Beyond the Between

by Anna Webb

  Strange—all this time and she’d never known Jason’s full name.

  The Archivist’s Sentinel escorts accompanied him back to his seat. Once he’d been settled safely in his seat next to the Council, the two Sentinels turned back toward the Arena with perfect synchronicity. With the blink of an eye, they appeared, now wearing armor and holding weapons in their hands.

  These were the Sentinels they were to face.

  “There’s something wrong with these Sentinels,” Allyra hissed at Jason.

  He turned to her with a question in his eyes, but before she could explain, the Sentinels attacked.

  Both Sentinels came at her. The first held a double-edged axe in its hands and the other a simple, but enormous, two-handed sword. Allyra slid under the swing of the axe, her knees sliding along the rough grass of the Combat Arena. She bent over backward, so far that she felt the ground beneath her back, but even then, the axe barely passed over the tip of her nose. Before she could get back to her feet, the second Sentinel was over her, the tip of its massive sword punching directly for her chest.

  Allyra managed to draw her twin swords and crossed them over her chest to block the blow. The crowd gasped as the swords came together with a metallic ring, sending bright sparks dancing into the air.

  Jason ran his sword through the Sentinel standing over her, but it sliced through nothing but air. The Sentinels didn’t have true features, but even if they had, Allyra imagined that they would’ve shown no change in expression at suffering what would’ve been a fatal blow for any human. But of course, the Sentinels were not human, and as far as she knew, they could not be killed.

  The Sentinel continued to push its sword at her chest, the tip of it moving ever closer to her chest. Its strength overwhelmed her own, and it would only be a matter of time before it succeeded in pushing the sword through her chest.

  Using her Gift during combat had never come naturally for Allyra, but this time, she was left with no other choice. She reached for her Gift, gathering the yellow threads. Power flooded through her, so much stronger since that dark day in Antarctica when she’d given herself over completely to her Gift. A rush of Air flowed over her, slamming directly into both Sentinels and sweeping them off their feet and carrying them to the far edge of the Arena.

  Jason pulled her to her feet, blood already dripping down his arm from a shallow cut. His eyes were wide with horror and his breathing heavy with adrenaline and exertion. “We can do this,” he said, but to her ears, his voice lacked conviction.

  * * *

  How do you fight something that cannot be hurt and feels no pain? Especially when there’s nowhere to run?

  Those were the questions racing through Allyra’s mind as the Sentinels picked themselves up and started stalking back toward her. But her mind struggled to come up with a good answer or even a practical one. Perhaps it was just one of those brainteasers with no good answer. She felt frozen in place.

  Jason seemed to know something of the questions running through her mind. Perhaps the same questions were consuming his mind too. “We know that others have won The Five Finals,” he shouted to her. “If they can do it, then we can too.”

  Jason was the first to move. With a gesture that seemed too graceful for the situation, he flicked his wrist and pulled a stream of Fire directly from the Wellspring and sent it flying toward the Sentinels. For a moment, it seemed like it might work, that it might slow them down. But then the Sentinels emerged through the wall of Fire Jason had created—unscathed and perhaps moving even more quickly.

  “Well, shit,” Jason said, uncharacteristically crass. His jaw hardened and the indigo in his eyes seemed to darken. His fingers tightened around his twin swords, and he stepped forward to meet the Sentinels. Allyra was only half a step behind.

  The heavy axe clashed against Jason’s swords before the Sentinel pushed him aside. The Sentinels’ interest was fixed on her, and they brushed Jason aside as if he were no more than an annoying distraction. A fly buzzing around their heads.

  Allyra steeled herself for the contact, her muscles tightening, her back straight. Both her swords met weapons, half a heartbeat apart. The first against an axe, and the second against a sword so heavy it threatened to push her into the ground. Strength alone wouldn’t win this fight. Allyra didn’t linger in the contact, and she spun away, twisting her body to avoid the sharp edges of their weapons. But as fast as she was, they were faster still, and both weapons sliced into her body. Shallow cuts that would bleed but not incapacitate, but they hurt more than she cared to admit—like fire searing through flesh.

  She didn’t slow down.

  She couldn’t slow down.

  * * *

  Ten minutes, then fifteen, and then twenty. Time moved slowly, and each minute seemed to come with its own pain. Small cuts not serious by themselves but together slowly bleeding her dry. She reached for the only weapon that worked against these ceaseless opponents—a rush of Air driving the Sentinels away. She’d been careful to use her Gift sparingly; each time seemed to take more power and energy to drive them away. Even so, her Gift had drained away as surely as her physical strength.

  Jason reached out, taking hold of her arm and steadying her. “It can’t be too much longer now,” he said, worry seeping through his voice.

  Her hands shook, and her body trembled with exhaustion. A layer of sweat coated her palms, and the sword hilts threatened to slip from her grasp. She nodded, tightening her grip and bracing herself—she would be strong enough. She was strong enough. There was too much hanging in the balance.

  Striding forward with a grace and elegance that Allyra envied, Jason moved to slow them down as best he could. But as hard as he tried, the Sentinels’ attention was totally focused on her. And as the Final had progressed, understanding had fallen like a veil over her—this was not about teamwork anymore; they were here to test her. Jason was her second, but she was the first; it was her strength that mattered. Finally, she understood why Alex had cared so deeply for Mandla—it went beyond just friendship; Alex had been responsible for Mandla. Just as she was responsible for Jason. Because, if she failed, they would both fail.

  Swords clashed together once more, and she slashed and swung instinctively, going for fatal blows even as her logical mind told her it was no use. Allyra did her best to drive them backward, to avoid their blades. But she was a little slow and a little clumsy, and the sharp edge of the axe sliced through her thigh. It cut deep and Allyra fell backward with a barely smothered cry. She landed on her back, and the Sentinel hovered over her. Through its transparent form, she could see the pale blue winter sky and thin white clouds drifting overhead. The Sentinel raised its axe, and the shape of it was made more visible by her blood coating its edge.

  The Sentinel brought the axe down with spectacular speed, showering tiny drops of her own blood down on her face. She tried to roll away, but before she could, Jason’s blade swept the axe out of the way. With incredible strength, he pushed back against the Sentinels.

  Jason spoke without turning his attention from the Sentinels. “Push them away,” he said. “You can do it, Allyra, one more time.”

  There was faith in his voice. Faith in her. She found strength in it and called for her Gift—a swift wind rushed through the Arena once more, parting around Jason before lifting the Sentinels away.

  Jason reached down for her, gently pulling her to her feet. She leaned against him, doing her best to keep her weight off her injured leg.

  “Call it,” Jason said. “Concede.”

  They only had seconds. Allyra shook her head. “You’re willing to give up the win?” she asked. “We’re so close.”

  “I’m not willing to lose you,” he shouted, something like panic in his voice. “Call it, Allyra!”

  Blood poured from her leg. She couldn’t defend herself if she couldn’t move. She understood that they were backed into a corner, that there was no winning this thing—not anymore. Yet, she hesitated.

  The
Sentinels moved closer—menacing despite their translucent forms. Allyra opened her mouth, a concession ready on her lips. Her breath hitched, the words choking her.

  “Allyra!” Jason shouted once more, desperate urgency in his voice.

  But she couldn’t do it. Her journey had led her here. Perhaps she was fated to it, but all along she’d had choices, and every time, she’d chosen to fight. There was little strength left in her body, and she had little left to offer. The vastness of time and history bore down on her—a thick and heavy mist that shrouded everything. She felt insignificant compared to it, but whatever she had left, she was willing to give to the fight. It wasn’t just about her list of names anymore—not about revenge or righting a wrong. It was bigger than that. For the first time, she felt sure that she was doing the right thing. Realization threaded through her, warming her—she was willing to fight for it and, if it came to it, die for it.

  She raised her swords.

  “Allyra…” Jason whispered, distraught.

  The Sentinels stopped.

  Did they just read my mind?

  They bowed to her.

  It was over.

  * * *

  Like a sharpened arrowhead, Marcus led the Council across the Arena. The crowd roared with a single voice, united for the moment by impassioned exhilaration.

  It was everything she’d set out to do—not only was she the Elemental Trials champion, but now she’d won The Five Finals. And tomorrow she’d carry out her plan. Tomorrow, she would cross the Veil and make her way back into the Between, and Alex Cairns would once more assume his rightful place as the Elemental High Master. The most powerful Elemental ever born would lead the Gifted back into the light and destroy the corruption that had taken root under Marcus’s reign.

  And then—

  Then, she could do what her father had always wanted for her. Disappear and live a small, uncomplicated, and happy life—away from the treacherous world of the Gifted.

  It was everything she wanted. At least, it was everything she told herself she wanted. Everything that logic dictated she should want.

  So why do I feel so hollow, so empty?

  The crowd’s impassioned joy was lost to her. She was no more than a mirage slowly fading away.

  She wobbled a little. Her leg was soaked with blood, slowly dripping and soaking into the ground. Even the pain felt muted.

  Jason reached out a steadying hand, but she resisted the temptation to lean into him. She was a Five Finals winner—she would face down Marcus standing on her own two feet.

  Marcus was nearly upon them. He walked at a leisurely pace, as if waiting for her to falter. As he took his final steps, he started to clap slowly, his lips pulled up in a mockery of a smile.

  The crowd fell silent.

  “Miss Warden, Mr. Stone—our deepest congratulations!” Marcus said, his voice painfully loud in the sudden silence.

  He continued his slow clap and shouted out, “Please, everyone, join me in congratulating our newest Five Finals winners!”

  Having received his permission, the crowd roared once more. Marcus leaned in close to her, and to all outside observers, he appeared to drop a harmless congratulatory kiss on her cheek. In reality, he whispered words meant only for her ears. “My congratulations, Miss Warden—you have outstripped even my greatest expectations. Truly astounding for an Atmospheric, wouldn’t you say?”

  Chapter 39 – Allyra

  The walk from the Arena was slow and utterly excruciating, but Allyra managed it without any help. She fought not to limp even though the slightest weight on her injured leg sent blinding blots of pain flashing up her leg. She left a trail of blood behind her with Jason hovering over her like a helicopter parent.

  Only once they were out of sight of the prying eyes of the Council and the crowd did she allow Jason to shoulder her weight. Together, they hobbled back into the room in which they’d prepared for the Fifth Final. Jason kicked the door closed behind them and settled her into a chair. She sagged into it, leaning back until her head rested against the wall, and closed her eyes. She felt as if she could sleep for a year.

  Jason knelt before her and pressed a towel onto her bleeding leg. She let out a low hiss of pain and jolted back into awareness.

  “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. Their eyes locked together, and for a long moment, they simply watched each other, surrounded by a comfortable, lingering silence. Vaguely, she was aware that she didn’t know what he was sorry for. Before she could think any further, the corners of his lips lifted in the barest of smiles. “We did it,” he said. “You did it.”

  She returned his smile and sank back into the chair, closing her eyes again. The world felt pleasantly fuzzy, like she was sinking into a warm, cloying fog.

  “Allyra…”

  There was something in his voice that made her want to look up, but she was too tired.

  “I need to say something,” Jason continued.

  But she never got to hear what it was that he wanted to say, because at that moment, the door opened, and High Master Zhuang walked in, followed by a couple of nurses.

  “Let’s take a look at that cut on your leg,” High Master Zhuang said. He lifted the towel and grimaced when he saw the cut. “Okay, let’s get you to the medical wing. Miss Warden, fixing you up is becoming a bit of a habit for me—let’s try to make this the last time, shall we?”

  “I can walk,” Allyra protested halfheartedly as one of the nurses pushed in a wheelchair. But the world dimmed as she tried, and she quickly decided that it was fine to let them wheel her around.

  Jason tried to follow them out the door, but High Master Zhuang stopped him.

  “I’d like to stay with her, High Master Zhuang,” Jason said.

  “You need to stay here—a nurse will be along soon to take a look at you,” High Master Zhuang replied. “Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of her, and you’ll see each other soon enough at your party tonight.”

  Allyra fell asleep before they got her to the medical wing. High Master Zhuang told her he was giving her something to sedate her while he worked, but the words barely registered, fading pleasantly into a blurry background.

  * * *

  The next time Allyra woke up she was cocooned deep in luxuriously soft sheets. A quick glance around the room reassured her that there was no immediate danger, and she tried to drop back into her wonderfully dreamless sleep. Before she could, a knock sounded on the door, probably what had woken her up to begin with.

  “Yes?” she tried to call out but found her voice was a little hoarse.

  The door opened quietly, and two women slipped in. She recognized them immediately—the two silent women who had done her makeup and prepared her during the Elemental Trials.

  They smiled gently at her and helped her out of bed, their touch light on her arm, somehow both warm and reassuring. They led her through to a luxurious bathroom. She nearly melted with pleasure when she saw the already filled and steaming bath. This one was even grander than the massive copper bath from the room she’d shared with Jason at the Training Grounds. Here, the bath was sunk into the ground, more a swimming pool than a bath, with actual steps leading into the water.

  Sinking into the water, she let out an involuntary moan of utter delight; it was almost enough to make her feel human again. Stretching out her leg, Allyra took a closer look at the wound the Sentinel had dealt her. High Master Zhuang had worked his magic, literally. The wound was already little more than scar tissue, as if a month’s worth of healing had already occurred within the brief few hours that had actually passed. And it wasn’t the only injury that had disappeared. She should’ve been covered in cuts and bruises, but instead, her skin had a healthy glow to it, all in time for the big party tonight.

  The two women spent the next couple of hours working her hair into some intricate and elegant style, coiled hair braided and held in place by a million invisible hair pins. The hair was followed by layers of makeup, and eventually, they stepped
back with wide smiles on their faces as they contemplated their work. They led her to the dress that had been picked out for her.

  It was the color of sunset, an explosion of color—crimsons intertwined in gold. Or more simply, shades of red and yellow, the colors of the Fire and Air Elements, a visual representation of her partnership with Jason. The fabric was silky and feather light against her skin as she slipped into the dress. It hugged her body closely until her waist where the skirt fell long and loose to her feet. Her back was completely bare, and her breasts were held in place through tape and a prayer. It was a dress made to keep all eyes on her.

  * * *

  The sound of conversation and laughter floated out to Allyra even before the doors were opened for her. The party was obviously well underway already. She took a moment to ready herself, taking a few deep breaths with her eyes closed, trying to dissipate some of the anxiety crawling just below the surface of her skin. Still, she couldn’t quite shake those conflicted emotions that had taken root in her mind ever since she first woke up this morning. With a small sigh, she steeled herself and walked through the double doors. Silence instantly descended over the partygoers, every eye in the room suddenly turned to her. The crowd parted, forming an open walkway for her.

  Some of the faces in the crowd belonged to those dearest to her—Rob, beaming with pride; Jamie, smiling at her fondly; and Eva with her pixie sharp grin. Other faces were familiar—Competitors from the Elemental Trials and Five Finals, but where once those faces wore sneers in her presence, they now wore nothing but reverence and respect. But there was one face missing, and strangely, it belonged to the one person Allyra found herself most desperate to see.

  She walked deeper into the room, the crowd continuing to part before her. Like a flicker of light breaking through the deepest water—she saw him.