Winter of Destiny (Celestia Chronicles Book 4/Seasons Arc: Book 4)

Chapter 6: The Darkness Inside All

After weeks of travel northward Gremdar, Kendra, Serenity, and Talon were nearing their destination. The trek was bitter as the rising levels of snow made traversal more and more difficult. Gremdar and Kendra had needed to bundle up while Talon and Serenity were able to perfectly adapt to the change in temperature.

"We're getting close to home" Serenity noted. Talon grunted in acknowledgement. "Are you going to be alright, brother?"

"I know now that I was not the one who killed our people" Talon said. "Syvix was the one responsible."

They reached a crater that was filled with the debris of an ancient city. Talon looked upon the ruins of his home, rage building inside him at the thought of how he was manipulated into taking the blame for killing his entire race.

"We're to wait here for contact" Gremdar said. "Someone will come find us and escort us to the rendezvous point."

Talon never turned his gaze from the ruins, his amber eyes began to show a bit of red to them. Serenity saw  the look in his eyes, it gave her an unsettling feeling.

"I'm going to kill Syvix" Talon declared.

"Well that seems like the best time for an entrance" Syvix said as he walked out of part of the ruins. "I have some unfinished business with you Talon" He said as he bit the tips of his thumbs. "You broke through my curse- that makes you a liability for me."

As Syvix started to draw the runes on his left palm Talon has rushed over to him in the blink of an eye and punched him with enough force to send him flying through some nearby rubble.

"Everyone stay out of this" Talon declared turning to see Kendra, Gremdar, and Serenity had reached for their weapons. "This bastard is all mine" He added, his eyes glowing a deep crimson.

Syvix climbed out of the debris he got buried in, the rune on his forehead signalling his completion of dark energy channeling. Gremdar took out a piece of parchment and some charcoal as he rushed to draw the rune on Syvix's head. Kendra cast a curious look at her brother before turning back to the impending fight.

"Your eyes" Syvix said, his eyes widened in shock. "That glow can only mean one th-"

Talon had once again charged at Syvix, punching him with enough force to send him into the air. Talon jumped up after Syvix, his wings on his back giving him extra lift. He grabbed Syvix's arm and threw him back to the ground with enough force to make a small crater. Talon landed next to the crater and exhaled a stream of fire so hot the snow where the others stood watching melted immediately.

"I've never seen him this strong" Serenity noted.

"Kendra" Gremdar turned to his sister, a concerned look on his face, "Is that what I think it is?"

Kendra's body was shaking slightly, fear visible on her face. "Yeah" She said, her voice notably shaken, "He's being engulfed by his hatred."

Serenity looked at them both. "What's wrong" she asked. "Something bad must be happening if it's making Kendra the Fearless visibly scared."

Talon had jumped into the crater ready to slam into Syvix. Before making contact Syvix has sped away from the crater. Talon looked around for Syvix to find him nowhere to be seen. Sniffing the air Talon turned his attention to a nearby pile of rocks. He walked slowly to the rocks before punching through them and grabbing ahold of Syvix. Syvix struggled in Talon's grip, staring into the pulsating crimson glow of his eyes.

"You will suffer for what you have done" Talon said, his voice carrying a harsh growl to it.

The three looked on, feeling powerless to do anything.

"Arda once told me about the darkness everyone carries with them" Kendra explained. "The emotion of hate is incredibly powerful and overwhelming but for the magful of the world it carries an even darker power. The more powerful someone's energy is the stronger their hate can make them but the more that hate can corrupt the individual. If a magful acts on this hate they risk losing themselves to it. I didn't believe this to be true until that night Galof tried to kill me. A part of him died that night when he acted with his hate to claim a life- I survived but the intent of killing me was still there when he struck his final blow thereby solidifying the act of hate. This is how someone as esteemed as ArcAngel Lucifer had become one of the most evil beings to ever exist. The crimson glow of hatred- if a life is taken while under the control of one's hate a part of themselves will be lost forever."

Serenity looked on to see her brother inflicting so much pain on Syvix, who couldn't even move anymore, with a massive level of brutality. "So if he kills Syvix-"

"Your brother will no longer be the same man."

Talon once again tossed Syvix's body to the ground. Syvix struggled to get up, his wounds healing at a much slower pace. Talon transformed into his dragon form and picked Syvix from off the ground bringing him up to his head.

"Any last words" Talon said, his voice carried a snarl to it. After a moment of silence from Syvix Talon opened his mouth and raised Syvix towards his dripping fangs.

"TALON STOP!"

Talon fell to the ground, Syvix landing next to him. He turned to see Jade and Arda watching with the others. Tears falling from Jade's eyes as she looked on. Talon's amber eyes looked away, feeling immense shame over what just happened.

Syvix stood up, his wounds healing faster now, he pulled out a knife and ran towards Talon, ready to finish the job.

Everyone looked on in shock as the blood poured from the wound inflicted by Syvix. Syvix and Talon shared a look of undeniable shock as Arda bled out smiling at Talon.

"She needs you" Arda said to Talon as the life faded from her eyes.