by The Ranger
The sorcerer was dressed in tattered dark robes and a leather vest beneath them that seemed too large for his frame. He wore the black mask that Eren had described, and, every so often, the markings on its surface would emit a deep blue light. It was still rune-sealed, as far as Richard could tell, yet he was not sure what that meant.
If he had not seen movement near the wizard, he might not have realized King Lacerne was lying on the ground. He was battered and beaten, his fine clothes torn and smeared with mud and snow. He was in chains and shepherded by two Seekers standing behind the broken monarch. His eyes were closed, but Richard could tell he was alive.
He clenched his fists and brought his hand up. However, as soon as he did so, his surroundings faded, and he had returned to the clearing. The Seeker he had held in his clutches burst, leaving no trace of its existence behind.
Eren stared at his friend, bewilderment plastered across his face.
"H-how did you-" Edmund attempted.
"I saw the wizard," Richard yelped, realizing they were still in battle. "I'm not sure why but he's— he's hesitating!"
"How did you see him?" Eren yelled, jumping to his feet and into the fight.
"I don't know!" he called back, slamming a pack of Seekers with his vines. "I think I… I touched the creature's forehead?"
"That's why it erupted?" his friend questioned, slamming his boot through a skeleton's torso.
Richard spared a glance back towards the monster he had defeated.
"It's not just beaten… it's gone," he realized. "Banished, dispelled, whatever you want to call it. It won't reform."
He heard a heavy crunch at his side and turned to see Khora's spear lodged in one of the monsters.
"You shouldn't be having a conversation while surrounded!" she chastised. "It's not sensible!"
"Did I really see-" Aven tried to question.
"Rich killed one of them!" Eren explained. "Killed, killed."
Khora's eyes grew bright with curiosity, but she did not voice it, choosing to return her attention to the foes at hand.
Richard wanted to stop and explain what had happened — both to himself and the others — but there were too many of the wizard's skeletons on all sides. He had to find a way to defeat them all, precisely as he had just done, or they would simply reconstitute themselves.
It was then that it occurred to him how he had managed to witness the sorcerer and how his minions seemed to act reasonably. They were connected to their caster's will and, by extent, to each other.
Richard charged towards the nearest Seeker, his arms blasting upwards as he reached for the monster's head. He felt a sharp pain in his right shoulder as the skeleton's blade pierced him, but he managed to grip its skull.
"What are you doing!" Khora yelled, dashing towards him.
There was no need for alarm, though, as the Soul Seeker's eye sockets burned in a golden hue. This time, though, Richard forced all his energy into the monster, pushing every ounce of focus into its destruction. He could feel a writhing force building behind his eyes in every passing moment. There was a terrible warmth sitting just behind his face, but he ignored it as the Seeker's skull ruptured. An instant after it dissolved, the forms of the other monsters that had gathered nearby began to decline as well.
"You did it!" Eren beamed. "You really, actually did it!"
The rest of the Soul Seekers fell away, and the others began to celebrate their sudden victory. Yet, Richard did not notice them. He fell alongside the dust from the vanquished Seekers, his vision fading.
Richard opened his eyes as he heard the sound of chirping birds. He felt warm and safe— nestled comfortably beneath the sun's brilliant sheen. Every instinct in his body attempted to convince him of that fact, but his mind eluded such comforts.
He clenched his fists as he jolted forward. He was somewhere else— in a place much different than the one he had just collapsed in. The day was crisp and warm, a pleasant wind brushing the back of his neck. There was no snow, and the earth had been replaced by carved stone. Nothing he saw before him seemed right.
He was surrounded by various flowers, each and every one of them carefully cared for and cultivated. Between it all, there laid a small pond that rippled gently as a frog waded into it. He could feel his own memories struggling to reach him, but his focus was on returning to the battle. Everything else was an obstacle keeping him from his allies and his enemy.
Yet, there was a pull to his surroundings— a fervent compulsion to remain.
"So, you finally decided to show your face around here."
Richard felt his heart sink to his feet. He slowly turned his head to face the source of the voice.
"I-it-it's you," he murmured.
"Oh, did you already forget my name?" Lucian poked.
Chapter Twelve
Eren
Eren slammed Rahm's door closed as he trudged back into the cottage. While Richard had managed to destroy the mass of Seekers, it was at the cost of his consciousness. He collapsed immediately after the act and had not woken up, even after Khora haphazardly carried him back to Rahm's cottage.
He watched as Aven pulled two small, green firestones from his bag. He struck them against each other while holding them above the kindling and sighed a breath of relief as their sparks prompted the fireplace to grow bright.
Eren turned away and set his eyes on Richard. They had removed his armor and checked him for injuries, but, as expected, they found none. Once that was done, they decided to move Rahm's furniture to the room's edges and lay their friend on the floor. Khora used the last of Lyla's repelling mixture to form a circle of concealment around him. It was tight, forcing them to gather around each other closely. While the proximity made it a tad uncomfortable, it was Richard's frozen form that was the most unsettling. If not for his occasional breaths, he might have seemed dead. He even felt cold to the touch.
"What did you see?" Khora asked.
Eren looked at her oddly before realizing they were all waiting for his answer.
"N-nothing," he murmured. "It seems like he really did destroy all the Seekers in the area."
She nodded and brought her attention back to Richard. Edmund sat near him, legs crossed, watching his friend's chest rise and fall. Even Ranger seemed concerned as he laid near him, his large head resting on their friend's ankles.
"What's next?" Aven asked, sipping from his canteen.
Eren felt an idea form as he was struck with a realization. He knelt near Richard and dug his hands into his friend's pockets.
"What are you doing?" Edmund questioned, watching him strangely.
"Lyla gave him a vial," he recounted. "That same poison that— ah!"
He recoiled as his hand brushed against the gem in Richard's pocket. It was scathingly hot and left a red mark on his palm.
"Damn," he winced. "That's boiling."
He stuck his hand in the pocket again, careful to avoid the jewel, and retrieved the vial Lyla had entrusted to them.
"This," Eren presented. "It's that same brew that helped Rich before."
"That's not a remedy," Khora countered. "It was a poison to bind his senses."
"What if he's like this because he was overwhelmed?" Edmund volunteered. "He could barely move before. It's possible the pain… forced him to be like this?"
His voice rose as he finished speaking as if he were questioning his own point.
They all looked at each other, none quite willing to support or condemn the idea of giving Richard the concoction. After nearly a minute of silence, Eren sighed and forced the vial's top off.
"Pry open his mouth, Ed," he commanded.
The young boy hesitated but did as he was told when Eren approached him. With Richard's jaws held open, he turned the vial over— pouring its contents into his friend's mouth. Richard coughed for a moment as the liquid passed his throat, but his eyes remained shut. He made no other movements.
They all watched him cautiously, waiting for any sign of change, but
there was none.
"What a waste," Eren lamented.
He tossed the vial to the wall, where it shattered harmlessly and fell to the ground.
"What can we do now?" Edmund asked.
"We wait," Khora sighed. "We'll need to be patient and hope he returns to us soon."
Eren looked out of Rahm's window and towards the forest outside. The last few rays of sunshine had vanished as night fell upon them, leaving him hollow as he pondered their circumstances. He remembered Chief Bogar's words, as well as the older man's hopes.
"I'll have to leave the waiting to the rest of you," Eren announced. "I'm heading back towards the Ashlands."
Khora stood up abruptly, her face contorted in confusion and anger.
"What will that accomplish?" she growled.
Edmund and Aven stared at the both of them but remained silent.
"This is our best chance to end it all," Eren reached. "I had felt it was stupid before, but… the Marinians gathered an army. They're prepared to fight him— and Lucan is hesitating! Richard said so himself! He must think the Marinians can overpower him…"
"Our plan was to return to Azra and, with our forces combined, defeat Lucan," she reminded him. "That— that can still be managed."
"Even if we arrived before he did, I doubt we'd have much support from within the kingdom," Eren returned. "Lacerne took the best of our people and resources into the mountains. And Lucan's presence here tells us they failed. I don't know how many of our allies are prepared to defend Azra, but I can promise you there will barely be enough bodies to stand atop the walls."
He finished and looked towards her carefully. He could tell she agreed with him, at least partially, but she wouldn't stray from her path. Not from her friend, either.
"But," Khora mumbled. "This wasn't our plan."
"Neither was this!" Eren exclaimed, pointing at Richard. "What if we wait, and they fail? What if Richard can't beat him?"
"You have to trust him," Edmund whispered.
Eren's head dropped low as he stared at the ground.
"I do trust him," he murmured. "I grew up with him. He's like my brother. I'd trust him with my life, but what's happening to him… it's something none of us can pretend to understand."
His hand moved toward the hilt of his blade. It hovered there for a moment before he pulled all but its tip into view. The blade's body glimmered in the light of the fire.
"This," Eren said. "This is something I understand. I shove this in Lucan's back, and it's all over. All of you survive. Azra survives."
"And if you don't?" Aven questioned.
He let his blade slide back into his scabbard.
"Then I join the rest of the Dawn Tower's guardsmen," he sighed. "It doesn't matter. Azra doesn't have the strength to defend against any mad sorcerers, and right now — at this moment — neither does Richard."
Eren took a deep breath as he looked around the room. He came to accept he had abandoned his responsibilities, and it was time for him to do what was demanded of any member of the Dawn Tower's garrison. Pursue its prisoner.
"I'm not asking you to come with me," he clarified. "I want nothing more than for all of you to stay safe. If all goes well, I'll find my way to Lucan while the Marinians engage his forces. He won't see my blade until it cleaves through him."
It was painfully apparent that the others could not convince Eren to stay if he didn't want to. None of them were prepared to challenge him any further than they already had. Instead, they set their eyes on Richard, perhaps hoping that this would be the moment he chose to open his eyes. Yet, it was not.
"I'm off, then," Eren sighed.
He pushed the door open and set a foot just beyond the frame.
"Wait," Aven called.
He turned and watched as his friend marched across the room to meet him. He stood in front of him and allowed a brave grin.
"I'm going with you," he told him.
Khora set her hand on her head in disbelief as she stared at the pair.
"But, Aven," Edmund began. "Yo-your sickness. Are you… well enough to travel right now?"
"I have my medicine," he mumbled. "When I left Azra, I knew at some point this would be… unavoidable."
Edmund nodded slightly and looked back towards Richard.
"Are you sure about this, Av?" Eren asked. "Don't think you have to come for my sake. I'll be fine on my own."
"We set out on this together," he reminded him. "It only makes sense we do this together now."
Eren smiled and nodded, setting a hand on his friend's arm.
"Thank you," he grinned.
"If you're intent on going," Khora grumbled. "I'd like you to keep watch for a girl that… that looks like me."
“Gargantuan?” Eren joked.
She scowled at him and narrowed her eyes as she thought of what to say.
"Do you mean Tonya?" Aven offered. "Richard mentioned her when he spoke of the Ashlands."
"Yes," she confirmed. "I didn't see her in Bogar's camp. I… I'd like to hope she still lives."
"We'll be on the lookout," Eren agreed. "Who knows, perhaps she could help lead us to Lucan."
Eren's eyes fell on Edmund as he turned to leave. His eyes were teary, and his face was scrunched together as he forced himself to keep his composure.
"Don't look so glum, Ed," he requested. "I'll be back to remind you how short you are in no time at all."
Edmund laughed for a moment and turned back to deliver his own remark, but the pair were already out the door and on their way.
They managed to make it to the Ashlands without seeing so much as an insect. The road was completely devoid of all life. It had been ominously quiet, with Aven's occasional sip from his canteen being the only sound that broke through the night. It was an uncomfortable thought, seeing how alone they were— even once they reached the city. While they knew the Marinians had gathered on the northernmost edges of the settlement, it was strange to see the area utterly abandoned.
Of course, there were signs of life, but besides the odd forsaken possession and broken heirloom, there were no other souls to be seen.
"Eerie," Aven whispered.
"This is good. It means everyone is gathered at the front lines," Eren hoped. "Although we aren't far from the northern edge, I thought we might've seen a few warriors by now."
He turned, thinking he might raise another notion of what could have happened when Aven doubled over and clutched his face.
"What's wron-" Eren tried.
His question was interrupted by the sound of a massive blast ripping through the air. He flinched as the thunderous noise swept over them.
"The battle's begun," he whispered.
Eren turned to his friend and grabbed his arm. He pulled him aside, near an emptied hovel, and attempted to push him within.
"This is a fine place to rest; I'll come back for you when this is over," Eren ordered.
"No, I'm fine," Aven lied. "I can keep going."
"Look, Av, I can't have you slowing me-" he started.
A second blast echoed across the wind and shook the earth.
"I won't slow you down— let's go!" Aven hollered, racing towards the source of the destruction.
"Damn it," Eren cursed, chasing him through the vacant streets.
The pair dashed through the Ashland's alleyways, waiting for a third blast to shake the city, but it never came. Instead, they heard the sounds of shouting and steel crashing upon stone.
Aven rounded the corner, just in time to leap back as a horse and its rider came racing by. He pushed Eren back against the wall with his arm, keeping him from getting trampled by the fleeing horseman.
"Cowards!" a voice cursed as two riders followed the first.
The pair crept into a small square that laid just ahead of the backstreet. It looked like it had been meant to be a gathering place once, as a few seats were arranged throughout. There were even raised platforms that, at some point, might have been intended for cultivated f
lowers. It was likely not meant to be a staging area for a battle, nor the grounds for a shouting match.
"All of you are cowards!" a man barked as a few more bandits fled.
While some of those who had gathered there had decided against staying, Eren counted maybe seventeen footmen running through the area, equipping and helping each other equip arms and armor— along with a half-dozen crossbowmen standing beside the shouting man.
He was tall, even taller than Khora, and had short black hair on his head's right side. The rest of his scalp, along with most of his left side, was covered in blisters and burns. Even his face was welted and scarred, his blue eyes mismatched as one was nearly squeezed shut by his disfigured eyelid.
Out of all those gathered there, he was the most well-provisioned among them. His thin, muscled figure was clad in steel plate, and he carried twin longswords hanging on either side of his hips. He held a four-horned steel helm in his hands, with blue symbols painted along its sides to resemble runelight.
The man seemed quite menacing, especially when placed across from the much shorter man he was yelling at.
"You have such little control over your own forces that you allow them to flee?" he spat," You are a disgrace to your station, Minatir."
Minatir's face contorted in anger, his small frame nearly shaking from the outpouring of emotion. He wore light, leather armor with a pointed steel helm and a few scraps of chainmail beneath it. His arms were covered in a pair of shiny, steel bracers and mitten gauntlets that seemed to clink with every hand movement. Three men were standing at his side, but none of them stood too close to him.
"They're right to leave, Danis," the short man scowled. "Your brain may be too burnt to realize it, but we're done here. Those two fireballs consumed a fifth of our men— in an instant! If that damned mage can still summon such power, it won't be long before he's killed us all!"
Minatir turned and motioned for his followers to accompany him.
"I'm going to recall my strength, Danis," he announced. "If you wish to stay, then that is your decision. And yours alone."
