From the Ashes: Heroes Never Die by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Indie Fantasy Addicts
Published: 2021-11-01T16:00:00+00:00

The Bag of Tafan

Rumi and Aira landed just outside the Forbidden Palace, a massive stone structure bordered by four towers, each topped with a small dome. A fifth dome, a much larger one, centered the palace, its color, like the others, a bright gold that glimmered under the sun.

The two passed through a metal gate that led to a garden split by a cobblestone path.

“Master,” Aira said as the two walked side by side along the pathway. “I agreed to your plan, but once we cross the second entrance, you must abide by my words, or you will die before either of us gets an answer.”

Rumi nodded.

Shortly after, they reached a stone gate. Aira caught his hand and took a step forward, making sure she stepped inside first. She looked both ways then continued walking, with Rumi at her back. They advanced with slow steps, Aira inspecting every corridor and intersection they passed through. Rumi found himself smiling while following her. Seeing the gray stones of the palace and their dull reflection brought back a sense of belonging and a massive range of memories. He loved this place, even when he hated it.

They stepped into a large intersection between four corridors, but once he took his second step, Aira pushed him back with a quick move.

“Duck,” she said, leaning on the edge of two crossed walls. Rumi crouched behind her legs, hiding between the Delphian girl and the wall to her left.

Rumi glanced around. There was no way she could hide him well like that. Anyone coming from behind or the front would see him. A moment later, the sound of footsteps came from the other side of the wall. He remained in place as the stranger drew nearer and nearer.

“Aira, you are back already?” Rumi recognized the voice as Amarin, the new Averetti Illicitum. Rumi had met him when he helped ascend the new Illicitums and passed his power to them.

“Well, you are back too. I assume you took care of your target.”

Amarin didn’t respond aloud, but Rumi imagined he had nodded.

“Did Rumi give you any trouble?” Amarin asked, his steps still getting closer.

“He was a delight.”

“Lucky you,” the Averetti Illicitum answered, his voice indicating he was only inches away. Rumi’s heartbeat doubled, and he brought his thumb to his chest. Perhaps he wasn’t ready to die after all. When Amarin continued, however, his voice was already drifting farther away. “Milan said he wouldn’t go down without a fight. He broke four of my ribs and nearly killed one of my Majestics.”

“Good thing he didn’t kill you,” Aira said.

Amarin chuckled as if finding her words impossible but continued on his way.

Milan is dead, Rumi thought, feeling a slight squeeze in his heart. Ganev was probably dead too, and he would shortly follow. Did it matter how he felt about his life if it was going to end anyway? No, he told himself. I shook Aira’s belief in her destiny. I should have accepted my death like the others and not interfered with the formula our ancestors created.

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