The Rise of Nix
Chapter 7

Laying on the rough straw, Nix tossed and turned the whole night. It was not the uncomfortable bed keeping her awake but the two men for once. In all ways, they were different. The one a leader in his group and a great hunter if one were to believe his stories, a single touch from him sent butterflies swarming in her stomach. While the other, just as handsome with unknown connections, mentally evoked her. The little time she had spent with each had elicited feelings she had thought were long gone since her younger years, but here she is, both taking up space in her mind as she tried to relax.

The moon's glow splayed past the tiny cracks of her hut, casting a soft light over her home. She scanned her little area and imagined a life with both men. Being alone had been her plan, never depending on a man, but here she was, daydreaming not just about one but two.

"Enough," whispered Nix, mentally berating herself for the direction of her thoughts. She has made it this far without them and will not start now.

Rising from the bed, she huffed, knowing sleep would not come any time soon. Grabbing the animal pelt for warmth, Nix left the hut as she wrapped the soft fur around her body. Silence cast over the village as everyone slept, everyone but her. Moving around the scattered houses, Nix broke through the line, entering the center. The fire barely sparked with life, the faint glow guiding her closer. Dropping onto one of the tree barks, Nix picked up the closest piece of wood and tossed it into the fire. As the flames returned to life, Nix tightened the pelt, admiring the fire as the heat enclosed her face and body.

This was a worse plan if she could not sleep because of her thoughts. The two images of the men bombarded her vision while watching the flames dance around, folding around the wood as it burned brighter, the brown turning to white as the fire ate hungrily. Their eyes flashed before hers, one filled with dark and the other lighter. Something about the two piqued her interest, a rare attribute, and she needed to know more.

Mesmerized by the beauty of the dancing embers, Nix shut out the world and missed a twig breaking in the distance. As a dark shadow loomed to her sitting form, the hairs on her neck prickled as her shoulders tensed. Daring not to move, her eyes frantically zoomed the vicinity, scanning the area for an intruder, but it was clear. Settling slightly, she kept her attention on high alert as she resumed her adoration of the flames, but a crunch of dried leaves under a heavy object forced her to spin around, jumping up simultaneously. The fire's light cast a yellowish shadow over the huts, and random equipment scattered about, but nothing was moving, nothing indicating another person.

Placing a hand over her chest to calm her beating heart, Nix silently berated herself for being this jumpy. With a final sweep over the terrain, she sat down, back straight while still cautious. Instead of focusing on the heat before her, she chose the hut to her right, enabling a part of her vision to pick up any movement close to her still. Khan's place was by far the grandest of all the homes, his power enabling him access to all things, something Nix thinks he abuses. Being a leader is more than showing off your wealth, but Khan would disagree. The only way their small village has survived this long was because of Nix, and her ideas, a fact Khan despises. The growing support from the villagers for Nix scared him, but to overthrow was not in her plans for the future. No, she planned to give him what he wanted, for her to leave them and join another, but she first had to replace a suitable group.

Maverick's clan of wild beasts seemed like the easiest choice, but they were hiding something. Nix wanted to replace out before she asked, but with Khan's random outburst, her days were numbered, and it was either death here or the unknown with them.

Sighing, Nix's shoulders dropped at the thought of her future. Either option had her trapped by a man with no independents of her own.

"There is another way." spoke a familiar voice.

Swerving around, Nix jumped up on high alert, mentally kicking herself for letting her guard down. The fears from earlier were right. For now, there was a dark shadow. The movement caught her eyes as the figure stepped out from behind one of the huts, their face covered by a dark cloak. Slowly stepping closer to the flames, Nix kept an eye on the intruder as they stood frozen while Nix contemplated her escape.

Taking another step forward, the cloaked figure raised an arm and grasped the edge of the hood, lifting it away to reveal a known face.

"You nearly scared me to death." Relieved that she recognized the intruder, Nix halted her retreat, moving forward again. "What are you doing here?" she asked Deimos.

The man remained expressionless as he moved to join Nix on the log as she sat down. Both facing the fire with a space between them.

"I needed to see you," Deimos answered after a moment of silence.

"Why?" Nix continued her questioning.

Deimos looked ahead as he continued. "I have a solution to your growing problem."

Bewildered, Nix turned to Deimos. He shifted to stare at her as well. Their eyes made contact, his statement shocking her to muteness.

Deimos recognized her shock, so he clarified. "You have been chosen for greatness. And I am here to guide you on the right path."

Nix chuckled at his absurd confession, "You have the wrong person."

"Do I?" the reflection of the flames made Deimos' eyes sparkle, entrancing Nix. "Deep down, you know you are different, and I am here to show you."

His words made Nix laugh louder, "Look, you probably had too much mead, so why don't you go sleep it off, and we can talk about it tomorrow when you are sober." standing up, Nix headed to her hut, but a firm grasp on her wrist stopped her. Peering down at Deimos, her eyebrows pulled taut with confusion.

"Please listen," Deimos pleaded. "There is a darkness brewing in the world, and only you can stop it."

The hold on her tightened while he spoke, a frantic look staring back at her. Suddenly, the situation scared her. The man she had just met talking about fairytales was too much. With a slight tug, Nix tried to remove his hand from her, but he was too strong.

"Listen, I need to go. I will talk to you in the morning." implored Nix.

Deimos yanked hard, and Nix was caught off guard, falling into his body. The sudden manoeuvre sparked her fight instinct as she curled her fists, one hand on his chest, pushing against him. "Let me go."

Deimos's free hand snaked around her waist, his fingers digging into her soft flesh. "You need to listen."

The reality of her situation hit Nix. The knowledge that she was in the grasp of a more substantial person began boring in her mind, knowing that if she did not get away soon, she might never see the light of day again. With a swift jerk of her knee, Nix made contact with the soft flesh between his legs. The impact usually sent men to their knees, moaning in pain, but Deimos stood standing, still looking down at her.

"You are the chosen one. Let me help you."

Nix began pulling frantically, hoping his grip would loosen, but she was still locked in his embrace. "Please let me go." Nix pleaded, wishing she had learned earlier in life to defend herself.

"You are the chosen one. Let me help you." his words repeated.

Glancing around for anyone, Nix weighed her choices. With each passing second, the hold on her tightened as pain exploded from those areas. "Let me go," rasped Nix.

"You are the chosen one. Let me help you." a frenzied look stared down at her as Nix glanced at Deimos, his repeating words a sign of absurdity.

Suddenly, the hold on her disappeared as wind rushed past her head and body, the world flipping around as stars replaced her vision. The ground ran up seconds before she realized she was falling. Closing her eyes, expecting the rough surface to punch the air from her lungs. Nix waited, but nothing. Opening her eyes, the glaring sun blinded her as a different hard surface touched her back.

Shooting up, Nix frantically swept her home, realizing that she was in her hut, in bed.

"It was just a dream," Nix whispered, brushing her fingers through her unruly hair.

Someone cleared their throat outside her hut, making Nix's erratic heart thumb beneath her hand as she covered her chest. Pulling off the covers, she rose and headed to the opening. Another cough came just as she poked her head out, slamming into the other person.

"Sorry," voiced Nix.

A short person grabbed the side of her clothes to straighten themselves before looking up at Nix. A familiar set of eyes silently pleaded with her as fear spread in the small globes. "Please, help. Mama."

The boy had his mother's face, and with his pleas, Nix knew something was wrong with Anna and her unborn baby. "Where is she?" Hurriedly, Nix stepped out as dread filled her. Most times, mothers and babies have an equal chance of making it to full term, even less so when giving birth. So far, Nix has not lost one and did not plan on starting now.

"This way." the boy grabbed her hand, tugging her along as they zipped through the huts and past bewildered people. Seconds later, Anna's place came to view, a few of the villagers crowding the entrance.

"Move," Nix shouted just in time as they scattered away, the boy and her barely missing colliding with an elderly woman. The darkened room caught her senses off guard, but a female scream made her turn towards a form in the corner, a man hunched next to Anna.

"Please help her." the boy pleaded as he let go of Nix.

Sprinting forward, Nix drops to her knees, grabbing her friend's hand as she lets out another cry. "What is wrong?"

Anna stopped her moans for a second to answer Nix. "The baby. I am losing the baby."

The baby's crying bounced around in the hut as it took its first breath, light blue skin turning creamy as the little boy fought to stay alive. Nix cradled the weeping form as she wrapped the fragile body in cloths.

"It is a beautiful boy," announced Nix, rising from her crouched position.

Anna's teared eyes followed Nix as she passed the small bundle to her, a smile spreading as she gently trailed her fingers over the baby's back, firmly gripping his behind. Nix wriggled her hold as Anna took her place, supporting the newborn's neck and head with her other.

"Come here, my beautiful boy." cooed Anna, slipping her other hand beneath his body, fully holding him before she lowered, softly placing his sleeping head on her naked chest. Fresh tears sprung to her eyes as her smile grew, making Nix silently appreciate the moment. Having her own children has been a dream she has pushed away for a long time, so helping the women bring their bundles of joy into the world curbs her ambitions.

The small boy that had called on Nix hid huddled behind a table; his eyes doubled in size with his hands covering his ears. Noticing the shivering form from the side of her eyes, Nix moved over to the scared child, bending down until their faces were even. Trailing a finger down his plump, soft cheek, Nix gently tugged his hands from his ears. "It is alright now," she spoke, keeping her voice quiet so as not further to scare the boy. "You see." slightly moving to the side, Nix revealed a crying Anna cradling the bundle as her husband stroked her hair, lovingly switching his gaze from his son to his wife.

The boy's mouth dropped, and he pointed a finger past Nix's shoulder. "Mama, injured," he muttered.

The sight of the blood-soaked fur beneath Anna's body made Nix realize what the boy meant as she turned to follow his indication. "That," began Nix, facing the boy again. "I natural when a woman brings a new life into this world. See," gently tilting his chin, the boy finally saw his family, happy and healthy. "They are wonderful."

"MAMA." the boy shouted, jumping from his spot as he nearly crashed into Nix as he sprinted into his father's open arms.

Getting up, Nix straightened her clothes, only realizing the red streaks covering her. Anna's labor had almost ended poorly, for the baby had not turned fully in her stomach, causing the pressure on her organs to accelerate the birth. The only option had been to reach inside the womb and turn the baby herself. Anna's screams of pain had been heartbreaking, but to lose a child would be far worse.

Watching the happy family rejoice in their new member, Nix began to leave, a final glance to ensure that the mother was alright. The sunlight momentarily blinded her as she left the darkened room, shielding her gaze as it adjusted. The spectators from earlier had run away as soon as the heartstopping screams filled the room, drifting to their unsuspecting ears. Nix couldn't blame them for their curiosity, which led to her life's purpose.

The village was in full swing as Nix moved about the area, eager to return home to get cleaned up, her rumbling stomach confirming she had not eaten yet today. Inside her safety nest, Nix undressed, grabbing her washing bowl to start removing dried blood and other liquids coating her flesh.

Positive she was as clean as possible, Nix dressed again, this time in her pants, the thrill of bringing a life into this world giving her strength not to care what the folks said about her choices.

Grabbing a piece of dried meat, Nix left her house, walking around the village looking for any welcoming face she could talk and laugh to, and with luck, one came up. Sitting in front of their hut, Mary and James laughed, his arm around her middle as she rested her head on his shoulder. Wishing not to interrupt their moment, Nix turned, but it was too late.

"Nix, please come join us." invited Mary, "We heard you had an exciting day. Come tell us."

Secretly glad she had someone to talk to, Nix joined the couple as their two children played further ahead, mud covering their bodies and faces.

"It still amazes me how something as simple as dirt can delight these youngsters," noted Mary, a smile on her face while watching her babies.

"I envy them." Mary shifted to Nix as she spoke, her face glowing with happiness, the sight killing Nix internally. "Life is much simpler when you are young, and nothing bothers them. Even being covered in mud amuses them."

"I know what you mean." agreed James.

While Mary teased her husband about his confession, Nix took the time to inspect Mary's husband. They were the complete opposite, for Mary was short and curvy, and James was tall and slinky. With Mary's red hair, he had light hair, almost yellow from his time in the sun. Being as thin as he is, some would expect his face to be the same, but instead, he had puffy cheeks, always red with a small button nose and gray eyes, an unusual trade with these villagers. Despite all their differences, the most significant commonality between the two is love. By watching them, you can see they care deeply for each other and their family, a rare commodity in this dark and unpredictable world.

"So, how is Anna doing?" asked Mary, pulling Nix back to reality.

Dropping her elbows on her knees, Nix leaned forward as she tore a piece from the dried meat with her teeth, chewing the flavorful flesh before speaking. "It went great. For a second there, I thought we might lose them both, but I am glad to report we have a healthy baby boy joining our family."

Mary clapped her hands as James' shoulders dropped in relief. Having a boy instead of a girl was seen as praise from the Gods, for they could provide more for a family than a female.

"That is great. And all thanks to you."

"I can't take all the credit. Anna was the one who had to push a human out of her body," replied Nix.

Standing up, James winked at Mary before going into their hut. With the space between them, Mary slid over the wooden bench towards Nix, resting a hand on her shoulder. "In any case, you saved Anna and her baby, just like you saved countless other women in this village and me. That makes you a hero."

"Which is why," a man's deep voice spoke from inside before a blond head popped out. "we are celebrating tonight," revealing himself fully, James pulled a dark sack from behind him, the contents inside making the bottom bulge. The sound of liquid splashing followed as James took Mary's old seat.

James took a deep swig and passed it on to Mary as he wiped away some liquid sliding down his chin. Winking at Nix, Mary took an even bigger pull, releasing a burp as she passed the bag to Nix. Drinking has never been a big part of her life, a sip here and there, but she needed an escape from her life right now.

"Sure, why not," muttered Nix, grabbing the offered mead.

"Just watch out, it is..." a warning came, but Nix ignored it. Instead, she downed the warm liquid, the harshness burning a trail down her throat. "Strong." Coughing from the heat of the mead, Nix looked up at the laughing couple, wishing she could reply to their teasing, but her throat choked up as tears swam in her eyes.

"What... is...that." choked Nix.

Mary grabbed the bag from Nix, downing some more. With a smile, she replied, "That, my dear, is mead from the night walker pack. We exchanged it for some plants they needed."

Taking a deep breath, Nix wiped away the wetness in her eyes, releasing a final cough before replying, "That is strong."

While laughing, James answered, "I know, and it is great, but maybe you have had enough."

Shaking her head, Nix objected. The one sip made her mind lighter and her muscles loose, but she needed more if she wanted to sleep tonight, especially after what she saw earlier. "I disagree. Give me more."

James and Mary glanced at each other before looking at Nix, offering up the bag. Without hesitation, Nix took the offering and downed some more. Her coughing made the couple laugh harder as they began joking and chatting the night away, Nix feeling much better as the night progressed.