Beneath Burning Stars

Jasper adjusted his grip on Rendell, holding him firmly as they clambered out of Derruns keep. Rendell hissed when Jasper’s missed the last step, and they stumbled out into an impossible light.

Staring at the sky, Jasper’s mouth sagged open. A million falling stars burned across the sky as the barrier died, illuminating the dark.

A handful of steps further and they reached an overlook. Below, the horde circled the altar at the impossibly steep stairs base. If the footing didn’t get them, the lack of cover would.

“Set me down,” Rendell gasped, tapping Jasper’s arm. Jasper helped him sit and his legs dangling over the edge.

“This can’t be the end.” Jasper crouched beside Rendell. Just the alter. They only had to reach the altar. There they could reignite the spell.

“Only one of us has to get there.”

Rendell peered at Jasper. Even his hand, firmly pressed against his side, couldn’t staunch his wound. Everything had gone wrong. Jasper closed his eyes.

A hand touched his shoulder. “It was the trip of a lifetime,” Rendell said.

“It can’t end like this,” Jasper said. “Not in failure.”

“It won’t.” Rendell’s certainty startled Jasper.

Opening his eyes, he turned to his friend. Or to where he should’ve been.

“No!” Jasper dropped, hands curling over the edge.

Rendell fell. He gathered power about him. He sped toward the horde. They screamed, pointing at him. Too late.

Rendell’s spell, his last, washed over the altar, flaring and renewing the barriers.

Jasper wailed.