by Jana LaPelle
To say that I’m stunned is an understatement. I stand with my mouth agape as the scene continues 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 stil
l 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.
Chapter 38
(Ashlinn)
I watch in horror as Tolin intercepts the battle ax meant for me. On instinct, I swing my bow around and let loose several arrows that impale the warrior who targeted me. Targeted Tolin. Dropping to my knees, I scramble to Tolin’s side. Not Tolin. Please, gods no. Not Tolin. He stepped in front of me just in the nick of time. He saved me. Our ranks tighten around us, but I know it’s already too late, a keening wail erupts from deep inside of me at the sight of the ax that has all but cleaved his body in half.
I cradle him close and whisper desperately, “You can’t leave me, T.” A sob escapes my throat.
“Shhh, Little Bits. By the Creator… I’m going to miss you.” He breathes heavily and smiles a strained smile back up at me, crimson smears his teeth before he coughs up even more of his lifeblood before gasping for air. A swear escapes his lips as his body shudders in my grasp. All around us fighting ensues, but the sounds of war fall to the background as I focus on Tolin.
“T…, you are not allowed to leave us!” I demand, grabbing his blood covered hand in my own, “Not yet.” I beg. “Please, you have to hang on, Alaric will be here soon, he can heal you.”
He chuckles and then wheezes, “Little Bits… not soon enough. I’m done for, it’s a… killing blow.” He gasps. “We will meet again…, Ash.” He breathes out. “My time… in the realms of the living is not yet done. It’s my choice. My choice to live again.” His voice is but a raspy whisper. I cradle his large frame to me in a fierce hug and my grief cannot be contained as I hold my dear friend and rock back and forth as his last breath shutters from his massive frame.
“No!!!” I cry. Throwing my head back, I wail my anguish for all to hear. Not Tolin. Not, my T… Holding him close, I watch as the light in his eyes fades, all the while my tears splash down onto his handsome, blood splattered face, leaving clean tracks in their wake.
His loving spirit swirls around me in a warm embrace, and his spectral form whispers for only me to hear, “I love you, Ash. You are the sister I never knew I wanted or needed. Don’t mourn for me, Little Bit,” then the wisp of his soul races off to the Soul Reliquary. He knows the way, and for a moment I take some solace in that. Looking down, I gently kiss Tolin’s forehead, my tears raining down on him. I look up to see that the dragons are raining fire down on our enemies and ash is floating all around us in the air. For a moment its as if time stands still and I can hardly believe what has just happened. Looking back down at Tolin, I brush the ash away that tarnishes his façade. I gently close his eyes and I feel broken inside. I desperately hold what remains of him close to me. Rocking and crying all the while. My T. My guardian. My friend. I can’t bare the loss of him. A keening sound erupts from deep within me, the sound carries on the wind. Looking up I see Torin and I pull him down to me and whisper, “I’m so sorry!” He pulls me close and holds me tight before shifting his attention to Tolin’s remains. Seeing the brothers this way does something to me and I whisper, “We will avenge him.”
Closing my eyes, I push my grief at loosing Tolin back to be dealt with later. Standing, I move away to allow Torin room to say goodbye to his brother’s physical form. The site of Torin by Tolin’s broken form guts me. I look over at Alaric who has just reached us, he is as grief stricken as I, and we react. As a united front we stand together. Our grief a driving force. We march forward. A force to be reckoned with, combining our power with the power of three, we are now unstoppable as we march toward Morríganna in our heartache, pushing our enemy aside.
I blast everyone in my sights, all those that side with The Morrígna. All those that are blinded by her misdirection. Needing a more visceral attack I pull my bow to me and begin firing arrow bolt after arrow into the midst of our attackers. At this close range I do not miss my mark. When that is not enough, I send fireball after fireball in their direction. I can feel our power building as our sorrow threatens to consume us, a catalyst for what is to come. Alaric and I are feeding on the power of three, eliminating all those that stand in our path. The power thrums between us and I embrace it. Neamhain urges us on, through my temporary bond with her and Lexie. This is my mess to clean up. I look over to see that Alaric looks more powerful than I have ever seen him. He brandishes the Sword of Light as he takes down our opponents, his flaming weapon arching through the air and Morríganna’s followers begin to move aside in fear. In my anger, my grief has called upon the fire element and for a moment I stand still and allow my fire to encase me, my light. I bask in its warmth and destruction. Centering myself, I reach out before sending my powerful blast out for all to feel. The world rocks around me at the repercussion and the damaged veil between the realms continues to make the realms existence with one another unstable. As I gather more power, I take in the scene around me in a moment of clarity.
There are dragons and drakes that ride the winds above us breathing fire down upon our enemies. The day has grown dark and ominous and the skies have taken on a reddish hue that reminds me of The Underworld. Men, elves, Fomorian, and all matter of light and dark fae are embroiled in battle with one another in hand to hand combat. Their clang of swords, axes, and shields ring out across the once beautiful meadow, along with screams and cries of the wounded and dying. Demons from The Underworld as well as Daerok’s lich followers are entangled in the mix, all battling for supremacy. The scene is chaotic, one that nightmares are made of. The war angels of heaven make the scene all too surreal as they defend their realm against any who would dare enter there without permission. They have taken up arms and fight along with us. Their battle is one from above as they engage with the sky sentinels that did not defect from The Morrígan. All I know is that balance must be restored!
Off to the right, what looks like a shimmering mirage appears. Men and women of The Mortal Realm are looking on in horrified fascination. Some even walk forward with their hands outstretched to test the non-existent veil. That’s when they find themselves in the middle of a war, they are ill prepared for. They are innocent and must be protected from… from my angelic sister. There is no hiding from the humans now. Their eyes are suddenly wide open and will be from this day forward. There is no going back, not now.
Alaric and I refocus our attention as we carve a path toward my nemesis. I have my sights set on her and her resurrected demigod. He is fierce and strong in his battle ríastrad that reminds me of Tolin’s berserker form, and my anger begins to boil. Al
l around me I watch as we battle one another in a desperate attempt to save the realms from certain destruction. Looking back, I see that we are flanked by a devastated Torin, Ferg, Lorcan, and Ēolieus. In my heart, I know that our children are safe, and I call to Nym and Khatar for them to join us, they deserve to be here, especially now after what we have lost. They heed my call and appear by their brethren ready to fight for this realm. Declan is standing guard over Lexie as well as Nemus and his druids. They are working on disabling The Morrígna’s majic as well as the Lich King’s, combined with our own. Dorlan and Camoryn are joining our ranks and I watch as Jasmine leads her pixie brigade to sprinkle their pixie dust over our enemies. She never disclosed to me what exactly her pixie dust could do, and I watch in rapt fascination as our enemies begin to mindlessly wander away and drop their weapons. Looking up I see that the war angels as well as the imps from The Underworld are at the ready and my mind is officially overwhelmed with the implications. I worry for Pip and everyone else as this battle unfolds, but now is not the time to be riddled with doubt.
My decision made, I join with Alaric and we work as a single unit. Our intent is clear. We take down The Morrígna and we free the realms of their evil taint. Through our bond, I say, “Let’s do this.”
“Yes, mo grá, this ends today!”
We march forward. Everyone and everything in our path are forcibly removed until we are standing just a mere fifty yards from Morríganna. Cú Chulainn stands by her side. Although, he looks more unsure than ever as the battle continues to be fought around us.
Turning, I gesture to the mayhem around us, and call out over the sounds of war, directing my words to my sister and demand, “IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?! The destruction of everything? Is it? What will be left for you to rule? We were once sisters. Don’t do this! There is still time, you can still change your fate.”