"My lord..she's crying again." One of the men walked up to Killian. He had been staring at the countryside in quiet contemplation. Before them was the great river that protected the City of Light.

There was a dull ache in his head. A voice that screamed to be free, a voice that seemed to promise that it would be free soon. Killian felt as if his head was being split apart. Something was trying to break out. He fought it. Instinctively, he knew that it could not win.

The Dycathion army was at Killian's beck and call. He had brought a thousand mages and fifty thousand soldiers for this campaign. It was in response to the Londarian army who brought a seventy thousand.

They were a within sight of the city, their camp right next to the Londarian army, a sea of black and red tents.

It was a siege and the City of Gods knew it. A day ago, the barriers made of powerful fae magic grew from the ground, making it virtually impenetrable. The mages had told him that the barrier was too strong for even for them to break.

"My Lord? That lady you brought. She's asking to see you." The soldier continued.

"Who?" He asked. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something. Something so very important. The calm lake that had once been his mind was now raging whirlpool. He was lost somewhere in the depths.

Misery was too small a word for what he was feeling. It was too insignificant compared to the enormity that seared his flesh.

He dragged himself out of the personal hell to see a rumpled, disheveled lady being brought to him.

Her slender face was no longer slender, but bloated from her tears. Dust and grime covered her clothes, and her hair looked like a discarded bird's nest.

She shuddered as she looked Killian, no longer daring to fall on him. She had learned the hard way that no man or woman could approach him without permission. He would not allow it. He had merely thrown her through a window.

She looked down and then fell at his feet, sobbing as she went. Her eyes glinted maliciously as she saw a pair of boots appear in front of her.

With a flash, there was a deadly knife in her hand as she aimed for the kill. She was fast, but Killian was faster.

He turned his body slightly and the knife flew past him. With a kick, he disarmed her and stepped on her wrist, breaking it in the process. She merely grunted and tried to roll away, but Killian placed a foot on her neck.

She was dragged away as soldier rushed to their lord.

"My lord, are you alright?" A figure melted from the shadows to stand before him. He nodded, "As I suspected, she was sent to kill me. I'm guessing it was Jasreth."

"Yes." The spy bowed, "He did it because she looked like a woman you knew."

Killian frowned, he had heard that there was a woman who he had followed to the City of Light. But try as he might, he could not remember. His head began to hurt once more.

"What is her name? The woman that I was with in the city of light?"

"Cybelline, my lord."

Killian felt a pain in his heart. He grunted and clutched his chest. His soldier was alarmed, but after a moment, Killian straightened. His head ached fiercely.

"Keep digging, find where Jasreth had hidden our men." He muttered to the spy.

A soldier came in, "My lord, the Londaros delegation awaits."

Killian nodded and walked to the place where the armies met.

Jasreth met him in the center of the two large encampments. He wore armor of black steel, the same armor that protected the Londarian army.

"Hello, brother." Jasreth said pleasantly, "I'm glad that you are here."

"Perhaps, perhaps not." Killian said as he took a seat, looking at Jasreth who took the seat opposite of him.

"Tomorrow, I plan to attack." Jasreth said, "Will you assist me?"

"You found a way through the barrier?" Killian raised an eyebrow.

Jasreth smiled confidently, "Yes. And I came here for one thing, I want branch from the Fae Tree of Life . You can do what you will with the fae. Just leave half for me, Londaros must have some... free labor."

Killian smiled, "What if I'm not here for conquest?"

Jasreth's smile froze, "You? You can't stay away from a fight."

Killian shrugged, "If you bring down the barrier, give me a day with the fae. I have a few questions. I don't want any slaves. I'm here for some answers."

"And if I don't?" Jasreth asked, his face dark.

Killian smiled, he was the war lord of war lords, Jasreth felt the air go out of the room.

"Then brother, you make an enemy of me." Killian said and then waved a hand, "I think it's high time that i take Londaros for myself. Tomorrow, you and your army alone will go there. My army will wait a day. Take it or leave it."

Jasreth's face was dark and stormy. He stood up, and spat out, "You have one day." There was nothing he could do in the face of an ultimate power like Killian's.

---

Miri was in and out of consciousness. She remembered sleeping and waking in a carriage, being held tenderly by Jasreth. She remember snatches of conversation

And then one day, she woke up in a tent. She pretended to be asleep as she heard voices come closer and closer.

"Once we obtain the branch, make the potion immediately. I must gain immortality."

"What about Killian, my lord? If we break the barrier around the City of Light, will we have to wait a day like he said?"

Jasreth's voice was full of anger and frustration, "Yes. But a day is nothing. With the army and mages, enslaving the fae will be easy. They have spent their remaining power on the barrier. Without their Queen and without the Fae Tree branch, they will be too weak to resist."

"My lord, the preparations are completed. As you ordered, the wings will be enough to break the barrier. Once we have the branch, the potion of immortality will be complete."

Jasreth's voice was excited, "Then, we are ready."

Miri was sick to her stomach, as she felt the bile rise. Every part of her was breaking. Every inch of her being was devoured by pain. She wanted to scream and wanted to kill him.

She wanted him dead.

But would it save her people? What if she failed?

She needed to get into the City and warn them. She was the cause of their trouble, she would be complicit in their death and slavery.

Miri took a deep breath and calmed down as she heard the flaps of the tent open and as air rushed in. She pretended to sleep as Jasreth gently rubbed ointment into her wounds.

She resisted the urge to burn her skin off where he touched her.

His voice was soft, "My love. It pains me to do this. But I must be the most powerful man, this world does not bow to the weak."

In the morning, the entire camp was nearly empty as the army left for the Seige.

Miri opened her eyes and sat up. Using the very little powers she had left, she placed a glamour on herself, stole a horse, a map of the city, and rode for the City of Light.

She watched as Jasreth rode in the front, his black armor gleaming in the light. He carried a large set of bright red wings that sparkled in the sunlight.

He raised his hand and her wings disappeared in a rush of light into the hands of the mages. They aimed for the barrier

The power of a First Fae was not something that could be withstood by anything. Especially a first fae like her.

The earth rocked and then cracked. The river crashed onto the banks as the walls crumbled.

The barrier withstood three blasts and then fell. A roar came from the Londarian army who thirsted for blood and death.

The Fae watched in horror as their protection disintegrated.

But no one moved. Not a single person from the army. They were waiting for the Lord of War, who was very late. Jasreth was not in a good mood.

Miri watched in horror as the barrier fell. She watched as the glint in Jasreth's eyes shone like the sun.

She turned the horse around and raced to the other side of the city. She closed her eyes and drew on her magic, the last drop of it, and jumped. Flying high over the city wall, she raced towards the center of the city. She heard the song that someone was singing. She knew that she must get there before they broke the city.

-------

"They broke the barrier!" The dwarves reported, horror struck.

"How long before we can get everyone out?" Leonmithas asked.

"We've gotten most of the children out, but we thought the barrier could have held at least another three days." Kima, the dwarf leader answered, "We need at least two to build the tunnels.

"Then we fight, until we can get everyone out." Leonmithas responded, "We fight as Cybelline taught us to."

Ithos looked at the fae. The hidden fae had come, after hearing that this City of Light would be a place where they could finally be free. He sighed, "We fight until we can get everyone back to the hidden kingdom."

The first fae generals nodded.

Just then, a ball of fire seemed to fall toward them. Ithos's first inclination was to stand between it and his wife.

But the figure quickly became human and a woman crumpled in front of the broken temple.

Ithos, seeing her, ran to his daughter.

"Miri!" He cried, fear and ice in his heart. Another figure rushed forward, concern on his face. Ryion looked at his sister, anger bubbling in his heart when he saw her broken state.

"Let me." Melas the druid came forward, in his hand held a flower. He dripped some dew from the flow and Miri felt that she could breathe again.

Melas stowed the flower carefully away as her eyes fluttered open. She saw her father and held him, the tears finally flowing from her eyes. But she knew that she did not have much time, they must know.

"This is all my fault. My fault." She whispered. If she had not given Jasreth her wings then they would still be safe. She told them what had happened, watching as the fae's faces became paler and paler.

Kima's eyes were enraged, "You did what? Fool!"

Miri looked down, "I am sorry."

"Your apology will not earn back the fae's freedom or their lives" Melas said, "We have hidden for so long. And now the sapling is finally growing. In a few hundred years, we would have had a tree. Our powers would have come back. That was Cybelline's hope. And you have doomed us."

He said as he showed her the small sapling that was planted in the center of the temple, the fae tree.

Melas sighed, "This was our last hope."

Miri looked at their face and felt their despair.

Leonmithas sighed and then stepped forward, "I will hold them off. I will borrow some power from the Tree. I can take at least half the army down."

"You haven't recovered from the last fight." Kima reached out and gripped his arm, "That will kill you. And you're not even sure that touching the tree won't burn you to dust. And even if you succeed, there is a likelihood you will die from so much power. This is suicide."

"We don't have a choice." Leonmithas said, "We can't rely on Killian. We don't have a barrier to keep the enemy away. We, the first bloods, are the last line of defense."

"I will borrow power from the tree as well." Kima said with finality, "It will be an honor to die on the battle field."

"No, our tree isn't strong enough. We can't both take power from it." Leonmithas cautioned, "It has to be me. I am a fighter, I can keep them at bay, keep them away."

Miri looked at the tree and then looked at the people arguing. She knew what she had to do. She was a fighter, her mother taught her well.

Standing up, she sprinted toward the tree of life. No one expected her to do this and then she reached her hand and touched a branch. She looked at her father and smiled, "What I have done, I will fix."

----

Jasreth was in a good mood. He had broken the barrier and soon he would have the drink of power and immortality.

Suddenly a flash of light, red and violent shown in the sky. He looked up in alarm as the light seemed to reach the edges of the sky.

Fire and heat seemed to burn with the force of an exploding volcano as the earth shook. Horses screamed in fear as the felt the oncoming storm.

The soldiers looked up and gasped.

A woman of fire and flames, golden and beautiful seemed to be flying towards them. She was a goddess in the air, her large wings were blazing in red and gold fire. On her golden chestnut hair was a wreath of fire shaped roses.

Jasreth watched in awe at the fae. Was this the true power of the first fae? Had he underestimated his enemy?

Miri dropped to the earth like, her feet landing lightly on the grass. Her dress settling around her.

She stood, golden and beautiful, a sword of fire in her hand.

She stood, underneath a tree of purple blooms, blooms that fell on her hair, her shoulders, at her feet, an angelic rain heralding the birth of a queen. They burned as they touched her heat.

She made a slash and a gash appeared in front of her in the earth.

Jasreth looked in disbelief at the woman who was to be his queen.

"Miri. Come here at once." He said, fear in his heart. What has she done? What was she going to do.

She looked at him coldly, "No one crosses this line. Anyone who does, dies."

Jasreth was enraged, "You are my wife. You will come here at once."

"King Jasreth." She said with a sardonic smile, "You have no wife."

Jasreth felt as if she had slapped him in the face. Every promise to Killian was forgotten as he screamed, "Attack. Bring her to me alive. Burn the city. But bring me my queen."

The soldiers looked at one another in fear. They had never faced a full fledge fae.

The mages acted first, they drew their power and threw it at her like a net.

Miri only smiled, and then raised her hand. Fire rings appeared in front of her and she released them. They flew towards the mages and then strangled them. They did not have a chance to scream before they hit the ground, their head burned off.

Miri closed her eyes and swayed but did not fall. The next step was crucial.

She muttered the spell and slowly, painfully, the barrier began to rise once more.

Jasreth saw this and panicked, his plans were slowly falling apart.

"You are mine!" he screamed, panicked, desperate "how dare you disobey me! How dare you raise another barrier!"

Miri said nothing. Instead she threw more fire rings out at the onslaught of soldiers and continued to rebuild the barrier. She used magic as if she had no limit.

A horde soldiers in black armor rushed for the woman. She stood alone on the battlefield, one hand outstretched, fire blossomed and cut anyone dared approach. The other was raised to the sky, enforcing the barrier, imbuing it with all of her love, her strength, and life.

Finally the barrier closed itself around the city, around the people she truly loved.

Miri smiled and felt the last of her power drain from her body. She smiled as she realized that no one she loved would die for her mistake.

She turned to see the devastation of her sacrifice.

Half the Londarian army was injured or dead. The other half was waiting for Jasreth's order to kill her.

She stood in smoke and flames, her body turning back to the broken one that Jasreth had created. The wingless, weak body that was all used up.

She fell to the ground as the soldiers came forward to attack.

Jasreth could not stop himself. He screamed for them to stop, but in their fear, they had cut into her body. She was bleeding all over.

He raced towards her, cutting down his own men in desperation. He pushed the men aside to see the woman he loved laying in a pool of her own blood.

He held her, "I command you to heal!" He gripped ten of the green healing stones and shoved it into her hands. They glowed and began to heal her.

Miri looked into his face and broke into a smile, "You can have this body."

He did not know what she meant.

Miri looked into the face of the man she thought she loved. The man that she had ached for with all of her heart. The man that she had given her wings to. She smiled, a sad and knowing smile.

"You will come back with me. You are my queen." He said, not noticing the shaking of his hands. Not noticing anything except how cold she felt.

"I once asked you if you knew what was the saddest kind of goodbye and you answered death" Miri said, as she looked towards the barrier, not sparing him even a glance. She sighed and smiled, "The saddest goodbye is not when the one you love dies."

That was the last thing she ever said, and as Miri closed her eyes, a single drop of blood seeped from underneath her eyelid. It disappeared into a sparkle of lights and flew towards the center of the City of Gods. It entered the body of Myrai, who gasped in pain and loss. She knew her daughter was gone.

She sang on, louder now. Cybelline must come back. Cybelline was their only hope.

-----

Inside the City of the Gods

While the battle raged outside, Killian stood in front of the group of fae and looked perplexed.

"What are my soldiers doing here?" The soldier he recognized, they had followed him to the city of gods. But why did they seem to be protecting the fae?

Jinon looked at Killian in alarm, "You. you can not be here. There is too much magic." The spell Cybelline placed on Killian was strong, but the magics in the city was strong. What if the grey magic felt the richness of the magic here and awoke?

The barrier rose slowly and Killian watched along with the fae as it covered them once more.

"It seemed I can't leave." Killian said, "I'm not a patient man. Someone explain all of this to me."

Suddenly, Myrai gasped as she felt the last of Miri's power enter her body. It flared as it amplified her song.

Killian heard the strange song from the city and felt as if his head was being split in two. He wanted to remember. He needed to remember. He needed to know why that song made her face seem clearer. There was something he needed to remember.

But as soon as he reached for it, he knew it was a mistake.

He screamed in pain and fell to the earth. Darkness and shadows seeped from his eyes and flew into the air. It flew towards the sky in invisible strands, thousands and thousands, pulling for something that was not of this world.

More power. The voice seemed to whisper. That girl defeated me so easily last time. This time it will not happen. This time no one will be able to stop me. I will be victorious.

The voice in his head seemed to grow, as the strands of grey magic extended into the realm and then to the next. It was reaching and searching for its brethren. It will be powerful, so powerful that it can destroy anything. This time, nothing would stop it.



Author's note:

This is one of the longest chapters. I couldn't bear splitting it up. Thank you for following the story. I'm so tired from work and writing, but it's a joy to get your feedback.

I know that Jasreth is receiving a lot of hate. Trust me, I hate him too. But I wrote his story earlier on in the process, and I wanted to write about a character who is so focused on getting what he wants that he sacrifices what he had. I think it's because in someways we sacrifice what we have for what we want. My question is how much is too much? Having cake and eating it too works often, but does it work when it's something important. There is still some of the story left for him and Miri, don't worry.

As always, stay safe and stay healthy. Thank you so much for reading!