The Rise of Nix
Chapter 15

“You mean to say that I am connected with all living things. The trees, the flowers, even the bugs wiggling in the dirt?”

Nix looked dumbfounded by the latest information Deimos was giving her. The words filter through her mind, but they are yet to hit. All this talk of magic and nature scared her, for things like this were impossible. Yet, she was attacked by a man in a beast form and then brought back from the brink of death by a magical elixir current coursing through her veins, an act that supposedly gives her control over mother nature and the elements.

Deimos nodded as he stood straight with his hands on his waist, waiting for reality to kick in. After all the years of watching Nix, he can begin to read her, and currently, she looks flabbergasted, but he knows soon enough she will accept her new role in the world order and thrive in it.

“That can’t be real. Can it?” Wondered Nix. Moving next to Deimos, she ignored his stare as she swept het gaze over it all, still wondering how she could control the uncontrollable.

“I assure you. From this moment on, everything I tell you is true and should be taken seriously. There are forces in this world who would see you dead for what you are, while some would use you for their gain.” Deimos’ serious stare bore into Nix, his attention sending the hairs at her nape to trickle, making her turn to him.

With wide eyes, she watched Deimos as he continued his onslaught with bushy brows drawn together and mouth pulled taught. “So my life is no longer my own?”

Deimos remained silent for a few moments as his heart broke for the woman before him. When he had received his mission, he was excited to finally come to earth and meet the female he had been infatuated with. But standing before her now, he began to realize how his presence might shift her life. And not in a good way.

“I swear to you,” began Deimos, reaching out to sweep away some fallen tendrils of blond hair, relishing in the feel of her soft skin, “I will be by your side always. To protect you from those who wish you harm, and as a mentor in these new times.”

As the sun bore down on the pair, Nix felt heat spearing through her body, the rays one part but his touch making up for the rest. Fighting the urge to close her eyes and lean into him, Nix smiled, a sign of agreement but also relief.

“Thank you.” She merely whispered.

Deimos replied with a grin before dropping his hand, his skin tingling from losing its connection.

Breaking the awkward silence between them, Nix faced the open valley, her eyes scanning the glorious surrounding as she spoke. “Now, how do we begin?”

Tearing away his lingering gaze on her back, Deimos cracked his neck, ready to fulfil his promise to her. “As you now know, there is magic inside of you. All you have to do is call it forth.”

With her hands open in front of her, Nix zoned in on them, watching to see what would happen, but as time passed, nothing came. “Ugggg, this isn’t working.” She groaned frustratingly, swinging her arms in defeat.

Deimos chuckled, his arms folded over his chest. “Because you are trying to force it. Magic is like an extension of you, and like breathing, the less you think about it, the easier it happens.”

“But how will I know if it works?”

“You will feel it. Sometimes if you are overly emotional, it will rise. Just like yesterday.”

Nix’s head shot towards him. Shock plastered on her features. “What do you mean yesterday?”

Letting out a sigh, Deimos moved away from Nix, making his way to the open field centre. Following suit, she moved with him, curious about the supposed magic she used. Strolling behind him, she took the time to admire him from behind. Deimos was not built as big as some of the men in her village or even Maverick’s group, but as he moved, the muscles in his back flexed, pulling the dark brown animal fur taut of his body, a feat she never knew would be appealing. Soft dirt sank between her toes as she walked, the feeling exhilarating and comforting, an unexplainable warmth spreading up her feet and legs the longer she touched the earth. Reaching the middle of the field, Deimos turned to her, a smirk splayed as he caught her ogling the ground. Before she could bump into him, Deimos placed a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up.

“Sorry,” mumbled Nix, her cheeks flushing yet again.

“Something more interesting than me?” joked Deimos.

Looking back down, Nix wriggled her toes more profound into the ground, dirt covering her pale skin, making it look like she grew from the earth as she became one with it. “Yes,” said Nix, still focused on the grassy land. “I can’t get it out of my head. When you said I am connected to the earth and nature, I might have thought you were going crazy, but standing here, feeling it, something is happening.”

“Like what?”

Brown dirt covered her feet till halfway up her bridge as the bright green grass surrounded her. With each movement of her toes, the ground rose before falling back down, with each activity digging her deeper, her connection building with nature. As she tried to push away the absurd thought, Nix looked up at Deimos, their gazes clashing.

“It is nothing,” said Nix, stepping out from the small hole she had created. Shaking the excess dirt from her skin, she stepped onto the softness of the green grass.

“It is not nothing. For this to work, you need to tell me everything you are feeling and experiencing. It is the only way I can train you.”

“Fine,” Nix straightened as her chin lifted, “But only if you are also honest with me. Starting with yesterday. What did I do because I can’t think of anything extraordinary that happened?”

“Like I said. If you are overly emotional, for example, just finding out about the supernatural world, the magic bursts to the top and might, I don’t know, make someone unable to move, even for a split second.”

“I... I did that?” Nix’s mouth hung open in surprise as she quickly recapped yesterday, the confrontation with Deimos, and all she learned, but still, she does not remember using magic.

Deimos tilted his head slightly, the fears from earlier resurfacing. Is he about to ruin her life, or will the magic save her and the world? Only time will tell. “Yes, but it wasn’t for long since you weren’t focused on using the power. I am fine if that is what bothers you.” A devilish smile followed his words.

A smile slowly appeared as his words hit the target, and Nix relaxed, finding him maybe a tad funny. “Why would it bother me,” joked Nix, “You are merely a mentor and teacher.”

Deimos grabbed his chest, faking pain, saying, “Oww, that hurt.”

Nix couldn’t help but giggle at his theatrics, a moment of true blissful happiness appearing in these dark times. “Okay, cry baby,” she laughingly said, “let’s begin, so I don’t accidentally hurt you when you irritate me.”

Dropping his arms, Deimos turned serious as he watched her, his smile slowly disappearing. There would be times for more jokes, but now he needed to be serious. The faster she learned to control, the better equipped she would be for when the Gods summoned her. They did not mention that, but he knew they wanted a weapon to command on this earth. Their other creations have forgotten their roots, but she is still young; enough time for them to mould her into what they see fit. As he watched Nix glancing down at her hands, Deimos silently swore her would protect her always, even from the Gods themselves, if he had to.

The sun slowly began to set behind the mountains, casting the valley in a rouge light. As the cloudless sky began to darken, Nix stared up at it, her mind in turmoil. They had spent the whole day in the field practising, breaking only for food and to relieve her body. Deimos had packed some meat and bread for their trip, an act she had been grateful for but lost it as soon as they had continued. His lesson was worse if hunting and building on her own were harsh. Not physically but mentally. The more he droned on about her calling forth the power, the deeper it sank into her, not even appearing in a spark or flash.

“You need to focus.” droned Deimos for the hundredth time.

Nix shot her head at the man as he leaned against a tree stump, his arms folded over his chest, his gaze boring into her, the attention making her shy and angry simultaneously. It is easier said than done, but he does not get it. Over the course of the day, she could feel a presence inside of her wanting to burst out, and as she called it forth, it went back into hiding, only appearing here and there. “I am, but maybe it is not that simple. Maybe I don’t have all this power you are talking about. Maybe it failed.”

Sighing, Deimos pushed away from the stump to walk over to her. Stopping before her, he took hold of her outstretched hands, the warmth of him sliding over hers and causing a slight trail of sparks to shoot up her arms. Cupping his hands over hers, Deimos stared her straight in the eyes, boring deep into her soul. “It did not fail, and you know why? Because you are here.”

“How is that proof?”

“It is proof because you can feel the magic. You can feel the power and strength within you; you stayed here the whole day trying to call it forth because you want it. I can tell, but why do you want it? It might help if you knew what you were fighting for.”

Ripping her hands from his hold, Nix stepped back, her eyes inflamed with anger.

“Why do I want it?” began Nix, her voice thick with rage. “I never wanted this. Any of this. I never wanted to know about werewolves, vampires, and all the other bedtime stories being real. I never wanted to know that there is real evil in this world. You did this to me.”

“I...” Deimos tried to object, but Nix quickly cut him off by lifting a hand to silence him.

“But what is done is done. All I can do now is learn to harness this power gifted to me and do better in this world. You asked why I want this, and here is the answer. I want to protect the weak. I want to help those who can’t help themselves. As you said, there is evil in this world, and I plan on stopping it. No matter the cost.”

As she confessed, Deimos stepped back; his eyes doubled the size as he observed the amazing woman currently glowing. And not the glow from happiness, but a golden ray that covered her whole body as a brighter orb of power began sparking in her palms hanging by her side.

“Nix-” Deimos tried to point out what was happening, but she cut him off again.

“And furthermore. Telling me to focus is not helping. Maybe I need to do this alone, without you as a distraction.”

“NIX,” Deimos raised his voice, hoping to get her to listen and realize what she was doing.

“WHAT,” Nix matched his tone.

“Look,” said Deimos, pointing towards her.

“What are you-” replied Nix as she followed his hand, but words faltered as the golden light finally registered.

“Is this?” asked Nix. Lifting her arms, she turned them around as the light pulsed. Quickly staring at Deimos, she resumed her inspection, twisting her body to see every inch possible of herself.

“That is the magic, yes.”

“But how?”

Slowly, the glow began to fade, returning her to her usual self. Another fast scan revealed it was gone, leaving a sense of sadness and emptiness within her.

“As I said, heightened emotion can bring it up, but this was different. The power didn’t lash out but instead hugged you.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

Deimos engulfed Nix in an unexpected hug, and not fighting it, she leaned in, enjoying the warmth he provided. Caressing her cheek at the same time, he pushed gently. Deimos glanced down at her closed eyes, a calm look on her features. Fighting the urge to pluck her lips with his and taste her sweetness, he trailed his fingers down her cheek before letting his hand drop to his side. The more time he spent with her, the greater the revelation became. He is in love with Nix, a human now a part of his world, a world filled with monsters and magic far more significant than she can even imagine. He is a God in which she does not believe, yet the feeling he is experiencing is human, a feat the Three had warned him against.

Abruptly stepping back, Nix’s eyes shot open at the sudden loss of his body, and as she looked up, the strength of his stare shocked her. The dark orbs scanned her features as she stared deeply into them, her body begging her to get closer, but with tight fists, she fought off the command, instead stepping back and breaking the eye contact first.

“So, uhh, great first day, I reckon,” mumbled Nix, packing up their belongings to keep busy to keep distracted from the man before her, who was still watching her, his body frozen on the spot.

“Yeah, that was a good start,” said Deimos, shaking his head to dislodge his thoughts. For a second, he had forgotten about the rules the Gods had given him. But most importantly, in his new state, Deimos had also neglected to forget that the Gods can watch them, just like he used to. Even right now, they could be leaning over their basin, following his every move, seeing his interaction with their prized possession. This means they could have seen the kiss he had shared with Nix. Deimos knew he wouldn’t be able to see them, but he was still disappointed as the area returned clear, just nature thriving around them.

“But you need more training. You need to have full control over the magic and call it forth when required and not just when you are emotional.” Deimos finished.

Finishing packing up the last of their possessions, Nix turned to face Deimos, relieved to see the darkness was gone from his features, wondering what had happened. Was it her? Nix wondered. Is he already regretting choosing her for the magic?

“I understand that this is not how you planned today, but just give me a chance.” she tried to defend herself, for why else would he look so disappointed? Yet again, her actions have angered the men, for females are considered below them, and who was she to think Deimos would be different?

Deimos sensed the shift in her mood as she straightened her back, pushing her chin up as she glanced at him. Again, all he could think about was his problems, forgetting that she was new to all of this, just like he was to a human form. Softening his eyes, Deimos began, “First day of training might not have gone as I had planned, but you did exceed my standards. Not only was the power called forth, but you managed to use it without harming others, including me.”

“The day is not over yet. You might still feel my wrath.” joked Nix.

Deimos smirked, unable to hide his reaction. Nix truly was something else, which scared him, for he liked their interactions and jabs at each other, the chemistry he had yet to duplicate with others, even his brothers and sisters.

“Let’s hope not.” Deimos winked.

The breath caught in Nix’s throat as he winked, an action that increased his handsomeness. Others have given her winks over the years, but none happened as natural and smooth as Deimos did, and she realized that she likes it.

“Time will tell,” said Nix as she threw the bag over her shoulder, holding the straps with her right hand. “Shall we go?”

Deimos nodded. Making his way out of the field with Nix trailing behind him, they entered the darkened woods, thick branches hiding the setting sun, basking the trees in an eerie fog.

Their return trip went by faster than getting to the spot, interrupting Deimos’ thoughts about what to do with Nix and his growing emotions. The Gods had been clear about love, but he would never have imagined her like this, someone with dreams and fears, someone funny and sassy who fought for what they believed in. Someone as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. Someone like Nix. But it is forbidden, and with a heavy heart, Deimos knows what he has to do. The pain would cause her will break his heart, but for both their sakes, he has to do it.

“You ready for dinner?” her soft voice asked behind him, pulling him to the present as he turned to her.

“I think I need to stay somewhere else,” exclaimed Deimos, the words just spilling from him.

The words took a moment to sink in as her bright smile slipped away, disappointment visible in her eyes. “Okay, but I don’t mind if you want to stay for a while. To be honest, I love having the company. It sometimes gets lonely here on the outskirts.” Her silent plea broke him more, but it had to be done.

Looking anywhere but at her, Deimos shut the door on her thoughts, unable to see the hurt he was causing. “Thank you for the offer, but I am here to teach you, not as a friend. Staying with you might send the wrong message.” without waiting for her response, Deimos turned and walked away, not caring where he went, just unable to face Nix right now. Breaking both their hearts now will save their lives in the future. The Gods aren’t known for their mercy, and breaking a promise could lead to death. Even with her chosen status, they would kill Nix just to prove a point, which is one torment he never wanted to face or feel.

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