She made her way past each of her victims, turning them over so they could breathe properly and politely apologising for their condition. Only Red Axes seemed to be furious at the extra help, but then, Eve imagined being trapped in her own body with no control, and sympathised. Conflicted by the man’s plight and her own actions all those years ago, she justified that he was just trying to do his job - although with extreme prejudice - whereas Rosalind needed to serve time for what she did. New thoughts pushed for attention at that, a dam fit to burst as she envisioned what The Betrayer did in the old days. Seems odd to call them the old days she thought. It felt like no time had passed, that life as Anne and other personas seemingly short and banal in comparison to her long life. Move.
Moving through the house she thought about how she was going to get home. Moving through the rooms in her mind, she got frustrated by what she could and couldn’t access. She felt that key moments and critical intel was being held back until she was ready. Events that would change the course of her journey needed uncovering and getting home was part of that, the next breadcrumb which would lead to the next, and the next, and the next. For Kai knows how long. In the hospital and whilst she was trying to get here she was fascinated and annoyed at what her mind could recall. She knew things as if they were muscle memory. the forced, societal constructs constantly repeated to her from a young age easy to grasp. She knew about; Surelikai the creator of magik, The Schism, The Reapers, The Protectorate and the Sojela, the way the two worlds operated, spells and their limitations and more, but she didn’t know everything about herself. Tensing at the inconvenience of it all, she got annoyed at instinctively knowing that she couldn’t use a teleportation spell, the cost of human sacrifice being too great a cost for convenience, but she didn’t know what events brought about the trapping of Rosalind. When she was younger, she enjoyed the irony of Surelikai’s machinations sometimes, especially with teleportation. Five magiks in the world and almost limitless possibilities, with unimaginable achievements and Lucid evolution, being propelled by these powers. You could summon scrolls and weapons from thin air, magik fire out of nothing, even fly and build incredible structures with the right discipline and control, but then a rule would be applied to some magiks, seemingly for no reason. her younger, innocent self thought it was Surelikai teaching us patience. Instantly being anywhere whenever you wanted seemed too convenient for her. Sometimes you had to earn it. Move.
Eve reached the back door, still enjoying the creator’s in-jokes and wondering what she was like. Funny, she thought. She’d have been funny, and mischievous. Thinking mischievously herself, about misdirection, she rolled her eyes at not having seen it earlier when she came towards the house. Something was glimmering against the dark night sky, some of the stars and light deformed by a shape she’d not seen earlier. She couldn’t sense exactly what it was but had an idea of what it might be and because spells would have attracted attention, she made her way over to the object. Moving closer she held her hand out to the shifting light and touched a cold surface. A Wind Dancer. Must’ve been how Red Axes or the other Venatoré got here. Feeling her way to where the door should be, those muscle memory thoughts came back to her on how these flying machines worked. Standing there with her eyes closed she spoke to the vehicle with her mind. “Hello pretty one.” She thought-said.
“Hello.” A light-hearted, lilting voice responded happily.
“Would you mind letting me in?” Eve said-thought.
“I shouldn’t.” The Wind Dancer responded very apologetically.
Eyes still closed, Eve smiled. “You are right not to. I am a stranger after all.”
The ship hummed approvingly at that.
“My name is Eve. What’s yours?” Her thought-saids adding affection and warmth.
“No one has asked me that before.” The dancer replied sheepishly.
“What did your flight use to call you?” Her said-thoughts empathising with the ships loneliness.
“Taeonia. Tae for short.”
Eve let out a small laugh of recognition, the saddened. “Taeonia of the Silent Flight?” She said out loud, knowing their commune didn’t need to happen in her head anymore. Tae had let her in now.
“Yes!” The light-hearted, lilting voice responded even more happily.
“Well met, Tae.” She took her hand away from the ship’s hull and bowed deep in the direction of where her hand had just been. In response, the ship jerked and flickered into sight, the glimmering against the dark sky turning into the matte-black hull of a sleek and elegant vessel.
“When I called you pretty earlier I had no idea you were this pretty!” One of Tae’s engines coughed some purple light out by accident, Eve assumed from blushing or embarrassment.
“Sorry.” Said Tae, “It’s been a long time since anyone noticed me.”
“What happened to you? I thought the Wind Dancers couldn’t be tamed?” She placed a hand on the hull again, stroking slowly and seeing faint purple traces of her hand left behind from her touch.
“Most of us were killed during the cleansing of Erathril. Then anyone who made it out was caught in the Obliteration. I was separated from my flight when The Protectorate found me. They helped heal me, provided me a home and gave me purpose.” Tae sounded sad, she didn’t like reliving those memories.
Eve continued stroking, using soft tones when she spoke. “Are you all in service to The Protectorate now?”
“I think so, but I haven’t seen another dancer for a long time now. I think they keep us separated.” Some shame was creeping into Tae’s voice.
“What’s wrong?” Faint, fading purple streaks marked her hull as Eve continued to soothe.
“I wanted to find them, and I wanted to make a new flight. I even wanted to be free. But. They gave me so much and I never found the courage.”
“I’d have done the same.” Eve said reassuringly, almost certain she would’ve.
“Thank you.” Tae said more brightly.
“Wanna get out of here?” Eve asked hopefully. A door opened out of nowhere, Eve laughing as she’d been nowhere near it, when she thought she had.
“Where shall we go?” Tae asked when Eve was safely aboard and sat in the captain's chair. At least, she liked to think it was the captain’s chair. It grew out of the floor when she got close to the front of Tae, the strange, smooth, almost-chair melted from Tae’s insides in a heartbeat. If her muscle-thoughts taught her anything, she knew she needed to work with Tae, rather than forcing her to comply. Some of her Dyad training came back, finding the space in their shared conscious where they could anticipate each other without too much effort. She looked around as she sat down, noticing streaks and dents on the inside of the ship.
“From when I didn’t do what they asked.” Tae said darkly.
Eve felt so much pain when she looked at the scars. This poor ship was lost and alone, shown love and affection and then beaten when she disobeyed. Abused by what she thought was a loving hand. Getting up from the chair, Eve walked over to a fresh mark that was about shoulder high.
“Don’t like being told what to do?” She laughed, some purple lights blinking in agreement with the question. Putting one hand on the mark, Eve whirled the other around in unison with some simple words. The hand over the mark glowed white and when she took it away it was gone. Her fingertips brushed over where the mark used to be, proud of herself at the work.
“Thank you.” Tae said, elated. “That one was hurting.”
Eve looked at the rest of the damage. Some very old. Some newer. All painful. “When we have more time, I can help you with all of these.” She said, moving back to the chair. “When you’re ready, we can talk about the old scars. When I’m ready, we can clean you up. Good as new.”
More purple lights flickered and danced around her, Tae clearly overjoyed at finding a friend.
“First though, I need your help.” The dashboard in front of her lit up in a way that looked like eyebrows raising, but Eve swore it was a
trick of the light. Or was it? She thought hard about where she needed to go next. She delved deep and thought about what she would find there, her Jade earrings and Rosalind's book. “Move.”
* * *
As Anne, Eve had flown before. Commercial airlines to go on holidays adverts told her she should go on. Visit the, ‘must-see’ places that friends recommended. Each time there was some excitement at take-off and landing. Some joy in the idea of going somewhere new, a holiday and a break from the norm. She’d never flown like this though. Living up to her name, Tae was a true Wind Dancer, shifting and phasing through the air faster than Eve could comprehend. Tae felt a bliss descend on her as she was allowed to fly how she wanted, pleasure dripping through every turn and burst of pace. She’d made the entire cockpit see through so that Eve could see where they were going even if it moved too fast for her to see. The ships delight was echoed across Eve’s face and when Tae saw it, the captain's chair morphed around Eve and pulled her into a position that mimicked her flying. Gasping, Eve took in every moment, even revelling in the small amount of air Tae let in so she could feel the cool breeze on her cheeks. Such freedom to be had in flight. Just why Wind Dancers were born. Their jubilance was rocked though as they approached their destination. Slowing down so that Eve could take in the house, she saw Rosalind stamping up the garden path towards the front door. In a way, Eve couldn’t believe her luck, regretting not having the power she had in the hospital. One on one, Rosalind was the more ferocious fighter, but Eve was known for being creative with her magiks. Her teachers used to comment on how she instinctively knew how the healing, Bleeding Heart magik worked without much tuition. They were also quietly impressed with how she’d understood the opposite side of the healing magik too and how it could be used to incapacitate opponents in battle, and more. Thinking where she wanted to land, Tae deftly manoeuvred into place almost instantaneously, allowing Eve to leap out of the door and crash through the roof into the room where she knew Rosalind would put her book. Landing with ease, taking the force of the impact in through bent knees, she placed one hand on the floor and pounced for the wardrobe. Flinging the door open she saw it immediately, symbol etched into the spine and glaring. Not having time to think any more on it she grabbed it and raced towards her old room. She passed their parents room, forcing back memories that wanted to come forward and slow her. No. I have a job to do. Move.
She heard, more than saw the spell that came from Rosalind. Almost in slow motion, a door frame exploded next to her, splintered wood flying out in all directions. Blinking past the pain of a few pieces wedging into her face, Eve dove into her room. Kicking the door shut from the ground she whirled on her shoulders, saying words as she went. With a kicking flourish from the floor, she was on her feet as wall of protective magik flew towards the door and anchored itself there. The edges of the steely light clamped and bound themselves to the wall around the door, spread out to every corner of the surface to brace for impact. It looked thick, and healthy. Enough to hold Rosalind, but not enough to stop her. BANG. Here she comes. Still cradling the book in her arms, she ran over to her bed and flipped the mattress up against the window with one hand. Sweat was forming on her brow from the panic setting in and the exertion of that powerful spell taking its toll. If I can just get outside, Tae can help. Scrabbling through a box of mementos and childish secrets she found a small jewellery box. Checking that the Jade Earrings were in there she exhaled deeply, trying to still her heart and slow her breathing. Not now. I can’t afford to pass out with memories whilst she is at the door. BANG. The door was already buckling. She wasn’t happy. Move.
Spinning and moving towards the window, she felt, more than she heard or saw, the spell that came this time. BANG. The protective magik fell apart like paper in water and the door flung across the room into Eve’s back, the force of the following wave of energy smashing it, her and the mattress out of the window and into the front garden. Without the mattress, Eve may have been done for, but it gave her enough respite to fling the book sideways and distract her pursuer. As Rosalind came crashing down after her, through the hole she’d just made, her eyes darted to the book. So predictable Rosalind. Now’s my chance. Move.
Rolling backwards and away from the landing, screaming woman, Eve managed to chant her incantation whilst mid roll, flicking her hands, wrists and arms in a complicated and advanced sequence. When she was learning this, she couldn’t understand why the senior clerics made them come up with variations of their sequences. Hours and hours, repeating awkward movements until it was second nature. Not even second nature. Performing rolls, dives, cartwheels and many more whilst saying the words became nature. Like breathing. She was thankful now for all those hours, all those bruises and frustrations. All those scrapes and reminders of the days training. “Bleeding heart, blessed hands. Endless sleep and quiet mind. Imbue.” Her eyes turned white, her hands glowed with purpose, her mind was turned to putting Rosalind down. Two sets of two fingers led the way, furious and swift hands relentlessly attacking The Last Word. Like catching smoke though, Rosalind evaded the deadening spikes, darting and weaving away from the onslaught. Wordlessly, she cast her own spell and her hands started glowing red, her eyes going the same colour. May Kai protect me, Eve thought as they swapped roles, two fiery sets of two fingers replying to her attacks. My turn to be smoke she thought. Move.
Neither of the two wytches knew how Eve managed to stay untouched by the deadly strikes of Rosalind. Years of sparring together in the old days had shown her to be the weaker in a full-frontal assault, but she was holding her own. Sweat was pouring from both of them, the twisted face of The Thousand Curses bearing down on the calm and peaceful one of Eve. Tae watched from above, wanting to help, but with them being so close she couldn’t get a shot away without endangering her new friend. Her new, kind friend. Somehow, the wrath of the battle intensified, red hands blurring, white ones deflecting and parrying. Two hundred years of rage was coming out, unhinged attacks and balanced re-directions cancelling each other out. Furious, undisciplined and deadly strikes were flailing against a peaceful, disciplined and calm defence. The garden around them was suffering, flashes of energy coming from red hands meeting earth and churning. Huge gashes and craters were beginning to form with the stalemate of their fight, their surroundings bearing the brunt of Rosalind’s terror. Eve noticed the immediate ground they were on, was sinking with each averted storm of madness. Time to get creative she thought, I can’t keep this up forever. Move.
Her eyes must have betrayed Eve’s intent, Rosalind finding new strength to rain down upon her. Pressing her back and pushing her into the ground where she may finally have her revenge, Rosalind started smiling. A manic grin was spreading, and shining glee was in her expression. That’s what Eve wanted though, and she’d patiently waited for her moment. Looking like she was done for, all limp and meek, Rosalind paused before she dealt the last and deadly blow. Eve was almost disappointed when she didn’t say anything to her, no final curses, no last words of what she’d been through before she killed her. Nothing. The red eyes cleared just long enough for Eve to see it, though. A savagery and violence that shone brighter than the sun. A truly disgusted and broken being, driven by their feral instincts. Then again, she saw regret. She saw fatigue and pleading, a desire to be set free and saved. Before she could do anything though, the eyes returned to their deadly red colour and her right hand came down like lightning. Not fast enough though. Eve shifted her weight so that she could direct the energy of the attack at the book she’d cast aside. Rosalind’s book. At the last possible moment, all the venom and death drained out of the red attack as Eve pushed the destructive force towards her beloved possession. Crumbs of earth came down from above, patting against the leather cover after the blast had hit the ground a few feet away. The dirt shower went on for a long time before coming to an end, the earth settling in its new place after being thrown about by childish, fighting wytches. Her deceit came at a cost though and Eve felt the bones in
her wrist shudder, the skin on her arm burning as the red evil swept past her. It was enough for her to strike her own blow as well though, her good arm jabbing two fingers into Rosalind's left armpit, then her heart. Eve hadn’t wanted to use that cursed blow, but it was her life on the line and the flash of regret she saw in Rosalind earlier wasn’t enough to stay her hand. She expected a lifeless body to flop onto her, the person who’d occupied it moments ago gone to the endless sleep, but it didn’t happen. A normal wytch would have crumpled at the attack, however, Rosalind wasn’t normal. Her left arm went limp, the redness draining from her hand and she staggered, her left leg recovering before she fell face first into the damaged garden. Still extremely close to each other, both of them had lost the magik colour from one of their eyes. Two blue eyes met, one red met one white. Eve cradled her burned and broken arm, Rosalind her dead one, a smile creeping onto her face. She knew she had Surelikai’s favour now, time bringing back life into her arm any minute. Eve’s posture sagged as she saw the curl of those lips, she knew it too. It had always just been a just a matter of time and her time was up. Looking around her she tried to see if there were any escape routes, any way she could get distance between them for Tae to get a shot off. Would Tae even shoot? Move.
To her surprise as much as Rosalind’s, Eve didn’t make for space. Useless arm finding its last strength, Eve flung herself forward, tearing at what she could. Gripping what her fingers found, they clamped down like vices. Then her good arm went to work. As she held her there, trapped in her death grip, her glowing hand repeatedly slammed into pressure points, ribs, joints, flesh, whatever was in her way. With a partially weakened left side, Eve kept making contact, kept jabbing, kept moving, kept dragging and screaming with every ounce of her withering strength, trying to show Rosalind to the endless sleep. She was doing the same however, landing blows of her own on Eve’s weakened left side, both of them slowly losing, both of them kneeling. Both of them crying. Through wet vision, Eve saw a flash of red out of the corner of her eye and feared she was done for. Red Axes had come for revenge. Red Axes would make her pay for embarrassing him. Not knowing how she found the strength to do it, Eve drew Rosalind very close as she shoved her full fist into her sternum. It was another unexpected and creative attack, but her last. Part watching, part feeling The Last Word fly away from her she fell onto her back and stared up at the underside of Tae. I can’t move.
A Dyad in Time Page 17
