The Fall
“Is this it? Have we finally found it?†Aixa asked in their mind.
“Yes,†Nedral said quietly. “This is it.†She studied the tainted Aetheryte with hungry, longing eyes for a few moments then turned to her companions. “Over here.†She shouted. The group turned and began moving Nedral’s way.
She had put this group together in less time than she normally would, but time was short and she had no other option. The only one of them she knew was Eternal Darkness, a Keeper of the Moon Miqo’te whom she had befriended some time ago in the Black Shroud while on a mission. The others were comprised of a large Roegadyn, Bullard, who despite his large size was quicker with his hands than an assassin with a dagger, an Elezen archer named Eluca and a Hyur Marauder named Nade who was as furious with magic as he was with his axe, despite is short stature.
“How is this down here?†Eternal asked, examining to the far right.
“I don’t know, but--“ There was a large explosion that interrupted Nedral and shook the cavern, knocking Nade to the ground.
“Look out!†Eluca shouted, pointing upwards. Several long and pointed stones fell from the ceiling directly above the group and the Aetheryte, there was no room or time to dodge.
“Aixa,†Nedral said and let her take control. She jumped into the center of the group and crossed her arms over her chest, hands glowing, then shot them out to the side throwing up a magical barrier. The shards of stone broke and fell harmlessly to the ground when they hit the barrier, the smaller ones shattering.
When it was over, Aixa released the spell and fell to her knee, out of breath. “Damn it, what the hell was that?â€Â
“I didn’t know you could use magic.†Nade said, standing.
Aixa ignored Nade and looked off into the distance. Her eyes widened with fear and she drew in a sharp breath. Walking towards them was a scrawny old man carrying with him a twisted staff with mangled beads wrapped around its head, his robes were gray and tattered at the hem, his hair likewise as mangled. “Gods,†she said in a low tone. “Cyris.â€Â
Nade readied his axe, looking down to Aixa. “Cyris? The Archanist?†Fear evident in his tone.
Nedral nodded, taking control, then stood. Cyris was the one who had resurrected Nedral into the body of the young Miqo’te, Aixa, several years ago, causing Nedral and Aixa to share a single mind. Nedral had become friends with the old man and they shared many tales of adventure with one another until one day, Cyris attacked her in a magical frenzy for no reason Nedral could fathom, his eyes red with fury that struck Nedral to the core.
“What’s an Archanist?†Eluca asked, coming to stand next to Nedral.
It was Eternal that responded, “Archanist’s use a different, more taboo and ancient form of magic, to call forth terrible beasts and monsters that wreak havoc where ever they go. This would be the first one I have ever laid eyes upon, however.†She said in a low voice, her thick accent making is somewhat difficult to understand.
“That’s just a basic description of them,†Nedral said. “They can be far more terrible than any story can describe, should the power be in the wrong hands.â€Â
“I take it you know this chap, then?†Bullard asked, readying his hora’s.
Nedral nodded. “He’s not the first one, though, not even the most powerful or ruthless, that I’ve ever known. But there is one thing that separates him from the others,†She paused, eyeing Cyris with deadly eyes. “He’s sole purpose now is to kill me.†She looked over her shoulder to Eternal. “And he has the power of the Echo.â€Â
There was a flash of light followed by another explosion that carried with it a shock wave that knocked those who were standing to the ground and backwards. Bullard was able to catch Eluca in his arms, turning to land on his back to protect her. Nade was not so lucky and was thrown into the pit behind them, his scream echoing in the darkness as he disappeared.
Nedral had been able to land on her feet and recovered almost instantly. She watched in horror as Nade was thrown to his death, had she not she never would have seen Eternal about to suffer the same fate. Nedral quickly turned and launched herself towards the edge of the crevasse, barely catching Eternal. She slammed hard into the rocky ledge, her spear thrown from her hand from the force of the impact and was lost in the darkness below.
“Hang on!†Nedral said through gritted teeth. “Bullard, a little help!†She shouted.
“Coming!†replied an overly exuberant voice.
Just as Nedral had solidified her grip and Bullard was almost to them, there was another explosion that again rocked the cavern with another shockwave that sent Nedral over the edge. Bullard arrived just in time to catch Nedral by the ankle, but she lost her grip on Eternal and she watched in slow motion as her friend sank into the darkness, a surprised look on her face.
“ETERNAL!â€Â
