The Soul Keeper

They kept coming, wave after wave. They had stopped sending humans by now – it was all trolls and orcs. I had stopped flying around since it was useless. Instead, I had chosen to preserve my mana as much as I can, only creating wind to shield us from arrows.

As we defeated the last wave they sent, Erik and Vincent went to Alina's side, just like before. Their exhaustion was showing. With each wave, the number of wounds they suffered only increased.

I gritted my teeth as I watched the woods below. The silhouettes were on the move again. Where was that girl? I couldn't remember her name… Was it Elly? No… Elise! How could I forget something so important?

I shook my head and pushed the thoughts gnawing at me to the back of my mind. I couldn't afford to worry about that right now. Survival came first.

"How long will they keep this up?" Vincent's low voice sounded. I turned to look at the young man. He and Erik were sitting by Joshua and Alina. Erik shook his head. "I don't know," The young paladin said, shaking his head. "But we'll be fine. As long as we all do our best, we will be fine."

I almost wanted to laugh. Almost. What if our best wasn't enough? 

I raised my hand to get rid of another volley of arrows. No, I couldn't think like that – our best had to be enough. I took a deep breath. Just waiting here was useless – eventually we would run out of resources. Alina's mana, food and water, my own mana, not to mention exhaustion. 

I glanced at the sky. The sun had dawned a very shot while ago. There were still at least six hours until Asher came. And even if he did come here in time, he alone couldn't stop an Ereth divine.

"Erik." I called the young man's name. He hurriedly rushed to me as soon as he heard my voice. "Some help will arrive in about six hours." I said with a bitter voice. "I will head down to distract the enemy then. I want you to make sure everyone gets out of here alive, ok? The person coming to help should be able to get all of you out of here."

The blonde paladin hesitated. "What about you?"

My lips formed a thin line as I glanced at the silhouettes moving in the woods. "I burn everything to ash."

Just from his white face and wide eyes, I could see how much my words terrified him. I didn't blame him for being scared – it would have been weird if my words didn't put at least some fear into his heart.

"Will you catch up with us?" He asked hesitantly. I nodded. "You know I will." 

I was putting quite a weight on Asher's shoulders. He was probably going to have to teleport me out of there, just like he had done so during my fight with Delthur and Vixia. I could only hope he had the resources he needed to cast that spell again.

"Kai?" Erik waved his hand in front of my face. "Is something wrong?" 

"No, I'm fine." I said, shaking my head. I glanced at Joshua, Alina and Vincent. The young fighter seemed to be left out a little as Joshua quietly spoke with Alina. The young priestess seemed to be listening intently.

Too intently, in fact. I narrowed my eyes and watched them a while. Alina was replying to Joshua. While her expression empty and her posture was the same as before, I was sure I saw a glitter in her eyes. 

"Are you sure you're ok?" Erik insisted. "Yeah," I mumbled, still focused on Alina. Was she finally coming to her senses? Or was something else going on? Why had Joshua not told any of us anything about this? 

"Arrows." Vincent warned me with a monotonous voice. The wind I summoned got rid of the arrows with ease. "And the next wave is here." The young man said with a sigh. He was just as exhausted and annoyed as Erik. We took out place at the front once again. Shortly before the monsters reached us, I heard Vincent speak to me in a low voice. 

"Alina isn't as lost as she seems, is she?" I could hear the distrust in his voice as he continued. "She was talking to my brother just fine. Did you notice?"

I nodded. "Yeah." There wasn't much else to say, nor the time to say it before the enemy arrived, so we fell silent. I was honestly impressed – I hadn't expected Vincent to notice that, much less think clearly about it considering their long lasting friendship. I think I hadn't given him the credit he deserved.

As the next wave arrived, I took point. It didn't take us long to clear the monsters, but it wasn't going to take Elise long to summon even more either. I took a deep breath as Alina healed Erik and Vincent's wounds again. Her expression was empty, and she was silent, yet I saw the same glitter in her eyes as before.

"Hey," I said as I approached them. "Alina, how much mana do you have left?" I made sure to speak softly. I didn't want to give Joshua yet another reason to hate me. 

The priestess' eyes glittered, yet she remained silent and continued to heal the scratches on Erik's arms. I waited for a bit, then just sighed. "Alright," I said, forcing my voice to remain calm.

Only once I moved away from them did I let out an angry sigh. Why? Why would she not work with me while I tried to keep everyone alive? Why would she fake a broken spirit while having that glitter of intelligence in her eyes? Why now of all times?

I clenched my fists. How was I supposed to keep them safe when they refused to cooperate?

I got rid of another volley of arrows as such thoughts whirled in my mind. How was I supposed to plan for the coming assaults without knowing how much mana she had? Her healing was paramount – without it, Erik and Vincent would fall from strength very quickly.

As such thoughts swirled in my mind, a familiar voice echoed through our shared connection.

"I bumped into Mona!" Asher shouted. His loud mental voice startled me. "We'll be there in less than ten minutes – don't ask how, we'll explain everything later! Hold out till then, we'll find a way to get you all out of there!"

My lips formed a bitter smile. "I don't think that's going to be as easy. There's an Ereth Divine in the woods. Be ready to teleport me when I tell you to, ok?"

"A what?" He asked in shock. "Kai, don't do anything stupid!" 

"Be ready to teleport me out!" I shouted before cutting off the connection. 

"Erik, come here for a minute." I spoke. The young man lifted his head and nodded, then quickly got up and approached me. Alina hadn't finished healing him completely, but right now that didn't matter.

"Is something wrong?" He asked, worry filling his voice.

"In about ten minutes, Asher and Mona will arrive. In eight, I will attack the enemy."

The young paladin's eyes widened. "Wait-"

"Let me finish," I cut him off. "I need you to make sure everyone gets out of here alive. I'm sure Some of the people hiding down there will come after you when they see I'm not able to help you out. You'll have to fight."

Silence followed my words. Erik seemed conflicted, more than anything. 

"I see." He mumbled, fiddling with the leather straps of his shield. "Are you sure you're going to be fine?"

I smiled. "Of course. I'll join you not long after."

Another volley of arrows whistled as they approached us. I raised my hand, summoning yet another gust of wind to scatter them. I could hear the sound of the arrow shitting the ground and the cliff walls.

"They wasted a lot of arrows today." Vincent's voice sounded. I turned to look at him. Alina had finished healing him. He approached us and stood with us as we watched the treeline. "What happens now?" He asked after a moment of silence.

"You'll start climbing down the hill." I could feel Asher's presence close by. He was going to be here within minutes. "Use the backside – the same spot that once guy used to climb up here. Then, Once Asher and Mona arrive, leave with them. They'll take you somewhere safe, and I'll join you there."

I noticed some movement in the distant sky. I could feel Asher getting closer as we spoke. 

"It's time. One minute – go."

Unlike Erik, Vincent didn't hesitate. He grabbed the young paladin's arm and dragged him to the others. I couldn't hear exactly what was told, but the group had set off within seconds. As they descended the hill, my time had come as well.

I stretched my wings wide and walked down the path, scythe in hand. I let my flames run wild as each step I took carried me closer to the Ereth Divine.

I noticed most of the players run off after Erik and the others, but I didn't care about them. Asher and Mona would arrive before these guys could do anything. I had to focus on the real threat – cloaked figure who finally stepped out of the shadows.

"Greetings, Keeper." Her voice tickled my ears. 

"Greetings, Divine." As I spoke, my crimson flames roared. "I'm afraid the pleasantries will have to stop here as we meet here today as enemies."

She removed her cloak. "Indeed."