Rise of Darkness (The Watchers Book 2)

by M. Lee Holmes

Faine’s heart shattered with those words and he suddenly felt the world beneath him was beginning to crumble. His legs became unsteady and he stumbled to the bed and sat upon the edge. Shinira followed and knelt before him, holding out the child for him to take.

  I cannot stand the thought of holding him now. He realized as he looked at the tightly wrapped babe. What is left of my courage will fail me if I look upon that innocent face. But the thought of never holding Edward again; never kissing his soft cheek or stroking his red hair was too much for him to bear, so with a sigh of defeat, he reached out and took the baby from Shinira.

  She stood with fresh tears in her eyes and turned away from him to let him hold his son in peace.

  Hebkya moved closer to Faine and Edward with her arms folded across her chest. Her stern expression was now gone; replaced with tears. She cried as she watched Faine unwrap Edward’s face and kiss his forehead gently.

  “He looks so much like you.” She said.

  Faine nodded. He could not speak, for he was fighting back the tears that threatened to force their way out.

  Hebkya unfolded her arms and knelt before her brother just as Shinira had. “You know the King is wrong, Faine. If you go out there, you, and all your men, will die. I have seen it in my visions. Amag’mar will set fire to you all.”

  Faine nodded again. This time, he was able to speak through his gasps of despair. “The King thinks it is too risky to trust our future to one sword. And I have sworn an oath to obey my King in all things.”

  “Forget your oath.” Hebkya said. Her anger returned with her brother’s stubborn refusal to break his oath, even if it meant the end of them all. “Think about this carefully. If you follow the King’s command, your army, the last army in Kaena, will be destroyed. Amag’mar will storm the castle and everyone inside will perish- me, Shinira… Edward.”

  Faine’s eyes flicked upward when Hebkya mentioned his son’s name. He knew she was right. If Faine was to protect his son, he would have to break his oath to the King.

  “But who will give their life to the sword?” He asked, already knowing what Hebkya would say.

  “I will.” She reached for her stone and pulled it free of its chain. She held it out for Faine to take but he remained still. “Take the stone. Surely there will be someone else who can be its keeper. I gladly give my life to save the world from evil.”

  Faine wanted to take the stone. In his heart he knew this was the only way. But he could not bring himself to reach for it. He could not move. Edward suddenly felt heavy in his arms, keeping them pinned down. He gazed deep into his sister’s eyes and felt more grateful to her now than ever before.

  “Hebkya,” he began, knowing that he was going to try to talk her out of it, when he caught something with the corner of his vision. He fell silent and turned his gaze to the corner of the room where Shinira stood, holding the hilt of the sword outward with shaking hands. The tip of the blade rested against her breast.

  “Shinira! Put that down!” Faine shouted. He was suddenly on his feet and Edward was in his cradle before he even knew he was moving. Hebkya had turned and was running ahead of Faine, but it made no difference how quickly they moved. With a final sigh, Shinira pushed the blade forward with all her strength. Immediately she fell to the ground. Her feet slid forward and she lay on her side. Her eyes remained half open but unseeing and the sword remained in her heart, soaking up the blood that ran down the length of the blade.

  Faine stood over her for a moment, watching as the white of his stone turned red with Shinira’s blood. The blood seeped into the stone just as the stone had seeped into the steel; drinking it up like a drunkard drinks his ale.

  It was Hebkya who knelt beside Shinira, pulling the blade from her chest and lifting her head off the ground. She rested her head in her lap and began stroking her hair. It took Faine several moments to realize that Hebkya was sobbing.

  She is gone. He thought as his eyes scanned her lifeless body. She is dead. Somewhere in the room Edward began to cry but it seemed so far away, barely audible. The sound was being drowned out by an unfamiliar humming. Faine turned his eyes from his dead wife to the sword that lay on the ground next to her. He could hear the sword calling to him, as though it was actually alive.

  Slowly he bent down and lifted the blade from the ground. The humming turned into a vibration in his hand and as he studied the red steel of the blade, it sang in his ears a melody that only he could hear. The blood had soaked through and created a red streak that ran down the length of the blade. Faine knew as he held fast to the hilt and felt its vibration that the sword was now alive. A life had been given so that a life may be taken away.

  Faine’s hands began to shake uncontrollably and he dropped the sword to the ground. It made a loud clang as it hit the stone floor but Faine could hardly hear it. He turned to look down at Shinira.

  Hebkya was still stroking her soft, brown hair while crying. Her tears fell onto Shinira’s lifeless face, rolling down her cheeks as though it was Shinira who was crying.

  Faine knelt beside them and took Shinira from Hebkya’s grasp. He held her head in his lap and reached up to close her half-open eyes.

  “My sweet love.” He whispered. He leaned forward and gave her cold cheek a solemn kiss. When he looked up, his eyes fell upon the discarded sword and he glowered at the steel with loathing. I never should have had the sword made! He thought. Anger began to boil within him, threatening to burst through at any moment.

  Hebkya stood and stepped over the sword to reach Edward in his cradle. She lifted the crying baby in her arms and began whispering words of comfort to him. When she looked to Faine, her eyes were red and tear stained.

  “You must put an end to this madness now. You have the sword. Do your duty.”

  Faine shook his head. “How can I wield the weapon that took Shinira’s life? Her blood is in the blade. I cannot even stand to look at it.”

  Hebkya sighed and sat at the edge of the bed, rocking Edward until his sobs became mere whimpers.

  “You must, Faine. Do not let Shinira’s sacrifice be wasted. Kill Amag’mar; destroy his stone, save the world.”

  …

  “My Lord!” Captain Filip shouted. Faine stopped when he saw the Captain hastily shoving his way through the crowded corridor towards him. The men who blocked the Captain’s way were his soldiers, donning their armor once again and passing lethargic glances at Faine as he moved past them.

  “We are nearly ready to march, my Lord.” Captain Filip said once he was within earshot. Faine nodded, thanked the Captain and told him to meet him outside.

  Faine seemed to find easier passage through the crowd of men than the Captain was able to. The weary soldiers parted for him as he made his way towards the front doors. He wished that it had not been so easy- that someone had hindered his movement. But he was suddenly outside and in the cool, night air before he even realized he had walked through the doors.

  Outside, the world was still and silent. Amag’mar was nowhere in sight, the screams of the Axendrian citizens had already faded and the smoke that was billowing from the burnt city was now a mere haze over the horizon. The damage has already been done. Axendra is nothing more than ash and ghosts.

  Faine did not wait for his men to arrive. He ran to the stables and saddled the first horse he came across, not caring who it belonged to. He kicked the beast forward and it did not hesitate to break into a canter. He caught a brief glimpse of a confused Captain Filip as he rushed down the road towards the city. He did not stop to explain himself to the Captain. He knew that Filip would order his men to follow him into the city but by the time they arrived, he will have completed his task.

  He thought briefly of his son back at the castle, wondering if he would ever see Edward again. Will he become an orphan on this night? He had given Hebkya strict instructions to take Edward and leave the kingdom should he fail in his task. He hoped it would not come to that.

  He kicked the horse again, urging the beast to s
peed up. It whinnied angrily at him but obeyed the command. Faine wished to end this war once and for all. He was impatient for peace. All I want is for my son to grow up in a world that knows nothing of war and suffering.

  Faine did not stop until he was at the edge of the city. It was then that he drew his sword; the sword that had taken his wife’s life. He held it in the air, ready to attack anything that moved at him.

  The city itself had become nothing more than a smoldering wasteland. Through the smoke and dust, Faine could barely see the spires of broken frames from the houses and buildings that were once a part of this most beloved city. Their blackened remnants were mere shadows against the dusty, gray sky. But it was not even the ruined city that drove a steak of despair into Faine’s heart- it was the silence. Even in the dead of night, when most citizens were cozy in their beds, this city had never borne such a heavy silence. Faine craned his neck to listen but there was nothing in the vastness of the charred remains to reach his ears; no calls for aid or screams of torment.

  Faine kicked his horse forward but the beast would not move. He kicked again and instead of pressing onward, the warhorse reared on its massive hind legs, whinnying loudly in protest and nearly throwing Faine from the saddle. He realized that he would not be able to force the beast into the dead city, so with trepidation, he dismounted and continued on foot.

  Even from the distance of the castle Faine could smell the sick scent of the burning fires, but from down here, in the city, the smell of smoke and burnt flesh and death mingled in the air and swirled into his nostrils, filling them with a horrid stench that made his stomach churn. He swallowed hard, hoping he would not vomit, and began breathing through his mouth though it did little good to prevent the illness that took hold of him. Instead of smelling death, he could taste it. He stopped suddenly, leaned to the side and lost whatever food lingered in his stomach.

  When he stood tall, he was surprised by the enormity of the dead that surrounded him. They had moved in swiftly and silently and stared at him with their hollow eyes. There were hundreds of shadow walkers; citizens of Axendra- men, women and even children, mingled with the dead soldiers Faine had left behind on the battlefield. They filled the streets and alleyways, surrounding him on all sides. The sword he carried began to hum; its warning told him that he would not make it out alive.

  And so be it! He thought bitterly as he gripped the sword tightly. There is only one thing left to do and then I can die in peace. I can be with Shinira again. The thought was almost comforting, but as Faine stared into the eyes of the dead, all thoughts of comfort fled and he began to tremble with the fear that he too would become a shadow, forever serving his wretched brother in his conquest to destroy the world. I cannot allow that to happen!

  The shadows that surrounded him did not advance so he took a moment to search through them for any signs of his brother. When he could not find Amag’mar, he knew there was only one thing to do.

  “Come out coward! Face your brother!”

  Suddenly, the shadows parted to reveal a red-cloaked cultist moving through the crowd. She stepped lightly, hardly making any tracks in the muddy road. Her head was lowered but Faine could plainly see scarlet hair draping down her chest. He knew that he stood facing the red witch without even having to see her face. But as she came closer and Faine could study her, he was shocked to discover her large, round belly protruding from underneath her robes.

  Pregnant! He thought with horror. Has she conceived my brother’s spawn? The child cannot be an accident. Surely it is part of their plan. It must not be allowed to live. But even Faine could not kill the pregnant woman with a steady hand. He knew that any child of his brother’s blood line would undeniably bring about the destruction of the world should Amag’mar fail. And that is the purpose of the baby, to secure their victory should Amag’mar fall.

  Scarlet stopped before she came within reach of Faine’s sword and raised her head as she pulled the hood away. She smiled at Faine and began caressing her belly.

  “Have you finally decided to accept your fate, Faine? Have you come to offer yourself to your master?” Her voice sent chills down his spine but he hardened his resolve and raised the blade that was to end all their suffering.

  “I have come to allow Amag’mar to accept his fate.”

  Scarlet began to laugh. “You are a fool!” She said. She stopped caressing her belly and raised the palms of her hands in the air.

  Faine knew what was coming but could not run from it. There were no buildings left to hide inside and even if there were, he could not reach them; the shadows blocked his way.

  Instead of running, Faine did the only thing that came to mind; he leaned forward and held the sword before him like a shield. The flames that flew towards him parted as they struck the sword and though Faine could feel their warmth, they did not burn him.

  “No!” Scarlet shouted. She raised her hands once again and Faine blocked the second wave of fire she threw towards him.

  “How can this be?” She asked in anger.

  Faine did not answer. He stood up tall with a proud smile upon his face. For the first time in years, he had confidence that he could end this war. He began walking towards the confused Scarlet but before he could reach her, the shadows descended upon him.

  They came from all sides and Faine began swinging his sword wildly, trying to cut them down but there were far too many and they soon had hold of him. Faine’s sword fell to the ground. He tried desperately to wriggle free of the shadows’ grasp but they were too strong for him. They held tightly to his arms and legs and one even had its leathery, cold hand resting on his neck, ready to crush the life from him at any moment.

  Scarlet smiled once again and stepped closer to Faine. She raised her open palms high and said; “now, let us see if you can save yourself.” Faine could see the glow of her fire begin to take form and he closed his eyes against its brightness, knowing that he had failed.

  “Stop!” A deep voice commanded from a distance. Faine opened his eyes and saw his brother moving lithely through the shadows towards Scarlet. His black hair had grown long in the last few years, reaching almost to his waist. His gray eyes were as menacing as ever but his skin had grown paler than the last time Faine had seen him, making him appear as though he had been long dead.

  Amag’mar stood next to Scarlet and glowered at her, making her cower in his presence. “He belongs to me.”

  Scarlet nodded. “Yes, my Lord.” She said and she backed slowly away, disappearing into the shadows. The shadow walkers that held fast to Faine, restraining his movements, suddenly released him and backed away as well, leaving only Faine and Amag’mar facing each other.

  Faine bent low enough to lift his sword from the ground. He held it tightly in his hand, feeling the reassuring hum of the blade pulsing through his fingers as he rose. It seemed to be whispering to him; telling him to be strong and to show no mercy.

  Amag’mar eyed the blade in Faine’s hand with contempt. He cocked his head to the side and pointed at the glistening steel that was now pointed at him.

  “You think that sword will save you?” His voice was like a hiss- his words flowed in one lengthy tone that seemed to wrap Faine in a cold embrace. He shivered but stood firm, feeling no fear in his heart.

  “This sword will save us all.” He said. Amag’mar tilted his head back and laughed and as he did so, Faine caught a faint glimpse of his dark red stone glinting in the dull light of the dying day. The sword screamed at him and he knew that this was his moment. He could not hesitate or he might fail. He rushed forward before Amag’mar had finished laughing, causing him to stumble backwards in surprise. Faine used the sword as a diversion, swinging it low over Amag’mar’s waist, making him spin away just enough so that Faine could grab hold of the chain round his neck that held the stone.

  From behind, Faine could hear Scarlet give a cry of despair, knowing what it was that he was trying to do. He yanked the chain free of Amag’mar’s neck and dropped the s
tone to the ground. Before Amag’mar or Scarlet could stop him, he raised his sword up high and brought it down with all the force he could muster. Amag’mar’s stone shattered under the magic of the blade as though it were glass.

  “Aaagghh!” Amag’mar shouted and fell to the dirt as though he had been struck by an invisible force. Faine turned to find the pregnant witch kneeling behind him with tears streaming down her face.

  Then suddenly, the shadow walkers all began writhing and screaming. They fell together in piles and did not move again; remaining still as the corpses they were, plumes of black fog rising from their bodies like steam. When Scarlet witnessed this, she stood and ran as fast as her swollen feet would carry her. She disappeared into the smoke and Faine hoped that that would be the last anyone ever saw of her.

  One thing left to do. I must put my brother out of his misery. Faine turned back to Amag’mar and let out a surprised cry to find him standing inches away. His face was red with anger and his eyes were livid, digging into Faine’s flesh with their hatred. Faine tried to raise his sword in defense but was too late. Amag’mar grasped his wrist with one hand and with the other, wrapped his fingers tightly around Faine’s neck. With a strength that was not normal to man, Amag’mar lifted Faine off the ground, squeezing tightly to choke the life from him. Faine tried to kick and squirm his way free but there was no way of escaping his brother’s wrath.

  “It would give me great pleasure to watch you burn from the inside out. But I have a better fate planned for you, brother!” Suddenly, Amag’mar’s eyes turned misty and the dark gray of them disappeared, giving way to a cloud of blackness. Faine thought he was looking into the abyss of the shadow realm and shuddered when the darkness began to take hold of him. He could not say if it was the life that was being choked from him or if the clouds in Amag’mar’s eyes had opened up to swallow him, but his vision was suddenly gone and all was darkness.

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