The Rift War

by Alexandra Moody

  A smug grin began to form on the Original Braky’s lips, and it slowly stepped forwards out of the shadows. As it did, Allirie noticed it seemed to be dragging something alongside it. In the Braky’s clawed hands, it gripped a chunk of long dark hair. Allirie’s heart stopped as the creature flung Thanvia’s lifeless body into the snow at its feet with a thud that echoed through the silent night. The Braky stood over Allirie’s mentor, and there was a knowing look in its eyes as it studied the warriors protecting the rift.

  Allirie’s whole body shook as she stared at Thanvia lying in the snow, and she desperately wanted to run to her side. Instead, she growled under her breath and lifted her blade close to her lips.

  ‘Firentuth,’ she whispered to the sword, before holding it out in front of her. The metal erupted in bright orange flames that licked their way around the blade. She refused to cower in the darkness any longer.

  As the flames illuminated the blackness around them, the Original Braky’s grin grew wider still. It raised his arms, and the monsters behind it began to scream and wail before they burst out of the blizzard, streaming past their leader and scrambling through the snow towards Allirie and her warriors.

  ‘Defend the rift!’ Allirie screamed as the first Brakys leapt towards the warriors that stood in a firm circle around the opening to the World of the Woods.

  The creatures gave no thought to protecting themselves as they launched into their attacks, and the first few were quickly sliced down with strong strikes from the warriors’ swords. But the swam of Brakys was relentless. Before the woman in front of Allirie had a chance to lift her sword to defend against a second attack, a Braky dived through the snow and sunk its fangs into her neck. Allirie could barely hear the woman’s screams as another Braky sprung over her body and into the circle where the rift stood.

  The creature’s blood red eyes fixed on Allirie’s burning sword, and she could see its mouth was frothing as it quickly calculated its next move. The Braky started to move towards her but was suddenly cut off as one of Allirie’s warriors moved to take the fallen woman’s place. She grunted as she thrust her sword towards the creature’s chest, but the Braky was fast. It dodged the jab and slammed its fist into the woman’s belly, sending her flying.

  A shout rang out behind Allirie as more Brakys launched themselves at the defensive circle. She turned and saw one of the creatures as it propelled itself through the air towards her. A warrior stepped forwards though and drove her sword deep into its chest, before kicking the beast back and allowing it to fall to the ground. But another rabid creature followed quickly behind it, and another after that. The Brakys' wails still filled the night, but they were now joined by grunts and clashes of metal against skin as the fighters surrounding Allirie bravely held them off.

  Allirie backed up several feet, so she blocked the entrance to the rift entirely. Her flaming sword was out before her, and she watched on as more and more creatures began to attack. Every one of the warriors surrounding her was soon battling several Brakys at once, and she could see more blood red eyes appearing around them. There were too many of the monsters, and Allirie knew it was only a matter of time before they overcame the small group of warriors that surrounded her and the rift.

  Another scream rose up over the sounds of battle, and Allirie turned to see three Brakys overpowering one of her fighters, forcing her into the snow before plunging their long claws into her chest. Allirie rushed forwards but was stopped in her tracks as another Braky bounded over the motionless woman and landed in the snow in front of her.

  As Allirie’s eyes fell on the beast, she recognised it as one of the enormous Brakys that had been standing with the Original. While the other creatures that were attacking had skeletal frames, this Braky’s chest was covered in thick muscles. Its eyes glinted with intelligence, and there was a cunning edge to its glare as it eyed her. Allirie’s heart pounded quickly as she met its stare. It might not have had a piece of glowing green stone around its neck like its leader, but she knew it would be stronger and faster than any Braky she had fought before. It must have drunk the Liftsal a thousand years ago rather than being scratched and turned—it was another original.

  The Braky didn’t hesitate for long as it started to race towards Allirie, and her eyes narrowed as she awaited its assault. As it launched towards her, she brought her sword up to greet it, but the creature dodged to the side at the last moment. She slashed with her sword but only scratched the Braky’s torso. Flames from the blade licked across the creature’s skin, but the Braky dived into the snow, extinguishing the fire before rolling to its feet.

  Allirie scowled as she moved towards the creature. She knew that Brakys were fast, but this one was far quicker than she had ever experienced and a sense of unease filled her stomach.

  The Braky didn’t pause as it came at her again. This time Allirie raced to meet it, but before she reached the creature, she dived downwards, using her momentum to slide across the ground before swinging her sword at the creature’s legs. The Braky howled in pain as she sliced through its rough black skin.

  As she rose to her feet again, Allirie could see oily blood oozing from the wounds on its legs, but the creature didn’t falter as it turned and dived into another attack. She lifted her sword at the beast in defence, but she didn’t act quickly enough. The Braky dodged the blade and slammed its body against Allirie, sending her flying through the air. Before she could try and climb to her feet, the Braky launched itself on top of her, pinning her to the ground.

  Allirie struggled to breathe as the Braky forced her into the snow with all its weight. She looked up towards its evil eyes and its open mouth, which was filled with foaming black froth that surrounded its sharp fangs. She pushed her hands up against its chest to keep its head from getting close to hers, and she tried bucking the creature off of her, but it was far too heavy.

  ‘Such a pretty thing,’ it leered in human tongue, sending a chill down her spine. The creature brought one of its claws up to Allirie’s face and slowly ran it down her cheek, in a tormented caress. She could feel the talon cutting into the skin and drawing blood.

  She gritted her teeth and scowled back at the creature. She quickly lowered her hand from the Braky’s chest and pulled the dagger from her waist, before plunging it into the creature’s side.

  The Braky roared in pain, but before Allirie could stop it, the monster lowered its head and sunk its teeth deep into her shoulder.

  Allirie screamed and twisted the dagger further into the creature’s side. It released its grip on her, and she used the slight movement to roll the beast off her. She pulled her dagger from where it was buried in the Braky’s skin and gripped the hilt with both hands before plunging it down into the monster’s skull.

  The blade was deep, and the kill was swift. Not even a painful howl came from the monster’s lips as its red eyes became lifeless. Allirie yanked the dagger from its head and the Braky sunk towards the ground in a limp heap. But as the creature settled in the snow, its body started to dissolve into tiny fragments of black dust that drifted into the air and faded into the icy ground. Allirie was stunned as she watched the remains of the dead Braky catch in the wind and disappear entirely in the blizzard. In the blink of an eye the creature’s body was gone.

  Allirie clambered to her feet, her hands shaking as she returned the dagger to her belt. She picked up her sword, the flames barely flickering after lying in the snow, and stared down at the ground where the Braky had lain just moments before. All that was left of the creature was the black blood staining the sheer white snow.

  Allirie struggled to understand what she had just seen, and she staggered away from where the beast’s body had disappeared, one hand clutching her sword and the other pressed against her shoulder. She glanced at the wound and grimaced. Her vision began to blur, but she could still see blood pouring from her injury. She was already feeling light-headed, and she knew it wouldn’t be long until she couldn’t stand at all.

  Her figh
t against the Braky had drawn her away from the rift, and she looked back through the storm towards the battle. None of the other women remained standing though. Blood stained the snow and the Brakys were streaming towards the unguarded rift without hesitation. She was the only one left to stop them now. She was their last defence.

  Allirie lifted her sword and took a step back towards the rift, but her legs crumbled beneath her and she fell to her knees. Her sword dropped into the snow beside her and the flames that engulfed the blade disappeared, plunging her into darkness. Her body was too weak, and she was struggling to remain conscious.

  She sunk further into the snow and she desperately tried to stop herself from passing out. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked across the distance that separated her from the rift, and as she watched the creatures freely passing into the World of the Woods, she knew that she had failed.

  As her eyes started to drift shut, Allirie caught sight of the two remaining original Brakys through the darkness. They were standing beyond their army of monsters, watching as the creatures disappeared through the rift and into the World of the Woods. The smaller original stepped forwards to follow the horde and passed through the rift. Once it had disappeared into the World of the Woods the other, larger Braky began to retreat. The last thing Allirie saw was the glint of green that rested on its black chest before it turned around and stalked back into the night.

  Chapter One

  Blackened ash and dust still cloaked the meadow where the human and Unfaih battle had taken place. The vibrant greenery that usually covered the area had taken on a muted tone of grey. The bodies had all been disposed of, and all that lay in the empty expanse was earth the colour of charcoal. Three days had passed since the clash, and yet Rhyn could still smell the pungent reek of death in the air.

  He pushed a hand through his hair as he surveyed the scene, his heart heavy as he recalled every warrior who had been lost and every fighter that was still injured. After that night in the Liftsal caves with Sloane, he hadn’t had a chance to mourn their loss. But he could feel their absence with every fibre of his being, and he wished that he’d been brave enough to come sooner.

  Despite the ruins before him, Rhyn still struggled to push thoughts of Sloane from his mind and focus on the present. But like every other minute, both waking and asleep, he kept replaying the moment he had watched that dagger fly through the air. Those long and painful seconds when he had seen the blade lodged in her stomach, and she had dropped to the ground.

  He scrunched his eyes tightly shut to stop the tears he could feel beginning to gather. The dagger hadn’t just hit Sloane that day. It felt like it had also sunk deep into his chest, and he could still feel it pressing against his heart, threatening to take everything he loved away from him.

  ‘Rhyn,’ a voice said, pulling him from his inner torment.

  He slowly opened his eyes and found Elyx standing in front of him. He could see the pity in his second’s gaze, and he tried to push the agony he was enduring from his face. He suspected he had failed though as Elyx reached out a hand and gripped his shoulder firmly.

  ‘She’s not dead,’ he said.

  Rhyn nodded in response. No, Sloane wasn’t dead. Not yet at least.

  ‘We need you here with us right now,’ Elyx continued. ‘I know you’re worried about the girl. We all are. But this war with the humans isn’t over.’

  Rhyn tilted his head, watching Elyx as he spoke. He felt like he was standing on one side of a rift and Elyx was talking to him from the other. The words sounded distorted and distant, and Rhyn struggled to catch every one.

  He didn’t miss the fact that Elyx was concerned for Sloane, although he was surprised that his second would be worried. The old, seasoned warrior hated everything about the humans, but apparently Sloane had grown on him because Rhyn didn’t doubt his sincerity for a moment. Elyx wasn’t the only one who had changed his opinion of Sloane since the battle. Rhyn had also seen concern growing in the eyes of other Unfaih due to her condition. After Sloane had fought to defend their people, it seemed as though many Unfaih now saw her in a different light.

  ‘I know it’s not over,’ Rhyn eventually replied, his voice quiet and rough. ‘And I may have been absent these last days, but I’m here now.’

  Elyx’s grasp relaxed, and he lowered his hand from Rhyn’s shoulder. His eyes still watched the Unfaih prince with penetrating closeness though, and Rhyn suspected that his second wasn’t convinced. Elyx had always shown little trust in a man’s words. He wanted to see actions that proved their intent. And though it was hard to think clearly when Sloane was in danger, Rhyn needed to show both Elyx and his people that he was there for them in these troubled times.

  ‘What’s the situation with the humans right now?’ Rhyn asked, glancing towards the edge of the woods and the deadened trees that surrounded the clearing. So many of the trees were bent back in unnatural positions or had fallen to the ground from the impact of the bombs that had been detonated. They were a haunting reminder of the destruction humans wrought and a warning of the devastation they would cause if given another chance.

  ‘Things have been quiet with them,’ Elyx replied. ‘They have all returned to their settlement.’

  ‘Do you believe they are planning to strike again?’ Rhyn asked. After everything they’d lost, a part of him was desperate to destroy the humans once and for all, but another part of him just wished for it all to be over and the fighting to stop.

  Elyx shook his head. ‘They lost many of their numbers that day. Much more than we did. They do not have the men to face us again. Not anytime soon.’

  Rhyn rubbed a hand over his tired face before he looked back at Elyx. ‘Are you keeping a close watch on their camp?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, we have it surrounded by scouts,’ Elyx replied.

  Rhyn nodded and folded his arms across his chest as he surveyed the field once more. Elyx had been right to bring him there today. He had needed to come and see the destruction in person once more. He had needed it to help him remember what they were fighting for; to give purpose and direction to his life again. He wasn’t helping anyone by sitting next to Sloane’s bedside day and night. And though it killed him to be parted from her, she would never forgive him if she knew he’d been ignoring his duty to his people to sit there and watch her sleep.

  The thought of the state she was in caused Rhyn to stiffen once more. But then he remembered that even though she wasn’t awake, she was still breathing. If she was still breathing, that meant she was still alive. And there was a chance that he would get to look into her brilliant green eyes once more.

  ‘Any news on Sloane’s father?’ Rhyn asked.

  ‘Scouts tracked him into the ravine but lost his trail. They haven’t seen any trace of him since,’ Elyx replied. ‘He could be anywhere.’

  Rhyn stiffened further and tried to remain calm. He didn’t know if it was possible to loathe the Captain more than he did, but each day that passed with no sign of recovery from Sloane made his hatred darker and more deadly.

  Rhyn's knuckles cracked as his hands clenched into fists. He’d spent many hours at Sloane’s bedside imagining the things he would do to the human who put her there if the chance ever came. The Captain may have been Sloane’s father, but the man was no better than the monsters that plagued the shadows of Ellysia.

  Rhyn knew it was his fault that the Captain had escaped with the Liftsal, and he was constantly reminding himself of the fact. But he knew he had made the right choice. There hadn’t really been a choice. Certainly not when the decision was between being at Sloane’s side when she was injured and chasing after the monster who had hurt her.

  ‘Was there anything more you wanted to show me?’ Rhyn asked. Thoughts of Sloane were starting to consume him again. Being in the World of the Woods was becoming a real test of his self-control, and he desperately wanted to return to her bedside.

  He wanted to be there for his people. He really did. But it had been hours since
he’d last seen Sloane, and anything could have happened in that short amount of time. It was like he couldn’t breathe when he wasn’t at her side, and right now Rhyn was starting to feel like he was slowly beginning to suffocate.

  ‘No,’ Elyx responded. ‘All I wanted today was to remind you that there are people that still need you. That this isn’t over.’

  Rhyn felt a wave of relief that Elyx didn’t need him for anything else. Every inch of him wanted to sprint back towards the rift and return to the castellum, but instead he gave Elyx a nod.

  ‘Thank you for that,’ Rhyn replied, and he meant it. He had been lost to his emotions for the last three days, and he had needed this reminder that the danger hadn’t passed. The humans were still out there, and they still posed a threat.

  ‘Continue to keep watch on the humans and come to me if you need anything or if there’s any news from the settlement,’ Rhyn continued. ‘And send more scouts to see if there’s any sign of the Captain. I don’t want that man getting away.’

  Elyx nodded, his eyes reflecting the same fury and irritation that Rhyn felt at the mention of the Captain’s disappearance.

  As he parted ways with Elyx and walked back to the rift, Rhyn could feel the heavy weight of his second’s expectations bearing down on his shoulders. He knew he had let the warrior down and that he had not been there for his people since the battle. But he had every intention of changing that and was determined to find a way to protect all of the Unfaih from the human threat once and for all.

  He moved quickly as he retreated through the rift and made his way down the cliff face towards the castellum. He barely noticed the chill of his world and he didn’t give one thought to the beautiful sunshine lighting the day in Ellysia. He had too many thoughts turning over in his mind as he considered the problems before him.

  They had some difficult decisions ahead of them, especially when it came to the humans. He didn’t want to lash out in retribution and anger, but his emotions were driving his thoughts, and he couldn’t stop revenge clouding his judgement. He needed to sit down with his father to discuss their plans, but he couldn’t do that when hate filled his heart.