Relinquish(11)

I struggle to refocus, but I can feel a quivering beginning in my arms. Facing off with Vikesh is sapping my energy too quickly. I won’t be able to hold this much longer.

Vikesh’s mounting fear is nearly palpable as whirlwinds of dust rise in attempt to distract me. I swipe them away easily as I take another step. A mere dirt trick won’t be enough to sway me as a new idea forms in my mind.

I focus the main part of power on my struggle against Vikesh but streamline the remainder back up into the clouds. A single, spear-like bolt of pink lightning lances toward his heart. His eyes widen with horror a second before the electricity strikes. He dematerializes with a horrific scream.

Flaming particles drift on the air as his shriek rises to ear-splitting heights.

“Get down!” Someone slams me from behind as the released lightning bolt careens into the bunker. Sparks explode in a shower of color. The explosion is deafening, echoing deep into the forest.

Molten debris rains down from above. A distressed cry in my ear sends me into action and I close my eyes, shoving the person laid across my back out of harm’s way as the chunks of heated metal rain down upon me. I cry out as it connects, melting the fibers of my jacket to my skin. The scent of burnt flesh makes my stomach lurch as I weakly throw up my arm, creating a partial protection.

White-hot metal glows on the ground around me, but I barely give it any notice as my shield sputters and dies. One shriek rips from my lips as something lances through my side. Darkness encroaches on my vision as my arms and legs give out, spilling me to the ground. I’m only vaguely aware of someone screaming as my eyes flutter closed and I am trapped within my pain.

Everything hurts.

“Illyria!” I blink, struggling to focus on the man kneeling beside me, cradling my head in his hands.

“Carleon?”

“Oh, god.” His voice trembles as he lifts his hand. I can see in the flickering of firelight that it is slick with blood. Fresh blood. My blood.

I grind my teeth as he attempts to roll me over. “Don’t!”

Nausea washes over me when something large shifts in my abdomen. “Don’t look, okay?” he whispers as he wipes his hands against the breast of his uniform.

I try to nod but clench my eyes shut as bile rises swiftly into my throat, tainting my mouth with its acidic taste. I stare up at the stars, amazed at how beautiful the cloudless sky is. I blink, fighting to remain conscious as I wonder what happened to all of the clouds.

“Is he gone?” I croak, coughing up blood. It bubbles from my lips, coating my tongue. I gag, trying to swallow it back down.

“I think so.” Carleon darts a cautious glance around the charred courtyard. There is little left that hasn’t been singed. “I don’t see him.”

“Eamon?”

“Kyan is taking care of him. A broken leg and a nasty bump on his head, but it could have been a lot worse.”

I dig my nails into the dirt, fighting to still the wild spinning of my head. “Then you’re going to have to do it.”

“What? Oh no, no way!” Carleon looks between me and the two-foot metal spike protruding up from my stomach. His face takes on a decidedly green tint. “I do minor healings, like headaches and ingrown toenails. You know I’m not good at big repairs.”

I close my eyes and fight to breathe around the pain. “You have to. I’m too weak to heal myself and Kyan is busy. Besides…” I lift up and a hiss of pain passes my lips as the metal slices deeper into my flesh. “You owe me.”

“How do you figure that?” I can see his pupils are dilated with fear as he leans over me, brushing hair out of my eyes.

“You didn’t run.” I blink rapidly to clear my vision. It does little to help.

“You knew I wouldn’t.”

I start to speak, but a scream bursts from my throat as the spike shifts enough to cut deeper into my flesh. The pain is overwhelming.

“Please, Carleon,” I beg as I grip my friend’s arm. “There’s no time.”

Carleon’s hand shakes visibly as he moves to grasp the metal. He winces at the heat radiating off of it but doesn’t let go.

“You can do this,” I whisper as my eyes flutter closed. I can feel the pool of blood growing around me as it seeps beneath my fingers, moistening the earth.

“I should get Kyan,” he says, almost as an afterthought.

“No need,” a new voice calls, emerging from the shadows. “I’ll help her.”

My vision is dim as I struggle to see the approaching figure. I know by his voice that he is a man. It sounds strangely familiar, but I struggle to place it.

He drops down beside me and I flinch as he takes my hand in his. Startling sapphire eyes stare down at me with such intensity that my breath catches. “Bastien?”