Rohhit’s smirk grows as he sniffs the air around Silas. "You can try, Prince of Darkness, but it will end badly for you."
"What did you call me?" Silas's confusion is clear, but he doesn't let it distract him for long.
Ignoring Silas's question, Rohhit tightens his grip on my throat, cutting off my breath. "This ends now, Kalix," he declares.
Calia steps forward, laying a hand on Rohhit's shoulder. "Carobon, remember your purpose. We brought you here to reign, not to settle old scores," she says, her tone reverent but firm.
Rohhit releases me abruptly, and I collapse to the ground, coughing and clutching my throat. Silas is immediately at my side, helping me to my feet.
Calia continues, her eyes fixed on Rohhit. "We are at your command, Great Wiitch. Lead us to purge the shadows."
Rohhit, or rather Carobon within him, nods slowly, his gaze sweeping the room. "Very well, but first, we deal with the betrayers."
He turns to Elrod, who has been watching the scene unfold with a mixture of awe and horror. "You brought back your nemesis, thinking it would serve you. Foolish. There is no place for you in my new order."
With a swift movement, Carobon's hands shoot out, grasping Elrod's shoulders. A terrifying strength emanates from him as he leans in close, his teeth bared.
Elrod's eyes widen with fear as Carobon whispers, "Your blood will seal my return."
Without another word, Carobon bites deeply into Elrod's neck. Blood sprays as Elrod screams, his body convulsing under the force of Carobon's attack. The room falls silent, save for the gruesome sounds of Carobon feeding.
Once he finishes, Carobon steps back, wiping his mouth. His eyes then fix on me, a dark amusement twinkling within. "Now, for the shadows lurking in this room. It's time they were extinguished."
Silas tightens his grip on his sword, stepping protectively in front of me. "I won't let you harm her," he declares, his voice steely.
Carobon chuckles, his gaze shifting from Silas to me. "You think you can protect her? From me? I am the darkness they all fear, the nightmare they cannot escape."
I step forward, my resolve hardening. "We'll see about that," I say, meeting his gaze directly. "We're not afraid of you."
Carobon’s laugh is cold, hollow, and ancient. "Brave words for someone so outmatched. But let's see how you fare against the darkness unleashed."
With a wave of his hand, light swirls around him, growing denser and brighter. Silas and I brace ourselves, aware that the true battle is just beginning. The fate of our world hangs in the balance, and we are the only ones who can tip the scales.
Chapter 41
The sight before me will cause nightmares worse than my own for years. Silas grabs my hand, rushing me toward the door. I’m unable to peel my eyes away. Rohhit remains hovering over Elrod Madden, devouring his dead body like he’s not had a meal in months. Another strong tug makes me blink out of my daze.
“Briar!” Silas screams in my face, his voice bringing me back once again, except this time, it’s in a nightmare I can’t wake from.
“We have to run,” Silas commands.
Maines softly sobs in the doorframe.
Holstering both of my axes, we bolt.
As we move down the hallway we dodge fallen stones, our feet moving as fast as possible around the jutted corners. Just as we round the first corner, a loud thud ricochets down the hallway, likely Carobon realizing we didn’t stick around enough for him to finish us off. Maines pauses for a moment, looking at Graven’s headless body—the death she brought upon the creature. Graven’s massive torso lies motionless, blocking most of the hallway floor.
I grab her hand. “We have to keep moving.” I plea.
She remains in a daze, focused on the creature. I pull on her hand in my direction.
“So much death, Briar.” She blinks, tears still falling down her cheeks.
“I know, Maines, but we must keep moving. We can’t stay here or will be the next to join the fallen. Please,” I beg. “Think of Oak. He’s out there!”
“Everything that’s happened goes against everything I stand for. I’m supposed to heal people, not kill them.”
“Maines, you have healed people. Look at me! Look at Silas and Oak. We are here because you’ve saved us all in more ways than one.”
