Hellion's Reckoning
Chapter 47

Flashes of red lightning and dark shadowy tendrils flew as the four clashed. Sylvis was a relentless force, and none of them could seem to break him. His constant flurry of strikes kept them on the defense. Even Styx wasn’t swift enough to slip past his spear. The little fox constantly had to duck and dodge at every turn. Inias’ blades could only block his lightning. They wouldn’t absorb the magic. Keira danced around his spear, trying to set him between Inias and her. Every time he pushed her back and sent a wave of lightning at Inias.

Sylvis was unyielding, his movements almost as swift as the lightning that crackled around him. In a sudden moment of desperation, he lunged forward with his spear, aiming for Keira. The blade pierced through the air, narrowly missing her as she stumbled back, her heart pounding in her chest. Inias leapt out, shoving Sylvis’ spear aside as Styx ran across the grass to bite his leg. Sylvis threw out his foot, kicking the fox away before shoving his fist into Inias’ gut, sending him to the ground.

Keira lunged towards Sylvis; her daggers aimed for his throat. He swung his spear, but she leapt over it and kicked him in the mouth. She landed and rolled to her feet as Sylvis tumbled over the ground. Gripping his jaw, he stood to his feet only to be caught in the back by Inias’ elbow, sending him down again. Sylvis swung his leg, tripping the prince and then knocked a lunging Styx away with the pole of his spear.

Suddenly, Sylvis made a feint towards Stix, aiming to distract the fox and leave himself open to attack. Inias saw the ploy and charged forward, his swords flashing in the air as he clashed with Sylvis, pushing him back with each powerful blow. Keira seized the opportunity and lunged towards Sylvis from behind, her daggers poised to strike. But just as she was about to land the fatal blow, Sylvis whirled around with a swiftness that caught her off guard. His spear sliced through the air, grazing her side, and leaving a searing pain in its wake. Keira stumbled back, a gasp escaping her lips as she clutched at the wound, blood trickling down her side.

Inias, seeing Keira, struck, roared in fury, and launched himself at Sylvis with renewed strength. His swords danced in the air, their diamond edges glinting menacingly as he drove Sylvis back, relentless in his pursuit of justice. Styx, sensing the shift in momentum, darted in and bit Sylvis on the thigh. Stumbling back, he desperately lifted his spear to block Inias’ swords and shove him aside.

Dripping blood, Keira whimpered and saw her wound wasn’t properly healing. Falling to her knees, blood spilled out from her mouth as she watched the three of them continue to struggle against each other. “Innie…” she groaned, her arms aching as she struggled to hold herself up.

As he and Sylvis clashed, Inias could see Keira falling to the ground and roared. Glaring into Sylvis’ eyes, his own glowed. The lordling watched in surprise and horror as Inias’ hair grew. Every strike from his blades felt harder, faster. Every blow pushed him back. There was nothing of Inias in those fiery hues. Only the eyes of a beast baring down on his prey.

The two swords fell to the ground as Inias gripped the end of his spear and flung him into the city walls. It crumbled against his back, broken pieces of stone falling around him. Inias and Styx ran to Keira, laying in a pool of blood but still moving.

An echoing of laughter pulled his eyes away to replace the body of Varen thrown beside his daughter. “Excellent,” Ailog purred as he approached them, with his few dozen men remaining, “They can die together.” Sylvis pulled himself up, stumbling over chunks of stone. “You survived,” he said, not hiding any hint of disappointment. “Of course, my boy, no hellion trap can hold me.” With his two hammers crackling, the prefect chuckled at the two dying hellions.

“Dad…” Keira whimpered, reaching out for her father’s cheek as Inias rose. Varen cracked his eyes, seeing the pool of blood around his daughter. “My girl…” He mumbled; body wracked with pain as his eyes glowed. Inias looked from the magistrate to Keira. Color was returning to her cheeks as her father faded away into little shards of light.

Varen’s magic was pouring into Keira, healing her wounds, restoring her. It was all he could do. He, Endolyne, and all the Hellion elders had profited from the oppression of their fellow hellions. Ravenmoon forest had once been home to several hellion clans. One by one, he claimed their land as the king removed them. Keira and Vestin resolved to fight for what remained. There was little he could do to make things right but to ensure they survived. He only hoped his death would calm the troubled spirits he forsook.

“No…” Keira tried to shove her father away as tears streamed down her face. “You can’t go. I need you! Vestin needs you.” Her strength began to return, but she couldn’t pull herself away from his grasp. Their forest and home burned. All she had left was her father, brother, and clan. He held her cheek firmly and smiled. “The world will be a safer place in your hands.” Varen whispered and brushed a kiss on his daughter’s cheek. With one last breath, his form faded into many shimmering lights to be carried away by the wind.

They all watched Varen’s sacrifice, Ailog’s eyes gleaming with amusement. “Sentimental fool,” he said with a laugh as Keira rose to her feet. She stood by Inias and Styx, raising her daggers. Tears continued to fall down her cheeks as she shifted.

“Kill them now!” Ailog ordered his son, who merely watched the two hellions. Keira’s father had given up his life to save her. That demon was a better father than his own had ever been. If it weren’t for Devilsbane, his father would have sacrificed him years ago. The spear crackled at his side, his swirling anger fueling its destructive power. Slowly, he lifted the spear, pointed it straight for his father.

The soldiers behind Ailog shook, stepping away with raised hands. “I’m not in the mood for your games, kill them!” His father shouted.

“No games, father,” Sylvis said, mimicking his father’s purr, “Divine retribution.” A surge of red shot past Inias and Keira, straight for Ailog. The bolts shattered his hammers and sent him flying. He cried out in agony, skin burning as every bolt came crashing down on him. Ailog writhed on the ground, desperately fighting to escape. “Kill him! Kill that boy!” He ordered the soldiers, hopelessly as they all turned and ran before any lightning could strike them.

Sylvis’ smile spread into a wild grin as he watched his father writhe and thrash on the ground until flames erupted over his body, burning him down to nothing but ash. With him distracted, Inias, Keira, and Styx slowly backed away. He didn’t seem to notice or simply didn’t care that they were escaping. Once they were in the shadows, the three ran north towards the burning forest.