His life drains away as a haunting scream escapes his closing throat, his power flowing into me. I lift my chin, basking in the surge of power. His face becomes gaunt, and I flick my wrist, hurling his withered body into the water below. The creaturepounces immediately, dragging his body deep to join the other unfortunate souls who dared to cross us.
I turn to leave the cave, lighter than I've felt in years, my hazel eyes returning as I suppress the shadows within me. A faint scream echoes in my ears as I force it down. Years of practice have helped me control the darkness. Yet, my father’s last words linger. If Kalix fully possesses me, I will be lost. As I move, my thoughts return to the arena.
Barlowe!
Using the magic left from Kalix in my veins, I shift through the forest—pushing through the fatigue that has overtaken my body now that I’ve dimmed the Great Wiitch within me. The arena is deserted, the crowd and guards gone, leaving me as the lone Wielder. Dust mingles with the fog at my feet as an eerie silence permeates the fallen stones. He’s close.
A snarl draws my attention to the shadows deep within the stone wall.
“Barlowe,” I whisper into the darkness. The creature steps out, its nose twitching at my scent. “I’m here to help you. Can you understand me?”
The horrifying figure continues toward me on all fours, like the creatures that once stalked me in the forest. Hunger is evident in its eyes—it doesn't fully recognize me with Kalix's scent so deep within me.
“Barlowe, it’s me!” I cry out. “Please, it’s your sister, Briar!”
The creature advances, the red light in its throat glowing ominously, preparing to incinerate me. Only Kalix, who embodies pure darkness, can control this beast. This is no longer my brother.
“Please, Barlowe. Don’t make me do this. Don’t make me lose you again.” Tears stream down my face as I'm backed against the stone wall. I have nowhere to go but forward in the direction ofthe creature. The fear consuming me is what Thatcher must have felt in his final moments facing my brother. It’s a terrifying sight.
“Please,” I scream at my brother.
I close my eyes, resigned to die—I can't fight him. Perhaps this is how it was meant to end. I brace myself, ready to face the flames about to erupt from his throat. I've caused enough harm—perhaps I deserve this fate. The realm will be safer without me. I'm ready to take Kalix back to the darkness where we belong. I hear the rumble in his throat, my body tensing, prepared for the fiery pain. Then, a screech replaces the crackle of impending fire.
“Get the fuck away from her!” A familiar voice shouts.
Maines rounds the corner, gripping her brother’s bow tight. The arrow still drips poison from the sharp point. The creature turns away from me, focusing on the new threat. Maines stands firm, undaunted. She has faced monsters her entire life, what’s one more?
The creature’s teeth snap together like thunder as it advances toward Maines, its head lowered to strike. Maines squints, taking careful aim at the beast’s muscular body, giving him one last chance to back down. The arrow quivers in her grip, her expression pained.
“You can’t survive in this world any longer. You are not the man I once knew and that’s okay. You didn’t deserve this, and I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you, Barlowe,” she says, maintaining her aim at the soft part of his neck. “Don’t make us fight. I don’t want to shoot you.”
The creature growls, its patience waning. As it moves closer to Maines, leaving a trail of blood-soaked footprints, she speaks again.
“Barlowe, there’s so much we never said, and I regret that. Always. But now, you must return to the darkness. Maybe in another life, we can finish what we almost started.” Tears stream down her face like rain.
She steadies herself, eyes closed, resolved.
The creature lunges and the world around us pauses.
Maines releases the arrow, hitting its mark—the scar from Thatcher’s stab, the softest part of his altered form. Barlowe slows but continues forward, driven by a new-found rage.
Maines fires again and again, striking his chest, leg, and abdomen. The creature halts, its gaze blank as it looks into her eyes. Her tears continue as she struggles for breath.
“I’m so sorry,” she mouths.
Barlowe collapses, the sound echoing through the arena, and all falls silent. It’s over.
Maines drops the bow, her hands shaking. My brother is gone again—taken by a death too cruel.
I hope he finds peace and darkness wherever he is now.
We both exhale, relieved yet burning with sorrow. “Maines!” I rush to her, enveloping her in a tight embrace.
“I had to do it, Briar. I’m so sorry,” she sobs, clinging to me. “He’s gone again because of me.”
I hold her tight. “He didn’t belong here, Maines. You did the right thing. You saved me,” I reassure her, my hand on her neck. “This isn’t your fault.”
She lifts her tear-stained face. “I’m so sorry I left, Briar. We had no choice. Your father would have killed us.”
