Hiraeth: Blackout (I)

Chapter Twenty Six

The ride to Wondryn was a little rocky.

"Hey, Roxie!" a pegasus boy called from above me while we flew. "Why are you flying with him? Don't you know that he was Bexley's second-in-command?"

The redhead snarled.

"How come he's even allowed to fight? He's just a stupid frailmind who can't control his own powers."

"Oh, do shut up," Roxie responded. "We've got a war to win, what does it matter who fights with us?"

About halfway, a few air vehicles were starting to run low on power. There was one flare who had the ability to provide magic for fuel, but even their power was fading from lack of energy. They explained that they hadn't had food all Day, and it was scarce amongst the army.

"Someone get this being some food!" Karter tried, flying Aka through the flock.

No one came forward.

"Why did no one bring food?!" Karter screamed angrily. "I specifically told everyone to bring something just in case!"

"It's been hours, Commander," a fire being replied meekly. "Most of us already ate our food."

Karter groaned in frustration. Parry patted her back.

Looking at them in their armor, I remembered the first battle.

I can't believe we're doing this again. After everything.

Could this really be it?

As I recollected the Northern Realm Battle's events, the deaths and injuries and losses, I was reminded of my creatures of darkness. How I morphed them into weapons.

How they fought in the air.

I had an idea.

"D-Dennis?" I called softly.

"Who's Dennis?" Roxie asked.

"You'll see."

I didn't get a response from him.

The vehicles were starting to putter, stopping randomly mid-air.

"D-Dennis, bud, I-I-I need you real bad right now."

One of the vehicles shut down and began to plummet. Aka just barely caught it, his riders hanging on for dear life.

"C'mon, Dennis. DENNIS!"

Dennis's little dog head peeped out from behind me and yawned. Master Mike? What's going-

He widened his turquoise eyes and straightened his ears.

-Whoa! We're in the air!

"Dennis, I need you to grow. Now."

Oh, okay. Right away.

Roxie noticed Dennis and screamed. "That's the creature from the battle!"

And you're the girl from Mike's dreams!

Roxie didn't hear him, thank the stars. I didn't think anyone but I could hear him.

I called the darkness and quickly grew Dennis to the size of a bus.

Summoning my shadows was different now. This time they weren't trapped inside me, it was as if I drew them from everything. Their emergence was peaceful and smooth.

Darkness came from the shadows at the bottom of the sea and the space beyond Hiraeth. They oozed from my hands and wrists. They emerged from the clouds to join with Dennis's form.