Coalesce: The Escape
Chapter 26

“Anyndel..” Kylon’s voice brings me back to my senses. I sit up and look at him, the real him. Not a wolf. Not a wolf… Thank the Deus.

“Kylon...” I close my eyes briefly and smile. I’m so tired. I just want to rest... “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Did I do that?” He gently touches the scratches on my face and I slowly nod. He sighs. “I’m so sorry.” He looks around and has a look of disgust on his face seeing the mutilated corpses of the vampires.

“It’s alright.. I understand.” I stand up and extend a hand to him. “I have no idea where the other two are.. I left them to come after you.”

“You shouldn’t have. I could have killed you.” He takes my hand and pulls himself up.

“But you didn’t, you were too badly hurt to even care.”

“I care more about you than myself, you should know that.” Hearing the anger in his voice, I look away. A wave of nausea washes over me, I glance up to see a small glimmer of early sunlight.

“It’s already dawn. I need to get a head and then we’re leaving.” I pick up my sword and start to walk down the tunnel. I feel so weak now. He follows me glancing behind him every so often. I cough and shake my head.

“What is it?”

“That smell... It’s horrible..”

“What smell?” He grimaces slightly then mutters, “Oh, that smell.”

I nod slowly and continue walking. I hear someone muttering and I slowly sneak toward the source. I lift my sword and cleanly decapitate her. No blood comes from her, she must be a full-fledged vampire now… Such strange, vile creatures.

“That’s disturbing...” I mutter and grab the hair and shove the head in a bag.

“Why a head though?”

“No idea...” I shake my head. “Let’s go. I just want to be out of here.” He nods and we start back up the winding tunnels and through the caverns back to the valley. I cringe at the sunlight and press my hand to my face again, the blood is dried now at least. I feel bad not looking for the others, but I can’t stand being in there. With any luck, they got themselves out when I went after Kylon. Ruby and Legend aren’t here either. Hopefully they’re with Eralath and Sabille at this point.

“Alright... This is disgusting. I am carrying a severed head in a bag.” I bite my bottom lip, the smell worsening and I hold it away from myself and start up the path.

“Why are we even up here?” Kylon mutters.

“Sabille said I needed to learn something. And that it was time I knew. Other than that, no idea.” I shrug and step over a fallen log.

“So, you’re going to do it then, learn magic?” He steps over the log and looks at me.

“Well, I guess. Why not? Not much else to do on a mountain and it’s too dangerous to try and get down the mountain this late in the season.”

“True... But, what will the rest of us do for that time?”

“You could always try to learn too, I can teach you what I learn.” I smile all too sweetly.

“I guess..” He slightly rolls his eyes but returns the smile.

“You don’t don’t seem too happy about that.” I raise an eyebrow and pull myself up and over a small ledge of stone. He jumps up after me.

“I’ve had less than pleasant experiences with magic. I’m not all that eager about learning it is all. I’m not saying anything about you teaching me though.”

“Well we made it back finally,” A strange thirst washes over me momentarily as Pounit comes into sight. I smile, just a little farther until I can get rid of this disgusting thing.

“Are you going to come in with me or stay outside?”

“I’d rather go inside.”

“That’s what I thought.” I unbutton my jacket and take it off with a sigh. “More of a vest now,” I sling it over my shoulder and push the ornate doors open.

“Ah, you’re back. I trust the deed is done?”

“Here.” I give him the bag, all too happy to be rid of the thing. “I never got your name anyways.”

“Oh, right. I’m Magister Dalin. Seems you got it done. Only because you look a little worse for wear, and Voquev is very dangerous, I’ll let you skip the next part. Tomorrow you start training.” He puts the bag down on the shelf where my scroll is and it disappears in a puff of gold smoke.

“So soon? Alright. Where do I stay, here or somewhere else?” I ask.

“You’ll be staying in a room with the other initiates. Who is this, may I ask?” He notices Kylon gawking at everything.

“That’s Kylon... He’s a friend.” I laugh softly and he looks at me.

“Are you seeing this?” He whispers in awe.

“Of course I am.” He nods slowly, only half paying attention.

“I will show you to your room, then,” Dalin says and leads us through the main hall to the left side of the entrance and down one of the corridors with doors on every side. He opens a door and nods slightly inside.

“Here will be where you shall stay. Training starts at dawn in the west wing of the main hall. From here you go back to the entrance and take the door on the right, opposite the scroll shelf. You can get something to eat at the end of this hall and wash in here. If you need anything else come replace me.”

“How long do you think my training will take?”

“Depending on your choice of magic, I’d say a year at the least.” I nod thoughtfully and thank him then Kylon and I go inside the room.

“A year... Well by the time we get to leave it will be winter again.” I sit on one of the beds and set my bag on the bedside table.

Child of darkness,

Seek a cure...

Heal the wounds...

Save the life you have now...

My eyebrows draw in and I look around, confused.

“What is it?” Kylon asks sitting down in one of the two wooden chairs by the door.

“That voice... The same one that told me the Deus would rise again,” I murmur, slowly looking toward him, my eyes following a bit too slowly.

“What did it say this time?”

“Something about a cure and healing wounds to save the life I have now,” I shrug and take my cloak off, hang it on one of the bedposts along with my jacket. Ever since my birthday things have gotten so confusing and strange. I just hope it doesn’t get much worse. Hopefully while I’m here nothing will happen. And hopefully Sabille and Eraleth show up soon. I put my hand on my neck and rub it, it had started to itch at sunset and now it just hurts. I lay down and close my eyes, soon drifting off into sleep.