Snow White Queen [NaNoWriMo 2018]

Chapter Thirty-Three

Well, this is it.

She had lived a good life. Mostly. There were some things that she regretted not doing, but there wasn't much she could really do about it now.

Or maybe there was.

She turned in the air so she was facing the ground, held out her hand, and prayed that this would work.

The stone outcropping rapidly approached. It seemed that her face would impact with a particularly pointy rock.

Well, if nothing else, at least her death would be quick.

Falling, falling, plummeting towards the stone.

Then, suddenly, stillness.

Lilia was hovering in the air, her nose inches from the stone outcropping.

Oh my god it worked.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, her magic faltered and she dropped to the ground, her head colliding painfully with the rock.

Lilia lay there for a while, catching her breath. A few tears leaked from her eyes, escalating into sobs.

I survived. I'm alive.

Once she was able to collect herself, she stood up, making sure all the various parts of her body still worked properly. She found the pouch and made sure the flame was still there. She looked up at the mountain that she had been so close to scaling, and now she was back at the bottom.

Okay. Here we go again.

~~~

Late the next afternoon, after taking that night to rest, she finally reached the top of the mountain. Her hands trembled slightly and nerves twisted her stomach as she approached the place she had fallen from before, but this time she passed without incident.

She found herself on top of a small plateau, with the brazier sitting in the center.

She turned around and looked out. From the top of the mountain, she could see for miles. Tiny towns dotted the landscape, cushioned by forests that Lilia could cover with her thumb. Paths and roads, as small as the veins in Lilia's wrist, ran through everything.

From here, the world was beautiful. Peaceful. Almost enough to make Lilia forget everything else. Almost.

She turned away from the view and faced the brazier. The flame grew hotter within her bag.

She could have sworn that the brazier glowed dimly in response. She was compelled to walk forward, just barely of her own volition.

She pulled the flame out of the bag, holding it in her bare hand. To her surprise, it was pleasantly warm, rather than scorching hot like she'd expected.

The flame grew warmer and warmer the closer she got to the brazier. She feared that it would grow dangerously hot, but a part of her told her that everything would be just fine.

She lowered the flame into the brazier. As soon as she pulled her hands away, the flame erupted in a tower of heat.

Lilia smiled to herself. She had done it. She'd completed the challenges.

I'm going to win.

She basked for a moment in the heat of the flame and in her glory, then turned to look at the distance she had to climb down.

If I make it down alive, that is.

~~~

"Congratulations," the nymphs said when Lilia reached them again. "I haven't seen a flame that bright in a while."

Lilia smiled at the compliment, but it wasn't over yet. "And the Apple?"

Arella held out a fruit, which Lilia gladly took and examined it. It was smaller than a normal apple, and a darker red.

"I don't believe you've told us what you intend to use the Apple for," Litta said, her tone friendly.

Lilia thought for a moment before she answered. The nymphs were being extremely kind to her, and at moments, Lilia felt that they were truly starting to become friends. However, nymphs were known to be extremely tricky. Just because they had been kind to her up until now didn't mean they would continue to be in the future. This question could be another test. The question was, were they testing her intentions, or were they testing her truthfulness?

Lilia decided to tell them the truth. Her motive was self preservation and the safety of the kingdom, and she was trying to bring down her enemy in the most painless way possible.

"I'm hunting a very influential and dangerous vampire."

"You know there are more effective ways of slaying a vampire, right?"

"Yes, but she used to be a dear friend of mine. If I have to kill her, then I'd prefer to give her as little pain as possible."

The nymphs nodded to themselves and exchanged a look. "If you ever need our help, we'd be glad to assist."

Lilia was taken aback by this. "I- really?"

"Of course. Vampires and nymphs have a long history of animosity. If your enemy is as influential as you say, then taking her down would benefit us as much as it benefits you."

Lilia nodded her thanks, at a loss for words.

Litta held out a small item. "Use this to contact us."

Lilia took it and placed it in her bag. "Thank you. I can't tell you how much your support means."

"Anything for an ally."

"Thank you."

Lilia waved goodbye and turned to leave.

"One more thing."

Arella walked up to her and touched a finger to Lilia's forehead. "You will have safe passage through the forest, but beyond that, you will be on your own."

Lilia nodded thanks again.

"Safe travels."

Lilia walked back through the forest, feeling a sense of peace. For the first time in a long time, she was hopeful.

Okay I lied I only have these two. It feels like I have more because I took forever to write. Don't get me wrong, I really want to be writing I'm just busy.
At the rate things are going and the amount of story left, this will hopefully be finished by March or April. Definitely by the end of May is my goal.
Hope you're enjoying so far. Leave a vote if you did and a comment with your thoughts. I'll see you next time, whenever that happens to be,
~Patchesmimi