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Chapter 25 - Corruption is only soul-deep

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Kiarae's mind didn't wander for a moment from the Linaye. 

After the darkness had attacked Skye in the middle of the day, Kiarae had been forced to open herself up to the bond entirely to free her student. Fearful for another attack with little else to do, she'd monitored the Linaye closely. She drained herself physically to keep her mental state sharp and alert. She couldn’t lift a finger but considered it a necessary sacrifice. She had to be prepared to step in. 

Time passed. With no sign of the shadow, Kiarae reached out to the voice.  

I do not understand this darkness. It is not like the corruption.

When the minutes slipped away without reply, Kiarae thought she’d go without answer. The voice took her by surprise when it eventually spoke, almost causing an anxious Kiarae to fling her precious energy at it.

No... It is not purely corruption, Celestial.

Has it mutated then?

The voice paused to consider. No. Merely merged, I suppose.

With what? Has it--

A strange flicker of emotion dragged Kiarae from the private conversation. Celestial magic shimmered through the bond -- and she knew exactly what it was.

Skye was undergoing the Silverborn’s trial of soul.

Several thoughts crossed Kiarae’s mind. They were making a Sentinel, a nature one nonetheless, undergo the trial? The cup wasn’t designed to deal with Sentinels, and it certainly wouldn’t benefit her student in any way. Skye’s nature magic granted her far more power than the cup ever could. So what purpose did it serve?

Along this train of thought, a horrible thought crossed her mind.

The test proved purity of soul. Could they have reason to...

...the mark on her arm, Kiarae realised. They’re testing her because of the mark. Oh deities, please let the cup fill.

Kiarae knew Skye’s soul was pure. It was tainted with dark memories from the past, but it was pure. Now, she worried the Silverborn and whoever else was watching would be led to the wrong conclusion.

From her own experiences, she knew cup filled depending on its analysis of the person’s soul. Worthy, liquid. Unworthy, nothing. That wasn’t where her problem arose. She had faith in Skye. The trouble was the enchantments themselves.

They were cast on the assumption that the person on trial’s soul would be confined in a tight ball of ether which held their entire being, mental and physical. The chalice made its judgement based off its examination of the individual’s soul and experiences.

However, once a person accessed their magical potential and trained as a Sentinel, the boundaries of the soul slowly disintegrated as they delved further into the magic. It allowed their soul to drift between the physical and nether realms, increasing their magical capacity.

With a curse, Kiarae realised it was a distinct possibility the chalice wouldn’t even recognise there was a soul holding it.

An anxious Kiarae expanded the bond and prodded it in search of details. She felt for any trigger in Skye’s mind that might indicate what was occurring. Shock, disbelief and guilt were the only things she could glean.

No, she thought as a shudder wracked her body. Skye, what is happening to you?

In a desperate search for answers, Kiarae dropped her own defences and probed the bond with a reckless disregard for her own safety. It was stupid, idiotic and something that would have induced a severe scolding from her own master, but at the moment she didn’t care. She had to find her student.

She was totally unprepared for the sudden burst of golden light that exploded through the Linaye from Skye.

Dazed, Kiarae could do little more than clumsily hold on to the silver energy as the golden flood cascaded through her. Her head rang with an odd buzzing noise that vibrated against her skull.

What in the hells was that?

 Dimly, she recognised the voice had slipped away at some point. The golden flecks were her only company. They danced around her mind leaving whirling ethereal patterns.  Kiarae opened her eyes with a struggle after she felt warmth bloom on her cheek. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

Gold? Nature is not gold. Deities, gold is not an element!

The flecks, oblivious to her scepticism, became physical in Kiarae’s next breath and continued their flight across the floor.

From her sideways view of the world, Kiarae watched on in awe as wherever they landed, the Naclictite became lighter. In several areas, the blackened glint was replaced with a grey sheen.

There is no way...

The flecks winked out of existence before she finished the thought.

Kiarae frowned. Was she hallucinating?

She dragged herself over to the lightened areas of Naclictite and stretched an arm out. She unfurled her fingers from her palm and brushed them against the ground. Absent was the draining sensation that usually greeted her. In its place, a pleasant tingle ran up the length of her arm. She shivered as it rejuvenated her shaking limbs.  

Kiarae leant back and sat on her feet, hand raised in front of her face as she examined it. The skin knitted together before her eyes. Only the blood remained as evidence of the recent wound.

Did that come from Skye? she wondered.

Kiarae reached out to the bond, only to find it muted.

For the love of the Celestial, what now?

Try as she might, Kiarae could sense nothing from the bond. She knew Skye was alive, but other than that, she could discern nothing no matter which was she pushed and prodded.

What’s going on? she asked the voice, desperately hoping for a reply. When none came, she searched the bond again, worried. Had the Linaye all but dissolved? Would she still be able to sense her student after this? 

Several minutes passed. The Linaye began to come back into focus, and with it, Kiarae’s panic died. She hadn’t lost her student. She hadn’t failed. Skye remained alive and well. Kiarae sighed in relief and curled against the patch of cured Naclictite on the floor, waiting for the bond to return to the normal state.

*+*+*+*

Ash, Ski. Infuse!

The familiar rush of silver-green energy encircled Kiarae’s being and drew her away to the dimension that only bonded Sentinels knew. She wrapped her fingers around the length of her solidifying staff, savouring the comforting sensation it brought.  

Safe in the knowledge that she was guarded, Kiarae opened her eyes quicker than she should have. The scene was still completely out of focus, but she had to see. She had to know beyond doubt.

There, sprawled across the soft carpet, lay Skye.

Relief swept through Kiarae. It turned to annoyance as the elf put a hand to her head and pushed herself up, blinking furiously. Skye around the room, a frown marring her features and eyes darting from one object to the next warily.

It is as if she has never been attached to a soul link before, thought Kiarae.

Suddenly impatient, Kiarae marched over to her student and levitated her into the air. Skye’s eyes widened and predictably, she fought against it. Kiarae estimated the restraints were a little too tight but she was in no mood to negotiate.

“What in the three realms did you do? First the shadows, then the trial, then whatever that light was! What did you do?” demanded Kiarae.

Skye thrashed her legs. “Can you let me go? Please? I don’t want to be held like this... not... not after that,” she said, voice quivering.

Kiarae narrowed her eyes and closed the distance between them. Something was off with the elf. She took a moment to observe her student before speaking.

The aura was the same, except for the remnants of golden flecks dancing in and out of sight amongst the emerald shades. Kiarae took one of Skye’s streaks and ran it through her hand. The elf cried out in protest, but Kiarae held her tight.

Kiarae rolled the teal hair through her fingertips. The colour was what she’d expected. No significant change appeared to have occurred. As the last strands fell from her grasp, a flash of amber caught her eye. Surprised, she seized the hair again and sought the unusual strand, ignoring the sounds of displeasure.

When her search came to naught, Kiarae rid herself of the ridiculous notion. Elven streaks did not change colour. With that, she rotated Skye’s body. She slid her hand under the sleeve of Skye’s tunic and pressed her palm against the mark on her shoulder.

“Let me go,” said Skye. The girl wriggled with a new resolve. Kiarae merely tightened her grip on the elf again, paralysing her completely and closed her eyes.

The corruption had been active recently. She could feel the black tendrils seeping through the purpled flesh. It hadn’t spread, but at the same time, Kiarae felt the way it’d been used as an anchor point, similar to how she’d used the celestial soul to rescue Skye. 

She didn't get a chance to investigate further. Skye's own magic kicked in, rubbing away at that of Kiarae's that held her still.

Rather than bothering to fight her over it, Kiarae released the mental fetters abruptly. The elf landed lightly on her feet, one hand touching the ground for balance, muscles tense. Green eyes locked onto Kiarae’s, and she knew the elf was conducting her own assessment.

“What was the reason for that?” asked Skye. She stood and took a single step backward. Her hand found her shoulder and she clutched it protectively. The other went to her waist where a superbly crafted sword hung.

“What happened earlier?” said Kiarae, ignoring Skye’s question. She inspected the mark every time, although she’d never been so rough.

Skye frowned. “The corrupted person in Alguarde got to me. I’d felt them watching me through the trial, but--“

“They attacked you in broad daylight? Were there many people around?”

“I suppose... most of them were Silverborn.”

Kiarae rubbed her temples. “This is not good. I think that we can no longer deny that Alguarde has been infiltrated. I almost had to induce a soul link just to pull you from it, and your nightmares are not of any natural cause. You need to learn to fight against them, Skye, as I've shown you to clear your mind. If I'm not around to pull you into a soul link one night when they attack, what are you going to--"

“I do!” Skye’s eyes flashed with anger. “What the hell do you think I’ve been doing? I haven’t exactly been--“

Her words were cut short as Kiarae raised a hand sharply. Confusion marring her features, Skye touched her hands to her face. Her lips moved, but no words came out. She narrowed her eyes at Kiarae, who felt her own lips being pulled inexorably upward.

“Do not interrupt me,” said Kiarae. “I understand that you do not yield easily, but the fact remains; we are at the mercy of this corrupted agent. You do not know who they are, correct?”

When Skye huffed in reply, she continued.

“You are at risk, more than I would like. We play a dangerous game. If the Master discovers it, we could lose everything we have worked for. Contain your impatience. Restrain yourself or I will do it for you. Understood?” When Skye nodded reluctantly, Kiarae released her.

Skye cleared her throat. “Sorry.”

“Apology accepted.” said Kiarae. “Now, the golden light. Where did that come from?”

“Me.”

Kiarae raised an eyebrow. “Being smart will not get you anywhere. I excelled because I listened to my master. My brother often found himself in strife because he did not. I suggest you do not follow his example.”

“Why are you so scared of him?” asked Skye. Her pointed ears quivered and she brushed her hair off her face. Kiarae tightened her fingers around the staff, but Skye rushed on before she could reply.

“I understand that he’s powerful, but you’ve said yourself, we have advantages that he no longer possesses -- those which you still haven’t explained at all. I know I can’t beat him yet, but it honestly seems like you don’t want me to ever be prepared to face him.”

“Is there anything else you wish to say?” asked Kiarae dryly.

Skye’s frustration had become apparent every time Kiarae avoided the question in the past weeks. Not only was the frustration there now, it was strengthened by a newfound sense of determination that Kiarae deduced had blossomed from today’s events. Her student’s eyes were fierce, almost challenging her elder to deny her the knowledge.

“Yes. You’ve hinted a few times that it’s not only his quest for new shadow Sentinels that drives him to capture me. I’m not going to stay in Alguarde for the rest of my life. I won’t be a prisoner trapped within the city walls. I can’t. I need to know what it is that you know, what the Master has found that could jeopardise everything we’re working for.”

“And I suppose there is no way to convince you that it is for your own safety, if not sanity that I kept you in the dark?”

When Skye shook her head, Kiarae folded herself into a conjured chair and rested her forehead against the staff.

“I need to know. Ignorance could be my undoing. What if he tricks me into doing what he wants? At least if I know, I can see through his lies.”

“You’ve thought this through. Are you certain you wish to know?” asked Kiarae.

Skye hesitated a moment. “Yes. I need to know. Darkness is shadow, and I can’t live in either.”

“Very well.” Kiarae stood, her skirts swirling around her feet before stilling. “You will not interrupt me, or I shall cease my tale. What I am about to tell you must not leave your lips unless it is for further discussion between us.”

Kiarae lifted the staff and called to her magic. Immediately, the diamond in its head lit up. The silver swirled designs lifted themselves off the weapon and shifted into glimmering currents. They encased the pair of Sentinels swiftly. When the light faded, Kiarae found herself in a well known place.

 “When I was twelve, the Sentinels came to Celestin, my birthplace. I had been dreaming of the moment my entire life, yet when it arrived I found myself too nervous to attend. Anton, my brother, who had shown no interest in becoming a Sentinel until that point was the one who convinced me to come. Together, we underwent the trial and together, we were chosen. I for celestial, and he for water.”

Kiarae moved through the cobblestone streets at a brisk pace, sensing Skye following behind her. As promised, her student remained silent.

She is learning patience at last, thought Kiarae. She did not voice the thought, content to allow her student to realise it on her own.

They stopped outside a small house constructed from stone. Two children played in the street around them. The girl’s starlight-silver hair flowed around her as she ran from a boy who pursued her with outstretched arms. She giggled as he caught her and wrapped her in a tight embrace.

Tears pricked behind Kiarae’s eyes as she watched. They’d been so innocent, so naive. Not for the first time, she wondered how it would have been, had they not been selected. Would they lie beneath the earth, their bodies long ago disintegrated? Or would they have been caught by the corruption, skewered on the end of a talon? She pushed the emotion that threatened to overwhelm her back into her heart.  

“The man that was my brother was not as you know him now. When we were selected, there were rumours of a darkness rising from the earth, but they were just that. Rumours. We did not give them a second thought, and the Sentinels were content to let us believe we were safe.”

“Arrogance, I believe, was the cause of their downfall. They had been challenging the demons, the corruption for thousands of years by this point, and never once had they failed to push the darkness back. They, we, failed to realise the true threat. I now know the corruption was never dormant, at least, not in my time.”

Her staff flashed and once more, the tendrils of silver encircled them and shifted the scene.

“We were taken to the academy. It was there I spent the majority of the next twenty years studying the way of the Celestial.”

The room in which she trained Skye materialised. Two figures were in the centre. The girl with the silver hair was hunched over the ghostly form of a table, sweat upon her brow as she struggled with an item before her, palms outstretched. A tall woman with rounded spectacles looked down her nose at the girl. Her lips often moved, but the impassive expression never left her face.

Kiarae’s lip curled in distaste. Skye extended her fingers, which passed through the silver-haired girl.

“I rarely saw Anton during that time. When I was given the chance to see him, it was brief. He convinced me twice to sneak out with him, but each time out masters caught us. It was a sore point. In the end, we deduced a system where we hid notes in the hollow of a tree. Our masters never found out.”

“The years went by. I spoke to Anton less and less as I became more engrossed in the world of magic. It is partially because of that that I blame myself for what he has become, but in my youth I did not realise, and I doubt I would have cared much if I had. My master was ecstatic with my progress, often praising me as a prodigy, saying that I would one day surpass her own achievements. I became blinded.”

“As much as I relished hearing it, I felt alone. The magic became my only companion as I isolated myself. Occasionally I would seek Anton’s company, but it never came to be. I suspected my master had something to do with his absence but I could never prove it.”

“By chance, I befriended a nature Sentinel by the name of Tyra. She was an elf, like you. She was considered one of the masters of her element and as such became a great influence on my life. My master did not approve, but Tyra disregarded her. She took over the role of mentor for me, filling in areas where my own master significantly lacked. Although my senior by hundreds of years, she became my closest friend. She filled the hollow void growing within me.”

“Every so often, I would hear of a Sentinel’s death. It affected me more when it was of my own element, although I did not think much of it at the time. Sentinels did not die often, but it was not unheard of. Tyra was the only one to become more and more concerned than most as the deaths persisted. She hinted several times that the demons were growing stronger, believing us to be blinded.

“She began to leave, for months at a time on missions unknown to me. Often, it seemed, she went alone. Each time I feared that she would never return. Other Sentinels spoke in hushed tones about her strange behaviour. Some, like my master, often went to such lengths as to accuse her of being seduced by the darkness. A good apprentice, I never voiced my opinion on the matter and allowed her to slander my friend.”

“During one of Tyra’s longer and last absences, I was acknowledged as a master of the celestial, having earned my wings. It was with joy that I was gifted the staff you see before you, a Sentinel weapon dubbed ‘Taldorei’s Light’. To me, it was a symbol of all that I’d worked for. Anton, a year later, was also acknowledged as a master of the water element, although he was never given a weapon.”

“He had changed significantly since I’d last spoken to him. We were praised as a set, many looking to our sibling origins for comparison. I regret to say that I acted like an idiot. He knew that I was considered the stronger, more talented of our pairing, and I took every chance to prove it to him. Where once he would have brushed it off, teased me and poked fun at my ego, he now became bitter and his comments were laced with venom.”

“Late one night, Tyra returned. She came into my room while I was sleeping, fluttering to my window. She had a wild look about her. She breathed heavily and magic glittered in her gaze. She told me we had to leave, now, or risk losing everything. Without hesitation, I followed her.”

The scene, which had been progressing through the appropriate scenes as Kiarae’s tale continued, shifted from the academy grounds into a dense green forest. Kiarae recognised her own past self sitting, sheltered by the trees with Tyra. The day she would never forget.

“She led me into the forest, where we remained for the next few days. Tyra told me all of where she’d been, and that she felt I was one of the few she thought she could trust. She told me how something was not quite right with the shadow Sentinels, and how their most esteemed master, Kumos Rae, had made several suspicious disappearances.”

“I remember asking her why she did not go to the Sentinel’s council. She pointed out that the system was flawed, that the Sentinels did not believe there to be a threat, and so, refused to see one. She had, however, convinced a few others of the need for a greater offence. And so, upon these new revelations, we returned to the academy to collect allies.”

“Upon our return, Anton was not pleased. He accused me of forgetting about him. I pleaded with him to listen, and eventually he agreed, although it was not without a fuss that alerted Kumos to our knowledge. Realising he had been uncovered; Kumos launched an attack on the academy, intent on destroying each individual.”

“With our prior knowledge, Tyra, Anton, a human fire Sentinel called Alleria and I managed to evacuate most of the academy. Kumos got to the council before we did. Convinced they were safe, he killed them swiftly, along with most of the elemental masters. The majority of the shadow Sentinels had fallen to the corruption, making his conquest easier as friend turned to foe. Those that had not succumbed died by Kumos’ hand. We only managed to get three of their number away. It was a terrible, terrible loss.”

“And so it was, the Sentinel war began. We fled to Alguarde and managed to ward it against the corruption, for we now knew that was what had affected the shadow Sentinels, along with the other four major human cities.” 

Skye and Kiarae now stood in Alguarde, watching terrified people, civilians and nobles alike run about the streets in complete chaos as purple magic assaulted the walls. Sparks seemed to permanently hang in the air. A past, younger version of herself stood inside the walls, a grim expression on her face as she defended the fleeing people with silver balls of light in rapid succession.

“Many did not make it from their houses outside the walls to safety, struck down by shadows or sucked into dark voids of nothingness only to emerge as demons a few moments later. What scared me the most was how most of the demons appeared to be different. They were stronger and quicker than those that we knew. They were intelligent, able to think and reason for the most part.”

“This new breed became known as the tainted, because until that point, they had not existed. Kumos found a way to fuse a soul directly to the corruption without obliterating it, and they were all too efficient. Sentinels that ventured outside the walls never came back, save for our small group. The people were reliant on nature Sentinels for food, and the cities almost starved as their numbers dwindled while they established a system capable of supporting a city; eventually to become the farming district you see in Alguarde today.”

“Tyra, Anton, Alleria and I became leaders by default. We tried to reach the elven cities, to ward them, but we never managed to reach them. Each time we were intercepted by Kumos or his Sentinel lackeys.  The royals refused to send help to the elves, who were struggling against increased numbers of minor demons and famine. Kumos had no interest in them at the time, preferring to focus on our havens and, we thought, obliterate the remaining Sentinel numbers. Only the Silverborn came to the elves defense, but it was barely enough despite their large numbers.”

“Two hundred and sixty two years ago, in the ninth year of the war, we discovered how Kumos was winning, despite his lacking numbers. Risky scouting missions revealed he had an object infused with shadow, known only as the Opal. Armed with this information, we took our remaining forces -- nineteen Sentinels, including Tyra, Alleria and Anton and I -- to the citadel, where Kumos had selected as his base, in an attempt to destroy it.”

“By the time we reached the citadel, only five of us remained. The corrupted Sentinels killed many of our numbers but we returned the favour. Asana, a fire Sentinel, was killed as we reached the citadel, leaving only four. By then, we believed that Kumos was the only one remaining. We believed we had a chance of ridding the land of this corruption.”

Kiarae shook her head and gave a bitter laugh.

“We were wrong. So wrong.”

The walls of the Citadel rose up around them and the four ghostly figures, black, hard and glinting.

“Within minutes, we were split up. Anton and Alleria disappeared, leaving only Tyra and myself. We wandered around for hours, lost in the citadel and feeling our magic leeched from us. Deciding it would not be wise to confront Kumos here, we fled into the forest, hoping Anton and Alleria would soon follow.”

“Days passed and they did not return. We feared the worst. Kumos had not been seen, things were strangely quiet. It was then that Anton emerged, bleeding and broken in several places. Blinded by my relief, I healed him immediately and nursed him back to health. Tyra was wary, but seemed to accept him. He told us Kumos had attacked and killed Alleria, but he managed to escape after realising he stood no chance alone.”

Kiarae licked her lips and she lowered her voice. “I remember being thirsty, asking Anton for a drink. He was, after all a water Sentinel, and it was not the first time we’d relied on him for water. We drank what he gave us, Tyra hesitantly, and it was then that Kumos emerged from the shadows, a twisted glee lighting his face.”

“I realise I am getting off track, but this is necessary for your understanding,” said Kiarae to Skye. Her student, as per request remained silent. The large emerald eyes stared up at Kiarae in silent question.

Those eyes, thought Kiarae. They’re just like Tyra’s.

“You need to understand what the Master can do to you. Although it is no longer Kumos in possession of the title, it does not make him less of a threat.”

Kiarae took a deep breath before continuing. Tears flowed freely down her face now. She didn’t see the point in stopping them any longer. It would hurt to recount the events of that dark night, but

“Kumos congratulated Anton, saying his task had been completed. I remember Anton’s grimace. For a moment, I was confused, until the corner of his lips tweaked upward. It all came crashing down. I don’t remember much else. I was lost in my thoughts as Tyra grabbed my wrist and ran.”

“She tried to summon her wings, tried to control the forest as she once had, but something was blocking the magic for both of us. Whatever Anton gave us, it was not healthy. We ran for hours, using Tyra’s skill and the forest to evade capture. We both knew it couldn’t last. We could only hope for it to wear off soon. Before it did, the Hunter found us. The same one that assaulted you in your flight to Alguarde. We fought, but without magic and deprived of our wings, the demons overwhelmed us with numbers.”

“I knew I had to save Tyra. One of us could still get out, and she had the better chance of evading capture again in the forest. I called on the name of my deity, and with the temporary energy, I flooded the area and called out to her to escape. She did so, but I passed out.”

“The next thing I knew, I was at the citadel. Anton argued with Kumos, saying there was no reason to hurt me, that I wouldn’t be a problem. I remember Kumos slapping him so hard that he stumbled, but yet, he wouldn’t let the shadowed Master near me. He conjured a flame in his hand and attempted to attack Kumos.”

“It was then that I realised Anton was no longer of the water. The magic in his hand was lilac. All traces of blue were gone, and a quick glimpse of his aura revealed the masses of shadows within. It struck me as odd though, while Kumos’ was dark, nearly black, Anton’s was, while purple, still light. He was not corrupted, although he was clearly being controlled. Kumos forced him aside and advanced on me.”

“I believe I was there for a day, possibly two before Tyra came for me. I came to hope desperately that she wouldn’t come. Hope was all I had. Kumos tried to break me as he had Anton, who lurked in the corner of the black stone walls, which I later learned were pure Naclictite. I watched his aura become darker as the hours went by, forced to watch my torture.”

“In that time, I realised what the Opal truly was. It was not merely a power enhancer, nor was it a mind controlling device. It was intended to be a direct link to the Nether realm, the realm where the deities reside and where we draw our magic from, where our souls were attached to, although it was not yet complete. It required a nature and a celestial Sentinel master to infuse it with their magic.”

“Kumos, I gather, after forcing Anton to enchant the Opal with water and Alleria with fire, attempted to convert them to the shadow to bolster his diminished ranks. Alleria died from the effort, although Kumos was able to convert Anton through my brother’s failings. Kumos thanked me, saying it was because of my previous actions that Anton had succumbed.”

“In the end, Tyra came for me. I told her to run, she refused to listen. Within the Naclictite walls, she never stood a chance against Anton and Kumos combined. I could do no more than lay there, as drained as I was by the physical and mental effort at keeping Kumos out of my soul. Tyra realised this, and with a last look at me, she did something that to this day, I cannot figure out.”

As Kiarae spoke, the scene played out around them. Skye darted her head around, trying to keep up with the battle. Kiarae had no wish to see it, and instead stared into the depths of the diamond in her staff, Taldorei’s Light.

“Somehow, she took a hold of Kumos and attempted to destroy the opal. Her attempt did not succeed entirely, however. Kumos and Tyra disappeared in a supernova of light that obliterated everything except Naclictite.”

“Anton leapt in front of me, shielding me from the deadly energy, but something in his eyes changed. It was as if he absorbed the corruption within him as it passed through. It was at that moment that I knew I had lost my brother.”

The room shifted back to the present soul-link, the ghostly figures fading from sight as Kiarae released her memories. The staff’s glow dimmed, and Kiarae looked into the eyes of Skye. The elf’s eyes were brimming with tears. Wet lines stained her cheeks and her hands were at her chest.

“You may speak now, Skye.”

The elf took a minute to find her voice. “So... Anton...”

“The Master,” said Kiarae.

“The Master still has the opal? And he needs...” said Skye, realisation dawning across her face. “He needs me to enchant the opal and complete the ritual.”

“That is correct, although it also requires celestial magic. I have never given in.” Kiarae lifted her chin.

“Then, as bad as it would be if I were to be captured, why is it the end? Surely, if you’ve held out for this long...” Skye let the question hang in the air.

“He has me worried. In the past few weeks, he has not left the Citadel and he has neglected to... interrogate me, as such.” Kiarae swallowed. Her throat was dry from speaking for so long. “I fear that he may have discovered, or is working on, a way to force the magic from me, although the only way to do that that I am aware of is to invoke the true name of the deity.”

The pair sat in silence for a long while. Kiarae sensed Skye absorbing the information, and so, she left her to her thoughts. Kiarae left a small object on the table which Skye promptly picked up and began to fiddle with. It was designed to increase Skye’s mental stamina, something they’d worked with before. As Skye worked at it, Kiarae observed her in silence.

The young elf was taking it better than Kiarae would have hoped. She’d have expected Skye to declare she was never leaving Alguarde again, yet it appeared her student was handling the revelations well. Her aura was steady and her already strong resolve was burning brighter than ever before.

“You mentioned wings several times. What are they?” asked Skye.

“When a Sentinel achieves a certain level of mastery over their element, they attain their wings. It is a significant achievement. Once a Sentinel earned their wings, they were deemed ready for advanced magic.”

Skye gave a hesitant glance over her shoulder. “Why isn’t any of that recorded in the library?”

“The spirits still guard its contents. You may have been accepted as their Sentinel, but they will not allow you access to anything you are unprepared for.”

“Do wings actually do anything important?”

Kiarae smiled. Practical questions she could handle. In a way, she was glad that Skye did not attempt to pry deeper into her relationship with Anton or anything else that would bring back painful memories. Skye still held the object, which now glowed with a steady light.

“Put simply, wings of any creature are sort of the magical centre. They are strongly attached to the Nether realm. While active, they allow flight and enhance your magical capacity. It is for this reason that I believe the Master allowed you to escape to Alguarde. He needs you to attain your wings in order to have the capability to perform the ritual.”

“Does he have wings?”

“He did once, before he became of the shadow. Now, the corruption has disrupted his attachment to the elements so much that he can no longer call on then. It is one of the advantages you will have over him,” said Kiarae.

A sudden noise in her physical realm put Kiarae on high alert. She turned to Skye sharply.

“Stay here. Be ready to break the link, remain quiet and do not, do not use magic until this link is broken or I say otherwise.”

Skye nodded. Kiarae maintained the link and activated her vision in the physical realm. She searched for the aura she knew too well, and cursed when it was moving directly to her. There was something knowing about his aura. The flicker of excitement coursing through it gave him away.

Kiarae pushed herself back into the soul link.

“Listen. The Master is not weak, do not underestimate him. However he is nothing, nothing compared to Kumos. I do not believe Kumos dead, nor Tyra entirely. They are still in the physical realm, but their souls are scattered. The opal will not only give the Master a link to the Nether but he will use it to revive Kumos, I am certain. If that happens, all is lost. The wards will not hold against him.”

The Naclictite wall slid open.

“Whatever you do, do NOT come to rescue me!” commanded Kiarae. “Study, earn your wings, use the library, the forest. Go!” Kiarae pushed Skye from the bond, and her student did the same. The bond dissipated immediately.

When Kiarae fluttered her eyes opened, still curled across the lightened patch of Naclictite, she found herself staring into the deranged eyes of the Master. He tilted his head to match hers. A chill ran through her entire body. 

“Hello, dearie,” he said, a malicious grin plastered across his face.

*+*+*+*

 A/N - Picture of Kiarae on the side --> I'll leave a link in the comments below because I can't get it to resize properly.  (Note: I make no claim that I actually have any artistic skill at all. They're just for fun. ^^)