The Relistar: Rejoining Vol. 2

Rejoining | Ch. 23

XXIII.

Truth

Ivalié sat on the floor of Haketh. His bloody back was pressed against a cool black wall. Crimson liquid pooled beneath him, and filled the cracks of the bricks below.

He panted. His breathing was shallow.

Finally. Finally, I can put it all behind me... Etheria, welcome me...

He could smell Liara's perfume. He could feel her approach, her warm grasp on his shoulder and hand...

Liara, I'll see you soon...

"Ivalié, dying so soon?"

He looked up. Rykaedi.

Not the skin-and-flesh Rykaedi he had once known. The skeletal monstrosity Rykaedi. The God of Marrow Rykaedi. She leaned against the wall casually, like greeting a friend.

"Go away." He shut his eyes. "I want to die in peace."

"Oh? Refusing the same offer of undeath I once gave Liara?"

"Go away." he hissed.

Rykaedi smirked.

Ivalié sat there, held up by his staff. His head began to lean to the side. His mouth began to hang open...

"Rith'aka Seran." cast another voice. A spell. "What happened here?"

It was Jirtu who approached, Ivalié could suddenly tell. He looked down to his body. He was no longer fading, and no longer bleeding.

Rykaedi answered, "He apparently lost a bout against Cedric and his friends – but he lives."

His eyes darted between them. He asked, "Why?"

"Why?" she repeated, "What a silly question. I selected you, Ivalié. And I've still much use of you."

He helped himself to his feet with his staff. "You should have left me dead to read my corpse."

"Ha! There's much more you're good for than the knowledge in your head."

"Like what? Ithlo was taken."

She grinned sinisterly. "A gateway into Liara's heart?"

His staff began to glow. He glared.

Jirtu easily kicked it out of his hand, dropping Ivalié to the ground with a grunt.

Rykaedi laughed again.

Jirtu couldn't help but snicker at the embarrassing man.

Ivalié's face twitched. He averted his gaze.

"Let's not get any more ideas of heroism, boy." she said, and turned back toward the meeting chamber's open door. "Join us. Let us discuss your future..."

X

"A win!" Rithi clutched a fist out before himself. "That's what you said – that's what we got."

"We could have had an invaluable ally." Cedric slammed his fist against the kitchen table.

Rithi stood and stepped away. His entire torso was covered in bandages, some of which were stained dark brown. The same was true of Cedric, though his were hidden beneath his burnt leather.