The Legacy
Chapter twenty-two

Kain flew up and out of bed. She had overslept. On this day, of all days, she, Kain, had overslept. She grabbed her armour and began putting it on as fast as she could. She had a handle on how to put it on by herself, which made it easier for her to do it swiftly. “Come on! Let’s go! We need to leave before dawn!” Kain heard Wison shout outside of her tent. Her eyes flew open, and she felt her heart skipping a beat. Today was the day. Wison opened the flap of her tent just as she finished strapping her weapon belt around her waist. She gave him a quick glance before turning to sheathe her two daggers and her very own bow which she learned to make. With Alocius’s help of course. “Ready?” he asked, folding his arms over his chest. She knew he didn’t mean ‘ready’ as in ready to go. She breathed deeply, “not really. You?” she countered.

She heard Wison sigh as well, “not really. But everything will go by fast, I’m sure of it,” he said positively. Kain looked up at him, unable to read his face, “you seem chipper this fine morning,” Kain commented. Too chipper, she added in her mind. She hadn’t expected him to be so eager for danger, he always seemed too eager to keep them safe.

Wison shrugged, “I just have a good feeling about today’s happenings,” he said cheerily, stepping towards her. Kain picked up her cloak, but Wison took it before she could fasten it around her neck. She stared up into his sapphire eyes, and he smiled down at her. “Here, let me,” he offered and swung her cloak behind her, bringing the clasps to the front and fastening it. When he didn’t let go, Kain felt the butterflies in her stomach awaken again. He was staring at her strangely, his face too hard for her to read.

Without warning, Wison leaned towards her and pressed his cool lips against hers. She felt her lungs go quiet and her heart drumming faster. She closed her eyes as she melted into Wison, who kissed her harder in return. Then he pulled away, both breathing hard. “I thought you said the time wasn’t right,” Kain whispered out of breath, her eyes replaceing the two sapphires she had grown so familiar with. Wison smiled wolfishly, “it’s for good luck.” Then he stepped back.

Kain chuckled as she got her breath back, “for whom? You or me?” she teased. Wison turned around on his heels with a hop in his step, “I don’t know yet,” he said cockily, over his shoulder. Something was up with him. For a grave day like this, he simply didn’t have the right behaviour on his sleeves. What did he have on his sleeves and why was she worried about it?

By the time Kain stepped out of her tent the camp had nearly been completely packed up. There were thunderclouds hanging heavily in the skies, this time not created by Kain. The thunder only rumbled lazily, and the rain didn’t come down in showers it only dripped like seconds counting down on a clock. “Good morning,” a passer-by nodded at Kain as he and a partner carried a large chest towards the soot covered bonfire. “How will they be taking that along?” Kain asked Ciara, who came to stand beside her. “We fae folk have our ways,” Ciara said mysteriously as she stared towards the large chest. Kain watched another fae, tap the chest three times with his knuckles then one time with his finger which had a spark emanate from it, covering the chest. Within a second, the chest shrunk until it was small enough to fit in someone’s pocket. The third fae picked it up and placed it inside his rucksack. Kain’s mouth gaped open. She noticed that the fae were packing up the whole camp, in a similar way. Some had rucksack’s slung over their shoulders, others had back-packs made from leaves and dry grass or animal leather. She’s mesmerized by the way the camp was being cleared. It seems that she has something new to learn every day.

Ciara scoffed, “we do like our gadgets and fancy things. Can’t seem to pack lightly for anything,” she said, adjusting her blade around her waist. Kain stared at Ciara unsure if she should laugh then caught sight of Alocius struggling to shimmy his moonshine crate into his own rucksack. Kain could only shake her head, “doesn’t that add weight?” she asked, stretching her arms behind her back. Ciara looked back towards a couple of fae, shrinking down their tent and shoving the tent into a side pocket then shook her head. “Nah, not really.”

“Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go! Time is ticking!” they heard Wison call from afar. He was walking around camp, clapping his hands together. Kain frowned slightly, “I know we are working against time, but why is he in such a hurry? We have plenty of time before we need to leave,” Kain wondered out loud. Ciara shrugged, but Kain could tell that the lioness was on edge. Ciara had seemed so calm and collected a few moments ago. “Beats me.” She said, semi-scowling at Wison. Kain wondered if Ciara noticed Wison’s strange excitement as well. Kain’s mind started to wander. She had noticed Ciara acting strange too. Especially when Wison was around. Wison reached them before she could ask, instead Kain noticed how Ciara instantly grew tense and moved to stand protectively closer to Kain. “You girls ready to go?” he asked, unaware of Ciara’s behaviour. “Yeah, we’re ready,” Kain answered while Ciara avoided his gaze.

“Great! We will be leaving in a few. Best not wander to far now,” he said cheerily. Kain had to admit that he was sort of acting funny around Ciara as well.

“What’s the matter with him?” she asked Ciara when Wison was out of earshot, hoping that she could get the lioness to talk. Ciara turned her back towards Wison, facing Kain squarely. She looked around before leaning in closer, “it might not be something, but I caught Wison wandering off into the woods last night. I asked him where he was going, and he just laughed at me and said that it was none of my business. I wanted to follow him, but I didn’t want to leave your tent either. It was hours before he came back, whistling and smelling of…” Ciara broke off. Kain watched the lioness frown, her thoughts running away.

Kain tried to catch Ciara’s eyes, “smelling of what? Tell me,” Kain insisted, placing a gentle hand on Ciara’s furry arm. Ciara shook her head slowly, closing her eyes, “maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m just imagining it bur I could swear I know the scent. I smelled it once and only once. It was Abbadon’s scent. But” she wavered a little, then laughed, “this is silly, Wison wouldn’t have gone to Abbadon. He’s on our side. I’m just tired, that’s all,” Ciara smiled at Kain, “we should go,” Kain watched Ciara head down the path towards Burbor. What if Ciara wasn’t mistaking? What if Wison was their mole? Kain shook her head, mentally shaking the thoughts away, she was just imagining things. For all they know, Wison just went for a midnight stroll, and he was acting strange because he was excited, like the rest of the fae folk. They would be going home, and forever be safe from the hunters. Safe from Zorzia. Hopefully.

They marched through the woods, on their way to the archway. The camp had completely been packed up and the cloaking spell lifted. Everyone walked in complete silence, their footsteps unheard as they walked through the woods. Every eye and ear open for any kind of sound that may cause alarm. Kain was among those who walked in the middle, with Wison leading in the front along with Alocius and Burbor in the back along with Natalia. Ciara walked with Kain, never leaving Kain’s side. She noticed that Ciara’s shoulders grew tenser and tenser as they moved closer towards the Archway. Her eyes never left Wison’s back. Kain knew what Ciara was turning around and round in her head. She knew because she had the same things turning around and round in her own head. She placed a soft hand on Ciara’s furry forearm, gently squeezing it, “are you okay?” she whispered when Ciara looked her way. Ciara’s eyes were filled with paranoia, “something doesn’t feel right!” she hissed quietly to Kain. Ciara wasn’t tense, her guard was up.

Looking around at their fellow companions, Kain noticed that some of the other fae shared in Ciara’s unsettling atmosphere. A cold shiver ran all over Kain, making her shudder. That was when she started feeling the darkness in the air. She could feel what Ciara meant by ‘something wasn’t right’, but she couldn’t quite place it. It wasn’t until they came within reach of the archway that Kain started to understand what she was feeling. What her senses tried to tell her. Someone was watching them and whoever it was, didn’t mean them well. The feeling was very menacing and brought Kain’s guard up with a stiff sense of awareness.

Kain came to a halt, her senses on high alert, her eyes darting to the trees around them. Ciara didn’t miss a beat, she halted when Kain did, almost instantly sniffing the air. The low growl escaping Ciara’s lips told Kain that there definitely was someone out there. She knew that it wasn’t going to be that easy to travel to the Archway, but she had high hopes non the less. She would have been surprised if they hadn’t run into trouble at all. Unfortunately, she had a good sense to who it was, waiting for them past the trees. The mole must have tipped them off. Kain felt her heart skip a beat, turning her head slowly towards Wison. She didn’t want to think it, but it seems too hard to avoid. “Stop!” Kain shouted to the group of fae. The group slowed down, turning towards Kain with questioning looks. Their faces grew alert when they saw Kain’s expression. They could feel the danger too, Kain’s expression just confirmed it.

Wison frowned at them, but he didn’t look worried at all, “what is the matter? Why are we stopping?” he asked unaffected by the watching eyes. Kain felt her heart picking up speed and her features growing pale, “we are not alone,” Kain told him. He should be able to feel the presence in the woods too. He was just as close to the earth around them than the other fae were. The ones closest to the earth were the ones who felt the danger first. Wison looked around, his face focused and unreadable. He stepped a few steps away from the group then stopped. They waited patiently as Wison stood there silently, looking into the darkness. Kain subtly curled her fingers around her daggers, watching Wison closely. When he finally turned around, a wide smile was spread across his face. “Well, it seems like we have company,” he said in a tone that sent shivers down Kain’s spine.

She didn’t want to believe it. She’d believed anything but this. This meant everything she was afraid off. She let him in. She allowed him to know what she’s feeling. She allowed him to kiss her for Pete’s sake! This cannot be happening! Ciara stepped up beside her, the same thoughts reflected on her face. Both knew the truth now, yet both wished they could deny it all the same. When Abbadon’s hunters came out of hiding from all around the group of fae, Kain could no longer deny it. She closed her eyes and felt her heart shatter all over again. The fae-folk moved closer together as their heads turned everywhere, watching Abbadon’s hunters circling them in.

Kain watched more hunters coming out from behind the trees, looking at them coming closer from every direction and then she turned her confused eyes back towards Wison. “What is this!” Burbor roared angrily. Abbadon came to a stop next to Wison and placed a proud hand on his shoulder, “you did good. For a fae, that is,” Abbadon praised with a skew smile across his face. Wison folded his arms over his chest, still smiling. “I take that as a compliment,” he said.

“Why?” Kain asked, her eyes warm and her heart betrayed. Wison shrugged his shoulders, “Zorzia is my queen. Plus, I always pick the winning side and truth be told. You’re not that great, Kainun,” he said, his lips curling into a smirk.

“Just look at this! Fae in all shapes and colour. All in one place,” Abbadon said, very pleased at the circumstances. He looked at Wison, “you sure made our work easier. Her majesty would be pleased.” Wison nodded his head respectfully towards Abbadon before locking eyes with Kain.

Abbadon gave a short chuckle turning his eyes towards Kain, “ah! My loyal student, it is good to see you again. Given apparent Circumstances.” He indicated to the dark purple liquid seeping through his nose and mouth. “Please forgive my stature. It was something I drank,” his eyes were bloodshot, and his skin had grown a shade of grey. She knew that it was the result of the slow but lethal poison running through his veins. Kain scowled at him with great disgust. “I hope it’s as bad as it looks,” she spat.

“Guess it could look worse,” Abbadon chuckled, black fluid seeped out from the corner of his mouth in the process. He wiped it away with an already bloodied handkerchief. “It is over Kain. You lost! And now thanks to you and Wison we have all the fae in one place,” Abbadon said. Kain heard murmurs erupt from around her. she could feel their eyes on her. At first, Kain frowned at his words but then she caught their meaning. Ashamed, Kain looked down at her feet. She didn’t mean for this to happen. “What’s he talking about Kain?” Alocius asked in the fae tongue which Abbadon didn’t understand.

“He’s right, you are here because of me. I should have thought this out better, but I promise you I had nothing to do with this ambush. I was tricked, just like you were by him,” she answered with revulsion, glaring at Wison. “I don’t understand.” Ciara said. Kain could hear the hurt inside of Ciara’s voice, the betrayal. It was all just a big mistake. She didn’t want to betray them. She looked towards Ciara, “you are here because I was dumb enough to think that we could get to the Archway safely. That we could escape Zorzia. But instead of keeping you safe, I got you ambushed instead all because I fell for a traitor,” she said the last, looking at Wison who blew her a kiss. She turned back towards Ciara, “we failed and therefor I am sorry. I really thought we would escape Abbadon and his goons,” Kain finished, looking down at her hands, her cheeks burning with shame.

She felt a great level of disgust surge through her. She had kissed him and had fallen for him. HE who had been a snake all along, a spy among them, a deceiver, and a traitor. She mostly felt disgusted with herself, for thinking that he was the reason she felt at home among the fae folk. How wrong she had been. She had trusted him, believed in him just like the others did and he went and handed them on a golden platter to the person they were intentionally running from. “Why?” Ciara asked Wison in disbelief, her voice broken and betrayed. Kain knew that Ciara must have felt the same way she did. They were good friends just like Breezes had been. Perhaps the betrayal touched Ciara more because she had known Wison longer. What would Breezes have thought if she had found out that Wison was a spy all along. Wison laughed, “I already told you, I chose the better side. Zorzia promised me eternity if I brought Kainun to her majesty’s feet. Guess I didn’t think that it would be so easy! You were so eager for someone to love you that you didn’t stop to think that you were goggling over a spy!” Wison laughed with great pride laced with mockery.

“How could you?” Ciara said, a growl vibrating at the back of her throat. Wison laughed fully now, “easy! An eternity sounds like a dumb deal! Plus, extended powers! How could I ever pass that up?”

“We should round them up,” Abbadon called to his hunters, he pointed at Kain, “and take that one to her majesty.” He turned to them with a wicked smile, “kill the rest!” he offered openly. Some fae cowered deeper into the group while others stood guarded and ready to defend themselves before they were cut down as well. Kain knew they didn’t have a chance, there were too many hunters and too little fae. But Kain wasn’t about to let that be their fate.

She moved closer to Ciara, “how far until we reach the Arch?” she whispered into Ciara’s ear without seeming obvious. Ciara kept on staring at Wison who had his back halfway turned on them. He was talking to Abbadon and laughing, “not too far, why?” she whispered back through her teeth.

“I can momentarily create an open window for you and the rest to escape but only momentarily,” Kain said, staring into the distance. She was looking at a green figure standing beside the tree, the figure stared at Kain with stern eyes. It was Roman Terra, the deity of earth. She was signalling something to Kain, the image of Natalia raising a wall between them, and the hunters flashed through Kain’s mind. Kain remembered it, it was on the day Kain had broken into Abbadon’s office and poisoned him. It gave Kain an idea. If she pulls this off, then she would be able to give the others a small window of escape. “Just say the word,” Ciara said, determination burning in her eyes, “but Kain, you’re coming with us!”

Kain nodded then stepped back. The hunters were closing in on them and Kain knew she had to hurry up. Closing her eyes to concentrate better, Kain spread her hands out and started to focus on building a wall around the group.

The breeze began to pick up and the trees started to creek. Kain focused harder, pushing her magic further. She began imagining a wall of bamboo surrounding them. She thought of the bamboo forest in Kyoto, only much-much denser. Someone took her hand, and a surge of power was added to hers. “Stop them!” Kain heard Abbadon yell, but the sounds were muffled in an instant. Kain allowed herself to open her eyes and found a giant wall of thick bamboo, weaved with ivy vines, surrounding them. She turned her head and realized that it was Natalia who was holding her hand. Natalia must have noticed what Kain was attempting and thought it good to lend her a hand.

Kain turned to the others, “Run! Quickly. As fast as you can!” Kain urged. Her words fell to the ground. No one made a move to run, they just stood there, staring at her. “How can we trust you?” someone in the crowd asked. Ciara pushed out her chest, raising her voice, “this is not Kainun’s fault! We are to blame Wison! Without Kainun we will not survive!” Ciara said, her voice carrying through the crowd. Kain stared at each of the fae, her heartbeat rapid and her stomach heavy.

“We have to go! I can’t hold the walls much longer!” she yelled. “This way!” Ciara yelled and the others began to follow her towards the Arch. Natalia and Kain managed to keep the walls up as they ran through the woods until they reached the Arch. Upfront, Ciara had already begun to urge the fae through the Arch. By the time half of them where through the hunters had caught up. They broke through the wall and was catching up to them with fierce speed. “Get through the Arch, I’ll hold them off!” Kain yelled and drew her daggers as the hunters surrounded them once more. Ciara moved to stand next to Kain, her cutlass sword gleaming in the sun. Natalia stood on Kain’s other side along with Burbor. Alocius stood beside the Arch and urged the rest of the fae through.

“It’s over Abbadon! You lost!” Kain yelled with fierceness burning in her heart. The group of hunters were encircling them like wolves would circle around their prey. In a way, that was the way to see it. The fae were prey to the hunters of the Academy. Kain heard an amused chuckle coming from behind the hunters as Abbadon made his way through the crowd, “don’t be so naïve, Kain. It doesn’t suit you!” he called from a safe distance. Kain saw him wiping his mouth with the blackened handkerchief again and a purplish stain underneath his nose. Showing signs that his nose had recently bled a fair amount of blackish-purple fluid. Kain smiled, “you don’t look so good! Guess Lotus essence and snake venom mixed with a little delicacy in the form of a Rosary pea doesn’t work well with your blood, does it?” Kain said with a smirk.

Abbadon growled, “kill them all!” he ordered his hunters. The hunters didn’t hesitate to do Abbadon’s bidding. They closed ranks and dealt the first line of attacks. Kain and the rest of the guarding fae deflected the attacks easily and countered the attack with their own movements. Natalia used her earthen magic by entrapping some of the hunters inside the trees after they were grabbed by hungry branches. Ciara had her tail wrapped around one hunters’ neck as she took the heads of two more hunters and banging them together. Kain swung her daggers with the grace she had learned from Ciara added with the skills she had learned at the Academy and fought of the rest of the hunters.

They had to hold off the hunters until all the fae had made it through the Archway. Kain had promised Hekatai that she would try for their sakes but with Abbadon’s hunters outnumbering them, it wasn’t going to be easy. She was grateful for the fae who stood by her side, but she wasn’t comfortable with them risking their lives like that. Kain shoved her hands out, pushing a group of hunters back with a strong gust of wind, before swinging her dagger out to fend off another set of hunters.

Sparing a glance across the field Kain saw many fallen bodies. She couldn’t dare to look long enough to be able to determine how many of the fallen bodies belonged to fae. The battle hadn’t raged on for that long and yet too many lives were lost already.