Tusks and Dagger Part Fifty-Three: To Stop the Ashy Touch

Standing in front of a shadowy portal, every part of me didn't want to go. A gem waited for me, the Shadow Diamond proving to be the only thing to stop the darkness from devouring his soul. Clutching my scythe close to my chest did little to ease my nerves, the town behind me was all asleep. Boran was going to kill me but I needed to do this alone, Avy popping up behind me with a wide grin. Where did she come from?

“I don’t think you are going to go alone. You haven’t been sleeping so that is that.” She chirped cheerfully, spinning her blade around. “Let’s have a girl’s night out.” Hooking her arms around mine, her colorful robe brushed against my worn emerald wool dress. Damn, she looked prettier than me like always. Jumping through, it whistled shut. Glancing around, mountains of ash towered over us. Sniffing the air, it reeked of a curse. A lone figure twitched down the long twisted road, wild strands of bright red hair danced underneath a worn cloak. Stopping in front of us, terror rounded my eyes. A skinny man dropped to his knees, his emerald eyes glistening with tears. My heart shattered for him, his strife showing in his expression.

“Please help me end this curse. I can’t eat! I can’t sleep!” He wept with utter exhaustion, my eyes falling on the inky serpent dancing on his neck. “I will give you anything you want.” Clearing my throat, the Shadow Diamond would suffice. Crouching down to his level, his tears were turning to ash. 

“Okay, but you have to give us the Shadow Diamond.” I answered briskly, hoping that I didn’t put him off. “Who cursed you?” Trembling in his spot, he pointed to the inky castle curling into the sky. Placing my hands on my hips, I motioned for him to rise to his feet. Shaking like a leaf in front of me, the only solution was to kill the bastard who gave him this damn curse. 

“I need you to help me. Can you do that? Use his curse against him.” I ordered with a kind smile, Avy playing with her hair. She looked like a rainbow in this desolate landscape, my hands crossing. Marching forward, onyx scaly trees lined the pathway. Smaller snakes hung off the branches, their hisses sending chills up my spine. Keeping his hands to himself, the walk up the castle took way too long. Hiding behind the wall, giant snakes slithered around the scraggly looking castle. Turning towards the cursed individual, his wet eyes met mine. 

“We are going to clear a path, and you are going to touch his castle.” I explained simply, his head shaking. “What is wrong?” Stepping back, he clutched his hands close to his chest. Lowering his hood with my finger. Half of his porcelain skin was an ashy gray, tears welling up in my eyes. Even the death of the curse giver wouldn't cure the damage it had done.

“I might turn my people into ash if they are touching the wall.” He pointed out impatiently, my heart knowing that he was right. “You need a better plan.” Leaning against the wall, another plot had to be discovered. The snakes glitched, an idea coming to mind. Grinning ear to ear, looks of fright dawned on both of their faces. Pointing to the snakes, a strained huh escaped his lips. 

“Touch the snakes. They are only illusions but you can distract him while we get into his fortress. Then I need you to run and hide. Can you do that?” I suggested with a bright smile, his head nodding. “Let’s go.” Pushing him out, the inky snakes slithered in his direction. Touching them once, the illusions decayed to ash. Leaping over the ash, one swing of my scythe sent a cloud into the sky. Using the cover to break into his fortress, a small yelp escaped my lips at the moving floor. Leaping from free spot to free spot, my heart sank at the scarlet serpent blocking our path. Standing back to back, our hair danced in the icy gust coming down the hallway. A spiky whip tore apart the snake, Lust waving to us with her million dollar smile. Fixing her coat, she spun me around. Stop playing, damn it!

“Boran sent me to help you out. He is feeling under the weather after all.” She mused playfully, letting her whip snake down the hall to clear a path. “It appears Hissy is being hysterical today. I ran across a little guy with the ash curse. I have bad news. That curse can only be diminished, not cured. That requires your blood and him vowing to serve you. Then you can make gloves that protect his hands with your silver water. As long as he doesn’t take off his gloves, no problem would be met.” The explanation was simple, his future was a bit brighter. Pounding down the hall, Avy and Lust cut down the snakes in the way. A scaly hand ripped me from them, the shadowy portal swallowing me whole. Ice climbed the walls, a silver snake demon stepped out from the shadows. His ocean blue eyes glittered with excitement, his scales shimmering in the blue flames. Picking me up by my neck, he pinned me to the wall. Cocking my head, an inky tongue flickered out. Kicking him in the chest, ice shattered the moment he smashed into the wall. Struggling to my feet, I blocked his kick with the handle of my scythe. Pushing him back, ice shards hovered behind him. Cursing under my breath, my scythe spun in my hands. Silver vines whipped towards them, silver roses devouring them. Blood poured from my nose, my vision blurring. My body hadn’t recovered from giving birth, every spell taking a larger toll on me. A prick captured my attention, a needle quivered in my neck. Swaying slightly, my face hit the icy floor. Unable to move, claws made of ice held me down. Silent tears streamed down my eyes, the heel of his twinkling boot digging into my back. Kicking my scythe away, my dragon flames refused to ignite. Luck wasn't on my side today.

“I shut down all of your powers. I am going to bring you to my boss myself. We are going to reap the biggest reward.” He bragged gleefully, his trap decaying to ash. A boot smashed through, the person I was trying to help smashed into him. Dodging his hands, the ice began to crack. Lust called out to me, Avy flying over to me. Panic widened my eyes as the ice claws began to crush me. Struggling to breathe, my bones creaked in protest. 

“Winland Flames, you will die.” Hissy growled through his gritted teeth, Winland raising his fists. Towering over him by a couple of feet, Winland’s height matched mine. Dodging each other’s attack, Avy swung away at the ice. Lust’s whip had little effect on it, my face falling at Winland failing.  

“Lust.” I wheezed, coughing up blood from a couple of my organs bursting. “Help Winland and take down that bastard. This won’t let up until he dies. Either he dies or I die.” Yanking back Winland with her whip, she took her place. Whipping her whip over her head, the spikes bounced off of his scales. Panic twisted her features, a fuming Boran marched in with his club. Lighting crackled around his skin, his fist smashed into Hissy’s jaw. Inky blood soaked his wool shirt. Scales clattered to the floor, his eyes falling on Winland and Lust. Taking charge, I fell in love with him ever more taking such a charge.

“Free the people, I have him.” He barked venomously, the two of them exchanging fists. “No one hurts my wife.” Scale after scale dropped onto the floor. Ice swirled around him, his lightning fending off the increasing attacks. Boran needed to slow down or he was going to injure himself, my eyes widening at his next spell. Avy covered me up as he began to chant. 

“Gods of Thunder, bring the hammer down!” He commanded boldly, his club glowing to life. Cocking his head back, lightning bounced off the walls. Hissy charged at him, his ice wall pressing against his lightning. Boran disappeared in ribbons of lightning, his muscular form appearing in the air. Swinging his club towards his head, Avy whispered something in my ear seconds before a boom burst my eardrums. The sounds of water rushing around my head told me that my hearing had been compromised. Peeking out from her feathers, lightning was cooking our enemy. The ice claw crumbled away, Hissy’s body decaying to ash. Boran landed clumsily inches from me, blood pouring from his nose and ears. Wiping it away, Avy moved out of the way. Scooping me up into his arm, he dropped my scythe into my shaking hands. The Shadow Diamond spun in his palm, his crooked grin melting my heart. 

“What am I going to do with you, Lottie?” He mused lightly, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “Lust sent out an SOS when she couldn’t beat this bastard. I am so glad she did. Avy, do us the honor of flying us out.” Spinning around in a circle, my breath hitched at her shifting into a colorful parrot. Climbing on, she burst from the window. The castle crumbled away, the townsfolk waving up at us. Landing in front of them, a little girl offered Boran a cup of tea. 

“This is an antidote mixed with a healing potion. Please give it to her. We want our majesty to be okay.” She pleaded with puppy dog eyes, Boran holding it shakily while I gulped it down. A bright light blinded us, all of my wounds repairing themselves. My powers burned back to life, my trembling hands cupping Boran’s face. Kissing him passionately, his wounds healed themselves. Melting into the kiss, our hearts boomed to life along with our hearing. Clutching me close to his chest, Lust ran over to us with Winland in tow, realization dawned on my face. The curse was still alive, Boran not protesting the moment I leapt out of his arms. Walking up to him, I slid my blade along my palm. Watching the blood pool, Lust cut his palm. Pressing them together, his words  stunning me. 

“I vow my services to Queen Lottie, my sole queen.” He announced proudly, silver gloves appearing on his hands the moment a silver rose tattooed itself on his neck Bowing to me, his people did the same. Putting my finger in the air, the blue moon lightened to a silver the moment my palm touched the ashy ground.

“Restore what once was.” I sang sweetly, my hair floating up in the silver light bathing the land. Watching the scales fall off the trees, silver rose bushes took their place. Fields of food came back to life, an idea popping into my head. Rising to my feet, Boran loving gaze caused a tender blush to rise to my cheeks. Shaking off any soreness, these people needed a good meal. Clapping my hands, all eyes fell on me. 

“How about some dinner? Then we have go home.” I offered sincerely, picking up one of the baskets sitting in front of the ivory cabins lining the gray cobblestone path. I am going to need a giant pot and maybe one of you could go hunting for me.” The men picked up their worn spears, running off into the woods. Wandering over to the field, my fingers curled around the purple potatoes, and rainbow carrots. A portal opened up, Darwin and the rest of the gang walking through. Crashing into me, my groan did little to hide my pain. Darwin pushed them all away, his stronger hands taking the basket away from me. 

“I will get the vegetables, Mom. Luna, come help me!” He promised jovially, Luna bouncing after him in a silky teal dress. The twins and Somata’s brothers offered to prepare the vegetables while Avy leapt into Somata’s arms. Swaying slightly, Boran caught me in his arms. Guiding me to a blanket with our twins and Mishal, he laid me down. 

“Rest up while we help them out. We have this.” He ordered sweetly, kissing the top of my head.”We can do things for you.” Mishal crawled over to me, his giggle twinkling like bells. The twins played on their bellies. Laughing at the matching outfits of a white wool blouse and black cotton pants, Darwin ran up to me with the biggest smile. Laying on my back, he plopped down next to me. Pointing to the moon, he began to tell me about his day. Listening to him was a welcome break from everything, the excitement on his face making it all worth it. 

“Darwin, I love you.” I gushed warmly, his smile growing even wider. “Don’t you ever forget that.” Wrapping his arms around my neck, his peck on my cheek caused a tender blush to rise to my cheek. Mishal wanted to be let down, his wild hair dancing in the soft evening breeze. Laying on my stomach, the twins' eyes lit up at the sight of me. Darwin crawled over to Mishal to play with him, my arms scooping up Silverstar and Silvermoon. Pulling out my tender breasts, their tiny mouths suckled until the pain was gone. Drinking their fill, their big eyes watching me lean up against a rock. Falling asleep in my arms, a rare serenity came over my face. Staring at my companions cooking the meal while helping people caused tears to well up in my eyes. This scene was what I wanted for my entire kingdom, salty tears crashing to the tops of my twins head. Stop crying, you idiot. 

“What’s wrong, Mommy?” He inquired sweetly, rolling the ball to his brother. “Is there anything you need?” Smiling softly to myself, these were tears of joy. Setting the twins down, the aftermath of the poison still rendered me useless. If Boran hadn’t showed up we would all be dead, my joy fading to stress. Chewing on my lips, he would have been no problem a few months earlier. What was my worth if I couldn’t protect anyone? Resting my hands on my knees, Darwin carried Mishal closer to us. Sitting down next to me, he played with the air. Mishal’s giggles twinkled in the air, Boran looking back at me. Why did losing eat at me so badly? 

A kiss to the top of my head snapped me out of my downward spiral, Boran getting to my level. His hand cupped my face, his gentle smile growing warmer as I snuggled into his palm. Tracing my cheek with his thumb, his lips brushed against my forehead. Averting my gaze, I didn’t deserve this. 

“You were surprised. I know you are stronger than you think you are. The key is dropping the hesitation. From what I can sense, your own self doubt is holding you back.” He whispered lovingly, not wanting Darwin to hear. “If I know you, it is your guilt. I am not sure about what but it probably isn’t your fault.” Running his hand through his wild hair, his hands cupped mine. Kissing the top of my hands, his tenderness was something to be desired. Smiling sadly to myself, he didn’t need to worry. 

“Dackworth died because of me and got reincarnated along with his father. Now their reincarnated souls are sleeping next to me. I stole their chance at Heaven.” I blurted out oddly, his grip on my hands strengthening. “I couldn’t even do anything to help you fight. I have to raise Helios with this dragon arm. I look like a freak, don’t I?” Sinking further into a panic attack, his strong arms yanked me into a loving embrace. Rocking me back and forth until it died down, Helios bounded up to me. Wagging his tail, he climbed onto my shoulder. Licking my face, his rough tongue reminded me of how much he loved me. Letting me go, Helios bounced into Darwin’s lap. Curling into a ball, the puffs of smoke told me that he was sleeping. Darwin petted him with his real smile, my heart melting at the sight.

“Dackworth sacrificed himself, and the spirit of the mirror gave you her powers because she wanted you to have them. Your arm is still normal size. The only difference is the scales and claws. You took his soul in when you didn’t have to. You are an amazing person who deserves to be here.” He gushed with vigor, lowering my hands. “You can’t do everything so let us help. You gave birth to three children and adopted a magical son. Come on, you did pretty well.” Laughing through my tears, he wasn’t wrong. The dinner bell rang, Boran excusing himself to get us our soup. Coming back with my friends, they took a seat around me. Chatting pleasantly with them, life felt okay for a second. Darwin hung off of my back, his laughter mixing with Mishal. Sinking into the warmth of the moment, something felt like it was coming and it was up to me to lead the way.