SWNOVELS Chapter 15: True shock
As the mist settles, we stand up, having been shielded by my knights and wolves. We look around, seeing the unconscious bodies of our enemies. I see a few hanging from tree limbs, several more on the ground, no doubt having bounced off of trees and landed together.
A few are even halfway out of shadows, probably left there when my wolves pulled back. I glance some yards away from me I see both Lana and Mistral lying on the ground. I sigh, shaking my head.
I really hope you both will just give up this grudge you have with me. We’re all daughters of Dewloura. Deep down, I really wouldn’t mind being friends with you.
I flick my sword and sheathing it as I resume my human form, hearing everyone else do the same. I then unsummon Astraea, electing to keep my Han Kote out for good measure. I look to Marron and nod, we each knowing what has to be done. The wolves fling up the soldiers still trapped in shadow, making sure not to leave any within them.
As Marron and I begin to conjure a memory spell, I feel something slam into the back of my head, rocketing me away from the rest of my party.
“Aria!!!” I hear Marron yell out.
I fly some distance away, heading towards a tree. Thankfully I see it and flip my body in a manner that allows me to avoid it. However I still crash into the forest floor, sliding hard on dead leaves, sticks and pine needles. I wince as several slice through my leggings.
I flip onto my feet, seeing Lana come into view. She’s panting heavily from the previous attack, still gripping her chain sword. She growls at me, “We’re not done yet, you little bitch.”
She then charges at me so fast that I’m unable to resummon Astraea, resorting to blocking her attacks with my Han Kote. Her sword then unhooks, firing the chained blades towards me. They thrust and retract with such speed I barely have a chance to properly dodge them. I slowly begin to discover the flow and pattern of her attacks as I start to actually dodge and weave through them.
I parry and knock several over her attacks with my Han Kote, still unable to resummon my sword given the speed and frequency of her attacks. However the closer I reach Lana, a few of her attacks manage to nick my arms and legs, slightly throwing me off of my rhythm. I feel the pain stinging from the cuts but choose to ignore it.
When one of her thrusts comes straight for me, I flip back, watching it sail harmlessly past me. I then wheel my legs around, planting my hand onto the ground and land a kick to her side. While still in motion, I continue to twirl through the air, landing a devastating blow to her head, finally knocking her away, and face-first into a tree.
I land back onto my feet, only to have a hand rush towards me. I flip back just as a spell come rocketing in and blasting me further away from everyone.
I once more slide hard on the ground, feeling blood trickling from the cuts in my arms and legs as a woman lands on top of me, planting a vicious kick to my stomach. I cough and wheeze as the wind is knocked out of me. Stunned and paralyzed for the moment, I watch as the woman pulls out a knife.
Oh not here, not this please. Not after just making it back to America.
As the woman draws back the knife, a flash of something, a long and black staff smacks into her, knocking the would-be assassin off of me.
“GET AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!!!”
My eyes flash wide as the words fill my ears. A voice I know all too well, the words cause my heart to shudder as they’re bellowed. The last time I heard them, albeit extremely briefly, was in Japan. part of me doesn’t think it can be real, while the other is screaming for joy.
I regain my breath and roll onto my feet. Before me stands a masked figure, cloaked in white yet I can still make out the obvious shape of a woman. I glance at her staff, instantly identifying it belonging to only one person, someone that I know should be gone and yet isn’t.
The masked woman pulls down her hood revealing long raven-black hair. She then removes her mask, revealing the one face that I will ever mistake for another’s, one who’s able to melt away all fear and doubt. One that is forever etched into my heart.
“Mom,” I whisper.
Tears stream down her face as she looks at me. Her deep, violet eyes shimmer even in greying light. A bright, loving smile, one filled with joy and relief stretches across her face.
My heart races heavily in my chest as I stare at her. I feel excited beyond words, yet remain cautious.
“Now, I know what you’re thinking, sweetheart,” my mother says, choking slightly, “that I am one of Regulus’ agents, altered to get close to you. Or he in fact resurrected me.” Her smile broadens softly as more tears stream down her face. “Nothing could be further from the truth, my beloved girl. I am very much real, and very much alive.”
I feel my heart reaching out to her, feeling it pulse along with hers. This is real, this is our hearts coming together as I feel us connecting as we always could. This is something that can’t be replicated through necromancy.
Tears start to stream down my face as I know all of this is true. That the woman standing in front of me is indeed my mother. My heart aches as I fling myself into her waiting arms, crying heavily and happily into her chest.
“Mom!!!” I cry out.
She holds me tightly to her, as she too starts to cry. “Oh, my girl. My sweet, sweet girl. You have no idea how much I have missed you.”
I cry more and more into her chest, clinging to her cloak. “I thought you were dead,” I chokingly let out. Time seems to slow down around us as she embraces me.
She plants numerous kisses onto the top of my head. “I know, my darling girl, I know. I promise to answer all of your questions later.”
I nod, still clinging to her. She’s here, she’s actually here. I smile as more tears drop onto her cloak. I can’t believe my mother is alive and holding me.
We both hear the sounds of footsteps running towards us. We lean back as my party soon joins us. I smile as I stare at them. Orga and Kateryna look to my mother, stunned to see her. However their apprehension fades as they see me smiling with her. They smile and bow to her, “Greetings, Lady Rivenfeld. It truly is a shock and joy to see you alive.”
My mother smiles, stroking my hair. “It too makes me happy to see the both of you alive and well. I hope my Aria hasn’t been too much of a burden.”
They chuckle softly as I pout up at her. Orga smiles, shaking his head, “Not in the slightest my Lady. However not without some understandable issues.”
I’m…not going to argue on that count. It was rough early on.
Kateryna beams with tears rolling down her cheeks. “We were ever at her side, no matter where to road took us.”
I grin to her, to both of them. I am forever grateful for my knights for all they’ve done for me. We grew even closer over these past few months, experiencing and sharing in joys and memories.
The sounds of leave crunch echo as Fenris approaches us. An elated smile stretches across his face as he bows his head to her. “Rachel, it is good to see you.”
Mom grins, reaching up and stroking his fur. “I agree my lord. It truly is good to see you.” He smiles, leaning in and licking her face, causing her to chuckle. I grin as he then licks my face. I giggle softly a more tears flow.
I peer around to see Marron standing some distance away with a look an utter surprise on her face. She however breaks loose of it and slowly walks towards us. Mom looks up at her, her eyes twinkle in amazement yet also elation.
“Marron,” she whispers.
The pair stare at each other for a moment. I cling to Mom, worried something is about to happen. Feels ready to jump in if something does. The tension seems mount and grow, becoming thick. The air itself is heavy as I have no idea would could happen.
“You and I have business to conclude,” says my mom, finally breaking the silence.
Marron nods, “I understand, My Lady.”
We then see Athena stand beside Marron, looking happy to see me safe. Yet she looks to my mother, head tilting as I’m held. Fenris nudges his mate reassuringly.
Mom looks to her as her eyes grow wide. She then looks to me, noticing the same glint Fenris has with me. “There so much to discuss, but it can wait until later.” She then turns to me, smiling brightly, “Something that we will do once we are home.”
My heart leaps again hearing her say that. “Is…is it really there?”
She nods and smiles, stroking my hair, “Yes my love, your home eagerly awaits you.”
I smile broadly, thinking all my prayers and hopes have finally come true. I’m really going home. tears then well up again as an old fear creeps back into my heart. I turn to Marron, hoping not for the worst.
She instead smiles softly. “Sweetie, remember my promises to you. I’ll never leave your side again and either by my hand or yours, I’d bring you home.”
I grin, nodding as I wipe away my tears, “Right.” I then sniff, “We should probably wipe away their memories like we always do.” Marron grins and nods as I slip away from Mom.
Mom looks on as I take Marron’s hand and walk back to the site of our battle. Marron and I then hold out our hands as Fenris and Athena bring Lana’s and the other woman’s unconscious bodies back to the rest of their group.
A pink aura then begins to envelope our hands as we begin to chant the memory charm. The aura then expands and covers everyone lying onto the ground.
“So this is how the covens you’ve fought never reported to the others,” says Mom.
I grin, nodding. She’s right, there is a lot we have to discuss, and her statement both answers a question and asks more. Once the charm is cast, we redirect our magic, casting a magic erasure spell to further dispel any lingering trace of our presence here. Never a bad idea to be extra sure about something like this.
When Marron and I finish, we walk back over to my mother and the rest of my party. I look up at her, still the perfect picture of her, the one I’ve missed for so long. The person who brought me into the world I call my own.
She smiles to me, “Ready to go home my love?”
Tears once more well up in my eyes as my heart thumps within my chest. Home, it’s really there. But then Titania… Ooof, if I see that woman we will have to talk about this. I nod, grinning broadly.
I feel cold noses nudging my face. I look over to see Fenris and Athena staring at me. I smiles, holding onto them, stroking their faces. I am so grateful for them, for all my party, for getting me this far. I nod and step away from my wolf parents.
I hold up my hands and then smirk, still seeing my Han Kote. I shake my head and thumb the black ring over my necklace, causing them to vanish back into it. I know Mom saw that and will have questions, of which I will happily answer. I look to Marron who smiles and nods to me. I smile as tears streak down my face, turning my head forward.
I again hold out my hands and gather together more latent fae magic. I smile, feeling it draw to me, feeling the call of home. The picture of it is so clear in my mind. It’s now close, so close to me that I can practically feel the grass and stone of the Estate.
I happily and cheerfully clap my hands together once it reaches it critical point. My hands then fling apart, opening the fairy road.
I peek up at Mom as she steps beside me. I grin softly as she stares at it in astonishment. Yep…this is part of why you found me with Titania that day. Just add this to the list of things to talk about.
I glance over and everyone gathers around me. I smile to them, my amazing family, people I love so much in the world. I nod to them as they do the same. The seven of us then step forward and into the portal. This time for sure, I am going home.