Solace and Nox: A New Light

Chapter 35

Moldark was not happy.

How did Cytra do it? How could she stand being around such a monster all the time? She reported to this demon on a daily basis, yet she was still able to keep her sanity. All Raiden wanted to do was rip Moldark's throat out and be done with this war right then and there.

Unfortunately, Raiden was still in no condition to fight, and he promised he would wait for Cytra's signal, whatever it was. If Cytra was confident that she had a way to stop Moldark, then Raiden would stick with her until the end. If this plan meant sacrificing himself to destroy Moldark Rathmore once and for all, he was willing to do it.

But, he was not willing to let anyone else die for his sake. If Lotharius, Markis, Trace, or especially Cytra, tried to save him, and lost their lives doing so, he would not be able to live with himself. He couldn't let others die because of him, not again.

Moldark finally realized that Cytra was gone, and he was upset, but not nearly as upset as Ebony.

"Where is she?" she demanded, kicking Raiden in the gut.

Raiden lost his breath. He wheezed and coughed after she kicked. The two cloaked men let Raiden lay on the floor to catch his breath. He looked up to see Moldark stopping Ebony.

"As much as I want him dead," Moldark said. "We need him alive. Only for a little longer. We will march right into Shodon, and execute him in front of the whole city. We will watch their hopes and dreams be crushed with his death. Afterwards, we will attack."

Ebony's violet eyes had a violent fire in them. Her fists were clenched tightly, and she took heavy, uneven breaths.

"I told you admitting her into this line of work without proper initiation was a bad idea," she mumbled.

Moldark grabbed her arm firmly and said, "We don't have time for this. We will deal with Cytra later, but right now, we have a kingdom to destroy."

She shook her head, and stormed off furiously. The other three men remained silent by Moldark's side. Raiden was still trying to catch his breath. Every move he made caused him pain. How was he going to survive this battle?

And what was it that Cytra gave him earlier? He hadn't even had a chance to look at it. Was it supposed to help heal him? He needed to help in the battle, but if he wasn't able to heal quickly, he would surely die.

The higher ranked Kresallis soldier that Raiden saw before was in fact their ruler. This ruler, Bagatyr, did not speak the native language of Shodon. Moldark used the abnormal language of the Kresallis, and he appeared to speak it fluently because Bagatyr nodded in understanding.

Raiden felt bad for the Kresallis. They were fighting for their kingdom. They didn't know Moldark's real intentions. They just followed their leader, Bagatyr. They didn't know what was truly at stake. But Moldark's dark influence clouded Bagatyr's judgement, and Moldark was practically in control of this army. It was a dangerous scenario, and the Kresallis were completely blind.

"Cytra," Raiden mumbled under his breath. "Where are you?"

Moldark approached Raiden, kneeling down beside him.

"I don't know what you and Cytra have planned," he began. "But know that no matter how hard you try, you will never be able to escape me. I will come for you, not matter how this battle turns out. I may succeed, or I may fail, but either way, you both will die."

Raiden, though weak, stared into Moldark's demonic yellow eyes. He didn't let them faze him. He stayed strong, doing everything in his power to show that he was not weak.

Moldark smiled.

"You don't know, do you?" Moldark asked quietly. "You have no idea what Cytra has planned. Oh, Raiden Solace, I can just see right through you."

Raiden's heart sank.

Moldark stood, strong and proud. He was more confident than Raiden had ever seen him.

"Let's say hello to Lotharius," Moldark said. Then he added, "Or rather, goodbye."