Requiem Run

Chapter 15

Kydro Crollet, the rose elf of Krozon's Swamp, was looking down at us, arms crossed. I realized as soon as I laid eyes on him that while he'd bandaged the wound I had given him had been bandaged, but the shirt hadn't been repaired at all, leaving the gem still clearly visible on his chest.

"You've arrived." Kydro said as we started making our way to him.

"Ten out of ten for observation," said Katie, "What do you think you're doing?"

"I figured you would be making your way to the Cleansing Temple," said Kydro, "The inside will be big enough for us to have our inevitable fight."

"What makes you think we won't just splash some water on our faces and book it?" I asked as we followed Kydro into the building, keeping my hand on my sword as we did so.

"If that had been your goal from the beginning, I would've been killed in our first meeting," said Kydro, ahead of us, looking away, "I was caught off-guard by your skills, which you should have taken advantage of."

"You mean we should've killed you?" I said.

Kydro said nothing, just kept walking through the big archway into the temple. The inside was about what I expected it to be; big, mossed over, plants poking out of everywhere, no ceiling so natural daylight was all the building had, and in the middle, a big fountain with a pillar spitting water into it.

"Anyone else feeling that aura?" Katie said.

It took me a moment to realize what she was talking about; there was a bit of a calming aura in the air, like being wrapped up in a blanket in my bed on a nice morning, when you don't have to get out of bed.

"It won't last long. Are we ready to do this?"

Kydro's words brought me back to reality, and the calming aura immediately dissipated. We all turned to face the tall elf on the other side of the temple, who had already pulled his sword and was ready to attack.

"Let's do this." Katie said, pulling her own dagger, but staying behind Rhys, who was closer to me. I felt the usual pull and spine chill as Felice possessed my body, and we pulled our sword together.

"No matter what, we have to end things here!" I whispered to Rhys, "Is there any way you can keep Kydro from running away again?"

"I doubt he's going to, since we're in the temple," said Rhys, "Besides, you might need my magic again!"

"Good point," I said, "Let's get this over with."

"That is just what I was thinking." said Kydro, "This is your last chance to surrender for a peaceful death, otherwise in the Divine's name, I will show you no mercy."

"We whooped you last time, we'll whoop you again." said Katie.

"Last time was a simple fluke," said Kydro, "As I said, I was caught off-guard by your skills. But I've had enough talking, it's time for action."

Kydro charged. Fortunately, Felice was paying more attention than I had been and parried the blow off immediately, followed by the three follow-ups Kydro delivered before a blast from Rhys' magic knocked him back.

"Nice, thanks!" I said as Rhys passed me with her hands outstretched, keeping my eyes on Kydro, watching his every move. Rhys nodded back to me, also keeping her eyes on the rose elf.

"Let's go in hard," I whispered to Felice, "We have to get him down so we can get that gem off."

"No need to tell me twice." Felice said back. We brandished our sword and moved in close. Kydro, expecting us to attack first, moved to block any incoming attacks.