Page 113 of Of Blood & Stone

Sylzenya ignored the heartbeat.

Thump.

The heartbeat grew louder.

Thump.

Sylzenya gasped a long, arduous breath. Bright, dangerous power sung through her body—her limbs, her veins, her blood.

The dormant muscle twitched. The dying root soaked up the surrounding water. The withering flower petals opened up to the burning sun. Every ache in her muscles disappeared; the exhaustion in her body vanished. Sylzenya opened her eyes and watched as the rogue monster stayed suspended in the air, as if time had stopped for her.

She hadn’t called upon any power, had she?

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Sparks lit up her veins, her vision sharp. Lifting herself up from the ground, she stepped to her blade, picking up the weapon in one hand with ease. It no longer felt like lifting an oversized boulder, but like picking a sunflower stalk. An easy, light weight.

Had the sword changed?

No.

The earth didn’t sing to her. The roots beneath the earth didn’t obey her. Instead, it was her own blood which sung a powerful, effervescent song, her muscles firing underneath her skin. Not a death, but a rebirth.

This wasn’t the power of a Kreena.

This was the power of a Dynami.

Impossible.

Only men could access this power, and yet she knew it to be true—could sense it in every part of her being. She’d read enough texts to know how this power worked. It was all instinct. While Kreenas trained to harness their power through the earth and into orodyte, Dynameis learned how to undo themselves, giving all their faith to the orodyte strapped to their chest plate. The more a Dynami thought out their movements, the less effective they would become.

She had to trust her own power if she was to get her and Elnok out of this alive.

Your power far outweighs Distrathrus’, can’t you see that?

Sylzenya gulped as she steadied the blade in her hand, gripping the hilt tight as she stared into the arachni’s glossy eyes, imagining Distrathrus’ yellow gaze instead.

“I will tear you apart until there’s nothing left,” she hissed.

Except for the steady, thrumming heart of her goddess, she was met with silence.

Rage surged through her as she charged the arachni, every limb screaming for survival as her veins glowed and sword pulsed as bright as the sun.

All at once, time caught up with her, the arachni’s shrieks shattering her eardrums. But it was too late for the creature. She pushed the blade through its jaw and up into its mouth, its fangs dangerously close to her arm. Sylzenya yelled as she ripped the sword free, splitting the creature’s head in half, picturing Distrathrus screaming alongside his creation. Black blood and poison poured into the earth.

Sweat slid off her nose, dropping onto the earth. She’d never felt so alive in her life.

Adrenaline and power spiked through every crevice of her body as she raced towards the arachni poised over Elnok, its fangs still deep in his chest. But another arachni skidded in front of her, blocking her path.

Sylzenya considered how never learning how to fight was a blessing, for she had no choice but to trust instinctual power.

She didn’t stop her pursuit, allowing her goddess’ power to overtake her as she slid to the ground on her hip. Energy rushed through her as she slipped under the arachni’s body, slicing its belly open with her sword. The creature crumpled to the ground right as she cleared its body, its loud chitters echoing as it died in a pool of its own blood.

Despite impending danger, the arachni continued poisoning Elnok, relentless in its task.

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