Page 201 of Eternal Ruin
A masked figure with curtaining braids hovered above him, fire outlining her edges.
I’ve died.
His heart gave a terrible squeeze.
I’m in heaven.
“Your people are in danger.” Her strong voice urged, “I will do everything I can to stop the dranaic army, but you must fortify your walls and call your generals. Stay inside.”
Susenyos blinked slowly.
Army? Was there an army in heaven?
He sat up slowly, palms tracing below him. Grass? His eyes widened at the scorched ground all around him. He was still in the forest.
And that dark creature had disappeared.
Was she another creature, then? There were crescent swords strapped at her back, a white sash tied around her waist, a vest across her chest, and a mask, a russet wooden mask with golden whirls around the bridge of her nose that covered her mouth and eyes.
“Y-you’re not human,” he stuttered.
“No,” she answered with a gentle voice. “I’m a Sage.”
At the words, extraordinary light radiated from her.
She was life itself. Blazing, beautiful life and Susenyos found himself forgetting his fear, stumbling toward her.
Clutching his bleeding shoulder, he fell to his knees.
“You saved me,” he choked with gratitude, and worship.
She moved and light bled onto him, calming and embracing.
“Now save your people,” the Sage told him. “Creatures that drink human blood are coming, and you must prepare.”
She turned to leave, her white sash trailing in the dirt but remarkably spotless.
“Wait!” he shouted, already feeling the cold from her absence. “I—I can’t save them all. I’m weak.”
The wind rustled and the dappled sun moved and shimmered.
“Find your strength.”
She vanished like a wisp of golden smoke, and he remained there, feeling the dirt under his nails. A single Abyssinian rose had bloomed to life, surviving the ruined ground. Next to it, a book was buried into the soil, as if it too had sprouted from the earth. A cleaved, bleeding grapefruit graced the leather cover. Surprised, Susenyos picked them up, wondering how these two things survived the end of the world. He brought the flower to his nose. The scent of sweet life and salvation—his new favorite scent flooded him in delicious waves.
Book and rose in hand, Susenyos put his face to the sky and smiled wide.
Alive. He was alive.
Strained laughter broke from his lips.
He made a promise then. Whatever it took, he would always live.
71.
KIDAN
Kidan pulled her wrist from Susenyos’s mouth, her vision of trees and a relieved Susenyos fading before they were back in the throne room.
