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Alear took Ivy’s hand in her own, a soft smile pulling at her lips. As much as Veyle’s safety weighed on her shoulders, the dragon found it in her to put on a comforting aura, fighting against the tense atmosphere. She lifted the Elusian princess’s hand, placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles.
“A kiss. For luck.”
The image was still so fresh in Ivy’s mind, the sensation of the woman’s lips upon her hand still dancing upon her skin. Yet every bit of care and affection that burned in Alear’s eyes was long gone. The dragon’s lifeless form lay at Veyle’s feet, having paid the price to protect her sister.
Ivy wished to cry out—to do anything to reverse the fate of one she held so dear. But the dead could not be brought back, and to grieve would be a detriment. So long as they remained surrounded by the corrupted, there would be no time for mourning.
Laughter echoed across the ruined castle, drawing the attention of the dragon’s allies. Veyle still stood in those black vestments, watching with cold distant eyes—her warmth crushed in Sombron’s iron grip. Her lips twisted into a crazed smile, clearly deriving pleasure from their pain.
“I think I’ll leave you with one last parting gift. As thanks for all you’ve done.”
The girl spun on her heel, suddenly plunging a hand into the fresh corpse’s chest. It elicited a gasping breath from the body, eyes flung wide open as magic surged within, mending torn flesh. Blood dripped from the girl’s fingers, the opening she left filling with ash and covered with fresh skin. She lifted her hand as she rose to her feet in one fluid motion, like a puppet master pulling at invisible strings.
“Rise corrupted.”
The corpse followed her command, smoothly following the path of Veyle’s hand. Red and blue eyes remained wide, reminiscent of a doll—irises dull with nary a flicker of emotion behind them. Its gaze was distant, looking to nothing, awaiting further command.
“Kill them.”
“Yes, Lady Veyle.”
Its response was instantaneous, not even a hint of hesitation. The corrupted turned to face its former allies, drawing the divine dragon’s sword on them. Empty eyes dragged their gaze over those before them, gathering the situation at hand—far more thought put into action than any normal corrupted, just the same as with King Hyacinth. That gaze seemed to linger on Ivy, turning the princess’s blood cold.
“YOU’LL PAY FOR THIS!”
Diamant was the first to leap into action, choosing to ignore the puppet to instead aim for its master. Such an action only earned a chuckle from her, watching as the corpse swung into motion. Diamant’s blade bounced off Alear’s, leaving him open. That gleaming blade pierced flesh, cutting into the Brodian prince’s side.
“Now isn’t that rude. I made this toy just for you, and this is how you repay me?” Veyle let out a small laugh, slipping off to the shadows. “Do be sure that none of them make it out of here alive, Alear.”
“Of course, Lady Veyle.”
The corrupted raised its blade, swinging it down with the intent to behead the Brodian. However, a lance blocked it, Alfred coming between the two in hopes of protecting Diamant. Though upon attracting the corrupted’s attention, it became apparent that the prince had no intention of taking the offensive, giving up his ground as he defended against the attacks set upon him.
“That thing isn’t Alear anymore. It doesn’t matter how we feel, we have to fight it!”
Timerra jumped into the fray, pressing forward with her attack. There was no doubt when it came to her strength in combat, but she still stood no chance against Alear. The corrupted could mimic the dragon’s speed, dodging every swing of the lance as though this were nothing more than a dance.
Ivy bit her lip as she watched on. She knew there was no chance of them taking on this corrupted. Even without the strength of the emblems, Alear was quite the capable duelist, making it difficult to fight her head on. Her agility was apparent from any onlooker, as the corrupted deftly dodged blows from the combined efforts of Alfred and Timerra. However, her quick footwork could do little against the explosive power of magic.
The Elusian princess’s hands trembled, grip tightening on her tome. She knew that thing was nothing more than a husk—a corpse with no free will of its own. Yet when she saw that face, she found herself unable to fight. She only managed as much in the past as part of her duty to the throne. But now she found herself unable to raise arms against the Divine One—against Alear.
Alear meant the world to her. When her father left her to rot, the dragon chose not to kill Ivy. As cruel as it seemed at the time—leaving the Elusian princess with no allies, alone in a world ravaged by war—she gave Ivy her life. And a second chance, even if she had every reason to hate the princess. Those mismatched eyes were a sanctuary, a place free of judgement. She always spoke with kindness—voice brimming with love and care. All stripped from the creature before her.
Ivy took in a shaky breath, bracing herself for what must be done. She raised a hand, fire forming in her palm. Magic gathered, slowly turning the small flame into a blazing inferno, the heat pricking at Ivy’s skin. With a flick of her wrist, she set the magic loose.
Alfred and Timerra were quick to react, stepping back to avoid the blast. They braced themselves, shielding their faces from the sweltering heat. Fire swallowed the dragon, the thick flames impossible to see through. Ivy held her breath, waiting for the magic to die down, terrified of what she would see.
A gleaming sword cut through the flames, the corrupted brushing off the magic like nothing. Burns revealed the ashy flesh beneath, before new skin quickly formed above, hiding the nature of the beast. Those mismatched eyes focused on Ivy, the creature lunging forward to remove the perceived threat.
Despite the danger posed, Ivy found herself frozen, trying to understand what went wrong. Such a powerful spell should have been enough to kill anyone. But…this thing was a corrupted—rotting flesh given life. Such a foolish error would cost her life, there was no time to prepare another attack with the beast upon her.
“Alear…”
The name slipped from her lips, barely above a whisper. How ironic that the one who gave her this chance at life would be the very one to take it away. If only they had more time. There were so many things she wished to say to the dragon, had they still the chance.
However, death never took the princess. The divine blade wavered, the tip hovering mere inches from its target. The corrupted was struggling, its ashy breaths coming out uneven. Alear’s sword began to wobble, shaky hands barely managing to keep it pointed at Ivy’s heart. The husk stared intently at its prey, a dim light gleaming in those eyes.
“I…vy…”
That voice—it was Alear’s, not some corrupted. The dragon stood before Ivy, struggling to take control. She grit her teeth, inching her weapon back, fighting against some invisible force that begged her forward. Pain laced her words, slipping out between ragged breaths.
“Please…kill me.”
Her face suddenly contorted into a grimace, a snarl escaping those lips. The corrupted pulled back the blade before stepping forward once more, swinging it at the Elusian woman. Yet it missed, despite Ivy making no move to dodge. It was as though the beast were at odds with itself, pulling away and changing the trajectory of its movements to avoid Ivy. And despite the grimace it wore, there was a warmth that shone in those eyes.
Alear was there. Looking out for Ivy as she always had.
With each move, the corrupted slowed, as though fighting through molasses. Each swing of the sword was easily dodged by Ivy, giving her ample time to concentrate magic. This time, the flame was smaller—more condensed—but no less powerful. As another swipe of the sword missed, she found her chance, letting loose her magic.
Fire tore through the husk, boring a hole in its chest. Flames burned through the magic that kept the corrupted together, unable to keep up with the damage. The corpse stumbled back, a heavy thud sounding as it fell to the ground. A gentle smile pulled at those lips, red and blue meeting the violet gaze above. There was such tenderness in those eyes, filled to the brim with love.
“Thank you.”
Alear breathed out the words. She looked weary, eyelids drifting shut as that gentle smile remained on her lips. It was almost as though she were drifting to sleep, yet her breathing continued to slow until the rise and fall of her chest came to a stop. She looked so peaceful, even in death.
Even when leaving everyone behind once again.
Ivy bit the inside of her cheek, holding back the tears that threatened to fall. Such was a fool’s errand, her emotions cracking the dam around her heart, wet streaks making their way down her face. For she found herself alone once more, without the one her gave her the world.