Luka
Icy, piercing pain kept me from collapsing to the ground. As much as I wanted to succumb to the overwhelming sensation of agony that was ripping through my body, each time a shimmering glimmer of chill would radiate from my stomach, pushing me further instead of allowing me to give in. This ever-present cold light acted as a reminder that I could not allow myself to succumb and must instead keep going.
Somehow, I managed to silently slip away from the palace, not a single guard in sight as I stumbled down the corridors.
I was going to die.
Even if I hadn’t been sure that Baz was tracking me, determined to finish me off for his beloved goddess, I would still have eventually succumbed to the gushing blood loss and perished.
When she’d demanded my death, his eyes glitched. Turned from their electric blue to a deep crimson as if her blood lust had become his. She owned him, and this was her way of proving it.
Not much of my best friend remained inside that shell, but the little that was there fought hard against her word. The monster within him slipped away for a moment, granting me a sliver of precious time to elude his next attack.
I had no idea where I was going. All I knew was I had to run. The Dark Forest welcomed me with open arms as I slipped through the shadow of the trees. It wasn’t a question of if Baz could find me—he could easily track the metallic scent of my blood—but when.
“Little fox, little fox,” called a gravelly voice, only slightly reminiscent of my friend’s. “I know you’re in there.”
Okay, so not very long then.
I quickly scooted myself underneath the prickly cover of some berry bushes, desperately trying to tuck my legs up to my chin. My stomach was in agony, radiating a sharp pain all the way up to my back, and my head ached. Must have hit it when I’d been thrown against the bookshelf. I had to bite down on my thumb in order to keep from screaming.
The sound of heavy footfalls grew louder, and each one was like a hammer to my chest. I could barely breathe as the thumps inched closer and closer until finally, I saw him. His eyes, once so soft and inviting, were now cold pools of poison that searched diligently for me in the shadows of night.
Fear paralyzed me as he marched forward, coming so close I could practically feel his breath on my neck. Everything slowed as he reached out for me, his fingers finally coming in contact with my fur. I closed my eyes tightly.
“Found you!”
A wave of ethereal, blue magic energy swept the bush away, and my body quaked with a combination of fear and pain. I was free from the bush, but in his grasp, completely captured.
I screamed as he grasped me in his taloned grip, dragging me away with cruel laughter ringing in my ears. His claws dug into my clothing, tearing the fabric with little effort. The strength of his inhuman grasp was crushing, and I felt as though I had no chance to escape from his clutches. He cackled maliciously as he continued to haul me away, each second seeming like an eternity of agony. I shivered in terror and despair, desperately trying to free myself, but to no avail.
“Bastian,” I pleaded, tears stinging down my face. “Please.”
The creature cocked his head, horns displayed proudly atop his pale white head. “Sorry, he can’t hear you. But keep begging. I love the salty taste of terror.”
“Baz! Baz, I know you’re in there. Fight it! Fight this bastard! You’re stronger than this!”
His tongue clicked with a sharp sound that echoed in my ears, and I watched in terror as he raised a scaly, clawed hand menacingly and lunged towards me. “You fool. My name is not Bastian any longer. I am Hell incarnate. I am Mammon.”
Thick, sticky blood poured into my eyes, blinding me. I didn’t want to die. Didn’t want it to end this way. I thought of my sister and her two kids. I loved them so dearly, and I’d never get to say goodbye. Couldn’t protect them if I was dead.
“Baz.” Hot tears spilled down my cheeks, and I wiped furiously at the burning fluids.
Through blurry vision, I saw the daemonic creature ready to swipe at me again. And I thought maybe he did because a rush of burning fire scalded the left side of my chest. Instinct had me covering my head with an open hand.
A blazing blue light emitted from my palm like a blazing flare. Baz—or Mammon, or whatever the fuck he called himself—stumbled backward, blinded temporarily from the light. He screamed in pain, clawing at his eyes, giving me time to flee deeper into the woods.
Fighting the tired feeling that crept upon me, I trudged further and further until I was near the swampy lands of the Solemn Witch’s abode. When her cottage was in sight, I crumpled to the mucky earth and peered at my palm.
It looked—normal? I was a common fey. I didn’t have magick. So how—?
I thought I felt the presence of someone standing over me. Swore I heard a voice calling out to me but couldn’t be sure. My vision was nearly all red, and my ears were ringing.
Suddenly, I was wet and cold.
I blinked.
Blinked.
Blinked.
And realized I was entirely surrounded by pure, white snow.