Chapter 79: The Storm Arrives

When my eyes flew open, I found myself fully dressed. My body, though, felt like I had gone into the ring with a dragon. Every part of me was so sore that I had to breathe momentarily before trying to move again.

Finn was gazing down towards the courtyard by the window—his room always had the best view. I wanted to call him, but my voice was too raspy to try. However, the slight movements of me trying to fish myself out of the bed prompted him to glance at me.

There, I saw his eyes were still deep blue, yet there wasn't any warmth in them. For the first time, his skin appeared paler and almost ghostly in what felt like an eternity. It made me want to run towards him, but the moment I tried, an ache stopped me as I realized he had washed me while I was sleeping.

This demon was too much for my heart. Noticing me wanting to get to him, he quickly closed the gap between us.

"No, love, don't move. I was too harsh on you yesterday." He sighed, capturing my chin in his grip.

Having him so close to me, I could see the red fighting to consume his blue-shimmering hues again.

Ah… You're… not going to be you soon, are you?

A soft hum left my lips, "I… loved it. Feeling you so desperate for me was a dream come true." I simpered, triggering him to wince.

"Sylvia…" He breathed, leaning to lock his lips with mine.

It was the sweetest kiss he had ever given me, yet it was cut short by noises from outside, which caused him to flinch away from me. His eyes drifted towards the window, but he didn't pull entirely from me.

Instead of going towards the window, he shifted his gaze onto me before pressing his forehead against mine.

"I love you so much, Sylvia. Please, stay in this room. Please, I can't… promise I won't… If I hurt you, I… I'll… Please… Just stay here." He begged me, eyes glossing as I felt my heart sink.

I knew my following words would be in vain, yet I had to say them. If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if everything went array.

"Don't leave me, Finn. Please, stay with me." My voice was so raspy it caused him to close his eyes.

His warmth was seeping into me, yet he was ready for war. He was wearing his black cloak and comfortable clothes. There was no doubt in my mind that he would shift into his dragon form today.

If Evelyn is powerful enough to purify you, I… No… They'll focus on the crystal rather than Finn.

"I'm sorry. I can't stay. I might kill you myself if I do." He whispered, slowly opening his eyes to reveal all the blue had disappeared along with his horns and feathers.

Ah… the calm last night… was probably all an illusion, wasn't it, Finn? You… lost touch with your humanity since…

Instead of flinching away from him, I grabbed his hand, leading it to my cheek. He focused on me this entire time, trying to stay by me as much as possible.

No wonder you were so unforgiving last night. You've held back long enough, my love. It's okay.

It was time for me to let him go.

"I understand. I love you, Finn. No matter what happens today, I always will love you." I simpered.

He closed his eyes once again before tugging away from me. The next moment, his eyes were colder than ever before. My heart ached, but it wasn't my place to stop him. No, the only way to prevent this was to end the curse that plagued this land once and for all.

Only I could do this, as Evelyn would destroy them if she got to it first. Instantly, my demon king went to a place I couldn't follow as I had my path to walk, and it wasn't to stay in bed waiting for the end to come.

Even though my mind was set on moving, I tumbled onto it when my legs touched the floor. Solas whined, walking towards me with his tail tucked between his legs and his ears slanted back. I reached out to him, humming when my hands touched his fur.

"I need your help. Will you stand with me?" I whispered, knowing I couldn't do what I needed to alone.

"I'll always be on your side, Sylvia," He assured me, licking my cheek.

The noises that had startled Finn were coming closer to the castle. There were, without a doubt, screeches and explosions. Using Solas to help me stand, I reached for my abdomen.

This is also for you. You can't come into a doomed world. I need to make sure you have somewhere to call home. Even if this puts you in danger, I'm sorry about that.

Glancing at the mirror, I approached the cabinets where Finn had inks I had been using to practice the sigils I had learned. They weren't ideal for the skin but weren't poisonous or unsafe for pregnancies.

Astred had her minions look for them in the human lands. Somehow, she had turned into a real northern star for me. Finn wouldn't have let me practice if it was the other way around.

If we survive this, I'll have to thank you for everything you've done for me since I saved you.

Taking off my clothes, I drew sigils on my arms and legs. Luckily, the ink quickly dried; however, it became flaky, meaning my clothes could easily ruin them. When it came to my abdomen, I avoided drawing anywhere near where my womb was located.

Sigils were safe for babies, but I was still unsure if it was for a demonic one. My belly was swelling more with each month that passed by.

If we make it there, it'll be only three more months before I meet you.

A soft smile rose on my lips as stings came from my eyes because of that thought. Picking my hair into a ponytail, I saw that more strands had turned silver. Unable to focus on that, I dressed myself in comfortable clothes. They were close to sweatpants and a loose sleeveless shirt, both black.

Other clothes were getting too tight on me, and a dress wouldn't have been ideal for where I was going. I didn't know if the sigils would work or survive the rough movements with this paint, but I didn't have time to worry.

"You might be able to do this if you risk it all, Sylvia. You can't play safe for this. If you do, you'll lose your home." Serena's last words echoed through my mind.

Chugging a cup of water near a jug, I continued to get ready as the fighting reached the castle doors. Every delay I took could've cost the life of someone I held dear. Nothing could've prepared me for what I heard next, as a loud crash came from outside the hallway.

This room was enchanted with Finn's magic, yet…

Impossible! They're already inside?!

Without a second thought, I rushed to the door before opening it to reveal humans attacking Nyla. The little goblin had been guarding my door, which I knew she would be, but I never expected to see the enemy inside so soon.

These boons Xavier gave his saint are becoming more of a hassle.

The humans were glowing yellow and appeared immune to the miasma, which could explain how they were so bold. For how long these effects lasted, I didn't know. Evelyn had always been an enchanter rather than a fighter, but these buffs were too much.

They appeared to be high on the power they had, too.

"Sylvia, please get back inside!" Nyla shouted, holding a club in her hand.

Unlike Finn, she appeared to have a sliver of her humanity.

"Kill the hobgoblin! The rest will scatter if that one dies." One of the humans yelled, pointing at her.

On the floor by them, there were the bodies of some of her helpers. I had just seen them cleaning the castle yesterday, and they were suddenly gone.

No… I…

"None of you will get past me!" Nyla snarled, summoning dark portals as her other goblins attacked the two men.

Others will look for the crystal on other floors if they are here. The only ones who know where it is are the demons; none of them will give it away.

"Sylvia, what do we do?" Solas growled as I had a choice before me.

Help Nyla or make a run for the crystal.

Although the goblin wasn't as big as all the others, she didn't lack the power to defend herself, yet these humans were also unpredictable. Something within me clicked when I saw them disappear before appearing behind her. Before I realized it, my body launched forward. Instantly, my sigils all activated, making my skin shine silvery. In my hands, Twilight appeared before I sliced through the man back who was going after Nyla.

Solas had taken the other man without my command, ripping his throat. The two of us were completely in sync as the simple thought of someone I loved getting hurt, even if they could defend themselves, was unforgivable.

The two intruders were down before they knew what hit them.

"Sylvia…" Nyla mumbled my name, eyes wide open.

In her eyes, I could see my light was shining brightly.

"Are there any more inside of the castle?" I asked, voice trembling

"Yes, but Sylvia—" I bolted down the hall before she finished that.

My one thought was to get to the crystal before they did. My heart pounded as it didn't register in my mind that I had just killed a man.

They always say the first one is the hardest, but a kill was a kill. With each one, I'll be more of a murderer, but it doesn't matter. This is war, and I will defend my home from them! 

Even if the result left me many sleepless nights, I wouldn't back down from what needed to be done. The speed these sigils gave me made it hard for Nyla to follow behind me as I ran toward my goal with little else in mind.

These weren't unstable like the ones I had used for the cave; instead of minutes, they lasted hours. The only downside was that they wore down the ink I placed with every movement. Dashing through the halls and stairs was easy, though I cut down any foe I saw.

Lock it inside. After everything is done, you can feel again, but now… It isn't possible! They aren't people; they are monsters coming for everything you love! Even if… all they want to do is… No… Don't think like that! Look at all the damage they are doing!

Along with the fallen humans were the bodies of demons who had been defending our castle. I was late for many of them but was just in time for others. Most recognized my light, snapping them from their rage as their wounds struggled to heal even when exposed to my magic.

Evelyn's power interfered with mine, leaving me to believe we were oil and water. I couldn't focus on the fallen for long, as outside the castle, I could hear Finn's deathly roar, which struck fear in anyone he engaged with.

Part of me wondered if he was fighting Soren, yet I had to push down that thought.

Don't get distracted now.

However, I was quickly rerouted when Vabaru crashed into the castle wall in his chimera form. He would've crashed into me if I had run a little faster. His eyes were purely crimson, and his aura was the same, alerting me that he was enraged. Unlike the others, my presence didn't seem to affect him.

The curse's hold on Finn and his generals completely differed from those on regular demons. Nyla was always a kind woman, and the curses allowed her to hold onto her humanity, much like Rizak, even though they were in the storm where it all began.

Why are you affected so differently? Is it because of the blame you feel?

When his eyes met mine, I knew he would launch at me without a second thought. I was just another human to him, yet he was one I didn't want to hurt.

You've been fighting with Finn this entire time. I… I don't…

Even though he wouldn't think twice about doing so to me, I almost went for a door nearby to hide but stopped when I saw the elven boy, Jasper, on him with a spear. In the opening they had created, there were two others.

One appeared much like the shield bearer who had died that night yet had a smaller physic.

"Relax, you won't avenge your bother by getting yourself killed, Lloyd." Jasper sighed, plunging the spear deeper into Vabaru's wing.

Luckily, he had used it to shield himself from getting hit on his main body.

"Shut up! That monster just got lucky! Let's exterminate them all! They don't deserve anything else other than death!" Lloyd snarled, raising his sword in the air.

His sword shone yellow, and a startling ring echoed through the hall, prompting me to move before I knew it again. When he swung it down, it met with my blade, creating a boom that threw him out of balance.

Locking his green eyes with mine, they widened as he struggled to catch himself.

Ah… You're no more than a boy, not much younger than I am.

"You?!" He gasped.

Solas rammed into his shield without missing a beat, causing him to fall from where they had come from.

I… am sorry.

We were five floors from the ground, which meant the fall alone would've killed him. Even so, I couldn't allow myself to feel anything.

Vengeance only creates a cycle of violence. Will it ever stop?

"Lloyd!" The elf yelled, running past me and diving for him.

His speed allowed him to grab the boy, barely holding his shield.

"Shall I eat them?" Solas growled, standing beside me.

Vabaru was getting up behind me. If I hadn't stopped them, they would've hurt him more and probably killed him. I knew I couldn't let them go yet…

Is any of this right? All most of them want is to…

My blade was full of blood from people I didn't know.

People who do this to survive or out of anger.

This entire war was unsettling because it wasn't about greed but pure survival.

There's no wrong side.

"Why come into my home? Why couldn't you all just have stayed away?! I would've tried to save you all!" I screamed, letting my energies surge. "Get out of my home!"

Don't waver! If you do, your family will pay the price! That's all that matters right now!

Shadows erupted from me, slamming the duo out of the floor we were on and into the miasma below. They weren't dead with the elf's abilities, but at least they were out of my home. For a split moment, I saw crimson flames covering what used to be the garden.

It was the only thing that flourished when the castle fell to haze, as plants were the only things unaffected by the poisonous atmosphere. Sadly, it was once again a battleground, much like when those knights stormed the wedding and destroyed this place.

This castle had survived a war before.

But will it survive this one too?