DON'T PRAY TO ME

16 - Haurondum (THE END)

The colossal temple of Tytan at Haurondum is said to have carved out of a single, yet enormous, rock of limestone. Today, this usually swarmed by devotees place of worship is mostly empty. Save for the lines of the Drazeydan clan's soldiers marching in parallel lines, with a feminine silhouette clad in white silk walking in the middle.

Ariek Trazek and his men watch the escort while remaining hidden behind the pillars in the courtyard. Ariek breathes in. She is right there. Today, either he'll take her with him or kill her here, he thinks. Under no circumstance she can return to Slade's arms.

Ariek signals his men. With their weapons ready the infiltrated Deirci charge at the Dhamenci soldiers. A loud fight breaks out. The woman in the middle is swiftly taken away through one of archways at the side by two of the soldiers. Ariek follows them while effortlessly sending those who dare to stop him flying towards the walls.

Shortly after, Ariek corners her. The two soldiers with her raise their weapons and run towards Ariek. Ariek dodges them, grabs and breaks their arms, before throwing them to the ground. He approaches her.

"I told you - you're mine. There's no way I'll let you escape," he says, pulling her shoulder. When she turns around, the garment draped over her head slips down. Ariek sees her face. It's not Rachel.

Raged, Ariek grabs her arm. "Where is she?"

"She's not here," Slade says from behind.

Ariek lets go of the woman; She runs away. He turns around to face the man he hates more than anything in this world.

"I gave you a chance," Slade says, "You should've stayed away."

"The one who should've stayed away is you. I had waited years for her. You really think I would let someone who came yesterday to take her away from my hands?"

"Waited? You instilled fear into her all these years. But no more. I don't want you in her mind, even as a bad memory."

Ariek conjures a spear of pale blue light in his hand. Glistening like water; Sharp like a diamond, the Spear of Divinitas can pierce through anything, even a Dhamen's fiery shield. Ariek aims at Slade and throws it.

However, the speeding spear stops a few inches from Slade's heart, and melts away.

If hatred could be embodied, that would be Ariek right now, as he witnesses Slade using the power of a highest ranking Deir. There's only one way this is possible.

Slade calmly holds his ground while watching jealousy consume Ariek like a fuel caught on fire at the realization that Rachel is Slade's Ittere now.

The wind begins to blow around the temple. Earth begins to shake. Ariek's eyes become white. Outside everyone clears the building.

"Ariek," Slade says, "this doesn't have to happen. She's happy. Is that not enough for you?"

"I had rather see her burn alive before my eyes than be happy with someone else," Ariek says. A thousand Spear of Divinitas appear in the air, all aimed at Slade. "If I can't have her," Ariek says, "No one can." The spears bolt towards Slade, only for them to halt a mere few inches away from their target and disappear.

Just then, another spear splits through the air. One that is made of fire. One that impales its target instantly.

Ariek falls to his knees. Blood streams down from the corners of his mouth. He looks down at the spear that has lodged into his heart. He uses his powers to try to heal himself, but Slade's Spear of Death won't let him. As Ariek's life slips, he looks up at Slade. "I might've lost now. But if there's a next life, I won't rest until I had her. That's my dying vow, Drazeydan"