Page 91 of Storms & Sacrifice
“Run Ny!” I shout to the elf, who is off before I can even finish.Good boy.
I’m tackled from the side and pushed to the ground, and as I look toward the smoke, all I can see are the shapes of a few bodies struggling.Please have gotten away.
“Yar’ku ti’na-she!” I hear Murbank’s voice shout to my left and a gust of wind blows through the room, clearing outthe smoke.
I see Firedrum and the other two traitors struggling with Glasha and Ragnar, but no sign of Nylan.Yes!
“After him. Now!” Murbank shouts at a few of the cult members off to the side, two of which immediately rush down the hallway. Gods, please let Nylan be a fast runner.
As all the orcs around me begin to argue amongst themselves, I can’t help but smile. I completely fucked up their plan. No matter what else happens, as long as Nylan gets away, someone will be able to stop them. The rest of the city will know about this.
“I suppose you think this is funny.” I look up to see Redwish glaring down at me angrily.
“Kinda, yeah.” I nod, mocking him even from my spot on the floor of theplatform.
He grabs me from the orc holding me to the ground, yanking me to my feet, and even I have to admit that he’s a lot stronger than he looks. The altar is in front of me and the temple entrance to my right. Right next to it, the whispering sounds coming from the basin are even louder, but I still can’t understand them.
“I have had quite enough of you interfering with my plans.” Redwish spins me around toface him.
I open my mouth for a comeback, but I’m cut off by a sharp pain in my chest. I lookdown.Oh.
I didn’t even see him grabthe sword.
“NO!” someone screams.
Blood pools around the weapon in my chest, dark red meeting shining steel. As quickly as it entered, the sword is pulled back out, blood pouring from the wound and staining my dark blue shirt almost black. Blood fills my mouth when I try to draw in a breath, and I struggle to keep standing, gripping the altar behind me tightly. I try to move but only manage to turn myself around and collapse ontop of it.
More people are yelling, and as the edge of my vision blurs, I see Khazak. He’s struggling, crying, trying to say something, but I can’t hear him. I can’t hear anything over the whispering. When did it get so loud? The light in the room is fading. I try to reach for him, but my limbs are too weak. I can’t breathe. It’s so cold.Heh, he’s gonna be so mad at mefor this.
I’m sorry...
...I don’t want to go...
...I love you...
It’s dark. At least I think it’s dark. I can’t actually see anything. Or feel anything, or hear anything, or—Oh fuck, am I dead? I can’t move my body... Actually, I’m not sure I have a body anymore. I’m not cold. I’m not hot. I’m not anything. Is this death? Just...nothingness, forever?
[Amused Male Voice: “Well, that took longenough.”]
I hear someone talking, only not out loud. Like it’s in my head.
[Confident Female Voice: “You can’t rush prophecy.”]
Another voice.
[Cocky Male Voice: “Well you can, it just doesn’t usually end well.”]
How many peopleare here?
[Soft Female Voice: “And we are certain this is the correct one?”]
I try to answer but can’t figure out how to make any sounds.
[Confident Female Voice: “Yes. There was always a chance it could have been either of them, but it’s been clear for some time it wouldbe him.”]
I give up on trying to talk.
[Disdainful Male Voice: “I still say we would’ve been better off with the other one.”]
