Solace and Nox: A New Light

Chapter 26

What was Cytra supposed to do?

After thinking for hours about the question, she still did not have an answer.

She could go to Turphia, but she didn't want to go on her own. She wanted Raiden to go with her. That's why she showed Turphia to him in the first place. She wanted him to run away with her to escape the horrors of this world.

She needed to talk to Alayah. She always knew what to do in situations like this.

Unfortunately, just before she teleported to Turphia, Moldark Rathmore appeared, and he was not happy.

"We have to act now," Moldark growled, a fire burning in his yellow demonic eyes. "Raiden Solace has to be taken out, and he has to be taken out now."

Cytra stood up straight, trying to show strength to her master. Showing weakness wasn't going to help her gain a better relationship with Moldark. Being on his bad side was the last thing she wanted.

"But I haven't gotten his trust yet," Cytra lied. "I need more time."

"There is no time," he said. "Raiden is growing stronger every day. I can see it. His magic reeks in this place, and all over Shodon. It's growing stronger every minute we delay. We can't let this happen. If he grows stronger, we won't be able to stop him! He will overwhelm us both."

Was Raiden really that powerful? Did he really have the ability to stop Moldark, as he believed?

And was that fear Cytra heard in Moldark's voice?

"The time is now," he said with great power in his voice.

"My Lord, you must do what needs to be done," Cytra said.

"Are you not going to help?" he asked incredulously.

"Of course not! What if your plan fails, and I'm involved? He will never trust me. I will stay on the sidelines for this one, so if your plan fails, we still have the old one in play," Cytra explained. She argued with passion, but not for the reasons she gave. She just didn't want to hurt Raiden.

Moldark smiled. "I knew you were a good choice when I found you. You make very valid points. I can be hasty at times, so it's good to have a young mind here to keep me from making stupid decisions."

Cytra smiled back, bowing slightly. "I do my best, my Lord."

He chuckled. "Cytra, you are one of a kind. I will go through with my plan, but be ready if it fails. If all goes as planned, I will summon you."

With that, he disappeared in a pillar of black smoke.

Cytra sighed. Was this right? Was working for Moldark a good decision? She knew what the man was capable of; he was dangerous.

Cytra paced, replaying all the events that took place that day in her mind. From the moment that she took Raiden to Turphia, to her most recent encounter with Moldark. Was this the way things were supposed to play out?

The one thing that haunted her most was her most recent decision.

She had just given the monster, Moldark Rathmore, permission to go through with some evil plan against Raiden. But she was just on the sidelines. She had nothing to do with his evil plan. So she wasn't at fault.

Was she?

Was she just as wrong as Raiden for betraying her?

Was Raiden wrong?

All the contradictory thoughts were clashing in her mind. She grabbed her head and knelt down. All these thoughts were overwhelming.

There was one question that troubled her most. By giving Moldark permission to attack Raiden, she indirectly caused his demise.

Was she worse than Jitlan?