The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 90: Overtime.

Chapter 90: Overtime.

Endithalia:

I opened my eyes and shot up to see the night sky and the dusty sands around us. We had been moved but not far. Ria was cuddled beside me. A bit away was Zen and Poppy. The two were more than spent and unconscious but okay. My twin, Mia, was awake but barely. Ana was beside her, speaking to her in a low voice.

"Aria?" I forced myself to look further, even as my body groaned. The ritual had taken more out of us than we expected. Close to the end, something happened. We all felt it and just before I lost consciousness, I could have sworn I saw Aria impaled by Kazu's hand.

Ana noticed me and quickly came over, "Endi, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I replied shakily. "Where's Aria? She- she isn't-." I couldn't say the words.

"No," Ana shook her head, and I was immediately filled with relief. "Ardent saved her just in time. She's just resting behind you."

"Behind me?" I turned my body and finally noticed her lying on the earth breathing slowly. "Oh, thank god. Is it over then? Did we win?"

The answer came from my brother, who appeared abruptly and staggered towards us, "I think so."

"Vanter!" Ana immediately helped him to sit down. "You- you're hurt."

"I'm fine," he coughed into his hand, revealing blood. "Okay, I'm not fine but I'll be okay."

The way Ana looked at him, holding him tightly had me raising my brows. Now however wasn't the time to push questions.

"Ardent took care of Kazu," my brother continued. "The two of them disappeared somewhere. Wherever it was, I'm sure Ardent has it covered."

"How can you be sure?" I asked. "We can't just sit still. We need to help him!"

He laughed and shook his head, "No, I don't think you get it Endi. He doesn't need our help. Seriously, it was kind of scary.... That ritual, whatever it did, whatever we did..., I don't think Ardent will ever be the same."

"But-," I began but suddenly felt a warmth beside me. I turned to see Ardent smiling softly towards me. "You-." My words fell away as I leaped towards him, pulling him closer into tight hug. I squeezed tight with all my might, conveying the depth of my emotions more than my words could ever. There was so much I wanted to say, but in the end, against it all, I just wanted him beside me again.

A gentle hand brushed my hair and Ardent spoke, "It's good to see you too."

"Took you long enough," I wiped a tear from my eyes.

"Well," he laughed. "A lot happened."

Vanter shook his head, "That's a bit of an understatement isn't it?"

"Only a little," Ardent smiled to my brother before crouching down with me beside him. In front of us Ria was beginning to stir and the moment she saw us both together, her eyes brightened like the stars.

"Daddy!" she screamed but held herself back.

"Come on," Ardent opened his arms. "Give your mum and I a hug."

She ran into us both, and as Ardent lifted her, he also pulled us down. All three of us rolling onto the ground. Ria giggled, her hands tightening on our clothing as she smiled the best she could. It was the moment I had wanted to see for so long. My heart and body were filled with joy, truly.... But even as we I felt myself comfortable in Ardent's arms, a part of me shivered. Vanter was right..., Ardent would never be the same.