literature

3_44 Desperation

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Literature Text

"There has to be something we can do," Will pleaded, her gaze darting furtively from Orion to Zane and back. Robert's head rested on her lap, his brow covered in sweat. He was still, but breathing. "Zane, can't you use necromancer magic to get the ghost out?"

Zane shook his head, his brows knitted tightly together. "I'm sorry," he said. "I can't. I would need another necromancer, and…" He glanced at the floor before looking back at Will. "Ali's gone," he finished lamely. His lower lip quivered slightly, but he remained composed. Now was not the time or place to grieve.

"Luca said they were looking for a book on necromancy," Seth whispered, his eyes locked on the floor. "Maybe if we can find it…"

"We should move Ali," Orion said suddenly. "Someone's bound to notice we've been guarding this place. If someone comes up and finds Ali dead, we're all going to have a lot of explaining to do." He glanced around the room at the solemn faces surrounding him until he met Zane's eyes. "Captain?"

Zane dropped his gaze. "Move her to the other room," he said quietly, his voice rough but brisk. "We'll figure out what we're going to do late--" He paused, taking a deep, shaking breath to compose himself once again. "Later."

Orion nodded and wordlessly signaled Beth to come and help him.

Will turned her attention back to Robert, stroking his hair with her fingers. "Please," she whispered. "Come back to me. Please."

~~~

Robert could hear Will's voice as if it was coming from the far end of a long tunnel. It echoed through his mind. He searched for her, but he was surrounded by a thick grey fog which obscured his vision.

Marius circled him slowly, his eyes containing the same coldness as a wolf examining its prey right before the kill. His very being seemed to glow with a vibrance that portrayed his feelings of victory. But there was something not quite right about him. The edges of his form mixed with the fog-- he had not quite won yet. Robert could feel his own form dwindling into nothing but shadow-- soon, he too would be part of the grey fog. Marius bared his teeth in a manic semblance of a smile. "You have fought well," he sneered, circling Robert once more. "But you will fail soon. Your strength is waning-- all I have to do is wait."

Robert shook his head desperately, but he knew Marius was right. "No, you're not going to win. I've beat you before. I can do it again."

Marius let out a short, derisive laugh. "This isn't going to be a fight," he said, his eyes narrowing contemptuously. "It's a
slaughter. You have no chance-- you know it, and yet you fight. Why?"

Will's voice echoed through Robert's mind again, and he could feel the hum of her voice as she spoke. "For her," he said, his voice growing stronger. "She needs me."

Marius snorted. "You said yourself that you know she has other suitors," he said, his face twitching with amusement. "She doesn't need you at all, does she?" Marius vanished, reappearing next to Robert's ear. "You're just scared she'll realize it, aren't you?" he whispered. "She'll get bored with you, and she'll leave."

Robert spun, his fist directed at Marius' face. The phantom vanished, reappearing in front of him. "That's not true," Robert snapped. "If you weren't so blinded by your hatred, you'd see that not everyone thinks like you do!"

Marius laughed harshly. "I'm blinded by hate?" he repeated mockingly. "You cannot deny that you lost yourself to revenge when my soldiers killed your grandfather."

"You're right," Robert said, his voice rising to a shout. "But that's where you and me are different. Y--"

"That is where we are the same," Marius shouted over him, his eyes alight with manic glee. "You and me are just alike-- hate and anger are the sources of our power. Without them, we are worthless."

Robert shook his head stubbornly, but he could feel himself fading away. Marius was winning. "No," he said, desperation creeping into his voice. "No…"


~~~

"What the Hell is going on?"

"I don't know, he just started shaking!" Will was forced to release Robert as he began to thrash around, emitting small choking sounds. "What do we do?!"

Zane looked around quickly before seizing a small parcel from the floor. He looked at Will, his eyes unusually dark. "I can stop the possession," he told her, holding up the small purse of silver powder. "But he won't remember you, or any of us. It'll be like when I got my memories erased."

Will looked desperately at Robert before turning her gaze back to Zane. "There has to be something else we can do," she begged. "Anything."

"Shh," Orion said suddenly, his eyes wide as he listened intently. "Someone else is up here with us."
So who else is in the tower? Post below, I want to hear your theories!!!
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Don't know what that comment was.