Flight to the Edge

Yara waited until Xeron went to the alchemy lab to prepare the suppression elixirs.

She dragged herself out of bed. Every movement was agony. The worm was writhing in her chest, ticking down the seconds.

She didn't take a weapon. She didn't take gold. She only took the red veil she had arrived in.

She slipped out of the Spire. The guards let her pass—she was the Prince’s favorite, after all.

She ran.

She ran toward the Soul-Severing Cliff, a jagged precipice ten miles from the Spire that overlooked the Sea of Mists. It was far enough. If she detonated there, the blast would be contained.

The run took everything she had. By the time she reached the edge, the full moon was rising, massive and blood-red.

Her veins pulsed with black light. She fell to her knees at the cliff's edge.

"Finally," a voice echoed.

Yara looked up.

Emerging from the mist were three figures in white robes. Elder Jian. And two Enforcers from the Pavilion of Glass.

"You made it far, Shadow," Elder Jian smiled benignly. "We were watching. We expected the Prince to be with you. Is he late?"

"You," Yara spat, blood dripping from her chin. "You monsters."

"We are saviors," Jian corrected. "We sacrificed one useless orphan to destroy the greatest evil in the land. It is efficient."

He checked the moon. "Five minutes. Pity Xeron isn't here yet. We might have to lure him."

"He's not coming," Yara lied. "I ran away."

"YARA!"

The scream tore through the night.

Yara turned. Xeron was flying toward them, riding a sword of black iron. He was disheveled, frantic.

"No," Yara sobbed. "Go back!"

Elder Jian laughed. "Perfect. The moth comes to the flame."

Xeron landed, crashing into the stone. He stumbled toward her. "Yara! Get away from the edge!"

"Stay back!" Yara screamed, clutching her chest. The light from her veins was blinding now. "It's too late! It's triggering!"

"I don't care!" Xeron roared. He ignored the Elders. He ignored the cliff. He ran straight at her.

"How touching," Elder Jian sneered. "And how foolish. Watch closely, Enforcers. This is how righteousness wins."