Alas, Victory!
Song: Lord of the Rings Music and Ambiance by Ambient Worlds
"We must move quickly," Fergus ordered. "The Autumnal Equinox is almost at its end."
My heart leaped to my throat and I sprung to my feet. After making sure the guys were able to carry Reign and Sky, I herded everyone out the cottage. As we trampled through the forest, the blaring white sky became brighter until I was forced to look away. If this was the signal for a day coming to an end in the outside world then I wasn't keen on wasting another minute.
Fergus urged us into the riverboat, using his magick to take us across. The ride was rocky with how wild the river was rushing and I constantly slammed into Flora.
"Make sure not to let any of it get into your mouth," Fergus warned us. As he spoke a light spray of river water showered us with the enchanted liquid. I kept my mouth clamped shut.
"How did you enchant the river to test us like that?" I asked.
"I didn't," Fergus replied. "Neptune did."
I whirled around, stunned by how the old God was involved in this. "Neptune?"
"Neptune is the God of all waters. Enchanted or not," he explained. "The water in that river, it shows you your deepest desires. And then, at the last minute, it takes it all away."
Why did that sound familiar?
"Neptune's Mirror!" I gasped at the sudden realization. When we reached the shore I helped Leo carry Reign out before he tossed him over his shoulder.
Fergus explained that Neptune actually created his mirror using water from the river. Neptune's Mirror showed whoever gazed upon it their hearts desires. It also took it away once the user dared to hope it would be real.
"If that's true, then why didn't Catherine go mad when she looked into the mirror?" I asked. "Or you for that matter."
Neptune's Mirror was literally in the bedroom they once shared. How had they gone all that time looking into it day by day and not have lost their minds?
"We both already had all that our hearts desired," Fergus said. His quiet voice broke at the end but he showed no other signs of breaking. Much like Pride, his walls of protection were back up. "The mirror can't tempt you if there's nothing to tempt you with."
Meaning that we would have to be especially careful with who we sent to retrieve it. Each of us were drawn to individual artifacts that brought out the worst in us
I craved the Dagger of the Mind because I desired knowledge. Sky wanted the Ring of Love to manipulate whoever to love her back. Most likely her father. Pride was drawn to the Blade of War because of his loyalty to his Pack. With the blade by his side he'd never lose another battle; all victories would belong to him at the cost of his own life. Reign succumbed to The Chronicle, damned by his own love of reading and curiosity.
With none of us interested in the Apple of Eternal Life, that only left three artifacts to tempt Flora and Leo. The Slippers of Discipline, Neptune's Mirror, and the Ever Burning Torch. With Jack dead, it complicated things by trying to riddle out which artifact would've called to him. Flora, in my opinion, was a bit of a wild card. Would she be tempted by the slippers that could bend anyone to her command? Or would she reach for the torch that promised the light of rebellion never died?
I didn't know.
However, the one thing I was sure of was that Neptune's Mirror would be Leo's artifact to overcome.
I learned from Leo's journal and his mannerisms. The topics that made his smile fall were cemented in my brain. I didn't know everything about my Mate. But I knew enough to know that if Leo looked in that mirror, he would see Ava. Not as the sick girl that killed herself when they were pups. But more as the little sister he watched the sunrise with and shared milkshakes.
I remembered every entry in Leo's journal and I remembered every bitter emotion. All the heartbreak he carried, all the fury, was just a mask for sheer agony. The burden of losing a sister the way he did, and at such a young age, damaged his heart more than he cared to openly admit.
"Here we are," Fergus called out from the front. "The start of Thunder Forest."
Flora rushed ahead and shifted behind a tree. She quickly pulled on the gladiator sandals and blue dress she left there earlier. The small she-wolf smoothed out the creases in her attire before fixing her red lined lips.
The change was immediate when we emerged from Thunder Forest.
The frosty chill in the air vanished, leaving only a sweet breeze lingering on the calm winds. I couldn't see my breath anymore when I breathed. The eerie darkness hanging over the tree line fell away to reveal the natural night of the day. There was no longer a looming shadow hanging over the once enchanted forest.
With Fergus's presence gone, the permanent winter of both heart and land were over.
Regret filled Fergus's tired eyes as he saw his spell give away to a normal forest free of any enchantment. His sanctuary of over three hundred years was gone.
Pride grunted, shifting Sky's wolf form in his large arms, before nudging Fergus with his shoulder. He lowered his voice but I still caught his comforting whispers. "Come on, you don't belong here anymore. Catherine is waiting for you."
When Fergus looked to Pride I was reminded of the way Dion often looked at me. With respect and adoration, but just a hint of worry. As if there was something bothersome lingering within the back of his mind that couldn't be spoken aloud. For me, I knew now that it was because Dion knew a lot more about my fate then he ever let on. For Pride, I wasn't so sure.
What was the cause of that fretful look in Fergus's eyes?
When I checked my watch it was working again. The current time flashed 11:59 pm.
We'd barely made it.
"Are we taking these two with us?" Fergus asked. "Odds are they won't be waking up any time soon. I'd rather not continue lugging their unconscious bodies around until they do so. It'll only slow us down."
He was right. But what else could we do? It's not like we could leave them alone back at the cottage unwatched.
"We'll leave them in the car while we're at the lighthouse," I replied. "That way we can keep an eye on them just in case."
"Ah, the car..." With awe in his eyes Fergus observed the black SUV intently. "Interesting. Back in the day most people walked everywhere."
"Did you? Walk everywhere, I mean." Pride shuffled awkwardly and I wasn't sure if it was due to Sky's weight or Fergus's intense stare. Probably a mix of both.
"No, I used portals. I was too lazy to walk places," Fergus chuckled. Old smile lines that hadn't been seen in centuries creased his sunken cheeks. "As a matter of fact, why don't we use one now? According to Venus's memories it takes thirty minutes to drive to the cottage. Then another thirty minutes to get to the lighthouse. I'd rather just portal everywhere and save time."
I didn't have any experience with portals but it sounded like our best option. We could knock out two birds with one stone and get a head start on our last task of uniting the Two Lovers.
"Sounds good," Leo said. "Let's do that."
Fergus waved his hand and a large circle of swirling blue sparks took shape. The spiral turned in lazy circles before a shaky image of the cottage came forth from the blurry portal.
"Make sure to bring the car." Without another word Fergus hopped in and left us behind.
"Cool," Pride murmured. A giddy light I never liked seeing when we were children captured his eyes. It was the same look he had before making my favorite dolls disappear to only the Gods know where. "Mom never lets me use portals anymore."
"What? Why?!" Pride ignored my words and followed after his ancestor with Sky in tow. I looked at Leo who had the smallest grin on his face.
"He's having a little fun. Let him have this." Leo followed with Reign slung over his shoulder leaving Flora and I to take the car through. It was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. The portal was wet but not exactly with liquid. I heard whispers but Flora heard nothing. I saw blue but Flora said she saw green. The only thing we agreed on was that we had a small inkling we'd throw up if we didn't get out soon.
Thankfully, our torture was short lived.
The SUV slammed against the ground causing us to shoot forward. My forehead ached as my head hit the steering wheel. Rubbing the small wound free of pain, I exited the car with a grumpy Flora by my side.
"Pride is taking the car next time we do that," Flora hissed. Her small hazel eyes were in slits. Making her look like a pissed off cat instead of a flirtatious she-wolf.
"Hm," I hummed. "Why don't you pass on that order? Since he's always so eager to follow your orders."
The apples of Flora's cheeks blushed a bright pink and I laughed at her befuddled expression. She was so used to making everyone else feel shy. It was like she had no idea how to deal with her own bashful emotions when they arose.
I was giddy with glee at having bested her at her game.
While Leo and Reign put the half siblings in the back of the car, the rest of us retrieved the collected artifacts. The Blade of War was tucked away in the back of my closet where I last left it. The weight of the silver sword was heavy in my hand as I lifted it by its brown hilt. The inscription running along the blade glared at me dauntingly.
Whomsoever wields this blade, shall fall by it one day
I felt no pull towards it so I wasn't worried about its haunting promise of destruction. But I was still worried about how Pride would react upon seeing it once more. Would he try to take it from me? Or had he grown up enough since we first obtained it to not care for the blade's temptation?
Only time would tell.
I plucked the Apple of Eternal Life from the dresser. It was still a striking red and firm to the touch. Again, I felt no pull.
I only felt hope as we prepared to destroy the Eight Orbs and fix the rift between the Gods.
When I entered the living room Flora was wearing the golden Ring of Love on her right ring finger. It was originally kept in Leo's old room for safekeeping. But as Sky made her way throughout the cottage in search of it, we moved the ring until it ended up in Flora's possession.
Pride held the Dagger of the Mind in his right hand and The Chronicle in his left. We locked eyes as the pull in my gut intensified at the sight of the silver blade.
"Blue Eyes," Leo whispered. "Are you ok?"
Leo touched my arm gently, taking my gaze away from the poison I was so eager to possess once more. At the sound of his voice, I shivered and fell into all that was my Mate.
I found comfort in his eyes that were round and the darkest shade of brown I'd ever seen. They were the same color of Father's homemade hot chocolate. I found comfort in his large nose that twitched like the nose of Mera's pet bunny. Leo was always leaning closer to breathe in my scent while he slept. Something I doubt he knew he did.
I found comfort in the plumpness of his soft pink lips. The very one's that reminded me of the first rose I ever picked from Mother's garden. I loved that they were as soft as petals like I first hypothesized. I found comfort in his high cheekbones that blushed the loveliest shade of pink when I teased him. They were indeed as pink as the Fae illustrations from the picture books Mother read to me as a pup. And somehow, in my heart, I knew they'd be the same books I read to LJ and Violet.
I found comfort in the pale fairness of his skin. Soft and beautiful like the snow Dion and I played in when I was a pup. I found comfort in the curls of his messy black hair. So dark and sleek, like the dark canvas we wolves raced under when the moon was high and tides were low.
I knew Leo had my heart since the moment we met. But I didn't know to what extent until I realized how much he reminded me of home. No, until I realized how much he was home.
"Blue Eyes?" Worry lines creased his forehead. He had dark circles underneath his eyes. Even his pretty lips were a little chapped. But even then, as I looked at him now with his torn clothes and disheveled state, he made my heart race. Leo kept me grounded when all I wanted was to rip that dagger from Pride and stab every Dark Witch dead with it. Leo gave me a reason to resist every foul emotion bubbling within myself and to choose a better path.
"I'm ok," I replied. "I can do this."
It wasn't a lie.
I could do this.
Having Leo for a Mate didn't make me strong. I was strong before I ever knew him. But he did remind me just how strong I actually was whenever I stumbled and lost my way.
I didn't want the dagger anymore. All I wanted now was him and the future I saw in that river.
"I'm ok," I said again. "Let's put an end to this."
The corner of Leo's lips quirked upwards into one of his genuine smiles. His knuckles grazed mine and he nodded. "You got it, Blue Eyes."
We piled into the car with Pride in the driver's seat. The second portal showed the lighthouse with the Ever Burning torch burning at the top. Its bright blue flame ignited the rising hope in me. The car lurched forward as Pride drove through the murky portal.
Fergus stiffened beside me at the feeling of the car in drive. I smiled at his queasy expression, holding back my rising laughter. What was possibly the world's oldest and most powerful Warlock was suddenly terrified of a car.
The SUV slammed down at the edge of the lighthouse's land and Pride hit his head on the steering wheel. I bit my lip to hold in my laughter but Flora didn't share that same mentality. She laughed at Pride's dazed expression and I had to exit the car quickly to prevent myself from following suit.
This was it.
From the top of the lighthouse was a murky silhouette and I knew exactly who it was.
"I knew this would happen," Fergus sighed. I glanced over my shoulder to see him pressing a hand against an invisible barrier. He physically couldn't walk over the threshold just like every other Witch and Warlock out there. Catherine's curse was at work. "What now?"
"We have to get her down here." Turning to me Leo said, "You and Pride were able to go inside before. Do you think she'll let you in again?"
"I think so."
"Then you two need to go there and tell her Fergus came back for her. When she comes then you," he pointed at Fergus, "tell her to hand over the artifacts so she won't hurt Venus or Pride."
"Alright." Fergus breathed heavily. "Bring her down."
Pride and I raced towards the lighthouse door. To my delight the door flew open with little resistance. Pride's small flame bathed the dark room with blue light. Only then did I see the dark slippers of purple and blue peeking out from beneath the remaining scraps of her dress. The Slippers of Discipline were so close.
"Catherine!"
No sooner had my shout left my mouth did I see a shimmering on the stairs. The white mist flickered in and out as Catherine's shape struggled to solidify itself. It took some time but eventually we were able to see her full body again.
Her blue eyes were dazed and confused. Like she was bouncing between her many realities, trying to find the truth. The darkness of her arms were darkened even further by ash. Coldness seeped into my hope filled body as she glided towards us.
"Catherine, do you remember us?"
"I think so..." Catherine's chilly presence neared me as she touched my silver hair. I let Catherine run her fingers through my hair as she tried to recall who we were. My Gods, I prayed she remembered who we were. "Venus Brightdoom? You, you were going to bring Fergus home. Yes?"
"Yes! Yes, that's me," I exclaimed. My rising hope was bubbling over. I felt Pride's own relief wash over me as he held the door open. "Come with me. Let's go see Fergus."
Catherine's wispy body became clearer as she beamed at my words. Her thin fingers gingerly took the arm I offered and we left the lighthouse together.
Catherine pulled me along and I found myself giggling at her overwhelming excitement. In the distance I saw Leo tap Fergus on his back. When the older man turned around a joy like no other overcame his sullen face. Fergus staggered forward, pushing against the invisible force that kept him out.
"Cat!"
"Fergus!"
Catherine's ghost released me as she ran towards her Mate. Pride and I caught up just as she reached the edge of her land. Her open hands slammed against the barrier, separating her from Fergus.
"Oh, Cat..." Tears glossed over Fergus's eyes as he took in the damaged sight of his Mate. His chest sparked blue as he tried and failed to touch her. "Cat, I'm so sorry. I never should've left that day. I should've stayed with you and I should've fought harder-"
"Shut up," Catherine snapped. "My Gods, Fergus Pridesong. I didn't wait here for 366 years to hear your sob story. Now, stop crying over the past and tell me you still love me."
Shock overcame Fergus's bereaved face before morphing into the largest smile I'd ever seen in my life. "Yes, ma'am," he chuckled. Fergus wiped away his still falling tears, never letting his gaze leave Catherine. "I love you, Cat."
"Mhm, how much?"
"I love you more than the ocean that kisses the shore each morning," he whispered. "I love you more than the stars that never dare to leave the sky. I love you more than the sunflowers that follow the sun in his path no matter where he goes. I love you, Catherine Andromeda Glowingstone. And I always will. Always."
A choked sob fell from Catherine's lips and my heart hurt to see her trying to break through the barrier she created. "It really is you," she sniffed. "Only you can make something that's supposed to be romantic sound so cheesy."
"You love it," Fergus murmured. More tears fell down his cheeks as they pressed their foreheads together.
"I don't understand though," she said. "How are you here if I used the slippers? I commanded you to never come back to save me. The Gods and their will's demanded my order to be followed through. I don't understand..."
Actually, now that I thought about it, I didn't understand it either. I'd forgotten about the slippers preventing him from coming back for two reasons. By the looks on my friends' faces, they'd forgotten too.
"I think, maybe it's because I'm not necessarily doing this for you," Fergus mused. His teary eyes landed on Pride and I understood. "I'm doing this for him. Look, Cat. Look at him."
Mixed emotions swam over Catherine's face as she stared at Pride. I could see now, the light in her wide eyes that wasn't there before. Her crystal blue orbs were no longer muddy with confusion or malice. Now, they shined as cleanly as a clear blue sky.
Just like the sight of Leo kept me grounded, the vision of Fergus brought Catherine back to who she really was.
Catherine approached Pride the way one approached a deer. Cautious and slow. When she stood before him her hand wavered over his face before settling over his heart.
"May I?" Pride nodded and she pressed her hand to his chest. Her other hand hovered over her barely swollen belly. When Catherine's shoulders shook from her silent crying, I knew she'd finally realized who he was. "It's you."
"It's me." Pride smiled but I could see how strained it was. He was trying so hard to be strong for her but I felt how heavy his heart was.
"You're beautiful," she breathed. Her small hands landed on his shoulders and she cried harder, taking in the full sight of him. "Look at you, I-"
Catherine shook her head, fighting to keep the rest of her tears in. "You're everything I wanted him to be. My Gods, Fergus, look at him."
"I see him," Fergus whispered. "Y'know, when he isn't so tongue tied he's got quite the mouth on him. Kinda reminds me of my mother if I'm being honest. Boy did she know how to get people to do what she wanted."
Pride smiled, genuinely smiled, at the comparison. I couldn't stop myself from smiling too. This was probably the first time anyone aligned him with the Pridesong ancestry he'd been denied.
Fergus had just unwittingly welcomed Pride into their family.
Catherine wiped away the few tears Pride cried and cupped the side of his cheek. "I wish I could stay here. Get to know you better. But, I have the feeling that won't be possible."
"No, it's not," Pride replied. His usually calm voice was wracked with emotion as he allowed his past life mother to caress his skin. "We have to destroy the artifacts, the wedding gifts, before we can reunite you with Fergus. I'm sorry but you can't keep them-"
"Don't be." Catherine grinned, pressing a kiss to Pride's shaking hand. "I got to see you, I'm getting Fergus back, and I won't have to stay here confused for the rest of my life. Do with them what you please."
"Thank you." Pride took in our surroundings before turning to me with a question in his eyes.
Should we destroy them here?
No.
No?
No.
"We destroy the lighthouse too," I said aloud. "We put the artifacts in the lighthouse and burn it to the ground with the Eight Orbs."
Once upon a time this land was sacred and a source of new love. But now, it was tainted by the horrible memories of the past. The lighthouse was a monument of sadness that didn't need to stand tall anymore.
"If it's alright with you two," I addressed Fergus and Catherine, "I think we should destroy it."
The Mates shared a look, nodding in my direction once they reached a conclusion.
"Go ahead," Fergus replied. "We don't care. Just, do it quickly, ok?"
A teasing glint glimmered within Fergus's green eyes. I read the silent message there and smiled back.
"Let's go." The four of us retrieved the artifacts from the car and left for the lighthouse. With Flora and Leo watching from the door, Pride and I dropped the damned objects to the floor. "Do it."
Pride's flames of blue engulfed the entire room as it blazed alive with destruction.
Get out.
Cracks of lightning emerged from Pride's chest, striking the foundation. As the flames enveloped the artifacts a loud hiss pierced my ears. Leo took Flora and I in his arms, forcing us away from the screeching cries coming from the melting objects. The foundation of the lighthouse trembled as Pride's lightning seized everything. With one last screech, the top of the lighthouse fell, taking the Ever Burning Torch to the ground with it.
Sweat clung to his face as Pride sprinted out of the collapsing building. The second he crashed into our huddled group I wrapped a protective shield around us. A cloud of dust stormed our bubble of safety while the lighthouse burned before us. Through the brown film I saw Pride's powerful magick destroying everything.
Peace washed over me at the sight of the still burning fire. The Moon Goddesses' presence lingered around us. Even though I couldn't see her, I knew she was here.
You've done it, she murmured. I can feel my siblings once more. I can feel their presence in this world.
Unity.
Thank you, the Moon Goddess whispered. Thank you all.
The hold the dagger had over me vanished as it perished within Pride's fire. It was funny how beautiful it was to see the lighthouse burn. But boy did it bring the biggest smile to my face.
"Now, onto step two," Fergus said. When I looked to the side Fergus and Catherine were hand in hand. Tears of sheer joy swam over their bright eyes. She was no longer burnt and Fergus didn't look like a walking corpse anymore. "Time to go."
"Wait!" I let my shield fall so Pride could reach them before they walked into the flames. "Thank you. For having faith in us. We, we really couldn't do this without you."
Fergus wavered before reaching forward to embrace the younger man. Pride fell into his hug like a pup would his own father. And I supposed, in some odd way, that comparison wasn't entirely off.
"Thank you," Fergus said. "I'd have spent the rest of my life wasting away in that forest if you never came for me. Thank you so much, Pride. I, I have something for you."
Fergus bent down and whispered something unknown in Pride's ear. Pride stiffened at whatever it was he said. With a shaky smile, Fergus kissed Pride's forehead before nodding at the rest of us.
They entered the flames and I somehow knew Fergus's death was instant. There were no screams of pain. Only a sense of relief washed over us as we watched two shapely orbs rise from the raging flames.
One was blue and the other green.
"What is that?" Flora asked. "Is that Catherine and Fergus?"
"They're stars," I replied. The breathtaking orbs circled each other as they ascended into the night sky. "They're stars."
And they were gorgeous.
It doesn't hurt anymore.
What?
Being what I am.
I met Pride's stare, gasping at the enchanting brightness to his misty green eyes.
"On the inside." Pride touched his heart saying, "Seek the Two Stars where their bond was first broken. For only they can repair what is now torn. It was me. I was torn."
Hybrids born of the moon and magick.
"I feel whole, Venus." Pride glowed, literally glowed, as he looked down on me. "There's no more division."
I smiled at my friend, taking his hand in mine, and said, "Good."
Good.
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QOTD: Was this victory worth the wait? How did you like Pride's moment with Catherine and Fergus? What do you think Fergus gave Pride before he left?
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