by N. J. Cooper
“Wait. He’s been in isolation before now?” Kyla demanded. The centaurs nodded. Kyla cursed under her breath, Onyx had known they were coming and hidden it where he knew he would be put again if they did. Zarek caught her arm before she could run off.
“What’s wrong?” He asked. Kyla sighed.
“He knew we were going to come for the amulet, and he knew where he was going to get put if we did. He hid the amulet in isolation.” Kyla revealed as the others gasped. She nodded, “Yeah, so if you could show me the way, I might just get there before he activates the damn thing.” Kyla bit. The centaurs nodded and went to lead the way when the entire prison groaned and shook. Kyla rolled her eyes then looked Zarek in the eye,
“We’re too late.”
~ 9 ~
Kyla ran with the centaurs, letting them lead the way down to the isolation chamber as the prison crackled, the concrete separating with dust flying. A roar erupted from outside the walls as the centaurs guarding the exterior of the prison buzzed through on the walkie talkie,
“We’re being overrun! They are coming from everywhere!” The centaur growled through. Kyla pushed on, keeping up with the centaurs as they cursed.
“Hold it! We can’t let him out!” The centaur ordered back. They rounded a corner and it must have been the isolation unit because the door burst open, black steam pouring from the room as Onyx came through. His eyes were swirling and black, the amulet clutched in his pale hand, glowing bright red as his blood-red cloak flared out behind him. He smirked at them as she stopped mid-step, then put his arm out and threw them all back against the far wall. Kyla gasped as her breath was forced from her lungs. She struggled against the power, but Onyx had them. The centaurs too. Her entire team was stuck, and Onyx knew it. He sauntered forward with that everlasting malicious smirk and held up the glowing amulet to her face. She struggled to get free, determined to slap that smirk right off his face but he leaned by her ear and whispered over the cracking and rumbling of the prison.
“Listen.”
Kyla frowned and bit her tongue from releasing the P.O. vibe she wanted to, instead she did what he said and listened, homing her instincts on the amulet that he dangled in front of her face.
As soon as her mind locked on the amulet, her brain erupted in a deafening scream, the pain piercing every part of her. She cried out as it brought tears to her eyes. She winced and strained away from the necklace, gasping as her skin burned with the screams she heard. Onyx cackled and leaned away, but it barely helped.
“Stop!” Kyla cried out as she clenched her fists against the concrete wall.
“I’m not doing anything. It’s your alter ego. Crying for you. Screaming inside this necklace, trying to get back to you. She’s dying.” He taunted in that echoing voice that made her shiver with goose bumps. Kyla gasped and tried harder to escape but it was no use. All she could do was cry out and think over what he said. She understood now. He hadn’t activated the amulet, she had.
“You knew I would get the vision of you with the amulet.” Kyla realized. He nodded then looked down the left hall to where more centaurs were coming to save them. In a swift movement that seemed entirely too natural, he brought up a wall of fire that stopped them getting through. The fire burned and roared, and Kyla was sure it was inching closer.
“Indeed. And I knew you would come looking for it. Like my son said, so predictable.” He teased, putting the amulet back around his neck. The screeches became louder and Kyla cringed. She had come over to the Outlands, activated the amulet and not even considered where the Oracle would go once she’d had her powers stripped.
“I activated the amulet.” Kyla admitted out loud between a locked jaw, still trying to block out the screams of the Oracle. Zarek gasped from beside her and drew Onyx’s attention to him. Onyx grinned and moved over to Zarek who was flat against the wall next to her. Onyx got in his face, his eyes swirling as they scrutinized him.
“Now you, the one who killed my son,” Onyx glared, sniffing Zarek with a deep pull of air into his nose before his eyes widened, “Well, well, well. You are one of a kind, aren’t you? Definitely the strongest royal I’ve come across yet. Well, wait a minute,” he said sniffing again before he leaned back, looking between her and Zarek, “Now that, is what I am talking about.” he grinned then cackled loudly, pulling up another wall of fire that stopped more of the centaurs attempts at a rescue.
“What the hell are you rambling on about?” Kyla forced his attention back, so he didn’t keep going at Zarek. He grinned again but in that annoying way that said he knew something that she didn’t.
“His scent is incredible. His power is linked through his bloodline, I can sense that thread and his father’s powers are fresh in his veins. But there is something else. Something that makes him even more powerful,” Onyx admitted with an excited glimmer in those strange eyes.
“Get to the punchline already.” Kyla growled.
“He has an anchor. You. Both of you are anchored.” Onyx grinned. Kyla frowned.
“So what?” She snapped struggling against the power that was suffocating her and the wriggling bodies along the wall, but nobody had any power and could do nothing against him.
“Well aside from it being the equivalent to mating for our kind, it means that I can draw from the Prince here, and trust me, after seeing him kill my son; I am very much looking forward to siphoning him.” Onyx sneered and Kyla gasped but Zarek was frowning deeply, before he looked up at Onyx with a smirk.
“Not going to happen. You may be able to siphon from me but we are both anchored to the Oracle’s powers right now, which means I can siphon from you too.” he grinned then shoved back from the wall, landing on Onyx with a huff and tackling him to the ground. Onyx grunted and shoved Zarek from him then launched at him with his burning hands glowing, searing Zarek’s flesh. Kyla cried out and tried to get away, trying to reach to her own powers but there was nothing. She didn’t have the realm powers to keep her active in a world where power didn’t exist, and she couldn’t reach her amulet. Zarek threw his own power back at Onyx, lighting up his face with fire but Onyx flew out a shield that threw Zarek into the wall. He grunted then looked at the others and snapped his fingers, releasing them from their hold on the walls. Kyla didn’t care what the others were doing with their freedom, she summoned her blade and went for Onyx. He fought her with his powers, throwing electricity over her, the stream colliding with her blade, sparking through the corridor that Zarek had managed to clear of fire. Onyx and Shemar tried to help her with Onyx, but he was at full power and they couldn’t get close enough to do any damage. Zarek tried to fight with his power but they were still new and not controllable as much as Onyx’s. They were pushed further and further back until Onyx growled, frustrated at their attacks and yanked Zarek to him, his black talons hovering over Zarek’s throat.
“Stop! That’s enough. Now, I am leaving here with this amulet and you will let me, or I slash his throat. Trust me, I’ll do it because you know how much I enjoy revenge.” Onyx snarled. Kyla immediately froze as the centaurs did. Wyatt and Elanor hovered behind them waiting for what to do. Kyla didn’t have a choice.
“Whether you get out of here or not, Onyx. I will catch up to you.” She threatened through narrowed eyes. He shrugged.
“And then what? You’ll put me in jail again?” he sneered. Kyla hung her immortal blade next to her.
“No. Then I kill you.” She glared. He chuckled.
“You won’t even make it out of the Outlands, little girl. But make your move, I’ll always be three steps ahead.” He growled then shoved Zarek towards her and held the amulet up, disappearing into thin air. Kyla cursed under her breath and turned to Orion.
“Can he teleport out of here?” She demanded.
“No, just to the portal.” He said, already taking off towards the prison exit. Kyla ran after him, Zarek, Wyatt and Elanor following. She turned to Zarek and was about to ask him if he could teleport, but he already knew what she
was going to ask and shook his head. He was pale and sweating, his run not as vigorous as theirs.
“You can’t teleport and catch him?” Kyla checked anyway.
“No. He’s draining me.” Zarek grunted. Kyla huffed and pushed harder on her legs. They ran back through the concrete halls and when they broke out, there was chaos. The centaurs were being attacked by every creature that the Outlands held. They had weapons of all kinds and were taking all their anger out on the centaurs and winning. Kyla wanted to stop and help them, but she had to keep going. Onyx couldn’t get through. They ran back through the forest all huffing and panting as they ran, and she knew they weren’t going to get there in time. He had the power and he had no one to stop him. That was rammed home when the ground shook beneath their feet and everything around them began to crumble, dust and debris falling like snow. Onyx had gone through. The screaming in her soul and the pressure in her mind was gone, which meant her alter ego was no longer close and Onyx was in Velatem realm. Kyla stopped running and placed her hands on her knees, her chest heaving as everyone stopped with her.
“We have to keep trying, Kyla.” Orion urged but she shook her head.
“No. He’s through, which means the portal is closed and we are stuck here. We won’t make it in time. We have to go back and help the others while we go with plan B.” Kyla breathed.
“What’s plan B?” Wyatt came forward to ask.
“Kasyn.” Kyla sighed, “Sky! Kasyn!” Kyla called and Kasyn must have been listening because he appeared before them with Sky. Kyla fought the urge to laugh as she saw them. Kasyn was half naked, leather pants, and a collar around his neck that was attached to the lead that Sky held. She wore a huge black gown and a lot of eye makeup with a black, jewelled crown. Kyla frowned and looked at Kasyn.
“Don’t ask.” he rolled his eyes and Sky tugged on his lead. She grinned as he jerked forward.
“What do you want, Kyla?” Sky demanded. Kyla was about to answer when Wyatt came forward, his face white.
“Skylar?” He whispered, looking over her. Her eyes went to Wyatt before she sneered.
“Brother. Still the Oracle’s little bitch, I see.” Sky bit. Wyatt growled and stepped forward.
“Snap out of it, Sky. This isn’t you.” he tried but Sky rolled her eyes and looked back at Kyla.
“You called?” She asked. Kyla wanted to point out that Sky had come when she had called, making her wonder whether Sky was really as gone as they believed but they didn’t have time, so she dove into what she needed.
“Onyx has my amulet and is in Velatem Realm.” Kyla started. Sky nodded.
“I’m aware. This realm is dying with the portal closed and it means I am suddenly getting an influx of creatures in my world.” She snickered.
“Yeah, well those creatures are going to be angry and some might even challenge you.” Kyla tried, she only had one tactic to get Sky’s help, so she had to try. Sky narrowed her eyes.
“So? They won’t win.” She shrugged. Kyla shook her head.
“They might. But if you help us get back to Velatem, I’ll give you my amulet. It’s full of power and it’s what is making Onyx so strong. Get us back and I’ll let you have it.” Kyla bargained. Wyatt tried to interrupt but Kyla held up her finger to stop him. She hoped he trusted her enough to make the deal, he seemed to and stepped back.
“Sounds like a trick. Why would you give me the amulet?” Sky asked.
“You only want it to rule the shadow world. I don’t care what happens over there as long as it doesn’t interfere with Velatem. Take the amulet, send us back to Velatem and we both get what we want.” Kyla offered again. Sky considered it, her eyes scrutinizing them, but it was frustrating Kyla, “Hurry up, Sky. Onyx is on the move and I need to know what your answer is in case I need another plan on how to get out of here because if you don’t take this deal, then there is a good chance that we all die here.” Kyla added, hoping a small twinge of guilt would flicker something inside her. Finally Sky nodded, and Kyla wasn’t sure whether it was because of what she said or not, but she had agreed and that was the main thing.
“Fine. Deal. I’ll go get your amulet, then I take all of you back to Velatem. Then I get the amulet, that’s the deal?” She checked. Kyla nodded.
“That’s it.”
“Good. We’ll be back soon.” Sky agreed then spun, her dress flaring before yanking on Kasyn’s leash, “Syn, come.” She ordered. He winked with a slight smirk before he left with Sky. Kyla let out a breath then turned back to the others. Wyatt was the first to demand an explanation.
“You better have a better plan than that, Kyla. I’m not giving my sister another reason to stay over there, even if it costs me my life.” He growled. Kyla shook her head.
“I know, and don’t worry. I think I’ve got a way out of this for all of us, including Sky. And if it works then Sky will be as safe as us. But we can’t talk about it right now, in case she hung around to see what we said when she wasn’t in sight. I’ll explain later, right now we have to get back to the prison and hope we can save some of the centaur guard that is there.” Kyla bit and reclosed her grip on her immortal blade, breaking into a sprint, refusing to wait for an argument. If they had been going to, they dropped it and caught up quick. When they got back to the concrete building that used to resemble the prison, their faces dropped. There were barely any centaurs left, the ones that were, were completely outnumbered and steaming piles of ashes were littering the ground. Centaur ash. Kyla clutched her chest as pain lacerated through her and tears sprung to her eyes. Ogres, goblins, other creatures she had never seen and assumed were meant to be something other than human but looked as human as her, were all cheering and hooting, burning the prison to the ground and smashing it to pieces as the world broke around them. The air was misted and grey, rain and thunder opening over them. The ground grumbled and shook every few seconds with pieces of the prison crumbling into nothing.
“We never should have left.” Kyla bit, wiping away her tears. Orion sniffled from next to her.
“We can save those that are left.” He muttered then let out an almighty battle cry and surged forward with his sword, closely followed by Shemar. Kyla ran in behind them with Zarek, Wyatt and Elanor. Kyla swiped her immortal blade through every creature she could get to and the more she got through, the more came out of the forest. They were on the grass field and the evil was closing in. Kyla’s arms were heavy from swinging her blade and she had never wanted her powers so much in her life. Zarek had already been weak and his powers were almost gone, their intensity growing weaker by the second. She needed to get her amulet before he couldn’t get back his powers. Kyla looked over at Orion and Shemar, who were standing strong for the last of their brothers who were almost out of energy and Kyla wasn’t sure how long they could go on fighting creatures that were filled with energy. They kept coming. Blood covered the field, her heart raced, and she had to admit that even Elanor had managed to get her way through a few of the evils that were attacking. Kyla cut through a vampire that tried to attack her, his fangs bared then sliced through a green ogre with an underbite and jagged teeth. She didn’t know how long it was going to take Sky to get the amulet, but she had to hope that they were going to make it until then.
Kyla’s heart pumped in her ear, her body was weary, and blood spattered her clothing. Zarek wiped his brow, his body shaking as Elanor leaned on Wyatt. Shemar and Orion helped their centaur brothers and sisters, to their feet and Kyla sighed, looking over the field that held evidence of their efforts through the red-stained blades of grass. The bodies were everywhere, and they had finally made it through the last of the main horde. Stragglers still attacked but they weren’t coming as hard nor as fast anymore. Kyla wanted to say they could relax but she wasn’t convinced they were safe. The wind around them picked up, its intensity knocking her to the side. She planted her feet firmly in the grass then looked up to the grey skies. She reached out her instincts and asked if they were safe. Usually sh
e got a feeling, or an inkling on the answer. She usually got nothing if the answer was okay. This time her body had never felt so vile. She doubled over, holding her stomach as her eyes watered. A feral pain ripped through her heart and she gasped in breaths. Kyla shoved the pain aside and turned to look at her group. Her eyes darted everywhere, trying to figure out what was happening, but it looked like the same horror show they had created, as before. Zarek came over quickly.
“What? What’s happening?” He demanded, and he must have picked up on her urgency because he checked everyone over with as much wariness as her. She shook her head and swallowed hard.
“I…I think someone is dying. Or going to die.” Kyla bit through a locked jaw. She held her stomach as her head exploded in an intense ache that had her releasing tears over her cheeks. Her heart burst and pain flooded her; an internal, soul deep ache that took her entire focus.
“Who, Kyla?!” Zarek demanded. Kyla shook her head, not sure of the answer when a deep roar echoed through the entire realm. Kyla and Zarek turned as a goblin arrow dove straight through Orion’s chest, his large body crumpling to the ground.
~ 10 ~
“No!” Kyla and Zarek screamed in unison and ran towards Orion as Shemar launched his sword through the cackling goblin. Zarek dropped to Orion’s body, his hands covering the seeping wound in his chest, right at the heart. Orion’s chest pumped up and down in short gasps. Kyla knelt down with him and grabbed his hand as Orion looked up at them, his mouth leaking with a single river of blood.
“You two did well.” He coughed. Zarek shook his head, tears heavy down his cheeks as Kyla sobbed, leaning her head against his chest.
“Just hang on, Orion.” Zarek whimpered, holding his hands over the centaur’s chest. He shook his head at Zarek with a slow movement and held the Prince’s hands in his large ones.
“It has been an honour to serve you, and your father, Prince Zarek.” Orion whispered as tears fell down his own face. Kyla wiped over her own and moved over so Shemar could kneel down next to Orion’s body.
