Battlefields: Veil Walkers Book Three

Chapter Fourteen

Over Yonder - Astrid

Astrid watched in horror as Keegan flew toward the arena's edge. She cringed away from the landing and knew it had ended badly. She looked down at Deza as her pink glow faded, and her patient pushed her away. "Go!"

Craeu shouted in a mix of pain and anger, more miasma than blood seeping from the wound as he turned on Galen and Namid. Astrid got a good look at it as she ran past: partially sliced muscle shone with a milky covering, and a vertebra poked through near the center. She didn't understand how he was still fighting, but likewise found the injury amusing. That's what their enemy got for taking a physical form.

Danika's screams sped her steps as she remembered the two had been linked. Keegan's soul lingered on its hands and knees beside his body, watching as Danika fell to her side, clutching her head. Was he pleading for help, or saying goodbye?

Astrid ran past Cahya without slowing down and dropped to her knees beside Keegan, whispering prayers as she tried to get her mind around what she saw. His body was mangled. What wasn't burned was broken, limbs and ribs alike. His clothes were mostly missing because of the blast, and his eyes stared off into space. She tried to recall what Abetzi had done for Namid, struggled to calm jittery nerves and shaking hands. She had to save him, only she could.

When she pressed her power into him, nothing happened. It just bled away. She tried again and again, struggling against tears that needed to fall, needing him to get up. He gave the rest of the team their strength. His brazenness was legendary. Between him and Namid, nothing could defeat them.

Illusionary fingers closed over her hand. She ceased her attempt and lifted her head to find Keegan's spirit smiling. He shook his head at her, but said nothing, then floated away like smoke from an extinguished candle.

Her lip trembled. She forced one foot to the ground, then the other, and rose, crying out. "It's no use."

The others gawked as she scrubbed hot tears from her face. Danika still screamed. Oh, Gods. Could anyone even do anything for her? Keegan's presence must have been ripped from her when he died and she needed help - help that no one had time to provide just now.

Craeu turned to acknowledge Astrid's call. "Ah, good. Five to go." He turned toward the bulk of the fighters and gave a toothy grin. "Who's next?"

~*****~

Over Yonder - Ming Yue

Ming Yue forced herself to breathe through the heartbreak. Keegan wasn't the first teammate she'd seen fall, and she had to get the others past the shock or they would all join him.

"Move!" Ming Yue shouted in the wake of Craeu's taunt. She wasn't sure if she commanded herself or the others. Probably both.

No one did.

Ming Yue growled, brought every ounce of her Voice to bear, and repeated the command. "Move! Galen, drop!"

That time it shook everyone from their daze. Galen complied thoughtlessly, dropping to a push-up position just in time to avoid Craeu's swiping fist.

She rushed into the fray again, leading the charge that she expected others to follow. Her two-handed naginata flourished into existence as she ducked between Craeu's legs, slashing upward to catch him along the inner thigh. Her target had been slightly to the left and, she realized as she looked up, unfortunately on display.

Namid threw up a shield to deflect the energy bolts their opponent launched in Galen's direction. The former gave the latter time to find his feet, then join his shield to the effort, which gave both protection from the attack and covered Astrid's dart across the field again.