IF YOU HAVEN'T READ PART 1, DON'T READ THIS SNEAK PEEK YET!!










SERIOUSLY! DON'T DO IT!










YOU'LL TOTALLY RUIN PART 1! OK, that was the last warning :P



Chapter 5: A Memory to be Forgotten

11 years earlier…

Nix had the feeling she was being watched, which frankly, wasn’t unusual. She opened her eyes to see silvery-blue eyes in a smiling face barely a hand’s width away.

“Happy Wintersday!” her sister Bix sang. “What’s my present?”

Nix laughed and pushed herself up into sitting position. Using the palms of her hands, she rubbed the sleepiness away from her eyes. Bix also moved into sitting position next to her on Nix’s sleeping mat. The room was tiny with a mirror, mat, and chest taking up the majority of the space. The light filtering in through a small window to her right told her dawn was just arriving. “You know presents come in the evening, Bixxy.”

Bix crossed her arms as she explained, “I know that. That’s why I said ‘what’ instead of ‘where.’”

“In that case, you get to wait,” Nix informed her, sticking her tongue out like a little child.

Bix let out an exaggerated sigh as she gave Nix the hairbrush in her hand. She recited all the things she hoped she would get that Wintersday while Nix listened and brushed her sister’s red hair. “Maybe, one day I can get blond hair for Wintersday,” she said as a sad afterthought. Bix inherited her red hair from some ancestor far in their family tree since everyone else in their immediate family had blonde or brown hair. “Then mommy will stop saying how awful it is.”

Nix briefly paused before continuing brushing. Aunt Margaret, Bix’s mother, was a hateful woman and had it not been for Bix, Nix would have wished her father hadn’t married her. For six years, it had just been Nix and her father, Damien. He had always been distant, but she hadn’t known that was strange growing up as a young child. It was only after she saw how other fathers treated their children that she realized something was very wrong. When she was older, she learned he blamed her for the death of her mother. Had it not been for Nix, her mother, Nece, would not have died in childbirth.

When Aunt Margaret came into their lives, Nix had been eager to have a mother, but then she realized was it was really like to be truly hated. Damien had loved Nece with all his heart, and even though she was no longer alive, he couldn’t stop loving her. There was barely room left in his heart for his new bride. Nix, who looked like she was growing into the mirror image of her mother, was a perfect substitute for Aunt Margaret to vent her anger and frustration. When Aunt Margaret became pregnant, Nix lived in fear and misery. After being hated by so many, she feared the addition of a yet another person who would hate her.

Instead, Nix finally knew what it was like to be loved and what if felt like to love a person with utmost devotion. From the moment Bix, or Beatrice as Aunt Margaret insisted on calling her, set her eyes on Nix, Nix became the most important person in Bix’s world. While this cemented Aunt Margaret’s hatred of her, Nix didn’t care, because no matter what her stepmother said or did to her, she would always have Bix to bring happiness to her bleak world. While Aunt Margaret made her feel ashamed of who she was and what her body looked like, she would never let Aunt Margaret do the same to Bix.

“Awful?” she asked in a thoughtful voice. “In that case, ‘awful’ must mean something really wonderful, so I’d have to say your hair is awful, too.”

Bix giggled. “I think you’re awful!”

“But you’re even more awful!” Nix countered, dropping the brush and tickling her little sister. Her heart lifted at the sound of Bix’s sweet laughter.

When their laughter subsided, Bix lifted her hand up and gently touched a part of the tattoo on Nix’s scalp. Bix missed the way Nix’s hair turned golden in the sun. “Don’t you miss your hair?”

Nix absentmindedly reached up to touch strands that were no longer there. Like most Monks, Nix considered tattoos sacred. A few days ago, she had gone through a ritual dedicating herself to Dwayna, the patron goddess of healing Monks. It had been one of the rare moments that her father had looked at her with pride, and receiving the scalp tattoo had been worth every painful moment. She was proud of the tattoo, the sign that said she was devoted to her Goddess. Dwayna and Bix were the only two beings in her life that she loved with fierce devotion, and she knew their love for her was unconditional.

“No,” Bix answered truthfully as she picked up the brush she no longer used for herself. “Besides, I have your hair to love.”

Bix bit her lip, her eyes wide as she asked hesitantly, “Did it hurt? Mommy says I’ll have to get a tattoo someday, too.”

Nix put the brush down and hugged her sister. “No,” she lied. “It didn’t hurt at all. And don’t worry, one day you’ll be a very strong Monk who can’t wait to devote her life to Dwayna.”

“As strong as you?”

“Much stronger!” Nix said with a nod.

Bix cuddle against Nix, closing her eyes as she listened to Nix’s steady heartbeat. She sighed, “I wonder what she’s like. I wish I could see how Lion’s Arch is decorated for her.”

“It’s beautiful,” Nix told her, remembering the few times she had gone. The memories were fading, but she tried to recall them as best as she could. Bix had never gone to a Wintersday celebration in Lion’s Arch before. Once Bix was born, Aunt Margaret refused to allow Bix to go, fearing the huge crowds. Since Bix wasn’t allowed to go, Nix also refused to go. “Colorful lights are everywhere, and it’s like a dream that you don’t want to wake up from.”

“I wish we could go,” Bix said wistfully.

“I wish you could see it.”

Bix pulled away, her brows pulled together as a sudden idea came to her mind. “Can you take me? Mommy’s not home so she wouldn’t know, right?”

“Oh, Bix,” Nix began slowly. Aunt Margaret had been unexpectedly called away yesterday and wasn’t expected to return until well after the sun reached its peak in the sky. Father had been called away for a mission and wouldn’t be back for another few days. If she and Bix left at that moment, they could walk the distance to Lion’s Arch, see the decorations, and return before Aunt Margaret came home. Because of the distance, they wouldn’t be able to spend that much time in the celebration, but Bix could still see what it was like.

Bix’s face fell when Nix didn’t answer right away. Seeing her sister’s disappointed face twisted Nix’s heart. She smiled and nodded. “OK, let’s do it! It’ll be our little secret, OK?

Nix saw the flash of a bright smile as Bix flung herself forward into a huge hug that made Nix fall backwards with laughter. She would show Bix the celebration, and her father and Aunt Margaret would never know.

* * *

It was everything that Bix had hoped for. The great port city of Lion’s Arch had been transformed into a winter wonderland and laughter was heard in all parts of the city. People of all ages and different professions were around to enjoy the day and pay tribute to Dwayna and Grenth. Merchants peddled souvenirs as they tried to shout over the boisterous activity from visitors.

People from as far as Kourna and Cantha had come to also share the celebration with the denizens of Kryta. Both sisters marveled at the site of so many heroes in one location. Intent in participating in the celebration, even the fiercest of heroes carried weapons specially made from candy canes and gingerbread.

Even though they were having fun, Nix paid special attention to the sun’s location in the blue, cloudless sky. Finally, even though she wanted to stay, Nix said with a frown, “We’ve better start heading back.”

“OK,” Bix agreed slowly, knowing full well that they would be in huge trouble if her mother found out that they went to the Lion’s Arch Wintersday celebration. And, to make matters worse, they had gone by themselves. With a forlorn expression, she tried to soak up everything in one glance, so she would remember everything. Her eyes settled on the merchants and the trinkets they were selling, and she let out a sigh.

Seeing where her eyes were focused, Nix told her apologetically, “We can’t, Bix. If we do, Aunt Margaret could find out we were here.”

Bix took a deep breath and let it out loudly. She paused for a moment and bent down to pick up a small rock. She lifted the small rock with pride. “Tada! I now have a souvenir.”

Nix laughed. “Want me to hold it for you?” she asked with her hand out. Bix dropped the rock in Nix’s open palm. They held hands while Nix slipped the rock in her pocket.

* * *

They had walked most of the distance home, and Nix was sure they would make it home before Aunt Margaret. Bix had talked most of the way while Nix was silent. She couldn’t explain it, but she had an odd feeling that was making her uneasy. She tried to hide it so that Bix wouldn’t notice, but her sister was more observant than she gave her credit for.

“Nixxy, what’s wrong?” she asked. “Are you scared that we’ll be in trouble?”

“No,” she said quietly, her gaze drifting to the side. They were trees all around them as they traveled on the well-worn path. “I’m…” she started, even though she wasn’t sure how to finish her sentence. She couldn’t explain the odd feeling that she was having. It almost felt like…they were being followed.

“I don’t care if we do get in trouble,” Bix said in grumpy defiance although Nix was sure her sister was just putting on a brave face. “I-“

A loud crack stopped Bix from finishing her sentence. Looking to the side, Nix saw a tree coming down. She had barely enough time to push Bix out of the way. She tried to jump back, but not before a small branch knocked her off her feet. Had the branch been thicker, Nix could have been killed. She shook her head to clear it and quickly jumped to her feet. “Bix? Are you OK?” She called out as she tried to climb over the tree’s large trunk.

Her heart froze at the sound of Bix’s scream. “Bix!” Nix called out again in a voice of pure panic. She found hidden strength and pulled herself up and over the trunk, her body pumped full of adrenaline as her eyes searched for her little sister. Her mouth gaped as she circled around, her hands wildly pushing branches around as desperation crept into her soul. “Where are you?”

“Nix!” Nix whirled around at the sound of the voice. It was coming from further down the path, and it sounded like she was moving away from her. Not wasting a moment, she bolted down the path, as fast as she could. She untied the cloak’s tie at her throat, fearing it would slow her down. It fluttered behind her as she pumped her arms and urged her legs to move faster than ever before. The trees thinned out, and finally, Nix saw her sister.

The site made her blood run cold.

A large minion carried Bix over a misshapen shoulder as it ran awkwardly on the path. Bones and flesh were visible under a broken layer of gangrenous flesh. She could see Bix’s horrified face as her she reached out with her two small arms, begging her big sister to save her.

Nix didn’t understand why a minion would try to kidnap Bix. All she knew was that she had to get her back, and she wouldn’t stop until she did.

She just didn’t know how…

She had no weapons and no fighting ability. She had been trained to heal others and herself while staying in the background. She was never meant to fight. Now, she had to find a way to save her sister, because she couldn’t even imagine failing.

When she first started her training, she had been given a choice to follow Dwayna and receive healing and divine favor training or follow Balthazar and learn the skills of smiting and protection spells. Knowing that she would continue her family’s tradition of healing and divine favor under Dwayna’s watch, she had never cared to learn about smiting and protection spells.

Until now.

She only knew the very basics of smiting and protection, and right now, her weakness was the only tool she had to save Bix. Luckily, the minion wasn’t as fast or as driven as her. When it was in throwing range, Nix called out, “Bix cover your head and be ready!” Not one to argue, Bix pulled her arms tight over her head and stopped struggling. She had complete faith that Nix would save her.

Nix called a ball of weak holy light, knowing it was the best she could do. Minions, being undead, would at least take double-damage from her weak holy damage. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. With a shout, she threw the ball. She let out a cry of frustration as the minion simple moved to the side, and the ball of light exploded in the ground, sending dust and rocks into the air. She threw another one, but the minion easily moved out of the way.

There were no longer any trees around them as they strayed from the path. The land to the right opened up into a rocky valley while the left ascended up a steep hill. She knew exactly where they were and knew there was probably only one chance she had of saving Bix. It was risky, but she wasn’t strong enough to defeat a minion by herself, and leaving to go get help meant she might not be able to find Bix again.

“Bix! Remember the light trick I taught you?” she called out, desperately hoping she did. She was relieved when she saw Bix’s slight nod even though the little girl’s eyes were filled with terror.

“When I say so, do it, OK?” she called out. They were nearing a sharp bend. Her heart raced, because what she was planning on doing was foolish and dangerous. It was a desperate plan born from the knowledge that even as stupid as her plan was, it was the only chance Bix had. When the minion was about to turn, Nix called out, “NOW! On its back!”

Not wasting a moment, Nix threw another ball of light while Bix put her hands on the minion’s back and let her hands glow with holy light. With a savage cry of pain, the minion ducked, momentarily leaving Bix airborne. Nix’s ball of holy power bit into the ground that the minion was using to turn around the corner. The weakened ground crumbled as the minion’s momentum caused it to continue into the open air.

Nix saw it all in slow motion as she continued running towards her sister. Bix was momentarily in the air, fear etched in her face as her hands desperately reached out for Nix. To Nix’s relief, the minion had changed Bix’s momentum when it had pushed her away from its back. While the minion would fall into the valley to its destruction, Bix would land safely on the ground where Nix could make sure she was OK.

That’s what should have happened.

Instead, at the last moment, the soulless creature reached out, its misshapen claws grasping Bix’s cape. The cloth tore, but not before changing her momentum once more.

“NO!” Nix called out, as her soul shattered at the site of Bix falling into the valley. As Bix fell from her view, Nix propelled herself forward, sliding on her belly to the very edge of the slope. Dust flew in her face and clouded her vision as rocks bit through her clothes into her flesh. Her hands were spread as she reached with outstretched arms. She felt Bix’s fingertips brush against her own.

Then, all she was grasping was air.

Chapter 6: An Unbreakable Bond, Broken…

To be continued…

B&W with red as only color on rose and red portions of clothes.