The Final Embrace

Arso reached the edge of the mountain his breath burning from relentless running and fighting The path ahead was narrow and behind him the Zirahath multiplied

Arso surrounded the three children knelt down to meet their eyes then spoke in a deep firm voice

I will open a path for you now when I give the signal you run Understand Never look back Just run toward the mountain

Mia's voice trembled with tears as she whispered

But I don't want to

Obi gently interrupted holding her shaking hand

We understand Mia

Riven looked at Arso with eyes full of worry but said nothing

Arso stood in the eye of the chaos blood staining the ground around him while the Zirahath swarmed like a merciless night storm

He lifted his head gave them a tired smile and said with steady confidence despite his ragged breaths

Come on Show me what you've got

The Zirahath charged at him like hungry packs but he was faster

With each swing of his sword one fell then he spun to strike another but the numbers were endless

In the frenzy of battle one broke through his defense grabbing his right arm and biting down until it fell limp

The scream of pain never came instead it steeled him further

A stab to his chest made him stagger but he shouted at the top of his lungs

I won't let you I won't let you reach her

The Zirahath chased after the children but Arso shoved his weary body into their path blocking them

He began running after the kids despite the blood flowing from him despite the unstable ground beneath his feet

He knew every second the children survived meant Leora was still safe

That was enough for his heart to refuse to fall

Mia turned and screamed her voice tearing the air

Nooooo Uncle Arsooo

Time froze in their eyes as if the moment refused to pass

There was Arso standing with his wounded body arms stretched out to shield them from the Zirahath

Blood bled from his chest his severed hand barely hanging on

But he smiled that unforgettable smile

Run get away from here fast

His voice was a mix of pain and determination as if fighting fate itself

Riven stood frozen his golden eyes unable to believe what he saw

Uncle Arso impossible

He wasn't ready to lose him Not ready for this farewell

But Obi the little one who had never known courage except through them

Gripped their hands tears silently streaming

Run go

Mia and Riven pulled themselves together and ran

Behind them the screams of the Zirahath rose like a nightmare

Arso fell to his knees his body growing heavier

Whispered faintly barely audible

Rely on you Aria

Then closed his eyes and silence spread

The mountain was long and hearts heavier than legs

The three climbed with difficulty their breaths ragged until suddenly

You

A strong female voice came from one of the stone hollows on the mountain

It was her

Leora's mother

She looked at them quickly worry preceding her question

What happened Where is Arso

They froze

Mia collapsed to the ground covering her face with trembling hands

Uncle Arso he Uncle Arso

The words unfinished but the pain was clearer than anything

Aria looked into their eyes one by one

She saw what she never wanted to see

She saw the truth and understood

He's gone

But she held herself tight bit her lip raised her head

She would not break not now

But a voice cracked from the rocks behind them

What do you mean

Leora

She emerged from the rocks her eyes fiercely searching among them her heart screaming before her mouth

Where is he

Where is my father

Aria approached saying nothing just opened her arms and held Leora tightly

She embraced her as if trying to shield her from the truth

But the truth was harsher than any embrace

Leora was trembling

Reached out pleadingly tears pouring endlessly

Mom let's save Dad let me go to him

Dad Dad no I don't want this please

Her body wanted to run but her feet wouldn't move

Her voice screamed but time could not go back

Aria held her tighter tears burning her eyes

But she fought the fall fought the collapse

She whispered in a trembling voice

If I could I would turn back time with my own hands but your father chose to give you life rather than see you die before him

Noooo

Leora screamed as if the whole mountain could hear her

As if the wind stopped and the clouds shrank in the sky

Then she collapsed to her knees and Aria held her like she was holding Arso's last remnant

Behind them Riven stood silently hand clutching his chest

His eyes glimmered but he did not utter a word

Leora slammed the ground with her hands

Why why is this happening we were happy

From behind the bushes came a hissing sound

Shhhhhh

An armored Zirahath appeared its roar echoing through the mountain

Aria stood ready to attack but was shocked her magical power was weak but why

She looked at her shattered daughter and commanded Riven and the others

Please stay with her

Riven held Leora as she wept

Another Zirahath emerged chanting the last verse

Aria whispered

What is this magic power why are they coming like this

Suddenly someone fell from the sky like a burning meteor

Landed firmly before them and with a single stroke of his spear tore through four Zirahath at once

Aria looked at her broken daughter and in a motherly firm voice said to her comrades

Please stay with her

Riven moved closer to Leora and embraced her her tears falling silently in painful streams

But suddenly a strange sound echoed from the horizon

Another Zirahath appeared then another then a third

Aria whispered staring anxiously at the horizon

What is this magic power Why are they multiplying like this

In the next moment a young man fell from the sky like a flaming comet

He landed with determination and with one movement of his spear ripped through four Zirahath at once

Aria's heart trembled for a moment she recognized that young man

He stood firm before her his spear dripping with Zirahath ash his eyes shining with resolve

He was nineteen years old familiar features but now shrouded with power and seriousness

He smiled lightly and said

Sorry Aria am I late

Aria smiled

Eliora how did you come

Eliora stood steady

This is no time for talk The Dark Gate has opened The Zirahath are invading many places now And it seems there's a barrier here preventing magical particles from breaking free

Aria grabbed two daggers and stood ready to attack

So it is That explains a lot

The Zirahath began to gather around them in large numbers They were surrounded on all sides but Aria would not let her husband's death be in vain

She raised her hands

Come on Eliora let's finish them

They began fighting the Zirahath one by one but the Zirahath kept returning

Behind the children stood watching the spark of the battle

A Zirahath approached the children Mia screamed

Noooo

Quickly Aria jumped and killed it

I won't let you touch my children

But suddenly a Zirahath dashed at her like an arrow

A stab

The blade sank into her body and lodged in her chest

Eliora spun quickly and gasped

Aria

He stormed toward her like a hurricane slaughtering every Zirahath in his way mercilessly

Until he reached her

The last Zirahath fell under his sword kneeled clutching her fading body

Aria barely breathed her lips trembling her eyes searching for him as if waiting for salvation

Leora screamed from the depths of her soul as she saw her mother collapse

Noooo

She ran to her tears leading her steps

Collapsed on the ground holding her mother's trembling hands

Aria opened her eyes with difficulty looked at her daughter's sorrowful face

Then whispered weakly but full of tenderness

My dear daughter create happiness for yourself don't let darkness consume your soul protect your life and your comrades

She raised her trembling hand placing it on Leora's chest

Then closed her eyes and spoke softly as if casting an ancient spell

Let the gate be opened

Aria looked at Eliora a faint smile touching her lips then whispered barely audibly

Take care of them please

Then raised her eyes to the sky as if searching for something beyond the clouds

And whispered with sweet reassurance

Arso he is smiling at me

She closed her eyes and her expression held a calm unlike death more like an awaited reunion

Eliora shook her body in horror his voice trembling

Aria Aria No no

But her hands slipped from his like a flower suddenly withering

A deadly silence fell for a moment before Leora's loud scream tore it apart

Mommmmmm

As soon as Aria fell the Zirahath began multiplying appearing as if they knew no end

Eliora looked at them his face drowned in sorrow and anger murmuring sadly

My God not now

He turned to Aria's fallen body his voice breaking as he whispered

Goodbye my teacher

Eliora carried Leora in his arms and shouted to the others

There's no time we must leave immediately

With all the energy he had left he drew a spell on the ground with his finger

The rocks beneath their feet glowed and cracked with lines of light as if swallowing them whole

In a fleeting moment

They vanished from the mountain's peak leaving behind wind tears and ash