Chapter 44

Part 1

Arriving at the slope’s bottom, those dastards had yet to yield! Bernadine’s controlled deer relentlessly pursued; forcing consideration of my next step. (Should I run to the town? They shall not give chase that far into human territory, no?) Hooves trouncing upon dirt to my back demanded immediate attention! Reaching a flat plane gave ample room for coordinated attacks with my ruler piece familiar; we could cut loose in a sense! “Go left!” We separated and circled back, attacking one deer behind us in unison, crossing swords over its exposed neck! Another charged me, but the ruler fired a bolt from its crossbow; a perfectly aimed shot to the beast’s throat! I dodged the doe’s falling body only for another to challenge me next! “Have at you!” It attempted to trample me underfoot; a leap back, then thrust, my blade scored a hit right into its windpipe! Blood spewed out, and lo’ I felt sorry for the creature, nary a second was afforded to pray for it! An army of deer, coated with azure scales across different parts of their bodies, stared me down. (Do I summon all of the pieces?) Singular amethyst fins gleamed upon each radiant blue armor set, manipulating mana as if a beacon. (Could I disarm those? Doing such would require focus I am not allotted.)

Absolutely unrelenting, their assault did not falter; more charged! My familiar’s cross-sword slammed down onto one doe’s neck, unable to break through that fin and scales! It was shrugged off, leaving the throat exposed to my blade, however! A precise cut, lo’, another assaulted me from the side! Even coated with azure scales, the antlers failed to pierce my mage’s robes; even then, my ribs would regret taking such a hit and that pain would not be easy to ignore. An arrow ended the stampeding beast attempting to gore me on its horns, lo’, I was momentarily caught upon those antlers, my dress becoming entangled! Unable to move, I was left at the mercy of a buck’s fury! The ruler piece’s sword shot under that deer, into his belly and slashed upward, being caught in the blue scales on its spine. It was not finished; impressing even me, the familiar lifted that corpse overhead, still stuck to its blade, and slammed it down upon another deer’s skull, smashing it! Brutality I had not written into the manifestation. Witnessing such an action, the rest of that flock did not waver; snarling with eyes full of malice!

Considering again, were my other familiars the key to victory? (No. If I am to face Bernadine Clément, of all adversaries, then I must conserve as much of my cache as possible!) To my back, an exit. (There is no ward, as far as I can sense. Escaping toward the humans is my best option.) I looked to my ruler piece. It did not have eyes etched into that smooth black and white face, lo’, appeared to comprehend my gesture; swiftly firing off multiple arrows! A distraction which granted me more than enough time to free my dress and bid a hasty retreat!

I recalled my familiar, nearing the forest’s edge. At the wave of my hand, its body faded, dispersing into mana. Engravings marked upon spirits and etched into mana crystals acted as conduits for familiars, allowing them to take their specific forms when needed. Mana crystals, those encasings, were akin to brains; translating all the spirit’s impulses into a familiar’s physical actions. Should the spirit’s mana crystal be destroyed, that may even destroy its spirit. Summoning and recalling one’s familiar was a simple task, requiring only that they possess enough mana within their cache to do so; freeing the spirit to invisibly follow its master.

In a full sprint, I broke through the tree line and escape that forest into Whispering Hills’ town, proper. Just as my boots graced pavement, several ear-piercing shrieks erupted nearby! From the alleyway in which I stood, bewildering scenes unfolded before me! Gangs of wolves, deer, and even monkeys rolled through the streets of Whispering Hills! The townspeople’s near endless exuberance was supplanted with terror as hordes of beasts ravaged everything in their path! Deer overturned cars, monkeys tore down metal posts, and wolves mauled citizens! Groups of people fired their gun bullets at the animals, successfully hitting some but unable to land killing blows; all due to those azure scales. (What on earth?! Why?! This is far outside the realm of secrecy!) Hooves kicked up mud within the distance, speeding toward me! The sound of those enraged deer barreling toward me forced a decision! (Bernadine, for what purpose are you doing this? Such a thing must go against the wishes of every Magekin in the world! Exposing ourselves to such a range of people, hiding again will be impossible. She must have an angle. Is all of this to expose me?) I assumed a more covert manner of dress, as best that could be done given the circumstances. Folding my hat, and shrinking the saber back onto my chain belt, I surreptitiously joined a crowd of fleeing humans.

My robes still blared with mana, lo’, the crowds of humans cared little for my manner of dress; seeing an approaching horde of beasts! Wolves were the first to reach us! Their fangs bared, the men would shoot their gun bullets or swing whatever they had at hand as weapons, trying to fend off those hungry animals! Even with them managing to fell a fair few of the beasts, their efforts were for nought. Simians swung in from trees and turned the tides of battle instantly! Azure scales and an amethyst fin on every chimp, they used those as if coated in armor whilst charging the men! A slaughter, they ravaged the men, tearing and ripping with ferocious malice! Entrails spilled, blood ran through the streets, and people cried in terror! Their hands were uniquely strong, puncturing abdominal walls with their fingers, like tearing into a rubber sack with sharpened knives.

Dodging a flood of wild animals, we were run up the street’s opposite end! Some humans ducked into establishments, signaling for me to follow. (A room full of humans? Filled to its brim? Possibly touching me? Absolutely not.) I sooner have allowed myself to become kibble for those wolves. A monkey leapt toward me, missing only by the hem of my skirt! (I cannot keep this up! Dodging and eluding them is only becoming more difficult with these other humans about.) On either side at any moment were people, nearly colliding with me. Without magic or an armament, there was only martial arts left to defend myself. I wondered if that would arouse suspicion.

“I got you! Stand up, we’ll get out of here!” A voice I had heard before, one of familiar idiocy and sanguinity. “Get on my back if you gotta’!” His name was Jordie Mack, and he was an idiot; trying to pull an older man up as waves of people crashed into him! Fool that he was, the blonde-haired young man refused to abandon an elderly man who appeared to have twisted his ankle. “It’s alright, bro! I won’t leave you!” He reassured again. Stubborn to the point of…

A wolf separated from the pack, targeting Jordie! Suspicion or not, my hand was forced! A rising ax kick, one which was launched skillfully into the beast’s chin, blasted it! Every so often, I amazed myself. I had managed to swim in-between a stream of moving humans, and pivot upon my planted foot all to launch such a perfect attack! Another wolf charged in toward me, lo’, I intercepted it with a heel drop to the cranium, bouncing that one’s chin off the ground! “Make haste, fool!”

“Anesha?! Awesome! Thanks a ton!” Taking time to thank me was both an unneeded gesture and distracting! A chimpanzee had leapt for us; a back roundhouse I had thrown was meant to defeat that simian, lo’, I was too full of myself. It easily caught my boot, unsteadying me into a near split upon the ground whilst tugging my leg! Thus, put onto the defensive, I swung around and lobbed kicks into the beast’s unscaled face, over and over; it did not release me. The mana stitching along my boots blared, that monkey’s grip was astoundingly strong! “Hey, let go of her! Stop!” Jordie, again, foolishly, attempted to intervene! Before I could shoo him away with that old man he had managed onto his back, a pop rang out from behind us!

“Jordie! Anesha! You two alright?!” Bernie Begum, proving himself again to be the competent one of their operations, had fired one gun bullet into the chimpanzee’s eye! The beast felled, I pushed up off the ground, and we made our escape! “This way!” He pointed further up the road, and it was then that I realized a failing of mine. That bridge used to cross from Whispering Hills to Gold River was in the opposite direction!

(Once these animals have been culled, I shall make for the bridge.) Before us, a line of black and white police vehicles; behind, snarling animals with fangs thirsty for our blood! Humans ran up the street at our side, with Bernie pushing that old man and Jordie forward. A few kicks already thrown, totally covert operations were made impossible. I halted and turned to not allow my back as a target, more so, to prepare for combat! “Move aside!” The humans were in my path! “Get out of my way if you wish to live!” A rising split kick was strong enough to blast one chimp into another! (Relentless! I cannot believe that Bernadine of all people would siege a town in such a manner!)

“Lady, get over here! Now!” One police official called to me! Jordie, Burnie, and the elder had escaped behind that wall of police vehicles. Just as I turned, one child had fallen in the street! “Wait! There are two…!” There was no waiting! I dashed toward him, down and crying, as a deer made to run the little boy through upon its antlers! With a graceful spinning back kick blasting the beast’s nose, I expected it would fall; it did not. Eyes full of malice, the deer did not flinch, those scales once again provided substantial obstruction! Coating from its nose down the throat, brown fur was tinged radiant blue, and flat teeth meant to graze upon grass were sharpened and serrated with that same color! They had bit into my calf, causing excruciating pain even through my mana stitched thigh-highs! “Dastard!” I grabbed the boy’s shirt collar and tossed that child, as if a sack of potatoes, to an awaiting officer! A desperate decision needed to be made. (My robe shall hold, yet the pressure will cause damage to my leg should this go on! A spell? No, I cannot. Even summoning a weapon is…) There was no time to consider further. The mob of animals was upon me.

“Anesha! Duck and cover!” Bernie shouted! I did duck down and cover my head just as a flurry of shots were unleashed by the police! For nearly an entire minute, they whizzed over my head, catching the ground near me, bouncing off vehicles, lampposts, mailing boxes, and traffic signs alike! Although I feared one would catch my uncovered skin, nothing of the sort happened. Many of the beasts under Bernadine’s control were felled, lo’, the remaining few scattered, unaffected by the shots.

I was released, as that deer who held me had been slain. A sigh of relief escaped my lips, lo’, the battle had just begun.

Part 2

Sliding over the vehicle’s front, I joined that idiot boy and his cameraman awaiting me. “Yo’ you good, Anesha?” Jordie asked. “You probably came here for the fireworks, didn’t expect shit to end up like this, right? Is Fate with you?”

“Fate is not.” Returning to his side was my priority. Beyond the line of police vehicles, those animals still hid, eyes poking out from around corners and over cover. If I was to make my way over to Gold River, passing by those beasts was necessary. “He is in Gold River, and thus, I must cross the bridge to meet with him.”

“The south end bridge?” Bernie spoke up. “Making it past those animals is probably going to be pretty hard.” True enough. Fighting at my fullest, slaying Bernadine’s familiar would be trivial, lo’, I was not. As I was then, it would be a foolish mistake and unavoidable failure. “Are you hurt? That thing got you pretty bad.”

“Is someone injured here?! I’m an EMT!” Some person equipped with a red cap and some type of medical bag frantically approached! “Oh, you’re the lady who was attacked by the deer! Here! Let me see your leg!” They reached, and I stepped away. “Ma’am, please! I’m a registered EMT!” Again, and the same response.

“Do not touch me.” Even thinking of hand caressing me; skin crawling.

“Uh, don’t worry about her!” Bernie stepped in. “How about this old guy here! He needs medical attention!” Once more, proving to be the only member of that team worth his weight in hair care products used by Jordie and his brother. “Are you okay though?”

“I am. Many a time before, have I sustained worse injuries.” The pain was not insignificant; regardless, I would manage. Peeling down the thigh-high showed a purple ring of flat tooth marks on my pale calf. (Oh…if only I were born with skin like mother’s and not father’s.) A jest, some levity in the face of adversity, only for myself. Likely not to leave another scar, there also did not appear to be any torn muscles or broken bones.

“Anesha, bro, can you, like, heal with magic?” Jordie asked; leaving that medical professional to handle the man he had saved

“No. I cannot.” A simple answer.

“Why? Want me to cover for you?” He whispered. An idiot, but at least one willing to be of use.

“I do not need your assistance. Simply accept that I cannot.” Healing magic was not something allowed, and I was never taught nor given a chance to study it. They were obscure magics used by societies east of us, ones that the aristocracy looked down on. Inducing accelerated self-healing was seen as natural through meditation and use of herbs, a fine pursuit in their eyes. Magics that changed and warped the bodies that were granted to us by God were seen as demonic; using them would mark us. Mark us in ways so deep that it would be left upon our souls. “More importantly, there is little time to waste! I must get to Gold River!” Every second away from Fate meant Bernadine was left with more opportunity to find him.

“Well, getting through that line is going to be pretty tough.” True enough; a point made by Burnie. Slaughtering those beasts did little in the way of frightening them all off; we ended up in a stand-off of sorts. Taking cover amongst the wreckage and behind buildings, the animals seemed to be anticipating something.

“Move up front. Get the rifles out!” One officer, in a commanding tone, called forth several of his subordinates. They produced larger guns from their vehicles, forming a line; weapons pointed over their car hoods. Armed with many a large gun and those rapid ones too; that level of weaponry was what Magekin feared. Simply with one large black metal weapon such as those, a human could mow down several, maybe even a hundred of lives within seconds. There were fears driven into Magekin culture via history we had not even directly partaken in. Humans would tend to surprise you, as mother would often say, and that was what Magekin feared the most. “Everyone, step back! No one is allowed to move past this barricade!”

That would not do! “I cannot allow that! Let me pass, I must cross the bridge!” Pushing through the line of humans and into an army of magically controlled beasts would be difficult; it would be possible, difficult, but possible.

“Yo, Anesha.” Whispering into my ear with his hand cupped to the of side my head?! I could not stop myself sweeping Jordie’s feet from under him with a quick kick!

“Do not do that!” Even the slightest brushes could elicit that involuntary reaction. Skin crawling, blood pressure spiking, flashes back to those horrid events, all in an instant whenever a person would lay hands upon my skin. (I must be in control, always.) Deep breaths to calm down was all I could do.

“S-sorry…” Jordie apologized, waving for me to come in close. I begrudgingly did so, considering that I had, unfairly, struck him. “My bro says he’s on his way, yo. Says he’ll take us up to the other bridge!”

“Other bridge?”

“Yes, sir – er, ma’am. Northern bridge!” A foolhardy grin, yet I respected his resourcefulness.

“Excellent work, idiot boy! Truly deserving of praise.” Dullard that Jordie was, he had offered an acceptable solution.

“No prob! He’s driving down here in the van, then he’ll take us—” A shriek interrupted him from much further up the street behind us! A new wave of people came crashing by! “Holy shit! What’s happening?! BB?! Anesha?!”

Whispering Hills’ citizens ran by like schools of fish fleeing hungry predators! Swarms rushed by; and as I dodged one such man, his head was snatched cleanly off his shoulders. A bolt of golden lightening with streaks of bronze struck, ending that life in an instant. Scars plagued the face of a vicious beast; crushing that decapitated head to mush within its powerful jaws. A colossal feline, neither lion nor tiger, but a combination, stared me down with unflinching golden-brown eyes. Screams erupted amongst crowd, with more demonic beasts to come! Two truck sized tigers, crowned by azure scales running down their throats, joined the larger feline. Pandemonium quickly befell all again; more ferocious badgers, raccoons, rats, wolves, chimps, and deer fed in from atop the streets, chasing humans! Those police screamed, trying to direct citizens, but could not gain any advantageous positions. An inability to fire those weapons brought about their downfall. Both tigers cleared the crowds, propelled by super powered legs which shattered asphalt under foot; their target, the riflemen! Shots were fired, lo’, those bounced off and did not deter hungry fangs from perforating the police officers’ skulls! Claws tore flesh, teeth sliced bones, with just two of those monsters coated in armor gifted to them by Bernadine, it seemed an unending bloodbath was at hand.

Rodents swarmed the streets as if a plague had descended upon Whispering Hills! Crawling up exposed legs, biting holes in thighs or ripping off toes and fingers, even small creatures were threats when empowered by magic! Any humans that climbed atop cars were made into fodder for bloodthirsty wolves and simians! Hands dragged them down from rooves to awaiting fangs which bore into screaming innocent civilians! That cerulean influence covered teeth and claws, slashing through concrete and steel like paper!

At some point, fear must have reached the boiling point, thus, some officers unleashed their guns and launched many gun bullets across the crowds! I ducked, as even with my robes, any stray fire catching exposed skin would tear flesh asunder! “What are you doing?! Hold your fire!” Their leader’s words did little to quell the panic.

Within the unfolding chaos, a long fat bundle of greenish-brown hair, held in place by a pink dog collar, passed me by. Ebony fabric shielded her warmly tanned forehead, down that unmistakably memorable long and sharp jawline, disappearing beneath mage’s robes; those were distinct garments. They were a set of extra strength robes used by the royal guard; something only powerful Magekin could properly utilize. She turned to me with those olive-brown eyes. A smile curled wide pink lips, her ears rose, and that long nose crinkled. “Anesha.”

“Bernadine.”

Part 3

“A raven-haired woman kicking us. That is what one of the lovelies said. I knew right away it was you, Anesha.” Taller than even I, with thick arms and legs, flat predatory eyes looking down her thin nose; Bernadine’s harsh expressions would make an apex predator shrink in fear. Growing up, boys feared her, thinking she would bite through them with those uneven teeth spread across her smile. “The Dukes of Graewood will be pleased that I have finally tracked you down…” I knew that witch quite well, in fact. We were of the same social class, went to the same school, in the same classes, dragged along by talent that the aristocracy had taken notice of. “You aren’t going to let yourself be captured, correct? Let’s not waste time.”

“…” She was one such threat I expected to face in the future; a danger even when faced at full strength. In school, we were even in many aspects. One could refer to us as rivals for some time; however, our paths diverged. My focus changed, but even then, I did not forget her name…or that hostility Bernadine harbored toward a certain group of people. (If I can draw my saber and stab through her face…) That skin-tight black battle garment covered nearly all of Bernadine’s body, down to her fingertips, it was radically stronger than the average mage’s robes. They ran beneath her set of matching sage gray jacket, skirt, and boots, all flared with ivory colored trim; fashion never escaped Magekin, even those wishing to enter the royal guard. (I must strike quickly!) Bernadine’s face remained unshielded; presenting the only clear target! A shriek to my side glued my boots to the ground!

“You have such a soft spot for humans.” She tracked my gaze to some screaming boy with a wolf enclosing upon him! “Go ahead. Protect him.” An offer to expose my back! A foolish choice, only one as stupid as Fate would move with such an obvious lure in place. Saber drawn…

(Damnit all!) I leapt for the teen! My blade clashed with the beast’s scale coated throat; and knowing a spell was to my back with only seconds to spare, I twisted and blocked the bolt of lightning! The electricity and force were so great they launched me into the side of a car, cratering metal to my back! My body had been shocked so full of electricity that evening, unbelievably irksome! “R-Rebuke!” Forced to use my barrier, firmament sprung forth, shielding me and the child! (Foolish.) I cursed myself. Once more was my sympathy prayed on! Acting like a fool, breaking from my plans numerous times, of course it would end up like that! (Foolish!)

Bernadine’s spell did not relent! The purple gemstone on that wooden scepter’s face gleamed brightly behind an affectionately, and exhaustedly detailed, woodworked reptile's head; her influences and interests worn, quite literally, on her sleeves, jacket, hair tie, boots, and skirt. “Secrecy has failed, it would seem.” A snide remark Bernadine made, spewing even greater force of lightning!

“You have no room to speak!” It did not slow even an iota, nor did the slaughter of those innocent civilians behind her. “What is your goal?! Have you forsaken the wishes of all Magekin?!”

“No.” Bernadine said as her spell petered out. “Now I ask you, what room do you have to speak? You, Anesha Kyteler, who has betrayed Graewood, in service of what?!”

“To…” Become a goddess, that was what I wanted to say. Those words continued to curl up in my throat again, refusing to leave my lips. “I have no need to explain myself.” A boom, one which rattled me and Bernadine alike erupted from her side! A chimp had its arm and chest blown to pieces, being thrown to the ground by an officer’s wide barreled gun!

“You three! Come here! Quick!” He shouted to us, lo’, Bernadine’s face drained of all color, looking down on the dying animal. She slowly approached, knelt down, and held the beast’s remaining hand.

“You fought hard tonight, as you have for your family for years. Even on our trip here, you protected me as if I were one of your own. I felt your love, your strength, your warmth.” Beleaguered breathing gave way to some kind of grin on the simian’s face. “Feel proud, for we shall finish what we started tonight. Your strength will never be forgotten.” With her scepter placed to its chest, a single word was spoken. “Pierce.” In a flash, Bernadine ended the chimpanzee’s life with an energy spear generated by mana. “…I will miss you.” Gently running her hand through the matted fur on that old chimp’s head and down to the eyes, which Bernadine closed softly and whispered a prayer.

“What the fuck is going on—” Mana rippled again!

“Move!” The officer was not fast enough to heed my warning. She pointed that amethyst staff toward the officer; and a purple spike shot out, through the air, officer, men behind him, a vehicle’s top, and blasting into a building’s side shattering bricks! Perfectly down a line, shrinking holes the size of a quarter, then a nickel, then penny, then a dime, sliced cleanly through flesh and bones until it ended, wedged in a concrete wall.

Those bodies collapsed, and another gun was aimed at Bernadine! The officer did not wait even a second. Multiple shots were fired, yet most were intercepted by her animal army! One made contact with Bernadine’s jacket, only knocking her to the ground. She sat, seething and muttering to herself. “Filthy, heartless, greedy humans!” She plucked out the gun bullet stuck in her wide chest, tossing the metal bit aside. “These robes; tight, yet malleable, they stick to me like a second layer of skin. I shouldn’t complain, it was a gift from the Duke of the North, but they are uncomfortable.” So nonchalantly chatting whilst humans died around her, those years of training calloused the witch to death even beyond me! “Now then.” Bernadine casted!

I kicked the human boy aside just as the car to our back was riddled with holes! “Ignite!” A quick spike struck through my magical spark! (Escape? No. I will cut down Bernadine here! I will kill her!) Fingers pinched, I was ready to launch another spell. I did not. I could not. (…Why?!) My hesitation was clear to Bernadine too! From pinky to middle finger, I launched three blasts with each snap! Magical spikes pierced each of my spells. A smokescreen, and opportunity! I clenched my saber and dashed for Bernadine, lo’, my side was open. In jumped a chimpanzee with an azure clad hand, catching my sword while Bernadine’s attention was elsewhere! Fangs and antlers were thrust toward me! “Rising of the earth, upsurge!” I pointed three fingers skyward, and three slabs of earth followed, blocking off those attacks! Lo’ their paths were closed off, mine was open! I leapt to the wall’s top and jumped toward Bernadine once more! Blade overhead, the sight of people being attacked behind her drew my attention. My stomach, then, was subjected to her Slice spell.

The thin slicing blade of water cut into my gut, launched from Bernadine’s staff! Mage’s robes protecting me, it would still leave a mighty bruise and managed to blast me far, far up the road! “You’re distracted.” Was I? Was it true? “You can’t turn your eyes away from the humans dying all around; feeling sorry for them. Do you wish to protect them?” That… “Have you given up on growing the seed?” I could not. It was impossible! Humans losing their lives to further my mission was an acceptable loss; as was true with Magekin!

I was a fool. All along, I was a fool! “Such an insulting implication!” Rita in Gold River, I allowed myself to fall victim to such foolish charity. “I am not swayed by such things! I am not nearly such a weak woman!” Would I have ignored Fate’s idiotic altruism; the situation would not have escalated to so dire a level! “Incinerate…” No matter the loses! “…swallow up all within your grasp…” Weakness in my resolve would not only bring failure, but death! “…consume all creation and flourish!” My life – I existed only then to achieve one goal! “I have a mission that must be accomplished at all costs! So many have sacrificed for this; my father, those who aided us in escaping and enclosing Graewood, all for this! The Seed of Yggdrasil will grow, and I shall dominate it and this whole planet!” All those years alone, every second of loneliness… they meant something! “I will avenge my mother and become the goddess of all mana!” Embers flickered to life in the summer air, swirling around and igniting rubbish, leaves, and even hairs of felled beasts!

“Then you plan to fight to your death? Fine! Fight me like a Magekin, Anesha Kyteler! Incinerate…” Bernadine planned to use the same spell! “…swallow up all within your grasp, consume all creation and flourish!” Even more embers danced! Summer’s heat was defeated by the two massive swelling circles of fire spiraling around us! I equipped my hat, and with saber raised, the flames roared! So colossal they dwarfed all buildings in Whispering hills, twin fiery tornados rose toward heaven! Paralleling each other, they divided into the shape of two monstrous snake heads; twin serpents on both sides, posed to strike! “Come!”
We clashed with fury that would obliterate a hurricane! Four heads slamming into each other, spilling off whisps of flames, and melting asphalt beneath our very feet! Bricks on the buildings nearby cracked, cars began to explode, and people as well as animals fled the area! (I lost Mom! She was taken from me – taken from us by them! I will have revenge – I must!) All the mana in my cache was being funneled into that spell! Even my mage’s robes cried for more, struggling to protect me from the blazing tornado all around! (There was not a wasted second before coming here to this town! I will not allow any distractions ever again! All those years training for this – alone, all alone…) Alone…except for them. A simple smile. Thoughtfulness that had become alien. The warmth of touch that I had missed so much. Someone to…

My spell weakened. Bernadine’s serpents overcame mine, burning through them and barreling down upon me with red-hot fangs. I lost focus, and that battle; seeing everything around me disappear into a blanket of orange fire.

End of chapter 44