46. Reign
R oots writhe and coil everywhere, intertwining with Lukene’s shadows as the rain pours down in relentless sheets, drenching everything in an eerie chaos. The thick fog blankets our surroundings, making it difficult to see or breathe, amplifying the sense of dread hanging in the air.
I feel something wrap around my leg, and before I can comprehend what’s happening, it yanks me off my feet, slamming my back into the cold, muddy ground. Shock courses through me, and I scream in surprise as the root drags me toward the monstrous tree-like creature looming before us. Its solid black eyes glint with malice, and I can sense its hunger.
Lukene swings his sword, cutting through the root like a knife through soft flesh, severing it with fierce determination. I scramble to sit up, quickly pulling the thick root off my leg while Lukene bends down to help me. But as he stands, I see it—the root—piercing straight through his shoulder.
“Luke!” My heart drops, and fire ignites in my hands instinctively, ready to protect him. But he doesn’t look at me. Instead, his shadows burst forth, writhing and snapping at the wood that threatens him. With a grimace, he yanks the piece free, his face contorting in pain, and turns to unleash a cloud of darkness at the creature.
He looks off-balance, then drops to his knees in the mud. “Get up Luke, get up now!” I scream as the monster roars again, rattling the ground under our feet. Never have I ever felt such terror as I do now, watching the love of my life fall lifelessly to the ground. He can’t be dead. He can’t.
My heart pounds like a hammer on an anvil, igniting a primal fire within me. I explode, flames ignite everything around us. Magic flows from my core like a raging river, bursting forth with an intensity I’ve never summoned before. All the roots start flailing around, twisting and turning through the air while smacking into the ground with resounding thumps.
I see the Tremon recoil from the heat, and as I focus my energy, I unleash a wave of fire that engulfs the beast. The screech it emits rattles the air, but I push my magic harder, feeling the roots twist and snap under the sheer force of my will.
But in the chaos, one root strikes me squarely in the face, knocking me to the ground. I shake it off, gritting my teeth as I pour everything I have into the flames. The Tremon hisses in pain before finally collapsing into a pile of ash, leaving nothing but smoldering remnants in its wake.
Breathing heavily, I rush to Luke’s side. The world tilts, and I feel the weight of exhaustion crash over me like a tidal wave. I fall to my knees beside him, frantically checking for signs of life. He can’t be dead. I need him to wake up, so I can argue with him—so I can ask him how a branch could drop the almighty Dark Prince to his knees. I smirk just thinking of his face and response. I didn’t get a life with him, a life I so desperately yearn for, a life of happiness that we both deserve.
My heart races as I lay my head on his chest, straining to listen for a heartbeat. Thump… thump… thump... Relief washes over me as I release a long, shaky sigh. I have never been so relieved by such a sound. He’s alive. He’s bleeding from his shoulder, and panic spikes in my chest. Ripping my tunic, I try to bandage it quickly. Blood is dripping all over his wound as I do. Reaching up, I touch my brow and realize I’m bleeding. But I can’t focus on my injury. Lukene is more important.
“Don’t you die on me before we get a life together, Lukene Frostborne. If you do, I’ll find a way to bring you back, so I can stab you myself,” I say to his unconscious body. I rush off plucking leaves, roots, and any hardy fall flowers that have healing properties.
I make a poultice as fast as I can. Undoing his bandage, I slather it on him, then I realize I am still bleeding. There is blood all over Lukene and the healing paste. I’ll need to clean his wound when we get to the cabin.
I try to pull Luke, but he is too heavy. I have to get him to the cabin and out of this rain. Glancing around, I spot some large branches nearby. I tie them together with vines, creating a makeshift cot. Rolling him onto it is a challenge, but I’m determined. The journey to the cabin will be rough, and I’m already exhausted from expending so much magic.
With a deep breath, I prepare myself. My muscles ache as I stretch, feeling the weight of my task ahead. Taking hold of the wood, I begin to pull him, each movement a struggle against the mud and my own fatigue. The rain continues to fall, a somber reminder of the chaos we’ve just faced.
“Hold on, Lukene,” I whisper, willing him to stay with me as I haul our burden back toward the cabin, my heart heavy with fear and hope.