Page 4 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

Winnowing toward me, Elyon's hands grasp my head. The sounds of Xavier's cries circulate in my mind.

Aiding in my heart being ripped from my chest, Xavier's screams are painful. His voice breaks as his lungs burn with pain.

"Another candle," Elyon whispers. "Another burn."

"Forest!"he screams, blatantly unaware that anyone can hear him.

"He calls to you. He calls to you even when he knows you're not there. Every moment feels like his last when he feels the consequences of his bind, and the only thing he can think of isyou."

"Xavier-"

"There's no use in calling out to him. The only presence within your mind now is mine and your dear Raven."

"Forest, please!"he screams again, his voice breaking with each syllable of my name.

Feeling a wave of pain wash over me, every heartbreaking memory seeping through the cracks in the barriers forced into my mind sends me closer to the edge. My throat barely retains air.

Grabbing Elyon's front, I gasp, the sound of Xavier's frantic heart rate enough to make even the sanest scholar question how close they are to madness.

"Can you hear his cries?" Elyon pushes, tears flowing free from my own eyes.

Listening to the sounds flooding my mind, the sheer panic rolling through the man's tone is horrific. His body curled onto the floor. The guard's feet drive into his side as his hands cover his head.

"He thinks he is a vile monster," Elyon pushes. "His last bit of humanity nestled in the confines of memories you can barely stomach long enough to take a full breath."

Inhaling sharply, I try to push past Elyon's presence over me, tugging him just a bit closer.

"I should have made you watch me rip that bitch's head clean from her neck," I hiss, the vivid image of Dove's lifeless body touching my mind. Fallan's petrified gaze watched the exchange with fear.

He knew.

He knew what she would do to Xavier.

I had to kill her.

"I've always wondered at what point that brilliant mind of yours would put the pieces together," he mutters, tapping my head. My once rapid heart rate quickly dwindles.

I need more of Elyon's blood.

I have to push past the grasp of these new memories-

"She was your daughter!" I hiss, keeping the man close.

His focus is dead set on me.

“Yes, and you were quite prideful when you delivered her severed head to the front steps of this very compound.”

Swallowing nothing, he shoves me away. Taking a stand, he watches me with a look of taunt.

Feeling a weight lift off of me in light of his absence, I cling to the nearest wall, clawing my way into a standing position.

Barely able to stay in the light, the parts of myself I have fought so hard to keep buried come out to play. The urge to take down this whole compound creeps into my thoughts.

"Humor me, Forest. Would you care to see what an alliance with me would look like?" Elyon questions. My head shakes violently.

"Alliance with you?" I question, Xavier's screams filling my mind once more. "You can fuck right off and go to hell," I scream, my voice no longer my own.

"Even when I can guarantee him and your friend's safety?" Elyon questions, the noise in my mind settling down.

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