Blood Moon Cycle
Chapter Sixteen

Tiasia sat up and rubbed her eyes. Looking around, she could tell that everyone was sound asleep in their various places around the barn. She considered the possibility of going back to sleep, but decided it would not be worth the effort. She stood and made her way to the door, being careful not to step on Rielle who was sleeping beside her. She slipped out as quietly as she could and began walking around the streets.

“As long as I stay around the barn it should be ok.” She whispered to herself. She wandered from house to house, peering in through the windows to see if she could see anyone. The night air was cool and there was a breeze that made Tiasia shiver and pull her small cloak tighter around her. Everything was quiet and Tiasia soon found herself bored and seeking the warmth of her bed. It took her some time to replace, but eventually she found her way to the barn again. She headed towards the door and reached out to open it when she heard a small noise. She turned to replace a tall, dark figure in a black cloak standing beside the nearest house.

“Hello.” Tiasia greeted this new person. The figure did not respond.

“I am Tiasia, what is your name?” Again the figure did not respond. Tiasia took a few steps closer.

“What are you doing out so late? Couldn’t you sleep?” The figure’s hood tilted, as if nodding. Tiasia frowned.

“I can’t sleep either.” Then her face lit up with a smile.

“Maybe we can play a game until we are tired.” There was a moment or two of silence and then the figure’s hood tilted once more.

“Perhaps.” Came the seedy reply.

Rielle jerked awake, pain burning in the center of her back.

“Fool!” Solidus cursed.

“Borsa has broken through to the chaos and brought his demon into this world.” Rielle could see, all too clearly, the dream she had been having the moment before she woke.

“Tiasia is in danger.” She whispered urgently. Everything was silent for a moment and then Solidus spoke again, incredible sadness in his voice.

“It is too late to help her… I am so sorry Rielle.” Rielle jumped to her feet, immediately noticing the empty bedroll beside her.

“Tiasia!” She screamed. Everyone jerked awake, Vesth rolling to his feet, sword drawn. An agonized scream tore through the night air outside.

“No!” Rielle’s voice tearing in her throat as she turned and burst through the barn door, nearly knocking it from its hinges. Vesth was not far behind and the others were behind them almost as quickly. Rielle froze outside the door, her breath catching in her throat and tears filling her eyes. Thirty feet away stood a figure in black, four writhing tendrils of darkness flowing from its back. At its feet lay a small, lifeless bundle. Anger filled Rielle and she urged her inner power to beat faster, but suddenly it felt as if an icy hand reached out and clutched her center, stopping it’s flow.

“You cannot fight him, Rielle. He would kill you.” Solidus told her. Rielle struggled against him, squeezing her eyes shut as her tears ran down her face.

“Let me go! I swore I would protect her!” She screamed inwardly.

“She is already gone, Rielle. Her life force has left her. But she wouldn’t want you to get yourself killed for no reason while you still have so much to do in this realm.” The figure spoke, a powerful voice, marred only by a slight, seedy trill.

“I came searching only the Mage of Alenon said to dwell in the Temple of Fire and Earth. Think of the joy I felt when I also happened to replace the group gathering under the final instruction of the Silver Mage. Destroying you, and the Mage at the temple, will bring me great honor and respect.” Vesth saw Rielle’s inner struggle and stepped forward.

“And what kind of filth are you? To think you could even hope to kill a mage of Alenon is almost blasphemous.” A raspy chuckle seemed to echo in the empty air.

“Captain Vesth of Gentry I presume? I am aware you saw what Silver Mage Solidus achieved at the Great Northern Gate. I am sorry to say, however, that the other Alenon Mages are not near so powerful as he. They will all succumb to the power of chaos.”

“Shut your mouth, pig.” Nysisset growled, her snake tattoo beginning to shimmer. “You are nothing more than a pool of slime. So weak that you can only succeed in killing innocent children. Even the evil that courses through my veins is not so presumptuous.” The figure shook his head.

“Tsk tsk tsk, name calling is not necessary. She was simply in my way first. I do say that her essence will be very sweet when I devour it.”

“Never.” Nysisset spat. “I will send her essence to the heaven realm, Or to be with Great Khornal. I will not let the likes of you have it.” She growled again and the snake tattoo on her neck faded and the tattoos around her eyes returned.

“Oh, well, isn’t that interesting. The Deity of Evil has sent one of his little Chosen to fight for the Silver Mage. When did Master Solidus convert to the ways of evil I wonder.”

“Shut up!” Rielle shouted. “Solidus was a Balance Mage and even the Deity of Evil needs balance.” The figure chuckled again.

“You have fire in you, Rielle of Hortaal, I am surprised you haven’t tried your meager powers on me yet. What is it that holds you back? Is it fear?” Rielle struggled harder.

“Please let me fight him.” She begged.

“No.” Came her reply. “I will deal with this one myself.” Rielle ceased to struggle.

“But Master Solidus, that would reveal to everyone that you are still alive.” Rielle felt Solidus nod.

“Perhaps, but with Borsa already having torn his demon from the Chaos, the time for secrecy has come to an end.” Rielle nodded and straightened.

“I would know your name before you are destroyed, demon host.” The chuckling became insane laughter.

“Destroyed? You are a funny little girl, aren’t you? How do you think you will destroy me?” Segine growled and took a step forward, sword poised to strike, but Rielle held out one arm and stopped him.

“Your name demon host.” The figure’s laughter dropped once again to a self-important chuckle.

“Nothing of my host remains. Over time I have devoured his essence until nothing remained. This body is entirely mine. You may call me Garynaxiss.” Rielle nodded once and then her eyes turned silver and Solidus spoke, his powerful voice erasing Rielle’s.

“Garynaxiss, to destroy one’s host is dangerous, even for a demon.” The figure called Garynaxiss flinched back.

“It cannot be.” Rielle/Solidus remained expressionless.

“What cannot be? I cannot be? I am surprised to hear such foolishness.” Garynaxiss cried out.

“But you are dead! Destroyed by the spell that saved the worthless girl’s life.” Vesth growled.

“Be still, Vesth.” Solidus commanded. Vesth gripped his sword tighter but stepped back a pace.

“My body was destroyed, taken to heal the Girl, but my mind is still intact. I live, using Rielle as my host.” Garynaxiss recovered from his earlier outbursts.

“So you have a host now? Well this is most fortuitous then. You could not hope to use even a fraction of your power inside a weak human body such as hers. I can still simply destroy all of you and perhaps my master will raise me in status and place me in control of all his hordes.” Rielle/Solidus frowned angrily and lightning played across Solidus’s eyes.

“Your lack of concern annoys me.” Garynaxiss laughed, though nervously and not as insanely as he had before.

“Should I be concerned? All the legends say that you are one of the most gifted mages ever born, but despite all your power, all your knowledge, all your foresight, you could not even see the death of this young girl, or prevent it.” Garynaxiss kicked at Tiasia’s lifeless body. Solidus growled. Lightning flashed from Solidus’s eyes and the air around Rielle’s body rippled and grew heavy with his power.

“I have seen her death since before she was born, and I could have stopped it, but it was forbidden to me. However,” Solidus lifted a single hand and placed Rielle’s thumb and middle finger together. Garynaxiss, crouched low, ready for an attack.

“What I am permitted to do… is remove the abomination that killed her.” Solidus snapped his finger, and Garynaxiss simply disappeared. The power in the air disappeared with an earth-shattering crack that shook the ground, rattled the windows in nearby houses, and made the air burn and feel as if it would pull them all apart. Rielle/Solidus stood straight.

“Travel as quickly as you can to the Temple. Nysisset will need the altar there to guide Tiasia’s soul to the heaven realm.” Segine half bowed and entered the barn to gather the horses. Nysisset took a few steps towards Rielle.

“What did you do to him? Has he been returned to the chaos?” Solidus looked to Nysisset; anger, regret, and painful sorrow all showing plainly on his face.

“Garynaxiss… has ceased to exist.” Nysisset gasped in shock and Vesth froze with his sword half way into its scabbard.

“It is forbidden.” Nysisset whispered, a terrified break in her voice. Rielle/Solidus nodded.

“Yes, it is. To remove someone’s very essence from existence is a severe infraction of magical law, but I will be forgiven for acting in a moment of righteous anger…eventually.” Rielle’s eyes closed.

“I used a great deal of power and must rest. Rielle will also be very tired as I pushed her body nearly to its breaking point. Take care of her.” Rielle’s eyes opened and they changed back to their normal bright blue. She blinked a few times and then fell forward. Nysisset stepped forward and caught her, Vesth also reaching out to make sure she did not fall. They stood silently for a moment and then Rielle began to sob quietly into Nysisset’s shoulder.

“Tiasia. She is gone.” She cried. Nysisset stood awkwardly for a moment and then wrapped her arms around Rielle.

“I know. But I will guide her to a place where she can be safe and… happy.” Rielle continued to cry and Nysisset held her until Segine returned with the horses. Vesth placed a hand on Rielle’s shoulder. She looked up into his eyes and saw unshed tears held deep inside him.

“We must go. We need to get to the temple as quickly as possible, but we need your light. Will you guide us so that we may help Tiasia replace rest?” Rielle sniffed and wiped at her eyes.

“Of course, it is the least I can do.” Vesth nodded and then helped her into her saddle. Segine carefully lifted Tiasia’s body and carried it back to the horses. Nysisset lifted herself into her saddle and motioned to Segine.

“I will carry her, knight. I will protect her from the demons.” Segine nodded and gingerly lifted her into Nysisset’s arms. Vesth nodded and turned to Segine, assuming the air of a captain. “Segine, you ride in front with your lance and I will bring up the rear. Nysisset and Rielle will ride between us and Rielle will provide us with light. Be ready at all times and we will reach the temple no matter how many creatures we must fight through to do it.” Vesth committed. Segine nodded once and they both leapt into their saddles. Their trek into the mountain was nothing but a blur to any of them. Rielle, using all of her anger and sadness, created a brilliantly shining ball of light that encircled them all. They raced across the few miles of flatlands and into a narrow pass up the mountainside.

The entire way they could hear growls and snarls and yelps of pain, but nothing would venture closer than Rielle’s circle of light. No one knew how long it had been when the first sight of the temple came into view. Fires were lit all around it in cauldrons and torches. The massive stone structure looked to be a part of the mountain itself. As they neared the doors Rielle let her light fade away and fell forward in her saddle. Vesth hurried to catch up and placed a steadying hand on her back to prevent her from tumbling out of the saddle. The doors to the temple opened and a white haired woman in a white robe smeared with ash rushed out.

“Please let us enter the temple.” Segine spoke, sliding down from his saddle.

“Of course you may enter. I felt Solidus nearby less than an hour ago.”

“Mistress Marina?” Rielle groaned from her saddle. The woman ran up to Rielle and slid her out of her saddle and carefully set her on the ground.

“Please,” Rielle begged weakly.

“Nysisset has to get to the altar.” Marina looked up at Nysisset and nodded.

“You may pass, dark angel, the monks inside will lead you to the altar you seek.” Nysisset nodded once and slid carefully from her saddle and carried Tiasia into the temple. Vesth dropped down from his own horse and rushed to Rielle’s side.

“Rest now, young one.” Marina said, brushing her hand across Rielle’s face to force her eyes to close.

“Will she be alright?” Vesth asked. Marina looked at Vesth and then back to Rielle.

“She is burned out, seared by the power forced through her. All of her energy is gone and Solidus is in remission. Help me carry her inside and I will see what can be done.” Vesth nodded and maneuvered himself under one of Rielle’s arms and lifted her up.

“Sir knight, get your horses inside the temple as quickly as possible. We must get indoors while we can.” Segine gathered all the reigns in one hand.

“What do you mean, ‘while we can’?” Marina turned and pointed to the sky in the east. “The Blood Moon Cycle begins.” Vesth and Segine both turned and watched in awe and horror as a nearly full, blood red moon rose into the sky, turning everything outside a menacing crimson. As the light washed over them, Vesth suddenly felt as if he had been sickened by something tainted.

“Quickly now, inside.” Marina urged. “And watch your step, with the light of the moon on you even a minor injury could prove crippling or fatal.” They both nodded and hurried inside. The temple doors were quickly pushed shut and barred behind them.

“What should we do now?” Segine asked quietly. Marina directed a few of the monks to take Rielle to a room.

“Now?” She asked, and Segine nodded. Marina sighed. “Now you must rest while the angel and I do our work. Nothing can be decided until the Blood Moon passes. But even then, your journey is far from done. We can only hope now.”

“Hope?” Vesth asked. Marina nodded and began to follow the monks who had taken Rielle.

“Hope and pray. Hope and pray that it is not the beginning of the end.”

The End