Page 85 of The Dark War

The trees burned by the tar-like substance, they had all lost their leaves, and the branches hardly covered our bodies for protection. There would be no hiding for our bodies to recover from the constant state of alertness that would have to remain until this war was over.

We traveled onward, still slow enough for the magnificent horses to keep up. The horses were stronger and sturdier than Earth, and it amazed me how each animal I had come across in Bergarian could live up to the expectations of their masters.

The light sources should have been high in the sky, but it wasn’t for certain anymore. The black clouds thickened as we reached the supposed area where the soil had cracked. Folen continued to touch the ground, shaking his head as we continued. There would be no help from nature, and the three sisters who were still trying to overcome the death of their sisters still remained weak.

They might have been the only witches besides Osirus that would be able to help us. They were the very few that wanted to stay on the side with peace. The sisters had worked with my family for over a century. When word broke that witches and warlocks were going rogue against their kingdoms, my mother was very harsh on them.

After severe interrogations and promises of death and pain, my mother released them. As much as I wanted to be angry with my mother for jumping to conclusions, she was trying to save us all from pain if they supposedly turned on us.

So much was to change, so many things I wanted to do. First, we had to get through this hurdle. A hurdle that was, in fact, the journey across the enormous canyon that now stood.

Dark clouds rose in the distance from the canyon. They ascended into the sky. The light sources were now permanently blocked, and darkness fell upon us all.

Torin halted us with the raise of his arm. I had given him complete control of the royal power we shared. I knew nothing of war. I barely knew enough about fighting, so it seemed best for him to take the lead.

The horses stayed gathered into a grove of trees and escorted downward to protect them. They would be hidden for now, and those that had remained in the human forms found it necessary to join in on the fight. They would at least have the horses and their speed.

Kane and I stood watching the crater in the once flat plains of land. The crooked dark branches gave it an ominous and deadly appearance. We continued to skim over the crater for any signs of life when luckily, we saw Osirus mounted on his horse across the way.

“Thank the gods,” Giana muttered. “At least they came.”

“Yes, but how much use will they be when the sky is filled with clouds? They won’t be able to use the light to strengthen them,” I replied. My hair stiffened on my back. Kane’s claw came down to pet my back in reassurance.

“There are ways around that,” Giana purred. “The dragons, look.” Giana had our heads look to the sky. Large wings of more than twenty dragons began to fan the sky. Our maw lifted as the clouds departed, only to hear a screeching roar as blue lightning showered down on the flying dragons. Their scales blackened, and their movements ceased as they began to fall from the sky.

Fae watched in horror, screaming for someone to help until their dragon brothers of their tribes raced to catch each one. A dragon for a dragon, they pulled them safely to the ground, only for the clouds to cover the holes of light that had been initially opened.

Fudge.

“Glad you all could make it,” a voice replaced the static in our mind-links. There didn’t need to be a loud announcement. This sorcerer was in our heads, in our minds, a sacred place only meant for packs and mates. “We were tired of all the chasing, taking things out one by one. I believe this will suffice and rid most of you so we can take our place on Earth. For those that don’t know me, I’m Lord Virion, soon-to-be emperor.” The crowd went silent.

Instead of rising from the canyon of fire and brimstone, he descended from the clouds like a god. Clouds parted, letting him slowly descend to the nearby cliff that overlooked the split battle ground below. My friends and family stood behind us, trying not to show their apprehension, but who was I kidding? We were all fearful of what was about to come.

Osirus pulled his sword from his sheath. We could hear the sheen clear across the canyon. Virion snickered, his eyes turning a bright blue, and the sickening smile that ripped his face horizontally looked on either side of the canyon. He was not as terrifying in my dream as I remembered. He was worse. I didn’t think my nightmares could be brought to life so easily.

A shudder racked through me, Kane standing by my side, holding my head close to his thigh. “I’m feeling generous today/” Virion pulled back. The dark cave behind him was a stark contrast to the pale face and red suit. He gripped hold of the lapels of his Italian suit jacket, straightening them.

The fire from the canyon grew hotter, blue and purple flames rising, casting the shadow of three personages on the back of the rocks. “Give up now, and I’ll make your deaths quick.” His tongue went from ear to ear as the snake-like tongue wetted his lips.

Kane turned his body, looking over the warriors. Wolves, vampires, fae, and elves were ready to fight. Their postures stiffened, smelling the burning sulfur. The look of determination as Kane radiated the royal command from the previous night’s speech had our warriors growl in agreement.

Osirus stood on the other side, his head nodding to me that he was planning on doing the same. We would fight until the demon was struck down. If only he knew of the weapon we wielded, he would be in better spirits also.

The sword from Vulcan, which we now named The Reckoning, hung behind Wesley’s back. He had opted to stay in his human form to hold it tight to his body and hopefully have a chance to use it.

“We won’t give up that easy.” Kane growled out. “We stay to fight.” His stance widened, claws extending, ready to pounce him like he was standing in front of him.

Virion clasped his hands together, giving a condescending look. The shadows behind him flew straight toward us at a frightening speed until we heard choking inside the crowd. Screams from a familiar voice had me jolt backward, running toward the gasps and cries.

Leia was next to Kyler in her human form, holding onto him as the shadows wrapped their bodies around him. He was being suffocated, slowly. My maw went to reach for the shadows, but all I bit into was air. The three shadows were working together, choking Kyler’s throat.

Leia’s tears fell, her body trembling to hold on to Kyler as his breath left him. The tears in his eyes as he tried to pull the shadows away were all for naught. His fingers couldn’t hold onto the shadows.

“Love.” Kyler’s eyes closed. Leia’s tears ran down her cheeks as her body began to shut down. The shadows released him, having him fall into Leia’s arms. She petted his hair, at least she tried, until the shadows covered his body as fire engulfed him.

Warriors looked on in astonishment, the wolves howling, the vampires screaming while Leia gripped the ashes of her burning mate. My fur enveloped her, my power falling around her trying to heal her from what was coming. Ashes ran through Leia’s fingers as she stared at them longingly.

“You can’t heal a bond, Clara,” Giana whimpered in my head. “She needs to be with her mate in the stars.” I howled sadly. Other wolves followed. Leia was my first friend. She introduced me to Raine. She was the comedic relief of our trio, the one that had my back when I needed to smile.

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