Interlude Seven: The Breaking


    Alyx stared at the Nullifier once more. Now that the High Mage knew about it, she felt that her job was over. But something inside her prickled, ached to understand it better, to find those who were creating this monstrosity.


    “How do you think it works?” She asked.


    “You should be able to figure it out,” Aster responded, bouncing little Rosie on her lap. “This is supposed to work for us normal people, you know.”


    “Yeah,” Alyx grabbed the Nullifier and put it on, something she’d done so many times ever since she’d found it. “We need to do something about this.”


    “What?” Aster shrugged. “I don’t think we can do anything, much less needing to.”


    “Awyx,” Rosie smiled. “Will you come pway with me?”


    Alyx sighed. “How can I refuse you?” Setting the Nullifier down once more, she went to embrace her little sister.


    Seemed like she wouldn’t figure anything out then.


    — — —


    Three hours passed quicker than they should’ve. Aster was always telling Alyx they should either spend more time with the Vanguard or reveal Rosie to them. Alyx refused, obviously. Either way was a loss. At least like this, she was able to keep both jobs.


    Leaving the babe in the care of the hired babysitter—Alyx had forgotten her name again, it started with an E and ended with an L, she thought—, they exited the cabin to rejoin their army. Once again, Aster began speaking of the dangers of what they were doing.


    “What are you going to do when the Horde comes and we’re not as ready as we should be, eh?”


    “We’ll take care of that when it comes,” Alyx crossed her arms. “If you don’t want to care for Rosie, just say so!”


    “I do, I really do,” her friend responded. “But I don’t think you understand what we’re playing with here.”


    “Yes, I do. I just choose to live my life without any regrets.”


    “Without any thought, you mean! Look what we did to Neena!”


    “That isn’t my fault,” Alyx huffed, looking away. Aster brought her head back softly and smiled at her in sadness.


    “It’s not your fault, Al,” She said. “It’s our fault. I am just as much in the wrong. But I’m saying now that we can change this.”


    “How? You want me to abandon Rosie?”


    “Of course not!” Aster exclaimed. “I just thought it would be better if we brought Rosie to the Vanguard—”


    “And get expelled?” Alyx wondered. “Face it, Alyx, we’re doing all we can. If you want to stop, you can walk away, and I won’t care.” But her distraught face said otherwise.


    “I won’t leave you,” the dark-skinned warrior said. “I’ll always stay by your side, but I do feel the need to advise you.”


    “Well, advise me two steps to the left,” Alyx scooted her away. “Yue seems like she needs to talk to us.”


    “Where have you been?” Yue asked at the same time, walking towards them impatiently. “You were supposed to leave on patrol an hour ago with Artemis!”


    “Damn!” Alyx exclaimed. “I forgot. Who did you put on patrol?”


    “You need to stop going away like this,” Yue told them crossly. “Next time, I won’t be so inclined to tell Kol you are on patrol. That is, unless you tell me what it is you’re doing.”


    “No, thank you,” Alyx told her. “I’m good. But thank you. Now, where’s Artemis?”


    “Just so you know, tomorrow we raid the Horde.”


    “Huh?” Aster asked.


    “I’ll give you the details later,” Yue pushed them away. “Artemis is waiting for you at the Market. Now, shoo. I don’t want to see you until patrol is over.”


    — — —


    “I should’ve brought Rosie to this,” Alyx grumbled. “It’s all boring without her.”


    “Oh, come off it,” Aster responded. “Just be glad Artemis decided to patrol the Antiquated Section. That way you have me to cheer you up.”


    “And you’re doing a great job,” Alyx rolled her eyes, staring around the Market. “I’m so excited.”


    “Look, I can’t help it if—”


    “Wait, what’s that?” Alyx asked, pointing to a man, who, meeting their stares, squeaked and dashed away.


    “Follow him!” Alyx exclaimed. “He had on a Nullifier!”Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    “Are you sure?”


    “Yes, I’m bleeding sure, after him!”


    They dashed into an alleyway, following the man, who stayed a few paces in front of them, his head constantly flipping back to see if they were still there.


    “Something feels off,” Aster whispered.


    “Shut up, this is our chance,” Alyx responded. Ignoring her friend who bit her lip, she skidded down another alleyway, this one ending in a dead end. The man tried to make himself smaller as they approached, his face fearful and horrified.


    “We’ve got you, bastard!” Alyx exclaimed. “What’s that you’ve got in your hand.”


    Standing up, the man glared at them, all semblance of fear gone from his face.


    “You two made a big mistake,” He told them.


    “Good job, Mentír,” A voice said from behind her. Eyes widened, Alyx turned around, recognizing the voice.


    And there he was, her dad, with three goons, all wearing Nullifiers on their hands and wielding daggers and the like. The two girls unsheathed their sword at the same time, and Alyx growled at her father, who smirked.


    “I’m not afraid to hurt you,” She warned. “Back away.”


    “Oh, darling, we outnumber you,” Her dad replied. “Now, tell me where Rosie is.”


    “You’ll never find her!”


    “It was just a formality, I had to try,” Adler shrugged. “By the time you go back, little Rosie will be in our hands again.”


    “No,” Alyx breathed. “Aster, we have to do something.”


    “Distract those bastards,” She growled.


    Obliging, Alyx rushed at the four goons, the one behind her attacking Aster. The Nullifiers would do nothing to them, so Alyx, even outnumbered, was more skilled than all of them. The first thug struck hard with his fists, the only one without any weapon. She ducked under his fist but was flung back as his fist clocked her on the stomach, but, rising after that, she quickly rejoined the fight. Dodging, she moved to her right, before reaching out with her sword, puncturing the man’s ribs. Screaming, he fell to the ground, clutching his wounded side.


    “You’re alone, baby,” Adler grinned. “There’s four of us and one of you. Your little friend rushed off.”


    Gods bless you, Aster. Go find Rosie.


    “I’m ready for you,” Alyx grinned. “I’m the greatest warrior of all time. You could never kill me!”


    “I’m not here to kill you,” Adler rolled his eyes. “I’m here to teach you a bleeding lesson.”


    The three goons following Adler attacked her simultaneously, and she was forced to move to the defensive as they all swung at her with daggers or even a sword. These were petty cutthroats, but they were hardened criminals nonetheless, and, unless she was careful, she would find herself with a stab somewhere around her body. Her vanguard training came into handy. As she had trained with all the best warriors, her defensive strategy was perfect as she evaded all of the goons, ducking, twisting, moving. Even three weren’t enough to touch her, but, then again, she couldn’t touch any of them either.


    She ducked under a sword and struck out with her own a second later, but was forced to pull out as a dagger rushed for her side. She feinted to the left, and when one of them came to rush her, she struck out, finding his side, but, at the same time, she screamed as a dagger pierced her arm, not a deep wound, but a wound nonetheless. Thankfully, it was her left, leaving her sword arm just fine, and two thugs on the ground.


    “That’s two down, Adler,” She spat. “You still think you can win?”


    Adler didn’t answer, and Alyx had no time to find him, still occupied fighting the final two goons. One of them had a sword, the other wielded two daggers. To her surprise, the one with the daggers was more of an expert than the swordwielder, so she focused on him, only bothering to dodge the attacks of the other. Now, she could take the offensive without fearing death. The two thugs weren''t as good as they wished, no match for a Vanguard Warrior, so the playing field was even, no advantage for minutes.


    Steel struck steel as Alyx’s sword reached out to strike Dagger, but was blocked by the other sword. Growling, Alyx did an old move she’d learned that worked almost every time. Twisting her sword, she thrust and retreated, the other sword brought with and away, and grunting, the thug let go of it as it was flung from his hand. Alyx’s thump knocked him out and he fell to the ground, leaving just one.


    The goon knew he was losing but he attacked her anyway, his two dagger spinning this way and that, but now, Alyx had the advantage. Deftly, she moved from place to place, only putting her feet in the perfect places, and thrusting with her sword here and there, forcing the man back inch by inch, foot by foot, until he hit a wall and began to grow desperate. The most dangerous and foolish people in the world, the desperate, Alyx thought. Too bad.


    She struck his hand, and, shrieking, he dropped one dagger and clutched at his hand, giving access for Alyx to kick off him, hearing a crunch as his leg folded. The man began to scream, but, with one thump to his head, he stopped.


    “See?” Alyx grinned as she stared at the man. “I took care of—”


    A punch to her head threw her to the ground. She groaned as tears came into her eyes, fogging her vision. She’d forgotten about Adler, who was now crouching over her, grabbing her, lifting her.


    “May this be a lesson for you, daughter,” the man spat, “Never take from me what is mine.” With a grunt, he threw her into the wall with a crack, and Alyx tumbled to the ground. She screamed as pain flared throughout her body.


    “You’ll never win,” She groaned. “You’re just a glorified bully.”


    “Well, here’s the thing about bullies,” Adler grinned. “We can sure give a lot of pain.” Setting his foot on hers, he twisted.


    Snap!


    Alyx screamed again, but this time, it was a desperate scream , filled with pain and horror as her foot broke. Adler smirked as she squirmed, crying visibly from the pain.


    “So weak, daughter,” He shook his head. “Aren’t you supposed to be the greatest warrior of all time?”


    Grabbing her hair, he lifted her upwards. Alyx pawed at his hand, but her squirming did nothing, getting weaker every moment. Spitting in her face, Adler readied his fist.


    “Maybe next time you’ll be more careful.” With that, he punched her once, twice, thrice. Each flinging her head back, but quickly returning to where it was due to her father’s grip on her hair.


    “Please stop,” She cried. Aster, I’m so glad you got away. Please be okay. Keep Rosie fine.


    “So you beg now?” Adler asked. “That’s funny.” Throwing her to the ground again, he stomped on her face, breaking her nose and evicting a fountain of blood, adding to the blood sprouting from the stab in her arm. Alyx could sense that all her feeling was escaping her, her senses deserting. “Let this be a lesson to you, my darling. Don’t you dare mess with me.”


    With that, her father sauntered away, leaving both his broken men on the floor and his own child.