THE MORRIGAN CHRONICLES

NEIL GENTLY LAID Morrigan on the ground while Emrys semi-threw Cian down. He looked around the vast open area. They had emerged from a giant rock, about the size of a house. Other than that there was nothing. The ground was grey, the sky was grey, the land flat, void of life or water. The air was warm; it felt heavy and smelled of stagnant dust.

Neal spoke first, “What’s wrong with them? Are they okay?” Emrys plopped down a few feet away, leaning up against the rock. “They’re fine. They joined their powers to take out the remaining vampires. It drained them of their energy. They’ll sleep for about a day to rejuvenate, and be fine.”

Neil sat down next to Emrys. “I had no idea she could fight like that.

Or even had that kind of magic. That was amazing.”

Emrys chuckled. “There’s a lot you don’t know, Neil.” “Who is Cian?” Neil asked, full of questions.

Emrys closed his eyes, tilting his head back. “I’m not here to catch you up on the past. I don’t particularly like you that much.”

Neil cut his eyes away. “We’re stuck here for a day with nothing to do. And I know you don’t like me. I’m sure Morrigan hates me. I couldn’t help

falling in love with Riley. It happened, okay!” Emrys sat in silence for several minutes.

Neil said, “What if the Godless come while Morrigan and Cian are out? What if—”

Emrys cleared his baritone voice, “Oh for crying out loud, you aren’t going to shut up, are you? Pray the Creator that the Godless don’t find us. We haven’t a chance at the moment. I’m exhausted, our best warriors are asleep and you are too busy trying to chat. Here’s the dummy’s version for you. Cian’s father was leader of the Fomoire. The Fomoire and Tuatha are cousins. Fomoire ruled the seas and Tuatha the land, ridding the realm of demons or any other evil creatures that would do the helpless humans harm. When Morrigan’s father was a new King, he and Cian’s father, who was King of the Fomoire, met to discuss an uprising. The humans, I’m sure at this point egged on by one of the Gods, had become fearful of the Tuatha and Fomoire. They believed that they would enslave them. There were Tuatha and Fomoire that had battled a great beast that had terrorized the island. Large sea creatures sinking boats. Massive half-animal half-human looking creatures killing the villagers. The Tuatha and Fomoire went and cleared the city of the demons. They had a great feast and celebration afterwards. The unsuspecting Tuatha and Fomoire were beheaded as the local king made a toast to them.”

Neil interjected, “That’s why you guys are suspicious of humans, isn’t it?”

Emrys nodded. “Well that was the start of it, at least. Morrigan’s father knew the humans were scared and being manipulated by the Gods. Cian’s

father didn’t care why they did it, he wanted them destroyed.”

“So what happened?” Neil was leaning forward at the tale. Emrys raised one eyebrow. “You ever hear of Atlantis?” “No way…” Neil’s eyes bugged out.

Again, Emrys nodded. “Yes, that was the city of Atlantis. After Morrigan and Cian’s fathers parted, the Fomoire descended upon the city and with their power, sunk it right into the ocean. By the way, all the places the humans have looked is not where it was, and there wouldn’t be a trace.

It was sunk all the way beneath the ocean floor. Wiped clean.”

“That was the start of them becoming enemies?” Neil asked.

“Yes.” Emrys looked saddened. “They are not meant to be enemies. The realm needs both of them. The Gods were either trying to destroy them at the same time or get them to destroy each other, and it has nearly worked.”

Emrys caught Neil up on what Druantia had told them. Neil’s shoulders slumped at the weight of it all.

“We can’t fail at this, can we?” Neil’s voice was small. It wasn’t really a question.

Emrys put his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “No, we cannot. I think the Creator has a plan, and I believe in my heart, even though the odds are drastically stacked against us, that we will prevail. We have the most powerful Fomoire warrior, the most powerful Tuatha warrior, and a King of Erin all working together to try to save the realm. But I have no doubt the cost will be high.”

Neil sat for a while taking it in. “So what happened to Cian’s father?”

Emrys shook his head. “That, I do not know. Since I was awakened I’ve never come across any Fomoire. Not a single one. I hadn’t a clue they still existed until Cian walked in.”

“Can we trust his help?” Neil asked.

Emrys’ eyes narrowed. “Cian’s father and brothers are the ones that killed Morrigan’s family. Our King, our Queen, and her three brothers. Morrigan only survived because she had just left with me to go on a quest.

They thought she would be there as well. She would have been killed too.” Neil sat in silence.

Emrys said, “King Conall was leader of the Teulu. He didn’t make it to the family in time, but he killed Cian’s brothers. Morrigan and Cian weren’t there when this happened, but every time they’ve ever met in battle they try like hell to take the other one’s head. So I guess you could say there is some bad blood between them.” Neil shook his head.

Emrys added, “And now they’re stuck in one another’s heads for a day.

Who knows, maybe Morrigan will get some answers.” “Wait, what?” Neil perked up.

Emrys replied, “Joining is rarely done. If done improperly it can kill you. If you are lucky, like they were, you’re able to stop before your life force drains from you and you’re put into a deep sleep. Since they joined in essence, their life force, their magic, they share a bond and while sleeping they are inside one another’s minds… so to speak. It’s a dreamlike state. Whatever Cian dreams is what Morrigan is dreaming, and vice versa. Like most dreams, you cannot control them. You are a spectator.” “That sounds intrusive,” Neil offered.

“Well of course it is, dummy,” Emrys scoffed. “Now can I please get some rest? I’m drained myself, and once they awaken tomorrow we have a bunch of Godless we have to convince to give us a sword, some magic God killing weapons, and oh yeah, hope they don’t eat us.”