Chapter 97 Chapter 97

Chapter 97 Chapter 97
In a moment of weakness, I faltered. That was my cousin up there, hanging from a tree, gasping for breath. Was I really going to do this? 

Against my better judgment, I turned to Ivan for what? I didn’t even know. Support? Did I want him to be alright with this? Or did I want him to stop me? 

Between the veiny shields Rose threw up, I caught a glimpse of him, and our eyes locked. Was that a nod he gave me? I took a step forward, internally begging for guidance, but my foot hit something –or rather someone- and my moment of weakness came to an abrupt end.

I guess we’ll never know now.

Summoning back the fire was natural at this point, and just as she did to Holden, my flames exploded into her chest. Her screams of agony did nothing to soothe my pain, but as I watched the life seep out of her, I knew nothing would ever soothe her betrayal, not even her death.

As the fire sizzled out and her screams stopped, the silence that engulfed the academy was haunting.

I had read a lot of books about the noble battles different mystics have fought for their species, and most of them depict the rush of the fight quite well. It makes you feel like you were there. 

But as I sank to my knees, drained and miserable, I realized none of those writers tells you about the numbness of the ‘after’. No one describes the fist that keeps squeezing your heart to the point where you feel it about to explode, no one talks about the boulder stuck in your throat, but you don’t know if you want to scream or cry or both. 

No one ever writes about the hollowness in your chest when you realize that the battle is over, but at what cost? The loss is too great, and the pain is too real, and you just want to curl up in a ball forever and cry your eyes out and maybe claw them out too because you have seen so, so much. 

It would have been nice to know that these emotions also came with the adrenaline of the fight; at least I might have been prepared. Or maybe nothing could have ever prepared me for this.

“Lilith.”

A hand touched my shoulder, and I almost screamed. I may have leapt 10 feet into the air; I didn’t quite remember, but my knees were throbbing, and my palms were scratched anew.

“Hey, hey, it’s me.” Rose’s voice sounded like it was miles away, like I was underwater and her voice was nothing but an echo. 

I blinked a couple of times, begging for my eyes to focus on what was in front of me instead of the limp body still attached to the tree.

Rose’s face finally came into focus, then Ivan’s, then Eli and Kevin, and the rest of our group. I did a quick scan, praying that I didn’t hurt any of them when I lost control.

Did I lose control? Or was I perfectly aware?

Pushing that question aside, I was relieved to note that none of my friends were charred or burned or hurt, aside from the injuries they sustained before my little outburst.

“Are you okay?” Rose asked, stroking my cheek.

“I don’t think I can answer that.”

“Yeah, it was kind of a stupid question.”

“Can you stand?” Ivan asked.

“I…” I attempted to get up, but my knees wobbled slightly.

“I got you.” Reaching out, he placed both his arms under me and helped me up.

“I can’t believe that just happened.” Gabbie sighed.

“What happened exactly?” Jasper asked.

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Rose shrugged.

“You two are idiots.” Gabbie rolled her eyes.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kevin and Eli heading towards Holden.

“What are you guys doing?” I tried to rush over there, but Ivan still held onto me.

“We’re portaling back to Halitus.” Eli’s voice cracked.

“We’re taking him home.” Kevin finished for him.

The tear that slid down my face felt exceptionally scorching. I wiped it away hastily and nodded.

“Jasper, Kieran, take some freshmen with you and do a quick scan of the academy. Make sure those creatures are gone.” Ivan spoke, his voice full of authority. 

“Gabbie and Rose, you two look for survivors. Don’t leave anyone behind. We have to portal back to the kingdoms, but let’s make sure Lixierra is safe first.”

Everyone nodded and split into groups.

“What about us?” I turned slightly to look at him.

“You need to rest before we go. Besides, I figured you might need a few minutes alone with your best friend.”

At the mention of Kira, my head snapped up, and at the sight of her, my heart leapt in my chest. My best friend was disheveled, to put it nicely. 

Her blue hair was a tangled mess on her head, her clothes were tattered and covered in mud and ash, but it was the look in her eyes that almost brought me to my knees again. 

She looked like she had just seen a ghost, which I suppose made sense since the best friend she thought died two years ago reincarnated in the form of her blonde, powerless new roommate.

“Kira,” I whispered.

Her eyes were unfocused, unshed tears held at the rim by willpower alone. I took a step towards her, and it looked like the veil finally lifted with that motion.

“Ahri?”

The name was like a dagger to my chest, but I let it slide. Now was not the time.

“Is that really you?” She breathed.

“Yes.” I took another step.

“But, how?” She stepped forward, and I almost cried happy tears.

“It’s a very long story.”

“I thought you were dead.”

“I was. In a way.”

“I don’t understand.” She was finally close enough to touch.
“I will tell you everything, I promise.” Tears streamed down my face. “But right now I really need my best friend.”