Chapter 81: Unusual Allies
Rays of light rain down on me, triggering Solas to summon a barrier like mine, sheltering us from the barrage of attacks. Her power was overwhelming, yet I wouldn't allow myself to go down.
How do I get out of this?!
My eyes darted around, trying to find a way to escape as her magical prowess was unyielding. Xavier made sure to give Evelyn a helping hand to end this. Whatever he had done unlocked her powers, turning her into something else. She was no longer human nor a saint.
No, she was his reckoning, while I was Serena's pawn in this game. The ticking clock that had begun since I left the room was about to run out.
With this much commotion, it won't be long until Finn shows up.
Evelyn didn't know this, as Finn didn't intend to leave this room unguarded, which wouldn't be to my advantage. In his enraged state, the demon king wouldn't care about me or anyone else who intruded into his crystal's space.
Even if you are sane enough to be okay with me being in the room, you won't let me get near the crystal to accomplish what I need to do.
Our barrier was shattering while the door behind us still stood firm.
"I can't hold her back for much longer!" Solas huffed, his ears slanted, and the rest of his body was puffed up, ready for anything.
Shaking my head, I focused on what I needed to do.
Crap! If Finn comes, no! That can't happen! Move Sylvia!
If defeating the heroes of Traedan meant saving everyone I cared about, then I would. Even if they wore the face of my sister, who I dragged down into this mess with me, I couldn't hold back. Drawing my blade, I trailed my fingertips on the dull side of the blade, prompting it to give off a black hue.
Everything became a mess the last time I used you; that can't happen again!
Closing my eyes, I steadied my stance as I prepared to…
"Focus on your goal. The blade will listen to you." Brielle's voice echoed within me.
"But I don't even have it. I can't even imagine it. Your fang was so electrifying that it was hard to control." I sighed, feeling sore after the rough workout she had put me through.
We had been relaxing in a different part of the castle, where she used to work out and spend most of her time. Broken dummies surround the entire stadium next to the castle.
"Eh, you don't need it. I thought you knew the way of the sword, or so you said." The she-wolf huffed, narrowing her amber eyes at me.
"I do," I rolled my eyes.
Magic… is something else, though.
"Then, you must know, you don't need a steel one to make it hurt, especially in this world where magic rules. The blade is a conduit, much like a staff. Are you sure you don't want that instead?" Brielle smirked as her eyes glistened.
Ah… Why are you popping into my mind now? Please… Be okay, everyone… be safe, just a little longer.
With little hesitation, I quickly unleashed a dark slash their way with a swing of my blade. Instead of fear in her eyes, a cackle left her lips as the crown prince stepped in between it and Evelyn. A shield appeared in the blink of an eye, taking the blow before deflecting it towards the side.
"My lovely Julian, you shouldn't have." Evelyn cooed to her bewitched prince.
"Anything for my queen." He assured her, prompting my eyes to twitch.
Oi, how the fuck am I supposed to beat that?!
A mage and her knight in shining armor were a combo I didn't know how to get through. If I charged mindlessly into them, I wouldn't end well. Then again, I left a crater where there once was a cave, and his shield had a crack after that blow.
The rage that guided me through that couldn't control me this time was the same as I didn't want to self-destruct.
"Fuck," I muttered, shifting my gaze towards Solas, who met with my gaze.
Times running out… I…
The pup nodded as I turned towards the door that blocked my way.
Either you get here now… or too late… Damn it! Nothing ever goes right!
"Risk it all, Sylvia, if you want to save everything you love." Serene's words echoed within me.
"Solas!" I yelled, alerting him to cast another barrier.
I had hoped to take a less direct approach, but there was nothing else I could do. More rays of light came crashing down on us as I charged the door, stabbing my blade into it.
Finn, you once said I can rival your power. So, please… Let me through!
This weapon was made with his fang and my blood. It would be him if anyone could break the spell keeping me from my goal. When chills went down my spine, every hair in my body rose, and several distortions opened around us.
From them, a voice I came to adore spoke.
"Oh?! Are little vermin's trying to break into my domain?!" Finn's voice was devoid of any emotion.
My breath hitched as I found myself in the same situation that had torn my arm before.
"What the fuck?!" Evelyn scowled, unaware of what I had done.
This was a ticking bomb for me, too, as an arm would be the least I would lose if he caught me this time. Jabbing the sword into the door, it wasn't long until the spell cracked.
From one of the distortions where my beloved's voice had erupted, Soren fell through and into where we were. Blood stained his clothes as his gaze appeared unsteady. The only reason he was still alive was his link to the curse, too, as his legs shook, struggling to keep up with his injuries.
However, it was exactly what I needed as his sudden appearance took Evelyn's attention away from me.
"Aren't you supposed to be with the demon king?!" She asked, running to her fallen hero.
"Stay back!" He warned, as she had a more significant threat to worry about.
Finn wasn't far behind, and even with the spell fractured, the doors were shut closed. It should've been easier to manipulate since it had cracks, but it still held firm.
Fuck, fuck, fuck! Just let me in! Finn!
That was when I heard bones crack, triggering me to flinch as my eyes drifted to what was happening behind me. That was when I saw Finn in a form I had never seen him take. Half of his body was one of a dragon, while the other was still human.
He had the elf girl in his claws, who had always been with Soren. It was apparent she was no longer in this world, yet he carried her like a prize for his deadly foe. However, the wounds they both had were horrendous.
I fought the urge to run to him as my heart struggled to focus on what I needed to do.
"Sylvia... He…" Solas's voice trembled, feeling Finn's malice.
This time, no one was there to save me from the dragon about to be unleashed on us.
"Help me!" I shifted my gaze back onto the unmovable door against the door.
He quickly rammed himself into it, barely causing it to move, but it did.
"Oh, what do we have here? Four little mice trapped with little oh me." Finn's voice left me shivering where I was.
Four?! You're counting me with them!
"Is that the demon king?!" Evelyn gasped as she had never once met him before.
"Yes... that wicked creature is the king of Fathal." Julian's voice quivered as all their attention was set on him.
A broken chuckle came from Finn, "What lovely fear you all are spilling into the air."
"He's an abomination!" My sister stepped back from the demon that blocked their path towards me.
Finn isn't a monster! He's in so much pain! I can feel it! Stupid door move! If he looks back at me while I'm pinned here, I'm fucked!
This demon probably never wanted me to see him this lost. A broken laugh came from Finn, who dropped the elf's body on the ground before stepping towards them.
"Yet the fools dare set foot on my domain. It's about time I consumed you all." His words set into motion something uncontrollable.
In an instant, everyone in the room was glued to the floor, like he had tripled the world's gravity. Everyone but me was affected by his dreadful spell. Of course, that brought his entire attention to me and the pup, who still stood firm.
His fang was probably the only reason I was still standing. Tugging the sword away from the door, I could tell I was out of time as a raging dragon faced me to get into the crystal room.
"Little light, why are you here? Aren't you afraid of my claws coming down on you once again?" Finn asked, making my heart race.
His voice wasn't as hostile towards me as the others. Perhaps part of him recognized me as I was part of his hoard. However, it would've been a mistake to think he wouldn't come after me. His eyes were nothing like those of the man I loved.
"W-We never lie to each other, do we, Finn? So, there isn't any point in starting now, right?" I managed to find my voice as his tail swayed towards the side.
Silence filled the space as I chose my following words carefully.
I know you want me to run to you so I don't become your enemy, but…
"I told you before. If you seek mutual destruction, I'll do everything possible to stop you." I answered, triggering his aura to erupt a crimson.
"Stop me? A king? How foolish. How can a mouse struggling to survive ever kill a stalking cat?" He questioned, voice warping into something else as he stepped toward me.
Seeing him approach me should've been terrifying, but all I could feel was peace. This Finn wasn't one I wasn't used to, and it wasn't the one I stared down at when he ripped my arm.
Ah… It's not just Nyla, Rizak, or Gael; all of you have a hold on your humanity because… You love me. I allowed you to… hold on to it better than before, but that isn't enough. I need to…
"Kill? I don't want to kill you, Finn." I simpered, feeling a familiar sensation course through me.
"What?" He huffed, unable to follow my words fully.
Yet again, I never answered how he expected.
"I want to free you, and if that means taking you down temporarily, I will! I'll do the impossible to save you all!" I declared, turning back towards the door that blocked my way.
A shadowy beast similar to Varbaru's shape formed behind me, prompting the demon lord behind me to growl at my actions. Dark magic was always best for illusions and curses, while light magic was for enhancing and healing, which meant this was a one-shot thing.
This is no different from the cave. This door is blocking my way, and I need to get through it no matter what!
The beast rushed towards the demon behind me, allowing me to slash through the doors, this time breaking the spell. Instinctively, Solas rammed himself, slamming them open.
"I'll rip you to shreds, traitorous saintess!" Finn snarled, disposing of the beast with ease.
I didn't dare to gaze back at what was happening. All I knew was that I had limited time to make it to the crystal this time. Dashing towards the glowing gem in the middle of the room, I quickly reacted when a distortion appeared.
If it weren't for the sigils on my body, my reflexes wouldn't have kept up with this demon, allowing him to claim one of my legs. Instead, his claws met with the floor below me when I jumped forward and towards the stone.
The crystal was within my reach, prompting my heart to drum loudly, only for another void to appear where I was about to land. Instead of my flesh, my blade was what Finn's hand met with. The impact caused me to be repelled by him, sending me flying toward the wall, where Solas quickly caught me.
I was completely caught off guard by that, as I would've splattered against the wall if the Pup hadn't saved me. The demon king wasn't joking around; unlike me, killing wasn't on his table. Focusing on me caused his other spell to break, allowing the others to get up.
For the first time, their goal and mine were the same. I wouldn't let them get to the crystal before I did. All that stood between us was a raging dragon.
What could go wrong?