There were too many.
Aloisia could not tell where one began, and another ended.
Morgan fell to her knees, her screams rising, her arms whipping wildly about her as if to fight them off. But the smoky darkness parted about her swings, pressing further until her screams abruptly stopped. She held her palms to her face, as if to shield herself.
Aloisia drew another arrow, and another, and another. The Forgotten God was unfazed.
Inari’s chants rose, sweat beading at his brow, and the darkness snapped away from him as if an invisible barrier had formed in a circle around him.
Kaja and Ezra emerged from one street, ash smeared on their faces. Panic lit Kaja’s face as she took in the scene. Ezra paled, his steps slowing. At once, they joined the fray, Ezra with his enchantment and Kaja with her bow.
The Forgotten God released Morgan, tendrils seeking another. It reached for Aloisia, and she scrambled back to Inari and the protection of his spell. Morgan raised her head, withdrawing her palms, the whites of her eyes fading to black. Just as it had before, the darkness spilled like tears, running down her cheeks and leaving black marks in their wake.
“No,” Aloisia murmured.
Kaja ran for Morgan.
“Stop.” Aloisia gestured for Kaja to stay back. “There’s nothing we can do.” She looked at Ezra, who only shook his head, confirming her fears.
Kaja clamped a hand over her mouth, halting steps away from her.
As Ezra neared them, the creature withdrew, drifting towards the wooden platform instead. His words enhanced Inari’s spell, widening the arc of protection around them. Most of the Forgotten Gods, their forms still mist, gathered around the platform now. The guards swiped their short swords at the darkness which parted around the metal. Lusana’s eyes were wide and wild, realisation of how undefended they were creeping across her face.
Red fissures cracked along Morgan’s skin, flames lighting her from within. It burned through her swiftly. Her back arched, her mouth agape in a silent scream. Aloisia gritted her teeth and turned, her focus renewed upon her brother.
Fynn pushed himself to his feet, his wrists still bound in irons. His gaze met Aloisia’s. She drew her bow once more, loosing an arrow on the swirling darkness that surrounded him. One after the other, she littered the creatures with the enchanted arrows. They flinched away as each one pierced them. Aloisia stepped out from the spell and into the darkness, loosing arrow upon arrow, her attention fixed on her brother.
Not like this, she thought.I haven’t fought so long and so hard, only to lose him now for Lusana’s foolishness.
“Give your order!” Lusana shrieked. “Now! Or they will take us all.”
Aloisia continued towards the platform. Darkness lapped at her shins, coiling around her thighs, twisting around her waist.
“Lis!” Kaja called behind her.
Aloisia did not turn, did not take her sight from Fynn. Fear was a rare thing to see on her brother’s face, but it was ablaze in his eyes now. He looked small and helpless, surrounded by the dark mist. She continued to wade through the darkness, loosing the arrows as she went. One guard fell, darkness swallowing him, his screams cutting off and his sword clattering to the wooden boards beneath his feet.
“Do something!” Lusana cried, the darkness dancing around her, brushing her cheeks. “Give your order, now!”
Inari and Ezra marched behind the huntress, the darkness parting around them as their words rose and fell like an ancient song. Kaja strode with them. The spell kept the Forgotten Gods at bay, lighting a wide circle around them. The black smoke withdrew from Aloisia as they neared her, the spell surrounding her once more.
Fynn glared at the Modäiti. “What would you have me say?”
“Something!” She swiped with her uninjured arm, carving through the mist only for it to reform. “Anything! Just tell them to stop!”
“It won’t work,” Fynn said. “I do not command them. However, if this will prove it.” He focused back on the darkness swirling around him. “I command the Forgotten Gods to stop!”
Everyone paused for a heartbeat, partly in hope it would work, and partly in hope it would not. The moment passed, and the Forgotten Gods pressed onwards.
“See?” Fynn shouted. “They do not obey me!”
Aloisia reached back for another arrow but found her quiver empty. She swore under her breath. Panic surged within her. She caught Inari’s gaze. He gave a nod and stepped past her, leading the way with Ezra by his side to the platform.
Kaja brought out what arrows remained in her own quiver and gave half to Aloisia. Three arrows. It would have to be enough. Setting two in her quiver, she nocked the third, preparing for a shot. She would have to use them sparingly. She could not waste even one.
Inari and Ezra halted below the platform. The Forgotten Gods withdrew like shadows from a flame, pressing as close to the spell as they dared. The shaman’s curls were slick against his neck, his fingers shaking from the strain of the enchantment. Though Ezra’s face was ashen, his hands were steadier.
With the Forgotten Gods kept back, Lusana fell to her knees. The remaining guard’s chest heaved with each breath, the short sword all that was left of his companion. Aloisia clambered up onto the platform, grabbing Fynn’s wrist as if to make sure he was still there. His knuckles whitened as he clutched hers in return.
