Keeper of The Lost Cities Fanfic: Elysian

Chapter 29

Sophie tore off a piece of her white tunic so it could absorb her blood as she wiped it away. Next time, she was hiding her conversation like Tam had when he'd been here. She didn't know why she hadn't when Fitz had transmitted. It was the smarter thing to do. Later that day, another cloaked figure came into her room, tossing her some peach-shaped, pink fruit. "What? You think I poisoned it or something?" She didn't recognize the voice. Cautiously, she took a bite. It tasted like apple and cinnamon, and was cold against her tongue, like ice water on a hot, summer day. "Thanks?" She mumbled, not sure what to say. The figure nodded. Then they noticed Sophie's soon to be scar. "Gethen?" Sophie nodded. "He hates you, huh?" The figure asked. "If you only knew." She told them. They stayed in silence for a little while after that. Then, the hooded elf said they had something to do, and locked the door behind them. She laid the fruit on the table, then curled up on her side, and strangled another pillow, staring at her hands. They were covered in frost, like she'd been picking snow up with her bare hands. That gave her an idea. She let her hands grow cold, then pictured snow flurries, and watched as they fell from the ceiling. To be extra careful, she imagined a storm of darkness and shadows around her mind, and transmitted, Is anyone there? Keefe!? Tiergan? She also spread her consciousness out, hoping someone would answer. Then, a small whisper of a thought. Sophie? She hugged the pillow tighter. Yes, Keefe. I...I just wanted to let you know I'm sorry for hurting you–hurting everyone. Keefe was silent for a few minutes. Then: Hey, Foster, I get it. You did what you had to. No reason to be sorry for that. She wasn't so sure. Even though I'm letting the enemy control me? Even though I pushed you away? Even though I hurt everyone? He didn't answer. It was the truth, after all. You know what would've happened if we'd fought? He asked. We would all be dead. So, I think this is better than living with grumpy old Ancients up there. She didn't chuckle or laugh. Instead, she said, Sure. Night, Keefe. She could see him smirking at her. Night, Sophie. I love you, and I swear, I'm going to bring you back. The last thing she said to him that night was, I love you, too.

Chapter 30

Sophie hadn't really gotten sleep. She pretty much tossed and turned the whole night. That was why she was awake when Glimmer came in. "Come on, we've got a job to do." Sophie followed the Flasher out the door, down the empty hall, and into another room. Except this one was empty of decoration. And when Glimmer turned the light on, Sophie couldn't believe what she saw. Or maybe she could. Because, right in front of her, two elves were tied to chairs, covered in bruises and scars. Tiergan and Tam. Tam stared at her. "Sophie, what–" Then he noticed the glowing bands on her wrists. "Glimmer, let her go. She has no part in this!" Glimmer smirked wickedly. "And that's why you're wrong, Tam. Didn't you hear?" She bent in front of him and whispered, "She's Elysian's creation now." Sophie knew she should say something, but she couldn't find the words. So, instead, she froze Glimmer in ice, and freed Tam, who then freed Tiergan. Her Telepathy mentor looked at her with...empathy, maybe? Then, he rushed out the door. Tam stopped at the door. "You know Gethen's going to punish you, right?" "I know, but I don't care. Also, can you...tell everyone I'm sorry? Especially to Grady?" He nodded. "We'll be back for you, I promise." Then, he ran off down the hallway.

Chapter 31

Sophie was thrown into her room after freeing Glimmer. "If Elysian didn't need you so badly," Ruy told her, "I'd snap your neck myself. But don't worry, Sophie, your punishment is coming." Then, he shut the door and locked it, laughing as he did. "I've got to get out of here. Before they use me to destroy everything." Before she could move, a slow knock sounded on the door. "Sophie, I'm coming in." The voice paralyzed her. This shouldn't be possible! Was this even real? Sophie had watched them die right in front of her! The door opened as soon as Sophie vanished, and despite knowing who would walk through, it still shocked her, scared her. Because the elf standing right in front of her, with their hood down, and their nails more like claws, was the Shade that had attacked her and Fitz while training. And her name was Umber. "I thought the moonlark wanted to play. Let's see if I can find you." First, Umber slashed her shadowflux claws at the table, leaving a scorch mark. Sophie looked at the door, noticing Umber had left it open, and very silently sneaked behind her. Before she knew it, she was out the door, sneaking down the hall. She prayed she didn't trip or fall or do anything to make noise. About half-way down, she almost ran into another cloaked figure, and held back her gasp when she saw their face. Fintan. His sky-blue eyes seemed to stare right at her for a few minutes. Then he shrugged and walked down the hall in the opposite direction. Sophie snuck out the rest of the way, finding light ahead, and found herself looking down a ninety-foot drop, with jagged rocks below that would crush her if she fell. So she did the natural thing. She jumped. The warm energy built in her mind, and she pictured Havefield, but when she went to push the energy out, she couldn't. The pain stopped her. It felt like it had when Elysian tried draining her of her abilities, except if you add a burning head, you'd be close. She noticed the rainbow cracks on her arms were turning black. Before she hit the rocks, someone caught her. They slipped their hand into hers. "Foster? Look at me! W-what's wrong? It's not working!" It was Keefe. She caught glimpses of him, the horrified look on his face, the worry in his eyes. But the pain wouldn't stop. No matter what, it continued. Her eyes turned heavy, her arms fell to her side, and the last thing she remembered hearing was, "We are now one."