2 | flatline [darkling]

nineteen

EVERYTHING WAS GOING WELL until they realised that the Fjerdans had a back up plan. Now it was simply a brutal fight between the two sides. They'd been fight for hours now and they didn't seem to be anywhere close to winning. If anything it would be a quick defeat if they didn't come up with a new plan soon. Not only had they come sooner than expected, the Fjerdans had also come in a massive number. The First Army was nowhere in sight to help, which left the Second Army to fend for itself.

Nyx could feel herself getting more and more tired. But she was also worried. She hadn't seen Adrian, Zoya, David or even Aleksander, since the beginning of the battle. She couldn't help but think that maybe something happened to them. That perhaps they were seriously injured or even worse, they'd died. She didn't allow herself to dwell too much over that. She had to focus on making it through this first. Nyx couldn't blame anyone but herself for the mistakes she had made.

From the corner of her eye she notices a Fjerdan charging at her, but before he can get any closer, she makes sure that he drops dead to the floor. Having been distracted by the one Drüskelle, she doesn't notice another charge at her until a line of shadows cuts him in two. She spins around and faces Aleksander with wide eyes. He'd never used the Cut during battle, due to the risk of hurting his own soldiers. Before she can even do anything else, he grabs her hand and pulls her away from the battlefield.

"Aleksander. What are you doing? We can't leave." She exclaims as she tries to free herself from his grip. He stops and looks at her.

"There is only one way we can win this." Aleksander says, making her look at him in confusion. "We need everyone to find shelter. Only Alina and I can end this."

"You'd be alone on the battlefield. There is hundreds of them!" Nyx breaths out and he shakes his head.

"If you ever want my forgiveness, you'll do this. Have everyone find shelter. No one knows the Little Palace like we do, so I need you to bring them all to safety." Aleksander says, but Nyx shakes her head in denial.

"No. No. I'm not leaving you alone." Her voice breaks towards the end and he softens as he realises her worry. "What if you-

"What if your friends get hurt or die?" He cuts her off and her heart drops.

"But you were also my friend. You're..." She trails off as she takes in a deep breath. He let's go of her wrist and cups her face between his hands.

"I know. But you and I both know. That if we want a chance at winning. I need to be able to use my skills to the fullest. I can't do that when there's this many of our own on the battlefield. Alina will be there to back me up. I won't be alone." He tries to assure her.

"Take me with you, then." She begs and her shakes his head.

"No. I want you to be safe. I've worried about your safety ever since you left the Little Palace, so I need you to be safe now." He says and tears start to form in her eyes.

"I hate you. You know that? right?" She asks, making him chuckle as he leans his forehead against hers.

"I know. I do too." He says, before he leans closer and presses his lips against her cheek, making her close her eyes. "Go. Save the Second Army. Worst case scenario, you become the General."

"Don't say that. You'll be okay. Everything is going to be okay." She says and he hums as he lets go of her. Nyx takes that as her sign to do what she's asked of. Without looking back she runs back to the battlefield. "Second Army! Retreat!"

She repeats it a few times to make sure at least the surrounding Grisha heard it and they can pass on the message.  Nyx fights off a few Fjerdans as she waits for the Second Army to start leaving the battlefield. Once she notices them backing away, she herself starts to leave.

She looks over her shoulder expecting to see the enemy chasing them but a bright light blocks them from following. Nyx can't help but feel anxious. She trusts Aleksander to know what he's doing, but there were still so many risks.

"Nyx. What's going on?" Her eyes widen and a breath of relief escapes her lips as Adrian stops her in her tracks. Without hesitation she wraps her arms around him in a hug.

"You're okay. Saints, I was so worried." Nyx sighs, making Adrian hug her back. "You're not hurt are you? What about the others?"

"No. I'm okay. David is okay, I haven't seen Zoya." He answers her questions, making her close her eyes in hopes she'll see the Squaller soon.

"Adrian. I need you to do something for me. Remember how I said if I was ever to leave, you'd be in charge of the army?" She asks and he nods, both worry and confusion evident in his eyes. "Now is that time. I need you to lead the Second Army safety. In the General's rooms there is an underground passageway. Wait for us in there."

"Where are you going?" Adrian asks, making her glance over her shoulder as she sees bursts of both darkness and light.

"Just go, okay?" It was clearly that he wouldn't be able to stop her, so he simply nodded.

"Be careful." He says, before he leaves her behind. She turns to face where the battle is still raging on. Her hands go into her pockets and she pulls out the string holding the fang.

She can feel her heartbeat increasing as she looks at the necklace. Nyx was well aware of all the risks that came with wearing the necklace. Taking a deep breath she puts on and a gasps escapes her lips. She could feel it being too much for her body to handle, but she wouldn't let it stop her as she starts to make her way to where Aleksander and Alina are.

"What? What are you doing?" Alina asks as she notices the Heartrender. This catches Aleksander's attention who looks at Nyx with wide eyes.

"Nyx?" He asks, noticing blood running down her nose and ears.

"I'm righting my wrongs." Nyx says and all the power that has accumulated in her blood after putting on the second amplifier, she lets it's go. She could feel her heartbeat constantly increasing as it kept flowing out, until it suddenly stopped. The last thing she heard was Aleksander shout her name.