Chapter Text
Rough, tiny tears are appearing in the palms of my hands. Sweat dripping down my face and my muscles aching, my body straining to counter act the weight of the light stone swung across my back. I wonder if Victor is feeling the same way. I can't tell by looking at him. All I can see on his face is determination, and maybe fear. I mean there's no hiding what we've done.
Directly disobeyed instructions from our leader, disregarded hundred of years of traditions and laws, and stolen the most important artefacts of our respective people. The item that gives us strength and identity. And to top it all off, the Commander and Eldress watched as we ran into the Cauldron room with the Light Stone and Dark Stone in our possession.
“You’re not the next leader of my people”
”Traitor”
They hurled these at us, knowing what direct hits would hurt us the most. Of course they knew what to say. They had raised with these weak spots to control us, manipulate us.
They tried to mold us into exact copies of themselves, continue their outdated and horrific views. Raising a population with fear is an easy way to control them.
But not anymore. Victor and I have found a new way to live - in peace and harmony. And I know that I’ll do anything to protect this future.
The smell of rust from the frame fills my nose and the strength of Victor's wind vortex blows my hair across my face. Yelling and screaming from the Eldress and the Commander breaks through the rest of the noise every so often. I don't know what Ray, Vera and Vargas are doing. Either supporting us by holding the Commander and Eldress back or hoping them by sending fire balls and pockets of wind at us would be my guess. A little part of me hope that they’re helping us. Ray did use his phoenix wings to distract everyone while we started our climb.
I don't know how long it takes but we make it to the top of the frame. Victor grabs my hand as we reach the holding spaces we noticed earlier when the entire structure shakes. I quickly look down and spot Zed, Addison, Eliza and Willa trying to push the damaged leg off the blood fruit roots again. My earlier pain and muscle strain are completely forgotten as I hold on to the frame. My knuckles are white while I wait for them to stabilise the frame. Moments later a squeeze on my hand brings me back to the moment with Victor. A deep breath and nod and I'm ready to continue.
First I help Victor lodge the dark stone into the lower portion of the frame. The stone is cool compared to the light stone, emitting a cool blue light which seems soothing. Perhaps one day, when I'm not risking my life on an old, rusty, unstable frame trying to save two starving and fighting species, I'll be able to experience it for myself. We share a quick smile when we hear it click into place and we continue on. Every few seconds a fire blast is sent towards us, no doubt from my dad. However they don't last long, the vortex taking the oxygen from the fire to sustain itself in protecting us.
Now it's my turn. Victor supports my shoulders while I swing the bag around and open the lid. The bright light from the stone illuminates my face and I see Victor turn away slightly. I guess it's too bright for someone who spends their life in the dark. Together we lift the Light Stone into the higher portion of the frame and hear another satisfying click. When it starts glowing I think maybe we've done it. Maybe we've solved the crisis, saved the orchard and in turn saved our people.
In our excitement and happiness Victor starts to power down the vortex. And that's when it all started going wrong.
One final fireball (sent by my father, no doubt) takes advantage of the weakened vortex and manages to survive. Not only does it survive, it gains strength. Getting bigger and stronger as it reaches the top. Victor was too excited and searching for Vera and Vargas to notice it but I saw it.
It was almost as big as the fireball that destroyed the orchard. I can start to feel the heat emitting from it as it makes it way closer to us. It seems to have a mind of its own, almost as if my father had channel his rage and hatred of Victor into it. As it headed directly for him I realised that he wasn’t going to see it and get out of the way in time. Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered if he had, the fireball would have followed him anyway.
With all my remaining strength I cross over the frame to where Victor is still holding on. His eyes light up with excitement as I get closer. Perhaps he thinks I’ve come to celebrate with him and man, I wish that was the scenario we found ourselves in.
From the corner of my eye I see the fireball come up behind his shoulder. At the last second I push Victor off to the side, hopeful that Vargas or Vera will catch him with their wind power, and allow the fireball to hit me with everything it has.
Its strength is enough to push me backwards off the frame and flat onto my back into the dirt. As I hit the ground I feel the wind knocked out of my lungs, the darkness consuming me isn’t enough to distract me from the searing heat that I can feel radiating from my stomach. Daywalkers are pretty resistant to heat but this fireball full of rage and powered by wind was too much. The darkness starts to win while I hear multiple voices calling out for me.
It’s only when I hear Victors voice and I know that he’s ok that I stop fighting and allow the night to win.