Earthbreaker's Promise
Chapter 11 - Ambrose

Ambrose stood on top of an overhang, the snow dusted peak of Mt. Hartt at his back. Theron stood to his other side as they looked far below to the demolished castle, most of which was now below ground. From their vantage point, the human army just making their way towards the structure appeared as small as ants.

Not for the first time in his centuries of existence, Ambrose cursed his enhanced senses. He had called for the Trinity to meet at this spot after his final conversation with Zanna, but Lorina had excused herself nearly on arrival and jumped to a nearby cliff face. And even through the roaring wind her quiet sobs were being carried to his ears. And each one was sending a stabbing pain into his heart although his only outwards sign of discomfort was a slight grimace.

Ambrose glanced in the direction Lorina had gone for the third or fourth time, debating if he should-

“Go to her.” Theron said beside him.

Ambrose turned but the Fae was only watching the events play out below them. The man’s face was still cold enough to be cut from a glacier, but even he seemed more somber than usual. Which said much considering the man hadn’t smiled in over a hundred years.

“We tend to not get along very well.” Ambrose muttered, his voice nearly lost in the wind

“Queen Zanna is dead.” Theron said and Ambrose winced. They had all been thinking it, but hearing it out loud made it real. “We all felt the same thing. Our hearts being held in a vice grip. The hope that the feeling was a mistake. And now nothing but the knowledge that we failed her. That I, failed her.”

Theron had told him how the Void had been able to take control, but Ambrose didn’t blame the man. It could’ve been any of them.

“We all share the burden,” Ambrose said. “One person does not bear the blame for what has happened today.”

Now, Theron turned towards him. “You are right, but Lorina will take this much harder than either of us. So I say again, go to her.”

“They were like sisters.” Ambrose raked his hand through his short hair. “What could I offer?”

“If you feel you have nothing to offer, then say nothing, but be there. Even if you do nothing but act as a target. Our Queen may be gone, but the world keeps going. Events get put into motion. New players will step on the board and make a bid for power. We must be ready.”

Ambrose let the cold air fill his lungs with a deep inhale. He inclined his head to Theron and moved towards the edge of their overhang, his boot covered feet crunching over the barely settled snow. Now that he was focusing on it, the sobbing was even louder.

Tensing, he leapt out and grabbed hold of the rocky edge before pulling himself up. Lorina was holding her knees to her chest with her back against a boulder and blonde hair was falling over her face in a sheet. She obviously heard his arrival by the way the sobbing stuttered before continuing, but she didn’t look up.

“Lorina.” Ambrose called and he took a slow step forwards. “Are you-”

“Don’t you dare ask me if I’m okay.” She whispered but it was said with enough intensity to make him pause. “How could I possibly be okay? My best friend is dead, we can’t even bury her, and now you would deny my chance to mourn.”

“Because you are not this weak.” He growled. “And now more than ever the Trinity must remain strong.”

“What do you mean?” Lorina’s head came up and her eyes were bloodshot.

“I mean that Zanna had a plan for us. If you would stop interrupting me I could explain everything that’s happened.” Ambrose said, his words harsh. For a moment her eyes blazed and he tensed in preparation for a fight.

“Explain then.” She said instead.

So he did. Over the next several minutes, Ambrose recounted what he had picked up from Zanna while they were linked. The weakness she had hid from all of them. The Void working through Theron. How she had nearly lost control after tapping his vein. The only thing he held back were her final moments.

“She should have just fled.” Lorina said. Over the course of their conversation she had moved to the side and motioned for Ambrose to sit beside her. He had compromised by sitting across from her instead. “Let the humans fall apart under the Void’s ministrations, at least until we could return to fix the issue.”

“You know as well as I do how many things could have gone wrong with that plan. She was able to recover Theron, but that was one person and it took all of her focus. What if there were hundreds, or thousands?”

Lorina drew her finger through the snow absently, not meeting his eyes. “The Fae of Old used to walk between dimensions. Surely we could have found one of those old doorways.”

“And do what once we got there? Assuming the plane would even be inhabitable, or that whatever lived there would accept all of us.” Ambrose grunted, he had traveled the Paths. He knew what kind of things lurked among some of them. “Would we leave the Void to overrun this world? Eventually they would replace us.”

“....I hate that you’re right.” Lorina said but the tears were gone when she looked up.

“I know.” He said and got to his feet, hesitating a moment before extending his hand towards her.

She looked at it, debating.

Finally, Lorina took hold of his hand and stood. “Thank you, Ambrose. I didn't think you had it in you.” She said and dusted the snow from her pants.

“I would say anytime, but I would be lying.” Ambrose said.

Lorina shook her head. “Still a jackass.”

He turned serious again. “Let's get back to Theron and determine our next move. I have humans to hunt.”

Lorina’s face creased. “I thought you said-”

“Every member of the Crusade must die, Lorina.” Ambrose knew his claws and fangs had descended and he didn’t try to will them back to normal. “Those that only feel the bite of my fangs tearing out their necks will be the lucky ones. The others will die screaming as I rip them apart, piece by piece.”

Lorina still looked like pale but her eyes smiled back at him, a fire kindling in their depths. “You’re not even going to invite me?” She asked.

“After we get back to Theron, I’ll think about it.” He said. A nod from her and then they were both in motion towards the Fae.

Theron watched as they landed softly beside him. “No injuries? I'm surprised.”

“We have a common goal for the time being.” Lorina said, watching the humans below them, her lips curled in disgust. “Now tell us why we’re all up on this mountain.”

“Your grief makes you forget.” Ambrose said. “The Earthbreaker will come again. Her mantle always passes, so we need to be ready.”

Lorina scoffed. “Pretty words, Ambrose, nothing more. You and Theron are both immortal. I may be long lived but we don’t know when that will happen, it could be centuries. Things will spiral before then. The Queen was our greatest weapon, without her, who will keep the rogue clans in check? All humans are not like these men within our walls, but the rogues will bring us to war with them.”

“The humans can be led into dealing with those who get too unruly. I will make sure of it.” Lorina said with confidence. “Our main concerns must be the new Queen and the integrity of the Vault.”

“So we wait.” Ambrose said. “We watch. And we get involved when we must. The Vault will remain unreachable for some time, but at some point we will need a way to access it. I’ll leave that task to you, Theron.”

“It will be done.” He swore. “I will return to the Fae Queen, bend the knee, and do whatever she asks until I am returned to her service. Her knowledge will be useful.”

“And I will make sure we locate the new Queen.” Ambrose said.

“How?” Lorina asked. “The mantle could go to anyone at anytime.”

“Power draws me. And none compare to the Earthbreaker. For now, trust that I will do my part. Somehow, someway, I will replace her. No matter how much of this world or any other I must cross. Long live the Trinity.”

“Long live the Trinity.” They echoed.

“Now if you’ll excuse us, Theron. Lorina and I have a task that demands our attention.” His fangs descended once again and a wolf’s cry split the air. He thought he saw some of the humans below pause and look towards the mountain. Towards their coming reapers. Another gust of icy wind came and the Trinity was gone, at least for the moment.