.The Shadow Knight.

-48-

Sel

It was as if thunder struck at that thought alone as rain poured down, because of what happened or just because it was cloudy all day was of no importance but what was...

"Sel?" I softly asked.

Owen was by her side, hands hovering with their green glow before he closed his fists and snuffed it out.

"What are you doing she is still bleeding!" I snapped a bit, grabbing his wrist and forced it back down.

"Akito."

"Owen you need to heal her." I looked down at her face, it looked peaceful.

"Akito, wild magic is powerful.... But even it cannot defeat d--" "Do not say it!!" I shook my head "She still has to stay."

----------------------------------------------------------

"Don't worry miss." I looked down at my hand as she covered it with her own. "We won't be alone, we'll have each other."

"Sure kid, each other."

-------------------------------------------------------

"She still has to finish her training with me."

-------------------------------------------------

"Choose two, these are sword swords of all type from skin taker to elvish blades, yours to own if you want."

"Woah really?"

------------------------------------------------

Tears I was not used to burnt in my eyes as I tightened my grip on Owen as he refused to use his magic.

"You need to save her."

------------------------------------------------------

"Hey Akito?"

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Can I call you my sister?"

--------------------------------------------------

"You need to save my sister."

"Akito death is the end, I cannot bring someone back from it, even my mother can't.... I am so sorry for being too late."

"No... Don't say that." I took her face in my hands. "Please don't say that, she is not gone, not to me, she can't be."

-----------------------------------------------------

"I don't know, you are family and I'd be happy to give it to you."

"No, I cannot take it, it is important to you."

"What if I made you one then? So we can be matching?"

---------------------------------------------------------

"I am so sorry Akito."

"This is all my fault." I whispered, she looked so peaceful despite the blood stain covering most of her torso. "I sent her off alone, I left her behind when she never was faced with this, she never learnt, she was never in a war." The rain washed away my tears but I knew they were there like Owen must too, both of us kneeling in the forming mud by the body.

"It is not you fault."

"IT IS!!!" I yelled, voice breaking. "I called out to her... I distracted her... She turned away from her because she heard me... She trusted I'd keep her safe... I promised I would... And I caused this... I killed her... I did..."

"Akito..."

"I did." I barely whispered, passing my hand around her shoulders and hugging Sel's body against me. "I did." I muttered into her body as I pressed my face against her neck, still daring to hope for a sign.

"I am sorry as for she is long gone."

I chocked back a sob.

"It's alright to cry." Owen whispered, guessing my thoughts before they came to me.

"A shadow knight never cries."

"But we are not shadow knights anymore."

The weak resolve I still had shattered and the first of many sobs wracked through my body as I squeezed Sel against me.

"I'm so sorry." I cried. "I failed."

-----------------------------------------------

I was met with Kia first when I arrived back at the castle but the smile I wore was quickly washed away by her somber look.

"Kia?" I asked, she was still as beautiful as were despite the bruises the swords hitting her skin left and the mess of hair her braid had become with dirt smeared across her body and clothes.

"Elise." Her voice was weak and I fear the worst. 

"Is everything alright?" I asked, caressing my hand down her cheek leading her to lean into it, something she doesn't usually do in public, keeping often a more regal look then even I do unless in private but she just looked exhausted and drained, both physically and emotionally.

"There has been... Something." She said, looking towards the back of the castle before shaking her head and covering her eyes with her hands, a frown etched on her pretty face, my worry deepened as I looked towards where she looked and took off jogging towards the back of the castle, Kia didn't follow so I let her have her time alone, she never does well showing her emotions in public.

I rounded a corner and heard crying which hurried my steps towards the next corner and my blood froze at the sight.

A few guards stood near with their heads lowered in respect as in the middle knelt Owen looking defeated, from what I knew about him it must be a huge blow to him.

But it was not him nor the guard that really shocked me.

It was Akito.

I never thought I'd see or hear her crying and never so sorrowfully.

I approached a bit and my jaw clenched when I recognized the body she was holding, the blood of it pooling around her kneels and mixing with the mud and the rain.

The young mage.

They had come together and it was always a blast to see them interact, having such a close bond to each other, an almost sisterly love and I might even be right on that point.

Akito always looked out for her, taught her and hung out with her.

The little mage always looked up to her, working herself to be worthy of Akito's teaching and time.

But that was now over.... She is gone.

"Akito." I breathed out in a whisper, even I was lost at what to say as we all stood in silence, eyes fixed on the heartbreaking sight in front of us.