Chapter Seventy-Five: Nothing at All

Ilias
So nice of you to join us, Velis.
Velis did not respond.
Cameron
You're here!
She hugged him.
Velis
I'm sorry I'm late.
Fallen growled.
Fallen
What do you want, woman?
Velis
This is all a lie, Cameron. Ilias is a snake.
Ilias
Is that so?
Velis
He's going to kill you both!
Ilias
Enough of this.
Fallen blasted Velis with a white beam and she disappeared.
Cameron
What did you do?!
Fallen
I transported her outside.
Cameron was on fire again.
Ilias
I suppose it can't be helped. Get them out of here, Fallen.
With a flash they disappeared.
Fallen
They'll want to fight us.
Ilias
Well, let's go give it to them. Just try and go easy on them.

When Arkain's vision became clear he noticed he was falling through the sky.
Arkain
Shit!
There was a flash and Fallen bashed into his chest.
Arkain
Damn you!
More flashes and Fallen continued to hit Arkain from all sides as he fell fast to the surface.


Cameron stood up from the ground. Ilias was standing across from him.
Ilias
So fighting is our only option?
Cameron lit himself up again.
Cameron
We were almost allies.
Explosions began to erupt on Ilias but he stood still.
Cameron
How?
Ilias
Did you think my sister was my only defense? She's dead, but I still have my own methods of protection. Speaking of which, I killed my sister. Can you tell me how that is supposed to feel?
Cameron charged Ilias, Ilias grabbed his arm and threw him over his shoulder.
Ilias
I feel nothing at all.

Nick assembled himself in the Black City.
Nick
What is this place?
He was amazed by the grandness of it all.
Darby
Your grave.
Darby stood on the platform above watching Nick.

Arkain was now flying through the sky away from Fallen.
Arkain
(Little fucker is fast. Am I supposed to beat him?)
Fallen landed on Arkain's back. Fallen opened his mouth to bite.
Arkain
Let's go!
Arkain spun around fast and Fallen fell off and disappeared. Arkain stopped and began to blast down fire down below where Fallen had just fell.
Fallen
What are you doing?
Fallen said on top of Arkain's shoulder. Soren appeared in Arkain's hand and he swung at Fallen. Fallen jumped onto the sword and fell through the sky once more.
Arkain
Soren!
He threw the sword forward and Soren formed from it. The black and purple dragon roared.
Arkain
The little white fox, kill it!
They both flew through the sky towards Fallen.

Ilias deflected every blast of fire Cameron shot at him.
Ilias
Is this the best you have? I might have to reconsider your place in all this.
Fallen landed next to him.
Fallen
We're going to need the twins!
Ilias heard the roar of Soren a little too late. Fallen and Ilias were engulfed by purple flames.
Cameron
Yes!
Arkain landed next to Cameron.
Arkain
Looks like Soren did it.
Ilias
Did what, exactly?
Ilias walked out of the burning flames, untouched. Fallen was on his shoulder. Soren roared a above.
Ilias
The shield I have is the best defense. It absorbs any damaged that comes my way. Iris' shield fails in comparison. On another note.
He snapped his fingers. Soren was tackled by Ayn and Nya.
Arkain
Soren!
He turned to Cameron.
Arkain
Help him!
Cameron
Zuma!
Cameron through his sword and Zuma flew forward towards the fray of dragons. All four dragons roared.
Fallen
Just as planned!
Fallen blasted a white beam at all four dragons. When the whiteness disappeared only Ayn and Nya remained.
Fallen
Your swords are mine again.
Cameron moved his hand forward attempting to make his sword appear.
Fallen
They're in my belly, Cammy. They're mine, as I said.
Cameron flicked his hand and a fire ball shot at Fallen. Fallen swallowed it and then released smoke.
Fallen
Yummy.
Arkain
What the fuck do we do now?
Cameron
We get serious.
Cameron smacked his hands together. This time the flames around him were a bright light blue.
Cameron
Flames of Hades.
He looked directly at Ilias.
Cameron
Your shields might be able to absorb my most powerful flames,
He stepped forward.
Cameron
But you're still going to get hot.
The entire area before him was now being blasted by blue flames.
Arkain
Wow!

Ilias landed on the mountainside with Fallen.
Ilias
Those flames are going to be trouble.
Fallen nodded.
Ilias
Where is she?
Velis' foot connected with Ilias' neck.
Ilias
There she is.
Velis jumped back. She then threw blades that were deflected on his shield. In an instant she was moving. Ilias nor Fallen could keep up with her speed as she attacked Ilias again and again.
Ilias
Back to the bottom, Fallen!
He began to run as a flash of yellow continued to hit him.
Fallen
I can't get her!
Ilias
That's okay, let her be.
Ilias saw Cameron and Arkain at a distance.
Ilias
It's time I go on the offense.
He smiled. A circle of energy erupted from him. Velis fell to the floor. He jumped to the sky.
Ilias
Expanding wave!
He smashed his hands together. A wave of invisible energy flew forward. Moments later it hit Cameron and Arkain and sent them to the ground hard.
Ilias
Hello!
Ilias landed next to them as they slowly got up.
Ilias
Expand!
Another invisible wave pushed them away from each other.
Ilias
Pull!
Arkain flew forward and Ilias grabbed him by the neck.
Ilias
You are fighting a losing battle.
Arkain
Let me decide that!
He said feeling Ilias crush his neck. Arkain burst into purple flames and Ilias jumped back.
Ilias
You too? Impressive.
Arkain blasted Ilias.
Ilias
Cameron was right, I can feel the heat rising!
Cameron
Let me help it!
Cameron blasted Ilias as well.
Cameron
Keep going, Arkain!
Arkain
No shit!
They continued to blast Ilias.
Ilias
Enough!
They were both hit in the chest by a blasts from Ilias. Ilias was now sweating.
Ilias
Very clever of you, Cameron, figuring out a weakness in my barrier.
Cameron spat blood out onto the floor.
Cameron
Go fuck yourself.
Arkain was already on his feet.
Ilias
You haven't had enough?
Arkain
Big appetite.
Arkain lifted his right arm to Ilias' chest and suddenly energy flew from Ilias to Arkain's hand.
Ilias
What is going on?
Ilias figured it out. His shield was gone.
Ilias
How did you do that?
Arkain
To be honest, I have no idea.
He said confused. He looked at his hand.
Ilias
Very well.
Ilias disappeared and landed next to Arkain.
Arkain
Huh?
His fist connected with Arkain's face and Arkain fell to the ground.
Ilias
I don't need a shield to defeat the likes of you two.
Cameron
You sure about that?
Cameron's blue flames flew forward. Fallen jumped in front of Ilias and blasted his power into them.
Ilias
How rude of you, Cameron.
Velis kicked Fallen and sent him flying.
Velis
Little shit!
She spun around and her foot almost connected with Ilias' face before he caught it.
Ilias
Sneaky, are we?
He swung her around and she flew into Cameron.
Arkain
Bastard!
Arkain flew into Ilias and pulled him into the sky.
Arkain
Let's see if you can fly, like you told me once!
Arkain let go of Ilias. Fallen bashed into Cameron's chest and Cameron fell to the ground.
Fallen
Pay attention!
Fallen then blasted Velis in the stomach before she could kick him again. She landed on feet. She smacked her hands together.
Velis
Flashing death!
Fallen's eyes widened.
Fallen
Ouch!
Fallen jumped away as far as he could.
Fallen
When did you learn that one, Velis? That could have badly injured me had I not of moved fast enough.
Cameron stood behind Fallen. There was a giant explosion that covered the entire land. Cameron held Velis in his arms.
Velis
Did you get him?
Cameron
I hope so. That was my strongest explosion.
Arkain
Luckily I was in the sky!
Arkain landed next to them.
Velis
We have to kill them quickly.
Velis stood up.
Cameron
You need to get out of here.
Velis
I can't.
She kissed him.
Arkain
Ew!
Arkain flew away.

Ilias stood dusting himself off.
Ilias
I hate getting dirty.
He looked up and saw Arkain flying his way.
Ilias
I suppose he wants a real fight.
He lifted his right hand towards Arkain.
Ilias
It's yours. Likion Gold!
A giant white beam of energy laced in gold shot forward and hit Arkain straight in the chest. He fell from the sky to the ground.
Ilias
That was easy. Fallen?
He shouted. Fallen landed at his feet.
Ilias
What happened to this area?
Fallen
Cameron's doing. Velis distracted me and he did this after.
Ilias
Don't be too playful or you might end up dead.
Fallen laughed.
Fallen
I've seen worse. I saw you blasted Arkain.
Ilias
I did.
Fallen
A little hard on him?
Ilias
Maybe a little.

Darby
What purpose do you have here?
Nick remembered Darby.
Nick
I'm here looking for Vesper.
Darby
For what?
Nick
She's my friend, I want to make sure she's okay.
Darby
She is. Leave before the others find you.
Nick
What do you mean?
Darby
If the others find you, they'll kill you, or worse.
Cash and Luck appeared next to Darby.
Luck
Looks like we have some company.
Cash
And he's a little boy. I have no problem killing kids.
Water formed in front of Nick. Vesper appeared.
Vesper
Then you'll have to kill me too.
Darby
At ease, boys.
Cash
We don't take orders from you.
Darby
I'll deal with this.
Luck
Just know that Ilias will hear about this.
Darby
I'll deal with that later.
They disappeared.
Vesper
Thank you, Darby.
Darby began to walk away.
Darby
Don't take too long.
He was gone.
Vesper
What are you doing here?
Nick
I came back for you.
Vesper
I don't need your help.
Nick
Why are you here? You belong with us!
Vesper turned around to face him.
Vesper
I belong with Darby.
Nick
Is that what he told you? Come on, Vesper! These guys are the bad guys!
Vesper
I am one, aren't I?
Nick
You weren't when I met you! You were fighting for the right team.
Vesper
I was always just doing what I was told.
Nick
Really?
Vesper
Yes. I used to belong to the Syn clan. We had a code.
Nick
Screw the code! Come with me, Vesper.
Vesper
You don't even know me. Why would you want me to go with you?
Nick
Because,
He stopped.
Nick
Because I don't want to lose another person I care about.
Vesper
Care? Nicolas, we had sex, nothing more.
Nick
I understand that, but, that doesn't matter. Vesper, just give me a chance.
Vesper
A chance at what?
Nick
Having more than what we had.
Vesper
I should have known. The eyes of men never cease to be thirsty.
Nick
Come with me.
Vesper
I will.
Darby
Wrong answer, Vesper. Now you both must die.

Ximendos rose from bed.
Akasha
Are we heading out?
He nodded.
Akasha
You okay?
He nodded again.

Conor
What the hell was that?
Emmylou
Sounded like an explosion.
Ian
I think it was.
Conor
We have to get out of here!
Suri
Just calm down, we don't even know what it was.

Cameron
Arkain!
Cameron and Velis knelt next to him and turned him over. He had one eye closed and the other barely opened.
Cameron
What happened to you?
Arkain
He's strong, really strong. I don't even know what that was.
Arkain laughed.
Cameron
Idiot!
Ilias
Have you both had enough?
Cameron stood up.
Cameron
Why do you want to kill us?
Ilias
Oh, look Fallen, now he wants to talk. Cameron, I never said I wanted to kill you, did I?
Cameron looked at Velis.
Ilias
In truth, Velis is the one lying here.
Velis
I am not! Cameron, he can't be trusted.
Ilias
I can't? Or is it you who can't? Or am I wrong, fire starter?
Cameron
Fire starter?
Velis
Stop it, Ilias!
Ilias
Stop it? We had a deal and you broke it. It's time you tell him, or I will.
Cameron
Tell me what? What the hell is he talking about?
Arkain sat up.
Arkain
Just kill him already!
Cameron
Shut up!
He grabbed Velis by the shoulders.
Cameron
What is he talking about, and why did he call you fire starter?
Velis
I never thought I'd say this to you.
Cameron
Say what? What are you talking about?
Velis
I've lied to you all along.

Darby drew his sword.
Darby
I really thought I had you on our side. Regretfully, now I must kill you.
Vesper
Just let us go, Darby. It doesn't have to be this way.
Darby
If I let you go, you'll die anyways.
Vesper
At least give us a chance! Darby, please!
Nick
Come on, man, you don't have to do this.
Darby remained silent. After a moment, he spoke.
Darby
Goodbye, Vesper. I hope we meet again soon.
He walked away again. They disappeared too.

Gwen
Can we trust this guy? He just let them get away.
Luna
That's up for Ilias to decide. As of now he holds more rank than we do.
Renn
Irrelevant. Lord Rylan can sort this out. He won't be happy about loose ends.
Luck
Should have given us the order to kill.
Renn
And deal with Ilias for going against his man? I prefer it this way. As I said, Lord Rylan will deal with this when he arrives.
Cash
When does he arrive, again?
Luna
Tomorrow, and I can't wait.
Gwen
They're be hell to pay!


Amros
You alright?
Hayden stood out by the lake of the old White Coats base.
Hayden
I don't know where she is.
Amros
I know.
He put his hand on Hayden's shoulder.
Amros
I know. If we are correct, and she is with Ilias, she will be safe.
Hayden
I certainly hope so. I've forgiven far too many people in all this time.
He turned to Amros.
Hayden
If Suri is killed, I will kill them all.
Amros
As you should, my friend, as you should.

Azusa
Taking over? How dare he!
Keir watched as Azusa threw things around the room.
Azusa
That ungrateful piece of shit! How dare he!
Keir
You should have said something.
Azusa
You should have said something!
She threw a vase at the wall.
Azusa
We will kill Kassle.

Ximendos, Akasha, Syn, and Pathion stood in the middle of a forest. Pathion held a black body bag that carried Iris in it.
Pathion
So it's somewhere around here?
Ximendos
Somewhere.
Pathion
What is it we're looking for, again?
Akasha
The portal.
Syn
To what?
Ximendos
Home.

Kassle and Kade walked across the palace grounds.
Kade
I can't believe you did it.
Kassle smiled, widely.
Kade
She was ultra pissed.
Kassle
As she should be. If I'm correct, she'll want to kill me now.
Kade
You think so?
Kassle nodded.
Kassle
When mother doesn't get her way, all the rest is predictable.
Kade
I can't argue with that. So, what's the first order of business?
Kassle
We get mother and Keir out of the way.
Kade
And then?
Kassle
We deal with this half-dead situation for Munro and Geremiah.
Kade
And then ?
Kassle
We find Kegan.
Kade stopped walking.
Kade
You're serious?
Kassle
I am. We haven't seen brother in a very long time.
Kade
Why start now?
Kassle
Well, with the movement of things, it looks like we'll have no choice but to join this war.
Kade
But we made ourselves undetectable for the time being.
Kassle
For the moment, yes, but not forever.
Kade
We could! We could make this place unreachable forever!
Kassle
That would require a high amount of magic.
Kade
Certainly attainable.
Kassle
And at the same time, draining.
He rubbed his forehead.
Kassle
Unlike mother, I'm inclined to fight.
Kade beat his chest.
Kade
As am I, but at the same time, I'm not sure we can manage to pick a side in this war. No one wants us.
Kassle
Which is why we'll revive the Triple K.
Kade
I guess. You know what that means though, right?
Kassle
Yes, of course.
He chuckled.
Kassle
We kill Supriya.

Munro
It's quite amazing, isn't it?
Munro and Germ stood before the ball of energy that held Gemma.
Germ
I've never seen anything like it. Fallen's energy prison is one of a kind.
Munro
I'm sure we could produce something close to it.
Germ
Not as original though.
He shrugged.
Germ
Oh well. Have the preparations been made?
Munro
Not yet. We still have a lot of time to go.

Gemma/Krysin
I smell something different, some others.
Gemma sniffed.
Gemma/Krysin
I need to get out of here.

The wall fall apart in front of Suri.
Suri
Looks like I found an exit.
Conor
More like made it, Suri, you made it.
Emmylou
Just shut up and go!
She grabbed Ian by the hand. Alarms began to go off.
Suri
I figured he'd have a good alarm system. Run!
They ran down the hall way. They ran until they ran into a dark figure.
Darby
I can't let you pass.
Suri
I get us through if I must.
Behind them, Renn appeared.
Renn
Children, return to your sleeping area.
Conor
Hey, we're not kids!
Darby
Suri, you are making a mistake. This isn't a place of fear.
Suri
Then let us leave!
Renn
I'm afraid that isn't an option.
She blew red dust from here hand.
Suri
What the hell?
Conor, Emmylou, and Ian collapsed on the floor.
Suri
What did you do?
Then she felt it. It was a sleeping powder of some sort.
Suri
Why are you doing this?
Suri fell to her knees.
Renn
It's for your own good, child.
Then all went black.
Darby
See to it they're put in their beds.
Renn
We will.

Vesper
You didn't have to do that. You almost got yourself killed.
Nick
I have no regrets. Besides, we made it out okay.
Vesper
Foolish boy, you don't know the danger you put yourself in. Out of us Syn clan members, Darby is by far the most intelligent. The worst opponent imaginable. I could never hope to defeat him.
Nick
Relax, it's not a problem anymore. You need to calm down.
She sat down on the ground.
Vesper
Thank you.
Nick
You're welcome.
He sat down next to her.
Nick
It was really nothing.
Vesper
I imagine you think I owe you something.
Nick
Maybe something small.
He laughed.
Vesper
Small?
She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
Vesper
I am grateful.

Cameron
What the fuck are you talking about?
Velis did not respond to his angry words.
Ilias
Feel free to tell him, Velis. Either that, or I will.
Velis took a deep breath.
Velis
Please Cameron, please forgive me.
She fell to her knees.
Cameron
What are you doing?
He leaned down next to her.
Cameron
What's wrong? This isn't like you.
Ilias
Tell him already.
Velis
Shut the fuck up up, Ilias! I'm going to.
Fallen growled.
Cameron
Just tell me what he wants you to tell me. You can tell me anything, Velis.
He moved her hair off her forehead. She looked into his blue eyes.
Velis
Your eyes are so blue right now.
Cameron
Velis.
He said softly.
Velis
You didn't kill your brother.
Cameron
What?
Velis
You thought you did, but you didn't. It was made to look like that.
Cameron looked over to Ilias.
Cameron
What are you making her say?
He stood up and took a step towards Ilias.
Velis
No, he's not making me say anything.
She was now holding her legs between her arms.
Velis
It's me wanting to purify my heart. Ilias, we killed your brother.
He turned around to see her face, which for the first time in a long time, had tears on it.
Velis
We killed Christian.
Cameron felt everything, the sky, the trees, even his own body, lose its feeling and color.
Cameron
Why would you say that? Why would you say such a thing?
Ilias
Because it's true.
Cameron
Shut the hell up!
Cameron turned around quickly.
Cameron
I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to her!
Ilias fell silent, aware of the situation. Cameron turned back around slowly.
Cameron
Say it again.
Velis
What?
Cameron
Say it again, Velis.
Velis gulped.
Velis
We killed your brother.
Cameron
Who is we? Who is we?
Velis
Malic, Orthak, and me.
Cameron
Orthak? So Ximendos was in on this?
Velis nodded. Cameron stumbled to the side. Arkain moved forward.
Cameron
Stay where you are! I don't need your help.
He walked forward towards Velis.
Cameron
You killed my brother? You killed Christian?
Velis
Yes, but I didn't mean to. It was just orders. I didn't even know you at the time. Didn't know we'd have this one day.
Cameron
This? Us, you mean?
Velis
Yes, us.
Cameron bit his lip. It began to bleed.
Cameron
All a lie. Christian, dead, again.
Arkain
Cameron, don't think like that!
Cameron
Shut up, Arkain! You don't have a say in this!
Arkain tried to grab Cameron by the arm and Cameron pushed him away.
Cameron
Don't you tell me how to fucking feel!
Arkain
You're not doing this right! Don't let this happen, bro.
Cameron
Don't say that! Don't say that, again! I had a brother and his name was Christian!
Arkain
You still have him! Just stop and think. Remember, his dream!
Cameron's eyes widened.
Cameron
His dream?
An explosion expanded in front of Arkain and sent him flying back. Arkain fell on his back.
Cameron
You know nothing about that.
Cameron was crying now. He leaned next to Velis.
Velis
I'm sorry, Cameron, I'm so, so sorry.
Cameron
I know,
He held her to his chest.
Cameron
I know. You couldn't have known.
Velis
Forgive me, I didn't know.
Cameron
Now that I know, this changes everything.
Velis
I love you, Cameron. I'm sorry.
He leaned in to kiss her.
Cameron
I love you too, fire starter.
He kissed her. For a second it was beautiful.
Arkain
Cameron, no!
Ilias smiled. In front of Arkain, Ilias, and Fallen, Cameron did it. Black wings burst from Cameron's back. Velis was a bright blue fire.