Fairies of The Black Circle

30

"It's too late. She won't reach him in time," Nebula rasped, blasting bolt after bolt of magic from her palms.

Gantlos ducked under the first, around the second and lifted his shield moments before the third collided with it, raining down black sparks around him.

Musa didn't miss a beat. She launched a powerful soundwave; a counter-attack that Nebula struggled to defend. Even her crazed grin faltered for a second.

Before she had a chance to retaliate, Gantlos joined the offensive, causing a quake that shook her to the ground. Nebula scrambled backwards as the pair advanced, their unrelenting attacks working in perfect harmony with each other to keep Nebula pacified.

"I said it's too late!" She screeched again, desperate to throw them off for even a moment. She rolled to the side, the earth behind her giving way as another tremor rattled through her bones.

"Enough mind games," Gantlos sent another wave hurtling towards her head. "Bloom will be fine."

The spell connected, flinging Nebula backwards, sending her skidding through the dirt.

Gantlos watched until she finally lay still.

For a moment, he wondered if he had killed her. That was until a chilling sound broke the silence.

Nebula laughed, a low, guttural sound that sent a shiver down his spine. She looked up at him through her black, knotted hair, her eyes glinting with animosity.

Her grin widened, revealing teeth stained with blood.

"No. She'll be in the wrong place at the wrong time. You know a lot about that, don't you?"

He went still.

"Whatever she's talking about, don't listen," Musa warned. "Don't let her play you."

"What was his name again? Your brother." Nebula persisted.

"What do you care about my brother?" Gantlos spat, his tone clipped.

"We've fought many battles, you and I. I've seen your greatest fears and deepest regrets."

"We have fought many battles" Gantlos replied, cutting her off. "You've thrown my greatest fears and deepest regrets at me many times. There is nothing left you say to me, nothing left you can show me that will tip the scales in your favour. You're beaten, Nebula. I won't let you in."

"Are you sure about that?" Nebula said, her voice a silken whisper dripping with malice.

"That night your brother died," she continued, her eyes locking onto his with a predatory gleam, "do you know who was leading that patrol?"

Gantlos stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. Nebula's words sliced through the air, chilling him to the bone.

"Do you know who noticed a small boy trying to help his brother home? Do you know who killed him?"

The realization hit Gantlos like a physical blow, his knees weakening as the world seemed to spin around him. Panic surged through him, memories of that night flooding back in vivid, painful detail.

He felt as if he were suffocating, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Nebula stepped closer, her presence overwhelming. She could see the panic in his eyes, the fear she had ignited. Seizing her chance, she leaned in, her lips curling into a cruel smile.

"Yes, Gantlos," she whispered, her voice barely audible yet deafening in his ears. "It was me. I killed your brother."

Gantlos staggered back, his mind reeling. The horror of her confession tore through him, leaving him vulnerable and shattered. Nebula's grip tightened around his arm, her nails digging into his flesh, anchoring him in place.