Convergence

by TurtleMe

  “I’m really going to make one, you know,” I huffed. “Just wait and see. Xyrus Academy will become the greatest institution for mages.”

  “Xyrus Academy? In Xyrus City?” Virion tilted his head. “Not very original…”

  “Well I can’t call it the Goodsky and Eralith School of Mages, now can I?” I retorted, puffing out my cheeks. “And you’ll be darn lucky if I let any of your descendants attend.”

  “Ouch,” he chuckled. “Well, here’s hoping for the success of Xyrus Academy.” Virion raised an imaginary glass in his hand to a toast.

  Seeing his joking expression, I kicked him in the shin, making him laugh aloud even more.

  I remembered clearly wishing right then and there that this moment would never end. I also remembered the clear feelings of regret that I had not met this man sooner. Maybe if we had met earlier, my loyalty to my continent and to the Vritra could’ve wavered.

  No. By this time, my heart had already wavered.

  “I’m the one with the injured leg here,” Virion called out from ahead. “Hurry up.”

  I stepped forward, hoping to catch up when a piercing pain bore a hole in my chest. The flower-filled scenery turned a shade of red. I looked down, finally having control over my body, only to see a black spike sticking out of me with my heart at the tip.

  “Hurry up,” Virion called out again, this time from afar.

  I reached out to him and called for him but I remained anchored by the pitch black spear jutting out of my chest.

  As if the spear was reeling me back, the once pleasant scene I was reliving got sucked away from me. As my world faded into darkness, the sight of Virion walking away was the last thing I saw before a bone-chilling grip enveloped me. As I sunk deeper into the depths of the abyss pulling me in, I could’ve sworn I heard a childish voice apologize to me.

  VIRION ERALITH’S POV:

  A bloodcurdling scream jolted me awake. I didn’t know when I had fallen asleep, but my body immediately got up from my desk chair. Heading out of my study, I narrowly avoided a guard rushing in the direction of the shriek.

  “C-Commander Virion,” he saluted, skidding to a stop.

  “What is going on?” I looked around, watching the other guards all heading in one direction.

  “I’m not sure, Commander. The scream seemed to have come from just a floor beneath.”

  “There shouldn’t be anyone—Anna!” I gasped. The only occupied room just immediately below this level was Cynthia’s room, with Anna taking care of her.

  The guard’s eyes widened as he turned and headed down. Immediately following behind, I pushed aside the horde of armored guards. Arthur’s family was just outside the door, but they were all staring inside. Everyone was staring inside.

  Lifting my gaze, my eyes stopped at the scene just a few feet ahead.

  “N-No,” I let out as I hobbled closer, unable to believe my eyes.

  “H-How? Who?” I stammered, but Anna was just as shocked as she shook her head.

  My head spun as the clutter of noise and murmurs around me became muffled. I took another step but my legs gave out underneath me and I stumbled against the bed

  Cynthia Goodsky lay peacefully in bed, her arms by her side and a thin white sheet over her body. And out of her chest was a pitch-black spike jutting out, covered in blood. Covered in her blood.

  An indiscernible howl ripped out of my throat as I sunk to my knees, clutching tightly at my old friend’s cold, lifeless hand.