[Edanian Journey] Sylvia

Chapter 2: The Hand That Stole the Flame

I asked my companion what had happened and how he had made it back. Apparently, when a tremendous noise came from the temple, every mark had vanished. Believing it must have been because I had overcome the trial, my companion joined a follow-up scouting party that arrived soon after and escaped with them.

The other Scouts had only been found as bodies. I did not know what else I could say after hearing that. All I could manage was, "I'm glad at least you made it back alive." My companion thanked me, though the loss of those we had failed to protect still weighed heavily between us. Even the relief of having survived was something we shared quietly.

I said the Ynix came first. Everyone who had come with us gathered around the altar prepared by the Hashashin. We set down the brazier, poured in the oil, and struck the flint. As everything gathered over our long journey came together at last, I found myself thinking of how many empty places lay behind that flame.

Isobelle wondered whether the world would ever know the struggle we were enduring here. Eileen said it did not matter whether anyone noticed. Fighting for Velia was enough for her. Edan wanted nothing more than to keep traveling in peace with his companions, while Alustin said they were simply struggling to hold on to the lives they had built. Those modest hopes stayed with me longer than the light of the altar.

Just as Ynix was about to settle into me, a door opened in midair. Goyen emerged from beyond it, his hair gone completely white. Looking at me, he said there was no need for me to sacrifice myself here.

Then he pulled Ynix toward himself.

Illezra shouted not to let him take it, and my body moved before I could think. I merged with the Black Spirit and charged, but it was over in only three exchanges. Goyen overpowered me and wreathed his hand in Ynix. Everyone but Illezra and me collapsed unconscious.

He said that, as I was now, Ynix was nothing more than a <b>tool of sacrifice</b>. Those words were spoken over the very flame we had awaited in the name of salvation. Goyen said he would take everything with him and disappeared, leaving me beside the empty altar and my fallen companions.

He had acted to save me. So why had his hand felt so frightening?

The Black Spirit raged, unable to understand the power Goyen had gained. Illezra stood frozen, saying that Goyen was not meant to be sacrificed this way. Even when I spoke to her, it took some time before she looked my way.

We had to reclaim the flame, but the flame was not the only thing that had been taken from me. The certainty that everything would be over once Ynix was complete had begun to waver as well.