Parallel Vol.2 [Legacy Edition]

Chapter 18: The Name, Suvron

Futility: The dictionaries describe it as the quality of being incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless even. It is a word used commonly among the fine folk, even more so in trying times like these. However, only a handful know what futility really feels like. Most never know the hollowness, the worthlessness that assaults a man when he comes to terms with the fact that no matter how hard he struggles, no matter how much work he puts in, there will be no result to show for it.

Staring at the two roaring Hydra's heads, Kashi of the Dark Elves felt his will crumble. His overactive imagination which was usually his greatest strength was now the stone that drowned him. Because he could picture his fights, he could see the outcome of this one. A thousand scenarios, a thousand plans, but no matter how many coursed through his mind, the outcome was the same inevitability: Death. 

Kira suffered his distress. It pressed down on her like a boulder hung from her neck. A low whine escaped her lips as she fought to withstand the pressure. For the first time ever, she realized the double-edged nature of their strengthening bond. She watched Kashi fall to his knees, eyes glued to Suvron as if mesmerized. 

She hated it.

This was not the man she respected. This was not the man she feared. This was not the man...

A deep growl grew from the pits of her stomach as she remembered. "Kashi of the Dark Elves!"

Kashi whirled around, stunned by the intensity of her voice. 

Crick!

Kira's eyes burned, her teeth bared at her partner as she took a step towards him. "On the day of my mother's death, she gave me a mission..."

"A mission?"

She stopped and lowered her head to meet his, teeth still bared. "She asked me to judge you when I am strong enough. Can you guess what my reply was?"

Kashi rested against the railings, eyes fixed on hers. "You decided to kill me anyways, didn't you?"

"That was... is my decision."

Kashi's eyes had no defiance, no fight. "So, are you going to kill me now?"

 Kira raised a paw and clawed away at his face. "I would like to. I very much want to. But something you said back then has always given me pause. Without once apologizing for my mother's death, you swore to do the impossible no matter how many lives you had to take. And you were not just talk. I have watched you pull off the stupidest, craziest, most hare-brained-"

"I wouldn't exactly call my plans stu-" Kira's snarl shut the delf up. "Okay, go on."

"You have somehow always proved me wrong. So much so you had begun to earn my trust... But!" She edged closer, their faces only centimetres apart. "If you wish to die here, I will kill you myself." Her voice was low, and as true as the balcony they were on.

Crack!

Kashi's lips warmed into a smile. He took her head in his hands and nudged her forehead with his. He held it there a few seconds. "Thanks. You saved me."

Kira pulled back and backed off a few steps. "If you have the time to thank me, then think of a way to get us out of-"

Crick!Craaack!

Kashi and Kira both heard it at the same time. The peered over the balcony and realized why their little session had gone uninterrupted. 

Both Suvron's head's were trained at the red crystal. They were stiller than statues as they watched crack lines spread quicker and grow more prominent on the crystal.