by E A Hooper
Valx’s sword vanished from his hands. His armor cracked and splintered. It broke away into dust and vanished in seconds. Tears streamed down his face, and he gasped repeatedly. His body trembled, and he stared off at nothing.
“Valx?” Pyre said.
Valx’s panicked breaths grew heavier. “I just want to stop hurting,” he muttered. “I don’t want to feel this way anymore, but it never stops.”
A storm of footsteps echoed from the hall, and dozens of soldiers hurried toward them.
Valx looked down at Pyre one more time. “I’m sorry,” Valx whimpered, disappearing with a flash of blue aether.
He aether-stepped down the hall, following his own path of destruction. He peered with wide-eyes at the bodies and injured people he’d left from tearing across the rooms. He even saw two children buried under the rubble.
Memories of Tunra’s destruction flashed through his mind. He remembered the bodies of his neighbors and his mother. He recalled the battle at Lunori’s castle when the young girl Tela was killed. I really am no different than the people I hated. I’m just like my father. Like Reaper. Like Cydon. Hell, I’m worse than my brother.
When he exited the castle through the hole he’d made, Seawing swooped down and landed next to him. Valx climbed onto the dragon, but he stared with vacant eyes at the distance. The dragon took to the sky even as soldiers screamed at them.
Valx looked at the dragon. “I’m sorry for yelling earlier, Seawing. You didn’t deserve that, but for some reason, I can’t stop hurting people. I guess I’m just a monster.”
Chapter 26
Radu watched as his men set up camp in the designated location. In the distance, he could see Fort Darkwood, which sat in front of Varsith. He could see rows of tents propped in front of the fort.
Those tents are where we’ll be meeting, he realized. It’s where Ter’al will hopefully find peace.
Beyond the tents and the fort, he eyed the city of Varsith. It looked almost the size of Direlight, but Radu almost felt intimidated with the way the city blocks were lined on the hills. The arrangement of the city made Castle Titanweir even more menacing, sitting at the highest point.
Radu wondered if Reaper was sitting on a balcony, watching as his enemies gathered armies on his doorsteps. When the Snake King looked left and right, he could see other forces already arriving. Vassal Lunori had set up his camp close to Radu’s with the understanding that they’d fight together if something happened. Scouts from the West and Bay Nation had made room for their armies, which would arrive early the next morning. The Wetlands had set up a small camp south of Radu’s camp, and representatives from the Mountain Territories had even arrived with a caravan that sat east of Lunori’s camp.
There’s never been a gathering in Ter’al like this, Radu noted. Representatives from every territory but the far south are arriving. All in the name of peace. In the hope that Ter’al can come together against the Feyans. At least, I hope that’s what they’re all here for.
He stared at Fort Darkwood. There’s no telling what the North is really thinking. But there’s not much I can do without my power, Radu told himself. He knew Eldsworth was staying at the fort to ensure his suppressive power would reach them. Radu felt vulnerable without his power, but his scouts had searched Varsith, the castle, and the countryside, and they had found no additional soldiers. It all seems too perfect—except for the two lords who are communicating with vassals in the East. But none of them will be here for the peace summit.
He looked at Oprhilm, who sat in a small cart that servants would use to push him around. The young man looked bored. Without his power, he couldn’t do much but wait around and watch everyone else prepare.
Grenfei and Beldivare had returned after an extensive search of Varsith and the countryside. They still worked with scouts of various nations, and all of them kept an eye in every direction in case the North sent additional forces.
Obviously, any trap won’t come in the form of additional forces arriving to surround us. If Reaper is scheming, it’ll be something more subtle than that.
Radu’s sharp eyes caught a blue dot overhead. He watched it flying toward their camp. It’s a smallish dragon. Maybe it’s a scout or a welcome messenger.
The dragon circled overhead and then flew down to a nearby clearing. Radu hurried toward the clearing, pushing his way past his men. Vastalt had gotten there first, warning the rider not to move.
Radu noticed the rider’s white hair as he approached. “Valx?”
Valx looked at him with a despondent stare.
“Did you just fly from Reaper’s castle?” Radu questioned. “What the hell were you doing there?”
His old friend climbed from the blue dragon. “Radu, I’m here to surrender myself.”
Radu gave him a cold stare. “What for?”
“I attacked Reaper’s castle. I killed several of his wives. His children too.”
Radu’s blood ran cold, and for a moment, he thought he couldn’t breathe.
Lullum ran to Radu and took his arm. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Grenfei followed soon after. She smiled and waved at Valx. “Long time, pal.”
The white-haired man didn’t respond. Instead, he looked at the ground with an empty gaze.
“Did you see Pyre?” Radu asked, his voice full of worry.
“He stopped me,” Valx muttered.
Radu’s muscles tensed. “Did you hurt him?”
“Almost.”
“What about Reaper?”
“He wasn’t there.”
Radu sighed and pulled his own hair in frustration. “Gods be damned, Valx. Gods be damned, you might’ve doomed all of us.”
“Why was Pyre there?” Valx asked.
“We’re Reaper’s sons,” Radu replied.
Valx’s eyes moved back and forth like he was thinking to himself.
“And no, we didn’t know until after we met you,” Radu said. “Don’t get any ideas that we were plotting with him.”
“Let me guess—Bastion’s prophecy?” Valx replied. “Just destiny laughing at me. Proving I could never really escape this fate.”
Radu gaped at his old friend. Has he lost his mind? He always had a violent side, but he’s completely out of it. There’s no telling what Reaper will do now. How can we have peace if Valx is murdering Reaper’s family? Lullum squeezed his hand, bringing him out of his thoughts.
“So, why’re you surrendering to me?” Radu asked Valx.
“I picked a camp at random,” Valx said. “It didn’t matter if I handed myself to the West, East, or whoever. It’ll all end the same. You can offer me to Reaper to protect the peace summit.”
“To hell with that,” Grenfei said. “We aren’t handing you over, Wight.”
“You will,” Valx muttered, staring at the grass. “Otherwise, there’ll be no peace, and it’ll be my fault. Everything that goes wrong is my fault now. I’m just like them. I bring ruin to everything.”
“Is he always this way?” Vastalt asked Radu.
“Not like this,” Radu replied, his eyes full of sadness. “Valx, thank you for surrendering yourself. I hate to say this, but you’re right. Offering you to Reaper is the only way to protect the peace summit. Grenfei, I want you to release Thelmia from her chains. Take her to Castle Titanweir. Let them know that we’ll give Valx to Reaper as long as the peace summit goes as planned.”
Grenfei replied with a frown.
“Just do it, Gren,” Radu commanded. “This is the only way to ensure peace.”
The woman lowered her head. “Alright, boss.” She glanced at Valx before disappearing into the crowd of soldiers.
“Are you sure there isn’t another way?” Lullum asked Radu.
“There’s not,” he said. “If Valx is lucky, Reaper will keep him alive. He needs his bloodline, after all.”
“Not anymore,” Valx said. “Your sister Lilan is pregnant with my child. Reaper has no reason to keep me alive.”
Radu sighed. “Did you at least have a good reason to attack the castle?”
“To kill Lilan,” he replied, coldly. “She killed my friend.”
Radu lowered his head and gnashed his teeth. “I’ve spent the last year trying to find you, Valx. I’ve had my spies searching Ter’al for any hint of you—and this is how you chose to reappear? Ter’al is in great danger, and you’ve put our only chance at peace at risk.”
“I know,” Valx said, still staring at the ground. “I know about the Feyans. I know about Bastion’s prophecy. I know about the fate of our bloodlines being intertwined.”
“And you chose to destroy us all?” Radu spat.
“I chose to destroy them,” Valx replied. “Lilan and Reaper.”
Radu felt anger rising inside himself, but he quelled it. “I understand, Valx. I know why you’d want to kill them after everything they’ve done to you. I wish I could kill Reaper and most of the Northern lords myself. They’ve done countless terrible things.”
“So have I,” Valx said. “I’m a monster like them. I don’t even know how many people I’ve killed anymore. I used to keep count. I tried to remember their faces. There’re too many now. In the castle, I didn’t even hesitate to kill anyone in my way. I might be worse than your father.”
“You’re not worse than Reaper,” Radu replied. “Not yet anyways. Not if you can still do the right thing to help other people. You can still turn yourself over to ensure the peace pact. Not to mention, you might be the person I need if things go wrong.”
Valx raised his head.
“I still don’t think this peace summit is being held in good faith,” Radu explained. “My spies have discovered that two of the Northern lords have had a lot of correspondence with two of the Eastern vassals. Lord Cire was even childhood friends with Vassal Tyunna. Their clans have always been close. Not to mention, my scouts have found no Islander forces. Grenfei encountered a small party of them on her way back, but they didn’t seem to come prepared. Like their attention is elsewhere.”
“Maybe they all assume the peace pact will go as planned,” Valx said.
“I also received a report this morning from my spy network. Last they saw, the Islanders had sent their naval fleet to Embry’s shores. That was weeks ago, so it’s no telling what they’ve done since then. They could be marching an army this way. They could be attacking Direlight. Or they could simply be preparing if the peace summit fails.”
“So, it might be nothing.”
“But if it’s not, then I need your help, Valx. If Reaper tries something, it won’t be with his regular soldiers. They’re outnumbered if the rest of us work together. But he has far more greatborn than us.”
“He and Lilan have metamorphosis too,” Valx replied. “However, your brother and I have it also. It’s how he stopped me.”
“Doesn’t that power have a time limit?” Radu asked.
“I thought so, but mine seemed to last as long as I had the urge to kill.”
“Do you still want to kill my father?”
Valx slumped. “I don’t know. I don’t really want anything anymore. I think I’ve killed enough people.”
“Even if Reaper turns on us?” Radu asked. “Even if he hurts more people?”
“If that time comes, we’ll see if my metamorphosis activates. I’m sure that part of me is still somewhere inside. If Reaper tries something, I’ll try to stop him.”
“That’s all I can ask for,” Radu told him. “Hopefully, it won’t come to that. Hopefully, peace, not violence, will end this war.”
Lullum smiled at Radu and squeezed his hand again. “If anyone can talk Reaper into peace, it’s you, Radu. No matter what happens, you have me and all your men behind you. Whether it’s for battle or peace.”
Radu sighed and stared at Castle Titantweir. No matter what Reaper has planned, I’ll end this war. The Feyans won’t wait for us to make peace. Tomorrow, the Red Moon will rise. By the time it falls, this war will be over one way or another.
Chapter 27
Pyre worked over the next hour to dig survivors out from under the rubble. He discovered two more of his siblings, another of Reaper’s wives, and several servants that had died from Valx’s charge through the castle walls. He found survivors too, but many had injuries.
As he dug through the rubble with the help of soldiers, Joceline appeared with Chancellor Helmor. The chancellor looked aghast at the carnage and destruction and struggled to keep himself calm. He gave commands to the soldiers and had Joceline use her power to carry the injured to the west wing where their best physicians stayed.
“Where’s Lilan?” Joceline cried between carrying injured people. “I heard she was safe, but I haven’t seen her.”
“She ran through the hall,” Pyre told her. “She must be in the west wing or the garden.”
“I’ve looked everywhere for her,” Joceline said, shaking. “Please, I just want to know that Miss Lilan is safe. Do you know where she could’ve gone?”
“Jocy, please,” the chancellor shouted. “People are dying. You can find Lilan later. Pyre says she was unharmed, so I’m sure she’s fine.”
Joceline fell silent and lifted another injured child before disappearing with the sound of a whisper.
Helmor looked at Pyre with solemn eyes. “You’re certain Lilan is alive?”
“Yes, Valx never reached her.”
“I see,” Helmor said. The chancellor looked at the nearby soldiers. “Has anyone seen Lilan?”
“I did,” one answered. “She walked past me as I entered from the garden. There were two maids with her.”
“She’s leaving on horseback,” the voice of Lady Anabella called.
Pyre turned to see Reaper’s first wife gaping at the destruction.
“My lady,” Helmor said. “What are you doing here? You don’t want to see this.”
“I saw everything,” she said. “All the destruction. The death. Pyre’s defiance against that monster. I wanted to be here when my husband arrives.”
“Oh gods,” Helmor muttered. “Is he on his way?”
“He’s almost here,” Anabella answered, closing her eyes.
Helmor trembled with fear. “Is he furious? Sad? Or hiding his emotions?”
“His fury is like nothing I’ve ever seen,” she replied.
The chancellor sighed. “The chance for peace is ruined, isn’t it?”
“No,” Pyre said. “We need this peace. No matter what Valx did, I won’t let this peace summit fail.”
Anabella and the chancellor stared at him, but then the woman turned her head. She retreated down the hall toward the dry pool and charred bodies.
“Oh no, he must be here,” the chancellor said. “My poor lord. I pity everyone who’ll face his wrath.”
Pyre hurried through the hall. He reached the lounge as Reaper entered, followed by Tachios and an entourage of terrified advisors and generals. The lord’s furious eyes scanned over the destruction. He gazed at the bodies, and tears fell down his cheeks.
“My love,” Anabella cried, bowing to him. “I’m so sorry, my lord.”
Pyre slowed to a stop as Reaper’s eyes fell on him.
“You,” the lord said, gazing empty-eyed at Pyre. “Thank you for stopping Valx.”
Pyre nodded, and the thief couldn’t stop himself from crying. “I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner.”
The lord’s face became hard and cold like stone, but he too couldn’t stop himself from crying. He crouched beside the charred body of one of his deceased wives. He gazed at her with a hollow expression, and tears dropped onto the body.
“Valx will pay for this,” Reaper said. “I’ll have no peace until he’s dead.”
Everyone in the hall fell silent, but Pyre clenched his fists. “Father, you can’t let this stop the peace summit.”
Reaper stood and stared at Pyre with furious eyes that sent chills down the thief’s spine.
“You drove Valx to this,” Pyre said, defiantly. “You put
the idea into Wyvern’s head to kill his family. That’s what started all this madness.”
“You dare talk to me like that?” Reaper said, his voice low but terrifying. “After my wives and children were slain by that monster?”
“I heard what Bastion said,” Pyre told him. “There are two paths of fate we can follow to save Ter’al. A path of forgiveness and a path of sacrifice. I’m not asking you to forgive Valx, nor would I ask him to forgive you. But if you two can come to an understanding, then this war won’t have to end with more death. More pain.”
Reaper held up his hand, and dozens of swords flew from his men’s sheathes. The swords danced through the air and pointed at Pyre. However, the thief stood his ground and kept his fearless eyes on Reaper.
“Think of how many families you’ve killed with this war,” Pyre said. “All the children that have died. Did you really think it wouldn’t come back to you? That you were untouchable? Fate can take everything from us at any given moment. The only thing we can do is try to make the right choices. You know that peace is the right choice. For Ter’al. For your remaining family.”
“Fate didn’t take my family,” Reaper roared. “Valx did this.”
“You did this,” Pyre replied. “You knew his father. You knew how dangerous Dragon was, but you kept choosing to make enemies over allies. You turned your old friends into enemies. You turned their children into enemies. You turned entire nations into your enemies. Most of Ter’al is your enemy. How did you think you’d save this continent when everyone hates you?”
Reaper clenched his fist, and the swords dove toward Pyre. The thief didn’t flinch, and the blades stopped an inch from his flesh. “You’re his friend—that monster. I shouldn’t even consider you my son.”
“Well, I am,” Pyre replied. “And Valx is Dragon’s son. His flesh and blood. You unleashed your own beast against yourself. You played games with fate. You should’ve known there were variables even you couldn’t see or predict.”
“Unaccounted-for variables,” Reaper mumbled, his eyes staring into the distance.
