as a club swept down upon his shoulder, driving him to the ground. The weapon itself passed through him, but the impact still came, as if an invisible fist had struck him.
"You didn't save me." A man hissed, and drove a spear at him, but Ean dodged, leaping twenty feet in an instant. His shoulder twinged with pain, but he turned to face his attackers once more.
Dozens of them came at him once more, and Ean darted to one side, trying to find a gap in the wall of hostile spirits. But there was none, and he was once more engulfed in a tide of angry, vengeful ghosts. A phantom dagger stabbed his thigh, and the elf cried out, forcing the spirits back with an effort of will.
"You're right." He panted. "It's my fault. I know you must be angry, but you can still be saved. Let me through, please." The crowd of enemies closed in once more, and Ean began to walk forward.
"Your fault." A spear pierced his arm.
"I lost my family because of you." Two cuts across his abdomen.
"Give me back my daughter!" A blow from a warhammer sent him stumbling, but Ean pressed on grimly, eyes facing straight forward. A thousand blows rained down upon him, the fury of the amulet's victims given form, but the elf endured, refusing to stop moving even when he could no longer feel his legs.
And then he was through, staggering and falling next to the still form of the griffin. The spirits vanished, and they were alone.
"Cigne." He croaked, dragging himself upwards. "I need you."
"Leave me, Ean." The familiar voice came to him, sounding more weary than ever. "Save yourself. Flee."
"I won't." He said stubbornly, rising shakily to his feet. "Unless you're coming with me."
"I cannot. Horace..." The old woman's voice broke. "It's my fault. I deserve this."
"You know that's not true." Ean said softly. "I saw his memories. I lived Horace's life in my mind, and I know that he never blamed any of you for what happened."
"I should have died." Cigne spat bitterly. "I should have gone instead of him. He was proud and stubborn, but Horace was still our leader. I thought... I thought the Goddess would protect him."
And then, Ean truly understood.
"You're angry." He told her gently. "So were Iya and I, when the Goddess told us about Ishtar. And you're right, it's not fair. Not fair that you had your life taken, not fair that Iya and I were brought here. And yet, if I could change it... I wouldn't. Because right here, right now, is where you and I need to be."
"Hasn't he won?" Cigne whispered, tilting her head to see the elf better. "The spirit inside Horace. He's erased him. I saw the memory."
"Nothing is ever truly gone." Ean murmured. 'Or at least that's what I believe. If your souls are here, Horace's must be, too. But we'll need to help him, give him a fighting chance to throw off the amulet's control." The griffin gazed at him for a moment.
"You really believe that, don't you?" Ean chuckled.
"It's all I've got. I just know that if it comes down to it, I'll die on my feet. My enemies are powerful, but that doesn't mean I can't win. I'll just need some help."
The air shimmered, and Ean let out a triumphant shout as the other spirits appeared.
"Cigne!" Vincent came bounding over. "How did you..." The other spirits crowded around Ean, and the elf laughed once more. With a single motion, he bent down, seized the griffin's chains, and broke them. Cigne rose, stretching her swings as the other spirits fell into place next to her.
"Alright, listen up." Ean said, shivering as the full power of the spirits coursed through him. "The vampire has taken enough from us. I say we strike back. Are you with me?"
There were six nods, and six grim smiles. Ean grinned back at them.
"When we get out, hit him hard." He drew in one last breath, and in the same moment, brought up the miniature star of power that glowed within him.
Then with a roar, Ean Okho shattered the magic holding him within the amulet. The elf rose up, bared his claws, and went to meet his most dangerous foe.
Gravel crunched in the mist, and Ean stepped out from the fog, looking out onto the town that had no name. The fountain was cracked and empty, with moss leaping up from the earth onto the once-polished stones. Around him, the buildings lay empty and dormant, inhabited only by the creatures that roamed such dismal ruins. Twin moons glinted overhead, but his breath steamed in the cold air, a reminder of the living organs in his chest.
The vampire was sitting on the edge of the ruined well, eyes cold and distant. His skin was unblemished, and his cloak spread out behind him like a magnificent crimson carpet.
"What was it called?" His enemy looked at him for a long moment, but did not move.
"Glausgrove." The soul fragment said at last. "Or in your tongue, Goddess Grove." He nodded slightly, and his enemy's eyes slid to a point just over his shoulder. "You come alone?"
"He did not." A taller figure emerged from the mist, placing a pale hand on Ean's shoulder. Vincent still wore his plain attire, his bears bushy and worn, but his body was still lean and powerful. Another movement, and Violet stepped out, wearing a pink dress that matched the ribbons in her hair. She smiled at Ean, and he tapped her teasingly on the shoulder.
"Vincent." The vampire said flatly. "One of my... later experiments. You speak for the others?"
"It seemed that my seniority does give me that privilege. But no, they would prefer to speak to you themselves." More ripples in the darkness, and the others stepped forward. Amari and Edward came together, in the younger bodies that Ean had first encountered in their memories. Erik came behind them, wearing the face of a child, his face revealing nothing of his true emotions. Finally, Cigne stepped out, her gray hair swishing slightly in the mist, robes wrapped around her. At the sight of Horace, her eyes widened slightly.
"It's not him." Ean told her gently.
"Why not come and see for yourself?" The vampire jeered. "Come and be reunited with Horace."
"Let him go, Heptitus." At the sound of her name, the vampire's whole body stilled, becoming unnaturally stiff. For the first time, Ean thought he detected a hint of fear in the creature's bearing, but it was wiped away by a surge of anger.
"You figured it out, then? Horace always was too damn clever. Of course, it's not really her in here. I'm just a little piece of soul, separated from my dear owner centuries ago. I dare say that I'm almost a separate being now."
"I've wrestled control of the spirits from you. Take off the amulet, and go in peace." Ean warned the vampire, but his enemy laughed mockingly.
"Take it off? It belongs to me, Ean Okho, and you know it." Slowly, the vampire stood, flexing his wrists as if they were stiff. "I'm afraid I'll never give up. Either I die, or you do."
"So be it." Ean said, and they lunged for each other. Halfway there, however, the vampire stumbled, causing Ean to pull up short. His enemy suddenly shuddered, grasping his head with both hands, and Ean caught a glimpse of something else behind the crimson eyes.
Not something. Someone.
"He's still in there!" He shouted to the others. "Hit the vampire with everything you've got!" Ean leapt forward again, and his right foot connected with the vampire's chest so forcefully, he audibly heard ribs cracking as his enemy was launched backwards. Vincent and Violet bounded past, followed by the others, and there was a loud shriek as Cigne took flight.
The vampire emerged from a broken house just in time to receive a blow from Edward, knocking him sideways as Vincent pounced. Unfortunately, it seemed that Heptitus's soul was back in control, and the monster darted to one side, crimson light spilling from his palms.
"Enough!" A shockwave struck Vincent hard, but Ean barely felt the impact, leaping to slash at the vampire. His enemy countered with a strike to the throat that the elf blocked, and they fought at close range for a few seconds. But now, with the spirits back on his side, Ean found that he was more than a match for the possessed man and forced him back, flanked by Amari and Erik.
As they fought, it seemed to him that a separate part of his mind was processing the information as it came in, leaving him free to concentrate on fighting.
He's coming from the left... Amari will attack, then Erik. Cigne is overhead...
Even with all the information, he still missed the spark in Horace's palm. Violet's head curled around him, yanking the elf backwards as an explosion blew the surrounding area to ashes.
"Stay on your toes, everyone. His magic isn't infinite." Vincent snarled mentally.
"ENOUGH!" The vampire roared, and sent a series of curses and hexes flying at Ean. The spirits scattered, but Ean leapt forward, diving under a curse and spinning to drive his right foot into the vampire's leg. His foe didn't fall, but it was enough of a distraction for Cigne to swoop down and seize him by the arm, flying the elf away from the battle.
"Thanks." He panted. Below, Edward bellowed defiantly and charged, ripping pieces off of the nearby houses to throw at the vampire. "Can you drop me on him?"
"Are you sure about this?" Cigne asked.
"Yeah... probably. As long as I have you to pull me out of danger." Ean flashed the griffin a quick smile as she dropped him. The elf fell like a stone, but instead of trying to land softly, he used the momentum, spinning to fall head-first.
The vampire sensed him coming, but it was too late. Edward and Erik had surrounded him with rubble, robbing him off the space he needed to dodge. Ean twisted, deflected the claws that lashed up at him, and struck. His foot hit the vampire's head squarely, and there was a sickening crunch as the bones beneath the skin gave way. Moments later, the elf hit the ground and rolled, winded by the impact.
"Goddess above." Amari breathed, reverting to her human form and dashing over. "Are you alright?"
"I'm... fine." He managed to get out. "Is he done?" A horrible gurgling sound rose up from the nearby shattered street, and Ean got back up to see Horace's body clamber onto the rubble. The vampire was in a terrible state. His head had been almost completely demolished, and blood was pouring out onto the earth from several places. The ribs and chest were similarly deformed, and the legs staggered drunkenly, as if unsure how to walk. The only thing not destroyed was the amulet, gleaming dully on the malformed throat.
"No way..." Vincent growled. As they watched, the amulet pulsed with light, and the body began to regrow. Bones shot upwards into the shape of a skull, which was rapidly covered with flesh, hair and clothing. The limbs snapped back into the place, and there was an audible crack as several ribs realigned themselves. Lastly came the nose, mouth, and eyes, still gleaming with crimson light.
"Good try." The spirit's voice was tinged with fatigue, but still triumphant. "Nobody else has ever pushed me this far, Ean. But I am not your usual-" The vampire screamed and clutched at his head once more, his magic lashing out wildly. Ean was forced to leap backwards as a stray spell decimated the house he was standing on.
"What's happening to him?" Violet asked, her voice scared. The elf reached over to stroke one of her heads reassuringly as the others gathered around.
"He's losing control." Cigne said hopefully. "Horace must be fighting back."
"So we just have to wait?" Erik asked. "Or do we continue?"
"It's not enough." Ean murmured, and the transfigured beasts fell silent. "You saw what I did, and he still healed. The amulet is too powerful." He thought back to the legions of souls gathered within, and how they underwent constant suffering.
"So what can we do?" Amari was the once to voice the question that he could see in all of their eyes. Nearby, the vampire had sunk to his knees, still letting out uncontrolled bursts of magic that whipped around him.
And then, Ean knew. He had seen it, after all, in his memories. The amulet was two chains, clasped together around the back of the neck. But surely it could not be that simple.
"I'm going to walk up to him and take the amulet off." He said softly.
"Through all that?" Vincent growled. "You'll die."
"That's why I need your help."
With a flick of his wrist, Ean dismissed the spirits, returning them to presences that flitted around him, undetectable by any others. He paused for a moment to pull his cloak tight around him, and the elf set off towards the center of the village. Horace's rampage had taken him further away, leaving only scorched ruins. As he approached, Ean saw flickers of crimson light in the sky, the beginnings of a magical maelstrom that he knew had to be stopped. It was that, or death. Strangely, the thought emboldened him, and he pushed onwards.
Ean rounded the corner and saw the vampire standing down the street, surrounded by a dense web of magical power. Electricity crackled across its surface, and the ground shivered as two spirits fought for dominion of one body. Faintly, he could hear two voices, high pitched and screaming like a foul wind.
"Ready?"
"We are."
The technique was far more complex than any he had attempted, but the elf knew there was no choice. With an effort of will, he summoned Edward's spirit to the fore, but his body did not transform. Instead, he isolated one particular part of the cyclops' body, the thick skin, weaving it around his own body. It was immensely difficult, and he knew that without the spirits to supply him with energy, he would have passed out from the strain.
At last, the effect was complete. He could feel the skin stretched over his own, like a magical shield that ripped over his entire being. With another burst of concentration, he secured the transformation and began to walk forward. Immediately, spells lashed at him, but Edward's power allowed him to wade forward, as if struggling against a wave.
"You're up, Erik and Violet."
From the behemoth, he took the monstrous strength, allowing himself to remain rooted. From the dragar, he took the flexibility of the scales. As the weight of both transfigurations settled on him, Ean let out a pained gasp. It was the hardest thing he had ever done, like trying to swim with boulder tied to one's legs.
"You can do it."
"We believe in you, Ean!"
Slowly, he raised his foot and took another step forward, pressing onward slowly. Later, it would be that he could not quite remember the actual walk. His whole mind was focused on controlling his transformations, keeping the energy from tearing his body apart. Ean took the griffin's powerful claws, the cockatrice's inner fire, and the werebear's tough muscular system, making them part of his body even as it screamed out in pain. One step, then another. The pressure of raw magic pounded against him, threatening to unmake him, but the elf held firm, refusing to bow under the power.
A pair of boots came into view, and Ean raised his tortured head slowly, trying to comprehend what he was seeing. The vampire was standing before him, eyes unfocused and blinking rapidly. Magic was swirling around the pair like a maelstrom, reaching up into the sky and down into the earth. Dimly, he realized that the energy was coming from him too.
And there it was, still hanging from the vampire's neck. The unnamed amulet seemed to sparkle as Ean raised his arms, reaching for the clasp on the back. His fingers touched the chains and fumbled around, feeling for the place where they were joined. Sanity snapped back into the vampire's eyes, and he spun, seeking the person who had dared lay a hand on him.
"You!" He snarled, and both hands lunged for Ean's throat, wrapping around him and squeezing. The elf felt iron bands begin to choke him, and so he shifted, forcing his throat muscles to stiffen up like scales. The pressure lessened, and he could see again, see the vampire's murderous smile as his enemy leaned forward. With a jolt, Ean realized that his hands were still on the amulet and forced them to move, searching for the clasp. His fingers touched it, and he pressed down upon it wildly, seeking to release the joint.
"You.. will... not... have... it! It... is... MINE!" The vampire thrashed, pale skin pulsing with rage, but Ean would not let go. Even though the life was being choked from him, even if his body was destroyed, he would not relent.
He suddenly became aware of others, circling around the invisible perimeter he had drawn in his struggle with the vampire. Some were shaped like men, others were amorphous, but their voices carried quite clearly to him.
"Go on, lad."
"Just a little longer."
"Hang in there, son."
"Please help us, Ean!"
"Wretches!" The vampire spat. "Too weak to take what they want, so they send you instead. You shall not win, Ean Okho!" The force around his neck redoubled, and Ean's vision began to dim. His fingers fumbled, slipped, and his arms fell uselessly to his sides. The clasp was too tight, or perhaps it had never been there at all.
And then, darkness. He was dead, surely, slain by the vampire. The fight had been long and hard, and he was so very tired. All he wanted to do was sleep, but... no.
Someone was calling him. Several people, actually, their voices tinged with sadness. Why were they sad? Didn't they feel as he did, content to drift off into a sea of dreams?
"Ean! EAN!" The voices sparked something withing him, and it opened an eye for just one moment. He knew those voices, knew them from somewhere long ago.
Nicholas.
Jack.
Ava.
Gavin.
Emma.
Rye.
And there was one more, a voice that was burned so deeply into his soul that he even death could not erase it. His mate, his love.
Iya.
His power surged, and Ean screamed as he tore his way back up through the veil. His arms came back to life, and they rose, fastening themselves on the amulet's chain like a vise.
"What?" The vampire's grip slacked, and he exploded upwards. The pure energy coming from him disintegrated Horace's hands, dissolving them into the air as Ean stood up, eyes blazing with pure will. With a yank, the elf seized the amulet even tighter, pulling it closer even as the vampire began to scream.
"You're... wrong." He panted, snarling with the effort. "They... are not... weak." With barely an effort, Ean breached the amulet, feeling it shake and grow warm as his powers probed it. There were so many spirits, trapped within, and he felt each of them pass through him like a gate, escaping into whatever lay beyond.
"Please..." The soul fragment begged. "Don't do this..."
"No more lies." Ean said. "Go back to your master and tell her... We won't let her have her way anymore."
There was a long, drawn-out cry of anguish, like a soul being tortured by the worst pain imaginable. And then, quite simply, with an effortless flick of his hands, Ean snapped the amulet's chain in two.
He had the briefest sensation of blinding heat, of a sun given form, and then his thoughts were wiped mercifully away.
Ean felt his consciousness slowly slip back in, seeping through his battered mind like water into the ground. His sight came first, a small splotch of color on the inside of eyelids that slowly expanded into picture. Hearing next, although there was a faint ringing that had not been there before. The rest returned in a rush, and he fought to urge to gag at the acrid, burnt smell in the air. His skin felt as though it had been flayed and put back on in a rush, and every muscle felt like mush... but he was alive.
Slowly, he took in his surroundings. He was leaning against something. The wall of a house, maybe, or a piece of rock. His clothes were torn and battered, and the elf's skin did not look much better. Around him, he could see the ruins of the village flickering and oscillating, as if they were being dissolved into pure light. Horace's body was nowhere to be found.
"Ean!" Seven shapes came running through the mist, and Ean let out a soft laugh as Iya threw herself down next to him, not even bothering to hide her tears. "Oh, Ean..."
"Love you." He croaked, trying to reach his hand out to her. How strange. It appeared that his muscles wouldn't move anymore. Iya only wept harder. Nicholas appeared, hurling himself down next to Ean and beginning to cast a spell rather frantically.
The others looked worn, but well. All of them had dust and blood staining their clothes, but none appeared to be on the verge of dying. Rye was supporting Emma with his arm as she sat down, face ashen.
"Do I... do I look that bad?" Ean smiled at Jack, who looked horrified.
"Enough talking." Nicholas told him.
"Where's the vampire?" Gavin asked after a moment. "Is he-"
"I think I won." Ean whispered. "At last." A thought suddenly occurred to him, and the elf tried to stand up, prompting Nicholas to curse and push him back down.
"Stop moving, damn it. Trying to keep you alive here."
"Amulet..." Ean croaked. "Where is it?" Iya touched his hand gently, and he felt her unravelling his fingers. There was a metallic clinking, and his mate held the familiar piece of jewelry in front of him. The chain was dull and broken now, with a cracked ruby at the center of the pendant.
"It was in your hand, Ean."
"Put it... around my neck." He told her. "And... stand back." He did not know how it would help, but it seemed that a sixth sense was guiding him. He felt the weight of necklace settle around his neck, and... nothing.
"Is he going to live?" Jack asked fearfully. "I-" All of the party's voices stopped, and Ean looked up. For one heart-stopping moment, he thought the vampire had come back to life. But then the differences asserted themselves. The man standing before him was human, with tanned skin and robes that suggested he was well-off. Wrinkles lined his face, accompanied by white hair and a bear that was trimmed nicely, albeit a little rough. But it was the eyes that spoke the truth. They were blue, and tears were welling at the corners.
"Horace." Ean did his best to smile. "Is it really you?"
"I... I think so. It has been... so long since I was able to speak with my own voice." The elderly man inclined his head to the elf. Nobody else moved save Iya, who knelt down next to him once more.
"And the soul fragment?"
"It has gone, back to its master. The amulet has served its purpose."
"I'm... glad." Ean managed to say.
"I... I find myself at a loss." Horace spoke, and tears began to slide down the spirit's cheeks. "For so long... I didn't think I would ever be freed. But then, all of you came, and it was like I could see for the first time." The ghost knelt before Ean, reaching down to take his hand. A gentle energy flowed through him, and the pain seemed to recede slightly. "This must be how it was meant to happen. Do not despair, Ean. What you have done today was a great deed, greater than nearly any in history."
"That remains to be seen." The elf whispered. "I am tired, Horace, but I must know one more thing. The spirits... and you. What will happen?" The man's face grew still and solemn.
"They are hurt, Ean. After so long, they need time to rest. But I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are coming with you, even to the end of this quest." The words sparked a rush of gratitude, and he gave Horace a slight smile.
"Good, then. Send them my regards, and my thanks for helping in the battle." Horace nodded, and Ean felt himself slipping down into the darkness once more. As he faded, he heard more voices, but the words were lost as the elf fell asleep.
Maybe I can rest now... just for a little bit.