Chapter 40
Chapter forty
“So, you think Skarn wants to change Fenn into one of his zombie Hollow-born?” Rynna asked as they bounded over moss-covered roots and twisted vines.
“Zombie?” Taren frowned slightly. “Oh, like back in Fallowmere.”
“But why keep him alive?” Kaelith leaped ahead of them, sniffing the air. “He can take control of a dead body just as easily. He’s already done it with the horde and the other Demons.”
“Yes.” Taren nodded. “But they’re not as powerful or intelligent as they were in life.
They can follow fairly simple directions and retain a portion of their personality, depending on how much Source they wielded before they died, but it’s only a fraction.
Skarn still has to command them in the field or at least stay close. ”
“Putting him in harm’s way when he’s also the focal point keeping them alive.”
“Exactly,” Taren agreed. “He needs a commander who can think and fight on par with any of us. Someone who won’t crumble as the battle progresses.”
“Fenn…” Her chest tightened. She couldn’t let him be taken like that again.
“The Crimson Wolf is a good choice,” Kaelith acknowledged. “Skarn is perhaps more clever than I ever gave him credit for. Even the ambush was laid out well enough for the Demons to execute without direct oversight against three Vessel-level Hollow-born.”
“Including one of their own.” Taren pursed his lips.
“I parted ways with them before you could hold a throwing knife, boy.”
“Whatever.”
“Knock it off, you two.” She turned to Taren. “What’s our plan? How do we get him out alive?”
“I don’t think sneaking will be an option. He’s got traps laid out all over the lab.”
“Lab?” Kaelith asked.
“Yes, I found it earlier today, but he was already gone, presumably setting the trap. I assume it’s where he took Fenn.” He smiled. “But he will have to get creative with whatever procedure he has planned. I may not be as strong as Bran with fire, but there’s not much equipment left he could use.”
“Well done, Taren!” Rynna raised a fist.
Taren’s steps barely faltered, but something unreadable shadowed his eyes as he knocked her hand with his. “I’ve missed Fang Unit these past years, being part of the team.”
“We’ve missed you, too. I wish…” Her voice trailed off, but the unspoken words pressed heavily between them. I wish you’d have asked for help.
“I came back once.”
“What?” She tripped over a low-hanging branch.
His gaze remained forward as if searching for answers he hadn't found years ago. “But you were gone. Nobody knew where. Bran was off training with Thorn, and Elara had just taken command of her first healer's unit.”
“I’m sorry.” She’d barely had time to find Fenn, barely had time to tell him…that she loved him before the storm had ripped her away to another world. Her promise to return echoed in her mind like a heartbeat. “I wish I had been here.”
“Gone? Like…” Kaelith glanced her way.
“Yes, another Mission.” Rynna nodded, though she kept her eyes ahead, unwilling to give more detail. It hadn’t been long, and everything had burst back as soon as she'd seen Fenn, but she still had nightmares about that one, even if she couldn’t quite remember them.
“But you came back…again.”
“Just in time for this war, apparently.”
“That must be hard for you.” Kaelith’s voice dropped. “Building a life, then leaving like that. Over and over again.”
She didn’t say anything as the trees flew by with every leap and bound before finally turning to look at him.
“I don’t usually build a life as I have here.” They’d both had everything torn apart by her Missions. “At least, I don’t think I do. It’s hard to sort through the memories in the rare occurrences when they surface.”
“I’ll wait if it happens again.” He paused. “Without terrorizing the continent this time. I’ll try to be more like our stalwart Commander.”
Rynna gave him a small smile. “You are who you are, Kae, and I love you for it. Just like I love Fenn for who he is.”
Kaelith’s eyes widened in genuine shock, and for once, his usual poise failed him. His foot snagged on a low branch, and he toppled to the ground with a crash, leaves and dirt scattering around him.
Taren barely hid his snort. “Should we wait? I wouldn’t mind a break to vomit after hearing all that.”
Rynna rolled her eyes, a flush creeping up her cheeks. It was the first time she’d told Kaelith she loved him. She wasn’t sure why it had slipped out then, and the moment felt heavier than she expected. “Keep going. He’ll catch up once he’s recovered from the heart attack.”
“Right.” Taren grimaced. “Still gross.”
“Whatever. At least I have the courage to act on my feelings. There’s more to life than just fighting, protecting, and seeking revenge. Or so I’m learning.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Rynna gave a light shrug. “I’ve never seen Bran so single-minded and focused as when he was trying to find you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He refused to look at her, the tips of his ears turning pink.
“Sure, sure.”
“Really?” He risked a glance in her direction, and this time, the blush was unmistakable, creeping up his face.
Rynna said nothing, just offered a knowing smile.
“Yes, well…” Taren cleared his throat, fingers unconsciously twirling his long ponytail as he leaped to the next branch. “First things first.”
He slowed his pace, his body coming to a stop on a thick tree branch while Rynna and Kaelith landed silently beside him.
“There.” Taren pointed to a large stone dome half-buried in the earth ahead. The charred remains of what looked like a fire clung to the surface, scorch marks still visible against the rough exterior.
“Looks like they put out the fire.” Rynna squinted. “Where’s the door?”
“Front side. It’s hidden and Source-locked, but not too difficult to get through.”
Rynna squinted, her brow furrowing as she studied the worn stone surface.
The doorway’s outline gradually revealed itself, the faintest glow tracing along its border, barely visible against the weathered rock.
The lines were rough and uneven, like countless hands had scarred the stone over time.
Shadows pooled in the crevices, hiding the intricate markings, but the gentle hum of Source power sang in the air.
Kaelith tilted his head. “Doesn’t even look locked.”
“They must be in a rush,” Rynna replied.
“He knows I’m hunting him.”
“Any exits?” Rynna asked.
Taren shook his head. “No. One way in, one way out. I don’t think he wanted any of the…uh…patients to escape.”
“Okay,” she said.
“And there’s only one place he could’ve taken Guide Fenn. A locked-off room I didn’t have time to breach. He’s got to be there. Everything else is destroyed.”
Rynna closed her eyes for a moment, slowly filling her lungs with air. “Then let’s go get our Unit Leader.”
Please be okay, Fenn.
Taren took the lead, while Rynna and Kaelith followed close behind. As they approached the dome, Taren didn’t hesitate. His foot immediately connected with the hidden door, sending it flying open with a resounding crack.
“Well, if they didn't know we were here, they do know.” Kaelith examined the interior.
“They knew as soon as we approached the structure.” Taren pressed ahead. “Or did you not notice the traps?”
He’s got you there, Kae.
And this is why I don’t like playing with others, he grumbled. Except you, of course, pet.
Inside, the air was thick with the stench of smoke and something acrid.
The narrow halls were lined with what remained of small rooms, their contents scorched and twisted.
Blackened metal tools lay scattered across the floor, some still partially intact on toppled tables.
The walls, once sterile and pale, were streaked with soot, and the remains of shattered jars and glass crunched underfoot with each step.
We’ll get there in time, Kaelith’s voice echoed in her mind, a promise or maybe just hope.
They reached the end of the hallway where Taren slowed, his gaze fixed on a large stone door that loomed ahead.
Unlike the rest of the facility, which had a strange, unsettling mix of crude and modern designs, this door seemed older, rough-hewn, and heavy with time.
Standing guard outside were two figures, one hulking and familiar.
It was the dead man who had fought Fenn.
Next to him was another Demon, a gaunt figure whose hands still danced with residual energy, the one who had dragged him through the portal.
Taren’s hand went to his sword.
“Looks like you’re just in time.” Tendrils of darkness seeped from the smaller man, curling up and along the walls like creeping vines. His head bent at an unnatural angle as he stared at them. “I’m looking forward to what Skarn has planned for you, snake.”
“I take it you two have history?” Rynna’s gaze moved to the larger one, who slowly drew a whip from his belt, the coil hitting the ground with a soft thud. Wisps of shadow flickered across its surface.
“I may have betrayed and murdered him. As I said, I don’t play well with others for very long.”
“That tracks.” Taren lifted his great sword from his back.
He closed his eyes, and the blade roared to life with pure elemental fire, illuminating the dark stubble along his jawline.
“Beautiful.” Rynna stared, momentarily entranced by the flames, untainted and raw, without the corruption of the Source.
Taren’s cheeks flushed faintly under her gaze, but he gave a slight nod, refocusing as Rynna shook her head, snapping her attention back to the advancing Demons.
“No time for play now, Kae.”
His arms were already extending in long, serpentine cords. “I will hold them. You two take their heads, then burn them. Let’s make this fast.”
Before their enemies could react, Kaelith’s arms shot forward, extending and coiling around their bodies like living chains, locking them in place.