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STANDING ABOVE THE CANOPY felt eerily surreal, and seeing my tribe reduced to nothing but dots at my feet seemed even more terrifying. I didn’t know if I’d ascended, unable to return to my corporal form when my deed was completed, or if I would return and wake from this dreamy state. But one thing stayed prevalent in my mind, I had to ensure the archfey was finished. Whether that be dead or sealed back in her own realm. As long as my tribe and homeland was safe, I didn’t care about what fate had in store for her.
Titania stood before me, her mouth hanging open like a rabid beast and wicked talons poised to strike. ‘Let’s finish this mortal,’ she screamed. Her voice cut through me like a banshee, and with it a hurricane of razor sharp leaves and broken branches launched shot themselves towards me.
I braced myself for the impact, expecting the edges to cut me to ribbons. But that was the difference between my new spiritual form and my corporal body, I couldn’t sustain damage. I knew this feeling wouldn’t last and no doubt my own body would feel the full force, should I return. This new information put me at somewhat an advantage, all that was left to test was if the archfey experienced could be hurt by my own attacks.
My crook had grown with me, I held it before me, summoning the earth below me to rise. Forget the small pebbles and rumble I was toying with inside the Summer Court, this time I was commanding boulders to do my bidding, launching them into my foe with a flick of my wrist. They collided with my enemy, knocking her staff from her hand and forcing her back into the statue.
The archfey writhed in agony, howling like a wounded animal. She struggled beneath the weight of the boulders, attempting to push them off her limp body. Crimson tears leaked from her lips as she successfully removed the boulder.
‘You will pay greatly for that mortal,’ Titania spat, her mouth full of her own blood. She bent down, uprooting the nearest tree from the earth, and fashioning it into a javelin.
Without a second hesitation she threw it at me, skewering my chest. I doubled over in pain, staring down at the protruding trunk. I wrapped one hand around the middle and ignited flames, turning it into nothing more than charcoal. I sealed my own wound with the last of my flame and glared at my adversary. Seems she was prepared to fight dirty, I figured it was time to show her the same pleasure. I stamped my hooves against the earth, large vines shot up and swayed by my side like an extension of my own body in the form of tentacles.
I shot the vines out towards the archfey, one by one they grappled her limbs, rooting her in place, until I decided my next move. But it seemed she’d other plans in store. A primordial scream summoned her flying minions to her side, and without a single word uttered, they came for me like tiny winged darts. They pierced through my arms, but this time I felt the pinpricks as they flew through me. Again and again they struck me, until I saw my first tear of crimson.
A hurricane emerged around me, I was still considering my options when I noticed it, but it wasn’t from the archfey’s making. It was my subconscious reacting to the world around me, protecting me. The wind gathered up the winged beasts, overstimulating their lungs until they burst like firecrackers. When the dust finally settled I eyed the archfey once more, seeing her demeanour changed when she saw me unscathed.
‘How,’ Titania bellowed. ‘How are you doing this? You are mortal. You do not possess the same power coursing through my veins. How can you still stand?’
I laughed, I couldn’t pinpoint if it was me being arrogant or if it was through pure adrenaline. ‘Unlike you, I learnt from my mistakes.’ I said, transforming my crook into a blade. ‘I may have welcomed the Darkling and yourself into my homeland, but through my hardships I learnt that strength doesn’t come from dominance. It comes from hope. Hope that tomorrow will usher in a new adventure.’ I launched myself towards the archfey, slamming the hilt of my rapier into her gut, forcing her back into the rock formation.
The archfey was pinned against the statue and my blade, but she wasn’t going down without a fight. Her zircon orbs glared at me as she snarled. Wicked white talons scratched against my arms until blood coated my arms and I finally pulled away. As I stepped back, my head spinning from the blood loss, she ceased her opportunity to strike, slamming her elbow into the wound in my chest and sent me tumbling backwards.
I drove my rapier into the earth, like I’d seen Tarasque do many times with her own blade, just to anchor myself while I caught my breath. It was only now I realised the shape of the rapier I’d created. Mitztail’s blade sat clutched in my grasp and here I was using the fire genasi’s techniques. I owed everything I’d learned on that adventure to them. If only they could see me now. Thinking of my fallen comrades only brought back my drive, my confidence to stand once more against the archfey. My body was quickly withering, I needed to make my last strike count.
Saria, think, what would The Ashen Order do?
Then the idea hit me, I’d seen Barcius wield an element I’d never used before. Lightning. While I didn’t possess this power, I could make it my own. I glanced down at the lake, a perfect insulator for my plan, that might ensure my victory.
I summoned the dark clouds above, seemingly ready to burst at any moment, a gust of wind twisted around my body picking up broken twigs and pebbles in its wake. In one hand I held the rapier, the other smoothed the blade, igniting the steel with my fingertips. I dipped the tip inside the hurricane, heating the centre of my storm before launching it into my adversary. The grey clouds clapped and the rumbling of thunder echoed throughout the sky.
Titania was knocked backwards, smashing her spine against the rock face. Her talons clawed the storm, as she stumbled over her steps, but was unable to make purchase with the rock, sealing her demise. Once submerged in the dark waters, I stepped towards her, my rapier transforming back into my crook, and summoning the thundering skies to me. Lightning struck my crook, purple energy coursed through the veins.
As I stood before the archfey, a smile creeped onto my lips. ‘Long live the Queen,’ I mocked, driving the base of my crook into her heart.
Lightning struck once more, this time electrocuting my adversary until she charred. Her ear-piercing screams could be heard for miles, summoning the last of her minions to her side. The lightning burnt them all alive, crumbling into nothing more than dust upon the wind.
I watched her corpse smoke, until the lightning finally subsided. I scooped her up into my arms, carrying her back towards the rift. There was no guarantee she was dead, even if she was back to her original human-sized fey form, charred skin and bones. I placed the archfey inside the Summer Court, dropping the broken bone to the marble. Vines gathered up her body and carried her off until she was no longer in sight. With the last of my strength I pulled the edges of the rift to a close and used the vine on my crook to seal the wound shut. My deed was done.
The skies opened up and the deluge began. My spiritual form faded, and my physical body crippled from the battle, tumbled into the dark waters below.
‘Saria!’ I heard my brother call out to me.
But that was the last word I heard before I fell into a dreamless sleep, sinking deeper into the lake. Although my mind was not conscious, I felt my body being dragged through the waves and hauled on the bank. I felt compressions beating on my chest, and my lifeless body lulling about as more hands involved themselves to wake me.
‘Please stay with me, snowdrop.’ I heard before my mind slipped away as well.
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I wasn’t too sure how much time had passed when I finally awoke, with my lungs filled with air instead of murky lake water. I looked down to see my ceremonial gown, torn in places, with mud and crimson staining the silk. My body ached, my battle taking its toll on me at long last. Still-red scars decorated my skin, around the inked symbols the Gods had gifted me. I wonder if their power had left my body by now, even though my work wasn’t yet completed. I silently prayed they would allow me more time before I was to depart.
A thought shot into the forefront of my mind, where was my satchel. I slapped my hips, cursing myself as an electric shock bolted through my body. They weren’t beside me. My heart started to ache, wondering if my friends' souls had been lost to me once more. I tried to sit myself up, hoping to leave the bed I’d been placed on. But just as I was trying to get back to my hooves, my balance shifted, sending me crashing down on the bed. I yelped in agony.
‘Saria, is everything-’ I heard Nolas before I saw him. His words cut off as he entered the room, stunned to see sitting up. ‘You’re awake. Thank the Wildmother.’ He rushed to my side, enveloping me into a hug, seemingly not too concerned he might injure me more.
I rested my head on his shoulder, thinking back to my time alone. How I missed his hugs while I was travelling. That gentle warmth soothing my anxiety.
Nolas soon realised he might be hurting me and loosen his hold on me, ‘Sorry,’ he said, pulling away until we sat side by side. ‘What happened to you, you’re different than before?’ He gestured to my entire being instead of one single thing.
‘Besides from my new look. Yeah, about that,’ I replied, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. I considered my next words carefully. ‘I went on an adventure of a lifetime, I met some wonderful friends that I will treasure forever.’ Confessing that part brought tears to my eyes and the pair of us were silent for a moment.
‘Speaking of, what happened to my personal effects,’ I asked.
Nolas clicked his tongue and pointed to a table on the other side of the room, ‘Worry not, dear sister, they’re close by.’
I glanced over, and sure enough there my satchel sat safely with my crook resting beside the table. I silently thanked the Wildmother that they hadn’t been lost in the battle. ‘Would you believe me if I told you I stood against the Darkling and held my own in several trials?’ I asked. ‘What if I told you I’d met Melora herself?’
Nolas burst out laughing and said ‘If you’d told me such tall tales many moons ago I would laugh you out of our homeland myself, but considering the feat you just pulled off against the archfey, I’m inclined to believe every word you speak.’ His smile soon faded. ‘What really happened out there? Did you truly end the archfey?’
I cast my eyes to the floor, ‘At least I think I did. I can’t really explain what happened, I’m not entirely sure myself,’ I replied. Another thought flashed into my mind, my work wasn’t complete yet. ‘But you should know this power is borrowed and I can feel it is almost spent. When it is gone, I too shall leave this realm to join the Wild Mother.’ I cleared my throat before speaking my next words. ‘I don’t have much time left and there are things I need to do, will you help me?’
Nolas gave a single nod, I saw him holding back the lump in his throat as he took my hand. ‘Like you even have to ask,’ he said. ‘Anything you need, I will be here.’
My brother helped me gather my things, my satchel resting on my hip once more, back where it belonged. He handed me my crook, degraded to nothing more than a walking aid, helping me keep my balance on my hooves. Once outside we were greeted by the tribe, all of whom were looking well, except the Chieftain who was nowhere to be seen.
The homeland itself had begun flourishing once more, greenery spread throughout the realm. All seemed to be heading back to the way it once was. Everything except myself. I moved past the crowds, avoiding conversations and well-wishers.
I wanted to see the rift wound for myself, to ensure that I’d sealed it correctly. I watched Nolas partake in conversations with the tribe and I used the opportunity to sneak off to the lake. It was a bitter-sweet feeling standing at the edge of the back. This was the place I thought I’d found my first friend, the place where I was tricked and betrayed by a fiend, and where I finally stood my ground and fought against the archfey for my tribe. A swell of pride should’ve filled my heart, but that feeling was absent. My time now was precious and yet I was still struggling constructing my goodbye. I looked up at where the rift tear had been, not a single line nor remnant remained.
The skies above clear, and the Wildmother’s statue proudly watching over our homeland. The damage the rock face had sustained during my battle had been fixed with tiny flora growing in between the new seams. I sat upon the bank, tipping my hooves into the still water, the liquid had returned to its clear state and I witnessed the small wildlife making their homes beneath the waves.
‘Snowdrop,’ I heard my brother’s voice behind me and I turned to see him standing there.
‘I just needed a moment,’ I confessed, feeling a lump rising in my throat. ‘I assume you’re responsible for this?’ I pointed up to the Wildmother’s statue.
Nolas slumped himself beside me, dipping his own hooves into the water and said, ‘I can’t take all the credit, the Elders were adamant to see the deity to her full glory. But yes I did have a hand in the rebuilding.’ He cast his eyes to the sky. ‘I’m proud of you. What you did won’t be forgotten.’
A weak smile crept onto my lips, ‘Thank you.’ I pulled my hooves from the water and stood, ‘I’m happy the homeland is flourishing once more. The wound is sealed, no fey will find their way back. Thank the Wildmother.’
Nolas joined my side and together we took a leisurely walk to the Mother tree, admiring the new flora blooming and the increase of fauna lurking amongst the trees. Soft grass beneath my hooves and the aroma of sweet blooms swarmed me. It truly was good to be home. It was a shame I’d outgrown this feeling of being accepted into my realm, something I’d wanted my whole life. But I was glad to have received it before I took my last breath.
When we arrived, I was hoping to see the Mother Tree restored to her former glory, but it appeared the damage by the archfey had been too much for the centuries old willow. The two halves still split but void of the portal that once tainted the space in between. I stepped closely, running my fingertips against the bark, pieces chipped off in my hand, the rot still present beneath.
I thought back to the times I was sent here to pray to the Wildmother, remembering how I always saw her form built within the bark. But when I looked now, I only saw an ordinary tree trunk, no feminine features looked back at me. My mind recalled the conversation with Melora, how she spoke of her end once her deed was done, and I realised what I had to do.
‘Nolas,’ I called out gently for my brother. ‘Promise me you’ll watch over the land. One day you will make an incredible Chieftain.’
‘Stop talking to me like this is the last I’ll see of you,’ he joked, but when he saw the seriousness on my face, his smile quickly faded. ‘You’re serious?’
I gave a single nod, ‘I promise I’ll watch over you,’ I said, biting back my tears.
Nolas enveloped me in a warm hug, ‘As I will you.’ We parted before our tears could fall, I handed him my crook, and stepped between the two halves.
I closed my eyes and asked the earth for help one final time. Thankfully, it answered my call. The two halves of the trunk pulled themselves together, an invisible thread stitching the seam. I smiled at Nolas one last time before it trapped me inside. But my work was not yet done. I felt my body change, my skin transformed, becoming brittle like bark. My tresses flowed in lush green hues. I felt myself becoming weary, the gifted power finally departing from my body. I gave into the feeling, allowing myself to drift off till a dreamless sleep, destined to watch over my homeland for an eternity to come.
‘Until we meet again.’
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