Exquisite Pain (Garmau)

Chapter 47 A Battle

When you start to wonder whether you can trust someone or not,
that is when you already know you don't.
~Unknown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Garroth's POV)

I clutched her close to my chest and closed my eyes. I said a small prayer and pushed forward. The sounds of explosions were louder with each step, but I knew I had to try and bring her to the camp.

I stepped into the hallway and there was the sound of distant footsteps. I felt panic rise in my chest. We were doomed.

Maybe we were doomed from the start. Two people both manipulating each other, both breaking the rules and falling in love. A daughter of the devil, a son of a monster. A prince of the overworld and a princess of the nether. We were alike in so many ways. So many things connected us to each other. It made me think that maybe, just maybe, we were meant to be together.

The footsteps grew closer and I looked, my hopes low, and thinking I would see an enemy.

But it wasn't.

Laurance and Travis stood there, grinning at us. Travis noticed Aphmau and his grin quickly dropped.

"What happened?"

"We need to get to safety. Now."

"No..." Aphmau stirred, coming to. She mumbled and her voice was rough.

"Aph, you can't-"

"I want to fight." Even though she was weak, and her using her power like that drained her immensely, her voice was firm. She forced me to let her stand, and I did. She coughed and subtly wiped away the tiny bit of blood that appeared, thinking no one saw.

"You are in no condition to-"

"We need to save as many people as possible so it isn't just one huge slaughtering. There needs to be survivors, and if we leave now, there won't be many. Garroth, these are your people. You want to be a good and decent leader? Now's our chance. We have the power to fight back. Are you going to run with your tail between your legs, or save lives?" She had a glow in her eyes. Not a literal one, obviously, but a flame that danced wildly. She was passionate about what she loved and believed in.

"The rest of the alliance is out there helping," Laurance brought up, "we've saved about two hundred people so far, and they're all running for their lives to wherever they please as we speak."

The four of us hurried out, death nipping at our heels.

When we stepped outside, I felt complete and utter dread fill my body.

There was fire everywhere. Bright, orange, and hot. Horrible screams erupted occasionally, and my stomach churned with both remorse and disgust. I had murdered plenty of people, but never someone so innocent. Never a child.

Aphmau was frozen in place, but not by fear. She had a plan brewing in her mind, and I wanted to know what it was. What I would give to get a glimpse of what was inside her brain.

"What are you thinking?" I questioned. She snapped out of her trance and she inhaled deeply.

"I can do something, but it's risky. I need to get to high ground, and I need to meditate for a little while. Someone protect me." I nodded and took the task. She flew to the top of the castle, hidden behind one of the pillars to do her meditating. Whatever she had planned it had better work, or everyone was screwed.

I kept a close eye on her area, but not an obvious one. I circled around the castle, hunting anyone who got near, or protected anyone within reach. I had saved a good handful of people, and as I was goading a mother and child to escape through a hole in the O'Khasis wall, that's when I heard it.

It sounded like a firework going into the air. I looked up and saw Aphmau.

The smoke from her wings had become pure fire, and her eyes were glowing a white that I could spot from the ground. She was mumbling something loudly, but I couldn't hear or make out any of the words. Her voice was just audible.

The ground began to shake underneath us, and everyone was losing balance.

A shadow knight stumbled around the castle corner and spotted me. Before he could charge, a hole opened under him. He fell down, and it was as if the earth had swallowed him whole. I hurried to the hole to see that it wasn't a hole at all, but a portal. I wasn't about to jump in to find out. I looked out and there were portals everywhere, shadow knights falling into them at every turn.

Then everything stopped. I looked to the air and Aphmau's fire went out, the original smoke returning. Her wings stopped limp, and she began to fall.

My eyes widened and I ran over towards her, I was going to catch her this time.

I would not let her fall to her death again. I would not watch that again. I would save her, and it didn't matter what else was around me, I would make it to her in time.

I bolted like my life depended on it, I dived for her. My arms wrapped around her waist and we rolled into a pile of debris.

I coughed as dust flew around me, and I moved to sit and her upper body was laying on my knees.

To my relief, her chest rose and dropped as she breathed. Her eyelids fluttered a little and she looked up at me.

"Did it work?" She managed. I smiled like an idiot and pressed my forehead to hers.

"Yeah, they seem to be all gone."

"Good, I don't think I could do that again," she joked. I laughed a little, and rain began falling. Aphmau smiled. "Katelyn." Was all she said while lifting a frail hand to the air. Dante came running towards us with Kawaii~Chan at his side. They kneeled beside us and KC began examining Aphmau quickly.

"Let's find a building to get Aphmau~Senpai healed." I nodded and carried her to a safe place.

And when we got there, we were safe.

A/N It seems kind of rushed, I realise that, but I wanna finish up this book soon. I know, I shouldn't rush an ending, but hey, this book has been too far drawn out. Anyways, I think you guys will enjoy what I try and do. I was re-reading some older chapters and cringing. It hasn't even been a year I'm pretty sure, and I already cringe at this stuff. I wanna delete it, but at the same time, I'm aware of how stupid that would all be. I don't hate this book, just hate how convoluted past-me has made it. Anyways, I love you all, byeeeeee.