Rupture: Rise of the Demon King (31 page)

He ran at her, spinning away as he did so to dodge the spires of earth appearing before him. He lunged with his weapon at her to end the battle, but a rock wall rose between him and her, and Keith’s arm slammed into it. His sword fell from a temporarily paralyzed hand. He roared as a tingling feeling returned to his palm.

A bandit ran up from behind Keith, stabbing at him. Keith sidestepped and clothes-lined the kid into the ground. He spun around and picked up his sword, stabbing it into the helpless bandit. He followed up by throwing his claymore into another nearby bandit.

The one remaining bandit other than Bianca stood there, watching her friend bleed out on the ground before her. Keith pulled his sword out of the rebel, facing the scared bandit.

“Wait,” she said. “I give up.”

Hannet,
he remembered once again. He jumped toward her and slashed down to end her life.

Bianca stepped out from her wall, pulling back on her bow. “This isn’t like you, Keith. You say one’s life is one the line, but you just ended seven.”

“You threatened to end my life. I had the right to fight back,” he answered.

“Your brother says you couldn’t hurt a fly. Guess he was wrong.”

Keith stabbed his sword into the ground, still faced by the drawn bow. “My brother is a fool.”

“I know,” she said. “But that fool has a rebellion following him. Does that mean we’re fools for following him?” Keith stood, silent, so Bianca continued. “Maybe it’s you who’s the fool for helping him. You know it’s wrong, but you would still help destroy the world? For one life?”

Keith sighed. “I’m sorry, Bianca, but I can’t afford to lose her.” He pulled his weapon out of the ground and turned away. “Fight me if you must, but I’m going to do it.”

He placed his sword on his back and heard her arrow release. Keith shifted the scabbard, and the arrow crashed into it, sending vibrations throughout.

“I must,” Bianca answered.

Keith jumped toward her, drawing his blade midair. As soon as his feet met the ground, he swung mightily at where she stood. His blade collided with rock and a large clang sent a vibration up Keith’s arm, for Bianca stood upon a stone pillar that boosted her into the air.

Bianca drew her longbow and fired down at the stunned man. Keith dropped to the side to dodge the close arrow, then rolled back onto his feet, holding up his weapon as a shield. Bianca waved her hand, causing the earth to roll beneath Keith’s feet. He jumped to the side, pushing a gust of air at Bianca.

The ball of air knocked her off balance on the thin pillar. She fell back into the brush, quickly recovering. Keith charged around her column, swinging at her with full strength. She countered with her bow, colliding with the hard metal reinforcement along the length of the bow. Keith’s sword slid off Bianca’s bow into the ground beside them.

“Think fast,” Bianca said, smirking.

A low rumble tipped Keith off, and he shifted back, ready. Small shards of rock shot out of the earth, speeding directly at him. He blocked the rocks with the broad side of his sword, giving Bianca time to draw her bow.

An arrow flew toward him, followed by a barrage of rock shards. Keith dashed forward, batting his giant sword at the incoming objects. Bianca let another one fly, but Keith evaded again, slashing it before it left her bow. The movement created an enforced airwave that knocked both the arrow and Bianca to the ground.

He fell onto her, slamming his sword into her. Again the weapon crashed into her bow, crushing it into her chest. She coughed from the impact, but before Keith could lift up his blade, she flung him to the side using an angled column of earth. Keith slammed hard into the ground next to her, dazed. Bianca used this time to recover, expertly flipping back onto her feet. She pointed her bow at Keith, only to find him missing. She turned and Keith was there, suddenly grabbing her bow.

“I don’t have time for this,” he growled.

Bianca let out a small laugh. “You don’t have time to die?”

She let the arrow fly, which Keith easily evaded. He angled a foot around hers and brought her to the ground again with his wind magic. Then he walked past her, toward Himal Lake.

“We’ll have to finish this later.”

A rock blasted out of the ground at Keith’s head. He moved his blade to block it, knocking the shard in a spiral upward.

“We finish this now!” Bianca yelled, rising.

Keith groaned and grabbed the shard as it fell. He spun around and threw it back at Bianca, increasing its speed with his air magic. Bianca stood calmly as it flew toward her, stopping it inches from her face. She sighed as the rock fell to the ground.

“Fine, go. Destroy everything we stand for. Give Greg the power to destroy everything. That will make him
so
different from those idiots we’ve been fighting.”

Keith spoke softly, sadly: “I’m not doing it for Greg. I’m doing it for Hannet.”

“You’re so blind, Keith. But if you think one person, especially
her
, is worth losing everything, then go.”

Keith didn’t say another word, instead turning on his heel. A quick draw of a bow followed by a twang stopped Keith in his tracks. The arrow landed between his feet.

“You let your guard down. I thought you were better. Guess not,” Bianca said.

He heard her turn and walk away.
I have to get to Seeko as soon as possible,
he thought, turning his walk into a sprint.

/ / / / /

The day grew dark as the sun retired.
I expected Seeko to be here,
Keith thought as the lake came into view. Hannet was going to die because Keith hadn’t told them where to go. He wanted to turn back and take Hannet back by force.

Soon, though, Keith squinted as two outlines walked toward him, far on the horizon.

“Seeko,” he said, relieved.

He doubled his efforts to make it to the two figures. About ten minutes later, Keith confirmed his suspicions. The large man slowed his run down in front of the duo.

“What happened? Where’s Hannet?” Seeko asked as Keith skidded to a stop before them.

“I need your—”

“You need our help?” Seeko asked. “What about Hannet?”

“I couldn’t get her. I need your necklaces to get her back.”

“Good idea,” Seeko said. “I’ll help get her back.”

Mori nodded in approval. “We’ll be way stronger as a team. We’ll have a better chance.”

“What happened to Lorissa?” Seeko quickly asked before Keith could reply.

Keith’s face was stone. “I rather not talk about it.” He looked back at the mountains. “We better hurry up; Hannet’s life is on the line.” Keith glanced down at the ground as they walked past him.

/ / / / /

The ring shone bright in the sky, and both Mori and Seeko were asleep. Keith sat on a rock, staring at them.
I have to save Hannet.
The thought crossed his mind over and over again. He stood up and moved to the sleeping hero.

The necklaces sat snuggly inside Seeko’s pocket. He pushed open the pocket with wind, revealing the jewelry. He frowned and reached into Seeko’s pocket. The necklaces slid out, hanging off Keith’s hand by the chains.

“I’m sorry,” Keith whispered. He clenched the items in his hand and walked away.

/ / / / /

Seeko sat up in a sudden movement.
I feel different,
he thought.
Something’s missing.
An orange fireball materialized in his hand and his eyes grew wide.

“Where are the necklaces?” He looked around, unable to find Keith. “Mori, wake up!”

She rose, rubbing her eyes. Seeko scurried to his feet, looking around.

“What?” she said, looking around with him.

“Keith stole the necklaces!” Seeko said as Mori rose. “He’s not here. Why would he do this?”

They scanned the horizon.

“There his is!” Seeko yelled.

A figure glowed in the distant night light, silhouetted against the bright ring. Seeko grabbed his sword and sprinted toward the man, trying to catch him.

“Wait!” Mori yelled. “Are you going to attack him?” she asked, but it was too late. Seeko was too far ahead of her.

Footstep after footstep stomped into the uneven earth below. Seeko caught up to the man in the scarf. “Stop!” he said between breaths.

Keith spun around, still holding the necklaces. “Go back, Seeko,” he demanded. “I need to do this.”

“No,” Seeko growled. “You stole the necklaces. Why would you do that?”

“Hannet’s life is in danger. I need the necklaces to get her back.”

“But you can’t use them,” Seeko replied.

“It’s not for me. It’s in exchange for Hannet.”

Seeko cocked his head. By this time, Mori had caught up to the two. “You’re going to give the necklaces away? That’s even worse. I can’t let you do that,” Seeko said.

“I didn’t ask for your permission, Seeko, nor do I need it.”

With that, Keith strode away. Seeko dissolved into fire, reappearing ahead of Keith. “Give me back the necklaces, Keith!” Seeko demanded.

A small sigh came from the large man, ill lit in the darkness. “No.” Keith slid the necklaces up his arm and grabbed his sword off his back. “If this is how it has to be, come get them.”

“No! We don’t have to fight,” Mori said, but Seeko had already drawn his sword.

The two men charged each other, clashing swords. Mori watched in horror as fire and air collided with each other in front of her. Seeko summoned a hand to grab Keith, but he knew it was coming and jumped over it. He swung down at the hero, but missed. Keith’s sword stuck into the ground while Seeko used his momentum to bring his blade around Keith. But Keith evaded to the other side of his grounded sword and Seeko’s sword collided with his. The collision gave Keith time to jump up and kick Seeko in the face.

Seeko crashed down to the ground, lip bleeding from the hit. Keith stood over him with his claymore. Suddenly, a blast of water sent Keith tumbling on the ground.

“Stop it, both of you!” Mori shouted. “Keith, let us help you! If you need the necklaces, let us bring them.”

Both Keith and Seeko stood back to their feet, weapons ready. “It doesn’t work like that! Greg wouldn’t allow it.”

Keith charged Seeko again, who sent a wave of fire at him. “Greg? The rebel leader?” Seeko asked.

Keith cut through the wave, colliding with Seeko’s sword. “Yes. The Irenic mistook me for him.”

“Yeah. I remember. And I saved you. And now you’re betraying me!” Seeko said.

“Why wouldn’t Greg let us deliver the necklaces?” Mori asked.

Keith jumped back from Seeko. “Because Greg is cruel and likes to play childish games.”

Their swords collided once more and Mori spoke again, “How do you know that?”

Keith stopped and looked at Mori. “Because he is my brother.”

Seeko lowered his sword in confusion. “Wait, what? You’re Greg’s brother?” Seeko said. “No wonder you’re betraying us.”

“It’s not like that, Seeko,” Keith said. “He’s going to kill Hannet if I don’t get the necklaces to him in four days.”

“Why didn’t you tell us that?” Mori asked. “We could have helped you with the necklaces.”

“No, you can’t come; he wants to open the portals up again. He wants power to take over Endetia.”

Seeko glared at Keith. “No way am I going to let someone reopen the portals after all that hard work. Let’s just kill him and take Hannet back.”

Keith’s face furrowed. “He is my brother. I won’t let you kill him.” He raised his weapon again.

“Well, I won’t let you take the necklaces to your power-hungry brother,” Seeko said. He pulled up his blade.

The two charged each other again in a brilliant display of flame and wind. Mori shouted and sent a ball of water at Keith, who freed an arm from his blade and batted away the water. Seeko used the opportunity to swipe the necklaces off Keith’s free arm. They both lowered their weapons. Seeko created a green fireball in his hand, lighting up his face.

“This fight is over,” Seeko said.

Keith slammed his sword to the dirt. “Fine, we do things your way,” he mumbled. “If we’re going to do this, we have to hurry; I only have four days left.”

“I don’t know if I can trust you anymore. You just stole the necklaces and attacked me,” Seeko said.

“I’m sorry, okay!” Keith said. “Hannet is in danger, and the fastest way to save her was to take the necklaces …” He sighed. “But … you’re right. I’ll need your help if things turn violent.”

“Okay, so we can agree to go together, right?” Mori asked, looking at Seeko.

Seeko looked to Keith. His eyes were the only sign of regret on his stone face.

“Fine,” Keith said, “we’ve already been through a lot. Plus, you saved my life.”

Keith held out his hand to Seeko, who looked at his large hand for a second before taking it. They shook hands and Seeko smiled a small, nervous smile.

“We should get back to camp,” Mori said finally. “We have to get some rest.”