Chapter 6

“Those were the times.” Elm sighed as he took a long drink. He had taken Kane to the palace, a spiraling connection of great oaks with elegant architecture. Upon arrival, Elm took Kane to a large room with an ornate wooden table, and seats made entirely of foliage. Kane was currently drinking from a wooden mug, while Elm used a twisted horn. Another prize from the two’s travels long ago.

“Aye, back when nothing seemed impossible. We were carefree and foolhardy back then.” Kane took a drink of the sweet nectar, letting himself relax for the first time in a long time.

Elm took a drink and looked at him, concern in his eyes. “What happened Kane? We were all so close…” Kane felt the darkness within creep up. He had been the reason his team had fallen apart. He had been the reason the magical races had abandoned the fight against the Void. But, Kane realized he had never told Elm why.

“Everyone died because of me.” Kane started quietly.

“Anna?”

“Murdered before my eyes along with the rest of the clan.” Kane drank the rest of his mug, trying to push away the memories that were clawing at him.

“I. I didn’t know.” Elm’s eyes filled with sorrow, and with a wave of his hand, magically filled Kane’s mug. “Did you avenge her?”

Kane took a long drink, again emptying the mug. “No…he defeated me with ease, warned me he would slaughter anyone else I cared about, if I continued to fight against the Void.” There had never been a foe Kane could not defeat, until that day. “That’s why I ran.”

“We would have helped you, we could have helped you avenge your clan, your wife.”

“He slaughtered the entire clan, by himself Elm.” Kane’s eyes, and voice, hardened. “Had we tried, we would have all died.” He pushed his mug aside, as he felt a new emotion rise up, despair. “Dammit Elm, why did you drag me back into this fight? You’re daughter almost died!”

“She what!” The next thing Kane knew, he was pressed against the wall, Elm’s hand around his throat as his feet dangled off the ground. He had forgotten how strong his friend was.

“You said there was trouble, you didn’t mention she almost died!” Elm’s eyes were filled with rage.

“What did you think happened to her guards? They were all slaughtered.” He grabbed Elm’s hand, filling himself with his own power. “The Void knows I have rejoined the fight. The man who killed my clan, was waiting at the inn, having slaughtered that foolish elf friend who alerted you to my whereabouts.”

He pushed Elm’s hand away, holding it as his enraged friend starred at him.

“How, how did you escape?”

“Remember that demigod I mentioned?” Elm nodded slightly, eyes still blazing. “I had to make a deal with that bastard. Why the hell else would I be here? I ran to keep everyone safe, but because you couldn’t respect that, I had to make a damned deal with a demigod to save your daughter!” Kane’s anger flared, and he pushed back against his friend’s arm, causing him to grimace in pain.

“Your whole reason for existing is to fight the Void! That is what it means to be a Solbourne!” Elm roared back, pushing Kane back into the wall, vines growing around Kane.

“I didn’t ask for this curse!”

“And I didn’t ask to become ruler! But here we are!” The vines hardened around Kane. “The Void will kill us all, if we don’t fight back!”

Kane’s rage overcame him, and before he could stop himself, he released a blast of golden light from his body. The vines were blasted away, and Elm was sent flying back onto the table.

“Elm…” In an instant his rage was replaced with regret and sorrow.

“Don’t.” Elm raised up a hand as he stood, visibly trying to calm himself. “We are both to blame for this.” The room grew heavy, silent.

“I was scare back then Elm. I didn’t want anyone else to die because of me. But I was foolish to think the Void wouldn’t carry on with its plans.”

“None of us could predict the future…we can plan for it, try to mold it, but the end result will always surprise us.”

“When did you get so philosophical?” The heavy air lifted, and the two grinned. “Shall we drink a little more, for old time’s sake?” The two had often fought in the past as well, but in the end, would end up laughing and drinking together.

“Aye, I think we shall.” He passed Kane his mug, again filled to the brim. “Maybe if I get you drunk enough, I can actually beat you in a fight.” The two shared a laugh, and drank.

“How bad is it really Elm?” Kane took a drink, looking at his friend. “What is this foe I will have to face?”

Elm took a long drink before responding. “The Void has somehow enlisted the help of an ancient ice dragon.” Kane grimaced. Ancient dragons were among some of the strongest creatures, having powers that could almost rival a demigod. “The dragon has torn a hole into the magical realm, and has already managed to devour the faeries. His forces then split, launching separate attacks on the gnomes, dwarves, giants, and elves. His army seems never ending, and had it not been for my father’s sacrifice…the elves would have already fallen.”

“It seems peaceful enough in this city Elm, not nearly as chaotic as you describe.”

Elm offered him a small smile. “When my father gave his life, our strongest mages erected a barrier, using their life force. It has kept the dragon’s forces at bay, but weakens every day. If something isn’t done soon-“Before he could finish, the entire tree they were in shuddered. A moment later, a guard rushed in, face ashen and full of panic.

“Ogres have broken part of the barrier! They are advancing on the city!”