Chapter 620: Condition
The demons started at my command, circling closer to the inner walls. A piercing shriek rang in the skies, and I looked up, eyes brightening.
"Borealis!"
The ice demon wheeled high above. At my cry, he tucked his wings and dove, pulling up at the last second as he always did. I managed, with some pride, to keep from flinching as his wings flapped a few inches before my face, buffeting me with wind. I did, however, duck my head as he tried to land on my horns, barely dodging him in time.
"That’s enough out of you. Can’t you see what’s happening?" I scolded, offering him my shoulder lest he went for my head again.
Borealis clucked, dissatisfied, but took my offer. He bore a few scratches from his tousle with the seventh-level inquisitor, but his aura bristled like a crouching tiger, ablaze with the power of Celestial Grace.
The empire’s soldiers were torn and bloody. Hardly any stood without aid or injury, and their souls flickered weakly. Their eyes were dull and hopeless, yet still they stood, gripping their weapons in preparation for the final battle.
I started to turn, my gut twisting at the thought of the slaughter to come when the heavy iron-bound gates creaked open. A single girl strode out, her step shaking slightly. Verity. Her silver armor gleamed dully in the firelight, matching the sheen of her long, flowing hair. She held a slender long sword in one hand and a small hemp child’s doll in the other. The doll was scorched black on one side and soaked in blood on the other.
The demons paused as I bit my lip, squeezing Fable’s fur. Her eyes, flecked with starlight, brimmed with unshed tears.
"Please, Xiviyah, stop this. Talk to me." Her voice echoed hollowly through the courtyard.
I slid off Fable, walking to the edge of the wall, in plain view of the entire keep. "What more is there to say? Haven’t you given me enough lies?"
She winced. "I never meant to hurt you. I just wanted to give you a chance to leave the darkness and heal. I’m sorry you couldn’t understand that."