The Rise of Nix
Chapter 24

Water sloshed against the side of the pool with each movement, sending the calm surface rippling and alerting the inhabitants of the threat they faced. As the sharpened spear crashed through the barrier of the water, missing its intended, Deimos pulled it back, disappointed not to see dinner impaled on the edge. Slapping the water in frustration, he bit back a curse at the fish for not being more compliant to being caught. Wetness coated his face, which he wiped away, solemnly staring down at the pool to see bright colours zipping past, his fingers itching to wrap around the slippery scales of one of the bastards. Raising an eyebrow, an idea struck Deimos. Moving to the edge, he placed the wooden spear on the soft grass before returning to his spot, an arrogant smirk clinging to his lips. Fishing is a human act, but he is no mere human. Rubbing his palms together before laying it over the surface, he called forth the magic as his eyes closed. Warmth over his skin contradicted the coldness from the water, sending shivers laced with power crawling up his hand. Keeping his eyes closed while working, he missed the sparks flying from his hand and into the clear blue water. Silver tendrils moved elegantly through the shapeless liquid as it morphed bigger, taking the shape of a net. Deimos felt his will complete and opened his eyes, momentarily taken aback by the image he saw. Beautiful could not describe what he saw. The mid-day sun glared from above, his magic glistening with each wave combined with the light. A multitude of colours rose and disappeared with each movement of his breath and body. Suddenly, a dark object flashed past his net, and Deimos remembered why he was standing in this pool, soaking wet.

“Gotcha,” Deimos whispered victoriously.

As another flash passed, he tweaked his fingers, controlling the net with his mind, ordering the magic to reach out and take what he desired. Catching sight of an approaching fish, Deimos willed the silver tendrils to slowly expand as not to scare the prey before remaining still. The unobservant fish swam right into his trap. Plucking the meal from the water, he grabbed the slick mark just as his magic evaporated, clasping tighter as it thrashed violently, trying to escape its inevitable demise. Smiling proudly at his catch, Deimos safely put the fish in his bag before returning to catch more. Nix is a fantastic creature, and she deserves the world, which he would gladly give her, starting with enough food to fill her hut to the brim.

The next few hours went by in a blur as his sachel expanded with his catches, and as the sun reached its peak in the sky above his head, did Deimos finally relent. Shaking off any excess water, he lifted the bag with a grunt, its heaviness dragging his shoulder slightly down as he threw it over. As sore and tired as he was, he could not help but smile. Last night was magical and more than he thought it would be. He had secretly peeked at the humans while mating on a few rare occasions, curious about what it entailed. The act had confused him, their reactions driving him crazy, but after last night, he was hooked. Maybe being a mortal was not that bad, thought Deimos, especially if he spent it with Nix every night. But deep down, a voice warned him. Warned him against making any plans. For he was here for a reason. To train Nix in mastering her new powers so that the Gods may use them and her. And eventually, they will seek their prize, and he would have to oblige happily. As his thoughts became dark about what could happen, Deimos quickly replaced them with an image of Nix. One from this morning as he returned, only to find her standing before the fire, naked and glowing, his manhood jumping in his pants. As much as he had wanted to bury himself in her, her pleasure was more important.

Walking through the woods and following the path back to the village, a sudden warning flashed in his mind as the hairs on his nape stood up. Slowing down but still moving, his eyes swept the brush, taking in the detail of the trees and what could lay behind them, hiding from his sight. A quietness surrounded him as he went on high alert. No animals were around as the sound of the usual nature stilled, only his steps on leaves vibrating in his ears. Tightening his hold on the spear, Deimos pretended to walk casually, the magic returning as sparks rippled over his skin, ready to be released on demand.

A branch snap in the distance forced his head to shoot in the direction as his fingers turned white with his hold strengthened on the wood. Suddenly, a flock of birds shot out through the trees, their movement aggressive as they chirped. Deimos knew something scared them, and it was headed his way. He began to run as feet against the ground echoed through the dead woods, loud crunching nearing him. The bag filled with fish slapped against his back with each movement; his breathing deepened as he pushed harder, the thing hunting him reaching closer. A smoke cloud billowed in the sky through the crack in the trees, and he abruptly stopped. Whatever was chasing him could be deadly, and he did not want to lead it to Nix’s village. Spinning around as he dropped the heavy bag with a plop, a fireball manifested in his left hand as the spear pointed towards the approaching assailant. Leaves ruffled in the distance ahead as something barreled towards him, his mind raking to ideas for what it could be. Bears were scarce in these parts, but another animal frequented this area—one with a whole pack behind it and a vendetta against him.

The thick bush shook with the creature crashing through it, reaching closer to him, but it suddenly stopped. Deimos’s breathing sounded loud in the small clearing as he tried to steady his heartbeat, his gaze sweeping around him, ready for the attack.

A loud bark warned him seconds before the trees parted as a dark wolf burst through, its colossal body flying through the air, its jaw opened, and its sharp teeth aimed for his throat. With a second’s warning, Deimos threw his body to the right as he shot the fireball out, praying it hit its intended as he crashed to the ground, the spear falling from his grip. A ferocious growl came to his left, and he jumped up as he called to the magic again. Shaking off the pain from the fall and turning towards the wolf, he locked eyes with the beast. All humanity was gone as its head lowered to the ground; its eyes clamped on him as it bared its sharp teeth, saliva dripping out the sides.

Lifting his hand to display the orange flames shifting in his palm, Deimos slightly crouched by digging his feet into the soft ground, ready to defend himself. As they stared at each other, he took in the details of the wolf. Its fur was darker in colour, almost as black as night, confirming it was not Maverick. It had to be one of his pack sent to kill him.

“Your fight is not with me,” Deimos spoke, his voice higher pitched than usual to try and calm the beast.

The wolf snapped its jaw as its snout pulled taught, revealing more of its teeth, a deeper growl vibrating from its chest. Darkness clouded its eyes, changing the once human trait to one more of a beast.

As much as Deimos wanted to protect the allegiance between the pack and Khan’s tribe, killing the beast to save his life seemed like the only option, but he would not attack first. The wolf moved as if it heard his thoughts. Pushing down its paws, the wolf jumped at him, jaw open wide.

This time he was prepared and ready for the attack. The fireball flew from his hand as he aimed and shot it at the approaching wolf, hitting it in its chest. The impact sent the beast a few feet away as it fell to the ground. Hoping it was not dead but knocked out, Deimos hurried over to check, the magic ready in his hand in case he was wrong. The dark fur rose and fell slightly as he approached, a wetness coating the area he had hit, the smell of singed fur wafting to his nose.

Gently kicking the wolf’s leg to check its reaction, he moved closer. The beast remained unmoving, only its chest rising and falling. Squatting down, Deimos flipped it on its back, blood pooling into the grass, crimson covering the vibrant green area.

“Are you okay?” Deimos asked concerningly, knowing the wolf could not answer in its current form.

Its chest began to drop and rise slower, a whine rumbling deep when it was turned around. Deimos knew he could not let the wolf die. His hands hovered over the wolf, the fur lightly brushing against his fingertips. As the magic brewed in his hands, he let it go, and it flowed through him and over the dark coat. The silver tendrils returned as they merged with the darkened pelt, washing over its body, repairing and healing the damage. The wolf’s breathing returned to normal as the tendrils began covering more of the body. Deimos focused hard on helping, too distracted to notice the wolf’s eyes shot open and its head turning to look at him slightly, darkness still clouding its eyes.

As sweat began to drip down his brow, Deimos prayed for its recovery when suddenly, sharp teeth wrapped around his arm, piercing his flesh as blood poured over his skin. The instant shock of pain forced him to fall back and land on his ass, the wolf’s bite replaced by a growl.

“Fuck,” cursed Deimos. But before he could tend to his injury, the wolf leapt at him, and he raised his hands to cover his face for the impending death blow, but it never came. Opening his eyes, the sight he witnessed was relieving but also dreadful. The hilt of a sword rested in his palm, and his eyes trailed the metal blade until it clashed with the point, currently embedded not in the dark-furred wolf he expected but the tanned skin of a man. The sword disappeared when Deimos let it go, and the body dropped to the ground, a gash in his chest pumping blood out.

The shock sent him to stand and step back a few feet, the knowledge that he had just killed for the first time dragging heavily on his conscious. The throbbing pain in his arm momentarily distracted him, and forcing his eyes away from the brown-haired man, Deimos put pressure on the bite, wrapping the wound with the string from his pants. His gaze filtered back to the dead body by dragging his fingers through his hair and ignoring the ache. His magic must have instinctively protected him when the wolf attacked again, but he never meant to kill the man. It was self-defence, but would Maverick believe it? No, the Alpha would use this to further his cause of obtaining Nix.

The memory of her fair Nix returned his sanity. He had to get to her before the body was found and explain what had happened. He could no longer stay here, for this sealed his fate and the target on his back, and he would not leave without Nix even if he had to drag her away, kicking and screaming.

With a final glance at the man whose life he had just ended, Deimos grabbed the fish-filled bag and spear and hurried back to camp. Ignoring all the ‘hello’ from the townspeople, he finally released a calming breath as her hut came to view. Bursting inside, his heartbeat slowed as he laid eyes on Nix, her back to him as she bent over the table, her mind busy for she did not hear him.

“Nix,” Deimos whispered.

Her name behind her paused her work as she turned to face the familiar voice, but he sounded different.

“Where were you?” she asked, quickly gathering the papers she was working on to hide them from Deimos.

“Fishing.”

The one-worded reply confused her and stepping closer, she noticed the red trail going down his arm and a desperate look on his face.

“Are you alright?” Nix scrambled towards Deimos, reaching for his wounded arm to see what happened, but he tucked it behind his body. Tilting her head up at him, she dropped her arms to her side, waiting for his response.

“I have bad news.” Deimos began, not knowing how to tell her that she had to leave her friends behind. “I need to leave, and I want you to come with me.”

“That is all you have to say?” Nix furiously asked as she stood in the middle of the room while Deimos frantically shuffled around, grabbing her items and pushing them into a sachel. “You have to leave, and I am coming with you.”

Pausing momentarily to force her clothes into the bag, Deimos looked up at her, anger waiving from her silhouette, arms crossed over her chest. “Yes,” he replied before returning to his task. Time was running out, for Maverick would find his pack member’s dead body after he did not return from the mission the Alpha most likely sent him on.

“You do know I have a say in this, and I am not leaving,” Nix responded, but Deimos ignored her. Frustratingly, she reached for the bag in his hand and ripped it away. “Talk to me. Explain to me why you are acting like this.”

Deimos wiped his face and hair away from his forehead before looking down at her. “Please, you have to,” Deimos said defeatedly. The wolves are not known to talk it out after one of them is killed, even if the wolf tried to kill him. No, these creatures are known to be violent and usually struck before asking questions. He just feared that Nix would be caught up in a scuffle and end up dead. Just as the vision had predicted, her whole village could be caught up; men, women, and children.

“No,” Nix threw the bag behind her before folding her arms over her chest again, her face stern as she eyed him.

Eyeing the room before settling in Nix, Deimos huffed a defeated breath as he locked eyes with her irate gaze. Defeated, he explained. “I went fishing earlier. I wanted to surprise you with a meal after you woke up, but I was attacked by a wolf,” as he spoke, his arm lifted and slowly turned to emphasize how bad it turned out or could have turned out. “I tried to stop it,” the knowledge of a man’s death on his hands knocked Deimos to his knees. Nix grabbed him, also getting dragged down by his weight. “He... he just kept coming. It appeared out of nowhere and....” tears trailed down his cheek as an emotional floodgate burst open, and reality hit him. The Gods had sworn to protect all living beings, and here he was, the death of one on his conscious.

Nix tucked his shaking body into hers, resting her chin on his head as she gently stroked him, wetness clinging to her front as he let it all out. Her mind spun with the reveal of events. She has yet to see more of the werewolves, and what she saw scared her, but why would they try to kill Deimos? He had told her Maverick was the group’s leader- Alpha, as he had called it, but she knew the man. He is honourable, not a murderer.

As the sobs raking Deimos’s body slowed, Nix gently trailed his face to the open, sliding her thumbs over droplets rolling down his soft skin. “It is going to be alright. It was probably just a miss understanding.” Nix tried to soothe him.

“It was not. You weren’t there to see the look in his eyes. He would kill that night, be it an innocent or me.”

“Then we explain to Maverick what happened before they assume the worst.”

“No,” Deimos regained his composure and swiftly stood, the motion nearly knocking Nix over.

“Be reasonable,” Nix countered as she righted herself.

“He will not be reasonable.” ignoring her and grabbing the bag from behind her off the floor, he resumed packing. Nix’s response to the news confirmed her kind heart. Even knowing what creatures are out there, she still believed that all have good in them. For that reason alone, she needs to be protected. And taking her away from this place is how he will do it. “I know his kind. And the death of one of their own requires a blood payment, even if it was an accident.”

“There has to be another way.” Nix brainstormed as her mind sprang to resolutions. Deimos insisted that they leave, but for all the times she had wished it before, facing the possibility scared her slightly. Clicking her fingers, she suggested, “What if we go to Khan? He can plead for our case.”

Deimos tried and failed, but a loud chuckle escaped him at her ridiculous words. “Khan, help us?” he looked to Nix as her smile faltered with her idea being laughed at.

“Well, then, what is your idea?” Nix grasped her hips, and her head tilted slightly as she waited for his suggestion.

Deimos looked at her silently, stopping the packing before honestly replying. “You could stay here and continue your life or come with me. We could have a fresh start as you train the magic. There is a whole world out there waiting to be discovered. All you have to do is say yes.”

Not expecting his answers, Nix felt light-headed, her hand sneaking across the table’s edge until she firmly grasps the chair’s top. “I... I..” she struggled with a response. What he described has been her dream for so long—seeing the amazing wonders described by travellers passing through has given her the strength to continue all this time. But suddenly, facing the fact that she might never see her friends again terrified her. Anna and Mary have been with her since the beginning, and deep down, she had always wished they might go with her, but after they started their families, the possibility had shrunk. Now she has Deimos, but could she truly trust the man who had lied to her in the beginning?

The drop of a wooden box on her table spurred her back to reality, and she blinked a couple of times, noticing Deimos was at her table now, messing with her latest project. “Don’t,” Nix tried to stop him, but it was too late.

“What are these?” Deimos asked, lifting the stack of papers he discovered hiding under the wooden box.

Yanking the delicate materials from his hold, Nix gently gathered them and slid them into the deerskin holder she had created before putting them in the bag on the bed.

“It is just something I am working on.”

“So, why can I not see it?”

“Because it is not ready yet.”

“Fine,” Deimos said, “but I still need an answer.”

Glancing about the small hut she had built from scratch and a place that held so many memories, Nix slumped to sit on the bed defeatedly. He was right. She has outgrown this place, and it is finally time to leave, but he does not need to know. “Tell me first. Where are we going?”

A victorious smile curved over Deimos plum lips. Forcing her to go would have been the last resort, but luckily, she seemed to be on the same page as him. “Just name a place, and we go there.”

Nix thought for a moment before answering, “The ocean. I heard it is a vast body of water, only crystal blue waters where the eye can see.”

“Then it is done,” announced Deimos, happiness pouring from his soul, for Nix will come with him, and he gets to witness the ocean he only glimpsed here and there through the portal connecting this realm to his previous domain. Picking up the bag next to Nix, he held it out to her and said, “Pack what you would need. Remember we are going on foot for a few days. Don’t bring it with you if you cannot carry it.”

“Okay,” nodded Nix before scanning her small enclosure. Tiny trinkets are scattered around her space, all used for a specific task, but without knowing what lies ahead, how will she know what to bring with her? Moving about, Nix pictured each item and its use and then decided what to pack. As the bag’s volume grew and her excitement with it, a nudge in the back of her mind screamed stop and think about this, but it was no use. The thought of a new environment thrilled her, but what she was leaving behind dragged her soul down.

“I need to say goodbye,” said Nix as images of her two friends flashed in her mind.

“Then I suggest you go now, ” replied Deimos as he stuffed his limited possessions into an empty sachel.

“Thank you,” placing the bag by the door, she turned to Deimos, “I am done. I will be back soon.”

Nodding a confirmation, Deimos resumed his task as she left the hut.

The sun began to set behind the mountains as the village flourished in life. Biting back tears of regret, Nix made her way through the crowd, greeting all who crossed her path. As the familiar hut of Anna came into view, she faltered in her steps from the sight. Mary and Anna sat on the wooden benches; their families gathered around, laughing and talking, voices sounding like music to Nix’s ears. This might be the last time she sees her friends, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. Wiping away the wetness and plastering on a fake smile, she approached the group.

“You seem different.” Mary’s face lit up as Nix approached, rising to give a tight hug to her friend.

“I feel different,” replied Nix as she snuggled her face into Mary’s neck, remembering the familiar scent of her friend before she left.

“Could it be?” Anna stepped in.

Nix reluctantly let go of Mary, only to fill the void with Anna. Shock covered her face as Nix’s arms snaked around her body but turned content as she leaned into the hug.

“Could what be?” Nix murmured through the woman’s bushy dark hair as it stuffed her face.

“Yes, what is it?” asked Mary as she picked up her baby, the child’s smile lighting up her own.

Anna manoeuvred out of Nix’s hold but held her close as she rested her hands on Nix’s shoulders. “Something happened. Didn’t it?”

A deep blush spread over Nix’s face, and she tried to hide it, but Anna’s tight grip forced her to face the two females. “Fine,” said Nix. “If you must know. Last night I became a woman, if you know what I mean.”

A high-pitched shriek blasted their eardrums, forcing Anna to let go of Nix and cover her ears.

“Really?” Nix asked Mary after she finally stopped.

“I am sorry,” the woman began. “But are you saying that you finally DID it?”

Anna looked confusingly between the two before it dawned on her. “With Deimos?” she breathed.

Nix just nodded her answer. Her body jerked forwards as Mary grabbed her arm, pulling them away from prying ears. “Tell us everything.”

Nix could not stop smiling as she recalled the fantastic night. Both girls listened in awe at their friend’s achievement.

“But did you enjoy it?” asked Anna after the story.

“Define good?”

Anna blushed as she dragged up a response and smirked while answering, “It should feel like your body is on fire, with tiny explosions all over.”

“Yes.”

The trio released giggles at her reveal, all three leaning into a group hug. As the seconds passed, more tears slipped from Nix, and her hold tightened on her friends as they huddled together. Pulling back, Nix quickly wiped the tears away, hoping they did not see it, but she was too slow.

“Why are you crying?” Mary halted Nix’s movement by covering her hand with hers.

“Did he hurt you?” Anna chirped in. “I will show him real pain.” swaying her fists in pretence to a fight, the other two laughed before she joined in.

“No, nothing like that,” Nix said through the giggling.

“Then explain,” Mary spoke, all humour gone as she turned serious.

“I, um... I need to leave.”

Anna and Mary looked shocked before their jaws dropped open, expecting Nix to say she was kidding, but she never did. “Why?” asked Mary.

“I, uh, I think it is time for me to see the world. You guys know I love learning new things, and when Deimos asked me to go with, how could I say no?”

“But your friends are here,” Anna said.

Nix’s shoulders dropped in defeat as her heart broke. They are right, but what else is left? Khan desperately wants her gone from here, and the need to explore the unknown has been gnawing at her since she received her magic. All roads point to leaving, and with nothing else keeping her here, why not? “I am sorry, I know, but a part of me is screaming to leave. To let go of the past and forge a new path.”

“And it is not just because Deimos asked you to leave with him?”

“In part, yes, but you guys also know me. I never fit in here, even though I tried hard. It is time to find my people.”

The girls started crying simultaneously, embracing each other as they said goodbye. Anna wanted to hold Nix tighter, making it impossible for her to leave, but she was right. Nix was always an outsider since the death of her family. Khan hated the girl. They have seen the evidence in how he speaks to her, but leaving this safe place is absurd.

“Will we ever see you again?” Mary pondered.

“Of course you will.”

“Promise?”

“How else could I ensure that your lives will be miserable.”

Tears of joy and misery rolled from the girls, wetting the grass beneath their feet as they embraced. Moments passed before Mary’s boy ran up to them, searching for his mother. After farewells to the husbands and children, Nix gave a final glance to the happy group. Anna nodded in her direction as she slowly sauntered away. With a smile, Nix turned away from them and walked. Each step letting go of the weight she had clung to all these years. She is finally free to begin anew with a man who adores her and understands who she is.

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