The Rise of Nix
Chapter 32

Look at her. She trembles in your presence. She does not see you as her mate. She will betray you.

Maverick looked over his shoulder as the voice spoke, still expecting the dark shadow to hover on his shoulder, but the field was bare. It is only him and his mate, Nix.

“She will not betray me. She is my mate,” he told the voice.

You are a fool for believing that. Just kill her so we may continue the plan.

“This is the plan,” Maverick reassured the voice. “You will not tell me what to do.”

Ask her then.

He abruptly turned to his mate, the dark clouds covering his senses made him see red. “You won’t betray me, would you?” he asked, taking a step towards her.

The voice was still present in his mind when it was not speaking to him. It felt like the pressure was crushing his brain, ineligible whispers a constant buzz in his ears. But he knows his mate will stop them, will stop the thoughts of blood and death constantly barraging his senses.

“I... I..,” Nix muttered.

Suddenly, he saw fear in her eyes, and he knew the darkness scared her, not him. Looming closer to her, Maverick wanted to pull her against him as he promised that the voice would not harm her, but she took a step back, away from him.

“Why are you pulling away from me, mate?” he asked as his head tilted slightly while looking down at her.

“I am not,” replied Nix. “The sun is setting, and I have yet to start a fire.”

Maverick smiled as he realized what his mate needed. She needs someone to provide for her and protect her from the world and its hardship. A woman like her does not need to hunt but be cherished while caring for his pups.

“That is done, my mate.” Maverick tried to reassure her, to show her he would take care of her. “I am here now to provide you with whatever your heart desires.”

As he lovingly gazed at his mate, Nix’s body froze, the intensity in his eyes making her fear for her life. Luckily, the sun began to set, casting them in a shadow. One which she hopes would hide her love for Deimos. Shifting her arms to cover her belly, she tried to step away from the towering beast, but he stayed on her. Reaching towards her, his fingers lightly brushed her arm before she pulled away. His touch sent goosebumps crawling over her skin.

“I appreciate the offer, but I am more than capable of fixing my own fire.” Nix tried to explain, shyly smiling to hide the repulsion he elicited in her.

The edge of Maverick’s lips curved while looking at her, being this close to his mate warming his soul. Of course, she would think that no one would help her, but he was here. He was here to bring his mate home and be the Alpha she needed. His whole life has been spent finding his other half, and now that she is here, he would protect her, especially from those that would harm her and him.

“And that is why I love you, my Luna,” began Maverick. “You are a strong soul, a perfect mate to my wolf. Strength is power, and together we could rule my pack.”

As his sweet words hit her ears, Nix felt the bubbling of magic begin to gather inside. Her instinct to protect her unborn child allowed the power to surface finally. She could not find a way to get away from him, so fighting him would be her last measure for safety. Safety for her and her daughter.

“As tempting as that sounds, I do not think I can leave with you,” Nix finally admitted the truth as she took baby steps backwards. Any sudden movement could tear the man apart, revealing the beast that hides below the surface. The beast she can see behind his eyes. An unending darkness that reflects his poisoned soul.

Maverick pondered over her words for a moment, just before his eyebrows lifted, and he looked at her confused. “But you are my mate. We belong together.” He shifted closer to her, missing the signs of rejection as she stepped away from him. “Why would you leave me?”

“I am sorry, Maverick,” The tingling sensation gathered in her hands as a hue of colour pierced her flesh. Quickly hiding her powers behind her, Nix’s gaze scanned the ground. Seeing a piece of wood next to her, she promptly picked it up. She stepped around him and released a breath when he allowed her to pass. Keeping him at the edge of her gaze, she dropped the log onto the fire pit, the weight sending ash splashing to the ground. “But I have a life here. And friends.”

“But I am your family,” Maverick said from behind her.

Grabbing another solo piece of wood from the ground, she tossed it onto the pit, turning half her body to face the beast, glad that the shadows cast from the setting sun over the tallest trees hid her belly. She has to form a plan to escape him, and soon. Anger and darkness rolled from Maverick. She could sense the evil that surrounded him. A presence she was familiar with. One that has been around her a few times as well.

“I appreciate your kind words, Maverick, for I have very few that I can call family. But my life is here now. By the ocean where I am free.”

The voice returned in a blink of an eye, whispering dark thoughts to him. Violently shaking his head, Maverick tried to dislodge the darkness. It is not what he wanted. He did not want to kill his mate, but images of her death kept flashing in his mind. A few involved Nix, dead on the ground, her lifeless eyes staring up at him as her blood poured from a hole in her neck onto the damp earth.

“Stop it,” demanded Maverick, his sudden outburst making Nix’s body jolt.

“I know it is hard to hear,” she explained while resuming to prepare the fire. The more he spoke, the stronger her magic felt. Soon she might have the strength to attack, but she is waiting to see his response. She hoped he would back off, but deep down, Nix knew she would need her gifts to save herself and her new family.

“No,” Maverick’s loud voice filled the small meadow, and Nix froze. Turning her body completely to face him, her hands tightening over a piece she had just picked up.

The whispers picked up as the ineligible words slowly became coherent, demanding her death.

Do it, they said. Kill her.

“Stop it,” Maverick’s head dropped as he grabbed his face, his eyes closed as he shook himself, the movement sending his hair flying around, but the action was useless. He failed to shake the darkness from him.

Waiting to see how he would react, Nix remained frozen, the log in her grasp now tightly against her body, ready to be swung at him if he made a move. Seconds passed as the sun was entirely hidden behind the mountains, casting them in the darkness of night. Weak light in the distance from the village provided an escape route, but it still left a forest between her and Deimos. Hopefully, he has found Rafael by now and is returning. She did not know what would happen if Maverick saw Deimos, but she would feel much safer having him by her side.

“You know what,” began Nix, “I think I do need help with the fire. Would you mind helping me?”

Gazing up from his fit, Maverick smiled at her. The sight of unruly hair, coupled with his smirk, made Maverick look like a madman. He was losing his mind, and she was stuck with him.

“It would be my honour,” Ignoring her, Maverick began gathering the logs scattered on the ground. With a pile in his arms, he stepped towards the pit, squatting down to arrange them. Pleased with his work, he stood up, looking over to his mate with pride glowing on his face. What she needed, he would provide.

“Will this work?” he looked up as he asked. Nix forced a smile as she nodded.

Excitement bubbled in him as he finally provided for his other half. This will show her that he can take care of her. Picking up two rocks lying next to the pit, he scratched them together as the sparks from the friction landed on the dried wood. As the yellow flames grew, he faced her, his shoulders pulled back and head held high. He is an Alpha, a strong male that leads a pack, and she will love him for it.

“Thank you,” provided Nix.

“Anything for you, my Luna.” The growing fire separated them, and as he moved around the heat towards her, he spotted chills running up her arms as she shook, and he silently cursed himself. He waited too long, and now his mate is cold. “Are you cold? Do you need a blanket?” His words of concern made her shiver more as he closed in.

Before she could step away from him, his hands glided up her bare arms, locking her body to his. Sweat began to form over her forehead and nape as his warm breath covered her, the erratic beat of her heart forcing shallow breaths from her chest. He was too close for comfort as she froze, the magic she had gathered dissipating in the close proximity. The darkness that oozed from him made her powers fizzle away.

The warmth of his body slivered over hers with close contact, making her shake harder. Their eyes clashed as she held her breath while staring up at him. The pure darkness reflecting from his gaze sent her stepping back, but firm hands grasped her upper arm, pulling her back to him.

“I... I..” Nix struggled to choke out what she wanted to say. “I need to start the meal.” she pointed out, hoping Maverick would accept her excuse and let her go.

“You are mine now,” The words came out as a whisper, his breath fanning her cheek and neck. “And I will do what you require, but later.” His fingers relaxed their grip as he slowly dragged it down her arm, her soft skin beneath his calloused hands sending heat to his groan. Being near his mate awakened a hunger he hadn’t tasted in a while.

Fear coursed through her veins as she watched him change. The shift became instant. Gone was the darkness he held within him, now replaced with fire. His eyes softened as he lovingly looked upon his mate. Her mind suddenly screamed to get away as a heaviness slammed against her mental barriers. With her chest erratic rising as she began hyperventilating, Nix tried to step back, but he held her in place, all while focusing on her face, missing the fear she projected.

“I need to taste you,” Maverick whispered. Leaning his head down to hers, his lips brushed against her, and he bit back a growl. He knew her lips would be as soft as her skin and taste as sweet as she smelled.

Having him on her disgusted Nix, and before she could control herself, she bit down hard, breaking the skin of his lip. Tasting iron as drops of blood landed on her tongue, she shoved hard on his chest, sending him reeling back.

Maverick was shocked by her actions, paralyzed for a moment before his brain could comprehend what she had done. Did his mate reject him, he wondered.

They stood in silence, the only sound coming from the crackling of the fire next to them.

Run. Now.

The words screamed at her from inside, and this time she listened.

As she backed away, his head shot up, and the total blackness behind his gaze landed on her. The edge of his mouth pulled up, revealing white, sharp teeth. His smirk turned cruel as his head cocked to the side.

It happened. She had pushed too hard, and now the beast was free. And she was in his eyesight.

“I knew you would reject him. I warned him about it, but of course, he would not listen. They never do.” Maverick spoke. His voice sounded different, deeper even with a sense of dread coating the words.

Nix stepped further away as he spoke but stopped as his words confused her. Why was he talking about himself in the third person? Something was not right with Maverick. The space between them expanded as she moved away. Catching the opening of the woods from the side of her eyes, Nix changed direction, taking small steps as she went, making sure to keep him in her sight. But he just stood there; the look of pure evil edged into his features. Coupled with his unruly hair, Maverick looked like the devil or what she thought he would look like.

A cold breeze brushed her back as she closed in on her escape route, but it was still too far away to relax. Maybe Maverick would let her go after her act of rejection, but what he did next sealed her fate.

“You are a difficult witch to get to,” Maverick announced before he turned his whole body in her direction. Even with the distance and darkness between them, she could see the malice he emitted.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Nix muttered, slowing her steps but not stopping. She will never stop fighting.

Clicking his tongue, Maverick opened his arms and said, “You are but a mere human with a fraction of my gifts. Do you really think you can stop me?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about, Maverick. Please, just let me go.”

“Foolish child,” his voice rose, vibrating around them. “I am not the wolf. He is here, inside,” Maverick’s finger tapped his temple, “fighting for release, but I am strong. Stronger than any human or creature.”

He made it sound like someone else was in control, but is it possible? Months ago, she would have laughed if someone spoke like that, but after what she has gone through, could it be possible? “Who are you?” she curiously asked.

Lifting his chin high while pulling back his shoulders, Maverick, or whoever he was, proudly announced, “I am a God. I was here when darkness filled the universe, and I will still be here when your bones are but mere dust in the ground.”

“You... How?” The revelation made Nix falter and stay still. If it was true, then there was no hope left. Nix and Deimos had spoken on their quiet nights as he had answered her questions. One of them was about the other Gods, and he had confirmed the existence of hundreds of them. Some are more powerful than others. Three, to be exact, so which one was she talking to right now?

Maverick chuckled before replying, “Humans are weak, their minds small, easy to be taken over. Supernatural creatures are stronger but not strong enough. Maverick went easy, for when you bit him, he knew you would reject him, leaving me to take over as he licked his wounds. But do not worry, he will be back soon. I just wanted to talk to you before he killed you.”

Nix’s eyes grew big as her mouth dropped open, her fear being realized. She was not going to make it out alive, and as hard as she tried, her magic remained hidden, as if it also feared the being standing before her. “But why kill me then?” she tried bargaining. If it does not work, she will try to run—anything to get away from here.

“Hahaha,” Maverick laughed, “You still don’t get it, do you? You are but a mere pawn in the game of the universe. Your death will unleash a power that has been hidden from sight. A power I will use to rule this plane, and all that inhabit it.”

The screaming voice in her mind painfully slammed into her head, urging her to move. And she listened. Before he could speak again, she spun around, the opening into the dark trees a few feet away, but as she stepped forward, an invisible grip cast around her body, forcing her legs and arms to pull together. Letting out a yell from the shock, she tried to fight the bindings, but it was useless.

A light chuckle made her peek over her shoulder, glad she could move her head. Maverick’s body held out an arm; his hand splayed open with fingers pointed at her.

“Not so fast, witch.” he grated. Flicking his wrist, her body turned on its own, dragging her feet over the rough ground. “As I said, your death is necessary.” Pulling in his arm, Nix unwillingly followed the motion as his body shot forward, stopping an arm’s length away from the God.

“Please, let me go,” Nix pleaded, but he only smiled at her fear.

“Now, now, don’t be sad. Know that your death will set into motion the beginning of the end. You should feel honoured.”

“Please,” Nix tried again. “I am with child,” she finally exposed her secret, hoping it would work in her favour.

Maverick’s head twisted to the side, his black eyes scanning her body, stopping on the slight bump visible through her clothes. The fire suddenly roared to life as it grew, providing more light against the night’s backdrop. “Now, this is unexpected.” The God squatted down, levelling with her belly. His hand slowly waved over her as his eyes closed. She tried again to will her body to move, but it was useless. His power was too strong.

“It is true,” he said as he stood up. “Deimos sure knows how to break the rules. But I am glad he did, for this will make your death even sweeter. For now, he will lose you and your daughter.”

“It is a girl!” Nix exclaimed, already knowing deep down about her.

“Yes, and she is strong. I sensed her power before, but I thought it was you. It seems like I was wrong.” The God looked down once more before focusing back on Nix. Dread and fear over losing her child filled her as tears gathered in her eyes, rolling down her cheek to land on the ground, wetting the dried soil. With the knowledge of their imminent death, Nix prayed for a saviour in the form of Deimos or her magic, but neither would show up. She couldn’t fault them. Deimos was busy helping an innocent, and her magic was connected to her emotions, and right now, they were all over the place.

“Please. You don’t have to do this.” Nix tried pleading again.

The God stepped away as he turned his back on her. “Pathetic,” he began, “You creatures were a mistake from the beginning. I warned them that you would betray us and all we have gifted you. This place was a paradise, and like vermin, you destroyed it and each other.” The God slowly turned as he spoke, his eyes jumping from the woods to the sky and the ground before landing back on her. The intensity and hate in them slammed into her, her breath hitching in her chest. His essence copied his words. She sensed the hatred he held for her without even knowing her.

“Then why create us to begin with?” asked Nix. She hoped the longer he spoke, the more time she could gain to escape. But a small part of her deep inside was also curious. Deimos was a God, a fact she had come to accept, but talking to one of the three was interesting. Maybe playing into his ego might just save her and her unborn daughter from imminent death.

The God smirked as his head slightly tilted while watching her, as if he was considering answering her inquiry, which he did.

“Simple. Back then, we were bored. A few hours of boredom for you is irritating. Now imagine hundreds upon hundreds of years of complete emptiness and darkness. It makes immortality worthless. So, we decide to have some fun. Don’t get me wrong, in the beginning, your kind was exhilarating. Watching your life filled this hole in us, but after a while, it became boring. Humans became predictable. Greed consumed you, which led to killing your own. And that is when I got an idea.” he said.

Nix was still bound by his invisible power, struggling to wiggle free as he spoke, but she listened intently. The world’s secrets were revealed to her, even if death crawled closer at a snail’s pace. Silence stood between them as he stopped talking, waiting for her to react to his confession. She knew what he wanted to hear. Just like men, God’s had an ego, one which she was a master at exploiting.

“And what idea was that?”

Maverick’s full lips spread open, revealing his immaculate white teeth, a smile she has seen before. A genuine smile, but the God’s influence made it look sinister.

“Usually, I won’t lower myself to explain my actions to a human, but considering when the sun rises, you will be dead, I might as well.” He quickly scanned the ground around him before lowering himself onto the big wooden log next to the fire. The place she and Deimos had spent countless nights huddled together by the fire, telling stories as they watched the sunsets. Memories ruined by his presence. “You see, we made you weak on purpose, so you may remember who is in charge. Your prayers fueled us, but it wasn’t enough. Watching the same thing repeatedly became detious, so I stirred things up. I learned what you feared and created creatures to embody that. Of course, it was fun initially, but the others saw abominations, so they created their own specimens. I wasn’t angry, you see, because then we could see whose creations were superior to others. Mine are perfect, but the other Gods would disagree.”

“So you created the supernatural?”

“Yes, and they were glorious. But they would breed with others over the years, creating more monsters. And I loved it.”

“Then why are you here?” Nix needed to find out exactly how her death would cause the end of the world, so she could try and stop it. Or die trying.

The God pushed on his legs, grasping his knees, using the leverage to stand up. Cracking his neck and back, he said, “Mortal flesh is weak. I hate wearing it, but this plane is too weak to handle our true form; thus, I have to become the thing I despise the most. Ahhh, the lengths one would go to to achieve one’s goals.” he slowly moved closer to her, his right hand reaching out and gently tracing one finger down her cheek before aggressively grabbing her chin, forcing her to lock eyes with him. “To answer your question, I am here to unleash a darkness that has been boiling just below the surface for quite some time—a power hidden from himself, moulded by jealousy and hate. I had sensed it long ago, and when he approached us with a plan, I jumped on it fast. And now, here we are, on the eve of greatness. But first,” the God mindlessly tossed her head away, the sudden motion causing her neck to scream out in pain, “you need to die.”

Stepping back, he kept a distance between them as he waited for her to recover. Blinking back tears that began, Nix lifted her head to see what he was doing and instantly knew it was over. With a final smirk, Maverick’s head rolled forward, and the magic holding her there vanished. As the pressure ceased, she moved her limps, rubbing at the dull ache in her arms. Her body jerked back as the thought of escape returned, but it was too late. A strong hand grabbed her arm just as she turned, yanking her back. Her soft body slammed into a rigid body, her hands rising on instinct to stop him, landing on his chest.

“Is it true?” a grainy voice muttered. “You bedded another and now carry his seed?”

Nix froze as he spoke, something telling her that this was Maverick and not the God. “Please, Maverick. Let me go.” she pleaded.

His head lifted, revealing his dark eyes as his wolf took over. “You were my mate, my Luna. I would have given you everything you desired. Love, power, pups. But instead, you chose him.”

“I.. I..” Nix choked, his hold on her tightening as his other hand wrapped around her neck.

“You would have been a queen,” he continued. “Together, we could have ruled the world.” the pressure on her throat blocked the air as her skin began to turn red, and her eyes grew wide.

“Please,” Nix forced out from her closing air pipe. “Don’t hurt us.” she managed to choke out.

Maverick yanked her close, the tip of their noses brushing together. “For your rejecting, you will die.”

Fear began coursing through Nix as she realized this was the end. Her whole life had led to this. It had been a cruel life, but it had begun to get better with Deimos. And now, it was done. Suddenly, a soft glow started in her palm as it hung by her side. Her magic was returning just in time to save her.

“Goodbye,” whispered Maverick.

Her magic was ready to protect her, but it was too late. Pain pierced her skin as nails dug into her, the lack of air holding back the scream she released. Nix felt her warm blood rolling down her chest, and using the last of her strength, she raised her arms, her glowing palms aimed at Maverick, but he moved fast. With his claws embedded in her, he pulled back hard, a chunk of her throat covered in blood going with him.

It was swift. The pain vanished with his hold on her. Looking up at him, she noticed the blood dripping from his hand. Looking down, she saw red pooling on her shirt, so she reached up, her hand gliding over the opening of her throat. Iron filled her mouth as blood seeped from inside. The air suddenly felt cold, and she dropped to the ground, the massive loss of blood making her weak. Coughing up more blood, she watched as Maverick inspected her flesh before letting it roll out his grasp, the skin plopping onto the blood-covered soil.

“Goodbye, my love.” Maverick gave her a once over before he turned his back and walked away, leaving her choking on her blood.

The half-moon reached its peak above her as the life drained from her with each pump of blood spilling over her chest. As she lay dying, her only thought was her child and the life she would never have. With her final breaths, Nix prayed. She prayed to the Gods she knew were there to save her child. Right now, she cared not for her own life but her family’s.

Black spots began filtering in her vision, a heaviness dragging on her lids, but she fought the darkness. Help is on its way. Deimos had to get here soon, but it was too late.

Not yet, child, a gentle voice spoke.

Nix opened her eyes as golden sparks burst into the air above her. Slowly, the entity lowered over her, brushing over her skin. It felt familiar, like coming home. She had seen them before the night she and Deimos consummated their love. Back then, she had chalked it off as her magic reacting to her emotions, but now she wasn’t too sure.

“Help,” Nix gargled as blood pooled in her mouth.

I cannot, the voice said. You can help yourself, but it will come at a cost.

The golden sparks swarmed together, making a glowing sphere of light. Please, Nix thought, hoping whatever it was could hear her.

Don’t worry. It will be alright. Accept your fate, and you may once again be born.

Nix tried shaking her head, but it was useless. Her chest felt warm from all of her blood as she struggled to breathe. The edges of her vision blackened; the only light she saw was the golden sphere hovering above her. Regrets and unfulfilled wishes flashed in her mind, ending in one that will never come to be. Deimos was holding a small bundle, looking down with love in his eyes as he smiled. She wanted it to be real so badly. She did not want to die, but it was too late.

With no more strength left in her, Nix embraced her fate. Looking up at the golden sphere, she let go, allowing the energy to enter her. Golden sparks burst over her wound as she released her final breath. Lifeless eyes stared up at the night sky for the last time.

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