Well. Fuck.
Terena stared at the cyphers. She took a step forward. Daris’s hand shot out, grabbing her elbow. “I’ll take it,” he said, pulling her close. His eyes were inches from hers. “I don’t want you giving Peleon a chance to take you.”
She was about to argue when Melanos’s large hand gripped her shoulder. “I agree. Let the commander go.”
Terena hesitated, then gave Daris the bag with the shroud. Daris stared at her a moment more before striding toward Peleon.
“Here it is,” he said, holding the bag up when he stood a few feet from the general. “Now give me the oracle.”
Peleon did not respond as he watched Daris step closer. He snatched the bag and Daris darted for Pytho, his hand outstretched.
Terena watched Peleon the whole time and saw the moment his face changed. Her hand shot out, and she opened her mouth to scream a warning, but no sound came out.
Peleon lunged, stabbing Daris in the face.
Chaos erupted.
Terena ran for Daris. Pytho crouched on the ground near him with Peleon screaming at his soldiers to attack.
Rydon dove for the men on their left, grunting as an arrow slammed into his shoulder. He roared, dropping to one knee. A soldier attacked on his right, and he thrust forward, snarling as he embedded his sword in the man’s leg. The Liodari engaged as well. They fought fast and fierce, but the Heylisian soldiers were faster, stronger.
Another soldier approached Rydon from the left. He gained his feet and stumbled, yanking his sword free of the man’s leg when the earth shook.
His eyes fixed on Terena, an eerie glow overtaking her eyes. Light arced back and forth over her short swords, revealing symbols etched into the blades he hadn’t known were there. She moved like lightning, her swords invisible as they cut through the soldiers closest to her, the speed with which she attacked impossible.
He turned, intending to reach the oracle before Peleon. His steps faltered when he saw a man dressed in flowing black breeches andtunic with a matching hood raise his scimitar and cut down a guard standing behind Pytho. That must be the missing Magi.
Rydon heard a grunt behind him and he rolled to his left, spinning in time to block the blow almost taking his head from his shoulders. He blinked up at Melanos as he grabbed the soldier’s head and twisted. The man fell to the ground. Melanos whipped a dagger at another soldier over Rydon’s shoulder.
Melanos winked at him as he passed, his movements fluid and graceful for such a large man. Rydon gained his feet, running for Terena. She was hacking away at the men guarding Peleon, her swords an extension of her arms as she slashed and spun, dropping the soldiers with ease.
Rydon knelt at Daris’s side. Pytho cried as the Magi cut at her bound hands as they reached for Daris. He lay unmoving in her lap. Glancing over at Terena, Rydon saw her stalking the general; her steps were slow and deliberate as the man stood behind the last cypher.
“Don’t!” Peleon screamed, the sword he held up toward her shaking. “Let me go or I’ll have the?—”
Terena twisted her wrist, stabbing her sword in the ground. Her hand shot back out so fast Rydon barely registered the motion. The cypher rose in the air as Terena approached. She made a fist and yanked, tearing the cypher’s throat out before he fell. Peleon made a strangled noise, his wild eyes darting from the dead cypher to Terena. His face shook and he whimpered, waving his sword at her.
Rydon turned to Daris and his heart stopped.
“No,” he whispered as he shoved his fingers into the commander’s neck. “No, no Daris, no, not now.”
“He’s dead,” the oracle cried, her chest heaving as she slumped back, covering her face with shaking hands. The Magi hovered over her, his eyes catching Rydon’s.
“Terena!” Rydon roared. He turned back to Daris. General Peleon had stabbed him in the eye, the dagger still embedded deep, and blood poured from the wound down his cheek and into his hair. Someone shoved Rydon from behind and he whipped his head up to see Jason bending over him, his face white.
“No,” Jason said, shaking his head as his mouth opened and closed again and again. Out of the corner of his eye, Rydon saw movement and turned to see Terena running to them. He yanked the dagger out, not wanting Terena to see it, and rose unsteadily.
The sounds of battle died down, a few shouts or cries snuffed out as Spartan soldiers poured in, killing off the remaining Heylisians alongside the Liodari.
Rydon’s shoulders were heavy as he watched Terena slow, her steps faltering as she stared down wide-eyed at Daris’s lifeless body. A small circle of Liodari formed around them, the despair and shock on the men’s faces reflected in Terena’s eyes.
“What… why isn’t he moving?” Terena asked, her voice shaking as she dropped to her knees beside him. Rydon looked away, his eyes aimless as he glanced at the surrounding carnage. He saw Peleon ride off with a handful of his men.
“Daris,” Terena choked, her hands on Daris’s chest, shaking him. “Daris! You can’t die. You can’t die!”
The cry torn from her was primal, and it scared Rydon. She’d already lost her prince. To lose Daris now…
Terena buried her head in his neck and sobbed. Rydon was helpless. Standing there watching her break all over again was gut-wrenching.
