The Serpent and the Wings of Night
by Carissa Broadbent
Contents
Chapter 41
Overview
Oraya and Raihn’s discovery of Salinae’s destruction is immediately followed by an ambush from Ivan and Angelika, turning grief into a fight for survival. Raihn saves a critically wounded Oraya by killing Ivan and carrying her through the poison smoke back to the arena.
At the colosseum, the Ministaer announces that the Kejari’s final trial has been moved to the next day because Sivrinaj may not survive three more weeks. The chapter sharply widens the stakes, linking Oraya’s personal loss to the citywide devastation of Vincent’s war.
Summary
Oraya is overwhelmed by the sight of ruined Salinae and the knowledge that the city of her human family is truly gone. While she and Raihn are distracted by grief, they fail to keep count of the poison-smoke waves. Part of Oraya’s foot is exposed when Raihn throws the cloak over them, and both of them narrowly survive another ninety-second surge while Oraya tries to numb herself against the realization that Vincent destroyed this place.
As soon as the wave passes, Ivan rushes them through the smoke. Oraya shoves Raihn aside and takes the attack herself, losing her blades and suffering a wound across her abdomen. Ivan uses blood magic to tear blood from Oraya’s body and nearly kills her in the name of the Halfmoon, but Raihn tears Ivan off her and attacks with newly awakened Asteris power.
Before Raihn can finish Ivan, Angelika appears and aims an arrow at the badly wounded Oraya, forcing Raihn to choose. Raihn pretends to comply, then removes Ivan’s mask and throws him down the incline into the incoming smoke wave. As Angelika screams in grief, Raihn realizes how badly Oraya is hurt, lifts her, and carries her at full speed through the deadly smoke toward the gate.
Raihn and Oraya make it back into the Kejari colosseum alive, though Oraya is barely conscious. Inside the silent arena, they find Ibrihim waiting in terrible condition, his wings burned and ruined from shielding himself. The Ministaer and his acolytes greet them and declare that Nyaxia is pleased: Oraya and Raihn have reached the final trial.
The Ministaer then reveals a shocking change. Instead of taking place in three weeks, the New Moon trial will happen tomorrow because there is no certainty Sivrinaj will still exist by then. Looking out through the open gates, Oraya and Raihn see the scale of the war: bodies and severed wings line the colosseum walls, confirming that the conflict has escalated into mass slaughter. The chapter ends with the Ministaer urging them to rest, while Oraya faces both her injuries and the devastation Vincent has helped create.
Who Appears
- OrayaReels from Salinae’s destruction, is badly wounded by Ivan, and reaches the arena to face the final trial.
- RaihnProtects Oraya, overpowers Ivan, outmaneuvers Angelika, and carries Oraya through the deadly smoke.
- IvanAmbushes Oraya and uses blood magic on her before Raihn throws him into the poison smoke.
- AngelikaArrives during the fight, threatens Oraya to save Ivan, and screams in grief after his death.
- The MinistaerReceives the survivors in the arena and announces that the final trial will occur tomorrow.
- IbrihimWaits in the colosseum severely burned, having used his wings to shield himself from the smoke.