Tales & Darkness

by G. Bailey

  “Warren, oh god,” I say, reaching for him and only able to grab his hand as the ground harshly shakes.

  “We have to stop her. She is going to kill millions,” Warren says, and I follow his gaze to Ailis above us, in the middle of a tornado of shadows, rocks and dust. It swirls around her, getting bigger and bigger as shadows leave her body. She wants to destroy the world and kill millions. This is her only way and nothing will ever change her mind. She wants a world that worships her and forgets her sisters.

  She is going to plunge the world into darkness and kill everyone.

  “How? I have no powers,” I say, trying not to break down with my emotions slamming into me. I’m useless, and I’m going to have to watch the men I love die. I haven’t told them how much I love them enough yet, I haven’t said goodbye to my mum and Tavvy. I have so much more I need to do before the end.

  And I’m never going to get that chance now.

  “The goddesses gave everyone power, right? So our power is theirs, and if there was enough of it shared, then maybe you could equal her. I think I can give you the power I have, for words are all I need to take and give power. At least the powers my family stole might finally be used for something good,” Warren suggests. “I would fight her myself but the spear is the only way for me to safely use the power. It would kill me to try but it might not you.”

  “But then—”

  “I won’t have any power but words, the one power blessed to my blood. I never wanted the powers from my family, I never wanted the eternal energy they stole,” he says. “I only ever wanted a family. Let me help you save our family, Madi.”

  “Warren, don’t—” I stop as he ignores me. Of course he does.

  “I freely give all my power to Madilynn Dormiens.” In moments, grey energy slams out of Warren’s hand and into my hand before coursing through me. The pain is blinding as I lose all my senses, feeling nothing but Warren’s hand in mine and the pain of the power slamming into my soul. When I can breathe, I suck in air as I’ve never breathed before and open my eyes. I’m floating above the ground, and large raven wings hang behind me—just like my grandmother’s. I don’t understand why Warren’s power would get me my wings, but they do say wings are earnt in the tales world. Maybe I’ve just earned them.

  Maybe being a raven is who am I meant to be…I just didn’t have enough power.

  I lift my hands out in front of me and see the swirling grey energy as I turn my hand over. I close my eyes, knowing exactly who I need to help me. My soul just knows. When I hear the squawking, I open my eyes to see hundreds of ravens flying towards me from every direction, making the dusky sky even darker.

  The ravens are my family and my true blessing.

  “Wake Knox and get everyone out of here,” I tell my guys, and their protests can’t be heard over the squawks of ravens as I shoot up into the air, stopping in front of Ailis.

  “Hello again,” I say before punching her as hard as I can in the cheek. Her jaw cracks under my fist as she flies backwards, a garbled scream leaving her lips.

  “You will pay for that!” Ailis screams before throwing her hands out in front of her, sending a stream of shadows at me. I counter with my own blast of grey energy, which slams right into hers. For a second, we are equally matched, but slowly my energy starts to push into her. Our powers blast out around us, creating a sphere of pure power surrounding us, making everything seem so much more impacting.

  This is for the world, for my family, for everything. We both want everything, but for much different reasons.

  “How?” Ailis screams as her shadows are destroyed in one final blast, and my energy slams into her chest as relief warms my heart. The moment it hits, she gasps, holding her chest as she floats in the air. I fly to her, stopping in front of her as blood drips through her hands. I grab her chin, lifting her head so her dark eyes are looking at mine.

  “You gave your power to the dark tales, and one of the dark tales lines stole so many powers because they simply could. That was Warren’s, and he just gave me every single stolen power. Your power. You can’t beat me, you can’t kill me, but oh I can kill you. Rest in hell, you bitch,” I say and slam my hand into her chest, using all my power I can find as I scream. She screams with me as blinding grey light takes us both.

  Chapter 18

  “Faster, faster!” my daughter shouts as I run around the merry-go-round, pulling it with me as she sits in the middle, and I let her go. It spins around and around as I watch, loving the little giggles she does. She has my brown hair, but it is more wavy than mine is. She has silver eyes that have flecks of every single colour in them.

  It’s like she is part of us all, and in most ways, she is.

  Our Jessica Raven Dormiens. Her name reminds me of the argument we all had about whose last name to take at the wedding, but in the end, we decided there should be more Dormiens in the world.

  Our wedding night produced Jessica, so we well and truly got our wish.

  “Madi!” one of my husbands shouts, and I look back, seeing four of my husbands sitting on a picnic blanket. My Tale brothers. Warren walks over to me, and he kisses me lightly with a smile reserved just for me.

  “I will take Jessica on the swings. You should go and get some food before they eat it all,” he suggests, and I chuckle, running to my Tale brothers.

  “Auntie Tavvy! Uncle Quin!” Jessica shouts, and I stop, turning around to see my best friends walking over the field, holding their little baby in their arms. The world suddenly just stops, freezing in its tracks. Every single person freezes, and I walk over, waving a hand in front of Warren’s face, but he doesn’t move.

  “This is our gift to you. A present for saving us,” a woman says, a very familiar woman. I turn around, and in front of me are three women in yellow dresses. They are as frozen in place as the rest of the world, and I never thought I’d see them again.

  The three goddesses. I would know them anywhere.

  “I don’t understand,” I say, looking at Ailis, who has her hands covering her face, never moving. The goddess that sent us back in time all those years ago and saved Sin is on the other side, her head bowed down, her long hair covering her face. The goddess that spoke is in the middle, and she holds a hand out for me. She doesn’t hide her blue eyes, her flawless face and the glow on her skin.

  “My sisters and I spent many years fighting, destroying, causing war, and it was you that stopped it all. We could not be prouder of our children. This is your gift,” they all seem to say at the same time. The silence of the world creeps me out as I watch them, though I feel no danger.

  “I—”

  “You will not understand yet, only one day when this comes true will you understand the gift given. This is your future, but now it is time to return to the past,” the middle one tells me.

  “The past?” I ask, sliding my hand into hers. A bright light flashes from our hand, and I look into it, seeing nothing but light and feeling nothing but the happiness that is to come.

  “Madi, come on. Please, Madi,” Sin’s voice comes to me through the haze, and I blink my eyes open, seeing Sin holding me in his lap. “Fuck, she is awake,” Sin shouts to all my other guys who I look up to see are circled around us. I look up into the sky, where the sun is shining through the dark clouds, and dozens of ravens are flying away. Feathers and ash fall around us, brushing against my skin. Sin holds me to his chest as the guys all wrap their arms around us, making a big bundle of Tale brothers, Warren and me. I couldn’t ask for anything more than this, and I embrace it for a long time.

  “I’m okay,” I say, lifting my head, and Knox kisses my cheek.

  “You hit the ground so hard. How are you not dead?” Warren points out. “We all thought—”

  “I saw the three goddesses...and—” I stop, getting the feeling that was a gift for me to see, and they don’t need to know about that yet. They will live the future I’ve been gifted to see. “Maybe they gave me a gift and saved me.” I don’t tell
them the gift was far more than just saving my life from the fall, it was everything. I am looking forward to our future more than ever now. I look behind me to see the black wings are gone, and I bet they only come out when I use my powers. I’m going to need to practice with them a little more.

  “Where is Ailis?” I ask, pulling myself up with Sin’s help. I look down at my body, seeing there isn’t a scratch on me, and if anything, I look healthy. The guys don’t answer me as I look around at them, seeing that no one is hurt. They were before, I was sure of it.

  “Yeah, we are all confused,” Noah says, rubbing the back of his neck.

  “Warren, are you okay?” I ask. “I remember the glass—”

  “Yes, we all are okay. More than okay. The wounds just healed themselves,” Warren explains, lifting his top, and there is no glass there anymore. Nothing but a smooth and very defined rippled six-pack. My cheeks light up a little red, and it’s not missed by any of them. They are all very amused.

  “Show off,” Sin coughs, and Warren punches his arm, making us all laugh. I look behind Warren and see Ailis on the rock, or rather her body. I know she is dead; I can feel it. I walk over with the guys and kneel down, seeing her open eyes.

  Even though she is a monster, she should still have her eyes closed. I lean over, closing her eyes, and her voice fills my head, making me scream from the pain.

  “That skies will fall with angels, and demons will rise to power. War is coming, and peace will be no more. Death is a promise to all those who treat angels like gods.” I gasp, falling away from her. Her body suddenly sets on fire, no normal fire because the flames are blue, and then she is gone.

  “She left a creepy message for me,” I mutter.

  “We all heard it,” Knox says with a frown.

  “Angels and demons? They don’t exist, so nothing to worry about, right?” Sin says, and I remember the angel that saved me. Maybe there is some truth in it, but right now, we have other things to deal with.

  “We need to get back to the council before the council members wake up,” I say to them all. “My power is gone, and that’s when the prophecy said they would wake.”

  “Do you have a plan?” Sin asks.

  “Yes, and it’s going to sound crazy.”

  “Only the best plans do,” Sin replies, and we gather around as I tell them my plan. I have to hope it works.

  Chapter 19

  “Knox!” I hear Mrs. Tale shout as we come through the portal into the council room, where all the important people of both the good tales and dark tales are tied up together. We planned it this way a while ago, but we didn’t know what we would do next.

  “Masters and leaders of the dark tales, welcome back from your long sleep,” I say, my voice echoing around the room.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Mrs. Tale shouts, clearly speaking for them all. “You will all be executed for this act of trea—”

  “No, the only ones who will be put on trial will be you and the other Masters for crimes against the tales community. I suggest you shut up and listen to your new leaders,” I say, making sure they really understand that things are changing. None of us want to go back to the future we all lived in where the dark tales took over and so many were killed. The only way to stop that future is to make peace between our races and make sure that we aren’t going to war any longer.

  Too many have died.

  And it is happening no more.

  “We take no commands from good tales,” an older dark tale spits out. I run my eyes over his long black braided hair, dark tanned skin and silver eyes that look like the colour of the moon.

  Warren steps forward then. “I am joining sides with the good tales, and so will everyone else unless they wish to leave. There will be no more wars, no more killing each other because of simple differences. Anyone that disagrees…” Warren pauses, looking to Knox.

  “Will be locked up until they change their mind,” Knox adds, “in another dimension where I have made a prison. It is completely unescapable.”

  “This is madness; you are nothing but children—” Mrs. Tale shouts.

  “Who killed the dark goddess who was hell bent on taking over the world. New York is gone, London is gone, and Greece as well. The humans will never be trusting of anything suspicious anymore, and we must join forces to survive the times ahead,” I point out.

  “We are not children in this world, you made us grow up long ago, mother,” Sin tells her, and for a second, her stuck up demeanour changes, and she looks down at the shiny wood floor.

  “From this point onwards, there will be two leaders of the tales community, who are voted in by all tales who wish to vote every five years. There will be a council of twenty, ten good tales and ten dark tales, who oversee minor problems. Anything major will need to be addressed by us, your new leaders. The Tale brothers, Octavia Bell and Quinton Frostan will be taking over places on the council, the rest will be decided in the next few days,” I say, crossing my arms.

  “You are stupid if you think—” Mrs. Tale starts off, but Knox stops her.

  “Mother, this isn’t a choice for you. There will never be Masters anymore, and you will have to pay for your mistakes,” Knox states.

  “Mistakes?” she asks.

  “Killing innocents? Like the half child’s father you sent us after?” Noah points out. “Half children should be a blessing we should watch and see what powers they could possibly have. Not send people to kill them.”

  “I was just doing my job,” Mrs. Tale quietly says.

  “That is the only reason you will not die today, but you will be locked up until the council is formed and a vote is taken to decide your future. Positions of power will never be a future for any of you,” I say, making sure to meet all of their eyes. Some of them look like they want to kill me, like Mrs. Tale, but some are accepting, like Mr. Tale.

  “What do you say to the new rules?” Warren asks his people in the room. The older man who spoke lowers himself to one knee, bowing his head.

  “Never in my life or my parents’ or their parents’ have we had a real leadership and no war. I will support you, son of our king, for you are our king,” the dark tale states.

  “Our king and queen!” the dark tales cheer and, gosh, does everyone in the room start to cheer. Not quite what we had in mind, but hell, it will do for now.

  “Guards!” Warren shouts when the cheers die down. Three guards run into the room and Knox links his hand with mine. “Watch the prisoners. We are going to talk to each room full of members and explain to them the new laws. We are going to make it known that killing or hurting another tale, good or dark, is now a punishable crime. The war is over and there will be peace.”

  “For peace,” Knox whispers to me, and everyone in the room shouts the same two words when they hear it as we walk past them.

  This means we have a chance of a future.

  For peace.

  Chapter 20

  A few months later…

  “Welcome, new students and old ones, of course, to a new year at Lost Time Academy. Any questions, please speak to my sister, Miss Noa, over there,” Miss Ona proudly says as we all stand outside the academy in one massive group, looking up at her in front of the doors. Miss Noa stands to the side a little, looking as unimpressed as ever, and I have missed it. I look around at the big group of both good and dark tales, the union between our communities clearer than ever. My guys stay at my side, including Warren, who is starting his first year with Quin. Tavvy looks back at me and winks, her eyes full of excitement for a new year at the academy.

  They don’t remember this place when time was lost, and I am ever thankful they don’t. It will always haunt me and my guys and Quin, who lost more than anyone. He still keeps his head high, his eyes flickering to Tavvy every so often. I look up as people cheer, and Miss Ona opens the doors, letting the students flock in. I step forward just as someone bumps into my shoulder, and I look over at Ella, who gives me a fake sympathy smile.
/>   “Whoops,” she sarcastically says.

  “It’s no problem, Ella. See you around, okay?” I say, still remembering my sort of friend. She just looks confused as she walks away, grouping up with her friends.

  “Some things don’t change,” Sin chuckles.

  “They will though. I’m going to make her my friend,” I tell Noah, who just smiles at me. They all know how determined I can be. I look over to Ella just as she bumps into Roger, and they both look at each other oddly for a second, before going their own way.

  “Tale brothers, come here!” Miss Ona shouts over the crowd.

  “We haven’t done anything yet,” Sin mutters, shaking his head.

  “Yet,” Tavvy comments as she comes to my side, and I laugh with her as my Tale brothers head over to Miss Ona.

  “We haven’t met yet, I’m Quin,” Quin says, moving to my side and holding out his hand for Tavvy. I haven’t said anything to Tavvy about Quin, and he has kept his distance in the last few months as we sorted out the council. We now have a brilliant council of twenty, and they meet every Sunday, which doesn’t interfere with our time at the academy as we finish off school.

  “As in your ex-boyfriend, Madi?” Tavvy asks with slightly wide eyes, and I nod, words escaping me with how weird this all is.

  “Turns out he is a dark tale and from our world,” I finally say into the silence between us all, knowing this conversation has already happened once, but now it’s different. They loved each other, and it even hurts me to see how Tavvy looks at Quin with little interest at all.

  “Right, well I’m Octavia Bell, but my friends call me—”

  “Tavvy. I know,” Quin says, and she frowns at him before shaking her head and stepping back. “And I’ve got class, Mr. Know It All. See you around, Madi.”

  “Later,” I say, watching her walk away. Warren links his hand with mine as Tavvy looks back at Quin for just a moment, and I see something in her eyes. A possible interest, a possible memory or feeling? I remember the future vision I was shown; they were together then.