Chapter 4

Vesryn was with the other two Astren and the drake. The two Astren names were Taegen and Ava, while the drake's name was Elec. They followed Vesryn in silence down a long corridor.

There were multiple passageways on both sides of them. Ava had a curious look on her face as she started to speak. She paused as she looked at Vesryn who was walking ahead of her.

She felt this unsettling aura coming from him. Since he came to them making the deal to kill Ky she had been suspicious of him.

Why would he want to kill someone close to the princess? Had this been something he'd been planning for a while. She wanted to ask but was worried he'd respond in a lethal way. Taegan nudged Ava causing her to look at him slightly startled.

"I know what we did was messed up but we're going to get a big reward." He whispered in a reassuring manner. Ava nodded as she continued to keep eyes on Vesryn.

After walking down, the corridor for close to an hour they finally arrived at a large, massive room filled with holy symbols. There were two statues of cloaked figures wielding scythes. In the middle of the room the Reaper sword floated surrounded by a black smoke.

The atmosphere in the room began to change as a black cloud appeared before them. Feathers began to fall about the room as a female figure emerged from the cloud dressed in black.

She had long wavy black hair that gently hung over a gloomy face. She had gray skin and deep ghostly green eyes. She glared at the group before her with a displeased look on her face.

"It eludes me why people still pursue this wretched thing." She said as she glanced over at the sword then back at Vesryn and the group. He had a serious look on his face as he tightened his grip on his spear.

"You're a deity I assume...do we have to fight you to get the sword?" Vesryn questioned with a confident tone of voice. The deity glared at him as she levitated toward him. She came close to his face as he stood unmoved while the others slowly backed away.

"If that was the case then you'd be dead within a second." The woman said as Vesryn stood silently glaring at her with a wicked glare. The deity floated around him, seeming to become aware of something. "Anyway, let me warn you that a tainted soul like yours will be corrupted by this sword if you try to wield it." She said, appearing saddened as she sighs and turns away.

"Tainted soul? What are you talking about?" Vesryn asked as she glanced over her shoulder with a look that caused Vesryn to freeze in place. He was surprised when he saw hands made from the black clouds.

"Don't approach me with such animosity." She said as Vesryn sighed with frustration. He took a deep breath before speaking again.

"What do you mean a tainted soul like mine?" Vesryn asked in a much calmer tone of voice. The deity floated over to the sword. She's examining it as she hovers around it.

"You have strayed from the light your heart once had...whatever reason it is, you allowed your soul to become clouded." The deity said as Vesryn stood silently with a confused look on his face.

"So, if I'm the one who wields that sword it will corrupt me?" Vesryn questioned as she looked at him with a serious look on her face.

"It will do more than corrupt you...it will be your undoing." She said, causing Vesryn to still be silent. "Tell me why you seek the power of this sword." The deity said as she approached Vesryn once again.

"For the queen. She wants to have it in the army's possession in order to combat the large demonic threat." Vesryn spoke as the deity yawned as if she was tired or bored of something.

Vesryn looked surprised and once again becomes agitated. Taegan steps forward to speak.

"If I may speak...why haven't the gods come to help us? The number of demons in our world is worse than ever." Taegan said as the deity has an apologetic look on her face.

"As far as I'm aware the divine council gods are undecided since it was people in your world whom created a gate for the demons to enter your world....''The deity trailed off as she paused for a moment. Her eyes began to glow vibrantly as a single tear was crawling down her cheek. "Hmm... it seems death is near..." She said as she stared off into space. She had lost gaze in her eyes as Vesryn and the others looked at her in silence.

"I suppose Ky is getting closer to death..." Vesryn said with a spiteful tone in his voice. The Deity appeared in front of him with an ominous look in her gaze. He looked at her slightly surprised.

"Now it's clear to me why your soul has become over casted." She said in a tone that made a chill go down Ava's spine as she stood in silence listening to the deity's conversation with Vesryn.

Vesryn clinched his fist as he began to struggle with holding in his emotions. He didn't like the way the deity was speaking to him nor the fact he felt as if she was looking down on him.

"I don't know what you're trying to get at but that worthless peasant is merely a nuisance to everyone he meets." Vesryn said in an envious tone as he looked away from the deity that could foresee death.

The deity floated around with an amused look on her face.

"You show much contempt for this individual but unfortunately I haven't seen his death yet..." She said as she floated over to Taegan. He stood staring at her silently with a slightly confused look on his face. "Your soul is tainted as well...though I can't seem to feel a shred of light within you. Could you be so far gone?" She asked as a Taegan glanced over his shoulder to look at his comrades.

"The way you talk about our souls makes me feel like it's food for your kind..." Taegan trailed off as the deity looked at him intrigued.

"If it's tainted then it's not to your liking if it's pure then it's perfect for you, right?" He questioned as she remained silent as she continued to look at him with her amused expression.

"I'm looking at all of your souls... the soul that hasn't been stained the most should be the one to carry the sword." She said as she was looking at Ava who was standing near the entrance of the room. Ava looked surprised when she met the gaze of the deity.

Ava nervously began to step forward, but she was hesitant at every step as she continued to move toward the deity. The deity's eyes wandered elsewhere as Ava got closer. As Ava continued to approach her, she noticed a sad look forming on the being's face.

Taegan suddenly stepped in front of Ava. She looked up at him surprised to see the emotionless look on his face.

"Please forgive me." He said as Ava felt a sharp pain. She felt something pressing into her stomach causing her to look down to see a dagger sticking out of her. She slowly lifted her head to meet the gaze of Taegan.

He pulled the dagger out causing her to stumble backwards. Elec rushed over and grabbed her as he looked surprised. Before Elec could move, Taegan plunged the dagger into Elec's neck.

Elec's eyes widened as he fell back and quickly grabbed his neck to attempt to stop the bleeding. He was surprised a dagger could even break through his skin. He was a drake which were descendants of dragons.

"I'm sure you're surprised that this dagger could hurt you...it's made from the scales of an armored dragon. You didn't think I'd come unprepared for this, did you?" He questioned as he noticed motion out of the corner of his eye.

He stumbled back barely evading the tip of Vesryn's spear. Vesryn didn't truly care about the two that Taegan had just betrayed. He was more worried about himself for he was planning to betray them himself anyway.

Vesryn wasn't about to be taken out by someone he saw beneath him. Taegan continued moving backwards as he reached in his pouch that he had strapped to his belt. As Vesryn charged toward him

Taegan pulled out a cubed shaped object. Vesryn casted a spell creating a portal over Taegan's head.

Spears of energy came from the portal. Taegan struggled to evade all of them but was struck by one as he threw the cube near Vesryn's foot.

Vesryn looked surprised as chains erupted from it. Vesryn tried to escape in a portal, but the chains latched onto him. Vesryn grunted as he dropped his spear while still struggling to break free. Taegan was breathing heavily as he pulled the magic spear from his shoulder. He sighed as it slowly faded into nothingness.

"I knew you'd try to betray me, so I came prepared." Taegan said as he watched Vesryn continuing to struggle with the chains.

"Why are you betraying your comrades though?" Vesryn questioned as Taegan shook his head. He looked around the room to see the deity watching silently. He sighed as he returned his attention to Vesryn.

"The demon army have already reached our land...They attacked my home and have my family hostage so when I got this job to help you find the sword, I found the perfect way to save them. The sword for my family's safety. This was never personal it's just merely my family is more important. " Taegan said as Vesryn stopped struggling as he looked at Taegan with pure hatred.

"You're a fool if you think those demons will keep their word." Vesryn said as Taegan approached him. He picked up Vesryn's spear and began to examine it.

"You were a fool for trying to get your comrade killed for some woman. Regardless of whether he's a peasant I'm certain he saw you as a friend." Taegan said as a bolt of lightning flashed between him and Vesryn.

Taegan leaped back as Elec landed in front of him with a look of pure rage as he held his neck. Elec let out a bellowing roar that caused the room they were in to shake. Taegan was shocked as he tightened his grip on the Vesryn's spear.

"I should've known you wouldn't just go down quietly." Taegan said as he began to imbue the spear with magic energy. Elec charged at Taegan causing the ground beneath to break a part.

Taegan threw the spear with all his might as Elec reached out to grab him. Elec slashed at the air in front of Taegan as the spear tore through his chest. Taegan stood frozen as he watched his former comrade be knocked back from the momentum of the spear.

The force of his throw caused a large gust of wind to spread out across the room knocking debris everywhere. Elec laid on the ground wheezing heavily as Taegan approached him.

"Where is your honor?" Elec managed to choke out as he began to choke on his own blood. Taegan sighed as he looked down at Elec with an emotionless look on his face.

"I'll do what I must to protect my family." Taegan said as he stepped over Elec. The cube that he threw at Vesryn earlier could be seen moving about on the ground. "Struggle as you wish but I'll be long gone before you get out." Taegan said triumphantly as he finally turned his attention to the deity that was silently watching near the reaper sword.

"Aren't you going to stop me?" Taegan questioned as the deity sighed and gestured for him to take the sword.

"I'm not obligated to interfere if I don't feel like it. I should inform you though.... that young lady fled while you were fighting." The deity said pointing in the direction Ava was earlier.

Taegan glanced back to see a trail of blood leading out of the room. He grunted in frustration as he turned toward the sword. Hesitantly he began to reach for it as he began to feel this sensation.

*

Ava staggered into the room with the four paths. She saw her comrade Solara sitting beside Saria tending to Ky. Solara had her wounds wrapped up and she appeared annoyed.

She turned her head when she heard Ava stumbling over. Solara scrambled to her feet as she caught Ava who fell into her arms.

"Ava, what happened?" Solara questioned as she made a gesture with her hand to conjure up a small cloud of dust. It spread across Ava's stab wound which made the bleeding stop.

"Tae...gan betrayed everyone. He sealed Vesryn in a prison cube and killed..." Ava trailed off as Solara had fumes of heat faintly rising off her body. Ky glanced over as he could be heard wheezing.

"You need to get out of here and take Ava to see a healer." Ky said as winced in pain causing Saria to lay her hand on him gently. Solara glanced back at Ky with a confused look on her face.

"Shouldn't we be taking you as well?" Solara questioned as Ky tried to sit up but couldn't. He sighed as he laid back down. Saria was silent as she looked at Ky with a look of uncertainty in her eyes.

@Your fairy dust helped enough to allow me to live but I don't have the strength to move much right now. I'd only be hindering your escape so go." Ky said as he watched Solara picking Ava up.

"Glad you're willing to admit that. Saria let's get going." Solara said as she looked at Saria who was still sitting by Ky. She shook her head but stopped when Ky touched her hand.

"You need to go." Ky said as Saria looked conflicted. She was unsure of what to do and that was clear.

"I'm not going to leave you, not when you think I had something to do with this. Which is my fault since I asked you to come." Saria said with a tone of guilt and shame as Ky slightly grinned as he held up the necklace, she gave him earlier. Saria looked at it confused as he held it up.

"I'll hold onto this until we meet again...now go before the ship gets stolen." Ky said, holding her necklace while she stood unwavering.

"Damn it, Saria, leave him be and let's go. He's asking you to leave so respect the man's wishes!" Solara yelled as Saria sighed as she caressed Ky's cheek.

"Please, don't die and I have to make things up to you." Saria said as she got up while Ky began to watch her walk away.

He grunted in pain as he struggles to roll over. Ky knew he'd probably die anyway but he refused to have it end like this. Even though he didn't want to, he knew getting to Vesryn was the only way Saria would be able to make it to the ship safely.