Once Betrayed Never Forgotten

Chapter 101: Crossing Over

The chamber erupts into chaos, the fiery light reflecting off the throngs of courtiers, their cheers and applause twisting into shouts of alarm and confusion. The ground vibrates beneath my feet, the sound of molten lava bubbling up through the heart of the volcano reverberating through my bones, Vulcans twisted smile gleams, his golden eyes gleaming with malevolent satisfaction.

“Follow my lead,” I whisper to Bloodbane, moments before dissolving into my red blood mist form. I streak down from the stone ledge, Bloodbane in tow, racing towards Pyra and Vulcan.

I turn my entire body into a giant arrow forged from blood, not unlike the flaming harpoon that Vulcan sent hurtling towards Pyra earlier except this harpoon is targeted at him, and him alone

But before I find my mark, Vulcan seems to sense the attack. In that split second, he raises his arm, a shield of brilliant golden fire surrounding him in a heartbeat.

I stop seconds before crashing into it, choosing instead to rematerialise on the black stone platforms before the throne

“Arianna?” Pyra asks, the confusion etched across her beautiful face. “Bloodbane! What are you doing here? It isn’t safe for you in this place.”

“Looks more like you’re the one in danger,” I say pointedly,

“What is the meaning of this?” Vulcan snarls, his voice rising into a panicked rage. “How did you escape from your prison cell?”

“It’s not the how you should be asking about, but rather the why,” I say through clenched teeth, before turning to address the crowd.

“It’s clear what this traitor intends to do,” I shout over the noise, my voice sharp and cutting through the clamor “He seeks to consolidate power, even if

means killing Pyra, your rightful queen.” My words ignite a spark of anger in Vulcan’s eyes, his jaw clenching

“How dare you,” he snarls, stepping forward, his eyes gleaming with hatred. “You’re nothing but an outsider, a wretch. Seize them!” he commands, his voice ringing through the throne room, his hand sweeping towards the guards.

Bloodbane conjures a broadsword forged from his own blood, the dark red razor sharp edge glinting ominously in the firelight. “We can’t let them silence us,” he says, his voice low and urgent. He steps forward, swinging his weapon at the approaching guards, the dull thud of metal meeting flesh resounding through the chamber.

My hand clenches into a fist, crimson droplets beading at my fingertips, merging into a solid, gleaming spear. I leap down onto the platform, my gaze fixed on Vulcan, his face twisted with rage. “You’re a fraud,” I spit, my grip lightening around the blood spear, its crimson hue darkening. And you’ve betrayed your people.”

The crowd roars in protest, confusion, and anger rippling through the throngs. “We’ve had enough of this deceit,” a fire wraith declares, stepping forward, her eyes blazing. “The throne belongs to the rightful heir. Her words are a spark, igniting a flurry of movement, courtiers and guards turning on each other.

Vulcan’s eyes widen, his face contorting into a mask of fury. “Traitors!” he spits, but before he can react, I lunge forward, my spear arcing towards him. The blade pierces his chest, his eyes widening in shock. Blood dribbles from his mouth, golden ichor staining his lips.

“For Pyra,” I snarl, twisting the spear.

Vulcan’s face contorts into a grimace of pain, his body slumping to the ground. Bloodbane steps up beside me, his crimson broadsword dripping with the golden blood of the guards. “We need to go,” he says, his voice tense, his eyes scanning the room. Around us, the crowd erupts into a frenzy, fire wraiths turning on each other, their blades clashing, the air thick with the acrid scent of burning flesh.

“We re getting you out of here,” Bloodbane urges Pyra, his hand gripping her arm. “It seems you’re no longer welcome here, and the Earth realm needs you. The Earth Angel, Verde, needs you.”

Pyra’s face hardens, her gaze shifting between us and the warring fire wraiths. “I have no choice, it would seem,” she says, her voice steady, but her golden eyes flicker with sadness. Tet’s go.”

We dash from the platform, dodging through the throngs of clashing fire wraiths. Their flames lick at the air, the sounds of their shouts and screams echoing off the cavernous walls. We shift effortlessly into our ethereal forms, two streaking clouds of red mist and a comet of fire, racing at superhuman speed through the twisting passages.

“To the angel’s pyre,” Bloodbane says, his voice urgent.

1/2

Chapter 101 Crossing Over

We reach the lake of fire, its surface bubbling and flickering with ethereal flames. There the angel awaits our arrival, her blazing red eyes now closed in slumber, her arms crossed over her chest clutching the rose gold sword. The giant ruby gemstone embedded in its hilt glimmers with internal light, the Fire Stone.

Pyra turns to face back towards the way we came, her back to the angel, looking out over the lake of fire.

We stand at the edge of the lava, the cavernous chamber echoing with the distant sounds of chaos from the throne room. The fiery glow bathes us all a harsh, flickering red light. Pyra’s silhouette is tense, her posture rigid as she turns around again, and stares at the sword clasped in the angel’s unmoving hands. Her eyes, usually so fierce and certain, now ticker with doubt.

“L… I’m not sure I can leave them,” Pyra murmurs, her voice barely audible over the crackle of the flames. “My people are in turmoil, and they are divided. Who will guide them if I go?”

Bloodbane steps closer to her, his expression serious. “Pyra, the realms need you Verde, the vanished guardian angel of the Earth realm, needs you. The Fire Angel entrusted us with this task, not just for our realms, but for the balance of all worlds.”

I nod in agreement, stepping forward. “Sometimes, to lead is also to know when to step away and tackle greater threats. Your people will find their way. Right now, the entire universe needs you more,” I say, trying to steel her resolve with my own certainty

Pyra looks back at the fiery pyre, her hand hovering over the gleaming ruby embedded in the sword’s hilt. “And what of Vulcan’s supporters? What if they come after me or worse, plunge our realm into deeper chaos?”

“We’ve been given a task by a power greater than any throne, I reply, my gaze locked with hers. “Vulcan was a symptom of the rot that has taken hold. Leaving might allow your people the space they need to heal and find the right path forward.”

Bloodbane adds. This isn’t just about power or thrones, Pyra. It’s about survival of all realms. Verde has been missing for millennia. Without her, not only is the Earth realm at risk, but all realms could unravel. You have the chance to restore what’s been lost.”

Her shoulders slump slightly, the weight of our words settling around her. She looks down at the angel’s sword again, her hand trembling as she reaches out. “And what if I fall them–fail you?” Her voice is a whisper, laden with fear and uncertainty.

“You won’t.” I say softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You have us, and together, we’ve already overcome so much. We’ll stand by you through this as well.”

Pyra takes a deep breath, her gaze lifting to meet mine, a flicker of resolve returning to her eyes. “Then let’s go. Let’s not let Vulcan’s last act be our end,” she decides, her voice strengthening with each word.

Pyra lays her hand on the angel’s sword, her golden aura mingling with the gem’s crimson glow, 1 place my hand atop hers, my eyes closing, my mind visualizing the Earth realm, as Bloodbane lays his hand over Pyra’s and mine, sealing our resolve.

The cavern fades, the Eery light dimming, leaving behind the echoes of the volcanic realm. The sensation that follows is dizzying, like being swept away by a nahing river, the world blurring around us. The harsh heat of the fire realm melts into the coolness of the Earth realm, the acrid smell of sulfur giving way to the fresh scent of pine and earth. The flickering red glow dissolves into shades of green, the sound of distant water rushing through my ears. The shift is disorienting, yet invigorating, as we emerge into the new realm, the weight of our mission heavy upon our shoulders.

The ground shifts beneath my feet, the warmth of the flames replaced by the cool, crisp air of another place entirely.

I open my eyes, taking in the lush greenery around us, the sprawling fields and vibrant foliage of the Earth realm.

My home, where Aleksandr awaits.

And yet – why does nothing look familiar? Where exactly are we?!