Chapter 5

Ky finally managed to stumble his way into the room where Taegan and the deity were. The two of them were conversing.

Ky was breathing heavily but he did his best to control his breathing so he wouldn't be heard. He slowly analyzed the room to get a bearing of the surroundings. It didn't take long for him to spot Elec's body and the spear lying next to him.

As he continued looking around, he saw the cubed shaped artifact on the ground still rattling. Ky sighed as he realized that had to be what Vesryn was sealed in.

Before he made his way over, he glanced over to where Taegan was who was already looking in his direction. Ky cursed in frustration because he was unsure if he had any more strength to fight.

He already used the spell mana blaze which severely damaged his mana veins so the flow of mana through his body would without a doubt be limited.

"You're still alive after all that damage you did to yourself? I must applaud you but there's nothing you can do at this point." Taegan said as he started to slowly walk over to Ky.

"I only came to ask if you'd spare the others." Ky said as Taegan stopped as he looked shocked. Slowly, an intrigued look on his face caused Ky to become uneasy.

"Won't the princess be heartbroken if I kill you?" Taegan questioned as he raised the sword up and pointed it at Ky. The sword was a long-jagged weapon that was made from the bones of a dragon and the blood of the death goddess herself.

"I'm nothing more than a peasant...my life is insignificant. Ky said as he looked at the sword nervously. Taegan seemed slightly surprised by Ky's statement. The deity slowly floated over to where Ky stood as her cloud of blackness followed her.

"Such an intriguing soul." She said as she began to look at him admiring what she saw. Ky looked at her nervously as he hugged himself while shying away from her. She was slightly offended by this and backed away from him.

"Enough with that damned peeking into our souls." Taegan demanded in an annoyed tone causing the deity to glare at him. He ignored her gaze as he looked at Ky. "Do you know why Vesryn was so desperate to get you away from Saria?" Taegan questioned, causing Ky to return his attention back to him.

He was surprised by his question and uncertain of how to respond.

"You mean...it was Vesryn that put in the request to kill me?" Ky questioned and Taegan nodded slowly. Ky glanced over at the artifact on the ground and began to wonder if he should even let Vesryn out.

"Well, it wasn't the princess you fool! I always saw him as this perfect Astren that everyone loved and got whatever he wanted. The fact you have something he can't have is amusing to me." Taegan said with a smile on his face.

Ky began coughing as he fell to his knees. He began to wheeze and winced in pain.

"I don't have anything." Ky said sadly as he continued to struggle breathing. He knew he had no chance of stopping Taegan at this point since his body was failing him.

"You're clearly a fool which is pitiful...anyway, killing the princess would be inconvenient for me." Taegan said as he began to walk past Ky. Ky leaned his body against the wall as he watched Taegan leave with the sword.

He didn't believe Taegan's words so he was waiting for him to get a little further away so he could get to the artifact.

"Your soul is damaged but far from tainted. Though it's not very pure either." The deity said as she remained close to Ky examining him with her strange eyes.

"You're Thana, the goddess my people worship, aren't you?" Ky asked, sounding nervous causing the goddess to be taken aback by his question. She tilted her head slowly as she moved around him as if she was examining him in order to know the right way to respond to his simple question.

"I'm amazed you could deduct that so easily." She said as she looked to be considering something. Ky sat silently looking at her pondering on what to say. He was also trying to hide the trembling of his hands by having his arms folded.

"Well, I'm good at guessing things, sometimes." Ky said casually as the goddess became even more amused. She suddenly got close to Ky and touched his face with her cold fingers. Her touch sent chills down his spine as she looked deep into his eyes.

"I don't foresee your death yet, young man. I also have no reason to end your life abruptly." She said as she moved away from him. Ky nodded as he struggled to get up once more. He slowly began stumbling over to the artifact that continues to rattle in the ground.

"Why do the gods ignore the people that believe in them?" Ky questioned as he picked up the cubed artifact. He turned to see Thana floating in the air appearing surprised by the sudden question.

"Being that winged beastkin roam about in your world, prayers are always heard so not a soul goes unheard." Thana said as Ky looked at her with a look of dissatisfaction. Winged beastkin were messengers for the gods.

"It's been three years since this demonic invasion began, yet no god has done a thing." Ky said casually as he stood over the artifact Vesryn was trapped inside of. He glanced over his shoulder to see Thana with a look of dissatisfaction on her face.

"You know he wanted to kill you, so I'm fairly certain he'll try again if you let him loose." Thana said abruptly changing the subject. Ky grunted as he looked away from her and picked up the artifact.

He took a deep breath before twisting the cube causing runes to appear and begin to glow. He dropped it as a form of energy began to surge from it. The cube expanded in size and then opened.

Vesryn emerged with a frustrated look on his face. He was furious as he looked around the room, but his gaze finally rested upon the sight of Ky.

"You were a fool to let me out." Vesryn said as he stepped closer to Ky. Vesryn towered over Ky by four inches. Ky was around six foot while Vesryn was six foot four. Vesryn grabbed Ky by the collar of his armored vest and pulled him close.

"Taegan has the sword and he may go after Saria. She's heading for the ship with Solara and her friend. It's possible Taegan might pursue them." Ky said as Vesryn looked down to see Saria's necklace around Ky's neck.

Vesryn looked away as he loosened his grip on Ky's collar. He pushed Ky aside causing him to fall to the ground. Ky winced in pain as he reached for his leg.

"I'll let you live… for now." Vesryn said as he looked down at Ky with a look of disgust. Ky said nothing as he sat silently waiting for Vesryn to change his mind.

Vesryn then realized it was nightfall which meant if demons got to their land, then they could be lurking outside. He cursed in frustration as he waved his hand causing a portal to form. His foot grazed the artifact causing him to look down.

Angrily, he picked it up and shoved it in his bag that was strapped to his belt. He looked over at Ky for a brief moment before he stepped through the portal. Ky watched as the portal closed before falling over. He began to breathe heavily again as

Thana came over to him.

Her icy cold fingers gently touched Ky's neck causing him to shiver. She let out a sigh as a black cloud began to surround Ky. He was slightly confused as to what she was doing.

"Are you about to take me to the afterlife?" Ky questioned as she looked down at him as they began to be engulfed by the black cloud.

"I told you that I don't see your death, yet." Thana said as her face became obscured but the black cloud. Ky was confused as he tried to reach for her before being swallowed up by the black cloud himself.

*

Saria is alone in the control room of the ship. She's sitting at the main computer checking for any problems the ship may be experiencing.

She began to bite her lip when she notices that the mana core that powers the ship is running low. With this in mind she estimates that the ship would be able to fly for a few hours before having to land to restore the core.

Unfortunately, they wouldn't make it to Astria so she adjusted the ship's destination to a city that wasn't far from where they were at the moment.

She pulled off the bow that kept her hair up causing her curly hair to spring everywhere. Her hair fell to the nap of her neck and covered most of her face. She sighed as she pushed her hair to the side so she could see clearly.

The main door to the control room opened and Solara entered. She was wiping her hands on a rag appearing frustrated.

"I took care of Ava's wounds but she'll definitely need to see a healer." Solara said as she sat down in a chair a few feet away from Saria. "By the way...sorry about leaving Ky." Solara said in a slightly sincere tone. Saria looked over at Solara briefly before looking away.

"Now I have to live with leaving him to be killed by your comrade. Not only that but I'm sure he did believe I wanted him killed." Saria said slowly as she continued examining the ship's diagnostics.

Solara is sighing with a guilty look on her face. She slowly stood to her feet as she took a moment to think of what to say.

"It wasn't anything personal...Vesryn told us he'd pay us extra if we killed Ky or caused an accident. If anyone held something personal towards Ky it was Vesryn. Also, I don't think Ky would ever believe you would be a part of that." Solara said as Saria remained silent. As the silence between them began to grow a portal opened in the middle of the control room.

They both looked surprised and worried. Vesryn emerged from the portal, and he was clearly frustrated. Vesryn lunged at Solara who stumbled back frightened.

Saria appeared in front of Vesryn with a knife causing him to stop in his tracks. He gently reached up to touch his neck as he stared at her with unwavering eyes. He felt blood and if it was anyone else, he'd have killed them already.

"Get...out, right now!" Saria demanded as Vesryn still didn't move from where he stood. Saria's calm demeanor was beginning to fade for she no longer could hold her composure. Vesryn stepped back appalled by her change, but he expected it.

"Saria, I know you're upset about what happened, but he got himself killed." Vesryn said in an emotionless tone that caused Saria to yell as she swung her knife at Vesryn. He stepped back but she cut the side of his face. He was surprised to feel the blood trickling down his cheek.

"When did you plan this with them?" Saria asked as she pointed a finger at Solara. Solara had moved away from the two out of fear of Vesryn.

"Before we left Astria." Solara chimed in, causing Saria to glance at her before returning her attention to Vesryn. He was glaring wickedly at Solara who stood against the wall trembling in fear.

"It was foolish of you to even allow him to accompany us, Saria." Vesryn said as Saria just looked at him with eyes that lacked any emotion. At this point she felt nothing for Vesryn and no longer recognized him. She didn't see her childhood friend but merely a stranger."

"All these years I never knew you could be so horrible." Saria trailed off leaving Vesryn to be at a loss for words. He took in a deep breath as he raised his hand slowly.

"Vesryn is a man that gets everything he wants...except you, Saria." Solara said silently but Saria managed to hear her comment. Vesryn was looking at Solara with menacing eyes. He stared at her with a gaze that made it clear he could kill her in an instant if she so pleased.

Vesryn was from a long line of powerful warriors who always stood out amongst their peers. The Shaynore family were in a class of their own and if they so pleased could possibly take the crown from the current royal family.

"Vesryn, please leave. I don't want to see you and I don't want to talk to you." Saria said as Vesryn's gaze softened as his attention returned to her. He tried to step closer to her but she stepped back, and magic circles appeared floating beside her. Vesryn scoffed as he shook his head in annoyance.

"Prepping a nullification spell, really princess?" Vesryn questioned as Saria looked at him with a serious look on his face.

"Don't call me princess and this is a precaution in case you think to attack Solara." Saria said as Vesryn glanced over at Solara before turning away. He raised his hand as a faint wisp of lavender energy began to form.

A second went by before a portal began to form in front of him. He glanced over his shoulder one last time. His eyes wandered over to the control system noticing the coordinates Saria set for the ship. He scoffed as he finally turned away and entered the portal.

Once he left the portal closed leaving Solara and Saria alone once again. They both let out a sigh of relief as they glanced at each other.

"Thanks for standing up for me despite what I did to Ky." Solara said with a guilty look on her face causing Saria to glare at her silently. Saria turned away and headed back to seat near the main controls.

She sat down slowly as she struggled to keep her composure. At the moment Saria was greatly confused and her emotions were everywhere.

*

In the med bay Ava was in bed laying down staring at the ceiling. She was stricken with guilt for what she had been a part of as well as upset that she was betrayed by her best friend.

She was close to Taegan and looked at him as her older brother. The fact he stabbed her like it was nothing broke her heart. Ava struggled to sit up as the door to the room slid open.

Solara entered the room appearing stressed out about something. "I didn't think the princess would be so fond of a peasant." Solara said as Ava bit her lip as she thought about the statement Solara had just made.

"You think she'll punish us?" Ava asked, sounding slightly scared. Solara scoffed as she walked over to Ava.

"Saria isn't as cruel as her sister, Syndra." Solara said half chuckling as Ava scoffed at her remark. She shook her head as she looked out the round window at the dark sky.

Ava knew a storm was coming for their lives if Taegan was truly taking the sword to demons. "If you'd like you could come with me to Asgard. I have an extra room in my home if you'd like." Solara said as she sat down on the bed as Ava looked at her surprised.

"That would be nice, but I can't take you up on that offer. Taegan and I come from the same village, so I have to stop him before he does something foolish." Ava said in a determined tone of voice. Solara was taken aback by this statement as she waved her hand.

"He has the reaping sword...a sword that can literally reap your soul. If he stabbed you before, he won't hesitate to do it again." Solara said softly as Ava remained silent struggling to find a response.

"Well, I can't just tell the queen that we literally infringed on the quest. She'll have our heads, so someone has to fix this mess." Ava said as she laid back down and turned away from Solara. Solara looked at Ava for a moment before she got up and left the room. At this point it became very clear to everyone that the land of Vanaheim was in trouble.