For the Hate of God

Making or breaking moment

Rowena’s POV

“Both of you traitors will pay for this. See you in Macabantra, you treacherous cunts!!!” Ramaalen said and disappeared in thin air and reappeared further away in Konneyard, far enough to keep herself safe yet close enough to see the battle's progress. She would still cast a bewildered gaze at Kandreah and Thersar occasionally. I was confused by that. She looked at them with the look of one who found their mate. Could it be?

I cannot tell for sure, as Kandreah nor Thersar did not have a chance to catch a glimpse of Ramaleen. They were busy with the commotion of the battle and slaughter within the shield. When I think of the Sanguineabyss battle, they have not made eye contact with Ramaleen at that time either, as they were going through a lot of things with the prophecy. Had they made direct eye contact with her, I would have been able to confirm whether they were mates or not.

Meanwhile, a horde of disoriented blood witches stood before me and Marlekeen. Some were still attacking the shield, while others were waiting for my command. When Ramaleen is not around, I am the one who is giving them orders. And what orders shall I give? Should we retreat? Should we attack?

If we attack, we stand no chance against the alliance army, not without Ramaleen.

Then what about joining this alliance army? Lycans and fae have a ban on interspecies mingling, not to even think of mating. On the other hand, they have, against all odds, joined the forces to attack Wengartrhria, although the same ban they have imposed on their species implies they shouldn’t be working together either innit? Would they make this same exception for witches, too?

Also, would Coven even listen to me if I suggest working with Lycans, dwarves and faes? Some of them are fiercely loyal to Wengarthria, some of them are afraid of retaliation if they fight against the Wengartrhrians, and some of them are still under compulsion. Some of them just don’t like me nor see me as an authority.

So how was I even supposed to lead them without Ramaleen’s and Noosha’s backing? How did I even get my arse into this situation and jeopardise the safety of my sisters? I think I should go back to Ramaleen and beg for mercy and forgiveness on my knees. But then, what with my mate? What will become of us witches? We will surely be treated even worse than we already were, as they will see us as treacherous, untrustworthy, disloyal and unreliable, and things weren’t easy for witches in Wengarthria even before when they saw us only as lowly mages.

Then, if we retreat, where should we go?

It is obvious that we cannot go back to Lacrimavliah or the main Wengarthria encampment.

Amaaralva has been under the control of the Lycans since the times they defeated Thessalians. Other Soovaree subrealms are also out of the question. Not to mention that I still don’t know whose side the blood witches will take, mine and Marlekeen’s or Wengartrhria’s.

What the f***k did I get myself into? My sisters are surely dead now, as this is considered outright betrayal. My mate is battered to oblivion, and I am surrounded by over 15 thousand blood witches whose intentions are not clear. I was just about to slap myself for being so reckless and for my rash decision, which would surely cost the lives of my sisters.

I was about to pule when I thought of my sisters, but then I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. It was Marlekeen, watching me with the empathy in her eyes. And her eyes…I have always dreaded them. Her eyes looked void, completely white and daunting, yet some strange feeling of warmth and belongingness washed over me when I looked at her eyes, and she gave me a small smile.

She raised her gaze towards the witches whose bloodied sigil now faded and retracted within their bodies. Some of them were still attacking the shield. And the shield…!!! The shield was still imploding with the war between demons of Konneyard and the alliance army, although there were divisions of Lycans who rebelled against Malleteagan when they saw how he treated my mate. Lycans became more aware that their lives have little value to Malleteagan and that he sees them just as pawns, an asset in tipping the odds of the battle, to chase his own ulterior motives for destroying Wengartria. The indecision of many blood witches mimicked the one that could be seen amongst many Lycan and Fae warriors. Some witches were focused on the attempt to shatter the shield, while others were just standing in an absolute daze, silence and confusion, uncertain of what they should do now.

“Sisters!!!” my voice echoed through Konneyard. Even the alliance soldiers turned their attention to me.

“This is not our fight to fight!!! We hold no grudges against Lycans, fae and dwarves; Wengartrhia does!!!”

Marlekeen stood next to me, still holding her hand on my shoulder when she spoke too:

“Brothers and sisters!!! Our sister Rowena is right!!! Why would we risk our lives? Why would we head to certain death!!!”

“What do you mean not our fight, Marlekeen?!! Are you fuc.king serious? Have you seen what they did to Anca!? They have slaughtered my twin as if she was a cattle in a farmer's slaughterhouse!!!” Anya, one of the witches said. Her sister was the first victim among witches. She was the one who came forward and tried to attack Malleteagan just to be bludgeoned by him and Kandreah with that god-awful mace made by dwarves. We all watched her being attacked and slaughtered with shock. She was the one sent out to coordinate Arachnodactyles and Lignictums in the battle against alliance. Malleteagan and Kandreah mauled her like two bloodthirsty beasts.

I turned to the coven and said:

“Brothers and sisters, stop the fighting and listen to what I say. When you hear me out, make your decision.”, I said, hoping this would work. Gosh, what if they all turn and attack me?

Regardless of my insecurities and wish to run, I did my best to keep my voice firm and in a leader-like tone.

I continued: “Indeed, here on this very ground, we lost Anca, one of our sisters. Let me tell you why.” I wanted to run for the hills, to hide away as a caterpillar in a cocoon. But I knew that was not an option as soon as my mind drifted away to Araya and Alyss.

I got back to my track, mustered the confidence and continued: “…we lost her because she fought for someone else’s agenda and aims. She did not fight for herself or the coven but was forced to fight for Wengarthria. The alliance warriors had no alternative but to choose between Anca’s life and their own. She was attacking them for sake of Wengarthria. She did it as she got an order to do so from one of the ruling Wengarthrians. And let me tell you something: this is not our fight to fight but Wengarthria’s. And we are not nor will we ever be Wengarthrians. We were enslaved and forced to fight for them. And still, although we always obediently followed their orders and fought for their cause, we were always considered lower class and less worthy. So why would we fight for them? To bring them victory they will thrive in, and we will again be forgotten, humiliated and degraded.”

As my confidence boosted, my voice boomed across the Konneyard: “…they say that we shall fight as one for the sake of Wengarthrias welfare. As we always did. And they expect us to support and bring the victory. But as soon as the war weapons get cold, they will again degrade, dehumanise and humiliate us. So, why would we help them?” I asked.

They listened to me as I carried on with newly discovered confidence:”…Anca’s life was one life too many that was lost in vain just because of politics and background stabbing games of Wengarthria. Let us not leave more of our dust and bones for those who are not worthy of us. Let us avenge the blood of Anca and all the sisters who fell because of greed and ulterior political motives of Wengartrhrians. Let us name, shame and punish the real culprits in the fable for all the sufferings we went through so they can climb up the royal ladder of Wengarthria.” I said as I pointed a finger towards Ramaleen.

“Wengarthria has Anca’s blood on their hands and the blood of many others, not alliance. Alliance is just a consequence, side effect and product of Wengarthrians' greed for power. The real cause of our plight is Noosha and her greedy family, not alliance. Seek your revenge in there. If you truly want to avenge Anca.”

All the blood witches stopped in their tracks, visibly mulling over my words. I could hear the cogs turning in their heads. They stopped with their meaningless and unsuccessful attack on the barrier created by the twins. However, they also didn’t seem to be fully prepared to be led by me either.

Eeskra, one of the elder warlocks in our coven spoke. He oozed wisdom and authority and was god-knows-how-many-centuries old but he looked like he was in his twenties. Looks among witches and warlocks, indeed, can be deceptive.

“Brothers and sisters, our sister has a point. This is not our fight to fight, especially not for Wengarthrian slags. If we ought to fight today, we shall fight against those who are recklessly sending us to death for their own selfish reasons. Anca’s blood within the shield, although spilled by alliance forces is blood on the hands of Wengarthrians. Malleteagan, Thersar, Kandreah, Nexelex, allow us to join you and fight for your cause!!! Who is with me, Rowena and Marlekeen?” Eeskra said and joined me and Marlekeen.

Ominous silence spread across the Konneyard as the alliance killed most of the Lignyctums and Arachnodactyles within the shield while Ramaleen watched the events developing from the safe distance.

Tension in the air which emanated from me, Eeskra and Marlekeen could be cut with a knife. We were at our wits end. This is a making or breaking moment for us. Not just for us. For everyone on this damn battleground.