Chapter 12
In rows of three, they emerged, spreading out into a broader formation as they entered the cavern. Leona observed them as they did so. Their shields were up, spears ready. Under the few helmets she could see, there were none she recognized. She relaxed a little, knowing she wouldn't fight her classmates today.
Unfortunately, it also wouldn't be a repeat of the Council Chambers. This time, they would be ready for her and Diana. She lifted her shield slightly higher, heartened to see Dorius and Jenaline do the same. She could feel the archers ready their arrows and the shade-stalkers tense from their positions.
Then, to her utter shock, Elder Thalaia stepped into view, looking around the cavern. She took notice of the archers before dismissing them and focusing on their little group. "Acolyte Leona," she said in greeting, as if they were still at Auroral Triumph. "It is good to see you."
Leona decided to play the game. Every second they delayed here was a second the Lunari had to escape. "Elder Thalaia," she returned with. "I'm quite surprised to see you leading the charge instead of Phenketon." It was best not to talk about the old Solari Shrine. Both knew about it, and neither side was stupid.
"I suspect he is dealing with other things," the Elder replied. "After all, a cracked Runic Stone is of far more importance than exterminating some vermin."
'Trying to anger myself and Diana into anger so that we would do something rash. Clever if ineffective.' She didn't bite, nor did the Lunari, as no one moved to attack. She approved.
Thalaia's gaze shifted toward the other three Solari there. "Acolyte Dorius, Acolyte Korra, and Acolyte Jenaline. I must say, I am very disappointed in you three. We all had high hopes for you, leading the next generation to a new golden age."
"And what about the basic tenant of the Solari, to always seek out the truth no matter how much we don't want to know it?" Dorius replied with. "A plan to conquer Runeterra and force our beliefs upon the people. Trying to kill an Acolyte just because she asked questions you didn't want to hear. Those are not the actions of a just and loving Sun, wouldn't you agree?"
Korra picked up the blade at that point, her gaze stormy. She had quite a bit to get off her chest. "You and the bulk of the Elders have been hurting Diana for years, trying to get her to conform to your beliefs instead of helping her learn and grow. And the student body is just as guilty for not supporting her… except Leona. And we should have, because she was right. I used to look up to you, Thalaia. I hoped to be just like you when I grew up. Now… I can only hope that I don't."
"By the way, we know the truth about the Moon," Jenaline interjected. "And we know about Leona and Diana's new status. So, trying to guilt-trip us isn't going to work. We are loyal to the Sun Herself, not to the religion built around Her."
Diana smiled. Not two weeks ago, only Leona would have stood up for her. Now, so many others were willing to do just that. Tears of joy would be permissible, but they were on the verge of a fight. Blinding herself seemed to be a bit detrimental for that.
Thalaia, for her part, merely smirked at this show of defiance. For whatever reason, her expression caused a hint of concern to enter the young Chosen. Whenever someone doesn't get angry at people challenging them, they had something that they could use. Her grip on her Khopesh tightened.
Thalaia gestured behind her. "Well, let us see just how deep your faith, as misguided as it is, runs. We have brought two citizens who would like to speak with you and your siblings, Leona."
It was Aidonal who figured it out first. Even before the two were pushed forward, he moaned in despair.
And then Leona laid eyes on them, and her heart lodged into her throat. Her blood ran cold.
There, faces bruised but otherwise unharmed, were their parents.
Diana felt righteous anger on behalf of the siblings. Going after someone's family was against everything they had been taught. And Thalaia had just gone and done it without batting an eye.
The Elder grinned as she took in their faces. She believed she had them. "Now, tell me," she inquired, "what is more important to you? Your conviction, or your family? Will you fight for a false, heretical religion and let your parents suffer the consequences, or will you return to Her glorious light?"
And for the first time in her life, Leona didn't know what to do. Holding to her convictions would see her parents slaughtered before them. But surrendering would see innocent people killed. What was the better choice? She was torn with indecision.
But she didn't have to make the choice this time. Someone else did it for her.
"Lunari Tribe!" Melia suddenly called out, voice strong and steady. "Have our children been treated well?"
"Yes, madam!" a Shadestalker replied immediately. "They have also been very respectful and friendly to us! They are the best of the Rakkor!"
Iasm looked up, gaze steady and determined. His conviction was there for all to see. "Leona, Diana, Aidonal, and Kespina, you are not to surrender!" he commanded. "Otherwise, we will be very disappointed! Almost sun forging blinding levels of disappointment!"
That last, almost innocuous statement was akin to a blaze of sunlight flowing through her. She knew exactly what her father was talking about.
The very first time she had ever tried to help her father forge an item, she had adjusted the sunforge in their house… and damn near blinded him when she put it on too high. (He had been more upset that they wouldn't be able to work on the sun mirror than her mishap.) But if he was bringing this up now, then that means… An idea came to to her.
And, as she was their daughter, the moment the idea came into being, she acted upon it.
As Thalaia turned to look at the two Rakkor in confusion, Leona looked at Diana and Aidonal, nodding once. They returned the nod. Aidonol because he had heard the story. And Diana…
Diana trusted Leona completely.
"Lunari, cover your eyes!" the Radiant Dawn roared, pointing her blade toward the ceiling. The Lunari, well versed in the knowledge of the Aspects and their abilities, immediately did so. They knew what was coming.
The Ra-Horak brought their shields up, uncertain as to what they were defending against. Thalaia was a little more frightened. She didn't know what the young lady would do, but Leona was extremely dangerous. She had several years of experience fighting the creatures and trained under the three most fearsome warriors to ever serve in the Regiment.
Well, the Elder was about to get a glimpse of just how powerful Leona had become.
The woman kept her blade up for a moment longer… then swiped the blade down.
From seemingly out of nowhere, a beam of pure sunlight shot down, slamming into the left flank of the Ra-Horak. The soldiers there began to scream as their exposed skin started to blister and crisp. Some felt their eyes begin to burn from the intense light. Clearly, they weren't enjoying their Goddess's blessing all that much.
Luckily for the majority of them, she wasn't going to hold onto it for very long. Because, now that the Ra-Horak's attention was focused on their own sun being used against them, Melia and Iasm acted. Both turned around, driving their open palms into their captor's chests, driving them back. They relieved the two of their weapons, taking them for themselves and making their way to the Lunari line.
Leona stopped the attack when her parents had joined them, breathing out in relief. She wasn't sure she could pull off the Solar Flare attack, since she hadn't even known about it, but it seemed that the Goddess was far more generous than anyone thought.
Diana smiled. "Any true Rakkor is prepared to give their life for a cause so long as the cause is just and noble," she reminded Thalaia. "And no true Rakkor would ever use hostages to try and force a person to betray their morals. You have revealed your hypocrisy, 'Elder,' as you were the one who taught us that." Ah, to finally be able to throw that back at her face! She had been waiting to do that for years!
And it had the appropriate response, as Thalaia's face grew red with anger. A hand rose up, pointing at the defenders. "Attack," was all she said, growled really. The Ra-Horak started forward, shields up, and spears out. It was a perfect formation for a full frontal assault and an ideal defense against the same.
Iasm accepted Dorius's shield, as the young warrior preferred using his fists for offense and defense, spear ready. "Can I assume that you have a plan?" he asked casually, probably having calculated their odds at survival and coming up with at least three different strategies along the way. That was why he and Melia had been so dangerous. Melia had been the better warrior, while he had been the better tactician.
Leona nodded. "Indeed," she replied. "In fact, it's going to come into play right about… now."
As if waiting for her to say exactly that, a series of explosions suddenly erupted directly in front of the advancing line. The sheer force the explosions exuded and their proximity meant they were forced to stagger. The impenetrable wall was broken, if only temporarily.
The Lunari archers took immediate advantage. Their arrows were loosed with frightening accuracy. Thirty warriors dropped to the ground, dead before they were hit the ground, arrows protruding from their chests.
Leona felt her heart clench at this, but she didn't buckle. She could mourn for the dead later, if she made it out of here alive.
Thalaia was already shouting orders, telling them to reform and charge. The command was followed by action, the line reforming before the next volley was launched. Their shields blocked the arrows just in time.
When they had fully reformed, the shade-stalkers were already gone, Diana with them. Only the Solari dissidents remained… which confused Thalaia for a moment. But only for a moment.
As the Ra-Horak started forward again, a slight shift to the right of the line caught Thalaia's attention. In that moment, she immediately realized their strategy. "Right column, protect the flank!"
Her orders came too late, as a wave of throwing knives appeared from nowhere, catching them unaware. Twelve warriors dropped, and another thirty were forced to fall back to remove blades from their arms and legs. The shadestalkers didn't bother with another volley from that angle, as their enemies had already adapted. They did some damage, though not enough to make a difference. Not that it mattered, as the fight was far from over.
"The rear!" a Ra-Horak shouted. "They're attacking from the rear!"
Leona smirked as she witnessed Thalaia realize their plan and that she had walked right into it without even thinking about it.
Elder Sek was a master strategist. Upon learning about the Lunari force's size and utilizing his knowledge of the Ra-Horak, he had immediately set up the defenders to optimize their capabilities. The mines had been the first stroke, serving to distract the enemy while the Lunari archers drew first blood. While that was happening, half the shade-stalkers would move to the right while the others attacked from the rear, thus making it seem like they were being outflanked. And so far, it was working.
With a simple nod, Leona took a step forward. The others followed, charging.
Thalaia snarled. "Forget the formation! Kill them all!" she shouted, moving to engage.
Leona's little group slammed into the still scrambling formation, blades sinking into flesh. It was freakishly easy.
Once again, Leona wondered what they had been taught in the Shrine before she came.
LOL
Of course, the kids were still being useful.
Serena, Darien, Amy, and Kespina were all busy throwing rocks at the Ra-Horak formation, adding further to the disarray. (They were supposed to go to the escape tunnel and leave with the civilians but decided to get their licks in first.) It was working, too.
"You know, my Mother is going to give us a right tanning for this!" Kespina noted, grinning near maniacally.
"That's only if Leona doesn't help you become a foot shorter!" Darien added, throwing another rock. "And she'll probably do the same to us!"
"Not me! I'm too adorable!" Serena picked up the last rock, throwing it and catching a soldier in the head. "Okay, that's the last rock. Let's-"
"Rakkor archers!" Amy suddenly shouted, making sure she could be heard. "Tuck tail!"
LOL
Leona was going to have a word with the kids when this was all over, but Amy's warning was not only appreciated, but necessary.
She and her small group of warriors had been doing rather for themselves. Jenaline and Korra were more fencer than anything, using precise stabs and slashes to take out their opponents while using their shields to block the blows that came their way. Dorius, by contrast, was a heavy hitter. He was physically strong enough to shatter bones and dent shields with his customary gauntlets. But he was also surprisingly agile, able to dodge any attack that came his way. And her parents lived up to their reputations as spear wielders. Aidonal was proving to be no slouch, and his combat experience served him well. Add in the Shadestalkers and archers weaving through the battlefield, and she was beginning to think that they could actually defeat Thalaia's forces before the possible rear attack could begin.
And then Amy's warning forcibly reminded her that the Rakkor Regiment was a thing. And unlike the Ra-Horak, they were perfectly willing to have archers in their ranks.
The shade-stalkers immediately fell back as a hail of arrows suddenly shot into their numbers. Twelve were taken out as they retreated. Leona, Korra, Jenaline, Aidonal, and Iasm had their shields up, protecting the rest of them.
Unfortunately, this gave the Ra-Horak the chance to regroup. And despite having lost almost two hundred of their number, the wall was once more solid.
The Rakkor Regiment was beginning to flood the chamber. And, unless Leona was mistaken, there were many of them.
"Fall back!" she shouted. They had bought as much time as they possibly could. Now it was time for them to escape.
"Forward!" the Rakkor commander ordered his forces, now thoroughly confused with the situation. What was Leona's family doing helping the heretical Lunari? What in the name of the Sun was going on? He would need to speak to the Solari Elders when this was over. For now, they had a mission to complete.
LOL
Thalaia was furious at herself. She had underestimated Leona's parents.
The whole council had heard of Melia's combat prowess and Iasm's tactical expertise, of how they had been the Rakkor hammer for nearly a decade before they focused on their sunforging business full-time. At least she understood where Leona gained her skill, which impressed and infuriated her simultaneously.
To add insult to injury, the Heretic had called her out on using hostages. And finally, she had lost her temper because of the former, ordering a charge without thinking it through. If not for the Rakkor Regiment, they would have suffered even more losses. (Even though it felt as though the Lunari would have retreated even if they had had the advantage.)
No matter. They would press the attack, now that they outnumbered three-to-one. And Elder Phenketon would have entered through the old Shrine by now…
LOL
Phenketon stepped into the main district, looking around. A small part of him couldn't believe that this moment had come to pass. The Solari had finally found a way to get to the Lunari.
It was also empty. Not a single soul could be seen. In that moment, he realized their plan.
When he and his squad entered the old Shrine, they had been distracted by several surprises the Heretic had set up. (Because, really, who else would troll them that much?) That had slowed them down a bit before they realized that there was nothing dangerous. There was no ambush waiting for them, simply lights. Delaying tactics designed to do just that, though for what reason, he couldn't figure out at the time.
Now he knew. They were delaying so the Lunari could evacuate their noncombatants. It was smart, if cowardly. He would have had the Solari fight to the last child to defend their home.
They also proved themselves quite capable at that. From what he was seeing, they had taken everything of value. There wasn't a single Lunari here. What was supposed to be the Solari closing the book on this war was becoming anything but that.
A Ra-Horak scout returned, with an obvious report. "We have located their archives. Unfortunately, it appears that they have taken their most important documents."
It was not surprising, but it also meant they could not stop their poison from spreading. It also meant that destroying the enclave would do nothing more than make him feel a little better. And, despite his belief in his worth, he was still a petty bastard.
"Burn it all to the ground," he ordered. "Ensure that the Heretics cannot return to rebuild."
"By your command, Elder. It shall be done."
LOL
"This way!" a shadestalker shouted, guiding the rest of them down one of the streets. The escape tunnel was located at the far end of the training grounds. Luckily, they were most likely the last Lunari in the enclave.
Unluckily, they ran into Solari halfway there. Solari who were busy setting the district on fire.
With only their hands. Something that should have been impossible, but it was happening. And the worst thing was that they all knew what they were.
'Burning ones!' Lyra thought, a shiver of fear crawling up her spine. She had never thought she would ever lay eyes on one. She never wanted to lay eyes on one.
The Burning Ones were a story Lunari parents told their children as a scary story. They were wreathed in flames with sharp teeth, long claws, and eyes that burned with unholy light. She remembered having nightmares for a week after hearing that story.
The reality was surprisingly worse.
They were human, wearing robes that were little different from the usual Solari garb, save for a few extra adornments. They had no sharp teeth or claws, and their eyes did not burn with unholy light.
Being wreathed in flames, however… that was accurate.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Leona and Diana looking at one another, nodding simultaneously. The former charged forward, shield up but not drawing her sword. This tactic confused the young Lunari.
Her confusion cleared up when, the second the two Burning Ones turned to face the Radiant Dawn, the Moon Mother appeared behind them in a burst of blinding speed, Khopesh slicing through the air in a smooth motion.
The fire disappeared from their bodies, their heads hitting the ground. Their bodies fell afterward, like stringless puppets. All of this occurred in the space of one moment.
Lyra blinked, beginning to understand how these two were unstoppable. Alone, each was formidable, but their true strength lay in their teamwork. Their faith in one another was unshakable.
She never wanted to discover what it would be like if they found themselves on opposing sides.
Leona stopped immediately, giving the two warriors a moment of silence. "Let's go," she said. "Where there is a fire…"
"An inferno follows," Diana finished-. Lyra could understand where they were coming from. Where there was even one Burning One, there would be many more. Best to leave before they met them.
LOL
"High Elder!"
Phenketon turned around, just a little bit annoyed. He had been enjoying the destruction of the Lunari's home and didn't want to be disturbed. But he wouldn't take it out on a soldier only doing his job. And besides, what if it was something important? "What is it?" he asked.
A few moments later, he stared at the two headless corpses. His former joy was tempered with a new sense of purpose. Perhaps he could finally rectify his prior mistake. He even had a good idea where they would be heading. After all, even these insects needed a hole to crawl to.
"Continue the purification," he ordered the Ra-Horak commander. "There is something I need to take care of personally."
The Ra-Horak commander nodded as the Elder walked away, before turning to his warriors and sending a few of them toward the Council building. The orders were clear; destroy everything. Wipe everything that was heretical out. These were orders they followed gladly.
Phenketon waited until he was out of sight before disappearing in a burst of light. It wasn't anything to dramatic, save for one thing.
The light that emitted was not that of the Sun. It spoke of something far darker.
LOL
They were almost to the exit. It had been a harrowing journey, but the end was in sight.
Not that they made it unscathed. They had run into several more squads of Burning Ones during their flight. Fourteen more Lunari fell before their power, Iasm received a burn on his arm, and Korra almost lost a foot. But in the end, they were able to win.
They were almost to the exit when Serena suddenly realized something was wrong. There was a foul presence in the air. Something filled with malicious purposes.
Dorius was next. His sharp eyesight observed the shifting in the air, the sudden vibrations of loose pebbles on the ground. His studies instinctively told him that someone or something was teleporting.
It was Diana who figured it all out. "Leona, look out!" she shouted.
Leona saw a brief flash of light and brought her shield up instinctively. The force of the blow was strong enough to bring her to one knee, which surprised her. What was strong enough to accomplish this to a Chosen?
Dorius charged forward, gauntlet fists coming up to strike at their new opponent. His strike hit a Solari shield. A blade, almost with the speed of a viper striking,
struck.
In shock, Dorius took a step back, staring at his hand… which was no longer attached to him. All he had left was a bloody stump. His hand, gauntlet still on it, hit the ground, now completely useless.
And High Elder Phenketon, the leader of the Solari faith, a man they had once held in the highest respect, stared at the frozen group with a gaze as cold as the frozen North. There was no mercy, no compassion in those eyes as he raised his blade. "Death to those who defy the Sun," he intoned, stepping forward to strike a killing blow.
Diana intercepted the strike just as Leona managed to pull Dorius away. "You should have let us go free," she stated. "Leo, get them out of here! I'll deal with this hypocrite!"
Leona was about to protest, to stay and fight, but her Aspect whispered only one thing that stopped her. 'Trust her.'
And to her shock, she heard the Moon Aspect speak as well. 'She will endure, Sun Chosen. I will aid her.' Hesitating for a second longer, she nodded in agreement and ushered the others around them. Kespina quickly paused to grab something off the ground before hurrying off.
The two combatants locked their gazes on one another, ignoring the chaos around them. If one believed in destiny, one would think that this was a fated encounter.
"Your world is burning, Scorn of the Moon!" Phenketon shouted. "This is all because you chose the wrong path!"
Diana shook her head. "No, Phenketon," she replied. "This is because of you and your ego. A thousand years of you and your precedents teaching against your own faith." She delivered her final statement. "You are unworthy of the position of High Elder. You are unworthy of the Sun."
The High Elder raised his sword in response. She entered a battle stance. As one, they charged, blades clashing.
And Diana, the Moon Chosen, found herself at war with one of the most fearsome warriors to ever live. She had heard the stories, of course, but had believed that he would have slowed down by a sizable margin due to his age. Turns out, she was wrong. Very wrong. Somehow, some way, he was actually able to keep up with her. His experience and skill were decades ahead of her, and he was striking with strength and speed that he simply should not have. All Diana had was her limited experience, Aspect, and instincts. Under most circumstances, she would lose against an opponent of Phenketon's caliber.
But thankfully, she did have something the Elder didn't. She was in a relationship with a woman with plenty of experience working with the Rakkor Regiment and the Solari army.
"A Ra-Horak is a shield, but paradoxically, they are also eager for a fight," Leona had explained a year ago, while brushing her hair. "As such, if they're alone and don't have to worry about protecting innocents, they will try and end a fight early with overwhelming force. Speed and strategy are key to victory."
She couldn't outlast the High Elder, even with the Moon Aspect. And she couldn't overpower him. She had to outmaneuver him somehow. But how? She had been dancing around him and couldn't touch him. So what could she…?"
Strategy… of course! Phenketon was a powerful warrior, but he wasn't a master strategist. He was clearly prepared for a Lunari warrior or someone similar doing what she was doing right now, flitting around the battlefield in an effort to get revenge. While the latter was not true, it was still a valid point. But what if she tried something unexpected? What if she attacked differently? What if, instead of a blade, she struck with words?
Disengaging from the fight, she began backing away, putting some distance between them. "Tell me, Elder," she mocked, "if you are so righteous and mighty, how is it that you are unable to kill a simple heretic? Perhaps the Sun is not on your side! Or perhaps, the Sun is as much my ally as the Moon!" There it was, the fury she had been trying to stoke. Besides, it was true! "And for the record? I think the Initiates that clean out the chamber pots would make better Elders than the lot of you!"
She immediately started running as Phenketon gave out a bellow of rage, charging after her. Now it became a race. She could only hope she was fast enough to get to her destination.
She also hoped that Mount Targon would help her.
LOL
They were able to stop the bleeding to Dorius' stump as well as keep him from going into shock. Not that any of them could have blamed him for doing so. None of them could have anticipated the High Elder's sheer power. It was in the realm of impossibility.
Amy and Serena were clinging to each other, Melia trying to calm them as best she could. Kes was trying to be strong, but her eyes shimmered with tears as she stood alongside them. Aidonal and Lyra were being given some encouragement from Iasm. Korra and Jenaline were tense, watching the entrance with Leona. They weren't leaving without Diana… they hoped.
Darien soon joined them, his gaze pensive. "The shadestalkers have joined the others," he told them. "The tunnel leads into the desert and they've left us supplies for that leg of the journey." He looked around. "Any sign of her?"
Leona shook her head. It was clear to all of them that she was the most afraid for Diana. She was afraid that Phenketon would kill Diana or worse. If that happened, she had no idea what she would do. (Actually, she knew exactly what she would do. She would probably go and kill the entire Elder Council. That thought frightened her even more.)
Sighing, she forced those dark thoughts down. Now was not the time for that. Instead, she focused on something else. "You four should have left with the rest of them," she responded.
"Yeah, we should have… but enough people have been used and killed for their greed. And the Moon is nothing without her Sun."
This got a smile out of the young woman. "And vice versa." She turned to Korra. "And you all say I'm a poet."
Jenaline grinned. "We're still going to show Diana your letters," she informed her cheerfully.
Leona was never going to live that down, but before she could open her mouth to refute that, her Aspect perked up. There was only one reason why it would do that, and her heart swelled with relief. "She's coming. Get ready to move."
To their surprise, Diana soon came into view, looking somewhat harried. "Run!" she shouted. "Phenketon is right behind me!"
"Go!" Iasm immediately commanded as Melia urged the children to start moving. Aidonal and Lyra quickly began to gather up the supplies. Dorius managed to get to his feet, and Korra and Jenaline moved to help him.
Leona looked at Diana, saw that she had a plan, and nodded. "I won't be too far," she said. "Just remember to have your Cascade up."
Diana nodded. "Hopefully, this won't take too long." Giving Leona one long kiss, she turned back in the direction she came, waiting.
Leona withdrew, though every fiber of her being begged her to remain. This was Diana's battle. Regardless of what happened, she had to see it through to the end.
All Leona could do was have faith that she would succeed.
LOL
Phenketon charged down the tunnel, his mind focusing on one thing and one thing only: removing the blight that had been in their ranks for so long. And now he knew he could. Like prior generations, he had been led to believe that those who were Chosen had become more than human and that their might made them nigh unstoppable. That day in the Council Chamber seemed to prove that… until Rhia almost killed the Heretic with that spear.
His own battle had driven the point home. Despite being granted gifts beyond compare, the Chosen were still human, bound by their own experience and the limitations of flesh. This meant a simple blade would be more than sufficient to kill them. That was all he needed.
But he was so far in his battle state that he didn't truly understand what Diana was doing. He believed she was employing a Solari tactic, forcing him out of an open field and leading him to a more confined spot where one could defend themselves far more effectively. But she had no shield to use for that. She would most likely rue this decision.
He finally caught up with her, only to find her standing in the middle of the tunnel, weapon pointed down. Her gaze was steady, fear nowhere to be found. No fidgeting, no nervousness. She was as serene as one could be.
The Elder found himself admiring this. Despite her heresy, she learned far better than he had expected. "So, you have chosen to accept your fate." He raised his shield and sword.
"I accept nothing," the Heretic replied, "except Leona's and my leaving Mount Targon was inevitable. With people like you in command, how could we not? However, I could not go without concluding one last piece of business… ending you."
"Ah, I see. You desire vengeance." It was so clear to him. "But for what? Do you desire it for your people? For your parents? Yourself? Or for the woman you helped turn from the Solari?"
"Oh, Phenketon, you would think this was all about revenge because that's what you want. And a few weeks ago, in the Council Chamber, I would have wanted it as well." She smiled. "But I have had those few weeks while learning about our past to think about it and come to grips with it all. And I find… that I don't want vengeance. Not for two people that I have never met, nor for a people or a faith I have only known for a short time. And while I will never forgive you for what you have taken from me, the Solari gave me Leona. I will never dishonor her like that. But you, you have let vengeance and fanaticism consume you. You will never stop hunting us until we are brought to heel. Even if you kill me, you will just keep hunting the others. For their sake, for the future generations of both faiths, for the Rakkor themselves, I will stand and fight. For their sakes… I cannot let you live."
Phenketon charged forward, fury clouding his judgment. To be lectured and pitied by this mistake… that was more than his pride could take. He would show her vengeance! He would show her what the Sun rage really was like!
However, in his current state, he had failed to notice three things.
One: Her Cascade was up.
Two: Three energy spheres had formed.
Three: There were three slashes in the ceiling right above him.
And by the time he realized what was happening, what the Heretic's real plan was, it was already too late. She had already fired.
The last thing he saw was her sorrowful expression as the ceiling collapsed on top of him.
The last thing he felt was his body breaking under the deluge of rocks.
The last thought he would ever have as a living entity was, 'Mists take you, bitch…'
And then he felt, and heard, and saw no more.
LOL
Diana waited a minute longer before dropping her Cascade shield, her gaze never leaving Phenketon's, even as the light left his eyes. She breathed out in relief.
She hadn't been sure it would work, even after slashing the ceiling with her weapon. After all, she had watched a cavern corridor withstand a sun grenade without ill effect, But then again, her skills were more precise.
But now, with the plan being successful, she felt nothing but worry. Phenketon was dead, but it changed nothing in the long run. Another would take his place at the top, Thalaia or some other elder, all who thought the same way as Phenketon. The only thing she had done was delay the inevitable war. It might help the Lunari prepare, but that war was still coming.
But that was a worry for another day. Sheathing her Khopesh, she darted down the corridor, meeting up with Leona in a few minutes. "It's done," was all she said, reaching for Leona's hand. She was thankful when her girlfriend said nothing, knowing she would have to process all of this. But that was also something to deal with later. Right now, they needed to go.
Unbeknownst to Diana, her standing against and defeating Phenketon was something that would have long-term ramifications for all of Runeterra as a whole… and more. Ramifications that, while full of death, destruction, and grief, would ultimately benefit the world.
LOL
It had taken Thalaia and her men two hours to finally locate the tunnel. They had scoured the entire enclave (or what was left of it) and interrogated the Ra-Horak there for information. It had proven fruitful, as the Commander that had come with Phenketon informed her that he had headed out, most likely in pursuit of the Heretic. That told her everything she needed to know. So when she entered the tunnel at long last, she was expecting to find Diana's dead body at the High Elder's feet, proving the Solari's supremacy forever more.
What they found… was the exact opposite.
The sight of Phenketon's corpse, half crushed by rocks that could have only come from the ceiling, gave her a full story. It was not to her liking.
The Heretic had not won in a fair fight. She had used trickery. (The Elder refused to call it strategy.) And then she had fled. She had taken the coward's way out. And now, the Radiant Dawn was beyond their reach.
Thalaia screamed in impotent fury as the scale of their failure became clear. The Heretics and Traitors had not been fighting a desperate battle of survival. They had already been evacuating. The battle had been a delaying tactic, buying them as much time as possible.
They had fled… but they would return. The war had only begun. And Runeterra would be their battlefield. And she swore then and there that Runeterra would pay the price.
They would serve the Sun… or they would die.
LOL
Elder Sek sighed as the entrance to the enclave was covered, ensuring that the Solari would never be able to find it. For the first time, realized that he might never see his students again. "They are on their own," he said. "We can no longer help them."
Phenos nodded in agreement. "We've done all we can. Leona and Diana will need to carve out their own destinies." He smiled. "At least they won't be alone." He turned. "But our job is not yet done. We'll need allies outside of the Lunari if we are to break the hold the Solari Elders have on Mount Targon."
Sek nodded in agreement as the two former Elders made their way down to the corridor. Phenos was right. There was still much that needed to be done. Despite everything that had happened, Leona and Diana would return one day. They would need to be ready for that day. And the best way to do that was to forge an army of their own.
There would be other Solari questioning the path their faith had taken. It would be up to them to find and let them know what had truly happened. It would take a long time, and they might not live long enough to see it come to fruition. They might even fail, but this was something worth fighting for.
And the Sun and Moon would return. It was an absolute certainty.
LOL
And here is Chapter Twelve. I have one more chapter and an epilogue left, so I'll get writing on that. Meanwhile, I will return to Amalur and conclude that episode.