The Matriarch's Daughter

Chapter Twenty: That was Unexpected

Thepa's mind was a blur of fear and desperation as she sprinted towards the horde of goblins. On the one hand, she was terrified - terrified of what would happen to Rory, to the town, to herself. On the other, she knew that she was risking everything by charging headlong into battle one verses hunderds, but for some reason, she felt like it was the only thing she could do. She couldn't bear the thought of losing Rory, and while this might not have been her Rory, it was still a Rory she wasn't going to lose, not after everything either one of them had been through.

At some point, her lungs began to burn. Her desperation and fear quickly turned into anger, and everything around her disappeared. The only thing in focus was Rory's face, covered in sweat and anguish. A single-minded purpose took over Thepa, a feeling that was both terrifying and exhilarating. She completely missed the volley of arrows that descended down upon Rory's position, but she didn't care. In that moment, a warm glow of magic surrounded her igniting her skin, and Thepa dropped her daggers, ready to die for or with her friend. No longer would the taunts of her dreams hold her back. If this was what she was created for, she would willingly give her life for the sister she loved.

When the two collided, Thepa swiftly pulled Rory down and covered her with her own body. The glowing fire that Thepa had started to know surrounded them both as a sea of goblins swarmed all around them. Despite the onslaught of steel and flesh, the radiant shield held, deflecting every blow. She was sure it wouldn't last long, so she pushed herself off the ground and released her grip on Rory. The mounting weight of goblin bodies clawed at the rapidly diminishing protection, but it gave way enough for Rory to turn over.

Rory's face was contorted in pain, her breathing shallow and erratic. Somehow, Thepa pushed the weight of the goblins up another two inches, not sure how she was even lifting it as high as she was. It was a super-Saintian, but where it came from was anyone's guess. Too consumed in everything else that had happened to her, she hadn't even had a moment to process it. Either way, it did the job. 

Relief flooded Rory's face, and she shifted, finally looking up. Thepa continued to stare down into her green eyes as sweat or tears dripped onto Rory's face. Knowing this was going to be their last moment, Thepa made sure not to regret it.

"I love you sister," Thepa said, muttering under her breath. "Even if you don't remember it, thank you for loving me."

Rory furrowed her brow as the last of the magic left Thepa's body. She felt the small pricks of steel and claw, and a low rumble made its way across the ground. Despite the chaos, Thepa's only concern was for Rory's safety. She could feel her hands shaking and her arms growing tired. As Rory closed her eyes, she gave Thepa a weak smile, which quickly faded as her eyes reopened, now a deep shade of purple.

"Rory?"

The goblins surrounding them began to scatter, pushing and shoving one another in their frenzy to escape. The weight on Thepa's back lifted, and she collapsed to the ground beside Rory. The sky turned black as the rumbling grew more violent, but Thepa's focus was only on the woman in front of her.

Suddenly, Rory rose from the ground, her body weightless as if gravity itself no longer applied. Her once tangled auburn hair, which had been her signature look, now transformed into long, sleek purple locks that shimmered in the light, whipping furiously in the wind; charged with its own power. The air around her crackled, pulsing in time with the sky as clouds churned overhead, rising to her rising fury.

Her eyes, glowing with a dangerous intensity, narrowed, and her presence radiated vitriol. Every ounce of rage and power she held within, since Thepa found her a week ago presented its release. As she lifted herself effortlessly into the sky with a single hand, her arm stretched out, fingers trembling, drawing the chaotic energy swirling above into a focused point.