53
Kora
Aweave of diamonds rippled, replacing the aurora of lights as it ascended to the heavens.
Kora reached, stretching her shoulder until it nearly popped out of its joint, to swipe her fingers through the shimmering expanse.
Her hand passed through, and she frowned at the lack of feeling from the diamonds.
Kora twirled, long hair cascading down her back, tumbling in white, thick waves. Her leathers had been replaced with a light blue dress, the satin changing colour with every reflection of light as it flowed through all the colours of the ocean.
“Took you long enough, child.”
That voice. Tears sprung to Kora’s eyes as Agatha materialised on the boulder in the heart of the meadow. The iridweed swayed in the gentle breeze, the sun, high in the clear blue sky, bounced off the ice caps of the mountain peaks.
“Agatha!” Kora raced to her, the iridweed petals staining the hem of her dress.
She was stunning. Her grey hair was voluminous, thick braids framing her brown face, paired with beryl eyes that glimmered with mischief. Just like the void, every time Agatha blinked, a new colour surfaced.
Kora catapulted into her arms, sobbing into Agatha’s white gown, crusted with golden lace. “I missed you so much! I’m so sorry! I couldn’t save you.”
Agatha stroked her hair, hushing her cries as she cradled Kora in her lap atop the warm boulder.
“It was my time, dear. There was nothing you could have done.”
“It’s been so dark without you. I can’t see the way forward. I don’t know what to do.”
Agatha’s hands stilled. “It has already begun. He is returning, and darkness will consume your world. You must fight Kora. You must face this path.”
Agatha’s dark premonition. Kora shuddered.
“Who is the Dark One? Please . . . please just tell me.”
Agatha sat back, flicking her braids over her shoulders.
A small ring filled Kora’s ears, and she rubbed her temple, frowning at the incessant noise.
Like an annoying fly. “I cannot interfere with the will that will be. I’ve already caused too much damage.
Remember child, power is never lost, it is reborn.
You do not need to walk into the dark of the night alone.
Hold onto your light, and have faith in your essence. ”
Kora’s lips twisted. “What damage? Why do you look so young?”
“You think I was going to spend the afterlife twisted, blind and hobbling?” Agatha laughed, and the diamond sky thrummed with each note from her lips.
“The prophecy,” Kora sat upright. “Do you know anything? Please, Agatha.”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Then what do you know? Why am I finally seeing you now?” Kora wiped the tears from her eyes.
She’d hoped every night for Agatha to visit her dreams, as she’d done before in her time of need.
The apparition that had misled Kora into Mistros City had not been Agatha, but a creature of claws and shadows, with purple eyes.
“Power is never lost, only reborn,” Agatha repeated. “The living shouldn’t be haunted by the dead, my child. I had to stay away. But when you drink iridweed, your chosen spiritual guide visits you. I am here to help you back to your world.”
“Help me . . . back?” Kora glanced around, realising how quiet it was. There were no birds, and the gentle breeze was soundless. Even the rivers flowing up the ridges were devoid of the soothing musicality of their drip, drip, drip.
“Raiden would’ve explained.” Agatha’s head twitched. “It’s trying to stop you from remembering, to keep you here. Drinking that much iridweed brings you to the in-between of this rift. If you don’t make it back to your body, you’ll be lost forever.”
The in-between . . .
“Am I . . . is this like the void?” Kora touched the warm boulder, blinking rapidly. Thanos had created the Emerald Forest in the void, had manipulated it to be realistic, filled with smells, sounds and sensations.
Was the void a rift? Was that what Barron’s prophecy meant?
“Is this part of the prophecy? Is this what Barron intends to use? What does it do?” Kora stood abruptly, spinning around, but all that was past the mountain peaks were pearlescent clouds. No sign of the forests that lined Windspire, or the glittering towers of Mistros City. This wasn’t real.
“You’ll come to understand in time. You’ll find your answers soon.
I’m so sorry, Kora. The next part of your journey will be painful.
You will suffer more than you’ve ever had before.
Just remember . . . you cannot be conquered.
” Agatha smiled sadly and stood fluidly beside Kora, taking her hands.
“Now. You need to go, child. Too much time away from your body will have dire consequences. Barron’s dark magic can fill the space you’ve left. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay with you.”
“What . . . no. I’m not ready to say goodbye!” Kora’s lips trembled as Agatha cupped her face. This wasn’t happening. There was so much she wanted to say, so many things she wanted to ask. Agatha couldn’t leave. Kora couldn’t leave. Not yet.
“We will meet again. Take care of Raiden. Your paths are entwined and you will need each other. His destiny has been in motion since he met you on that ship. Be strong, Kora Cadell.” Agatha placed a kiss on each of Kora’s eyes, her plump lips warm and welcoming.
Kora sucked in a shuddering breath, her fingers gripping onto Agatha’s arms so tight she almost crushed her bones
As Agatha pulled back, she nodded once sternly. Kora shot back through the meadow, purple shadows enveloping her body as Agatha faded from her sight.
Raiden
Kora hadn’t woken, her skin paling every second that passed.
Fuck. He’d given her too much to handle.
Perhaps only Windwards could manage that level of iridweed?
He paced around her body, grunting every moment the sun in the sky shifted through the Mist. Fresh starfruit from the meadow rested by her legs, prepared for when she awoke.
What if she didn’t return? His heart skyrocketed.
She had to live. He couldn’t . . . something about Kora had gotten under his skin.
He truly couldn’t imagine not being around her anymore.
Every time they touched lightning seared through his body.
He’d never experienced it before. His pulse always fluttered in her presence, his eyes drawn to her every movement.
“Haizea, if you can hear me, you better give her back,” Raiden muttered. “And Thanos,” he added, knowing Kora tended to lean towards the God of Death. Which was unusual for an elemental.
He hadn’t floated away during the night.
It was the reason why they were here—he’d managed to risk sleeping under the stars.
Something he loved doing, rather than being contained to the indoors.
Being around Kora anchored him, steadied him in the current of stormy seas.
Even her scent was stronger, the vanilla sweeter than he remembered, the sea salt packing a punch that left him feeling like he’d just taken a swim in the ocean. He knelt by her side, taking her hand.
Kora’s eyes snapped open a moment later, the lapis lazuli blazing so brightly Raiden had to look away before they settled.
“You’re back—” Kora reeled away from Raiden, her bright stare hardening into anger. Double fuck.
“You didn’t tell me I could’ve died!” she raged, staggering as she pushed up to her full height. All five feet of it. She was adorable, even in anger.
Raiden raised his hands. “Now, I did warn you. That you had to return to your body, that you could lose yourself. I just didn’t want to scare you too much.”
“Well, a heads up would’ve been fucking nice.” She bared her teeth, and gods he would let her bite him if it meant they could touch again.
Instead of replying, Raiden pushed a hand forward, a small gust of wind targeting Kora. But she didn’t defend herself, and worry crept in. She stumbled backward, eyes wide and furious.
“Did you just magically push me?” Before he could answer her, Kora raced forward, her arms moving in that rhythmic way that suited water wielders. Droplets of the rivers flowed into the Aurora Gap, forming a barrier of spears behind Kora. All aiming at Raiden.
“Wait, let’s not be rash.”
Kora smiled as hundreds of droplets attacked him, soaking into his clothes. Icy cold and biting from the peaks. Raiden shivered, his clothes hanging from his frame.
“Great.”
Kora nodded in approval, her stare sparkling as she twirled her hands, laughing to herself as her power ignited.
She spun around, before her footing caught on the bed rolls.
Raiden caught her and one of her hands whipped out, taking his forearm and he jolted.
The ice of the nearest peak melted, flowing towards them, and the droplets formed a crystalised bracelet around Raiden’s wrist.
“My gods, I’m back.” Her smile stretched wide into a feral grin.