Warrior

by Jana LaPelle

  My voice hitches, barely above a whisper, “Are you telling me that we were… we were born sisters?” I hear several gasps behind me, and I feel Lexie and Jasmine reach for me, each laying a gentle hand on either shoulder as Alaric squeezes my hand.

  Her calculating eyes take in all the devotion and support that I’m blessed enough to have before narrowing her eyes and announcing in her piercing voice, “Yes! Why is that so difficult to comprehend? We were closer than close, but I was not content. So, I chose to leave The Overworld. Why didn’t you just stay there?!” She screams at me, her face contorting in hatred. “Why did you have to follow me here?!” She demands, her anger a tangible thing. “Why would you, my sister, make it your mission to stand in my way?!”

  I’m stunned, my mind reeling, and I can only stare at her in disbelieve. Deep down in my heart, I know what she is saying is true, and I look up at the monster that she has become in her insanity and her need to rule by whatever means necessary. Suddenly, my mind feels as though it is going to explode, as a splintering pain lances behind my eyes, I clutch my head as images of our time together in The Overworld threaten to engulf me. I watch as we walk, stumbling, hand in hand from our birth, as flames lick around our entry into The Overworld. We stand together as angel fire threatens to swallow us once more before stumbling forward. We were younglings, barely able to walk. Our heavy wings dragging behind us. Laughing, and light-hearted, we come to stand before our Creator, and he smiles down at us and it’s almost as if I’m there in front of my Overworldly father as he showers us with his beautiful blessing. My heart warms and the two of us laugh, the tinkling laughter of children. My memory shifts to a memory some time later, we were attempting to take flight for the first time, together hand in hand, our giggles lift to the wind as we raced toward a cliff. That day we learned to glide. Images of us growing older together race through my mind. Memories of my sister’s discontent. Memories of her berating me for not being more adventurous, for not being more like her. Then I watch my sister, choose to turn her back on me and leave me, without a backward glance. My heart breaks, because I don’t want her to leave me behind. She is all I know. She has been my whole world. I watch as our father bestows his blessing and she transforms, leaving me alone in The Overworld, and I weep for her loss. Because I loved her so much. That’s when Danu stepped in, but she, like my sister, was drawn to this realm. Our relationship was more like a mother daughter relationship, and I missed her dearly as well. Her wise counsel helped me through those dark times after my sister took up her mantle as a goddess in The Otherworld. It was at that moment that I decided to follow them both. Suddenly, everything has become crystal clear in a matter of mere seconds.

  I look up and accuse, “You left me… Why? You didn’t even talk to me about your decision. You just decided and left.” I accuse.

  “So… now you remember. Why now, Ashlinn?” She demands, her hatred of me written across her face.

  What have I done to warrant such loathing? I can’t help but wonder, but answer her, “I don’t know. I remember being so distraught after you left, knowing that...”

  She laughs cruelly, mocking me, “Get over it. I have. You no longer matter to me. I left you behind ages ago. You made me weak!”

  “Believe me, you have made that perfectly clear with every encounter. I get that, but I cannot allow you to wreak havoc upon these realms, just because you have grown bored once more. That’s why I’m here. I will stop you. No matter what it takes.” I declare, and my heart breaks into a million fragmented pieces at the implications of what it will take to accomplish her demise, to remove her as a threat to all the realms.

  “I doubt that. You don’t have the Spear of Lugh. You certainly don’t have the power of three to boost your abilities, and you would never stoop so low as to have an army that is bonded to you to do your bidding without free will.” She declares triumphantly. Cú Chulainn shifts behind her and he eyes her curiously. I believe that something has just clicked into place for him. My attention is drawn back to Morríganna as she continues her tirade. “So, as I see it, you’ve lost this battle before you even began. Oh… and let us not forget that I have the banished Druid Luminary and his lich followers on my side.” She gestures to what looks like the walking dead that steps forward to bow before their new ally, and my stomach drops. Daerok smiles an evil smile ruining his almost perfect facade. His followers looking ghastly behind him. Switching my gaze back to my nemesis, she levels me with a glare, and says, “You don’t have to do this. Just call it a day, Ashlinn, before it’s too late. You don’t want anyone you care for to die here today. Do you?” She goads me.

  Looking back at those in attendance, that stand ready to fight, I gather my wits and I announce, “Morríganna, either you stand down or you will be taken down.” I declare for all to hear.

  She laughs, and says, “Have it your way, little goddess.” Sarcasm dripping from her words as she turns her back on me. My inner animal takes offense at the slight, and I can barely contain the growl that threatens to erupt from my throat.

  As she turns away from me, I hear a familiar voice approaching from my far left, her voice raised for all to hear, “Ye, be wicked evil… Ye will corrupt the realms. Ye seek to do harm to anyone that be in yer way, so ye must be stopped, and I be here to make sure that ye do not succeed in yer self-serving endeavors.” I look over to see Morgwais making her way toward us. Lexie and Jasmine step forward to stand on the other side of me. Morgwais continues our way, her gait is no longer hindered by her age, her steps are fluid and she stands tall and proud. I’m not sure what to make of her transformation, she is literally glowing and looks at least twenty years younger than the last time we saw her.

  The Morrígan turns her way and begins laughing, “What are you going to do? You are nothing more than an old hag!”

  “Am I?” Morgwais demands. Sounding uncharacteristically unlike herself.

  Morríganna narrows her eyes as she watches Morgwais walk to me, Jasmine and Lexie. She asks, “Who are you? Do I know you?”

  Morgwais cackles, her odd laughter ringing on the breeze, but her mirth does not reach her cold calculating gaze as she eyes Morríganna wearily.

  I smile at my dear little friend and welcome her into my arms, she whispers, “Don’t be mad at Morgwais, for I be keeping secrets from ye all. It be necessary for us to get to this point. I love ye, all of ye. It’s time for me to shed this disguise. I be waiting for a very long time. Just remember, that I be the same person that ye met all those months ago.” Turning back to Morríganna she demands, “It be well past time that I take back what was stolen from me all those centuries ago! You thought I would idly sit back and allow you to continue down this destructive path and do nothing? Well, you underestimated me!” As she speaks, a transformation has begun.

  The Morrígan scrutinizes Morgwais and declares, “Neamhain? Is this what became of you?” Her maniacal laughter rings out over the ridge. “You’re an old hag! Have you learned nothing, sister? Have you not learned to never go up against me? I am The War Goddess, The Phantom Queen, and my sisters and I make up The Morrígna. You cannot stop me!”

  “That is where you are wrong! Your arrogance will be your downfall!” Morgwais brings her arms straight up in front of her and she claps her hands together. A deafening sound rings out across the field and with that one motion I see my dear old Morgwais begin to morph into this stunningly beautiful young woman. The air around her shimmers and dances as the transformation takes place. Where Morríganna and her sisters all have midnight black hair and alabaster skin tones, Morgwais or Neamhain is the polar opposite in her appearance. Gone is the long wavy gray hair from before and in its place is hair the color of spun gold. This woman before me stands tall, she is willowy in stature, her skin glows a golden brown. She is stunning and exudes power. How she could be related to the goth girls in this life I have no idea.

  To say that I’m stunned is an understatement. I stand with my mouth agape as the scene con
tinues to play out before me. One thing is clear, Morríganna and I were once very close, but she has moved on and feels nothing but contempt for me now, her once beautiful soul is tarnished beyond redemption at this point. Remembering our time together was a curse but having my memory back has also brought memories of Danu. She comforted me in my grief over losing my sister and then she was gone as well. Now I know, I took this mission to stop my sister and be reunited with Danu. Then my attention is drawn to the goddess standing where Morgwais was just moments ago. Who is this Neamhain and where did my Morgwais go? All I know is that I feel compelled to trust her.

  Chapter 37

  (Alaric)

  We are all stunned by what has just transpired. Dagda moves to Neamhain’s side and whispers, “Is it really you? We thought you were gone ages ago.”

  “She should have been. We scattered her essence around the realm.” Morríganna declares, all the while glaring at Neamhain as she paces frantically back and forth in front of us, her agitation clear, “This is not your fight!” She proclaims as she strides back and forth. “You should not be here!”

  The beautiful goddess smiles serenely, and announces, “Morríganna, my dear black-hearted sister of this realm…, I, more than anyone standing upon this field today have a right to challenge you after what you and our unholy sisters did to me. Know this! I forever more denounce you all as my brethren. I stand here today with those I love. I stand with the Light! I stand with The Horde, and I stand with Luc and the Underworlders. We are all here for the same reason. We are here to stop you!” Her words ring out over the fields we stand upon for all to hear.

  “Good luck with that.” Morríganna laughs, she sounds as though she is coming unhinged, her mania on display for all to see, “They all do my bidding.” She gestures wildly back to her warriors, before continuing. “All of them. So weak and pathetic! They are under my control and are bonded to do my bidding. I’m done with this. Lainn it’s time to go, it’s time to end this!”

  Cú Chulainn looks at me and then back to Ashlinn and she smiles before saying, “It’s okay, Lainn. I know that she has you under her thrall, but you can still choose. It’s up to you.”

  “Isn’t one mate enough for you?” The wicked bitch sneers.

  Ashlinn sighs, “He has a choice to make, Morríganna.”

  “He has already chosen. He chooses to stand by me and to fight for me. So, hands off, bitch.”

  I growl, “Watch your filthy mouth-”

  “It’s okay, Alaric. It’s time.” Ashlinn looks at me and smiles a sad smile. “It’s time. Prepare everyone. We will fight.”

  Cú Chulainn is rooted to the spot and understanding begins to dawn on him and he shakes his head as if trying to clear it. The Morrígan is oblivious to his indecision. Before he can do or say anything, she takes his arm and she morphs them into a hundred ravens as they retreat in a flock to their front line.

  Neamhain turns to Ashlinn and the girls and says, “Quickly girls, I mean to evoke the power of three. Ashlinn, Lexie, what say you? For today, the three of us will link our powers together to defeat The Morrígna. Jasmine, ready your kind. We are going to need them very soon. Alaric, Dagda, ready your troops, she will not delay long. She is ready to strike with a deadly force. She will not be merciful to any that stand in her way.”

  All around us war cries can be heard. The battle horns blare out over the flower strewn fields. Looking at my kindred in all her battle glory, I say, “Do what you must. Trust Neamhain and draw on my energy if you need to. Stay safe. I love you Ashlinn.” Turning to the masses, I call out, my voice ringing out for all to hear, “Today… we fight to rid the realms of a toxic influence.” My voice rings clear. “An influence that will bring about destruction the likes of which we have never seen.” I pace in front of those that fight with us today on a field of green and flowers, and I call out, “Today… We dethrone a self- appointed queen! Today… we will reunite Faerie and eliminate a threat to all the realms. What say you?” I raise my flaming sword high for all to see.

  “Aye!!” They call out and beat on their shields. The noise becomes deafening as their voices ring out in unison.

  I call out again, louder still, “WHAT SAY YOU?!”

  “AYE!!”

  They are ready, I look to Tarron and he nods. Then to Luc, and he nods before morphing into a demon shape that I was not expecting. His eyes burn with the intensity of hellfire, he has demon horns, and his dark-skinned demon grows in stature to tower over me. If he were not an ally, he would be a truly terrifying foe. Looking to Dagda and Lugh, they nod to the gods and goddesses that have chosen to fight with us. They fall under Dagda’s direction. I then look to my team and ask, “Are you ready?”

  Ferg growls, “Aye, now let’s get on with it, my liege.”

  I hear an enormous roar to see that Rhespen and his shifters are ready as well. Turning I watch as The Morrígan gives the signal to attack and I raise my flaming sword high in the air before slicing it forward pointing toward the enemy, pointing toward her, with one last look at my kindred, I urge Tempest forward. The sound of horse’s hooves eating up the distance between the two armies is deafening. There are battle cries all around before we clash with our foes. Swords clashing with shields, spears, and battle axes. It doesn’t take long before we are in the thick of things. The ground beneath us rumbles and for a moment, everyone stands perfectly still as the veil between our realms is compromised that much more. I look up to see the Washington Monument in DC as it flickers to life beyond the veil. I think to myself and Ashlinn, “We have to fix the rift.”

  “And we will, first things first, Elf-Man.”

  God. I love this woman of mine. The ground rumbles again and this time I see London through the growing rift on my right before it flickers and disappears from sight. By the creator, this cannot be good. I engage the human in front of me. He’s just a child and a pawn played by The Morrígan. In one swift movement, I push the young male aside in the hopes that he will stay down and keep out of this battle today. She cares not for the young that she has recruited, lining them up as her front line of defense saving all her heavy hitters for last. Behind me, I feel Ashlinn’s strength grow as Neamhain evokes the power of three. At some point we should be on a more level playing field. My panther roars and wants control. Leaning down, I whisper into Tempest’s twitchy ear, “Get to safety, I will come for you. Go to Storm’s side.” Tempest paws at the ground, his large head nodding. Then I shift, leaving Tempest behind, taking down everyone in my path. Pausing, my cat looks around me to see all matter of mayhem. The once beautiful fields of Lár Domhain are now trampled and covered in blood and fallen soldiers. The sickly-sweet tang of blood hangs heavy in the air tickling my cat’s senses. The ground rumbles again, but this time the heavens open above us, and I’m astounded to see angels descend into the fray. By the creator, the four realms are now open to one another. What she has wrought must be undone! Balance must be restored.

  Looking around I see that the once exiled Druids, now the ghastly undead lich have come together and are frantically chanting in an effort to have some affect over the outcome here today. Turning my gaze back to where I left Ashlinn, Lexie, and Neamhain, I see that Lexie has drawn her Druids to her and they are working furiously to counter whatever spell the Lich King and his followers are trying to work. Sparks fly as dark majic counters light. Neamhain seems to be their anchor as the two young women move to engage in war.

  I brandish The Sword of Light as I shift back, taking down everyone in my path. Slowly, I begin to inch my way back to Ashlinn and their power of three. In all the mayhem, they do not realize that they are in danger. I realize too late, that they are in need of more protection. Tolin and Torin are standing guard as they work their majic. Turning about, I see that Morríganna is targeting their small group, they still stand on once neutral ground. I jump into the fray in an effort to hold back their assailants. I see that there are at least twenty, maybe more that are coming for Ashlinn and their
power of three. I rush to get there in time, knowing that there is no way I will make it as opponent after opponent challenges me. From the corner of my eye, I see Tolin leap in front of Ashlinn, taking a killing blow as I’m forced to defend myself from my attackers.

  “No… NOOO!!!” I hear myself roar.

  The large battle axe is firmly embedded in his chest and he looks to me across the distance that separates us as he falls backward to land heavily on the ground. His Fomorian shape shifts back to reveal the elf I grew to love as one of my inner circle. I want to throw caution to the wind and race across the field to reach my friend, but I cannot. I counter my attackers with a vicious intent. Swinging my sword in a high arcing strike, beheading my assailant. On instinct, I drop to my knees and lean back over my haunches, watching a sword, that was meant to take my head, sail across my face mere inches above my line of sight. Pulling a dagger from it sheath, I plunge it upward as I surge to my feet, slicing my opponent’s carotid and blood rains down on me. Turning, I swing around lifting the long narrow shield on my left arm to block a glancing blow. The soldier not more than a child, I raise my sword over my head, pummel first, I land a swift hit to his temple. He crumples to the ground, unconscious, hopefully to live to fight another day on the right side of things. It’s then that I move to clear a path to Ash and Tolin, but I already know that I’m too late.