Chapter 20 - A Light in the Darkness

Raeyn’s consciousness drifted in the darkness.

*Why would you throw yourself into Wilde? Why would you stop him from killing Violetta? Why would you sacrifice yourself at all for them? For betrayal? It was meaningless. Stupid even.

I did what I did. I do not know or care why I did it. Once the flames spread, I was already lost. At least Violetta may live because of me.

Yes, Violetta. The one who was planning to kill the entire warren. Come to be her pet so easily now? Or is that she offered you a place and a purpose that you wanted.

No. Belos’ will was to deceive her. I was doing that. I just did not expect it to end that way.

You are running away again, V.*

A ripple in the darkness. Like a drop falling into an endless ocean.

*Raeyn. My name is Raeyn!

Weak, whiny and worthless. That is all you are. You have no idea how to behave or how to do anything at all for that matter. You should not even have existed!

I am real! I am!

Prove it, ‘Raeyn’.

Violetta. She lives because of Raeyn. If nothing else, she is the proof of my existence.

Ah yes, the soon to be slayer of the entire warren. Are you hoping that she decides to spare the warren out of the goodness in that wicked heart of hers? Or perhaps you think she was awake the whole time you latched onto Wilde and stopped him from reaching her?

It does not matter what she does. She lives because of me.

And what of the five who are dead? Is that a wonderful trade? Forget the others, but Rock would not be dead if not for you getting captured.

I did not want that!

It is still your fault, Raeyn. * Enough. This one is under my protection. My blessing has been bestowed, and she has given herself to the flame. To intrude into her mind further is to question my will.

Hanging between worlds is difficult. I shall depart. V… Raeyn… Stop trying to save everyone. You will only lead them into more suffering. Suffering and death. All becau-

The other voice was cut off.

You have given yourself to the flame and now you have been consecrated in mind and body. As my terrestrial agent, you will serve Violetta even if it means defying your warren. Remember my words. You are a creature of the darkness who carries the flame of light. By my blessing alone can you wield the power of the embers within you.

I am not dead?

The flames scorched your body, but you are very much alive.

And Violetta?

She lives.

Belos. What am I to you? What purpose can I possibly be?

You are my agent. My priestess. My terrestrial envoy. The words matter not. I have chosen you for this purpose because your soul is one of light. As for your purpose, it is to save this land from the ravages of Mahn. If they are allowed a foothold in this land, then the Gobbo and Dwellin be enslaved or perish. This continent is their last refuge in the whole world.

Everything I know seems to be a lie. How do I know what a Dwellin is? And can I trust them?

You may not have seen them, but you know their traits. Green of skin and pointed ears. Larger than Mahn. They cannot be mistaken for any other. They are your allies and will not betray you. The devout will know you and recognize your ability to make fire with your hands.

With my hands?

Yes. All those with my blessing receive the power over the divine flame. The one you call the Great Mother is one such priestess who gave herself over to the power long ago. This divine power can shape the world, and the Great Mother became a beacon by that divine right. As long as you carry the light within, my power will flow through you. That is the nature of my blessing.

Belos… I do not know who I am or what to do. Can I really be important?

My trickster and deceiver, you will find yourself in time. And you are already important to one essential to your mission. Now, as you have completed your consecration trial with true compassion for your enemy and your adherence to my will, awaken. Awaken and find a way to fulfill your divine mission.

Belos… Thank you.

Raeyn.

Raeyn.

RAEYN!

" RAEYN! " Violetta called out in the darkness. " What happened? Where is everyone? "

Feeling around in the darkness Violetta searched the floor and found Cade, or rather what little remained of him. The chainmail links clattered and rang, but as her hands searched in the darkness she began to wail and scramble over to where Huron had been dropped. Him too.

" FIGHT ME WILDE! COME ON OUT RAEYN! " Violetta screamed and flailed, drawing her dagger and stabbing the air.

Raeyn stirred and rose up, her eyes opening as she arose out of the remains of Wilde’s scorched form. Her tunic was gone, her skin charred black, but she was alive. No pain. No soreness. The flames had not hurt even as they had engulfed her before. She had given herself to Belos and Belos had consecrated her with his power.

Her right hand twitched and flexed, and she rubbed her thumb over her index finger and snapped. The black flecks came off and a spark of light filled the darkness. Again, she snapped, and a spark appeared.

" Raeyn? " Violetta saw the blackened goblin for a brief moment between those snaps, " You are alive!? "

" Yes. " She replied and snapped again, but this time a small little flame emerged and lingered on her thumb. Bright as a dim candle, she felt the heat and her body twitched and pulsed for a moment as her body wanted to recoil from it.

" Wilde. " Violetta saw the remains at Raeyn’s feet. " You? Killed him? "

" Belos’ flame. From me to him. " The light faded from her fingers as she attempted to draw a line from herself down to Wilde’s remains. " He killed me. Belos’ saved me. I saved Violetta. "

The flame flickered to life as she snapped her fingers and moved out from Wilde’s remains and into the open room. Violetta rose up slowly, her dagger falling to the floor as the much larger woman wrapped her arms around Raeyn’s small form and picked her up off the ground and into a tight hug. The flame went out.

" You saved me! You saved me! " Violetta stumbled backwards and into a sitting position, holding Raeyn tight as she resumed crying into her shoulder. " You saved me. You saved me, Raeyn. "

She had never been hugged before. It was tight, uncomfortable, suffocating, yet warm and strangely soothing. She wrapped her arms around Violetta and squeezed back. The other woman slowly loosened her grip and they both cried in each other's arms. There in the room of eight statues and three corpses, the sound of their cries was not for the dead, but for themselves. In the midst of all that crying, Raeyn was the first one to fall asleep after enduring almost two whole nights without rest. Drifting off to sleep, she whispered softly, “Violetta.”

Violetta’s breath caught and she whispered back, “Raeyn.”