The explosion of colliding energies subsided, revealing the devastation left in its wake. The hallway lay in ruins, walls cracked and ceiling partially collapsed. Where Yongrun and Malaxis had stood, there was now a perfect circle of blackened stone, the edges still glowing from the residual heat.
When the dust settled, a charred body in Grim's clothes lay motionless on the floor amid the debris. The body was burned so much it was only recognizable by the clothing he was wearing.
Malaxis staggered backward, his body showing signs of severe strain. Blood both red and black seeped from multiple wounds across Malaxis's body. His right arm hung limp at his side, the reattached hand barely functional. The black flames surrounding his blade had diminished to flickering embers.
"Impossible," he snarled, his voice distorted with pain and rage. "Soneone like you shouldn't have this power."
Yongrun stood firm despite his own injuries, his sword still wreathed in flames. "You've grown weak during your absence, Malaxis. The world has moved on without you."
Malaxis's gaze fell upon the charred body on the ground, recognition dawning in his eyes. "The boy..."
"Our final attack was too much for him," Yongrun said coldly. "The Ambrose bloodline grows weaker with each generation."
Before Malaxis could respond, the air beside him shimmered and tore open. A woman stepped through the rift.
"Father," she said, her gaze sweeping over the scene. "You've overextended yourself."
"Maeve," Malaxis acknowledged, his expression caught between anger and relief. "Your timing is impeccable."
Cassius tensed, his blade still ready despite his numerous wounds. "The Demon Queen," he whispered to Dongmei. "This just got worse."
Maeve's dark eyes fixed on Cassius, then slid to the charred body on the floor. A cold smile curved her lips.
"So falls the Ambrose heir," she said, her voice deceptively melodious. "Hardly seemed worth the effort."
"Don't underestimate them," Malaxis warned, leaning against her for support. "Any of them."
Malaxis pushed away from his daughter, looking at the body. Rowan's face becane soft for a moment. A father's anguish breaking through the possession. "My son..."
The moment passed quickly, Malaxis reasserting control with a snarl. "One less problem. Now for the rest of you."
"I think not," Maeve said, catching her father's arm. "You're in no condition to continue this fight. We must withdraw and let you heal."
"I can still..."
"The boy is dead," she interrupted. "And these others can wait. Live to fight another day, Father."
The rift behind them pulsed, sending out waves of cold that frosted the debris around them. Malaxis gave one last hate-filled look at Yongrun and Cassius.
"This isn't over," he promised. "I will end the Ambrose line completely. And you," he pointed at Yongrun, "will pay for learning what was never yours to know."
Maeve pulled her father back into the rift. As it began to close, her voice floated back to them: "Until we meet again, Cassius Van Ambrose. I look forward to adding your head to my collection."
The rift sealed with a sound like thunder, and the oppressive darkness Malaxis had created began to dissipate, revealing the extent of the destruction around them.
Dongmei approached the charred body cautiously. "Will it hold up to scrutiny?"
"Long enough," Yongrun answered, his voice low. "The fire energy will maintain the illusion for a day at most. By then, we'll be far from here."
"And the boy?" Cassius asked, sheathing his blade.
"Chen Xing has taken him to the meeting point," Yongrun confirmed. "He's safe, for now."
Dongmei picked her way carefully through the rubble to join them. "The palace guards will be here soon. That barrier won't keep them out forever."
"Then we move quickly," Yongrun decided, his eyes briefly flicking to where Cassius stood near the remains of what appeared to be Grim.
The distant sound of running footsteps and shouting voices reached them. The palace guards were drawing closer.
"We need to leave now," Dongmei urged. "The southeastern passage is still clear."
As they prepared to depart, Yongrun touched two fingers to his lips. He whispered something, and a small flame appeared, hovering above his palm. It stretched and twisted until it formed the shape of a bird.
"Find the Empress," Yongrun instructed the fiery messenger. "Tell her that Malaxis has returned, possessing the body of Rowan Van Ambrose. The Ambrose boy has fallen."
The flame-bird bobbed once, then shot away, passing through a crack in the wall as if it were smoke.
"Let's go," Cassius said.
As they slipped away through one of the palace's hidden passages, the black void that Malaxis had created continued to dissipate, revealing more of the destruction they'd left behind. The three of them. Oved quickly, not speaking until they were far from the carnage that just took place.
Only when they reached a secluded courtyard did Yongrun finally break the silence. "It worked," he said quietly. "Malaxis believed it."
"Where is my grandson?" Cassius demanded.
"Safe," Yongrun assured him. "As Malaxis weakened and his void began to crack, I signaled for Chen Xing. He slipped in and switched Grim with the body while we kept Malaxis distracted."
Cassius's shoulders relaxed slightly. "I wasn't certain your plan would work."
"Chen Xing has been with us since we arrived at the ball," Yongrun explained. "Waiting for such a moment. He's taking Grim to the meeting point now."
"And the body?" Dongmei asked.
"Just a body," Yongrun answered. "Enhanced with fire energy to fool their senses. But we should move quickly. It won't maintain its appearance for long."
"The boy's wound..." Cassius began.
"Chen Xing will tend to it," Yongrun assured him. "Though I fear the darkness Malaxis left behind won't be easily purged."
The three continued their escape, moving through shadows and hidden paths, heading toward a reunion with the boy the world now believed was dead.
---
Far from the palace, in a small, humble dwelling on the outskirts of the city, Grim sat on a wooden stool, his face freshly bandaged. The wound throbbed with a strange, cold pain that seemed to reach beyond his skin.
Chen Xing moved around the small room, gathering supplies. "Master and the others will be here soon," he said, not looking at Grim. "Try to rest while you can."
"My father..." Grim began, his voice hollow.
"Is lost to us for now," Chen Xing answered carefully. "But not forever. Nothing is certain."
Grim grabbed his face, he could feel the pulse in his face now more than before.
Chen Xing paused. Before saying "everyone will have to believe you're dead. Otherwise Malaxis may return when he's restored himself.
"This is too much," Grim said, anger flaring through his shock.
"It is," Chen Xing agreed solemnly. "But the alternative is worse. Malaxis won't stop with you. He'll eliminate everyone connected to the Ambrose bloodline."
Grim fell silent, the weight of everything that had happened crushing down on him.
[You survived,] the voice in his head finally spoke after hours of silence. [That's what matters. The rest can be fixed, in time.]
"How long?" Grim asked aloud, not caring if Chen Xing thought him strange for speaking to himself.
[As long as it takes,] the voice answered. [Months. Years. Whatever is necessary.]
"And my father?"
The voice didn't immediately respond. When it did, there was an unusual heaviness to its tone. [I don't know, Grim. I truly don't know.]
As the first light of dawn crept through the small window, Grim heard footsteps approaching.