Morrigan woke up several moments later. She blinked as she shook her head sitting up. Her eyes came into focus and took in her surroundings in low light; smooth stone mixed with jagged formations all around her. She could see that it was no bad dream; she had fallen in a hole, broken several bones and hit her head. Mild panic set in as she began feeling all over her body before realizing she was using her right arm, which as she recalled, had been broken beyond use.

Morrigan inspected her hands, all her fingers moved, no cuts or scrapes just dirt underneath her nails. “Wait! I can see?” She thought to herself in surprise.

Yeah you can thank me for that one, you humans have really have terrible biological design for your organs.

She jumped as she recognizes the voice. It was clearer now instead of seeming so omnipresent. “you healed me?” she asked confused.

That was the deal we made, I help you, you help me.

She bit her lip, concerned at what sort of bargain she had really struck with this being. “Was this a literal deal with the devil?” She pondered as she stood up.

A devil? Now that’s just rude.

She froze. How did it hear that?

The voice chuckled; I did say I was a god did I not? Enough with your questions hairless monkey, time to get out of this place.

“Hairless monkey?” She questioned.

Not so nice is it? Now look left. She was even more confused now but did as she was told, to her left she found a small crack in the wall at its base. She crouched down and could see with her new low light vision that there was loose rock in the crack. Go on. Dig it out.

She could not believe she was following orders from a disembodied voice. Was it disembodied? She could have swore she felt it enter her body before she passed out. She dug silently until her arms reached open space. The air that rushes through the crack in the wall was stagnant beyond belief. She assumed she was supposed crawl through.

Now you’re getting it little girl, let me guide you to freedom. Morrigan shook her head, this was the weirdest and most stressful day of her life. She inspected the crack. Realizing she could not wear her backpack, she took it off once again and shoved it through. Do you really need that kid?

“well, it’s my school backpack so yeah I kind of…” she paused to think for a second. “I guess not actually. But you do know I’m not a kid right? I’m 19, legally an adult thank you,” Morrigan said pointedly.

Everything is a kid when you’re my age, I’ve seen more civilizations fall than years you’ve existed darling. Not to mention the countless species long extinct since my prime.

This intrigued her as she began wedging herself into the crack and slowly crawl through. “That's a good point…” she paused as her hips got stuck, cursing her figure as she grabbed onto what she could and pulling herself free, “fucking childbearing hips!”

Hehehe. She ignored it’s chuckle.

“How old are you anyways?” she asked as she moved farther into the crack.

Eh, you tend to stop counting after the first few eons.

She stopped, “eons?” she asked in disbelief. Was this some kind of ancient being she’s listening to? An actual god? What was it? She wondered.

Let’s not start age shaming. Some people like them older. She rolled her eyes and pressed on. That was something she would have to wrap her brain around later. She squirmed and shuffled out of the crack in the wall, pushing her bag aside, into an expansive cavern. It was very impressive, filled with numerous stalagmites and stalactites. The downside was she could find no clear exit as the cavern stretched beyond her vision. However, she did notice a small water flow that cut through the center. She rushed over to the running water, nearly tripping over baby stalagmites as she cupped her hands and drank the water that she had pooled into her palms.

After three palms of water she froze, “this isn't going to kill me drinking from this right?” she asked.

Ha! No, I would’ve warned you. She breathed a sigh of relief and drank her fill.

Morrigan felt significantly better. Are you done being a ‘thirsty bitch’ or would you like to stick around and die of starvation? She glared at nothing, this being was an asshole.

“You know, for someone eons old, you sure speak… modernly?”

Didn’t you know gods are all knowing? Not really… no, I spent my time paying attention. Thus hearing humanity’s colloquial mannerisms and hearing your pitiful cry for help.

She folder her arms across her chest, “what a dick,” she thought.

She studied the small stream and watched it flow to her left meaning, theoretically, and exit was towards her right somewhere. She began following against the water flow. Ah smart girl, I was just about to tell you to follow the water.

“Do you know where the exit is?” she inquired.

Yes, at the end there will be a waterfall. That is the exit.

She nodded and kept on walking. If it would have been a peaceful and beautiful trek through the underground cavern if it had not been the ever-looming threat of death that followed her.

She did not expect the expansiveness of the cavern as her feet began to hurt. The echo of water dripping becoming a maddening as she ground her teeth. How long has she been roaming the underground? Hours? Minutes? Her mind rattled. Oh, is that the sweet scent of insanity setting in? Hahaha.

“Fucking hell… are we almost there?” Morrigan asked as she groaned at the ceiling. A drop of water landed on her cheek which caused her to slap her own face. She covered her face with her hand and screamed into her palms as she continued walking.

Not paying attention, Morrigan ran into a wall. “Damn it!” She screamed as she looked around.

Now. Now. No need to get all frustrated, even though your anger is quite tantalizing. Look up. Morrigan huffed as she did what it said. She noticed water drained at a steady pace high above her, from this angle it appeared to be a ledge about 25 feet up.

“How the hell am I supposed to get up there?” she asked aloud.

Come now, isn’t it obvious?

Morrigan looked up again and studied the wall of solid stone. Most of it was too smooth to climb, but she had to try. She did her best to find any space that would work as a foot or finger hold however, after ten feet Morrigan could not find anything within reach to use. This turned the eternal ember deep within her core into a roiling fire. This would not be her fate, she would not die a pathetic death caused by something as trivial as climbing. As her anger peaked, her focus drawn to the challenge in front of her, Morrigan did not expect sparks of crimson electricity that bolted around her as she hauled her fist back and punched the wall out of frustration. What she truly did not expect was to have her bury inches into the stone wall.

“What the?” she questioned as pulled her hand from the wall. Inspecting her hand, she found nothing but the most minor scrape on one of her knuckles as crimson lightning arced around her fingers.

Well, what do you know, it seems I was right about you. She wanted to question what it was talking about but she had to focus on getting out.

“Fuck it,” she thought as she reached up pulling herself a little farther. She threw her other fist into the wall only to hit the stone flat.

She heard a bone crack in her hand as she drew hand back with a yelp. “God damn it!”

It has been damned! Hahahaha! Morrigan gave the voice a low growl as she tucked her pulsating hand into her chest. Her anger began to peak once more, the being’s antics were slowly driving her insane. The voice, however, sighed. Fine you whiner, hold on.

A sharp pain radiated from her left hand causing her to grunt as she nearly lost grip on the wall. She glanced at her hand as she watched as her middle metacarpal bone realigned the break on its own. Within a matter of seconds her hand felt as good as new. Morrigan blew a breath of relief. “Thanks,” she said as she tested the function of her hand.

Don’t make a habit out of it, this isn’t charity. Now get a move on.

“Don't need to be an asshole!” she said.

Obviously, I do, otherwise you’ll just guarantee your own death.

Morrigan growled, she could not wait to get away from this thing. She watched her hand arc in crimson again, which she responded to by burying her fist into the wall. This time she did not stop, as she let her frustrations guide her up the wall.

“You fucking asshole! You said this was the way out!” she her rage echoing once she crawled upon the ledge only to find another wall of stone that led straight up to the ceiling. The only difference was this wall had a small split at the base where water flowed, steadily feeding the tiny stream that ran through the cavern. The voice chuckled against the sound of her teeth grinding.

Oh the exit is there. You just have to… open the door. Be the hammer little girl, you are the instrument of your own freedom.

The voice mentioned a waterfall, she thought as she peered behind watching water running off the ledge. No, this could not be what it meant.

She tried to recall where she was. She fell at least 150 feet or so. An unholy amount of walking through a cavern, as she tried to recall the layout of the mountain. She had explored the area enough to know most of the mountain face near Denver. Was she near the lower waterfall near the spot where Taylor took her for the picnic? she wondered. She knelt next to the split in the wall. “Was this fed by the basin?” She asked herself as she tried to listen for falling water. All she could hear was the droning drops of water from the cavern mixed with the flow of water coming from the wall.

You’re too smart for your own good, stop thinking and act. Be the hammer and take your freedom!

“Fine,” she growled as she positioned herself above the split in the wall. Readying herself she hammered her fist into the wall. Pain shot up her arm as a gentle thud echoed around her. This time she had not broken her hand but she was equally as pissed that nothing had happened.

“Come on!” She grunted as she continued punching the wall. She had to stop when her knuckles began to bleed, her punches losing force from the pain. She had power now, she had seen it, used it yet it was not manifesting. She had not had the time to fully acknowledge the fact she magic now, as if she was reborn with it. Of course, when she needed it the most it failed her.

Oh, now that’s a shame really, all those years desperate for power… amazing how you can get what you want yet have it; just. out. of. reach.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“What the fuck are you droning on about?” she asked in an honest attempt to drown out the truth in its words.

Am I the only one who finds the irony in this? That all you’ve wanted was to have power, real power, to no longer be associated with the weak willed ‘magic-less’ humans. And here you are, failing to do something as trivial as save yourself.

Morrigan hated whoever this voice was, she did not want to listen to it but could not drown it out. Just imagine what they’ll say when they uncover your body, what pathetic visage of death will they find? All those ‘mages' laughing as they discuss how they would have escaped.

Morrigan could not face the truth, she was pathetic. Despite all the fighting and standing up for herself, the truth was she was just as powerless as any other magic-less, any time she stood up for herself could be her last. Her life was always at the mercy of those with power. That was a reality she could not face, one she could not accept, otherwise she would have to lie down and wait to die with the rest of humanity. That could not be her. That would not be her.

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” she cried as she clutched her head, hoping to block out the voice.

Then stop being a whiny little bitch Morrigan! She born of wrath, she who hates, show me your true self; Show me that all-consuming fire!

The voice cackled madly as the dam that held her anger in check broke. Morrigan let out a howl of pure rage as her body become alight with crimson electricity. With a primal growl, she stepped forward and drove her fist into the stone wall.

This time, the impact's vibrations could be felt through the surrounding cavern as dust and dirty shook loose from the ceiling and wall. She beat on the wall as it began to crack, water trickling along the lower parts of where it began to split. She let out a roar of unbridled hatred, she would not die today. With one finally punch, she felt a surge of power envelop her arm as a massive spectral first she recognized as the being’s fist slammed into the wall and breaking through with a cacophonous rumble.

The wall collapsed outwards in a spray of chunks of solid stone that splashed into the basin of the waterfall. Her body was shaking, her anger taking over her as she stepped knee deep in water. She huffed as the waterfall drenched her when she stepped through, the icy water threatening to extinguish the raging fire that burned in her core.

Ahhh, it’s feels good to be free.

She looked around; she noticed several wolves that had been drinking from the basin before she came crashing through. Their hackles were raised as they offered threatening growls. She chose to ignore them, “show yourself, where are you?” she demanded.

Isn’t it obvious? Did you not consider why you have my power? You wanted life; so I gave you the power to survive. I’m a part of you now little girl, my power is yours, and you-are-mine! Hahahahaha!

“What is it you want from me?” she growled.

We will get to that later, for now we have things that wish to die, and I'm way out of practice!

Morrigan turned her head sharply as she heard the long predatory howl of one of the wolves, her eyes locking on the other charging wolf that splashed through the water with a snarl. She did not have enough time to do more than raise her arms in defense as the wolf leapt, crashing into her.

She felt fangs sink into her flesh as she was knocked underwater. She wanted to scream when she felt the wolf yank on her arm, teeth tearing flesh but knew better than to scream under water. Striking out, her fist connected with the wolf’s head causing it to release her. There was painful relief as she stood from the water, feeling her skin and muscle stitch back together. The wolf that attacked her had blood running down its head as it bared its teeth in an angry snarl. She realized two other wolves had joined them in the water.

She was in trouble, but what the wolves did not know, was that she was also a predator. Show these dogs why you’re named after the goddess of death! Morrigan bared her own teeth as she prepared herself for an attack.

The third wolf charged her with a tackle. She side stepped the animal and punched it across the face, a small burst of crimson flashing as her fist connected. The wolf let out a yelp as it was knocked into the water. She did not have time to celebrate as the first wolf bound for her again. She turned to the second and largest wolf of the three. It had not moved so far, only growling with its ears pulled back. It was fair to assume it was the alpha. She took a step towards the alpha before it let out a sharp bark, splashing followed behind her. Watch out! The voice demanded, but teeth sank into her shoulder as a wolf tried to drag her back into the water. Before she knew it the other smaller wolf latched onto her right leg.

Morrigan felt excruciating pain as she stuck her left arm out, feeling the wolf’s rib cage. The pain fueling her anger, she reached over with her other hand to catch the scruff of its neck. What she did not expect was spectral claws to form over her hand that dug into the flesh and bone of the wolf.

The wolf let go with a pained yelp as she twisted with all her might, swinging the entirety of the wolf around into the one that latched onto her leg. Blood splashed across her as the spectral claws tore through the wolf she tossed. She succeeded on getting the other wolf to let go as its dead mate crashed into it, not without it’s fangs tearing through her leg.

She let out a ragged cry of pain. Yes, that's the sweet stuff. She took the split second to check her leg. She watched as blood from the wolf gravitated to her in the water, snaking up her leg into her wounds that painlessly closed. She could not focus on her confusion as blood continued to snake up her skin under her clothes, leaving no stain.

Morrigan felt better though, more than better, she felt great. As if her senses were heightened, she heard the smaller wolf snarl as it lunged. Jumping as its teeth lashed out, she landed on top of the wolf, where she proceeded to put her arms around its neck. The animal wanted none of that as it fell over and began wriggling under her grasp.

She knew she would lose it as the wolf kicked its back feet against her arms cutting minor scratches into her. She wrapped her legs around the wolf as she bent backwards and wrenching the wolf’s head back. Her strength superseded her expectations as she felt ribs crush between her legs and vertebrae snap against her chest and stomach.

The wolf let out what could only be called a dying howl as it went limp in her grasp. Morrigan kicked the dead wolf away from her as she got out of the water. She found the alpha staring her down, sizing her up with a low growl. “Come on!” she growled as she readied herself. However, to her surprise, the alpha flattened its ears with a whine before taking off into the woods.

Well, that was unexpected… what a pussy.

Morrigan knelt in the water as she looked over the dead wolves. Deep down she felt bad, she loved animals, but she knew that animals did not always share the same sentiment. They were dangerous and relatively unpredictable, meaning any interaction could be a fight for one’s life. That knowledge did not ease the guilt though; she just had to accept it.

Morrigan inspected herself, her clothes were torn and shredded in areas, all traces of blood were gone. Even looking at her reflection she could only find reminisce of dirt that still stained her face. She blew a sigh of exhaustion, it had been a long day. She took water and tried to scrub the stress away as she cleaned her face.

As her adrenaline finally began to subside, she began to feel the cold air across her body. She took the moment to take in her surroundings, noticing it was dark as distant stars sparkled in the night sky. The moon reflected off the water illuminating the beautiful landscape that surrounded her. She was relieved to be above ground in nature again. I hate to ruin the mood, but don’t you have a pretty boy floating around here looking for you?

Morrigan’s upper lip twitched, “how do you know about Taylor?”

She stood and made her way out of the water basin, she was pretty sure there was not an inch of her body that did not ache. Oh I know everything about you.

Knowing where she was, Morrigan began trekking up a steep hill that led to the area where her and Taylor had their picnic. “I highly doubt that.”

Oh I do, your parents, your sexy burning hatred of 'mages' ha!, that big muscled pretty boy of yours who you want nothing more than for him to throw you on the warmest of blankets and—

“Okay that’s enough!” she growled as she started climbing rocks that were embedded in her path. “How do you know all that?” she asked with a slight pink to her cheeks.

I’m in your head girl, everything you’ve seen, everything you've ever known and even everything you’ve ever imagined is mine to explore. Just like how you wishing to punch me in the face right now is something I get to hear, and you only get to hear me shhhh. It’ll be our secret.

Morrigan grunted in disgust. It’s not all bad, I mean sure, I may be a passenger in your body but think of all the good you can do with my power… the voice let the thought hang, as if to let her think on it. Morrigan had to admit as she climbed along, doing her best to ignore the exhaustion in her body, there was merit to what it said. She wanted to change things in the world, in the universe for that matter.

If you behave yourself, I may even be willing teach you how to use my powers properly, especially seeing as you’re stuck with me.

She cocked her head as she paused her ascent. She was deeply torn between taking this power she now had, but what would it cost her? She contemplated this for a moment. You worry too much. We’ve already set upon our deal, I wouldn’t be rude enough to change our terms, think of it this way; I keep you alive, you give me freedom. For that, all I ask is a bit of an acceptance, a modicum of respect and an open mind. Sound fair?

She continued on her path as she considered its words. The way she began to see it, she already dug herself a hole with this deal she was forced into. She accepted that despite how irritating it was, she was stuck with this thing inhabiting her body, she may as well take full advantage of what it had to offered.

There's a smart girl, besides I did not force you to do anything you didn’t want.

Morrigan scoffed, “yeah because giving a person who is dying the option to choose a one-sided deal as they’re in the process of dying isn’t forcing their hand.”

Eh, semantics… besides, you could have chosen the alternative.

Morrigan rolled her eyes, “what? Choose death?” she asked pointedly.

Of course, creatures do it all the time.

“So, what? If I had declined your offer you would’ve just let me bleed to death on the ground?” she knew the answer though, the only difference is she had a good idea as to why.

Lady, I have watched every civilization rise and fall, billions and billions of human lives I’ve seen fade into history like ash in the wind.

Morrigan smirked, “uh huh.” If it was truly in her head, it knew what she was thinking. Yet she noticed it did not comment on it. Before she could rub its metaphorical nose in her little revelation, she began to hear a commotion coming from her destination.

Morrigan could hear shouting and the sound of several motors running before she crested the steep hill to see a rescue crew had arrived. Tall spot lights and vehicles had light shining all over the area of the hole. They even had a fire truck acting as a generator for everything.

Seeing the end of the line had her exhaustion setting in hard. She stumbled and had to keep supporting herself against trees as she closed in on the search party. To her tired delight she could see Taylor arguing about whether or not he had a right to be there with a fireman. She smirked as she listened to his arguments of 'she was his girlfriend’ and ‘I'm responsible for her’. You know, if I were him I would just bash that guy’s skull in.

She shook her head, “that's considered uncivilized in this era.”

Haha, you think so huh? She ignored it as she watched her father approach Taylor. Fully armored in his D.S.T.U. uniform, she watched as her father tried dragging him away to calm him down. She stood close by leaning against a tree. She watched the two men in her life worry about her, it brought a conflicting smile on her face. She was appreciative that they worried but she felt bad for making them worry like this.

“You know, you’d call down if you know I was fine!” she called out. She watched as her father looked away from the boy to see her as Taylor spun around. Both men sprinted over to her, Taylor reaching her first being unarmored, as he nearly tackled her to the ground. He forced the air from her lungs in his crushing hug.

“Mori, I am so sorry!” he said into the top of her head. Her father was next to join the reunion as he wrapped his armored arms around the both of them.

“Are you okay sweetie? Anything broken?” her father asked as he held them both close to him. At this point, Taylor and her father were the only things holding her up. “Superintendent, pull your guys out, we found her,” her father radioed. Morrigan never responded, only weakly smiled; she was finally safe in the arms of her boyfriend and father.

Her father whistled sharply and signaled a paramedic to bring a stretcher to get her on. Taylor finally pulled back enough to take stock of her condition, making note of her wet and savaged clothes. “Mori are you okay? What happened?”

“Come on get a move on it! My daughter might be injured!” her father ordered as he stepped away to get her taken care of. Morrigan gave a weary eye roll and a soft smile.

With a nod she replied, “just wolves.”

Just wolves she says ha!

“Shhhhhh.” She immediately motioned for silence before Taylor could respond to the revelation of wolves attacking her. He did not know it was for the voice in her head, but that was okay.

The paramedics arrived just in time to find Taylor cradling Morrigan in her arms as she border lined consciousness. They lifted the stretcher as her father, the menacing D.S.T.U. officer muttered to the young man about setting her down. Morrigan whined as Taylor set her down only to be quickly covered with a thermal blanket by the paramedics. She instantly rolled the blanket around her like a haphazard cocoon and gave a content sigh before completely passing out.

The paramedics looked at each other in confusion before turning to her father who raised his hand. “My recommendation, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Take her to the hospital and we will meet you there.”

“Right away sir,” said one of the medics before turning to their partner with a shrug. In unison they carried the sleeping Morrigan back to the emergency transport and began loading her into the back.

Taylor stepped forward, only to be stopped by an armored glove. “shouldn’t one of us go with her?” looking over his shoulder at Mr. Clarke.

“As much as I appreciate you being as worried as I am, but sometimes you need to know when to just let professionals do their jobs.” James motioned to the ambulance. “We'll head out now, try to get ahead of them.”

Reluctantly Taylor nodded. He may have been dating Morrigan, but her father still knew her better. If that meant the situation was in control enough for Mr. Clarke to remain in his professional calm demeanor, he should consider following suit. He climbed into his truck as her father got into the passenger seat. “Am I the only one who can’t wrap their head around the fact that she fell over five stories, and seems to be perfectly fine?” Taylor asked as he began to pull away.

James let out an exhausted breath, “yeah, that crossed my mind. Though I won’t say I'm not grateful but it does seem strange. Then again, gift horse and all.”

Taylor nodded in agreement. Despite the monumental worrying and guilt-fueled panicking he was doing internally, he was just grateful she was okay.