Page 132 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

Listening to the tranquil sounds of nature, it all seems so peaceful.

"It's time for you to wake up, Xavier," Forest whispers. "Never stop fighting for us."

Shaking my head, I want to scream.

"I love you," she mutters. "Never forget that."

Pressing her forehead to mine, I let the cries escape me.

"I-I love you," I cry. "I love you." I continue sobbing.

"I-"

The world is cold once again.

Swarmed by the smell of iron, the blood infiltrates my nose once again. Opening my eyes, my hands fall away from Forest's temples.

Looking around, I am startled to watch Rowan's hands move away from my head.

Covered in my daughter's blood, she takes shallow breaths.

"You deserved that goodbye," Rowan whispers. "Even if it wasn't her."

Wide-eyed, I look down at Forest and my girl, suddenly very aware of what is happening.

Cold and still, they both stare at me with a blank look.

Hearing nothing but the sound of my own heart, something vile and twisted seeps into my soul, eating away at any good part of myself I once had. Looking at my reflection in the silver of Elyon's mask, pain and vengeance fill my eyes.

Forest is dead.

My girl is dead.

Now, all that's left is me.

And the rage that was born on this day.

Chapter forty-one

Rowan

His scream is the only thing I hear.

In all my life, nothing has ever sounded as painful as the cry that has allowed itself to slip free from Xavier's chest. Screaming and crying uncontrollably, Forest's lifeless body bleeds freely from her wounds, painting Xavier and the surrounding water in a bright red hue.

"Forest, baby, wake up!" Xavier cries, doing his best to drag her from the water.

Silent and keeping our distance, every single Official and Revolutionist that was once ready to tear into one another's throats is now staring at the sight in horror.

Floating in the water, facedown, Elyon's body begins to sink to the bottom of the water, embraced by the very waters that created him. Mangled and worn, the cold mask of silver that had once tormented the lands has now met its bitter end.

"Forest Flower," Xavier cries. "Wake up, baby." His cries turn his voice into a raspy gasp. Rocking on the ground at the edge ofthe water with her and his daughter in his arms, her blood covers the ground. "Wake up. Our girl needs her momma-"

Stopping, he stares at the child bundled in cloth in his arms. Slowly raising her to his ear, his eyes look blank and empty.

Taking a step back, I grip Elias's arm.

Neither of them have heartbeats.

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