The Fall of Nerva al’Thor

Nerva jumped. He really didnt know why he jumped. His eyes were half-blinded with tears, his mind too clouded to think. The thing in him was throbbing madly, causing white-hot pain to surge through his veins. He couldnt feel his arms and legs anymore, let alone think.

Air whipped through his hair, slapping his face. The huge black mass of the Shadow underneath him was ever growing as he approached. The nearer he got, the more painful his insides got. He wanted nothing else now but for the pain to stop.

The bright golden light of the combined spell wrapped him. He felt himself smile. Nobody had ever combined all three mightiest spells and survived after the casting. Storm Gust, Lord of Vermilion and Meteor Storm was combined, transforming him into a human bomb.

The blackness was so big now he thought it was over. But the whipping of air was still there.

Nearer.

Nearer

Nearer

It will all be over soon, Nerva. Youre going to be at peace soon

He closed his eyes and felt tears fall.

"Whats that?" said Signy as she saw a golden streak fast shooting toward the Shadow.

Theodoric knew better.  "EVERYBODY DUCK!!!"

Altair saw it as the golden streak that was Nerva plunged into the infinite darkness of the Shadow. The monster let out an earsplitting roar and started to writhe madly, flailing it's ghastly, bony arms wildly in the air.

"Oh my God, whats happening?" Sibyl spoke weakly.

But Wealthow was just asking herself the same thing. Lightbright golden light was exploding from every square inch of the monsters body. The winds started to gather and grow strong. Huge chunks of debris started to float from the ground.

"ITS GOING TO EXPLODE!" Theodoric shouted.

More light erupted from the Shadows sable form, the golden beam growing stronger with each new pillar produced. The gust around the creature spun wilder and wilder, until it began to tear whole roofs from the abandoned buildings of Glast Heim.

"WE HAVE TO FIND SHELTER!" Signy screamed.  "OR ELSE WE'LL GET CARRIED AWAY TOO!"

But it was hard to move. The Shadow gave a horrifying death cry before the golden beam swallowed it whole in a loud and blinding explosion of light.

"AAAAAHHHHH!"

Wealthow shielded her face with her arms. She felt her feet leave the ground. The impact of the explosion surged through the whole of Glast Heim, awakening great clouds of dust and mighty gusts of air. Buildings crashed and exploded under the impact. The winds had gone so strong that everything unbolted left the ground in a whirl.

Theodoric grabbed the nearest post his hand could reach. The wild wind was whipping though him, flapping through his eyelids and cheeks. Somewhere he felt the buckle of his sword loosen, and his weapon fell away from his body. Altair came flying at his right side, shrieking madly. Hed extended his hand and grabbed the Blacksmith by the arm. They were like mere dolls under the impact.

Signy jumped behind a large chunk of rock protruding from the earth. She covered her ears and felt the undersides of rocks grazing her arms. Hot blood was flowing from her torn shoulders. All around her she could hear nothing but the shrill howl of the wind.

And then, the violent wind came to a stop. Signy opened her gray eyes.

Altairs voice rang through the empty city.

"NERVA! NERVA!"

The Hunter stood up and looked around. The sight made her heart want to stop beating.

Nerva was lying in the middle of the crater left by the explosion. His clothes were torn to bits, and red blood flowed all around him. His yellow eyes were open but unseeing as they stared blankly at the sky. His mouth was moving, but the words were incomprehensible.

"No" said Signy, her legs breaking into a run.  "No, he wont die! He wont die!"

Altair got to Nerva first, tripping and falling in the process. The Blacksmith ignored the pool of blood and took Nerva into his arms. Tears were flowing from Altairs deep violet eyes.

"Nervy!" Altair gasped.  "Bugger, what the hell were you thinking? Youre not going to die, Nervy, I swear! Bugger, youre not going to die! Hold on, Nerva!"

Nerva shifted his blurry gaze to Altairs face.  "Altair"

"Thats right, its me!" said Altair hysterically.  "ImIm going to staunch the bleeding okay? Youre going to be fine!"

Altair whipped off his soiled polo shirt and wrapped the cloth tightly around Nervas torso. The cloth was soon red with blood. Theodoric came skidding beside them, his eyes very round. Signy joined them as well.

"Youre going to be okay!" Signy sobbed.  "You wont die! You wont die!"

"Where is Wealthow?" Theodoric said nervously.  "WEALTHOW! WEALTHOW!"

Nervas ravaged body gave a wild jolt, and more blood spurted from his mouth. Theodoric removed his cape and used it to wipe the blood away. Signy was wringing her hands, tears coursing down her cheeks.

"Imfeeling.cold" Nerva stammered as he reached out to touch Altair. "Coldverycold"

Altair grabbed his hand.  "Well keep you warm! Youre going to be fine!"

Theodoric gritted his teeth and started screaming.  "WEALTHOW WHERE ARE YOU!"

Nerva gave another jolt. More blood was leaving his body.

"OVER HERE!" Sibyl shrieked as she and Wealthow came running from behind a huge chunk of wall.  "OH GOD, WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?"

"HURRY UP, FOR HEAVENS SAKE!" Signy screamed.  "SAVE HIM!"

Nerva shut his eyes.  "NouseImdyingcantHealanymore."

"STOP SAYING THAT!" Altair spat at his face.  "YOURE NOT DYING! NOBODYS GOING TO DIE!"

Wealthow tripped as she ran and fell face first on the ground. Her left leg was broken, but she struggled to stand up. Sibyl grabbed her by the arms and helped her stand. Her whole body was trembling and racked with pain, but she had to Heal Nerva first.

Theodoric dashed to meet Sibyl and Wealthow. He hoisted the Priestess into his arms and ran to Altair, Nerva and Signy as quickly as he could.

"Cant seecoldno use" Nerva spoke, his voice getting weaker with every word.  "Im dyingpleasetell themI neverkilledanyoneIminnocentI neverkilledI nevermeanttodid notI did not"

"Im here!" said Wealthow.  "Youre going to be okay, Nerva! Ill Heal you!"

"HURRY UP, WEALTHOW!" Altair shouted frantically.  "HURRY UP!"

But then, Nervas head drooped. His chest stopped moving. Altair felt the horrible coldness sweep through the body he was holding in his arms. He screamed.

"NOOOOO! NERVA! NOOOOOO!"

"Its not yet too late!" Wealthow said, fighting back tears.  "HEAL! HEAL!"

But Heal would not work on dead people. The injuries remained. Theodoric grabbed Nerva and started punching him.

"WAKE UP, YOU DOLT!" the Knight shouted angrily.  "WAKE UP! WAKE UP!"

"STOP IT! CANT YOU SEE HES DEAD?!" Sibyl protested. "HES DEAD!"

Signy stood up and slapped Sibyl with all the strenght she could muster.

"HES NOT DEAD!" Signy shouted, refusing to accept the truth.  "HES NOT DEAD!"

"Nerva, please open your eyes" Wealthow started to sob.  "Please, were all hereyou arent alone anymoreplease wake up"

"Oh god, oh god, whats happening?" Altair burst out.

Something started to happen to Nervas body. His body was slowly became transparent, first from the legs then upward. Altair, horrified, tried to hold on.

"NO, NERVA! WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING!" Altair shrieked.

They tried to hold Nerva down. But the magic slowly consumed his body, until he disappeared completely in a shower of gentle, glittering golden powder. He was gone.

"Nerva!" Wealthow broke down completely, tears spilling from her eyes.  "Nerva!"

"Hes gone" Theodoric sobbed.  "Hes gone"

Sibyls shoulders trembled. She spun around and ran away to a place she could be alone. Signy bowed her head, crying quietly. Altair cried like he never cried before, and thought that his tears might dry up forever.

The sun glowed a brilliant shade of red in the horizon. The winds were still and calm. The trees hummed softly to each other, spreading news that another valiant soul became part of them, living on forever in his higher self.

Finis

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(Excerpt from Wealthows Diary, written about 3:00 am)

Nerva died. I was unable to save him. As a Priestess I have failed completely. I could have Resurrected him, but at that time I didnt know how. I learned Resurrection two years later. But it was too late, I cannot bring him back.

Midgard rejoiced after the Second Conflict. The Shadow has passed and will never threaten our world again, thanks to a valiant Wizard by the name of Nerva alThor.

Firnheild is still alive, now an official Guild recognized by the king. We have 100 members, and still growing. I feel proud at this achievement.

But, deep inside me, I know I am a failure. In spite of the entire accolade, the awards, the admiration and the praise raining down on me on all sides I know I have failed.