The Trust

Chapter Eight

Somehow, I found the strength to walk.

My remaining wing dragged limply behind me in the dirt, miniature tears slowly forming as it was drawn over the rocky ground.

All around was fire and chaos, and now rain was threatening to fall. A beam of solid white light shot up into the sky, catching the attention of the remaining monsters. Just like that, they hurried off toward it, leaving the city in ruins.

Shivering, I found a ledge that had been formed from the destruction of the road. I sat down, and there I began to bawl.

As the sun rose, I opened my eyes to look down the dusty street. It was silent.

From the end of the block, a stranger emerged, his figure a mere silhouette in the morning light.

Though my vision was blurry, the closer he came, the more I was able to recognize him.

“Seth!”

His face was grim; almost menacing. Whatever hopeful look I had faded. “Why are you here?”

“To stop you.” His reply was curt.

“Stop…me…?” I tensed, sending pain through my wing. It caused to me gasp in distress.

Before I knew it, Seth’s fist was above me, quavering and white.

“Seth!” I cried out, falling backwards. I landed on my back, and all I could do was sob in pain and fear.

I covered my face, anticipating the hand to crush me at any second.

After a minute of me crying and trembling, his voice sounded softly. “Trina…”

Taking my hands from my face, I saw his. Eyes staring at me in horror, he asked, “What happened to your wings?”

Shuddering, I covered my face again. I could only sob, any words I spoke distorted and indistinct.

I felt Seth’s hand stroke my cheek – not his fist smashing me – and I was both terrified and relieved.

“I’m not going to hurt you.”

Gazing up at him, I watched him smile sadly.

Tears still spilling out my eyes and most likely my nose, I mumbled. “Teron said they had power… but when I couldn’t do anything, he -.”

“I ripped them off!” Teron’s voice interrupted, and we both turned to stare at the maniacal creature before us.

“You see, it is just now that I’ve learned that I’ve been searching in all the wrong places.” He spoke.

“Searching for what?” Seth straightened, glaring at the villain.

“The power I left here when I when I first visited!”

We both looked befuddled.

“You see, Katrina, I thought that you had it! But I wasn’t sure, so I returned with an army to rip apart the city until I found it!”

“Why would Trina have it?” The vampire inquired.

Teron laughed, a hint of nervous energy showing. “You really don’t know much, do you?”

My heart was pounding as I listened intently.

“She holds the power, or so I though she did, because I gave it to her!”

“What?” My mouth fell open.

“You see, I was a master craftsman… but when the king and queen begged me to heal their daughter’s wings, no amount of magic or Mendire Gems could fix them! Without the knowledge of her parents, she died.” Teron’s voice quavered. “I couldn’t tell them… so I created a portal to the human world. That’s when I kidnapped a human infant and used my powers to transform her into a fairy; a much easier task than recreating wings.”

I could only sit there in silence, Teron’s words heavy. Everything I knew was a lie.

Almost everything.

“I found out today that Trina didn’t have all of the powers it had taken me to get her back to Seran. Taking a human into the fantasy world costs nearly all of the power you may have gained over several years. But magic doesn’t simply burn away. It lingers, awaiting its master or a new master… but there weren’t any supernatural beings to rediscover it!” At this, Teron looked Seth dead in the eyes.

“And yet, there was. What I didn’t realize was that the portal had allowed a few other beings in. Including a vampire.

“Luckily, none of them found the essence for nearly a decade, but the vampire of course preyed on someone – a ten year old boy.”

Seth was frozen as he watched Teron pace back and forth.

“This mere child managed to find the powers… and thus with them was transported to Seran. He had great powers, you see. He still does. And I want them back.”

“Why?” I dared question.

“World domination, child,” Teron looked at me with a smirk. “And the only way I can get my powers back is by killing the owner.”

Seth began to back away, his eyes wide.

“You have something that isn’t yours, Seth Nightwish.” Teron hissed, lunging forward.

“No!” Seth dodged, blue energy pulsing from his hands. He aimed them at Teron, trying to strike him down.

Disguised as a black mist, Teron darted around the street, cackling.

“This will be too easy!” He laughed. At that, Teron had Seth pinned to the ground.

Whatever the energy coming from Seth’s hands was, it wildly flew around, bouncing off of signs, cars, buildings, and more.

One flash whizzed over my head, and I could hear, feel, and smell it singing the air.

“Seth!” I wailed, helpless. At this point, I was basically just a tiny creature caught between two fighting lions.

Now Seth disappeared, reappearing behind Teron. Each time Teron tried to catch the vampire, he could only grab at empty air.

A bolt of light burnt the air, tearing through Teron’s shoulder. He screamed, aiming his palm at Seth.

“No!” I cried out, but it was too late. The blow had sliced through Seth’s arm, leaving it useless.

Seth was biting his lip, blood streaming down from where his fangs pierced the skin. He shakily healed his nearly severed arm, then he was off for another bout with Teron. The vampire was growing noticeably weaker with each flare of power he used.

“You can’t stop me!” Teron laughed, zipping back and forth as he teleported.

Seth was caught off-guard, a blast of hot air throwing him back several yards.

The next thing I knew, Teron had snatched me up by my remaining wing, causing agonizing pain to ripple throughout me.

Seth had already directed his fists at Teron, but the criminal sorcerer held me out in front of him.

“I hope your aim is good,” He grinned.

Seth just stood there bracing himself, his arms raised. A look of anger masked his face, but focusing on me, he began to look helpless.

“That’s it. The powers or her. Well, in reality, it’ll b both of you, but make it easier on yourself!”

The vampire panted for air, staring at me. Determination flooded his eyes, and relaxed his shoulders.

“Take them,” voice cracking, he shifted his gaze to Teron.

Teron smiled, then with a look of glee, he let go of me.

Before I knew it, I was falling and hitting the ground. Gravity brought me down on myself with a resounding snap. Unable to move, the last thing I saw was Seth’s petrified face, and then blackness.