Another Lost Soul

Chapter 13

The next day flew by, Alenor growing restless. "It's my last day to search for him."

"Everything will be fine." Jalaiah reassured him, but it didn't help.

I held River's hand. "Are you sure you'd rather help them than-"

"Yes." He answered immediately. "I don't want you to get hurt either."

By the time the day ended, every single one of them looked defeated and exhausted. We all wound up back at Alenor's place, sitting in front of the house. "Guys, I'll be fine so-"

"Shut up." Alenor glared at me. "You're not doing this, I won't let you. Han told me what you said."

"I-"

"You don't want me to take your place, fine. But I don't care. It's not your choice."

"Yes it is."

"No it's not!" He jumped up, his voice loud enough to make me anxious and wake up the sleeping boy with his head in my lap. I covered his ears. "You don't have the right to make your own decisions anymore! Not if that's what you choose!"

"Alenor, please." Jalaiah grabbed his wrist. "Don't yell at him."

"Don't yell at him? He's an idiot!" Tears slipped from his eyes, voice so full of desperation that it made me feel nauseous. "I won't let you die again!"

Jalaiah slapped his hand over Alenor's mouth, but it was too late. I'd heard it. "What?"

"Well, it seems you've all got time to sit around and argue." A familiar voice filled my ears. Han.

River jumped up and stood in front of me. "Sir, I don't think-"

"Quiet. Where is my beast?" He crossed his arms, glaring at Alenor.

"We couldn't find it." Jalaiah sighed.

"Very well then. You've made your choice. Amir, get over here."

"What makes you think he'll go so willingly?" Alenor snapped, grabbing my arm to keep me in place.

"Have any of you considered his own choices? Step away from the boy. Now."

"No." Alenor wrapped his arms around me from behind, voice shaking.

Han stepped closer to me, lifting my chin with one finger. "What is it that you want, Boy? What is your choice?"

"I don't have a lot of options, Sir..."

"You can come willingly or encourage your friend to defend you unto his own death. What is it that you choose?"

"He doesn't get to make that choice!" Alenor covered my mouth as soon as I tried to answer. "It's not his to make!"

"Have you always been so controlling, Alenor?" His tongue curled around Alenor's name as if trying to swallow it whole. Like it meant absolutely nothing to him. "To think you'd put yourself in his place after all that happened... it's quite selfish of you."

"I don't care."

"Look at this hair." He pushed my hair back softly, which made me flinch. "This little soul can't be saved. Give it up, your efforts are pointless when he's this far gone."

"I raised him as family!" Alenor tightened his arm around me, nails digging into my side. "You can't take him, it's not fair!"

"Fair?" He cocked his head and frowned. "What's not fair....is that you're the one who survived."

Alenor loosened his grip a bit. "What the hell does that mean?"

"You let that siren swallow him whole and yet you're still here. Through nameless hardship and countless troubles...against all odds, you're still here in my way. What makes you think you can save this boy when you couldn't even do it the first time?"

Alenor fell quiet.

"Let the boy speak."

His hand fell from my lips, leaving me to take a deep breath and process the information I'd been given. "I'll go."

"Jalaiah!" Alenor glared at the general, who only stared at the ground in defeat. "You have to help me!"

"I-" he carefully took a step back, grabbing my arm and drawing his sword with his eyes closed tightly for a moment. "I'm sorry. I can't put my kids in danger by disobeying. I hope you'll forgive me for that."

"What about me?!" He choked out, angry. Beyond angry. "You're really gonna-"

"If you cared about him you wouldn't have taken him to that pier in the first place!" Jalaiah wouldn't look up from the ground, hand tight around my arm. "He can't swim.... You knew that already. You knew he could've gotten hurt."

"I didn't know." I spoke up, peaking Han's interest.

"Hm?"

"I didn't know that I died." I slumped, sighing. "They've been keeping my past from me since I came home."

"Oh you poor thing." Han gently pushed Jalaiah's hand away and took both of my own into his. "You must feel so betrayed."

"I'd like to go now."

"As you wish." He smiled softly. "General, please keep the mage at bay."

"Understood."