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SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

And, then, they're gone

*Xru'lar*

✽✽✽

Shadows consume him.

They slither into his veins. Vanquish his heart. They congeal in his bones. He becomes a shadow. He is Dark. He is Ahst. He is. A sword, true to him. Him. Her.

'Xru'lar?'

The voice is the soothing, soft sough of spring breeze through the forests breathing in new life.

'Wake up,'

Dhai'va.

'It's only a dream.'

He opens his eyes to a bright room. A name owned only by his dreams graces his lips, 'Zeré?'

'Who?'

Xru'lar's eyes focus. It's Ruri. Not Dhai'va.

All is blurred until a sharp memory cuts through the haze. The desert; Zyr'h; Dhai'va. Ahst.

Xru'lar straightens swiftly. A deluge of dizziness knocks him back flat.

'Slowly,' Ruri advises, placing a palm over his chest.

He gasps; the room still spins. ' Zyr'h?'

'Zyr'h and Dhai'va are fine. They've notified me of all that happened. Rest.'

Ruri's palm, flat on his chest, is strangely calming. He gathers his breath. His body is sore, head, aching. There's an incessant chirping rapping on his foggy awareness. The Infirmary-room is light-filled. Sound of tincture-glass and vials clinking drifts into the room, along with the lowered voices of the Healers.

'Do you feel your powers?'

Xru'lar nods, recognising the prickle of power in him.

'I've informed Iro'va. He may come soon since the war's glimpsing an end.'

Xru'lar doesn't react; there's no predicting how Iro'va will take the news. Instead, he glances around; the chirping seems close, like a wruz wandered in.

'You must have abundant caution, fui. No wandering off on your own; Ahst will rejoice your powers.'

Ruri's words pull him back into attention. The notion of hiding singes his senses; hot, fiery.

'No more,' he crooks, dry-throated.

'Hmmm?' her violet-silver eyes narrow; her palm lifts from him.

'I want to train. I want to stand strong against Ahst, not avoid him.'

Her back straightens. She's in official robes, hair tied neatly at the back. There's so much of Ruh'vi splattered on her face in the deep-set of her eyes, the smooth slant of her nose, and her arched eyebrows. Somedays, it's painful looking directly at her.

'Ahst will love a strong vessel,'

'Strength will help me shield myself from him.'

She studies him, lips pursed, hands adjusting the collar of her robe. Xru'lar holds her gaze. No matter how hurtful, now isn't the time to back down.

'With powers, am I not the same as her?'

Ruri clenches her jaw. Xru'lar notes that her light-green aura has a blob of dark-grey and murky-green. She's guilty and helpless. 'Ruh'vi always wanted you to train. It's the Tv'orm's decision.'