Wrong Move

Mago is suddenly back and screaming, scaring Bolin and I both!

"Lyra!! Vanir is dying!!!" His scream causes the windows in my room to shake. Confusion washes through me as I turn to look at the large mirror and say, "Wait, wait. Calm down, Mago. I was just with him. Why are you saying he's dying?"

Mago cries as he says, "I don't know!! He's Dying, Lyra!"

My heart races as I quickly walk over to the door. I push my magic into it but this time I head straight to his office. As soon as I open the door, my breath catches. His entire office is a mess! I run through the door and call out, "Vanir!?"

Bolin quickly follows after me as the door shuts behind him.

I run towards his desk and what I see has me pausing. Vanir was lying in a pool of his own blood, gasping for air! I rush over and kneel down as I reach out to him. "Vanir, stay with me old man." His eyes are unfocused, but he locks onto me as he tries to smile.

Anger and fear swirl around inside me like a violent storm as I look him over. Someone had hit him with a death spell! Tears burn in my eyes as he reaches out for me. I quickly take his hand as I try to think of what to do.

The death spell had already eaten away at his lifeforce, it was a miracle he was still alive! I lift my other hand and try to ignore the way it shakes as I try to push my magic into him. Unfortunately, once a death spell has taken root... it's too late.

I refuse to give us as I try to push more magic into him. He gasps as he struggles to say something. Tears nearly blind me as I shake my head and say in a broken voice, "Don't say anything. Try to grab my magic."

Even as I say this, I know how useless it is. I have magic, strong magic but even I can't stop death. In the face of death, I'm completely powerless. His smile is bloody but kind as he gently shakes his head, knowing that it's too late.

He grips my hand as hard as possible, trying to pull me closer. A sob breaks out from me as I try to keep from crying. I lean in closer, giving him a strained smile filled with tears. Vanir's voice is weak and shaky as he says, "It's.. it's..."

Warm tears continue to fall as I gently touch his cheek. He gasps again, opening his eyes before saying something so softly, I have to lean all the way in just to hear it.

"I... love you... kid."

His hand loosens and his eyes close, leaving me in a state of despair. I stare down at him in disbelief as grief threatens to choke me. I hold his hand, bringing it to my chest as I lower my head and close my eyes.

Ugly tears continue to fall as I feel my heart breaking. Bolin silently stands behind me with his fists clenched, unable to do anything to help me. He didn't want to approach and disturb me as I say my goodbye, but he couldn't step away either. He was stuck in a tough spot as he watches me break.

Pain swallows me whole as I cry like a little girl, clutching a hand that was growing colder by the minute. Death was blind, it wasn't kind, it was cold and ruthless. It doesn't care how many people you've lost, or how much you beg, cry, and scream. It only has one objective; the rest doesn't matter.

Lightning lights up the room before thunder quickly follows. Rain comes down hard, crashing against the windows in the office as my tears continue to fall from my eyes. The storm outside seems to reflect my inner emotions as I feel the pain and sorrow building into an uncontrollable rage.

He said he thought he knew who it was, that he just needed to check a few more things but not even twenty minutes after I leave, he was attacked and now dead. Whoever he thought it was, clearly knew that he was on to them.

They knew and decided to get rid of him...

Tears continue to fall as I slightly frown. They had to know that I would be right behind Vanir. What could they possibly gain by killing him? If anything, it would make things worse for them. So why?

I can only think of two possibilities...

Either they were so enraged about being caught and killed him in a fit of anger and fear or... Or there was something even more they were hiding, and Vanir stumbled upon it.

I close my eyes and unleash my magic, letting it fill the entire room as it searches for other signs of magic. I can easily pick up Vanir's familiar magic, but a few others appear as well. Nothing stands out at first, causing me to frown but suddenly, I find a wisp of violent magic.

That magic was hidden under several layers of magic but once I find it, I lock onto it and trace it. The magic takes on a familiar form as my eyes flash open and the lightning outside flashes. Thunder rolls as the lights in the office grow darker and darker with my anger.

Bolin gently lays a hand on my shoulder, leaning close as he says, "I will help you find out who did this, and I will help you kill them." My eyes start to glow as I grit out, "I already know who did it and I will make them regret the day they were born."

I squeeze Vanir's aged hand one last time before pushing my magic into him. Golden light engulfs him as my magic covers him entirely. The size of his body begins to shrink before all that's left is a floating, golden orb.

It shines brightly as it hovers in the air before me.

I slowly lift my hand with a trembling chin and watch as the glowing orb slowly lands in the palm of my hand. Its warmth can be felt as it continues to softly glow. I close my hand around it as I bring it to my chest and whisper, "I will pick up where you left off. I will get them, I promise."