The Baron and his Lady

Twenty-nine: Doom

The beyond

Lucian's pov

The storm was brewing immensely above me. Dark and heavy clouds gathered here by the portal. I was right when I thought I felt a brush of magic awhile ago. But nothing seemed to be happening on the portal itself.

I touched the hardened wall and nothing was different. Only the raging thunder and lightning gave way to something dangerous. Whatever could be happening outside?

I looked up and felt the first drop of rain. It was cold and wet. I couldn't help but gasp, it has been so long since I had experienced rain. Way too long.

Besides the storm there seemed to be nothing out of place. Perhaps this is temporary after all. I worried way too much. It's time to get back to Krista.

At the thought of her name I heard someone call to me. I turned my head and tried to listen. The rain poured heavily now and the thunder was louder than before.

"...cian! Lucian!"

Krista!

It has to be her.

But where?

I looked around, raising my hand to cover my eyes from the water. The sunny weather was masked away and the surroundings was dark. Damn. I can't see clearly.

"Lucian..." it was louder this time.

"Krista!"

"Lucian!"

I began taking a step forward, "Krista, where are you?"

"Lucian? I'm here! Follow my voice.."

I tried. But every step I make was a struggle, the soil had turned into mud. My boots kept slipping and I fell several times.

"Lucian? Are you alright?"

I wiped the dirt away from face and yelled back, "I'm fine. Stay where you are. I'll get to you."

"Be careful!" She answered.

I tried standing up again and managed to keep my footing. Another roll of thunder blasted through the skies. A thunder answered in a distance, giving me a short time of brightness to make out the surroundings. Krista was standing about twenty paces from where I was. I waved to her and saw her hand waved back. I was soaked to the core and I'm starting to feel cold. Will I get sick? I hoped not.

I took another unsteady step when the air suddenly thickened. It didn't blew unlike a passing gust of wind but it felt like it was sucking the place. I braced my arms against my face because several branches began flying around. 

"Lucian, look out!"

A huge object was on my way. It was too late. It hit me, I realized it was a large branch and I was lying on my back. 

"Lucian? Oh my god, I'm coming.."

I heard her footsteps but she slipped halfway and fell into her knees. She cried out, it was painful, I could tell. I pushed myself up to a sitting position.

"Stay there Krista! Don't move a limb!"

"But you're hurt!"

"No, I'm fine.." but damn, my back felt like a horse had run me down, "I'm coming to you. Stay where you are."

I didn't know if she responded because another gust of wind hit us. The direction was unmistakable, it was hitting me from the frontside and was going behind me. Like a current. I gambled and glanced back.

"Krista, run... now!"

Her eyes were staring at the portal as well. She saw what was happening. Her legs immediately came up and started running towards me.

"No! Run back! Don't come near!"

But she kept coming, any moment now and she'll reach me. I fought the forceful wind to stop her. She willing came into my arms.

"Lucian.."

"Krista, I told you to go back..."

"I can't... I can't leave you here."

"It's not safe. The portal, something is happening to the portal..."

She nodded and wobbled down, her knees were badly bruised and a trickle of blood ran down. The wind subsided a bit. 

"Krista, can you stand? The wind died down a bit, we have to get away from here."

"I..I'll try." She held unto my arms and I pulled her back up.

"Put your weight on your left foot and I'll walk us ahead."

She did and we began a slow painful pace. The rain was still pouring heavily, the thunder and lightning danced above us. I could feel the wind gathering around, it will strike again. Before that happens we need to get away.

We were halfway down the bridge when the ground began to rumble. What in heaven's name is going on?

"Lucian?"

"Shhh, stay down."

We knelt down and braced ourselves for the whatever will happen next. The rumbling went on and on that I thought it would open up and swallow us whole.

I embraced Krista and kept repeating how I love her. She cried. I kissed her forehead and she cried even more. Oh dear lord. Is this how we are going to part?

The wind howled and I knew it was going to strike again. I covered Krista with my own body, shielding her sight as well. She clung to me like I was a lifeline. 

"I love you..."

"I love you Lucian..." her tears weren't visible because the rain wiped them away. But it was there.

The wind lashed out, stronger and thicker this time. Rocks flew all around. It was like being under a crumbling house and the debris were directed at us. I kept shielding Krista least she gets hit, my back was sore and I could tell it was bleeding. 

My ears picked up something, something big was being lifted. I looked around and saw a huge tree getting uprooted, it's roots struggled to keep it from flying away. But the wind was stronger. It was as if an invisible hand was pulling at the tree.

Krista saw it too and she stiffened. The tree was just up ahead, if the wind kept striking out we're in trouble. 

"Lucian..."

"Stay down Krista, it may not hit us..."

"But it might! Oh god..."

I was about to say something when I happen to glance back at the portal. I couldn't believe it! There was a tiny opening and I could see the world outside. The debris had gone through it. Could it be? But it's impossible. Emma sealed it back, nothing should be able to go through it. But something did.

I stared at Krista again, she was small. She could fit the opening. This could work.

"Krista..."

She looked back at me, "It's fine Lucian... I'll protect you."

I shook my head, "There is a way out. Look.." I pointed the opening to her.

She gasped, "We can get out!"

"No love, it is small. I cannot pass through, but you can."

"I am not leaving you here."

Stubborn woman. 

"Trust me Krista, I survived all these years. I can survive this too."

"No, no.. we will go together."

I opened my mouth to respond but the wind knocked us out. I lost my balance and went rolling downhill. Rocks, twigs and flowers followed. I was covered in mud and scratches, probably blood as well.

I found myself gasping as I laid on my back. The rain had somehow lessened and it helped me see clearly. I blinked several times and saw Krista lying near the portal. She looked unconscious. 

I flipped into one side and crawled. The portal was rumbling as the debris flew out but the opening was still small. I had to move now, before it decides to close.

I reached Krista's cold form, she was so pale. My hands found her wrist and thankfully there was strong pulse. I bent down and kissed her cheek.

"Live my love..." I whispered to her.

Her eyes flew open and before she could do anything, I lifted her off the ground.

"No. Put me down!" She struggled in my arms.

"I'm sorry, but you have to go love..."

"I will not forgive you Lucian! Do you hear me? I won't."

"As long as you survive, that is fine by me." I stepped right next to the portal, ready to throw her out.

The wind lashed out one more time, much stronger than the last two. I dropped Krista because she won't stay still and the uprooted tree hit my body. It pushed me forward and I couldn't stop it.

"Luciaaaaan!"

Zaaap

I was out of the portal. The opening crackled and rumbled. And there was silence. I collapsed into the forest floor.