12.

  Faelwen

  I was on my back on the ground. My head was spinning and for a moment I couldn’t remember how I got here until I noticed the monstrous figure towering over me. My heart dropped. His black metal armour gleamed in the pale moonlight, each plate jagged and cruelly designed. But it was his face, or what remained of it, that made my stomach churn with dread.

  Where eyes should have been, black, bloodied iron rods jutted out grotesquely, forming a twisted mockery of a crown. His nose was nothing more than a hollow cavity, and his mouth… that horrifying grin.

  “Who are you?” I demanded, my voice trembling as I struggled to rise. Fear tightened around my chest, but I forced myself to stand. I couldn’t show weakness, not now.

  It seemed to enjoy my fear a little too much. His grin widened—his black, forked tongue slithered out to lick his teeth, a repulsive sight that made my stomach turn.

  “I am your death,” he hissed, the words dripping with malice. Without warning, he lunged, a crooked dagger flashing in the moonlight as he drove it toward my heart.

  I rolled to the side—barely avoiding the strike—and realized with mounting dread that I was unarmed.

  The monster attacked again, his strikes relentless. I jumped up and ducked underneath his arm, stumbling over the uneven ground. Too slow. His dagger found its mark, plunging in my side. A searing pain followed as the wound bubbled and hissed, the heat of the blade unnatural.

  Agony shot through me, I gasped, clutching the monster’s wrist in desperation. I fumbled for something on the ground around me to throw at it. My hand wrapped around a stone and with every ounce of strength I had, I threw it at his face. The creature howled and released the weapon.

  I yanked it free and hurled it at his throat. The dagger clanged uselessly against his armoured neck.

  He laughed, a sound that sent chills down my spine. He retrieved the dagger with a calm, deliberate motion. That gave me a quick moment to glance at my surroundings.

  With a sinking feeling I realized where I was. Outside the village on a hill. I could see the village completely in darkness. As I scrambled to my feet, he shoved me back to the ground and pressed a heavy, armoured foot against my spine. The weight crushed the air from my lungs, a quiet whimper leaving my throat.

  From the corner of my eye, I saw him draw a massive sword from his sheath, the blade glinting ominously in the moonlight. He raised it high above his head, ready to deliver the killing blow. My eyes widened and I wriggled to get free, blood pounding in my ears.

  Artemis! I screamed the thought towards him, the mental cry laced with desperation. For a moment, there was nothing but silence and my heart sank. Then, in the distance, a howl pierced the night, filling me with a fragile thread of hope. I twisted my head just enough to see Artemis sprinting toward us, a dark figure following close behind.

  Ash.

  He dropped my belongings at the edge of the hill and raised his hand toward the monster.

  “Stop!” he commanded, his voice calm but filled with an undercurrent of raw fury. The creature chuckled, his grin widening impossibly.

  “Why should I? This little elfling is mine. You can rot in hell!” he responded. Before Ash could respond, the monster drove his sword downward, piercing my back. Pain like fire erupted through me, and I screamed, the sound raw and primal.

  Artemis howled, his anguish mirroring my own. Through the haze of pain, I saw Artemis leap at the creature. Sinking his teeth into the abomination’s twisted face. The monster snarled and clawed at Artemis, letting go of the sword in the process.

  Ash was at my side in an instant, pulling the blade from my back. The pain was unbearable, but I bit down on a cry as he tried to lift me. My legs refused to support me, and I slumped against him, my vision blurring.

  Blood dripped down from my back towards my legs and on the ground. Artemis was thrown to the ground with a yelp, but the resilient wolf lunged again, keeping the monster occupied.

  Ash dragged me toward my belongings and laid me down gently. His eyes, soft and reassuring, locked onto mine.

  “You’re not going to like what I’m about to do,” he murmured. “But it’s the only way, darling.”

  I looked into his green eyes, which looked tenderly back at me. Before I could respond, he turned back to the demon and began to chant in a language I didn’t recognize.

  A red-silver mist began to swirl around us, thick and suffocating. Eerie wails echoed through the air, and from the mist, figures began to emerge. Twisted, transparent forms that crawled and stumbled across the ground. Some had grotesque wounds that spoke of violent deaths. Others had lost their legs, dragging themselves forward with their arms.

  Artemis? I called out through our bond, panic rising as the ghostly figures attacked the monster.

  I’m here, Wen, but these things… They’re everywhere! They’re trying to grab me as well! Artemis’s fear echoed in my mind.

  “Ash!” I shouted, my voice trembling. “They’re going after Artemis too!”

  Ash turned to me, and I recoiled. His once bright green eyes now glowed an unnatural red, and black veins snaked across his face. His lips moved with chilling precision, whispering dark incantations that I couldn’t comprehend.

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  I tried to back away from him with no success. His intense glare burned right through me. Until he slowly turned his gaze back to the demon. I heard Artemis fighting in the mist, but I couldn’t see him. I tried to crawl toward him, but the wound on my back sent sharp, paralyzing pain through me. More and more undead creatures appeared, their clawed hands reaching for Ash.

  Some clung to Ash’s legs, wailing. But he ignored them, his focus solely on the monster. One undead creature, half-buried in the ground, dragged itself toward me.

  The creature looked as if it were burned, skin peeling off its body. Its skeletal hand clamped onto my leg, its gurgling voice pleading, “Set… me… free…”

  Tears started streaming down my face as the creature’s icy grip tightened. The sheer weight of its suffering crushed me.

  “Artemis! Artemis!” I screamed.

  I’m surrounded! I can’t reach you! he responded, desperation clear in his thoughts. Ash’s voice rose, sharp and commanding, as he pointed at the monster.

  “Dinok wah kothar!” he hissed. All the spirits and undead surged forward, converging on the demon. The one clinging to my leg let go and moved towards the fight. Their wails turned to a ravenous roar as they tore into the monster’s armoured body. A pang of relief washed over me when I felt Artemis being released by the undead as they now mainly seemed to be focused on the demon.

  What is this language? I sent to Artemis.

  It must be demonic. Artemis resounded in my head. It binds the dead.

  The demon’s screams filled the night, a sound of agony and defeat.

  Ash’s appearance slowly returned to normal, the glowing eyes fading and the black veins receding. The undead disappeared, crawling back into the mist. Leaving only remnants of the demon behind. Ash turned to me, his expression soft and concerned.

  “Stay back,” I warned weakly, lifting my sword despite my trembling hands. Ash raised his arms as if to surrender.

  “I’m not the one who wants to hurt you my dear. I’m here to help,” he said gently. His voice carried a strange warmth and comfort. He knelt beside me, carefully grabbing my wrist to disarm me and gathered my belongings.

  With a soft grunt, he lifted me into his arms and began to descend the hill. Every move hurt me. I groaned and heard Artemis growl as well. Not pleased with Ash carrying me to safety.

  As we reached the village border, a new kind of chaos greeted us. Shrieks of terror echoed through the night; women screaming, children crying. Over it all, a guttural chant rang out, repeated again and again: “Dinok wah jul, vos vun feln do lug on!”

  A chill crawled over my skin, far colder than the night air. I shuddered, whispering under my breath, “No. Not again.”

  Their usual chilling mantra was joined by another phrase I hadn’t heard before: “Dinok us faal thur! Dinok wah kothar!”

  Ash held me tightly to his chest, hiding in the shadows of a barn as a mob of Necromancers stormed into the village that was being attacked by other demonic creatures.

  “Hells now they not only want the non-magical people dead, they think the high king summoned these demons,” Ash grumbled under his breath. “Idiots.”

  I sucked in my breath, feeling strangely uneasy about Ash’s remark as if he knew more than he let on

  The Necromancers carried torches, hurling them without care at the demons. But some of them landed into homes, shops and stables turning them into a sea of fire. One of the torches landed into the barn beside us, and within moments, smoke billowed. The acrid scent mingling with the pungent fear of trapped animals.

  Horses inside neighed and shrieked, kicking against their stalls in panic. Ash lowered me gently to the ground, his face grim.

  “I’ll be right back,” he whispered before disappearing into the burning barn. Artemis immediately pressed against my side, his warm fur grounding me. I buried my face in his neck, trying to steady myself. The blood on my back had dried up, but the pain was still unbearable.

  “Artemis,” I muttered, my voice cracking, “Are you okay?”

  His thoughts brushed against my mind like a comforting breeze.

  I am. But you’re not, Wen. You’re wounded and you’re shaking from fear. Don’t let the past drag you down. This time, you won’t lose the ones you love most.

  His reassurance sparked a flicker of strength in me. I straightened, for as far that was possible with the wound.

  “I won’t let the past stop me,” I said firmly, my head high. “Not this time.”

  “Good,” Ash said, reappearing from the barn, leading a sleek black horse by the reins. His voice was calm, but his eyes held a storm. “Because we need to fight if we’re going to escape.”

  I nodded, pushing aside my pain. He lifted me off the ground again and gently placed me on the back of the horse. I bit back a gasp as the movement sent sharp pangs through my injured back. I unfolded my bow and arrows and clenched my teeth together as I fastened the leather belt that held my quiver on my back.

  Artemis growled low in his throat as Ash approached to secure our gear and pick up Artemis.

  Don’t even think about putting me in that saddlebag, human, Artemis snarled.

  I didn’t need to translate it for him. Ash smirked but didn’t argue and let him go, tossing our other supplies into the saddlebags and mounting the horse behind me. His arms encircled my waist, steadying me. Despite everything, his proximity made my heart race.

  “Don’t miss,” he whispered against my ear, his breath warm on my neck. A shiver ran through me, not entirely from fear. I readied my bow, tucking spare arrows into my boots for easy access. Ash kicked the horse into a gallop, and we surged forward.

  As we approached the Necromancers, their destruction continued unabated. Flames licked at the buildings, illuminating their dark, rune-covered robes. One of them turned, his gaze locking onto Ash. Recognition sparked in his eyes.

  “Master, it’s Ash!” he shouted. In the front of the group a tall figure turned. Even amidst the chaos, his presence was commanding. He wore robes identical to the others, but golden shoulder plates and bracers adorned his form. A sheathed longsword gleamed at his side, the scabbard inscribed with crimson runes. His auburn hair was tied back, emphasizing sharp features and piercing ocean-blue eyes.

  Orion.

  Son of Talron.

  The resemblance to his legendary father, the former High King Talron, was undeniable. Orion sneered as his gaze fell on us.

  “Traitor,” he spat at Ash, his voice dripping with disdain. I wasn’t surprised by his choice of words. According to Ash he had turned away from the Necromancers and stopped following their path towards destruction. I was relieved to hear his story to be true.

  Ash’s grip on the reins tightened, his body tensing behind me. He urged the horse faster, veering toward the marshlands. I notched an arrow, drawing the bowstring back despite the burning ache in my back.

  My aim wavered, but I steadied myself, focusing on Orion. Then his voice cut through the night like a blade.

  “Run, Ash. Flee into the Fiend’s marshes and give him my greeting when he comes to rescue you!” The words startled me. My fingers slipped, and the arrow flew wide, rushing past Orion’s head who cut the arrow in two.

  “What?” I gasped, twisting to look at Ash. The motion sent another fresh wave of pain through my body.

  “Don’t move,” Ash said sharply, his tone unyielding. “You’ll reopen the wound.”

  But his refusal to meet my eyes stung more than the pain in my back. Did Orion’s words hold truth? Was Ash in alignment with the Fiend?

  No.

  It couldn’t be. Ash had saved me from the monster. He had risked his life for mine. If he were working with the Fiend he would have let that demon kill me. He wouldn’t… he couldn’t…

  I felt Artemis’s presence beside us, his breathing laboured from the chase.

  Artemis? I reached out to him, seeking his clarity.

  I don’t know what to think, Wen, he replied, his mental voice heavy with doubt. Ash saved you. But Orion’s words…

  Bring fear to your old bones, I finished his words, my thoughts echoing his. All we could do now was wait. The horse slowed to a trot, and Ash adjusted his arms, pulling me closer. I leaned back against him, exhaustion and confusion weighing me down.