Chapter 13 - The Ambush (2/2)
”This is why we should attack now, when they are unprepared.” Solskin ȧsserted as he threw his gauntlet on to the bed. He was furiously stripping off his armour.
”Wait, we mustn't rush into things. From what you describe about the battle to me, what are we even going to do to harm them, let alone kill them? Xavier stabbed the demon through the ċhėst it did nothing. Think about it. If we can't kill them, trap them. Maybe a soul jar? We'll have to ask Ash.”
The group argued for hours on the next course of action. Mordred adamantly argued for caution. Solskin was the opposite, screaming at Mordred to use magic to find them so he could shove his sword where the sun don't shine. To which Mordred replied that he do it just to shut Solskin up.
After that, Persephone asked Solskin why he couldn't track them himself. Solskin merely repeated ”I don't know how to use magic!” verbatim. That led to questions about his abilities, where the only answer Solskin gave was ”I am special.”
Eventually, they went back to the drawing board. Persephone remained calm and stated that we needed to prepare to attack them and we should stockpile weapons and equipment, and then plan. The other two stubbornly refused. Rinse, wash, dry, repeat. I sat quietly in the background, contributing nothing. My secret must stay a secret, I resolved in an attempt to calm my fears. Eventually, the group gave up and returned to their rooms, waiting for what the new day would bring.
Solskin
The night was turbulent. I drifted between sleep and being wide awake. I gave up after the fifth time of waking up in a cold sweat. I sat up, whispering Xavier's words over and over. I would never let it happen again. I would never let any of them die. That was how I would repay Erik. Not by joining the royal guard, but by killing his murderer. I felt emotions well up within me. I would have to start training.
Stepping outside, I set up a dummy using a few pieces of discarded wood and rope I found. I hacked at it, focusing on each memory as they appeared. The guardsmen's bodies. The funeral. The monster. The soldier. The darkness. Never again! I slashed again and again. Something haunted me. I knew something more about this. I just couldn't think of it.
By dawn, Mordred went out to get some fresh air. The dummy was all but splinters. Mordred just stared in acknowledgement and sat down next to be, nursing a dark brew of coffee.
”Tough night?”
”You could say that.”
Mordred sipped some coffee. ”I was up all night studying.”
”Can you find them? The sooner we can launch a surprise attack the better.”
He snorted, ”You are a sorcerer. Admit it already! There was lightning coming off your blade.”
”I am not a sorcerer.” I sighed in exasperation, ”I don't even know the basics of magic.”
Mordred rubbed his temples. ”I am going go to see if the others are awake.”
Mordred
I walked away, yawning. I spent the night throwing myself into my books. It was all for naught. I could make objects appear where I wanted to after banishing them, I could banish objects from greater distances, but I still couldn't sustain travel. I just needed more power. The thought that I might not return depressed me greatly. I sipped my coffee again, reminding myself of my morning rides to college. One hand on the steering wheel and the other holding a strong french roast.
I left the courtyard and stretched in front of the inn door after putting my coffee on the ground. It was all quiet, the other patrons hadn't woken up yet and Solkin was busy hacking away at a wooden pole. Rolling my head from side to side, I felt a chill cut through my morning robes.
”Jesus, it's cold out!” I shivered. Rubbing my hands together, I started to walk to the door.
”Sorry for this, old friend.”
I recognized the voice. ”A-”
Desperately, I clenched my fists and concentrated. The blade shimmered in and out of existence inside of me. I cried in frustration. The blade refused to teleport into his body. Slowly, a crimson red spread up the thin trail. It was my blood, slowly being absorbed by the blade.
”Who do you think taught you magic, boy?”
I felt more and more lightheaded as the blade darkened with more and more blood. Using the last of my might, I lashed out with my magic, severing the connection between us. The blade dissolved. Blood spilled on the floor in a massive pool. Pain gushed through me. All I saw was a large red rune on the side on a familiar face. I twisted my ring. My hand vanished. Blood gushed out of my wrist. My hand reappeared after focusing. Right in the center of his ċhėst.
”You are only hastening your death, Mordred.”
”I… am aware.”
”What happened to your usual cowardice?”
”What… cowardice?...” I spat blood at his face, aiming for his eyes. ”I.. hope… you.. get... ebola.”
I collapsed. The ground rushed up to meet me. The world turned black.
”Don't worry, you are still important to me, Mordred. We have plans for you.”
There was another voice. ”Good, Astaroth. Bring over Dracoth.”
It was Xavier's.