Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 751: What Could Have Been ()

Neveah felt something inside of her fracture and for a moment, everything went still. "A...drienne...?!"

The scene from a moment ago replayed in Neveah’s mind, slower this time. In her mind’s eyes, she saw Adrienne move into the path, shielding her from her sister.

She saw the arcane magic strike, the force sending Adrienne backward mid-air, right off the bridge.

She saw her body twist as the energy burned through her riding suit, tearing into her flesh.

She saw how time slowed as Adrienne hit the ground, sliding across the cracked surface towards the very edge of the pit.

The world finally moved again. The shock and disbelief hit harsher than a slap across Neveah’s cheek.

And then Neveah was running before she realised it, crossing the cavern, she dropped to her knees beside the fallen Fae princess, Keila’s existence temporarily forgotten. Neveah reached for Adrienne, her hands trembled, unsure where to press on to stop bleeding...there was blood everywhere, too much blood.

Adrienne’s weak gaze moved to Neveah, her lips parted, a shuddering breath escaping. Her eyes once bright and piercing were dimming. "Scales..." She whispered, a ghost of a smile flickering at the corner of her lips. "This... wasn’t the plan."

Neveah couldn’t understand what was happening, she simply couldn’t process it.

"This isn’t happening!" Neveah hissed in panic. "Scales! You had no rights! Why would you..." Her voice cracked and Neveah hated herself for the fear creeping into her chest. She wasn’t supposed to feel like this... she wasn’t supposed to care.

Adrienne’s breath hitched. Blood bubbled up at the edge of her lips but she lifted a trembling hand and pressed it against Neveah’s arm. "I... didn’t think you’d cry for me."

It was only then Neveah took notice of the tears burning her eyes. "I’m not. I hate you..." Neveah choked, her glowing hands trembling against Adrienne’s wounds as she reached for her magic...for anything. But she couldn’t stop the tears now, not as she watched the life drain from Adrienne’s eyes...a woman she had never truly known, never truly understood or cared to, until now.

Adrienne coughed, the sound wet and painful. "Liar."

Another tremor hit, more powerful than any other. The ground beneath them shuddered, the cracks widening. The magma in the pit churned even more violently, any moment now, there would be an eruption, but still, Neveah could not move... she would not move.

"Just stay still... I can save you..." Neveah vowed, willing the magic within her veins to work another miracle as it often did.

"This is... arcane... the greatest magic known..." Adrienne whispered, her tone barely audible. "No one can save me."

Neveah couldn’t listen. She didn’t care if it was arcane, or the hand of the shadow dragon itself..."I will save you!" Neveah forced out through gritted teeth.

"Listen...my sister..." Adrienne said with difficulty. She turned her head slightly, towards Keila.

A choked sob reminded Neveah of Keila’s presence. Keila had not moved, her hands were still raised, as if the magic still clung to her fingers...as if she could take it back.

"If Menarx gets here...he will kill her. Let her go... can you, do me this one favour, Veah?" Adrienne asked urgently.

A sound tore out of Keila’s throat, something between a sob and a scream. Neveah’s hateful gaze turned on Keila.

"Let her go?" Neveah asked, the words foreign on her tongue. Rage churned within her, a storm seeking release.

Keila’s gaze met Neveah’s. "I... I didn’t mean to... I was aiming for..." Keila tried to explain, but she must have seen something in Neveah’s eyes because she shuddered visibly, taking a trembling step back. True terror reflected in her eyes.

Neveah didn’t care for any favours, she was going to kill Keila and Keila knew it.

The volcano trembled again, the magma hissing and bubbling. Keila took another step back, and then another...

And then she ran.

"Please..." Adrienne pleaded weakly. "Menarx...let me live till I see him... one last time..." She sobbed.

Maybe Neveah’s magic was just not enough to spare Adrienne from death, but Neveah knew she could buy her time... just enough till Menarx got here. But in that time, Keila would be long gone.

A furious growl tore out of Neveah’s throat. Like the sound erupted from her very heart. Everything in her wanted to give chase, hunt down the traitor and put a final end to it all, right in this volcano...

But at what cost?

Neveah tore her gaze away from Keila’s retreat, her eyes moving back to Adrienne. She reached within, her head spinning with a thousand emotions.

’Demevirld...help me... please...’ Neveah thought to the presence churning within her mind.

’It is arcane. I myself was created from a shred of arcane magic. I cannot reverse it...or save her.’ Demevirld replied, for the first time, it did not seek to tease or taunt, but honestly provided Neveah a response.

’Then... that which you can do...do that much...’ Neveah thought, her heart sinking in resignation.

The dim golden glow around her hands brightened and Neveah sensed it, Adrienne’s life force slipping away like embers in the air. Opening her mind completely to the magic surging within her veins, Neveah reached for those scattering embers and with everything in her... she held on.

"Veah..." Adrienne called weakly, coughing up some more blood.

Neveah’s hands trembled as she pressed down harder on the wound, as if she could hold Adrienne’s life in place with the sheer force of her will. The blood was everywhere now, it pooled around them, staining Neveah’s hands, her clothes, as if the guilt was hers and not Keila’s.

Adrienne’s eyes flickered, she watched Neveah, a smile on her lips. It was not cruel, or bitter, not even pained... just tired.

"You know..." She rasped. "I can barely feel it...my wounds..."

"The only thing I feel...is your warmth." She confessed truthfully.

"It’s the heat from the magma...not me." Neveah replied hoarsely. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Adrienne chuckled dryly. "Veah... I had a dream once."

Neveah swallowed hard, she could feel it, that tone of resignation that came with dying words. "Don’t... don’t tell me anything. Save it all for Menarx... I won’t listen."

Adrienne exhaled weakly, her smile widening just a fraction. "Not the dreams you think a princess would have. Not of courts and thrones...not of being High Queen..."

Neveah’s throat burned. "Adrienne... don’t... just don’t..."

"I dreamt of you." Adrienne’s fingers twitched, grasping weakly at Neveah’s wrist. "Of standing beside you, not against you. Of calling you...my Queen."

Neveah froze, her eyes finally met Adrienne’s.

Her blood stained lips tilted slightly. "That would have been something," She laughed, a breathless laughter...soft, and wistful. "To be your Queen’s guard. To stand in the shadow of something greater than my bloodline... for once in my life."

Adrienne’s fingers tightened, for just a moment. "I see it now, Veah. Why I never liked you from the moment I saw you..." Adrienne’s voice wavered. "It was because my heart acknowledged you... what I saw was not just a woman that would become a ruler, I saw...a legend."

She released a shuddering breath. And then in a softer, weaker tone, she said "I would have been honoured...to serve you, Neveah Vairheac..."