The Rise of Nix
Chapter 19

Crashing his fist into the tree, Deimos released a loud huff mixed with a yelp of pain. Bark fell to the ground, leaving a slight hole covered in blood as he pulled his hand away. Inspecting the damage, Deimos watched as blood pooled over his injured knuckles while a discomfort pulsed over the pink-turning flesh.

“Damn,” mumbled Deimos as he gently wiped his fist on his skirt, pulling it back to reveal streaks of red but no wounds. Lifting his hand to inspect, Deimos’ mouth hung open as his flesh slowly healed, the edges pulling taught before unveiling smooth skin. Only the dried blood covering him was a sign of what had happened. The Gods had said the mortal flesh could be harmed, but this could prove that they lied. Maybe he cannot be killed, and thus, he could pursue his feelings for Nix.

Thinking of the beautiful woman occupying his mind every second, another surge of anger gripped him. After a night’s rest and a clear mind, Nix was all he could think about, and as he made his way to her hut, the sight before him tore out his heart. Right there in the early morning were Nix and Maverick, their hands roaming over each other as they kissed. A rage he had never experienced coursed through him as he squeezed a wooden pole he held, his strength breaking it in half. As he stared down at the shards resting in his palm, Deimos looked up again, just in time to see Maverick leaving and Nix entering her hut.

Stalking away, Deimos replayed the scene in his mind. Another unfamiliar emotion slowly replaced his rage as he just walked with no destination in mind. Jealousy. Deimos was jealous of Maverick. For now, he was the one comforting Nix as he stood by, his promise silently breaking.

With his mind occupied, the clearing before him was surprised as he had not meant to come here. The place he was using to teach Nix how to be a witch, one at which he is apparently failing at. The sun cast a glowing light over the green field, the frost from the chilly night sparkling as the whole field seemed dreamlike. Carefully passing the flowers, he stepped onto the grass. Thinking back to the joy Nix had experienced with the earth, Deimos followed suit. Removing the covering over his feet, he stepped upon nature, slightly jerking his foot as the cold pricked his bare soles. Lowering again, Deimos ignored the stinging, but only for a moment as his body heat melted the dow. Moving deeper into the meadow, the world fell silent, with only the birds singing in the wind and small animals crawling over dead leave. Falling back, he closed his eyes as the ground rushed up and slammed into the earth. The softness from the grass broke his fall, but he didn’t care, for in that split moment, he was in the air, feeling alive like he could do anything. And, of course, he could. Deimos is a God, not as powerful as the three, but still magical. Since his time on earth, he has forgotten what he is capable of. The mortal form might weaken him, but the power he fields is still inside of him.

Laying motionless with his eyes closed, he allowed the power of mother nature to flow through him. Opening his mind and letting go of his anger, a slight tinkle spread over his spine while the wind caressed his face. The unfamiliar feeling confused him, but he ignored it instead of letting it consume him. With palms against the ground, Deimos dug his fingers into the dirt, wiggling deeper. But suddenly, darkness clouded his vision. Shooting open his eyes and not knowing what to expect, the scene he witnessed shook him to the core. While still lying down watching the sky, the blue of the cloudless heaven morphed into darkness and blood. A voice in his head said to run, but his limbs felt heavy like it was dragging him down. With no choice but to watch, anguish tore inside of him. Bodies upon bodies appeared above him in the darkness. Some with silent screams frozen on their dead face, while others were headless but all covered in dark blood. Horrid by what he saw, Deimos wanted to close his eyes, but the same force holding him down kept his eyelids in place. Wanting escape, he turned his head to look at something else.

“Nooo,” the next nightmare felt too real. Instead of the dozens of bodies stacked on each other, Nix was lying on her back, her throat missing as a hole stood in its place, darkness and blood mixed. The usual lively hazelnut eyes looked empty and bleak as her head hung to the side, dead.

“What is this.” Deimos choked. Warm tears slipped down his cheek while he felt dead inside. The only woman he loved was ripped from him before their time.

“Make it stop,” cried Deimos, his eyes still refusing to close as he continued staring into her lifeless gaze.

He will rise, a soft voice whispered as the wind brushed over his body.

“Who,” Deimos yelled into the void.

The beast, came a reply. Protect her.

Instinctively Deimos knew it meant Nix, for she is the chosen, but who does she need protecting from? The only beast he knows is Maverick but as savage as he is, Deimos knows he won’t harm Nix.

“Please tell me who.”

As fast as the nightmare started, it dissipated, leaving the open sky above him. Finally able to blink again, Deimos scanned the area, shooting upright to find the intruder who dared show him a perished Nix, but he was alone in the field. As warmth finally returned to his chilled body and confident the vision was finished, Deimos stood up while shaking the dirt from him. Giving a final spin around the beautiful meadow, Deimos halted as he made eye contact with Nix’s gorgeous, alive hazelnut eyes as she stood at the opening of the thick trees, facing him.

Forcing down the instantaneous bliss of seeing her alive, Deimos waved at her. Watching as she deliberated her response, he stayed put, knowing she had to approach him, especially after their last encounter. He knew he hurt her, but things were different now. After learning about her fate and his powers, nothing can stop him from claiming what he wants. And he wanted her.

Nix shyly waved back as she walked deeper into the field and closer to him. Staying put, Deimos admired her beauty as she approached him. He was sorely mistaken if he thought the meadow’s beauty in the sunlight was terrific. Blond hair swayed in the gentle breeze as she moved, the tendrils bouncing over her shoulders as a golden halo fluttered over her head, the sunlight hitting the hair just right as it glowed. Her eyes fixed on him with a slight smile spread across her lips. He wondered if it was directed at him or if her thoughts were still on Maverick.

Pushing the wolf from his mind, Deimos stepped forward as his body craved the closeness of Nix. Meeting halfway in the field, Nix stopped while eyeing Deimos up and down, her breath caught in her throat as she admired his beauty. Nix might be mad at him, but she could still admire him from afar.

“It is good to see you,” said Deimos, forcing down what he wanted to say. Why did you kiss Maverick? he wanted to scream at her, but it would only make her madder.

“I am good. Just tired.” Nix replied, “I have something to tell you.”

“Me first,” interjected Deimos.

Nix nodded in confirmation.

“I need to apologize for yesterday. I am sorry for what I said. To be honest, I did not mean it.”

“Then why did you say it.”

Brushing his fingers through his hair, Deimos looked down before mustering the courage to face her for what he was about to say. “I want to be more than friends. Since I saw you, my heart has been yours, but being the one to train you could complicate things. Get in the way of the mission. After I said those words yesterday, I instantly regretted them, and it has haunted me since.”

“It has only been a day,” remarked Nix as she fumbled with the hem of her shirt.

“True, but the vision I had earlier scared me deeper than I imagined. Something is coming, and we need to stand together to fight this evil.”

Dropping her shoulders as Deimos spoke, flashes of her dream swamped her vision, all the pain and death rushing up, causing her to feel light-headed. Swaying, Nix almost fell over, but firm hands grabbed her arms, holding her up.

Shaking her head, Nix clashed with Deimos’ dark eyes as she looked worried.

“What is it?” asked Deimos concerningly. Brushing strands of her hair away from her cheek, he touched her soft skin, lavishing in the contact.

“I had the same vision. Death, just death all around. Bodies are torn to shreds as my village burns to the ground.”

Deimos gasped. He did not tell her what he had seen, but her description sounded like the one he presented. What does this mean? Why were they shown the same future? If it were to protect everyone, he would gladly help, for Nix will not die anytime soon. Not while he breathed.

“But my vision was different.”

“How so?” finally regaining her composure, Nix stepped from Deimos’ hold, still angry and hurt by what he had said. She needed time to trust him again.

“You are not going to like it.” began Deimos. “I saw you as well. Your throat was ripped out.”

With a hanging mouth, Nix pleaded with her eyes before asking, “What does that mean?”

“It means I will not let it happen. It means we will be training every day, for you need to be powerful to stop whatever is coming.”

“Now that is what I call power,” remarked Deimos as he leaned against the tree, watching Nix with admiration. After the reveal of the mutual vision, Nix’s demeanour changed. Deimos didn’t know if it was his confession of his feelings or that he had seen her death, but today the true potential hidden inside her reared its head, and it was magical.

“I can feel it,” said Nix. Standing in the opening, she allowed the energy to flow through her. After she had shown him the orbs she had discovered that morning and their uses, the gate broke down as the magic surged through her. They had practised the extent of her capabilities. Bringing dead flowers to bloom was easy, followed by control of mother nature. Sweat had dripped from her forehead as she had focused on stopping the wind, finally moulding the breeze as it twirled around her, making an invincible shield. The use of magic had strained her, and after a well-deserved rest, they had continued, leading to now as Nix commanded the earth. Dirt and small rocks floated before her while controlling the movement with her extended arms.

“Good job,” said Deimos, his gaze never leaving hers.

With a slight smile directed at Deimos, Nix returned her attention to the task. The more she extended her powers, the more in control she felt. With her bare feet deep in the ground, she allowed the connection with nature to steer her and let the voices in the breeze guide her. Their silent whispers encouraged her as their warmth engulfed her. Nix did not know who or what was driving her, but it felt familiar, and she trusted them. Lightness filled her mind suddenly as tiredness replaced the power. Dropping her arms to her side, her controlled spell faltered as the dirt and rocks dropped back to their places.

“Why did you stop?” Deimos asked, sitting up as he noticed Nix’s pale face. Concerned, he shot up and sprinted, getting to her on time just as she tumbled to the side, almost passing out. Wrapping his arms around her waist, Nix rested her hands on his shoulder while looking up at him, a smile visible through her sagging lids.

“I am just tired,” explained Nix. “Who knew magic could be so tolling on a body.”

“It will get easier. Your body will get stronger, just like your mind,” explained Deimos.

“I hope so. But for now, I need rest.”

“Your wish is my command.” Scooping her up as if she weighed nothing, Deimos walked them to the trees, careful making his way past the thick branches.

Without meaning to, Nix snuggled into his chest, eagerly lapping up the warmth he provided. “You smell nice.”

Deimos chuckled as he glanced down at her relaxed face, her eyes drifting close before shooting open. She was fighting to stay awake, but why? “You can sleep if you need to. You sure look like you need the rest.”

“And let you carry me back. I don’t think so.” Nix struggled slightly to loosen his hold, but Deimos tightened it.

“I don’t think so,” said Deimos. “And besides, you are not that heavy.”

“Fine,” Nix relented as sleep slowly took over. “Just wake me when we get to the village.”

“I will,” murmured Deimos, smiling as Nix finally fell asleep, her chest slowly rising and falling. “I will always protect you. I swear.”

Deimos had told the truth. Nix was not that heavy, but a mere mortal would have been exhausted carrying her back, but Deimos suspected the return of his powers might be why he managed it. And it made him wonder what other forces he might have. In his God form, it was endless, but on this plane, it is changed, and he intended to find what is hidden, for it could be the only way to save Nix from the apparent fate she faced.

Knowing how the villagers talk amongst themselves, Deimos knows they will gossip if he comes waltzing through the camp with a sleeping Nix in his arms, so to save them both from that outcome, he took a longer way through the trees. He relaxed as her lone hut came into view past the tree lines. The chatter of the people could be heard all around. Stepping into her house, Deimos gently placed her sleeping body on her bed, covering her up with a blanket. Bending down, he brushed a kiss against her forehead, watching her sleep peacefully. As much as he wanted to rest, he could not. The extent of his powers had to be tested and now was a perfect time.

Securing the tarp, Deimos already figured out where to go. Their secret meadow is an excellent spot, and turning to go, a set of angry eyes jolted him in place.

“What are you doing here?” demanded Maverick, arms folded over his chest and eyebrows pulled together as he angrily glared at Deimos.

Momentarily taken aback by the visitor, Deimos straightened himself as he stared down the wolf. “Last time I checked, it’s nothing to do with you.”

“It has everything to do with me.” Maverick spat as a red tinge crept up his neck, and his nostrils flared. “Nix is my...” he was about to say mate but held it back. The less the humans know, the better. “Friend,” he finished.

“I am her friend as well, and I care for her, so I think you should stay away from her.”

A deep chuckle rumbled in Maverick’s chest as he lowered his arms, the movement jolting his chest out, no sign of humour on his face. “And who are you to tell me what to do?”

“Someone who cares for her safety.” Deimos craved to reveal his stature to the wolf, but the beat is unworthy of the knowledge, less so to call Nix his friend.

Breathing deeply, Maverick moved fast as he stepped closer to Deimos, their faces mere inches from each other. “You know what I am, yes.”

Deimos nodded, “I am not scared of an animal.”

Smirking, Maverick leaned even closer, his hot breath washing over Deimos. “Maybe not now, but the full moon is coming. We will see who is scared.”

Roaming over Deimos’ body, Maverick seized his opponent before storming off as the anger waved over him, the villagers parting as they sensed the danger in him. Watching the strong back disappear into the sea of people, Deimos finally relaxed. He might be a God, but without knowing his restrictions, taking on the Alpha might not be the best, but he sure had fun standing up to the man.

Peeking over his shoulder at her hut, Deimos regained the motivation to protect Nix from everything, especially the wolf.

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