Rising Ashes

NED

Clancy’s vessel finally reached the shore of Voldsoy, where the rugged coastline met the dark waters of the Palladin Strait. As the crew unloaded their precious cargo, Clancy’s focus remained solely on Aimee, his determination unwavering despite his exhaustion.

They carefully carried Aimee’s stretcher over the rocky terrain, moving toward the cave where the NEDs awaited. The entrance was framed by the flickering light of torches, casting a warm glow that contrasted with the cold, dark night. Inside, the NEDs were already gathered in a circle, their small, antlered forms glowing faintly. The creatures, with their delicate antlers and wide, curious eyes, watched as Clancy and his crew approached, concern written in their gentle movements. Their psychokinetic abilities gave them an edge in healing and protection, and they had been prepared for the urgency of the situation.

Clancy gently laid Aimee’s stretcher on the ground. His heart raced with a mix of hope and fear as the NEDs approached with their calming, coordinated movements. Their psychokinetic energy shimmered faintly in the air, creating a soft hum as they began their work.

“Help her, please.” Clancy said, his voice filled with both exhaustion and urgency.

The leader of the NEDs, distinguished by their intricate antlers and a faint luminous glow, nodded and gestured for the others to begin. They encircled Aimee, their energy radiating as they worked to stabilize her. One of the NEDs placed a paw gently on her chest, channeling a steady stream of healing energy. Another conjured a soft, calming light that washed over Aimee’s body, easing her pain and slowing her breathing. The air hummed with their collective energy, creating a protective barrier around her.

Clancy watched in awe, his heart pounding. He had brought her this far, but now her life was in their hands. The NEDs worked tirelessly, their delicate antlers glowing brighter as they synchronized their efforts. The lead NED turned to Clancy and gave a small nod, indicating they were doing all they could.

Clancy released a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Hours passed. The cave’s dim light flickered as the NEDs continued their healing work. Clancy sat beside Aimee, unable to tear his eyes away from her still form. He was exhausted, but his worry kept him wide awake. He had no idea how long he’d been sitting there when he saw it—a flicker of movement.

Aimee’s eyes slowly opened, her chest rising and falling more steadily now. But as she blinked, the world around her was strange—bathed in red. Her vision swam with crimson light, and everything seemed distant and warped. Panic gripped her as she tried to sit up, but her body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

Clancy leaned in, his voice sharp with concern. “Aimee? Can you hear me?”

Her vision focused on him, but even Clancy seemed distorted through the red haze. His face was tense, his eyes searching hers for any sign of recognition. “Clancy…” Aimee’s voice trembled, a mix of confusion and fear.

“Yeah, it’s me,” Clancy replied, relieved but unnerved by the eerie colour now glowing in her eyes. They were no longer the warm, familiar color he’d known—they were a light red, almost orange. The same color the Bishops’ eyes turned when they wielded their powers.

Aimee gasped, feeling the strange energy coursing through her body, every nerve alive with something new and unfamiliar. “My vision… what’s happening to me?” she whispered, her hands trembling as she stared at them, faint traces of shimmering light dancing around her fingers.

Clancy knelt beside her, his expression tense. “Nico killed you, Aimee. The NEDs brought you back. Whatever they did, it changed you. Made you special. Like me."

She tried to sit up, but her body felt heavy, foreign. "Like you?"

Clancy sighed, the weight of the story heavy on his shoulders. "I almost drowned, about two years ago. Do you remember when the Bishops used me as propaganda?"

Aimee nodded slowly. "The Scaled and Icy livestream for the Glorious Gone. Yes."

"At the end of the set, Trash—the dragon—was possessed by Keons, my Bishop. Trash burst the submarine, and in that moment, Keons broke me free. I washed up on Voldsoy, barely alive. The NEDs found me, taught me the power of psychokinesis. But there’s a catch—I can only use it if I have these above my head." He reached to his belt loop and pulled off the pair of small NED antlers. “Their horns give me the power.”

Aimee’s breath caught in her throat as she stared at the antlers, her mind racing to process everything. “And me? What about me?”

Clancy met her gaze, his voice soft yet full of uncertainty. "You might be different. You didn’t just survive—you came back with something... more. Whatever Nico did, whatever the NEDs did to save you, it’s bound you to something far greater than we understand."

Aimee swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words, but she couldn’t shake the fear gnawing at her. “I'm like them now, aren't I?”

Clancy shook his head. “You will never be like the Bishop's Aimee. I won't let you become that."

"And what if they find out about me? What will happen then? Will they take me? Kill me? Force me to kill myself? Become one of their puppets?" Aimee held back tears.

"I'm not letting that happen. I'm going to protect you." Clancy held his hand out to her.

She looked up at him.

"I'm not scared of you, Aimee. I've been through hell. Multiple times. It never gets easier. But I can help you. The Banditos can help you. Please come home."

Aimee stared at Clancy’s outstretched hand, her heart pounding in her chest. The weight of her fear pressed down on her, but something in his eyes—his unwavering conviction—reached her. He had been through his own battles, faced the darkness, and survived. And now he was offering her a way out, a chance to stand with him, to fight back.

Her hands trembled as she reached out, placing hers in his. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Clancy gave her a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t have to be. You have me, you have the Banditos. We’ll fight for you, alongside you. You’re not alone, Aimee.”

Aimee took a deep breath, feeling a flicker of something other than fear—hope. For the first time, she felt like she might have a chance, a real one. She nodded, gripping his hand a little tighter.

“Okay,” she said, her voice steadying. “I’ll go with you.”

Clancy smiled, a mix of relief and determination crossing his face. “Then let’s go home.”

Aimee stood and followed Clancy into the unknown, ready to face whatever came next.