KINDNESS AS A WEAPON

KINDNESS AS A WEAPON
Siofra’s POV

“There are too many of them! We need more hands, or before we even make it to Alma, it will be too late!” I screamed over the chaos to Valeria and Nymeria as I ripped the head off the rock monster beneath me.

No sooner had it fallen than nearly ten more surrounded us, cutting off both Grandma and me. Their jaws dropped drastically open, and we both knew the devastating barrage that was coming next. Snapping the crystal rope in my hands, I expanded it into a massive, shimmering barrier around us, shielding us just in time from the barrage of venomous rock shards.

“Grandma, are you okay?!” I called out. Her heavy, ragged breathing was all I could hear as we stood back-to-back inside the protective dome.

“Yeah, I'm fine... I'm just getting a little too old for this,” she panted, her voice trembling with exhaustion.

Suddenly, a blinding flash of light pierced through the darkness outside. The head of the lead rock monster collapsed, its dark eyes fading as its massive body melted back into dust.

I gasped, searching through the haze for the source of the attack. Before I could process it, several more heads severed in quick succession, their giant figures disintegrating to reveal someone I truly thought I was never going to see again.

Alda.

Pure, overwhelming joy surged through my chest. I dashed toward her, throwing my arms around her as soon as I reached her. As I held her tight, the crushing fear that had been weighing on my heart finally began to lift.

When we pulled back, she let out a breathy giggle, tears glistening in her eyes. She pulled me into another fierce embrace, wrapping her arms around me even tighter.

“Thank you, Siofra,” she whispered softly.

I felt a sudden pang of confusion—why was she thanking me?

As she stepped back, Elba’s sharp, scowling face came into view right behind her.

Elba was clearly still furious with me. After all, I had left Alda behind when I thought she was dead, rushing back to my own body the moment I reawakened. I opened my mouth to say something—to apologize, to explain—but the words caught in my throat.

“How are you holding up?” Elba asked, her tone clipped and guarded.

“Not very well,” I admitted, letting out a breath. “It seems Alma isn't planning on letting anyone interfere with her ritual. I mean... how on earth did she even construct this many rock soldiers?”

“And the spirit goddesses?” Alda asked softly.

Right on cue, Nymeria, Valeria, and Lumeria emerged from within me, their ethereal forms glowing in the dim air.

Elba instantly stepped in front of Alda, shielding her protectively. The anger burning in Elba's eyes was unmistakable—until Alda gently touched her arm, offering her a small, reassuring smile that made Elba step back, though her shoulders remained tense.

“Princess, I am so glad you are alive,” Albina said, stepping forward. I felt an overwhelming wave of relief seeing that she and the others were safe.

My gaze shifted toward Eldarion, who stood slightly off to the side, lingering at the edge of the group as if he felt unworthy to draw any closer.

“I'm glad you're okay too, Albina,” I replied, my eyes lingering on Eldarion's drawn, guilty face.

“We need to get you to Alma right now,” Grandma urged, stepping up beside me. “But first, we need a way to clear these rock armies out of the path so you can make a push through, or—”

Before she could finish her sentence, a massive bolt of lightning tore across the horizon from the far end of the divided ocean, shooting straight into the heavens. The sky responded instantly, churning into violent, pitch-black storm clouds.

“We are already too late,” Lumeria said, her voice dropping into heavy defeat. “After the third strike of lightning, the cave will open. Once a soul that has never encountered death is thrown inside as a sacrifice, those ancient beasts will march through Álfheimr, claiming every living soul.”

A cold sense of helplessness settled deep in my stomach as I looked at the desperate faces around me. How on earth was I supposed to stop this level of destruction?

“It only takes a soul that has never encountered death to unleash those creatures, right?” Alda asked suddenly, looking at Lumeria.

Lumeria nodded slowly.

“So... what happens if a soul that has encountered death is thrown into the cave instead?”

The moment the words left Alda’s mouth, the implication hit me like a physical blow.

“Then the soul will be rejected...” Valeria whispered, realization dawning on her face.

“...and the cave will turn on its summoner, claiming the life of whoever awakened the beasts,” Nymeria finished, her eyes wide with shock.

Every single eye in the group snapped to Alda.

“So if I get pushed into that cave with those beasts,” Alda said, her voice remarkably steady, “we can stop all of this madness... right?”

“Alda, are you insane?!” Elba and I screamed in unison.

“No! Hell no!” Elba spat, stepping between us, her voice shaking with pure, unadulterated fury. “I am not letting you throw away your second chance at life just to do a job meant for people who brought this on themselves!”

“Elba is right, Alda,” I interjected, stepping up beside them. “You finally got another chance to live. You can't just throw yourself into danger to save us!” I turned desperately to Lumeria. “You can summon a portal to send her back to the human realm, right?”

Lumeria gave a quiet nod.

“Then, Alda, you need to go home,” I said, turning back to her with all the intensity I could muster. “You have people waiting for you. Xander is waiting for you. Jumping into that cave is a suicide gamble, and I am not willing to let you take it.”

I turned back toward Alma’s advancing armies, my resolve hardening.

“If we can free every captured elf from the shoreline before the final lightning bolt strikes, there won't be a sacrifice for her to use. To make that happen, we work as a team and watch each other's backs,” I declared to our small group.

I looked over at Eldarion. “Eldarion, can you lead the strongest among us back out onto the field?”

Silence fell over the group as every gaze shifted to him. Misery, guilt, and self-loathing flickered across his face as he hesitated.

“Eldarion, this is not the time to wallow in self-pity! Snap out of it!” Elba snapped harshly.

Her sharp tone seemed to break through his trance. He swallowed hard, squared his shoulders, and moved forward to join us.

“Albina, you're in charge of the children and non-combatants. Get them to the safest place possible,” I ordered.

Then I turned to Elba. “Can you help me break through their front line?”

I half-expected her to resist, but she looked me dead in the eye and gave a firm nod.

“Grandma, you go with Lumeria and get Alda out of here,” I said, turning to her.

“Hell no,” Alda interjected fiercely. “I am not going anywhere until I know Álfheimr is safe! If I just run away, then whatever reached out and brought me back to life beneath that ocean was a complete waste!”

She pulled back her sleeve, revealing the glowing, etched mark on her wrist.

I stared at the mark in surprise before looking at Elba, silently demanding an explanation. Elba just shrugged.

“Don't look at me like that—I don't know what it is either,” Elba grumbled. “And honestly? Let Alda help. We both ended up with these marks, and there has to be a reason for it.”

Lumeria stepped forward, gently taking Alda’s hand in hers. Recognition flashed across the goddess's face as her eyes darted between Alda's wrist and Elba's.

“Where did you say you received these?” Lumeria asked softly.

“Beneath the sea,” Alda answered, confusion flickering in her eyes as she looked from Lumeria to me. “There was a glowing blue gemstone...”

“Do you recognize the symbol?” I asked Lumeria urgently.

Lumeria nodded slowly, awe taking over her expression. “It seems we already have all the power we need.”

“What do you mean by that?” I pressed, completely bewildered.

“Your friends were blessed directly by the Mother Gem,” Lumeria explained, her voice carrying a reverent weight. “She bestowed this power upon them because their hearts were deemed worthy.”

“The... Mother Gem?” Alda echoed, looking just as lost as I felt.

“It is not something I can explain fully right now, but know this: both of you carry a profound destiny if that power resides within you,” Lumeria said.

Before anyone could react, the ancient goddess dropped to her knees in front of Alda and Elba, bowing her head deeply. Behind her, Nymeria and Valeria lowered their heads in equal reverence.

“Please,” Lumeria begged, her voice echoing with profound humility. “Help us save Álfheimr from the ruin that has befallen it. The Mother Gem foresaw this tragedy... perhaps that is why she bound your path to Siofra's. Perhaps that is why two souls from different worlds were brought together.”

Alda’s POV

Growing up as the daughter of a wealthy family, I was used to people showing me respect—but I had never had a literal goddess drop to her knees before me like I was royalty.

Elba let out a harsh scoff, stepping toward the kneeling goddess with her hands clenched into fists.

“Oh, so now this is her destiny?!” Elba spat, her voice shaking with rage. “To leap into some death pit filled with monsters that will tear her apart, just to clean up your mess?! How damn selfish can you so-called beings of power actually be?!”

I immediately stepped up beside Elba, taking her trembling hands in mine, silently pleading with her to stop.

“It's okay, Elba,” I said gently, meeting her furious gaze. “You and I both know we wouldn't even be standing here if that gem hadn't saved us. The least we can do is honor the life we were given back.”

Elba fought to control her breathing, her jaw set tight as she looked at me with deep frustration and sorrow.

“You are far too kind, Alda,” Elba whispered, her voice cracking as tears filled her eyes. “And Álfheimr doesn't deserve you. They don't deserve your kindness.”

Her words brought tears to my own eyes, but I offered her a soft, sad smile.

“I guess... kindness is just my specialty,” I replied quietly.

I stepped past her and reached down, gently taking Lumeria by the hands to help her to her feet.

“You don't have to bow to me,” I said softly to the goddess. “I just want to see your world safe so I can go back home to mine. I don't fully understand what I'm supposed to do yet, but I trust you have a plan.”

Lumeria nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. “We just need to reach Alma. First, we break her lines and free as many captured elves as we can. If we reach her before the final lightning strike, the power you two possess is more than enough to seal the cave and strip away every bit of borrowed magic Alma commands.”

I nodded, swallowing hard as I tried to hide the sheer terror gnawing at my chest.

I knew I had a choice. I could turn back, step through a portal, and run straight into Xander’s arms where I desperately wanted to be. But I couldn't just turn my back on a world that had somehow become a part of who I was.

If I walked away now, I would never be able to look at myself in the mirror again.

“Then let's move! We need to reach Alma fast!” Siofra declared, letting out a breath as she uncoiled her crystal rope.

Eldarion immediately rallied the remaining warrior elves, leading them back out toward the main front line.

“I will go with Albina,” Siofra's grandmother chimed in, offering a weak but resolute smile. “I would only slow you young ones down in a sprint. Go... save our home.”

She looked utterly exhausted. Lumeria stepped over to her side, her eyes filled with heartache.

“Old friend... it is time you let me go,” Grandma whispered softly to Lumeria. “You have a young priestess who needs your guidance now.”

Before Lumeria could protest, Grandma allowed her spirit connection to release, letting the goddess's core slip out of her body and merge fully into Siofra. As the power transferred, Grandma’s knees buckled.

I moved to help her, but Siofra and Albina caught her first.

“Grandma!” Siofra cried out, clutching her tightly.

“I'm fine, my sweet child... I just need to rest,” Grandma reassured her, squeezing Siofra’s hand softly.

I glanced at Lumeria, whose ethereal eyes were now burning with a fierce, vengeful fire as she looked down at the weakening elder.

“Go,” Albina urged Siofra. “I will stay by her side and protect her until you return.”

“Let's go,” Lumeria’s voice echoed through Siofra’s lips.

As the combined powers of all three goddesses settled within Siofra, she stood tall, a terrifying, murderous aura radiating around her. Without another second of delay, she turned and led the charge back into the heart of the battlefield.