Kinlanture Vol II: The Mixed Law (Completed)

Chapter 26: Sacrifice

       Aden struggled to break free, but the blade in his leg was tight against the ground. He could not pull it out and when he tried a huge rush of pain shot through his entire body. He sat himself up slightly. He could see the others making their way up the side of this large mountain. He needed to hold on a bit longer. He needed to try to keep Vartan busy long enough to allow the others to be close by when he inevitably tried to take over his body.

     He was a sitting duck. There was no reason for Vartan to hold off any longer. Claire's memory was almost completely gone and that was what he was waiting for. This was not looking good for them.

    Vartan leaned over the edge of the mountain. He saw the group foolishly trying to make their way up to him. He could not help but smile as he watched them trying oh so hard to reach him. Even if they did, it was not like they could defeat him. They barely defeated his shadows.

    Vartan placed his left hand on the ground. If they wanted to try to climb up, he might as well make it interesting for them. His eyes lit up bright green as power surged out of the palm of his hand and down through the mountain. Large spikes began randomly shooting out of the side of the mountain, forcing the group to try to evade them as they climbed.

    Wren was hit. He was not braced for impact. The spike shoved him off, landing hard against the ground below him. His back hit and all of his breath escaped him as he coughed to try to regain his air.

    Aster's arms were cut up from barely avoiding the spikes as they shot out. Without their magic there was no way to stop this besides stopping Vartan. They needed to reach him first.

    Aden saw his sword on his right hand side. When he fell he lost his grip on it. He reached over to try to grab the handle while Vartan was distracted, smiling as he looked down at the destruction he was causing. He stretched his fingers out as far as he could. The blade in his leg pulled against his skin, cutting and cutting the more he tried to stretch. If he could just reach his sword.

    As Aden was reaching, his eyes focused on his sword, he watched as Vartan's foot stomped into his wrist. Aden let out a cry of pain. Vartan bent down, picking up Aden's sword and twirling it in his hand.

    Vartan twisted his foot, driving Aden's wrist harder into the ground before stepping off of him. Aden laid on his back, his eyes wide as he looked up at the sky. His leg was throbbing. His wrist was shooting pain up into his elbow and then his shoulders.

    "No matter what I do, you just seem to continue to try. Maybe that strong will is what made father love you so much" Vartan said, holding the sword up to look at the blade.

    Vartan ran his fingers alone the blade. Sharp. Slightly beaten from battle but otherwise maintained well.

    Vartan held the handle firmly. The blade was pointed towards the sky. Aden was too weak to even try to attack. He was done. There was nothing else he could do to try to hold Vartan off. He had no idea how close the others were. It was not looking like he was going to be getting help anytime soon.

    "Oh no" Selina said, looking up at Vartan. From the ground she could see him holding up the sword. He was looking down at the ground. Selina could see Aden on the ground, but just barely.

    No one was even close to getting to him. The spikes shooting out of the mountain side had made things exceptionally difficult. Claire was trying to cushion the falls with flowers she used her magic to create. The spikes were basically unavoidable.

    Selina reached her hand forward. Bright white glitters appeared, a bow materializing into her hand. She drew back on the bow, an arrow appearing as she did so. She aimed at Vartan's hand. Maybe she could know the sword out of it. She needed to at least try.