The Blinding

Chapter 66 - Tissa

The final echo of my magic's deadly force reverberated through the air, the sound waves bouncing off everything in their path like a rubber ball. I felt its energy dissipate, leaving me drained and vulnerable, like an empty chalice waiting to be refilled. Just as before, I collapsed, my body giving way, and this time, it was Hani who caught me in her arms. Her firm grip held me up like an anchor in a sea of despair. I lay there, still grappling with the raw grief that had been thrust upon me, grappling with the stark reality of losing the only connection I had left to my parents. The salty tears flowed freely from my eyes, streaming onto Hani's shoulder like a river of sorrow that could never be dammed. I summoned the last dregs of my strength to form a question. "Who was the man?" I managed to murmur through the veil of tears, seeking some semblance of understanding. It was not Hani who responded, but Loyaan, who had appeared alongside Samakaab, their faces still etched with shock as they confronted the gruesome scene.
"It was Shire," Loyaan's voice carried the weight of undeniable truth. "You just killed the Prime Minister."
Despite my time spent in the palace, I had never crossed paths with the enigmatic figure of the Prime Minister. My closeness to Batuulo had always been secondary to his duties, affording me only fleeting glimpses of Shire. The revelation struck me like a bolt of lightning, a stark realization that the consequences of my actions would reverberate far and wide, shaking the foundations of our world.
Loyaan's words, overheard by the surrounding warriors and council members, sent ripples of shock through the battlefield, momentarily halting the relentless combat. But the respite was short-lived. The fighters swiftly snapped back to their brutal dance of conflict, the chaos even fiercer than before. Loyal and Samakaab, awakened to the renewed tumult, rushed to their respective forces, while I remained cradled in Hani's trembling arms.
Amidst the eruption of combat, Hani moved to guide me back into the tent, seeking to shield me from the unfolding chaos and potential danger. Shakingly, I reached out, my hand gently resting on her shoulder, a silent plea for her to halt her protective maneuver. I needed to bear witness to the outcome of this battle, to confront the grim reality that unfolded before me.
Loyaan reached his warriors first, and my gaze remained fixed upon him, curious as to whether he would align with his fellow tribespeople or strive to halt their onslaught.
"Stop!" Loyaan's voice resonated with a commanding authority, cutting through the turmoil and reaching the ears of every combatant on the field. "The Prime Minister is dead. Retreat to the palace at once!"
The majority of the soldiers, ever obedient to their leader, obeyed Loyaan's orders and began to withdraw. Yet, one young warrior, of similar age to his leader, remained embroiled in battle, defying Loyaan's directive. All eyes converged on this lone combatant as he drove his Bilao into the skull of his opponent, evoking a collective gasp from the onlookers. Events spiraled toward a swift conclusion.
Behind the fallen councilman, another figure emerged, a man intent on avenging his fallen comrade. His eyes bore a ferocious intensity, a mirror image of the same determination I had harbored when Elmi had been mercilessly taken from us. It was a confrontation that, under different circumstances, might have held a fascination all its own. Yet, on this battlefield, the present parties seemed to regard it as a final act upon a stage.
The councilman raised his sword once more, and we watched with bated breath as it descended, poised to seal his victory. However, the clash of steel against steel rang out, and this time, it was not the young warrior who wielded the blade, but Loyaan who had intervened. The frenzied duel resumed, but it became evident that the young man was outmatched. In a few deft strokes, the graceful arc of Loyaan's blade found its mark, severing the man's throat. I could not bear to witness another act of violence, especially one perpetrated by my friend. I squeezed my eyes shut, shielding myself from the grim reality unfolding before me.
"Run!" Loyaan's voice boomed once more, and the darkness I had been struggling against finally claimed me, the scene fading into obscurity.