Chapter 195: Spirited Away
I opened my mouth, about to call out to Korra, when he raised his fist. An unfamiliar ring glittered on his finger, holding a faint connection with my soul. Yet, at the same time, Alex’s still resonated with me, coming from somewhere far below where he battled the dragon. Had they created two rings? But that was the same as having two masters at once! Was something like that even possible?
"Don’t make me hurt you," he said, "Just surrender silently and come with me."
I nodded, paralyzed more by his dark aura than the threat, and he stabbed his sword forward, shattering the barrier.
"Hey!" R’lissia cried out, noticing the destruction of her spell, "Korra!"
Korra glanced over, eyes widening in shock as Soltair swept me up in his arms. Before she could react, Ronin appeared before her, raising his sword to point at her chest. Jumping back, she began feverishly casting spells, trying to break through, but the War Hero was resolute.
"Xiviyah!" She cried, growling in frustration, "Don’t give up, I’ll come for you!"
Her voice faded behind us as Soltair leaped from the building. The air, thick with rain and wind, rushed past as we plummeted hundreds of feet. I squeezed my eyes shut, panting in fear, and clutched Soltair’s arms tightly.
We landed hard, right atop a colossal junk of stone. It shattered beneath the impact, but Soltair barely flexed his knees. High above us, the heroes’ fight continued at full force, even as the prize they fought over disappeared into the raging Typhoon. I could hear Korra’s frantic calls drifting down on the winds, but Ronin’s presence kept her from following.
Soltair didn’t seem the least bit concerned over the destruction or death of the citizens of the Divine Throne He held me against his chest with one arm and wielded his sword in the other, easily deflecting errant attacks or shockwaves. There was a slight bounce to his step, and I occasionally heard a faint hum deep in his throat, as though he were enjoying himself. Did this scenario fulfill some part of his twisted hero fantasy? If anything, shouldn’t he be on the other side, trying to rescue the helpless girl from the cruel masters who sought to dispose of her?