Rise of Fire: Dragons Reborn [COMPLETED]

Chapter 35

  Here's chapter 35! I know I know... I've been a slacker and I'm sorry. Work and prepping for Nanowrimo has had me dogged down hard. But I'm glad I was able to finish this one before November! I'm going to try and continue this story to finish it before years end but no promises. I'm so thankful to all of you who have followed me this far and I hope you continue to enjoy my slow progress. Thank you so much, and please be patient with me. SO as usual let me know what you think, vote, comment, and share. I'll see you all in my next updates! Likely it will be in Infected so give that story a chance when you get the time! Thanks! 

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She looked down at her hands with awe. The black veins consuming her seemed to have followed her into the realm of the gods. She sat above the churning inky black ocean once again as she waited for someone—anyone, to come and retrieve her. Last time it was Hephatus, would her patron goddess return again? Or would accepting the demons control count as a betrayal? She felt as if she had betrayed herself after all, she knew the dangers of allowing the darkness to take control and yet she allowed fear to drive her decision.

"Fear is a powerful driver." Hephatus's voice filled her head softly. She paused to look around her but she couldn't see anything, or anyone for that matter. She stood up.

"Hephatus?" She felt like her heart was racing. If she could feel her heart that was.

"I'm here." With a gust of wind Talia could feel Hephatus's arms wrap around her tightly. The hug was firm and soft at the same time. Her chest hurt as she remembered what it felt like to get a hug like that.

'Mom...' Her chest twisted in pain. It was just like Amber's hugs. The smell of deep ancient pine forests brushed past her. Moss, lichen, timber, soil. It was like smelling home.

"And so is she." Hephatus's lips tickled Talia's ears as she watched a bright orange light blossom in front of her. It took only a second for Amber's form to materialize in front of her. The woman hadn't aged a day, though that was to be expected for the dead. She had retained her beauty, her sharp gaze, and her flashy smile. Seeing her only made Talia feel worse.

"So you brought her here to witness my shame." Her wonder turned to ash in her mouth as she caught glimpse of the darkness consuming her flesh. She crossed her arms across her chest in a sudden bout of self-consciousness.

"Don't be stupid ya idiot girl." Amber snapped softly as she stepped forward to cup Talia's chin. She flinched, she was between a rock and a hard place and she couldn't be certain just what their goal was. But she had to admit hearing Amber's distinct accent was enough to make her heart leap for joy.

"How are you even here? You're not Hephatus's soul to keep." She muttered. She couldn't bring herself to look up and make eye contact with Amber. She couldn't be certain what she'd find in her eyes after so many years, after so much had happened.

"That's where yer wrong darling." Amber's voice was soft, so much so that she nearly didn't hear her say it. She looked up then to see a glimmering of sorrow deep in Amber's glowing eyes. Her face must have portrayed her confusion as Amber smiled and continued to explain,

"I had a long life before I ever met ya kid. And it weren't a good one. Did ye ever stop and wonder why I had an order out on me?" Talia shrugged her way out of Hephatus's firm embrace to turn and face the goddess with an incredulous expression.

"I wondered it every day. But I told myself it was a mistake. No one as kind as you could deserve to be murdered. And my senses have never lead me astray." Hephatus blinked slowly with a sly grin on her face as she leaned back.