Lights of agramont trilo.., p.41
Lights of Agramont Trilogy, page 41
What’s going on? “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did. They heard it too.”
Serilom looks at Ievas who nods his head. Serilom shouts. “Kriv. Your name is Kriv. Damn it, what is wrong with me? Forget it. We have bigger things to worry about. What do we do?”
Alistiria runs to him. “Cast your magic at it.”
“That’s not going to help.”
“She’s right.” Ievas says. “Cast your magic at it.”
Serilom rolls up his sleeves. “If you say so.”
Everything stops.
Serilom slips under the water and can’t breathe. He hears screaming and the water begins to spin. Wait, he’s seen this before. What is going on? The water lifts and he picks up the Lullaby Blade. This just happened. Argrin. Serilom quickly frees everyone from the vines. “Was that weird for anyone else?”
“Yes.” Tefelend points at the dragon. “We lived it again. Get to that dragon. It’s the one controlling time. Destroy it before we end up exhausted and not able to cast enough to continue getting out of these situations.”
Serilom runs up to it and holds out his hands. The water springs from him as the others join in, their magic combining. Try as he does, the scar on his back is excruciatingly painful and he loses his concentration. “I’m exhausted. I can’t channel enough.”
“We have to have you to do this.” Ravier calls.
Niv runs to Serilom’s side. “Let me help you.” She presses her chest into Serilom’s back and runs her hand up the inside of his leg. Her breath is hot on his neck. She tears his shirt open in the back and presses her hand on his scar. “Cast your magic.”
Even facing impending death, Serilom is aroused and his mind loses focus. “Now?”
“Yes, now! Just like in Vernition. I can’t cast for much longer. Go.” Nivalaya screams.
Renewed and feeling Niv’s power rise in him, the particles of water in the air begin to vibrate, each one coming alive at his command. He claps his hands together and a blast of water shakes the cave, engulfing the dragon. He falls down and catches his breath. Sweat pours down his face. “It’s gone. Where did it go?”
They turn to look at Niv.
She stares down at her now exposed chest where her dress has been seared through. A small hourglass is scarred between the tops of her breasts. She quickly tries to cover herself with her arms.
Garonwon goes to her and pulls her arms away. “It’s just like Serilom’s. Ravier, give her one of your robes to cover up with. She doesn’t look well.”
Ravier does so and holds her in his arms. “What does this mean?”
Argrin appears again and this time he’s not laughing. “What did you do to my pet?” He walks towards them and darkness closes in. This time, he’s not playing around. The bloodlust shines in his empty grey eyes.
Serilom pushes everyone back into the middle of the room as the darkness creeps closer. He holds up the Lullaby Blade. “Stay back, Argrin.”
“You think I’m afraid of you?” Argrin grins. “Look at you. You are all weak. You have nothing against me. You’re exhausted, drained, and have nothing left to use. Your magic’s depleted. You all know the truth. Now I get to kill you one by one and listen to your screams.”
Serilom turns to Alistiria. “Darling, it’s time for you to be the captain again.”
Her face lights up. “Are you sure?”
Ravier grabs her shoulders and shakes her. “For the love of all that is good in the world, yes. We’re doing it. Everyone go with the little lady’s plan. Get that shield up as soon as possible or we’ll all be blown to bits.”
As Ievas, Ravier, Kriv, Tefelend, and Garonwon work on the buildup of pressure below them, Serilom never takes his eyes off of Argrin. Even if this doesn’t work, he swears that Argrin will die this day. If that mean sacrificing himself, he will do it. With each step that Argrin takes, Serilom’s grip tightens around the Lullaby Blade. He steadies his breathing and gazes into the eyes of hell itself. This is between Serilom and Argrin, brothers divided by virtue and vice, good and evil, dream and reality.
The ground begins to shake violently as a shield shoots up around them. “Get down!” Ievas calls and everyone drops down except Serilom.
Instead of cowering behind a shield, he leaps forward at Argrin.
Kriv reaches for him but can’t grab his hand fast enough.“Serilom!”
Niv screams.
As Serilom swings the Lullaby Blade, the light and heat from the explosion sweeps over him and he is thrown to the floor. He cries out. “Tilidus!” Everything goes black.
*
Tefelend is the first to stand and spot Serilom on the floor. “Serilom … oh Creator, no.”
Niv walks up to Serilom. “What is that? How?”
The veil of water swirls around Serilom. He opens his eyes and touches his fingertips to the water. It had shielded him. He wasn’t touched at all. But how? And Argrin? There’s no sign of him.
Kriv reaches out to touch the barrier and it shatters into millions of tiny shards. He helps Serilom to his feet. “Serilom … did you do that?”
Still stunned, he looks around at their faces and at the destruction outside of where the magical shield had been. Only the tiny circle where he had been protected is untouched. The rest is scorched and crumbling. “I didn’t cast that. Father?”
Tefelend shakes his head.
“Are you sure you didn’t, Kriv?” Serilom asks, holding onto Kriv for balance.
“Positive.”
The realization comes to him as he remembers the moments before he blacked out. He had called out to Tilidus. “It was Tilidus. I don’t know how … but he saved me.”
No one questions it. They are silent as they look around them. A large section of the cave has been blasted away and the light from the warm day fills the room. The birds are singing as if nothing had happened.
Serilom turns as a cold breeze circles around him and his scar pulses, not with pain, but with a soothing numbness that spreads across his body. The glowing white portal is back. “What do I do now?” He asks, still trying to put everything together.
Ievas smiles and puts his hands on his shoulders. “You say goodbye.”
Of course. But they are all here now, together. He can’t think of losing them again. He tries to push back the emotions raging behind his eyes and he reaches out for his father. “Father, I only wish things could have been different, that we could have been as father and son should be … but I thank you all the same.”
Tefelend takes his son in his arms. “Go now. Make me and your mother proud. Wherever you end up, know that we are watching you and that we love you.”
Serilom turns to his wife. “Darling, I don’t know if you, my father, and Kriv are actually here or not, but if this is really you, know that I love you dearly. You have shown me such forgiveness and brought softness and kindness to my life that allowed me to discover love. I thank you for that. I only wish that we could have had more time to learn from each other. There is no doubt that you could have shaped me into a better man.” He picks her up and spins her.
Alistiria’s face lights up and she giggles.
“Do you love me, Alistiria?” Serilom asks.
“Oh, Serilom….”
“Kiss me now. Kiss me only if you’re certain.”
With a trembling soul, he feels her soft touch one last time, her moist lips and her silken hair. He never imagined having her back in his arms.
She pulls away and touches his lips with her fingertips. “Serilom, we don’t have much time. That man over there needs you too. It’s okay. Your heart lies with him and I know that.”
Serilom walks into the shadows where Kriv is leaning against the wall with his hat in his hand.
Kriv looks up and his face is wet.
Serilom’s heart aches. “Please don’t cry.” He says, trying not to himself.
Kriv shakes his head. “Kriv Tide-Storm doesn’t cry.”
“Then … I guess you failed.”
A smile graces Kriv’s face and he wipes his face on his sleeve. “What did I tell you about Kriv Tide-Storm, Orrentius? I would have thought that as often as you hear me say it, that it would get through that thick skull of yours.”
Serilom reaches out his arms to his friend, but Kriv shakes his head.
Kriv holds up his hand and the scar shimmers in the light. “As you live, I live.”
Serilom fights back the tears and joins hands with him. “As you die, I die.”
“Hold me as your brother.” They say together.
The two embrace and stay wrapped in each other’s arms for minutes as the others watch them. Kriv and Serilom feel each other’s warmth for the last time. Their heartbeats synchronize once more as their magic surrounds them, providing a small sanctuary to shelter them from the inevitable. Serilom feels Kriv working through him as his own magic enters Kriv, flowing through their veins at the same time. If this is goodbye, then it is the most peaceful goodbye in history.
Kriv’s magic begins to dissipate. Serilom holds on and continues to hold on until there is nothing left between his arms. He’s gone. Serilom stops casting and listens as the drops of water hit the stone floor. He kneels down and puts his hand in the pool of water. “Sail on, Brother.”
Ievas whispers. “Serilom?”
He takes a deep breath to steady himself before standing and turning to face them. “Let’s do this.” He picks up the Lullaby Blade. It feels heavier than before. Kriv, Tefelend, and Alistiria are gone. Maybe they were never even here. But it doesn’t matter now. Serilom looks at the ones who remain as he speaks. “I am indebted to each of you and I pray that our paths may cross again, be that in my new reality or in eternity. I don’t want to be all sentimental … so I’ll be going now.”
Ravier calls out to him. “Serilom, you’re an Honored now so The Creator might be able to help you in your new reality. We need you so your number one priority is to find a way to communicate with us and your mages.”
Serilom shakes his head. “Forgive me, Ravier, but I have a bard to find first. Even if it takes the rest of my life, I will find him. After that, we will both make our way back to you, I promise. Until that day, find the most competent man to take my place.”
“You can’t simply abandon everyone. The Creator chose you.”
Niv pushes Ravier back and takes Serilom’s hand. “Don’t listen to him. You find Kriv. Then you find Alistiria. We can take care of things in your absence. With the Damned Ones back under control, there can’t be that much that needs doing. Believe me, if The Creator needs you to get back here, then he will provide a way.” She kisses his cheek. “Go now. Don’t be afraid to live. Live for us, for your father, for Ragne, for your wife, and for Tide-Storm. We’re counting on you so don’t let us down.”
“I will do my best.”
“Orrentius, catch.” Garonwon calls to him.
Serilom spins around and catches a small glass bottle. Whiskey. Serilom holds it up. “To us and to the fallen. May we find our places in eternity.” He drinks then throws the bottle to the floor where it shatters. Turning to the portal, he lifts the Lullaby Blade and sends it slashing through the portal. He looks back and waves goodbye as he steps through.
The blackness overwhelms him. His head spins as he falls forward, falling and falling until his body turns numb. The air is sucked out of his lungs. His mind races and empties all at once. The wind circles him now and a tingling burning sensation sweeps over him. It crawls up from his feet until he can feel once again. His sight slowly returns to him, a hazy fog now instead of only blackness. Finally, he sucks air back into his lungs as if for the first time. The darkness fades and Serilom is surrounded by the colors of an orange sunset, the sound of a familiar bard’s singing, the crashing of ocean waves, and the smell of blossoming Ilsip flowers.
Tide of Treason, Storm of Slaughter
Prologue
Kriv’s boots click on the slick obsidian floors as he makes his way to the large silver doors. He has been here many times before and each time it gets easier. Each time he feels more at home. Could he finally be adjusting to this? He shakes his head. This isn’t right and it will never be right until he is able to pay for his sins. Redemption. Not this time. He’s beyond saving and even The Creator won’t extend a hand to help him rise above the surface of this corrupted tide that threatens to drown him with every step he takes. He is going deeper and deeper and no matter what he tries to do in order to shelter and defend his mind, he knows he is doomed.
It seems like only yesterday he was fighting with Serilom and the Honored in that cave. Kriv would have done anything to avoid this fate. How was he supposed to know that it would turn out this way? He may have prophetic dreams, but even a prophet can fall. What he has done is inexcusable and unforgivable. His only chance at making things right is lying low and keeping his head down. He’ll do whatever is needed of him until he can find the one chance to get out and run for his life.
The doors always conjure fear in Kriv, but he knows he has to do this. Be brave … be strong. The air is always cold here in Gorantha. Before he enters, he smoothes his long black coat and straightens his black tricorn hat. The light from the braziers dance on his silver buckles and buttons. He has to look his best. He is the admiral, after all. Glancing at the polished floor, he examines himself. He almost doesn’t recognize the man looking back. This isn’t who he wants to be. The guilt builds in him, but he suppresses it as he has always done. This isn’t the time for self-pity. With a newfound facade of confidence, Kriv pushes open the doors and steps into the throne room where the torches burn and reveal that the blood has been cleaned up recently. At least he won’t have to look at that anymore … until the next time.
The slender man sitting on the silver throne looks up and grins when Kriv enters the room. “Good. Admiral Tide-Storm, I have been expecting your report from Liora.”
Kriv removes his hat and bows a deep bow. “Master Argrin, forgive me, but there isn’t much to report. We were met with little resistance and then they flew the white flags. Caravels don’t put up much of a fight against a fully equipped frigate. It’s amazing what a few cannons can do.”
Argrin snaps his fingers and a woman in black with a black cloth around her mouth preventing her from speaking hands him a map. He spreads it open and studies it. “True. You’ve always had a talent for making people discover their weaknesses. You know what? I think you’re ready to go to Cierson.”
Kriv takes a step back. He hadn’t been expecting this so soon. “Cierson? Are you sure? They are bound to still be on edge from when Vernition attacked. Surely they have increased their defenses after that close call.”
“But they don’t have their Hero of Alamay anymore.” Argrin says. “You’re mine now, Tide-Storm. I expect you to be able to deliver me many victories in this reality. With all the realities continuing to merge, you have to place more of my black boxes around so we can anchor this one with the others. I can’t risk not being able to move around. You have to get one in Cierson. I need you to crush Alamay and then storm the Mage Council. The Honored will fall.”
The Honored? Already? He’s not prepared for this. What can he say to change his mind? Surely this is suicide … but at this point is suicide really the worst option? Nivalaya. He has to be strong for Nivalaya. “The Honored? Master, I don’t know if we have the forces for that. I have fought alongside them and they aren’t to be trifled with. Their powers have been growing exponentially with each mage they create.”
There’s a loud roar from deep within the castle and Argrin’s face lights up. He holds up his hand. “But you see? We have a dragon now thanks to your little friend Nivalaya.”
Kriv never meant for her to be dragged into this. How was he supposed to know that the dragon had taken her soul? Now Argrin keeps her in this altered form except for when he calls her to his bed. Kriv feels sick, but there’s nothing he can do for Niv. He swears that he will find a way to get her out of this hell. She is the innocent one in all of this. The more Argrin’s control tightens around Kriv’s mind, the more he resents him. There has to be a way. He has to fight this. “Are you sure one dragon is going to make that much of a difference?”
Argrin waves his hand dismissively. “Always the pessimist. You never used to be like this. What happened to the Tide-Storm who would dive headfirst into a battle and stand proud no matter what opposed him? Where is that man?”
Kriv can still feel the wounds on his back and the memory of it all floods back into his mind. He wants to forget, but Argrin will never let him. He has to do what Argrin wants. There is no room for mistakes when dealing with a demon. “I think both of us know what you did to that man. He’s gone and he’s not coming back. You beat that nonsense out of me and I won’t let you down by bringing him back. My allegiance lies with you, Argrin.”
He leans forward and stares at Kriv. “He’s still behind that pretty face of yours, isn’t he? He’s screaming to get out. You still love Serilom. You haven’t actually changed. You are still weak.”
Serilom. The Creator knows that he still loves Serilom. He can’t hide it, but he has to. He has to keep it hidden as long as he can or things will only get worse for everyone. Kriv’s hands tighten into fists. “No. I can’t afford to be weak.”
“Then erase Serilom from your mind. You can’t be with him. He will only lead you to destruction just like he did in Alamay. Don’t you remember? Surely the bullet hole in your stomach hasn’t vanished. You wouldn’t have died if he had only done what I asked. You should be grateful that I corrupted your soul and brought you back to life with a grander purpose. I won’t be able to do that again. You will uphold your promise and destroy Serilom. You were brought back for this purpose. Because of your little blood pact with Serilom, you are able to be in this reality. I have given you true power, Tide-Storm. You can be the leader you always wanted to be. You wanted to be a hero, didn’t you? Follow my orders and you will accomplish that. You were never only an illusion like the other two. Alistiria and Tefelend were just decoys to prevent Serilom from being suspicious. You are mine and I need you.”
