From Ashes and Dust (Book One)

Chapter 17.2

There was nothing in that moment, at least, that Vatra wanted to discuss any further. Sure, there were more rabbit holes to go down. More threads to tug at. But, Vatra's emotional stability was wavering at a level that felt like all she wanted to do was fall on her knees and scream into the air for an hour.

She had to keep going with at least some level of clarity.

"Let's just get to the Agkistrodon in one piece," Vatra said after a moment. She gave Enyalius a somber look, and he nodded.

"So, leave it to the rain to offer the backdrop of our melancholy journey? How tragic." Enyalius tsk'd before humming along to "Another One Bites the Dust".

Vatra couldn't help but chuckle. "I thought you preferred Elvis?"

Hopping forward, Enyalius stomped along to the beat as his humming turned to outright singing. The god leapt over a fallen branch, gracefully sliding along in the mud squelching beneath their boots. He spun and slicked back his hair, grinning at Vatra as if goading her along.

She smoothly joined in at the chorus, swinging her arms over her head and jumping about beside Enyalius along to the beats they created with their own feet.

The two of them ignored everything around them for a moment. Vatra pushed her worries and fears from her mind, allowing her need to control everything to take the back seat. For the remainder of a single song, they were just two immortals forgetting their responsibilities.

Vatra hadn't allowed herself that luxury in a long time. And, she would have never thought she'd let herself feel so vulnerable next to a god she'd despised so much.

They sang and danced until they mumbled out the last of the words, both of them out of breath. The rain hadn't let up. Raindrops as big as silver dollars continued to pelt their heads, and lightning threatened to strike them. But, they didn't appear to care. It wasn't the same indifference to the storm they had earlier.

No, as they both looked on at each other, strained faces now smiling and truly relaxed, they both trusted one another to take care of the other. If Vatra were to die, she did believe Enyalius would help her in the aftermath.

He didn't lie to me, Vatra concluded to herself, watching the god with curiosity. Enyalius changed.

The walk towards the Agkistrodon felt less like a grueling hike. Vatra eyed the forest around her. She'd hoped their moment of peace would have lasted longer.

"There's movement not far off, four figures, I think," Vatra said. She stopped and pointed to the right of them, gesturing between two particularly large, dead trees.

The wide, greying trunks were almost as round as a grain silo. Swooping branches, barren of any foliage, draped toward the ground. Looking out over the two trees, Vatra felt lonely, sad. They were like the visual depiction of despair.

Enyalius stepped up beside Vatra. "Can you tell if they're gods or mortals?"

"No," Vatra replied. She allowed her hand to fall back to her side, shaking away the emotions the trees evoked in her chest.

"I lost my weapon in the crash, so I'm useless until I can get a weapon," Enyalius said.

"Let's hope we don't have to fight." Vatra backed up a step, keeping her eye on the figures in the distance.

The strangers didn't appear to notice the two of them.

A scream ripped through the air. The sound drew the attention of Vatra and Enyalius, but also of the figures in front of them. Instead of running for the scream, though, the unknown beings turned and ran in the opposite direction.