by Halle Dean
Melody's eyes softened. "It's time to calm down and leave the fight to the clearer-headed."
"I don't think I'd count Warner clear-headed," Sophie said. Layla turned to the vicious fight moving further down the hall.
"I said clearer," Melody said. "I don't think Warner has ever fought with a clear head."
"I—can—hear—you!" Warner shouted in between dodging and casting spells.
"Has either of them hit the other yet?" Sophie asked.
Alex shook his head in wonderment. "They seem to be evenly matched," he said. "I feel like we could help, except I'm sure we'd be hit as soon as we tried to interfere."
"It's hard enough to dodge from this far away," Blue added.
Both knights seemed apprehensive about going anywhere near magic. Sophie took a deep breath, as if preparing to do something she didn't want to do.
"Melody," Sophie said. "I need you to take me through The Void."
"Uhh." Melody shot a hesitant glance over at Warner.
"Absolutely not!" he called over his shoulder, narrowly dodging a painful looking blast.
Sophie rolled her eyes and stepped closer to Melody. "We need to go get Aaron Marks," she whispered. "He's Warner's friend. Another sorcerer from the Magics Society. We need someone else with powerful magic to help. Neither of us stands a chance."
"I don't know," Melody said. "You don't do well with The Void."
"It will only be for a moment," Sophie pleaded. "He's in Linburg. At the speedport. Warner needs help."
Melody looked at Warner again and Layla followed her gaze. Both Warner and Barry were sweating and their reflexes were slowing. Layla liked to think that Warner would hold out longer, since he was younger, but it only took one wrong move to lose. Melody seemed to come to a similar conclusion, because she took Sophie's hand and asked where to go.
"They had better hurry," Alex murmured when they vanished. "This battle won't last much longer."
"I'm amazed it's lasted this long," Blue remarked. "Shouldn't they be running low on magic?"
Alex shrugged, but Layla recalled something James had told her. Thinking of James seemed to physically hurt. She dropped to her knees and put her face in her hands, pushing the thoughts away.
"Sorcerers have a lot of magic energy," she told the knights, trying to keep her voice level. "And Warner has even more than normal."
"Why?" Blue asked.
It was Layla's turn to shrug. "Everyone is born with a different amount," she said. "Even we have some. If we truly wanted to, we could learn to use it and become magicians."
She looked to James and the sorrow bubbled up again. She was distracted from it by the sound of Warner slamming into a wall. He slid down to the floor and stopped moving. Barry had his head thrown back in laughter.
"Warner!" Alex called, running forward.
Barry turned toward Alex and Layla was about to call out. Before she got the chance, three figures materialized behind Barry. As he raised his hand toward Alex, a bright light emanated from one of the three figures. Barry was blasted forward and crumpled to the ground. When the light died down, Sophie and Melody ran to Warner.
Layla watched the third figure, presumably Aaron, as he knelt beside Barry. He was tall and had black hair. He reminded Layla of when she had first met James, ten years previously. Again, she felt a pang in her heart as she looked to James' lifeless form. Unable to do much else, she just sat on the floor and watched as Blue and Alex approached Barry and Aaron.
"Is he dead?" Blue asked warily.
"He does not have a heartbeat," Aaron replied. "But his magic energy is still present."
"Get away from him!" Warner shouted. Everyone looked around to see Warner standing and walking over to them.
"So you are still alive," Aaron said.
"I said get away," Warner persisted. "His sorcerer magic is still present and we don't know what he'll do."
"Perhaps he is not evil," Aaron shrugged.
"Move away," Warner said. He was a little unsteady on his feet, but he managed to walk over and push everyone away from Barry. "For all we know, his other self is much worse."
"Warner, come here," Sophie said with an exasperated sigh.
"I'm all right," he said, waving her away as she tried to check him for injuries.
"You are not."
He ignored her and continued pushing everyone away from Barry. When they were all back to where Layla was, Warner sat down on the floor. He was breathing heavily and Sophie crouched down to continue inspecting him.
"What do we do now?" Blue asked. "Shouldn't we kill him again?"
"I don't think that will work," Melody said, shaking her head. "Until the sorcerer magic adjusts to having the whole body, it doesn't matter."
"But, couldn't we destroy the body and then there will be nothing to take over?" Alex asked. "We could burn him or something."
Warner and Aaron shrugged, but Melody shook her head again. "I don't know for sure," she said. "I know that any fatal injuries will heal. That could include dismemberment or burning."
"We will have to wait until he wakes up and kill him right away," Blue said.
"He could fake being asleep in order to attack us before we get the chance to kill him," Warner said.
Aaron waved his arm at Barry. "I will put a trap spell on him," he said.
"He can dispel it," Warner said, sounding glum. "I don't know if there's anything he can't counteract."
"How long were you fighting him for?" Aaron asked.
"Too long," Warner responded. "I should have been able to deal with him quickly."
"He is the leader of the Magics Society," Aaron reminded him. "That is very powerful."
"I killed George easily enough!" Warner protested. "And Marcus. And Taiki. And all sorts of other people."
"Why do you kill so many people?" Blue asked. Warner narrowed his eyes and the young knight took a step back and said nothing more.
"I only have one more person to kill," Warner said, getting to his feet. "Then this can all be over with." Everyone just nodded in agreement. "Oh, be quiet," he muttered.
Alex and Blue both looked confused, but all the others responded, almost in unison.
"He's not talking to you."
It was almost funny. Layla felt like she could hear James' laughter and it stung. She saw him still lying in the hall and willed him to get up. He remained still.
"Are we simply going to sit and wait?" Melody asked, breaking Layla from her thoughts.
"I don't know what we can do to prepare," Warner said. "We're so close to the end of this but... I'm not sure if the end will be good or bad."
"It will be good," Sophie said. Layla scoffed. "As good as it can be after all that's happened. Everything and everyone that we've lost will not be for nothing."
"Do you want to hear a story?" Everyone tensed at the sound of Barry's voice. "No, no. Do not go anywhere." Layla found herself unable to move, bound by some invisible force. She saw the others struggling in similar situations. "Allow me to tell my story," Barry continued, getting to his feet. "I'll make your deaths easier."
Warner was still trying to break free, but he cried out in pain as his arms were yanked backward. Layla stopped her struggling. Her restraints didn't lessen, but at least they didn't hurt. She wondered if death would be painful. She could still see James, out of the corner of her eye. She was glad, at least, that she might soon be with him again.
Forty Six
Truss
Warner felt useless. He had failed to kill Barry. If Sophie and Melody had not gone for help, everyone would have died. Now they were all going to die anyway, and there was nothing he could do. His arms were twisted painfully behind him, held in place by the invisible bonds Barry had cast on him.
I suppose this is the end, other Warner said.
It can't be, Warner thought. I must do something.
Barry strolled over and, much to Warner's surprise, approached Melody. "It all begins with you," Barry told her. Melody'
s feet lifted off the ground and she struggled against her restraints. "Well, it begins with the real Melody. I suppose that this owes its existence to me."
"What are you talking about?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"Of course, you wouldn't remember," Barry said. "I made sure of that. But no need to keep the secret any longer." His twisted grin was more malevolent than anything Warner had ever seen. "It was not truly little Melody's fault that she cast that spell," Barry went on. "It was mine."
Melody's livid expression was touched by uncertainty. "What do you mean?" she asked. "I cast the spell myself."
He drew back his hand and slapped her across the face. "Keep your mouth shut and listen."
"Don't touch her!" Warner shouted.
He pulled against the invisible bonds again, but every movement made them tighter. He felt as though his arms might break and he was certain that his wrists were bleeding.
Barry turned to him. "Do you enjoy the pain?" The restrictions tightened again. "You continue to struggle and speak, giving me reasons to punish you."
We must hurry and kill him, other Warner said.
"Let me go," Warner said, wincing. If he could only free one hand, he could dispel the magic. "We'll fight fairly."
Barry laughed. "Oh, you think a fight between us would be fair? You could not even defeat Barry. You do not stand a chance against me."
"Who are you then?" Melody asked.
"I told you to keep quiet," he said, grabbing her face and digging his fingernails into her cheeks. "I care nothing for you. It was the original Melody that I knew."
"I have her memories," she said, her voice muffled by his hand. "You are not in them."
"Would you like to see her hidden memories, then?" he asked, squeezing her face tighter. Her eyes screwed shut and she cried out in pain. Warner tried to struggle again, but it was no use. "Would you like to remember Truss?"
Melody's eyes shot open and she looked horrified. "No," she gasped. "Impossible."
"Poor little Melody," Barry said, backing away. "So naive. So trusting."
What is happening? other Warner asked. What did he show her?
"This cannot be," Melody said, trembling. "I would have remembered."
"There is much you do not know of magic," Barry said. "Even Barry, I kept it from. The memory magic was a trifle, really, once I was able to take on a form. But the formation spell was where I needed Melody's help." He waved his hand dismissively. "Of course, I did not expect all the sorcerers to be affected. In any case, she performed admirably. Naive as she was, she had such potential." He looked over at Warner. "A shame about her death."
Warner gritted his teeth. "Melody, what happened?" he asked. "What is this?"
"His name is Truss," she said. "He's some sort of magic being—some sort of demon I think."
"Now that is unkind," Barry—or Truss—said. "The real Melody would never have spoken of me that way."
"You tricked me!" Melody shouted. "Tricked her!"
"Maybe so," Truss said with a grin. "But it was so easy. Perhaps a part of you wanted this."
"Never!" she insisted. Tears formed in her eyes. "She didn't want this. She just wanted to help." Melody hung her head. "I just wanted to help."
"Why are you doing this?" Sophie asked.
Warner couldn't see her from where he was, but her voice sounded strained and it made him even angrier. Still, he could do nothing as Barry turned toward her.
We must kill him, other Warner said.
I'm trapped, Warner thought.
Let me out, other Warner suggested.
No.
You don't have another choice.
It's not going to happen!
"Ah, the princess," Barry said. "So much of my success can be traced back to you."
"Leave her alone," Warner said through his teeth.
"Your knight, always in harm's way, all to protect you," Barry went on. "And Melody only wanted to help." He grinned. "Good intentions can be so easily manipulated."
"I'm going to kill you," Melody growled, still struggling to get free.
"Why are you doing this?" Sophie asked again. "What can you gain from this?"
"Gain?" he repeated. "I've already gained so much. I'm the king! And I barely had to lift a finger." He glanced over to Warner again. "Warner did much of the work—killing everyone who comes next in line." He paused for a second. "Well, I suppose you did not kill Edric, but you killed the one that did."
"I—I did not!" Warner insisted.
"You are the one that collapsed the house." Truss shrugged. "You cannot blame it on your sorcerer magic this time either. That was you."
"Shut your mouth!"
Let me out. Let me out! other Warner demanded.
No!
You're going to stand here and let him speak to you like this?
"I'll find another way," Warner said.
Truss raised his eyebrows. "What are you two discussing in there?" he asked.
"Your death," Warner spat.
He expected his invisible bonds to tighten again, but Truss simply laughed.
"You truly believe that you have the power to defeat me," he said in amusement. "Let us settle that at once." Warner felt the trap spell dissolve and he was free. His arms were sore and he was caught a bit off guard, but he was able to dispel the first spell sent his way. Another spell came right after and he deflected it back. It dissolved before it even went near Truss. Warner continued to dodge, dispel, and deflect spells as Truss droned on. "I will admit you have more talent than expected."
You're wearing out, other Warner said.
"I did not think that you could come close to holding your own against Barry," Truss said. "But look at you now! Managing not to die instantly at my hand."
You can't do this much longer, other Warner continued.
"Be quiet," Warner said, not entirely sure who he was responding to.
"You'll be too low on magic soon enough," Truss said. "Too low to stop it."
"To stop what?" Warner asked.
Truss stopped attacking, but Warner remained on edge. "There is a need for a new world—a better world," Truss said. "But first I must eliminate this one."
"How foolish can you be?" Melody asked. "You know very well you may die along with us."
True devastation magic, other Warner said in awe.
"You wouldn't attempt such a thing," Warner said, fear settling in.
"I have reason to believe I would survive," Truss said. "And I'll rule over a new world that I create myself."
I have to kill him quickly, Warner thought. He shot a spell towards Truss, but it immediately dissolved. He sent another and another, but couldn't land a single hit.
Save your energy, other Warner said. He's right. You're almost too low.
I can't counteract it anyway, if he really does try it, Warner thought.
You can if I let you, other Warner pointed out.
Warner scoffed. And if I use up my life force.
A month ago you were prepared to do just that.
Things were different then! Warner insisted.
Things are very different now, other Warner retorted. Will you do nothing to stop it?
Truss had returned to attacking, forcing Warner to switch back to protecting himself. He was already slowing down again, but he knew he couldn't allow himself to be hit, like in his fight with Barry. He slowly backed up, towards the others. Discreetly, he dissolved their restraints. He had hoped that Truss wouldn't notice, but Melody fell to the floor as soon as she was released.
"What exactly are you trying to accomplish?" Truss asked. "Do you wish for me to start attacking all of them? How many do you think you can protect?"
Warner saw his point. Even if Melody and Sophie managed to block magic attacks, Alex, Layla, and Blue couldn't. Everyone looked scared, except for Melody, who looked angry as she sat up. Warner wished he would have time to speak with her again. He looked to Sophie, who went to help Melody.
You
won't kill her, will you? he asked other Warner.
You really will go through with this, won't you? Other Warner sounded resigned.
Warner nodded, still looking at Sophie, who was watching him with a worried expression. He sighed and turned back to Truss. He kept Sophie and Melody in his mind. He didn't want to trust other Warner, but he had to stop Truss. As soon as Truss cast true devastation magic, everything would be over; at least, it would be for Warner.
Forty Seven
True Devastation Magic
Melody could hardly believe what was happening. The memories of Truss had returned. She couldn't help but resent the original Melody for not seeing through his trickery. She pushed that out of her mind and tried to focus.
Her arms were sore and her wrist was broken from Truss constricting her restraints. Sophie helped her stand, but there was no time to offer thanks before Truss began to attack. Warner leapt in front of them, waving his arms to dissolve spells before they did any harm.
"Stop!" he demanded.
Sophie was also helping block attacks and Melody assumed she had learned how from the time in the closet. Melody knew very little about defensive magic, and she had no idea how to dissolve spells. It made her feel useless. She held her hurt wrist close to her and felt tears start to form in her eyes again. It was hard to imagine the situation turning out well.
My entire life has been one disaster after another, she thought.
"Again, I am impressed," Truss told Warner. "I suppose you would hold out too long for me. I don't have enough magic energy to keep attacking if I'm to perform true devastation magic."
Melody's heart was beating fast. She had to think of a way to stop Truss. He was her responsibility. He stopped attacking and she hoped that Warner would take the offensive again and give her time to think. But his head was in his hands and he seemed to be struggling with something.
Truss raised his arms in the air and Melody's blood ran cold. He was going to perform the spell. She knew it was so powerful he would have to use words and hand gestures, though he normally had no need for them. Melody wished she had any idea how to perform true protection magic. She looked over to Warner again, who was slowly lowering his hands.
