Unraveling Legends - Prologue

<-Table of Contents

 

“The fabric of life woven by destiny; where does it go?”

 

The world of Oriku understood one absolute: Destiny knew everything.

Other worlds in the universe were ruled by other powers. Some were ruled by Nature. Others by Time. Lives lived on Oriku were lived mostly by choice, but there were some, a few blessed ones, who were the emissaries of Destiny. They were chosen to do great things and put onto paths that had an ultimate destination. Was it fair? Perhaps not. But Destiny chose her emissaries carefully. If you were chosen, you were chosen for a reason. You could do what she needed you to do.

In the Republic of Taron, the people well understood how critical Destiny could be. They had been saved by a hero chosen by Destiny. The legendary Kaiten Star who had gathered one hundred and eight companions to free the land from tyranny and evil. Few saw him anymore. His gift for what he had endured was an eternity of freedom.

But his would not be a lonely existence with no one to understand what he had suffered. It had been foretold many millennia before that there would be three Kaiten Stars. The war for freedom had ended. On the horizon, the war for sanity was beginning to brew.

This story is the legend of the second Kaiten Star, the one whose iron will would give him the strength to plunge into the heart of madness and expose it to the light of judgment . . .

  

©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.

Chapter 1->

Unraveling Stories - Epilogue

<-Chapter 44

 

"From this moment, eternity begins."

 

Tyrian woke a few days later to a restless feeling inside his soul. For the first time, he didn't bother to rein it in. The world was his to explore. There were things to do first, but there were no longer any chains binding him. No war to be fought. No fear for his friends, no fear for the people.

He glanced to the side, yet he had known the moment he woke that Cassie was not there. He knew she was not far away, and he was fairly sure he knew where she was and what she was doing. He smiled. It was a comforting feeling to have someone who knew him so well. He would never get away with anything, but he had his own ways of dealing with his stubborn Kentei wife.

For the last time, he got out of bed and got dressed. Most everything had already been packed. He walked over to the door and then glanced back at the room. He had been promised that it would always be cared for so that he could come back at any time. The same promise had been made for his home in Trinan. When he was ready to rest from travels, there would be a place for him.

He took the elevator down to the courtyard, went into the castle, and headed for the meeting room. The guards opened the doors for him, and when he walked inside, he saw Ewan, Kyle, Leonard, the Lower Generals, and Cherry . . . but no Matthias. "I see," he said softly. He had wondered. When he had gone to bed the night before, he had seen one of the stars in the sky flickering rapidly as if to go out.

Cherry's lips trembled but she managed to smile. "He made the end of the war. That was what he wanted. And he . . . didn't want to say goodbye to you because that means you'll never see him again." Vincent wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she gulped back her tears. "He was smiling."

"As he should be," Tyrian said simply. "He did a lot of great things, and his legacy lives on in you." He leaned against the table. "I'm preparing to leave," he announced calmly. "I'm going to take Divan home to his family. Cassie is going with me. For now, Raven will stay with her grandparents. When we come back for Liang and Serentia's wedding, we'll pick Raven up to travel with us."

No one was surprised by the news. Tyrian and Cassie had married the day before to an immense celebration that had doubled as an end-of-war party. They were combining their honeymoon trip with the journey to Foresalia, and that was why their daughter would be staying behind for a few months. Raven didn't mind; she was learning all kinds of fun things from Tamari. The recently promoted Dragonist Tamari, no less. She and Squint were formally partners, and Ryu and Celestial had started training them.

"I wish you'd reconsider leading," Leonard said. "I am honored that I've been chosen to be the first president of our republic, but the position is rightfully yours."

"I don't want it." Tyrian smiled as he said it. "I was planning to put you in charge all along, Leo. What're we naming our republic anyway?" He laughed, and the sound grabbed at everyone's hearts. They had heard him laugh more in the last few days than they had over the last year. "I want you in charge to take that issue off my hands too."

"We've decided on the Republic of Taron." Marcus grinned. "It's a blend of your name and Aon Castle, so you're not getting out of the issue entirely."

"That I can handle." Tyrian looked at Leonard. "Since you're now in charge of the country, I have a request for you, President. Something only someone of your position or higher can do: I want Kyle and Ewan knighted."

"What!" Ewan almost yelped.

"No, really, that's okay!" Kyle protested hastily. "Really, Tyrian. It's appreciated but not needed."

Tyrian arched a brow. "It's not? I seem to recall that either extensive years of experience or 'extreme acts of heroism and bravery' are sufficient for knighting, and you two have done more than your share of those. You were there by my side from the beginning and more than once you two saved my sanity. You two suffered more than any and you continued to push forward. In the middle of a falling castle, you detoured to save innocent lives. You've earned the right to be seen with the highest of honor from more than the Commune of Soldiers."

"Okay, fine." Ewan crossed his arms. "But if you want us knighted, you have to do it yourself. And you can't do it unless you're in charge. So I guess it won't happen."

Tyrian sighed. Really, didn't they know him better than that? He looked at Leonard. "I want to be in charge."

Leonard was grinning outright and so were the Generals. "Okay, you're in charge."

"Damn you," Kyle muttered.

"Give me your swords." Tyrian held out his hand. "Come on."

Still muttering under their breath, the two swordsmen drew their swords and held them out. Tradition stated that a swordsman could only be knighted with their own sword. If they had known this would happen, they would have hidden their swords. Night, though, was tickled by the entire thing. "I've never knighted anyone."

"So glad you're enjoying things," Ewan told him in annoyance. "I don't want to be knighted. It's a pain in the ass."

"Shut up, Ewan." Tyrian lightly touched his heart with the tip of Night. "For acts of heroism and bravery, for the risk of life to ensure the safety of innocents, let it be known you have been given the highest of honors, Sir Ewan Grizmar. Let it be acknowledged."

"So acknowledged," the Lower Generals chorused.

Tyrian handed Night back to Ewan and then lightly touched Kyle's heart with the tip of Ophelia. "For acts of heroism and bravery, for the risk of life to ensure the safety of innocents, let it be known you have been given the highest of honors, Sir Kyle Raitels. Let it be acknowledged." He handed the sword back over as that too was acknowledged. "There we go." He looked at Leonard. "You're in charge again."

"Why, thank you. Anyone else you want knighted, since we're on the subject?"

"I can think of one. I also think she would make a perfect High General. Let me know if she balks. I'll come back and be President for a day again."

Ewan suddenly laughed and grabbed Tyrian in a headlock. "I wish I could hate you for that." He hugged him for a moment and then let go. "You'd better visit," he said gruffly. "It'd be boring not to see your face around. Maybe our paths will cross again. Kyle and I are headed out to the City-States."

"Taking Night with you?"

"Yes," Night said.

"No," Ewan said.

Tyrian winced. "Okay, I'm not staying for that fight." He glanced at Marcus. "When you and Marian are ready to marry, let me know. I'll drop everything and come back for it."

"Of course," Marcus said.

A sound at the window made everyone turn, and they smiled to see Amos flying past with Sierra to judge where to put her new stained glass. It was freshly made, depicting images of the final battle. When they all turned back to where Tyrian had been, none of them were surprised to see that he had slipped out.

They moved over to the window as a group and watched as Tyrian crossed the courtyard toward the stables. They wanted to stop him because they were all going to miss him madly, but they loved him enough to let him go. He had earned his freedom, perhaps more than any other in Taron had. "Goodbye, Tyrian," Di murmured.

"Not goodbye." Cherry smiled at her. "It's 'see you again.'"

"Right you are." Di rested her head on Alex's shoulder. "Right you are."

When Tyrian walked into the stables, he found Cassie attaching the supply packs to her horse. Fay was already saddled, and both horses were ready to be hitched to the wagon they would pull. The wagon was specially made to transport the deceased, and it would be in that wagon that Divan would make his final journey. "I hope he won't be offended to be traveling with newlyweds," Tyrian said teasingly.

Cassie smiled at him. She wanted to laugh and to dance with the happiness of the last few days. She had lost count of the times he had smiled and laughed. She couldn't even name all the ways that he had shown them all that, finally, he was whole. They would never again worry that he might break. "I'm sure he'll forgive us."

They took the horses outside and hitched them to the wagon. Flowers and tokens asking for a safe rebirth were all over the casket that held Divan. He had come from Foresalia, but he had died a champion of Taron. No one would forget his bravery.

Dozens turned out to watch Tyrian and Cassie leave, and children chased after them down the road to throw flowers and confetti. When finally the castle had disappeared into the distance behind them, Tyrian took a deep breath. Even the air seemed freer. "I'd like to say I've never been happier," he said softly, "but I have."

"Do tell."

He smiled at her. "When you were finally mine. That moment was my happiest." Her eyes softened, and he leaned over to kiss her when he suddenly sensed a familiar presence. He straightened and stopped their horses just as lavender light appeared and heralded Tanelia. Though there still lurked an eternal sadness in her eyes, it seemed as if her burdens had lightened some. "It's done," he told her simply.

"It has only begun," she countered softly. "The prophecy you would not read. I will tell you now. There will be three Kaiten Stars. Two more wait on the horizon. A war for sanity will rise next. In the future beyond that time, there will be a war to end wars. A war for the peace of the world. As you realized already, Cassie's star is fixed. She will follow these two Kaiten Stars. They will need you too, Tyrian."

"Is that the future Ophelia died for?" Tyrian asked.

"It is. When the third arrives, you will finally find the answers to the many questions I know you still have."

He considered his words and then said, "I suppose the most important thing I can offer my younger siblings is advice on how to handle their Kentei Stars."

Laughter suddenly lit Tanelia's twilight colored eyes. "Perhaps you should learn to handle yours first." With a swirl of light, she disappeared once more.

"That could take eternity," Cassie murmured. She laughed as Tyrian firmly reached over and lifted her onto the horse in front of him. She framed his face with her hands and knew she would never tire of having him there to have and hold. "Do you mind taking eternity to learn how to handle me?"

He rubbed his thumb over her cheek tenderly. "It'll be a difficult task, but I think I'm up to the challenge. Do you mind if I take my time?" His lips brushed hers.

She sighed happily. She had grown very, very fond of his patience. It was rewarding for both of them. "Take all the time you need."

All around them, the desert was hot and dry and dusty, but it was free from fear and oppression. Across the cities and towns that claimed to be part of the Republic of Taron, the Kaiten Star would be spoken of as a hero who had ended a war fraught with danger and pain and fear. Lives had been taken. Lives had been lost.

Yet, even in the darkest moments, it had been a war filled with love. The love of one hundred and nine stars who shared the skies. The love of a general's son for his land and his people. And the love of two souls born under the Kaiten and Kentei Stars. No one would ever forget their destiny.

No one would ever forget their story.

©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.

Unraveling Legends: Table of Contents->

Unraveling Stories - Chapter 44

<-Chapter 43

 

"Free me from the chains that bind me to an unreasonable future."

 

Tyrian and Cassie were awakened early in the morning by the sound of Merilyne arriving. As she set out their clothes, she called, "I have new clothes for you to wear as well as some food. Lord Matthias asks that you eat and come down to the meeting room as soon as you can."

The door shut behind her as she left, and Tyrian sat up in bed. The moment had finally arrived and there were no nerves left at all. "Ready?" he asked Cassie softly.

"I am." She sat up and eased up to kiss him. No matter what happened, it would happen while they were together. "Let's go free our people."

They ate the light breakfast that had been made, both grateful that their chefs had thought to prepare something that was filling but wouldn't sit heavy on their stomachs. Once fueled, they turned their attention to their new clothes. They were made in their normal styles yet had been created of entirely new material.

Cassie's monk gear looked virtually no different, but the cloth was both stronger and lighter to give her greater range of motion. Stitched into the back of her top layer was the now familiar symbol of the Liberation Army. The embroidery was done in dark green thread so that she now wore the colors of the army.

Likewise, Tyrian's clothes looked much the same, but green threads visibly stitched the black material together, and his green scarf had been borrowed so the symbol could be stitched in black onto the end. When he equipped his staff on his back, he barely noticed the presence of his clothes at all. New bracers had been included as well, courtesy of Yaegi and Oruqui's combined skill.

Matthias was not the only one waiting in the meeting room. Ewan, Kyle, and the Lower Generals were present as well. All wore new clothes as well, keeping their personal style but now bearing Tyrian's colors. When he saw Tyrian, Matthias said, "All Stars who are field combatants will be fighting. All wear your colors with one pointed addition."

Tyrian glanced at his Stars and realized that each wore a star embroidered into their clothing somewhere. It was both humbling and empowering to know they would willingly be marked as his companions. "Thank you."

"None of that," Ewan said firmly.

Tyrian smiled briefly before turning back to Matthias. "Where do we stand?"

"Infine, Honey, and Dylan are leading the attack by river. The aerial attack is being led by Ryu, Tamari, and Squint. The land attack will be led by you. Name your third."

Without question, Tyrian said, "Liang. When we breach the castle, I want Kyle, Ewan, and Marian to join us. What about Reyu? We know he will be coming after Laia, but Agrime has the right of battle with him."

"Laia will be setting herself as bait to lure Reyu out. When he has shown himself, Agrime will handle things. General Yureny will be riding in their unit and has been briefed on the situation. I and Cherry will be on the field as well, but the commands are yours to give, Lord Tyrian."

With a little breath, Tyrian said, "Let's bring down that barrier."

 

* * * * *

 

Those who were still inside Trinan did not know what to expect or when to expect it. The barrier that encased the city cut off the sky and the sun alike. No one knew what day it was or what time it was. Civilians stayed inside with the doors locked. Shops were closed. Supplies had been cautiously divided, but there was no knowing when they would run out. There was no going to get more. The city was overrun with monsters who didn't know right from wrong and soldiers who didn't care.

The sudden crack of power striking the shield made many scream in fear. People rushed to windows and watched as the shield broke into billions of pieces in the onrush of familiar Dragon power. When the shield came down, it revealed the sea of Liberation Army soldiers on the other side. Units were approaching from the land and pouring in from the river. More still came in from the air as the Dragonist aerial unit began to launch warning attacks at the castle itself.

Though the Imperial Army numbered far fewer soldiers, it made up the difference with monsters and beasts of all shapes and sizes. There were no laws of engagement to be had in this battle. The Liberation Army spared no quarter and gave no mercy. Tyrian, with the ruthless determination of a Kaiten Star who would never give in, directed his units toward whatever he knew they could defeat and pulled back those being overwhelmed.

The monk units swept into the city under the cover of the chaos and rounded up the citizens. They were either transported away or escorted as far from the city as possible. The fighting moved from the fields into the city itself, and while buildings became part of the casualties, there were no innocent lives lost.

Reyu watched the fight from a window in the castle with a little smirk on his lips. His hordes of monsters kept the fight even, neatly distracting the Liberation Army so that they could not simply rush into the castle. Better still, there was no end to the monsters that could be summoned.

Without warning, a sudden crack of power seemed to slap across his face as if from the palm of a hand. It was a humiliating sensation that he had never before experienced, and his smirk became a snarl as he realized what had happened. "So she has the arrogance of her bloodline as well." He turned away from the window sharply. "I'm going to retrieve our songbird."

Blaine's nails bit into her arms as she watched him walk out. She hated him. Hated his arrogance and his power. Hated more that she had no choice but to comply with what he wanted because she lacked the power to resist. She wanted the Devourer for her own and she wanted Tyrian Southerwind dead. But if Reyu was killed by Laiaeariel Mitakel, she wouldn't really care one way or another. She was more than ready to deal with things herself.

Laia was cutting through a monster when she felt an answering slap of power coming for her. She blocked it with her relic and turned to see Reyu advancing across the field toward her. The cocky swagger to the way he walked seemed to indicate that he thought he had already won.

"Surrender," he told her.

"Get stuffed," she retorted. She swung her sword lightly through the air. "If I was the type to surrender so easily, I wouldn't be a Destined Star."

He hated it, but he couldn't argue with that logic. Those locusts swarming around the Kaiten Star possessed strong wills and spirits that well suited their leader. "You can't defeat me."

She laughed openly in his face. "Honey, if you recall, I didn't exactly lose our last battle." She took an offensive stance. "You want me? Come and get me. Unless you're not enough of a warrior," she taunted.

He snarled and lunged toward her across the field. She ran forward to meet him, but she leapt into the air at the last moment and flipped over the top of his head. Before he could process why she had done it, he realized there was a different figure rushing toward him with a sword drawn. He didn't recognize the man in the armor, but a sudden fear came from out of nowhere.

He jerked to the side and rolled across the field just as the oncoming warrior attacked. The blade narrowly missed Reyu's head. He got nimbly to his feet, caution in his eyes and body. The figure, now that he looked, was not unfamiliar. He didn't know the man, but he knew he had been following Reyu for centuries. "You."

"Me," Agrime said in satisfaction. "I've hunted you a long while, Scourge." He saluted Laia with his sword.

She returned the salute. "I yield this battle to you. Destined Stars stick together."

Reyu watched her walk away as hate and fury churned inside his body. He had been set up. He would never get his hands on Laia Mitakel and he knew it. He needed to get away from this hunter and look for his next target. Blaine and her lust for power were doomed and he didn't care. The power of the Summarian race would be his.

Agrime attacked without warning and Reyu worked fiercely to dodge. When he finally saw an opening, he blasted the other man and sent him tumbling across the field. By the time Agrime got his feet under himself again, Reyu had disappeared into the sea of battle around them. "Damn him!" Agrime snarled, though he was not truly surprised.

Reyu cut his way through the field as quickly as he could to find a place it would be safe to escape from. He removed anything that got in his path, Imperial or Liberation or monster. The beasts would continue to appear on the field until the Beastmasters fell.

Unexpectedly, he found himself entering an open area where Tyrian was fighting. He and his lover fought back-to-back and expertly defeated their enemies. The Kaiten Star was not only fighting, he was also issuing commands into his Voice Relic. Even Reyu couldn't help but reluctantly appreciate Tyrian's cool head in the middle of chaos.

He sensed Agrime closing in and felt fury whip through the shriveled weed that passed for his soul. He would make any victory a hollow victory. His relic activated and the symbol for the Eight-Fold appeared over his head. He let the power well and snarled viciously when Tyrian and Cassie turned. "Die!"

The blast streaked through the air with deadly intent. Dozens saw it, but no one was close enough to stop it. A collective shout raised in the air as Star and soldier alike leapt forward. Liang, who had moved away to fight a monster, was closest but knew he would be too late. Cassie threw herself over Tyrian and knocked him down, uncaring if she traded her life for his.

Just before it would have struck them, Divan leapt down off the back of a Dragon and landed directly in the path of the blast. It slammed into his chest, tore out through the back, and dissipated as it lost its charge. With shocking strength of will and spirit, Divan gathered his Light Relic's power and sent an answering blast at Reyu that was so potent it gouged the Scourge's armor and into the flesh beneath.

Reyu abandoned the field entirely and Divan collapsed. Tyrian pushed Cassie aside and scrambled over to where Divan had fallen. "How could you do that?!" Tyrian shouted at him. "Your family is waiting for you!"

Divan found a smile. "Couldn't seem to help myself. You remind me of Rihou." He grasped Tyrian's hand tightly. "Please. I want you to be the one to tell him and Naomi. I regret nothing, Tyrian. I knew coming here that this could be my future. Maybe this is just a way for me to get in that fishing time Donald and I swore we'd find." His breath caught and then slowly sighed out. "You'll do just fine, kid."

Tyrian sensed the instant he was gone both externally and internally. The Devourer stirred and, for the first time, he willingly let it consume the life energy leaving someone who had died. It was a great deal of lifeforce. Divan had shared more than a love of fishing with Donald. The lifeforce flowing into the Devourer didn't just refresh Tyrian; it woke the final level of his spell.

He slowly straightened. The runic circle opened around his feet and the symbol of the Devourer opened over his head. His green eyes burned with the indomitable will that was his by birth and destiny. "Fissure!"

A shockwave tore from his body and swept outward across the battlefield. Monsters were blown instantly to bits. Enemies were drained of energy so sharply that some simply collapsed where they stood. Allies were left untouched by the shockwave though they assuredly felt it as it passed through their bodies. With the monsters gone, it took no time at all for the Liberation Army to take out the rest of the Imperial soldiers. Solei and Van themselves removed the evil Beastmasters.

The quiet that followed the end of the battle was both eerie and welcome. Tyrian sensed Matthias' approach and said, "Have Divan's body moved to a secure location. I intend to personally escort his body home to his family to tell his son and daughter what happened. They will hear from me, and no one else, that their father died a hero."

"It will be done," Matthias said quietly.

"His will be the last life taken. That I promise." Tyrian glanced to the side as he sensed Ewan, Kyle, and Marian approaching. All looked relatively unscathed, though Ewan and Kyle had clearly been in the thick of things. Marian, having been with Marcus, was unharmed. "Heal Ewan and Kyle," he told her.

She did so without hesitation. "You two can't go getting yourselves into too much trouble," she scolded. "Who will attend Marcus' bachelor party and tell all the bad jokes?" She smiled toward Liang. "You won't kill him, will you?"

Liang had noticed the instant he had seen Marian and Marcus what had happened the night before. He had, in fact, been hoping for just such an event to occur. "I suppose not, but you may want to check with your cousin more than me."

"Since he clearly treated you well," Tyrian decided, "he can live."  He turned his gaze toward the castle that sat not far away.

"It begins and ends in the same place," Kyle murmured. He nodded decisively. "Lead the way, Tyrian. We'll cover your back the entire time."

Tyrian turned without hesitation toward the castle and the other five fell into step behind him. They walked with weapons drawn, though no one expected to encounter resistance. All those who had been able to fight had been on the field. The monsters had stopped appearing the instant the Beastmasters fell.

It was quiet as a tomb inside the palace. It seemed perfect and immaculate, as if nothing that had happened over the last year had ever occurred. Tyrian could practically feel Blaine's presence, and he knew it was because of Ben. She had taken his life energy, but his spirit lingered near Tyrian.

The throne room doors were bolted and locked. That didn't stop Ewan. He drew Night and hacked clean through the middle of the doors. The pieces crumbled to the floor and the chains went with them, useless without something solid to hold. He started to step into the room, but a bolt of magic suddenly streaked out and slammed into his chest. It sent him reeling into the hall wall and he slumped to the floor.

"Ewan!" Tyrian nearly leapt to his friend's side. The wound was bloody and ugly, but it wasn't as bad it initially looked, and it wasn't in the critical zone. "Are you okay?"

"Fuck." Ewan's breath hissed out. "Sucker punched me. But I've dealt with worse." He waited only long enough for Marian to heal the worst of the wound before getting to his feet. "That's it. I'm separating her head from her shoulders!"

They rushed as a group through the doors and scattered in several directions to make it impossible to hit them all at once. Blaine barely spared a glance for the Destined Stars. Her malevolent eyes fixed on Tyrian. She couldn't even be sure which reason made her hate him the most. His relic, his rebellion, or his importance to Tanelia. "The legendary Kaiten Star," she snarled. "Your story ends here!"

"I wouldn't be so sure," he told her icily. "I believe Lady Tanelia prophesized that I would be the first. That means there will be more." He spun his staff with one hand and began to advance toward her. "You know why you weren't chosen by the gods and she was? Because the gods pick those who are worthy."

She shrieked and began throwing blasts at him. She was so focused on her determination to kill him that she didn't see Kyle and Ewan until they were right beside her. She managed to dodge Kyle's attack entirely, but Ewan's cut clean across her chest. If she hadn't dodged as much as she had, she would have been cut in half. The pain was a shocking reminder of her mortality.

She scrambled away as her blood spilled onto the floor and made it slippery. She stumbled twice before she got her feet under her. She knew she was outmatched. Tears of bitter rage filled her eyes as she screamed, "The gods chose the wrong sister! I will prove it! I'll destroy all of you!"

Kyle and Ewan leapt in front of Tyrian and crossed their blades to form a barrier as wild blasts of magic fired from Blaine's fingers. The entire palace was beginning to shake and rumble. "Get Marian out!" Kyle shouted at Liang. "We'll protect Tyrian!"

Marian didn't want to go, but she was given no choice. Liang threw her over his shoulder and ran her out. He too wanted to stay by Tyrian's side, but he had full faith in those who remained.

Cassie dodged several blasts and came up with her throwing stars in hand. Several missed Blaine. Others struck flesh. None could seem to hit anything vital. She dove across the floor and rolled up beside Tyrian. "Fissure," she told him. "It's the only thing that will work!" She broke off abruptly as her sensitive ears caught the sound of screaming. Her breath caught. "There are still servants in the palace!"

Blaine laughed maniacally. "And when they die, their energy will be mine!" She stopped throwing magic blasts and shot up through the ceiling as a blur of necrotic energy to find higher ground. The palace continued to shake warningly despite it.

"Over our dead bodies!" Kyle sheathed his sword. "Ewan and I will get the people out. You two get rid of Blaine."

Tyrian grabbed both his and Ewan's arms. "If you die," he told them softly, "I am going to be extremely pissed off. And you both know that I get violent when I finally get mad."

"Well, we can't have that." Ewan grinned. "Unless you'd be targeting that windbag again." He sheathed Night. "Don't worry. We've got too much left to do. After the things we've lived through, no crumbling castle is going to be our end."

He and Kyle ran out the throne room doors, and Tyrian took a quick breath. It was up to him and Cassie. This was a matter of the Kaiten and Kentei Stars. With her at his side, he ran out of the throne room as well. He knew the castle like the back of his hand and took several hidden shortcuts to make it to the stairs. They took the stairs two or three at a time as they raced up toward the roof. When they burst into the rooftop garden, they found Blaine kneeling in the middle. The sight of her stopped both Kaiten and Kentei short.

Gone was the beautiful woman's façade. All the energy she used in trying to destroy them only served to drain whatever was left of her stolen lifeforce. She had aged decades before their very eyes. Time had not been any kinder to her than Destiny had. Tyrian remembered this appearance from Ben's memories. It was curiously satisfying to see that the evil inside was finally visible.

In a low hiss, Blaine said, "Always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Standing in my way. You're just like your father!"

He inclined his head slightly. "Thank you."

She gave a high-pitched shriek of fury and lunged for him. He didn't move. At the last moment, Cassie stepped in front of him and slammed her fist into Blaine's stomach. The old woman gasped and choked as blood stained her lips. She staggered back and looked down to see a throwing star imbedded in her flesh. It bled even faster than the vicious gash across her chest. Desperately she reached for her power. She needed to get away!

The runic circle opened under Tyrian's feet as the mark of the Devourer appeared. "Fissure!"

The shockwave tore through Blaine's body and hurled her over the side. She dropped like a stone to the ground below with a sickening thud and did not move. Tyrian walked over to the edge of the roof and looked down at her with calm green eyes. "I ought to take your lifeforce," he said quietly, knowing she would hear him. "It would be a fitting punishment. But you don't deserve it."

She stared up at him, bloody tears running down her face, but said not a word. The last of the energy fleeing her finally left, and her entire body crumbled into dust. Not even a trace of her was left behind.

The castle shook ever more violently, warning that a collapse somewhere was imminent. Cassie ran over to Tyrian to find a way out, but it proved unnecessary. Squint and Tamari flew down and hovered beside the roof so that they could scramble onto Squint's back. They shot away from the palace just as the first floor gave way and the second floor came crashing down on top of it. Dust and debris spewed into the air and onto the field as Squint landed beside where the other Stars had gathered.

Tyrian slid off her back and looked around sharply. There was no sign of Ewan or Kyle. But then, even as he watched, he saw them walking out of the dust cloud. They looked none the worse for the wear, though both sported more wounds than when they had left the throne room. Following them was a handful of servants.

A cheer rose in the air as they were seen, and Marian ran over to hug Ewan fiercely. "Ooph!" He laughed and ruffled her hair. "Easy on the ribs." He looked at Tyrian. "Is it done?"

"It's done," Tyrian confirmed.

The cheering grew even louder. It would be a long and hard rebuild to get the cities back on their feet and to get their new government up and running. But it would be their government. The tyranny had ended.

They were free.

©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.

Epilogue->