66. Abraxas

Morning broke, and I had been reborn, again. Tori and Jun"s magic was unlike anything else in the world. They had broken the chains that restrained my power, and I felt as I had when I was young again. I could hardly contain the flames that had so long been held prisoner. My skin itched to unleash this power, and the time was finally upon us.

Afterthe ordeal, the twins almost immediately passed out; their bodies and magic were exhausted. I let Tori get as many hours of rest as we could spare. It was ironic. I'd been on this earth for over one thousand years, and in these last few weeks, I had no time.

Ipressed my lips to her forehead gently to wake her, and she grumbled with annoyance. "It's time, my goddess."

Sherubbed her eyes, swung her legs out of the cot, and leaned her forehead against my shoulder.

"Time to end this."

The cool morning air stirred around me; a whisper of the chaos that was soon to be unleashed. Tori climbed onto my back, her weight and the grip of her thighs familiar. Her heart was beating wildly, a vibrant pulse that resonated with my own rising bloodlust.

Aroundus, our assembled forces stood ready. I saw the infantry, their armor catching the first light of dawn, forming a stern sea of iron will. The cavalry's horses snorted and stamped, their breaths puffing clouds into the chilly air. My eyes scanned the horizon, spotting the golden banners of Koron's walls fluttering mockingly in the distance.

Outsidethe city gates, the GoldenArmy was a shimmering sea of opposition. They stood along the ramparts with arrowheads flashing in the early morning light. Between us, fields of ambrosia spread, many already trampled. But where one had been pushed down, dozens remained.

Ready?I had sent my thoughts to her.

Always, she replied, her resolve sharp as the edge of her blade strapped to her side. I let out a deep, growling breath, feeling the surge of my heart, and with a powerful thrust of my wings, we ascended.

Fromthat height, it was easy to imagine the troops below as only pieces on a chessboard. Pawns to be sacrificed for the ultimate victory. Before us, the emperor was the only piece that mattered.

Torilay her hand on the scales of my neck. He will be ours, but remember our plan, my love.

Ourplan was simple: strike at Koron's defenses from above, cripple their artillery, and in the process, drive the city into a lockdown.

Butthere was one thing we had to do first. I dove, and the flames that were so eager for destruction flew before me. I didn't aim at the city, not yet.

Instead, we flew around the fields of Koron, and I incinerated every last ambrosia flower. At first, I had doubts, but as more golden petals rose on the flurries of heat, I could feel it. Mana, more than flowed through the earth below, being released. Tori pulled it out of the earth, blue-green tendrils dancing in the air before me. She shaped and wove together an entire world's worth of power. She split the writhing mass in half and sunk one piece into my chest, where it sat next to my heart.

For later. Her smugness cut through her mental words.

Andthe rest?

Also, for later.I watched as she wove it into the earth and under the city, where her machinations were lost to me.

Belowus, the sounds of battle broke out. Swords and spears flashed in the sunlight as the two great waves of our armies collided. Masses of bodies pressed together in inseparable chaos.

Toripointed towards a cluster of siege weapons nestled against the eastern wall.

"There, those first," she commanded, her finger steady against the wind.

Withan affirmative snarl, I adjusted my wings, diving towards our target. The wind howled in my ears, a fierce symphony that heightened the rush of the descent. Just as the ground loomed close, I pulled up sharply. My shadow swept over the panicked soldiers below. Tori released a blast of dragonfire, a glittering arc that ended in an explosion of flame and destruction.

Cheeringreached my ears, yet the enemy was quick to respond. Arrows and spears streaked towards us in a desperate attempt to clip my wings. I twisted in the air, and Tori clung tightly as gravity tried to unseat her.

Tori'svoice called out again, "Now! The gatehouse!" Her determination was a beacon. I aimed my descent, our combined fury unleashed in another fiery onslaught. The gatehouse became an inferno, its portcullis buckling. A breach was opened wide for our forces to exploit.

Bothgroups of soldiers moved towards the opening, but that was not what I focused on. The city"s outer ring was home to its forgotten humans and the small folk. Many fled towards the safety of the inner ring, but as Tori and I watched, the gate was slammed shut before even a dozen souls could pass through.

Cowards.Tori's rage was evident as the elite locked themselves in their homes, leaving the rest out for destruction.

Theywill pay. They will all pay.

Weswept back around outside the city wall. Multiple legions of enemy soldiers still stood between our troops and the new rift. AsI flew over, I felt Tori release her grip on my back.

Whatare you doing, my love?

SomethingI learned from you.Don't catch me.

Shelet herself fall off my back, and I couldn't stop my fear as she plummeted towards the earth. She twisted her body, and I felt her call upon my dragonfire again as she shot powerful jets of flames out of each hand. Below, shrieks came from the enemy lines as flesh was melted off bones and armor turned into nothing but molten puddles.

Theflames slowed her descent, so she landed with a soft grace, her hair fluttering around her. She stood in the crater of destruction and pulled out her sword, commanding our troops.

Iswooped down and snatched her in one of my claws. Show off.

Shegrinned up at me. I couldn't let you have all the fun now, could I?

Icircled over our troops and out to the safety of the field beyond.

Ilanded, dropping her gently as I transformed into my fae body. The small group who lingered away from the battle surrounded us. The day had just begun.