Beauty in Chaos

The Blood Moon

Nyx looked over the room, watching her advisors argue with more intensity than she had seen in a long time.

"No! If we head for the capital, we won't last an hour! We must wait for the Blood Moon!" 

Luna gave a growl. "It's been a year now. We have the numbers, you twat!" 

"So? Numbers won't matter if we attack such a large area. We must wait-" 

"Enough!" Nyx jumped up, sending a shadow wave through the room, "We wait, Luna. Selene is right. Numbers won't matter if we attack now."

Luna gave Selene a side glare. "Of course, my Queen." 

Both Selene and Luna bowed before leaving Nyx alone. 

Nyx gazed outside, the blue fires giving the Underworld a different hue. 

"My Queen. You asked to see me?" Nyx looked forward. 

"Jasper. Any news of the mines?" Jasper shakes his head. 

"No, Your Grace. We're still trying to figure out what is hiding in them. Our best guess is a Drakon or a Hellhound."

Nyx pursed her lips. "Continue looking. It can't hide forever." Jasper bowed.

"Oh, Your Grace, there is someone who wishes to speak with you as well." 

Nyx sat up. No one wanted to speak with her.

"Send them in." Her voice rang through the throne room. The obsidian doors swung open, and in came a taller man. His eyes glimmered an emerald green and his hair was stark white. 

"My Queen, this is Ser Nox."

Nox gave a grin before bending the knee, his long hair moving in front of his face.

"My Queen, it is an honor to meet you at last." He looked up. "If I am correct, you are looking for a general to lead your armies into the Earth Kingdom capital."

Nyx looked over at Jasper. "Yes, I am. Tell me, why should I consider you to my general?" 

Nox stood, opening his arms. "I am the greatest warrior of the living that reside here. The dead may have strength, but they merely obey orders. I give them. And I have never failed a siege."

Nyx leaned forward, her onyx eyes glinting. "Is that so. Then let me ask you this," she stood, "should I attack the capitol now, or wait for the Blood Moon?"

Nox's grin disappeared. "You wish to attack so soon?"

"Yes, I do. My army has grown since our last siege. Do you think I should wait?"

Nox took in a breath. "You do not know of what is happening above?"

Nyx smirked slightly before returning to her resting face. 

"I do not. Is there an issue I should be aware of?"

Nox shifted in place, not meeting her gaze.

"The Earth Kingdom has reinforced most of the bigger cities. Since the war started, they assume you will go for the Capitol immediately, since that is where the prince lies." His voice shook towards the end, looking up at her.

Nyx raised an eyebrow before sitting once more. "This is news. Please, continue."

Nox looked over at Jasper, who simply nodded.

"Every soldier is now in the Capitol. The only people protecting the other cities are the-"

"The Army of Light. Yes, I know. Small legions of the army protect the large cities, and a militia protects the villages." Nyx spoke, waving her hand.

A shadow mirror formed in front of her. The Army of Light marched between the cities, their faces emotionless.

"The Army has killed most of the scouts that we sent out. The few that return give us little information." Nyx looked at Nox, who was shocked.

"You are a warrior that breathes, and you can make your way into the cities easier than the dead can. So I give you this task. Go to the cities, any way you can, and bring me information on the armies and anything else of value. Then, we will speak of you becoming my general."

The room was silent, the far-off screams echoing.

"Yes, my Queen. Thank you, for this opportunity." Nox bowed before leaving.

Jasper laughed quietly. "He is strong, that one. Not many would take such a dangerous mission."

Nyx sighed before standing. "I know. Now, I should rest. Take care of everything else, if you would." 

Jasper bowed. "Of course, Queen Nyx. Rest."

Nyx walked out of the throne room, setting the Bone Crown on its stand.

"How were the meetings, Queen Nyx?" Asteria asked, undoing Nyx's braids.

"Fine, Asteria. We should be able to attack soon." Asteria smiled, kissing Nyx's neck.

"You should rest, my Queen. Should the Earth Kingdom attack, you could be killed?"

"Do you doubt me that much, Asteria?" Nyx smirked, looking back at her.

Asteria smiled. Nyx took in her beauty, placing her hand on her cheek.

"No, I do not doubt you in any way. I simply worry for you." Asteria places a hand on Nyx's stomach. "You never told him. Should you fight, what will you say?"

Nyx looked away. "Should we fight, I will tell him that I will raise our child alone. That he or she will only know kindness."

Asteria kissed Nyx's forehead. "Let us sleep now. Perhaps tomorrow will be better."

She blew out the candles, holding Nyx as she drifted off.

"Oh, my love. After today, things will only get worse." Nyx whispered, holding tightly to Asteria.

Dreams were interesting in the world. They were never just dreams, but messages. And they showed everything.

Nyx knew of this. After all, she could read dreams. She knew if people would die, or if they would live. But she didn't always know her dreams.

"Will you stay, Nyx?" Nyx looked down at her hand, which held another. 

"I can not, my dear. I must leave."

The little girl teared up, wiping them on her sleeves. Her onyx eyes stared at Nyx.

"You left before, remember. You left and didn't come back for years."

Nyx picked up the child, shushing softly. "I know. And I'm sorry. But right now, I must fight."

The girl only cried more. "You can't! You can't fight anymore!"

Lightning flashed as the girl continued to cry. The wind picked up, making the pine trees shake.

"They'll kill you, Mother!" The girl screamed.

Nyx shot up out of bed, her sweat in a pool. Mother.

"Queen Nyx." Nyx looked to her right. A small spirit, a child, floated by her bed.

"Artemis and Luna wish to speak with you. The beast in the mines has been found."

Nyx nodded, wiping the sweat from her face.

"I'll be right down." She whispered.

The girl simply nodded before fading.

Nyx placed her head in her hands, the dream flashing across her eyes.

It was a simple dream, with a simple meaning. A mother would be lost in battle. Nyx placed her hand on her stomach.

"Soon, my child. I will reverse the spell soon." She whispered.