The Ashes Wake

Chapter 2: Raiden

Raiden

"Under Kingdom and Covenant, until the end of the time, will exist the seven founded colonies: Kifalme Colony, Styx Colony, Oceanum Colony, Wasteland Colony, Yuccan Colony, and Cold Colony. Each territory dived by borders, separate from one another, yet all under the reign of the Royals."

Excerpt from the Doctrine of Establishment
450 Year, Novus Season

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Raiden was sure of two things. He didn't want to hunt down Trifica Larkin, and he definitely didn't want to drag her to the Edge of the Realm.

"I don't see why I must leave tomorrow," he said.

The six Sage Witches stared back at him. Only Serenity seemed as if she had a scrap of sympathy in her dewy eyes.

Jessamine cleared her throat. "If you'd pay attention instead of disappearing into that head of yours, perhaps you would've understood our urgency the first time around."

"You must depart tomorrow," Gemistry began, "because I refuse to allow our small lead slip away. Time has never been on our side and it certainly won't start now."

"The Death Collector said the creature's awakened. I'd like to let it stumble out of its stupor a bit before gaining momentum," Bellathorn added. She leaned back into their raggedy couch, draped with quilts and shimmering cloaks.

Raiden shook his head. "I've just returned from the Isle. I'm exhausted. I'm sure the Kalied can manage on her own for another night."

Jessamine stood up before Kehlani could try and pull her back down. Raiden braced himself; of all the Witches, Jessamine's temper was the worst. This time, however, she surprised him as she shimmied her way onto a cushion next to him.

"We're aware of your tasks and what they cost you. But this is beyond what is comfortable or what is easy. The things worth fighting for hardly ever are."

Raiden refrained from commenting how they must've known a lot about comfort and easy. The Witches hid on the Edge while he was busy risking his neck every other task they bestowed to him.

He left the tea room amid their scheming and bickering, wanting to be alone with his exhaustion. As he walked down the crumbling staircase to the glass pools, his limbs ached and protested. The ring on his finger burned warmly, buzzing with vigor from recent use. It was a nice change from the way the ring used to react towards him. When his mother had first crafted it and placed it round his flesh, the metal blackened his skin and nearly sent him mad with pain. But eventually it had taken to; the material morphed from enemy to necessity.

The glass pools were eerily still this evening. Raiden walked up to the first one and kneeled down, careful not to step past the edge. The quiet, yellow light from the hanging stellerstones reflected in the liquid, but his own face was not. He figured he'd never understand how it worked, just as he'd never understand the Witches.

He peered deeper in, waiting. The dragon koi didn't rise to greet him. Raiden could see it, swimming deep below, leaving wisps of shimmering purple as it went.

"Come on," Raiden said and slapped at the water with his fingers.

The dragon koi turned on its back and stared at him with crisp green eyes, matching the color of the kelp next to it. After giving Raiden a lazy once-over, it flipped over and continued swimming. The long, violet tendrils from its mane flowed behind.