When the Land meets the Sky: A Tail of Two Mages

Chapter 38 - Castle Seige (Battle Pt. 9)

Rosetta's POV

Zachary's loss is hitting me so hard right now. I came to this land from distant shores to learn the art of swordsmanship so that I could return to my elven home and take my place as the warrior queen I was meant to be. Yet, I'm standing here, feeling destroyed because I was helpless to save the man who became my uncle. I'm at a loss.

"Rosetta, are you alright?" Shay asked me with reservation. It was evident that both him and Shino were hurting. Especially Shino since she was tasked with harvesting her brother's soul to send it to the nether world.

"No, Shay. I'm not alright..." I sighed in defeat, still feeling a bit frustrated. "Zachary and Trodaí were the only family I had in this land. And now both of them are gone." I leaned against a tree and crossed my arms. I closed my eyes and began to reminisce about the old times when I met those two. "I came here from the elven kingdom to learn how to be a swordsman at the behest of my grandmother, the Elven Queen Lilliana. Little did I know that I would find myself fond of this land, so once my training was complete, I stayed. Both Trodaí and Zachary became family to me." I nervously tapped my foot, trying to understand something.

"Something is troubling you, it seems," Shay noticed.

"Well," I responded and threw my hand up in confusion. "Zachary said something before he died. His death felt familiar to him. Is this something you know about, considering the fact that you dabble in the arts of death and the afterlife?"

"He was in extreme pain, most likely from the poison which inflicted him. He may have had a familiar experience," Shay responded.

"Nay, brother," Shino responded. She was clearly sad from performing her duty but irritated at Shay's response. "You are aware she already knows we're siblings? It would not be fair to withhold the truth about Cerberus."

My heart skipped a beat. "Cerberus?! Leyla mentioned that name. What does Cerberus have to do with you?" I asked.

Shay and Shino looked at each other and nodded. Shay then approached me and explained the knowledge I sought. "Shino, Zachary, and I are the three heads of Cerberus. We are known as the lycan children of death." I was dumbfounded. How long have I known my uncle only to hear this now?

As I was deep in thought about the subject, Shino returned to the boat and placed Zachary's body in it. A ghost selkie soon appeared and pushed the boat downstream, obviously knowing where to take him. Shino then sent a shadow crow to follow the boat, evidently as a means of sending a message to their people.

I continued to be in deep thought as I replayed the scenario that befell us recently. What was that shade playing at? Wait! "Hold on a second! That Leyla was a shade!"

"Okay? What are you getting at?" Shay responded.

"If Leyla intended to send a shade to encumber us here, then she has another place in mind that she intends to target. But where is the question." Not much time passed when we heard explosions in the distance. All our hearts sunk when we realized where they came from. It was evident Leyla was after the royal palace.

"Oh no...," Shino mumbled.

"Oísín and Níamh!" Shay shouted and we ran quickly toward the direction of the palace. Realizing how far away, Shay grabbed hold of my hand. "Stay close to me, you two."

"O-okay?" I replied and held hold of his hand firmly. Shay looked over at Shino and nodded.

Shino loudly chanted, "Eternal Enshroud!" and then black smoke engulfed us. Once the smoke cleared, I found us near the border of the palace. Shino appeared tired and needed a moment to regain her composure, apparently the spell she cast was rather taxing.