The Darkest Sword by Samantha Kroese (ebook voice reader txt) 📕

Ashiyn growled and hoisted the monster in the air on the blade and swung, throwing Rurik across the room to crumple against the wall. Then he held Soryn in his arms and used magic to heal Soryn’s wound, turning to point his blade at Rurik in case the priest had somehow survived.

“Soryn,” Rurik gasped with difficulty. “you were supposed to stop him. Not create him,” With one last coughing breath, Rurik fell lifeless.

With Rurik’s death, the spell on Soryn was lifted and Soryn shifted in Ashiyn’s arms to look at him, horrified. “Ashiyn, what have you done?”

Ashiyn sat Soryn down on the floor as he closed his eyes. The darkness roiling in the room was power, and he wanted it. He roared and pulled it into himself, ignoring the searing pain as it fought him like a wild serpent. Once he had consumed all of it, he let out a deep breath and looked back at Soryn. “I saved you,” he said, matter-of-factly as he sheathed his blade and helped Soryn up.

Outside the sky began to bleed fire, and the darkness covered the land.

Ashiyn stepped through the shadows with Soryn and ended up in the courtyard of the castle near the stable. He set Soryn down on the ground and went in to get Illusion. He pulled Soryn up on the horse then turned it only to come face to face with Rhadamanthus.

“What did you do?” Rhadamanthus growled as he stormed forward, weapon drawn. “You killed my brother, boy? For that little worm? And look at what you’ve caused!” Rhadamanthus waved an arm around to display his castle falling to fiery boulders and crushed guards lying dead about the courtyard.

Ashiyn snarled and drew his weapon even as he urged Illusion to back up. “I’ll kill you as well if you don’t get out of my way.”

“Insolent boy. You need yet another lesson!” Rhadamanthus roared then attacked. Ashiyn deflected the blow easily, but then he realized the blow wasn’t aimed for him. The blade sank deep into Illusion’s chest. Illusion sank to his knees with a heavy grunt, then the horse rolled onto his side as Soryn and Ashiyn moved out of the way. With one last panting breath Illusion fell still as his blood poured out to cover the cobblestone.

“No,” Ashiyn whispered, all else forgotten as he knelt next to the horse and cradled Illusion’s head in his lap.

“Behave or that worm you saved is next,” Rhadamanthus growled. “Get into the castle and find a way to stop what you’ve wrought. Now.”

Ashiyn let the cold wash over him and drown his emotions. Then he snatched up his weapon and stood. “Get back, Soryn.”

Soryn scrambled back, eyes wide at Ashiyn’s low, dangerous tone. He cowered behind the corner of the stable. “Ashiyn, no.”

Ashiyn rolled his shoulders then swung his blade to face Rhadamanthus. “You’ve taught me my final lesson, Master.” With those words he drew upon all the power he’d just taken from Rurik’s tower, and with one hand, he shot it at Rhadamanthus. Rhadamanthus howled in agony and fell to his knees as the magic drained his life-force. Ashiyn hovered in the air from the power of the magic crackling through him, then he redirected it to his fallen steed.

The horse’s body jerked and flailed as the life magic flowed into it. Illusion breathed again and rose unsteadily as massive feathered wings sprouted from his shoulders. He unfurled them then stomped the ground, screaming in fury.

Before Ashiyn, Rhadamanthus had withered away. But he hadn’t died. His flesh had melted from his frame leaving only skin on bone, but he still glowed with horrifying magic. “You insolent boy!” Rhadamanthus roared as he surged to his feet, bringing all his magic to bear on Ashiyn.

Ashiyn was not prepared for the power of the assault. His own magic faltered and he stumbled, grabbing onto Illusion’s mane to avoid falling.

“Fine. Keep your steed. I will take something more precious as payment for your betrayal,” Rhadamanthus said, as he looked at Soryn.

“No,” Ashiyn warned, stepping unsteadily between them.

“I curse you, boy! Until the day you succeed in killing me, you won’t remember this little worm or the fact that you caused this darkness to destroy our world. You’ll forget this day even happened,” Rhadamanthus howled then sent magic lancing through Ashiyn. Ashiyn tumbled to his hands and knees, stunned but not harmed.

“Ashiyn!” Soryn cried as he ran to kneel next to Ashiyn.

Part of Ashiyn still knew this was someone important. Rhadamanthus hadn’t been able to wipe his memory completely, but he didn’t remember who Soryn was or why he was important. All that Ashiyn remembered was that he cared what happened to Soryn.

Rhadamanthus laughed and stormed closer. “Boy, that worm is your enemy! He came here to kill you and destroy your power. He doesn’t want you to be Prince of this world at my side. Send him to the ends of the world.”

“Ashiyn, no. It’s Soryn. Remember!” Soryn gasped and scrambled backward as Ashiyn rose to his feet. “Remember,” Soryn insisted as he grabbed Ashiyn’s arm and sent his magic flowing through his hand.

Ashiyn shuddered at the feel of the light magic and threw Soryn off. Then with a blast of magic he ripped a hole in the shadows and shoved Soryn through it. Then the portal of darkness disappeared.

“Put your mount away and come inside, boy. There’s much to be done,” Rhadamanthus grumbled as he walked back toward the castle.

Ashiyn reached over to pat Illusion’s neck to calm the winged equine, then led him into the barn. Ashiyn jumped as a fiery boulder landed nearby, then growled and used his magic to shield the barn and protect Illusion. Then he followed Rhadamanthus into the castle.

PART TWO

Three thousand years later.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

"Ashiyn…”

Rhadamanthus’s deep voice echoed through the depths of his mind