Forever Darkness

  A Blood and Darkness Novella

  Aria Storm

  One:

  Katie was taking her bows, after the viewing of her world-changing documentary. Olaf and I were about to throw the entire section around us into open revolt, given how noisy we’d been during the screening.

  Things were perfect—too perfect it would appear. As the next thing I recall, was the meteoric fall of the Norse All-Father. Odin crashed into the open grassy lawn of the football stadium. His body and clothing in taters, and his wrists shackled in broken chains.

  “Father!”

  Thor exclaimed, and Loki looked over, both brothers rushed to see their powerful father. The humans gawked in open amazement, realizing they were witnessing another god.

  “Come on, something’s wrong.”

  I told Olaf, and my mates, as I stood in my perfect little black sequin dress. My black pearl necklace gleaming darkly, and my three-inch heels threatening to stick in the ground. We were all dressed to the nines, this was supposed to be the victory lap for all of us helping save earth from utter destruction.

  “Odin, what’s happened to you?”

  I asked, as I strode over to him, and Odin wheezed and coughed. He looked up at me, and said, “My friend, I am sorry, he made me leave him to get help. Dagda, she has him.”

  Odin coughed, and my heart clenched tight. My father, Dagda, is the Celtic All-Father, leader of our Pantheon. He and Odin had been on an extended trip deep into the bowels of the afterlife, to properly bind Nidhogg. They were gone for a half a year at least.

  Recently, when we were going into battle against the undying horde commanded by Calder, Odin and Dagda were supposed to come back to join the fight. They were conspicuously missing throughout the battle, and none of us knew what had befallen them.

  “Odin, take it easy, tell me where Dagda is, and who has him?”

  He gagged and coughed, and I crouched beside him.

  “Sasha, she set upon us when we were venturing back to the earth. Mavis, she was powerful, like nothing I’ve ever seen. She held us on her world.”

  I grit my teeth and snapped,” I’m going to pull her skeleton from her fecking body!”

  Loki leaned in and asked, “Father, how did you escape?”

  “That would be my doing.”

  A familiar voice said from behind us, and I spun in fury, coming face to face with Diana.

  “You’re the Grey Witch’s daughter, her Avatar!”

  I accused, and Diana nodded and said, “My mother such as she ever was, has betrayed all notion of balance in her hungers. I have lived a very short, but steep life of bloodshed, thanks to her. However, I cannot be partied to her ultimate aims, now that I have learned what she wishes to do.”

  Diana said, her sadness, and her confusion palpable, but I could feel a deep conviction inside her. I’d not noticed before how sorrowful she was, or how repentant her soul screamed to me. I’d seen plenty of beings like her over the years, decent enough beings caught up in the desires and whims of a powerful parent or monarch.

  “You shouldn’t believe a word she says!”

  Morgana snapped, and I looked at her and shook my head widely.

  “She’s not lying, not yet anyway. She doesn’t desire whatever her mother is doing. I can feel that much is true so far.”

  I told my gathering mates. Aurelia looked as if she wanted to flay Diana on the spot.

  “It’s true…Diana is the one who broke me free. She couldn’t risk getting both of us, or her mother would have captured us all.”

  Odin winced, and Freya came over and crouched in her perfect emerald and golden dress. She didn’t care that Odin’s blood stained her perfect gown.

  “My beloved, what have ye gotten yourself into this time?”

  She asked, her tone so sweet, so nurturing, she was almost a different person than the one who commanded the armies of Asgard during the battle for New Orleans.

  “This time, it wasn’t of my design, my love. All I wished to do was return to you and to our loved ones.”

  Odin informed Freya, and she sighed and kissed his lips, and caressed his cheek delicately.

  “Lady Freya, please allow me to look at Lord Odin.”

  Talia asked, as she handed Jaxie to Alexia, who was standing just behind the thick throng of immortals gathering around the King of Asgard. Jaxie was a good girl and didn’t even hiss at anyone.

  “Of course, Queen Talia, thank you.”

  Freya said, as she seemed to force her lucidity back into her mind. Talia crouched in her silver-white gown adorned with diamond. She paid no mind to the beautiful material which was likely being ruined.

  “Faith, get my emergency bag from the new Palace.”

  Talia said, and my shadow knight quickly created a shadowy vortex, and she was gone. Humans were rubbernecking around us, curious about the meteoric man. I could tell it was killing Freya to try to contain herself.

  “I wouldn’t move him just yet, not until I treat these wounds. The fall didn’t help, but whatever Sasha was doing to torture him, it was rather barbaric.”

  Diana looked down and away and sighed tiredly.

  “She was infecting their wounds on purpose, and using the infections to further heighten the agony, due to their divine healing. If you infect a god repeatedly, eventually it breaks them down and they weaken to a nearly mortal level. She did this to extract information from them.”

  Freya spun and tore the girl off her feet and snapped, “You helped with this?!”

  She accused, and Diana sighed and shook her head.

  “No, I just fed them and gave them water. Mom knew about my distaste for her miserable methods.”

  Anne hummed and crossed her arms over her chest, walking closer to the pair.

  “You seemed perfectly into it when you created that twisted game.”

  Diana gave Anne a dry look and said, “I was following a script, as I was forced to. You don’t say no to my mother in her home world. I thought Mavis would be the one playing, so I designed the game around that. Also, I will add, that the only blade that hit you, was harmlessly in the thigh. Why do you think that is? I had no appetite for your blood then, and I don’t have any appetite for blood now.”

  I stalked forward and touched Freya’s hand.

  “My friend, please let this one go. I can sense the truth in her statement. Besides, she did have a few chances to harm us if she wished. I believe she simply returned Odin to you, nothing more.”

  Freya looked at the girl and Anne stepped closer, touching the teen’s forehead.

  “Don’t fight this, please. I need to know, since you are very close to my daughter right now.”

  She said, and Diana submitted her mind to Anne’s, and I felt as my mate connected, seeing the girl’s life, her torment, her mistreatment, and abuse. Also, seeing the sadness, loneliness, and the gentleness. All which Sasha was hell-bent to pummel out of her.

  “She’s telling the truth. About all of it. Sasha’s headed for some place which houses the Source of all Cosmic Power.”

  That drew a lot of terrified looks from the divine beings, and several confused looks from those not in the know.

  Above the gods and the supreme gods, there are a pair of beings which house the entire power over light and dark. I have spoken with the Source of all Darkness many times. She seems to take a rapt interest in my progression into my darkness abilities. At first, I couldn’t even remember the conversations in my dreams. Her powers are so great that she is too elusive, too powerful to even recall, unless you have a certain threshold of power.

  “It’s foolhardy to attack the source!”

  Freya said, as she sat Diana down. Anne rubbed the girl’s shoulder and said, “Tell her the rest of it.”

  Diana looked into my eyes and said, “Dagda, he wouldn’t give her the locations, but he entrusted the place she hides, the darkness one. It’s like he saw through me.”

  Diana said, still befuddled with Dagda’s strange faith in her.

  “He meant for me to share this with you, and only you.”

  Diana reached out her hand, and I swallowed my nerves as I touched the lass’ hand. Instantly, the world fell away, and I was transported across the cosmos. I could see the calculations forming in my head, as the dark world with only a single dim moon lighting the eternal night, came into view.

  The forests were thinner than the lush ones I’d become accustomed to, the plants seemed to struggle to survive in the darkness. However, this world appeared to have enough balance to keep native life flowing.

  Her dark purple gaze beheld me, and I felt the awe of her powers, even via the memory. Dagda had been to see her at least once in his long life. That shouldn’t surprise me, give everything I know about my father. I was just amazed that he held on to this memory for all these years, without attempting to discard it. Even the memory of the location was catastrophic.

  ‘Hurry now, girl! The time has come for your destiny, Mavis Aubrey!’

  The voice echoed around my head, and I staggered under the power of the tone. I’d once heard that humans couldn’t handle the voice of the titans, I wasn’t sure about that, but I knew this source was almost too much for me to handle.

  “Mavis!”

  Aurelia yipped in surprise, as I collapsed to my knees. My red hair like a shroud around my face, as I gathered my sanity, and my breath.

  “How the feck does Sasha intend to face a being lik

e this?! Much less two of them?!”

  I asked, and Diana said, “She’s stolen much of the cast-off magiks from the recent battle with Calder, and she drained the entire Syrian Pantheon. Her powers and her madness have gone completely out of control. That’s why I am risking my death to come here. Mavis, you’re the only one who might even have a prayer at stopping her. You have risen to supreme goddess like a shooting star. Dagda seemed to agree.”

  I felt my throat drying up, and I looked into Diana’s eyes and finally mustered the courage to ask the hard question.

  “Is he dead?”

  Diana shook her head and said, “She wouldn’t allow that, not while he refuses to allow her to see the location of the source. Dagda’s proved more obstinate than my mother anticipated.”

  I beamed in pride and said, “That’s me da!”

  “Talia, I brought your assistants as well.”

  Faith said, as she rushed over with four fairy healers, and a massive leather rough sack enchanted to allow more storage than the size should permit.

  “Thanks Faith, good work!”

  Talia praised my shadow knight, and she looked at me quizzically.

  “Nee Sama, what’s wrong?”

  Faith asked, and I sighed and began to fill her in on everything she’d just missed. Faith’s purple gaze was stuck on me unblinking. She seemed to be digesting the news.

  “I’m coming with you, Nee Sama. I know you’re about to do something extremely reckless.”

  Olaf grunted and said, “I’m coming as well. Besides, we managed to face down Paris together, what’s a wee spot of Cosmic Source of all Darkness?”

  Olaf asked in an incredulous tone, and I sniffed mildly.

  “My friends, my family, I cannot have you come. I am likely headed to my death or worse. I cannot have you lot with me, it might forgo any chance I may have at victory.”

  I said in a very polite manner. Olaf looked sullen, and Anne looked heartbroken. Talia was busy with Odin, but I could feel her trepidation roiling. She’d become rather keen of me as a mother-in-law.

  “Mavis, you fool, I am coming too. I am the archdemon, the phoenix. If there is one person capable of fighting this battle at your side, and not slowing you down, it is me!”

  Morgana declared, and I bit my lip and seemed to think for what felt like a few eons. I finally nodded and I quickly calculated the portal to my wardrobe. I stepped through and sought out my battle leathers, and my trusty god slayers. Morgana joined me, and Anne brought Dylan through the portal.

  “If you’re going, you take one final look at this little chubby cherubic face, and you burn that into your mind. This little girl is going to miss you if you don’t come back to us!”

  Anne said, and I reached out, and I touched Dylan’s chubby cheek and I stroked her face lightly. She looked up at me curiously. My purple eyes beheld the wee lass. I could see all the potential of her future, even now. Her raven and pale blonde mixed hair was steadily growing out to a full head of hair now. Her curious gentle blue eyes just watched me, as she seemed to watch everything patiently.

  “I love you, my youngest child. Know that you are forever connected to me, my Dylan. Mum has to go sort a baddie. I will come home to ye if that is even possible little lass.”

  I said, and Dylan’s eyes seemed to water up and she began to cry.

  “She’s feeling our emotions. I’ll go settle her down.”

  Anne said, and I nodded, and I reached out and kissed her fiercely before she could turn to leave.

  “I love you so goddamn much. You have been everything to me since I fell out of my coffin and on to you.”

  Anne’s eyes watered now, and she said, “Mav, please don’t talk like this is the end.” I gave her a sad smile and said, “One can never know when they are fighting their last battle, my love. It’s better to say our peace.”

  She moved closer and pulled me into a tight hug careful of the baby at the same time.

  “Come on Dylan, mom’s gonna go explore with you. Mum will be back later. Everything’s going to be ok sweetheart!”

  Anne cooed to Dylan, and I felt my soul splitting in two at the feeling of personal loss.

  Two:

  A girl can never have enough sharp instruments when she’s preparing herself for higher being warfare. My leathers have recently been fortified with magiks resistance, and a slight enchantment to enhance my dexterity.

  I was ready to face whatever manner of hells I was in for. I just needed to get my dad back and keep Sasha away from the source. The problems on my list of things to-do small in number, just not in size.

  “Please tell me it’s a cruel joke, mum!”

  Abigale stood outside my door, lurking in a dark stormy mood. She must have heard word, which meant she was not here for a cuppa.

  “Abigale, I must go, your grandfather is in grave danger—as is the entire universe.”

  She prowled inside my room growling and her fangs barred in fury.

  “We just got ye back, mum! You’ve been home no time at all! Why must you take on every fecking threat as if they are challenges issued directly against you?!”

  Abigale raged, and I smiled sadly at her.

  “My daughter, you are a queen now. I know that beneath this veil of grief lies the answers to your almost rhetorical questions. Know that it is no small thing to give yourself, body, and soul, for the ones you love. Yet, as a leader, it is how you must approach every dire threat. We are born leaders, Abigale, with that type of authority and certain perks, comes grievous responsibilities.”

  Abigale stormed in, and her fist thumped against my chest harshly. Her eyes were filled with tears, and I pulled her against my body, and clung to her as a mother to her daughter. She was my image, the very perfect physical rendering of my existence. While she differed greatly from me, Abigale was like a living portrait. Not that I loved any of my daughters more or less. Each of the three held a special space in my heart and soul.

  “Please mum, don’t leave me again. I love ye so fecking much. I just want to have years of my life with ye, and I want you to see Jaxie and Dylan grow up.”

  Abigale said, and I felt a stray tear burning along my icy cheek.

  “My child, this is my moment, my destiny. I cannot run from destiny.”

  Abi looked into my eyes with a profound look of sorrow.

  “So, what if she becomes the source?! What does that change for anyone?! The source exists beyond us. I know only what you’ve allowed me to know, but it sounds to me like it is a bloody isolated way to exist.”

  I sighed and stroked my hand through her fiery mane.

  “Abi, Sasha is not so selfless as to remain in the highest realms. She will abuse the authority, unmaking things as she sees fit. I cannot allow her to absorb the powers.”

  She laughed bitterly against my chest as I pulled her back against my chest firmly. Abigale was not one to cry easily, she’d spent two centuries trapped as a ghost in her sister’s flesh.

  “Mum, you already survived hell and back. You’ve stopped Nidhogg, Esus, that wretched world snake, and you liberated Keimusho. Then, you slew Calder, and saved the surviving races from the apocalypse. You’re done, you’ve finished everything anyone can ever ask of you.”

  Abi said, and I kissed her forehead, and she began to cry again.

  “You know that’s all true my child, but I was not asked anything this time. I simply saw the need, and where to go. If it’s possible, I shall return to ye someday. There are more unknowns in the cosmos than any of us could ever riddle out, Abigale. This is not my ending, unless I fail, which would rather suck.”

  I said blithely, and she snorted and looked into my eyes, searching them.

  “What are you planning, mum?”

  I sighed and said, “To go speak with the source of all Darkness, then decide my next course of action based upon what that conversation looks like.”

  Abi’s lip quivered and she said, “She might kill you too.”

  I snorted and winked at her.

  “Don’t count yer ole mum out so easily. It’d take loads more than one shadowy bitch to fell me. You know us Aubrey women, were a stubborn lot.”

  She sniffed, and I stroked her cheek affectionately.

  “You make me proud, tell your sisters that you all make me brim with pride. Make sure Dylan knows who I am.”

 

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