Morgianna had stayed in that other plane with Death and Tadea for what felt like days. They had spoken about everything under the sun and made a plan of who she should get to join her fight. The list was longer than she had thought it could be, but just because she asks someone doesn't mean they will join. Upon her return she found that not even an hour had passed and she decided to take advantage to begin her plan early.
She would send Fafnir and Faust to speak to the dragons and see if they will join. Then send Alnwick and Myra back to the forest they grew up in to find Zephyr and any other magical beast that will join. She did not want any of her people to be alone but each of the princes would have to go individually to their own kingdoms leaving Felix and Olive the only ones left. "I could take them with me to the guild, but I do not know how Silas and Killian will react. Or maybe I could send them to the Academy. Sir Bartholomew and Sir Silvus are strong..."
"Why are you here talking to yourself? Has that number above your head fried your brain? Just send them to the Academy, they did manage to go there longer than you did." Morgianna wasn't sure if Death was trying to be helpful or insult her but she was hoping it was the former.
Having seen him just minutes earlier she was surprised that he was back. "Did you forget something?" She cocked her head not knowing how much he enjoyed it when she did so.
His hand rose of its own accord and tucked a strand of her black silky hair behind her ear before freezing. They both stared at one another with wide eyes. In all the years they had known each other that was the first time he had touched her. He had never been able to before yet now his hand had tucked her hair so gently. His mouth opened and closed as words failed him. Ultimately he disappeared leaving Morgianna confused about her own feelings.
On the one hand, she was scared because he was able to touch her. That only proved that her Death was approaching, like a crouching tiger ready to pounce on its unsuspecting prey. Behind that fear though was another feeling, one that she didn't dare put a name to. A blush on her cheeks she splashed some water from the washing bowl onto her face before quickly leaving the room.
After she left Death rematerialized where he had been standing before as if he had never left to begin with. He watched her retreating back and then listened to her footsteps until she was with her friends. Looking down at his hand his mind was swirling with emotions. He had hardened himself to feelings, you had to with a job like his yet that light touch to her hair and his fingers barely grazing her soft cheek had destroyed the walls he had so carefully and painstakingly built. He wanted to be near her, touch her again...while her skin was still warm with the life that she breathed into every room without even trying. He could see why she had so many suitors, there was just something that drew people in. Even he, an agent of demise had found her interesting. A warning turned into checkups under the guise of watching her, then just regular check-ups to make sure she was okay. He had seen the timer above her head months before she had and at that moment he felt an emotion he had never felt before, fear. Of course he didn't tell her, she had just reunited with her brother and friends after a fight with Angeline and he just wanted her to be happy a little longer.
...
Morgianna explained her plan to the group as soon as they all had gathered. She did not want to waste another minute when she was running out of time. She internally cringed at that word, time, it left a bad taste in her mouth just as it had done in her previous life. Time, such a fleeting thing that made everyone she ever cared for seem so fragile. Yet now the time she worried about was her own.
There was a bit of a fuss about everyone leaving her at once, but after much arguing everyone acknowledged that in the group she is the strongest. So if anyone could make it, it would be her. It was decided that the princes would all travel with Olive and Felix until they reached the academy and then would have escorts ready to take them back to their individual castles.
Morgianna found herself a horse so that she could travel faster than she would be able to with a carriage and set out for The Rose's Thorn.
...
When Morgianna arrived she found the guild packed full of people. Some she had met personally and some she had never seen a day in her life. Silas sat upon the counter with one ankle crossed over the other and his arms braced behind him. Killian stood amongst the crowd greeting people and shaking hands.
It was a complete 180 from how things usually are when she arrives. There were extra lights set up, loud boisterous chatter, and Silas while not mingling with the crowd wasn't locked in his room either.
"Nice of you to join us, I was wondering when you would show up." Silas' voice rang through the room causing everyone to quiet down as his orange eye locked onto her. A lesser person would have buckled under the weight of such a stare but not her. No even before she grew into her power she never bowed under it.
Giving Silas a smile Morgianna ignored the curious eyes and walked right up to him giving him a first bump. "Nice to see you too old man. What is with all these people?"
Without even looking Silas motioned around them. "It is your army of course."
Morgianna thought her jaw would hit the floor at those six words. When she looked around she saw expectant looks as every person gazed at her hooded figure. She didn't even know what to say, it was true she came here with the intention of getting allies but she never expected that there would be some already waiting. "An army..."
Silas gave her a pat on the back and an understanding look. "I got a tip-off a while back that some bad things were about to happen and that a girl would need my help. You know I only take on missions with the strongest opponents and I think a God out to destroy the world fits that bill"
"But... How?" Her mind was trying to process everything that he just said.
"I am not usually one to take requests via my dreams but when that woman is persistent enough to visit every night who am I to say no. Especially when she says the fate of the world depends on it. I once said that if you couldn't take being in the guild you would just die without even realizing how much the world rested on those tiny shoulders. Tonight I have gathered everyone I could to be a part of your fight. Give us a notice of when and where and we will be ready, your very own army." Morgianna felt like she would be in tears but she held herself together. She refused to cry in front of these people.
Taking a breath to steady her nerves Morgianna turned to speak to the room. Among the familiar faces, were Philip, whom she met while visiting the dragons along with his group of ex assassins. They waved with gusto making some of the men near them elbow them. Killian had one of his rare smiles on his scarred face as he gave her a nod of encouragement. "I know I have not met all of you, but I am thankful for you coming here today. The fight could be today, tomorrow, or any day in the following weeks or year's but it is coming. Eltarr wants to purge this world and create it anew. Your friends, family, even your pets gone. If he isn't stopped then it will be the death of all of our races. First he will put us against one another as a game before torturing those who survived the first wave."
A tall man towards the back on the right side stepped forward pushing people out of the way. "Why should we follow you? Even if there is a God as you said that doesn't mean you are fit to lead. You are just a Child. "
Morgianna laughed out loud, she couldn't help it. Before she had even realized what was happening laughter had bubbled up her throat like an unstoppable force. "I suppose you think you are the leader we need?" She sneered at him showing him just how much she believed that. "I will make you deal. Best me in a fight and I will let you prove just how much you are worth."
She didn't know what hole this man crawled out of but she would show him just as she had every person who ever doubted her. She walked forward and stood with her arms crossed ready for the man to make a move. From behind her, she heard Silas call out and make everyone laugh. "Try not to destroy my building!" Some thought he was talking to the man, but there were others who knew he was speaking to Morgianna.
The man wasted no time darting forward with his sword drawn. As the sword came down Morgianna did not even bother to move choosing to harden the skin on her hand and grab the blade. There were gasps around the room and she did not even flinch at his attack. The only movement was the fluttering of her hood from the wind. With a flick of her wrist she pulled the sword from his hand and turned it to face him. The movement was so quick and smooth that people missed it. "Children shouldn't play with swords, you could have hurt yourself." Those words were low but sounded dangerous.
With one more movement she pulled the sword back and broke it in half letting the pieces fall to the floor with a metallic clatter. "Anyone who does not wish to follow me, I will not force. This is a fight that someone should not enter into unwillingly as your very lives are on the line." She finally looked away from the man letting her eyes pass over the people around her. Some looked skeptical but for the most part, she was happy to see respect in their eyes
She meant what she said. This fight would put their lives in danger. Some of them would die but if they were willing to join her fight she would be happy to have them as her army.