Francis created his own elemental monstrosity, a seething ball of flame. Even through the platinum tint of her barrier, the vibrant orange from the inferno was blinding. It was as if the sun itself was about to crash into Serenity.

  “Sah…mustn't…decept…”

  “What do you want?” she yelled to the muffled voice.

  The unintelligible whispers continued, but were drowned out by Arrogance chuckling above Francis. So, the god had finally revealed himself. Perhaps Valor had been defeated, but it was fitting for one named Arrogance to gloat while Serenna still held the power to end gods. One last fatal mistake.

  She launched the spike directly at the sun mask of Arrogance while Francis launched his inferno towards her. There was little hope her shields and barriers would stop the flame, and that was okay. There had been some wonderful days with Zeen in the past few months. How cruel of the realm not to give them more, but when it comes to happiness, we can only take what is given—

  “I love you, Crystal Girl, and I forgive you. Fear not! For Mylor has never fallen. Her mountains are stained red from the blood of those who tried.”

  The illusion of the sun mask faded, revealing Arrogance holding Valor in place. Serenna’s crystal spike tore through Valor’s neck. The goddess fell from the air with a pained wail that echoed throughout the cathedral halls. So much blood seeped out from the wound; Serenna had never wondered if gods could bleed, but like most unasked questions, only an unfortunate truth waited in the shadows. The incoming inferno burned her eyes but all she could do was watch Arrogance laugh hysterically over the fallen goddess. Valor clutched at her throat, shaking on the ground. Her eyes closed as she rolled onto her back, then her body slowly dissipated into white specks, flowing out like dandelion seeds in the wind.

  With the numbness, it took a moment to realize the scythe had vanished from her hands. Serenna held nothing: no scythe, no hope of victory, no chance of seeing tomorrow. She had killed her own goddess and punishment was enroute. Fire is a cruel end. After her failures, perhaps a cruel end was all she deserved…

  The inferno erupted.

  It felt like slow motion as her barriers collapsed one after the other. To the Herald of Valor’s credit, the glass shattered, but did not melt. Her own crystal shield was all that remained as the flame soared. Tiny cracks followed by large ones chiseled at the fading sphere.

  Flames blocked her view as she was launched backwards. The soreness and sharp pain from the scythe yielded to a burning sensation. Serenna screamed. She screamed until her throat tore, but no sound pierced the deep rumble of the flames. She crashed to the ground. The impact shattered her already weakened shield, leaving her in a broken daze, shivering. If any mercy in the realm remained, perhaps a Vanguard would put Serenna out of her misery.

  Instead, Arrogance chuckled. The illusion was truly gone; the god above her radiated such raw energy, it was difficult to breathe.

  “And so it seems failure is the protocol of Valor. Why so glum, Serenna? You have managed a feat no mortal has ever achieved: you have slain a god! The worst one, of course, but a goddess all the same. Now, how about we play a game?”

  Arrogance clapped his spectral hands, and the entire world shook as sections of the cathedral changed into some bizarre-looking nighttime garden. A biting wind blew through the grass, as a crimson sun rose in the distance. A broken mind may have found it beautiful, but it was layered in so many lies, any description would fail to find truth. “The royal family and I will be quite the busy bees in the upcoming months. Serenna, this can go one of two ways. Most of these people are worthless,” he said, gesturing to Warlord, Archon, and Father, “but the Guardians intrigue me. Become my Vanguard and I will spare them. Most of them. Some of them. Choose well, for either way, this is the final choice you’ll ever have the burden of making.”

  It took a moment for it to sink in that Arrogance was speaking to her. Some unholy mesh of physical agony and self-loathing made her feel realms away. Only then did she realize all her remaining allies were on their knees with Vanguards behind them. “Just kill me,” she forced out, gasping for air. “You already know my answer. My service has ended.” It was freeing to say it. Gods, was this how David had felt all those years? Oh David, forgive me for placing such a burden on you. I did my best. Gods above and below, please believe that I did my best.

  “Is that so? Wrong answer, my dear.” Arrogance pointed to her father, then Nyfe dragged his blade across his throat. “I told you, Serenna. I told you I would kill your father all that time ago, and you didn’t believe me. Do you believe me now? Speak. I want to hear the words. Do you believe me now?”

  “No!” she screamed but it didn’t matter. If there was an emptiness beyond feeling nothing, it strangled out what few tears remained. She could’ve looked away, but she didn’t. I did this. Everyone warned me. Every single person warned me. Her father’s lips moved but no words came out. Eventually he stopped moving. His suffering ended but hers was just beginning. “My answer hasn’t changed. Just…get it over with.” Zeen was probably next. For as cruel as their fate was, at least it would be over. Let the Harbingers take them. Let the Harbingers take them all.

  Arrogance chuckled again, snapping his fingers towards Archon Gabriel. “I used to believe you were a clever one, Archon, but you went out of your way to prove me wrong. The only time great minds are at odds is when only one great mind exists.”

  “Do I get any final words?” asked Gabriel. “A chance to explain myself? I didn’t do all this…just to lose out on paradise.”

  “For you, dear friend? Speak away, speak away. I would love to hear you explain your way out of this one. But speak wisely. You are but a moment from being the second archon I have sent to the void.”

  Archon Gabriel smiled. For as much as she hated the man, if anyone had a plan to get out of this travesty, it would be him. “Interesting choice of words,” he said, rising slowly without his cane. Oh gods, that look. She already knew what it meant.

  “I am nothing. I am forever. I am the end.”

  Chapter 12

  A Wise and Final Choice

  Zeen grabbed his sword and dove behind one of the broken tables as Gabriel ascended into the air on wings of void energy. The sight was somehow both horrifying and welcoming, but Zeen couldn’t stop glancing at Senator Morgan. Serenna’s father lay there, unmoving, blood still pouring from his neck. And Valor. Zeen had indirectly killed a god but he had never seen one die. No matter the result of tonight’s battle, life would never be the same—

  Serenity rumbled as a familiar laugh filled the skies. “I may not be welcome in your world, Ermias,” Death yelled, “but take this as a reminder that you will never be safe from my wrath. Hide in your dreams. Hide in your illusions. Let your celebration of life end in a storm of death. A perfect testament to the inevitable. I am nothing. I am forever. I am the end.”

  Wisdom created a ball of swirling energies and threw it towards the sky. While the power seething from the blast made Zeen shiver, it apparently had no effect on Death, whose laughter only grew louder.

  “No!” Wisdom yelled, turning back to the Harbinger. “Let none escape! Tonight shall not be in vain!”

  What the hell was he talking about… Ah. Gabriel triggered the portal they had all arrived through hours ago. He covered Serenna in a void-tinted crystal sphere and launched her through. He then did the same to Bloom. Zeen wondered why Eltune wasn’t next until he saw Vanguards standing over the warlord’s corpse.

  Forgive me, old friend, Zeen thought with a sigh. At least Eltune had died fighting by Zeen’s side. Hopefully, his hatred towards Zeen had died before he did.

  The portal closed, and with it, Zeen’s chance of going back home. At least Serenna and Bloom had escaped. Between them and David, the realm was in good hands—

  Zeen jumped to the side, barely avoiding Nyfe’s slash. Battling his nemesis would be a welcome distraction before going to the void. I’ll finally take you down for good. Let this be my final service to the realm. Zeen dodged another slash and swiped upwards, catching his wrist. Nyfe groaned in pain, but whatever mercy Zeen had felt during better days was long gone.

  Both combatants flinched as the fully transformed Gabriel roared in the middle of the cathedral. The old man must’ve been powerful; his seething void energy resembled the day in Mylor when Serenna had tapped into Death’s power. It was surreal to watch Francis and Mary battle the Harbinger in unison while still in their wedding outfits. Zeen had no idea where Mary had found a shield, but she looked reminiscent of her days in the Koulva mines, the way she blocked and pushed forward.

  It was easy to dodge as Nyfe swung again. Was the man always so slow? Today was likely Zeen’s final day, but there was a comfort in surpassing his former general.

  Maybe not.

  A quick swipe hit nothing but air, then Nyfe’s dagger caught the side of Zeen’s cheek. Zeen was too tense to feel pain, but it was impossible to ignore the blood flowing from the cut. By pure instinct Zeen swung again, crashing into his dagger. Zeen pressed forward to overpower him and nearly stumbled when Nyfe disengaged with a quick step back. Zeen swung up to block whatever the hell was coming next. Fortunately, he deflected. Unfortunately, he couldn’t avoid the follow-up swipe at his arm. All the pain hit at once and Zeen nearly fell over from the shock.

  Nyfe gave a faint smirk, though his eyes twitched as if the act brought him agony. He held his dagger in front of him and rushed forward.

  This ends now.

  Zeen threw his sword forward, hard enough to knock someone’s head off, and sprinted at Nyfe, who awkwardly blocked the flying blade and fell to one leg. Zeen ignored the pain as he tackled Nyfe to the ground; he leaned in with his shoulder as he punched him in the face, over and over. This sort of strategy had never been encouraged during his time in the military. Mounting an enemy during battle was an invitation to get taken out by someone looking for an easy kill. Zeen rained down blow after blow until the throbbing pain in his fists surrendered to numbness. It took a moment to realize the silence wasn’t in his head, but the madness had subsided. Dead Vanguards and gold cloaks were scattered around the room, with the fallen Gabriel sprawled out in front of the glowing Vanguard Five.

  Wisdom did a slow clap with Mary and Francis by his side. Their once-beautiful garments were drenched in blood. “Mr. Zeen,” he said with a chuckle. “Would you kindly stop thrashing my Vanguard? I lost quite a few of them today and would prefer to limit my losses.”

  Zeen forced himself up even though his legs didn’t want to. “Do your worst. I beat him. After everything, I beat him. You can never take that away from me.”

  “Indeed you did,” Wisdom said. After a pause, he made a gesture, which reopened the portal. “Vanguard Five, escort our dear emperor and his new wife back to the healing ward. I will rejoin you shortly.”

  Five nodded and took Mary by the arm, even though Francis was in worse shape. Zeen tried to smile at his old friend, but she actively avoided eye contact. Ah, well. That's how it goes sometimes.

  “It was kind of you not to kill me in front of them,” Zeen said. “Francis never liked me, but Mary still does.” He took a deep breath, taking a final moment to observe the aftermath of madness throughout the room. “I’m ready. Go ahead.”

  Zeen closed his eyes, awaiting a moment of sharp pain before it all ended. At least Serenna had gotten away. If any of the Guardians had to die it may as well be him. It was cruel to keep Zeen waiting for as long as he did. What are you waiting for?

  “How would you like to lead the Vanguards?” asked Wisdom, floating above Nyfe. “I thought this one would suffice. A rare mistake on my part.”

  Zeen laughed at the absurdity. “You know I won’t do that.”

  “Do not ever presume to tell me what I know,” Wisdom said. The tone of his voice was more…violent would be the only way to explain it. The smile faded entirely, and the eyes went from that tired stare to a bulging rage. “You misinterpret my intentions… Vanguard Ultra.”

  “Sorry, I don’t think so. I already died once. It was an undeserved privilege to last for as long as I did. There is nothing more you can do to me.”

  An icy gust of wind blew through the air. “Oh? Nothing? I will kill Francis. I will kill Mary. I will kill David. When they’re dead, I’ll kill Serenna. When she’s dead, I'll kill every last miserable zephum. When they’re dead…I’ll kill Calvin.”

  “You're lying,” Zeen said, even though he didn’t believe it. “You always lie.”

  Arrogance lifted a hand, which hovered Charles Morgan’s body in the air. He then snapped his finger and the flying body slammed into Zeen, knocking him down. “When I destroyed Boulom, I destroyed the part of me willing to compromise. Those fables…the Rinso ones, I despise them. It takes a true ideal like heroism and dilutes it into childish nonsense. I am the hero, Zeen, because I will do anything, anything in order to usher in Serenity. Give me your answer. I do not ask twice.”

  “If I accept…I will never battle my friends. You must swear this to me—”

  “This is not a negotiation. You will do whatever I say, whenever I say it. Accept now or Mary dies. I’ll have her buried in her wedding dress.”

  Zeen sighed, fighting back tears. He had no doubt Arrogance would kill her. He had no doubt Arrogance would kill them all. Please forgive me for this.

  “I accept.”

  “Ah. A wise and final choice. Welcome…Vanguard Ultra.”

  Chapter 13

  The Legacy of Boulom, Part One

  It had been eleven days since David’s last drink, but he had a feeling that streak was coming to an end. He crashed through the door, with Evan and the other guard by his side. It was a relief to see the shock in Monty’s eyes as he gripped his staff and fell over. It was not a relief to see two Vanguards erupt into a blue and yellow glow.

  “By the gods,” Evan said. “What are those? Why are they draped in the deceiver’s garments?”

  David rushed the blue one. Lightning would be a problem in close quarters, but nothing was more dangerous than ice. He swung his blade and clashed with the Vanguard’s oak staff, knocking it from his hands and ending the blue glow. As David’s sword pierced through his chest; he nearly admired how uninterested the Vanguard appeared to be that he was dying. If we could all be so lucky—

  A bolt of lightning blasted Evan out of the room, immediately filling the small room with the stench of burning flesh. Since David didn’t know the other man’s name, he was promoted to New Evan. New Evan missed his Vanguard with a swing, then took an oak staff right to the helmet, knocking him to the ground with a groan.

  The skirmish gave David enough time to rush forward and jab his blade into the Vanguard’s neck. It was far from a clean blow; he had to rip the sword out and force it through twice before the blade finally pierced to the other side.

  “Why won’t it work?” Monty yelled, flipping through the pages in some book while his staff glowed white. “I followed every letter of every word! It cannot happen this way! Paradise must… Serenity must…”

  “If it's any consolation, you are not the first to fall for his treachery. And I fear…you are far from the last. Farewell, Monty. May you find redemption in the void.” David ignored his final cries as he stabbed him in the neck. What a sad waste of life. David had been there on his tenth name day, out of respect for Senator Wraith—and the additional benefit of getting paid twenty gold to attend. Fucking Arrogance had ruined everything. “Can you rise?” asked David, reaching out a hand to Evan.

  After a groan, Evan took his hand and rose. “That…that was a Vanguard, wasn’t it? I never saw one up close until now. The royal family claims they are eight feet tall and roar like a zephum. I don’t understand—why did Monty do it? Time magic is forbidden! It is a miracle that Fear hasn’t punished us with a Harbinger.”

  “All lies, nothing but lies on top of lies. Arrogance obviously gave him fake instructions to lure me away. Hmm. You said earlier that Fear was expecting me. I will not believe she fell for any deception. When I arrived, what was your purpose?” He would usually end such questions with a threat, but David’s bloody sword would be more efficient than any hostile words.

  Evan sighed. “Our orders were to contain you until the wedding was over. That changed when…the lizard god appeared. By the fallen empress, he rode a unicorn! A flying unicorn!”

  Oh, Noelami. This wasn’t the way to do it. “I must get to Terrangus immediately. Can you escort me to the outskirts portal before they find Monty’s body? I’ll never leave this kingdom alive if we don’t make haste.”

  “Only if you take me with you.”

  “Now is not the time to be bold. Listen, there are very few scenarios where this trip to Terrangus is not a one-way journey. Think carefully about your decision. Do you have anyone special waiting for you?”

  “A betrothed I have done nothing to deserve. Take me with you. Give her a reason to love me.”

  David studied the fool. Ah, to be so young. “So be it. If you won’t take no for an answer, then lead the way.”

  Evan’s eyes lit up as he smiled. “Follow me and act normal. No one should recognize you unless you draw attention to us.”

  He followed Evan through the halls, keeping his head down and sword sheathed. It was a depressing convenience to be unknown in a kingdom he had saved about seven times by now. Apparently, there was no need to remember heroes once the threat had been vanquished.

  It only took a few minutes into their walk down the long, poorly designed palace stairs until screams came from Monty’s room. “Shit,” Evan said, glancing behind him. “We should walk faster. This place will be on lockdown any minute now.”

  “Keep steady and remain uninteresting. If we start rushing, the only place we will end up is a prison cell. Trust me, there are few places less comfortable.”

  *

  Thank the gods that statement had turned out to be true. No one had bothered them as they casually left the palace. Gods, I need a drink, he thought, walking through the busy Nuum streets. Having Evan by his side certainly made the trip easier. Merchants selling their wares stared him down but kept their distance, likely wondering why a random old man was being escorted through the marketplace by a palace guard.

 

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