The Aether Knight

by E A Hooper

  “Barthlomex?” Roz said, thinking.

  The last few weeks seemed like a blur to Roz. Sometimes she had stood in an infinite whiteness, talking to Cauli. Other times, she had felt trapped between unconsciousness and death. At times, she could even hear things going on around her, but those events seemed like dreams. “Wait—Mil! I dreamed she died.”

  “It wasn’t a dream,” Myamere said, sadly. “The same girl that fixed Valx’s wound after the battle with his brother is one of Reaper’s daughters. She slew that poor girl.”

  Roz put a hand over her mouth, trying not to sob. “Poor Mil. Poor Barthlomex.” She looked at Myamere with big eyes. “What happened to Valx?”

  “He tried to follow that murderer, Lilan. They both used metamorphosis, but she escaped. After Mil’s funeral, Valx took Seawing and flew north.”

  “Oh, no. What’s he thinking? He isn’t going to attack Reaper’s castle on his own, is he?”

  “No one knows, but hopefully, he doesn’t ruin the peace summit that the nations are going to. Thod’s army left a few days ago.”

  “Where are we? Direlight?”

  “No, we’re at Castle Stoneborn.”

  Roz’s eyes widened. “We’re that far north? So, Valx should’ve already arrived at Reaper’s castle. And Thod’s army is only a week or two away.”

  “Less than that. Reaper revealed a newly cut path through Farwood that cuts the travel distance in half. This summit seems likes the best chance of ending the war. If Valx does something to prevent it, the various nations sending forces to Varsith might end up fighting one another.”

  “We can’t keep fighting each other. The Feyans want to take Ter’al. If our armies destroy one another, we’ll be defenseless.”

  Myamere nodded. “Thod is taking that threat seriously now that his son is dead. He’ll do everything he can to appease Reaper. The only problem is Valx.”

  Roz placed her feet on the ground beside the bed and tried to stand. The pain pulsated through her side, and she fell with a whimper.

  Myamere caught her and held her steady. “Roz! What are you doing? You need to stay in bed. At least for a few more weeks.”

  “No, we need to catch up with Thod’s army. Did they take the dragons?”

  “Yahn took them to scout Varsith.”

  “There are horses, right? If we ride fast enough, we should arrive in time for the Red Moon.”

  “Roz, please rest. Do you realize how much pain you’ll be in riding a horse in this condition?”

  “I don’t care. I should be there for the summit. If Valx hasn’t gotten himself killed by then, I might be able to convince him to leave.”

  Roz pulled away from Myamere’s grasp and walked across the room. She found Cauli’s blade propped against the wall and grabbed it. The pain throbbed at her side, and she struggled to ignore it.

  “I can’t convince you to stay, can I?” Myamere asked, worriedly.

  “Nothing you say will stop me. I must be there for the summit.”

  The Godblade sighed and shook his head. “Fine, I’ll ride you there. But we’re stopping anytime the pain gets too much for you. We’re taking that ointment too. Oh, and there’re two medical guildsmen that stayed behind to watch after you. I’ll ask them to join us.”

  “That’s fine. Whatever it takes, so long as you don’t try to stop me.”

  Myamere reached for his sword, which had been resting on a table. He winced as he lifted it, and Roz flashed a worried look.

  “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “You’re not the only one that got hurt. That swordsman I fought was like no one I’d ever seen. He cut me good, and it still hurts sometimes.” He showed Roz the scar under the bottom of his arm. “If his blade had cut any deeper, I’d be half the swordsman I currently am.”

  The Godblade lifted his sword and paused. A look of curiosity crossed his face, and he unsheathed the blade and stared at it.

  “Something wrong?” Roz asked.

  “This isn’t my sword.”

  “It looks like the one you usually carry.”

  “It doesn’t feel right. Something’s different.”

  “Did it get chipped? Or bent?”

  “No, it just feels different. I can’t explain how, but I know my sword, and this isn’t it. There’ve been medical guildsmen coming into the room to check on you. Sometimes while I sleep. Perhaps, one of them swapped my sword with an almost identical one.”

  Roz raised an eyebrow. “Are you joking? Why would someone do that?”

  “I have no idea, but I promise you, Roz. This isn’t my sword. Look, it doesn’t even have the scratches or chips from the battles of last year.”

  “Maybe someone gave you a new one as a gift.”

  Myamere frowned. “You don’t just take a man’s sword without permission.” He sighed and tied the sheath to his side. “I’m sure it’ll work just fine. I’m only annoyed and confused why someone would do that without telling me.”

  “Well, hopefully, you won’t need it at the summit.”

  The door creaked open, and a young woman with a white mask over her mouth stepped into the room. She paused when she saw Roz standing. “Miss!” she cried. “You shouldn’t be out of bed so soon.”

  “Unfortunately, I have somewhere to be. Come on, Myamere.”

  Roz pushed past the woman and stepped into the hall. She felt throbs of pain in her side with each step, but Roz continued forward.

  I’ll rest when this war is over.

  Chapter 25

  Valx flew on Seawing’s back over the city. When he first saw it in the distance, he’d decided to circle around to the northeast to make it easier to reach Castle Titanweir. Lilan told me that one of Reaper’s wives can see the entire city. She’ll probably spot me before I reach the castle, so I have to strike fast and hard. I can’t give them time to gather their forces against me. I’ll target Lilan first. I’m sure Reaper will show himself by the time I’m done with her.

  “Faster!” he shouted at the dragon.

  Seawing took off at top speed toward the castle as Valx scanned the spires and walls. Lilan said she stayed in the eastern wing. She described it like a smaller castle attached to the main complex. That’s what I’ll hit first. Hopefully, she’ll be there. I did stall for a few days on the way here to give her time.

  As they neared the castle, a strange feeling crept from Valx’s scar and across his gut. She’s here. I know it. She never severed her connection to me. His eyes fell on the east section of the castle. I know she’s there. I can feel her presence. That piece of her power she used to find me will be her own undoing.

  Seawing landed outside the castle wall, and Valx jumped off the dragon’s back. It looked like guards had seen them from atop the wall, but he ignored them. “Circle,” Valx commanded the dragon.

  Seawing replied with a worried look. The dragon whimpered and nudged at his side.

  “I said circle!” Valx shouted. “If I survive, you can pick me up from this spot.”

  The dragon whimpered and took flight. He watched it circle over the sky, never flying too far from that location.

  Valx faced the castle wall. She’s in there. Lilan’s in there. I need to kill her. Kill her. Kill her.

  White aether exploded around his body and hardened into crystalline armor. He punched the wall with his aether-armored fist, and the stone exploded inward. Valx stomped into the hall, gaining speed. Several servants screamed, ducking from the explosion, but he sped past them. He slammed through another wall, not even bothering to use the halls. He tore across an empty bedroom, hit another wall, and blasted through. He propelled his armor faster and faster, and he began to tear through rooms at a quicker rate.

  There was a woman in one room who tried to shield herself from the exploding rubble as Valx tore through. He didn’t slow himself or worry, even as he demolished rooms with more people. Even when he slammed through several servants and another woman with long hair. Their bodies splattered against his arm
or, but he didn’t hesitate for a second.

  Kill her. Kill her.

  His armor broke through another wall into a large open room with a pool. He saw women and children and servants all around. Almost immediately, screams filled the eastern wing. They must’ve heard him smashing through the walls because several of the women had readied themselves.

  Reaper’s wives. I should kill them too.

  One woman stepped between Valx and several crying children. She circled her hands through the air, and a swirling ball of air formed in her palms. She shoved the air-ball at Valx, and it exploded against his armor. Outside of his metamorphosis, the attack would’ve knocked him off his feet, but within the armor, he didn’t even take a step back.

  A white, hard-aether blade formed in Valx’s hands, and he cut the woman down with one strike. The children scattered, screaming and crying, but he ignored them.

  “Where’s Lilan?” Valx screamed.

  A woman on the other side of the pool waved her hand, and the water of the pool rippled. A portion of the water froze in an instant, and when she waved her hand, a gigantic ice spike launched toward Valx. He smashed the spike with his arm and didn’t even flinch. Valx leaped over the pool and cut the woman in half with his white blade. She screamed as the top half of her body fell backward.

  Another woman raised her hands. Valx couldn’t tell if she was preparing to attack or simply raising her hands in fear. He cut her down before she could react.

  A teenaged boy screamed, charging toward Valx. Steam poured out of his back, propelling him at a high speed toward the armored man. He punched Valx in the chest, and an explosion of steam ran from his knuckles. Valx grabbed his arm and twisted it around until it snapped, and the boy fell to the ground screaming.

  Kill him.

  The man in white armor decapitated the boy with a quick swing.

  “Valx!” a voice screamed from across the pool.

  Valx’s white helm turned to Lilan as she stepped from a nearby room.

  She looked at him with dead-like eyes. “Don’t hurt anyone else. Please. You’re here to kill me. Just get it over with.”

  His helm turned left to right, looking around the room.

  “If you’re looking for Joceline, I sent her away for the day. I wanted to be alone. She can’t save me. No one can save me from you. I know that. Do what you must. I won’t even use metamorphosis.”

  Valx leaped back across the pool, and Lilan trembled in fear.

  “Valx!” another voice screamed. “It’s you, isn’t it? In that gods-damned armor.”

  The white helm turned to the hallway as Pyre approached. His old friend looked at him with horrified eyes and then peered around at the death and destruction Valx had caused.

  Pyre? Why the hell is he here?

  “Oh, gods,” Pyre shouted. “Oh my, gods. What have you done, Valx? What the hell have you done?”

  “Go away, Pyre,” Valx said, his voice hollow.

  “Where’s my son at?” Pyre shouted, still looking around. “Where’s Aque?”

  “They’re in the garden,” a child shouted, hiding in the corner with several others.

  “Thank the gods,” Pyre said. “Kids, get out of here. All of you, hurry!”

  The children ran for the hallway as quickly as they could.

  Pyre approached and stepped between Valx and Lilan. “Valx, you have to stop this. Look at what you’ve done.”

  “She has to die,” Valx muttered. “Kill her. I must kill her. Reaper too.”

  “Reaper isn’t even here,” Pyre said. “He’s at Fort Darkwood, talking to the other lords. Valx you need to know something. Bastion came here and said Lilan was pregnant with your child. You can’t kill her.”

  “I will,” he replied.

  “Did you fucking hear me?” Pyre shouted. “She’s pregnant with your child!”

  “Don’t care,” Valx muttered. “Kill her. Must kill her.”

  “I won’t let you,” Pyre said, tightening his fists until they burst with fire. “I won’t let you do this. You’re no better than anyone you’ve ever hated, Valx.”

  “Please move, Pyre,” Valx begged. “Can’t stop myself. Can’t hold myself back any longer. I must kill her. Move now.” His body twitched as he struggled to keep himself from charging through his friend.

  The muscles tightened in Pyre’s arms, and his body glowed hotter and hotter. “Lilan, you might want to get away from us. I’ll try to keep the heat in as long as possible, but there’s no guarantee you won’t combust.”

  Lilan nodded and ran for the hallway.

  Valx lurched after her, but Pyre jumped in his way. The thief exploded with heat, and his skin turned into ash. Pyre grabbed Valx’s arms and halted his advance until Lilan made it into the hall.

  Valx ran his crystalline blade through Pyre’s chest. He froze for a moment, terrified at what he had done, but Pyre’s ashen body seemed unfazed.

  The thief opened his mouth to speak. “Vaaaaalx!” he screamed, spraying intense fire from his throat.

  The stream of fire did nothing against Valx’s aether armor. Within his metamorphosis, he couldn’t even feel the heat. However, behind him, the pool bubbled and began to evaporate. Nearby chairs caught flame, and even the bodies began to flake and burn.

  Valx slapped Pyre with his free arm, knocking him into a wall. The thief rebounded off the wall and struck Valx in the side of the head with his ashen elbow. The ash seemed to harden on impact, and the blow caused Valx to stumble back two steps.

  Valx swung his crystalline sword horizontally, cutting through Pyre’s ash-body. The ash making up his body reconnected almost instantly as the sword passed through, and Pyre replied with a spin-kick to Valx’s head that knocked him off balance.

  Pyre used that opportunity to tackle Valx into the pool. As they fell, the water exploded into steam all at once. Valx couldn’t see anything for several seconds, but he could feel the impact of Pyre striking him with blow after blow. The attacks didn’t hurt, but it shook him and made it difficult to fight back. When he finally could see Pyre again, Valx grabbed his head and slammed it into the floor of the pool, breaking the stone beneath.

  The thief’s head exploded into ash, but when Valx released him, his head reformed. Pyre opened his mouth, blasting Valx with another intense flame.

  Valx swung his arm, knocking the flames aside, but Pyre had vanished from his view. The thief came from behind, wrapping his arms under Valx’s and placing his hands behind his head to hold him in place. Valx swung him around and smashed him into the sides of the pool, but the thief didn’t release him.

  The man in aether armor became still. He held his sword over his back and swung through Pyre’s arms. Pyre fell backward as his arms rebuilt themselves from the ashes.

  Lilan. Must kill her. Kill Lilan.

  Valx turned and leaped out of the pool, but Pyre grabbed him by the neck at the last second. After they landed, the thief kicked out a leg from under Valx and grappled the armored man to the ground. Valx overpowered Pyre, swinging his friend against the ground. The white-armored man drove a fist through his friend’s head, smashing the floor underneath. He drove his fist through him again and again, but each time, Pyre’s body reformed.

  “Just let me kill her,” Valx cried.

  “No,” Pyre replied. “Stop this, Valx. Please, stop this.”

  Pyre’s metamorphosis seemed to run out, and his body reformed into flesh. Valx stood over his friend, gripping his crystalline blade.

  Pyre looked at Valx with sad eyes. “Valx, my friend, please. Stop this madness.”

  Valx tightened his fists around his blade. “She killed Mil,” he cried. His aether helm raised so Pyre could see his tear-soaked face. “These Northerners have taken everything from me. They took my mom. They took my home. They took Xulthen. They turned me into someone Roz couldn’t love. Then they took Mil. The last person I was close to. The last person who cared.”

  “This won’t make things better,” Pyre s
aid. “It won’t make you happy. You’re only hurting people because you were hurt. Did killing General Cydon make you happy? Did killing your brother make you happy? Did killing women and children make you feel happier?”

  Valx looked around at the burning bodies.

  “You hated the North because they were hurting people,” Pyre said. “Now, you’re the one hurting people. It must stop eventually, Valx. Someone has to stop this cycle of pain. If we can’t stop fighting one another, the Feyans will destroy our civilization. They’ll cause suffering like you can’t imagine.”

  “I don’t care,” Valx muttered. “As long as Lilan and Reaper die too.”

  “Are you really that much of a monster?” Pyre asked, crying. “Everyone has suffered for this war. I’ve lost people close to me. I lost my friend Lorrick last year to a Northern lord named Cyril. If I have the chance, I’d like to see him die. But I can’t risk everyone else’s lives to see that happen. Lord Eldsworth held me prisoner and tortured me. I had to play along to save children that he threatened if I didn’t comply. I’m doing everything I can to carry other people’s burden—others’ pain. That at least gives me some solace. It’s the only thing I can do to make myself happier after everything I’ve been through. Killing everyone that made you angry won’t ever make you feel better. You’ll only lead to worse things. More death. More pain.”

  Valx’s chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, but he didn’t reply.

  “You’re going to cause pain to the people who still care about you,” Pyre warned him. “You might’ve killed my son if he’d been here. You’ll get Roz killed if the peace summit fails. You know that, right? I’ve been hearing about her—Roz the Read. She’s trying to do something with her pain. To make the world better while you tear everything down, Valx. That’s probably why she stopped loving you. The North didn’t do that to you. You chose to follow this path. You keep choosing to hurt more people. Look around at what you’ve done. How are you any different from the soldiers that killed your mother that day?”