Part 5
Kaya followed Lucanis as he led herself and Davrin to the theatre. They had Illario where they needed him. The traitor would pay. He had imprisoned Lucanis. He had put Spite inside him. The demon who had no choice in this matter. Neither of them deserved the fate they had been dealt. Kaya was going to make sure Ilario paid. Lucanis shoved the doors open.
“Over my dead body!” Lucanis shouted. Illario chuckled and her squared his shoulders.
“That can be arranged,” Illario spoke. Venatori appeared in the rafters and the Crows on the stage drew their weapons. He used his blood magic to try and stop him. “Yeild.”
“You cannot handle us both,” Lucanis growled. He stepped forward, wings sprouting from his back. Spite was fueling him. Illario growled and scythes appeared in his hands. He called the Venatori to him and Kaya pulled her weapons free. “Leave Illario to me.”
“Got it,” Kaya nodded. She ran for the Venatori alongside Davrin, distracting them to allow Lucanis a chance to fight his cousin. Her swords easily met flesh as she carved through them. They’d die. All Venatori would die. She ignored the pain that flared from her thigh. She ignored Davrin’s concerned yell. All she cared about was killing these cult members. Her sword impaled the Venatori in front of her and she glanced past him, seeing Lucanis strike Illario down. Good. She yanked her weapon free and crossed her arms as Lucanis paced around his cousin.
“What am I going to do with him?” Lucanis asked. He looked at her and she glared at the downed traitor. Illario should die. He deserved to die. But it wasn’t her decision to make.
“You said he was like a brother and the closest friend you had.”
“My only friend until I met you and the team,” Lucanis sighed. He looked at Viago and pointed at the man. “Take him away and keep him out of trouble.”
“That’s not your decision to make,” Illario seethed. Caterina hit her cane against the ground.
“Enough! Lucanis is now the First Talon. His decision is final!” Caterina spoke. The room erupted in cheers and Kaya looked at Davrin. She didn’t want to stay for this celebration. She wanted to leave. The taller elf nodded and the two of them slipped away from the party.
“You know, you fought recklessly there,” Davrin pointed out. Kaya huffed and they made their way to the Eluvian.
“I fought like I normally do.”
“No, you fought like you had nothing to lose. Angry and well…unfocused.”
“I am focused,” Kaya snapped. She didn’t want to hear it from him. Not from any of the team. Everyone she loved died. Everyone she cared about died. She wouldn’t let that happen to her friends. She’d keep them at arm’s length to keep them safe.
“Rook…I know you’re upset about—”
“Stop!” Kaya snarled. She turned, glaring at the man. “I don’t need you pointing out the obvious.”
Kaya continued to walk to the Eluvian, ignoring the hurt look on Davrin’s face. She couldn’t let his hurt affect her. She had to keep going.
They had hardly gotten through the Lighthouse Eluvian when Emmrich met her. He had an idea of where Johanna was. Davrin protested her going so soon, but she ignored him and went with the necromancer. They went as a pair and infiltrated the mansion. It was easy doing so and the found the construct that Johanna had made. When it rose from the ground to suck the souls from the mages there, Manfred had taken the fall for them. Their adorable, brave skeleton fell and Emmrich decided to save him. They’d have to wait for a time, but they’d get him back. The look of relief on Emmrich’s face when the Lich agreed to save him was contagious. She was thankful that he would be brought back. Emmrich had words for her, but she ignored him. There was nothing more that she could do for him.
Now, Kaya was in Arlaathan, helping Bellara fight Anaris. The forgotten one was strong. His powers were incredible. If this was how strong the Gods were, they were in for a world of hurt. She slashed through the demons that he summoned while Lace and Bellara focused on the crystals. They had to break his control. Break his concentration. Bellara’s strikes were true, even as the forgotten one taunted her. Kaya used her magic to shoot between several of the demons and took them down as she did. A blast of magic knocked her down and she rolled to her feet. She wouldn’t be knocked down. Not when Bellara needed her. Anaris swung and his claws caught her across her face and across her ear, making her wince. Damn it! She used her magic and dipped away from him as Lace shot the last crystal. It exploded and the forcefield around Anaris flickered. She shot forward and her swords found his chest. The forgotten one gurgled in pain and he clawed at her arms, cutting through her leather bracers. She held his gaze as he died, and she felt no remorse for him. He was the cause of Bellara’s pain.
“Cyrian!” Bellara shouted. Kaya pulled her swords free and hurried to her friend’s side. She was kneeling beside her brother, trying to help him. Heal him. “I-I’ll figure something out! Just hold on!”
Kaya could do nothing as she watched her friend cry over her brother. She couldn’t help her or him. It was too late. Another death added to her list. Another person lost. Bellara held Cyrian until the Sun rose and Kaya carefully took his body from her as Lace helped the grieving elf. Lace took Bellara back to the Lighthouse and Kaya took Cyrian to the Veil Jumpers. They had been shocked to see her with him, but she merely shook her head and begged them to care for his body. They did her one better. They promised to give him a proper burial. It would take time for them to set everything up, but Bellara would get closure this way.
When Kaya returned to the Lighthouse, Neve was waiting for her. The mage regarded her with a worried look, and she sighed. She didn’t want to talk to her.
“How’s Bellara?”
“Hurting. Lace brought her back and I helped her settle in my room. I didn’t want her alone right now.”
“I’ll come check on her in a bit. I need to get somethings together,” Kaya spoke. She tried to brush by Neve, but the woman stopped her by a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“You’re hurt.”
“I’m aware.”
“You should rest.”
“No. There’s too much going on for me to rest. I need to help our team.”
“You won’t be much help if you get yourself killed.”
Kaya ignored her and brushed by her. She didn’t want to hear this. Neve wasn’t wrong, but Kaya didn’t need to hear that. She wanted to leave and get her face patched up. “Do you have anything on Aelia?”
“Not yet.”
“Tell me when you do,” Kaya ordered. She tried to walk away again and this time, Neve grabbed her wrist tightly.
“Rook. This isn’t healthy. You need to rest.”
“I don’t have time for that. The Gods aren’t going to wait for us.”
“No, but we can’t beat them if you’re falling apart,” Neve countered. Kaya clenched her fists. She wasn’t wrong but she wouldn’t admit that. This was all she could do. “Look, I know you’re hurting. I understand that, but you need—”
“No, you don’t,” Kaya snapped. She turned, leveling Neve with a glare. “You don’t know, so stop trying to pretend that you do.”
Neve’s expression didn’t change, but the glint in her eyes did. Her words had hurt her. She let her magic rise, shocking Neve’s hand and making her release her. Neve opened her mouth to likely chastise her, and they were interrupted by heavy footsteps.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Taash questioned. Kaya looked back forward and saw the qunari. They had their armor on and their weapons at their hips.
“Where are you going?”
“My mom wants to meet. I was heading out.”
“Want company?” Kaya sked. She heard Neve scoff behind her and Taash raised an eyebrow at her.
“You just got back.”
“And?”
Taash gestured to her injuries. “You’re hurt.”
“I’ll drink a potion,” Kaya countered. She held Taash’s gaze, silently pleading with the qunari. She wanted to go with them.
“Fine,” Taash relented. Kaya smiled and followed the qunari as they headed for the Eluvian. She glanced at Neve, seeing the hurt on her face. With a heavy heart, she walked through the Eluvian with Taash.
Later
“I’m going to kill him!” Taash snarled, running through the crumbling fortress. Kaya panted as she tried to keep up with the qunari, feeling her body protest at how fast she was moving. Taash’s legs were far longer than hers. One of their strides equaled two of hers.
“Taash! Slow down!”
“No! I have to see her…and kill him!”
The sight of Shathaan’s head being bashed in would forever be carved in Kaya’s memory. Taash’s too. They had come here to rescue the older qunari but had failed. The Dragon King killed her right there in front of them. Kaya wished they had brought more of their team. This wasn’t going to be easy. Fire roared towards them and Taash used their own fire to block it. Kaya shot her bow, killing the Antaam that had tried to shoot them. Two more Antaam came barreling at them and Kaya shot one in the leg, giving Taash a chance to kill him. The other Antaam stalled in his approach and Kaya shot him in the face.
“Taash, we should get the others.”
“We don’t have time!” Taash shouted. A dragon’s roar filled the air and Kaya paused, looking towards the source of the sound.
“That’s a dragon.”
“We can kill it. We can do it.”
Kaya didn’t know if that was true. She had a feeling it wouldn’t end well for them. They ran towards the sound and an ice dragon landed before them. It roared and Taash roared in return. They ran for the dragon and Kaya chased after her friend. They’d need cover fire. She fired her arrows at the dragon as Taash slashed at the dragon’s legs. Her arrows weren’t doing anything. They just bounced off the dragon’s scales. She cursed and drew another arrow, gathering her magic around the head. When the arrow was engulfed in electricity, she let it fly. The arrow flew at the dragon, striking it in the eye. It squealed in pain, and it turned to glare at her with its good eye. Shit. The dragon let a blast of ice loose and Kaya dodged the first one. Then the second one. On the third attack, she failed to dodge and took the hit to her back. Ice froze her and the ground shook beneath her.
“Move!” Taash shouted. Kaya turned and drew her swords, blocking what she could of the dragon’s claws. Her swords shattered on impact, and she felt its claws slice through her armor. She used her magic to dart back, feeling her body weaken. That had done some damage. Taash ran for the dragon and Kaya pulled her bow free once more, shooting at it to cause a distraction. It worked and the dragon ran at her again. This time, Taash stopped it before it could reach her. They slammed their axe into the dragon’s chin before sliding down its body. Their weapon tore open the dragon’s throat as they dragged their axe down with them. The dragon fell dead to the ground and Taash growled, turning to face the Dragon King. He backed away from them as they approached and cowered when they grabbed him by the throat. Taash threw him aside and Kaya stood beside them.
“Impossible! I am the king!”
“Dragons don’t have kings,” Kaya argued. Taash gathered their fire and released it, burning the qunari to a crisp. The smell of burning flesh made her sick to her stomach and she focused on not puking. This was not the time. When Taash’s fire died, they turned and ran for Shathaan. They gathered the qunari in their arms, holding her close. Slabs of rock fell around them and the ground was cracking around them. “Taash!”
“Taash! Rook! Get out of there!” Isabella shouted. Kaya cursed and ran to Taash, grabbing their arm.
“Taash!”
“H-help me lift her. Grab her legs,” Taash stammered. Kaya shook her head and grabbed her friend’s face in her hands. They’re pained eyes met her own and she pulled on them.
“We have to go,” Kaya begged. Taash whimpered but lowered Shathaan to the ground. They turned and Kaya ran. Everything started to collapse around them as they ran to Isabella and Kaya tripped, hitting the ground with a grunt. Her wounds ached and she pushed herself to her hands and knees. Taash easily picked her up and carried her on their shoulder, running with her out of the mountain. The Sun was a welcome sight, and Kaya felt the world around her spin. She could see her blood dripping down Taash’s armor, and she paled. “T-Taash?”
The last thing she heard was Taash yelling at Isabella to get them a healer.
Point of View Change, Neve
Neve pinched the bridge of her nose as she sat at library couch. Taash had returned a bit ago with Kaya in their arms. Her body without armor and her torso wrapped in bandages. Taash had barely explained what had happened, leaving the elf in her room before leaving to go to theirs. Shathaan was dead. Taash’s mother was dead. The team gathered around the table without their leader and qunari, going over what they should do next.
“Evka and Antoine said they need to talk to us,” Davrin spoke. Emmrich sighed and gripped his staff.
“I need to go back to the Necropolis. They are ready to bring back Manfred.”
“Viago spoke of gatlok being transported around Treviso. He wants us to look into it.”
“Strife sent a missive as well,” Lace spoke. Neve shook her head and glanced over at Bellara, seeing the elf sadly staring at the table. “There’s too much going on. Taash lost their mother and Rook…”
“Rook is falling apart,” Davrin grunted. He leaned back in his chair, pointing the witling knife at them. “She’s been falling apart for weeks now. But she’s gotten worse.”
“We’re aware, but she won’t listen to any of us,” Emmrich spoke. He looked over his shoulder towards Kaya’s room. “She’s in pain.”
“She’s drowning out her pain by helping us,” Bellara softly spoke. Neve placed her hand on Bellara’s leg and the elf intwined their fingers. “I-I knew she was hurting when she helped me with Cyrian. She was limping that entire time we were searching for him.”
“She took a hit to her thigh when we were fighting Illario,” Lucanis pointed out.
“We went after Johanna the moment she stepped through that Eluvian,” Emmrich added.
“Then we went after Anaris,” Bellara murmured. Neve looked to Taash’s room.
“She went with Taash after that,” Neve sighed. Kaya wasn’t taking a break. She was pushing herself too hard.
“Can we force her to take a break? Maybe knock her out?” Lace suggested.
“If we want her to be upset, then by all means, go for it,” Davrin huffed. He wasn’t wrong. She wouldn’t take a break. Not with how things were.
“Davrin, can you and Lucanis help the Wardens with whatever they need?” Neve asked. Davrin nodded and the team looked at her. “If we want her to rest, we have to get rid of the jobs she could take. Emmrich, I can go with you to the Necropolis—”
“That’s quite alright. I can go on my own. I just wanted company.”
“Alright. Lace, check on Taash. Bellara, I’ll look at the missive Strife sent if you can go sit with Rook. Davrin, once you’re done with the Wardens, head to Treviso.”
“We can do that.”
“I’ll let you know if Taash needs anything.”
“When I bring back Manfred, I’ll take him to see Rook. She’ll want to see him.”
“I’ll go sit with her,” Bellara nodded. Neve squeezed Bellara’s hand before standing. Kaya always took care of them. It was time that they did the same. The team dispersed and Neve went to the table where they kept the newly arrived missives. She picked up the paper and looked it over, reading Strife’s message. They almost had everything ready for Cyrian’s funeral. Bellara would need all the help she could get to attend it. She tucked the missive into her pocket and headed up the stairs. Taash’s room was closed, but she knew Lace was taking care of the qunari. They needed one another and Neve wasn’t going to bother them. She headed for Kaya’s room and heard the arguing that was coming from the other side.
“Rook, you need to lie back down!” Bellara chastised.
“I need to get up. I can’t waste time lying around!”
“You’re going to hurt yourself more. Just rest!” Bellara argued. Neve silently pushed open the door, seeing Bellara standing in front of Kaya. The injured elf was barely standing as she tried to push by Bellara. “Rook, please—”
“Would you just fuck off?! I don’t need your help!” Kaya snapped. Neve felt anger bubble up in her chest. It was one thing to snap at her. It was another thing to snap at Bellara. She cleared the distance between and before she could even contemplate what she was doing, she slapped Kaya.
“Neve!” Bellara gasped. Her hand stung from how hard she had struck her, and Kaya looked at her in shock.
“You can yell at me all you want. Yell at Lucanis and the others. But, you will not do that to Bellara,” Neve stated. Kaya’s eyes filled with remorse, and she looked away. Good. She should feel bad. “You can wallow in your pain all you want, but don’t get upset with us for caring. We just want what’s best for you.”
Kaya sat on the edge of her bed and Neve pinched the bridge of her nose. This woman. She turned and patted Bellara’s shoulder.
“Let’s go.”
“But—”
“She obviously doesn’t want us around. We’ll come back later. I want to talk to you about the missive from Strife.”
“Um, alright.”
Neve led Bellara to the door, and she glanced back at Kaya, seeing how she had her face buried in her hands. The slight shake to her shoulders. Normally, she’d go to her and comfort her. Normally, she’d do anything to ease her pain. But she couldn’t do that when Kaya didn’t want that. “We’ll be back later.”
Infuriatingly, Kaya wasn’t there when Neve returned to her room. She must’ve slipped out when she was talking with Bellara. She asked the Caretaker if they had seen the elf, and they had said she had gone to the Crossroads. They stated that they’d keep an eye on her and Neve asked them to notify her if she left the Crossroads. It was several days before the Caretaker returned to her and stated that Kaya had gone to the Hossenberg Wetlands. Neve went with Bellara, but they had just missed Kaya. Antoine and Evka said she had come and helped them fend off Darkspawn. Had Davrin and Lucanis been there still, they could’ve caught her. They had gone to Treviso and were investigating the city. Shortly after, Kaya was seen going to Arlaathan. They followed the lead there, again missing her. She had left a Hala necklace for Bellara with Strife and the older elf told them how Kaya seemed hurt. That wasn’t surprising considering she was still recovering from the dragon fight.
At some point in their search for Kaya, Neve woke at her desk with a blanket over her shoulders. She thought it had been Bellara, but the elf was curled up in the blanket that she thought was over her shoulders. She ran her fingers over the teal-colored fabric with a frown. Where had this come from? The familiar smell of apples and pine trees made her eyes widen. Kaya. She hurried from the room, searching for the elf. Again, she was nowhere in sight and Neve went to the Caretaker.
“She is always seen. Always watching,” the Caretaker had stated. Neve hated their cryptic responses. She wished they’d just tell her what was happening. Kaya was still watching over them, but from the shadows. Randomly, Lucanis would find coffee freshly brewed. Davrin would find Assan with a fresh bowl of treats. Lace would have new arrows and Taash would have a basket of food. How Kaya was sneaking around without them knowing was confusing. Something told Neve that the wisps and the Caretaker were helping. The idea of Kaya watching them from afar was what helped Neve figure out how to find Aelia. After using the remnants, Neve knew where she was. Sanctum Lusacan.
Neve waited for a few more days for Kaya until she had to act. She took Bellara and Taash with her as they went to Sanctum Lusacan. The Venatori were easy to kill as they entered the sanctum. Between the three of them, they fell easily. The deeper they went into the Sanctum, the more Neve felt uneasy. She saw people she knew in cages. Hal was one of them and she heard Aelia taunting her. They were so close, and she’d make sure Aelia was stopped. They arrived at the inner sanctum and there stood Aelia. The woman sneered at her as they approached.
“Do you feel that, Neve Gallus? The old magic. Our legacy. It returns!” Aelia exclaimed. Blood magic poured from her staff as Venatori surrounded her.
“You aren’t the future, Aelia. You’re a murderer!”
“I am Minrathous. Its dark truth and bright power,” Aelia argued. She pointed her staff at her and it glowed dangerously. “The city won’t miss you. Dock Town won’t…”
Aelia sent her magic flying at them and Neve used her magic to stop it from hitting her friends. She wasn’t going to let Aelia hurt them. She wasn’t going to let her hurt anyone. Not anymore.
“I won’t let you hurt Dock Town or anyone there!”
“I will protect them!”
“No, you won’t,” Neve growled. She broke Aelia’s wave of magic, and the woman growled. She snapped her fingers and the Venatori rose. Taash and Bellara drew their weapons, readying themselves for the fight that was to come. “You won’t get away again.”
Aelia cackled and her staff pulsed. “Oh? And how will you stop me? You’re missing a key member of your team. What was her name? Rook? Do you not know where your little knife-ear is?”
Neve pulled her scepter free and glared up at the woman. “Keep her name out of your mouth.”
“My, hit a nerve? Such a shame. I never thought you’d fall for an elf,” Aelia hummed. She tapped the hilt of her staff on the ground twice and the Venatori circled around them. She watched them move around her and waited for the first one to strike. They did so and Taash reacted first. They met the blades of their assailant and Bellara shot her arrows. Neve used her magic and impaled one Venatori before ducking under the blast from one of their mages. She saw the Venatori crystals above her and sent an icicle flying at it. It exploded and Aelia tsked. She didn’t stop her magic and Neve searched for the next piece.
“Watch out!” Bellara yelled. Neve brought her scepter up, blocking the sword that had been aimed at her heart. Gold eyes swirling with red stared at her and she paled.
“Rook,” Neve gaped. Kaya shoved her back and electricity exploded outwards from her feet. Neve used her magic to block her attack before she turned and looked to Aelia. “What have you done?!”
“I’ve given you a gift,” Aelia laughed. Kaya surged towards her, and she dodged the swords that swung at her. She didn’t want to fight Kaya. She could hurt her. Badly. Kaya blurred and blinked out of existence before appearing behind her. She barely blocked her with ice and threw her away. Kaya rolled to her feet and shot an arrow quicker than Neve could deflect. It sank into her thigh, and she fell to her knees.
“Neve!” Taash shouted. The qunari and Bellara were too far. The tip of Kaya’s sword pressed against her throat, and she met the elf’s gaze. She stared at her blankly and Neve gathered her magic. She had to react. If she didn’t, she’d die.
“Trouble, you can fight this. I’ve seen you fight a dragon and not falter. You can fight this,” Neve spoke. Kaya’s face scrunched in discomfort and her eyes flickered between Aelia’s control and her own. “Kaya, fight.”
Kaya stepped back and dropped her swords, making Neve release a sigh in relief. She was still in there.
“Useless!” Aelia yelled. Kaya was yanked away from her by the woman’s magic and Neve pulled the arrow from her leg. She healed it as fast as she could, knowing that she needed to move. Aelia made Kaya kneel beside her and she scowled down at her. “I thought you’d be better at your job, Twin Blade. I guess I was wrong.”
Aelia made Kaya face Neve, and she saw the clearness in her eyes. “I know you’re good for one thing…making Neve Gallus scream.”
Aelia sliced Kaya’s throat and Neve did scream. She scrambled to her feet and let her magic surge. Aelia merely blocked it as Kaya fell to the ground. “Careful. You could hurt someone with that magic of yours…I wouldn’t waste it. There’s only one way you can even hope to beat me.”
Neve knew what she was referring to. She wasn’t going to use Blood Magic. She couldn’t.
“Don’t you want to save her? She’s not dead yet. She’ll bleed out slowly or choke on her own blood. Whatever comes first unless you beat me,” Aelia laughed. Neve growled and clocked the two crystals that were left.
“Bel! Taash!”
“We’re on it!” Taash shouted. She saw movement from Aelia’s feet and Kaya drew a dagger. The elf stabbed it into the mage’s foot and she yowled in pain. Her magic faltered as she turned her focus on Kaya. Her magic engulfed the elf and Neve took the chance. She gathered her magic around herself and used it to launch herself at Aelia. Taash and Bellara broke the last two crystals and the barrier around the Blood Mage broke. Neve slammed her fist into Aelia’s face and yanked her staff from her grip. She froze it and shattered it before tossing it over the ledge.
“No!” Aelia exclaimed. Neve dodged her as she leaped for her and tripped her, listening to her fall over the ledge and onto the ground. She hoped Taash or Bellara had her. Her focus was on Kaya. On the elf that was not moving. Neve dropped to the ground and rolled her over, seeing the wound across her neck. She placed her hand on the wound, healing it. It stitched together but Kaya’s chest didn’t rise.
“No, no, no. Come on, Trouble. Don’t do this to me,” Neve begged. She pressed her fingers against Kaya’s pulse point, feeling nothing. Damn it! Neve pressed the heels of her hands against Kaya’s chest, starting chest compressions. She counted to thirty before leaning down, pressing her lips to Kaya’s and breathing into her. She repeated the compressions and then breathed again for the elf. “Please. Come back to me.”
“Neve,” Bellara sadly spoke. Neve shook her head and repeated the steps again. She felt her tears on her cheeks and ignored them. She had to. She had to keep trying. On the fourth round, she broke and rested her forehead on Kaya’s.
“You can’t die like this. You can’t,” Neve murmured. She didn’t know what to do. This was her biggest fear. Losing Kaya because of her mistakes. Losing this elf that she had fallen for. That was why she hadn’t acted on her feelings. That’s why she kept ignoring the pain in her chest when Kaya gave her a heartbroken smile. She couldn’t lose Kaya. She closed her eyes and pressed her hand against Kaya’s chest. This wasn’t happening. Taash placed their and on her shoulder.
“Neve…”
“No. I-I can’t lose her,” Neve stammered. She would never be able to stare into those gold eyes that captivated. She would never hear that laugh that would turn into a snort when she laughed too long. She would never be able to hold her again when she fell apart. A hand gripped hers and her eyes shot open. Exhausted gold eyes stared up at her. “Kaya.”
“H-hi,” Kaya stammered. Neve choked on her sob and pulled Kaya into her arms, holding her closely. The elf hugged her back as best as she could, running her hands along her back. “I-it hurts still.”
“Let’s get you to the Lighthouse. I’ll look over your wounds,” Neve softly spoke. She wanted to lift Kaya, but her leg wouldn’t hold them both up. She looked up at Taash, seeing the tears in their eyes. “Help me carry her?”
“Yeah,” Taash nodded. They leaned down and took her in their arms. They ruffled her hair as Bellara knelt to help Neve to her feet.
“We’ll need to look at your leg,” Bellara pointed out. Neve nodded and kept her gaze on Taash as they carried Kaya. She couldn’t keep fighting her feelings. Kaya was going to die one of these times. She had to tell her how she felt.