No pain.
Nothing.
Chapter 6
On a barren, rocky cliff, perched at the top of a jagged mountain, far from Eltoria, the lower part of a kingdom plunged into darkness. A violent purple mist strangled the mountain of any moonlight and reached to every corner of the high tower, poisoning any living creature within range.
“My Lord, please,” the emerald-eyed, winged being pleaded from a bent knee. Though his master’s vapor claws reached for him, he held strong. “Allow me to deal with it. You shouldn’t bother yourself with something so trivial. It really is nothing.”
“How did this happen?” Valdis seethed as he paced the small, crumbling room. The terrible fog thickened, filling the space with its terror. “Wholet this happen?”
“Eltoria, My Lord. There’s only two possibilities and we know the other is still secure. I will not rest until I bring them to justice. He will pay for his carelessness, it will be his death sentence. I will make sure he sees his punishment and I will find the mage at all costs. I swear it,” the second being spoke through clenched teeth as purple wisps licked his skin, singeing the top of it. “I will tear apart every kingdom until they’re found.”
Valdis approached his lesser, extending a slender finger. “There is no room for failure. I will not allow another to be born while I rule this world. I will destroy whatever I have to to make sure it doesn’t happen. Donotmake me intervene. Find the impostor andbring me their head. Destroy the one who let this happen, no matter their ranking. I want a public example made.No onedisobeys my law.”
“I will not fail you, My Lord.” The being coughed and bowed his head. Stretching from his shoulder blades were wings so powerful they could create tsunamis, but tonight, they simply and skillfully carried their owner away.
Chapter 7
For the first time in her life, Ambrose didn’t feel any fear. In fact, she didn’t feel anything at all. Just blissful peace as darkness held her. She often wondered what it would be like to die. No matter how she imagined it, it always gave her a level of peace and comfort knowing that there would be nothing after.
This was almost like nothing.
Why wasn’t she afraid?
If this was death.
Nothing.
Just her.
But…
There wasn’t really nothing.
There was… a buzzing noise?
Yeah. Definitely a buzzing.
And something else…
Someone…screaming?
Who could be screaming?
Everything was so peaceful, who could possibly be making such a disturbed sound…
Ambrose woke to find the source of the horrible cries. Torturous flames licked her skin, burning her from the inside out. She screamed and clawed, unable to get the pain to stop. Channels searing, she thought,this is it.
“Calm yourself, young mage,” the voices soothed.
“What are you doing back in my head? Did you followme?” she whimpered.
“We are always with you,” they told her. “Take control, don’t let it control you.”
“I can’t,” she sobbed.
“Yes. You can,” they urged. “Youmust.”
