The sound of The Lady's heart shattering reverberated in Gloria’s chest as she watched splinters fly across the floor and dissipate into black dust. We’ve done it, she thought. It’s finished.

Gloria cradled Seth’s head in her hands. “Seth?” she cried, stroking back some hair. “Seth! Are you there?”

His chest rose and fell in a shudder and the broken, smoldering talisman rolled from his neck to the floor.

Gloria’s heart pounded anxiously. “Seth?” she whispered.

Seth groaned, then his eyes opened and met hers. His eyes… she gasped. His real eyes! She stroked his cheek and beamed at him, tears of joy filling hers. Gone were the brilliant blue she’d known; instead, his eyes were replaced by the peaceful pond blue she’d fallen in love with.

Seth smiled wearily back at her and raised a shaky hand to touch her face. But just as his fingers brushed her cheek, a fearful shadow crossed his face. He sharply pulled his hand away. “Gloria…” he wheezed, then his body seized and began to shake again.

Gloria pulled back in horror as Seth’s body arched and The Lady’s guttural, feral voice spat through his mouth once more. “You think you’ve won?” A frenzied laugh wracked his body. “I raised him up! And I can take him back! He belongs to me!”

Seth turned to Gloria––fear written all over his face. Her heart dropped as the light in his eyes began to fade. His mouth parted slightly, and a single word escaped his lips: “Gloria…”

Gloria scrambled back to his side and held Seth’s face in her hands. “No!” she cried. “No, no, no! Seth! Don’t leave me!” His eyes glazed over, and Seth let out a shaky breath. Images from his death flashed into Gloria’s mind: the blood, his cries for mother, the thud when his limp arm fell to the ground.

Furious tears streamed down her face. “I can’t lose you!” she cried clutching his dying body. “Not again!” She buried her face into his chest and wept. “I love you…”

Suddenly, something stirred deep within Gloria and welled up inside her. Raw power as she’d never felt before surged through her veins until she vibrated with energy and a bright golden glow engulfed her. The cold air became warm like the summer sun and the scent of wildflowers filled the air.

I won’t let her take you from me! she distantly thought as her hands brushed back Seth’s hair and she pressed her forehead against his.

Time slowed. The world began to fade, and her body lightened as she slipped into Seth’s mind.

Gloria blinked and she found herself standing in a dark chamber. It was cold, empty, and the walls were beginning to crumble. Where’s Seth? Her eyes darted around the chamber.

A scream pierced the darkness. Gloria’s heart skipped a beat, and a faint glow burst from her, pushing aside the dark and warming the air around her. Seth!

Ahead, Gloria saw Seth clinging desperately to the edge of a deep void. He tried to pull himself up, but something below yanked him back. He clawed at the edge, then looked up and met Gloria’s eyes. “Gloria! Help!”

She raced over to the edge and grabbed him. “I’ve got you!” she cried and tried to pull him up.

Below them, she heard a hideous snarl. Gloria looked over the edge and saw a terrifying wraith with long tangled white hair and sharp jagged teeth clinging to Seth’s leg. Around the wraith’s leg was a long black tendril that sprang from the depths of the pit. It slowly coiled up her body and sharply tugged her towards the bottom.

Gloria’s face paled when she saw dark strange figures moving like shadows at the bottom of the pit, hungry for their next victim. Low groans and dissonant whispers floated to Gloria’s ears. Let go…they whispered.

“You can’t save him!” the wraith snarled and a freakish smile spread across her face. “Darling Seth will join me in death!” Then The Lady dug a sharp claw into Seth’s leg and tried to climb his body.

The tendril tugged, dragging The Lady’s claws down his leg. Seth screamed in pain and Gloria saw glowing drops of blood trickle down his leg and drip into the void below. She shivered when she heard snarling and saw the shadowy creatures below clawing and jostling each other violently fighting for a taste.

Seth tightened his grip on her hands and looked up at her, panting. “Don’t let go of me!” he begged. “Please!”

Gloria dug in her heels and grunted. “I won’t!” she promised. She gripped Seth’s hands and pulled until Seth could swing a leg up over the edge. But before the rest of his body could follow, there was a sharp jerk, and he fell back over the side. Gloria screamed and stumbled forward a few steps as the sudden weight pulled her toward the brink of the abyss.

The Lady dug another clawed hand into Seth’s thigh and cackled wildly at Gloria. “If you pull him up! You bring me with him!”

Gloria’s arms trembled and she tried to pull Seth up again. They could deal with her later, but Seth needed to be saved now!

The whispers from the void called out again and the tendril jerked, forcing Gloria closer to the edge. Let go…we’re hungry.

“Quickly Gloria!” The Lady sneered. “Pull us up!” Her wretched claws now reached for Seth’s waist.

Gloria struggled against the weight and noticed Seth looking down into the abyss. “What are you doing?” she cried.

His blue eyes turned back to her. “Let go of me,” he said.

Gloria’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “No! I’m not letting you go!” Another jerk from the tendril forced her down to one knee.

A few tears trickled down Seth’s cheeks. “Let go!” he repeated. “I don’t want you to die because of me! So let go!”

Tears brimmed Gloria’s eyes and she was going to shake her head again when she noticed something around The Lady’s waist. The black tendril had a firm hold on her.

Gloria’s eyes widened. If Seth and I can hold on, the tendril will drag her down!

Resolve burned in her, and she gritted her teeth. She shifted into a crouch and glared at The Lady, now reaching for Seth’s back. “You’re done using him!” she shouted.

Then with a loud cry, Gloria pulled with all her might and heaved Seth’s torso over the edge before falling back onto her rear. Her arms trembled from the effort, but she wrapped them around Seth and held him tight before the tendril could drag him away again.

“Whatever you do,” she whispered in his ear. “Don’t let go!”

Seth shook his head and started to push away. “I meant it, Gloria! Let go of me! I’m not dragging you-!”

Gloria locked eyes with him. “And I meant what I said!” she shouted, her eyes flaring. “Don’t. Let. Go!”

Seth’s eyes shook as they searched hers then he squeezed them shut and wrapped his arms around her.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

The tendril’s pulls grew more and more powerful. Seth grunted in pain as the jerks dragged The Lady’s claws down his body.

“Stay with me,” Gloria murmured her muscles screaming from the effort.

“No!” The Lady screamed, desperately clawing at whatever she could. “He’s mine! It’s all mine!”

“No, I’m not!” Seth cried and leaned as far as he could in Gloria’s arms.

The tendril gave one final sharp jerk and ripped The Lady from Seth’s back. He let one last cry and clutched Gloria tight.

Gloria let out a gasp and opened her eyes. She peered over Seth’s shoulder just in time to see The Lady cling to the edge of the abyss with long, broken fingernails. She pulled herself up long enough to meet Gloria’s eyes.

“I hope he leaves you, you disgusting creature,” The Lady spat. Then her grip failed her, and she fell into the dark abyss, screaming curses as she went.

Then gleeful dark howls tore through the air and there was the sound of crunching bones and ripping flesh. Gloria paled as The Lady’s terrified shrieks rose from the void, but they were cut short by the sound of an iron door slamming shut then everything went silent.

Gloria shakily looked back to Seth, his face as pale as her own. Then, a warm glow and fresh air filled the dark chamber, and a powerful wind rushed through, lifting Gloria and pulling her back into her own body.

The world slowly came back into focus, and she felt heavy. Gloria blinked and was surprised to find her hands moving as though they had a mind of their own. They wove dozens of sigils that melted into Seth's body, his ice scars now glowing a bright gold.

“Mend for me!” The words spilled out of her mouth. “Oh Crim! Please mend!”

A heavy fatigue settled on her shoulders, and Gloria could feel her strength fading. Not yet… she thought pushing herself onward. Not until I see that he’s okay!

There was a gasping breath. Gloria looked into Seth’s face. He turned his head, grimacing, and let out a groan.

Relief washed over her, and tears blurred her vision. “You’re okay!” she sobbed then kissed his forehead. “Thank Crim, you’re okay!”

Seth blinked his eyes open, then they widened, and he stared at her in awe. Reflected in his eyes, Gloria saw two glowing wings coming from her back. “You’re…a fairy?” he whispered.

Gloria gasped in surprise and looked over her shoulder at two glowing ethereal wings that began to fade.

I… I have wings?

Anxiety clutched at Gloria’s heart, and she spun back to Seth. I have to explain! she thought. She opened her mouth to speak, but the world spun, and nausea overwhelmed her, then her body gave out, and everything went black.

----------------------------------------

Fresh air rushed into Seth’s lungs. He gasped and felt his soul firmly anchor itself in his body. He let out a groan and for the first time in ages, his mind felt light, like a fog had finally been lifted.

“You’re okay!” Seth felt soft warm lips press against his forehead. Gloria… he thought, and something stirred deep within him, but this time it wasn’t The Lady.

He blinked his eyes open, then his jaw dropped in shock––The Lady’s dark room was now engulfed in a brilliant light and at its center was Gloria.

Ribbons of swooping sigils swirled around her glowing like the sun, the air smelled like the summer ocean air, and gentle warmth touched his face, but the most stunning sight of all was Gloria herself.

Two magnificent wings unfurled from her back, glowing like fiery embers. Her red curls spilled over her shoulders like crimson silk, and her beautiful green eyes sparkled with tears of joy.

Seth’s eyes widened. The deal… he thought, realization crashing over him. No wonder she couldn’t tell me…

“You’re…a fairy?” he whispered.

The blazing glow from her wings began to fade and Gloria looked over her shoulder, her eyes widening in surprise.

She…doesn’t know she has wings? Seth furrowed his brow. There was more to this story than met the eye.

Gloria spun back to Seth, her face pale and drawn. She stared, fearfully into his eyes, and her lips parted slightly.

Seth tried to lift a hand to Gloria, but her eyes rolled back into her head, and she slumped to the floor, her wings vanishing into thin air.

“Gloria!” he cried, rolling upright and crawling over to her. He brushed back a curl from her face and she let out a shuddering breath.

Then the ground beneath him began to rumble. Seth froze. What was that?

There was a small groan, and Seth’s head shot up. Elias!

He peered through the dark room and saw Elias slumped against the dark pedestal staring in pale-faced horror at something hidden in the dark.

“Elias!” Seth cried, scrambling over to the boy and dragging Gloria’s body behind him. But Elias didn’t answer, he just continued to stare into the dark.

Seth panted when he collapsed beside him. He grabbed the boy’s shoulder and tried to shake him. “Hey! Elias! Are you alright?”

Elias blinked and turned a dull face to him. “My hand…” he whispered.

Seth frowned, panting. “Your hand? What’s wrong with your-?”

His heart stopped when he saw it – Elias stretched out a cracked and blackened hand. Skin peeled away and his nails were gray like ash.

What…what happened?

There was another tremor––stronger this time and there was a loud crack. Seth tore his eyes away from Elias’s hand and up at the walls. They shivered as cracks began to form––Her temple was going to collapse.

Fear shot through Seth. We need to get out of here! He climbed to his feet and threw Gloria over his shoulders, then grabbed Elias’s blackened hand. “Come on, Elias! We need to leave!” But when Seth pulled on Elias, the boy screamed and jerked his hand back.

Seth’s gut twisted. He’s hurt! The floor trembled beneath them, and he shook his head pushing the feeling aside––There was no time.

Seth grabbed Elias’s collar and dragged him to his feet. “We can look later!” he said, drawing a sigil in the air. “We need to go now!”

He muttered a spell and an orb of light appeared in his hand. Seth tossed it into the air, then snatched Elias’s hood and dragged the dazed boy behind him. “Come on!”

Seth hurried to a doorway and peered around the corner. This is the right hall, right? There was a loud rumble, and a shower of dust rained down on them, rushing into their nostrils before flooding their lungs. Oh Crim, I hope so! Seth thought as he and Elias coughed.

He tightened his grip on Elias’s hood and ran down the corridor. “Keep…going!” he wheezed between coughs.

Gloria weight bared down on his shoulders, and Seth scanned around him, searching for any doors, windows – anything that could be an exit!

Seth and Elias turned another corner, and into a familiar hall where a glimmer of light caught Seth’s eye. The ice mural of The Lady was crumbling and behind it, a brilliant shaft of sunlight came streaming in––A way out!

Seth yanked Elias in front of him and shoved him forward. “Go!” he barked to the dazed stumbling boy. “Get to the mural!”

The order pierced through the fog and Elias blinked for a moment before his feet began to pick up their pace.

Seth adjusted Gloria on his shoulders and darted after Elias. There was a loud snap, the floor lurched beneath him, then split open.

Seth gasped and cried out as he started to fall backward into the dark chasm when a pair of hands shot out and yanked him back to solid ground.

Seth stumbled a few steps before dropping to his knees, relief washing over him. He looked up and met Elias’s ashen face.

“Come on, Master!” Elias ground out, his face twisting in pain. “We’re almost out!” He held out his left hand and pulled Seth to his feet.

Seth followed after him towards the mural. They were so close! He could almost feel the sunshine on his face, but just as they were at its base, there was a loud groan above them. Seth looked up and saw chunks of the ceiling drop towards them.

“Go! Go!” he cried, shoving Elias towards the crumbling mural. As soon as Elias was shoved forward, a stone slab crashed in front of Seth where Elias would’ve been, sending a cloud of dust into the air. Elias climbed the crumbling mural then leaped through the opening disappearing from sight.

Seth gripped Gloria tight and coughed as he made his way around the ceiling slab. Pebbles showered on him and loose shards of ice threatened to trip him up, but he kept a firm footing.

Another ceiling slab crashed down and landed in front of the mural creating a ramp. Seth smiled and panted as he clambered over a few stone chunks before climbing up the makeshift ramp. Almost there!

At the top, there was a loud roar. Seth glanced over his shoulder for only a second and caught the rest of the ceiling caving in – Her rule was finally ending.

Seth leaped through the mural and sailed through the air before he and Gloria fell into soft powdery snow and rolled away from the collapsing temple. As they rolled, a great crash echoed through the mountains and Seth caught glimpses of The Lady’s temple cave in on itself, before sliding off the mountain top and tumble into the gorge below.

We did it! he thought, rolling to a stop. She’s gone! He scrambled to his feet and raced to the edge of the cliff where he saw The Lady’s temple crumbling to pieces where it would lie forgotten forever.

Pride surged in Seth. No more would she terrorize Gloria! No more would the people of The Fjord Plains have to fear her!

And I… He took in a deep breath. I am a free man.

“Gloria! Elias!” he cried, staring at the ruins below. “Come and see! We did it!”

But no one joined Seth to gloat at the ruins of The Lady’s temple. He frowned and looked back over his shoulder. “Guys?”

Reality set in and the sight made Seth’s heart ache––Gloria’s frail body lay unconscious in the snow; her face was pale and drawn and not too far away, Elias trembled, rocking back and forth cradling his blackened hand.

Seth gritted his teeth and hurried to pull his friends back together, as he did, questions and worries raced through his mind, but he shook them away. Not now, he thought. Right now, we need to get off this mountain.

There was a gust of wind, and Seth shivered. He froze frowning. Something felt off; a sensation he had forgotten.

He stared at the misty breath curling out of his mouth, trying to place the feeling. He shivered again and that’s when he realized it––he was beginning to feel cold again.