"And so I love you till I die--

Forgive my love of such brief span,

But fickle is the flesh of man,

And death cold puts the passion out."

- Edwin Sitwell, "Any man to any woman"

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Soundtrack of the chapter: The Dawn Will Come, Dragon Age OST (*points gun at you* PLAY IT)

Media: shhh ;)

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Chapter Thirty-Eight: To Avenge is to Annihilate

Cady stood in front of the army of forty thousand. Forty thousand soldiers stared back. The flags of the Hall of Games waved above their heads, the vibrant colors catching the edge of the morning sunlight.

With their High Priest in lead, they marched toward the Hall of Oracles. Even from afar, Cady could smell the stench of death, tinged with the foul odor of burning flesh and wood. The turrets of the Hall of Spirits, once proud and glorious, were now a charred gray mess. Its gold and white flag was gone, replaced by black and silver, flapping in the wind.

Firaun nodded at Cady--her cue to start her operation. She had her cape rolled in a neat bundle under her arms. With Zoroth's help, she melted into the shadows, coating her entire body in the velvety darkness so that no one could see her. She slipped into the forest, running and dodging through the roots and branches. Meanwhile, battle horns sounded, sending huge moans rolling toward the Hall of Spirits, announcing the arrival of the force of the Hall of Games.

Cady unfurled her wings, drawing the cape over them. It would be a hassle to fly while trying to keep the cape on, but she had to. She vanished from the naked eye.

"Zoroth, get me high up to that window." She pointed at the window of her dorm. It was smashed, from rocks by the looks of it. Or someone had been forced to jump through the windows, glass and all, plunging into the frigid waters of the Savage Seas. She shuddered.

With his help controlling the flying and steering, Cady was able to keep the cape wrapped around her body. She soared through the window and tucked herself into a ball, rolling and landing as silently as she could. She almost collided into a dresser when one of her wings snagged in the cloak, ripping it off her body.

Cursing silently, she ignored the stinging pain in her legs upon impact and shrugged the cape back on. Josh's Celestial Blade was strapped to her back where she could simply reach and free it in one fluid motion. The commotion Firaun's army were going to create would buy her a few moments of precious time.

Around her, the air vibrated as the very first of the bombs landed in the Hall compound. The ground trembled, shaking bits of the ceiling onto her head. Without wasting any more time, she tugged the cloak around her and sprinted forward.

You only have ten to fifteen minutes to reach the Walker. The Tinker's words were still fresh in her mind. Then, you must catch him off guard. I will give you a little device. Once you're inside the room, throw it hard on the ground and turn the other way. Do not look at the disc. The lights emitted from the disc will blind anyone with direct eye contact. Then you must take him out, at once.

"Are you really going to kill him?" Zoroth asked.

"I don't know," she replied.

The little disc, the size of a dime was cold against sweaty palms. She held it tighter, imagining the moment when it went off and leaving Jasper defenseless. Can I kill him? Can I really bring myself to bring down the final blow?

She jerked her head, focusing on her feet, making sure that they thread the floor as light as air. Where could Jasper be?

Closing her eyes, she sent a command to all the shadows lurking in the corners, asking them to peer into every hook and cranny, every room and every chamber. They obeyed at once, dispersing like scalded cats. A thick tendril snaked up her neck, telling her that Jasper was sitting on the throne in the main hall. She thanked the little curl of darkness and set off.

Her feet knew the way. She darted up two flights of stairs and turned right. Destroyed tapestries and the stench of rotting bodies hit her. Strewn across the corridor were dead Oracles, all brutally hacked and torn to bits. Blood, so dark it was almost blood splattered across the walls. Broken limbs rolled beside bloated bodies. Flies hovered and buzzed about, reveling in the deaths of the Starlets. It was a grisly view of violence and death. Cady stopped, her free hand flying to her mouth as she almost gagged from the stench.

She did not dare to look at the heads, afraid that she might spot someone she knew. Gritting her teeth, she picked her way through the sea of corpses.

Jasper, how could you.

The doors of the main hall drew closer. They were opened, as if inviting in the enemy, begging them to march in. With the cloak keeping her invisible, Cady released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Using the shadows as a cushion, she snuck into the hall.

Jasper was sprawled across the great gilded throne in a careless fashion. His legs were thrown over one side of the armrests while his head was on a cushion at the other end. Something gold sparkled in his fingers which were held high-the crown of the High Priest. He must have snatched it from Eli's room. Eli never liked wearing heavy and extravagant accessories.

Another shattering boom shook the whole Hall. Jasper, however, seemed unfazed. He shot one lazy look at the door. Cady stood still as his gaze went straight through her before it returned to the crown. He looked just the same-the beautiful dark eyes, a heart-shaped face with curls like iron shavings tumbling over.

She steeled her heart. Her feelings must not get in the way.

Cady's fingers trembled as she held up the disc and aimed it at Jasper. Mustering all her courage, she hurled the disc before Jasper's feet at full force. The disc made contact with the ground with a small clink. Jasper's eyes followed the sound just as Cady ducked the other way, shielding her eyes with her hands.

Jasper's furious screams penetrated the silence of the chamber, followed by the sound of a body tumbling down the steps. Cady sprang to her feet, uncovering her eyes. Jasper was rolling on the ground, his hands to his eyes, rubbing them frantically.

She leaped into action. She had seen where Jasper stowed the bell, strapped firmly by his belt. Jasper must have wedged a small wad of cotton inside the bell to prevent its tongue from singing. The dagger she had slid into the linings of her boots sprang to her hands in which she used to sever the cords holding the Iambicum Trimetrum to his waist. Jasper, still blinded, growled and thrust a hand at Cady. She side stepped and rolled away, the bell safety within her grasp.

Jasper grappled about, his mouth twisted into a snarl. His hands went to his waist. Feeling the loose strands of cords that held the Iambicum Trimetrum, he flung into a fury. The Gilded Tarot flew loose and dispersed in all directions. Glass shattered and chips of marbles ricocheted. Cady threw a thick coat of shadows over her, feeling the dull throb where the sharp edges of the cards bounced off her shield.

"I know it's you, Cadence," he said, sniffing the air like a feral beast. "You may have the Iambicum Trimetrum, but you can't break its powers."

Kill him, a little voice said in her head. Kill him while he can't see you.

Cady stepped forward. She reached back and unsheathed Josh's Celestial Blade while the other kept her shadow shield intact. Jasper continued scrambling around, blinking furiously. The effects of the disc must be wearing off, for Jasper squinted at her direction.

Just take off his head, and everything will be done.

The blade rose over her head, lifted by trembling arms. The sunlight burst through the windows, blinding spokes of golden light slitting the air into pieces. She thought of how Jasper killed Eli, of how the life poured out of his body and went limp before her very eyes. She should be angry. Yet, she ached with sympathy for Jasper. As a child, he grew up in rejection and shun, groveling in the dirt and hiding his true identity. Resentment made his heart bitter. But beneath that bitter heart, Cady knew there was gold.

The blade slid from her hands and clattered to the ground just as Jasper drew up to his feet, shaking his head to and fro before focusing his eyes on Cady.

"Silly girl," he said. "You should've killed me when you had the chance."

He leaped forward, so sudden that Cady didn't even have the time to react. He slammed her against the cold wall. She cried out from the sharp pain shooting through her body when it collided with hard granite. Jasper's dark eyes drilled into hers, unforgiving. "Well, Cady. Hand over the Iambicum Trimetrum, it would do you no good."

"No," she said. "I will not."

"I am in command of the bell. You can't do anything. But I am curious, why did you hesitate to kill me? You had your chance."

Cady glared back at him. "If I kill you, I am just the same as Raphine. It would be one endless circle of slaughter. I...I can't."

Jasper cocked his head to the side, as if debating whether Cady was too stupid or kind. "Did you not learn anything from your classes? Letting your enemies live is like burying a sword in your own backyard. You never know when that sword would find its way to your back."

"You're not my enemy," Cady whispered, suddenly feeling very tired.

"Oh?" Jasper' gaze softened. "Is that so? But I killed Eli. You should be mad at me."

"This is why I am here," she said. "I have no intentions of killing you."

The window to their right exploded, shards of glass whirling all over the place. Cady found herself falling, being pushed down as a dark shape covered her, holding her head to his chest. Firaun's army must be putting up a great fight below. If he realized that Cady failed to assassinate Jasper, she would suffer the consequences.

Glass rained down like diamonds, but none touched Cady. Jasper had his arms around her, using his body as a human shield. He released her and scrabbled backwards, stunned and horrified by his own actions.

She wanted to cry. She knew there was goodness in Jasper's heart. Little by little, she was certain she could melt him and make him see the beauty in the world. That veil shrouding Jasper with hate could be dissolved if she tried hard enough.

"Why aren't you mad?" he whispered, putting his head in his hands. "I killed someone you cared for. You should be seeking vengeance. You must have at least anger inside you!"

"I am not mad, Jasper," she said softly. "Can't you see, it's all a circle of madness. The Great War ended in disaster because of blind prejudice and hatred. You attacking the Hall of Spirits is just a mirror of Raphine. Eli, he isn't Raphine. He is what makes him Eli, and he does not seek old hate. Forgiveness is the greatest power in the world."

"Firaun told me, the Iambicum Trimetrum can only be used by a Walker. It's one of the most feared relics in Esvanira for the ability to bring back the dead."

"Why are you telling me this, Cady?" Jasper jerked his head from side to side. "I already know that."

She held the bell close to her chest, feeling the metal pulse against her chest. From the broken window, she could see the glitter of skeletons below, like thousands of insect carapaces. Jasper had raised the dead using his own Affinities and blood. The undead are mindless puppets, brought to this world by the orders of a Walker. The only thing pulling them from the grips of the Underlands were the commands of their master. But, when a soul was willingly exchanged in the place for another, the dead would live again.

She raised the bell, pulling out the cotton wad stuck in the bell's mouth.

"What are you doing?" Jasper asked. For once, he actually sounded scared.

Eli, I owe you this. You can heal the rift between Walkers and Oracles. You are the High Priest of the Hall of Spirits. There are too many things left undone in this world for you to leave so soon. I am only just a Walker, someone you would never want to see again, just like the rest of Esvanira. You were not meant to die. You don't hate Walkers like how Raphine did. If you could influence the rest of Esvanira, and If my soul could bring balance back to the Starlet realm, I am willing to give it to you.

"Cady..." Jasper's tone was warning.

Eli's face burst forth from her memories-him taking her out for the Beltane Ball, his gentle teases and episodes in Jasper's hut. He had held her hand, gently as they twirled across the dance floor. The ring he gave her grew warm on her finger until it burned.

She shook the bell.

It was suddenly jerked out of her hands. It rang, loud and clear, a sound that cut through the room with so much force, the walls shuddered and groaned. The massive chandelier above shivered violently, the dangling diamonds clinking before the steel cables gave way, crashing down in a profusion of diamonds and glass.

Cady closed her eyes, anticipating pain. None came.

Jasper stood with his arms flung out in front of her. Her eyes widened. Blood ran down in rivulets from his mouth. It blossomed in spreading patches where the glass pierced through his body, their tips glinting scarlet. Hot tears swelled in her eyes as a sob tore from her throat. "Jasper!"

Clutched tightly in his right hand, was the Iambicum Trimetrum. Before Cady could ring it to mark the deal with Valador, lord of the Underlands, offering her soul in exchange for Eli Sanguinis', Jasper had knocked it out of her hand. Instead, the bell sung its final notes in Jasper's hands.

Her hands reached out to catch Jasper as he fell. She cradled his head and stroked his hair. Jasper-the last Walker, the master of the Iambicum Trimetrum, the boy she loved now lay dying in her arms. She pressed her forehead on his bloody ones, feeling the familiar warmth of her lover.

"Why Jasper, why?"

He coughed, blood running down his mouth. "You were right, Cady. You were right all along. I've never seen anyone willing to give their l-life up for their enemy to protect others. Eli-he didn't deserve to die. I-I didn't want to kill him. He was just in the way. I owe him a blood debt."

"Shhh," Cady said. "Don't talk anymore."

Jasper shook his head, a feeble attempt which made him cough more blood. "You asked me if I had loved you. Let me tell you the t-truth. When I first moved near the Darkling Woods, I had every piece of the attack planned. I foraged for Mandrakes from Da'raan. It wasn't easy. Meeting you in the woods was the best thing that could've ever h-happen to me. I thought you were a piece of lucky chess that I could use. But I was wrong."

He shuddered, his hand moving to the large jagged piece sticking out of his stomach. "Let me remove it," Cady said. "I can heal you with shadows."

"It's too late," he said. "The deal with Valador has already been sealed. Elijah would be alive soon, and I would be dead."

A drop of her tears splashed onto Jasper's cheek. He smiled. "I've wanted to attack the Hall of Spirits a whole three months earlier. I kept on pushing it back, convinced that it was the wrong choice, my whole quest for revenge was a complete waste. You showed me that there was still love in the world, even with the Oracles. You even respected Raphine after everything he has done to our kind."

"I owe you a gift," he rasped, pausing to take in the occasional gasp of breath. "I haven't given you anything as your coming of age gift. Eli gave you a Celestial ring. I want you to have my Gilded Tarot. Use it in my memory, it will empower you."

His hand went up to touch her cheek, caressing it. Cady wrapped her arms around Jasper's neck, kissing him full on the lips, tasting the coppery taste of blood. Jasper kissed her back. The clouds shifted, letting what sun to break through the surface, shining upon the two lovers.

When Cady broke the kiss, Jasper didn't move. His beautiful scarlet lips were curled up into a small, sweet smile. His eyes were closed, long dark lashes stark against pale skin. And only in this moment did Cady felt truly alone. She was the last Walker.

She leaned in and gave Jasper one last kiss, feeling her heart break into two.

War and hate, it was all so pointless. When could they stop fighting each other and lie down to rest?

Cady lay on the floor with Jasper in her arms, surround by twinkling pieces of crystals and glass. Even with her eyes closed, she could hear the sounds of the skeletal army collapsing, their swords dropping onto the ground as bones faded into dust and ashes. The loud cries of victory were drowning. They must have assumed Cady had completed their task.

Little did they know that Jasper had given up his life for Eli Sanguinis, a priceless trade between a Walker and an Oracle for an attempt at peace. Right now in the whole of Esvanira, only one Walker remained. Cady snuggled closer to Jasper, her fingers still tangled in his dark, soft hair.

She brushed a whisper against his cold ear. "Adyghe cazarel, I'll love you forever."

******

Here we are at the end of the war. Jasper's death is only starting a new point in Cady's life. She couldn't forget him, she never would be able to. And Eli, he deserves a second chance, especially when he was taken away so swiftly to the Underlands. 

Thoughts on this chapter? :)

squishy sand,

Stef