Chapter 125: Sanctum XLIX
It was impossible to say anything uplifting in the rain. The best you could hope for was inspiring, cathartic, and even that was difficult when everything looked so damn grim. Every so often, it felt like the world itself was against me. But that didnt matter. They were all watching me now, waiting. Morthus stood at my side, lending authority I hadnt truly earned. I looked back to where I saw my friends. Bell was buried in Jorras shoulder. Shed been so strong, stronger than all of us, perhaps, but it was all catching up. Everyone had a limit, and Bell had found hers. Jorra was trying to comfort her in the way those with limited experience did, gently patting her head and holding her loosely, utterly confused yet still wanting to help. Maya and Nethtari stood side-by-side, stoic beacons in the dark. Both had seen me at my most desperate.
In the back, I saw both Vogrin and Ozra. Id been worried Ozra would be too angry about his defeat, but when Id spoken to him during preparations, I found him almost visibly chastened, willing to listen and cooperate. I wondered how long it had been since the Arch-Fiend had lost a battle.
And Maya, in particular, was waiting for the other shoe to fall. I had wanted to warn her. To say goodbye, at the very least. But Maya was my dearest friend, and I hers. She would try to stop me, if I gave her an opening.
It was better this way.
It was most assuredly better this way.
Golden strands fell before my face and I brushed my hair back once more, pressing down, trying to make sure it stayed free. Maybe it was the rain, or the atmosphere, or the fact that they had all seen perhaps their first real battle from afar, but it was unnerving how silent my audience was. There were many I recognized among them. The Precepts that had guided us into the Sanctum that first day that felt so long ago. A few of the surviving mercenaries were there, scowling, but also quiet, any protest limited to a low muttering amongst themselves. Mostly, I saw an endless sea of young faces, frightened, afraid, and looking for hope. Trapped.
I couldnt give them hope. It wasnt within my power to make the world any less terrifying. But I could give them a way forward. And if I did it right, I could give them a story they would carry back with them. To the Enclave, to their families, and the world beyond.
Theros approached me from the side. The Decarabia are moving. Slowly, but gaining ground.Follow current novels on novelb((in).(com)
The asmodials are staying clear?
Theyre setting up defensively in front of The Heart. But theyre staying back. No one wants to mess around when the generals here. Theres a thin elven-looking woman upfront. Is that really her?
I nodded in irritation. Thoth was moving more quickly than I expected. Now, on top of everything else, there was a tight time limit.
Theyre waiting, my friend, Morthus prompted me.
I moved forward then, approaching the edge of the podium. A young, red infernal clutching the hand of an older violet stared up at me, blinking the rain from his eyes. I gave him a small smile.
Ready to go home? I asked him.
He nodded vigorously.
I looked up at the crowd, amplified my voice with a bit of air magic.
Most of you know me only by name, and the words I have spoken. I am Cairn, son of Gil. The tyrant who stripped your lands from you, enslaved your people. The twisted king who sundered the dimension gate, decimating families in the process. In exchange for entrance into the enclave, and later this very sanctum, I promised to return that which was stolen.
I held the flame out in front of me, watching as it flickered, raindrops splattering my palm. There was a murmur in response. In the back, I saw Nethtari give me a subtle eye-roll that seemed to prod me to quit the theatrics and get to the point.
I had every intention of fulfilling that promise. Our peoples have warred and wounded each other for the better part of a century. It only follows that mending the gap would be difficult, almost impossible, perhaps. We are so divided, so different. Yet, while Ive been here, Ive found so much in common. Friendship. Even love.
I glanced at Maya, then looked away.
At the core of all things, we are the same. And yet, unity is never easy. There will always be outside forces. Mitigating factors. Villains. You met one the day I entered the Sanctum. Thoth, a magician so powerful she can enter and leave this place at will, regardless of her age. A conqueror so twisted and powerful that even the gods are given pause. A being powerful enough to bend an arch-fiend to her side.
I pulled Jorra to me. Take care of Maya for me, brother.
Jorra sobbed. I will. And Ill never join Thoth, Cairn. Even if everyone else does.
Maya stepped in my path, her eyes red. What are you doing? All this melodrama for nothing when we both know youll just reset. Several people next to us slowed, their faces glazed over.
Not this time. I let my gaze slide to where Ozra stood, and Maya followed it then returned to mine, her face a mask of terror.
What have you done?
I pressed my forehead to hers. Goodbye, Nilend.
Maya shook her head violently. No. No. Find another way.
There is no other way.
Ill never forgive you for this.
It broke my heart. I know.
Nethtari pulled Maya away, and it was suddenly obvious I still had an audience. The other infernals still followed, and I realized why. Theyd taken me seriously, when I asked them to keep watch. I caught one more glimpse of Maya weeping into her mother's robe.
There will be no second chance. Thoths voice, cold, amplified. Send the human out or kill him yourselves.
I shivered, and nearly slipped in the mud. Jorra caught my arm, steadying me. Easy.
Feeling real regal right now. I muttered.
You got this. Just stick the landing. Jorra followed behind me as we approached the gate. The infernals followed behind us, surprising me as the left the gates themselves behind, piling out onto the hill and forming into natural lines.
Thoth was at the bottom of the hill, her golden eye glinting wickedly, daggers held in both her hands. Her golden arch-fiend stood motionless behind her like a statue, his face tilted slightly towards Ozra.
Thoth growled, deep in her throat. So youve finally accepted the inevitability of it all. Did our spat at the leyline knock it into you?
I had nothing to say. Her aura bared down on me, invisible wraiths of rage and anger threatening to press me into the ground. Thoths mouth turned downward. I dislike being ignored.
I learned much of your strength, I said.
So this is a surrender, then.
Not exactly, I drew my sword. Moisture bounced off my blade, raindrops incinerating with a hiss as I held it at my side, letting the blade touch grass and race backwards, trailing a large circle around us.
