Esveldza: 'The Lonely Child of Fire'

Chapter XXXI- Old Friends

Chapter XXXI

Old Friends

I stepped closer to the rock, limbs stretching out of my body. Daarken and Areach had already moved to the boulder, he bent down and his claws dug into the stone. Kirrahh and I, Volcarn and Noomkiara all joined in. Together we lifted the rock, members from the crowd rushed over to aid those still alive under the rock.

I sweated with exertion, closing my eyes from the effort as I waited for the people to be moved. Finally, someone gave the okay and I released the stone, falling back onto the ground and breathing heavily. My body ached for me to rest but Kirrahh’s desire to speak to Areach overpowered the exhaustion.

My body shaking, I stumbled over to Daarken who was already standing straight. He turned when we approached, a smile that spoke decades of memories coloured his face.

I stopped a few steps before him but he pulled me into an embrace. I felt myself grow embarrassed but I reminded myself it was Areach, not Daarken and Kirrahh was I. Suddenly Kirrahh pushed Areach away, “Why did you never show yourself?” She growled angrily, but I could sense her relief and happiness, “I thought you had died…”

Areach grabbed a hold of my hand, his claws brushing across my skin, “I was weak and I slept in the boy’s soul for years, using his power, his emotions to fuel my recovery. These last few weeks I felt myself awakening, then only moments ago I had a surge of power, the boy awoke me.”

Kirrahh smiled, leaning in closer to Areach, our eyes were locked together, drawn by the powerful bond between Kirrahh and Areach.

“Akaiya! Daarken!” Daarken and I managed to gain some control and we shoved away from each other, flustered by the intensity of the moment. I looked to see Sarben running towards us, Salvator a few paces in front of him.

Salvator reached us first and he stared at Daarken, “Greetings Salvator.” Areach said calmly and then Salvator looked to me.

Salvator introduced himself formally then he said, “Kirrahh and Areach, of all the children to share bodies with you chose the children of enemy kingdoms.” Salvator said, slightly shaking his head.

“I needed power.” Kirrahh replied shortly.

“I needed to make sure I would meet Kirrahh again, with Daarken’s curious fate I knew that Kirrahh and I would have to meet; only I have not had the strength to speak to her until now.”

 Sarben caught up and he was staring at Daarken and I with wide eyes. Behind him, dwarves and elves alike had similar faces, faces of pure astonishment but, unlike my fears, I had used Kirrahh’s power for good. I had saved lives, not taken them away.

++++++++++++

The damage that the falling rocks caused many Soulstone soldiers to die along with the citizens, there was hardly any left to take hold of the city and so they were forced to surrender. In Soulstone,  Hearstone soldiers and the Tivess allies had infiltrated the city and so both cities were forced to a ceasefire as too many had been lost.

 Kirrahh and Areach kept sharing strong feelings with each other, rather than talking and for some reason that seemed more uncomfortable than hearing them talk. They had both given Daarken and I our bodies back but we used their abilities to help the survivors move rubble. I hadn’t realised how destroyed the city had become, many people lost their homes and family members and they gathered outside the keep where their leaders resided, arguing about what to do.

Salvator had joined them in their debate but Daarken, Sarben and I waited with our dragons and the elves who had returned from Soulstone.

A shared emotion of loss and confusion hung over us. I could hear faint sobbing coming from numerous areas around me, even more people were muttering angrily. I had been oblivious to the damage caused by Geigan in Forban, I had caused a lot of the damage and all I had cared about was my own selfish pain and grief, I took so many lives that day, just like the dwarves here, I had caused people to die and their family members to wander aimlessly around the city, whispering their love for their lost friend or family member.