62 Lord of Storms (1/2)
Nikolai grinned foolishly even though he'd been hit. His blood pulsed in delight and excitement. Even the will of the True Imperial was far more peaceful than usual, quietly resting in the recesses of his mind.
”How did they manage to kidnap you and Petrov?” Chen turned the motionless body of the former Guard Commander over. Frowning at the swollen lips and sunken eyes. ”Fates! Whatever they did to him must have been terrible.”
Nikolai stared at the body of the man who'd betrayed him. Some part of him wanted to leave Petrov to turn to dust along with the rest of the city, but they'd been companions and friends for many years. His conflicted emotions must have spread to his face since Elya squeezed his shoulder gently, commiserating at his apparent loss.
”He followed me to unify Volhiniya.” Then betrayed him for an addiction. ”There's still so much I want to tell him.” To ask him why. ”He deserved better.” Nikolai didn't really believe the words, but there was no purpose in shattering the honour of a man who'd done so much for him.
Lost in thought, Nikolai ignored the heavy silence which descended. He rolled the focus across his palm, memories swirling in his mind of an exuberant, if sickly man, sharing cups of cider beside a campfire.
”What were those things?” Elya asked, breaking the silence and rubbing her scar with brow furrowed deep in thought. Nikolai stared at her, the concentration on her face bringing a soft smile to his and banishing the sad thoughts of his old friend. There would be time to think about it later.
”Remnants of the war you could say. Soul creatures.” Nikolai didn't want to discuss the Anima's and their possible ambitions or abilities now they were reunited. At least not for the moment.
”We're letting them go?” Chen gazed into the distance, armoured fist resting on his lance.
”We can't chase them like this.” Elya sighed and leaned against the throne. She placed her gauntlets on the surviving armrest and patted Nikolai's arm as if she was comforting him. ”We achieved our goals. Even if we did catch them, they'd just turn into smoke and run away again.”
”After causing so much trouble they can just get away like this? It's a smoke.”
”What does smoke have to do with it?” Elya glanced at the Thunder Lancer, her nose twitching in confusion.
”I think he was making a pun on 'it's a joke'.” Alexis offered from her seat on top of a handful of rubble she'd converted into a makeshift chair.
”Probably.” Nikolai chuckled at the discomfort playing across Chen's face. Elya tilted her head as if she was contemplating the humour in his wordplay and Chen shrunk further into his armour.
She shook her head and observed Nikolai carefully, eyeing the collar and his torn clothing. ”Will you be able to move?”
”Soon. Are we in a rush?” Nikolai stretched his muscles carefully, executing the breathing exercises of his Master to bring his limbs under control.
”Our forces are still fighting on the plains.”
Nikolai's head snapped up, a tremor running through his body as a faint wave of Magical power in the distance caught his attention.
”In that direction?” He pointed towards the strange fluctuations he could sense.
”Did something happen?” Elya followed his finger, squinting in surprise at his accuracy.
”Yes. Magic.” He clarified at her blank expression. ”We have to move.”
”It will take us a few hours to get back to our lines.” Alexis pointed out, already moving among the exhausted Knights to get them prepared to march. The Knights wearily got to their feet, shouldering their injured companions.
”Too long.” Nikolai muttered, tugging at the collar around his neck fruitlessly. It would take another Mage or the tools in his Tower to get free even though the iron was already flaking under the horrifying after-effects of the Soul Rend. Chen and Elya were the only ones in any condition to make it in time but based on the ripples of power he could sense they would need a Mage in support. Whatever spell was being cast was massive. High level War Magic.
Seven silently came before Nikolai, presenting Nezgrom.
”I can't do anything…” Nikolai's voice trailed off as he glimpsed the vial floating in the embedded crystal. ”It's done?” he whispered, stunned at the sight. Seven made a few short motions, blocking the view of his hands from the rest of the hall. Nikolai barely caught the signals, the will of the True Imperial awakening at the sight of the vial of blood.