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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟏
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄

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When Inessa reached the top deck, she could hardly believe her eyes. The Fold was much more terrifying on the inside than on the outside. It was worse than anything she had ever imagined. But the environment wasn't what captured the Heartrender's attention. She forced herself to stick to the shadows as she took in the scene before her. Both Mal and Alina were lying on the ground just a few feet away from each other. But while the Sun Summoner looked distraught, the tracker was clearly in pain. And it didn't take long for Inessa to figure out why. Standing above the Orestev boy was Ivan, who was holding his hands out in front of him. Even through the darkness of the Fold, Inessa could clearly see the determination written on his face.

It wasn't long after that when the Smirnoff girl sensed a presence beside her. She didn't hesitate to look beside her to find an emotionless Astrid standing a foot away. The Larsen girl kept her eyes glued to the scene happening in front of them, unsure of what to make about everything happening. Inessa let the silence surround them as she turned her attention back to the situation at hand. That was until she remembered what the Tidemaker did below deck.

"Do you think you could break Alina's chains from here?" Inessa whispered just loud enough for Astrid to hear.

"I'm not sure. That's a skill Kaz had me practice and it was always short distance. You're the first person I've actually broken out."

"Can you at least try?"

"Even if I did get her out, it wouldn't be much use to us," the Larsen girl announced, drawing Inessa's attention back to her before confusion appeared in her eyes. Astrid couldn't help but let out a long sigh while gesturing toward the collar on Alina's neck. "The collar. I've read enough about amplifiers to know it doesn't look right. They're supposed to look as if they're meant to be there. Alina's looks painful."

One look at the collar was all it took for Inessa to realize Astrid was right. It looked like it was quickly connected to Alina, with some of the antler still visible. It most likely brought discomfort to the Sun Summoner, especially with the amplifier's size. But the Heartrender couldn't help but wonder why the Darking gave Alina such a powerful amplifier. That was until her eyes landed on his hand. To most, the unusual mark would look like a scar from battle. A wound that was given to him by the Fjerdans or the Shu. But Inessa knew better than most. She knew when a Grisha had an amplifier. And the one in the Grisha was very powerful.

It wasn't long after that when they heard what sounded like a fight happening on the deck above them. That was all it took for Astrid to make her way up there, wanting to help Inej with whatever was happening. As soon as the blonde girl was out of sight, Inessa turned her attention back to the situation at hand, only for her eyes to meet a dark gaze. She felt like a statue as she and Ivan stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. They were unable to read the other's expression, both were deep in thought. But what brought a bit of hope to Inessa was the fact that Ivan didn't tell the Darkling she was there. He simply turned his attention away from her, as if he never saw her.

The Smirnoff girl kept her eyes glued to the Bozic man until her attention was drawn to a woman wearing blue. She stepped toward the Grisha General with determination in her eyes, not showing an ounce of fear. She had a staredown with the powerful Grisha for a long moment before breaking the silence between them. "General Kirigan, this will only turn the world against you and all Grisha. You'll be seen not as a savior, but a heretic."

Not even a second after that passed when the men surrounding the brave woman aimed their pistols at the Black Heretic. But none of them were able to get a shot off thanks to the Darkling's most trusted Grisha. Ivan turned toward them without a second thought and held his arms out in front of him. The next thing anyone knew, they all fell to the floor, leaving Inessa as the only one standing. The Smirnoff girl's breath got caught in her as she stared at the dozen lifeless bodies in front of her. But she forced her emotions away as she looked back up at the remaining four people on the deck with her. Chills ran throughout her entire body when she found the Darkling staring directly at her.

But before he could question how Inessa escaped, the skiff began to sail. The sudden movement caused everyone standing to stumble, bringing Inessa out of the shadows and further onto the deck. After regaining her bearings, the Smirnoff girl looked up to find Zoya filling the sails with as much wind as she could create. Ivan didn't hesitate to step forward to stop the Nazyalensky girl, but he didn't expect another Crow to make an appearance. Jesper fired his pistol at the favored Heartrender, hitting Ivan square in the chest. Lucky for the Bozic man, his kefta took the blow for him. But that didn't stop him from stumbling back from the force. However, their small victory was short-lived.

They soon watched the Darkling create the Cut before their very eyes. Inessa didn't hesitate to hit the deck right before the sharp shadow sailed over her head. When she looked behind her, she found Kaz knocking Jesper out of the way before the Cut slammed into the back of the ship. It wasn't long after that when the Smirnoff girl heard a small grunt, drawing her attention back toward the Grisha General. Shock coursed through her veins when she saw a dagger sticking out of his chest. She could see the pain in his eyes, but that soon vanished when black veins formed on his neck. Silence filled the air as everyone watched the black veins continue to grow until reaching his face. Not even a second after that passed when he pulled the dagger.

"It will take more than this!" the Darkling shouted at Inej with anger laced within every word. His eyes stayed glued to the Wraith as he brought his hands out in front of him. It wasn't long after that when the shadows moved toward him, stopping inches behind Inessa. "You stay in the dark."

While General Kirigan turned his attention back to Alina, Inessa's eyes landed on Mal. Even without her abilities or seeing the look on his face, she knew how much pain he was in. She felt that same pain only a day ago. Except this time she was determined to stop that pain at its source. A shaky breath passed over her lips as she looked back at the Darkling, wanting to be sure he wasn't watching her. Once it was clear that he was solely focused on Alina, Inessa made her way over to Ivan.

"You need to stop, Ivan. It's gone far enough," the Smirnoff girl demanded with all the courage she could gather. However, the Bozic man didn't even acknowledge her. He simply kept his eyes glued to Mal. That only seemed to make Inessa's determination grow. "You're doing the General's dirty work for him. This isn't gonna lead anywhere good. Do you really wanna live in a world where Grisha are feared?"

"It'll be better than a world where we're used by the King," Ivan responded without bothering to hide the venom in his voice. But there was another emotion that Inessa barely picked up within his words. Fear. Whether it was fear of the world or the Darkling, Inessa didn't know. All she knew was that was the first time Ivan had ever shown even a hint of it.

However, before Inessa could respond to the Heartrender, the Darkling slammed into him. The force sent Ivan stumbling to the ground, breaking his connection with Mal. She heard the tracker take in a much-needed deep breath, causing a wave of relief to wash over Inessa. It wasn't long after that when everyone's attention fell on Alina, who was staring at General Kirgan with determination in her eyes.

"Your first words to me were, 'what are you?'" the Starkov girl said without taking her eyes off the Grisha General, "this is what I am."

A large smile soon appeared on Inessa's face as she watched Alina start to glow. Not even a second after that passed when she held her hands out in front of her, causing light to disperse in all directions. The entire skiff was now surrounded by a barrier of light, keeping the volcra away. As soon as she was happy with her accomplishment, the Starkov girl forced the light to fade.

"How do you claim such power?" the Black Heretic asked with a hint of pain in his eyes as he stared at Alina, "I am the one who killed the Stag."

"I didn't understand before, but I do now," the Sun Summoner responded while Inessa carefully helped Mal to his feet. Both of them kept their eyes glued to Alina, who didn't break her gaze from the Darkling. As they continued to watch the scene unfold, the young Heartrender did her best to heal the tracker's wounds. "You cannot claim what was not given to you. The Stag chose me."

Shock formed on the Grisha General's face as he watched the Stag's antlers disappear into Alina. His gaze didn't waver as he forced himself to his feet and held his hand out toward Alina. "You chose to betray our people. I was trying to save us."

The next thing anyone knew, Mal charged at the Darkling and tackled him over the skiff's railing. Alina and Inessa didn't hesitate to rush toward the railing. Both of them scanned their surroundings for signs of the Oretsev boy, but it was too dark to see anything. Just as the Heartrender was about to ask the Sun Summoner what they should do, the former saw blood dripping from her friend's nose. Alina's eyes soon grew wide as she struggled to breathe. It wasn't long after that when the clutched her chest and fell to the floor. Panic coursed through Inessa's veins as she stared at the Starkov girl before her attention fell on Ivan. The Bozic man held determination in his eyes as he held his hand out in front of him. But while his abilities were focused on Alina, his eyes were locked with Inessa's.

"Ivan, please stop," the Smirnoff girl pleaded, not bothering to hide the tears in her eyes, "there has to be a part of you that knows this is wrong."

"He gave you everything," the Bozic man responded with a shaky voice as the world around them began to grow darker, "remember your place."

Inessa let the silence surround them for a moment before a wave of realization washed over her. But that only mixed with the dread forming in her veins. Ivan had spent years with the Darkling. He had been taught ever since he was a boy that General Kirigan was there to protect them. And no matter how close he and Inessa grew over these last five years, there was nothing she could say to persuade him to turn his back on his savior. Despite wanting to deny it, Inessa knew there was no way to save Ivan.

Tears began rolling down the Smirnoff girl's cheeks as she raised her arms. Not even a second after that passed when Ivan began choking and reached for his throat, breaking his connection with Alina. It wasn't long before drops of blood fell from his nose. Inessa's tears continued to steam down her face as Ivan's eyes pleaded with her to stop, but she continued. She didn't intend to kill him, but she needed to be sure that he was weak enough not to attack them anymore. What felt like an eternity passed before she saw tears forming in his own eyes. That was all it took for her to stop her actions, knowing she wouldn't be able to inflict any more pain on the man she considered her brother.

But what Inessa didn't expect was for Jesper to make another appearance. The Fahey boy didn't hesitate to aim his pistol and fire at the Bozic man. The force sent the Heartrender stumbling back toward the railing. Inessa's panic grew when she noticed the Sharpshooter prepare to shoot again. The Smirnoff girl shouted for him to stop, but it was too late. Jesper fired again, hitting Ivan in the same exact spot. But instead of sending him stumbling back, the force sent the Bozic man over the railing. Inessa couldn't help but cry out Ivan's name as she ran toward the railing. Her eyes scanned the area surrounding the skiff for any signs of her friend, but he was nowhere to be found.

"What happened?" Mal questioned while Inessa continued to search for the Bozic man. She had no idea how he got back onto the skiff, but that wasn't what she was concerned about at the moment. She was just happy he was safe.

"It's Kirigan's Heartrender," Inej answered as volcra began circling above them.

Everything seemed to blur as Inessa accepted the very thing she didn't want to. Ivan was gone, just like Maximus. Ivan had been taken by the shadows. She wasn't able to save him from General Kirigan's hold. And when Fedyor found out what had happened, he'd never forgive her. The Smirnoff girl's breath quickened as reality finally set in. Everyone she had ever considered family was lost to her. She was all alone in the world, just like the Darkling said she would be.

"Inessa," a voice called out to her that seemed to be miles away. Her name was soon called out a second time, but she still didn't respond. She kept her eyes glued to the last place she saw Ivan until someone grabbed her shoulders and forced her to turn. Her face remained expressionless as she stared into Mal's panicked eyes. "Inessa, you need to save Alina."

"I can't save her," the Smirnoff girl said in a tone just above a whisper as tears continued to stream down her cheeks, "I can't save anyone."

"You can, Inessa," Mal told her as the volcra began to descend, "you've protected Alina since she set foot in the Little Palace. You and Baghra helped her escape. You kept us warm during the coldest nights. You can save us all. You just have to heal her."

Inessa just stared at the tracker for another moment before a wave of determination washed over her. She quickly wiped away her tears before walking toward Alina. The Smirnoff girl soon found herself kneeling beside the unconscious Sun Summoner with Mal on her other side. A shaky breath passed over Inessa's lips as she took Alina's hand. She did her best to remember what Baghra taught her as she located the places that brought the Starkov girl the most pain. Inessa soon used all the strength she could muster to force Alina's body to heal. She did her best to ignore the volcra's screeches as she continued her work.

Just as one of the Darkling's creatures started flying straight at them, the Sun Summoner's eyes snapped open. She then held her hands out in front of her, creating a shield of light around the skiff. It wasn't long after that when Zoya made her way back up to the sails. The Squaller used all her strength to send as much wind into the sails as she could, taking them out of the Fold for good.

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