Cayden Dragomir

“EVERETT NO,” I screamed out. “That complete idiot, what was the point in saving you if you were just going to go and get yourself killed,” I expressed, right before a small green light began to emanate from Everett’s direction, catching the attention of the entire battle.

Everett’s eyes were engulfed by a deep emerald light. Almost every attribute of his fighting style had changed, and most surprisingly he no longer displayed any sign of fatigue. I watched dumbfoundedly as he pursued further into the Abaddon's midst and his power began to terrify even me. Every time he moved his deep greenish aura seemed to absorb not just the zoi from the crystal but also the energy left by the dead. It was as if his body was consuming the life force of the entire battlefield.

‘It was truly amazing. As much as I don’t want to admit it, his staying behind and these abilities of his completely enthralled the Abaddon's attention and could very well be the only reason my soldiers are managing to make it back to the wall in the first place,’ I thought, as a small grin of relief grew on my face.

Realising that I was one of the very last people to turn back, I leapt from my perch in the treetops and began making a beeline for the tainted earth-brick wall. 

“Cayden what on earth is happening over there and where did that wize mouth Everett go,” my brother's high-pitched voice shot from beside me. 

“Ezra,” I thought surprised before realising that he must have stayed behind to help the others in their retreat. 

“That Idiot didn't go anywhere,” I replied, still caught in my amusement. “He's the one fighting them off,” I continued. 

“How on earth is he…,” Ezra paused as he tripped over his own footing. “We can ask him later, Ez for now you need to get some rest,” I consoled, catching and helping him to his feet once more. 

“Uh huh, question the kid with amnesia, sounds like a good plan to me,” Ezra coughed.

“Even as beat up as you are you still won't drop the attitude will you,” I giggled. ‘Actually, that might be the first time I've ever found this dumbass funny,’ I realised, only making my grin wider. 

As the moment subsided, Ezra had nearly blacked out in my arms and I couldn't help but notice the many worried faces plastered atop the wall. 

However, what truly concerned me was my grandmother, in the watchtower. Her eyes were filled with dread, and her legs shook in fear as her uneasy eyes gazed at the battle beyond.

“Aaah,” I sighed in relief as I stumbled through our large brick siege gate in the town centre.

With Ezra’s cold and limp body still draped over my shoulders I continued to trudge through the mud. Knowing full well that this battle isn't over. My eyes were locked on the tower's crooked doorway as Ezra’s weight pushed down on me. Causing me to sink into the slimy pathway. With my bow in one hand, I used the other to haul myself up by the railing as I climbed the many flights of stairs in a desperate journey that seemed to take me several hours. 

I huffed and puffed as sweat dripped from my face before seeping into the cold wooden floor. With as much grace as I had left, I gracefully lay both my mystical bow as well as my lump of a brother down atop the stairs giving my body near instant physical relief.

“What's wrong grandma, Why do you look so…,” I paused my body frozen in place. “Pale,” I finished once I had eventually regained my breath.

“That boy, he’s by no means an all-mighty Arbitrator or warrior of the realm. But considering his age, his strength is truly remarkable,” She replied.

“Even so, it's got to be at least 50 to… no 100 two one, a kid no older than myself couldn't possibly keep up with that many Abaddon at once,” I crooked worryingly. 

“What an honourable boy, it appears he's planning to hold them off as long as possible for us to escape. However, what he doesn't know is that everyone here has already lost everything to the Abaddon,” my grandmother said while passing a longing look down atop the wall where everyone stood motionless and in awe at the battle ahead.

“Our people would rather lay down their weapons and be reunited with those they have lost than escape with their tails between their legs,” she continued as pride bled from her aura.

“However Everett boy…,” she paused. “Well, it's only a matter of time.”

“C’mon, there has to be something we can do. It's not like we can just give up on him,” I retorted.

“Hope. That is all we can possibly do for him now. Although, it's not like we have much of that left in us either,” she loathed. 

Gritting my teeth as I watched the flashes of emerald light beam through the air across the valley, along with disintegrating shadows, and the splashing of blood. Everett’s blood. In a sea of grey, his sword was like a flicker of hope igniting the night. A hope that our people had forgotten years ago.  

“YOU CAN DO IT… I BELIEVE IN YOU,” a deffining wale erupted over the wall. It was Bella the girl I had initially sent Everett to help on the front line. She held her arms up and her fists clenched together as she screamed with teary eyes from the safety of the wall. As her cheer subsided she continued to stand tall. Her tattered hair fell over her cheek as she held her arms up in prayer. With fingers intertwined making a tight fist the other townsfolk one by one began to follow the notion and some even cheered for Everett until the entire village was in uproar. 

Since I’ve fought with these people for years now it's not hard to realise. Not one person here truly believes that he can survive this battle. But even so, they call out. Is it to show thanks for his courage, to simply acknowledge him as a true warrior, or just to send him off with his pride? That much I truly cannot tell.

However what I do know is that I am totally and utterly powerless, just like back then. ‘All I'm capable of doing is standing here and watching him die,’ I screamed inside my own head as I gripped the tower railing. 

Slowly but steadily as our people cried out Everett's green light began to fade into the twilight and all that could be seen was the purple undertone of the withered world ahead. 

Far across the battlefield, there was an all too familiar screeching call, which all the dilapidated shadowy creatures joined in their triumph. The light that had split cracks in the battlefield vanished and a long clawed hand held up Everett’s limp and lifeless body that dripped with blood.