Chapter 10.2. The Healer.

– Well, well, – hissed a voice like venom, long tongue flickering between lips that curled into an evil sneer: – If it isn’t little Cian de Danann. Come back to pay respects, have you?

The words hung heavy in air, thick with malice and dark promise alike. Lilith remained hidden – watching, waiting, biding time until moment was right.

Cian jumped up and unsheathed his sword.

– You! – he screamed: – You are still here!

– Were else should I be? – hissed a voice from the shadows: – It is my home after all.

– Who are you? Why are you here?

– Why would not I be here? This place was once my home. My people’s home, until your people came and slaughtered my family. I spend centuries living here. Where else should I go?

Cian’s sword flashed in moonlight, blade trembling slightly with barely restrained fury, as he faced down a monster in front of ruins. The monster hissed, snakelike eyes glinting cruelly, even as it spoke of ancient wrongs committed here.

– Your people? – Cian spat, voice rough with grief and anger: – They were demons – invaders who sought to destroy everything we held dear!

Lilith watched from shadows, her gaze narrowed thoughtfully, as she took measure of both opponents before her. This monster claimed to have been wronged, but how much truth lay behind its words?

The monster laughed then. Long tongue flicking between sharp teeth, like serpent tasting air.

– Demons or no, we had right to this place!

– Enough! – Cian roared, sword rising higher, as rage threatened to overwhelm him: – You took everything from me – family, home, even my peace of mind! And now you stand here, spouting nonsense about rights?

He lunged forward then, blade singing through night air towards the monster. Next moment Cian flew back and hit a tree. He fell back, unable to get back on his feet. Monster left shadows, and Lilith saw its full figure. Monster was nothing like she ever saw before.

Lilith’s breath caught in her throat as lamia emerged from shadows, beautiful and terrifying all at once. Long silky hair cascaded over pale shoulders, contrasting sharply with snake tail that coiled behind creature like living rope.

Lamia’s hiss cut through night air like blade, venom dripping from every word spoken:

– These ruins? They were home – my people’s home! – she seethed, crimson eyes blazing with hatred: – Before your precious Tuatha Dé Danann came and slaughtered everyone – men, women, children!

Tears mixed with scales, as ancient sorrow bubbled forth.

– Our blood stained these stones, spilled by merciless warriors who showed no mercy! – monster’s anguish poured raw into the night, her tale painting grim picture of ancestral betrayal and loss.

Cian staggered back, under the weight of her revelation. His sword wavered hesitantly, doubt gnawing insides even as Lamia coiled menacingly before him.

– Now YOU come seeking vengeance? Hah! – monster’s laugh held bitterness eternal: – Maybe THIS time justice will be served…

Without warning, Lamia struck! Tail whipping out to catch Tuatha unawares. Sending him flying and crashing into gnarled trunk with bone-shattering impact.

Lilith narrowed her eyes as Lamia towered over wounded Cian, ancient animosity crackling between monsters. With swift incantation, she cast Remove Resistance – nullifying serpent-woman’s magic resistance skills. Next spell Paralysis made Lamia stiffen mid-motion – jaws agape, silent scream frozen in her mouth.

Nimble steps carried warrior across battlefield, glowing hands hovering above Cian’s battered form. Gentle warmth flowed forth, knitting shattered bones and closed gaping wounds, until naught remained signs of fierce encounter.

Rising gracefully beside Cian, Lilith fixed piercing stare upon bruised servant. Her voice rang clear through stilled night:

– Your move, Cian.

Tuatha Dé Danann rose up and looked at his master.

Cian’s gaze met Lilith’s, a maelstrom of emotions swirling within green depths. The Tuatha Dé Danann rose to his feet, limbs trembling with a mix of pain and something darker – determination perhaps? He glanced at Lamia, paralyzed form coiled in defeat before them.

The monster’s hateful stare bored into Cian, still laden with ancient rage, despite magical bonds holding her fast. It was a look he knew all too well, one that mirrored his own tormented soul.

Lilith stepped back slightly, giving Cian space to make decision, weigh heavy upon him now. Her piercing gaze never left Tuatha’s face though – studying every flicker of expression, as internal battle waged within him.

The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting along with Lilith for answer that would determine course of their tangled destinies.

– Spell will end soon, – said Lilith.

Cian looked at lamia, remembering his parents screams. He raised his sword and screamed in pain.

Cian’s sword trembled in his grip, steel quivering as if echoing pain reverberating through Tuatha Dé Danann’s being. Memories of parents’ final moments flashed before eyes,
their screams mingling with monster’s hateful glare.

– Your move, Cian, – Lilith reminded, her tone holding note of urgency, even as she gave him space to make a choice. For a long moment, only silence hung heavy in air – broken abruptly by distant rustle of leaves, hinting at spell nearing end. Lamia twitched feebly against magical bonds, crimson eyes promising vengeance, if given even a single chance. The decision weighed heavy on Cian’s shoulders, a crossroads where ancient grudges met present realities of bond shared with master. Sword arm shook, as internal struggle played across face – revenge or mercy? Duty or freedom? With a guttural cry born equal parts of anguish and resolve, Cian lunged forward! Steel flashed in moonlight as descended toward paralyzed form below. Blood splattered into his face, and headless body fell on the ground.

Lilith turned towards Cian and hissed in anger:

– Did I not tell you to stay alert? To follow my lead?

Lilith’s eyes flashed with barely contained anger as she loomed over Cian, dark hair falling like a curtain around her face. The boy had disobeyed orders, sneaking away from camp to confront lamia alone – and now he would pay the price.

– Stand watch, I told you, – Lilith hissed, voice low and dangerous: – Yet here we are, picking up the pieces of your folly!

Cian winced, blond hair matted with blood as he struggled upright against tree’s rough bark. He knew better than to defy her like this, but something inside him had snapped at sight of ruins, where his parents died.

– It just…happened, – Cian whispered, ashamed even uttering such excuse: – I couldn’t help myself.

Lilith scoffed, kicking at his side roughly, once more for emphasis.

– Weakness will get you killed out here!

The boy flinched away, his eyes wide with fear, as mistress towered over him.

– I’m sorry, – he managed again, knowing words rang hollow in ears.

Lilith sighed, wearing of this game already. She needed Cian – but she also could not let his disobedience go unpunished.

– You’ll be sorry indeed, – Lilith murmured, voice cold enough to freeze fire itself: – But first, we need to move on from these cursed ruins.

She held out hand then, helping companion to rise, despite clear reluctance. The road ahead would be long and dangerous, and if Cian couldn’t learn how to follow orders? Well. It might just cost them both everything.

– Come, – Lilith said finally, eyes turning distant as she surveyed path stretching before them: – Let’s get back.