239 Creation 22

Recognizing the opportunity, he made an overhead strike on Raetor’s head…

…before changing direction and striking Jaelen’s chest, sending him to the ground.

Darkness enveloped the world, as Jaelen felt himself hit the soft soil.

He felt something warm soak his chest, and lifted an arm to stem the flow.

[...]

It shimmered now, in the darkness, a small speck of light in the distance of the black void that encompassed him.

He moved forward on unsteady feet, stretching his hand out to meet it.

His fingers closed on the warm amulet- Sigurrós’ last gift.

He held it to his chest as he curled up in the darkness of the void, his feet leaving the ground as he floated upwards.

Live, Jaelen. The amulet said, its warmth ever comforting. Live… for me.

I can’t. He said to it, floating through the dark space. I want to be with you.

A chuckle answered him, light and constant, bright and warm. Now, it wasn’t the amulet that spoke. It was Sigurrós, living within it- living within him.

I never left you, Jaelen. She said, her glow suddenly growing brighter and brighter. Remember what I said?

[...]

“You’re…” Jaelen began, tears gathering at the edges of his eyes. “You’re here.”

Sigurrós brought her face close, meeting her head with his as they both drifted through the void in each other’s embrace.

“I told you I would be, didn’t I?” She said, her eyes light and beautiful. “I said that I’d always be with you.”

[...]

Then, she summoned a lick of green fire with a snap of her fingers. “Remember to use my amulet when you need it, alright?”

Jaelen nodded, feeling the jewel in his hands as his fingers closed over it. “I will.”

Sigurrós smiled widely, and then put a glowing finger to his forehead, causing light to envelop him once again.

The last thing he saw of her when he left was the shimmer of her eyes.

Jaelen awoke to the sound of clanging steel and restrained anguish, as a wounded Raetor countered another blow from a hobbled Asser. The Cardinal pressed the attack, his swings suddenly growing ever more desperate as Raetor clumsily blocked each strike with his own sword.

Jaelen came to his feet, the amulet glowing with power as the wound on his chest steadily healed.

Hiil, a gentle voice said in his mind, knotting the open flesh together as he picked up his sword from the ground.

***
Our Last Goodbyes