Page 90 of Darkness and Deceit
The Rogues seem to sense this change too; their frantic shoves and gnashing teeth give way to an uneasy caution as they slow their advance. I stand taller, strength coursing through me as my fox lifts its head high and bares its fangs, letting out a fierce snarl that reverberates through the chamber like thunder.
But it’s not enough to stop them.
They charge forward with primal ferocity.
My fox meets them head-on—a whirlwind of violet fury and razor-sharp precision. It moves gracefully, like it’s been waiting for this very moment. Each leap and pounce is instinctual—calculated yet ruthless—as if we’re one entity flowing together in perfect harmony. There’s no need for commands; I feel its movements resonate within me, as sure as my own breath.
One Rogue lunges at us from the left, but before I can even think about dodging, my fox rips it clean from the air with a vicious snap of its jaws.
Another Rogue dives past us, but I’m already moving in response. My magic reacts without hesitation. Energy erupts from my palm like a storm unleashed and slams into the Rogue’s chest with a bone-crushing impact that sends it hurtling backward against the stone wall with a satisfying crack.
Yet for every one that falls, three more emerge from the shadows beyond. Like an endless tide of snarling madness pouring in. The tunnel is now teeming with Rogues, their snarls a cacophony of hunger and desperation.
Behind me, Augustus holds his own with what remains of his golden light—but it’s fading fast—flickering like a candle blown by the wind.
Two Rogues streak toward him like arrows loosed from a bow. My fox leaps, fangs catching one by its arm before slamming it into the unforgiving ground. Its teeth are tearing out its throat in the next breath.
But the other Rogue barrels toward Augustus.
“No,” I breathe, lunging but I know I won’t make it in time.
Augustus grunts as golden light erupts from his palm, catching the Rogue square in the chest. His eyes meet mine. His face is tight, his movements sluggish, and he’s breathing just as hard as I am.
“Keep moving,” he shouts over chaos swirling around us. “Don’t stop!”
That single command spurs me on; I push forward, blasting apart clusters of Rogues blocking our path with waves of raw power erupting from my palm. Each surge comes easier than before, smoother, as if every last sliver of shame or doubt is burning away in flames fueled by purpose.
The Rogues are less organized now—more rabid, more desperate—but no less deadly. I lose count of how many we put down. The floor is slick beneath my boots. My arms ache. I’m fading fast, with no sign of the Rogues slowing down.
And then… a blast of violet light bursts from my chest as my deer makes its entrance into the battle. Its hooves slam into the ground, antlers swinging, herding the Rogues to make them easier to pick off. But one wrong move and they’ll slip past…
And one does. Of course.
It darts toward Augustus. I move on instinct, arm snapping out as raw power arcs from my fingertips. It collides with the Rogue mid-leap and blasts it against the wall. The shockwave sends dust raining down from above.
And that’s when the cave begins to shake.
The tremor rolls through the ground like a warning. Like something old and furious is stirring awake beneath our feet. Cracks split across the ceiling like spiderwebs, raining dust and rock down on us.
All I can think is:we need to get out. Now.
The passage behind us is still swarming as dozens more Rogues pour from the darkness. If we can just make it a few steps farther, we could collapse this part of the cave. Seal them in. Bury them in this cavern before they overrun us.
I spin toward the exit—toward the narrowing stretch of tunnel in front of us.
But before I can act, pain rips across my side.
A scream tears from my throat.
My fox falters with a pained yelp. A Rogue clips her side with its claws—jagged pain tearing across her flank, through her, through me. I stumble, breath gone, vision blurring.
I drop to one knee.
And then my deer charges, colliding with my fox mid-motion, their violet light flaring white-hot as their forms merge. A shockwave of power erupts from them—pure, blinding, and scorching. The nearest Rogues don’t even have time to scream before they’re reduced to ash.
The force slams outward. But it’s not enough. The passage is still open. More are coming.
I lift my arm—trembling, gasping—trying to summon one last burst of energy. Just enough to bring the ceiling down. Just enough to trap them inside.
