My legs burn as I run from an unseen force. It's been chasing us for miles now through the dark tunnels under the castle. Melina runs close beside me glancing over her shoulder.
"It's getting closer!" Her voice is panicked, her eyes wide. I look back to see the terrible black wisps of shadow spiraling their way towards us. I fight my burning lungs to press my body harder, we're nearly there. As we take a tight left turn the door we're looking for comes in view. A faint glow seeps through the cracks in the frame, guiding our retreat.
"Corvusss." The black hisses from behind us, a terrible whisper that chills my bones. The tendrils of shadow grasp at our heels trying to pull us into the void. I hear Melina scream as she trips and falls to the ground. I turn on my heel and rush to her. But before I can get to her the shadow is on her. I drop my hand low and rip it up towards the ceiling, conjuring a wall of shadowfrost. I get to Melina and pull her to her feet just as the dark figure melds through the barrier.
"You will not escape us." It hisses, piercing red eyes stare back at me from within the blackness.
"To hell with you!" I yell, drawing my blade.
"Corvus are you mad?! You can't fight it!" Melina yells. She's right. I've tried once before and nearly died. I spit at the ground in front of the creature and resume my mad dash for the door. A haunting laughter echoes through the hall as we near it. I reach the handle and pull hard, flinging the door open wide. The bright light from the room burns the shadowy creature and sends it reeling back to whatever realm it came from. I turn to pull Melina through the doorway but she's gone.
"Melina!? Melina where are you?!" My eyes frantically search the dark hallway. I hear footsteps at the other end. My heart begins to beat faster, my breath quickens. Slowly her form is revealed by the light, a wicked grin on her face.
"You should have heeded our warning." Her voice is not the only sound coming from her mouth. Several other demonic tones reverberate her words. She stops several feet away from me with a sharp blade in her hand.
"Slaves aren't meant to know the truth." She lunges at me and I slam the door shut, her blade penetrates several to the hilt through the thick wood. I'm safe for now, but it won't take her long. I freeze the door with a thick barricade of ice and turn my frantic attention to the source of the light in the center of the room. A shining crystal floating above a thin pedestal. It's the final piece I need to destroy the Shroud and reveal to Noxland what the Black Rose truly is. Before I can even put the small crystal in my pack the door shatters open. Melina's dark red eyes burn through the shadowy smoke.
"Foolish, ungrateful boy." Her voice has shifted to a calm tone. She takes her time approaching me. "I gave you power, riches... love." She comes so close I can feel her breath on my face.
"Melina..." The red from her eyes fades to their normal bright blue. Terror fills them.
"Corvus! Help me!" Dark laugher consumes her as the demon regains control. My expression hardens and I snarl at the beast.
"Release her demon, I command you!" I draw my blade. The beast cackles again at my threat.
"You'll not harm this vessel. But I will." She raises the edge of her blade to her throat with a wicked smile. "Give up your foolish pursuit and surrender yourself to the Rose. Or your precious little bird will cease to draw breath."
I stare in horror at the demon. I look down at the crystal in my hand, the key to ending all of this. But is it worth losing her? It has to be.
"I'm sorry." I whisper to her and run my blade through her chest into her heart. The demon screams as its mortal vessel dies.
"YOU WRETCH!" It lets go of Melina and screams towards me. I brandish the crystal just as its claws graze my face. The demon writhes in pain. A thick plume of shadowy smoke burns from it until the demon's screams grow silent and it melts back into the void. I hear a voice over my labored breathing call out to me.
"Corvus..." It's the quiet whisper of a dying girl. I rush over to her side, tears beginning to well in my eyes.
"I'm so sorry my love." I mumble my apology through a trembling voice as I hold her precious hand to my face. Of all the powers I posses, I cannot save her. The damage is done. But her sacrifice will not be in vain. Her last words are faint but peaceful, as if death were not so terrible.
"We'll be together again some day..." She cups my face with her free hand. "I love you..." Her eyes fade as her hand falls from my face limply to the ground. I cannot contain the grief any longer. Horrible wails scream from my lungs as tears flood down my face. Her blood, like so many others now stains my hands. How many more have to die before this war ends? I calm myself enough to gather my wife's limp body in my arms and make my way out of the tunnels. Whether in life or in death, I will end this war.
