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forty-six

Carnaxa

A s the kukhe appear, 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 old idea 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, the kukhe stop 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 first kukhe takes 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.

A kukhe to 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. The kukhe’s screams 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.

The kukhe in 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 a kukhe that 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 other kukhe . 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 of kukhe hitting the ground echoes through the air as the icy tendrils constrict around their bodies, before crushing them.

A piercing cry has the remaining kukhe retreating. 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.

“A little busy at the moment.” I sway gently, the only sound is the faint whispers of our voices. “Thank you for giving me back my memories that you took.”

She shakes her head. “I told you before, I didn’t take them. Khaysus did, to try to corrupt you, as he did to someone else before. I thought blessing the one your heart calls not of Antalian blood would help and I shielded him —”

I cut off her words before she can finish, unable to hear the rest. “Blame it on whomever you want. I’m tired of this. I’m tired of being involved in a prophecy I didn’t ask to be a part of.” I swat her hand away as she tries to reach out. “I didn’t ask for any of this. I want the drop restored between Thylas and I … you took it away, you can give it back.”

“You didn’t ask to be the daughter of prophecy, but here you are. I can’t bless something already inhabited, just like Khaysus can’t fully command him. Listen to me.” She steps closer to me. “Where water runs, water can carry. Your father doesn’t have long and neither does anyone else. The world is changing, Daughter.” Her body shifts from my mother to the woman I saw before. Her dark blue hair is now tipped with silver, as her blue eyes glint in the darkness .

“Who are you really? You call yourself my mother. You also said you are Drāhēn?. You change each time you visit me. How can I trust you?”

“Have you not figured it out by now? Soon.” A secret smile spreads across her face. “You were born to do this, even if the paths don’t lead where you expect.”

As she leans in, her lips gently touch my forehead, pulling me away from the abyss of darkness.