Page 41 of A Rising Hope

Her matted hair tucked behind her ear, dress stained and ripped. But she held her tiny baby tight in her arms, rocking her, nursing her to sleep amid the horror.

She didn’t reach for the bloodied axe she kept close. Though I didn’t fail to notice her assess me with the most primal motherly instinct.An ally or a foe?

I paused, overtaken by the raw wild power felt within me at the sight.

There was no doubt the woman was haunted, just like the others. The pale shade of her skin and the dull, glass-like stare from the nightmares ready to consume her was apparent by a single look at her. And yet, she’d clawed through all those terrors to keep her child safe. She fought each minute, each hour with no relief in sight, without any indication of reprieve.

She hoped and so she lived. Each minute. Each hour. Each day. Waiting for the sun to rise once more, hoping for the shadows to fall one day for her child to thrive.

She hoped.

And so I would too.

A ripple of raw power flashed in me.

Enough.

There was enough suffering.

Enough pain and hurt and broken hearts.

I would bring mercy. And I would bring justice.

Mercy to those who have endured for so long. And justice for those who had lost so much.

I would make the wrongs right. I would fight every oppressor and bring them to their knees.

For her.

And for me.

Darkness might wander, but light would always guide.Laviticus’s words echoed in my soul. I felt the thrum of power ring in my ears.

A loud clap sounded above me, and I jerked my head up. Out of nowhere, Liriya dropped familiar swords into my hands. Her loud caws echoed through the darkness like a song and a calling.

I didn’t think twice, catching both of the heavy swords in my hands. The rubies radiated red, even in the darkness. A single blink and they ignited with flames at my touch. Whatever magic they contained expanded the rivers of fire flowing through my veins into burning oceans.

A single thought and the world would burn. Rivers, mountains, cities. I felt the fire cry to let it free. To let my rage devour everything it reached.

But I found myself looking back at the mother. She stood, the axe in hand, unsure.

A single thought and the world would burn.

And hope would rise from the ashes.

I shoved both of the swords deep into the pebbled earth and let my powers overtake me, letting my fury and my mercy cleanse the world.

Flames, like a tsunami wave, rattled the earth.

The world burned, and so did the darkness within it. My powers incinerated every ounce of the poisonous mist, every flicker of the Black Shadows as I held on to a sliver of sanity within me, to the memories I had and ones I hoped to have.

I kept my eyes closed even as the last wave of fire rippled through me.

My powers settled, now no more than a little stream from the former tumultuous oceans.

The previous loud wailing and gnashing of teeth turning into revered whispers.

I opened my eyes. At first, blinded by the sudden pass of brightness.

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