Embrace it, whispered the Nightmare Lady. It’s what you are.
Each time she traveled further. Each time she remained a little longer in that eternal night.
But never did she fully relinquish the will to emerge.
Finally she could run no more.
Weaving drunkenly, her feet bloodied, she collapsed sidelong onto a slope of scoria. Lay there retching for who knew how long, then, summoning the last of her instincts to survive, crawled like a wounded beast into the shadowed lee of a boulder, and there closed her eyes.
Sleep brought no reprieve. Instead it unleashed memories she wished would die forever. Memories of her brutal childhood under the lash, forced to train and drink elixirs so as to awaken her spark. Nights spent weeping in her broken tower. The smirks and insults at the Academy. Those two wretched years she’d persisted in the Chasm, refusing to die even if the best she could do was become a beast.
Was that her destiny?
Now that she had ruined everything for ever and ever?
After tasting such delight, after feeling such giddy, impossible joy? She’d been an idiot, a cursed and pathetic idiot to think such a gift could last. That she wouldn’t ruin it.
Wouldn’t betray her true self.
Wouldn’t show Scorio what she really was.
Not Naomi.
The Nightmare Lady.
Shuddering, she opened her eyes. Days had passed, but nothing had disturbed her fitful sleep. Famished, numb, aching, delirious, she stared at her black talons. Somehow she’d remained in her dread form. Her Heart still drinking of the ambient mana.
It felt fitting.
It felt right.
It was what she was, after all.
A creature of nightmare.
A monster.
A deluded fool.
The Nightmare Lady lowered her horrific visage into her clawed hands, and wept.
Finally something dared approach. Something powerful. She felt it emerge from a cave entrance a half-mile away and cross the badlands toward her. Sensed it in a way she’d never quite sensed another being. Like a lantern lit at night, crossing a dark field toward where she stood.
Whatever it was, she’d slaughter it like she’d killed everything else.
Hissing in fury, she hauled herself up. She was a reed, hollowed out, so weak she could barely stand. But still she made her way around her protective boulder, just in time to confront the creature that dared disturb her.
“Favorite friend Naomi.”
She could only stare.
Nox had changed. He was larger, somehow more august, with silver-gray streaks splashing back from his empty eye sockets across his skull and over his back and flanks. His broad body was otherwise darker than even her own form, and terrible power burned off him like heat shimmering off the surface of a lava lake.
But it was still Nox. The sight of him, somehow, undid her. She dropped to her knees, and at long last relinquished her Nightmare Lady form. Doing so lost her the last of her febrile strength.
“Favorite friend Naomi.” Nox took a step closer so as to loom protectively over her. “Do not fear. Nox is here. Nox will help clutchmate. Nox will bring you home.”
THE END
Special Announcement: Dawn of the Void Omnibus Edition Kickstarter
Mark your calendars for February 15th! I'm thrilled to announce an upcoming Kickstarter to bring the Dawn of the Void trilogy together in a deluxe omnibus hardcover edition. This isn't just any collection; we're crafting a collector's item that will stand out on any bookshelf, featuring:
Exclusive brand new cover art
Bespoke interior illustrations
High-quality premium paper
Vibrant full-color end sheets
Elegant gilded page edges
Durable Smyth-sewn binding for a lasting treasure
A brand new Epilogue, expanding the universe
Plus, exciting stretch goals that promise even more enhancements!
This Kickstarter is your gateway to owning a piece of the Void like never before. For a glimpse into what's coming and to ensure you don't miss out on early bird specials, follow the project today.
Thank you for your support and enthusiasm. It's because of readers like you that projects like this are possible.
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Phil Tucker
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