Page 143 of Of Blood & Stone

Learning Elnok could’ve helped save humanity wouldn’t just make Orym mad, Orym would take it upon himself as the reason humanity was in jeopardy. He’d twist Elnok’s words and motivations and think it was his fault, not Elnok’s. Orym would be healed, but he’d be a guilt-ridden mess for the years to come.

As much as Elnok hated to admit it, he would be too.

I’ll never forget you.

Sylzenya’s eyes, full and constant as the sea.

I’ll never forget you.

Her strength an anchor in his body.

I’ll never forget you.

Her love a salve on his twisted, broken heart.

Taking one more look at the glowing medicine vial, Elnok spun around.

Dozens of glowing red eyes shone through the shadows, a small chorus of chitters echoing along the branches, flitting through the trees.

He dug in his pocket and took out the compass to Aretta’s Willow. Hope sparked in his chest—it’d begun to glow again, and he knew it wasn’t pointing towards the tree. It would be pointing towards the one who had killed the goddess, the one who had her power.

It was pointing to Sylzenya.

Chapter 35

Together

Sylzenya stepped over a collapsed tree as she and Kharis made their way through Lhaal Forest. She held the new compass flat on her palm, the direction never shifting nor shaking, the archni fang’s tip pointing west.

Towards Distrathrus.

Silence deafened her ears. Not only were there no signs of monsters, but the god hadn’t attempted to speak into her mind since they’d left Aretta’s Willow. It worried her greatly.

“He knows we’re coming,” Sylzenya whispered, gripping the hilt of her new sword—the sword that would kill him.

“You sound surprised,” Kharis replied, eyes glowing with power despite his chest plate empty of orodyte. He’d learned to access Aretta’s blood in little to no time.

Sylzenya hadn’t tried yet, afraid she might welcome Distrathrus and his poisonous words into her mind again.

“I wishwecould’ve been the surprise,” she mumbled.

Kharis chuckled. “Would’ve been a nice advantage, but I’m afraid we won’t have many of those with this fight. Although, if Aretta says we’ll be able to do it, we should trust that.”

“I find it hard to trust her at all.”

“Then why are you doing this?”

Sylzenya turned to him, his golden hair shining against the glow of their swords.

“Because what other choice do we have?” she asked.

He grunted in affirmation. Tapping her fingers against the sword’s hilt, she slowly gripped it and tugged—it’s weight far too much.

“How are you able to do it?” she inquired, “Your power, I mean. I managed it once by accident.”

“Do as I do,” Kharis replied.

He took a deep breath. Sylzenya did as well, the rot and mold in the air causing her to cough. Kharis patted her back, a small smile on his mouth.

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