Page 59 of Winter Goddess
A flash of light fills the room, followed by an amused cackle in a very familiar voice.
The Morrigan appears from a cloud of smoke, clapping loudly. “Finally. Well done, sweetie. I’m glad you got rid of her so quickly, killing dragons was getting boring.”
Dewi screams in anger and rage, and suddenly, there’s a dragon by my side, only a fraction of her usual size, but large enough to be a formidable foe. I didn’t know dragons could control their size, but it sure comes in handy in a confined space such as this room. She bares her teeth and a stream of icy breath hurtles towards the Morrigan, but she easily deflects it, laughing as if this was all a game.
“I’m going to enjoy having three Goddesses stuffed in my museum,” she cackles. “You, Wyn, will be the centrepiece. I’ll make dear little Crispin clean your dead body daily so you won’t gather dust.”
“What an honour.” I sneer. “But I’m afraid you’re not going to be here for long enough to do that.”
I pull at the bond that connects me to my Guardians, the signal we agreed. When we planned how to take down the Morrigan, we didn’t think Dewi would be in the room, so she’s not aware of our plan. I hope she’ll catch on though.
Storm and Frost let out battle cries and run at the Morrigan, their swords blazing. She swats them away like flies, but it’s enough of a distraction for Arc to launch a mental attack. Beira created the Morrigan to have incredible physical and magical powers, but she didn’t give her particularly impressive mental strength. She frowns, but then decides that Arc doesn’t pose a threat to her. A sword appears in her hand and she swings it around a few times, almost playfully. Storm stalks her from behind, but without turning around, she sends a ball of black magic that crashes into his chest, throwing him against the wall. He looks dazed, but he gets up and joins his brother. We all know that they have no chance against her, but they’re just there to keep her occupied for now.
I’m busy weaving a net of magic, made of all the elements I have control over, even earth, the most volatile of them all. While I’m doing that, Arc is still trying to weaken her mental barriers, while Crispin has run to Flora’s side, his hands already forming patterns over her injured body. He gives me a nod. Good, she’ll be alright.
Dewi roars again and launches herself at the Morrigan – and slams against an invisible barrier that wasn’t there moments ago. She wails in pain, blood running down her face. She growls in anger and pushes against the barrier, her claws raking against it. It’s too strong, but the dragon doesn’t give in.
My net is almost done when the Morrigan suddenly laughs. It’s the worst possible sound. She extends a hand, her fingers stretched into claws, and points at Crispin. He freezes, terror filling his aura. I don’t know if she’s using magic on him or if it’s just a mind fuck, but Crispin has stopped healing Flora and is now slowly moving toward the Morrigan.
“That’s it, my pet,” she purrs. “Come to mummy. I’ve missed you.”
I want to throw up in disgust. Frost and Storm are trying to distract her, but with a flick of her other hand, both are flung against the wall and stay there, suspended against the stone, unable to move. Dewi is still trying to get through the barrier and Arc’s got his eyes closed, focussing on breaking the Morrigan’s mind. I’m the only one left.
I complete the final knot of my magic net and throw it at the Morrigan. Miraculously, it passes through the barrier, just like I’d hoped. It’s too many different kinds of magic at once, and it confuses the barrier. As soon as the net touches the Morrigan, she screams in pain. Her hold on Storm and Frost breaks and they fall to the floor, weak but conscious.
Crispin has stopped moving towards his creator, but he’s not retreating either.
The Morrigan tries to get the net off her, but whenever she uses one kind of magic against it, it changes. This was Algonquin’s idea, something he’d read about in the library.
I focus on the net to figure out what magic is most harmful to the Morrigan. Earth and fire. I smile. Earth is difficult in here without toppling the castle, but fire is easy. We’re surrounded by an active volcano, and fire magic is permeating the air around me.
I slowly change the configuration of the net and add some more fire magic. Flames begin to flicker all around the Morrigan and she curses as they touch her skin.
“You have fire magic.” Her eyes are wide as she stares at the flames licking on her dress. “Your mother didn’t.”
I push more magic into the fire. “I’m not my mother.”
I can see the moment the penny drops. She knew my mother couldn’t kill her. She relied on that still to be true. She thought we were here just to capture her. I almost want to laugh at her disbelief.
“You won’t succeed,” she hisses and suddenly, black magic surrounds her, quenching the flames. Oh no, you don’t. I grasp more magic from deep inside of me and pour it into the remains of the net. The Morrigan’s succeeding in not letting it burn her, but she doesn’t have the strength to go on the offensive again. Just how I want to have her.
“Crispin?” I shout. “Do you want to do it?”
At first, he doesn’t respond and I’m about to ask one of the other guys when he nods slowly. Like in a trance, he moves towards the Morrigan, catching the sword that Storm throws him. She turns to him, shock reflecting on her face. She knows this is the end.
My magic is fighting me, almost spent, but I force her to keep the flames alive, trapping the Morrigan in place. It’s not been a long fight, but I’ve never used this much magic at once. My body is getting weaker and I feel myself sway, but then Dewi is there, steadying me.
Crispin stops in front of the Morrigan, the tip of his sword pointing at her chest.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time,” he whispers. “I really hope there’s no afterlife.”
My vision begins to flicker, but I can’t stop now. More magic is needed.
“Now!” I shout just when my grip on my magic loosens. Crispin lunges forward, the sword slicing into the Morrigan’s chest, ripping through flesh and piercing her black heart.
I smile and crumble to the ground, unable to stand any longer. The flicker in front of my eyes changes and suddenly, a flash of light erases the auras that have hidden my Guardian’s faces from me. I can see them again.
For about two seconds, before I’m thrown into the dark room without warning.
