The Burning Flowers

Chapter XI

Eko Luz was dead.

The ever-cheerful, soft-spoken young man whom Nigreos had known ever since he was born had just flashed up into the sky and exploded into flames before plummeting back down to the base of the Grand Observatory. He hadn’t known Eko was marked by the Teritus since he had been under the impression that igniting the victims killed everybody who was cursed without fail. He had misunderstood, for Lunara had intentionally spared Eko, but in the end, all it did was extend his life another hour at best. Nigreos couldn’t bring himself to think, and in that moment, his mind was more closed off than it had ever been in his life. What conclusions might he have come to had he pondered what was happening for even a second? Would he still be at Lunara’s side? Would he be able to keep pressing forward in her defense? He didn’t want to know the answer, especially now that it didn’t matter. There was certainly no returning to his friends after the events in Saientia’s library, but now, his name would be cursed by them until the day he died.

Album still stood a dozen yards away, her hands clenching the railing as she continued to stare up at the place in the sky where Eko had been. Nigreos wasn’t sure what to do since Lunara admitted that she hadn’t marked the royal team. If Album didn’t turn around and leave, which he had hard time believing she would, then a fight between them was inevitable. Of course, he would take on Album if it was in defense of his sisters, but he wasn’t sure he’d ever come back from it. He would most likely win in a fight between them, but he was aware of the likelihood that he would die in the process.

Stop, Nigreos. Don’t think. Just do. Just fight. You can’t turn back. You’ve killed your father. Luna killed Eko. I’m stained in blood figuratively and literally, so what’s a little more? Fighting Album or not fighting Album makes little difference at this point, so stop pondering it. Defend your sisters with your life.

Album’s legs finally gave out as she collapsed to her knees, though her hands remained tightly clutching the railing. Beside Nigreos, Lunara watched the light mage with her magic still drawn, making it clear that she was weary of Album. Light mages were the bane of the Noctis and had been for centuries. That was why Eko was marked, and that was why marking Acostav was so important. Album Luz was the last remaining threat to their survival with the sole exception of Ilirianna Iiji, but since Album was outnumbered by the Noctis, Nigreos had to hope that they still held an advantage—that she would see she was outmatched and run away. Yet, all she did was cry, having not so much as glanced at the two siblings. As if wanting to move things along, Luna took a few steps forward and addressed her.

“Leave, Album, or you’re next.”

It was certainly a threat, but it wasn’t spoken with the typical malice of one. It sounded less like Lunara was threatening her, rather she was warning her of a fate that was perfectly avoidable. Nigreos slowly raised his hand and began sending healing magic into the wound Album had dealt him, wanting to be prepared the second things turned aggressive. It was a smart move given that Luna’s words seemed to finally snap Album out of whatever haze her brother’s death had put her in. Her head slowly turned towards Lunara, an expression of disbelief on her face.

“Excuse me?” Album breathed. “I’m next? Are you saying you’re going to blow me up, too?”

Lunara nodded, the shadows surrounding her body forming sharp tendrils that aimed their points directly at the crouched light mage. “Only if you stand against me. Eko made the wrong choice. I really hope you don’t follow in his footsteps. The Kosah-Rei have told me that they prefer the royal team alive, and I don’t want to kill anybody I don’t have to. Please… Go away.”

“Oh, you don’t want to kill anybody, huh?” Album muttered. “That’s how you feel, Luna?”

She then shot to her feet so quickly that Nigreos wasn’t prepared, and before he knew it, Album had extended her palm filled with a ball of white energy directly towards Lunara, whose shadows twitched in response but did not attack. They couldn’t react, after all, for light magic tore through even the most powerful dark magic like it was paper. They could overwhelm Album together, so Nigreos reached out with his magic and took control of the shadows behind her, turning them into the same pointed tendrils that directed themselves towards her exposed back. Knowing Album like he did, there was no question she could sense the danger—that if she cast Luminetta then she would die. That was almost certainly the reason she held back and didn’t fire.

“If you didn’t want to kill anybody, then why have you killed everybody?!” Album snarled. “What the hell are you even talking about?! Do you really think I’d watch you murder my father, mother, and brother and just walk away like it’s nothing?! You’ve taken my entire family away from me, and who knows who else at this point!”

“You can’t beat us, Album,” Lunara retorted. “You’re already cornered.”

Album’s palm trembled as she became so enveloped in rage that she was hardly recognizable. “Then kill me, too! Why not just finish the job and wipe out every last Luz?! I might be cornered, but there’s a good chance I can drag one of you down with me! Are Nigreos’s shadows faster than my light? Do you really think you won’t die before your stupid brother gets me?”

Luna’s body tensed, and Nigreos had a feeling that if Album attacked, she would attempt to merge with the shadows and escape that way. She would have a chance of survival, but it would still be too close for comfort. It was imperative that Nigreos be ready, and he was banking on the fact that, even though she was a Luz, Album’s mana condition had put her at a lower level than other members of her House. Any other light mage would be able to strike before him, but Album was weak. He would capitalize on that.

“I loved you guys,” Album went on, her tone slightly weaker now. “You Noctis were no different from Eko in my eyes. You were my brother and sisters, and I would have done anything for you. I always thought that you felt the same, but it seems I really was a level lower, wasn’t I? Glad to know I wasn’t important. Glad to know I didn’t mean to you what you meant to me.” Album’s lips tightened with a mixture of emotions. “I’ve done my best to try and help Neah, too, but I guess none of that matters. Who cares what the team and I have done, because you guys figured it all out. Save Neah by killing anybody who gets in your way, no matter who they are? I can see in your eyes that you’re both ready to kill me… Me. Just like you just killed Eko… What is wrong with you?”

As he listened, Nigreos wanted so desperately to tell her she was wrong, but the words caught in his throat when he realized it was a lie. If he had seen Album as an equal to Luna and Neah, he wouldn’t be so ready to strike her down, and he was ready. If she attacked, he would, too. If Album was no different from his sisters, he wouldn’t be able to kill her just like he could not sacrifice Lunara. So how could he try and tell her that he loved her like a sister when he simply did not. He did love Album, but in the tragic and sickening spot he now found himself in, he would choose Luna first no matter how many times he was forced to decide. He picked her over Abi, over his father, over Eko, and this choice would not be different. Nigreos Noctis had made his decision already.

“Are you done?” Luna asked softly once the light mage had finally fallen silent. “Have you said all you wanted to?”

Album furrowed her brow at Lunara’s response, as if truly baffled by what she was hearing. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say to me?”

“I’ve made my stance clear.” Lunara shook her head. “I do care for you, but you’re right. Neah means more to me than you do. I regret that I ever had to pick between the two of you, and I’m not optimistic enough to think you’d ever join me now that Eko’s dead. Truly, the smart thing to do would be to kill you right now, for if I let you live, then you’ll hunt me down to the ends of the earth to make me pay. Eventually, we’ll have to fight, but even so, if I can avoid it, I will. Take that as you may, but I must defend my family.”

“I…?” Album let out a weak laugh as she stared at the other girl. “Who are you? The Lunara Noctis I know wasn’t this cold—this evil. I just…can’t accept that you’re the girl I’ve grown up with—that I’ve played with and laughed with. I can’t…”

Luna shrugged. “Don’t know what to tell you, Album. Now make your choice. Join your brother or walk away.”

For a few seconds, Lunara and Album stood in silence before the light mage’s eyes shifted towards Nigreos. He couldn’t help but shrink back at the coldness in that gaze—something he had never once seen in Album’s typically cheerful and warm eyes. He wished she had never looked at him, for that stare communicated everything she felt towards him in that moment. She felt betrayed, and of course she did. She was betrayed by the people she had grown up with. Nigreos knew without a doubt that stare would haunt him for the rest of his life, no matter how long that life wound up being. They were the same age, they were on the same Academy team, they were on the royal team together, and in that team, they had fought the Kosah-Rei for two and a half years beginning at the very attack where the cult first made its appearance. All of that history, all of those shared experiences, Nigreos had crushed beneath his foot. The power behind Album’s eyes made him wish she would disappear so that he would not need to suffer that look any longer.

And then, as if things couldn’t get any worse, Ilirianna Iiji soared up over the side of the Observatory’s railing and planted her feet on the metal catwalk, her swords in hand as if prepared to attack. She swiftly took stock of the situation, and as she glanced between Nigreos, Lunara, and Album, she rapidly blinked like she thought she was imagining what she was seeing. Nigreos’s body went cold, and on pure instinct, knowing that she would not provide him a better opening, he turned his shadows straight for the Princess, hoping to kill her on the spot before she could realize he was not her ally. It was a testament to the power of the Iijis that she reacted as she did, dropping her right sword and raising her now empty hand to erect a powerful casting of Nex that blocked the sharpened tendrils from reaching her body.

“Nigreos?!” Ilirianna shrieked out as he put even more pressure on her, trying desperately to break that shield, but in the end, he made the worst decision he could have.

“The Noctis have betrayed us!” Album screamed, and right before his eyes, she was engulfed in bright white energy as her flesh turned to light.

Lunara released her own shadows, but against a being of light, there was nothing she could do before Album flashed forward and was gone in the blink of an eye, along with Nigreos’s little sister. His only guess at what happened was that Album kept her hands physical and dragged Luna over the side of the Grand Observatory’s railing to separate the Noctis. His instant reaction was to pursue Album given that Luna might actually be outmatched one-on-one, but like the fool he was, that second of surprise at seeing his sister torn away gave Ilirianna the opening she needed.

A flash of light erupted from the Princess’s hand, shattering through her shield and cutting away Nigreos’s shadows. His head snapped back to where she was positioned, but he wasn’t able to cast any magic before his body was ripped into the air by ropes of wind before slamming against the wall behind him. The magic then condensed around his neck, cutting off his airflow as his feet flailed out with panic. Ilirianna’s hand was extended towards him, wind surging around it as she stared up at him with the darkest expression the young woman had ever made. He didn’t know what else she had been through that night, but he got the unnerving feeling that his attack had broken whatever pieces of control she had left. Her voice may have been steady when she spoke, but she was far from composed.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Nigreos?” she breathed. “You just attacked your princess.”

He clutched at his throat, trying to rip away the ropes of wind binding around it, but he could not crush them with his meager strength. Shit! I have to break free! I have to go after Luna! Damn you, Princess!

“I really didn’t want to believe what Vesh told me about Lunara betraying us,” Ilirianna went on. “More than anything, I hoped he was making it up. I thought of you, too, and how hurt you would be if your sister joined the cult. What a fool I was to think you’d make the right choice. I saw that light up in the sky. That was Eko, wasn’t it? You helped kill Album’s brother.”

Nigreos continued to struggle, feeling his vision getting darker the longer he was held down. He glared down at her—at the woman standing between him and protecting Luna and Neah. He knew it was smart to fear Ilirianna Iiji, but if fighting one of the most powerful mages in the Empire was what it took to get to his sister, then he would smash her into the ground as many times as it took to make her stay there.

“Luna…” he choked. “I won’t…abandon her…”

Ilirianna cocked a disgusted eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What an honorable brother you are. Too bad your little sister is where your honor ends. What about Album? Or Abi and Kumo? Or me—your princess. You’d turn on your country for her?”

“Yes” he hissed, barely able to get the word out.

“Fine. Then, die. Caeruinfernus.”

Terror the likes of which Nigreos Noctis had ever experienced flooded his body as bright blue fire erupted around Ilirianna’s outstretched hand—one of the most destructive spells mages had ever concocted. Time seemed to slow, and if he was struck by that spell, there wouldn't be anything left of his body but ash. She was going to kill him, but if he died, then Lunara would be alone. He couldn't allow that. He had to live. For the sake of his sweet adorable sister that he loved with all his heart, he needed to live.

Break free.

Get away.

Reach Luna.

Kill Ilirianna.

As if entering a trance brought on by his life flashing before his eyes, Nigreos felt his body turn into shadow despite him never once casting a spell. He moved on instinct, flowing through the ropes of wind before soaring around the Princess of Ijiria and over the side of the railing barely a second before those blue flames smashed into the spot he had just been. The dark mage watched as that explosion destroyed the Grand Observatory, the force of the destruction tearing through metal as the entire top floor holding the telescope was ripped apart, the large device shattering as pieces of the scope scattered while the sky was bathed in an intense blue. Chunks began descending towards the base of the tower, and just like that, the Grand Observatory’s primary purpose was left as nothing more but debris and scrap.

The fact that Ilirianna used such a destructive spell told him everything he needed to know about her mental state.

The Princess must have sensed where he went after escaping, for he just barely saw her head turn towards where he floated in the shadows before she let off a powerful casting of Proto, destroying what was left of the catwalk and reaching him in the blink of an eye. Nigreos exhaled sharply, and despite being fused with the shadows, the light that engulfed Ilirianna’s foot canceled that spell, making contact with his chest and sending him violently tumbling down towards the Fifth Ring below.

***

As Leiolai Sartella flew across the night sky, she clutched Uma Miyon and Quill Tyrus in both of her arms, using a little bit of wind magic to lighten their weight and provide her the strength to not drop either of them. A part of her really had wanted to abandon the magicless doctor, for there had been no reason to risk further combat with Abigail Reiner. Leiolai already had her ass kicked by the supposed pacifist healer twice, and since Uma had never used his gauntlets in real combat, she had little faith in him either. Naturally, Tali had assured all six members of the Kosah-Rei that they wouldn’t die in Stellareid, and perhaps that was what drove Uma to have his fun. Nevertheless, based on the infamous vision of Ilirianna Iiji and Tali Firrik joining hands, they had a sneaking suspicion that if Abigail ever died, it would not be by their blades. Therefore, any confrontation with her was a waste of time, and if Uma wasn’t going to die anyway, she figured running away was the best option.

But damn… she thought with a shiver, remembering the intense pain of being crushed and stabbed by Abigail’s vines. I trust Tali, but at that moment, I really thought I was about to die…

The sole reason she returned for Uma was because, after doing a quick detour in order to take stock of his situation, she spotted Quill down below as well. Her conscience crept in whether she liked it or not, so Leiolai begrudgingly moved to help. It was then that the blast of light from the Grand Observatory flashed across the sky—the sign that the six cultists were to reconvene on the Fourth Ring, so if she wasn’t gonna save them before, she certainly had to now. She swooped down, grabbed her allies, and was back in the sky before Abigail could try to drag her down again, and now they were high enough that she could confidently say they were safe.

Uma appeared more or less fine, but Quill was so horrifically burnt that she wondered if he’d been close to one of the Teritus victims. Once they landed, she made a note to heal him immediately, as well as to change him back to himself. Uma was laughing with glee, but Quill was silent, and just as Leiolai was about to check in with them, all three were taken off guard by a massive storm of blue fire that erupted behind them. Her head snapped back, her eyes going wide as the top of the Grand Observatory blasted to pieces, the remains of the telescope crumbling to the ground.

What the hell was that?

“Oh, I love magic!” Uma shouted out with an even more unhinged laugh. “That was Ilirianna, I presume?!”

Quill snorted. “Given that Keskivaara should be heading to the Fourth Ring, I’d say it must be. But…isn’t that where Lunara is supposed to be waiting for us?”

Leiolai went cold, having forgotten in the chaos that Abigail confirmed Luna had been exposed, which probably explained why the combustions went off early. If she was forced to flee, the top of the Grand Observatory was where she would have waited, and if Ilirianna Iiji had just used blue fire magic up there, then Lunara had been located once again.

“Leio!” Quill called up to her, clearly having seen the conflict on her features. “We can't save her, not if the princess is there! I know you and Lunara were close, but we have to rendezvous with the others and trust she somehow survives it! You know this!”

The changeling clenched her teeth, hating that Quill was right, then wordlessly continued on her original course, making for the street just outside of the Operan Company headquarters on the Fourth Ring where Keskivaara’s protest had taken place that morning. She could see small fires littering the sidewalks, with windows shattered and groups of people breaking into buildings and looting what they could. Multiple men and women in nice clothing had been dragged out of the Company buildings and pushed to their knees, those being the few that Quill had been unable to curse with the Teritus. Even from that height, Leiolai could make out a handful of Keskivaara’s people shove one of their backs down before severing their head with a sword, execution style. The chaos on the Fifth Ring would keep Lord Cartigan’s men away from the Fourth long enough to eliminate the rest of the Company Lords, just as intended.

Leiolai instantly spotted Rickori Keskivaara at the top of the curved staircase leading to the Operan Company in the exact spot Ilirianna Iiji had stood earlier. Velanor Kinrono was beside him, the two men talking frantically with one another as they touched base on all that had happened. Kinrono was the one in charge of the operations on the Fourth Ring, so the fact that he was alive was an indicator of success. At the foot of the staircase was Rotana Vesh and Tali Firrik, their eyes raised to the sky as they watched the three descend. To Leiolai’s dismay, there was no sign of Barron, but even though he had been last seen facing off against The Angel, she forced herself to trust Tali’s future sight and believe that her friend was alive.

“Yoohoo, Leiolai!” Tali chirped with her arm extended in a wave. “Good to see you again, Uma, and Quill, you look awful! What happened?”

When they touched the ground, Uma immediately stretched his arms up into the air while Quill just grunted. Leiolai quickly put her hands against his blackened skin and began the process of healing him. The burns began to dissipate, his skin shifting to a tender red before returning to the suntanned hue it normally had. His height remained the same, but his hair began to grow back into his short reddish curls while his facial structure turned gaunt, with bony cheeks, a pointed chin, and sullen eyes. Quill let out a relieved sigh once Leiolai finished, gave her a soft thanks, then finally answered Tali’s inquiry.

“The combustions went off early, that’s what happened,” he growled. “Fayela Rio blew up in my face, and while I had already eliminated Jessi Yuahl and Hirokol Pafran, my wounds made it so that I could not finish off Rennigan Glaus. The boy lived…again...”

Tali frowned, tilting her head to the side as she pondered that report. “Well, that’s unfortunate, but at least you got the rest of them. Glaus’s team was one of the main reasons he survived Barron’s attack, so if they’re gone, then one more attempt on his life should do the trick. Good job, Quill!”

“Sure, whatever… Anyway, where is Barron? I thought he was supposed to be on the team rescuing Miyon?”

Uma smirked with amusement despite the situation not being funny at all. “Oh, he’s probably back at home by now. Abigail Reiner jumped us on our way out of Saientia, and she happened to have my dear Angel with her. One thing led to another and the damned subject shoved Barron down the dungeon steps. I could still hear them fighting before I jumped into the courtyard, but knowing what that subject was, I’d say Barron Kristoff had to make a quick getaway.”

“So he’s down two sets then?” Vesh demanded, to which Uma shrugged.

“Probably. Lady Firrik said he lives, but there isn’t a chance he beats The Angel, so that would be my assumption. Anyway, Vesh, how did things go on your end? Did Princess Ilirianna learn all about dear ol’ daddy?”

Vesh nodded. “She did, though she doesn't currently believe us. In time, she’ll come to know the truth, and when Ilirianna Iiji joins the Kosah-Rei, we will have finally won. An infiltrator in the Citadel is exactly what we need to win this war and this is the first step to reaching that goal.” The man then turned to gaze up at Keskivaara and Kinrono, his bearded features orange in the light of the scattered fires. “And now we have the People’s Mind on our side. I watched him in battle with my own eyes, and he was a match for Ilirianna. So until she does join us, we have somebody to counter her. We no longer have to fear the princess.”

Leiolai turned to gaze at the People’s Mind as well, her thoughts already turning back to the blue explosion at the Grand Observatory, as well as Lunara Noctis.

“Tali?” she began hesitantly, recalling their discussions prior to the battle beginning. “You said Lunara survives Stellareid, right? You said you’ve seen visions with her in the future, because I’m worried. There was a pillar of blue fire at the top of the Observatory, and I just don’t know if she can withstand a fight with Ilirianna. She’s going to be okay, right?”

Leiolai turned back to gaze at Tali, but the young woman’s features had turned slightly guilty.

“Yeah, well, about that,” she murmured with a meek laugh. “I might have lied just a teensy bit…”