Wolf’s Peak (A19)

Prompt A19: This is it, the moment is here, life begins to flash before my eyes

She is tired.

She should be scared, or angry. Maybe she should be resolved and filled with faith. This is it. The moment that all her visions fade is upon her. She has no choice to believe the gods see fit to end her life here. She doesn’t have the energy to be sad or upset about it. She is only tired.

She flaps her wings, flies up to the blue star atop the Wolf’s peak, and leaves the protection of her barrier.

A hundred eyes turn to look at her at once. They search for the mark on her arm that shows the world her magic. They comment on her wings. The soldier they captured weeks ago called her the demon and it’s likely the ones below her think the same. It doesn’t matter. Her feet land on the stone of the peak softly and she looks down to the army before her.

Years ago, she summoned the power of the gods against his army. She called down the sacred flames from the heavens and burned so many, killed so many.

“General Evie,” General Redbeard calls from below. She spots him in the crowd easily. His grin is feral, its why she nicknamed him the mad dog. “I was wondering how many more would have to die before I finally got to you.”

They’d killed hundreds, maybe thousands, in their war. Once the Empress declared magic illegal, and punishable by death, he took his soldiers to enforce those rules. She took her Marks and tried to stop him. Now magic is dying, he is here at her last refuge, and she is so very tired.

“No more of mine will die here today,” Evie says.

“You will all die today.” He steps forward and their battles flash through her mind. So much blood. So many screams. She felt powerful and righteous, smiting those that brought death to her kind. She thought nothing of killing them, she took joy in it. Despite all of her victories, it was a one sided war from the start. Then, one day, she realized she was as much of a killer as any soldier, maybe more so. What did that say about her?

“It’s not too late to leave, General. Aren’t you tired of fighting?” She responds.

“I’m hungry,” he growls at her. “If you are tired of fighting, surrender, and I’ll make your death quick.”

The blue star next to her glows brighter. It’s a risk. A gamble. She knows it’s the right choice. She’s always been destined to die on this hill. This way, the others will be saved. This way, she can repay the debt to she owed the wolves that saved her so long ago and bring their leader back. Evie takes a glance at the sky. It’s been raining ash for days, but it’s finally clear and blue and beautiful.

“I beg you, please leave. We are people. Women and children who only wish peace.”

“You are not a woman. You are a Mark, and I will leave you in pieces.”

She closes her eyes. Inhale. Exhale. She’s had enough time. They will survive without her. She has faith in that.

Evie reaches out to touch the blue star. She grabs it with both hands and surrenders. The barrier around the Orphanage shatters. The star pulses. The heart beats with her own.

She exhales.

He howls.