Crown of ash and light, p.37
Crown of Ash and Light, page 37
The marble floors began to shift to darker tones as I descended deeper into the castle. The faint warmth of the upper halls faded, replaced by a cooler, heavier atmosphere. The weight of the stone walls seemed to press in on me, and the torches grew fewer, their light dimmer. My heels made soft echoes now, and I adjusted my gait to muffle the sound as much as possible.
But my thoughts continued to swirl, each step dragging me deeper into the storm of my own mind. I couldn’t shake the image of my mother, her piercing eyes full of disappointment. She would have hated the chaos I’d caused in the ballroom, the reckless display of power that had revealed so much.
I could almost hear her voice. You’ve let him see too much. You’ve shown your hand, Azura. There’s no undoing that.
A lump formed in my throat, and I clenched my fists to steady myself. The ache in my chest was almost unbearable, but I couldn’t let it stop me. There was too much at stake.
The vault lay ahead, hidden beneath layers of secrecy and guarded by centuries of stone. I paused near an archway, listening for any sign of guards. The castle was still alive with activity, the echoes of distant voices and hurried footsteps carrying faintly through the halls. But here, in the depths of the castle, it was quieter—calm before the storm.
I took a moment to steady myself, leaning against the cold stone wall. My reflection in a nearby sliver of polished metal caught my eye, and I froze. The woman staring back at me was almost unrecognizable, her hair darkened by the magic of my bracelet, her expression hard and cold. And yet, beneath it all, I could see the faintest glimmer of the girl my mother had raised.
“Focus,” I whispered to myself, straightening. “This isn’t over yet.”
as I descended the final staircase, the vault door loomed ahead. It was a towering monolith of black stone etched with intricate runes that shimmered faintly in the dim light. The weight of the castle above seemed to press down on me, but I felt no fear—only the rising determination to prove myself.
Elias had said he was the only one who could open it. That it required him, and only him. But if there was one thing I had learned from my family, it was that there was always another way. Always.
I paused at the edge of the chamber, scanning my surroundings. The air was heavy with magic, thick and suffocating, but the corridor behind me was silent. I listened intently, my senses attuned to the faintest sound. The distant hum of the runes on the door filled the space, but there was nothing else—no guards, no footsteps, no voices. For now, I was alone.
Satisfied, I reached for my bracelet, the cool metal familiar against my fingertips. I hesitated for a moment, my thumb brushing over the tiny engravings etched into its surface. The bracelet wasn’t just a tool to hide my magic—it was a connection to Therynna. She had crafted it herself, pouring over our mother’s old notes and piecing together the intricate spellwork required to bind my elemental signature. I could still remember her quiet determination and the way she had worked tirelessly to ensure it was perfect.
“Just try not to break it,” she’d said, her voice light but her expression serious. “I’m not making you another one.”
I let out a small breath, a faint smile tugging at my lips despite the weight of the moment. Therynna had always been the one who kept us grounded, her steady presence a counterbalance to the chaos that often surrounded us. This bracelet, though practical, was also a reminder of her care and resourcefulness.
But now wasn’t the time for sentimentality. I slid the bracelet off, tucking it carefully into a pocket. The moment it left my wrist, a familiar surge of magic rushed through me, sharp and invigorating. My hair shimmered briefly before its true color was revealed, the silvery-white strands falling loose around my shoulders like a cascade of light. The air around me seemed to hum in response, the magic flowing through my veins alive and eager.
I pressed my palms against the cold stone floor, summoning my water. It came to me effortlessly, coiling around my fingers and pooling at my feet in rippling tendrils. The liquid glistened faintly in the torchlight as I guided it across the room, weaving it into thin, nearly invisible threads that snakes along the walls and door frame. If anyone approached, I’d know.
Once the traps were set, I straightened and turned my attention to the door. Up close, it was even more imposing. The runes shifted and danced across its surface, their movements mesmerizing and fluid. The low hum they emitted resonated in my chest, vibrating through the air like a heartbeat.
I placed my hand on the door, my fingers tracing the cool stone as I studied the patterns. The runes flared brighter beneath my touch, their hum rising in pitch. A surge of energy shot through me, and I closed my eyes briefly, steadying myself against the rush. The door wasn’t just a barrier—it was a test, a challenge designed to measure worth.
“Alright,” I muttered, my voice low but steady. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
I poured my magic into the connection, letting it flow through my palm and into the door. The runes responded immediately, shifting and rearranging themselves into new patterns. The glow intensified, casting eerie shadows across the chamber. It felt as though the door was alive, pushing back against me, testing my resolve.
The weight of the task settled on my shoulders, but I didn’t falter. Therynna’s voice echoed in my mind, a memory of her quiet confidence. You’re stronger than you think, Azura. You just need to believe it.
Her words, coupled with the knowledge that she had crafted the bracelet I relied on, gave me the strength to push forward. I adjusted my stance, drawing deeper from the well of my magic as the runes continued to shift. This door wouldn’t defeat me. I refused to let it.
The hum grew louder, the runes pulsing with a rhythm that matched my heartbeat. I could feel the door resisting, its ancient magic pressing against mine, but I didn’t back down. My water swirled at my feet, a constant reminder of my connection to my element and the power I held within.
“Let’s finish this,” I whispered, my voice filled with determination.
The hum of the door filled the chamber, its vibrations resonating deep in my chest as I pushed more magic into the shifting runes. The intricate patterns began to align, clicking into place like pieces of a puzzle. I was close—so close I could almost feel the mechanism yielding to me, the ancient magic finally beginning to relent.
Sweat trickled down the back of my neck, but I didn’t falter. My water traps shimmered faintly at the edges of my vision, their tendrils rippling softly in the faint torchlight. They were my safety net, my early warning system. If anyone dared to approach, I would know.
I pressed harder, letting my magic surge through my fingertips and into the door. The runes responded eagerly, their glow intensifying as they shifted into a final, recognizable pattern. My breath hitched. I was nearly there.
Then, a soft ripple ran through the water trap nearest the stairwell. The surface quivered a subtle but unmistakable disturbance.
I froze.
The ripple spread, cascading through the network of traps I had set. One after another, they shimmered with sudden movement, their smooth surfaces breaking into erratic waves. My heart leaped into my throat. Someone was here. Not just one person—several.
Before I could fully react, the hum of the door was drowned out by a loud snap. My head whipped around just as the first trap snapped closed, the water exploding outward in a violent burst. It was as though the air itself had been ripped apart, and the sound echoed harshly in the confined space.
Then, all of them went off at once.
The chamber filled with the sharp hiss of magic and the crashing roar of water slamming against stone. I stumbled back from the door, my pulse hammering in my ears as the air grew thick with the remnants of my traps. Whoever had tripped them was moving fast—too fast.
I barely had time to turn when a shadow loomed in front of me, stepping through the chaos with unnerving ease. His figure seemed to materialize out of the air itself, his movements smooth and calculated, like a predator closing in on its prey.
Vega.
The name hit me like a punch to the gut, and my breath caught as his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine. They gleamed with an unsettling light, their intensity freezing me in place. His presence filled the chamber, suffocating and electric, as though the air itself bent to his will.
“You’ve been busy,” he said, his voice smooth and laced with amusement. He tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was a puzzle he was about to solve. “But you should’ve known better, Azura. This isn’t your game to win.”
I tried to summon my water, but he moved faster than I could react. In one fluid motion, he closed the distance between us, his hand striking out like a viper. Pain exploded across the side of my head, sharp and blinding, and my vision swam as the world tilted violently.
I staggered, my knees buckling as the strength drained from my body. The stone floor rushed up to meet me, and I barely registered the cold against my cheek before darkness began to creep in at the edges of my vision. Vega’s voice echoed faintly in my ears, his words distorted and distant.
“You should’ve stayed hidden,” he murmured, his tone almost pitiful. “Now you’ve made things... interesting.”
The last thing I saw before the darkness consumed me completely was the faint shimmer of the runes on the door, their glow flickering like a dying flame.
THERYNNA
The city square was a battlefield; chaos was carved into every corner. My horse, a creation of bark and moss intertwined with the pulse of my magic, carried me through the debris. Its hooves struck the cobblestones with the weight of the forest itself, each sound resonating with power. Behind me, Talon was relentless, his monstrous frame closing the distance with terrifying speed. The alchemical curse that shaped him was evident in every unnaturally bulging muscle, every predatory snarl. His laughter echoed through the narrow streets, mocking and menacing.
“You’re running, little girl! Did the forest give you all its power just to flee?”
I clenched the reins, the rough texture of the mossy vines grounding me. “Who said I was running?”
Without hesitation, I pulled sharply to the left, guiding my horse into the open square away from the heart of the district. The creature responded instantly, its bark-covered body shifting effortlessly as it turned. The square was littered with broken barrels, overturned carts, and discarded belongings, the remnants of a panicked exodus. It was the perfect place to stand my ground.
Dismounting in one fluid motion, I landed lightly on the cobblestones. My horse pawed at the ground beside me, and the creak of its wooden limbs was a steady reminder of the magic that bound us. I reached out with my power, letting the city’s earth pulse beneath my boots, alive with potential.
Talon emerged from the shadows, his hulking figure illuminated by the faint glow of lanterns. His glowing eyes narrowed as they took in the scene, lingering on my horse for a moment before locking onto me. Blood dripped from a gash in his shoulder—one of my earlier arrows had struck true—but he didn’t seem to care. His grin stretched wide, predatory.
“Finally stopped running, have you?” he sneered, cracking his knuckles. “Good. I was getting bored.”
“I wasn’t running,” I replied, reaching for my bow. Its weight was reassuring in my hand, and the smooth wood was cool beneath my fingers. “I was leading.”
His grin faltered, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “Leading me to what?”
“Your mistake,” I said simply.
Before he could respond, I nocked an arrow and let it fly. The shaft sliced through the air and struck his thigh, embedding itself deep into the muscle. He roared, his movements faltering as he reached down to tear it free. Blood splattered across the cobblestones, a stark contrast against the dull stone.
“You’ll pay for that,” he growled, tossing the arrow aside.
“Come and get me,” I shot back, my voice steady.
Talon lunged, his massive frame barreling toward me with alarming speed. I sidestepped at the last second, my boots skidding slightly on the slick cobblestones, and released another arrow. This one struck his shoulder, and he snarled in frustration.
The ground beneath us trembled as I summoned my magic, the cobblestones rippling like water. Vines erupted from the cracks, thorned and relentless as they wrapped around his legs. My horse charged forward, its bark-covered hooves striking out at Talon with ferocious power.
He roared in anger, ripping the vines apart and shoving the horse back with brute strength. The creature staggered but recovered quickly, its wooden body shifting and reforming with an agility that matched the forest it came from.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Talon taunted, blood dripping from multiple wounds.
I didn’t respond. Instead, I reached deeper into the earth’s power, the cobblestones around me shifting and rising into jagged spikes. Talon dodged them with surprising speed, his monstrous frame belied by his agility. His claws swiped dangerously close, and I barely ducked in time to avoid a fatal blow.
“You’re tough,” he admitted, his voice grudging. “But toughness won’t save you.”
The horse charged again, this time ramming into his side with enough force to send him stumbling back. I followed up with a series of arrows, each one aimed with precision. Talon’s movements grew slower, his breathing heavier, but his defiance burned just as fiercely.
“You think you can win this?” he spat, wiping blood from his face. “You’re nothing but a child playing with power you don’t understand.”
“And you’re nothing but a beast pretending to be a man,” I shot back, my voice steady despite the exhaustion creeping in.
The square seemed to pulse with energy, the lanterns casting eerie shadows across the scene. My magic thrummed in my veins, the connection to the earth beneath me stronger than ever. This wasn’t just a fight—it was a statement. A reminder of who we were and what we stood for.
Talon lunged one final time, his claws outstretched, but I was ready. My horse reared back, its bark-covered hooves striking out with deadly precision, and I unleashed one last surge of magic. The vines erupted from the ground again, thicker and more aggressive, wrapping around his legs and arms. He roared, struggling against them, but this time, they held firm.
“You lose,” I said, my voice cold and unwavering.
The square felt smaller now, the shadows encroaching like living things. My horse reared back, letting out a creaking sound as if it could sense my growing tension. Talon’s breathing was heavy, his massive chest rising and falling with each labored breath, but there was a glint in his glowing eyes that sent a chill down my spine.
“You’re slowing down,” he taunted, rolling his shoulders despite the blood seeping from his wounds. “Looks like all that magic isn’t enough to keep you standing.”
I didn’t respond; my focus was on his every move. The cobblestones beneath me pulsed faintly with my magic, the earth whispering its readiness to obey. My fingers tightened around the bow; another arrow had already nocked. I could feel the strain in my muscles, the toll of the fight beginning to set in, but I forced myself to push it aside.
Talon grinned, the expression more beast than man, and then he charged.
He was fast. Faster than I expected.
I loosed the arrow, aiming for his chest, but he shifted mid-stride, the shaft grazing his arm instead of embedding in its target. Before I could draw again, he was on me, his massive hand swinging in a wide arc. I barely managed to duck, the wind from his strike ruffling my hair as it passed.
But he was relentless.
His other hand shot out, claws glinting in the dim light, and this time I wasn’t fast enough. Pain exploded across my side as his claws raked against my ribs, the force of the blow sending me staggering backward. My bow slipped from my grip, clattering to the ground as I clutched my side. Warmth spread beneath my hand—blood.
Talon let out a guttural laugh, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “That’s more like it,” he said, flexing his claws. “Now you look like someone who knows they’re going to lose.”
I glared at him, my breath coming in short, ragged bursts. My horse moved to shield me, its bark-covered body cracking as it prepared to charge again, but Talon didn’t give it a chance. He lunged forward, his massive form slamming into the creature with enough force to shatter part of its wooden frame. The horse staggered, its legs struggling to hold its weight as pieces of bark and moss fell to the ground.
“No!” I shouted, reaching out instinctively.
The horse managed to stand, its head tilting toward me as if to reassure me, but Talon wasn’t finished. He grabbed one of its legs, twisting it violently until it cracked. The creature let out a haunting sound, something between a whinny and the creak of an old tree, and crumpled to the ground.
Rage flared in my chest, drowning out the pain in my side. I didn’t think—I acted.
The earth responded to my fury, the cobblestones beneath Talon’s feet surging upward in jagged spikes. He leaped back, narrowly avoiding the attack, but I didn’t stop. I raised my hands, my magic coursing through me as the ground shifted and buckled, vines erupting from every crack to lash out at him.
Talon snarled, swatting the vines aside with his monstrous strength. “You think this will stop me?” he roared, his voice echoing through the square. “You’re just delaying the inevitable!”
He lunged again, and this time, I couldn’t dodge in time. His shoulder slammed into me, the force of the impact knocking me off my feet. I hit the ground hard, the cobblestones jarring against my back, and my vision blurred for a moment. Before I could recover, his clawed hand closed around my ankle, dragging me toward him.
Panic shot through me as I kicked out with my free leg, my boot connecting with his jaw. He grunted, his grip loosening just enough for me to scramble away, but he was on me again in an instant. His claws raked across my arm as I tried to block his attack, the pain sharp and blinding.
