Air

by Rosie Scott

  “Kai!” Uriel yelled, pointing to the cave. “Go! Kill Aleyah! We will hold Abaddis off. We can't let her finish us here without completing our mission!”

  I nodded in understanding. Uriel's words were a little frightening given he sounded uncertain we could win this at all. But with barely a glance around at the many bodies of soldiers splayed across the surrounding rock, it was apparent we were losing. We'd started with an army of five hundred before entering the Pedr Crags, and now we were left with only dozens.

  I caught Cerin's eyes. “Stay here!” I requested. “The soldiers need every healer they can get.”

  Azazel hurried up to my side. “I'm coming with you.”

  I took note of all of the arrows sticking out of Abaddis like unruly hairs and decided the archer was best put with me anyway, so I nodded. Jakan and Nyx ran up next, intent on suggesting the same.

  “How are your injuries?” I asked Jakan, even as I hurried off to the cave entrance, my three friends on my heels.

  “I'll be fine,” Jakan replied, though his normally energetic voice was rough and heavy with fatigue. “I'm more worried about everyone else at this point.”

  I couldn't blame him. All of us had severely underestimated the difficulty of this mission. Our small army of five hundred had not been enough, but then again, had we had more soldiers, I doubted our odds would have been much greater. Both of the gods we'd dealt with today could mow through people like they were blades of wheat.

  “Kai!” Cerin's hoarse scream rattled off of stone behind us. My heart jumped up into my throat, and I spun, prepared to defend my lover. Instead, I saw Abaddis grasping onto the two sides of a cliff that rose just yards above the stone she stood on, hefting at the land with such effort that the rock began to crack apart. Her two golden eyes were on my small group as we hurried to find Aleyah despite the soldiers fighting her below. As the cliff cracked off into a boulder, I realized what she intended to do.

  “Run!” I jerked a hand out to Jakan, refreshing his shield as the four of us made a mad dash for the cave entrance. I heard the goddess grunt with effort behind us, and I watched in horror as a dark shadow overtook Jakan, the boulder preparing to crash overhead.

  Willin el material a nienda! I forced telekinesis to my friend, propelling the thief off his feet and over the ground as the boulder landed just where he'd been, breaking into smaller pieces when it hit the solid stone. Jakan collapsed nearby, breathless as he came to realize what had just happened. His two gray eyes darted back to Abaddis before he scrambled to stand and continue the chase.

  “The cave! The fucking cave!” The thief screeched, rushing alongside us as we finally reached it. We darted around the wall of its entrance, immediately hurrying inside, our lungs lighting themselves on fire with effort.

  “Shit! Shit!” Nyx's eyes frantically looked around us as we hurried underground. “This whole place will collapse!”

  I glanced around, watching as dust sprinkled down from high ceilings overhead as the battle raged on outside. “Aleyah is here. If Abaddis is protecting her, she won't dare collapse this cave on her.”

  “If Aleyah is even here,” Azazel commented, his bow ready in his hands.

  “She damn well better be after all this bullshit!” Nyx exclaimed, frustrated.

  Our boot steps echoed off of the surrounding walls as we jogged down the decline. It was lit in this tunnel with lanterns holding alteration light along the walls, and the ceilings were extremely high, perhaps to accommodate Abaddis. It was impossible to know which gods had a hand in building this place, and which ones came and went while others stayed. I assumed given Malachi's skills that he had been the one to spread Aleyah's messages to the gods which requested them across Eteri. As for how she could spread her magic across the entire world of Arrayis, however, I had to admit I hadn't a clue.

  The vibrations within the cave from the battle outside culminated into what felt like an explosion before all went still. Given that no soldiers followed us into the cave, I figured one of the soldiers had simply used paralyze on Abaddis again to gain the only advantage against her that we had. I hoped that the superior strength between Maggie and Anto could cause the goddess to fall soon.

  Within minutes, we finally reached the end of the tunnel. The dark stone walls opened up into a larger cavern, lit by white-cream magical light and separated into sections and rooms with haphazardly built stone block walls. It appeared that more people lived here than just Aleyah because the personal belongings of a few different people with vastly different tastes were scattered on surfaces and across floors. I noticed a basket of dried fish sitting on a stone table in one room as we passed it, figuring it to belong to Malachi, given he'd left evidence of his affinity for the snack all over the Pedr Crags. The same room held bookshelves of various texts, and sketches of different people and places that the god appeared to have drawn himself, evidenced by a set of charcoal which sat over to the side of the table.

  It was odd seeing the personal belongings of someone we'd just killed as if I could build up an idea of the personality of my enemy outside of our different sets of loyalties and beliefs. Meeting Bhaskar and seeing how gods were not always slaves to tradition had started to change my mind about the idea that they were all my enemies. The gods were powerful, yes, but they were also individuals that could befriend the lesser races if they made the decision to. While my eyes scanned over Malachi's beautiful sketches, a pang in my heart made me acknowledge that I wished things could be different. I wished all of my enemies were solely evil tyrants because then I would have no qualms about killing them. But that wasn't how life had ever worked. There were two sides to every war; all one could do was live in denial that gray morality existed and adopt a mindset that states one's goals and beliefs were wholly correct. Otherwise, constant doubt over taking lives or fighting for one reason over another could plague a war until it would eventually be lost.

  I tore my eyes away from Malachi's room, searching for signs of life. Despite the multiple personal rooms here, it sounded quiet save for the vibrations that had just started up again with the battle above ground. We passed more chambers, breaking into the doors which were closed, only to find everything empty.

  The vibrations grew more potent beneath our feet, and we picked up the pace. As my friends kept checking rooms, I went straight ahead to the end of the cavern, before opening its final door.

  The room here was massive with a curved ceiling that was highest at its center. The smoothed stone was covered with hundreds of copper wires that sunk through holes in the earth in multiple places as if leading to various destinations underground. All of the cables directed to the center far wall, where they were molded into the metal of a chair. Its lone occupant was kept captive by a thick metal helmet that held her head in place, and metal shackles which surrounded her arms and legs.

  Aleyah was sicklier than even some of Nahara's poor had been, her arms and legs barely more than skin and bones. Two golden eyes rose to find mine from over hollow cheeks. The goddess of communication and travel appeared as a Vhiri, though her golden skin was muted with neglect. She didn't seem to have any hair, which made me question for how long she'd been kept in such a state. There were tools and utensils in this room that were usually only needed for hospital patients that could not complete the most basic tasks. With a wave of nausea, I wondered if Aleyah had been held hostage here just so the other gods could use her powers because it was clear she was not here of her own free will.

  “I knew you would come,” Aleyah murmured, her voice raspy and weak. “Come. Do what you must.”

  I hesitated. “You are held here against your will,” I murmured, looking over the metals which connected to her. It reminded me of the ship systems Maggie had designed to spread magic over farther distances.

  “Yes,” Aleyah replied, appearing surprised that I'd waited to kill her at all. “I have to be. It is impossible for magic to spread as far as the other gods need mine to without such contraptions. I have
heard the others say I am the most important god alive.” Her dull golden eyes peered down at her shackles. “I suppose you would understand if I said I don't feel important at all.”

  My heart thumped against my chest in waves of uncertainty. I felt overwhelming sympathy for the goddess, and I didn't want to. I could not leave here without her dead, or we would fail at everything we'd been working toward for the past moon.

  “These wires...” I pointed to the web of them that covered the wall behind her.

  “They stretch to every land on Arrayis except for Glacia,” Aleyah said, understanding my direction. “With a simple name, I can find the location of any living being. Oftentimes, I can even hear them speak, or hear their thoughts. My magic travels farther than most, Kai, but without these wires, I would not be as powerful as I am.” She paused, her weak golden eyes searching in mine. “You feel sympathy for me. You expected me to be one of your most rabid pursuers.” A small smile raised one side of her lips, just barely. “I understand your plight. I must die. Do not feel pity. I welcome death. For as long as the other gods live, I will only be a tool.”

  Aleyah's ability to read thoughts had undoubtedly worked accurately on me. As my friends finally approached me from behind and quieted as they took in the scene, I said, “You're right. I feel immense sympathy for you. I had no idea the gods would do this to one another.”

  “If you had no idea, you should have figured it, being as chased after as you are.” Aleyah raised an eyebrow at me, out of curiosity more than anything. “This cave has seen so much more traffic ever since your attack on Sera.”

  “Kai, we have to hurry,” Jakan insisted. “Every second we take to kill her is another second the others are in danger.”

  “Abaddis is not attacking the others anymore,” Aleyah replied, her powers allowing her insight into both groups at once. “She is coming to the cave now, trying to ensure I stay under her control.”

  “We could free you and take you back to Mistral,” I murmured quickly, trying to find a different route out of this.

  “Queen Tilda will use me just like the gods always have. I have heard enough of the woman's ways.” Aleyah turned her head to the side hopelessly. “Kill me, Kai, and do it quickly.”

  I swallowed hard, walking across the room to the goddess. Behind me, Azazel was going through texts and papers on a nearby table, collecting them. I assumed they had intel which would be useful for us. Aleyah noticed this as well and watched me as I neared her.

  “Kai,” the goddess murmured, as I finally came to stand before her prison.

  “Yes?”

  “You are the first to treat me as an equal,” Aleyah said, her eyes coming to find mine. “If you seek information from me, I will tell you what I know.”

  I hesitated, the beginning of a leeching spell building in my palm before I dispelled it. Aleyah's offer was selfless, considering the situation. “I would like to know the whereabouts of Silas Galan and my brother Terran Sera.”

  Aleyah closed her eyes, and her two weak hands held onto the metal ends of her chair. After a few seconds, she said, “Silas Galan is in Celendar.”

  An ache sliced through my gut. “Is he troubled?”

  “He is shunned by his people,” Aleyah replied. “His connections to you were too great. News of your attack on Sera reached Celendar before he did. His family has lost much of its acclaim. Silas is lonely, and yes, he is troubled.”

  My heart felt as if it was breaking in two. My former lover's last words to me had been full of optimism, but his life since leaving us had been nothing but the opposite. I felt immense remorse for having caused that for him. “Is Celendar getting involved with the war? Is he?”

  “All I can tell from here is that they are preparing for it. All I sense from Silas is a feeling of being lost. I don't think he knows yet what to do, but given his knowledge, yes. Celendar prepares for war. His brother Firth has left to prepare the Knights of Celendar for battle.”

  I felt nauseated by all of this negative news, but I was grateful for the chance to know any of it at all. “And...Terran Sera?”

  “Terran is overcome with joy. He still celebrates the birth of his second child.”

  Dizziness clouded my head. “...second...second child?”

  “Yes. A son. Ignatius Sera, named after his red hair. Terran believes he will grow up to become a fire mage. The child reminds him of you.”

  Tears came to my eyes despite my unwillingness to cry. “And the first?”

  “A girl. Aella. Born in New Moon of last year. She has her mother's light gray eyes, so Terran hopes she will grow up to be an air or life mage.”

  I was overcome with a variety of emotions and questions of all sorts swarmed through my head. Aleyah knew what they were even before I asked and went on to answer them.

  “Terran still loves you greatly, and his relationship with Sirius strains over this war. He believes in protecting Sera as he once told you, and he fears for his family's safety. Only recently did Sera get news that you helped take the underground. Terran had thought you were killed after leaving Nahara since there'd been no news of you in a while. Now that he knows you are alive, he hopes that you give up this war or die in battle because you are his greatest fear.”

  I am Terran's greatest fear. That thought shamed me. “But he...he isn't thinking twice about his side in the war?” I questioned weakly. The vibrations from Abaddis grew more violent, and I knew she neared. I needed to wrap up this conversation, but receiving such information was important to me, and I longed for more.

  “No. He loathes necromancy. Sera only learned of the underground's takeover because he sent messengers to hire the Alderi to kill Cerin Heliot and they refused. While Sirius's main concern is killing you and quelling your rebellion, Terran's focus is killing the necromancer. He fears what Sera will become if you take it. As much as he loves you, he will not relent.”

  I nodded slowly and with great sadness. Though my brother and I had vastly different beliefs, I understood his refusal to give up because I was the same way. Neither of us would give up until one of us was dead.

  “Kai!” Jakan pointed out of the doorway as the vibrations grew ever more violent. “Abaddis is here! Kill her!”

  Aleyah looked up at me. “Please make it quick,” she murmured.

  “I will.” I swallowed, a lump scraping down my throat as death energy built in a palm again. “Thank you, Aleyah, for everything.”

  “You are the first to deserve information since you were the first not to force it from me.” Aleyah chuckled weakly. “You didn't even ask.”

  “And you didn't have to offer,” I murmured. “Thank you.” I held my palm to the core of her torso, and the black energy morphed into a funnel, sucking the goddess's remaining life from her body and into mine. Because Aleyah was already so weak, it was only seconds before she slumped in her chair, dead.

  “Get back!” Azazel's voice directed Jakan and Nyx, just before the wall around the doorway exploded. Broken stone pummeled our shields and surroundings as Abaddis appeared from the new entrance. Nyx was thrown into the wall, and her protection disappeared. I rushed to her to regenerate it as the giant goddess found Aleyah's corpse and roared.

  “No, Kai!” Nyx screeched at me. I saw only a blur of tanned skin coming in my direction before I was slapped to the side like a pesky fly. My own shield dissipated and the breath was forced from my lungs as I flew into another wall, landing at its base in a pathetic clump. Abaddis seemed to have it out for Nyx. Perhaps even when she'd been paralyzed, she knew Nyx was the one to kill Malachi and was bent on revenge.

  Nyx was shield-less, and Abaddis decided to take advantage of that. With her right hand curled into a fist, she punched down toward my best friend, even as Jakan and Azazel's ranged ammo dotted the god's thick skin in multiple places. None of us could defend Nyx in time, but my best friend was smart and quick. She rolled out of the way of the punch, before scrambling to stand and making a run for the door.

&nb
sp; Crash! A chunk of rock from the cavern ceiling loosened and fell straight into the metal helmet of Aleyah's chair, calling our attention to the fact that the cave was preparing to collapse. Adrenaline surged through my veins. We couldn't focus on killing Abaddis because then we'd all die at the mercy of cold stone.

  Nyx screamed as she was grasped in mid-run by the god's massive hand. I dispelled the life magic in my hands desperately. A shield would not help her now.

  Azazel shot the god with a paralyze spell, and Abaddis started to fall. It was a smart decision to keep Nyx from being crushed, but as the goddess dropped, the resulting vibrations sped up the cave's collapse. Abaddis crashed into wall and furniture alike, her hand paralyzed as much as the rest of her and still holding Nyx.

  “Shit! Shit!” Nyx's black eyes watched dust and pieces of rock fall from the ceiling as she scrambled to pull herself from the goddess's grasp. “Please don't leave me here!”

  Jakan and Azazel were already trying to cut Abaddis's fingers off of my best friend, and I built up water magic, forcing the element between Nyx's armor and the god's fingers, hoping it would make it easier for her to slip out of her tight grasp. Nyx grabbed onto my arms as I pulled her, the assassin's boots kicking off of the ground to help.

  “Kai, my hips!” Nyx breathed. I looked down. Nyx had the wide hips of her mother, and they were keeping her lower half from slipping through the god's hand. Even though my best friend had full breasts, they wouldn't provide as much of a barrier to her escape as her hips. I let go of her torso.

  “Other side,” I decided, hurrying past Jakan and Azazel to grab at her legs. “Put your arms up, Nyx!” After she did so, I tugged on her legs. “Guys, help me!” I directed the two men beside me, and they did. Cutting through the god's fingers was getting them nowhere. Even after the long and intense battle above ground, the goddess was barely injured. Arrows stuck out from her face after archers had attempted to shoot through her eyes, and her right Achilles tendon was all but torn out of her foot. From the bruised impressions in Abaddis's face and throat, I could tell Maggie had used both ends of her war hammer on the god in attempts to incapacitate her.