Wings and Heartbeats (Manorian Fanfiction and crossover between ACOTAR and TOG)

Part 37

Rhysand knew Mantyx was too busy trying to trap them to guard his own mind, relying on his brute power alone to protect his head. Arrogant thing, Rhys thought as put up a mental shield-the strongest-and sent tendrils of dark magic spearing for Mantyx's barrier.

It was a strong barrier, but not a complicated one. It was built of darkness and darkness alone, it wasn't complex or unique like most Faes' were, getting past it would be difficult.

For a typical daemati.

But Rhys was a powerful one, and he was the most powerful High Lord in all of Prythian.

He burst the barrier like a fish would swim through water.

The Fire Queen knew nothing of what he could do beyond dark magic, let this serve as an experiment to truly see how powerful he is. He'll go down swinging, for Prythian, for his court of dreams, for his mate and son.

The King's mind was dark and airless, tight yet so open, all barriers were down yet it seemed that the secrets were misted and weaved into the darkness itself as if all of Mantyx's thoughts were of dark and twisted things.

Leaving a bit of his magic to shield his body at the attacks that Mantyx was flinging at them, he reached into the liquid black and started tugging. Pulling randomly, not caring, everything was shielded anyway, but there had to be something as Rhys browsed through memories of warfare, bedding women, and evil victories.

He saw it then, saw it the moment Mantyx locked up, eyes widening, his battle with the Queen of Terrasen halting.

-

Mantyx was silent as Orcus went on a rampage, usually, he was the one to talk but this was not any usual situation.

Erawan was dead.

His dear brother was dead, memories of running and screaming around like kids in Orcus's office all gone, memories of conquering and saving the others' asses in battles.

All wiped clean.

Such an icy silence filled him that he was sure he could freeze the entire world and many more. A ringing had begun in his ear, he didn't notice when Orcus stormed out of the room, probably going to make a massacre of the nearby towns.

He was going to kill that bitch and every single face that shall march under her name.

-

Mantyx hissed as he was violently shoved to the ground with a knee to the chest from Aelin, flame wreathing her blades and arms, as she stabbed him straight in the chest.

The Valg King exploded.

Darkness and shadows streaming out like a mist, shrouding the queen and the dark king. Rhysand walked straight into it, the air burning against his skin, his immortality and magic healing it quickly.

He looked at the king, on the ground, smiling widely as Aelin repeatedly stabbed him, eventually switching to her fist to pummel Mantyx, no restraint came her way. Rhysand knew she was delaying the king's death-so she could enjoy it.

He lifted his eyes to the Valg King's burning molten gold ones, the air going taut between them.

Mantyx's smile fell as he realized just a second too late what Rhys was going to do as he smiled lazily.

Rhysand shattered the Valg King's mind.

Mantyx went limp and didn't take another breath as they were once more Under the Mountain.