Chapter 9 - Chapter 9

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 9: "𝕭𝖗𝖎𝖉𝖌𝖊 𝖇𝖊𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖉 𝖀𝖘—𝕸𝖆𝖕𝖑𝖊"

𝕴 am Maple Agatsuros, the Edgewalkerof the Crimson Reapers, considered the first, alongside the Primals of Orlendar. Betrayal is in my blood. I have always walked on the edge, defied every order meant to tame me. Defying the Agatsuros wasn't enough, it seems. And now, I am willing to do the same to Ivor. But Orlendar is at stake—so, no complaints.

I tighten my grip on my katana and scan my surroundings. My Reapers stand ready, and the Ashens are with us this time, poised on their toes, awaiting my command. This is it.

"You may not wake me again," I mutter to myself.

"Now!" My voice echoes through the pit like rolling thunder. In an instant, every one of them sprinted towards the exit, charging forward to the deadly Bridge of Hell.

"Ari!"Clem's voice howls through the chaos as she hovers over the summoned gryphon, soaring above.

"Upon the Tainted Storm!" I call upon the spirits of wind and thunder. Dark clouds churn, lightning strikes every corner of the ground—sparks igniting, roaring like the end of times. I drive my blade into the earth, shattering rock into thick mist—colliding into her.

I look up. She dodges effortlessly, weaving through the destruction, her blade poised to strike.

I meet her attack with mine, steel clashing, igniting a massive spark.

"I despise you," I mutter, my face inches from hers. A sharp movement, another strike—I slip back. A storm of relentless attacks comes my way. I sprint to the side, evading them all before delivering a decisive blow. My blade connects—this time, shattering hers into three jagged pieces. My edge stops at her ornate neckwear.

"Killing my grandfather wasn't enough, huh?! Your greed feeds oppression—that will be your downfall!" I raise my blade, ready to strike—but she turns the tide.

"Damnit!" My attack misses. Blood splatters from my lips as I stumble, coughing, hitting the ground hard.

"Move or die. Got it?" Her voice is cold, sharp.

My gaze drops to the extra blade strapped to her side—a blade forged of dark matter. My eyes widened. Ivor has enhanced their abilities beyond anything I expected.

"No." I summon the wind, forcing space between us, then swiftly swipe her weapon from its scabbard. She collapses.

She chuckles, breathless on the ground. "Such a bold move for a young lady… your elders would like this version of you a lot."

"Shut. Up," my voice is hoarse. I glance at the blade in my hand, my fingers tightening around its hilt. I peeked through unleashing it from the scabbard. Dark matter.

"No—!" She struggles, trying to rise.

I step on her neck, pinning her down in the dirt.

"Didn't I ask you to be quiet?" I quip.

"That wasn't polite enough."

God, she can't even joke properly.

"Is this polite enough?" I dig my heel into her back, forcing a scream from her throat.

I can't control dark matter. I have no idea what she could do with this blade. Better keep it to myself.

"You'll regret taking Orlendar into submission. When we ended the contract, you threatened us with war. Do you really think we couldn't wipe Ivorout in mere blinks? Especially when the Agatsurosare. With. Us."

She smirks, blood trickling down her chin.

"I know," she whispers against the dirt.

"Admit your defeat. Never show me your face again… and I'll spare you."

"You're finally able to kick my ass after all these years of grief. Spare me something," she huffed lightly. "I'm always the superior. I'll come back—for vengeance," she added with a smirk.

"I'll make sure of it," I said, quirking an eyebrow.

.

Walking out of the arena, relief washed over me—something I hadn't felt in years. I stretched my limbs, the wind tugging loose strands from my hair as my tie unraveled. Behind me, the pit lay in ruins. Destroyed... finally.

I sprinted toward the cliffside, until a loud squeak—calling my name—made me stop. The dust swirled as I halted abruptly. Turning, I chuckled, feeling oddly like an angel after unleashing a hellish storm.

"Come here, my Snow," I gestured. She hopped from a rock and bounded toward me. As I ruffled her fur, she flipped onto her back, revealing her stomach, begging for a belly rub.

"Not now, Ava. I have a request." My voice was calm, as though I were making an innocent wish—one a child might make for toys. "Go to Ivor's bridge… freeze it completely."

She squealed happily before hopping away. Chuckling, I straightened up and made my way there, taking down a few guards alongside Kade and Kitt.

Breathing heavily, I reached the bridge and my eyes widened at the sight above—a battalion of gryphons darkening the sky. The sudden wind howled as they passed overhead, forcing me to shield my face with my arm. As I lowered it, I caught sight of mighty wings flaring mid-air—Ari, carrying Clem, heading straight for them.

The grass beneath me turned into ice spikes, slick and treacherous. The cliff was transforming into a cryo abyss. I have no idea how Ava pulled it off, but impressive work.

I strode forward, watching the others work urgently—Nik shielding Lee with her barriers while Lee called upon her death, her voice howling through the chaos. The gryphons clawed at the bridge, tearing through ropes, snapping planks—severing the last connection to Orlendar. Oblivious to the betrayal they were delivering to Ivor.

Then—running back, her feet—what the—? Why wasn't Ava's ability affecting her sprint? She wasn't even slipping.

Ethan and the others joined me in fending off the gryphons—restraining, but never harming them. We knew the consequences of bloodshed.

I deflected a strike, my katana clashing against a gryphon's claw before jerking it back. The creature screeched, but I ignored it—my gaze snapping toward the bridge.

The ropes snapped. The bridge groaned. Then, slowly, it collapsed, crumbling beneath the weight of ice and battle.

"Lee!" We screamed her name at the exact moment she leapt—tried to reach us—but missed.

Ethan turned, swift—he hurled a rock tossed by Zawi to him, down the cliff toward her.

But it wasn't fast enough.

The bridge broke, collapsing completely, erupting into mist and sound. Then—just as suddenly—it fell eerily silent, broken only by the muffled howl of the wind, lingering like a specter in this haunted place.

Two cliffs stood apart once more, separated after twelve years of hypocrisy. The gryphons... retreating, abandoning war, soaring homeward.

The wind brushed softly against my skin, and a sigh escaped my lips. But then, I heard muffled sniffles.

Peeking over my shoulder, I saw Kade patting Nik's shoulder as she wiped away a tear—a life lost.

I turned fully.

"Let's go home," the words slipped out like a weight lifting from my chest.

Walking forward—just a step away from leaving it all behind—wings flapped in the air, something vast stirring behind us. We stopped, our shadows cast upon the crystalline grass-ice, reflecting the raw reality before us.

Turning around, we froze.

"Thought I died that easily, huh?"

Wings hovered above before folding behind her back as she landed upon the ice. The moment her feet touched down, it melted beneath her.

"Lee!" A wide smile spread across my face, excitement rushing through me.

She collapsed onto the ground with a hard thud, and within seconds, everyone rushed to her—longing for her embrace.

Giggling, she steadied herself, hovering a stone in her hands.

"Thanks... Ethan. Caught it and scribbled just before the impact," she breathed.

"I tied my pen to the stone, so you'd know what to do,"Ethan chuckled.

"What? Does Lee have abilities similar to mine?"Nikolaii asked softly, confusion deepening into a frown.

"No. I used this."Lee lifted an old journal; an amethyst ornate gem fixed to its cover.

"Ethan was right—it's a reality book, but only with minor limits. It can't control reality or timelines, nor any ability stronger than dark matter..." she explained. "We found it back in the cavern."

"It's the journal of the kingdoms,"Ethan continued. "Where all the Alchemical Formulas, Elixir Recipes, Arcane Infusions..." He pondered. "Brewing crafts, in short. It's Orlendar's."

"Who discovered them?" I asked.

"Our ancestors—the forcists,"Kade replied.

"But the problem is..."Ethan took the journal from Lee's hands. "It's empty, which means Ivorhas our discoveries. Whenever someone tries to steal a recipe from the book, it erases itself and turns into whatever you write—making it true. But only minor realities. Like..." He gestured jokingly. "Growing wings on Lee's back."

"To keep the cheat code under control... the main objective is to craft random solutions from herbs that don't bend into real-life infusions itself."

"Which means,"Zawi spilled casually, playing with Lee's feathers. "The book is cursed, so use it carefully."

Out of nowhere, Zawi grabbed the pen, altering what had been written in the journal—Lee's wings vanished, turning her back into a normal human.

I pressed my lips together.

"Smart," I quipped at Zawi.

"So, I prefer Lee keeping it," Ethan handed the journal back to her. "It could prove useful in battle—should one arise."

"Ethan!" He startled at Nikolaii's voice.

"I still have a grudge against you! Why did you—"

Clementine quickly covered her mouth, muffling the rest of her words.

"Exayle... Clem—form, hiere."

"Exile Clementine from here?"Ethan glanced at her before ruffling her hair with a soft smile.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't let her be executed by the king either. That would've been worse, right?" His voice was gentle as he crouched lightly, resting his hands on his knees.

She blinked, freeing herself from Clem's grip before stepping forward.

"How?"

"Because of Ari." He replied.

The gryphon nudged Nikolaii's shoulder, squawking softly, flaring her wings.

"Gryphons are considered dangerous and chaotic creatures in other kingdoms beyond Ivor. A year ago, she found a huge egg, and when it hatched—it turned out to be baby Ari. She raised the gryphon from infancy. Before the king knew, I sent Clemaway from the village... because I couldn't separate her love for animals."Ethan smiled faintly.

"Thank you—for helping us out of this mess. And... I apologize to you too, I—"Ethan started, turning to Clem.

"Don't."

Clem wrapped her arms around him.

"And thank you, because I don't know what I would do without this chick I mothered," she said jokingly, pulling back.

Ari screeched loudly and huffed, swapping her face away, clicking her beak together—feigning offense.

"No, you're my lion! Not a chick, alright?"Clem grinned, petting Ari's neck.

"She doesn't like being called a chick," she whispered cheekily.

Everyone laughed.

Ari sniffed something in the air before circling Lee, sniffing her up and down. Lee immediately recognized why. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a rotten apple—Ari snatched it swiftly with her beak and began munching.

"Where did you get a rotten apple from?"Clem joked.

"Bought it from a vendor's cart but..."Lee sighed. "Never got to taste it." She chuckled under her breath.

"Now the gryphon will also have nightmares,"Ethan said, chuckling sheepishly as everyone turned to stare at him.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well..."Ethan rubbed the back of his neck.

"My... Lady Valet. I always tell her I get nightmares from eating sour apples, and... she seems to believe it every time. Maybe because of her young mind."

Lee burst into laughter.

"You do know that's not true, right? Sour apples? Sure, they mess with your stomach, but nightmares? That's just a myth." She exhaled. "You might have nyctophobia." she added.

"Nycto—what?"Ethan asked, confused.

"You sleep in the dark?"Kitt asked.

"I do,"Ethan replied.

"Exactly."Lee, Kade, and Kitt said in unison.

Ethan blinked at them.

"Well, I never could sleep in the light—"

"Sleep with light—even if it's just a candle. You definitely have a fear of darkness. That's what she meant... it's disturbing your sleep." I explained.

"C'mon, pals! Enough with the chatter—Clem's staying with us from now on!"

Kade and Kitt cheered excitedly.

"Pretty hug?!"

Giggling, we all wrapped our arms around each other, laughter spilling into the air. The gryphon stretched her massive wings, enveloping us in a feathery embrace, her beak playfully plucking at Nikolaii's beret.

"I always wanted this,"Nikolaii murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

I smiled, gently sliding the red silk from her hair, fingers threading through the strands.

"Me too," I whispered, a quiet moment settling between us.

Then, breaking the calm, Kade smirked.

"Ethan, you better have answers ready for the royal advisor now."

Ethan froze for a beat before letting out a short laugh.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry."