A Dream - Fighting A Darkness Within - Part One

[GoddessofNight 112]

Fighting A Darkness Within

 

---

 

 

“Darkness is drawn to light, but light does not know it; light must absorb the darkness and therefore meet its own extinguishment.” - Edna O'Brien, In the Forest 

 

 

---

 

 

Nynaeve had found herself in a forest not far from the Mother Grove. While she really did not know why she was there, the pink haired woman allowed her feet to move forward on their own. Her emerald green eyes would glance about the darkened trees. The moon sat above her, full and gleaming. A noise would sound, though she would not be afraid. “A night animal, probably a wolf, hunting for it’s prey.” she would mumble softly.

 

Nyn continued on, her body never faulting or stopping. She seemed to be in search of something, however, she did not know what it was. The woman just knew she was looking for something. Her eyes would glance towards the sound of a branch breaking close to her, unable to see in the darkness despite the fact the moon lit up the darkness like the sun itself.

 

“Must have been a raccoon.” she’d say, unknown to the thing stalking her in the dead of the night. She sighed softly, her bare feet throbbing from the constant movement. “Perhaps I should think of something else. Something more…” she stopped again, hearing a mumble from the trees beside her. She turned, only to hear a sudden hiss and ping of something striking the ground beside her.

 

In an instant, the world seemed to still. From the darkness came a man dressed in armor. Her emerald green would begin to turn and glow a periwinkle color. The man chuckled, tilting his head.

 

“And what brings a pretty, young woman out in the forests alone?”

 

Nynaeve would sit in silence as she stared at the armor clad man, thinking of what she should do. Should he make a run for it? Hopefully she wasn’t too far from the grove. No, he would hit her with his arrows before she could possibly even make it. Her ears flicked, as if listening to check if anyone else was with them.

 

“Are you frightened, young ‘Ame? Think someone else is with us?” The man would laugh darkly, his helmet hiding his eyes even though she knew he was staring directly at her. His eyes, glowing red orbs from beyond the darkness of metal. He was no ordinary being, not in the slightest. However, it seemed the red glow was just her mind playing tricks on her. She blinked, his helmet now dark where she could not see his eyes.

 

“Why do you stay silent. I normally enjoy a conversation before I strike to kill.”

 

Nyn would slowly raise her hand, swallowing in nervousness. This was a moment in which she could not be scared of the outcome. She knew this would be a battle for her life. Her periwinkle eyes would continue to watch the man as he moved to notch another arrow against his bow.

 

“I see your movements, Druid. I know what you could possibly do. Go ahead and try, I’d like to see what you can do before I take you down.”

 

Nynaeve willed for roots to come out of the ground, she willed for nature to be on her side this night. She willed for her to live and breath. She was determined not to lose this fight. The roots, by her will and her requests, would sharpen and stay around her. The man laughed hysterically.

 

“You think petty roots can do damage to me, Mali? You think you can protect yourself with them?” He stepped forward, causing Nyn to step back.

 

The forest seemed to be silent, nothing happening around her now. The roots were the only thing she would hear, the hum of nature deep within her ears. She could run for it, using the roots as a distraction. Nyn could also fight and win, even though she was sure this being was not natural. What could she do? She was lost. She was so lost.

 

Yet, a thrill sparked in her. A thirst for something she had been needing. A want to make this man scream. A darkness in Nyn, slowly rising to the surface.

 

The roots would surge forward as Nyn pointed her hand. The man seemed ready, moving to the left and running forward, a sword in his hands. Wait, did he have a sword before. No. No, he couldn’t have. The pinkette would blink, trying to jump out of the way but to no avail. Her side would be sliced open by the sword, a gasp of pain coming from her.

 

The thrill of blood being drawn. The pain satisfying her hunger.

 

Nynaeve shook her head, processing what had just happened. She couldn’t die here, not like this. She had children to take care of and a job to do.

 

And yet she wished for him to slice her open again.

 

The roots would move forward again, this time from behind the man. They would clink against his armor as she tried to knock him off balance. For a moment, it worked. The elfess took this chance to get away, even though she knew with her bleeding side she couldn’t get far. She found herself behind a tree panting. The pain was still there.

 

But she loved it, every ounce of it. It reminded her she was alive.

 

She had to find a way back to the Grove. A way home so she would be safe. A way-

 

“A cat and mouse game...so appropriate, Nynaeve.”

 

How did he know her name? She never spoke or said it, yet here he was calling her out. She held her bleeding side, praying to the Aspects that he wouldn’t find her. He couldn’t find her, shouldn’t fight her.

“You are probably praying to the Aspects. Probably wishing Artimec...or Sharr….or even Illarun would come to save you. You are so weak, Nynaeve. Such a weak and pitiful woman.”

 

The voice had changed. It grew lighter, much lighter. More feminine. Nyn’s ears flicked as something came crashing to her head, her ear getting cut and a ring sounding loudly. The figure’s sword had hit the tree she was hiding behind.

 

She pulled away, staggering a bit as Nyn looked to the armored being now. It was smaller, much more her size. The helmet was raised and there staring back at her…

 

Was herself.

 

 

---

 

 

“Until you step into the unknown, you don’t know what you’re made of.” - Roy T. Bennett

 

---

[arakrsptec 171]

"Try Din's Fire or a Megaton Hammer," Says Cyprian.

 

((good read tho))

[Guest]

"Brandy, you're a fine girl." comments Quinn.