22 I, His Sister Part Two: Despair

I leaned against the broken entrance to the system of caverns home to a plethora of monsters. Monsters that I was taught to fear at an early age, yet here I was standing among such creatures without any fear as they gathered around the pyres of their fallen. No, it wasn't fear that I felt watching the scene of torches being set ablaze and tossed one by one into the gathered wood with precious belongings in tow. It felt as if my own heart was throbbing in sorrow just as it did when I watched mother and father entombed in the family crypt alongside grandfather. A feeling that I forced myself to forget hoping that one day Einor would return home and take his rightful place.

A voice startled me as it asked, "You find it odd, don't you?"

Turning, I found the Primordial Goddess standing beside me as she watched the procession. "Don't try to hide it," she murmured while taking an unlit torch from a large hobgoblin, "it's hard to believe seeing such creatures known to cause disaster in their wake act in such a manner remarkably similar to humans."

I didn't say anything as I watched a red feathered harpy lad comfort a sobbing Aggale, somewhat humanoid monsters with broad armored bodies and long spiked tails, child like a mother would. "In a way," I tried to fraze my words right in a manner as to not offend the broken denizens, "it's hard to come to terms with such actions. Since we were children, mother and father warned us of the monsters that plagued Aquera. To fear their being as one would fear the unknown darkness lurking in the hearts of fellow humans. Yet, I do not feel fear when I should but sorrow for those grief stricken. Does that answer your question?"

The deity smiled as she bid me to follow her to place the torch. "It does child," the woman whispered, "Monsters are to be feared, but as you can see there are those of us who wish to have normal lives just as you humans do. To walk the streets buying fresh bread or looking at elegant clothing through shop windows without fear of being hunted."

I watched her light the torch with the one held by the lich who bowed before her. Stepping to the side, I fell into place beside the goddess as we made our way to a nearby pyre built in the center of the rest and laid the torch with the others. Her star shaped irises shimmered against the fluttering crimson of the blaze giving the woman an elegant glow about her. The mesh see through robe draped around her sparkled like the stars above in the surging tide of the night sky. She was the mere definition of beauty in all its forms and a guiding light to the monsters gathered here.

I was startled a little when she spoke once more while I gazed at her like a lost puppy trying to figure out how to escape my pen, "You have questions that you wish to ask."

Taking a moment to calm myself, I nodded my answer following the woman to three distant stones away from any disturbances. I sat beside her and watched the twinkling treasure above shimmer in their world, "I do have a few questions, Godd-"

"Vilra," she interrupted, "please feel free to call me Vilra or as your brother sometimes calls me, Spider."

I stifled a laugh at such a nickname that only my sibling would come up with especially for a primordial. "I don't mean to laugh," I chuckled, "it's just surprising you allow him to call you by such a name."

Vilra smiled showing the fanged teeth hidden underneath. Seeing such a sight made my skin crawl as if a cold wind had blown through the hills. I was frightened that she would take the opportunity to feast on my blood like the notorious death dealers I have heard about selling their 'gift' to those that sought immortality. Little do such fools know that the immortality they sought came at the cost of their free will. They would become thralls or lesser vampires that functioned solely to feed without content.

I steeled myself thinking that if she had intended to kill me she would only have to say the word. That thinking brought me to my first question that intrigued me the most. "Alright," I took a breath, "tell me, why does Einor or shall I say Jackal hold some authority here?"

Vilra didn't say anything as she gathered the words to answer my question properly in a way that I would understand. She answered with a faint smile, "None of the monsters you see were here long ago. Towards the end of our reign, I had claimed this Grotto as my final tomb to live out the centuries as I saw fit. Those that intruded in my domain were nothing but food to be feasted on. That was until a stubborn mortal dove into the darkness of my lair without fear of death."

Her eyes lit up to reminisce about the moment. I watched her chest rise and fall as her breath formed in the cold air, "Such stupid bravado intrigued me to the point that I didn't feed upon him. After months of toleration, it was him that changed my solitary mind to change my home into a place where monsters like myself could live in peace."

I followed her gaze to her denizens watching the pyres, "Most of the ones you see before you will tell you their stories about how a Tenebris Echuidae had offered them a second chance at finding a place that would accept them. That is why he has such authority over the denizens here."

I muttered out loud, "I can't help but sense a little admiration in your voice."

Vilra just gazed at me from the corner of her eye before looking up to the full moon casting light down on the pyres as if accepting the souls of the dead into the heavens above. "I do admire him," a small silk figure began to form in Vilra's palm, "though to be honest, I thought of him as a tasty treat waiting to sate my hunger. I despised him for invading my home without respect and found him to be stubborn, arrogant, and a nuisance. I had tried to kill him many times but still he continued to challenge me for some of my domain."

Walking towards us Akroq chimed in, "he is still all those three milady."

Vilra chuckled, nodding in agreement. "However," Akroq turned to me as the two blue orbs glimmered brightly, "he has proven to be a driven man willing to take on burden after burden upon his shoulders. I still have my doubts about him as does Shz'rak, but seeing what he did to stake his vow changed that a little."

I smiled at the bowing lich and watched her go about her business healing the surviving undead while Nyxis worked on healing the living. I was amazed at her capability to gain the trust of the fear stricken monsters who were wounded by the paladins of Lokdis. I saw the fear in their eyes when she would touch them examining their wounds to better understand what needed to be done. She had asked Akroq to assist her with the undead and to help gain some acceptance from her patients. I was mesmerized at watching the two treat each wound with such a speed only those skilled could muster.

[(Undead? Why not just resurrect those that perished instead of burning their corpses?)]

Vilra asked as if hearing my thoughts, "You're wondering why not resurrect the dead?"

I gave a hesitant nod hoping to not disrespect her. To my relief she seemed alright with such a thing when she willingly answered, "Akroq has brought that idea to Jackal once before when a hunting party was attacked by a group of adventurers. He disapproved of such an idea because he knew that only the body would be reborn, but not the soul. Unlike the undead you see and those that perished, those brought back would roam like mindless beasts without any resemblance to their past selves. They would be without free will to forge their own paths and be reduced to nothing but mindless slaves."

"He thinks it's best for them to be mourned," I smiled at such an idea, "than to become what he hates most, a slaver of lost souls."

Vilra nodded as she continued, "As for the fire, it ensures that no necromancer could revive them for undesirable actions and to prevent them from being turned against those they cherished. Fire as you may know is a common cleansing method that can touch the very soul."

[(It seems that he gained his birthright after all, becoming a king to a nation of monsters. If that is what he wishes, then I shall support his dream without hesitation and show no mercy to those driven to ruin such a dream.)]

I stood and bowed before Vilra as a sign of my gratitude for answering my questions. With my head bowed, "I must thank you for watching over him."

After speaking with Vilra, I made my way back to the pyres just as the lycan Duval pushed through the final bushes with Akroq's shade, a type of spectre, and several others in tow. Joy filled cries rang out as families were reunited after so much heartache. I watched such a scene unfold against the tree that marked the entrance to the Grotto only after saying a short prayer to the three that died in its limbs so that they may hopefully find peace in the afterlife. From the corner of my eye, I saw the larger of the scamps, Tus-Tus I believe, nod with approval of such respect as Zeke and Scarlett joined me. Our eyes moved for any signs of my brother amongst the new faces that joined their loved ones.

I inadvertently asked, "Do you see him anywhere?"

"No," Scarlett answered with her hand on my shoulder, "I'm sure he was held back for some reason or another. He probably went to check on something and won't be back til later. Let's just wait and see."

"She has a point," Zeke chimed in with a distant gaze leading to Nyxis who walked beside Akroq with a puzzled expression, "right now we need to tread carefully with them especially those captured. They probably don't understand why there are more humans, an elf, and a halfling among their ranks."

I nodded as I observed the way a red haired woman with a blood drenched mouth looked at Nyxis ready to pounce her. Sighing, I was the first to stand beside her as we made our way to the two Akroqs that became one once more and Duval hoping either of them could tell us where Einor disappeared. I felt eyes burn into my flesh that was filled with so much hate that my body tingled at the mere presence of so much bloodlust waiting to escape into the world. With each step, I felt the path behind us close off from escape like a trapped mouse waiting for death. Still, we continued forward until we stood in front of the lycan and vampire.

From the corner of my eye, I watched Nathaniel and Korin stand beside the others around the tree as they observed the situation. "Well, well, well," the vampire spoke in a cold tantalizing voice that stole everyone's breath, "looks like we have more intruders to kill. Tell me, which of you dies first?"

Rolling my eyes, I turned my attention to Duval as he downed a flagon of ale that a goblin had given him upon his return. "Duval," I looked the lycan in the eye, "where is he?"

Tossing the flagon to the side, the massive lycan stared into my eyes with a cold gaze analyzing my resolve. "Not many have the balls to look me in the eye," Duval chuckled as he placed a clawed finger under my chin, "you have some guts for a Tenebris Echuidae just like your brother."

I smiled at such a comment especially when it came from a monster known for its savagery and strength. Without turning my gaze, I grabbed hold of the finger and forced it away from my chin as the thought of breaking it crossed my mind. My patience was already wearing thin with the Lycan's game of superiority by each second I didn't hear what I wanted. To drive such a point into his thick head, I grabbed hold of his wrist and tossed him to the ground using his own strength against him. With his arm still wrapped in my grasp, I placed my boot on his chest as I stared down into his dazed eyes.

"As you can see," I released his limb and held a hand out to him, "I'm just as ill tempered as him. So tell me, where is he?"

[(Now I've gone and done it. Oh well, it is long overdue for me to act as the eldest sibling even if by a couple of minutes. I will not allow him to slip through my fingers again without putting up a fight.)]

I felt a blade pressed against my neck as the foul ivory smell of blood filled my nostrils. "I wonder how good your blood will taste," a wet tongue licked the side of my neck as the sound of nostrils flared, "wait, that scent."

"I am your king's sister!" I roared for all the newcomers to hear.

I felt the blade loosen a little as breath became easier to breathe once more. The thought of disarming the vampire and changing places rushed through my mind but I thought better to not make things worse. "She speaks truth," Vilra's voice sounded in the quiet night air causing all to turn toward her, "Kuval release her at once."

Doing as instructed, Kuval released me and backed away slowly allowing Duval to grasp my hand and pull himself to his feet. I saw relief in his eyes that was most unusual for a monster of his caliber as he patted my shoulder before standing in front of the onlookers alongside Akroq, the insectoid Shz'rak and the ghost Zara. Each gazed at their fellow monsters as if telling them to fall in line and ensuring that each gave their attention before them while Vilra made her way to stand by my side. Looking at the monsters, an image of bright eyed recruits hoping to forge a military career popped into my mind. None spoke allowing the gently whistling wind to be heard.

I watched as Vilra motioned for Zeke and the others to join us in front of the congregation. "To those that just arrived, I say welcome home once more," her voice flowed like a melody played on a violin, "we are glad you are all alive and somewhat well as we mourn our fallen brothers and sisters who sacrificed themselves in defense of our home!"

A pink haired pixie fluttered to the front and landed on Duval's shoulder, "Why are there humans among us when they were responsible for such deaths?!"

Roars of agreement rang out from the newcomers that looked about to act on their overflowing bloodlust and achieve vengeance for their fallen. At such roars, Zeke stepped forward without fear as he made his way to stand a breaths distance away from the rallying monsters. "Because we are human doesn't mean a damn thing," he answered the pixie, "especially those that you see before you. Before I get ahead of myself, allow me to introduce myself. I am Zeke Silverwind and I'm the leader of Twilight Sand along with my wife Scarlett and a scaly dragonian bastard by the name of Fang."

Scarlett joined her husband standing shoulder to shoulder with him in the face of now silent monsters. "We have close ties to your king forged in the smithy of battle," her voice reminded me of how a commander would sound, "Over several years, many have been the battles we shared and many more have filled tankards of ale been downed in celebration. Most of you saw for yourselves that our words hold some truth to which I say just like you, not all humans are the same."

The monsters didn't say anything as they looked among themselves hoping for someone to counter such a statement. Their minds reeled from what they just heard as signs of understanding and somewhat shame filled their eyes. None of them spoke as Nathaniel and Korin made their way to stand next to the ones responsible for such emotion. Upon seeing their savior, many children pushed their way through the mass as four paladins made their way from a nearby alcove to join their comrade. Each one saw the shocked hostile eyes that bore into them but didn't pay them any mind as they casted aside their medallions sending waves of confusion throughout the horde.

Joy filled the former paladin as he knelt down to be eye level with the children. "I was once of the order that killed most of your friends," a tear ran down his cheek as he patted a Streguar pup, "I casted aside their beliefs long ago after seeing so much unnecessary death. I also did it so that I could be with the woman standing beside me."

His gaze fell on the paladins standing before him, those of which I would later learn were caged alongside the newcomers for speaking against their commanders. "Seeing you all here now," Nathaniel stood to face his former comrades, and the removal of Lokdis's cross makes me assume you've all followed my footsteps."

I watched as the four paladins knelt before Nathaniel who had the starting of a surprised look on his face. A paladin woman with short blonde hair spoke with a tone filled with respect and gratitude, "We have and wish to repent for the atrocities that we had done in the past. That is if you'll have us, Grand Master."

Nathaniel looked about to faint at hearing such a title given to him so freely, even more so when the other three paladins nodded their agreement. I smiled as his eyes moved over each paladin hoping that this was some kind of jest until such eyes finally landed on me. I didn't know or understand why he turned his gaze solely toward me looking for the decision only he could make. Sighing, I thought about how Einor would answer and the future of the Grotto. On one hand, his kingdom would need aid from invasion, especially if the other Paladins of Lokdis hear about a kingdom of monsters while one the other hand such things could result in destruction.

"I believe," Vilra spoke up as she made her way to stand before the former paladins who bowed their heads in respect for the goddess, "that in order for trust to truly be established one should be willing to step up to such an opportunity. You have already gained the King's respect and mine as well. I believe he would want you to truly think about this moment."

She placed a hand on Nathaniel's shoulder, "Afterall, it was you who suggested that some of your former comrades felt the same about the order. That leap of faith is one of the signs that make a good leader. It's your decision to make, my child."

With a heavy breath, Nathaniel looked to me for guidance once more only to receive a slight nod. His eyes then turned to the woman he proclaimed his love for her guidance on such a decision that decided the future of those present. The Däelin wrapped her arms around his and answered with a slight nod approving of such a decision. Taking a moment's breath, the lad extended his hand out toward the four paladins who would become part of a nation built by monsters. Little did I know, this was the birth of a force that would eventually rival the strength of Ironclad's Elite Guard.

I chuckled watching the group being welcomed into the arms of the monsters that once were enemies moments ago. The sounds of joy filled the night air as the flames of the pyres burned bright as if those that fell approved of such a decision. "Brother," I muttered to the world for all around me to hear, "I hope you feel such joyous feeling wherever you are and on the way back to your people."

The air was filled with a cold warmth as the sounds of music began to play and casks of ale opened in celebration of a new beginning. Life however is a cruel bitch that must balance such joy with despair. A raven's caw rang loud from the blue moon sitting at its apex gaining everyone's attention and ending a wondrous time. Seeing such a sight made my heart grow cold as I dropped the tankard of ale I held and hurried to the spot where the bird landed. I felt Nyxis behind me pushing our way through the gathered monsters.

To my horror, I only found Orion in his human form sprawled on hands and knees holding back tears. "F-father," his tears flowed free, "he stayed behind so that I could warn the Grotto."

My heart grew cold at such words that numbed my mind. Frantically, I tugged on the strands that I cherished hoping to sense Einor heading this way, but felt nothing. "No," I whispered, "no it can't be. No!"

I grabbed the sniveling wretch by his collar and lifted him to his feet. My vision was blurred through the tears as I struck him hard. I roared, "You left him!"

"Veronica," Nyxis boomed as she grabbed hold of my arm just stopping it from hitting Orion's cheek once more, "let him explain please. Jackal wouldn't have stayed behind if it didn't require such an action. Let's hear him out!"

I glared deep into Orion's eyes and into his very soul as my anger began to simmer to a warm boil. "Fine," I released him, "but make it quick. If he's alone we must hurry to him."

Riding on the back of a dragon was beyond different than riding a horse mainly do to to the fact there weren't any stirrups or reins to balance yourself. The night air felt cold against the skin while vision became impaired from the growing thunder clouds above that blocked the guiding moonlight. After Orion told us of what had happened, Zeke, Scarlett, Nyxis, Vilra, and myself had asked him to take us to the location of the underground cathedral. I hoped beyond hope that there was still time to reach him. I would not allow him to be alone like all those years ago, especially now that I have the will to do something.

[(Brother please be alive. Please don't leave me alone again.)]

Looking behind me, I saw Nyxis with her eyes closed and her mouth speaking a prayer to whoever would hear it. Her cheeks were stained with tears that dried instantly from the pressure of the wind as we soared over the hobbles of trees and sporadic creaks below. Her silver hair blew behind her allowing the points of her ears to freely be seen. Her tear filled emerald eyes looked forward when the sounds of crashing water began to swell around us and the water filled crater of the paladin's camp came into sight. My eyes scanned her very being as she hoped He was still alive like the rest of us.

As we drew closer to the earth below, evidence of the black scorch marks marking the shack's location came into view. Destroyed earth and ripped up trees filled my vision as thoughts of a massive firestorm appeared in my mind. I imagined whirling winds of unmatched speed having the force to rend the thick roots burrowed deep into the ground free like a master fisherman pulling in a large fish. Piles of ash gently fluttered into the wind from each beat of Orion's massive hovering wings. Half burned corpses of sheep and horses cluttered the ground along with two poor souls lost to such a force without a chance to run and left to die.

Poor bastards probably didn't know what hit them before it was too late. I know Einor wouldn't be keen on allowing them to be risen with necromancy, but he wouldn't kill them outright. At least, he wouldn't kill the shepherd or his flock of sheep without reason. Based on the black veins my guess is that they died from miasma poisoning, what a cruel way to die. You once told me about such poisonous air when we were little which led to an argument of whether such a thing existed in the first place. I guess in a way you proved me wrong, brother. I just hope you're alive to tell me the worst I told you so in the world.

I felt Orion's massive body tense under me as he stopped mid-flight to hover over a massive crater where I assumed the shack once was. The crater looked large enough to hold five massive manors and their front grounds. The moon was at the right level to fill the hole with enough light for the carnage that dwelled inside to be seen. Piles of bone laid strewn throughout the ground as hunks of rotting bodies decorated the disturbed stone floor. Looking closer, a zombie still thrashed its bony limbs trying to free itself from a massive boulder. Black flames consumed severed limbs sending a foul smell in the air which burned the senses.

My heart began to throb so hard that I was afraid it would eventually burst free and fell into place with the exposed organs below. With restless eyes, I searched for any signs of Einor whether it was his corpse or him standing untouched. Seconds grew into minutes as I searched for him until I found a destroyed altar to Khokbus. Chunks of the all-seeing eye stared up at us as if mocking our late arrival and fueled our desperation that was already overflowing with each breath. I wanted to destroy what remained, but I held my anger back.

I felt Nyxis poke my back, gaining my attention as she pointed to a pile of rubble in the far corner surrounded by the outstretched hands of hundreds undead severed into pieces and consumed by Einor's flames. Orion moved closer as if sensing our desire with one mighty flap of his wings. More and more corpses filled my vision as my stomach began to churn with every bone pile or rotting corpse in sight. My mind screamed with agonizing hope that Einor had somehow survived such an onslaught even if somewhat wounded, he'd be alive to fulfill his dream. Deep down inside, however, I knew such hope was a fool's dream as the silent hands of despair clutched my heart upon the image of Einor sitting with his back against one of the larger pieces of rubble unmoving.

I didn't wait for Orion to make landfall and jumped a good two stories, softening my landing with a strengthening spell. Without waiting, I ran to Einor with ever growing horror at the state he was left in. His clothes were in tatters exposing the right side of his chest outlined by trails of blood pouring from deep gashes that slowly joined the small pool around him. His body was wounded from every inch by what looked like bite marks to sharpened blades. He looked like a half eaten chunk of meat nicely filleted before being served. The left side of an unfamiliar snarling mask remained delicately placed as fragments littered the ground around him. His exposed face had a peaceful yet defiant grin as his crimson eye looked on as if telling his killer he'd return the favor. Tears swam to the surface as my knees gave out at the sight of a bone pillar embedded deep into his chest.

"No!" Nyxis screamed as she ran by me.

Her arms wrapped around Einor's neck as her body throbbed with every tear filled scream. I sat numbed to the spot while my own tears trailed down my face with each flash of Einor since we were children. The days he spent in the library teaching himself about the world he would often share with me. Hours of training with Father in the training grounds while Mother and I watched on the sidelines rooting for him to overcome Father. In recent weeks, how he would smile when Nyxis was around him and the determination in his eyes claiming his vows.

[(No, no, no, no, no!)]

I broke down and screamed so loud that the stone echoed my pain, "No!"

I buried my face into my fingers to rid my sight of my brother pinned like some insect framed in glass for all to see. My tears filled my cupped hands and slowly drained through the gaps of my fingers only to be refilled once more. The sounds of footsteps walking past me were drowned out by my torment as passing hands gently touched my shoulder with a caring touch. Arms held me close to a comforting chest as Scarlett rocked me back and forth like I was a child again but I didn't mind. I watched as Einor's body didn't even react to Zeke and Orion pulling the impaled bone pillar free and tossed it to the side.

[(Why did it have to be this way? Why must my family be the ones tormented by so much heartache? Just, why?)]

With our attention on Einor, none of us noticed the low scraping sound of sharp claws dragged across the stone floor. None of us noted the strong smell of death that slowly rose from the shattered altar or the half naked Ghoul smiling toward us. Its grotesque upper body, a collage of different skin sewn together. That was until Orion noticed morphing from his human form and into his large dire wolf form. His blood red eyes burned with bloodlust while his vicious mouth became a snarling maw. All our eyes followed his gaze and became wide with fear at the beast that towered over the Ghoul. With rotting paled scales and exposed bone, a dragon long deceased stood tall with outstretched long decayed wings.

"They aren't going to let us leave peacefully," Zeke muttered as he pulled the sabre from its sheath and removed the white bandages that covered his right eye for the first time since I joined.

I watched him turn to face me and was startled by the blue gem embedded into his socket. "Take Jackal and find somewhere safe," turning to face the two undead, "we'll handle these bastards."

"Help Nyxis and Vilra," Scarlett whispered into my ear with an eerily calm tone that sent an involuntary chill down my spine, "we'll biy some time."

I pushed away from her hoping to change her mind only to find that her left eye gleamed a bright yellow with a crimson iris set in the middle. The bandana that she always wore was gone revealing a third eye that stared forward with an intense gaze that could kill given the chance. A large bat-like wing sprouted from the right side of her back with a smaller angular wing underneath that reminded me of a fairy wing. Layers of thin scales lined her bare right arm that ended in sharp claws grasping the hilt of the blade on her waist. She smiled showing the small fang on the left side of her mouth as she stood.

"That face never gets old," she chuckled making her way to stand next to Zeke, "faces of those first seeing a Maledictus in person."

Maledictus was the term scholars of the Magic Academy used to describe those imprinted on by dämons or other spiritual beings. Those same scholars deemed Maledictus as the counterpart to Seilbh with one key difference. Seilbh were the end result when the host is the more dominant of the two beings. Maledictus on the other hand is the result of the opposite where the entity, whether dämon or otherwise, reigns supreme only to be overthrown later. Such an action usually resulted in the death of the host while allowing the entity to freely traverse the world once more. However, those that live unknowingly steal the entity's abilities and gain a horrifying appearance becomeing Maledictus or Cursed Ones.

[(What type of people have you been dealing with, Einor?)]

I could only look on as Zeke, Scarlett, and Orion stood motionless sizing up the two undead creatures responsible for killing Einor. Each one never truly gave into despair at the sight of Einor's motionless body as if knowing something that I didn't. Anger began to build in my chest as I watched Orion and Scarlett disappear only to meet the undead head on. Scarlett fought the Ghoul while Orion made his way to the dragon dodging pillars of sharpened bones in the process. My mind could not understand at the strength they each displayed especially Orion who cried moments before.

"Why?" I asked as I slowly rose to my feet, "why are the three of you willing to fight on?"

The sound of Zeke's mocking laughter boomed in my ears like drums. "It's simple," he blocked a piece of stray bone, "we have faith in Him."

"Time and time again," he continued as he twirled the sabre severing zombies and skeletons that had risen from the ground, "I have seen him succumb to such fates that would drive anyone mad."

A rotting arm ending in serrated bone seemed to stop mid-strike with an ominous blue hue around it. "I guess what I'm trying to say is," Zeke beheaded the zombie as his sapphire eye glowed the same hue, "Jackal has been through a lot of tough situations. Being beaten, stabbed, poisoned, used as target practice, and broken never stopped him so why should death."

Zeke held out a hand as the image of Scarlett striking the wall behind him caught my sight. I watched her fly toward the gloating Ghoul with a trail of black energy emitting from her blades followed behind. "That is why we do not despair," Zeke smiled, "We choose to have faith in him. Faith that has been strengthened with the bounds we forged over the years we spent together."

He sliced an interrupting zombie in half without breaking away from his speech,"We believe he will be back even if it doesn't seem that way. Now the question is, will you turn your despair into strength and have a little faith in your brother?"

I looked at the defiant grin chiseled on Einor's face that I couldn't stand when we were children competing over ridiculous things. I had always been jealous of such a grin that didn't care about adversaries. The same defiant grin that appeared in the face of unfavorable odds without fear of possible death. He had always been there in times he was needed most like in Westbrook when he took a blade meant for me. Traveling with him, I never saw him once give into the world desperate to rid itself of him.

[(Creideamh.)]

I wiped my tears away and took hold of Zeke's hand pulling myself up with a made up mind. If they were willing to stake their lives on the line for Einor to return, then I should as well. It was time for me to believe in someone other than myself and my own ability. Now was the time to act like a VonKnight who lived by the sword based on Creideamh. I nodded my thanks to Zeke who smiled before disappearing to stand beside the other two who were holding their own against the opponents before them. His blade intercepting the Ghoul's curved blade that went for Scarlett's neck.

I made my way to Einor and knelt beside him staring into his eyes. "I'll choose to believe in you," I muttered as I kissed his exposed cheek.

With those words, I joined the fray cutting down any undead that wished to stand in my way of my true target. The sound of Lovic colliding with bone boomed in my ears as the sheer strength of the dragon's claw bore down on me. Its horrifying roar shook the cavern when Orion took the opening brought down his fangs around its neck and tossed it into a nearby wall. Sending chunks of flesh and dust from its massive exposed skull, the dragon roared as a green haze began drifting from its snarling maw. Before it could send its breath our way, I appeared above with the aid of an agility spell mixed with an improved reaction spell and willed flames to my outstretched palm.

"Infernalis Carcer!" I roared, sending a series of fireballs from my palm surrounding the dragon in a flaming cage.

An explosion occurred when the flame met the green haze sending the dragon reeling backwards only to rise once more. Scorched muscle and flesh fell to the ground from the large hole that took up most of its neck revealing the spine underneath. Its eyes burned with hatred at the damage dealt to it by inferior life forms that its kind feasted on. I smiled at such a sight as a glimmering light surrounded Lovic. With Orion, we dashed forward dodging the dragon's breath and continued our attack. One after another, our strikes connected breaking through the frail scales with ease. I saw Vilra and Nyxis out the corner of my eye drag Einor behind several pieces of ceiling where a barrier shimmered to life.

[(I'll put my faith in your return or die trying. Whatever the case, I'll kick your ass in the afterlife then we'll search for mother and father. Our family will be whole once again, that I promise. Until then...)]