Tusks and Dagger Part Fifty-Two: The Ball of a Pleasant Memory

Lottie:

A white ball rolled to my boots, my body not  faring well from my childbirth a mere couple of months ago. Glancing around the silver city, everyone was slumbering underneath the twinkling stars and silver moon. Kicking it away, I didn’t want to be transported anywhere else tonight. The image of my boys drew me back, the sound of Darwin’s footsteps echoed behind me. Running past me, his hands scooped up the ball. A bright light blinded me, my hand grabbing his at the last minute. A rush of white energy whipped us into the floral fields of my homeland, all the breath leaving my body, an apologetic Darwin hid his face from shame. Tugging on the sleeve of his ivory blouse, his pants fluttered in the summer breeze. Smoothing out my wool emerald dress, Darwin needed my love. Feeling for my scythe, a wave of relief washed over me at the familiar metal touching the tips of my fingers. 

“I am so sorry.” He sobbed dejectedly, my warm embrace doing little to comfort me. Cupping his face, his wet eyes met my loving gaze. The poor kid didn’t have anything to worry about, he was my son after all. Kissing his forehead, he snuggled into my palms. 

“We can figure a way out of this mess.” I chirped cheerfully, hiding my fright behind a bright smile as I wiped away his tears. “The only way out of a memory ball is to live through the memory.” Picking up the ball, it was the one Viktor had given to me. Guiding him behind a log, a younger version of me bounced out with a tired Viktor. Tears welled up in my eyes, Darwin taking my hand. Her waves danced in the breeze, her eyes twinkling with joy. Viktor’s eyes twinkled with love, a ball sitting in his palm. Dropping it into her palm, confusion dawned in her eyes. Flashing her a bright smile, the rustling of his leather jacket was all that could be heard for a second. His face fell at the sad expression dimming her features, his hands cupping hers. 

“Did no one ever play catch with you?” He asked cautiously, kissing her forehead. “I throw it and you catch it in your hands.” Rising to his feet, she danced back. Throwing it back and forth, laughter twinkled in the air. A loud growl from her stomach interrupted the playtime, scarlet coloring her cheeks. Pulling a bag from behind his back, they rested on a rock close to us. Tears of joy flooded from my eyes, his gentle grip melting my heart. 

“Are you okay?” Darwin queried with his trademark grin, kissing the top of my hand. “Are these tears of joy?” Nodding my head, I sat back to listen to his wise words. Placing an eager Darwin on my lap, his hands held mine. Gazing up at me with all the love in the world, the tears only flowed harder due to the warmth of his love. 

“Little Lottie.” Viktor laughed lightly, ruffling her hair. “I can’t help but see that your future isn’t in this land. I know it sounds strange but I see a crown on your head.” Shaking her head, she clenched her fists to her chest. A defiant look glowed in her eyes, Viktor chuckling softly to himself at her bold expression. 

“No way. I will always be with you guys.” She protested with a pout, taking her sandwich. Placing her on his lap, a fit of laughter burst from his lips. A bewildered expression met his love filled smile, her brow cocking the way mine still did. 

“Even if you left, we will always visit you. Little Lottie, I promise to be there whenever you need me.” He promised warmly, taking a bite of his sandwich. Mina’s voice called out for them, Viktor placing her on his shoulders. A cry left my lips at it all decaying away with a display of cloudy darkness. A bloody woman with ivory waves and inky black eyes lay dead at our feet, black staining her cloak. A clawed finger tapped on my shoulders, the spirit of the White Witch floated behind us. Her transparent robes floated around her, her bloody waves clung to her cracked face. 

“Help me solve my murder, your majesty.” She pleaded coldly, my hand raising into the air. Turning my back to her, my mind thought of spells to get me back home. Nothing would work, her shadowy aura keeping me in her dimension. Spinning on my heels, a snarl twitched on my lips as Darwin hid behind my legs. 

“Let us go. Your murder has nothing to do with me nor do I want to help you after you nearly drowned one of my own!” I threatened darkly through gritted teeth, her fingers tracing my fangs. “What is your issue? Your sons attacked my people, so I had to protect them.” Gripping my chin, her claws tickled my cheeks. Shooting daggers into my eyes, my hand gripped her arm. Ripping her hand away, her power was weak compared to mine.

“You killed my sons so forgive me for going a little insane. This job won’t come with out reward. I have armor that will protect your husband during the final battle and a necklace to help make the darkness mold with his light a hell of a lot easier.” She offered icily, pointing to a worn chest behind her. “Don’t you want the two of you to return to your boys and friends? I apologize for my son’s behavior. They got mixed up with the wrong crowd.” Taking a deep breath, her apology dripped with honesty. What she was forgetting was that she made a deal with our enemy.  A quiet distrust brewed between us, her eyes falling on Darwin. Quivering behind my leg, I understood his fear. Her energy was foreboding. It would have frightened me if I wasn’t so mad at her. 

“Fine. Let’s get this done. On top of that I will cleanse your soul. Are we clear?” I snapped a little too hotly, regret dimming my eyes. “I don’t like you. You joined up with our enemy the moment I killed your son and drowned one of my own. One more thing, keep your mitts off of my son.” Confusion lay beneath her relieved expression, my eyes scanning the area for clues. Darwin clung to my arm the moment I crouched down to her body. Something was off about the blood pooling around her body, the thick sludge smelling rancid. Dipping my fingers into it, the sludge stretched like melted cheese. Turning to Darwin, he lived in this world his whole life.

“Do you know what would do this?” I questioned calmly, his frightened face relaxing. “I haven’t been here for that long. Sorry for involving you.” Looking at it closely, fear replaced his calmness, his body began to tremble. Stepping back, he tripped over a rock. Curling into a ball, the twisted trees seemed to cage us in. Running over to him, my arms clutched him close to my chest. Burying his head into my shoulder, his fingers gripped my dress. 

“The murderer is the Elf Killer. He killed my mother’s entire village when we had visited one time.” He choked out, my hand rubbing his back. Wild sobs wracked his body, this moment reminding me that he was a small child. Rising to my feet, I held Darwin in my arm. This person had to pay for his crimes, the battle becoming personal for me. Turning back towards the witch, I pulled my scythe from my back. 

“I need you to realize that I am doing this for my son and not you.” I spat viciously, wiping my fingers on my dress. Pressing my dragon palm to the tree, inky footsteps lined the pathway into the shadows. Part of my mind wondered why his mother had gone back at that time, the thought of her escaping the village must have been the main cause. Snapping back to the task at hand, I had a murderer to catch. Hovering close behind me, her grateful smile softened my features. She was simply a mother trying to work through her sons’ death, the very thought of losing anyone tearing me apart. An awkward silence poisoned the air, every crunch echoed in the still air. Following the footsteps, they stopped at the mouth of a cage. Scratching the back of my head, such missions were tedious. 

“I need you to place an invisibility spell around us, Miss White Witch.” I ordered sharply, a white bubble surrounding us. Walking in, Darwin buried his head into my arm. Most people wouldn’t know it but his biggest fear was the dark. Mouthing a silent spell, a blue ball of flames floated in front of us. Following the trail, horror widened my eyes at the piles of varied decaying bodies. Not letting Darwin look, a difficult decision had to be made. Swallowing the lump in my throat, my eyes fell on the weeping woman. 

“Take my son out of here. Protect him no matter what. If he dies I will send you to Hell.” I whispered sternly, gripping the collar of her robes. Setting down Darwin, he kissed my forehead. Pulling me into a desperate embrace, his tears soaked the nape of my neck. 

“I will smite her if I have to, Mommy.” He uttered simply, one of his eyes changing color for a second. “Please come out alive.” Grabbing his shoulders, he had nothing to worry about. Patting the top of his head, nothing needed to be said. Taking her clawed hand, they left me on my own. So many souls needed to put to rest, my heart breaking for them. A dark energy dwarfed hers, a masked assassin stepping into my view. Ruby eyes met mine, fresh blood dripped of his jagged sword. Dropping his latest corpse, his eyes glittered with malice.

“I have never had fresh meat come to me before.” He gushed with a crazed grin, his fangs glinting in the light of my flames. “You must be the new queen. The last one tried to kill me too. Can you finish what she started?” His cocky attitude made me want to rip out his throat, a necklace glimmered around his wrist. The image of a baby Darwin caught my eye, his mother was holding him. The distraction was enough for him to smash me into the nearest wall, the impact bursting my liver.  Coughing up blood, his strength surpassed mine. Struggling to my feet, I had to do this for Darwin. Raising my scythe in the attack position, silver vines climbed up my arm. 

“By the decree of my crown, I sentence you to death.” I announced between coughing fits of blood. The wound refused to heal, my hand cupping my stomach. The last birth stole my immediate healing powers, the necklace glinting away snapped me out of my inner thoughts. Standing straight up, I dodged his next attack. Ripping the necklace off of his wrist, I tucked it into one of my boot’s many pockets. Sealing it shut with magic, he would probably want it. The act of kindness wasn’t without consequence, his fist slamming into my stomach. A nasty bruise formed from his attack, the clenching of my stomach muscles saving me from extensive damage. Dropping to the ground, he put all of his strength into that hit. Paralyzed from the kick, his boot kept meeting my head, every blow delivering a crack. Silent tears stained my cheeks, the ringing in my head not subsiding. Snatching his ankle, I ripped him to the ground. Struggling to my feet, my scythe shook in my grasp. Everything combined into a white dragon behind me, the fire creature roaring to life. Dodging was my only option, the desire to learn his fighting style becoming the first priority. Blocking every single, he placed all the power in his legs. Spinning to dodge his last swing, it was becoming sloppier by the second. Every time he used those powerful punches it took out a good chunk of his strength. Wearing him down to my level of strength, we were locked in a power position. 

“Did she tell you that I was her boss, not your current problem?” He chuckled darkly, letting the information sink in. Slamming my hand into his chest, my fingers curled around his heart. Ripping it out, sticky inky sludge painted my face. Swinging my scythe underneath me, the tip pierced his jaw. Grinning ear to ear, blue flames began to devour his heart.  Coughing up the excess blood, horror widened his eyes at my next words. 

“Ivory dragon, cook him from the inside.” I uttered with blood filling up my mouth, the dragon flying into his body. “I had to trust her to kill you, you murderer. Have a nice time in Hell.” The initial shock wore off, shrill shrieks bursting from his lips as flames turned his body into a pile of ash. Breathing out a sigh of relief, my body swayed slightly. Collapsing to my knees, I had to help these souls get to Heaven. Pressing my palm to the floor, thousands of spirits danced around me. 

“I purify your souls to allow an entrance into Heaven.” I whispered serenely into the sky, watching them float away. Sitting back, I had enough magic to send the White Witch to Heaven. I could heal myself later, I promised myself weakly. Voices echoed in the cave, Darwin dragging her behind him. Smashing into my body, he smothered me with a loving embrace. Mouthing a silent spell, black ribbons swirled around me, my liver’s tissues weaving back together while my skull fused back together. Stunned that he could heal now, pride swelled in my eyes. Stopping at that, the internal bleeding had ended at least. Kissing the top of his head feverishly, the White Witch held the worn wooden chest. 

“I am so happy you did it.” She chimed sweetly, setting the chest at my feet.  Surprise rounded her eyes at me yanking her to my level, confusion mixing with the surprise at me cupping her hands. Smiling warmly in her direction, the poor woman deserved eternal peace. 

“I promised you eternal peace. Sit still and let me send you to Heaven.” I chirped cheerfully, kissing the top of my hand. “Purify her sins so she can join her sons.” Tears welled up in our eyes, their spirits waited for her in the mouth of the cave. Giving me a bear hug, the light of her body faded in and out. Mouthing thank you, she draped her arms over her sons’ shoulders. Flashing me one last smile, the three of them floated into the sky. Focusing on the blubbering Darwin, I fished around my boot. Pulling out the locket, his tiny hands curled around the acorn shaped locket. Happiness mixed with sadness at the piece of jewelry in his palms, his shaking fingers opening it up. 

“How?” He stammered brokenly, nearly dropping it. “How did you find my mother’s necklace? I thought it was lost that day." Wiping away his tears, I pulled out a leather cord from my boots. Taking the necklace from him, the locket slid into my quivering palm. Threading it onto the cord, a neat knot changed it into an adjustable necklace. Dropping it over his head, my hands cupped his face. Wet eyes met my loving gaze, his hands holding mine. 

“I thought you should remember your angel of a mother. I may not be her but I can do my best to give you the greatest childhood.” I soothed him with my real smile, his hands trembling violently. “Mina let me keep the memory of my mother. Maybe one day we can add our own onto the necklace.” Wrapping his arms around my neck, his next words caused me to blush. 

“I know. I love her but I have you as my mother now. Thank you for saving it.” He gushed with a bright smile, his thumbs wiping away the tears I didn’t know that I was shedding. “I love you with all of my heart.” Guilt ate at me, the fact that my magic had been drained completely. My lips parted to speak, a train whistle brightening our mood. Running to the edge of the cave, my jaw dropped at Mina and Viktor holding our boys with Boran waving behind him. Mina had her hair pulled into a bun, Viktor had his hair pulled back into a ponytail. Emmy leaned out the window, pride beaming in his eyes. 

“I figured out a way to cross worlds!” He shouted over the whistle, the ball from before rolling to Darwin’s feet. Picking it up, Viktor’s face lit up. Fixing their white robes, Darwin dragged me towards the train. Pulling us on, fresh tears flooded from my eyes. The train chugged towards home, Viktor hugging me from the side. Ruffling the top of my head, a fit of laughter burst from his lips. 

“See I told you that you would be wearing a crown in another land. I heard you have been a wonderful queen.” He commented with his crooked grin, my heart seconds from beating out of my chest. “What are their names?” Clearing my throat, Boran was busy chatting with Mina. 

“They are Silvermoon and Silverstar.” I admitted, his grin grew wider. “I named them after the moon and the stars of this land." Scooping Mishal out of his arms, I tossed the ball to Darwin. His eager eyes fell on Viktor, a game of catch beginning with Boran joining. Mina guided me to a seat, her bright smile putting me at ease. Babbling on about how cute everyone was, her voice nearly put me to sleep. Resting my head on her shoulder, her warmth stole me away into sweet slumber.