38. Colt
Colt
Sweat dripped from Colt's face as he shot a bolt from his crossbow at a beast several feet away. As his group pushed into a cavernous-looking room after taking down a horde of shadow graugs, Colt felt for the remaining bolts in his quiver. He had only ten left, plus the one with the emberstone arrowhead.
When they came into a wide circular room, Elian suddenly stopped. Colt followed his eyes to the right to see someone on the floor, a sword stabbed through their gut. As they neared the man, Colt realized it was Rem.
His eyes widened, and he looked around. Brom came forward and searched the Hunter's dead body. "He doesn't have the dagger."
"Then Mordren must have it," Elian replied. "We should hurry."
They made their way out of the room until they came to a stone bridge that passed over a stream and led to a low balcony. There was another balcony above and a set of stairs that curved around to it. Amias led them up a set of steps and down a dark passage lined with blue-glowing mushrooms.
"We're in the citadel," Amias told them. "This way should lead to the dungeon." Elian nodded in confirmation, as if he knew now where they were .
Two of the cryn had died fighting shadow graugs. The four cryn remaining continued to run ahead, along with Clove, taking down anything lurking in the shadows. A series of growls told them the cryn had found more to fight. They had reached the dungeon.
Several Arroki soldiers guarded the way through. Elian used his Core to send a spiral of wind rushing towards the ghouls, blowing them off their feet. Colt, Brom, and Rhielle rushed forward to finish them off. As they passed the cells of the dungeon, people reached out through the bars, pleading to be let out.
Amias puffed and came to a stop. He reached down to one of the Arroki and picked up a set of keys. When Colt looked back at him, Amias said, "You go ahead. I'll let these people out."
"What if more of them come?" Colt panted.
"Don't worry about me. Go get Owen."
They stared at each other for a long moment before Colt turned and continued on with his companions. Once they cleared their way through the dungeon, they followed the cryn up a set of spiral stairs that came out to the citadel.
There were plenty of Arroki rushing about in response to the Legion attack, but they were, as Elian told them before, dim-witted and slow to attack. Their weapons were blunt, and though they were aggressive, it was easy to counter them and take them out. It seemed the only thing that made them cease their fight was a blow to their throat or heart. When pierced, blood poured from their bodies as if they had pumping hearts like the living.
In the midst of it all, Rhielle threw a bottle bomb, and a group of Arroki caught fire. She prepared another while they crouched behind the wall and let the cryn take care of the others. They had advanced a good distance and were nearly to the master chamber of the citadel. Elian continued to use his Core against the Arroki guards to weaken them, while Colt, Brom, and Rhielle dealt the final blows.
As they entered the rotunda of the citadel, the ground rumbled. Colt looked around at the high marble ceilings and tiled floor. The rumbling was violent, and he hoped this whole place wouldn't collapse. When a swarm of beasts came into the citadel, the cryn tried to attack, but the shadow graugs overpowered one and took it down.
"Get up the stairs!" Elian shouted, using his Core to send spirals of electricity to the beasts. It was enough to allow them time to climb the stairs to the doors of the central chamber. They pushed the massive doors open and then closed them quickly, leaving the last cryn behind to take down the other beasts. Thankfully, Clove had made it inside with them. She would aid them further if the beasts burst through.
They bolted the doors, and Colt got his first view of the citadel's throne room. The chamber was enormous. Marble shone all the way to a throne at the end of a red, rolled-out carpet. Behind it, a gaping hole opened into the darkest dawn Colt had ever seen.
Elian's Core began glowing blue, and all of them looked at it. "Owen's here," he said.
A flash caught their eyes from outside, and thunder rumbled, making Colt jump. He rushed forward, but when something pounded against the doors of the chamber, he stopped and looked back. The beasts outside had found them, and now they were trying to break into the chamber.
"Colt, go!" Brom yelled. "We'll hold them off!"
"I can't leave you all here," Colt said .
Brom turned to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "We need Owen's help, Colt. Go find him."
When Colt looked from him to Elian and Rhielle, they nodded for him to go. Colt squeezed Brom's shoulder before pulling away. Then he raced through the chamber, jumping through the blown-out side of the building. He stumbled over the debris, and the wind gusted as Colt ran onto the balcony.
Purple fire swirled out, and then a flash of lightning struck out from the sky. It struck so close to the balcony, Colt jumped and stumbled against the wall. His heart rammed against his ribs as he searched the balcony.
When Colt saw Owen with his arms spread out, his purple fire spiraling towards Mordren, his lips twitched. His heart swelled, and for a moment, his focus broke. The man he loved most in this world was within his reach. Owen turned, and when he saw Colt, his eyes widened.
Mordren threw out his hand and sent Owen flying back. He hit the ground hard and moved to his side, looking dazed.
Shit!
"Give up yet?" Mordren asked. He didn't give Owen time to answer, as the evil god reached out with his hand and grabbed hold of him with his power to drag him forward. Owen slid into place within the symbols etched into the stone. Mordren's cloak fell open, and that's when Colt saw the glowing dagger attached to Mordren's belt.
Breathing in deeply, Colt eyed the dagger for a moment before drawing out a bolt and lining it against the crossbow. He had two arrows left, as well as the arrow with the emberstone. Colt had to move quickly.
He moved through the shadows formed by the light pouring from the hole behind the throne room. As he maneuvered along the low wall around the citadel, he stepped onto the balcony. He would have to step into the light of the torches surrounding the balcony to gain the angle needed for a clean shot at Mordren's heart. Colt rushed forward, building up speed until he emerged into the light. Dropping to his knees, he slid across the marble balcony, turning as he slid to face Mordren. When Mordren caught sight of the intrusion, Colt pulled the trigger, and the bolt flew at him, piercing his side just as it had done at the fort.
The vicious god stopped, his invisible grip on Owen ceasing as he looked over at Colt. The wicked glare in his eyes made Colt's heart drop. He tried to dart out of the way, but the god grabbed hold of him with his power.
Colt grunted as he was thrown to the ground. He held onto his crossbow as he was dragged forcefully across the hard stones.
"You should be dead," Mordren said. "Allow me to finish the job."
Mordren stepped over Owen's limp body and came towards him, his sinister face in a mock smile. "Colt O'Malley." His voice was deep, demonic, inhuman. "Born of a whore and a bastard who cheated, stole, and lied. Yes, when I look into your eyes, I know all of your secrets, your boyhood desires, your perverse doings. You are a thief and a murderer. You are nothing. A maggot that searches its whole life for purpose but in the end finds none."
Colt swallowed, and something pricked at his heart. How could this god have gotten into his mind and laid out all the secrets he wanted to keep hidden?
Mordren drew the dagger up from his belt and made his way towards Colt, but after a few steps, the god stopped in place, seemingly unable to move. He turned to face Owen, who was on his knees with his hands held out. Dark red blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, and a small glass vial rolled away from Owen and fell over the edge of the balcony. A purple aura glowed around him, showing the magnitude of his power.
Mordren tried to move towards Owen, but he seemed locked in place. "Owen…" The god's voice strained. "It's not me… you want to kill. You are my blood…." Mordren strained against Owen's power and pointed at Colt. "Kill him ." Colt winced as Owen stopped suddenly. He glared at Mordren in confusion, then turned his hard eyes on Colt.
A wave of dread washed over him as those dark, deep eyes seemed to change. Those eyes that had looked upon him with love now fixed him with a piercing, deadly stare.
Owen dropped his arms and got to his feet. When he came up beside Mordren, the god placed his hand on Owen's shoulder. Colt let out a painful breath. What spell was Owen under? He had to get him out of it.
Grabbing his crossbow, Colt pushed up to his feet and moved out of the way as Owen sent his fire spiraling out. The heat grazed him, and Colt grunted as he slammed against part of the balcony. He whipped around, eyes wide. Owen was going to fight him. Mordren had commanded it.
"Owen…" Colt put his left hand out. "I'm not gonna fight you."
The purple flame ignited from Owen's hands again, and Colt dove out of the way. Aside from the emberstone bolt, Colt had only his sword. He wouldn't use it on Owen. Instead, he dodged Owen's attacks, as the whole balcony brightened with purple, and the heat from Owen's fire grew more intense.
Then a powerful force grabbed him, and he gave a blood-curdling cry as he was thrown against the railing of the balcony again. Pain ripped across his ribs. He was sure he had broken several. It was intense, stinging through him, pushing the air from his lungs. He tasted blood on his lip. But still, he clenched his teeth through the pain as he got to his knees. He pulled the last bolt from his quiver and placed it into the crossbow, his hands trembling.
Mordren raised his chin. "Finish him."
Owen walked forward, his eyes lost.
Breathing hard through his pain, Colt pleaded, "Owen… don't do this. I don't know what hold he has over you, but this isn't you. You hear me? Owen!" Panic rose in Colt's voice.
Owen slowed his steps, his brow lowering as he held up his hand. Colt cried out in pain as Owen's Essence tightened around him, squeezing his broken ribs and making it even harder to breathe.
"I know… you've gone through so much. You don't have to do this alone now… I'm here. I came back for you." When the pain didn't lessen, he panted, then went on, "Remember what happened to Gilda! Fight for her!"
Behind Owen, Mordren's dagger glowed as he brought it up, perhaps readying it to kill Owen after he finished Colt off. But something in Owen's eyes changed, and the hold over him loosened.
"Owen… you know I would die for you," Colt continued. "You have to defeat Mordren… you have to, because I love you… I need you by my side."
Owen blinked, and his face faltered slightly.
" Kill him, Owen!" Mordren shouted.
The purple fire sparked once more in Owen's hand, and for a moment, dread fell over Colt. This would be his end. He would die at the hands of the person he loved most in this world, and then Owen would be sacrificed and the city lost .
Colt braced for the attack, but just before he unleashed his flame, Owen suddenly turned. His fire coiled around Mordren instead, engulfing him. The god seemed to calm himself and gather his strength as the flames licked around him. A moment later, the flames disappeared, and Mordren looked unscathed. His face twisted in rage, and he came at Owen, but when Owen put up his arms, the god was held in place again.
"Owen!" Mordren seethed, his eyes wild with fury. The god's arm shook as he tried to bring up the dagger, as Owen was able to keep his power at bay.
Slumping against the railing, Colt brought up the crossbow and nocked his last arrow, aiming for Mordren's heart.
You've got one shot. Make it count.
As he took aim, memories suddenly spilled over him, his mind racing back to that first time he'd met Owen in Emberton, and his heart stilled.
It was a mother. She has babies to feed.
I'm just here to see what a real man looks like.
You wanted to know my favorite part . It was every time you touched me.
We protect each other.
I want to know you more… make apple dumplings together.
I want to know you more…
I want to know you.
Blowing out a breath of air, Colt pulled the trigger, and the bolt ripped through the air.
As if a mighty wave came crashing down, Mordren stopped in his tracks and turned to face Colt. The fletching of an arrow was visible right over the god's heart. Mordren looked at it and gasped as he watched something dark soak his shirt. He let out a breath, red eyes wide. The god clutched at the arrow, trying to pull it from his body, but fell to his knees instead. Blood so dark red it was almost black poured from Mordren's mouth.
Grimacing, Colt got to his feet, holding his side as he limped to Owen. The sound of Mordren's enraged scream suddenly filled the air, the sound so loud that Colt flinched.
Colt and Owen watched as Mordren clawed at his face. His skin began to chip away like fragments as he was sucked into the dagger that had fallen to the ground in the middle of the ritual symbols. The wind howled around them, and parts of the citadel crumbled. The ground shook beneath them, and Colt was afraid they would fall from the balcony.
The dagger glowed brighter, intensifying as pieces of the god seeped into its blade. Then something in the air shifted, and something white and radiant seemed to rip through the air above the ritual markings. A beam of light connected the dagger to the clouds that had billowed above them for weeks.
"What's happening?" Colt said.
"The portal," Owen said, his voice dark and steady.
They both moved, as if the portal itself was sucking them in, just as the Gate had. The debris around them moved too, as if in a powerful wind. Colt looked up to see the portal growing larger. If they didn't close it, he wondered if it would grow large enough to consume the entire city of Luthien.
Owen dove for the dagger. He clutched it in his hand, raising it over his head, and then he struck it onto the balcony. A powerful burst of light erupted from the blade, sending Colt and Owen backwards towards the citadel. The balcony broke free from the tower and plummeted to the ground.
Colt grabbed Owen's arm just as the balcony fell away, pulling him back onto the low wall around the throne room. The balcony crashed into the courtyard far below, sending up a cloud of dust and debris.
The wind slowly calmed. The dust settled. Colt looked up to see that the portal was no more. He panted as low thunder rumbled through the sky. The clouds above the city still churned aggressively, but the red hue vanished slowly against the early dawn light.
When Colt met Owen's dark eyes, he found them void of emotion. Owen looked at him as if he was numb, disconnected from what was happening.
"Owen…" Colt touched his face, but still Owen didn't react. Instead, he only blinked.
Tears collected in Colt's eyes. He let out a painful sob and pulled Owen against him, but Owen was limp in his arms. Rain fell around them, a sudden torrent released from the heavy clouds. His fingers found Owen's hair, and he tightened his arms around him, hoping to invoke some sort of feeling in him.
After a long moment, Owen shuddered in Colt's arms.
"Colt…" came Owen's voice in a whimper.
Colt's heart jolted, and he pulled away to look down at him. "Yes…" He saw tears in Owen's eyes. "It's alright, Owen. Everything's going to be alright."
Owen wavered, and his eyes closed. Then his body slumped forward into Colt's arms.