Page 75 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

Chapter 42: Blood, Smoke, and Ash

Verena

Ipick up my sword from the ground and charge into the fray, my heart heavy with the knowledge that every clash of metal could bring me closer to losing Eryx forever. The ground trembles beneath the weight of armored soldiers, the sky darkens with the smoke of war, and I feel the weight of destiny pressing down upon me. My mother fights along side me as I make my way to Eryx. If we kill Dryston, all these lives can remain whole. We don’t have to lose every body here, fighting for their home.

The deafening brush of swords and shields reverberates through the air as I cleave my way toward Dryston, driven by a fierce determination to reach him before it’s too late. My mother stands at my side, her formidable presence lending me a surge of strength. Our blades move in perfect unison, twirling and thrusting with precision amidst the chaotic frenzy of battle. Together, we were an unstoppable force, blazing a path through the enemy ranks toward our ultimate goal.

The closer we approach Dryston, the weight of his malevolent stare bore down upon us like a heavy shadow. His twisted grin curls with sadistic glee as he anticipated our arrival, reveling in the challenge that lay ahead. But we were not going to let him emerge victorious in this war. The fate of our world rests on our shoulders and we were determined to crush him into oblivion, no matter the cost.

With a final burst of unwavering determination, we tore through the wall of Dryston’s soldiers, our blades flashing in the sunlight as we close the distance between us and our ultimate enemy. His sneer contorts into a maniacal grin as he meets our gaze with wild, bloodlust-filled eyes. But we refuse to be intimidated, fueled by an unbreakable resolve to put an end to his reign of terror once and for all. My mother goes to step forward, but she pauses when I push my hand out to stop her. “I’ve got this.” I tell her and she nods, fighting soldiers away from me.

With a fierce determination burning in my chest, I heft my sword high above my head. The weight of the world seems to rest on my shoulders as I prepare to strike down my opponent. As my blade descends, it lets out a resounding clang that reverberates across the battlefield, signaling my unwavering resolve. But Dryston is a skilled warrior, and he swiftly counters my attack with a swift flick of his wrist. Our blades meet with a deafening crash, sending sparks flying and shaking the very ground beneath us. Each contact feels like a jolt of lightning coursing through the air, as we fought with all our might for victory in this epic battle.

The acrid stench of blood and charred flesh hung heavy in the air, suffocating our senses. Each step we take sends tremors through the ground, as if it could no longer bear witness to the violence unfolding. Above us, the sky blazes a fiery red, as if it too had been smeared with the blood of our enemies. Our unyielding pursuit of victory paints the world in shades of crimson and death.

Undeterred by the relentless rays of the sun bearing down upon us, our determination only intensifies as we battle for our rightful place in the world. Our movements mirrored those of ancient warriors, as if we are being guided by powerful deities from a distant time. The sound of our blades meeting echoes through the air, a fierce symphony of steel clashing and ringing out. Sweat drips down my face, stinging my eyes, but I push through with every ounce of strength within me, refusing to back down in this deadly dance of survival. Victory was within reach, and I will not let anything stand in my way.

But nothing lasts forever, even as my body grows tiresome.

I feel the impact of every blow, the sting of every wound, as they weaken my mother and I with each passing moment. The weight of our adversary is formidable, and with each passing exchange, doubts begin to creep into my mind. Yet, I refuse to succumb to them, knowing that the fate of our world is at stake.

Our battle grows increasingly intense, a blur of flashing blades and grunts of exertion. The air around us crackles with the electric charge of our relentless pursuit, building an energy that seems to feed us and our opponents alike.

Despite the mounting fatigue, my heart races with an unwavering resolve, propelling me forward in the face of our adversaries. Each strike, each parry, each dodge feels fraught with the potential to change the tide of the battle.

My feet slide on a slick pool of crimson, sending me careening to the ground where my skull collides with the grimy earth. Pain sears through my head like fire as I struggle to regain my senses. “Verena!” Eryx’s voice rings out, drawing closer to Dryston and I. His golden locks glimmer in the sunlight, his chartreuse eyes glinting with malice.

“You thought you could defeat me? You dare to challenge my power and believe you could triumph?” His laughter echoes through the chamber, sending shivers down my spine as my heart pounds against my ribcage, threatening to burst free.

With a sinister smile, he raises his sword high above his head, ready to deliver the final, fatal blow. My own weapon lies just out of reach, and I steel myself for the inevitable end, knowing that Eryx will seek vengeance for my death. Our eyes lock in a final moment of defiance as Dryston ends my life, but I refuse to look away, channeling all of my fury and determination into one last gaze before the darkness claims me.

Eryx charges toward Dryston, his body a blur as he plows into him with incredible force. The impact sends Dryston flying across the ground, crashing into the dirt with a bone-jarring force. Before he can even recover, Eryx is on top of him, raining down powerful blows to his face. Desperately, Dryston writhes and wriggles, trying to escape the relentless assault fromabove. But Eryx’s grip is like iron, and it takes all of Dryston’s strength just to push him off for a moment before the relentless attack resumes.

They both stand up, panting heavily, their eyes locking in a battle of defiance and determination. A sense of dread hangs heavy in the air, as if the outcome of this fight will decide the fate of the world.

In the distance, the sounds of battle still rage, but the focus now is solely on Dryston and Eryx.

Eryx’s rage is palpable, every blow landing with the force of a thunderbolt. Blood drips from his sword, staining the ground beneath him, as he plows through Dryston’s defenses with unrelenting determination.

Dryston, however, is not one to give up easily. He manages to dodge another of Eryx’s strikes, but the force of the blow sends him tumbling into the dirt. With a cry of rage, Dryston surges to his feet, his eyes blazing with fury. His sword flashes in his hand, matching Eryx’s fury with a determination to match.

The battle between these two titans of destruction intensifies, each strike carrying the force of a thousand suns. The air crackles with electricity, as if the very fabric of the world is being torn apart by their battle.

In the midst of this chaos, the world begins to change. The hues of the battlefield shift, the colors bleeding and smear together in a blur of emotion. The mountains and valleys around them warp and twist, as if they too are being consumed by the intensity of the battle.

As the ground shakes beneath their feet, Dryston and Eryx continue their unrelenting assaults on each other. My breath catches in my throat as I see Dryston’s cruel smile, a glint of malice in his eyes as he sought to strike a fatal blow. Someone shoves me over, making a yelp slip from my lips at a distracting volume. Eryx’s eyes meet mine and just as they do, he realizes his mistake.

And then it happens — a swift, brutal thrust from Dryston’s blade pierces through Eryx’s defenses, sinking deep into his stomach. My world shatters in that instant, an uncontrollable scream tearing from my throat as I feel our mate bond weaken a fraction.

Blind rage consumes me, overtaking every thought and emotion. I can feelthe raw power coursing through my veins, a volatile energy waiting to be unleashed. My vision turns violet as my body trembles with an otherworldly force, building until it reaches its boiling point. With a primal scream, I direct all of my fury, my anguish, my agony at Dryston, unleashing a devastating explosion that sends his body hurtling backwards. A deafening silence falls as I collapse to my knees, drained of every ounce of strength as I crawl toward my broken husband’s bleeding form. I am angry he doesn’t get to watch his country turn their backs on him, but none of that matters now.

I collapse next to Eryx, my heart shattering into a million pieces as I touch his cold cheek. The tears that fall from my eyes scorch like acid, burning a trail down my face. A tsunami of emotions crashes over me, drowning me in sorrow and rage. My gaze locks with his and I can sense the faintest hint of regret in his glassy stare.

I gasp, my voice barely audible as I struggle to form words. My heart splinters into shards of pain, aching with the realization of what he has done. “How could you?” I rasp, my voice raw from both the battle and my emotions. Blood drips from his lips as he grunts out an explanation, his body shaking with the weight of his actions. “You don’t have to,” I cry out, feeling betrayed and shattered in that moment. “We were supposed to leave this battlefield together,” I remind him, my voice trembling with anger and hurt. “Together, Eryx. You promised.” A sob wracks through me and I want to strike him, to unleash all the fury and pain coursing through my veins at this ultimate betrayal.

“I had to. You were going to die and I would rather perish before I allow you to leave this world, Little Star.” His voice breaks, spitting blood from his lips.

My voice trembles as I plead with him, “No. You are not allowed to die. Not today. If you die, I will follow.” My anger boils over at his reckless decision.

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