Wiping her forehead, the fae looked at the wall. Two down, two to go before the final one. It was enough to show her that friendships were more important than ever. While she did not want to lose those two, Morticia did not want to be alone. To have Ryerles by her side was a blessing in disguise. For as terrible as a succubus as she was, she made up for in companionship. ’No where near Jalaya, but…’
Grabbing the third combination of death and love, the pixie worried what would be in store. Surely they were not dead? If they were, could she truly go on? ”You okay, Morty?” With a curt nod, bare feet padded to each groove, placing the new orbs. Offering a quick prayer, she closed her eyes as the white light enveloped her. Upon opening her eyes, Morticia could swear everything seemed more bleak. The sky overhead was gray, a brisk breeze seemed to bitter cold, biting through her almost inappropriately short dress.
They had already learned several mazes ago that altitude did not provide an advantage, as the hedges grow with you. The speed of the plants was absolutely astounding. Slowly, the small group of magical creatures creeped forward. Love had to play a part, but this death aspect was depressing. At first, it was an obvious path, if turning a bit on itself. Soon, a fork showed up, but a quick peek around the hedge on the left revealed that it was a short dead end. ”Right it is.”
Yet, at the end of this straight, there was another fork. ”Ryer?” The succubus nodded and went to take the path on the left. Before she could, their attention was drawn to the right turn farther down. Someone came around the corner. Morticia’s knees buckled, a sob hitched in her throat as she collapsed to the ground, knuckles pressed to her mouth. It can’t be! She refused to believe who was approaching them. There was no way in hell that he was here!
Standing at over six foot tall, long white hair that nearly rivaled her own, yellow eyes… Tattoos wound around his neck, and that cocky grin. Tears welled in her eyes as the pixie pushed herself up, picking up momentum as she charged into his waiting arms. His hand was already stroking her hair, the other holding her tight. ”Arty! I can’t believe you’re really here!” Yet he was silent as she sobbed into his chest.
Artaxiad held her lovingly. ”Uh… Morticia? What are you doing?” Confused, the pixie looked back at Ryerles. ”Hugging my husband.” ”Oh, Morty… No one is there. Wait… You’re married?!” Huge, distressed lavender orbs turned toward Artaxiad’s face. ”Stay with me, Luna.” How could he be here if Ryerles could not see him? He wasn’t here… Artaxiad… wasn’t… here… ”Arty… I… can’t!” Wrenching herself from his grasp, Morticia ran behind him, taking turns at random.
She didn’t know if she was going the correct way. In fact, she couldn’t see, her vision was so blurry from the tears, her sobs the only sound she could hear. He can’t be dead! It can’t be true! Nothing could kill him! Not even Wrath! Morticia collapsed, unable to breathe, gasping for air in between chest racking sobs. Tenebrae and Ryerles had kept up with her, but remained silent. When things quieted down, Morticia stood, and continued walking forward, her pace slow as she seemed quite defeated.
”Mama!” The pixie froze, wanting so much to turn, yet feared to do so. Her heart ached as she turned toward the small, musical voice. Fair, snowy headed with lavender eyes, Garin was stumbling toward Morticia with arms outstretched, a wide grin of reckless happiness plastered on his face. The child clung to her knees. ”I got you mama. I not letting go!” How he giggled, his rosy cheeks seemed so realistic, pinchably adorable.
Morticia stooped and gathered the child in her arms, squeezing tight. ”Garin…” This was another illusion…. That’s what was plaguing her in this maze… Illusions of her past. Here her family was, before her for the first time in ages. To be able to hold them, smell their scent. ”Vali and Kalli waiting for us, mama. Let’s go!” Jalaya’s kids names were still difficult for Garin to say, so he had shortened them in his own way, and the nicknames stuck. ”Mommy loves you, Garin… But she has things that she needs to do… We’ll play later, yes?” Garin pouted. ”Mama never plays with me!”
Her heart was officially broken now, her teeth grit. This was the hardest thing she has ever had to do. ”… Goodbye, Garin…” Placing her child down, Morticia ran. ’Let this not be real. Let this not be real. Let this not be real.’ While there were more of her family to try and tempt her, it was Artaxiad and Garin that were the worst. Chisera, Vincent, Jalaya, the twins… They tried, and even attempted to show up with a variation of her husband and son. Closing her eyes, holding her breath as the knot tightened to a stone lodge in her throat, Morticia trudged on. ”Ryerles… Talk to me.”
The succubus’s voice filled the void, and distracted her enough to make the final turns and found the exit. Once she was teleported back to the room, the pixie stumbled to the wall, braced her hand upon it as she slid to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
