The Conquest of Mytheyr
Chapter 41

Semele grunted in pain, bending over. He had never used that much magic all at once. His entire body felt numb.

“No…” the parasite muttered. “His body’s too weak…”

“Morgan!” Vath yelled, causing the parasite to look up. It hissed in frustration.

“You! I should have killed you when I had the chance!” It pulled itself back up and sneered. “No. I don’t need to. You can bear witness to this. You can watch as I tear your precious Morgan apart.”

The parasite knelt by Morgan’s body. He shuddered with pain, and took a moment to collect himself. Vath looked around frantically. What could he do? He didn’t even know how to begin to break the barrier.

You don’t need to. The thought was odd, out of place. Vath didn’t think it was his. The parasite laid his hand over Morgan’s heart, a black tendril curling around his arm.

Don’t let him! The strange thought screamed, and Vath rushed forward, straight though the barrier as if it wasn’t there.

“What…” began the parasite before Vath kicked him in the head. The force of it knocked Semele away, and he struggled to regain his feet. He looked at Vath in shock, and saw something terrifying.

Vath’s shadow stretched out far behind him, farther than the light should have allowed. Its stance was different. While the real Vath stood like someone who just kicked someone else and didn’t know how to follow up, but his shadow stood confidentially, as if it knew it could take on anything.

Now would be a good time for you to see who you really are, the odd thought whispered.

Vath felt a kind of calmness wash over him. He was focused. He knew exactly what to do. The whites of his eyes turned to black, and his purple irises glowed with a cold light. He raised his arm, and his shadow began to warp, taking on the form of a huge dog. The shadow-dog rose from the floor, taking a three dimensional shape. Its eyes shone the same purple as Vath’s, and they were locked on Semele. The dog gave a low, guttural growl.

“Who are you?” whispered the parasite in fear and awe.

Vath swept his arm towards Semele, and his shadow attacked. It pounced on Semele, its teeth aimed for his throat. Semele screamed. His scream turned into a wet gurgle, and then… he was silent. The blood covered body of the pale elf lay beneath the stained glass window, and now the only sound was the rain against the window. Vath fell to his knees, breathing heavily. Did he… just do that? What even was that? The shadow-dog approached Vath, eyeing him fiercely. Then it melted away, becoming once again his normal shadow.

Vath gazed at Semele’s body, still in shock. But a ragged breath drew his attention.

“Morgan!” he exclaimed hoarsely. He spun around on his knees and scrambled to her side. He touched the side of her face, but recoiled at how hot she was. Her breathing was ragged, and her face was flushed an unhealthy red. Vath vision was getting fuzzy. He shook his head, trying to chase off the encroaching darkness. He had to stay awake. He had to help Morgan…

Someone else was crouched next to him. A pale hand was on Morgan’s forehead. A small blue figure was hovering overhead.

“She’s burning up.” Raven said worriedly. “Did you see what happened? Vee? Are you okay?” Vath collapsed and blacked out.