SWNOVELS Chapter 1: Coming to terms
Flashes and sparks come into view from the aether. I hear the sheening of metal swords as they collide, sending up more sparks into the air. The sound of wolves howling in the distance sends shivers up my spine. Anger and sorrow fill my heart as buildings rush by.
A mist covers me as I then see a woman standing over me. She possesses a devilishly evil grin, and baring a sword in her hand. A cry of from another intercepts the blade meant for me. I watch in horror as the very same blade is then run through my savior.
Fresh, hot tears and a cry bellow out into the void as I kneel beside her, a person I came to love as a mother. Her eyes slowly close as her heart beat then fades from my desperate hands only to watch as she vanishes into light.
The mist returns and the scene changes again to reveal my companion and I racing up winding stairs, fighting through endless hordes of undead. Veins of sickly green pulse in the walls the higher we climb. Our wolves run alongside us, fighting with a fierce urgency through the waves of enemies.
Our trek comes to a close as we stand in the throne room, with my companion chastising me for my previous reckless actions. She then hugs me tightly, professing the grief over losing our mother. My sister, one whom I have come to love so dearly then releases us from the embrace. We then proceed to complete our mission.
The mist forms and recedes again as we return home to loved ones. The ground shakes violently, as we bear each other heart wrenching farewells, feeling selfish desires swelling within me.
My sister and I then travel down through the bowels of the Mansion. We come upon another room. A flash of bright light then fills the darkness.
“Goodbye, my sister.”
My eyes slowly open, revealing a dark room. I find myself resting by the window. The long, cushioned seat feels slightly chilly under my bare feet yet it doesn’t bother me all that much.
My hair glistens softly in the light of the brightly lit night. I pan over to my right and gaze up into the night sky. The stars and moon shine brighter than any time before, casting the room in a silvery bluish-white. The sky is clear, as if the clouds themselves were erased from existence, leaving the beautiful night as thousands of stars twinkle.
My eyes then pan lower, watching as the waterfalls crash heavily in the distance. The rushing waters billow mist that covers the lake and river below. Normally, such distant sounds, combined with the near-perfect night, would be a source of comfort. Hell, the setting alone would make for an absolutely romantic evening.
However…not this time.
I sigh softly as rub my arm, feeling a slight sting from where Selene stabbed me with her rapier. My fingers trace over the bandages Marron wrapped around it. After treating my wounds, the caretaker then offered to repair my battle regalia, something I know mesmerized my sister as I handed it over to the automata.
Just…just a few hours ago I was standing in Dewloura, only to now once more be back at the Outpost. Dewloura, a place where I had spent four months in, the longest I had ever stayed since my exile began. For a time, I thought I’d never return to the present, yet here I am.
I breathe slowly as I can, still feeling the wind blowing through the streets. I can still hear the gigantic trees sway along with it as they sprout from within the numerous buildings throughout the city.
I pull my legs tightly into my chest, hugging them as I let out another sigh. Tyrion, Veylana, Galen, Darius. Their faces seer into my mind as if they’re standing in front me. Valera, Sofia, Ilia. I gained yet another loving aunt and cousins who loved nothing more than to coddle and smother me with affection.
Tears then swell into my eyes, Serasfall…Celes. In four months I had gained so much family, only to lose them all in an instant.
I had gone to school, while facing hardships at first; I still managed to actually fall in love with it. I even made friends. Le’nia, Tanith, Nerina. Oh sweet Nerina.
I can still recall seeing her body floating in that vat. No one, especially her, deserved to be murdered only to be eventually transformed into an undead soldier. It was too horrible of a fate, so at least her soul may rest in peace before her body was desecrated.
My last two friends, I hope they’re alive and made it to safety. Even now I miss them. I want to share another lunch period with them in the courtyard, surrounded by the wolves. Perhaps to just return to the blissful ignorance I slipped into. Yet…that will never happen.
Hot tears then stream down my face, feeling as though a part of me is now lost in the past. I hug my legs even tighter, digging my nails in so deeply they threaten to pierce my skin as I bury my face into my knees. The tighter I hug them, so swells the urge to break down and cry.
A cold nose then gently nudges my cheek, sending a soft, loving chill into me. I pan over seeing Fenris staring softly and lovingly at me with his deep, ice-blue eyes. I watch as his midnight-black fur shimmers against the silver light of the moon and stars.
To his left I see Athena sitting beside him. Her face shines brightly in the moonlight. Her eyes light up with motherly concern, which is mirrored by the gentle, fatherly gaze Fenris gives me.
“I,” speaking softly, almost in a whisper, “can’t believe we’re really back.” My throat then starts to choke up as the memories from the final battle again resurface.
My grip tightens as more tears start to flow. “I…I never got to say goodbye to Serasfall,” I say only to start crying once more. “I…I wanted to stay longer, if just for a moment. Just to say how much she really meant to me.”
My grip tightens again, this time my nails pierce my skin, drawing blood. “Uncle Tyrion and the others are trapped back there, and now gone.” I cry bitterly, feeling my heart panging so heavily and painfully in my chest.
The cold nose from before gently nuzzles my face again, followed by another.
“They stayed behind,” starts Fenris, “in order to ensure our escape and return home.”
I cry even more, feeling as though my heart could burst from the pain. “I know I have to come to grips with that fact,” I cry out, “but dammit why?!?!” I look to him. “So many people have sacrificed themselves for me, why?”
He gazes into my eyes, wrapping a tail around me. “It is what a family does, my little Aria.” I settle down slightly and reach over, stroking his face. He smiles gently, nuzzling my hand. “We have gained much in our time there. We are now stronger than before, in many ways, my daughter. Our time there was a blessing, and I am proud for being there with you.”
I know he’s trying to both slightly change the subject and cheer me up. I want to smile so badly for him, just to show that he’s right. Another worry then enters my mind…the pups. They weren’t at the estate when Celes and I returned. Nor was the entire pack for that matter. Just where did they go?
I pan over to Athena. “What about Celes,” I start, “are…are you okay?”
“I will miss my bonded,” she says softly smiling to me, “but now I shall forever stay at your side where I belong.” Fenris steps back so she can step closer to me. Athena then gently nuzzles my face as though I were a pup. “I have loved you from the moment I first sensed your presence all those months ago. When I did, I came running for you, and I am forever happy for that decision.”
I blush softly through my tears as I reach over and hold onto her. She smiles, gently nuzzling my face to wipe them away. “You are my little Aria,” she says warmly. “I am now as you father is to you. I shall ever stay at your side, to be there for you. Watching and caring for you as he has.” She then presses her face into mine, groaning softly, making me again feel like a pup.
Tears continue to flow as I cling to her fur, nuzzling her face. “I miss her,” I say. “I miss Celes.”
“She still is here.”
My heart pings a little, knowing what she means. I wipe some the stinging tears from my cheeks. “Is…is what I felt true, that day in the crystal gardens?” raking my fingers through her fur. “That we really are bonded?”
She peers up, meeting my gaze with hers. “We are, my little Aria. Our hearts beat as one.” She nuzzles my face. “They have for some time, only recently cementing. They shall forever beat as one.”
My cheeks turn a soft pink, feeling warm. A few months back, I asked Serasfall if a wolf could be bonded to two people. She said it was possible, just exceedingly rare. So I guess it’s true. I have so many more questions, questions I know that will have to wait.
I reach my hand back out from Fenris who leans in, nudges the other side of my face. I hold onto both of them as they nuzzle me, each giving me a parent’s love.
“Our daughter,” says Fenris.
“Our little pup,” adds Athena.
I blush deeply, giggling softly at their words. Fenris has always been my father since we bonded two years ago. Now I have a wolf mother. It’s still crazy the more I think about it. Yet it’s true nonetheless.
I lean over and kiss each of their noses. “Thank you,” I say, “thank you both.”
Both wolves smile, licking my face. My cheeks turn an even deeper shade of red as they do.
I turn and wheel myself off of the window seat and walk through my room a bit. As I head for my bed, I feel the full weight of the past twenty-four hours as the memories come flooding back into me.
Wave upon wave of emotions wash over me as I drop to my knees, weeping bitterly. I wrap my arms around my chest, trying to hold in my heart. A battle I am clearly losing as I double over onto the floor.
Before the wolves can reach me, the door to my room flies open. Arms soon envelope me, pulling me back as they hold me.
“Shhh,” I hear someone say. “It’s going to be alright. It’s going to be alright.”
My broken heart leaps, thinking that it’s Celes as I listen to her voice. That changes when I glimpse several long and fiery strands of red hair draped over my own. Marron. I cling tightly to her as she holds me to her chest as I cry, feeling her stroking the top of my hair.
Marron then hoists me up and carries me over to my bed, gently laying us onto it. She pulls me close and begins to hum the same lullaby she’s done for years. I cling to her, slowly calming down, letting it soothe me. My mind settles, becoming lulled into it, yet knowing it’s incomplete. The melody rings through my ears, calming my storming heart even further.
My sister holds me to her as I slowly begin to drift away. Her hands gently wave my hair and caressing my tear-stained cheeks.
“Sleep, Baby Ahri,” she whispers. “Just sleep.”
Her words settle my mind as I calm down as the tears still flow over my cheeks. The deeper I drift, the more her voice and Celes’ mix together until they become indistinguishable from the other as sleep finally takes me.