Trials of failure and success

You feel heat, and open your eyes to fire, all around. Somehow, you’re in Hope again, and the town is ablaze. Panicked people run through the streets, pursued by Order troops. You look around in confusion, and nearly trip over a body in the street.

It’s Victor.

The panther man is dead, shattered shield still strapped to his arm. Nearby lies Amara, pierced by a spear. You stagger back in surprise, and a dreadful premonition grips you. You turn and run, heading for your cabin. As you approach, you see Cassie and Sarah, crumpled in the street. It appears that Sarah tried to protect the chameleon girl, to no avail.

You reach your cabin, and find it burning as well. Alex is there, slain in the shattered doorway. You’re about to head inside, to see if anyone is still alive, when you hear laughter from behind you.

Turning, you see Victoria and Niran. Both hold glowing blue chains, each attached to a captive. Victoria holds Melora, who once again has a blindfold over her eyes. Blood drips down her cheeks, and she sags on her knees against the collar around her neck. Beside her is Ferra, similarly chained, and held by Niran. The glow of Ferra’s eyes is dim, and tears run freely down her cheeks.

Ferra looks at you and shakes her head, mouthing two words. “I’m sorry.”

You look back to Niran and Victoria, and a rage grips you. Your vision is stained with red, and you grit your teeth as you snarl at them.

“Let. Them. Go.”

You know, inside, that this isn’t real. But with it laid out like this, right in front of you, you can’t hold in your anger. You pull your sword, pointing it at the villains responsible. Victoria simply shrugs, and draws her own sword.

With a growl, you charge at the silver haired woman, and lift your sword to cut her down. As you swing, you realize that your blade is nothing but a shattered stub, and you stumble in confusion. Victoria steps aside, kicking the back of your knees. You drop to all fours, and you see Victoria raise her blade, and bring it down on your neck.

There’s a searing pain, and then darkness.

And you open your eyes in a great plaza, surrounded by cheering crowds. You look at yourself, finding that you’re wearing gleaming armor, and a long blue cloak. Turning around, you see your girls, smiling and alive. Even Ferra is smiling, and she steps forward to touch your arm.

“We have won. It is time to finish this, my master.”

She gestures towards a raised platform, where two figures are kneeling with sacks over their heads. Both are clearly female, one dark skinned and the other pale. You climb the steps, as the cheers grow louder.

“Vengeance!”

“Justice!”

“Kill!”

You have a sinking feeling as you reach for the sacks. Pulling off the first, you immediately recognize Kaeli, who looks up at you, fearfully, before looking back down. You pull off the other, and you almost don’t recognize the person beneath.

It’s Victoria, but cured of her corruption. Her hair is black, and the darkness around her eyes is gone. She doesn’t look at you, but stares forward stoically, seemingly resigned to her fate.

You step back shaking your head, and turn to Ferra. “We can’t execute them. Kaeli was on our side, and with the corruption gone, Victoria isn’t an enemy. They’re innocent.”

Ferra nods. “Yes. But the crowd is baying for blood. If we deny them, they turn on us.”

You sigh. “I will not become a monster, just to defeat one.”

You step forward and draw your sword. This time, it’s whole and gleaming. You raise it high, and the crowd cheers. Right up until the moment you swing it down, severing the binds on Kaeli. You quickly do the same for Victoria, and they stumble to their feet. The crowd turns angry, as Ferra predicted.

“Coward!”

“Traitor!”

“Kill him!”

The mob surges forward, and you raise your blade in defense.