The Rise of Nix
Chapter 33

Running through the darkening woods, Deimos pushed his body harder as he followed the usual path to their home. His gut screamed for him to reach her fast, but he was still a while away. Stopping, he leaned against a tree and clutched his chest, dragging deeply of the air as he tried to figure out a way to get to her. The easiest way would be a portal, but he has yet to try making one. A light breeze rattled the branches around him, brushing his face as it cooled his heated skin. Counting to three, Deimos calmed his erratic beating heart, fear clutching him like an icy hand grasping him. Somehow he knew she was in danger, yet he could not reach her. Wiping away the sweat on his forehead, he pushed away from the tree and began running again. With each step, he closed in on her and the danger they faced. Each step revealed the dread he held. Calling for his magic from within, his palm began to glow as he ran, the warmth spreading up his arm. Suddenly, the emptiness in his hand was replaced with the feel of cold metal, and he gripped it tightly. His flaming sword, sans the fire, was ready to cut down any enemy he faced, and Maverick was at the top of that list.

The path turned into a hill as the trees finally cleared. A faint light popped from the horizon before him, a sign of a fire burning at their home. Maybe she was alright. Perhaps she was just sitting next to the flames cooking their meal as she rubbed her growing belly. Pushing his legs harder, Deimos cleared the hill and ran into the open field where they had built their home. The sudden light against the darkness blinded him momentarily, and blinking, he finally adjusted to the surrounding. The burning fire stood in the middle, their hut right behind it. Frantically scanning the area, he called out Nix’s name, but only silence met him. Lifting the sword in front of him, Deimos slowly entered, the eerie silence confirming his suspicion. Usually, animals and insects flourished around here, but the lack of their presence settled his fear.

“Nix!” Deimos yelled, “Where are you?”

Moving around, he tried finding any sign of her, but it was all bare. His heart rate picked up as he stressed. Where could she be if she was not here? He wondered. Rafael had named Maverick as his abductor, and Deimos knew the boy was just a distraction. One that had worked to get him away from her, leaving her helpless. She might have the magic under control but has yet to wield it under extreme pressure. Dragging his fingers through his hair, he stepped back, his eyes shooting everywhere as he tried to figure out where she could be. A sludge sound came from below as his foot slipped in the mud. Looking down to inspect, his body froze when he saw the darkened ground beneath his feet. Trailing the path, an excruciating moan escaped his lips.

There, in the middle of the blood-soaked ground, lay a body. Light provided by the fire danced over the skin, making it appear paler than it should be. Dropping to his knees, Deimos burst out crying, the sword slipping from his fingers as his hands curled into the ground, covering him in the dirt. Another sorrow-filled wail pierced the night sky while he shuffled closer to her. Before him was Nix, her lifeless body soaking up her blood, a dark hole where her soft skin should have been. Picking up her body, he cradled her close, pressing his face into her hair as he let out a sob.

“No, no, no.” he cried, “You are not dead. This is not happening.”

Rocking them back and forth, Deimos begged her to get up, to be alive, but her chilly skin remained the same. Pain clutched his chest as his heart broke. She was gone and with her, their unborn child. He was alone again, just like before. Her hair gathered up his tears, wetting it as it clung to his cheek. He rubbed her back, covering his hand in scarlet. This is not happening, he tried convincing himself, but it was useless. The longer he held on to her, the angrier he became. As sorrow and heartache dwindled away, a ferocious beast took its place. One that surged in him, causing his magic to manifest. Light burst from his palm as a heat he has never felt before springing out of him, causing him to yelp with pain. Dropping her body, he stood up and watched as golden flames crept over her form, covering all of her before a bright flash forced a hand in front of his eyes. When darkness peeked through the slits of his fingers, he lowered them and gasped. Gone was Nix’s body, and in its place was the blood-soaked ground and flowers in the exact shape of where she had lain. It was too dark to see the colour, but he knew the flowers were purple, her favourite colour. What had happened, he had no idea. He just knew that she was safe. Her body returned to where it came from. Bending over, he plucked a single flower from the dozens and brought it to his nose. Dragging in the deep scent, his eyes closed as her familiar sweetness filled his senses as he replaced the image of her death with one when she was alive. Her vibrating smile warmed his soul, the life in her eyes giving him hope.

Carefully putting away the delicate petals, Deimos straightened. His reason for life was gone, so he vowed to return the favour to Maverick before he ended his own life. To be without Nix is like to have lungs without air or a heart without blood. Useless. The glint of steel caught the side of his gaze. The second he touched the sword, flames burst from the blade, brighter than he had ever seen before. Slashing the empty air, Deimos imagined cutting Maverick’s head off in one slice, and he smiled. He knew what he had to do. Find the wolf, skin him alive and send him to hell.

********

Washing his hands in the spring, Maverick allowed his tears to fall freely. His mate had betrayed him, and for that, he killed her. But the pain of her loss was still present. His wolf howled in the back of his mind, begging to be released so he may run. But Maverick knew the truth. Running won’t dim the pain they felt. No, they had to move on and find another mate.

She was never yours, you fool, the voice returned.

“Shut up,” he yelled at nothing.

A deep chuckle replied.

“Leave me alone.”

I wish I could, but your job is not done yet.

Splashing the water, Maverick rose, glaring around the woods, his wolf eyes making the dark forest visible. “What else do you want from me? I killed her, just like you asked. My mate is gone. Forever.”

Pacing around, Maverick slapped his head, hoping it would loosen the dark voice, but it only intensified.

She was not your mate—merely a pawn in a bigger game.

“But,” Maverick said, “I felt the bond between us. The connection was real.”

Another chuckle replied.

“Stop playing games and answer me.”

Moments passed in silence before the voice spoke.

Did you know that a mate bond could be faked? No, of course, you don’t, but it can. You are proof.

Maverick was dumstruck. “You did it. You made me believe she was my mate.”

And he finally gets it, the voice mocked.

“Why?”

Because her death set in motion a prophecy long foretold, you were only the messenger—a means to an end.

“No, you are lying.”

You know the power I field. You have experienced it before, and yet you question it. You might just be as bad or even worse than humans. Pathetic.

Anger rose in Maverick as his wolf reared its head. Letting out a growl, he eyed around him and yelled, “Show yourself, you demon, so that I may end you.”

I would, but you have company, the voice announced. And your death will be entertaining to watch.

“What,” before Maverick could question the darkness, a twig snapping behind him made him spin around, shock displayed on his features as he made eye contact with Deimos. A serious-looking Deimos was holding a flaming sword.

“You killed her,” Deimos said, his voice sounding calm, compared to the death visible in his eyes, which were looking directly at him.

The sigh of a man betrayed honestly terrified Maverick, but if the voice was telling the truth, he had just killed an innocent woman and her child. “I... I... I didn’t mean to,” Maverick stuttered.

Moving closer, Deimos pointed the sharp tip at Maverick as his lips formed a devilish smirk. “Too late, wolf. As I tear you to pieces, your blood will spill onto the earth.”

“Please, listen. The voice made me do it. It made me do it all.” Maverick tried pleading, but with each step, Deimos closed in on him.

“No more excuses. You die tonight.”

Trying to convince him was useless. Maverick knew he had to fight, and he would win. His nails elongated as his claws came to the surface. The same with his teeth. Opening his hands, he lowered slightly, keeping his eyes glued to the sword. “Then let’s go.”

Letting out a roar, Maverick charged head-on, but in a blink, Deimos was gone. Looking around perplexed, the wolf searched for him, but he was gone. When suddenly, pain pierced his side and looking down, he followed the trail of steel as it dug into his ribs and up to the man with dead eyes glaring down at him.

“You will suffer,” exclaimed Deimos. Pulling back his hand, the steel slid out of his body before returning into his stomach easily. Doubling over in pain, Maverick tried covering the wounds as blood spilt from him. Dropping to his knees, he looked up just in time to see Deimos wiping blood from the tip before it dissolved into thin air.

“Your death will bring me so much joy, but first, I will make you beg for forgiveness. Never granting it. Just pain is what you will feel as your last breath leaves your body, and my face is the last you will witness as you leave this earth. But don’t worry. Your pack will follow you soon enough.”

“No,” Maverick struggled to look up as each movement spilt more blood, causing a searing agony to fill his body. “They are innocent.”

Swinging the sword above his head, Deimos yelled, “She was also innocent. My child was innocent, yet you still stole her essence.”

“I am sorry.” was all Maverick gave before he closed his eyes, waiting for the final slash to end his life, but it never came. Moments passed before he cautiously opened his eyes and was taken aback by what he saw. Deimos had dropped the sword and was also on his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Please,” he couldn’t help but beg.

As the sobs slowed, Deimos looked up at the wolf, the fear in his eyes providing the strength he needed. Killing the wolf will exact the revenge he craves, but it will also make him the animal the Alpha is.

It doesn’t matter, a voice spoke from nowhere. Do it, and you shall be free from the pain.

“Who are you?” Deimos asked the night.

Maverick’s head shot up as he realized what was happening. “Don’t listen to it. It will only lead to misery.”

I can give you release from heartache and pain. Just kill the wolf.

“How?” asked Deimos.

Trust me. I know what you need.

“It hurts so much.” Fresh tears began to fall as grief tore him to pieces from deep inside.

Then do it and end your pain.

“Fine,” answered Deimos. Looking directly at Maverick, he slowly rose as the wolf’s head followed his movement. With his hands stretched out, he watched as the power grew before. With his head tilted slightly down, an inhuman look crossed his face as he pictured ways to end the wolf. He might be in pain, but he will surely enjoy Maverick’s suffering.

The dawn of a new day broke through the thick trees as the early morning sun rose to a new day. Blood coated every inch of his body, the screams of the wolf still echoing in his ears. Pieces of flesh scattered the ground around him, his feet sinking into the wet earth from all the blood he had spilt. Deimos picked up his sword and called back the magic as the steel disappeared, crusty blood covering the blade. Taking a deep breath, Deimos noticed the pain from Nix’s death was gone. Not just that but all emotions. It felt strange being this empty, but he did not question it, for it felt better than the sorrow.

I promised you, didn’t I, the voice said.

“What happens now?” Deimos asked.

Suddenly, a dark shape appeared before him. Smoke came from the figure as it morphed into a human form with no features.

“Now you make humanity pay for all the suffering they have caused. You are the saviour of earth, and I shall guide you.” The smoke’s voice sounded grainy and dark, the words hypnotizing Deimos as they began walking away, side by side.

Three cloaked figures glided over the corpses of the dead, dozens scattered around the field. So much blood covered the usually vibrant green of the earth in a red haze of hell. The air held the scent of death and would have made the figure choke if they actually breathed.

“He has to be stopped,” The middle figure spoke as he stopped to glance down at the ungodly sight before them. A child lay next to him; its body was torn in half with his mouth hanging open, a silent scream still on its innocent face.

“But how?” asked the cloaked figure to its left.

“The power he wields is far greater than he displayed before.” the third figure interjected.

“That is why he needs to be stopped. At this rate, humanity will be gone forever.” The second figure said.

Moving away from the other two, the first figure bends down, his cloaked arm sweeping over the child’s face, closing his eyes to make it look like he is sleeping. “I know what must be done.” Turning to face the other two, the God clapped his hands together before slowly pulling them apart, revealing a glowing ball of energy, the colours within changing by the second. “We have to lock him away. Neither this plane nor ours can hold him now, so we create one just for him like we did the earth.”

“Is it even possible?” the third figure asked.

“Anything is possible. You should know this.” replied the leading cloaked figure.

The other two observers followed suit as they called forth their powers, letting them grow until all three merged. Blinding light shot from the great magic as it grew, casting a brighter light than the sun above their heads. The corpses of the dead instantly evaporated as hundreds of red dots rose from the ground before shooting away, the last evidence of the evil brought by a God vanishing. As the trio finished their task, they lowered their arms, the power sustaining itself as it hung in the air, ready and waiting to be commanded.

“He is near,” one noted.

“Good, then let us begin.”

With a final glance at their handiwork, the three figures began walking as they followed the path of the rising sun. Every living being, human, supernatural or nature, has an aura. An essence unique to them, and right now, dark energy clouded everything as they approached the void. A void so deep and endless even they feared what it could lead to if not stopped. Death clung everywhere as trails of blood and pieces of skin led them directly to their purpose.

A bloodcurdling scream tore threw the forest as they approached before it suddenly died down. No other sound could be heard, not even the flapping of wings from birds or the crawling of insects through the mud. No, it was silent like night, as if even mother nature could sense the cruel actions of a broken soul.

Stepping into the clearing, the three figures who have been alive since the beginning of time, who have witnessed the worst of humanity threw out the decades, momentarily froze as they laid their eyes on the destruction before them. The bodies they discovered earlier were nothing compared to the blood bath now. A physical river of blood pooled in the centre, starkly contrasting the burned bodies in it. If they could breathe, they would gag as the iron filled their noses, but luckily, they could not. All they could do was see the damage their plan had caused. See the destruction of their world burnt down by one of their own—a reminder of why they do not live with their creations.

“He is a monster,” a figure pointed out, obviously too late.

“And we shall deal with him.” spoke the leader.

As they scanned the area, a slumped-over body stood in the middle, covered from head to toe in red, the blood of his victims.

“Deimos,” called a voice.

He responded as his head shot up to look over his shoulder with eyes black as night and empty. “I expected you sooner,” he grated, his voice broken and rough.

“You have gone too far this time,” replied a figure.

Straightening up, Deimos flexed his body, sending ripples over his back as dried blood cracked to let in the fresh red liquid that covered him.

“How?” Deimos began as he slowly turned to face the three figures. Eyeing them, he noticed the sphere of pure power hovering behind them. He could sense its endlessness and began to form a plan if he got his hands on it. “You have done worse on this earth, so why am I in the wrong?” Mindlessly stepping over strewn body parts, he closed in on the three Gods that would stop him in his mission to wipe evil off this plain.

“You are killing the innocent,” said Jupiter.

“A loss that will help heal this place. One I am willing to do since you just watch from your high towers, allowing these people to get hurt.”

“And you think killing them is saving humanity?” Neptune pointed out.

Chuckling, Deimos spread open his arms as he swept over the carnage he created, “Yes. Do you see pain? Or suffering? No, because I helped them.”

“This is wrong,” Bellon finally spoke.

“Hahaha,” laughed Deimos, finding the words hypocritical, “Says the God of death. You should be pleased. I did your job for you.”

“Enough.” Jupiter’s voice pitched high. “You will stop, or we will end you.”

“So you have found a way to kill me, then?”

“No, but there are far worse things than dying.”

Wiping the blood from his face, Deimos gazed down at his hand; his skin buried deep beneath the scarlet of revenge. “It is too late,” he whispered as he looked back at them. “They are dead, and it is my fault.”

“We did warn you when we tasked you.” Bellon pointed out.

“LIES,” he yelled back.

“Calm yourself, brother. We want to help you.”

“Then bring them back,”

Silence befell the three as they pondered his request, but alas, even they knew the dead could not be brought back, a rule they knew Deimos must know. He was just wasting time to prolong his inevitable fate.

“You know it cannot be done. As much as you would wish otherwise.”

Pulling back his shoulders and lifting his chin, Deimos set his sights on the three as the edge of his mouth curled into a wicked smirk. “Fine. Then you shall join your creations in the pain that I am feeling.” Without a moment to spare, he pushed ahead, sprinting towards them, his hands pointed at them as his magic began to gather, ready to strike them down.

The Gods predicted his actions, for it is what the desperate would do. Watching as he stalked closer, they acted. They vanished with a flick of their arms in the black cloak, only to reappear behind their magical orb. Deimos was running too fast; his mind focused only on tearing them apart, for, between the blink of his eyes, they disappeared, leaving him heading straight for the magic. The glint in his eye indicated that he wanted them to run so he could absorb the power and become the most vital being in the universe, or so he hoped, but he was a fool.

“NOW,” yelled Jupiter.

The three Gods pushed forward on their invisible hold, and the power shot forward, crashing into a running Deimos. The impact set off an explosion of blinding light, followed by a scream. As the light cleared, it revealed Deimos’ body engulfed in the power as it slowly began to spread over him, inching higher until it reached his neck. Jupiter closed his palm to slow down the spread so they may try again to make Deimos see sense in his wrongdoing.

“What is this?” Deimos pushed out the words as the pressure build against his body. He tried to shake it off, but it stuck.

Walking towards him, the three Gods stopped a foot away from him, the cloaks hiding their faces, leaving a black hole for him to stare into.

“For your crimes against humanity and all other species, you will be banished to a realm filled with darkness. An endless void where you will spend the rest of eternity alone.” announced Neptune.

Shaking his head vigorously, Deimos began to beg, “Please, no. Don’t do this.”

“You brought this upon yourself,” said Bellon.

“These creatures need our help,”

“They choose their own fate. We are not supposed to intervene.”

“Don’t lie,” spat Deimos as he finally stopped struggling. It was useless. He knew that now. So instead, he accepted his fate. But he has the time to plan his revenge; they said that much. “You have the power to shift the dynamics of this realm, yet you hide, and for that, I vow to return. I shall be stronger than the three of you combined. That I swear.”

“Good luck with that, brother.” Bellon stepped forward. Giving a final glance, he turned and began walking away, ignoring the raised yells of Deimos.

Next was Neptune. He looked longer at their lost brother and turned to walk away without saying another word.

Finally, as Jupiter stepped up, he lifted his cloaked arm, and the magic slowly crept over Deimos’ neck and onto his chin, but before it could cover his mouth, Deimos said his final words.

“Hear me now. I promise to be back, even if it takes me decades. This is not the last time you lay eyes on me.” he promised just as the veil consumed him completely.

With a wave of his hand, Jupiter allowed the power to do its job, and Deimos disappeared, secured away so he may do no more harm. But something told the God that Deimos’ words were the truth and that they might have to face him again. But alas, the world was back to normal, and everything was set right.

For now.

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