Tusks and Daggers Part Twenty-Five: A New God Arrives!

Lottie:

Shifting through my doctor’s bag, the magical plague haunting this village of demons had drained me out of my potions. Panic coursed through my mind, all of the villagers still sick. For weeks we have been here trying to find the cure, Merlin tapping my shoulder. Sir Acorn rested on my other shoulder. Black bags hollowed out their eyes, all of us working around the clock.

“Have you found any other potion recipes?” I asked impatiently, watching Darwin and Boran play in the field. “I don’t want people to die because I was too stupid to figure it out.” Their matching white blouses fluttered in the early morning breeze, their black wool pants irritating me slightly. The black wool dress had to replace my green wool dress because my bump had grown much too large for it, embarrassment burning my cheeks. 

“No, so I called Antler and he had nothing either.” Merlin groaned, the hood of his new white robes shielding his eyes from the blinding morning sun. “Looks like you are going to have to make one from scratch. We still have a ton of ingredients.” Exhaling exhaustively, my teeth clenched shut. Sir. Acorn picked up on my mood, his tiny body trembling. Folding my arms across my chest, none of them knew the difficulty of coming up with a new potion. Brushing past them, an empty needle spun in my palm. Going to the sickest person, purple boils covered their faces. Fallen hair rested on the blood soaked pillow, my companions doing their best to help keep up with the mess. Muddy blood filled the needle, my eyebrows rising in concern. Exiting without a word, the pile of the dead in the next room taunted me. Failure plagued my mind, three quarters of the village remaining. Sitting in the center square of the village, my fingers drew a spell in the dirt. Drawing the necessary symbols, my worn pocket knife glided across my palm. Dripping the blood around the circle, my palms pressed together.  

“Mina, lend me your light to decipher the spell plaguing the village.” I prayed politely, hoping the spell would come through. “Please give me the gift of spell parchment.” A blue light hummed around me, the circle fading to a piece of black parchment paper. Injecting the paper with the infected blood, the composition of the magic disease scrawled out  in red ink. Wrapping up my hand, the composition was all off. These were words that I didn't know, a stiff pout puffing out my bottom lips. This mystery needed to be solved, my fingers drumming on the paper.

“Fifty percent Distome, thirty percent Triaph, and twenty percent Sicoment.” Somata mused playfully, the twins training with Mary and Kara to the right of me. “Such a unique composition. Too bad you don’t have any of the ingredients. Would you like to gather them with me?” His long white hair hung next to him as he bent over, his black gloved finger tapping his chin. Dusting off his black cloak, his head cocked to the left. Rolling my eyes, the situation had already made my decision. Sighing deeply, Dackworth flicked me in the forehead with his finger made of pure green energy.  

“Just go, dummy!” Dackworth teased lightly, Darwin hopping onto shoulders. “See, even the kid wants to go!” Smiling warmly up at Darwin, his hair framed his grinning face. His ears wiggling with the twinkling bells of his giggles, his golden eyes twinkling with adventure. Somata ruffled the top of his head, Somata winking in my direction. Feeling more comfortable around me, the two boys sang a song they made together. A fit of laughter burst from my lips, a rare serenity washing over my face. Somata held three black leather bags, a new blade resting tied on his back. The sleek scarlet curved blade shimmered in the morning sun, worn black leather hilt lined with a scarlet ribbon. A black shadow swirled around it, my eyes narrowed at the new weapon. The leaves crunched underneath our boots, Darwin smiling away. Somata led the way, his hair swaying with each bounce. 

“Can I ask how you got the new weapon?” I queried oddly, my curiosity peaked. “You didn’t have it the day I was transported to Antler’s home.” Chuckling warmly to himself, his mismatched eyes glancing back at me with a wicked grin. Always ready to tell a tale, he spun around and poked my nose. A snarl curled on my lips, my nose scrunching up. 

“When you were gone my brothers and I decided to make a sword from that black thing you pulled out of me. My other weapon broke, so now I have shadow powers along with a myriad of others.” He announced proudly, my finger burning at one touch. “Your magic is the enemy of the blade. Since you removed the curse, its darkness won’t affect me. That’s my story.” Darwin gasped in wonder, his head only swelling bigger. 

“Okay, but I will be watching you.” I joked sisterly, my wicked grin matched his. “Seriously, do be careful. I simply can’t imagine a world without you. Would you stay by my side no matter what? I would love it if you traveled with me wherever I go. Besides, how many years did the curse rob you? I can’t believe I was lucky enough to meet you. I promise to give you a world of freedom and joy. What do you say? Will you become a knight of sorts for me? I can almost guarantee that your brothers and girlfriends can manage. Please say yes.” A tender blush rose to his cheeks, shock rounding out my eyes as he got onto his knees. Bowing his head, he offered me his hand.  

“I vow to serve you as a knight of sorts, and as your older brother. Is that okay Darwin?” He proclaimed with a puffed chest, winking at Darwin. “I do love that title. It is so dramatic. Do I have your approval, good sir?” Nodding once, his real smile greeting Somata’s kind smile. Untying my scythe, Dackworth rolled his one eye with each tap on his shoulders. 

“I now pronounce you as my knight, Lord Somata. Please rise.” I choked out nervously, unsure of what to say next.  Rising to his feet, Darwin flipped off of my neck. Getting down on one knee, he bowed his head. Glancing up with wet eyes, his palms pressed together. 

“Please make me your knight.” He begged adorably, giving me his puppy dog eyes. “I want to serve you as your top knight. Will you train me with a sword, and everything?” Tapping each shoulder, he bowed his head. Smiling warmly to myself, he was being so adorable. Somata remained sitting next to him, his hand ruffling his hair. My real smile brightened my face, the two of them looking like little puppies.

“I vow to serve you as a knight of sorts.” He vowed firmly, a small lump formed in his throat. “I vow to be the best son I can be.” Clenching his tiny fists, his golden golden eyes shimmering with tears. Kissing the top of his head, Dackworth even smiled with his one eye. Tapping each shoulder, pride swelled in his chest. 

“I now pronounce you as my knight, Darwin. Serve me honorably.” I announced jovially, helping them both up. Embracing me affectionately, their admirable base of energy heated up my soul. Wishing that this moment could never end, my heart shattered as they both let me go. Hiding my tears with my bangs, mentally cursing these blasted hormones. My friends were beginning to feel more like home than where I came from, my hands crossing. Was this what Mina had always talked about? The warmth of having my new friends around made me happier than I had ever been, sadness tainting my eyes. I didn’t want to say goodbye to them, my mind wandering further into the very dark thought of leaving them. 

“Are you okay, Mommy?” Darwin asked softly, wiping away my tears. “You have been crying for ten minutes now. We have to go.” Somata waved in the center of a black humming circle, Darwin dragging me over. Clapping his hands together, shadows swirled to a different realm. My breath hitched at the beauty of the rainbow of medicinal herbs tickling my legs. Violet trees flourished with white cherry blossoms, a breeze blowing the petals around. A light pink sky twinkled with silver diamonds, the full lilac moon bathing the field.  Darwin ran into the rainbow field, Somata resting on my shoulder. A confident smile illuminated his face, something seeming rather off. 

“This is my own private garden.” He bragged humbly, grazing the top of each herb. “This is my hiding place. The curse would always fade away here.” Sitting down on the ground, a profound sadness hid beneath his kind smile. Plopping down next to him, Darwin remained in my view. Resting his wrists on his knees, a troubled sigh escaped slowly from his lips. A single tear poured from his black eye, his head bowing in shame. 

“This is where I would dream of seeing my brother’s again and a girl named Lottie. My good soul said that we would meet one day, and she would be my salvation. It was creepy.” He admitted sheepishly, my hands cupping his hands. “Now I know what my dreams meant. I am so glad to have met you. I would have never woken up.” Wiping away his tears, Darwin skipped over with an alarmed look on his face. Tears streamed down his cheeks, true fear rounding his eyes. 

“Reapers in the village! Ready to claim some more souls! They told me that we have two hours left to figure it out or the whole town dies!” He panicked, his tiny body melting into my arms. “I don’t want them to die.” Leaping to our feet, Somata pointed at me to cut certain herbs down with my scythe. Clammy sweat drenched my skin, Somata dragging out a black iron cauldron the height of a man. Tossing the herbs I cut down for him in, Darwin hung off of his back taking it all in. Mouthing a silent spell, ice blue water poured from his palms. Watching with bated breath, Darwin leapt into my arms. Rosiness burned his cheeks with the kiss to his forehead, his true smile melting my heart.

“Can I start the fire to cook it?” He pleaded cutely, pressing his palms together. “I can do it myself now.” Skipping over to the steel stand now holding it up. Golden flames burst from his palms, the flames devouring the wood. Closing his palms, Somata shot him a thumbs up. Stirring the potion with a magic controlled spoon, ninety minutes remained. An explosion shattered the surface of his garden, three reapers flooding in through the jagged hole. 

“I will handle them!” I yelled over the chaos, a single nod affirming my order. “Dackworth, I am going to need to tap into your necromancer magic. Can you cover me?” His eye met mine, a green glow doubling my scythe’s size. A low growl rumbled in his throat, Darwin hiding behind a couple of rocks. Covering his eyes, my heart shattered. Launching into the air, three sleek black scythes swung in my direction. Blocking each attack, sparks drifted aimlessly with each violent clash. Crashing to the ground, a cloud of dirt obscured my vision. The tips of their scythes narrowly missed me, dirt coating my dress with each roll.  

“Go away!” Darwin snapped hotly, a black skeleton scythe spinning in his palms. “I will defend my mother.” The scythe matched his height, a black shadow looming over him. Terror paralyzed me, the red eyes sending chills up my spine. The God of Death towered behind him, his scythe raised in the attack position. Turning their attention towards him, a spell held me down. Struggling to get out of my spot, I wasn’t going to let him die. 

“Let me go, Darwin!” I ordered sharply, his head shaking. “You can’t kill a reaper! The punishment is death itself.” Doubling down his spell, his lips curled into a wicked grin. Bowing to the three reapers, a shrill shriek shattered the chilly air. Cocking his head, he was no longer Darwin. Tears poured from my eyes, Dackworth’s eye closing. My staff shrank down, all of my magic draining towards my son.  

“I am no longer Darwin, but the God of Death himself. I don’t agree with you taking out an entire village. Leave them alone or I will kill you three.” A deep voice thundered, Somata still working on the potion. “You won’t hurt my mother. So die!” The ground quaked, a puff of ice blue smoke burst into the sky. Turning my attention back to Darwin, his golden eyes were now red. Swinging his scythe towards the reapers, a wave of black energy knocked me further into the field. Struggling to my feet, blood poured from his eyes and nose. Spinning it above his head, another blast of energy shot me up in the air. Wanting to help him haunted my mind, the sight of him torturing me. Catching me under his arm, he held onto me. Rage seethed in my eyes, his other hand keeping my scythe out of reach. 

“You are going to die if you attempt to help him.” He explained calmly, my body going slack. “Just what do you think you are going to do without any powers? If you die, his condition will only get worse. Do you want that?” Biting my lips he was right, Darwin looking like a flash of black light dancing with black tattered robes. Watching intensely, my chest tightened. A strangled gasp escaped my lips, my heart beating faster. Sitting me on the edge of the cauldron, he tied my scythe to my back. Shoving the thousands of vials into his bags, my eyes never left Darwin or whatever he was. An explosion shook the ground, Somata catching me just in time. 

“Will you stop playing already, and finish up? The medicine is done.” He announced urgently to Darwin, his head nodding in affirmation. “I am taking her back up to the surface. You will be joining me once you are done, right?” Before I could protest, he snapped his fingers. Landing gracefully near the edge of the pond, the reflection of the battle greeted my anxious eyes. 

“I am going to take these to the village. You stay here and watch.” He called out while running back towards town, my eyes falling back on the surface of the water. My vision blurred, my heart settling down. Mouthing another spell, fright paralyzed me. This spell destroyed his garden, including the reapers. All signs of life decayed, his hand reaching for mine. Pulling him through, his scythe faded away as he collapsed into my arms. Gazing lovingly up at me, he coughed up an unnatural amount of blood. Scooping him up, the trees rushed by as I sprinted back towards the village. Not caring about the water soaking me, he had to live to experience the true joys of life. Tears flooded from my eyes, his body went limp in my arms. Running faster, branches scratched my face. 

“Stay awake for your mommy.” I pleaded desperately, his pulse still weak. “I need you in my life. You are my son, so don’t forget that. I am so proud of you, but you didn’t have to go so far!” Skidding into the village, everyone seemed to be back to better health. Laying Darwin down on an empty bed, my tears soaked his face as I searched through all of my potion bottles. Damn it!! All of them were empty, Somata rushing in with the last potion. Shoving me to the ground, he poured the last down his throat. Digging my nails into the floor, a cry of pain exploded from my lips as my nails ripped off one by one. Strong arms wrapped around my shoulders, blood pouring from my fingertips. 

“I am here.” Boran promised lovingly, kissing the top of my head. “He’s okay.  The potion worked. See for yourself.” An icy blue light died down, all of his wounds healed. Clutching me close to his chest, the blood from my fingers painting his white wool shirt red. Sitting me down next to him, he began to wrap the tips of my fingers. Somata pat the top of my head before leaving.  

“His soul carries this world’s God of Death. He almost killed himself protecting me.” I sobbed violently, staring at my wrapped fingers. “It is imperative  to stop him from doing that again. I can’t live without his smile or laughter. I don’t feel so good.” My vision blurred, sweet slumber sweeping me away to dreamland.