This chapter has been edited due to content. If you want to see the unedited version GO HERE.
JASH
As a Daedric Prince my senses were greater than the most powerful mortal. I could feel each movement of the wind and smell the faintest scent if I wanted to. Even if I wasn’t consciously using my senses to the fullest extent of their abilities, they always hovered at the edges of my mind.
But while following Saga and Alex to the Witch’s Ladle, I consciously used my senses. I would not let danger come for my egg-siblings if I could help it. Not that the Dark Presence would be scared away by me.
I nearly coughed from the scent of the Dark Presence. It almost sent me spiraling into madness. Saga glanced back briefly and I gave her a thumbs up. These dryskins seemed more than reassured when I gave that gesture.
Saga then turned to look at where she was going. In her brief glance I had seen fear at the unknown. But underneath that fear was a curiosity that could only be sated by traveling to the darkest of places. Even if her daughter wasn’t in danger, she would have found it hard to resist the call of adventure.
My gaze then went to Alex. Even though I could only view his back at the moment, his air of indifference was clear. It was his to hide his pain, as much as was possible for a man like him, so that those he cared for wouldn’t worry. But underneath that façade was someone scared. If not for him being on a case, Saga being in danger, his love for me, or his need to meet Alan he would have gladly left.
I bared my teeth at the feeling that the wait was nearly over. The hunt would soon start in full.
Saga began the ritual that had been indicated by the manuscript pages written by Alan Wake. Her voice and movements were full of certainty. At a moment when anyone else would begin to doubt, she didn’t allow herself that luxury.
She had a mystery to figure out. She had a daughter to save.
When Saga disappeared into the threshold, I stood beside my husband. He felt fear but that fact would have been hard for someone unfamiliar with Alex to figure out.
“The Dark Presence’s presence is suffocating.” I hissed. “It will show its hands soon.”
I started to walk to the beach and Alex followed a moment after. He was nervous as he should be. Oblivion, I should be more afraid than I was.
“Will she return?” Alex asked. “You’re too **** certain about her surviving when this doesn’t have to be the final loop.”
“It is hers to survive another day.” I reassured my husband. “Alan has written this story countless times.”
“And?”
“And that means the ending might be changed, but this moment won’t. At least not to the extent that she dies.”
Alex seemed somewhat satisfied about my answer. At least for the moment.
“Saga didn’t see you in the morgue.” Alex said. “Are you sure she’ll see you on the beach?”
“I’m more concerned about the Dark Presence recognizing me.” I replied.
Alex turned to look at me for a moment. In that brief moment I saw frustration boarding on outright anger.
“I can’t keep lying to her.” Alex said. “I am going to tell her the truth if she doesn’t see through your human illusion.”
Saga would see me at the beach. She would have dealt with a threshold, defeating Nightingale, and meeting Alan Wake. How could she remain ignorant of my true nature after those events happening in quick succession? Why worry?
But I had been wrong about the morgue. I had been so confident about her seeing through my dryskin illusion and yet she had remained ignorant to my true nature.
“You are right, my love.” I agreed. “If she still sees me as a man on the beach, we will tell her.”
“I’ll buy us coffee if you’re right.” Alex said and tension eased from him posture.
“And I’ll get you whiskey no matter which one of us is right.”
No comments:
Post a Comment