Ashbringer

Chapter 7 - Reign of Chaos

Abra let out a grunt, feeling a sharp pain in her back that nearly brought her to her knees. "Ugh. What is this?" She grabbed at her head as it started to throb.

"These things are killing people, and specifically targeting Royals. I have a feeling they're able to sniff you out." Evereaux mused. "We're sitting ducks here. Perhaps we should stay on the move, and leave the city after we find your children."

"I can't...I have to help," Abra said, her legs wobbling.

"You're helping by staying alive," Evereaux insisted, trying to ease the trepidation, but even she, a well-weathered merc with nerves of steel, found herself tense and trembling. This was not a foe she could see and predict, it was like a plague that struck with the swiftness and ferocity of a lion.

"I'm such a useless Queen." Abra groaned, then she started towards the door outward, kicking it open with a new burst of determination. "No! I'm not running!"

"Hey, wait!" Evereaux barked, lurching to keep up with her on her clumsy cast. Abra was walking out into the street, heading for the panicking crowds as they ran from their houses and tried to hide or escape. Evereaux saw a rift tear open in front of the Queen, her heart dropping like a stone, too far to help. Its maw stretched out to drag a hapless dragon in, but Abra reached into the mouth of the void and grabbed, ripping the dragon away from its grasp. But while she had saved its body, it was too late. The limp dragon slumped into her arms, pulling her down to the ground. But when Evereaux looked again, in her hand was the dragon's soul, a pale glowing orb of pure energy. "Rest, and be reborn," Abra said softly, releasing the soul to the between.

"Whoa..." Evereaux muttered. She walked up behind the Queen, having watched from a distance.

"It's the most we can do."

Evereaux nodded. "Come on," She said, holding an arm down to the fallen Queen. "Before we walk into another one of those."

"I don't think one is coming for me. Besides, I have the same ability."

"You...can make soul-eating black holes?"

"Technically, any Royal can, if they know how."

"That's just a thing you dragons can do?" Evereaux grimaced uneasily.

"Only some of us."

"Still unnerving. But if anyone could snatch souls, I'd want it to be you." In their short time together, they'd hit it off pretty well. Under more normal circumstances, Evereaux might even have been quick to consider the Queen a friend. Abra chuffed and dropped to one knee. "I need a nap." Evereaux patted her back sympathetically. They were now standing in a deserted part of the residential quarters, just below the castle on the hill. Everyone had fled moments ago when the rift had opened, despite only lasting for a few seconds. Their frightened screams still echoed as the city erupted into chaos.

Abra forced herself to stand despite how exhausted she was. Panting heavily, she said, "Come on...can't do any good laying down."

"Aye," Evereaux said, ready to push on.

They stumbled through the city together. As they progressed, they passed many bodies. It was starting to become quieter and quieter as they walked. The city was shaking and it felt like it was falling. Slowly, but falling, drifting towards the ocean. "We need to get anyone we find off the city. We don't want to be here when it hits the water." Evereaux could already imagine the shock of the impact shattering her bones to dust. She shuddered. Abra ran as quickly as she could down the street, looking for anyone who wasn't a dragon and couldn't get off the city themselves. "If you can't fly, come to me! I can get you out of here!" She cried as she ran.