Recovering with the speed of the Anahera, the half-blood surged to her feet to meet the Old One, turning aside a blow meant for the human. Maya stumbled, and light lit the darkness as the human raised her gauntlet. This time there was no mistaking her target, and Maya snarled as the power of the ancient humans struck.
Adonis had already seen Maya resist that terrible power, but roaring, the half-blood ignited her own weapon, the matching gauntlet she wore. Too late, the Old One realised her peril, as the half-blood queen unleashed the magic of the second gauntlet.
A terrible scream shook the tunnels beneath the earth as Maya fell to her knees, hands clasped to her ears before the assault of the twin magics. A snarl hissed from her lips, and even as blood spilt from her eyes, she tried to rise, to leap at one of the two, to bring them down.
But even the strength of the Old Ones had its limits, and Maya’s failed now, her feet slipping on the smooth stone, sending her crashing back to the cold stone.
Only then did she turn, her bloodied face twisting, her desperate eyes searching the dark, finding Adonis. They shone as their gaze met, as she looked upon his fallen figure. Even through layers of his mind, the defences Adonis had raised against her, he heard Maya’s call as she placed a hand to mound of her stomach.
Adonis, please! She begged. Please, save me! Save our children!
His heart wrenched at the words, and despite everything she had done to him, to his people, Adonis almost went to her, almost stood and struck down the human and her awful magic.
But he resisted. He knew it could not be, that the Old One’s words were but ash upon the wind, her lies greater than any humanity had ever told. She would see him dead, would murder his people, slaughter thousands to feed her hatred. Even the children she carried would be consumed by her cause, discarded in her pursuit of her revenge.
No, Maya could not be allowed live, or she would doom them all.
And so, though a part of him was breaking, Adonis bowed his head and sat back. Closing his eyes, he waited for the end.
Until finally, the vibrations of the Old One ceased, and silence fell over the ancient tunnels. Her presence, her touch, vanished from his mind.
It was done.
The threat to his people, his world, was dead.
And all it had cost was his own future.
Voices whispered in the darkness as the humans conversed. He wondered if they would kill him, but finally they seemed to decide to leave him, that they would return to the surface. Still he did not move, barely breathed as their footsteps retreated, finally disappearing into a distance too great for even his enhanced senses.
Only then did Adonis finally lift his head and look upon the creature he had loved, that had lifted the hopes of his people to the heavens, that would have born his children. Weeping, he dragged himself across the floor to where Maya lay and cradled her body against him, held her tight.
And wept for the future that might have been.
Epilogue
Two Weeks Later
Standing on the shores of the Illmoor, Erika looked to the north, where a fleet of ships was slowly disappearing into the morning fog. Raising a hand, she bid farewell to Nguyen and the Gemaho as they returned to their lands. What they would find there, no one could say—Amina had disappeared after the fall of the Old One, fleeing into the tunnels. She must have learnt something of her own mental powers during that desperate battle, for not even the Sovereigns had been able to locate her since.
Erika could only shake her head at the thought. Perhaps it was better the woman had vanished. Though she longed to bring Amina to justice, there were still many in Flumeer who supported her. Had the Queen chosen to resist, she could have started a civil war amongst the Flumeeren people.
As it was, a fragile peace had finally come to the four kingdoms, to human, Tangata and Anahera alike. Erika couldn’t help but wonder whether it would last, if the darkness that had so stained their history would rise its ugly head once more, but for now, she was willing to give it a chance.
And so she led her people south, back to the vast forests and wilderness of Calafe. Despite their fears of what they would find there, her people had followed, had placed their faith in their young queen and set out on a journey to reclaim their homeland.
Though, perhaps reclaim was too strong a word.
For nearby, journeying separately, yet never far from the Calafe column, came the Tangata. Their numbers were greatly reduced from the host that had marched north to assault the Flumeeren capital, numbering similar now to the Calafe. Despite the efforts of the Sovereigns, distrust still lingered between the two groups, remnants of a hatred fostered over a decade of war, and yet…
…here and there, Erika saw where the groups had combined, where children of each race played as one, drawn to one another by a shared curiosity, by a desire to discover, to explore the unknown. And where the children went, the parents soon followed, nodding greetings to their former enemy.
Watching such scenes, Erika felt hope for what they would discover once they reached New Nihelm. With both groups decimated by the Old One’s campaign, they would not want for space, and Erika’s heart quickened at the thought of seeing her childhood home again, the future she might discover there.
A shame Maisie and Cara had decided not to join her. Cara had set off in search of her people, promising she would come find Erika in New Nihelm. Erika worried for the young Anahera, but she had faith the Goddess would return.
As for Maisie…she too had not been seen since the death of the Old One. They had allowed her to venture alone back into the tunnels, to seek out the Tangata that had saved them, but…the pair had never re-emerged. By the time the party had gone looking for them, both had vanished—along with the body of the Old One.
Erika feared for her friend, but Maisie had trusted the Tangata…had perhaps felt more than that. Erika could only hope Maisie had found discovered somewhere, had found joy in the peace of the wilderness, in companionship with Adonis.
As for herself…Erika shivered, looking out across the broad expanse of the Illmoor, at the swirling mists. To the north, she had built a life for herself, had had status and authority as the Queen’s Archivist. But she was no longer that woman consumed with advancement, obsessed with power. Erika might still wear the gauntlet of her ancestors, but in the darkness beneath the earth, faced with the madness of the Old One, she had finally set aside the follies of her past, and become a queen in truth.
So looking out across the Illmoor, Erika smiled, bidding one last farewell to the woman she had been, to the Queen’s Archivist…
…and turned to lead her people forward into the wilds of Calafe.
* * *
Adonis moved carefully through the trees, treading softly, creeping closer as the deer lowered its head to tear a clump of clover from the ground. Its head came back up as it chewed and he froze in place, watching, waiting. He was almost close enough now, just one more second…
…the deer lowered its head again, and silently Adonis darted forward, crossing the dozen yards in a heartbeat. Leaping into the air, he slammed into the creatures back with all the power of the Tangata, and felt a satisfying crack as the beast’s spine snapped at the impact.
The deer struck the ground with a thump as Adonis stood over it, panting softly, his breath fogging in the dawn air. After a moment, he looked around, checking for wolves or other predators that might be interested in his meal, before returning his attention to the fawn. Slinging the dead beast over his shoulder as though it weighed no more than a sack of feathers, he set off through the forest.
Maisie had a fire burning in the cave when he returned, and a smile touched her face at the sight of him. Rising, she crossed the stone floor and greeted him with a kiss, before wrinkling her nose and gesturing to the carcass he carried.
“Did you have to kill Bambi?”
Adonis wrinkled his brow to show his confusion, and Maisie laughed, gesturing with a hand to the depths of the ca
ve, where they were preparing a larder for the winter.
“Don’t worry,” she explained as he wandered back to lay out the carcass for butchering. “It’s just a story from our children’s tales. I’m glad we won’t be running out of meat when the snows arrive.”
Grunting his agreement, Adonis returned to the fire and embraced the woman. She drew him into her arms in response, her brown eyes lifting to meet his, lips parting to draw him in. They kissed, and he felt the rush of blood pounding in his ears, the burning in his veins…
“Waaaah!”
Flinching, the pair broke apart as a shrill cry echoed from the stone walls. It wasn’t long before a second voice joined the chorus of screams, followed by a third. Cursing, they crossed to where they’d stacked a pile of furs high near the fire. Leaning down, Maisie lifted a baby in each hand, while Adonis took the third. They stood together like that for a while, rocking the children gently in their arms.
“You know, Adonis,” Maisie said as the cries of the children slowly faded. A smile touched her lips as she looked up from her burden. “They have your eyes.”
* * *
Lukys strode along the docks of Mildeth, Sophia at his side, the last of the Perfugian forces marching around them. Two weeks had passed since the end of the war and every one of his people were excited to return home, to see again the family and friends they had left behind, to enjoy the peace they had own.
They would have left sooner, but these few regiments had remained in Mildeth with their Sovereigns, aiding the city with its injured, helping bring food to the displaced, and ensuring Zayaan and the other nobles would cope with managing the kingdom once they left.
Though in truth, Zayaan probably had more experience in that regard than either of the Sovereigns. Their presence had mostly been to guarantee the stability of the city. From now on, Flumeer would be ruled by a council selected by the people, though the first elections would not be for another year, once the damages from the war had been repaired. Until then, Zayaan and the others who had led the city through the invasion would continue.
But from today, that would no longer be Lukys’s or Sophia’s problem. Today they would finally return to Perfugia to lead their own people. Despite all they had done, the thought still stirred doubts in the backs of their mind, but they would not shirk their duties. Already they had lingered here too long.
Ahead, Dale and the rest of the Sovereign guard led the way up the gangplank to their ship, while on the docks, Lukys and Sophia turned to bid their goodbyes to Zayaan. The man had insisted on an honour guard to see them off, after all they had done for the kingdom. They lined the docks around them, some hundred knights garbed all in golden armour.
A smile touched Lukys’s lips as he met the eyes of the old man. Despite their rough start, the man had proven surprisingly flexible in his world view, and had adapted quickly to the presence of the Tangata in his city.
“Thank you, Zayaan, for everything you have done,” he said softly. “We could not have won without your aid.”
It was true. For the lives they had saved avoiding a battle for the city, they owed this man a debt.
For his part, Zayaan only inclined his head. “I only did my duty, Sovereign,” he said softly. “I am glad if it contributed in some part towards our victory.”
“You did more than that, Zayaan,” Sophia murmured. “If ever you have need of Perfugia, you have only to call for us.”
“Of course, Sovereign,” he replied, dipping into a short bow before straightening. “I bid you good fortune on your journey.”
Lukys chuckled. “I should hope so, since it’s only a day’s voyage, but thank you all the same.” Turning to Sophia, he offered his arm. “Shall we, My Lady?”
A smile lit up his partner’s face as she accepted his arm, and together they turned towards the gangplank. Before they could start towards it, however, Zayaan’s voice called them back.
“Sovereigns?” he murmured. “Perhaps there is one thing you might do for me?”
“Oh?” Lukys asked, frowning as he turned back to the elder man.
“Yes,” the man replied, a smirk crossing his face. “One last favour…”
Lukys’s frown deepened, but before he could respond, sudden movement came from around them, as the Flumeeren knights drew their weapons. Lukys and Sophia leapt back from them, but as they turned towards their ship, they found more of the steel-garbed men barring their path. Heart racing, Lukys swung on Zayaan, teeth bared. Already he was reaching for Sophia, seeking to join their thoughts, for the unity of the Sovereigns.
“What is this?” The Sovereigns snarled, hands coming up in preparation for a fight. Neither had thought to carry a weapon, but they were not without defence.
“My duty,” Zayaan replied, his voice suddenly hard, his words harsh. “To humankind.”
“Don’t do this,” they warned. “You must know we will stop you. Your people will not lay hand on us.”
“No,” Zayaan snarled, but still he did not retreat.
Fear struck the Sovereigns then, that there was more to this trap, and desperately they thrust out with the power of their minds, seeking to turn the hatred of those around them aside, to still—
Lukys screamed as a terrible pain exploded through his chest, stumbling, staggering on the wooden dock. Suddenly his strength was gone, the unity shattered, and in its place…agony. Sobbing, choking, he sank to his knees, gasping, hands clutching at his chest, seeking the wound…
…but finding himself whole.
“Did you think I had forgotten you, Tangata?” A cold voice spoke from behind him.
Desperately, his mind an agony of broken glass, Lukys twisted, seeking out the voice, and found Amina standing behind him, the visor of her gold-embossed armour raised, spear in hand…
…and thrust out to pierce Sophia’s chest.
A gasp slipped from Lukys as the agony within redoubled, and he reached out a hand, desperate to reach his partner, to save her. But with an awful twist of her blade, Amina tore the spear lose, splattering Sophia’s blood across the docks. For but a moment, she swayed on her feet, stumbling, turning, her grey eyes meeting his.
Lukys… for the briefest of moments, he felt her mind again, sensed her fear.
Then she was falling, tumbling down, striking the wooden boards with a terrible, awful thump.
“No!”
Lukys screamed as he sensed her presence vanish, her touch upon his mind dissipate to nothing. He made to stand, to hurl himself at the queen, but the agony of their separation struck him afresh, robbing him of strength, of will, and instead he crumpled alongside his partner, sobbing, pleading, gasping.
The thud of footsteps approached as he lay there, but still Lukys did not look up, could not tear his gaze from the empty eyes that stared at him from the face of his beloved.
“Kill me,” he whispered, vision blurring, the void within tearing him apart.
“Oh no, my dear Sovereign,” came Amina’s whisper. “The monster had to perish, but you, you are far too valuable. The knowledge, the lost secrets you hold in that head of yours, they will change everything. With your help, Flumeer will finally take its place as the rulers of this world—and me as its rightful queen.”
Even through his pain, Lukys felt his panic rising, his terror for what this woman might be capable of with the Sovereign gift. But even as he tried to lift himself from the void, the pain redoubled, tearing him apart again, and he slumped back down.
Only then did another Voice reach him, a distant cry of desperation.
Lukys! It was a moment before he recognised Isabella. Distantly, he sensed her panic, her fear. What is happening?
A moan escaped Lukys and he scrunched his eyes closed, wishing he could block out the world, the agony, the loss. But there was no escaping this horror, at least…not for him.
The Flumeerens have betrayed us! he screamed into the void, uncaring of who heard his words. Flee, warn the world, Amina has returned!
Then something hard and unyielding struck Lukys’s skull, and the world turned to darkness.
* * *
Here ends DREAMS OF FURY, the final chapter of
DESCENDANTS OF THE FALL
But I’m not done with this world yet…
In the meantime, it’s time to reveal a secret.
There exists a story from the time before the Fall…
The Evolution Gene
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Note from the Author
I know. Typical right? Goddamn bad guys, they never give up do they? Sorry to do that to you, but I just couldn’t see any way Amina was going to let herself go down without taking out SOMEONE, and I just had this terrible feeling all along…
…well, you saw. Anyway, as I mentioned, I’m not done with this world yet. I fully intend to return to discover what terrible things Amina has in store for the species of humanity. But not just yet. Next up will be something completely different, but if you’d like to explore more of this world, be sure to check out The Evolution Gene trilogy to learn how this entire world came to be! I’ve even included a free sample for you below!
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THE EVOLUTION GENE
If you’ve enjoyed this book, you might want to check out my dystopian sci-fi series!
Dreams of Fury: Descendants of the Fall Book IV Page 24