Rise of Calamity: Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Librin’s body moved almost instinctively as he floated up to the floor, and a sword flew into his hand. He held a defensive stance before he realized he had only been dreaming. His body, though, did not agree with his realization, as his heart continued to pound. He walked to the wall and returned the sword to its scabbard, observing the rest of the room. It was his room, located in the Air Temple. It was very humbly decorated, the only decorations present being his sword on the wall. A single bed in the corner, normally neatly made, a single wardrobe, and a nightstand next to the bed. He had never stayed much in this room, as Elementals rarely needed to sleep. The only real purpose he had for it was storage. A knock rang through the room and interrupted his thoughts, “Librin? Are you awake yet?” He reached through the air and pulled his sword from the wall into his hands. He put the sword on his hip and opened the door. Airia stood on the other side of the door holding a small container. “Librin? A-are you feeling better?” a small quiver in her voice. She was afraid. He didn’t know what, but something had happened. “Yes, I am. What is that you are holding?” Librin said cautiously. “Librin. I-I need to tell you something,” Librin’s instincts were screaming that it was a trap, she was going to attack him. She was waiting to attack, he needed to fight, he needed to run. He needed to leave, he had to run, he HAD to. His hand slowly reached towards his sword. Airia noticed and grabbed his hand quickly, “Librin, calm down! Are you sure you’re alright?” The fear in her eyes brought him back to his senses. He shook his head, “My head hasn’t been quite right since I got here. What do you need?” Airia bit her lip nervously, “We locked up Nyx after you passed out earlier… Yet when we checked on her earlier, she had broken her, Aether, and Khaos out of the cells and disappeared.” Librin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He had expected this to happen. Not much could contain any of them, let alone a Space Elemental. His rage bubbled for a moment before he reigned it in. “I had guessed she was out, or at least not being monitored. She invaded a dream I had…” his voice quivered slightly. “We won’t be able to find her, likely ever. If she doesn’t want to be found, then we won’t find her.” Airia whimpered slightly, “Librin… We need to talk about what happened after you passed out. I was in the mortal realm when it was destroyed. It looked exactly like what I saw you do when you lost consciousness.” Librin’s demeanor hardened; his focus on Nyx had made him sloppy. “Airia, I don’t like what you are suggesting. Why would I ever destroy everything we have vowed to protect over our entire lives? What purpose would I have to do that?” he began fidgeting with the pommel of his sword. She began to tear up, “Librin, I know you aren’t okay. I’ve known you for so long, longer than anyone could. I know something isn’t right. You’ve never been this emotional before. We both know the risks that come with experiencing extreme stress while being on a Break Life. It can cause you to lose control, just like you did earlier. If what you said is true about Nyx attacking you, then it happened right before the world was destroyed. Every single one of us can work out what happened! Librin, I need you to tell me what happened so I can help you before everyone else finds out!” Librin averted his gaze from hers, looking towards the ground. She reached forward and cupped his face in her hands, flickers of the dream-version Adeline ran through his mind. “Librin, please! Talk to me!” her voice desperate. Librin pushed away from her and walked over to his bed. He sat down and put his head in his hands. “Airia. If I tell you this, will you tell the others?” his voice was cold. She walked over and sat next to him, “I can’t promise I won’t. We can’t lie to them. I can help them understand. You just need to tell me what happened.” She pulled him into a side hug, “Please, Librin. I know you know something now, so please just tell me.” Librin sighed. He knew he shouldn’t have said anything. He had a plan if this went south. He started slowly, “After Nyx… killed… After all of that happened, something awoke in me. I’m not sure what it was, I don’t understand how it worked, or if it is a trait. I’m not sure if it’s something I can even control at all. I was broken; my body was just moving. I flew towards the sun, and I’m not even sure how long it took. I slammed into it, and I absorbed it. All of its energy seemed to seep into me; I can still feel it.” He paused for a second, considering his next words. He remembered the feeling of reaching out towards everything, including all life on Earth. He didn’t want to add that detail, as she likely wouldn’t take it well. “And then it all exploded outwards, and I woke up here,” he stated grimly. Airia was quiet for a few moments. “Librin… I know this wasn’t you. But I can’t keep this from everyone… I can help them understand. But if we don’t tell them, then they wo-” She stopped suddenly as Librin’s sword met her throat. “Airia, I didn’t want to have to do this… I was hoping you’d understand.” She grabbed the sword boldly, “Librin, both of us know we can’t die here. This is as empty a threat as you can make.” Librin lowered his sword, floating it back into its scabbard. “Fine. Go tell them. But if I end up dead. Know it is on your hands,” he said, his voice empty. She slowly stood from the bed, “I promise. I will help you, Librin. I know this isn’t your fault.” She turned and began walking to the door. A sharp ping shot through the air as her legs buckled out from under her. She tried to yell in pain, but Themis dashed towards her and covered her mouth before she could. His sword floated back towards him, the cold air stinging the freshly cut tendons on the back of her legs. She tried to push back against him with the air, but he overpowered her. “I’m sorry, Airia, but they can never know.” He placed his hand on her head, and her consciousness began to fade. The memories of Themis’ power, what she saw in the mortal realm, and even this very moment, faded to white, and she lost consciousness.

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