I stared at the fish in my arms, its scales glinting dully in the fading light, absurd and undeniable.
Was that old man real?
He had to be. The proof was literally in my arms.
Cold and slick against my skin, fins twitching faintly as if in protest.
I gazed over the water's edge one last time, peering at my reflection in the rippling surface. The girl gazing back still looked like me, haircut fresh and framing my face in soft waves
I'm still me.
Thoughts of that halo and my eyes crept in, a faint black ring shimmered above my head, my irises igniting to molten reddish gold.
My heart plummeted, a stone sinking into the depths. I resembled some terrifying angel, ethereal and otherworldly, more like a harbinger than a girl.
The vision faded as I released the thoughts, exhaling shakily. Yet energy thrummed through me, vibrant and renewing, as if I'd just awakened from a deep and restorative sleep.
My thoughts shifted back to Mara and her mentor I was supposed to meet today and a small pang of panic swept me.
Darkness had encroached, and my vision shifted to grayscale monotones before I even noticed.
I slung the fish over Nyx's shaft, using the ancient weapon like a makeshift yoke, the fishing line dangling from its hook.
Trekking back along the overgrown path, pines whispering secrets in the wind, I reflected on the day's revelations.
Picking up my pace I knew Mara would be worried, and I owed her an apology for vanishing so long.
The world blurred as I ran. That new energy never faded, It felt like I could run forever.
I felt good. More than good.
Eventually I crossed into the farm's boundaries, an oddity caught my eye: the dark mist from the burned woman now encircled the property like a living barrier, coiling low and impenetrable.
Stepping through, a ripple of shadow parted around me like oil on water. Inside, the air softened and felt calmer, much less oppressive; the overcast sky above felt almost welcoming, stars peeking through like distant allies.
I could almost drop my guard... What sorcery is this?
More patterns scarred the ground along the edges.
Concentric rings and arcane symbols burned into the earth, as if someone had methodically dragged a torch to etch a protective ring around the entire farm.
Approaching the farmhouse, a deep chill slithered down my spine, raising the hairs on my neck. In the corner of my vision, something flickered past to my right. A nearly imperceptible blur of black and silver.
I whipped my head around. Nyx shifting in my grip, of its own volition. Poised to strike.
There stood a woman, slightly taller than me, smiling with an intelligence that pierced like a blade. Eyes like silver piercing from on high, they endlessly studied me.
Her eyes, I know them.
Nyx hummed in my hand, a low vibration thrumming through the shaft, its voice whispering short and mysterious in my mind, <
"Welcome back, little Solar." Her voice rang out, melodic yet edged with ancient power.
I cocked my head, confusion knitting my brow, and she circled me slowly, her movements graceful and predatory.
Her long silver hair cascaded like moonlight over porcelain skin, smooth and flawless like mine.
She wore a black dress adorned with silver vines that twisted like living embroidery, the fabric whispering against the grass.
"What are you?" I demanded, voice steady despite the unease churning in my gut. "You're also not human."
She laughed, the sound light and endearing, but laced with a deadly undercurrent.
"No, not human. You might call me a hag, or a witch. Though, for accuracy's sake, I am an eldar. One of the first humans, you could say..."
Nyx shook in my hands, as if afraid, and the fish swayed with it.
<
With an incredulous look, I muttered to my glaive. "Coward…"
The woman cocked her head slightly and her gaze dropped to the fish slung on Nyx.
"My, what a mighty catch. I see you've encountered the Lord of Lakes. How fares he these days? He's typically unkind to those who fish his waters without permission... Yet here you stand, bearing a grand Calgua fish lashed to an ancient elvish weapon of terror. You are a living paradox, my young Solar."
I narrowed my eyes, suspicion flaring. "Why do you keep calling me that? My name is Bella. Also, I was given this fish. I didn't catch it. Now where's Mara?"
She smiled wider, stepping in front of me with a fluid grace. "Tending to me with water, though she's quite famished. If you're inclined to share that fish, you will find that your little sanctuary is better equipped. All will be discussed later…"
I nodded curtly. "Tending to you inside? So… You're her? The burned woman. There is no way in hell I'll believe that. You'd be a charred eyeball inside of a statue made of cooked meat. Even if…"
I sighed, my stomach punctuating the thought with a loud growl.
"Whatever. If you're one of the undead, I'll send you to the afterlife all the same."
She laughed again, tilting her head. "Does it truly matter? I suspect you would have no trouble following through on that promise. An alternative, may I suggest? Let us break bread and discuss over dinner. Please, come inside and cook a meal."
I nodded, but my grip on Nyx didn't loosen. On guard, I followed this midnight spectre.
The farmhouse glowed with an unnatural warmth, lanterns flickering to life as if by unseen hands. The sounds of unseen hammers, grunts, and the jabber of an unknown silent language drifted across the property.
Faint shimmers danced in the air, outlines repairing the structure. They were scavenging boards from the outbuildings to patch walls and floors.
The woman smiled knowingly. "Can you see them then?"
Nodding I confirmed. "Yes, but they're like see-through shadows."
She purred, "You may need more animus for what I have planned… Pycts are relatively low-level spirits. I'm amazed you talked to the lord of lakes now."
"Animus? Pycts?" I asked, my voice cutting through the hum of activity.
She paused, her gaze distant for a moment, replying distractedly, "We will discuss animus soon. As for Pycts, they're forest spirits who made a contract with me long ago… Now please, make your way in."
She vanished, dissolving into mist.
The door burst open before I could react, Mara barreling into me with a surprised yelp. I toppled backward, landing on my rear with a thud.
"Bella? Is that you?" she exclaimed, violet eyes widening. "Where have you been? My mentor is awake…"
She hauled me up, her hungry gaze dropping to the fish.
"I'll cook it and we can eat it soon," I said, brushing dirt from my trousers.
She nodded eagerly, ushering me inside.
The farmhouse had changed drastically. Entire holes had been patched or replaced, the interior seemed much cleaner, but it still had some ways to go. A yellow flame burned in an ancient lantern next to the hall, little shapes moved in its light.
They carried small brooms made of twigs and pine needles, or carried pieces of wood to and fro.
Suspicion coiled tighter in my chest. I had to know.
"Mara," I said, voice low and edged, "Who is this woman, and what is your connection to her? She said she was a witch and if she is your mentor… Are you a witch, too?"
"I'm sorry Bella. I didn't know if I could trust you fully… When we first spoke, I thought maybe you were with them. Witches are being targeted for a purge." she replied, eyes hardening.
I nodded slowly. "Okay so who are you people? What is this land?"
She looked slightly affronted, glancing away. "My mistress will explain over dinner… As for the region, we are in Maltruss."
I growled, frustration boiling over. "Fine. I'll get started on dinner, but if you people do anything suspicious…"
She met my gaze steadily. "I expect no less. I've seen you fight."
Grumbling under my breath
"Witches, lake lords, girls who speak in riddles, spells, invisible servants… This is ridiculous."
I labored to hearth, fish in tow. This was all too confusing, too frustrating, a tangled web I hadn't asked to weave.
I unslung the fish from Nyx, laying it on the counter beside the hearth, and set to work: descaling with precise knife strokes, the silvery flakes piling like discarded armor; gutting it cleanly.
How do I know how to do this?
Shrugging to settle the thought, I settled on a stew. I just had to gather some herbs and water.
As if summoned, the ingredients hopped into the room: bundles of wild herbs tumbling across the floor, mushrooms rolling like errant stones, greens fluttering in on an unseen breeze, a pail of water sloshing to a halt.