Isle of Beasts and Shadows (The Forgotten Isle Saga #1)

Chapter 40

A mixture of defiance and resignation welled up within Airella, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. Tears welled in her eyes as she raised her head defiantly, a newfound resolve taking root within her.

“I won’t run anymore. I refuse to be a coward, always fleeing from the inevitable. No longer will I cower in fear.” With a sudden surge of determination, she met Alikad’s advancing form head-on, ready to face whatever awaited her.

Alikad jabbed his scythe at Airella’s head repeatedly, but she agilely dodged left and right, like it was a choreographed dance of death.

“Father, why do you avoid facing me directly? You aspire to ascend to godhood, do you not?” Airella’s voice echoed through the confrontation.

In response, Alikad swiftly turned his scythe horizontally, using its bar to press Airella against a nearby tree. She strained against the bar, the threat of choking looming just inches away.

This encounter felt markedly different from their initial meeting; Alikad had evidently grown immensely in power now that he and Sirius merged. A sinking feeling formed in her gut. Did that mean Sirius was gone forever? Do he and Alikad share those memories?

Heart pounding and breath ragged, Airella’s voice trembled with both fear and unyielding love. “Sirius, I know you’re in there somewhere,” she cried out, her eyes searching Alikad’s. “I love you, Sirius. I always have. Please, fight him. Fight Father from within. Remember who you are, remember us!”

Alikad’s cold eyes flickered momentarily, a brief falter in his relentless assault. Airella’s words seemed to reach some hidden part of him, some fragment of Sirius still alive within.

“You and I—we shared dreams, hopes, and feelings that even the darkest powers cannot destroy,” Airella continued, her voice growing stronger with each word. “Come back to me, Sirius. We can still defy him together.”

For a fleeting moment, Alikad hesitated, the grip of the scythe bar loosening ever so slightly. Airella seized the opportunity, pouring all her heartfelt emotions into her plea, hoping that her confession could reach the Sirius she knew and bring him back from the abyss.

Airella couldn’t help but long for the demonic presence that had previously overtaken her, feeling its absence with a deep sense of loss. While her demonic form had been something she initially struggled to accept, it granted her a physical prowess that was incredibly helpful in battle. The power, the agility, the sheer might—it was all so much more than her human form could ever provide. Yet now, she was utterly exhausted and uncertain if she could even shift back into that form without Father’s intervention, as he had helped her the last time.

Airella did not know how to initiate the transformation on her own. The process remained mysterious, and without Father’s guidance, Airella felt hopelessly adrift. She had tried to remember the sensations, the triggers, anything that could help her replicate the shift, but it seemed elusive. The gap between knowing and doing loomed large and insurmountable.

Stuck in her usual human form, Airella felt a profound weakness that gnawed at her confidence. The strength she had once wielded seemed like a distant memory, a dream she couldn’t quite grasp. The roles had reversed, and now she faced the daunting task of overcoming Father without the demonic strength she relied on. Despite this, she had already strategized, formulating a plan to face Father. But the uncertainty of her ability to transform left a lingering doubt—could she truly succeed in her current state?

“You’re nothing but a coward, Father, delegating your battles to others to avoid facing them yourself.” Airella’s words dripped with defiance as she strained against Alikad’s hold.

In a moment of desperation, she swiftly ducked under the scythe, causing the tree supporting her weight to shatter in response to the force of his weapon.

Airella, her heart pounding, slowly pushed herself up from the forest floor, Dawnbreaker in hand. Her eyes fixated on the shadowy figure before her.

“Who are you, really?” she questioned, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and defiance. “You’ve yet to inflict any true physical harm upon any of us but Sirius. All you’ve done is resort to manipulation to evade direct confrontation. Are you lacking in strength, or is there more to your tactics than meets the eye?”

Just as she finished her words, a commanding female voice pierced through the tension. “Shadow, return to me,” it demanded, resonating with authority.

Out from the darkness of the surrounding trees stepped a figure cloaked in dark robes. Her complexion was as fair as porcelain, her locks a deep black cascading gracefully, and her eyes shimmered violet, holding an otherworldly allure. There was a distant, almost ethereal quality to her presence as she regarded Airella.

Airella’s gaze narrowed at the newcomer, a scowl forming on her face as she anticipated the next move. With swift reflexes, she dodged Alikad’s incoming attack, the rush of movement stirring the surrounding undergrowth.

The elegant woman’s crimson lips curved into a serene smile, her shadow, whom they’d originally known as Father, coiling protectively around her arm.

“So, you’ve pieced it together,” she remarked, a hint of amusement in her voice. “You are perceptive, indeed. You are the first to uncover my centuries-old secret.” A soft chuckle escaped her as she maintained her composed facade, a mask of friendliness concealing deeper intentions.

Airella met the enchantress’s gaze with a mixture of defiance and wariness. “What? Like it was hard?” she retorted boldly, her stance unwavering despite the tension crackling in the air.

The enigmatic woman’s tone shifted, a subtle undercurrent of power lacing her words as she teased, “Shall I offer you a reward for your insight?” Her voice held an almost hypnotic quality, sending a shiver down Airella’s spine as she struggled to maintain her composure.

“Who are you?” As Airella braced herself for the impending revelation, a sudden jolt of pain lanced through her. She cried out as Alikad’s attack grazed her forearm, serving as a stark reminder of the perilous dance she was entangled in.

The woman’s eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint at the sight of Airella’s blood, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“My name is Conivx,” she purred, her voice tinged with a hint of darkness, “a sorceress of no small talent. You were but a pawn in my shadow’s game. He dances to my tune, a puppet to my will.” With a flick of her wrist, she summoned her sword from its sheath, the dark blade gleaming ominously in the dim light. “Manipulation,” she declared with a sly grin, “is an art I have mastered. Shadows, minds, the very fabric of reality—all playthings in my hands.”

Airella winced, her grip tightening on her wounded arm as Alikad lunged forward, his attack relentless. Desperation fueled her resolve as she struggled to stem the crimson tide, her eyes locked on Conivx’s malevolent form.

“Wait,” Conivx murmured, her voice a velvet whisper that seemed to echo in the air, lifting the enchanted purple gem that rested in her hands.

Instantly, Alikad froze, his movements stilled as if by an unseen hand, his gaze vacant and distant.

“Now, my dear,” Conivx taunted, her laughter chilling, “you were spoiling for a fight, weren’t you? Bravery and foolishness often walk hand in hand.” With a mocking twirl of her jeweled sword, she circled Airella, her steps graceful and predatory.

Airella knew she was outmatched, and she could feel her strength ebbing with each passing moment. The toll of the battle weighed heavily on her shoulders, her human form ill-suited for the conflict that loomed before her. Yet, with a fierce determination that belied her weakened state, she raised Dawnbreaker, steeling herself for the inevitable clash.

“That’s the spirit!” Conivx cheered as her shadow seeped from her arm, a dark, ethereal mist swirling around her. “No worries, I’ll play fair. But first, I must thank you for bringing me these fresh human souls. I would’ve done it myself, but I seem to be tied to this forsaken island. It’s as if invisible chains bind me here, preventing me from venturing beyond its shores.”

“And why’s that?” Airella exhaled, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of apprehension.

“My heart beats at the core of this island, darling. I am intricately linked to its very essence. All of those years ago...” Conivx’s voice trailed off, a mix of nostalgia and mischief dancing in her eyes as she reminisced. She suddenly broke into a fit of laughter, the sound echoing through the eerie landscape. “It’s quite a long story, filled with twists and turns that I’ll have to regale you with another time.”

“There will be no next time, at least not for you.” Airella’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of determination masking the fear that gnawed at her core. The two women circled each other, a silent tension hanging heavy in the air.

“I think you’ll find it extremely difficult to end me, dear Airella. I’ve honed my swordsmanship over centuries, and my immortality grants me a resilience you can barely comprehend.” Conivx’s grin widened, a mixture of arrogance and amusement playing on her lips. “Your only glimmer of hope of defeating me would lie in turning my magic against me. But let’s be honest, have you taken a good look at yourself? Your powers are but a flicker compared to mine. It’s almost comical, really!” She let out a booming laugh that reverberated through the desolate surroundings.

Airella gritted her teeth, her heart pounding in her chest. She dashed at Conivx, Dawnbreaker raised high, ready to strike. However, in a sudden blur, she vanished from sight, leaving Airella bewildered. With a sense of unease creeping over her, Airella spun around frantically, only to find Conivx standing calmly behind her, her back turned. Conivx stood in a poised stance, as if she had just completed a forceful attack, lowering her sword with a confident air. Airella’s eyes widened in shock as she noticed the lower half of her golden hair cascading to the ground, cleanly severed just above her shoulders.

“Look at all that beautiful golden hair. Such a waste,” Conivx remarked, facing Airella with a taunting smile.

“When did you—” Airella’s voice trembled with uncertainty.

“Don’t underestimate me,” Conivx retorted with a smirk, swiftly closing in on Airella once more, vanishing at an astonishing speed, and ending up behind Airella in the exact position as before. Airella found herself frozen in place, unable to react in time.

This time, Airella’s gleaming golden armor was effortlessly sliced from her body, collapsing with a heavy thud on the ground. All that remained on the blonde warrior was fabric and chain mail, glinting in the dim light.

“Your sword...” Airella voiced her shock.

“Oh, this old thing? It has a name. Umbra. I forged it myself many years ago. Quite handy, isn’t it?” Conivx replied casually, a cunning smile playing on her lips. “Alright, I’ve had my fill of amusement. It’s time to end this.” With a deft twirl of her sword, she lunged at Airella once more, determination gleaming in her eyes.

Like before, Airella had no time to react.

With a swift, calculated movement, the elegant woman thrust her dark sword through Airella’s stomach, her eyes gleaming with a sinister intent. The blade twisted cruelly, igniting a searing pain that tore through Airella’s body, setting every nerve ablaze with agony.

She crumpled to the ground, clutching her gaping wound, her fingers slipping on the slick, warm blood that poured from her stomach. The blonde coughed violently, her breath catching as the sight of crimson blood splattered around her.

“Welcome yourself to the underworld,” Conivx’s voice dripped with a venomous mix of mockery and twisted admiration. “Be proud that you solved my mystery and live on in the afterlife.” Her laughter echoed hauntingly through the air, a chilling sound that seemed to mock Airella’s suffering. Conivx turned on her heel, her graceful steps carrying her towards Alikad, leaving Airella writhing in unspeakable pain behind her.

Airella fought desperately against the encroaching darkness, her vision blurring as she struggled to stay conscious. She knew that giving in to the seductive pull of sleep would mean risking never waking again in this twisted reality. An urgent sense of survival gripped her, urging her to keep her eyes open no matter how heavy they felt, to keep fighting against the pain that threatened to consume her.

Meanwhile, Conivx stood next to Alikad, her movements eerily tender as she reached out to caress his face with enticing hands.

“Oh, my darling,” her voice was soft, laced with a mixture of longing and possessiveness, “how I’ve longed for this moment.” She planted a gentle kiss on his forehead, her touch betraying a history filled with dark complexities and unfulfilled desires. “To hold you like this is what I’ve been waiting for. I’ve watched you transform into a full-fledged reaper… You’re all mine, and now you’re finally whole. My dearest, you’re only mine.” She colored her words with a twisted devotion, promising an unbreakable bond and the eternity they would share. “Together, we shall be unstoppable. We will conquer death itself—”

Her sentence came to an abrupt halt as a sudden, excruciating pain tore through her being. A blade had found its mark in the center of her body, slicing through flesh and bone with merciless precision. Conivx’s eyes widened in shock and agony, her breath hitching as she looked down at the blood-soaked blade protruding from her chest.

And there, standing amidst the chaos, was Alikad. His face was a mask of grim determination, his eyes cold and unyielding. Without a moment of hesitation, he yanked his scythe from her body in a fluid motion, spraying blood in a grotesque arc. The silent declaration of defiance and resolute determination was clear in his every movement. The tension hung heavy in the air, mingling with the scent of blood, as a testament to the brutal and gruesome reality they were entrenched in.

“How?” She fell backward onto the damp ground, crimson blood seeping from her wound. “The gem… instead of attempting to defend yourself, you snatched it from me. You’re not as feeble as I thought. You have… turned my manipulation magic against me. Well played… clever girl…”

As she drew her last ragged breaths, the life force drained from her body, causing her eyes to glaze over with an eerie stillness. With a final, agonized exhale, she succumbed to the inevitable.

At that moment, the island itself seemed to mourn her passing. A chilling decay spread rapidly, like an unstoppable plague, through the once vibrant plants and trees surrounding the group. Leaves shriveled and fell like autumn’s last breath, flowers wilted, their colors draining away to nothingness, and the lush greenery turned brittle and lifeless. The air grew heavy with the scent of death and decay, as if the very heart of the island had ceased to beat. It was a tragic, dramatic end, marked by the island’s swift transformation into a barren wasteland.

Airella’s fingers clutched tightly to the shimmering purple gem, its glow dimming as she continued to bleed out. Despite witnessing the island’s descent into lifelessness, she found solace in the belief that everyone else was unharmed.

With trembling hands, she whispered a final plea to the pendant, “Alikad, come back.” Each word pained her to utter. Airella lay there motionless, gazing up at the dawning sky, resigned to her fate.