Page 141 of An Archer's Redemption

De réir cumhachta táimid faoi cheangal. D’fhéadfaimis réimeas.

Flowers of light bloomed in darkness.

Mist rose from the mire and engulfed us.

Our voices rose, and wind began to swirl and howl about the cavern.

De réir cumhachta theipeann orainn. D’fhéadfaimis titim.

The air in the chamber grew cold and thick with power.

Declan’s eyes blazed and leaked cerulean mist.

I strained to stay on my feet.

Ceangal ár n-uacht. Ceangal ár gcumhacht. Briseadh ár slabhraí agus sever dúinn. Briseadh sinn.

Light balanced darkness in the Well as the power of pure magic fought against the insidious poison leeching warmth from the world of life.

But the infection battled back.

It strained against the invocation now damning its existence.

Pain seared into my chest.

The staff scored livid burns across my palms.

Yet I held firm.

I continued to chant, more wail than prayer, as magic warred within my soul.

Declan fell to his knees as lances of agony pierced his eyes.

The Phoenix on his chest burst forth, now freed from the golden fabric, an ephemeral beast bent on serving its fallen master. The mighty bird grew to consume the space before us, then, with wings dripping power, dove headfirst into the embattled river below.

The blackness convulsed, coalescing around the Phoenix, clinging to wing and beak and claw. Yet when the mighty bird vanished, far more blue than black flowed in the ancient brook.

One line remained.

Sunder cad a tugadh agus Tabhair cad a bhí sundered.

We shouted.

Sunder cad a tugadh agus Tabhair cad a bhí sundered.

And a third time . . . louder.

Sunder cad a tugadh agus Tabhair cad a bhí sundered!

Power flooded from the current and out from our chests.

Declan screamed as magic was ripped from his core, his soul torn asunder.

He fell to the crystal floor.

Weakened and spent, I was lifted from the glassy stair as raw magic tore from my spirit. Higher and higher, the Light raised my body, until I hovered ten feet above the Well.

Unable to speak or move or scream, I gaped in terror at the raging river below.

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