Danu stared in horror as the dragon careened through the sky above the city of Dayargain. Its wingbeats sending winds through the streets that forced anyone in the open to brace lest they be blown away. She watched as the dragon reared back and bathed the buildings in gouts of flaming breath. Whilst fires had already broken out across the city setting it aglow with flickering redness, it now was beginning to be emersed in searing heat and flames.

‘My lord is free! He will bring destruction and a stilling to the flows of The Torrent!’ cried Pavreck in reverence of the dragon in the sky. His wooden toothy mouth open and eyes drinking in the scene with wonder. Foul creature. To see this as anything other than an abomination makes me sick, thought Danu grimacing at the blightling. The dragon roared above her bring her attention back to the sky. The dragon wheeled about the city and set loose another breath of fire upon it. Danu quaked with fear and defeat looking on.

‘Danu! You... have to…,’ came the strangled voice of Brigid calling to her. Danu cursed herself for having been lost in the terror. She looked to Pavreck and he was still in awe of the dragon. He was distracted and although he still held the vines, they must have loosened enough for Brigid to speak again. Danu gripped the walnut necklace in her hand tightly. Now was the time for action, now was the time for her to do as guided by Cernunnos. She placed the walnut on the ground and with the heel of her foot she hit it, breaking the shell. A brief brilliance of light emitted from the fragments and found its home within her. She beamed with a soft light as her wings returned to her. She stretched her soft grey wings tipped with a blackish blue on the ends. It felt glorious to feel them again, to feel whole once more. The light had caught Pavreck’s eye, and his expression of wonder had changed to that of shock and hatred at the sight of her.

‘You! You are a Faeren. Those that had forsaken me and left me to The Corruption!’ he spat the words accusingly. Danu wasted no time; she had the advantage and would not lose it. Not when they had been without any hope for so long. She beat her wings and gracefully cut through the air, her wings like blades, and she hit Pavreck with all the force she could muster. They fell together upon the stonework, Pavreck and Danu locked upon the staff fighting to wrench it loose.

‘You are the foul ones. You are the corruption. Not I! Not I!’ said Pavreck as he fought against Danu. He twisted trying to pry the staff and himself free of her but each time he did she beat her wings to hold herself steady on top of him.

‘No Pavreck you are rotten. I am sorry this is what you became. But you have been lied to. You have hurt people Pavreck,’ said Danu fighting with all she had.

‘He will save them. He will end all the suffering. He will make you pay!’ he cried in argument. Whether the corruption or the promises of Arawn’Vyr, or even the breaking of his mind caused by his people abandoning him, Pavreck was lost to madness. Perhaps it was all these things, a life lived in abandonment and suffering. He seemed a truly pitiable creature and the shame of her people’s choice sat upon her winged back in those moments.

‘I am sorry Pavreck. I am. But I cannot let you hurt anyone else,’ she said pitying the sorrowful creature beneath her. With one final gambit of strength Danu wrenched the staff free of his grasp. With a beat of her wings she took to the sky out of his reach. Danu held the staff aloft and looked to the dragon that whirled about the city.

‘This needs to end here. I will be brave and strong. I will not let you take this city Arawn’Vyr,’ she said defiantly. She held the staff to the sky and focussed all thought and power above her. She opened herself to the staff through which the flows of The Torrent sprang. She drank it in as did the staff. It began to grow larger than it ever had in her hands. Its wood branched and split, and it grew longer with twisted roots. Strangely it did not become heavy in her grasp, it was as if it grew lighter the more she drew power through it. Above the great thunder clouds crackled and soon the entire city had held them overhead. Danu commanded they release the rains and quench the burns of the city and to banish the vines. As if hearing her call the clouds wept with the heavy soothing rains. Steam and smoke rose from the city as the fires began to go out. Danu saw that the vines too began to bubble and melt before her eyes. Soon pinpricks of light from the Dawn Isles grew into shining suns of radiance as the vines disintegrated. The dragon roared in agony as the light breached its foul flesh. Danu could see it clearly now, a blackened and rotting corpse of a dragon that was able to fly more by twisted magics than those skeletal leathery wings. Sitting atop it was a figure wrapped in black robes. As the dragon faded away it and the rider fell from the sky and landed with a heavy fall upon the city. Gradually, Danu lowered herself and the staff that now seemed more a tree.

‘I am not finished. With the Mother I will defeat you,’ came the desperate words of Pavreck as he held forth the wooden numinian piece. Danu saw in her mind the scene which had brought her to this very place. The scene given to her by Cernunnos. She knew what she needed to do, though it pained her to harm this creature again. With the beats of her wings to guide her she dove with the staff in hand downward at Pavreck. He held the wooden figure of the woman in front of his face in feeble attempt to protect himself. Danu brought the staff in contact with Pavreck and the numinian figurine and they became one, they entwined about each other and grew. They crushed Pavreck as roots penetrated the stones beneath and branches flung Danu to the ground. It continued to grow higher and higher, with limbs spreading and twisting. Before long there stood a leafy tree the size of the spire itself. Danu sat up from where she had landed. She heard the familiar voice in her mind of Cernunnos as she looked upon the tree.

‘She is free… Thank you…hmmm Green Kin,’ he said, his slow troubled words echoing in her mind.

Brigid felt the rain against her skin, it was cooling after the heat of the fight. She was breathing heavily thankful for every breath that filled her now that the vines were gone. Terrick and Brinn came to her side and helped her up. She sat feeling the pounding of her head from attempting a rune spell stronger than she was prepared for. Brinn looked her over carefully assessing any open wounds.

‘Not much I can do about your head. That’s your own fault for putting all of them runes together foolish girl,’ she said scolding her though her eyes held not but tenderness and gratitude.

‘I am a foolish girl I know,’ said Brigid.

‘That you are… though fools and the brave have much in common. Now rest… I don’t think all this is over just yet,’ she said and gave Terrick a firm look. ‘Now you keep an eye on her Terrick Harwood, or I’ll box your ears you hear me,’ she said.

‘I… I wouldn’t let anything happen to her Mistress Binn,’ said Terrick like a boy caught with hands full of sweet cakes.

‘Excellent. Now where is that fool giant of a man gone?’ she said looking about. ‘Rhett’Sa you great lump gather any of the wounded over ‘ere and I’ll see to ‘em!’ she called and marched off to give orders. Brigid smiled and swelled inside. Even when her whole world had been toppled and shattered with change, there were some things that remained the same. She laughed a little to herself at that, then regretted it immediately as her head throbbed.

‘Are you alright Bid?’ said Terrick touching her shoulder with care. How she had longed for him to hold her all those years. She didn’t even care that he had used that awful childhood nickname.

‘I’m fine Terrick. I’ve just overextended myself. How is everyone else?’ she said looking at his handsome face. It was handsome, even with the bloody cut running the length of his jaw. Terrick looked about.

‘The vines just melted, and their muck is all about. There’s some great bloody tree now in the city and The Daybreakers all went to sleep when that dragon fell outta the sky. We lost some people too… but we’re mostly alright I suppose,’ he looked solemn and avoided her eyes when he spoke of losing people.

‘Lost people? You don’t mean…,’ she couldn’t make herself say the words.

‘Dell? No, no, he’s alright I think… just, well…sleeping like the rest I suppose. Garlan, Raya, and Danel are gone…,’ he said.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

‘They were friends of yours?’ she said softly.

‘Watchdogs like me. It was my job to look out for them,’ he said. Brigid felt she now understood. He may have joined them against her wishes, but it had never occurred to her that he may form bonds with them. She had never thought about the connections that he and Dellwier must have felt with their comrades. She herself had only recently learned what it meant to care for your friends in trying times. She’d left herself so alone all these years. She scolded herself again for being so foolish and headstrong. If she hadn’t been so angry and selfish maybe she could have been there for both Terrick and Dellwier. Maybe none of this would have happened.

‘I’m sorry Terrick,’ she said softly.

‘For what? It’s not your fault they’re gone,’ he said surprised.

‘I am sorry about that, but that’s not what I mean. I’m sorry I was so hard on you and Dell. I should have listened to you both and been there for you. I could have supported you and I just made everything worse,’ she said regretfully.

‘We knew ya still cared about us. It wasn’t fair the way we went about it. We should have told you about us being together and told you we were enlisting. We both love ya Bid. We always will,’ he said smiling that perfect smile at her. ‘Well… I mean not like that, but we do still love ya. Like a sister I mean,’ he said awkwardly. Brigid could have run him through with his own spear in that moment. She glowered at him.

‘Terrick Harwood how could you be so pig headed and thick?’ she said pushing him away. He chuckled to himself thinking it a fine joke, ‘Oh come now Bid. It was a little teasing.’

‘Brigid! My name is Brigid!’ she yelled. She began to help herself up and Terrick rushed forward to lend a hand.

‘Leave me be Terrick you infuriating pest,’ she said shoving him off. ‘Go be with Dell and make sure he’s safe,’ she added stubbornly. She then walked slowly, willing herself forward hoping not to stumble or trip as she did. As she walked toward Danu, she stopped short and looked, taken aback by the enormous tree above and the twisted root jutting from the stones that Danu sat upon. More surprising still was that Danu had a set of grey wings folded behind her back. Danu looked back at her with embarrassment on her round face.

‘Hello Brigid… I… I suppose I owe you an explanation,’ she said.

Once Blink had stalked from the chamber, now open to the world above, Nessus released a held breath of tension. They moved quickly to Innais to check on her. She was alive though blood stained her white hair crimson. They shook her gently trying to wake her. She groaned and her eyes fluttered open. She looked to the stars above and the harsh glow of fire on the edges of the hole.

‘What has happened here?’ she said perplexed.

‘Arawn’Vyr is free and has summoned Kolkiaravis. They are attacking the city at this moment,’ said Nessus urgently though trying not to rush her.

‘And the boy? And my… my sister?’ she said sitting herself upright. She needed no answer from Nessus about Morgwenn. Innais saw her from across the open chamber, blood pooled about her as she fought for her final breaths.

‘Leave me child I am not so frail as I appear,’ she said ushering Nessus away from her. Despite her injuries she moved swiftly, pausing briefly at the dead form of Ra’Handa, and moving on to her sister. She kneeled by her side and lightly touched her silver hair brushing it from her face.

‘Morgwenn it did not need to come to this,’ she said gently.

‘I am Morgwenn… no more... I deserve not… that title,’ she said rasping breaths between her words.

‘Do not speak. You must conserve yourself. I may be able to heal you,’ said Innais moving to inspect the wounds. There was a deep cut that ran through the robes and opened the flesh beneath. If she did not act soon there would be nothing left to do.

‘No… do not… I need no saving,’ she said stubbornly.

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ said Innais sternly.

‘I know death well… and I have ran….from it too long,’ she said, her breaths growing more pronounced.

‘You are a Numinian, power presiding overall, light of knowledge and strength in all things. We cannot run from something that has never sought us,’ she said as if speaking to one in her charge rather than a fellow god or sister.

‘I am tired… Ay’Vennara… perhaps our… long lives… have been the… problem. I look…forward to… what comes… next,’ her eyes grew glassy, and her words became so soft Innais needed to lean in to hear them. Jadissa looked to her and smiled softly.

‘Please… forgive… him,’ she said as she passed into The Torrent. Her body grew limp and Innais pressed her head to Jadissa’s. She felt the warmth of tears in her eyes and the coolness that came as they fell.

‘I am very sorry Master Innais,’ said Nessus softly from behind. Innais sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes.

‘Something has happened here today that has never occurred before. Great mourning will have its time, though not until all is done this night,’ she said and looked at the broken halves of the obsidian numinian figure. ‘We have much to speak of Nessus. Now tell me of the boy,’ she said steel and music returning to her voice. Nessus’ eyes attempted to avoid Innais.

‘Do not look away. Speak! we’ve no time for shame, useless emotion as it is,’ she said.

‘Very well Master Innais,’ Nessus said returning her gaze. ‘Blink accepted the rage and darkness within. He welcomed it and killed Jadissa,’ they said keeping their voice steady.

‘And what occurred to make him do so?’ she asked.

‘It was… the king… Arawn’Vyr… killed Ra’Handa. It broke him Innais,’ he said.

‘I thought as much. That boy has seen too much loss and death for one so young… or for any one person for that matter,’ she said standing and straightening her dress.

‘Is there anything we can do to save him?’ asked Nessus.

‘Possibly, though the boy must learn to control Brandúlf and his rage if he is to be truly saved,’ she said moving to pick up the pieces of the broken numinian figure. She held them in her hands. Nessus looked on with curiosity until a terrible roar rang out through the opening of the ceiling reminding them of the dangers outside.

‘Who is Brandúlf Innias?’ Nessus said not taking their eyes from above.

‘One with the wilds... Not unlike Cernnunos really. He was not always so full to bluster and fury. He is a great wolf… a numinian with power residing in that sword. The boy may be the last of his kin. Kin that Brandúlf swore to protect and care for,’ she said also looking to the opening.

‘Will he hurt Blink,’ said Nessus warily.

‘No, I do not think so… not directly in any case. Though his wrath will devour the boy until he is emptied and lost to us. We do not have much time. Bring the half-orc. We will go find this foolish boy… and Arawn’Vyr,’ she said commanding Nessus. They did as they were told and gathered Ra’Handa in their arms. Innais placed the broken halves of the numinian figure in Ra’Handa’s hands and clasped them tightly closed. Together they left the open chamber, just as dark thunderous clouds formed far above, and rain began to fall.

Steam rose from his skin as rain hit him and soaked him through. He stalked with fury and purpose, every step bringing him closer to the place where he saw the decaying dragon fall from the sky. It was his prey; it was his quarry and his alone and none would stand in his way. Blink’s lip curled at the corners barring his sharp teeth. He sniffed at the air. It was thick with blood and smoke all over despite the rain. That rider would pay sorely for what he had done. Blink would tear at him and rend him. How dare he take from Blink. Take from me? What did he take from me? Came a voice in his head. He tried to remember what had happened. There was a face in there somewhere, a woman’s face though not human. What is her name? I know her… I must if I want to kill for her, came that quiet voice again.

‘Be silent!’ he barked at the rain. It did not matter who she was, all that mattered was that he find the rider; find him and destroy him. He stalked forward letting the rain soak though his clothing and leather. His hair hung loosely about his shoulders and dripped with water. Blink saw the remains of people all through the city, their bodies ripped apart and flows of blood being washed away by the rains. He passed odd creatures as he walked too, horrific things with knives for teeth and arms with elongated claws at the ends. They appeared to have been burned though not by fire. His nose twitched at the sight of them, and a guttural growl came from his throat as he passed them. The golgeists are dead. Danu and Brigid must have done it then, came the voice from inside. Who…who are Danu and Brigid? Was I supposed to be helping them? Said the voice again. It infuriated Blink and he slashed at the air with the sword willing it away.

‘Stay back!’ a man’s voice said. A young family paused as they saw him along the path. The father stood in front of his wife and two children. Blink did not stop moving. He was not interested in them.

‘I said do not come any closer or…’ said the father again raising himself up. As he did so, Blink went to speak but instead it came out garbled, like a grolwing gnashing of sound. The woman screamed a high-pitched sound and pulled the children closer. They began to cry. Why do they cry? I don’t want to harm them. Do I? said the small voice inside.

‘Enough noise,’ snapped Blink again, his teeth gnashing at the air as he spoke. He moved on watching the family closely as he passed. They did not move, and the rain seemed to stand still for a moment as he passed. They are afraid of me… afraid of us, said the voice inside. Blink tried to push it down harder. He tried to put it somewhere darker and quieter. To bury it down so far that it would not be heard. You can’t make me go away. I am you… aren’t I? it said in response.

‘Enough of your noise. Leave me be already!’ Blink barked outward. The family pulled tighter together, and the man placed himself between Blink and the children. He thinks you told the children to be quiet. You scare them you know…,’ said the voice. Blink growled low in his chest and ran through the raining streets far from the terrified family.