The Cursed Herald

by Rina S Mamoon

  The head of the creature appeared as rotten scales came to life and covered the exposed skull. Six curved horns sat on her head, as well as several spikes along the ridge of the nose and above the empty eye sockets. The regenerated dark scales were like stone. Glowing blue spots graced various parts of her face and body. Fins and frills, once torn and decayed, repaired themselves.

  Mara was stunned at the divine’s appearance. “What the—?”

  The reanimated corpse transformed into a large and majestic dragon, like the picture Mara once saw in Saskia’s bestiary. A massive decayed bat-like wing emerged from one side of the divine. Another soon followed and stretched into the sky, blocking out the glowing moon. The creature released a roar while stretching her skeletal wings into the air. The sound Aazalith produced made everything shake. Particles of magic spread over her wings. The leathery membrane filled in, regenerating her wings to their original form. If she wanted to, she could fly away. She flapped her wings, creating powerful wind gusts. The magical essence flowing through the great dragon could be seen beneath her scales, giving them a turquoise tint. The interior of her wings, frills, and fins glowed bright blue.

  “Aazalith has fully regenerated,” Aspen said. “It’s possible the seals siphoned much of her power away in addition to restricting access to Amara’s soul. Without her magical essence, Aazalith’s body withered away.”

  The guardsmen and knights held their ground, although they appeared terrified. The divine was massive compared to a single vessel. Only half of the dragon’s torso could be seen while the rest was submerged. Her wingspan rivalled all five ships combined.

  Aazalith gazed to each of the five vessels. She blinked a few times as a blue gel filled six empty sockets. The last part to regenerate were her eyes. The divine looked at Mara and Aspen, and kept her gaze on them for the longest time. Her eyes were like glittering blue moonstones. A bright glow emanated from her eyes as she roared at them. Blue flames could be seen in the back of her mouth. Aazalith was restored to her true form. The two women noticed how the great dragon didn’t fly away. Aazalith might be exhausted from using her magic to heal herself. Mara watched the rows of sharp teeth. The dragon possessed two sets of jaws, one inside the other.

  A massive migraine hit Mara without warning, accompanied by a high-pitched sound. She didn’t know where it came from. She clutched her head and squeezed her eyes shut. After a few moments, her eyes shot open. A hand rested on her shoulder, then the migraine faded away. After removing her hands from her head, Mara glanced at Aspen. The Watcher gazed back with her hand placed on Mara’s shoulder.

  “What was that?” Mara demanded.

  “The divine spoke to us,” Aspen answered, removing her hand. “The Seven Divines are not only powerful, but very intelligent. They can communicate with telepathy. However, most humans and creatures cannot comprehend or understand a divine due to the limitations of their minds. It comes off as a high-pitch sound and a painful headache. Only the most experienced Thoron Sages or kin can understand them without the risk of having their minds crushed.”

  Mara glanced back at Aazalith. The massive dragon was still while watching them.

  “You can understand her?” Mara addressed Aspen.

  The Watcher looked up at the divine. “She knows why we’re here, but will not hand Amara over as long as she keeps her alive,” she explained. “Aazalith demands her soul back. She wants the thieves responsible.”

  The dragon inhaled and exhaled. Glowing blue mist escaped from her maw. Another sharp pain and high-pitched sound assaulted the huntress’ mind. Aazalith’s voice made her head shudder out of control. After the splitting headache stopped, Mara looked up at the divine.

  “Mankind is unworthy of existing,” Aspen translated Aazalith’s words. “For many years, humans have exploited everything around them, taking what is not theirs. They commit more atrocities to their own kind than the monsters they fear. And it was humans who murdered her children and stole her power. She will never forget. She will never forgive.”

  Mara watched the divine. Knowing the great dragon couldn’t be reasoned with, she unsheathed Nightingale. Actions spoke louder than words. Mara wasn’t going to let her home be destroyed. Needless to say, the dragon received the message and became unpleased. She roared while slamming her front legs onto the ship. Aazalith looked as if she was trying to board their vessel. Judging by the sheer power and weight of the divine, the ship was bound to break in two. However, it remained in one piece. Mara looked back at Aspen and saw her trembling. The Watcher created a barrier to protect the ship, and prevented the divine from getting on board. Aazalith wouldn’t relent, pressing her claws against the barrier. Electricity surged around the divine’s claws and Aspen. The Watcher raised her right hand while the eyes on her visor glowed bright. She was being pushed to her limit.

  Before the huntress could do anything, a thunderous roar came from both sides. The guardsmen began to fire the cannons while the knights shot at the creature with ballistas. The silver-tipped spearheads penetrated her flesh. One of them bore deep into her wing. The dragon screeched as she backed off. Aazalith grew enraged and turned on one of the other ships. A single swipe of her massive claws was more than enough to destroy a vessel on the left. No one survived the attack. The divine returned her attention to the two undying and attacked their ship again. Aspen kept her barrier up to stop the creature from destroying their vessel.

  “Why is she attacking us?” Mara asked.

  “We’re the only ones who can kill the Forlorn,” Aspen said between pants. “Without Amara, the divine is as good as dead.” Then she cried out in pain. Electric sparks surged around her. The Watcher was being pushed to her limit again.

  Seeing the divine’s claws coming closer, Mara needed to do something quick. She ran at the dragon’s left hand and swung with Nightingale. Her attacks bounced off; it was like hitting a rock. She stopped, fearing Nightingale would break, but had to do something quick. The huntress reached into her cloak. Taking her moonstone necklace, she inserted the gem into the pommel. Nightingale transformed into a Lord Slayer as the etchings glowed bright blue. She attacked the claws again. After a few strikes, the creature pulled her hand back. Mara watched the magical essence flow through the blade and into the moonstone. Ignoring the divine’s roar, she dashed to the other hand. The huntress struck a few times, cutting through the rock-hard scales. Aazalith pulled back and screeched.

  The remaining three vessels shot at the divine. One of the cannonballs hit Aazalith on the right wing. A loud cracking sound was heard. A well placed shot broke the divine’s wing. The creature unleashed a pained roar. If Aazalith wanted to fly away, it was now out of the question.

  Mara turned her attention to Aspen. “Are you okay?”

  The Watcher calmed down, though breathing heavily. Mara began to approach Aspen to see if she was okay, but the divine’s roar drew her attention. Aazalith took her anger out on another ship. The dragon opened her jaws, unleashing a large stream of flames upon it. The artillery caught fire and exploded. In a blink of an eye, the whole ship was engulfed. The huntress frowned at the burning vessel. It was impossible for anyone to survive the attack.

  “Mara, look out!”

  Mara gazed at the Watcher, but then noticed the divine looking directly at her. The dragon open her mouth wide and slammed her head forward with the intent of eating her. The huntress dodged out of the way, but still got slammed by the divine’s head. The deck of the ship gained a gaping hole, but their vessel remained afloat. Mara hit the deck with a thud. That was very painful. Mara groaned and tried to get up. She noticed the Moon Lantern before her. It was separated from her person while dodging the attack. The lantern glowed bright while laying on the bow of the ship. The divine took notice and lowered her head to investigate. When her mouth came close, the lantern unleashed a bright explosion of light. It was so intense, Mara and Aspen covered their eyes. The lantern unleashed a force of energy, causing Aazalith to throw her head ba
ck. After the light faded, the two women uncovered their eyes. The divine remained stunned. Mara got up and approached the lantern. After picking it up, she looked at Aspen. The Watcher’s eyes glowed again as she levitated from the deck.

  “I can sense the Forlorn within the ribcage,” Aspen said. “I’m going to slam the ship into Aazalith. According to my calculations, it should penetrate the divine’s torso and stun her. You must break open any ribs and the sternum so we can get inside.”

  “What?”

  Mara had no time to register the plan. The ship moved backwards, away from Aazalith. When it was far enough away, Aspen pushed the ship forward. With the Watcher’s psychic powers, the ship moved at a speed unachievable on its own. The remaining ships took notice and tried to keep up. The huntress grabbed a rail and braced for impact. When the ship reached the divine, the bowsprit tore through abdominal muscles. Aazalith roared in agony. She was too stunned to defend herself.

  Aspen’s eyes remained glowing. “Fire the ballistas.”

  All of a sudden, the other two ships fired their ballistas at the divine. One of the spears hit Aazalith’s face, dislocating her bottom jaw. Another penetrated her neck. Two were embedded deep in her torso. At this point, the divine was in no condition to do anything.

  Mara recovered and dashed at the divine. Taking the powered-up Nightingale, she hacked and slashed at the dragon’s chest. The scales and bones gave way, allowing her to cut a path. As soon as the huntress created an opening, the two undying fled into Aazalith’s body.

  ***

  Being inside the divine was like being inside a dark cave, albeit a very bad smelling one stinking of blood and guts. Mara took out the Moon Lantern and looked around. Black tendrils writhed and slithered about as if they were snakes. The flesh was like rock. Magical essence flowed throughout the divine’s body. Muscles and flesh formed a dark tunnel surrounding the two. A light emanated from one end. Walking towards the light, the huntress had an uneasy feeling. She gazed at Aspen, who was beside her.

  “Never expected you to do that,” Mara grumbled.

  The Watcher walked past her. “It worked, did it not?”

  She gazed at Aspen, then heard a cry in the distance. Mara stared down the path where the cries came from. “That’s her…”

  “We must end this,” Aspen said.

  The two followed the sounds of the cries.

  They eventually found the core—a large white sphere surrounded by dark roots and tendrils. Attached to the core appeared to be a feminine figure with pure white skin. She looked like a statue with her hands in prayer. The upper half of the body was visible. White long hair partially obscured the face. Mara reckoned this was the Forlorn, once known as Amara. This was the source of Aazalith’s awakening one thousand years ago. The Forlorn’s eyes were closed as if she were sleeping. As the huntress watched her, she wondered what Amara was thinking. Did this girl still remember the pain she endured long ago?

  “It is best to kill her now,” Aspen suggested.

  Mara nodded in agreement, then took a step forward with Nightingale in hand. Upon approaching the undying, the Forlorn’s eyes flew open. Her eyes were pitch black and a dark viscous ooze poured from them, contrasting with her white skin. Mara locked eyes with the undying. The huntress could sense the pain and rage radiating from the creature. Mara was paralyzed. Her heart was thumping in her chest. The Forlorn looked furious as she stared at the two.

  All of a sudden, Aspen cried out in pain. Mara snapped her gaze onto the Watcher and froze. A tendril had impaled Aspen through the heart. Blood poured from her wound. Aspen was heaving while looking at her injury. The huntress glanced back at the Forlorn, only to see her glare upon Aspen. She decided to take her anger out on the Watcher. It happened so fast. More tendrils burst out of the ground and impaled Aspen. One tore through the back of her head and out her mouth. The force took off her visor. The Watcher twitched as blood seeped from her mouth and body.

  Mara grew horrified. “Aspen!”

  Mara ran to her, but a tendril struck the huntress, sending her flying. Hitting the ground with a thud, she tried to recover, but was too late. The tendrils tore off pieces of Aspen’s armour. Several more tendrils wrapped around and crushed the Watcher’s body. Aspen gave no resistance because she was already dead. As her remains were absorbed into the core, her soul was claimed by the Forlorn. The undying sank into the core while this happened. Mara glared at the pulsing sphere while struggling to her feet. She gripped Nightingale.

  Intense rage burned within Mara as her eyes glowed. Witnessing Aspen’s death put her over the edge. She rushed the core and dodged the tendrils. She reckoned the undying was controlling them from within. Once she got close, the huntress slashed at the core with her sword. She could hear the divine roar as her surroundings shook. Aazalith was unpleased. More tendrils shot at her, forcing her back. Mara returned to finish the job, but more tendrils wrapped around the core, forming a shield.

  Mara bashed her sword against it, yet it wouldn’t budge. The huntress backed away, heaving in frustration. Even with a powered-up Nightingale, none of her attacks had any effect. Looking around, Mara noticed four larger tendrils connected to the core. Magical essence flowed through them. What would happen if she attacked them?

  With nothing to lose, she attacked the glowing tendrils. After severing the first connection, the shield grew weaker. The Forlorn retaliated by shooting more tendrils at her. The huntress evaded them and cut another connection to the core. The Forlorn couldn’t stop Mara from severing all connections to the core, removing all of her defences. Aazalith released a weak roar. With the core severed, the divine was dying. The Forlorn was now vulnerable. Holding Nightingale in both hands, Mara raised the blade over her head.

  She plunged the sword into the core. Its light pulsed a few times before going dead. Mara watched as the sphere split open. A poor pitiful creature crawled out. The Forlorn began to change. Her skin became tanned as her hair turned dark. No longer were her eyes black, but a light brown colour. She wore tattered brown rags that was once a dress. She looked identical to Mara. The huntress knew what happened. After absorbing Aspen’s soul, the Forlorn became human. After all, only an undying could kill an undying.

  Amara whimpered while crawling away, though she wasn’t going far. Mara just watched. Seeing this defenceless creature reminded her of the helpless hare in the snare. She could’ve been a better person and showed mercy, but Aspen’s body was a constant reminder. The Watcher’s broken remains were in the core. And the girl responsible for Aspen’s death was now trying to flee for her life. The huntress gazed back at the undying and followed. She only needed to walk to catch up. The girl began to cry.

  It confused the huntress. “Why are you crying?”

  Amara wouldn’t answer her question. She continued to crawl away while balling her eyes out. Mara watched with glowing eyes while following her. A thought crossed her mind. Did Amara feel guilty? Mara had seen this before in children. Whenever they did something wrong, they would cry. Some claimed it was because they knew they did something wrong and felt guilty. Others would say they do it because they got caught, thus putting on fake tears. The huntress leaned towards the latter. Gripping Nightingale, she approached Amara and stabbed her through the back. Mara was swift, giving no second thoughts to her actions. The girl went as soon as the sword sliced through her heart. She fell to the ground and became motionless. She gave no resistance. Amara was dead within seconds while a pool of blood formed around her body.

  Mara stood frozen, staring at the corpse of the first reincarnation. The quest Harold sent her on was near completion. According to Alkina, she only had one more to obtain. Mara was on the cusp of reaching her goal. But why were tears forming in her eyes? Why was she feeling guilty all of a sudden? This girl was an undying. She was a monster, or Mara kept telling herself.

  However, the more she gazed at Amara’s body, the more she began to realize this was simply untrue. Many demonized this girl—Kal
listo, who sought to prevent the return of a rival; the priests who spread the lies started by a false goddess; and the people who called for her death. In the end, Mara saw no monster but an innocent caught in the crossfire. In some ways, she saw herself in Amara.

  She now understood the nature between mankind and the monsters, and why humans transformed after death. It wasn’t just because of the magic. Humans were monsters from the moment they were born. It didn’t matter if one was good or evil. No one was safe from the sickness. Mara heard it before from Lady Isabella. Even the alpha werewolf she hunted in the previous month told her this. Even Aazalith said it.

  Mara snapped out of her thoughts when the soul rose from Amara’s body. As if by instinct, the huntress reached out her hand to absorb the soul. It was the only thing she could do. After absorbing it, her body flared up in pain. Once again, it felt like she was set ablaze. The searing pain in her veins made her collapse and have a fit.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Innocence Lost

  “Amara,” Mara uttered. Opening her eyes, she found herself laying beside the remains of Amara and Aspen.

  If Khan were alive, he’d be pleased to know his daughter no longer suffered. Gazing at Amara’s body again, Mara realized the girl became the complete opposite to the creature of primal rage and pure corruption. Being near a major source of the magic blight hadn’t been kind to Amara for her innocence was twisted. If this wasn’t a clearer message of how dangerous magic could be, then Mara didn’t know what was.

  Mara turned her gaze onto Aspen’s body and gave a sad look. This wasn’t the plan. Aspen was supposed to absorb the Forlorn’s soul. Then they would take on Kallisto and her followers together. Now Mara had to face them alone. How was she going to explain Aspen’s death to James? There was only one answer—she failed her.