My Last Hope (Truth Series 4)

50: Dead

Soro's POV

A rogue grabs a hold of Star's dress. Before I can react a lion rushes past me, talking the rogue. There's an audible crack as the rogue head collides with the ground.

"Dad?" Star looks to the lion. The lion merely nods before pouncing on his next victim. I follow Gunnar's example turning my blade to the next enemy. I glance up occasionally to see if Brine's still there. He's there. I slay a skeleton. He's still there. I kill a creeper. He's gone. I move to strike another skeleton. Wait! I so my attack. He's gone! Brine's gone! I take to the sky. Frantically I survey the scene below me. Where is he!? I have to find him! There's Rythian. Brice. Sky. Jordan. Brine. Tay- wait! Brine! "Jordan!" I'm too late. Brine's sword slices through Taylor's chest. He then teleports away, striking down other soldiers. Jordan's gaze follows him. His grip on his sword tightens. He moves charge. I teleport next to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. "Don't," I say. "Make sure he's okay." I gesture to Taylor. "Then try to keep Brine from killing anyone else. Star and I will prepare the spell. Just keep him distracted."

"Okay. Okay." He turns to check on his boyfriend. I teleport back to Star's side.

'Star?'

'What? You going to lecture me on fighting again?'

'No. Brine's making his move. We need to make ours.'

'How? In case you haven't noticed, we're surrounded.'

I grab her arm and teleport us to a nearby roof. "Like this."

She stumbles, only staying upright because of my grip on her. She glares at me. I let go. "A warning would have been nice."

I shrug. I hold Wit's End in front of me, both hands on the hilt, blade pointed down. "You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." She places her hands above mine. Our hands glow with magic as we concentrate on the spell that will end this war. My magic glows grey with blue and red strips flowing through it. Star's magic glows white with orange strips flowing through it. The magic travels across Wit's End slowly, starting with the hilt. With my focus on the magic, everything else around me becomes a blur.

The magic has engulfed two thirds of the blade when my attention is brought back to the battle. A familiar voice screams. I look in the direction it came from. My magic intensifies and my blood boils. My mother flies a few blocks from me. Blood drips from her body. A diamond blade protrudes from her stomach. Behind her Brine grins at me. It's the same. It's the same. It's the same as when dad died. Brine and his sword disappear. My mother falls to the roof. She holds a hand to her stomach. It's immediately covered in blood.

"Mom," I call weakly.

She smiles at me sadly. "I did what I had to as must you. Remember your promise, Soro. I love you." I can feel tears well up in my eyes. "Both of you." She whispers. She collapses on the roof.

"I love you too, mom." I whisper back. I hear a second voice say the same thing. It overlaps with mine.

"Soar?" Star's voice is calm but sad. I turn my attention to her. She looks different. She's transparent in a way. I can almost see straight through her.

"Wha?"

She smiles at me. A tear rolls down her cheek. "I'm sorry I can't stay."

"But-"

She shakes her head. "It has to be like this. There's no other way." She places a chaste kiss on my cheek. "Thank you for everything Soro. Thank you for being my light in the dark." Her appearance fades. Her smile is present the whole time. Even through her tears. "Goodbye." She disappears into nothingness.

I lower Wit's End to be in one hand at my side. It glows bright, completely engulfed in magic. My blood boils and my eyes harden. I seek out Brine. I find him. I charge for him. I rush him blindly with no plan in mind. I'm lucky. I catch him by surprise. I hear Hero's gasp as Wit's End and I pass through him. My sword pierces the gut of a black shadowy figure. Brine. I pull my sword out. He coughs. Blood splatters my face and shirt. He falls forward landing on my shoulder. His lips right next to my ear. In a low gurgling voice he whispers, "One day I will return. On that day you will be the first to die."

He falls lifelessly off my shoulder. Rain falls concealing the tears rolling down my cheeks. Wit's End falls from my hand. It clatters on the ground. I collapse to my knees. My voice is small and frail, barely a whisper. "I'm already dead."