Elf Mastery

by Bryant Reil

  The woman shrieked again. “Give me the rubbing!”

  “Step away from her!”

  Kyla turned to see Eunoe at the front door pointing her gun at the shrieker. Was that Eunoe in control right now? With a gun? Kyla braced herself for the noise.

  The woman turned and shrieked at Eunoe. She trod forward, despite another warning. “Gratl varos empinarm.”

  Kyla knew trouble had arrived as soon as Eunoe started speaking in Aias' tongue. She ran up to the door. There was a scramble of creatures that emerged from the darkness and several humans drew guns of their own.

  “Get inside,” Eunoe ordered in her own voice. “Stay in the storage room. You need to stay alive until Erebus arrives.”

  Kyla wondered how long that would take. What if Erebus never came at all? He still had plenty of perfectly good lackeys to throw around. Once again she felt as though she were abandoning her friends in their fight outside, but she had no skills to offer there. She ran downstairs, shouted at Aspen that her fighting skills were needed outside, darted into the storage room, and shut the door. Then she sat on the floor, cross-legged, and sighed.

  ***

  “Wait.” Aspen called after Phaethusa and Lampetia as they started up the stairs. “You're hurt. We should stay here.”

  Phaethusa looked back. “Kyla said they need help outside. I can fight.”

  “Maybe, but we need to be here if anyone comes down. I'm not going to leave her alone.”

  “Very well.” Phaethusa and Lampetia rejoined Aspen, and together they watched and waited.

  ***

  It was still strange, watching through her own eyes but not being in control of her body. Still, Eunoe was grateful for Aias in times like this. He was already familiar with the gun. In fact, Aias found it remarkably easy to use compared to swords and spears. Eunoe thought he was only so comfortable because none of his opponents had such weapons. Humans with guns fighting other humans with guns must be terrifying.

  But not unstoppable. Many of the Avowed had abilities the humans didn't understand. Some would vanish and reappear somewhere else, some could fly, and some shot balls of flame or blasts of dark energy. And now that the humans were glowing, while it enabled them to see, it also made them unable to hide from their attackers.

  Denzig, fortunately, was worth a dozen Avowed, and he valiantly protected the humans as they fought. As soon as they understood he was trying to protect them, many stood behind the dragon's thick legs and stepped out to fire their own guns, only to retreat back again. Great flames roared, claws slashed, and Denzig's great tail swept the road clean from Avowed who tried to sneak behind. Yet they kept coming, more and more appearing from the darkness. How they knew to come to Whitehall Eunoe couldn't say, but she supposed with the world in darkness Erebus knew where to find the one spot where his power was being challenged. Or was it the only spot? For all Eunoe knew, this was one resistance among many. Oberon surely was putting up a grand fight somewhere.

  ***

  Kyla had never tried to meditate. She was normally opposed to the idea, what with all the sitting still and trying to keep her mind clear; but with such an important task on her, and with the loud clamor of combat outside, Kyla tried her best to focus her mind.

  In the Digan's caverns she had fought Erebus by focusing on a song. A silly children's rhyme.

  Now she thought of more important things to focus on.

  Friends.

  Family.

  Why she was willing to risk her life for a stupid plan that might not even work.

  She rolled the ball of aurichalcum in her hand. It was the sum of her efforts. She had braved many things to get here. Overcome many challenges. Done things she had never dreamed. It was memorable. It would make her a hero.

  But it wasn't very fun.

  People were hurt and even killed. They lost homes and loved ones. Even now Kyla worried about the people outside. Were her friends winning or losing? She couldn't know. She fought the urge to check.

  Was she the same Kyla who was so excited to come to Equinox a few months ago? She realized she wasn't. That made her a little sad. She hoped, at least, she was a better Kyla. She had failed to help Lug stand up to Heff, once-upon-a-time. Now she was preparing to face off against Erebus. God of darkness. She was stronger than she had been. She was afraid, but she was still brave. Vock was right; you either had both or neither. Opposing feelings fought inside her: the fear trying to well up but the bravery keeping her bum planted on the floor of the little storage room, waiting for what might be her last moment.

  The implication hit her hard. Meditating had been a mistake. She stood up and considered running out the back door. The fighting sounded like it was coming from the front, and if she turned off her light she might be able to—

  No. She couldn’t leave her friends behind. But maybe someone else would be willing to face Erebus. Aspen would do it. Eunoe surely would. Kyla wagered they'd face it together, and die together if it came to it. Kyla didn't want them to die, and felt ashamed at her desire to pass the task to someone else. How could she ask her friends so give their lives, just so she could save her own? The plan was hers. She needed to take responsibility for it. This was her choice and her fight. She couldn't run away and make someone else do the hard part. She sat back down.

  She hoped her mother was well. Linkin was dead, according to the shrieking woman. Had he escaped and been killed? Had he killed Kyla's mother first? Had Marik miraculously shown up again and finished him off?

  Kyla wasn't ready to think about that.

  The sounds of combat escalated again. Kyla wanted to see what was happening but she was stuck here, waiting.

  Waiting for either a horde of terrifying creatures to burst through the door and crush her body, or for the god of darkness to try and crush her soul.

  It was the latter.

  ***

  You impress me.

  That wasn't what Kyla had expected to hear. She expected fury and cursing.

  You have managed a wonderful campaign. You are a leader, and strong of character. You would make a great ally, Kyla Nim.

  “You trying to flatter me?” Kyla spoke aloud. She could feel Erebus around her, but not at full strength; he wasn't even as strong as he had been in the caves. He was holding back.

  It doesn't need to be this way.

  “Why do you even want the rubbing? Linkin said you didn't need it. It was just in case you started to lose.”

  Linkin knew little of my plan. I shan't need it. My victory is absolute. Yet my followers desire the rubbing, so I may summon Chaos and end their suffering. Contrary to perception, I do what my people will.

  “Really? You sent them around to murder innocent people.”

  Of their own desire. I needed distractions, and they provided it. I did not dictate the means to be used.

  “That's just it. You don't care one way or the other. You don't care if people live or die. That's worse than evil.”

  I make no claim to good or evil.

  “Yeah...well, you're evil. Just so you know.”

  Very well. But this was my realm first, and I was displaced. The war once went the other way – your kind pushing me outside.”

  Kyla didn't know how to respond to that. It had been long before her time, and the stories were so varied it was impossible to tell what was true, though Erebus had no reason to lie. He wasn't even trying to stop her, as he had done in the cave.

  Until she tried to stand up.

  A heavy darkness pressed her to the ground.

  I hear you wanted to devise a trap. Is this it? I sense aurichalcum and aqualux. And blood. I felt your light burning the darkness. You think your efforts are sufficient to defeat me?

  Kyla could feel her muscles pressing inward against her organs and bones. It wasn't painful, as she might expect, but caused an anguish. An endless, deep, and powerful sadness, coupled with a weariness of life. Oh, only if she had a knife, she might put an end to her suffering. She remembered
her dream, and what it had offered. No love, no hatred, no sorrow, no fear. Blessed, peaceful nothing. It felt desirable now. She could feel Erebus reaching inside her, swimming in her soul, filling it with a numbness. She wanted to give in, to let it take over her. She was so tired. Tired of worrying about her family, of crazy dwarves and gods of darkness. Tired of having to fight on her own.

  On her own. She wasn't on her own. Where had that come from? She had her mother and her father and Bit; Eunoe and Aspen and Aura and Denzig. She had beaten Erebus before. She could do it again. Not for herself; herself wanted only to end the suffering. Her friends and family and all the people of the world who had things to live for needed her to succeed. Her will was gone, to do anything for herself, but she found she had the will to fight for someone else.

  Kyla tapped herself on the head and started to glow. She could feel Erebus shriek in her mind.

  You resist still. Yet it will not be enough.

  She slowly rose to her feet. There was still somewhere in here, a shadow, in which Erebus could hide. She activated the ball and amplified the light in the room. There was another soul-wrenching shriek.

  There is always somewhere to hide! You can't keep me prisoner. Not for long.

  Kyla popped open the hatch on the ball. There was darkness inside yet Erebus didn't enter. Somehow, somewhere in the room, there was still shadow in which he found shelter. She stomped her foot. The entire room lit up so bright Kyla couldn't open her eyes. She heard a great scream in her mind, and she could feel Erebus withdraw from her soul. She snapped the ball shut. The scream continued, and even intensified, yet now it felt far off. Kyla had him.

  There was a clamor from the next room. She peered out the door to see if it was safe. The lights were on now. Aspen and the two angels were fighting in the doorway, though from here Kyla could only see a fury of claws reach between them. Kyla was about to shut herself back in the storage room until she noticed another room to the side. Aspen didn't seem to see her, though she heard a loud shriek from the assailants as she bolted for the adjoining room and shut the door.

  She looked for a place to hide the aurichalcum ball. There were shelves lines with jars of food. One was marked with a hand-written label that said 'Blackberry Jam'. Kyla opened it, plopped the orb inside and pushed it down to the center. She quickly closed the jar and licked her fingers clean. It wasn't very good jam, but at least she wouldn't feel tempted to eat Erebus' storage place. She then put it back on the shelf, though nearer the back in case someone decided to raid the pantry.

  She stepped back out to see the angels chase the assailants up the stairs. Aspen turned and smiled.

  “Kyla! You did it! All the Avowed lost their powers! And the lights came back on!” Aspen hobbled over and gave Kyla a big hug. Eunoe and Aura ran downstairs, followed by several humans. Many were hurt, and Kyla could feel by their pained expressions that there were some who weren't going to be able to greet her. Even Denzig came down, shrunk to his smaller size, and shook her hand in the human manner. It was rather crowded, and boisterous, and confused, and Kyla just wanted to sleep but doubted she'd have the chance. She received many hugs, and cheers, and thank-yous. She gave everyone an exhausted smile, and a wave, and let Eunoe and Denzig take care of all the questions that soon followed from the humans regarding all the strange events of the past weeks.

  ***

  “Hi!” Kyla turned. Marik stood at the entrance to the basement. She was surprised to see him. Or, rather, she wasn't. She threw her bag over her shoulder. She could feel Erebus' dark presence emanating from the jar of jam, but hoped Marik didn't notice. “When did you get here?”

  “Just a few moments ago.”

  Kyla leaned in and sniffed Marik's jacket. “You smell like moonflowers. Or something here does. It isn't me.”

  “Do I? That's my friend's perfume, I think.”

  “Oh! So is she a girlfriend?”

  Marik answered with a pained look.

  Kyla took the cue to change topic. “You going back to Equinox? I'm going home for a bit.”

  “Most people are. The term is cancelled. I'll probably help clean up.”

  Kyla reached into her waistband. “I feel like I should give you this.”

  “What is it?”

  “That rubbing everyone was after. I don't want it anymore. People keep trying to kill me for it.”

  “I think the people looking for it are either dead or imprisoned.”

  “Yeah. I don't know why but I just really feel like you should give it to your friend. The one who gave us that history paper.”

  “What about Erebus?”

  Kyla stopped. Did he know she had captured him? “Why?”

  “Just wondering. You trapped him in your little ball, didn't you?”

  Kyla trusted Marik well enough, but felt like she should keep her mouth shut. “I don't want to talk about it yet. Not until Erebus' followers are all gone, anyway.”

  Marik nodded. “Probably wise.” He tucked the rubbing inside his jacket. “Maybe the army will give you the original stone back.”

  “Doubt it. Don't even want it. Anyway I guess I'll see you next term. I've got to go. Eunoe's giving me a ride home.”

  “Yeah. Take care, Kyla. You did well.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Aftermath

  “I saved the world so I should get it!”

  Kyla reached for the last piece of cheesecake but Bit's hand darted in and grabbed it so hard it oozed through his fingers.

  “Sure you did!” Bit quickly shoved his dessert—his third dessert—in his mouth and smiled as the cream smeared across his lips and cheek. She hadn't seen him smile in years.

  She charged around the table. “You crab-apple-sucking sack of pine nuts! Denzig gave it to me!” She swatted at him but he stepped aside.

  “Mom! Kyla swore at me!” Bit's words came out muffled and spat sugary toppings onto Kyla's shirt. She did manage to corner him, however.

  “You little rat. You think your mommy can protect you? Well, let's see her protect you from this!”

  She leaned in and licked a gob of cheesecake off Bit's cheek. He shrank away with disgust.

  “Ew! Don't lick me!”

  Lianaria's voice came in from the next room. “You two behave in there!” Her tone was less commanding than it used to be. Perhaps she was still rattled by what she saw at Monarch. Or whatever happened with Linkin, which she refused to discuss.

  Kyla let go of Bit. “Fine. I know where to get an even better dessert, and now I'm not going to tell you.” She folded her arms and wore her most serious expression. It soon broke into a smile. “Oh, of course I'll tell you! It's called ice cream! It's the most delicious thing I've ever eaten! I only had it the one time but I want to go back to Whitehall and get some more. Except it melts really easy but humans have these big cold metal boxes called fridges to keep food in, and maybe I can talk Denzig into buying one of those. I mean, I did save the world and all.”

  Bit rolled his eyes. “Yeah, you keep saying that.”

  “It's true! I captured Erebus! Ask Aspen or Eunoe or Aura or Denzig or any of those humans that were there.”

  The trapdoor from opened from the store below. “Humans?”

  Kyla turned to see her father. “Daddy!” She ran and leaped into his arms as he rose from the ladder. “You're back! I missed you! How was Pal Heights?”

  “Good to see you too! It was a fine trip, thank you! Feels good to be back in business! Speaking of which, come with me. Those soles are falling off your feet.”

  ***

  “This one's an AR-15 assault rifle. One hundred rounds of ammo. I have more on the way, but, you know, our infrastructure fell apart and the wheels are just starting to turn again.”

  Eunoe took the gun from Sheriff Withers and tested its weight. It was heavy.

  The Sheriff's eyes looked heavy and he now walked with a hunch. “Different handling than your M-1911. I'll have Will give you lessons.”

  Will and
Sheriff Withers had apparently been amicable before the darkness hit, and remained so even after Will's threats. Eunoe wasn't sure she would be so forgiving, but she understood why the Sheriff might. It had been a stressful time, particularly in the human world where the reality of events remained unknown.

  Denzig came in with a tray of crackers and cheese. “How are the others?”

  The Sheriff shrugged. “Most people seem convinced the water was drugged. My family and I have been playing it off like nothing happened. Will's pretty convinced, though, and so is Janet.”

  Eunoe looked back at Aspen. She was leaning against the cavern wall, frowning.

  “What's wrong?” Eunoe already knew what was wrong, but wanted to hear it.

  “I don't like those things.”

  “What? Guns? Neither do I, but you have to admit they were handy in a pinch.”

  “No. It's over. We don't need them around.”

  “Aias is pretty bent on learning how to use them properly.”

  “We don't need him around anymore either.”

  “I've started making him a new body. It'll just take some time. And Erebus might still have followers looking for Kyla. We'll practice at the shooting range and keep everything here in the cave. Is that okay, Denzig?”

  The dragon shrugged. “I figured you wouldn't be hauling all this gear around on your tiger's back. I have plenty of storage space. You girls have somewhere to stay while Equinox is getting fixed up?”

  “I can stay anywhere there's trees,” Aspen noted. “Just Eunoe needs a bed.”

  Denzig looked down the corridor. “I can put you up on a pile of hay in the other room.”

  Eunoe set the gun on the table. She looked at Aspen, then back at Denzig. “Thank you, but I think a certain orc might be able to fit us with accommodations.”

  Aspen smiled and clapped, and looked proudly at the bandages on her legs.

  ***

  Saul stopped to wipe his brow. Lili was an endless well of energy. The work was grim, but she was focused as they scoured the campus for bodies and tossed them in the wagon. Friend or foe didn't matter. Some were too large, of course: giants, ogres, and manticores had to be dragged away with ropes and teams of workers. It was difficult, gruesome, and unrewarding.