Hell's Bane (COMPLETED)

Chapter Thirty-One: The Last Stand

With no more time left to lose, they stepped hesitantly back into the grove, only the slightest bit surprised to see that it had become a complete wasteland – fallen trees, fire and smoke, and rocky surfaces dominating what was once a serene landscape.

Brunlin still couldn't use her powers. Kazim was unconscious. Hugo and the last soldier, Naevien, was the only ones left unscathed, yet Naevien seemed the most frightened of them all, though he was also the youngest of them all.

The four of them shared the two remaining horses, and they solemnly trotted through the destruction one blade had caused, still bewildered as to what had happened. The Spire of Blood loomed ominously in the distance, like a storm that beckoned them to come closer. Hugo gulped.

"I suppose that we all need an explanation," the explorer said, breaking the tense silence. "The magic was affecting our thoughts there. What we saw... Brunlin said that it was a test. I agree. They were trying to see... trying to see if..." Hugo gulped again. "...If we could overcome our fears. Not exactly a fear, even. The illusion presented to me wasn't something that petrified me, froze me in fear, but I think they were targeting what hit us most in the heart."

Brunlin seemed to give several unintelligible words and finally said: "It wasn't just an illusion. There was something more in there that was very real, yet I can't grasp what it was."

"Something was muffling our common sense," Naevien offered. Brunlin shook her head.

"Something more. Something was drawing us into the illusion, and... well, I felt as if it was becoming real."

Hugo sighed. "Either way, we failed again. Oswin has crippled our path, and now he draws even nearer to what he seeks." I'm starting to sound like Kazim, Hugo thought tastelessly, and then, hanging his head in defeat: "It's like every step we seem to take closer to him, it's always countered with something that pushes us back." With an overwhelming sense of loss, Hugo stroked the eternian and thought of Joss' last words. You still have a chance... stop Oswin...

The explorer no longer felt light speaking. Behind Hugo and riding the same horse and the explorer, Naevien cocked his gun and said: "Never too late, isn't it? Shattering the Blade couldn't have been the only trap the brothers set. We'll catch up to that man, and we'll stop him, even if he's inches away from the Crown. We will."

Brunlin bit her lip. "I would be inclined to believe you... but wasn't that also what we said before we walked into this death trap?"

Naevien frowned. "I'm just trying to keep our spirits up. Has evil ever won before?"

Brunlin nodded gravely. "So many times. Evil has won too many times – Aralik touched the source of magic-"

"But he was killed."

"Yet with his death, he destroyed an entire generation by destroying all magic." Brunlin waited for Naevien to challenge him and, when there was no response, continued. "The Four Prophets enslaved everyone on this side of the ocean, and proceeded to conquer what lied beyond."

"But the Four Prophets were all assassinated."

Brunlin nodded. "But it sent the society in chaos. Without another leader, even a tyrant like the Prophets, people slaughtered each other over the royal seat. Would you like another example of how evil has always triumphed, or have you already seen my point?"

"Evil..." Naevien paused, considering Brunlin's words. "Evil has never triumphed. They have always failed in some point in time, only leaving a watermark that will eventually also be removed of its stain."