The Rise of Nix

Closing the hard leather cover over the delicate pages, Nix was finally satisfied with her task. When she started with the book, she intended it to be evidence of what she has become, but now it turned into much more. If Deimos was right and the Gods intended to create more of her, the least she could do was provide help to those that needed it—knowing that they might not have their own Deimos to teach them.

But it still feels wrong what they have planned, especially if it was going to be people blinded by the world hidden in darkness. If she could choose her fate from the beginning, she would do it all over again. Her magic had brought Deimos into her life and the child growing in her stomach, but will others have the same experience? Making a mental note to ask Deimos about it, she picked up her work and stepped outside. The sudden bright light blinded her for a moment, but as her sight adjusted, she caught Deimos as he entered their oasis, a string of dead rabbits flung over his shoulder.

“The meat we already have could feed the village twice over,” remarked Nix as she leaned against a post, the book pressed against her chest.

Smiling as he neared, Deimos dropped the catch on the ground before walking over to her. Kissing her, he replied, “You can never have too much meat.”

“Says the man who can devour a whole rabbit in one sitting.”

Deimos laughed before answering, “Look who is talking. The extra meat sure came in handy last night when you finished everything from the fire. I was shocked you even left the bones.”

Nix giggled with him as she playfully slapped his arm. “That is not nice. You might have forgotten that I am eating for two.”

“Something you never let me forget.” Deimos leaned in for a deeper kiss, but he was blocked by something she held against her chest. “What is this?”

Carefully holding out the book, she lifted the leather-bound cover to reveal page after page with writing and pictures. “This is the secret I have been working on.”

Deimos cocked his head, “So I can finally see it?”

“Yes,” beamed Nix. Holding out the book, Deimos carefully took it, cradling the heavy object in his left hand as he flipped through the pages.

“What is this,” he asked.

“I figured if more people are going to become like me, they might need some guidance in controlling the magic. So I wrote down all I have learned and how to call forth the magic and mould it into what they need.”

Listening to her story, Deimos read a few pages. This is amazing, he thought. Each page seemed to be dedicated to a spell and instructions on how to call forth the magic and how to control it. A few drawings, and colourful pictures of the physical magic, sprung up here and there. “How did you do this? The colour is breathtaking,” he said as his finger caressed the current page, a picture of a purple pool near the bottom of the page. “What is this?” he asked, holding out the book so she could see what he was talking about.

“I am not sure. A couple of weeks ago, I was watching the sunrise on the beach, just playing with my magic, when I accidentally dropped it, and this formed in the sand.”

Deimos knew precisely what it was, but for her to conjure up something so powerful meant she was far more advanced than he thought. “And did you see anything in it?”

Now Nix was worried. What he asked is exactly what happened, but the look of concern in his eyes freaked her out. “I did. Why does it matter?”

“Because this,” Deimos pointed at the page, “Is a portal. And the magic needed to summon it is more advance than what we have trained.”

Nix looked shocked. Jumping between the page and Deimos, she focused on him after the initial shock wore off. The red hair she had seen at the time could have been anything. Maybe it wasn’t even hair, but now she was unsure. Did she actually manage to conjure a portal that had revealed her friend? And could she do it again? “I did not mean to.”

“Remember, magic is connected to your emotions. Maybe you missed your friends, and the magic listened,” explained Deimos. He was proud of her achievement, but it also scared him. This meant she would soon reach the apex of her magic, and then the Gods would come to seek their prize. Maybe they did not see her cast the portal. All he could do was hope for the best and make sure she did not try it again. “But promise me, you won’t do it again. If cast wrong, the spell could backfire, injuring you, or worse. Death.”

She hadn’t thought about doing it again, especially if she did not know how, but if there was a chance to see her friends again, would she not take it? “But if I can see them again, only for a moment-”

Deimos cut her off, “No, not even for a breath in your lungs. The power it uses becomes a beacon, which could call forth the eyes of the ones we are hiding from.”

“But what if I do it inside the bubble? They can’t spy on us now, so they won’t be able to see me.”

Closing the heavy book, Deimos gently placed it on the log next to them and slid his hands up her arms, wrapping his fingers around her. He looked severe now while glaring down at her, forcing her chest to freeze until he spoke. “Please, I beg of you. Do not attempt to do this spell, especially here. A portal could be used to watch others, but remember, it goes both ways if someone is mentally open. You could be watched in return. And I do not know how it would react to my magic, especially with the energy of the force field.”

The way he looked at her scared her. She could see this was serious, but if she had a chance to see her loved ones again, would she not take it? He wasn’t even sure what the ramifications would be to the act; he just guessed. Maybe she could convince him to do the spell with her, just to ensure nothing wrong happens. “But what if-” she began, but he cut her idea short.

“No. The answer is no. I promised to protect you, and this is what it entails. I know you miss your friends a lot, but risking your own life to see them is not worth it.”

Shaking her body from his grip, Nix took a step away from him, his answer angering her now. “Of course, you would say so. You don’t even know if something bad will happen, yet you would deny me my happiness. I left all I knew to be with you, and the moment I have the ability to seek out those connections, you would stop me.”

Her shocking words hit him in the gut, sending his jaw slack with surprise. Is that what she thinks he is doing? Keeping her all to himself and away from her friends. She knew the risks when they left, even leaving willingly, but to throw it back in his face stung. “I am sorry if that is what you believe, but it is not what is happening. I am thinking of our future, of our child’s future. If something were to happen to either of you, I would not be able to forgive myself.”

Her hand dropped to her stomach as he mentioned their child, and shame hit her. The need to see her friend made her forget about her future and the life she was protecting. Maybe he was right, and it could be dangerous, but she just missed them so much.

The internal battle she faced splayed over her features, and Deimos sought to protect her. Pulling her in for a hug, he tucked her head against his shoulder, wrapping his arms around her tight. “I know you miss them; I do too. But it is not safe now,” he whispered in her ear. Leaning into him, she snaked her hands around his waist, locking her fingers to hold him close. They remained locked for a while as their breathing synced, and both eyes closed. Finally, Deimos reluctantly broke away but kept her at arm’s length. Tears rolled down her cheek, and he cradled her face as he swept them up with his finger. “How about this? After our child is born and she is strong enough, we will visit your family. I know they will be excited to see the little one. Just as much as I am.”

“You, you called it a girl,” said Nix.

Deimos smiled at her, “I did, didn’t I?”

Hugging him again, Nix mumbled against his chest, “It is finally feeling so real. We are starting a family.”

Deimos’ hand slid up and down her back, feeling the tension inside her. She must be so tired and sore from working so hard while carrying another person. An idea popped into his head, and it was time she got treated like the Queen she was to him. Leaning out of her hold, he said, “I have an idea. Why don’t you go lie down to rest, and I will start a fire and cook dinner? You must be tired?”

Looking down at her swollen feet, Nix glanced at him with a slight smile. “I am. She is demanding today. That is how I know she is your daughter.”

They both laughed at her statement before she moved away from him. Bending down, she picked up the heavy book, wrapping the leather strap around the delicate pages before tieing it with the string. Walking towards their hut, she peeked over her shoulder and said, “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”

Watching her disappear into the darkness of their home, Deimos couldn’t help but admire her. His love for her filled him up, and he would do anything to protect her.

Hiding behind a line of thick bushes, Maverick silently watched the couple, a surge of power and anger rising to the top. Finally, after weeks of planning and days of travelling to the edge of the land, he could lay his eyes on his mate. And it was worth it. Her time by the ocean had lit her up. Her blond hair seemed to have turned paler by the sun while her skin had gained some colour. It suited her, decided Maverick. Just not the smile she shared with Deimos. Breaking the branch beneath his hold, he forced his emotions back to normal, as hard as it might seem. For weeks now, he has dreamed about holding his mate in his arms, solidifying their bond and finally starting the family he has always wanted. And here she was, just out of arms reach. But soon, he will have her if the darkness follows the plan it has set into motion. With willpower Maverick did not know he had, he gave a final glance at his beaming mate before turning away. It was too soon to let them know of his presence, so he made his way back to the village near Nix’s hut. The people were friendly, welcoming him as soon as he entered. He thought they were too inviting of strangers, but he was glad it worked out.

Dropping onto an empty log near the fire, he pulled a sack of mead from behind his back, taking a deep sip, allowing the burning liquid to clear his mind. Eyeing everyone that passed him, he began implementing the plan. The person he chose had to be perfect, for nothing could ruin this. And with a flash of dark hair passing behind the fire, he knew who it would be. “Boy,” he called out, and a pair of green eyes shot in his direction. “Come here.”

The human could sense the power surging in his body and listened. Walking around the flames, he stopped before Maverick. “Yes, sir.”

He took another sip of mead and held the bag out to the boy. “Have you ever tasted mead before?”

The boy’s eyes looked at the sack before glancing back at Maverick, fear in his eyes but also curiosity. “No, I have not. Mamma says I am too young.”

Ruffling the boy’s hair, he pushed the soft bag into the child’s hands. “Well, I say you are old enough. Don’t you think?”

The liquid sloshed in the bag as the boy gripped it. Waving at the spot next to him, Maverick invited him to sit down. Looking around for any sign of his mother, the boy gleefully dropped down next to him. “How does it taste?”

“Maybe it is time to find out,” Maverick pointed out.

“Just don’t tell Mamma. She will be mad if she finds out.”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

Giving a final glance for his mother, the boy placed the opening against his mouth and tilted the bag. Golden liquid entered his mouth, instantly leaving a burning trail inside, but before he could spit it out, Maverick grabbed the bag from him and forced the boy’s chin up. With no other choice, he swallowed the mead. With tears coming out of his eyes, he coughed, opening his mouth as the last drop rolled down his throat.

“It.. it burns,” sputtered the boy, more coughing following.

Maverick laughed at him as his childhood came up, especially his first drink. He had been younger than this boy, with his father forcing him to drink the whole cup he had placed before him. Maverick can still feel the pain he had experienced and the lost memories of that night. The boy finally calmed down as his reddened skin returned to normal.

“Who would drink that? It is so foul.” the boy spat out saliva, trying to rid his mouth of the awful taste. Looking up, he watched as Maverick took a swig, the burn barely registering on his face after years of drinking. Swiping away fallen drops from his chin, he looked down at the boy, answering, “We drink to forget our problems and to have a good time.”

“But it hurts.”

“After a while, you don’t feel it anymore.”

“I don’t like mead. I am never drinking it again. Mamma was right.”

Chuckling as he took another sip, Maverick closed up the back and returned it to its holder. “That is what you say now, but in a few years, you will feel differently.”

“I never want to grow up.” announced the boy.

“Sadly, we have no choice about that.” Said Maverick. “What is your name, boy?”

“Rafael. And yours?”

“Maverick. I am pleased to meet you, Rafael.”

“Where did you come from?” Asked Rafael.

“From a faraway place.”

“The same place as Nix and Deimos?”

Maverick’s gaze shot to the boy at the mention of his mate. Smiling, he nodded, knowing he had made the right choice here and now. “Yes. You know them?”

The boy happily jumped in his seat to have a chance to talk about his new friends. “Yes, I do. They are very friendly and have been at our hut for a meal several times. But I like Nix more because she likes to play with me.”

“She is amazing, I know.”

“So you are also friends with them?”

“Something like that.”

“Do they know you are here,” Rafael jumped up in a hurry, “I will go tell them.”

Before he could run off, Maverick grasped his arm and pulled him back. “Not yet, young one. I am planning a surprise for them.”

“A surprise,” the boy’s eyes sparkled. “I love surprises.”

And finally, Maverick has secured the first step of the plan. From here, it would be smooth sailing. “So I can count on you to help me with this. I know Nix will love it.”

“Absolutely,” replied Rafael as he hopped in place. “Can we start now?”

“We have already begun.”