Solace and Nox: A New Light

Chapter 32

Cytra's plan was going to work lovely.

When Raiden started healing through his magic, she sparked an idea. If all went as planned, she would be able to slow down Moldark and keep Raiden and herself alive. She doubted she'd be able to stop Moldark, but it would definitely weaken him.

Suddenly, nothing seemed impossible for Cytra. She felt like she could take on the world.

But she was going to need help.

Right after her talk with Raiden, she traveled back to her building. Her heart was racing. She paced back and forth, almost at a jog. Thoughts came tumbling through her mind, overwhelming her thoughts. Her brain was on total overload.

She could fix everything if things went right.

She could do something to change the world... and herself.

Cytra knew what needed to be done. She knew the checkpoints of her plan.

And it was time to check the first step.

The next evening, Moldark summoned Cytra back to his dungeon, as he liked to call it. Cytra prefered to call it a volcano, but that was her opinion.

Moldark, eyes yellow and more intimidating than ever, stood tall in front of Raiden's cell door. Ebony stood next to him, and three other cloaked figures stood off to the side. Cytra had never seen them before. Their hoods made it difficult for Cytra to make out details of their faces, but the three cloaked figures varied in size. One appeared to be much larger than the other two, and the smallest appeared to be very agile.

"The time has come," Moldark said proudly. "Today is the day we begin our conquest against this corrupted world. We will take Raiden Solace into the gates of Shodon, execute him in front of the people, and watch their hope diminish as their hero falls. Then, with the help of the Kresallis, who are already forming ranks just outside of Shodon, we will attack the city. Leave Lotharius to me. I will handle him personally."

Everyone nodded in understanding, including Cytra. Moldark looked down at Cytra, who wasn't much shorter than him, and handed her a key.

"Release him, but make sure he is contained. We don't want him trying to be a coward and escape us," Moldark said, disgusted by Raiden's heroic instincts.

Cytra took the key, and walked into the cell. Raiden, still looking exhausted and bruised, had a difficult time lifting his head to meet Cytra's eyes. He was still weak, despite his faint healing from the night before.

Cytra reached up to unlock one wrist and asked, "You okay?"

He nodded just slightly, not enough for Moldark to notice, and kept his head down.

She unlocked the other wrist and he fell to the ground. She hadn't realized how bad his condition was until he wouldn't get up. She leaned over to help him up, then put something in his hand.

"Eat this when I give you the signal," she whispered, almost so he couldn't even hear.

"How will I know the signal?" he replied silently, making loud stomps with his feet, acting like he was less capable of walking than he actually was.

"You'll know."

They exited and the three cloaked figures took Raiden from Cytra, and put his arms around their shoulders. He was lifted slightly off his feet, because they were barely taller than him, but it had to be better than hanging from those chains.

Ebony walked up to Cytra and whispered in her ear, "I know how you think, Nox, so don't think about doing anything stupid, or I will stop you."

Cytra, unfazed by the threat, replied, "Or will you?"

Ebony looked shocked by the comment. Cytra smiled slyly and approached Moldark.

"Are we ready?" she asked.

He nodded. "It's time."

With that, he waved his hand, and the seven of them disappeared in a swarm of black, billowing smoke.