Converging Destinies: Part 1

Chapter 129

       From behind the Atheiran clerics, Eris leapt forward. With one quick movement of their dagger, a massive gash had been carved into one of the cleric's throats. The cleric fell to the floor with a thud, and the other cleric leapt back with wide eyes.

       Almost none of the church guardians were still standing, several had been cut down as they attempted to retreat.

       "Cedric! Zerai! We need a way out!" Ara' Sei shouted as she placed her hands on Roya. With a glow of pale light, Roya's eyes flashed open and they leapt to their feet. Several of their burns had been healed over, and they looked around frantically.

       "Oh no." They whispered.

       "You're going to be okay! It's going to be okay!" Ara' Sei shouted. Zerai placed his hands on himself and Ella. Spectral wings sprouted from their backs and they took to the air.

       Cedric's form flashed with emerald light and he transformed into a massive eagle. In his new form, he flew towards Ara' Sei and Roya.

       "Take them!" Ara' Sei shouted, shoving Roya forward. Cedric scooped Roya in his talons before swooping upwards. Ara' Sei looked around and watched as the other church guards were either disarmed, killed, or knocked unconscious.

       Upon seeing what was happening, Eris ran with supernatural speed through the cathedral doors. As Cedric, Ella, Roya, and Zerai emerged from the broken cathedral windows, Eris followed them through the sky on foot.

       Ara' Sei felt blades and daggers puncture her. Hands yanked her hair and fists and weapons pummeled her. Against the cacophony she heard a shout from a familiar voice.

       "Hold! She is more useful alive!" It was Aaron's voice. The whole world spun, and white noise permeated everything. Then, there was nothingness and black.

       Outside the cathedral, the group frantically ran away from the town. Nowhere in Oarshear was safe from Aaron any longer. In the meadow a few miles away, the group stopped and took a moment to breath.

       "Ara' Sei, what happened?" Zerai asked frantically.

       "She said to pick up Roya. I don't know if she got out or if they killed her or if she's a prisoner." Cedric sobbed. Zerai clenched his fist.

       "I wasn't close enough to her for her to fly. You can only carry one person in that form, and Roya has armor. There's... nothing we could have done." Zerai said. Ella walked up behind him and clutched him close.

       "It doesn't matter what we could have done, whatever happened she's gone. How are we going to get her back!?" Ella asked.

       "And if she's dead?!" Zerai asked through tears.

       "If we can get her quickly and she's dead, there is magic in this world that can bring her back. I'm just not sure who would have it." Roya said.

       "I don't think she's dead!" Ella shouted.

       "And how do you know that?!" Zerai asked.

       "I just do!" Ella shouted.

       "I think she's alive. Aaron had every reason to kill me, but he didn't. Even though I have almost killed him in the past, he didn't." Eris pointed out.

       "That's true." Zerai replied, breathing as deeply as he possibly could.

       "Back to what I said before, what do we do now?" Ella asked.

       "I'm not sure yet, we need a moment to think about it." Zerai replied.