Entasy (Prophecies of The Nine) (15 page)

It is unclear how much time passed before the Naio finally managed to make their way to Liam’s fortress. He kept you drugged at all times so you could not harm him or anyone in his horde. You could hear sounds of fighting but it seemed like just another dream until a woman came into your cell, calling out your name. She knelt down beside you and held you gently in her arms. When you stared into her aventurine eyes, you knew she was not an illusion; you knew she was your mother.

Caoilainn held your head in her hands and forced you to drink a bittersweet liquid that burned as it coated your throat. Your strength began to return; it healed not only your wounds but your thoughts as well. You embraced the peace you felt in her arms, but it abruptly turned into your worst nightmare when Liam shadowed in and grabbed her. He seized her by the hair and pulled her away from you. The knife he held to her throat began to draw blood. As the blood trickled down her neck, she began to chant the words of the priestesses and magic permeated the air.

He spat out the words. "This blade is charmed to maim even a goddess. I had it made to protect me from you, my beauty." Your stomach heaved, knowing that unless she was taken to the labyrinth, she would die. You moved towards him as her eyes pleaded for you to stay away. Your mother’s magic continued to charm the air in the cell, causing Liam to become distracted. He did not see your father come up behind him, hitting him in the ribs with his broadsword. Liam staggered to the side but grinned wildly as he sliced your mother’s throat. Liam instantly changed to his dark form as her body dropped to the floor beside you. The shadowy snake-like demons began to snap and claw at her with their jagged fangs. You tried to save her, but they began to attack your father, causing his eyes to turn white. You refused to stand by and watch them die. It was your fault they were there in the first place.

The realization that your torturer was now your mother’s murderer sent you over the edge. As tears streamed down your face, the flames flashed and turned azure blue. They were meant to consume Liam and his dark monsters; they were meant stop the attack on your mother’s soul, but once again, your inability to control the power within led to deadly consequences. Father tried to stop you, but it was too late. The flames had already crept up the walls as they made their way to the ceiling. You watched in silence as the room became engulfed.

You cannot take back what you did, but you can know Mom’s final words. They are forever burned into your soul. "Remember the purity in your heart, Kylah. The geis is unfolding as foretold, and you my child, are the key. Slán páiste mo chroí, is breá linn duit." You curled up next to their charred bodies and wept. You knew Liam managed to escape, and you did not care if he came back to take you. You knew you were no longer alive; you died the moment they did.

Aerric found you, gathered you into his arms, and faded you back to the labyrinth. He brought you to your grandmother’s so they could heal you, but you remained catatonic. Everyone tried to ease your pain, but the sorrow became your only companion. Dillon and Tynan tried to convince you it was not your fault Liam killed your parents, but it did not matter who delivered the fatal wound. The pain was and is more than you can bear, but you must learn to stand inside yourself. Free the burden that lies within your heart so you can heal.

I need for you to remember the day you met the old blind woman on the road, the day you walked out beyond the boundary lands. She sat underneath your favorite willow and told you that your destiny had only just begun. Two ravens flew overhead as she told you that you were to be a guide to the afterlife, a coimeádaí anam, the one who would take the dead to the great hall.

"To some you are a way to the light and to others you will be their true destruction," the old woman said.

Lost in your sorrow, you dismissed her claims about being a soul keeper. That was a job relegated to the fae, but you should have listened. Mother came to you in a dream and verified the old woman’s claims; you are able to see the souls of those who have passed. Your job is to keep them safe from the Sluagh and deliver them to the hall of souls: the middle ground between the netherworld and the otherworld. You are the Sluagh's greatest fear, which is why you have to embrace what you truly are so you can save the innocent and punish the unforgiven.

These words have been difficult to write and even more painful to admit, but I know you will learn from my mistakes. Do not let yourself wallow in sorrow as I have. Our family needs you, Aerric needs you, and the Naio need you. You no longer have the luxury of being a foolish young girl; you need to become the warrior mom and dad knew you could be, and seek the retribution we all deserve.

Kylah Aednat Brannagh O’Cianain

Glossary-

Aos Sí (shee)
- Descendants of the pre-Celtic inhabitants of Ireland. They are a supernatural race of fairies broken into two courts, Seelie and Unseelie. These otherworldly beings resemble humans in appearance but are taller and extremely beautiful. Both courts of the Aos Si are tall, cunning, exceedingly powerful and deadly if provoked. While most are striking to look at, there are the exceptions; they can also be terrifying and hideous.

Book of Shadows
- A spell book or diary
containing religious texts and instructions for magical rituals.

Cruachan (crew-hahn)
- Entrance to the Otherworld

Coimeádaí anam
- Soul keeper

Hall of Souls
- The place where souls go after they pass into the fade. It is the middle ground between the Otherworld and the Underworld.

Geis
- An obligation which binds someone to do or not do something. It is a sacred bond with magical/divine ties. To break it will bring about horrible misfortunes, even death. Similar to a prophecy.

Grimoire
- A magical book of spells

Labyrinth
- The underground home of Morrigan, Brighid, and The Nine. It is an elaborate system of mazes deep beneath the earth. The mazes constantly shift and change in order to keep their home impenetrable. The mazes are basalt with dirt floors and moss covered walls. Once through the maze, the entrance to the estate is marked by 20 foot marble doors that can only be opened if you bear the mark of the goddesses.

Naoi (Nine)
- An elite force of nine supernatural beings joined together by Morrigan & Brighid to protect their race. These warriors were all chosen for their individual talents. Their job is to protect the innocent souls and punish those who wish to enslave the human world as well as the supernatural.

Nemeton
- A sacred space

Nine
- A Celtic sacred number which represents the beginning and end of all things.

Samhain (Sow-in)
- It is generally celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions celebrate it November 1st. It is a magical interlude where the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended and the thin veil between the Underworld and the Otherworld is lifted. It marks the end of the "lighter half" of the year and beginning of the "darker half."

Sluagh (sloo-ah)
- Are the spirits of the restless dead. They are so malevolent they are not welcome in the Otherworld (heaven) or the Underworld (hell). The Sluagh have been rejected by the gods and goddesses, including the deities that leaned towards the dark arts. They feed off the souls of the wicked but prefer the souls of the chaste.

Torque (tork)
- A neck piece worn by high ranking Celts. They are made of precious metals and are embellished with intricate Celtic designs and/or jewels.

Triskele
- A druid symbol used to describe the sacred number three. It is regarded as a highly sacred number and often stands for the three realms: Land, Sea, and Sky. It is also used to describe "threefold" or triadic deities.

Irish phrases
-

Slán páiste mo chroí, is breá linn duit
- "Goodbye my, sweet child. We love you."

Deifiúr
- "Sister"

Máthair (MAW her)
- "Mother"

A Ghrá mo Chroí
- "Love of my heart"

Mo chro
- "my heart"

A chuisle, a chro
-
"my pulse, my heart"

Cronaím thú
-
"I miss you"

Gráim thú (
graw-im hoo)
- "I love you"

Mo ghrá
- "my love"

Dia duit mo ghrá
- "Hello my love" 

Mo Ghrá, Tá mo chroí istigh ionat
- "My love, my heart is within you"

Family
-

Brighid
-Goddess of Fire- She is one of the great mothers of the Celts. Brighid is highly regarded as a healing goddess and has many honoring her all over Ireland. She governs the forge's fire and is considered the "Bright Goddess." She is associated with the element of fire but also divination and prophecy. Brighid has the ability to wield and control fire at will.

Morrigan
-Triple Goddess-
The Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone, each of which symbolizes both a separate stage in the female life cycle and a phase of the moon. She often rules one of the realms of earth, underworld, and the heavens. She is also
the shape-shifting Celtic Goddess of War, Fate, and Death. She presides over rivers, lakes, and fresh water, in addition to being the patroness of revenge, magic, prophecy, and witches. Morrigan has the ability to shift into a raven or crow but she can also change her physical appearance when it suits her needs. She is deeply loyal to her family and her "sister" goddess Brighid.

Caolainn (Kay-lin) Brannagh
- Her name means white pure raven. She is Morrigan’s beloved daughter. She had all of her mother’s abilities but preferred to embrace the "mother" aspect of her mother’s three sides but has often been underestimated when it comes to her abilities.

Cearnach (Kar-nah) O'Cianain
- His name means victorious champion of the faithful one, and he is Brighid's youngest son. He was the leader of The Nine until the night he was killed in a battle by the Sluagh leader Liam. He is a fearsome warrior feared by all who have encountered the end of his sword. He has trained all of the members of The Nine–all except Obsydian who came to the Nine well-trained and beyond deadly.