Death Before Defeat

Chapter 18

So much for having all the time in the world to write I suppose-

Something completely different, oh my God guys guess where I went last week?
I was at Coldplay's concert in the Netherlands, it was so cool! There were like three people between me and the stage, I was super close :O

And I got myself a very expensive shirt. It was so worth it though-

Anyways I'll stop rambling now, enjoyy!

<*~*>

"I think we're getting close to the border now." Aza said, squinting ahead. Xavier was back in his human form, walking out front. He hadn't alerted them of any danger yet, so they were still in the clear.

Elias looked up and frowned. "We have to be careful, I have no idea if Cyrus," He swallowed and closed his eyes before continuing without acknowledging the throbbing pain in his chest. "added extra security. I'm like ninety-nine percent sure he knows where we're going."

It was weird talking about his lover like this. He really couldn't pretend it hadn't happened. He could no longer hide in the delusion that he'd been stabbed in battle and died with Cyrus hanging over him, desperately trying to stop the bleeding-

The worst of it all was that he wasn't even that surprised. Somewhere deep down he felt like he'd known it was Cyrus all along, he had just pushed that nagging feeling so far down he'd forgotten about it.

His breathing hitched, but he pushed the rising panic down. He had to keep himself under control, there was no room for error anymore. Nebe knew what their halfway-done plan was, which meant that they had to get to Argenti fast.

Aza nodded. "I agree, he definitely knows what we're doing. We can't underestimate them."

"I could go and scout ahead?" Elias offered, eager to distract himself. "Being invisible has its perks."

"Sure, it can't hurt to know what we're getting ourselves into." Aza shrugged. Though her tone was light, her eyes were a little too knowing for his liking. "Just be careful."

"Always." He winked. Without waiting for Xavier's opinion, he turned himself invisible and took off.

He ran through the woods, mentally preparing himself for whatever waited for him at the border. He didn't care whether or not he phased through the trees, not even the overwhelming sense of tree biology (water, minerals, layers, sap streams-) enough to stop him.

It was only a five minute run, but it was enough for him to get himself under control again. That is, until he saw who was at the border.

He froze, staring at the armor clad man in front of him. His back was turned, but Elias could clearly see the armor. A few sapphires glinted off the silver, reflecting the light the sun sent through the leaves above them. An almost exact replica of his own sword was at the man's side, the only difference being its heft. Where his sword was wrapped in blue cloth, this one was wrapped in brown.

That was a General's armor. That was his armor.

Without thinking, he let out a disbelieving laugh, startling the soldiers accompanying the new General.

The General whirled around, unsheathing his sword. Elias took a step back and eyed the weapon apprehensively. That was most definitely a Soul Sword, and he really didn't want to be on the receiving end of one of those weapons again.

"Who's there?" The man demanded. His voice was vaguely familiar.

Elias cocked his head and looked a little closer. Ginger, green eyes, a face full of freckles. The man said something else to the soldiers, but Elias was too preoccupied to notice.