The Rise of Nazil- Complete Epic Fantasy Trilogy

by Aaron-Michael Hall

  “No,” Turahn said. “There was to be no interference. Once Lady Benoist seized Tardison, she severed their connection.”

  “Wha—what? No. I—I didn’t know, please,” Zeta said. “What about my son? What happened to Raithym? Is my son alive?”

  “We know that Raithym yet lived while their connection remained. Now, nothing is certain. Until they’ve returned from Sanctium, we must pray for both of your children.” *

  Raithym weakly opened his eyes, taking shallow breaths. When he saw Ayrmeis looking down at him, he reached for his hand, offering a pained smile.

  “Raithym. I’m—”

  He shook his head, allowing his eyes to close. “The Guardians are with me, Ayrmeis.”

  “Forgive me, Raithym. Forgive me. I—I—I didn’t know. You can’t die. We—we are supposed to return to Nazil together. You and me, Raithym. Just as it’s always been. You and me. Forgive me, please.”

  “It’s not your fault or mine,” Raithym said, breathily. “It was the darkness, Ayrmeis. You—you pierced the darkness.”

  “Raithym?” Ayrmeis fell over him, clutching his shoulders, muttering. “Please don’t leave me.”

  “More…than…cousins, always. I love you, Ayr—” Raithym’s words ended with a final exhalation.

  “No,” Ayrmeis said, gently shaking him. “Raithym, I’m here, I’m right here. Please open your eyes and see me. Gods, I’m right here with you, Raithym. Don’t leave me, please,” Ayrmeis pleaded, his voice descending into sobs.

  “Don’t allow grief to consume you,” Ahvixx said, kneeling beside him. “You’re a wielder of light, Ayrmeis, and through you, Faélondul has been protected.”

  Ayrmeis craned around, narrowing his eye. “Protected? How was Raithym protected? The whole of Faélondul was saved except for my cousin? I killed him, Ahvixx. I killed him.”

  Ahvixx’s eyes glimmered, sharing his energies with Ayrmeis. He could feel his loss, his regret, his pain, and there was nothing he could do to soothe it. “No, Ayrmeis. By defeating Mah’saahc, you saved Raithym as well.”

  “I can’t leave Raithym here. I won’t, Ahvixx.”

  “Raithym is returning home. All of us are going home. Come. The Guardians await,” was all he could impart to Ayrmeis. It was not enough. The Guardians could sooth Ayrmeis’ pain, but they couldn’t remove it. Forever he’d know that his cousin had died by his hands. Forever.

  Pure Blood

  Ahvixx cradled Raithym in his arms as the beasts approached the citadel. His lavender orbs glimmered, fixed on the smoldering wound in Raithym’s chest. Ahvixx could hear the Protectors’ commands, and feel the Guardians’ connection, but Ayrmeis’ silent laments were more profound. He attempted to share his energy, but Ayrmeis had severed their connection, and there was nothing more Ahvixx could do.

  Staring over at his cousin’s limp form, Ayrmeis struggled to maintain the modicum of composure that remained. He didn’t feel victorious, or like the Guardians’ paladin. He’d murdered his cousin, and he’d wished that he could’ve died beside him.

  The ache Ayrmeis felt was interminable, knowing that his cousin had died at his hands. No, not just his cousin, Raithym was much more, and yet, Ayrmeis had driven the scepter through his chest.

  He turned away, grief-stricken, and contemplated ending his own life. As that thought repeated in his mind, Ayrmeis’ fingers began to tremble. He lifted one from its clasping position, and then another. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, loosening his grasp.

  Xandi’s powerful screech caused Ayrmeis to flinch, instinctively clutching onto Brukin again. With a jostling thud, Náelon landed on the citadel’s roof, clawing at the stone surface.

  Ayrmeis watched Arinak lift Ahvixx from Xandi’s back, as Brukin did the same for him. He couldn’t move, staring at Ahvixx cradling his cousin’s limp body in his arms.

  With a resonating clang, Danimore thrust the roof’s door open. He rushed toward the Protectors, frantically searching for his son. When he saw Ahvixx moving away, Danimore yelled out, running behind him.

  Ayrmeis fought against his forming tears, hearing the cries of Raithym’s father. He wanted to go to him, he wanted to see his cousin, but he couldn’t move. He just stood there, tethered to the roof on legs barely able to support his weight.

  Hearing the clamoring voices behind him, Ayrmeis managed to crane around, meeting the eyes of his mentor.

  “Uzon.” Ayrmeis’ voice cracked as he limped forward in desperation.

  When he neared Symeon, Ayrmeis gripped him in a tight hug, never wanting to release him.

  “You’ve returned,” Symeon said, both relieved and melancholic. Ayrmeis scars and bruises were apparent, but his visage was even more telling. Symeon was nearly overwhelmed, trying to remain composed for Ayrmeis’ sake.

  “Come,” Symeon said, releasing his hold. “Nzuri must see to you.”

  Ayrmeis understood why Symeon behaved so: Jasiri warriors were supposed to be imperturbable regardless of the circumstances. Albeit, at that moment, Ayrmeis didn’t care. He grabbed Symeon again, holding him tighter.

  Symeon felt himself weaken, feeling Ayrmeis’ pain as if it were his own.

  “Thank the Guardians, Ayrmeis,” Brahanu said, rushing up beside them. Symeon clapped him on his shoulder, offering a sympathetic gaze before moving away.

  “Thank the Guardians,” Brahanu said again, giving Ayrmeis a hug.

  Pentanimir rested a hand on Ayrmeis’ shoulder, but his eyes were fixed on Ahvixx, moving behind a tall stone pilaster with Raithym.

  “Symeon, Nakaris,” Pentanimir said. “You need to take Ayrmeis inside and stop everyone except Temian or Thalassa from coming to the roof. Post some guards if necessary, I don’t care, just keep them in the citadel. Do you understand?”

  Before they could respond, Sarai ran through the open door.

  “Ayrmeis!” she said, hastening her pace. Symeon did well to keep her away from Ayrmeis before he’d left for Sanctium. But now, she couldn’t be stopped.

  “Bless the Guardians, Ayrmeis!” Sarai said through heavy tears, wrapping him in a hug. She rocked him in her arms, crying irrepressibly. “You’re home! Thank the Guardians! My Ayrmeis, gods, my Ayrmeis!”

  Ayrmeis was no longer able to contain any of his emotion, returning Sarai’s intense embrace. His stance faltered, burying his face in her shoulder, weeping openly. All the pain and regret he felt, came surging to the surface. This was a greater pain than he’d ever known, and he didn’t believe that he could survive it. And at that moment, he didn’t want to.

  As Ayrmeis’ knees weakened, both he and Sarai swayed to the ground. Laying his head in her chest, he continued to weep.

  “Momma…Momma,” he whimpered, causing Sarai’s tears to increase. She kissed the crown of his head, caressing his back.

  “Yes, Ayrmeis, yes. I’ve always been. Always. Forgive me, please. I love you, my sweet boy. It’s all right. I love you.”

  Noticing Brahanu’s expression, Symeon helped Ayrmeis and Sarai to stand. He wrapped his arms around the two and turned back toward the citadel, holding them both upright.

  “Raithym?” Zeta shouted, struggling against Nakaris’ grasp. “Where’s Raithym?”

  Symeon halted as Zeta clutched Ayrmeis’ arm, not allowing them to pass. “Where’s my son, you bastard? What did you do to him!”

  “Please, Zeta,” Temian said. “He’s coming. You must be calm. Please, just wait for us inside.”

  “Where is he?”

  Zeta’s shrieking protests resonated around them as Nakaris scooped her into his arms, and carried her back inside.

  Once the door had closed, Pentanimir gestured at Temian toward where Ahvixx had disappeared.

  “We must search and return,” Arinak said, mounting Xandi. “Sanctium is no more, but we need to ensure that the seal remains, and then return to Afferea.”

  Without awaiting a reply, Arinak replaced his helm, taking to the skies.

  When they heard Danimore’s shou
ts, Temian and Pentanimir exchanged a glance, before rushing to find their brother.

  Danimore cradled Raithym’s lifeless body in his arms, speaking incoherently.

  “You’ve killed my son! All of you! All of you killed him!” Danimore accused when Pentanimir approached. “Why? Haven’t we suffered enough? Why would you take my son’s life? I trusted you…I…I…” His voice petered to nothing, as he continued to sob.

  Pentanimir tried to respond, but Ahvixx stepped in front of him. “Raithym was always meant to die, Nakshij.”

  “What?” Danimore’s rheumy eyes looked crazed, staring up at the men. “You knew? You bastard! You knew my son would die?”

  “It could be no other way. Mah’saahc couldn’t take refuge within the Protectors or me. Only with Raithym’s death could her essence be drawn within the key.”

  “You used my son as a sacrifice?”

  “No. Mah’saahc chose Raithym. Howbeit, it wouldn’t have been possible had he heeded our warnings. When Nikolina—”

  “You killed my son and you dare blame him for his own death! The Guardians could’ve protected Raithym as they did Ayrmeis, but they sacrificed him to save my brother’s son.”

  “Raithym’s life ended as the scepter pierced his heart. The wound yet festers.”

  Danimore turned away, lowering his head to his son’s chest. When Pentanimir rested a hand on his shoulder, Danimore angrily shoved it away.

  “Don’t touch me! You knew and said nothing. You knew that I’d lose Raithym, and your son would live. I asked you, Pentanimir, I asked, and you didn’t tell me the truth. Ayrmeis murdered my son! Losing Godfrey wasn’t enough? My eldest as well? Why?”

  Pentanimir stared in shock, with warm tears streaking his cheeks. When he opened his mouth to respond, no sound would issue forth.

  “No, Nakshij,” Ahvixx said. “Raithym was compromised when Nikolina syphoned his blood. Once Mah’saahc received the blood of Oisin, it strengthened her, and connected them in manners that you wouldn’t understand.

  “His path could not be altered, as it was for Ayrmeis. Pentanimir didn’t know your son would die, he was only warned about the possible conflict. We tried to protect both Raithym and Ayrmeis, but he chose to confront Molag. The Guardians do not control, Nakshij, they only guide.”

  “So, my son’s life was forfeit? You killed him. All of you are guilty. All of you let him die.”

  Pentanimir couldn’t respond. Danimore’s words pierced his heart as effectively as the divine rod had pierced Raithym’s. He staggered back several steps as the pain of Danimore’s words penetrated every part of him.

  “Raithym’s life energy was extricated, but it can be restored,” Ahvixx said, steadying Pentanimir’s stance.

  “Restored?” Danimore’s head snapped up. “How? How, Ahvixx, please tell me what to do. Please.”

  “Your brother’s blood will seal the wound and heal the heart.”

  “My brother’s? I’ll use my own blood to save my son,” Danimore said, unsheathing his dagger.

  “No! Only your brother’s blood will heal the wound and restore your son. A few drops within the wound will mend it. We must make haste, or soon it will be too late.”

  “I’ll do it, Dani,” Pentanimir said.

  Danimore glared at them, and then looked down at Raithym. “I don’t want your help, any of you. I’ll sacrifice my blood to save my son’s life.”

  Ahvixx sighed, his visage displaying empathy and distress. “Danimore, your blood won’t heal this wound. Allow Pentanimir to aid Raithym before he can no longer be healed.”

  “What in all hells do you mean?” Danimore nearly shouted. “Why won’t my blood heal my son’s wound?”

  “Just as only one possessing the blood of Oisin could affect the seal, only the blood of a son of Manifir will heal this wound.”

  Danimore’s eyes narrowed, nearly toppling to the ground.

  “Ahvixx, Dani is a son of Manifir,” Temian said. “All of us are the same.”

  “No, only your blood or Pentanimir’s can guide Raithym back to the realm of the living. His essence remains interlaced with the T’reyUhm R’aFek’s vims. The Guardians protect Raithym’s life energy so that he may return to you. Either you or Pentanimir can aid Raithym. Not Danimore.”

  “Why?” Pentanimir asked, steadying Danimore as he swayed on weak knees.

  Ahvixx shook his head, inhaling a steeling breath. “Danimore is the same as Raithym and Ayrmeis are. Manifir was his father, but he was not his sire.”

  “Enough,” Pentanimir shouted. “Danimore has always been my brother. We’re both sons of Manifir.”

  “I don’t wish to grieve you further, but if Raithym is to be saved, I’m left with no other choice,” Ahvixx said, woefully. “Zaxson, Danimore and you share the same mother. However, Danimore’s sire wasn’t Manifir.

  “It was Oxilon.”

  “What! My mother would never betray my father. Never!” Pentanimir said, rushing toward him. The anger in his tone didn’t reach his face. Pentanimir’s visage was forlorn.

  Danimore collapsed over his son’s still body, continuing to weep.

  “This wasn’t due to any betrayals of your mother. It was the evils of your uncle. Oxilon believed that your mother knew the whereabouts of Manifir’s alleged human lover and their children. Although your mother was ignorant of Manifir’s previous associations, it mattered not. All the rage and envy Oxilon felt toward his brother, he inflicted upon his wife.

  “Kitrin never revealed Oxilon’s violation to your father, and she wasn’t certain of Danimore’s paternity until his birth.” Ahvixx sighed, looking on with empathy. “Your mother claimed Danimore was premature. Manifir didn’t question, but Oxilon wasn’t fooled.

  “He’d planned a strategic assault on Kitrin when Manifir was on business for the Zaxson. Manifir’s leave from Nazil lasted nearly two full moons, and coincided with Oxilon’s assault, and your mother’s subsequent pregnancy.

  “Danimore’s sire was obvious, and Oxilon could see much of himself in you. That’s what caused his ire, Danimore. It wasn’t anything you’d done against him. It was his hatred of the part of himself that he saw in you.”

  “Enough, please,” Pentanimir muttered. “He’s my brother. Danimore is my brother.”

  “He is, but our time grows short. Soon, the wound will be beyond repair. The blood of Manifir will heal this wound and none other.”

  “I am a son of Manifir!” Danimore said, raising the dagger. With one fluid motion, he slashed his palm, allowing the blood to drip into the open wound.

  Raithym’s body jerked, convulsing as tarry blood spilled from his mouth. The wound in his chest expanded, releasing a pungent, swirling, pallid fog.

  “Gods! No! What have I done?” Danimore shouted, forcing his hands against the seeping wound. “Raithym…no…Raithym. My son. Please, gods, my son!” He cried out, beating his hands against the unrelenting ground. Temian and Pentanimir rushed to his side, pulling him away from Raithym.

  “Stop this, Dani, stop this,” Temian said. “We must help Raithym.”

  “I can’t, Brother,” he whimpered, crumpling on the ground. “I can’t save my son.”

  Pentanimir gestured to Temian, and he picked up the dagger, slashing his palm.

  Coiling dark smoke wafted from Raithym’s chest as the blood dripped into the cavity. The brothers stared in awe, as the festering wound pulsed, decreasing in size.

  When Raithym’s body twitched, Temian retracted his hand. He backed away, continuing to watch his nephew’s body reanimate.

  Raithym sucked in a deep breath, his body tautening on the ground.

  “Raithym,” Danimore cried out, cradling him in his arms. The rise and fall of Raithym’s chest increased, growing stronger with each inhalation.

  Once the wound had sealed, Raithym groaned, raising a trembling hand to his chest.

  “Fa—father?”

  Remorse and the Unforgiving

  He’d pierced his cousin�
��s heart and a part of him had died on Sanctium with Raithym. The visions inundating Ayrmeis’ mind would forever be a part of him. He felt that torment was a fitting punishment for what he’d done. He’d never be free from this pain. He was a murderer, and deserved to die.

  Raithym was dearer to him than even his brothers were.

  When Ayrmeis heard his door open, he turned toward the wall, burrowing beneath the blankets.

  “Ayrmeis?”

  He didn’t respond, sinking deeper within himself, in hopes that his visitor would think him asleep.

  “Ayrmeis?” Pentanimir said again, gently nudging his shoulder.

  “Father?” He asked, wiping his tears on his blanket before uncovering his head. “I—I wanted to rest.”

  “I know,” Pentanimir said, resting a hand on his chest. When he looked into Ayrmeis eye, he nearly flinched. Kuhani and Turahn had tended his wounds, but the scars, and the eye patch he wore spoke much of his injuries. However, those outward wounds were minor compared to Ayrmeis’ inner ones.

  “I wouldn’t have disturbed you, Ayrmeis, but I wanted you to know what’s happened.”

  Ayrmeis studied his face, sitting up in the bed. “Hap—happened?”

  “I just spoke with Nzuri about Raithym.”

  When Ayrmeis shook his head, Pentanimir gripped his shoulders, looking into his eye. “It’s all right, Ayrmeis. Everything will be all right.”

  “How? Nothing will ever be all right again, Father. I—I’ve killed Raithym. I killed him.”

  Pentanimir pulled him closer, feeling his pain as though it was his own. “No, Ayrmeis. You defeated the eidolon, Mah’saahc. You didn’t kill Raithym. He—he’s alive. He’s resting in his room now. Did you hear me, my son? Raithym is alive.”

  Ayrmeis’ brow creased, staring at his father in disbelief. For several moments he sat motionless, trying to understand Pentanimir’s words. When his father’s statements finally resonated, Ayrmeis leapt from his bed, rushing out of his room.

  “Raithym,” he breathed, throwing open the door to his room. He couldn’t be soothed until he held his cousin in his arms to prove that he was real.