Revelation - Chapter 28 (Patreon)

Remus

I can hear my heart beating in my chest as adrenaline immediately spikes through me. Iris is coming at me full speed, filled with dangerous energy. I do a quick sweep of my surroundings trying to calculate the best route of action to take.

I try and understand how she even got out of the realm I placed her in to show up here, but I don’t have the time to dwell on that right now.

My eyes drop to the floor underneath her that quakes and crumbles from her power. I immediately put my hands up ready to block whatever it is she is about to throw at me. She’s inches from me when out of nowhere, she’s thrown to the side and plows into a wall. I look in shock at Xion.

She looks at me, her face already battle-ready.

“Get out of here you’re not strong enough to face her like this.” She snaps. She moves past me to go in the direction that Iris was sent, but I grab her shoulder.

“No,” I say. I pull off the cape that was wrapped around me, making my way towards the wall.

“Get everyone out and to safety. You’ve never encountered anything like this. She could kill you if you’re not careful.” I say. Xion grabs ahold of my arm and I look back at her. My eyes widen in shock at the desperation in her eyes.

“Remus… they will kill you…” She says. I smile softly.

“Isn’t that what you wanted?” I say jokingly. Horror crosses her features, and I look around the room at the people trying to scramble to safety. I try and find Ezra in the fray, but I can’t. They won’t be able to get away without the help of Xion and Ezra.

“This is my mess. My problem. I did this. I think it’s time I pay for my sins. Get everyone to safety, and I’ll try and hold her off.” I say. I feel rage at the idea of me even having to fight with Iris. But I know she’s been beyond manipulated, combined with the anger towards me. Someone will pay for dragging her into this.

She may be powerful, but she is wild and unpredictable. She has no battle training. I’m counting on that to buy me enough time to distract her. I know Iris would never want to harm innocent people, but in the state, her mind is now, I can’t be sure if I’m her only target or if she’ll go after more after me.

The rocks crumble and dissipate into dust, and I look at Xion in anger.

“Go now!” I shout. She slowly backs away and turns to run and get people to safety. I look back just in time to catch Iris’ fist as it comes glowing black towards my face. I step back, her deadly blow barely missing my face. She swings at me again, screaming in her rage.

She pulls her hands behind her head, and with a cry releases a blast of energy. I use my own to place a protective barrier in front of me, but the shockwave from the blast causes columns to collapse. I hear screaming and look to my left to see a few stragglers under the falling debris.

I use my energy to hold up the rocks, barely missing them.

“Go!” I shout. They run away immediately, but it leaves me vulnerable. I feel a sharp pain in my ribs, and I’m sent flying across the room until I hit a wall. The rocks crumble around me, landing uncomfortably on my arms. I flinch in pain, ignoring the screaming in the side of my ribs. I look up and Iris is staring at me through the debris.

My heart aches from seeing her like this. It’s as if her rage has manifested itself. Not only that, but now that she’s more than human I can feel her through the bond. I can feel her pain and anguish. She feels betrayed.

I slowly stand up and hiss in pain collapsing when I realize my leg is broken.

“Shit.” I place my hand over the wound trying to rapidly heal it, keeping my gaze on Iris. My eyes widen when another figure joins the fray.

“Your highness. I must admit, it is such a pleasure seeing you like this. I had no idea she could do so much damage.” Braith steps into the room looking around. There are still people trying to escape as figures fly from around Braith going to block them off. The same people I had locked away before the wedding began.

My gaze narrows. Braith’s energy matches Iris’. Energy that he shouldn’t even have.

“Surprised?” He says as he gauges my reaction. He smiles wickedly.

“I was too when I found out the truth about my people. About the history we all share.” He says. I don’t respond though. I immediately begin scoping the room for escapes and trying to locate my siblings. But we’re outnumbered. The energy that Braith and his people secrete is dangerous. It’s the equivalent of a black hole being compacted for use. It will kill which is why we stripped them of their power in the first place.

I look behind him at Iris.

She opens her hand manifesting a blade. It’s black and secreting the same black energy that she is. It’s deadly.

“You’ve always looked down on us. You and your people thinking you’re better than we are because you have the power. Well now, let’s see how you feel when you aren’t the only ones able to fight.” He growls. He looks around the room, signaling his people.

“Kill them!”

“No!” I shout.

I move to protect my people but Iris takes off at full speed towards me.

I hold my hands up, collapsing the ceiling around her which gives me enough time to finish healing my leg. I jump up from the debris while she’s caught off guard, grabbing her forearms and trying to do the same thing I did with my mother, suppressing her energy. I look into her eyes.

“Iris,” I call her name trying to bring her back to me.

“Iris this isn’t you,” I say. She’s too far gone though. She screams, rearing her head back and smashing it into mine. I hear a crack as searing pain rips through me, and she lands a blow in the middle of my chest. I’m knocked off my feet from the force of the blow, and immediately blood comes pouring out of my mouth.

I land on my feet, digging my nails into the ground trying to stop the force from propelling me back.

“She doesn’t care Remus. All the pain and suffering, and all the lies you’ve put her through has been multiplied a million times over. The rage she feels is insatiable. All she cares about, no all she craves, is revenge. Retribution. Everything we want. She’s one of us now.” He snaps. I shake my head but when I look up, Iris is coming at me full force with that deadly fist again. If she touches me with that kind of energy coursing through her, it could kill me. I’m still weak from the conversion.

A flash of white appears in front of me, heading towards Iris. And I see it’s Nira. She has an energy ball in her hand ready to strike, but there are still people in here and the building itself is barely being held up. The kickback from the clashing of their power could be deadly. Not only that, but Iris switches hands, aiming for Nira’s chest. She’s going for the kill.

“No!” I scream. With all the energy I can muster, I propel myself forward, grabbing the collar of Nira’s dress and pulling her back. Iris misses her by centimeters, and her hand is coming straight for me. I place up an energy field to protect myself, but It does little since I’m still weak.

More pain shoots through me. I absorb the hit, and grab Irises palm, throwing her as hard as I can in the opposite direction. She slams into the wall, crying out in pain. It hurts to hear but I know I’ve bought myself a little time. I look around the room.

“What the hell are you doing?” I snap at Nira. She looks at me in anger.

“I’m trying to help you.” She says. I shake my head.

“You can’t help me. She will kill you Nira, she has an ancient power that no one on this planet has seen since the great war. You’re no match for her.” I snap. She grabs my arm, her face serious.

“Remus. You’re hurt. You’re barely even fighting her. All you’re doing is dodging-“

She trails off as she realizes my plan.

“You’re not going to fight her.” She says. She narrows her gaze.

“Remus, don’t let your emotions for her get in the way of-“

I cut her off as I use my energy to shove her as hard as I can the opposite direction. Iris misses her and collides with me, sending both of us flying. She uses the opportunity to rake her nails across my face, and due to the energy running through her veins she gets a good slice in.

I use the opportunity to drain her of some of her energy, then shove her away from me. I land on my back hard and sit up trying to wipe the blood off of my face. My skull is cracked and now my face is bloodied, causing it to get into my eye.

I take a deep breath, lying on my back. I’ve never felt more exhausted. I look up and see Xion defending people as well as my own people fighting back, and helping each other escape. I finally locate Ezra, and he’s protecting people as well. My heart drops when I see Iris surrounded by my father and Nira.

“No…” I try and say, but my voice is weak. They attack her, both using inhuman speed to try and land a blow, but they haven’t studied these people as I have. She easily dodges them and finally gets annoyed. With a piercing cry, she lifts her arms above her head and smashes them into the ground, releasing a surge of power. The building begins crumbling as a massive hole is blown out of the side of it.

I stand up and take my eyes off Iris when I see Braith slowly walking through the room. He has an evil glint in his eyes and he’s walking towards Ezra with a ball of energy in his hands. I take off towards him, but I’m intercepted as Iris tackles me.

We both land on the far side of the room. I see Ezra has his back to Braith as he helps people out of the hole in the wall to safety. I try and get up, but Iris has a good grip on me and I’m insanely weak.

Braith’s smile widens and he laughs wickedly as he aims and releases his energy straight for Ezra.

“No!” I scream. I watch in horror as Ezra turns at the last second to see it coming towards him. And suddenly, he’s shoved out of the way. Just in time. Sky has a determined look on her face as she pushes him away from harm, and the mass of power strikes her.

“Sky!” Ezra’s scream ricochets off the walls as the woman he’s bonded with is thrown out of the hole from the force of the blast. Her eyes still wide in shock, and blood slowly trickling from her lips. Ezra doesn’t hesitate as he moves to jump out the hole after her, but Braith gets there quicker. He grabs him from behind, slamming his back into the hard ground below. He picks his hand up above Ezra, forming a blade, and rears his hand back to stab a hole in my brother.

I twist my body mustering all the energy I can and rip Iris from above me. I hear her cry of pain but I don’t care. I force myself across the room to where Ezra is, and I’m inches from him when Braith suddenly turns, stopping me mid-motion and grabbing me around the throat.

He doesn’t hesitate as he forms a blade from black, and stabs me right through my heart.

“Remus!” Ezra shouts. I can tell he’s weakening already from what just happened to Sky. Braith rips his blade from my chest, dropping me and I collapse in pain. But I don’t miss him piercing Ezra through his chest.

“Ezra!” I scream. But my voice comes out a weak mumble. Braith makes eye contact with me as he uses his feet to push Ezra out of the hole.

Braith slowly stands, making his way towards me.

“You are one tough bastard, your highness.” He says. He looks up at Iris and she slowly makes her way towards the both of us. I look behind Braith when I suddenly see movement, and I See Xion. She makes eye contact with me, desperation and terror in her gaze. I slowly shake my head, looking towards the same wall Ezra just fell out of. She nods her head in understanding.

I slowly try and sit up, flinching in pain. My chest is on fire, my body is in immense pain, and I can feel my system shutting down. My vision is blurry, and my heart beats heavily in my ears.

“Who knew the way to defeat the greatest creation this world has ever known, was through his one love.” He says. I hear the amusement in his voice, but I keep my gaze focused on Iris. She has a blank expression on her face as she watches me. She squats down to my level, reaching out to place her fingers on my face.

I don’t fight. I can’t. Even if I could, I wouldn’t. I can’t kill her. Braith figured that out.

I feel my energy being drained slowly.

I know I’m about to die, but I can’t help but focus on her face. On her beautiful features. I find myself wishing I could see those green eyes one more time. I close my eyes imagining them.

I imagine her hair tickling her back as she tilts her head towards the sun. I imagine the determination on her face when she’s arguing with me. The way she purses her lips in frustration when I tease her. The way she cries every time she sees something beautiful.

I feel a sharp pain in my stomach, and my eyes fly open. Braith has a blade through me. His black pits meet mine.

“Not taking any chances with you.” He growls. He looks to Iris, and I see the admiration in his gaze he has for her. Terror grips me tightly.

He wants her.

I try and move, but I can’t. Not with the injuries I’ve sustained. Not with the blade protruding from my abdomen, and not with Iris sucking what’s left of my life force down.

I feel a small fire inside of me that’s struggling to stay alive. I have to. I have to protect her from him. He’s evil. Pure and simple. Worse than me. And she has no idea. I slowly lift my fingers, closing my eyes and feeling the makeup of the materials of the castle.

When I open them again, shock ripples through me at the sight before me. At Iris’ face. Tears are streaking down her cheeks.

I open my mouth letting out a cry as I crumble the entire building.

Iris immediately jumps back from me to avoid being crushed by the falling debris. But it doesn’t miss me. More pain hits me as rocks crush my body. I have no idea where anything is. Where ever I am or what’s happening. All I know is that Braith won’t let Iris die. He’ll want to get her out of here before the building comes down on top of them.

The floor crumbles beneath me, and I feel my body falling. I don’t have the energy anymore. Not for anything. My body begins to grow cold starting at my fingertips, and crawling up my veins.

Shit. I’m dying.

I’m fucking dying.

Who would’ve thought the person responsible for my demise would be the one person I loved in my lifetime? The one person I bonded with.

I feel my life force slowly draining away. And to my surprise, it isn’t my life that flashes before my eyes. It’s Iris. I know this moment.

She’s smiling at me, in the snow. When we were on Leviathar.

Dammit if she isn’t the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.