Greetings All
I hope your Friday is treating you well! Cupcake is still hanging around and being my little writing buddy. So, no bad news on that part.
After the fight with the floating monstrosity, our heroes have a slight break. If you haven't read the previous post by @zakludick you can find it here. Enjoy the update!
The twins watched what was left of the creature that was fought float away, but remained where they were. Trix and Sebastian had wandered off, and the twins could hear them arguing.
“They sound like an old married couple.” Chuckled Adrian.
“Probably because they are.” Said Magna as she sat down heavily.
“What?”
Before she could answer, Derric ran up to her in his wolf form and pushed her to her feet.
Are you hurt?
“No, just tired. I see your transformations are getting more fluid.”
I had a lot of practice.
Magna looked over to where Adiran stood in conversation with Mortis and his Blaze Knights, “I wonder what they’re talking about.”
“We should probably go find out. That was Temolach, he was the core that made up the Cold One’s champion.”
“How do you even know that?” demanded Magna, the remnants of the fire within her sparking to life.
Before Adrian could get a word out. He was picked up by his collar and slammed into the ground, except he never made contact with the ground. He found himself rapidly sinking into a dark world as something continued to drag him down. He tried to struggle, but the grip on his collar was too tight. It felt like he was falling through water, but his clothes remained dry. All he could feel was the cold as he continued to sink.
Just as he was starting to think of what magic he could use to get out of this mess, his feet touched the floor. As soon as his feet touched the floor, a light sprang from them and enveloped the area around him. He gawked at what he saw. It was a ballroom. The floor was black marble with what seemed to be red cracks throughout it. All around him were huge tapestries that told of tales he knew nothing of. He spun around to see a huge dark wood staircase with a blood-red carpet that ended at the foot of the stairs. At the top of the stairs was a huge window that showed a midnight blue sky with a full moon that seemed far closer than it should have been.
Adrian marvelled at the sight surrounding him, lost in the blacks and reds, so lost in the fact that he didn’t notice the person who had dragged him here in the first place. When he heard the armoured foot scrape along the marble, he turned once again to see the skull-helmed warrior. Once he saw Trix he could guess where he was.
“You dragged me into your shadow.” He said, trying to keep the awe out of his voice.
“Smart.” The helm nodded, “This is safety. I feel no hunger here."
She then lifted her helm. Yes, she. Adrian felt his eyes grow wide as he watched long, near-white hair tumble from the helm. The woman beyond the helm fixed him with her red eyes and waited for a reaction. He recognized her. He turned to one of the tapestries and noted a similar woman. Though her hair was black.
“The curse changes us in many different ways.” She said softly.
Once he faced her once more, she placed the helm under her arm and bowed deeply.
“I am Bellatrix, I came from one of the mountain tribes, a tribute to those who ruled Clarprati. An appeasement to keep the peace for another generation.”
Adrian couldn’t help the grin that started at the corner of his mouth. He didn’t know how Magna had known, but she had.
“So, you and my uncle?”
“I was promised to him, yes.”
“Then you’re my aunt?”
The woman shook her head and said, “No, there was no ceremony, only death, as your uncle tore through many of his people in the castle with his grief over his parents. I could not stand to watch his people suffer. I stood in his way and paid the price.”
“So, he cursed you?”
“I don’t think he meant to. He realised his mistake quickly enough, but it was too late. He never left my side as I fought against death and hunger to become this.” She indicated to herself. “We are together because of guilt.”
“Does he know who you are?”
“His father never hid the fact that he would have to wed a mountain folk. He just never knew it was me until much later.”
“I’m sorry.”
The woman chuckled and smiled just enough for Adrian to see the sharp points of her teeth.
“No need to be, it’s been many years and well, as my mother would say, we have enjoyed living in sin.”
She extended her arm and looked at the armour upon her.
“Tell me Adrian, what can you promise me if I agree to have you as my handler? I saw your sister almost break under Sebastian’s curse; how will you handle mine that eats the dark?”
“I’ll give you the strength to remove the armour.”
She barked a laugh and spat, “You make it sound so easy.”
“My sister has been a martial fighter since she was a toddler. I have always had my mind. The mind is what will seal our bond. Mine is far more than what Magna’s could ever be.”
Bellatrix seemed to think this over and said, “What limitations would you place on me?”
“What limitations would you have me place on you?”
She seemed taken aback by the question and countered with, “Do we need to decide on this now?”
“No, whenever you’re ready to put our boundaries in place, we can discuss them. For now, the only boundary I will enforce is you not attacking any of those with us.”
“That’s fair.” She looked up at the moon. “We should go back.”
“I don’t know how.”
Bellatrix held her hand out, indicating she wanted one of the bracelets. Adrian handed it to her, and together they added their respective bracelets to their wrists.
“Well then, my keeper, let’s go back before they start to miss us.” The warrior held her hand out.
Adrian took it with no fear.
Magna barely had time to yell a warning at Adrian as the skull-helmed warrior grabbed her brother, and they both disappeared into the shade. Before she could turn on Sebastian, her brother was returned. He was panting and barely managed to stay on his feet. The skull-helmed warrior was steadying him.
“And?” asked Sebastian.
Trix looked to Adrian, who nodded his head. Everyone was shocked when the helm was removed, and Bellatrix was revealed. Everyone, except Magna, who said, “Told you so.”
The look on Sebastian’s face was one that Adrian hadn’t seen often as a child. There was an adoration at seeing Bellatrix’s face after who knows how long. He reached for her with one hand and drew her to him to kiss her forehead.
“I thought you’d never be able to reveal your face again.” He whispered.
“It’s not the same face.” She said softly.
“It is to me.” He continued.
Something light-hearted for a change. Enjoy because now Zak has to take over.
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
| by @zakludick | by @lex-zaiya |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | Part 2 |
| Part 3 | Part 4 |
| Part 5 | Part 6 |
| Part 7 | Part 8 |
| Part 9 | Part 10 |
| Part 11 | Part 12 |
| Part 13 | Part 14 |
| Part 15 | Part 16 |
| Part 17 | Part 18 |
| Part 19 | Part 20 |
| Part 21 | Part 22 |
| Part 23 | Part 24 |
| Part 25 | Part 26 |
| Part 27 | Part 28 |
| Part 29 | Part 30– You are here |
| Part 31 – Coming Soon | Part 32– Coming Soon |
The Reader List
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