In a calm but deadly voice he continued, “If you don't give me what I want, the line of Alexandria ends here. The creatures of the Wastelands will be free to wreak havoc on Northern Shala. That will be your legacy, princess. That will be what people remember. But before that happens, your people will die, your father will die, and I will turn this entire city into a barren wasteland. I will force you to watch, and then I will kill you.”
Krystal's violet eyes were full of fire and anger. If looks could kill, Premier would have dropped dead. I prayed she didn't do anything that would anger him further.
She did. She spat in his face. Premier calmly wiped his face before backhanding her. Krystal fell to the ground. She stood up again, blood trickling from her nose. I focused, suppressing my rage and my fire.
“That's unbecoming of you, Your Highness,” Premier said.
I had to figure out how I could attack Premier without hurting Krystal. I thought of a quick and easy spell, one I wouldn't need too much mana to perform. Then we could escape, or she could, while I faced Premier alone.
I waited until Premier's back was turned, then darted out of my hiding place, sprinting as fast as my long legs would carry me. The distance wasn't far, but it seemed to take forever. I gathered in wind mana, preparing to unleash it on Premier.
Without looking at me, Premier reached out and grabbed Krystal by the neck. “Tell me, boy, have you ever forced the manas upon someone? I have. It’s fascinating. Though it appears to be a very painful way to die.”
I froze in my tracks.
“They say it shreds the soul, while destroying the body. It doesn't work on those like you and me, but the princess can't perform magic, can she?” Premier squeezed her throat even tighter. I felt him gathering mana.
“Stop,” I said. “Leave her alone.”
Premier squeezed once more, then dropped Krystal. She fell, gasping for air. The magic Premier had summoned vanished.
He turned to face me and said, “You're beginning to become an annoyance, boy. First the elves, then the dwarf, and now this.” Premier closed his eyes and put his fingertips to his temple. He opened them again. “What I don't understand is why.”
I met his dark gaze. “It's the right thing to do.”
Premier studied me, his expression incredulous. “You're serious?” Premier chuckled, then gave a full-blown laugh. “Such heroic nonsense.”
I watched the princess struggle to rise. Premier's gazed followed mine. He kicked her hands out from under her. I took a step forward and narrowed my eyes at him.
“Ah, that's why you're doing this,” Premier said. “Not because of some silly moral code. Because of her.” Premier gave the princess and me an evil smile. “You may yet be of use to me, boy.”
“It ends here,” I said, finding my words surprisingly steady. And if I failed, there would always be Master Stradus.
“Boy, I have centuries on you. You couldn't comprehend the things I've learned and the sort of power I have.” He focused on Krystal. “One last chance, Princess. Give me what I want or he dies.”
Krystal’s eyes met mine. Hard and full of fury against Premier, they softened when she looked at me. Sadness and guilt lurked in them. She shook her head, strands of her sun-streaked hair flying.
She said quietly, “I can’t. Forgive me, Hellsfire.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” I said.
“Ah, youth,” Premier said. “How sweet.”
Without warning, Premier summoned a torrent of black mana, casting it with lightning speed.
The last thing I saw was Krystal, still on the ground, shouting, “Hellsfire!”
Then the darkness engulfed me. Premier and Krystal disappeared, and there was nothing but the pure blackness. I had used black mana before, but never felt its touch like this. It was as icy and cold as death. I collapsed under its oppressive weight.
I tried to summon white mana to counteract it, but I couldn't grasp it. It flickered and sparked but wouldn't come. I sank lower to the floor, gasping for air. The magic was crushing me. I reached out, trying to break free. I couldn't do it without the proper magic. I was enclosed by invisible darkness, pressing against me until it suffocated me.
The darkness lifted. The princess had thrown herself at Premier, breaking his concentration. Premier snapped his fingers, summoning a wind that pushed her away. She flew into the wall, her head hitting the stone hard. She collapsed on the floor.
“Krystal!”
I tried to get up. Premier's attention re-focused on me. The black mana hit me like the touch of a feather, but with the force of an avalanche, sending me back into the darkness.
I couldn't get the princess out of my mind. That head wound might have killed her. I pushed aside my fears, letting the darkness and my rage fuel my magic.