15. Ivy
15
IVY
“Shame if something were to happen to them?” I repeat with a harsh laugh. “You do realise these are already dead souls of some of the worst criminals and murderers in history, right?”
Morrigan’s eyes narrow. “Perhaps. But I am the goddess of death. Who do you think they will obey once I get my power back?”
“Too bad you aren’t getting it back then, isn’t it?” Bram growls, seriously pissed off.
“We serve Death,” Lilith declares, her spectral form blazing. “Not some has-been goddess throwing a tantrum over lost power.”
The warrior joins her. “We know of you, Morrigan. You’re not what you once were. Even with your power restored, you’re just another pawn in Life’s game.”
That gets everyone’s attention. My eyes narrow as I look at Morrigan as the thought I had is confirmed. “Is that what this is about? You’re working with Life?”
“Don’t be absurd,” she snaps, but there’s something in her expression that makes me doubt her denial.
“It makes sense,” Tate says slowly. “Life promised you something, didn’t she? Just like she promised Torin’s mother true immortality.”
“Life promises many things,” the warrior growls. “But her endgame isn’t what any of you think.”
“What do you mean?” I demand, turning to him.
He exchanges looks with Lilith, who nods grimly. “We’ve been in the void. We’ve seen things. Life isn’t trying to preserve existence, she’s trying to reshape it completely.”
“Into what?” Bram asks.
“A world where she controls everything,” Lilith explains. “Not just life, but death, too. She wants to be the only power, the only force controlling all existence.”
“That’s why she needs Morrigan,” I say. “She’s collecting power from other ancient beings.”
“Very good, little Death,” Morrigan sneers. “But you’re missing one crucial detail.”
“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow.
“She already has most of what she needs.”
“Which is?”
But before she can answer, a familiar voice rings through the clearing.
“Now, now, Morrigan. You’re spoiling all my surprises.” Life, dressed as Lila, steps out of the shadows. “Hello, Ivy,” she says with Lila’s smile. “Ready to learn what you really signed up for?”
“Fuck you.”
“You know what I hate most about you, Ivy?” Life says, circling our group slowly. “You never knew when to stop asking questions.”
Her palm snaps up before I can react. A blast of pure energy hits me square in the chest, and suddenly, I’m being yanked backwards, not through physical space, but through reality itself.
“No!” I hear Bram shout, but his voice sounds distant, distorted.
The world tears apart around me like wet paper. For a moment, I see multiple realities overlapping, and it’s horrific. Life’s true form, ancient and terrible, superimposed over Lila’s face; Morrigan’s power streaming toward Bram like green lightning; my army of souls dissolving into chaos.
Then everything goes black.
When my vision returns, I’m floating in the void. But not like before, when I called the souls. This time I’m fully immersed in it, surrounded by endless darkness and the whispers of the damned.
“Welcome home,” Life’s voice echoes through the void. “Let’s see how well you understand your power when you’re the prey instead of the hunter.”
The darkness shifts around me. Countless souls stir to awareness, their attention fixing on me like predators scenting blood.
“What are you doing?” I demand, trying to sound commanding rather than terrified.
Her laugh reverberates through the void. “Teaching you a lesson about balance. These souls you’ve been so casually threatening to destroy? They’re part of the natural order too, and now they’re going to show you exactly what it means to be hunted by death itself.”
The first attack comes from behind. Spectral claws rake across my back. I spin, trying to defend myself, but how do you fight shadows in a realm made of darkness?
“You can’t command them here,” Life taunts in my head. “This is their domain, not yours. You’re just another intruder now.”
More souls emerge from the darkness, their forms twisted and dreadful. I recognise Lilith among them, but the real one, and she is not happy to see me.
“You wanted an army?” she hisses. “Congratulations. Now you get to face one.”
I draw on Death’s power, trying to assert control, but something’s wrong. My connection feels muted and distant.
“Oh, did I forget to mention?” Life’s voice drips with false concern. “I’ve been planning this for a very long time. The void isn’t just a prison anymore; it’s a trap, and you, my dear new Death, just walked right into it.”
The souls surge forward, and the hunt begins.