Arcane (Academy)

All Hell Loose

The battlefield was a grim tableau of victory and loss, littered with the bodies of Van Helsings and their defeated weapons. The few remaining enemies retreated into the darkness, the sight of their fallen comrades too much for them to bear. Brein lay unconscious, a trickle of blood seeping from where her head had hit the ground, while Catherine remained in torment, her screams echoing through the night as she clawed at her blinded eyes.

The friends gathered together, breathing heavily as they surveyed the aftermath. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and the coppery tang of blood. Ehra, still seething with anger, clenched her fists and stared down at the fallen Van Helsings, but her thoughts quickly shifted as Rouge's desperate shout cut through the chaos.

"Azeleah! Somebody help! She's not breathing!"

The urgency in his voice snapped everyone into action. Maya, eyes wide with panic, rushed to Azeleah's side. She dropped to her knees beside her friend, her hands glowing faintly as she tried to summon the strength to heal her. But Maya's own energy was nearly spent, and the glow quickly faded.

"Azzy, wake up, please!" Maya's voice cracked with desperation. "Don't leave us!"

Her tears fell onto Azeleah's face, mixing with the blood and dirt. Maya looked helplessly to her mother, Caliste, who had been a beacon of strength throughout the battle. Caliste knelt down, placing a gentle hand on Maya's shoulder and another on Azeleah's chest, but her expression was grave.

Rouge, usually so flamboyant and full of life, was reduced to tears. "Darling, you'll be fine. C'mon, don't joke around like this. It's not fabulous." His voice broke, and he clutched her hand tightly, his face a mask of anguish.

Azeleah, her breath coming in ragged gasps, looked up at Rouge with fading eyes. "Tell Mum and Dad I love them... tell Memaw I'm gonna miss her cooking."

"Don't say that!" Rouge pleaded. "Everything will be alright."

Azeleah's lips trembled as she tried to smile. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she whispered, "Baron..." Her voice was barely audible, and then, with one final breath, her eyes fluttered shut.

The friends around her wept openly, their tears mingling with the blood and dirt. Rouge let out a heart-wrenching cry, clutching Azeleah's lifeless body to his chest. Maya sobbed uncontrollably, burying her face in her mother's arms. Elmo, usually so composed, had tears streaming down his cheeks, while Darius stood in silent mourning, his face set in a mask of sorrow.

The forest, which had been filled with the sounds of battle moments before, was now eerily silent except for the sounds of their grief. They had won the fight, but the cost was almost too much to bear.

As the first light of dawn began to break through the forest canopy, the sun's rays gently kissed the faces of those gathered, casting a golden glow over the tragic scene. Despite the beauty of the rising sun, the friends remained huddled together, their tears still flowing freely as they mourned Azeleah's untimely demise. The world seemed to hold its breath, the stillness only broken by their quiet sobs.

Rouge, his flamboyant nature entirely subdued by grief, carefully lifted his niece's lifeless body into his arms. His face was a mask of sorrow, his tears mingling with the dirt and blood that covered Azeleah. Kaede, her voice trembling, asked, "Where are you taking her, Rouge?"

Rouge paused, looking down at Azeleah's peaceful face. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps home."

Before he could take another step, Mr. Bignes placed a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder. "It's not safe to take her body home," he said, his deep voice resonating with concern.