The Rise of Nix
Chapter 10

After the tense run-in with the wolf, Deimos’ mood is ruined, but a chirpy Nix saves him by suggesting they go fishing. Grabbing a spear and a net woven from horsetail, he followed her into the wilderness as they hiked to a lake. The day is beautiful, with the sun not being too hot, but Deimos was in his mind the whole way on the track, thinking of ways he could eliminate the wolf. Something about him pissed him off, especially how he looked at Nix, but a voice in the back of his mind screamed, do not trust. Deimos never had problems with the supernatural species, for they were the God’s legacies, but this wolf was different, and he intended to find out what.

As the sun peaked in the sky, a sparkling body of water came into view. Stepping over a few boulders, Deimos released a breath, glad to have made it finally. His human body had not been accustomed to so much physical activity, and he was already tired.

“You alright?” asked Nix as she glanced over her shoulder at him.

Deimos nodded, forcing a smile. “I am. This was just more treacherous than I thought it would be.”

Nix released a bellowing laugh, “You think this was bad, then you don’t know anything. Have you ever been in nature before?”

Deimos averted his gaze, not knowing if he could lie directly to her. “Of course I have. The last few days have been brutal with a lot of travelling.”

“That sounds wonderful. Where did you come from?” she asked curiously, dropping the bundle as she turned to face him.

Climbing over the last boulder into the clearing, Deimos followed suit, dropping his bag as his hands perched on his waist, fighting the temptation to sit down, but he wanted to look like he was strong, even though his muscles ached in places he never knew they could. “From up North. I became irritated with how my leaders ran their encampment, so I started fresh.” He didn’t necessarily lie, for he had become tired of the God’s rule.

“Good for you,” smiled Nix, the emotion reaching her eyes, a sign of truth, “I wish I could do the same.”

Deimos tilted his head, “Why? You seem to have a wonderful life here with people who care deeply for you.”

Nix turned her back to him, sauntering to the water’s edge. Dropping down, she dipped her feet into the luke cold water, holding back the flinch from the temperature change. While playfully splashing her toes, she tried to find a way to convey her fears and doubts about her village. “I am grateful for the love and kindness showed to me, but deep down, I know I am meant for far greater, and some of the villagers hate me for my independence, especially Khan.”

Moving towards her, Deimos dropped down beside her. Rolling up his pants, he slipped his feet into the lake, marvelling at the sensation—another plus for humanity. With a slight twist, he faced Nix as she watched the lake, spotting the sadness carved into her features. Suddenly, a heat exploded in his pants as the vial of magic reacted to being so close to its intended. Shifting away from her, Deimos leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he cupped his head.

“What if I told you there is a way to reach the greatness you seek.” Deimos tested the waters with her, trying to see how she would react to what her future held.

Nix faced him, her mouth hanging open as she scanned his face. A strong sense of De Ja Vu slammed into her as she recalled her nightmare involving him and those exact words. “What did you say?”

Her shift in mood was not a good sign, and even if the vial screamed for her, now was not the right time. “Nothing,” Deimos tried to change the conversation, “So, are you going to teach me how to fish?”

Nix silently watched him, her attention making Deimos feel uncomfortable, so he glanced down at the water, spotting a few dark shadows shooting past under the surface. Seconds passed before she spoke as he released the breath he was holding onto.

“Fishing is easy. The real trick is to have patience, which most lack,” explained Nix as she stood up. Bending down, she rolled open the blanket containing the spear, a net, and a few other trinkets. Picking up the wooden spear, she tapped the sharp end of the rock head, almost puncturing her delicate flesh. Happy with the state of her weapon, she grasped it tight, pointing it away from her and to the water. “When fishing, you need to stay as still as possible otherwise, your prey will be skittish. Unlike hunting, we want the fish to come to us, which is very relaxing.” Still with her clothes on, Nix carefully stepped into the lake, warily moving past the slippery rocks. As the water reached her middle, she turned to Deimos. “Are you coming, or is the thought of this deep lake with hidden creatures scaring you?”

“Nothing scares me.” Deimos winked before grabbing the spear she had gladly provided and following her. The sudden coldness stung his legs as his clothes absorbed the liquid. His bare feet unexpectedly slipped on a rock, and he went crashing forward into the water. The shock of being thoroughly drenched yanked him up as he spat out the water in his mouth. Wiping away the excess from his face, Deimos spotted Nix as she laughed.

“It is not funny,” exclaimed Deimos, shaking droplets from his hair.

“It is, but to be fair, I have had my fair share of slipping. It takes a while to learn where to step and not to step.”

“And you did not share this tip with me.”

Nix shrugged her shoulders, “It is the only way you learn.”

Deimos squinted his eyes at her with suspicion, knowing she did it on purpose. But he was going to let it go, for now. The heat from the vial returned as he paddled closer to Nix, forcing him to feel for it, ensuring it did not break with his fall. The pressure of his mission is beginning to weigh deeply on him, for he has no idea how to explain his role and her role in this.

As Nix settled down from joking around, she opened her legs for a wider stance in the water, raising the spear in her right hand in front of her, the sharp edge barely brushing against the surface. Deimos watched eagle-eyed at her position, following her movement as he settled in. Moments passed with silence between them as the ruffling water slowly calmed down, and he could see clearly what was below the surface. The sand is pale, almost white, with a few dark blotches here and there, the clarity of the water making it easier to spot the inhabitants of this pool. With more passing time, their prey began to reveal themselves as bodies swam past them, some dark and minor while others were almost half the size of his head, their colours shimmering from the sun.

While mesmerized by them, a clicking sound came next to him. Looking up, he saw Nix watching him. Pointing two fingers at her eyes and then one at him, she indicates for Deimos to watch her, which he gladly did. Her blond hair is tied back, with a few tendrils shaping her face. Red ran along her cheek from standing in the sun all day, the rest a golden brown. While concentrating on her hunt, Deimos couldn’t help but admire her beauty and dedication. A stronger human he has not met, and while observing her, he agreed. She is the perfect subject for a new race, and he would be with her always. Making up his mind, Deimos decided that tonight would be the beginning of their lives. Tonight, he will give her the potion.

Climbing out of the lake, a broad smile plastered Nix’s lips as she swung her catch over her shoulder, peering back at a sour-looking Deimos. How this man had survived so long with no skills bewildered her, but something about him attracted her. He is not what the men in her village seek to be, but behind those eyes, she can sense wisdom and knowledge, something she cherishes over anything else. Making her way over the small rocks lining the lake’s bed, she is extra careful not to slip while firmly holding the line attached to tonight’s dinner, a freshly caught salmon. As the wet fish flopped against her bare back, the movement settled down as she reached the safety of the solid ground. The sound of grumbling came from behind, Deimos following her as she turned to spy on him. Deimos focused on getting out, and as he balanced on the slippery rocks, Nix used his distraction to steal a glance at him. Physically, he is immaculate. Tall, well built with arms that looked like he was a builder, but she knew different. For a man not accustomed to the hardships of life, she kept wondering how he had survived this long. But more importantly, why is he here right now? The voice in the back of her mind she has trusted for so long kept questioning this specimen before her, but her body had different ideas. She is attracted to a man for the first time in her life. For the first time in her life, she craved his touch, craved soft lips over hers, bare skin gliding over each other. As thoughts of their bodies naked and entwined crashed into Nix, Deimos looked up, clashing with her gaze.

“What is it?” asked Deimos, carefully manoeuvring over the bank until he stood on the grass next to the lake, hands on his hips.

The thought of being caught ogling him ashamed Nix, her usual rosy cheeks turning red with a blush. “I, uh, I was just wondering what you will have for dinner since I will be feasting on my catch.” Nix lied. Swinging the catch over her body, the grey-scaled body twice the size of both her palms, with its head and fin hanging over the side.

“I guess some berries will have to do,” announced Deimos, a soft smile spreading on his face.

As Nix opened the net, she placed her catch inside while speaking. “Do you think that pity look will convince me to share my meal? A meal I spent half the day working hard to catch while you just splashed around in the water.” His smile infected her as Nix’s own grew in size.

“I was not splashing around.” defended Deimos, trying hard to hold back a giggle but failing miserably as he began to chuckle.

“It sure looked like it.” Nix joined the laughter as they held eye contact while enjoying the moment of hilarity. With each passing second, the smiling vanished as they clung to each other’s gaze. Heat began to creep up Nix’s neck, covering her body in a tingle never before felt. Sounds from nature vanished as they engulfed each other, with Deimos moving closer to Nix. Her breath caught in her throat as he crept closer, her own body drawn to his. A warm breath caressed her already heated cheek as he stopped inches from her body, their eyes glued together.

“Maybe I was faking it so I could see you smile.” breathed Deimos, his chest rising and falling deeply.

Being so close, Nix could distinguish tiny details of his face. A few small scars lined his sharp jaw, with one particular running across his bottom lip to halfway down his chin. In the sun, his unusual red lips popped with colour, beckoning her to taste them. Sliding higher, her gaze locked back onto his eyes, which sparkled greatly with the sun’s position. Before, they had looked brown with some green, but she marvelled at them this closely. A green she would describe as the forest after a storm stared back at her, with a light brown mixed in reminded her of a tree trunk. Why her mind returned to nature as she watched him is confusing, but it made sense.

The sudden lick of his lips drew her eyes back to them, the applied wetness making them sparkle in the sun. Gulping back some air, Nix fought herself for control, looking back up, but the smouldering gaze pinned her in place.

“You are so beautiful.” Deimos’ familiar deep voice is covered with something else. The lust in his voice is evident as it sends jolts of pleasure through Nix’s body.

With courage suddenly gripping her and curiosity about this man, Nix did something she had never done before. Moving swiftly, she stood on her toes to reach his height, quickly placing a soft kiss on his lips. Sparks erupted from the contact, making her pull away, but Deimos had other plans. A strong arm snaked around her waist, pulling her against his body.

“Not so fast,” murmured Deimos before recapturing her lips.

The spark from their first kiss shocked Nix, while this kiss just weakened her from all the feelings rushing at her from all sides. His soft lips splayed over hers as a tongue brushed over her bottom lip, causing her to moan while her lips parted softly. On instinct, her lips moved with his, copying his actions. The arm on her tightened, and she wrapped her around his neck, holding him close as she explored what he was offering. Their breathing deepened as they greedily sucked in the air between the kisses. She was feeling naughty. With Deimos’ breaks, Nix nippled his bottom lip, gently grazing the plump and sweet texture. A faint growl rumbled below her chest as Deimos removed the rest of the space between them. His other hand gripped her damp hair with his fingers twined in her locks.

“You will be my death,” muttered Deimos, letting go of her lips.

Nix moaned as he broke their kiss, her whole body on fire but the need for more tearing her down. “Why did you stop?”

Running his thumb over her tender and swollen lips, Deimos glanced up, forcing himself not to look at the temptation. “Because if this continues, I dare say we will not make it back to the village before nightfall.”

“Like that is a bad thing.”

Her statement sent new pleasure to his groin as Deimos fisted her shirt, stopping his hand from pulling her waist, and her, closer. But with regret, he lets go, stepping back from her. “As much as I want to, this is not the place I want us to be together.”

A shiver ran down Nix’s spine, covering her chest from the loss of his body heat, forcing the current situation back to reality. Was she really about to sleep with him? In the middle of the woods? For anyone to come across? Luckily, one of them had a sense because she knew she would have continued if he had urged.

“That is smart,” announced Nix. Turning around, she straightened her skirt and retired her hair, hiding the evidence of what had happened, ashamed of her actions. This was not her first kiss, for a few stolen ones in her younger years had been her intro into the relationship between a man and a woman, but this was nothing like the others. Just thinking about it reignited the flame inside her.

“You ready?” asked Deimos behind her.

Silently counting to three in her head while taking matching breaths, she turned to face him, but her face fell in horror as she spotted a dark beast just behind him, slowly moving out from the cover of the trees.

“A...a... monster.”

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