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Chapter 38: Six Years Ago
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Darkness Chapter 39: Pandora
I could feel the power crawling inside me. It crept beneath my skin like small worms creeping and searching for an escape. I pictured my skin like an iron shell of armor keeping them in. It calmed the movement, but increased my squeamishness. I burst open through front door of our house. It was a small two bedroom rental that backed up to a large forest, a forest that just happened to include the biggest nexus point on land in the United States. That was not actually a coincidence as I was instantly reminded when my knees banged into the couch.I went flipping forward over it and land square on my ass in the middle of the living room. I was getting tired of this new arrangement already. Mother insisted that everything line up with the ley line. I think in the grand scheme of things, a few households that weren't in line with feng shu was not going to make that much different with power flow, but when Mother insisted, I didn't argue. It wasn't worth the fight."Are you just getting in
Darkness Chapter 40: Summoning
I went to bed early in the morning thinking about my Pandora. If all my bad pieces were stashed away, then how come I couldn't learn new things very well? Why did words get all messed up when I read them? I just didn't feel like I was the very best of everything. That must prove I had bad luck.That got me thinking. Wouldn't the best version of me, the perfect daughter, as Mother had said, be even better if I had good Karma? All the good things would happen to me and then I would really be able to impress her. I'd never get another one of those condescending speeches about how I could do better.I wondered how hard it would be to summon Karma. I could call it an experiment. Like one of those practical's they talked about on those TV shows about school. Yeah, I could do a summoning spell on my own with no guidance. And Mother said I shouldn't let fear hold me back. What did I have to lose? Karma would be just like any other spell. And If I did it, then maybe Mother would even be impre
Darkness Chapter 41: Karma's A Bitch
I lifted my hands in the air as I stood at the edge of the summoning circle. The rich smell of incense filled my nostrils. I hoped it was enough to attract Karma to me."I, Alaina Grey, summon the great and mighty Karma. Force of Nature, Goddess of will, fate, and knowledge. I offer up these items in trade for a blessed karma upon me. Please, I beseech you, grant me your presence."As I spoke, I leaked power into my words. I could feel it entering the circle. The circle lit with a purple glow. The light turned into a purple cloud that swirled into the center. I couldn't believe it, but it was working. Either I had done something really right or Karma was as bored as shit.The purple cloud solidified into a curvy form. A tanned-skinned dark-haired beauty stepped forth. She wore a golden dress that clung to her form and draped about her with sashes of cloth. Her nose was sharp and hawk like, but her eyes... her eyes were dark and hard just like the picture.I bowed my head in respect
Darkness Chapter 42: Cyclops
We walked across the cloud covered sand. I kept the sun to our left as we walked. It didn't slip lower on the horizon. Instead, it just hung at the edge casting its golden rays across the clouds. The sky above lit in the most beautiful pinks and purples while the clouds in the distance were rimmed with golden edges.Eventually, a mountain of clouds grew before us. I walked with determined steps with my guardian angel at my side. When the mountain loomed ahead, a rectangular entrance into the mountain glowed. I shot Angandriel a look, but his face remained stoic. The clouds swirled away from my feet as I walked.When I finally stood beneath the threshold, I breathed in sharply. The doorway was so far above my head. It looked like it was an entrance for giants. I cast another look at Angandriel, but he just walked through like it was no big deal. I wondered if Heaven looked like this and he was used to seeing things like it.I followed after him at a trot. The ceiling of the mountain
Darkness Chapter 43: Medusa
I stood in the threshold to the next arena. I could feel Angandriel's presence behind me. It felt huge and ominous, but also full of light. I pulled my mind away from his distracting aura. Ahead of us stood another circular arena. At the center was another stone statue, but this one was closer to our height. I walked forward with Angandriel at my back. This arena was lined with mirrors on holders. They could be tilted up and down. They all pointed at the figure in the center.As we got closer I could see the figure more clearly. Snakes protruded from the head with their mouths open showing their fangs. The figure had a female bosom and a snake like tail. Her fingers were raised with claws sticking out at them. In front of her another pedestal held a new weapon. I looked down the shiny edge of the axe blade. I remembered the stories of Medusa from Greek mythology. Don't look directly at her or you turn to stone and cut off her head to kill her. This was going to be fun.I grabbed the
Darkness Chapter 44: Radioactive
We passed through to the final arena, at least, that was my hope. Before going more than a few steps, I looked around. Four pedestals lay out on the edges of the arena. At the center, a huge blob of stone sat like a mountain."How much do you want to bet that that thing comes to life when I touch the first pedestal?" I asked."I don't bet."I sighed in exasperation. "Seriously?""I'm always serious."I smacked him on the chest with the flat of my hand. It did nothing except hurt my hand. How could a teenager be so hard? I shook it out as I looked around. I was going to try and be smart this time. I walked to the first pedestal, keeping my distance in case I triggered it. I wasn't ready for this monster yet. The first pedestal held six blades. They were all different colors and sizes. They looked incomplete, none had handles or anything to hold on to.I walked to the next pedestal. I held pieces of what looked to be a hilt. They were laid out neatly. I could see the handle part, t
Darkness Chapter 45: Return
I lay cradled in Angandriel's lap. I knew it was him without opening my eyes. I could feel his strong aura of lightness. It was hard to describe it any other way. I was wrapped in a wool blanket with my head on his shoulder. His arms held me around the torso and legs. I kept my eyes closed tight. I didn't want him to know I was awake yet. As much as he hated me, I really liked being this close to him.My stomach was still a little achy and my throat was raw, but overall I was feeling better. I could feel the weight of the aurora sword in my pocket as just the small dagger. I could feel the energy come off of it. That feeling of ownership was powerful. I wasn't sure how I was going to give it up to Karma. Her hard eyes haunted my memories. Right. That was how. She was a scary bitch.I finally registered what had woken me. There were voices. Angandriel was speaking with someone. I liked how his voice rumbled in his chest beneath my ear."I can't believe you let her get hurt. She almos
Darkness Chapter 46: The Deal
A few days later I was practicing my Krav Maga in the backyard. I had managed to use several salves to cure the radiation burns from my hands. Mother hopefully would never find out about my ordeal. Although it seemed as my injuries faded, so had my memories of the event. I couldn't for the life of me remember what it was I went in there to get.As I practiced, the light in the sky was failing, making the forest look particularly dark and menacing. I could feel this pulsating energy coming from the direction of the nexus point. It was like a pounding deep in my chest that thumped and thrummed in with an irregular beat.As all things did that peaked my interest, I followed it. It usually got me in to some tight spots, but everything always turned out just fine. I was still here, right? I stepped lightly through the forest, careful not to leave a trace. Not that it mattered, but it was a good practice. The thrumming and pounding slowly started to reach my ears. As I moved closer, the be
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Darkness Chapter 132: Olympus
I don't know how long I lay there crying and wailing and sniffling. I couldn't believe he was gone. I'd been played. I'd let the darkness use him and use me. I needed to be smarter. I needed to figure out what she was doing before it happened. How did one even learn those sort of skills? I was no hero. I was nothing.The deep pit of depression pulled at me throughout the hours as I lay on the cold hard ground. I couldn't pull myself up. I couldn't go on. I had killed Mila and now I had killed Remi. I let Kezia and Matei die. No matter what I did, I was never good enough to save the people I loved. I'd even killed my own mother. What was wrong with me? I was living ball of bad luck. Bad Karma.I raised my head. Had Karma done this to me? Was that the reason? I slowly pushed into a sitting position."Karma!" I screamed. I had nothing left; otherwise, I would have pushed so much power into her name; it would have knocked the rest of the castle over. "Karma! Did you do this to me!?" M
Darkness Chapter 131: Dragon
Yes, I was looking at a freaking Dragon in front of me. It must have been three stories tall. What is that, thirty feet? It was freaking huge. Its black scales glittered in the moonlight, and if I weren't shaking in my boots and worried about being eaten alive, I would have thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Atlas, it was terrifying. Complete and utter terror gripped my throat, even more than the ominous darkness that used to chase me home from work. This thing had fangs and claws and wings! It was the embodiment of a predator and it was assigned to kill me.The thing reeled back its head after in a great roar as if to bellowed out fire on me, the tiny figure standing in front of it. I instinctively rose the Aurora sword in front of me. Instead of normal flame, it blew out a steady stream of black and purple fire. The sword sliced it in half, protecting me. After the breath, it turned its head and gazed at me with one bright golden hazel eye. The fearsome intel
Darkness Chapter 130: Dungeon
I woke up bound and gagged in a very cold and dark place. I could hear water dripping somewhere far off. The smell of mold and dirt filled my nostrils while the wet, cold air penetrated my clothing made me shiver. I pulled at the power I had stored inside me, but it was gone. It felt as if I had been completely drained. I even felt drained of life.I wiggled in the grime until I was able to free my gag. "Hello?" My voice echoed off what sounded to be stone walls.I could be anywhere. For a moment, I thought I was dead, but I think I was too uncomfortable to be dead just yet. After much struggling, I was able to sit."Remi?" I whispered. "Angie? Sandriel? Natalia? Anyone? Can anyone hear me?""No one can," a familiar voice echoed.It surprised me at how close it was, maybe only a few feet in front of me. The deep smooth female voice was easy to place. The water dripping in the background grew silent. Even the air around me stopped."Karma," I said."Oh, aren't you just so smart
Darkness Chapter 129: Life
The dark forest started to clear as I flew forward on my delicate wings. The first thing to catch my eye in the firelight was Kezia strapped to a pole in the middle of the nexus circle surrounded by what looked to be human bones. The rose bushes that were planted six years ago were the size of people, bushy, and well cared for. Their blooms were just starting to fade as the fall equinox rose. A hundred or so crystals sparkled in the moonlight spread out over the complicated circles drawn in the dirt. Mila stood at the edge of the circle chanting in a language I couldn't make out.Kezia's eyes darted towards me as I appeared out of the trees. Mila immediately stopped her chant as she looked in my direction. A wicked, too big smile gaped open. Pointed teeth spilled across her face. She extended her fingers out and flicked them at me.Dark tendrils of shadows leaped from the trees. They wrapped around my ankles and wrists, pulling me down to the ground. I could feel the familiar fear gr
Darkness Chapter 128: Plea
I stood looking out at the stars in the night sky from the roof of the Ardor bar building. The power from the crystals thrummed beneath my skin as I swirled it inside me, converting it to my pink energy. I needed to do this. I had to go all out like I had done for the brothers in order to save Kezia. It wasn't fair that she was taken hostage because of me.I closed my eyes. I searched deep inside the well of power within me and whispered, "Remi." The word escaped my lips with a deep insistence with power behind it.The night pressed in thick around me like a cloud that descended and hung about in a fog. I realized it was Remi's shadow fighting his summoning."Remi," I bit out. The power behind the word was sharp.The shadows merged into his figure. He stumbled forward on to his hands and knees before me."Kira," he heaved a breath. "Where did you learn that trick?""I need you to take me to Kezia."He lifted his head. "Don't do that. Forget about Kezia. She's lost. Just let it b
Darkness Chapter 127: Spark
The evening died down. I was left sitting alone again, but this time my basket of crystals was full of energy. Their surfaces pulsed with pink light. The elves' energy was different, but it was intense. It wasn't as easy to mix with my own, but when I did, I felt powerful.I collected the basket and went downstairs. I bid good night to Cherry with a nod. I carried my basket through the back then started up the stairs."Beloved," Liam's deep voice drew my eyes up from the stair steps.I nodded. "Liam.""Where are you going with all those crystals?""I was taking them to my room to practice."His eyebrow ridges knit down. "Practice what?"I smiled innocently. "I'm just testing what I can do. Don't worry; I'll be careful."He eyed me suspiciously. I tried not to let my smile waiver. I felt like he could see right through me, but I held firm. I had to do this. I couldn't just let Kezia die, not like Mila."Alright, be careful. Good night, Beloved.""Good night." I inched around h
Darkness Chapter 126: Signature
I sat outside in the parking lot were a bar counter, numerous tables and chairs, and many lights decorated the area. The elves sat politely at the tables, drinking their fancy top-shelf drinks. The Ardor Brothers pretended to be having a good time, but the suspicious glances between the two factions put a damper on the party.Lord Quillion finally strode across the parking lot towards us. He took a seat in front of me with a pained look.I remained silent with a smile on my face. No more plastic smiles for me. This one was genuine."Lord Quillion," I said."Beloved," he responded. He said it as if it tasted bitter on his tongue.That made me smile wider.Cole spread the contract out on the table between us. "This claims The Kingdom will be allies to the Ardor Brothers for the next fifty years. They will aid us with whatever we require, including sharing materials and funds. The territories will remain separate, but the people of either territory will be allowed to move across the
Darkness Chapter 125: Duel
"I accept the terms," Lord Quillion said.I extended my hand to him. We shook, then I backed away. Both armies stepped back to give us space.Liam squeezed my shoulder. "Let me fight for you."I shook my head. "This is my fight."He gave me a worried glance but gave a slight nod. "Good luck, Beloved."Granite gave me a soft punch. "We're counting on you." They both turned and stood to block the entrance to the bar. They watched me with their iron-grey eyes. I couldn't help but smile. For such cold, hardened warriors, they had such warmth in their hearts.I turned my attention back to Lord Quillion. He stood at the center and lifted his long sword to the sky. Dark clouds appeared and swirled overhead. Blue lighting ripped from the sky on to the sword. He held pointed it toward me, then screamed a battle cry.I cringed. It sent a primal surge of fear through me. I stood my ground as he ran forward with the sword. For a moment, I felt frozen, but I calmed my thoughts and felt for
Darkness Chapter 124: Challenge
I didn't sleep. I paced the room. I tossed and turned in bed, but I never managed a wink of sleep. Hours ticked by. Painful minutes ticked by. There was nothing. No word. No text or message. I was just stuck in the dark and I didn't dare bother them because it could mean life and death. At seven o'clock in the morning, I stumbled down the stairs on tired legs. I wanted to sleep, needed it, but I couldn't. I made some cereal and sat looking out at the sun in the sky over the city. The harsh sun reminded me of my garden. I let my mind wander to that peaceful place. I thought about the blooms, the sun, and the pink glow. Before I knew it, I was standing in my garden.The plants were still there, but they looked wilted. The ones next to the stream were okay, but the rest looked a little frazzled. I added more of the glittering water next to them and they slowly perked up. I touched others and they blossomed again. The tiredness slowly drained from me as I walked through my creations.I
