Chapter Seventy-Four – The Power of a Promise

All Ailith could feel was pain.

Excruciating. Unbearable.

It was worse than anything her most horrific nightmares could invoke.

She held up her hands and pressed her feet down, pushing back against the crushing weight of the Terragwangi's jaw. Her muscles felt like they were being ripped to shreds. The large, serrated teeth edged closer to her body. She didn't know if the cracking she heard was from her diamond armour shattering or her bones breaking. Almost losing her footing on the slippery surface, the upper jaw pushed down on her harder. A few feet in front of her, the creature's tongue flapped with anticipation.

Ailith could see black spots. The rancid smell of its breath turned her stomach inside-out. Her breathing quickened as her back arched. All she could do was scream.

''I can't do it!'' Ailith cried out.

After another desperate attempt to push, she buckled under the strain and almost slipped within reach of the beast's tongue.

As the seconds passed, the light peeking through the gap between the beast's lips narrowed. Soon, Ailith found herself being crushed in a foul-smelling, bone-crushing, dark abyss. She couldn't see any hope of escaping. Even with all her training, and the improvements she had made with her magic, she was too weak. Sinking lower, a new feeling took hold of her...fear.

''Someone...help me, please!'' She tried to scream, but there was no strength left in her voice. Tears streamed down her cheek. ''I don't want to die.''

Dazed from the overwhelming agony that ripped through her body, she could do nothing else but close her eyes and slip into the darkness.

''Mama...Papa...I'm sorry. I love you.''

When Ailith's eyes fluttered open, she found herself alone, weightlessly floating in an infinite void.

Below her hanging feet was an endless ocean. More stars than she could count reflected brightly on the calm surface. As the currents passed, the stars brushed together like paint on a canvas and merged into great spirals of light. Lifting her head, Ailith could see those same stars shooting across the sky, spreading their dazzling radiance as far as she could see. She didn't know where the sky and sea were separated. In this world, they were one.

Her gaze fell, and she saw Nassandra standing in front of her. The Princess's mouth opened and closed as if she was saying something, but Ailith heard nothing. Before she could question her, Ailith realised that she couldn't feel her heart beating. Her body felt cold and hollow. She glanced around and saw other familiar faces. Her parents, Kuval, Emlyn, Levana, Turrock, Bonamy, everything she called a friend surrounded her and seemed to be pleading to her. However, the only thing that reached Ailith's ear was silence.

And then Ailith looked up and saw the stars burn out. Despite her new home falling into a state of unfathomable darkness, she no longer felt scared. It felt as easy as drifting to sleep.

When Ailith lowered her head, she noticed her friends and family were gone. But, one person stood before her. A young girl, who appeared to be no more than six, with scruffy blonde hair and a fiery look in her eyes. Ailith didn't recognise the girl's face. Yet, she felt a warmth in her chest. It blossomed, growing until she heard it...her heart beating again.

The girl ran to Ailith, grabbed her hands and took a deep breath. ''Wake up!'' 

Her cry reignited the stars.

Ailith's eyes shot open and a loud gasp escaped her. She was still trapped between the teeth of the Terragwangi, braced on one knee and with the beast's upper teeth grazing her shoulders.

''I didn't come this far to die here!'' Ailith lifted her chin, breathing heavily through gritted teeth.

''If I'm still breathing, I can stand...''

She slid her leg forward and firmly stamped her foot down.

''If I'm still standing, I can fight...''

Scraping her hardened fingers against the skin of the teeth, she exhaled, letting her aura flow outward. Willing her diamond to grow, it expanded onto the Terragwangi's tooth. More of her magic lanced down her legs and swelled across the lower jaw. The thin stream of light pouring from outside of the beast's mouth reflected off her magic, swathing Ailith in a blazing green glow.

''And I'll keep fighting until I win!'' She roared, thrusting her arms up and pushed back one final time against the crushing weight. The jaw slowly opened.

Surprised to feel the overpowering resistance, the monster panicked, fluctuating its head from side to side. Booming growls blew against Ailith as it crunched down harder. Pain consumed her body like never before. It felt like her bones were melting. Despite being trapped, her smile returned. She could feel herself shattering her limits as her magic continued to pulse and surge out from her limbs, layering the Terragwangi's jawline with a thick sheet of diamond.

An arrow whistled past Ailith's ear, missing her by less than an inch, and struck the soft palate. The behemoth let out a pained howl before coughing Ailith out, sending her plummeting to the ground where she skidded towards the cliff's edge.

Nassandra leapt out and slammed her body into Ailith's, catching her as they landed in a sprawl on the ground. Rattled and gasping for air, Nassandra cradled the back of Ailith's neck to lift her head. The warrior's eyes were too weak to stay open. Blood trickled out of her nose. Pressing her cheek against Ailith's parted lips, Nassandra sighed with relief when she could still feel her breath. They were cast in shadow as the Terragwangi spun around, swinging its tail like a whip. Whether it was a deliberate move or not, it didn't matter for Nassandra as she saw the appendage coming towards them. She hugged Ailith tightly.

Before the attack connected, Kuval slid into view. With a flowing wave of both arms, two walls of diamond sprouted out of the ground. The tail destroyed one and crashed against the second. Kuval's grunted as his heels dug into the dirt. He almost lost his footing under the shockwave when Levana stumbled behind him and pressed her shield onto his back. They kept their balance and the wall remained strong long enough for the tail to lash over their heads.

The beast ambled away, stepping into a sticky black puddle. It sniffed the air curiously. Looking down, it saw Turrock and Emlyn. With one arm wrapped around Emlyn's back, the gangster thrust his other arm forward, clicking his fingers. Sparks showered onto the oil, within seconds, a sea of fire formed around the towering creature's feet. It roared at the flames and retreated, stampeding over whatever trees remained standing.

No one dared to celebrate yet. They listened intently as the booming footsteps diminished and its hulking body walked so deep into the forest, they could no longer see it.

Kuval dropped to one knee and braced a knuckle on the ground to stop himself from collapsing. He wiped his sweat-drenched brow with his free hand and turned to Levana. ''I couldn't have kept it at bay alone. Thank you.''

Levana smiled weakly, clutching her bruised arm. ''It's times like this where I'm reminded why I'm more of a city person.'' Her strength finally gave out and her shield dropped to the ground.

''Everyone!'' Turrock called out. Their eyes turned to where he gestured and they saw the fire continuing to grow, skirting closer to the forest.

Nassandra's eyes were drawn back down to Ailith as the warrior shakily tried to lift her arm, pointing it towards the flames. She tenderly grasped her palm. ''Ailith, you're barely awake.''

''I...I can...stop the...'' Ailith strained. Her voice was barely above a hoarse whisper and her arm sagged to the ground repeatedly. She focused on the fire willed for her magic. But, nothing happened.

Someone stepped in front of her. Ailith's eyes rolled up to see Kuval looking at her with a kind smile. ''I'll take care of this. It's not quite the same as kicking out the flame on a street light.''

Ailith furrowed her brow at his statement. The pounding in her head blotted her mind. Through blurred vision, she watched Kuval encase the flames with a diamond shell, snuffing them out. A moment later, she gasped when the memory of that night returned. The night Kuval stayed at her family's inn and she tried to win his attention by displaying her acrobatic skills. He did see her? Her face beamed despite her fatigued state.

''No one move!''

Dozens of Snakor, armed with bows and draped in navy-blue uniform, glided out from another part of the forest. Their long bodies coiled anxiously as they aimed their arrows at the group. The tallest one slithered to the front. Black ribbons fluttered from the hem of his attire, symbols of high rank among Fylian's National Guard.

''Lower your weapons.'' He commanded. ''State your name and business!''

Nassandra quickly glanced at her companions. They were slow to their feet and panting heavily. She looked down at Ailith, her head rested on Nassandra's lap, eyes closed and arms trembling. Her heart twisted seeing everyone in such a dire state.

She lifted her head to the National Guard leader. ''I am Princess Nassandra Arsalan, rightful heir to the throne and country of Arsalan. I ask that my friends be brought immediate medical assistance, and I seek an audience with the Baroness of Fylian. Please, it is of the utmost importance.''

The leader baulked and lowered his arrow. ''Great God, it is the Princess?''

As the group exchanged confused glances, Kuval cautiously approached the leader. ''Were you expecting us?''

''You're lucky. We almost couldn't believe it when a camp led by a cranky Krilleg, who has a fitting name...'' he grumbled, rubbing the top of his head. ''Arrived and told us they had brought the Princess of Arsalan to our doorstep. Is there anyone else?''

Kuval shook his head and gave the leader a tired smile. ''We're all here.''

''Then let's get you to the Baroness. She's curious to hear what's happening to our neighbours.''

Relief swept through the group. Nassandra arched her aching body until her forehead was pressed gently against Ailith's. She felt the warrior tug slightly. ''We're safe. You did it, Ailith.''

''We did...'' Ailith mumbled before she closed her eyes and allowed herself to rest.

A/N: Hello guys, girls and everyone else. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. What did you think of Ailith's struggle to break free from the literal jaws of death? What do you think is going to happen next now that our heroes are out of Mameth Forest? I'm interested to hear your thoughts. I hope that you're keeping well and staying safe. Thank you all and take care.