Kacie
Nyx took a step forward, a step closer to Jade. Blood and tears dripped from her eyes. Jade cried and coughed as she choked on blood. It spurted from her mouth and stained her clothes. She lifted her eyes to watch Nyx and her lower lip trembled. She mouthed Nyx’s name but Nyx didn’t let up. She took another step, bringing herself in front of Jade. Jade reached out and grabbed Nyx. Her eyes filled with crazed fear as she clawed at her. Jade knew what was happening, she knew what Nyx was doing. Jade knew Nyx would prove her previously said words wrong. Nyx stood there and let Jade claw at her.
“Please! Sister, please, don’t!” Jade cried.
“I’m sorry,” Nyx wept.
“Don’t. I’m scared, Nyxy. Please. Don’t,” Jade begged.
Nyx whimpered at the nickname. Blood filled Jade’s violet eyes and she swiped at the blood and smeared it across her cheeks. She was crazed as she wailed and threw her head back. Her hands reached out and scratched at Nyx as blood seeped from her ears and down her neck. She clawed at the air as it ran from her nose like a faucet. Jade’s skin grew more and more pale by the second as she lost all the blood in her body. Clara stood frozen where she stood. Her eyes on her sister, her tears streamed down her cheeks, her hand gripped her chest as she was torn between Jake and Jade.
“Stop fighting, Jade, please,” Nyx sobbed.
“I-I don’t want to die,” Jade whispered.
She kept her eyes on Jade’s face as she blinked the blood from her eyes. It just kept flowing but I felt no pity for her. I needed to see her end, I didn’t look away. I kept my gaze on her as she began to wither and curl in on herself. Blood was pouring down her body and the mud creature that held her up crumbled and she went down with it. Nyx reached out and grabbed her and fell to her knees with her in her arms. Jade couldn’t hold her head up, it lolled against Nyx’s shoulder as she looked up at her sister.
She whimpered and Nyx shushed her. She lifted her hand and swept Jade’s hair out of her face. The blood pooled between them but Nyx paid it no mind. She began to hum a lullaby to her as Jade’s eyes fluttered. She opened her mouth and dark blood oozed from her lips and down her chin. It clustered and dripped. She couldn’t close her mouth anymore but she made painful noises. Nyx nodded her head and told her it was okay.
“You can let go now,” Nyx whispered. Jade’s eyes darted to Clara. Nyx smiled down at her as tears dripped from her jaw. “I’ll take care of her,” Nyx promised.
Jade’s eyes rolled into the back of her head and I watched as the flow of blood slowed. Jade’s shoulders slumped and she stilled, but Nyx didn’t stop what she was doing. Clara screamed angrily and the darkness surrounded her and went up, emitting like flames from her body. Nyx continued to run her fingers through her hair and push it back even after the blood came to a stop.
A pain-filled screech filled the air as Nyx balled her hand and dropped her head to Jade’s forehead. I turned from her as a thud sounded. I didn’t know if I wanted to cry or scream. The golem had collapsed and the human parts fell to the ground once again. This time permanently.
I got up and shoveled through the mud until I found dirty blonde hair. I sobbed as I pulled him from the dirt, I fell back with my mate on top of me. I pulled him with me away from the carnage. I closed his eyes and cradled his head in my arms as I looked across the battlefield. All of the humanoids were falling apart, some frozen where they stood, lifeless now that their source of power had died.
The warriors that hadn’t died stood standing staring at the creatures in front of them. Some fell back, finally able to stop fighting. The dog creature had lowered itself to the ground and the eyes that were once yellow and glowed bright were lifeless and empty. Panic filled my chest as I looked around for my other mate.
Where are you?
Viktor!
Vik?
Please.
I looked over to Nyx as she lowered Jade to the floor. She got to her feet, blood stained her dress, chest, and face as she looked at me. She walked over to me and I cried as I looked up at her.
“Now is not the time to panic, nor to give up. The battle is not yet won,” Nyx murmured.
She looked over me, her gaze finding Clara standing by my side. They looked at each other. Nyx walked toward her and reached out for Clara. Clara gritted her teeth together as Nyx grabbed her by the back of the neck. She pulled her close and Clara tumbled forward. Nyx pressed her forehead to Clara’s and Clara closed her eyes and inhaled.
“Now is not the time to mourn,” Nyx said.
“Now is not the time to mourn,” Clara repeated.
The two of them pulled apart and stared down at me. Nyx offered her hand to me and I took a deep steadying breath. I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t have time to break and fall apart right now. I needed to be strong for a just a little longer. As gently as possible, I lowered Jake to the floor and stood to my feet. I couldn’t rid myself of the guilt as I stared down at him.
I didn’t want to leave him there but we still needed to take care of the elders. I told him I’d be okay, I promised him I’d be safe. I turned from him and stepped toward my sisters. I took Nyx’s outstretched hand and she pulled me toward them as Clara made space for me. I pushed my forehead to theirs and Clara wrapped her arm around my waist. If not for them, I don’t think I would have been able to leave him. Without them I don’t think I would have been able to continue forward.