Page 17 of The Divine Lies We Weave

Hunger ate at her stomach, and her throat was more parched than the desert rocks. She had the right to snap at a living Flame inside her head.

Fuck.

It still didn’t feel real. She had a Flame inside her.

When the Flames lost the war in the Awakening, they descended to earth to help mortals, some of whom gave up their bodies and minds, thereby becoming Vessels, so they themselves could harness a greater divine power and help in the war. Mortals took on the Flames’ animal counterparts, spurring from their Vessel’s shadows to unleash their power for a limited amount of time and combining twice the strength. But the Flames soon realized harnessing mortals came with repercussions: if the mortal died, they had to find another suitable Vessel—fast, or they, too, would die.

Leela knew most of the tales. Her village elders told them over pots of stew, and the children would sit around the fire and eat it underneath the stars. Leela would recall them to her teaching group as she became the proper age to do so. She couldn’t recall any of the Viperess, however, only the overarching history of how she split the realms apart. No one wanted to hear about the one who betrayed them all, after all. So instead, Leela would tell the children of the village about the stories where the sly Silver Fox fought with the Red Bull, or how the Purple Hawk and Black Raven flew through the skies. Or how the Flames from the Awakening fought the Flames from the Netherworld and defeated them.

Am I not worthy of a good tale told over stew?

“Do you really want to hear my answer?” Leela whispered through chapped lips.

Best get used to our little situation, mortal. Because you and I are about to become even more acquainted.

“Again, what do I have to do to get you out of my head?” Leela mumbled. She feared the answer and stopped to stare across the dunes. Wind whipped at her, pelting grains of sand that felt like a thousand knives cut her skin. “Why me? Why help me find the relic?”

You will see. Soon enough. We have forever together, after all. At least, until you die or I complete my quest.

Leela grimaced. “Forever is a very long time.”

Indeed.

Great. Just fucking great.

The Viperess stayed silent.

Leela glanced at the skies, hoping lightning wouldn’t strike her for her remark. Then again, she could let the desert take her. Then she wouldn’t die at the hands of thieves, monsters, or stubborn Flames. But Leela needed to survive. She wanted to survive. Her revenge was unfulfilled. So, survive she would. She’d figure out how to get the Viperess out later.

Night came harsh. Nihikia was known for its long, chilly nights and blistering days.

Leela’s throat was burning by the time darkness took her into its embrace. She would cut off her left arm if that’s what it took for just for a sip of water. At this point however, she might as well just sell her soul to the Elephant and obtain memories of the future—at least she’d know when she’d be rid of this misery.

Leela shook her head. A chill nestled deep into her bones as she huddled beside a sand bank. “We… We may… as well… die out here.”

You lose faith too easily, mortal.

Leela shuddered, too tired to argue. At this point, Leela’s hope of ever finding peace slipped away like sand between her toes.

She dreamed of fresh wine that night. It spilled down her throat and washed away her problems. What she wouldn’t give to be sipping on fresh mountain rock wine while enjoying her family’s company. To see the smiling faces of her sisters, Anika and baby Diya who cradled her mother’s breast.

Their laughter, ever fruitful, pulled her into deeper sleep. But the sweet dream swiftly turned into a nightmare, sucking her into its harrowing depths as her family’s death replayed in her mind.

Over.

And over.

The lustisha bashed down the sandstone walls and countless drakion poured in, a scream as loud as thunder ripping the skies. Leela sprung off the bed she was in with Rajesh and watched on in horror while the lustisha’s two, beady heads surveyed the village as if it were looking for someone.

Leela woke, gasping for air.

A split of blue rose on the horizon, and Leela groaned. Another day. Another long trek with wavering hope.

Leela dragged her feet through the dunes all day. Despite all her aches and pains, she got up and kept walking. Surely, there had to be something out here other than the dunes.

Tears stung her eyes as she trudged through the desert.

The blue skies turned a rusty orange, leaving a bright red strip across the horizon. It was a beautiful sight, at least something to accompany her toward her end. How long could a body last without water? Food…?