Chapter 51
Fifty-One
Finn
Eris is running through the forest. A white gown billowing behind her. She has flowers twisted in her hair and a smile that would melt frost on the coldest of days. She tosses me a look over her shoulder and laughs, waving me to chase after her.
I run as fast as I can, but she strays further and further away from me. I shout for her to wait for me. To come back. But soon she is beyond my sight, and I'm left standing in a forest alone.
Eyes glow in the darkness as the sun disappears over the horizon and the moon rises in its place.
Evil.
Evil dwells here.
I turn in a circle, but I'm surrounded by creatures slithering from their hiding spots. They're emboldened. I sense their victory is close.
"Fight," I hear Eris' voice echo through the swaying trees.
Leaves fall from branches and whip around me like a tornado.
"Fight, Finn," Eris commands. "You have to fight!"
The creatures are upon me, tearing into me like a lamb left to slaughter.
"Fight!" she screams.
I throw my arms wide and unleash my power to its fullest. Now, on my feet, my eyes orange and glowing in the shadows, I rip through the minds and bodies of the underlings. Their screeches reverberate through the woods. They beg for mercy, but I give none.
One-by-one, my magic seeps beneath their skulls and implodes. Within seconds, I'm the only one left standing.
"Finn!" Eris howls.
I gasp and lunge upward.
My father plants his hands on either side of my face, horror and relief in his gaze. "You're all right," he breathes, a tear slipping down his cheek.
"Where is everyone?" I ask, my voice hoarse from disuse. "Where is Eris?"
His shoulders slump and he reclaims the chair beside me. Like he used to do when I was a child when he delivered bad news, he grabs my hand and squeezes. "She's…" He swallows, his voice trembling. "They Hydrans took her. She's gone, son."
"No!" I roar.
My father wraps his arms around me, pulling me against him. Tears fall down my face. A mixture of anger and indescribable pain consume me.
"We're going to get her back," he whispers to console me, but it only fuels my rage.
"They have no idea what they just unleashed," I growl into his chest and he stills. "They have no idea what's coming for them."