Chapter 90: Daily Act

Chapter 90: Daily Act

The powerful gales rattled the windows of the manor. She needed to get up before it was too late.

What is this? What is happening? Her father took a step back and looked up at the ceiling.

She winced as she struggled to her feet. Her left shoulder and arm were both broken. She could not give up now, she had to move. She kicked the kitchen door open and made a run for the front porch.

Where do you think youre going!? Her father reached out and caught her hair.

She yelled in pain as he dragged her back. She clenched her teeth and threw herself forward, ripping away a chunk of her hair. It hurt, everything hurt, but she needed to run. She could hear her father running behind her, but she didnt dare look back.

The front door was open, she could see the porch and the green grass beyond. Her fathers arm stretched out. She shouted and jumped. She missed the grass entirely and fell on the porch steps. Her shoulder practically screamed in agony as she rolled down the steps and landed on the cobblestone pathway.

Wave after wave of pain assaulted her feeble mind. She hazily looked up at the sky. A titanic creature blotted out the sun covering the world in a shade of green. The emerald dragon dived towards her, it opened its gaping jaw and bathed the manor in searing flames. The explosion of orange fire blasted her away. She tumbled through the air and crash landed on the lawn.

She groaned in pain, her whole body ached. She could hear her fathers screams from the manor. Her head lolled to the side. A burning figure ran out the door, flailing its arms. Her fathers charcoaled body dropped to the ground, dead. She sobbed in relief, it was finally over. The monster was dead.

Sis, are you okay?! One of her brothers shouted.

He came running out from the garden along with her other siblings. Her mother trailed behind them.

Oh honey, what happened? Dont you worry, everything is going to be okay, she hugged her daughter tightly.

She cried softly in her mothers arms, her body shivered from the ordeal.

Its over, mommy. Its finally over, she whimpered.

The emerald dragon roared in the sky before it flew away into the horizon and beyond. A distant rumble of thunder echoed through the air. She looked up from her mothers embrace. What was happening? The trees of the nearby grove trembled in fear.

Honey, whats the matter? Her mother smiled.

No...no. I dont know, she hugged her mother tightly.

The rumbling grew louder and louder. The trees shattered in an explosion of splinters and leaves. A rampaging herd of root-bison rushed at them, their hooves smashing anything in sight. She got to her feet and tried dragging her mother away, but the woman sat still. Her mother suddenly looked gaunt, her bright appearance gone.

We have to help mommy! She pleaded to her siblings.

But, everyone froze as the thundering horde ran into them. The bison slammed everyone to the ground. The hooves crashed all around, yet by some miracle she remained unscathed. She could see her mothers sick body being trampled by the hooves, her body a splatter over the grass.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

No! She screamed over and over again as her mothers body disappeared under the stampede.

After what seemed an eternity the herd disappeared back into the grove. She struggled to her feet and looked for what remained of her siblings. She did not find a single trace of them.

She glanced at the foreboding grove. The root-bison must have dragged them away in the stampede. She found herself dragging her feet into the dark grove. There was almost no chance her siblings were alive. But, what else could she do? Where could she go? She was all alone.

As she ventured into the grove the trees seemed to expand in height. The canopy grew thick, the sunlight disappeared gradually. The rumbling of the bison became faint to the ear. A rustle in the leaves above startled her. A silver owl sat on a branch up high, it hooted before flapping its wings into the murky canopy.

Suddenly, she could hear the sounds of hundreds of creatures lurking right behind the undergrowth. She was scared, she needed to turn back. But, the woods seemed the same, the trees blurring with one another. She was lost. Something rustled behind the bushes. She ran the other direction.

The sounds of the creatures nearby grew louder and louder. She pushed past the bramble, trying to ignore the biting stings. She tripped and tumbled down a hill. The forest fell silent. Her body was bruised, bloodied, and broken, but she was alive.

A soft wet crunching noise rippled through the clearing. She slowly looked up. A root-bison lay on the ground, its brown eyes watched her, the yellow light fading from its weak gaze. A massive panther stood atop the bison. The dreadful predator mauled at the bisons chest, ripping away the flesh and feasting on the organs.

A titanic snake slithered from behind and wrapped its black tail around the bisons legs, the bones cracking beneath the pressure.

She backed away from the carnage as quietly as she could. A twig cracked beneath her foot. The snake and panthers heads swiveled towards her. Their green eyes practically glowed in the darkness.

Uh, s-stay back, she raised her small hands and tried to appear menacing.

The snake and panther pounced on her in an instant. She cried out as their fangs sank into her body and tore her apart. The silver owl watched from the canopy, its hooting the last sounds she heard.

~~~

Her eyes shot open as she screamed. Her heartbeat thrummed in her ears. Her thin body was burning, she was drenched in sweat and her throat was raw. How long had she been screaming this time? She lay panting in her bed, the crescent moon bathing her room in a gloomy light.

It was just a nightmare, it was not real. It was just a nightmare, it was not real, she repeated her mantra quietly to herself.

A knock rang on her bedroom door.

Mistress, are you alright? Mistress? One of her maids called out.

There isnt a way to defeat my father, she gripped her dress tightly.

Thats exactly what I mean. You believe you cant stop your father from hurting you, Lucy said.

Well, I couldnt! She shot to her feet. I relive that horrible day every single damn night. It may be a dream, but the core event was real. No one was there to help, it was just me, and I couldnt do anything. So, dont sit there lecturing me of what I can and cannot do!

Night terrors every night, huh? Lucy noted.

She fell back into her chair, Whatever, just give me the damn bottle.

You said somethings different with the nightmares. What changed?

Sweet Bellum, when will you stop? She groaned.

When youre finally happy, Lucy smiled sympathetically.

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, ...Normally the nightmare ends when my father dies. But, this time it didnt. She laughed bitterly, I saw my mom, she was still alive. Then she died, again. Not to disease, but to a stampede of fuckn root-bison. My siblings were there too. I tried saving them, but I couldnt. Then to make things worse, I got ripped apart and eaten by a panther and a giant snake.

Hm, when did this start?

Last night, I guess.

Do you think you are unworthy of happiness? Lucy asked.

She felt her muscles stiffen, Of course not. Why shouldnt I be happy?

Because you feel guilty, perhaps?

Why would I feel guilty? Ive done nothing wrong and for your information, I am happy. I am a scion of a Great House. I am young, beautiful, and one of the most popular students in the entire academy. What more could I want? Everyone wants to be me, she snapped.

Lucy walked around the desk and grabbed the young womans trembling hand, Simply because your father tried to make you just like him, does not mean you are. You are not a child anymore, you are a grown woman. You decide who you want to be, not him... Only you can decide if you wish to be happy.

I cant beat him, she mumbled.

You dont have to fight him to beat him. Living a happy life, thats how you win, Lucy said.

Easy for you to say, you dont have people around every corner spying on your every move.

True, but Im not as intelligent or as strong as you either.

Ill take the intelligence compliment. I wouldnt get top scores in class if I was a dumbass. But, have you seen these thin arms? Im not strong, she chuckled.

Lucy levelled her gaze, Anyone who survives what youve been through is strong.

She didnt know how to respond.

Lucy handed her the bottle, Theres still a little over a month left before summer is over. You shouldnt waste it cooped up in this city. Get some fresh air away from this dreary place.

...Maybe I will, she grabbed the bottle and headed for the door.

Do be careful while travelling, I hear the Valley tribes have been restless as of late, Lucy warned.

Ill keep that in mind, she opened the door.

Oh, one more thing, Maeve, Lucy called out.

What is it?

You deserve to be happy, Lucy smiled.

Maeve closed the door behind her.

A vampire family originating in Mortis Grove, a dead forest southeast of the Northern Lands. They are the rulers of the port city Forlost. The family has produced a merchant lord or lady every few generations, eventually allowing the Moras to claim the title of Great House.

The House rose to prominence through trade between the great cities of Hollow Shade and Frost Rim. Forlosts port sits on the Dire River, between both great cities, allowing Forlost to act as a mediator between the two.

Maeve Mora:

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