Chapter Thirteen
The current from the ravine was strong enough to take the pair with it. Elysium stood above the cliff, rubbing her chin. She scanned the edge of the ridge and noticed a significantly longer route, but it was safer. There was a way to travel around it to a small bridge, but it would take an extra day. On the other hand, there was a strong chance they wouldn't make it at all if they tried to go straight through. She wasn't even sure that the horses could handle the strength of the water.
"Well," Alastor said, stretching his arms behind his head. "I hope you can swim."
Elysium shot her head around, knitting her brows together.
"You can't be serious," she frowned. "We need to go around."
Elysium pointed down the ridge.
"We can cross a bridge east."
Alastor scoffed and ran his hands through his jet black hair.
"Absolutely not."
"We'll drown if we try and cut through!" Elysium argued.
"We won't make it in time if we go the other way," he said stubbornly, inching closer towards the cliff.
"I'm not doing it," Elysium pouted, folding her arms across her chest.
Alastor simply shrugged his shoulders, unbothered. "Suit yourself."
Alastor pulled his horse to a small rock platform that hung below the cliff. He slowly maneuvered his way through the rocks, his horse's hooves sliding down the steep boulders. Elysium stayed in place, red with anger and frustration. Alastor finally made it to the bottom of the cliff safely, then looked all the way to Elysium, using his hand to shield his eyes from the sun.
"Are you coming or not?" he asked, irritated.
Elysium held her breath, looking out at the other path. She groaned in annoyance.
"Fine," she said, pulling up to the edge of the cliff. Vail carefully stepped down to the platform. Elysium clenched the reins, slowly winding her way down the cliffs. Vail's hooves finally hit the rocky bottom, the roaring sound of the water echoing through the ravine.
Elysium swallowed as they neared the ravine. She could already feel Vail growing tense.
"We won't make it," Elysium commented nervously.
"We don't have a choice," he replied.
Alastor was the first to go. His horse carefully stepped through the rocks, the water rising to its flank. The horse's dark coat nearly disappeared under the water, the waves pushing up against it. Alastor gritted his teeth, pulling the reins as tightly as he could. Debris and branches drifted through the water, scratching his legs. He was too focused on reaching the shore to notice. Elysium anxiously played with her hair.
Finally, Alastor reached the shore. He dismounted his horse and turned to face Elysium.
"You'll be fine," he said reassuringly. "Just go slow."
Elysium held her breath as Vail placed one hoof into the water. Vail struggled to hold his balance, carefully setting the rest of his hooves into the roaring tide. Elysium trembled, keeping her eyes focused on Alastor. Fully submerged in the water, Vail pulled through the waves as fast as he could. The water was unnaturally cold, biting into Elysium's skin. Alastor's eyes were fixed on Elysium, carefully watching her.
"Keep your knees tight," he said, his eyes serious. "And if I say let go, you let go."
Elysium bristled, of course.
"I am not a child."
"No," he said dryly. "You're worse."
Elysium didn't dare look down; it would only frighten her more. Terrified, she felt like she was being choked, the tightness of her chest burning her throat.
Suddenly, a massive, waterlogged branch spun in the current, moving almost slowly at first. Then the current shifted unnaturally. Elysium felt herself being pulled back deeper into the water. She pulled Vail's reins back, forcing his muzzle up into the air. Vail whinnied nervously, agitated at the freezing water.
"Elysium"
Alastor saw it before she did. Before Elysium could spin around to see, a branch slammed into Vail's chest. He let out a horrible scream. Saddle jerking sideways, Elysium grabbed the reins. Vail lost his footing, the current swallowing his legs. The world flipped, sky vanishing as Elysium felt herself clash into the stone-cold water. Her lungs locked from the cold, and she felt herself sinking deeper and deeper. Vail's weight pressed on top of Elysium, her chest burning with pain. White foam carried on the surface of the water. Elysium saw a flash of Vail's terrified eye, and she tried to grasp his legs, but her body was too weak. Underwater, silence floated, like a soundproof room.
Alastor had a choice to make; he could ride on and try to grab the scythe himself, or he could save her. He clenched his fists. Without another thought, Alastor dove into the frigid water. With his hands wound tightly around Elysium's collar, he aggressively ripped her from the tide. She was barely conscious.
Vail's body hit something downstream, his shape disappearing into the white water. Alastor dragged Elysium to a rock outcropping. Elysium doubled over, coughing up water. She clutched her throat, her soaking body trembling in the cold.
Alastor was furious. Not soft. Furious.
"Are you trying to die?"
"It wasn't" she choked.
"You fight the current. You don't let it take you."
Alastor took off his cloak and wrapped it around her without comment. She looked up at him, and he looked away just before she could see his face. Devastated, Elysium realized Vail was gone. She had lost the horse she had ridden since she first learned to ride. She buried her head between her legs, weeping quietly. Alastor struggled with comforting people in distress; he didn't like emotions, as they were a sign of weakness.
He looked at the water. Looked at her. Looked at his own horse. He let out an annoyed huff.
"You ride with me."
She stiffened, still sniffling.
"I would rather drown," she said, teary eyed.
"You nearly did."
Alastor walked to his horse quickly. He mounted first, without offering a hand for her. Struggling to get up, he finally set his hand down to her, hoisting her onto the back of the saddle. As she climbed up behind him, she muttered under her breath.
"Don't mistake this for gratitude."
"Don't mistake this for charity," Alastor shot back.
But when she shivered again, he adjusted his grip on the reins so his arm braced her without making it obvious. The pair rode in utter silence, Elysium still grieving Vail. Alastor knew death was inevitable, and it didn't bother him nearly as much as it did Elysium. He had learned feelings only got in the way once his father was killed. Elysium clutched Alastor's waist, his fur cloak warming her freezing body.
"When we get back, what will happen?" Elysium asked quietly.
Alastor took a moment before he replied.
"What do you mean?" he tilted his head.
"Do you think our realm is salvageable?"
"I will make certain Lupus's head is on my mantle when we get back," Alastor replied sharply.
Elysium pulled back a bit, her face falling into a frown.
"Why must you always indulge in darkness and violence?" she asked angrily.
"I am a product of dark magic; I was born with this," he said harshly.
Alastor wasn't even looking back at Elysium when they argued; he just kept his eyes on the road.
"Light magic is weak and naive," his words were biting. "And look where it got you."
Elysium was fuming with anger now and clutched her fists on top of her legs.
"Perhaps if the binding had gone well, you wouldn't be so incompetent," she mumbled. "There was a time there was hope for our kingdoms."
"How many times must I tell you that it was an accident?" Alastor bit back.
"You didn't lose your family because of it." Elysium's voice was quiet now, sorrowful almost.
"Maybe not," he said. "But it showed me how weak light magic really is."
Elysium felt her heart stop. Her eyes widened, and she swallowed. Without hesitation, she leapt off the moving horse, barely landing on her feet. Alastor forced the horse to a stop, then looked at her; he knew he had gone too far. She reached into her quiver, ripping an arrow out and placing it against the bow string. She pulled back, facing the arrowhead towards Alastor. He hopped off his horse and drew his sword. With their weapons charged with light and dark magic, they were significantly more powerful than other weapons, especially when they challenged each other.
Elysium's arrow glowed a white and yellow light, surrounding her body. Across from her, Alastor's sword steamed with a black and red smoke, also surrounding him. Elysium pulled back first, the arrow flying towards Alastor. His blade redirected the arrow, sending it flying in the distance. Elysium quickly pulled a white glowing falcata from the sheath attached to her quiver. She held it near her waist before she charged Alastor. Alastor retaliated quickly, their blades colliding with one another. Black and golden sparks flew when they contacted, sending the two stumbling back from the force.
Elysium caught herself, leaning forward, ready for the next lunge. Alastor seemed to enjoy the fight, a smug grin across his face. Elysium charged again, leaping into the air with her blade above her head. They jousted, their weapons fighting back and forth. Elysium was growing tired, but he had pushed her way too far.
"I'll kill you before I travel any further alongside you," Elysium said through her gritted teeth.
"Good luck with that," Alastor snickered, circling Elysium.
Elysium mustered up all the strength she had for the final blow, using all the magic she could summon. Her body began to illuminate a golden light. Alastor wondered if he had underestimated her. Elysium's eyes narrowed to Alastor, anger filling her face. When she crashed down, she knocked Alastor onto the ground. Landing on top of him, Elysium's face sat inches from him. He gave her a smug look, cocking a brow. Elysium angrily shot up, throwing her knife onto the ground. She squatted down and hugged her knees.
Behind her, Alastor towered, his head down to her.
"You don't hate the dark," he muttered.
"Oh?" Elysium hissed.
"You're terrified of it, because you see it in yourself."