Though I should be hooping and hollering in victory that all of this is over, I'm mentally- not to mention, physically- drained, so I sit in the labyrinth for several minutes, collecting my bearings, before venturing back down to the throne room.

As I approach the stairs, though, I hear hurried footsteps coming my way. I don't know who I thought would be coming to fight me, but I'm just so zonked that I point my sword out defensively anyway.

"Mallory?"

I'm more relieved than confused at this point by Coxen's appearance. Dropping the sword by my side, I manage to give him a weary, yet encouraging smile.

He inspects me with concerned eyes. "Are you okay?"

"It's over."

His eyes go wide with disbelief. Gently gripping me by the shoulders, he stares at me, his skeptical eyes searching for some possible deceitful lie behind my words.

"Are you sure? Are you positive-"

"Coxen," I place a hand on his arm. "It's finished. We've won."

Unexpectedly, but not unwanted, he pulls me in for a tight but brief embrace, a laugh of tired relief coming from him.

"Thank the Fates."

"The wicked bitch is dead." I honestly have never felt so secure than in this moment.

Walking down the stairs together, our positive energy radiating off us, we rejoin the others. Even though they didn't listen to me and leave, I'm always glad to see my friends, even more so after everything that just went down. Elle is all on us even before we reach the last step.

"You're both safe, thank the Fates. I was so worried."

I embrace her as well, a brighter smile taking hold- warding away the exhaustion.

"Mallory did it," He tells her.

Just like him, her eyes go wide in amazement. She blinks once at him then blinks a second time at me.

"The queen?"

"Dealt with," He assured her.

She looks so relieved that she might just cry; instead, she turns around and gives Olivos, who also heard the news, a crushing hug which he joyfully returns.

Finishing my descent down the stairs, I make my way to the one person my feet are unconsciously- though intentionally- leading me to. I'm interrupted, though, by an excited ball of energy who practically plows me down.

"Mal! Boy am I happy to see you. It was so stormy and crazy outside but then it just stopped and things became peaceful again. Axel said you went upstairs and I wanted to follow but they wouldn't let me and then you weren't coming down after a while so Coxen went up to help you-"

Cutting off his bubbly ramblings, I hug him.

"I'm happy to see you too."

He stares up at me with that impish, innocent filled smiling face that only can come from a child. Looking back now, I'm grateful Clifford came along for the ride; I don't think I could have survived without him.

With Clifford not clinging onto me anymore, I finally finish my path over to the person I've been aching to talk to.

His back is to me as he stares out the frosted window that shields his reflection from me. He leans against the window sill, hardly stirring as I approach. It's just when I'm about to reach out to him, that I honestly realize I have not a clue how to go about this with him.

However twisted, manipulative, and psychotic Aelita was, she was still his mother. She was still- even if it was the most improbable sliver in his mind- redeemable. So, I don't expect him to celebrate with the rest of them, but I expect some of the tension in him to be expelled by the news.

"It's finished." It comes out softly, like a feather carried away in the wind.

He hardly reacts to the news, not even the slightest movement from him.

"I wanted to save her."

It seems pretty stupid of me to say it but I feel like he should know exactly what went down.

"I tried to give her my hand to pull her back up, but she wouldn't let me, she refused to be helped," Rubbing the hand that got shocked with an icy pulse, I stand by his side, staring anywhere but him. "I couldn't help her. She slipped and she fell. I couldn't watch but then- then I looked down and she, she-"

"Mallory," His voice is thick but not with anger or despair.

Finally, he looks at me and I sense no vile accusation in his eyes. Taking me off guard slightly, he reaches out and places a hand of reassurance on my arm.

"You are not at fault. However my mother died, she drove herself to that point."

"I know, but she was still your mother and it just feels..."

"Don't torture yourself on the thought. You aren't gravely injured, are you?"

Looking at him, I only now realize how pale his complexion is- a bit too pale even in the cold light. My worry starts to mount when I notice how labored his breathing is- his eyes aren't their usual sharp blue.

"Xalale, are you okay?"

He doesn't answer me. Instead, he starts to turn from me back to the window again but I grip his arm.

"Xalale? What's wrong? Just tell-"

He collapses, right there, trying to hold onto my arm still. My worry has now morphed into utter panic.

"Xalale!"

I try to help him up but it's like dead weight- I'm not strong enough. It seems so sudden that he's acting like this, but kneeling down I discover the cause. He holds a tentative hand over a dark spot just above his hip. The darkness appears to be spreading and drips of scarlet land on the floor, coating his hand.

The panic- and fear- is deeply rooted at this point.

"Xalale, how did this happen? Can you stand? You have to stand."

I need to get him off the ground and over to the chaise nearby, but I don't know how that's going to happen seeing how drained he is- there's no way I can get him over to the lounge (however close it is) by myself.

Out of nowhere, Coxen has come to my aid- taking me by surprise.

He props his arm around him then looks at me.

"Got the other side?"

I have to snap myself back into reality as I nod and support his other side. Together, we carry him over to the chaise where he lays back in apparent discomfort.

Before I can assist the situation fully, Clifford is by his side, his eyes frantically looking him over.

"W-what happened? Axel, are you okay? Mal, is he gonna be okay?"

"Clifford," I run a hand through my hair. "Now's not the time."

"But, but-"

Before he can distract and frazzle my nerves even more, Elle steps in and pulls him back a little. She holds him in a gentle embrace, trying to soothe his growing anxiety. It works for now as he stands by quietly, looking the most sullen I'd ever seen a child look.

My brain kicks into novice doctor mode and I realize that his wound is still bleeding freely, so I look around trying to find something to stop the bleeding with. The others take notice of my frantic search and inquire what I need.

"I need a cloth- anything that will stop the bleeding."

I think about ripping some material from my dress, but I don't need to, though, as Olivos offers an acceptable cloth that's about the size of a napkin.

Placing the material on the wound, I apply pressure to it as I kneel by his side.

Though there's a sheen of sweat present on his forehead, his skin is ice cold as my hand brushes against his hand.

I'm confused as to how and when this happened. Even in the tense haze I was in, I don't remember him ever being struck at any time.

"Xalale, how did this happen? When did this happen?"

He quivers slightly with a sudden jolt of coldness.

"You already know."

And just like that, I know exactly how and when it occurred.

I had my eyes closed, I didn't even hear it hit him. He was behind me when she lashed out, I thought she missed- he didn't make a sound.

With a sinking heart, her words begin to make sense.

"I have experienced loss and I believe you should as well. It would please me even more to allow you to suffer in a crueler fashion."

This woman, even in her death, is as twisted as they come.

She was never aiming for me in the first place.

Her intentions were never to directly harm me- that would to easy, a given. No, she'd mastered the art of crippling people and she knew it well.

I know it shouldn't be surprising that someone like her wouldn't bat an eye at doing something so wicked, but the fact that she did it just so she could spite me- to her only flesh and blood- that's what repulses me.

That woman never truly did deserve the title of a mother. Something happened to her in her past, but it doesn't excuse or justify any of her behavior. Now, I don't feel quite as bad as I previously did watching her fall to her demise.

"You're going to okay, alright," I say trying to encourage him.

He's not an idiot, though, and secretly I know those words were just for me, but we have to have some hope, some faith.

"You can't put pressure on it forever," He says wincing in pain.

"Just stop, you're distracting me."

If I'm being honest, I don't know what we could do, and that frightens me. It looks like it requires stitches, yet we have no way of putting them in or if stitches should even be done. For now, all I know to do is put pressure on it.

Just as I'm starting to panic about what to do next, I can hear the doors being opened and the sound of a familiar voice.

"Are you all okay?" Sephora comes into the room. "I couldn't leave her alone right away so I-"

"Sephora," I call out for her from where I kneel.

She seems to finally take in the urgent situation and notices Xalale. Hurrying to my side, unasked questions aglow in her eyes, she kneels beside me and inspects the wound.

"What happened?"

I grimace as she lifts the already blood-soaked rag. "Aelita."

Looking at me then back at him, she pales a little.

"She didn't strike him, did she?"

I know what she means. If she struck him with her powers. That changes everything from the looks of it- I'm almost reluctant to answer.

"She did."

Instantly, her demeanor shifts. Where there was once a quick responsive manner to her, now it's replaced with a slumped, uneasy approach- she's already lost hope.

"Sephora," I press the cloth back on the wound. "You can fix this, right? There's a herb or something that can help. Right?"

The delayed, nonverbal response she delivers me in those few seconds makes my heart crash into the soles of my feet. I can't accept failure without trying.

"When it comes to magical injuries, it is harder to treat. When it is ice struck with malice intentions..."

"Sephora, there has to be something. We can't just wait around for something to happen."

Closing her eyes while staring into the distance for an answer, she reopens her eyes several seconds later then gets up from her spot.

"Allow me to console some information."

While she walked out of the room, signaling Olivos to accompany her, my stomach only tightens further.

I can't seem to stop the bleeding. Though it's not gushing out, it's not clotting which is causing some serious blood loss. Frustrated, I continue to apply pressure to the wound but recoil when he sharply inhales.

"Not so hard," He writhes in greater discomfort.

Guilt shoots through me as I become paranoid about causing him any further pain. I do my best to be gentle yet have enough pressure to slow the bleeding.

At some point, Clifford joins us. For once, he doesn't have much to say and instead is content resting his head against my shoulder while we wait for Sephora and Olivos to return.

Though I'm exhausted by this point, I continue to stay strong for his sake.

"Are you tired?" I ask him, looking down as he rests his head on me.

He only shakes his head, a heavy cloud over him.

Turning my attention back to Xalale, I cross my fingers that the wound isn't as serious as it sounds. But my optimism isn't at the highest levels it could be, especially as time stretches on and Sephora and Olivos fail to return- it's not a good omen.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, they return, but with cautious expressions- as if they were scared of telling what they knew.

"Mallory," Sephora gives me a small wave, signaling a private meeting, meaning things are looking grim.

I disturb Clifford as I'm getting up, making my way over to the side where Sephora waits, her eyes glancing nervously around, seeming to look everywhere but me.

Resting her eyes on me at last, she sighs. "I am so sorrowfully sorry, Mallory, but we looked, we combed through the books we expected to have the answers, and our searching yielded nothing."

It wasn't fair. After everything we've been through- thick and thin, good and bad, heavenly and hellish- it doesn't seem fair to end like this, to just accept this fate dealt to us by a woman who fought so vainly to change hers. Though I've seen it multiple times in my life, I can't stand here and fathom the thought of death.

Drawing me back to the present, she places a comforting hand on my shoulder and, with a face so full of regret (which surprises me since it's Xalale we're talking about), she softly murmurs-

"I am beyond sorry for you, I truly am, but there is nothing that can be done."

It's the hardest pill I've had to swallow in my life. Knowing I have to walk back over to a person that is dying and tell them there's nothing that can be done for them; I haven't a clue how doctors can do this day in and day out.

But I have to do it- I at least owe him this honesty.

Returning to his side, I open my mouth to start but remember Clifford's presence.

"Hey, Cliff, why don't you go over to Elle for a little bit. I have to talk to Xalale, alone."

Though he looks like he's about to protest, Xalale interjects.

"Do what she tells you."

His voice is starting to lose its strength, but the sullen eight year old listens and slowly gets up to make his way over to Elle and the others who hang back a bit.

When he's finally out of earshot and it's just us, I'm prepared to talk but he speaks up first.

"I've never been afraid of death, I've just never thought about it."

"You're not..." I stop myself, not being able to bring myself to lie like that to him.

"May I thank you?"

I hate this. I hate these final words, this moment of defeat.

For once I'm fixing things. I've tasted success and now I will not let this slip through my fingers.

"No."

He appears genuinely taken back at that, his brow furrowing.

He could resign himself to death all he wants but I am not going to sit passively by and wait for Death to come knocking.

"Mallory, don't be-"

I've already turned to get up and approach Olivos and Sephora again.

"There has to be a way."

I'm desperate but with a resilient fire burning through my bones.

They both exchange a look with one another, bemused by my persistence.

"Mallory-"

Sephora goes to place another comforting hand on me but I move out of her reach.

"Sephora, please," I glance between the two of them. "I need something. Anything. I will do anything at this point, just don't hold back on me."

She looks so pained, it makes me think she's hiding something, but she's not spilling. Olivos, on the other hand, lets it out after a hard few seconds of silence.

"The Fates," He blurts out with an unwilling face. "You can approach the Fates with a request."

Hungry for answers, I direct all of my attention on him.

"I can go to the Fates? How?"

He knows he can't dig himself out of this ditch now, so his shoulders slump in defeat and he gives me a worried expression.

"Be warned, they don't heed most requests and they hardly answer requests the way you may have intended it"

"I don't care, as long as I have a shot at being heard."

"You can only request one favor of them as long as you live. In order to reach them, you have to travel to a divine temple where they can manifest."

"A divine temple?"

"Most temples are simply places of worship and practice, divine temples are different. They are scarce and highly sacred, only a few approved souls are permitted to enter."

Already, it's daunting, but knowing that the life is draining out of Xalale as we speak, I know there's nothing I wouldn't do to seek this temple out.

"Okay, so where can I find one of these temples?" I question.

He glances up at the ceiling as though the answer is scribbled up there.

"I believe the closest one would be Veritas," He looks at me again. "Depending on the path you take it should not be a long journey. It is just beyond Sagegate Mountain."

"Just beyond the mountains, got it."

I'm already heading toward the doors, my body becoming restless, but he speaks up again with a tremble in his voice.

"There are high risks involved in seeking a request."

I glance back at the concerned bunch.

"There are risks in everything, you just have to determine which ones are worth taking."

Turning back to head out the door, I'm stopped once more by Elle's soft voice.

"Mallory."

Just as I turn to look at her, she practically collides with me in a crushing embrace.

"Stay safe."

Hugging her back, I offer an encouraging smile.

"Haven't I always?"

She weakly smiles back then releases me, allowing me to venture out. But just as I grab hold of the handle, a hoarse voice calls out for me, one I simply can't ignore.

Lingering with my hand on the handle for a heartbeat, I sigh, bracing myself for a back and forth dispute, then make my way to the side of the chaise. The second I kneel down beside him, he takes hold of my hand, tightly, tighter than I previously thought his fleeting strength would allow.

"Don't act rashly," He warns me, his eyes briefly flashing in warning.

My voice is gentle but firm (my mind is made up). "I'm not."

Craning his head toward me, though it causes him slight pain, he studies me, disapproval permeating his stare.

"Look," I sigh and give his hand a squeeze. "I'll be back before you know it. It's just a little rides away past the mountains. I've taken on much worse."

He sighs as well, though it's more labored. "It's not worth the effort."

That upsets me for different reasons but I keep my determination.

"Yes, it is," I stand up with him still trying to hold on. "Now start thinking positively. I promise I'll be back soon, and I don't lie about my promises."

Whether he's ready to let me go or not, I slip out of his grip and hurry out the room before anyone else could try to dissuade me.

I try not to worry about the possible outcomes if I fail, but it's hard to ignore. For one, Xalale won't get the help that he needs, two, I might not even make it back, and three, if I don't make it back what would that mean for Clifford? A lot is riding on this, I know that, but I see no other viable option.

As I'm breezing down the empty but still icy halls on my way to the stables to retrieve Valda, I'm stopped in my tracks by a weak, quivering yet relieved voice calling out for me from a passing room.

Backtracking, I peer into the room with a flickering light pouring out of it.

To my surprise- and great relief- I see no other than Shaykh sitting up on a couch in front of a roaring fire. Though she's positioned at a spot close enough to cause anyone to sweat profusely, along with a warm blanket draped over her, she's shaking like a leaf, though a smile is pasted on her face.

"Shay," I stand by her side, taking her in. "Are you okay? What happened to you?"

"I'm going to be fine. A woman, the one with you before, she found and helped me. I'm sorry that the queen caught onto me, I tried to talk my way out of her accusations but she wouldn't believe me and I ended up-"

She miserably shook her head until I step in.

"Shaykh, it's not your fault. You helped out the best way you knew how. Thank you for that. Thanks to your help, the queen is dead."

Blinking in shock, she can barely get the words out to repeat, "The queen is...dead?"

I nod, "Yeah, she's gone."

She barely knows how to react. Though I'm truly glad to see her alive and well, I can't afford to waste time.

"I'm sorry to leave you like this," I begin, already turning to head out. "But I have a dire errand I need to accomplish and time isn't my friend right now." Though when has it ever been?

She straightens up, noting the urgency in my demeanor.

"Where do you need to go?"

"A divine temple called Veritas."

Thinking to herself for a moment, she offers up a suggestion.

"Well, if you are pressed for time, I would advise you to take the king's steed, though I am sure he would not be too pleased."

"Take Atlas?" I never thought about riding on him alone.

"He's the swiftest stallion I've ever witness run. Wherever you need to go, he'll get you there without delay."

Thinking back, I do remember how fast he is and with the clock against me it would be nice to have speed. I already know Xalale won't mind.

I nod, hurrying toward the door but pausing to look back at her.

"Stay safe," I tell her, though that's probably advice she should be giving me.

She wraps the blanket tighter around herself. "You too."

"I will."

With that, I'm back out into the halls and heading out to the stables.

Every second that passes weighs on me, but I press on, more resolved with each step onward. Storming into the stables, I startle the horses a bit but barely mind. Without hesitation, I unlock Atlas' stall and go to fasten on the proper equipment. I vaguely remember how Xalale taught me to secure the saddle and reins, but I'm a little fearful that I've missed a crucial step. Nonetheless, I don't have time to check for mistakes.

Finishing up, I pull on the reins to get Atlas out of the stall, but he doesn't budge. Looking back at him, I try again with a little more force but he whines in protest, resisting even more.

"So both the horse and owner are as stubborn as asses."

I sigh then approach the resistant beast, whose dark eyes assess me with scrutiny.

"Look," I take him by the bit, forcing him to look at me. "I know you're not used to me and you don't really trust me yet- I don't fully trust you yet either- but you need to work with me here. I don't know if you can understand this since you're a horse, but Xalale is in trouble and I need to get to the Veritas temple so I can get help for him. I need your help, I need you to trust me, for his sake at least."

I know I look and sound crazy talking to a horse, but there is no other way. I'm getting nowhere if he doesn't trust me.

Stepping back, I continue to stare at him as I try once more to lead him out of the stall.

With one tug on the reins, he walks out on his own accord. He's so powerfully intimidating, but I can't let my fears get to me- I have to trust him, and myself.

So, pulling myself up (while feeling as though I've just mounted a mountain), I spur him out of the stables and into the night air. Pleased that he's finally trusting me, I stroke his mane.

"Good boy. Now, let's go."

He snorts, waiting for my cue.

Closing my eyes, I take in a shaky breath then exhale as I glance up at the still frozen castle. Now was not the time to think- that time has long passed.

"Now, I act."

One jab in the side signals the start of our journey. The breeze whips through my hair as adrenaline pumps through me. It's even more surprising at how fast Atlas truly is, especially when I'm the rider.

With one last glance back at the shrinking castle, I pray to God that this won't be my final mission- not one that I fail.