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The four of us were almost back to Silver City, the name being of the mysterious town that popped up. Rubbing my forehead, this migraine was going to be the death of me. The bushes snapped around us, Wrathia and Jester snapping into a defensive position. Ice and fire whistled by my head, two elves stepping out of the bushes. A fiery red haired woman ignored us, her golden robes fluttered in the hot air of her bright orange flames. Ruby eyes glared in the direction of the other elf, the male elf running his hand through the ice blue curls that bounced around his shoulders. His white fur robe danced in his own icy gust, my eyes narrowing in their direction.
“I told you that I didn’t do it, Tanera!” The male elf shouted over the competing energies, the other elf’s lips curling into a snarl. “I was trying to st-” A ball of fire stopped him mid-sentence, my hands ripping my scythe off my back. Examining a dark mark on her neck, my eyes flitted between the two of them. Something reeked and it smelled like Cauchemar, the Lord of Darkness himself. A fireball seemed aimed for his heart, Boran protesting me the moment I leapt in front of him. Blocking her attack with my scythe, confusion dawning in his eyes. Terror rounded my eyes, a circle of flames crackled dangerously around her. Staring at the sight in front of me, his eyes not picking it up.
“She has been infected by Cauchemar’s curse.” I informed him briskly, not wanting him to feel any worse. “She can’t be the first one.” Mouthing a silent spell, lines of fire connected them. Dragging me deeper into the woods, a wall kept them from getting to me. Tommy slammed his paw on the wall, my heart sinking into my stomach.
“Can you keep up with me if I take you to our villages?” He huffed, his grip slipping from my hand. “We have never had outsiders.” Nodding my head once, embarrassment colored my cheeks at my outfit. Taking off his robe, he draped them over me with a warm smile. Something told me that this was going to get me closer to the way to kill Cauchemar, the image of an irritated Boran sending chills up my spine. Shaking it off, his finger tapped on the tallest oak tree. Bending down into the door, his towering height had proved advantageous. Slamming it shut behind me, his worn boots crunched down a worn path. My jaw hit the ground at two separate villages, one was covered in snow while lush greenery covered several tree houses. Dragging me into the beautiful winter scene, snow crunched underneath my boots. Climbing up the biggest tree house, he opened up a creaky trapdoor. Pulling me into a simple living room with wooden chairs and a river stone fireplace. A fire crackled, the warmth sinking into my bones. Disappearing for a second, he came out with a silky sapphire gown.
“I know it isn’t much but it is the only dress my mother ever owned.” He offered sincerely, my slender hands accepting the dress graciously. “Then I can fill you in on the situation. Perhaps you can help since you are the queen.” Stepping into the next room, I peeled off the blouse I was wearing. Pulling the dress over my head, my shaking fingers tied the silver ribbon to tighten the top of my dress. A silver belt emphasized my bump, a furry hood hanging off of my back. Fixing the bell sleeves, my fingers traced the matching fur. Stepping out, he gasped in wonder. Offering me a seat on a lovely bench, steaming cups of tea waited for us.
“Let me introduce myself. I am Lottie, your queen. Unfortunately, I don’t know who you are or what you wish to accomplish.” I returned serenely, picking up my cup of tea. “I love the dress. The material feels wonderfully soft.” Blowing on the steam, he cleared his throat while adjusting his silver vest and pants.
“I am Rhewy Snowstorm, the lord of this village while my former best friend is the lady of that one. We used to play together as we grew up but something changed when she went out on her last hunting trip.” He explained with a shaky voice, his cup shaking in his hands. “She hated me out of the blue, and I don’t understand why. We were working on uniting them.” Taking a sip of his tea, the stress wore on his face. Setting my cup down, his lips pressed together. ‘
“I need to ask you something.” I conveyed kindly, to ease his nerves. “Did you seek me out specifically? I noticed that I was the only one who could see you.” Glass clinked the moment he placed his cup on the table, his hands crossing.
“I suppose that is true but I can’t trust the others yet. Most of them have attempted to destroy our villages more than once.” He commented with intense distraught, my hands cupping his. I suppose that was fair, Wrathia’s long line of damage could suffocate us all. Chewing on my lips, he shouldn’t be scared of them now.
“I don’t know how to explain this but she is in a better place now.” I protested delicately, ready to defend my new friends. “None of them are really evil anymore. Boran is my husband. What can I do to unite you guys?” Shrugging his shoulders, a sleep deprived elf whispered something in his ears. Popping to his feet, he leapt down the trap door. Following him, a seething Tanera held my unconscious friends in her arms. Standing a good few inches over me, the sight of her holding a seven foot tall demon threw me off. Tossing them to my feet, her finger pointed towards me. Taking a step back, the mark had done a number on her. Black veins lined her face, inky sludge pouring from her eyes.
“I am going to kill you for my master.” A shrill voice overpowered hers, icy chills ran up my spine. “Get ready to get roasted.” A ball of flame swelled in her palm, her pointed ears pinning back. Raising my dragon hand the moment she released it, my own flames canceling out hers. Rhewy pleaded with me to stop, his pleas falling on deaf ears. Lowering my scythe to the attack position, her flames shifting into a golden sword. The sleek blade shimmered in her flames, her slender fingers curled around the golden phoenix sculpted hilt. Spinning it over her head, her boots crunched towards me. Blocking her wild swing, the technique was unlike any other I had seen. Struggling to understand the footwork, her blade pinned me to a tree in no time. Swinging her foot towards my head, my palms caught it. My bones creaked underneath the sheer power, my scythe crashed into the snow. Tommy stirred awake, his eyes widening at the battle taking place. Gripping her toes and heel, a swift tug broke her ankle. The crack still haunted my mind, a shrill shriek burst from her lips. Tossing her to the side, my mind flickered through every move she had displayed. Clicking her bone back into place, dread bubbled in my gut the moment she leapt to her feet. This was going to take all day if I wanted to get close to her mark, low growls rumbling in my throat. Blocking her attacks with ease, every step matched hers. My power equaled hers, the fighting style getting clearer. Now to get her closer to me. Dodging her attack, I yanked her closer to me. Placing my palm on her neck, my silver flames burned away the curse. Collapsing onto the ground, a silver rose climbed up her neck. Flashing me a gracious smile, Rhewy rushed over to thank me. Catching the black aura heading our way, I kicked him out of the way while tossing his friend into his arms. Blocking his black scythe, Cauchemar and I were locked into a battle.
“Do you know what will have to happen to you if you kill me?” He taunted cruelly, swinging at my womb. Narrowly missing it, I flipped over him. Spinning on his heels, he waited patiently for me to ask the question. Rolling my eyes, his personality was enough to drive anybody bonkers.
“What would I have to do?” I retorted sarcastically, dodging his next attack. “Would I have to absorb you? I can handle the darkness if it means that this world can be safe.” Slamming his heel into my chest, he shook his head. His hair danced in the icy bluster, his eyes falling on Boran. A lump formed in my throat, a clump of snow crashed on top of my head the moment I crashed into a tree.
“You can’t kill me, he can. He gets to absorb me, not you. The new powers he has would keep the darkness in check. You couldn’t absorb shit. The unlimited power courses through you as it is.” He explained with an evil grin, Tommy biting his boot. A steady stream of curse words flooded from his lips as he picked up Tommy by the neck. Threatening to snap his neck, my hand shook. Boran stirred awake, his fingers curling around his club. Dropping a limp Tommy, his attention turned to Boran. Lightning bounced around his arms, Cauchemar catching his arm before it hit his head. Building up my white flames, silver water swirled around my arm. Aiming it towards his core, every ounce of power I had left throbbed violently around my palm. Letting it go, the ball slammed into his core. Surprise rounded his eyes, white flames devouring his robes. Stomping it out, Boran’s club struck his shoulder. Lightning traveled down to the exposed skin on his neck. Smashing his elbow into his chest, Boran crashed into a tree. Groaning in agony, his head rolled back. Clutching his chest, every rib had been broken. Coughing up blood, my nightmare was about to become reality. Tanera struggled to her feet, her blade spun in her palm. Smashing into Cauchemar’s body, she dug her fingers into the burn on his neck. Screaming out in raw agony, hot flames coursed into his body. Holding him in his place, she raised her blade over her head. Cutting through his bone with ease, the flames cauterized his wound. His arm plopped to the ground, the mass decaying to ash. Mouthing a silent spell, a cloud of black dirt obscured his escape. Everything calmed down, Tommy limping over to me with his ears pinned back. Holding him close to my chest, his purrs echoed in my ears. Feeling his back leg, it had been broken. Resting him on my lap, guilt at me at my lack of powers.
“Sorry about your leg, Tommy.” I apologize profusely, patting the top of his head. “I will see if one of the elves can heal you or patch you up. Thank you for being brave.” Rising to my feet, every muscle protested as I plopped down next to Boran. Holding his chest, blood dripped from the corner of his lips. Flashing me a bright smile, he pulled my head onto his chest. Bones clicked around, concern burning in my eyes.
“I am fine.” He wheezed, coughing up blood. “I love you, Daggers. Is Tommy okay?” Purring in my arms, rough darkness stole them both away. Rhemy towered over me, his hand hovered in front of my face. Tanera tossed Boran over her shoulders, an appreciative smile flashing in my direction. One tug had me back on my feet, his arms scooping up Tommy.
“I can’t heal him but I can get a cast on his leg. It's the least I can do for you.” He offered sincerely, petting his head. “He was such a brave cat. He must love you. Come with us. We will patch up Boran the best we can until you can heal them both.” Following them, childlike wonder twinkled in my eyes at the two worlds merging into a crisp autumn. Colorful leaves littered the pathway, a light energy bathing the land. Elves from both sides crossed with ease, tears welling up in my eyes.
“Do you have a pond or something? I need to check up with someone.” I asked politely, crossing my hands. “I need to talk to my son’s babysitter.” Taking me to the room full of mirrors, he pointed to the reflective pool in the center. Thanking me, he bowed out of the room. Leaning over the edge, Somata’s face came into view. Darwin hopped onto his shoulders.
“Is Mishal okay?” I sobbed softly, teardrops shattered the surface. “I need to know if something is going alright.” Holding him out, he cooed at my face. Smiling softly to myself, it did little to ease my crippling depression. Darwin talked my ear off about the things going on back home. Helios sat on his shoulder as Emerald played with the kids behind him. Wishing them a lovely evening, he blew me a kiss before their images faded away. Sliding down the fountain, I cupped the sides of my head. Fighting the urge to let out a scream, a knock stole my attention. Ragenia wandered in, her skirt flowed freely over the floor. Sitting down across from me, she cupped my hands.
“You need to take a deep breath. You saved us all once again with some help of course.” She comforted me in a motherly tone, pulling me closer to her. “Most people would have killed me but you didn’t. Take solace in that. You reunited most of the lords of darkness. My brother was the bad seed in us all.” Bowing my head in shame, my eyes refused to meet hers. Teardrops soaked the top of our hands, every ounce of stress and panic flowing from me. Pulling me into the sincerest hug, she held my head against her shoulder. Feeling pathetic, her curls tickled the top of my head.
“Little Nugget, you don’t realize how important you are.” She continued sweetly, kissing the top of my head. “You remind me of my daughter that I lost centuries ago. Before you set us free, I was trapped in one of my favorite memories with her. It was torture. She would go to bed and the day would start again. You can be my surrogate daughter if you wish. Call me Ragy if you wish.” Hearing her say that sent chills up my spine, her teardrops soaking my hair. This moment was just as therapeutic for her, her long finger lifting up my chin with her finger. Wiping away my tears, no words could come to the tip of my tongue. Her lips parted to speak, a busted up Boran stumbling in. Ragy excused herself politely, her gown rustling away. Sitting down next to me, his ribs had been placed back precariously. Resting his head on my shoulder, my trembling finger wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. A fresh white blouse covered the damage, his fingers intertwined with mine.
“I don’t know how you do it. It feels like a train hit me.” He groaned bitterly, leaning his head back. A thumping noise captured my attention, Tommy limped in with a cast on his leg. Laying down on my lap, the mirrors were taunting us. Pulling my hood over my head, the fur blocked out the bright light. The hood fell back, surprise rounding their eyes as I jumped to my feet.
“I have to make Ragy feel a bit better. Meet you at dinner.” I uttered simply, sensing her distress from a mile away. Motioning for me to go, the mirrors captured my haunting reflection. Stepping onto the autumn pathway, a sullen Ragy sat on a golden bench. Sitting down next to her, my hands cupped her shaking hands.
“I am willing to treat you like a mother if it makes you feel better.” I offered sincerely, her wet eyes meeting mine. “You have to give me a minute.” Kissing the top of my head, her hands slipped from mine. Facing forward, her curls cascaded over her fingers, her other hand shifted around her pocket. Pulling out a golden bracelet, the piece of jewelry shimmered in the Harvest Moon’s rays. Taking my wrist, she clipped it on with silent tears. Kissing the metal, a warmth washed over me.
“You are now my surrogate daughter.” She wept brokenly, her tired smile meeting mine. “When she died, she told me to give it to the next person I saw as worthy. That is you. Take care of it for me. It means everything to me.” Wiping away her tears with my thumbs, her hands cupped mine. Not taking her gift lightly, tender joy mixed with sadness. Hope swirled off of her, her aura shining more radiantly.
“Ragy, can I ask you a question?” I queried gently, her head nodding once. “Am I taking something that doesn’t belong to me?” Shaking her head, her next words melted most of my anxiety away.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She sighed softly, cocking her head to the right. “Please accept my gift. Little Nugget, get some rest.” Laying my head on her lap, her fingers played with my hair. Tears splashed onto my face, an apologetic grin meeting mine. Humming a lullaby, the sweet notes sounded like Heaven to me. Exhaustion weighed heavily on my eyelids, sweet slumber stealing me away.
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