A hush falls upon the soldiers before the gentle murmurings between them fill the silence. Each soldier has to decide with whom their allegiances lie. To follow Ereon’s order is an act of treason against the King.
With conviction in his voice, Ryul steps out from the crowd and states, “We will fight for Queen Carnaxa and King Ereon.” He drops to his knees and my heart tightens at the sight of the men sinking down, one by one. They beat their swords against their shields, and it’s at this moment that this group of men are no longer Atlas’, but Ereon’s.
Startled by the creatures’ fierce roars, everyone snaps back to attention, soldiers swiftly rise to their feet and prepare to fight once more.
Ereon makes his way back to my side, his hand reaching out to retrieve the discarded sword on his way.
“That was something,” I mumble, twirling my blade in my palms. “Never witnessed treason in real life.”
“It was necessary. I told you I would protect her, with everything I am. If we are to go against my father, I’ll need soldiers on my side.” Ahead of us the opaque bodies of the monsters come into plain view. “Get ready.”
forty-six
Carnaxa
As thekukheappear, the air fills with their menacing roars and snarls and their bodies block out the light, casting the world in an eerie darkness. They thrash about with their murky bodies, so pale I can see their black veins that trail inside of them. Their steps vibrate across the land, and my fingers tremble with anticipation. The power pulses under my skin as they approach and the wall of water that I’ve created doesn’t waver. I’m ready for this.
Being sent to the tent by the men left me feeling useless and frustrated, confined to the same old expectations. The same oldidea that I should not act, but do as I am told. Anara and I had an idea. While I don’t thoroughly understand how my power works, I have enough faith in myself to know it won’t fail me.
The feeling of magic pulsating through my veins is both intoxicating and empowering, filling me with an indescribable energy. I can feel the warmth pouring from Anara beside me as the flames from her fingertips gracefully twist and twirl, her smile emanating a powerful energy as she sets free the woman she’s kept hidden for so long. She’ll never be someone I consider a close friend, but right now, at this moment, I understand her. We all do what we have to do to survive.
The Shastonian soldiers run to our line of defense and behind them, thekukhestop just yards away. Sniffing the air and preparing themselves for what they see in front of them. I don’t know if they have encountered the magic from these lands, but they will tonight. In my periphery, Ereon and Thylas ready their blades. Their eyes dart anxiously from the intimidating monsters ahead to Anara and me, as we stand in their path. I take a steading breath, readying for whatever comes.
With a hint of suspicion, the firstkukhetakes a hesitant step, its senses alert to any signs of instability on the ground. It takes a deep breath and charges at us. The monster’s thunderous roars echo through the air, reaching us with each powerful stride it takes, making it difficult to resist the urge to retreat. Instead, I delve deep within myself, embracing the pulsating and swirling power that lives within.
Anara unleashes a fiery whip, sending a wall of flames towards the advancing creatures. The fire scorches their feet, causing them to lose balance and fall with a heavy thud. With my hands raised, I unleash a powerful surge. The creatures battle against the tidal wave, struggling to breathe. Some of the smaller creatures crumble to the ground, before taking a final breath. The stronger, larger ones regain their footing as Anara and I continue our assault.
Behind us, soldiers’ voices are filled with disbelief as they take in the sight in front of them. Suddenly I hear their rallying cries as they rush into battle. Proving that they would stand with us.
Akukheto my left swipes their arm, taking out five men. Their bodies fall against the frozen ground. Water slips through my fingers, coiling tightly around the creature’s neck, constricting like a deadly noose. The monster wriggles and twists, desperately trying to break free from my grip. Another runs at us and I send out another lariat of power.
Anara’s power charges again, the heat warming my side. I hear the crackling and popping of the flames as they devour everything in their path. Thekukhe’sscreams of pain penetrate the air. The monsters are used to the men that surround their world, not the magic within. But my new power isn’t used to being summoned either, and I can feel it fading.
Thekukhein my grasp is close to death as it struggles against the raging waters flowing from me. I hold on for as long as I can, my power just a drizzle inside of me. I’m wearing out fast because I’ve not practiced; I don’t have the necessary endurance.
I look over and see Thylas fighting akukhethat got through our defensive line. Its long, razor-like nails thrash out at him and catch his shoulder. Blood pours down his cloak. The creature stops and cocks its head at him, sniffing the air and yelling towards the otherkukhe. They stop their onslaught near Thylas and instead, return to attack us. Soldiers’ bodies are now strewn across the land, painting the snow crimson.
I stumble and desperately clutch onto the streams of water that trickle through me, refusing to let go. Catching Anara’s gaze, a wave of concern washes over her. “Are you okay?” she yells while maintaining her own power that surges like a wildfire, but the sweat on her brow shows her struggle and her foot momentarily slips across the slick snow. She’s wearing out too. I nod my head, but internally, I’m cursing my insufficient stamina.
I stumble again, but Ereon catches my elbow, helping me stand. “Ryehro, we’ve weakened them, their numbers are not what they were. The soldiers and I can take it from here. Stop.” Ereon turns his attention to Thylas. Their gazes meet as Ereon motions to Anara, issuing Thylas a silent command. They want us both to stop.
Glancing at Anara, Thylas springs towards her. Her arms lower as her strength wanes. Thylas grabs her by the arm to help support her; surprisingly, he is not burnt by her flames. He yells for her to back down. She argues with him, forcefully shoving him back behind her.
Fear fills Ereon’s dark brown eyes as I desperately try to hold on to my own power. He yells at me again, “Stand down!”
I vigorously shake my head. “We aren’t done yet.”
Inside of my chest, I feel the twin drop ripple. The shell embedded in my chest glows with a bright white light, and Ereon looks down, noticing his doing the same. The ripples ebb and flow through and around the two of us. Relief washes over me. Ereon’s power courses through me. The flowing water turns into a spectacle of crystallized ice, shimmering with a mesmerizing iridescence. Smiling at me, he shifts his focus back to the captivating scene before us. The sound ofkukhehitting the ground echoes through the air as the icy tendrils constrict around their bodies, before crushing them.
A piercing cry has the remainingkukheretreating. Anara releases her flames once more, reducing the bodies she held in her clutches to nothing but ash. As my power finally fizzles out, I surrender myself to Ereon’s waiting arms.
The soldiers’ cheers fill the air. The impact of the fists against their shields resonates like a captivating song, echoing through the air. Pulling me into him, Ereon glances down at me with a mischievous smile, his eyes filled with desire. Then his lips crash into mine. It’s a possessive kiss, a declaration to the world that he will always be by my side. I can’t stay awake anymore and I fall into darkness knowing he’ll catch me.
“Welcome back.”
The voice alerts me before I even gather where I am. It’s her again. The one who calls herself my mother. “What do you want?”
“You need to get back to your father. You must help bring about a new beginning.” Her words are clipped. I see my mother, but it’s not her voice.
