A Void Within the Door

Chapter 28

Finally on the battle-field, Eleanor gazed out onto the barren land that stretched out before her, her eyes narrowed. 

Out on the other side of the field, a wall of pitch-black crossed the horizon but the Princess, along with the dozens of soldiers that stood by her side, knew it was something far more darker. 

Eleanor looked around; Mannix was nowhere to be seen, and she needed to give the order to attack soon. 

"Your highness," she spotted the Captain out of the corner of her eye as he spoke. 

"The archers are ready, shall we wait for Mannix?" he reported. 

Without so much as a glance, Eleanor responded, "No, if he doesn't show up that's on him." 

"Acknowledged, Princess." The Captain replied, though Eleanor could sense his discomfort. 

The Captain was about to walk back to his post, but he was grabbed by the wrist by Eleanor, and when he looked at her, it was like her once light, sapphire eyes had darkened. 

"Captain, if I die here on the battle-field, who take my place?" 

"Princess, don't say things like that." 

Please, Captain, anyone can die during war, even me." 

A long stretch of silence is what followed before the Captain sighed solemnly, "The chain of command continues, and since you do not have an heir, the advisor rules if willing." 

"Mannix..." 

"Pardon?" the Captain asked. 

"I appointed Mannix as advisor earlier; if I die give him the throne." Eleanor replied. 

Giving her a small bow, the Captain answered, "Yes, your highness," before going back to his post alongside the other soldiers. 

Comforted by the fact that Kririn was in good hands, Eleanor let out a breath, raised her staff, and shouted loudly for all to hear, 

"FOR KRIRIN!" 

_*_

Upon hearing the shouts, Mannix looked out the window of the watch tower. Down on the battle-field, the two armies were storming towards each other; Kririn's Knights being dressed in bright silver, and the Shadow Forces clothes in mid-night black. 

Mannix turned to his sister, who eyes were filled with tears after learning the costly plan he had in mind. 

"We must go, Liz. I want you there with Eleanor." he told her, kneeling in front of where Elizabeth was sitting on a stool. 

"I...lost you for nearly 2 decades a....and now this time I might lose you permanently," she cried. Mannix cupped his sister's cheeks and wiped away the tears with his thumb gently. 

"I don't plan on dying, just going away for a while." he tried reassuring Elizabeth with a soft smile. 

The younger Plain-walker sniffed, and looked up at her older brother, his hands still gingerly placed on her face. She gripped onto Mannix's hands with her own, and solemnly nodded.

A single tear ran down Mannix's cheek; his sister has accepted of what's to come, and that was good enough for him. 

"C'mon Elizabeth," he said, pulling his sister to her feet. "We must hurry." 

Within a blink of an eye the two were gone; one in a puff of black smoke, and the other in a wisp of dark blue. 

A/N: Two heart-felt moments in one chapter; the emotional rollercoaster is just getting started. Theories? Feedback is appreciated!!