The runes on Ignixis’s skin shift and pulse, their colors brightening from yellow to red, finally becoming almost white, glowing with an intensity that feels impossible to look at. Sweat trickles down my back as the temperature becomes uncomfortable. But there’s something else, a presence—one I’vefelt before—molten and immense. I can almost see it. It beckons me, filling me with the warmth of life. My heart surges with adoration, knowing it wants to consume my flesh, to free my soul in a blazing torrent of unquenchable, furious thirst.
I tear my eyes away, blinking hard, as if I’d been staring directly into the sun. My mind still reels from what I just experienced.What the hell is happening to me?I struggle to keep my breathing steady, aware that everyone’s eyes are on me, waiting for a reaction.
“Oh, maybe those runes should be in a larger font, you know, so people can actually read them,” I mock with a shaky laugh, but my words ring as hollow as my father’s heart.
My forced smile dies under Ignixis’ gaze, which leaks shocking green wisps from a wide-eyed expression.
“Did it hurt? Getting all those tattoos done?” Sandra chimes in, and I could kiss her for breaking this unbearable tension.
“Tattoos?” Ignixis echoes, shaking his head slightly as if waking from a dream—my nightmare. “The sacred words were scorched into my flesh, child,” he replies, pulling his hood back over his bald head.
“Scorched? That sounds horrible!” Sandra exclaims, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.
“Yes,” Ignixis murmurs, his gaze distant, eyes fixed on the roaring fire. “Every rune, every meaning seared into my flesh and mind, never to be forgotten.” The flames leap and flicker wildly, their light casting frantic shadows across his scarred face. “The words are part of me, each symbol fortified by agony. I nearly unraveled under the torment,” Ignixis admits, and for a moment, his voice trembles. “Every second stretched into eternity... until I saw him. Arawnoth. He came to me, his molten soul enveloping me like a great conflagration, rewarded me by melting away my pain, like ice touched by fire. He filled my heart with his strength.”
My heart hammers against my ribs, and I struggle to catch my breath, unable to comprehend what the actual fuck is going on! How could he have seen the same thing I’ve glimpsed twice now? Is this some kind of alien trick? Some hallucinogenic effect of the Dark Matter Stout? But that doesn’t make sense—I hadn’t tasted it until now...
“I’m sorry...” Sandra mutters, her voice small, her eyes cast downward.
“Don’t be, child!” Ignixis exclaims, suddenly almost gleeful. “It was a great gift, one that some would do well to avail themselves of.” His gaze shifts pointedly to Dracoth, who scoffs in reply. Ignixis stands up abruptly, groaning as he stretches, his limbs creaking like old wood. “And now I’m reminded of my purpose. I must take my leave.”
The announcement is like a balm to my frazzled nerves. I feel my shoulders relax, my breathing return to normal.
“Aw, you’re not leaving already?” I ask, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “I was really enjoying your company, too.” My fake smile could sweeten honey.
Ignixis chuckles, his hooded face turning back toward me, his mouth stretching into a predatory grin filled with yellowed fangs and eyes glowing like emerald flames. “Oh, have no fear, my little snowdrop. We’ll be spending a lot more time together soon.”
Huh?
Chapter 26
Dracoth
Truth
Iwatchtheoldgas-cloudapproach, scrutinizing his face. There’s something off with the disgraced Elder—more than usual. His rants have become more frequent and erratic, as if some great venefex were at his back. Then there are his strange interactions with Princesa, switching between vipertail-like jests and solemn stares and promises.
He’s plotting something.
“Do you flee from danger once again,Elder?” I challenge, fixing him with a stern glare, carefully gauging his reaction.
Ignixis grins but does not take my bait. “No. I need to make arrangements to pave the way for your glorious return as the War Chieftain blessed by the great Arawnoth. Promises weremade, and they will be kept. Trust was assumed, but it must still be earned.”
His words ignite my molten heart and mingle with the Dark Matters Stout, sending embers of heat fluttering through my veins.
“Good. Finally proving yourself useful,” I reply, a faint smile curling my lips.
“I wouldn’t be much use as an Elder if I couldn’t even guide the young and the foolish,” Ignixis retorts, stepping closer. Despite my seated position he peers up at me with a hint of a smile tugging at his expression.
“Not much use either way,” I say, surprised to see his lips tremble slightly and his green eyes glistening in the firelight.
What’s this?
He reaches a withered, blackened palm toward the top of my head. “What are you doing, you old fool?” I pull back as if his touch were vipertail venom.
“Indulge an old fool,” Ignixis mutters, his hand settling back to where it was. I sigh but allow him to rustle my short crimson hair. “Never forget what I taught you, Dracoth. Never forget the sacred words.”
With that he turns, his black robes swirling like a voidbloom. “Farwell, Dracoth, son of Gorexius.”
