Written November 7th, 2021

Talus’s scream made Ailith’s blood run cold. “Ace!” It echoed through the room as Ace’s body fell, her wings giving out as she fell into unconsciousness. The fight seemed to slow to a stop as The Herald moved in, biting into Ace’s lifeless body and shaking it viciously. He let Ace go, her small form flying through the air before landing limply a few feet away. Ailith’s vision narrowed to a tunnel, the sounds of Feyra shouting and Talus slashing into The Herald dull in her ears.

Not Ace. Not her.

Ailith moved then, running to flank The Herald with Talus. Punches and sword strokes rained down on his everchanging form, Ailith and Talus relentlessly pummeling into him. Feyra and Xiv stood at a safe distance, peppering The Herald with spells and arrows, even as he faltered and stumbled. With a roar, Talus brought his sword down on The Herald’s neck. There was a sickening squelch as the sword hit its mark, separating The Herald’s deformed head from his body. There was a pause, only the length of a couple heartbeats, where no one moved. No one breathed. There was an eternity in those moments, an eternity where Ace was gone. Dead.

Xiv was the first to move. They ran to Ace, pulling a needle out of their bag as they went. The needle was already being plunged into Ace’s chest by the time the rest of them got there, Talus scooping Ace’s little body into his arms. Feyra fell to her knees beside them, grasping Ace’s hand in both of hers. Ailith stood by Xiv, watching for the life to return to Ace, for the dullness to disappear from her skin.

It happened with a gasp, Ace’s eyes flying wide open. She looked around at all of them, took in the tears streaming down Talus and Feyra’s faces. “It’s okay,” she whispered, a small smile on her face. “He said it wasn’t my time yet.” The relief in the air was palpable. Not her time. Not yet. Not for a good long while, if they had any say in it.