Limit Of Fortune

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Her chest heaved as she lay on her side, one hand held to her stabbed flank. She could feel the blood running through her fingers, mortal and fatal red. She gritted her teeth, trying not to let her eyes close. She was so tired, so, so tired. Yet she knew if she lay her head to rest, she may not awake again.

Julian crouched over her, rough hands gently stroking his dying soul-mate's hair. Angry tears glided down his cheek as he chocked back a sob. He had to be strong, for her. For this kingdom.

Glacies strode back and forth, icy gaze swirling with thought. The bear's wings hung at her sides, crippled with sadness as she thudded to her rump with a defeated sigh, "Julian, there is no choice."

He knew exactly what she was talking about, and shook his head frantically. "No Glacies. I can't lose, I just can't." he mumbled, tugging at the back of his hair. It was clear he was wild with stress.

"Julian...I see her doing great things. I'm just too old, my boy. I've done my job, the king is dead. It's her turn.", the bear sounded almost exhausted. Her features softened, blazing blue eyes now a soft purple, "It's time to let go."

He shook his head wildly, "I can't. I can't let go, how could you expect me? Glacies you raised me! You saved me life! I just can't let go of that."

He used his thumb to wipe away a tear, "C-Can't you use some kind of magic to save her? To just heal her or something, Glacies?"

The old bear shook her head, "Julian, the only thing I can do is replace her life with mine. It is the only option." her voice was quiet, and everyone watched sullenly.

Luna wasn't paying attention. If she had heard the conversation, she would have told Glacies to forget about it. She couldn't just trade lives, that wasn't how the cycle worked. But she wasn't listening; she was just playing her memories over and over again in her aching head.

She could see mother, tossing her into the air and catching her again. She could see her and Illios having a picnic with mother outside near the sand. She could remember the way the sun had felt as it warmed her backs and cheeks and the way the pie tasted on that hot summer day.

When she died, she would be reunited. She could finally see mother once again could finally get that closure she'd missed her whole adolescent life. It would be perfect, and she would die knowing her family was safe and sound with her father gone.

Glacies nudged Julian's shoulder, coming to sit beside him and watch Luna. "Julian, I have to say goodbye. I love you. You are the closest thing I'd ever have as a son, and you mean more then the world to me. This is for the best." she said gently. She rose, touching her nose to his, "Always remember. Always remember that I will be constantly by your side, keeping watch, keeping you safe." she murmured.

Julian quivered, gaping as he watch the bear rise and step away. There was so he needed to say, but no words to say it with. He sniffled, feeling his heart crumple and break into a billion pieces. He made a step toward her, to stop her, but found himself frozen. Julian was overcome with a sudden surge of peace,  taking him in and wrapping itself around his body. It was understanding. He understood. The boy nodded, tears slicking his face, as he took a step back and watched with broken eyes.

Glacies smiled gently at him, turned to everyone else with a respectful nod, before facing Luna. The bear lifted her head, mouth opening as she took in Luna's aura. There was not much time.

Glacies stepped forward, paws squared toward the girl's front half. She smiled softly down at her, "It is not you time Luna. You have much more work to do; I'm afraid." she mumbled down to her.

Luna blinked, eyes narrowing weakly. She quickly started to understand what was going on, and a moan of protest escape her lips. Glacies shook her head slowly, "No Luna. Hush, now. You will feel much better soon."

"I need you to listen closely, my child.", she continued, "When you awake, you will have much power. More power then you can possibly dream of. Manage it wisely dear, for those who fall fool to power are rotten."

With that she leaned forward, wings fully outstretched as the wind swirled around the castle. A great coldness wafted across the room as Nix appeared beside the group and squeaked in panicked confusion.

Glacies gave him a nod of farewell, before touching her nose to Luna's forehead and closing her eyes slowly. Instantly, the room shook with force as Luna levitated into the cold air. Snow and ice whirled around her in a blistering tornado as she was pulled into the air. Her head rolled back as her eyes opened to reveal a royal blue shade, glowing with intense light as she was held into he air. The swirling snow and ice seemed to be pulled into her very skin as everything came to a stop and she was dropped back down the floor. She lay, unconscious, next to the now dead Glacies. The bear lay beside the girl, wings drooped over her body as the light left her eyes and the breath was pulled away from her own lungs.

❅ Morgan ❅