Dutybound

by Mark Aaron Alvarez

  “The world is a wretched place. It’s dark and scary. It’s no place for a girl like you.”

  “But how do you know, Mama? The world’s so beautiful from way up here. I want to see more.”

  “I know, child. I know.”

  “Papa’s out there too. I want to see him, Mama. I’ve got to ask him something.”

  “Ask him what, Lucy?”

  “Why did he leave me? Why did he leave both of us?”

  She always knew, didn’t she? The truth. This entire time, she knew. She knew who he was and why he left. She merely refused to tell me.

  “But would you understand? How could you? How could anyone? The truth had been lost.”

  Yet, Talon knew, and still denied it! My father left his family to die, not once but twice. How could anyone ever forgive that . . . ? Emma. Lucia remembered the moment Emma gave in during those last moments in the catacombs. She had given up everything due to her father’s sin, for the corruption he had wrought. And how could Lucia blame her? His selfishness, his lust, and his sin caused all this. He stole the Light Wings and then used his powers to do the very thing he swore never to do! He betrayed his duty and his family.

  “All to protect you.”

  “Shut up!” Lucia shouted. A clap of thunder echoed over her like a sonic boom. Her anger was swelling inside her. She did not know how to feel about everything she now knew. She was a protector chosen by light. Emma was her aunt, a protector chosen by darkness, with wings like her own. Her closest allies were virtues, vessels of light destined to fight the sins of darkness. And her father—he was the protector who started it all, the one who broke the balance because he fell in love with someone he never should have.

  “My birth,” Lucia said to herself. “It was a mistake. I should have never . . . .” Her tears fell alongside the rain as she ran. Her thoughts scurrying still, she could not relieve herself of the guilt or self-hatred. Her entire life had been a lie, a life she did not deserve. Even though a faint voice inside her told her not to believe this to be true, she couldn’t change how she felt. She was a child of sin, and hardly the savior of virtue Terestria called her to be.

  There was but one glimmer of truth that seemed to break through the darkest of her thoughts, though—a sensible determination she could never rid herself of. I must save Moz at all costs. I won’t let it see the destruction that Pinea or Aldric did. Never. She hurried her pace, dashing into the storm as the rain turned to sleet and then to hail and heavy snow. The cold was piercing as the winds tore at her clothing. Shivering, she finally made it to the base of the Mozian mountain valley. The snow was thick beneath her boots, piling high over her feet.

  This was the first time Lucia had touched snow. The climate of Terestria’s southernmost continent remained fairly warm year round. Even during its winters, crops would die beneath chills of cold air, but never would ice pile as high as this, not at the base of the mountains. Lucia stepped deeper into the range, following the path until she found herself approaching the grand gates of her marble city.

  She took two deep breaths before continuing. She had no way of telling how long she had been gone, nor could she predict what had befallen the city since her departure. She continued, though she was wary of what she might discover. As she came upon the gate, she stared in awe, watching how the icicles still glistened beneath the archway despite the heavy fog. Oddly enough, there were no guards. She could only wonder why. She placed a hand on the gate and released a warm glow from her fingertips. The ice around the gate began to melt, and the icicles dripped as steam rose from beneath. The doors loosened, and slowly, Lucia pushed, frightened of what she might see.

  As she pressed through, she saw only buildings of marble and glass covered in snow, untouched by anything but a drastically changed climate. Lucia stepped through and onto the streets, peeking around while her heart pounded inside her chest. Am I really home? She heard the sound of bells in the distance coming from the center of the city, where Sky University stood. “I remember,” she whispered, stepping toward it. “It must be midday. The bells always rang at noo—” She stopped, watching as her people poured into the streets. Wait, why are the bells still ringing? Groups turned to mobs, scurrying from their homes, terror in their eyes as they hurried, grabbing hold of their possessions and weapons. Lucia’s dread rose as her skin prickled in the sharp chill of the air. She glanced upward into the storm as it darkened.“No,” she whispered. Did it follow me?

  Lucia darted forward into the crowds of people as they ran toward the university in a panicked frenzy. She kept her sights focused, trying to see past them so that she might recognize where she was. But before she could truly grasp it, a sense of white-hot fire burned below her face. The Light Wings brightened intensely, pulsating, as a towering shadow stretched over her. Lucia’s breath grew cold as she attempted to hold her composure. She blocked out the noise, the clambering of their footsteps, their screams. Lucia tried to hold on to every beautiful memory she once had of this place, before turning to face it. She clenched her eyes shut as she heard the sound of its horrible hiss.

  “People of Moz,” it bellowed beneath its high-pitched screech, “your high maiden is home!”

  Without hesitation, Lucia lifted her arms and summoned forth her diamond sword. From her back sprouted sparkling wings of golden crystal. Her eyes opened and locked on the serpent.

  Its tentacles were wrapping around the marble buildings as its body moved through the outskirts and toward the city’s center. “We have been expecting you,” it said from the mist of its shadowy nest of bladed vipers.

  “Leave here at once, Wym! I won’t allow you to take this city. It belongs to me!” Lucia roared, holding out her sword. “These are my people!”

  Wym chuckled. “Hatorium warned us that you had grown more accustomed to your power, but he said nothing of how arrogant you’ve become.”

  “Arrogant? No, this is not arrogance. This is rage. You killed Talon. You slaughtered thousands of innocent Carists. You destroyed Luzanna’s life. This isn’t arrogance. This is justice!”

  “Justice?” the black snake slithered. “Don’t you now know the truth? This is our revenge. Not your pathetic justice.”

  “The sons of Terestria will not pay for sins of their fathers. You will not punish one generation for the sins of the former. That’s not justice. That’s corruption.”

  “That was not part of the deal!” Wym shouted in anger as it agilely positioned its face yards away from Lucia’s. Its tentacles pressed down against the exteriors of the buildings, causing them to crumble. “Terestria is corrupted and ours for the taking. Life had its chance. We’re taking what was promised to us.”

  Lucia shook her head. “Not today.” With a swift slash, she sent a wave of light through the air. It collided into the beast, causing it to wail and fall into the buildings behind it. The people slowed down, watching as Lucia lifted her feet from the ground with a flap of her wings. She turned to them. “Run, now—to the university, all of you!” she said, her voice filled with power as her eyes shone a vibrant yellow.

  The people nodded and started to run yet again, but not before Wym’s tentacles sprouted from the shadows and took the innocent within its grasps. Men, women, and children were crushed by the tightening black bodies of snakelike tentacles.

  Lucia flew upward, watching as clouds of red puffed up in all areas of the city. The north, the south, the east, the west—all were under attack simultaneously. She covered her mouth, failing to hold back her tears, as Wym let out a loud roar.

  “Their blood is on your hands, Savior. Your light alone can’t save them.”

  “I don’t care,” Lucia cried as she poured her sadness into her wings. They pulsed vibrantly, changing from pale yellow to vibrant magenta. From the tips of their delicately stylized feathers shot glimmering shards of pink crystals that rained into the blood-soaked streets. The light tore
into the flesh of the monsters, freeing many of their victims before more lives could be taken, and into the soil, charging it. Lucia held out her free hand, palm down. She then clenched it as her anger swelled. From the earth shot a pillar of light that entered the sky, parting the clouds and exposing the sun. “I will destroy the darkness. I will take back our world. I will break you!” And with that war cry, Lucia pointed her sword up. “Now die!” She slashed it downward, and from the sky rained a shower of stars.

  ***

  “Madame. The bells are ringing. The people are making their way to the university now.”

  Lady Ara was sitting atop a decorative bed, her face pale and ghastly, her amber eyes darkened by the circles beneath them. It looked as if she hadn’t slept in weeks. She coughed as she tried to rise.

  “Milady, please. You must rest.” A knight clad in scarlet armor came to her side and held her shoulders.

  “I’m quite alright, Lieutenant Sarf. Thank you.”

  Angelo Sarf nodded, retreating as Ara made her way toward a window at the far side of the room.

  She said, “I can see it coming. The darkness is approaching as quickly as I remember.”

  “It won’t take the university, milady. Moz’s finest are out by the thousands, guarding the grounds.”

  “And the others? Where are they?”

  “Leo is commanding the eastern battalion, Luzanna the west. Are you sure they can handle this?” Angelo asked. “They’re merely children.”

  “If what they say is true, they are also our only hope,” Ara whispered sadly.

  “I suppose you’re right, madame.”

  Amelia emerged from the doorway. She rushed toward Ara, her eyes wide and filled with tears. “The monster, it’s already taking lives in the south side. Some are saying it can reach as far as the northern district.” Amelia wiped her eyes, trying to remain calm. “Lady Ara, no one is safe.”

  Ara clenched her eyes as a faintness came over her. “Lieutenant, ready the northern and southern troops. Take Sebastien Bono with you and send him to warn Luzanna.”

  Angelo nodded. “Yes, milady.” He turned on his heel and pushed past the door.

  “But, milady,” Amelia started, her voice quivering.

  Ara tried to regain her composure, swallowing hard as her head dizzied. “Y-yes? Amelia, what is it?”

  “There have been sightings . . . sightings of a girl with a diamond sword and wings protecting the city.”

  Tears formed in Ara’s weary eyes. “You don’t say,” she whispered, bringing her fingers to her lips as she smiled. “My Lucia has returned. She’s home.”

  ***

  “Gather round, people! This is not a drill.” Luzanna stood proudly in front of a row of what appeared to be a hundred men dressed in golden armor. She embodied the natural sense of a leader, speaking with authority as her aqua green eyes hardened with devotion. “Protect the university at all costs. You hear me? There are innocent people out there. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters—people not unlike you and me. It is our duty to save them. Every life matters. So stay alert. Stay focused. The fate of Moz and Terestria depends on each and every single one of you.” Luzanna lowered her gaze. “Disband.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  “Lady Luzanna!” called another voice from right behind her.

  Luzanna turned from her men to face a blond fellow carrying a scroll. “What is it now, Sebastien? We’re preparing for an attack.” She picked up a platinum spear and placed it through a loop in her armor.

  “Come on, love. With all this talk of life and death, you’d think you’d show me a little more compassion.” Bono licked his lips as he grinned. His face was pouty and sweet.

  Despite Bono having the handsome features of a strong jawline and piercing, powder-blue eyes, Luzanna remained unfazed. The city was under attack. She had no time for Bono’s foolish ploys of attraction. She blinked. “And that is precisely why I don’t take you seriously.”

  Bono gasped. “Come on, you’re not gonna tell me that didn’t work. Not even a little.”

  Luzanna said nothing.

  “Humph.” Bono sighed. “Geez, you’re tougher than steel root.” He shrugged. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to make light of the situation, ya know? This might have been my last shot.”

  “You humor me, Sebastien.” Luzanna rolled her eyes. “What did the commander say? Any news from Lady Ara?”

  Bono shook his head, holding out the scroll. “You’re gonna wanna read this. Apparently, there is a lotta commotion going on in the city. A girl matching the description of the high maiden has been spotted on the south side.”

  Lucia, Luzanna thought. It had been three months since she last saw her long-lost friend. “You can’t be serious. Is it really her?” An odd sensation filled her as she touched her palm with her fingertips. Slowly, she clenched her fist over the symbol burned into it.

  “It has to be, right? She was spotted flying with a diamond sword. You can see the lights even from here. Look!”

  Luzanna turned to look up into the sky, noticing only then that the storm had been parted. Streaks of shooting stars fell within the twilight. “Oh my, the grace of the light! It is her!” Luzanna cried. At that moment, she sensed it rising from within her as surely as the sun would rise on a summer’s day. As she stared into the sky, the stone in her mask glistened.

  ***

  “Master Leo!”

  Leo was scurrying through pages and pages of books, scavenging for answers. Where could she be? She can’t be gone. She’s not . . .

  He was panting, his long hair matted. He wasn’t himself, and it was quite clear he hadn’t been for some time. As the chill in the air sharpened, his panic only heightened.

  “Are you listening to me?” Angelo approached him at the center of the library, where a mess of dusty books, parchments, and ancient scrolls covered a long table.

  “Yes, Angelo. Can’t you see I’m busy?” he snapped, turning his head.

  “This is urgent. You’re needed at your station. The city is under attack.”

  Leo’s eyes clamped shut. “What’s the point? She’s gone. We can’t defend ourselves without her. She’s the key to everything. Don’t you see? In all of Stello’s notes, the Light Wings were the key to sealing the darkness away and awakening the virtues. Without them, we can’t close the link to the other world.”

  “Master, control yourself,” Angelo said. “Hear me out, please.” He rested a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I sent Sebastien to inform Luzanna. Troops are reporting sightings of a winged girl fighting the sin in the southern district.” Leo’s sapphire eyes widened, and Angelo knew his words were music to Leo’s ears. “There may be hope after all.”

  “Lucia,” Leo uttered under his breath. “She’s back. I’ve . . . I’ve got . . . ” He paced back and forth, tapping his finger against his lips. “I’ve got to go!” He bolted past Angelo and toward the library door before Angelo could stop him.

  “Leo, wait,” Angelo said. From his back, he removed a shield. On its face was the Feral coat of arms. The chained lion was engraved in silver atop a shining blue surface. “Ara instructed me to give this to you. This was your father’s. After they were betrothed, the two had exchanged heirlooms. She described it to be her greatest shame not having the chance to return it to him herself. She wants you to take it and use it as your father proudly would.”

  Leo took the shield into his hands and touched the surface. Immediately, he began to cry. Protect her, Leo remembered as he caught his breath. “Thank you, Angelo. Tell the lady, on behalf of house Feral, all is forgiven. I’ll be seeing her soon.”

  “As you wish. Please take care of yourself out there.”

  “You too, Angelo. You too.”

  Angelo nodded, leaving the library.

  A strange calm came over Leo. Since his father had died, something
within him had broken. But now, with this shield in hand, his spirit started to mend. Like the roar of a lion proud and true, his determination shined within his sapphire gaze, reflecting back at him off the surface of the shield and into his soul, where his virtue lay dormant.

  ***

  The darkness was rising up as Lucia flew past geysers of shadows and blades, with dark puddles of ooze beneath them trapping people as they tried to flee. Lucia tried her best to dissolve the tar with blasts of light, but the ooze spread too quickly. It was hard to hold them all off at once. She sent a stream of light volleys into the air as the serpent’s tails swiped at her. She dodged each blade swiftly, using the light to divert their attacks. She formed a diamond shield with her free hand and slammed it into the tip of one of the serpent’s blades, sending a shock wave through the air as the shield shattered and filled the air with divine light. The mass of tentacles dissolved in the light, freeing people from their grasp.

  Lucia let out a breath of relief before another wave of serpents rallied before her. She propelled herself forward, spinning as she tackled the monsters. She charged light into her wings and let them shatter into shards of multicolored sparks, the beasts squirming as they were obliterated within white flames. Lucia caught herself on the ground with her hands, and with a quick flip, new wings formed from her back before she again took flight.

  How did this become so easy? She remembered a time when the powers of the Light Wings frightened her more than anything, but now they were a part of her, as natural as any other part of her body. Lucia looked at the center of the city, where Wym rose high above the buildings. She heard the cries of her people as it moved toward the university. The beast let out a cry and shot a beam of anti-light north, incinerating the buildings with its cosmic breath. Sweat ran down Lucia’s face. Her teeth were clenching. I have to do something. But how? I can’t kill it. She took a deep breath, collecting herself before flying toward the university. I have to find Mother. Leo and Luzanna are here too. I can feel them. Luzanna—her virtue. It’s close by.