CW: Violence, excessive blood, strong language, burn wounds, fire, death, highly graphic description of an off-screen death, death threats, abandonment
I stalked up the hill toward the people who had stolen my kill, my broken body fueled by rage alone. My body was dangerously hot, my steps leaving burned earth in my wake. Everything was agony and anger.
The red and black Zalyk hopped off the creature’s back, daggers drawn and teeth bared. “I’d stop there, pal. Come any closer and you’re in a world of hurt.”
Read MoreCW: Violence, animal attack, fire, burn wounds, fictional animal death, blood, mildly graphic death
I slipped out of Sam’s safe house long before the sun would rise, ignoring my desperate need for rest. Sam’s offer to help me was appealing, but his insistence that I leave my Spark intact broke the deal for me. I was ridding myself of these Powers before I harmed anyone else, and no one was going to stop me. I wasn’t looking for power; I couldn’t care less about that. I was looking for freedom.
Read MoreCW: Claustrophobic situation
“Are you going to put me down at some point?” I half-glared at the Demon who had saved me from certain death as we soared over the edge of a forest full of more trees than I had ever seen.
Samuel raised an eyebrow at me. “If you want me to put you down right now, I can, but it’s quite a fall from up here. It would be a shame to kill the person I just rescued.”
Read MoreCW: Violence, fire, suicide mention, attempted murder, death threats
I tried to ignore the stares of the civilians as the Judge carried me through town toward a large stone building. The crowd parted ways for him like they feared him, skittering out of his path as if panicked rodaks. “You certainly have an effect on these people.”
The Angel glanced at the individuals we were passing. “That is because they respect me and my authority over them and the city.”
I shook my head and used what little energy I had to attempt wriggling out of his hold. “Looks more like fear to me. Those things aren’t the same.”
Read MoreCW: Prisoner trafficking, abusing power, capitalism, sold into slavery, abuse of power, death mention/threats, fire, discrimination
“And, finally, what you all came here to peruse, our freshest products.” Dowrin chuckled with the group of well-dressed individuals. “As you can observe, our stock low at current. Our supply train had a slight hiccup. Nothing to fret about, however. I have a rare piece to show my most loyal customers.”
Read MoreCW: Prisoners being trafficked, manipulation, fire, bees, mild strangling, stereotypes, discrimination of a minority, self-depreciation
“Time to get up.”
My eyes shot open when I heard Dowrin’s voice and sighed. My hope the day before had been a dream shattered. I touched the cloth on my face, mentally grumbling when I couldn’t take it off. I sat up and narrowed glared at the Elf.
Read MoreFreda hadn’t exaggerated that my supplies would only suffice until I reached the nearest settlement. Even with smart rationing, I had eaten my last scraps of food as I approached the city. I had been more frugal with my kabettle milk than was healthy, but it was better than risking having none in an emergency. A lesson I didn’t need to learn more than once.
Read MoreI held my bag close to me as I made my way to the trader’s tent and tried to ignore the camp’s permanent residents as they glared at me with suspicion. I thought they would calm down after traveling with them for several cycles, but it felt like some were growing more restless the longer I stayed. Their worries were understandable, but that didn’t make them fair. I hadn’t harmed them or their homes.
Yet.
Read MoreWhen the world was first created, everything organic and inorganic alike, contained Magic. Not everything could actively use that Magic, but not a single thing in the world was without a touch of the divine. The Gods who ruled the world became bored, so decided they would each pick favored creations to give a greater Magic: the Magic of consciousness.
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