From the Ashes

Chapter 4 ~ On Her Own

Morana rolled onto her side coughing and retching as she attempted to regain her breath. Black spots dotted her vision when she forced herself upright. She blinked them away and gasped, realizing the distance she'd been thrown from the village. Vesna hadn't held back. Morana was just close enough to make out what was happening in the square.

Rhidian had attacked and was holding his own despite the combined efforts of Neeri, Koen, and Vesna. When Neeri lunged, jaws snapping at his neck, Rhidian managed to evade her. Each blow of the dagger Koen had picked up was blocked by Rhidian's own sword. Vesna struck out with her wind only for it to break against his magic without even staggering him.

It was clear they were outmatched. Any lesser Corrupted Fae who had just fed on Fae blood would be almost impossible to defeat. Rhidian was the best of them.

Morana was still wheezing when her aunt lashed out again. She could clearly see the funnel of wind Vesna directed at Rhidian, even in the darkness. The Corrupted Fae met it head on. It battered against his shield until Vesna withdrew it and prepared to form another blow.

The moment her funnel disappeared, Rhidian's shield collapsed from the inside. A horrified scream broke from Morana's lips before she could stop it. A glistening onyx shard had buried itself within her aunt's chest. Vesna's knees gave out and she crumpled, but Rhidian caught her before she hit the ground.

Morana could tell he was watching her despite the distance between them. His cold smile revealed his fangs just before he slashed them through Vesna's throat. The heartbroken and defiant roar that followed could only be Koen's.

Morana found herself sobbing as Koen lunged at Rhidian, Neeri hot on his heels. Blood poured down Rhidian's chin when he lifted his head. He struck out a hand and Koen tumbled to the ground. Neeri kept running and barreled into the male.

Rhidian went sprawling and Neeri leapt onto him, her feral jaws snapping at his neck. With a snarl, Rhidian brandished a hidden dagger and stabbed it into Neeri's side. She collapsed with a yelp, already shifting back into her Fae form. She dragged herself a few inches from Rhidian, but he disregarded her.

He was stalking towards Koen, magic once again wreathing his palms. "No," Morana rasped. Koen spat something at him, but the words were too distant for her to hear. "No!" She cried out.

Rhidian struck. She hadn't even seen him move. Her uncle had just taken a staggering step forward, then collapsed. Blood pooled around him, reflecting the firelight. Morana could scarcely breathe with the force of her sobs. She stumbled to her feet while Rhidian stormed back to Neeri.

Neeri cried out as Rhidian grabbed her by the back of her neck, dragging her towards himself. Morana froze as he turned in her direction. Neeri struggled in his grasp. "This one I keep alive!" Rhidian hurled the words across the distance. "For how long depends on you. Fly to us, Lady Phoenix, or to your death and hers as well!"

His back faced her as he began walking away, hauling Neeri along with him. She was still thrashing in his grasp, but unable to break free. "Run, Mor!" She screamed. "Please!"

And so she did.

•༻☽☾༺•

Morana didn't know how long she ran. Only that gradually, her lungs began to burn with exertion and she tripped over her feet every other step. She didn't stop though. Not for anything. She barely even noticed the passage of time. The moon had passed its highest point and was giving way to the dawn when she at last reached the banks of the Une River.

Morana waded into the icy water and began pushing her way across. She was able to reach the bottom of the river in this segment until she reached the center. Then she was forced to swim a few yards before she could touch the bottom again.