Ash Giant Pathfinder Novels & Stories

“It’s all right.” I placed my hand on Kael’s shoulder and gently moved past him. I took a deep breath and faced the sentinel fully. “My name,” I said slowly, “is Ashira.” The moment the word left my lips, the world responded. A shockwave burst outward, throwing dust and light into the sky. The ruins trembled. The guardians fell to their knees. And deep beneath our feet, something ancient shifted. The chains on the sentinels fell away like brittle vines. A circle opened in the center of the courtyard, revealing a spiral staircase made of obsidian and etched in blood-red runes. It led deep underground.

She would find Asher, and she would make sure he understood the full truth—no more lies, no more half-truths. *** Asher’s paws sank into the soft forest floor, the scent of pine and earth grounding him as he ran deeper into the woods. The cold air whipped past him, carrying away the anger and confusion that had threatened to consume him. His wolf had taken over completely, its primal instincts guiding his path and granting him a release his human side couldn’t find.

"Dragons don't exactly advertise 'welcome visitors' on their doorsteps." "Then maybe we should reconsider this whole plan," Ash, my other teammate, suggests nervously. His youth shows in moments like this—barely twenty and already a rogue after his pack discovered he was gay and decided that was somehow worse than murder. "Too late for second thoughts." I point to the massive cave entrance ahead, carved into the mountainside like a gaping maw. "We're here. Now we just need to convince Ember that helping a bunch of rogues fight demons is a great use of her time."

I would know if something happened to him, but Asher wouldn’t ignore me. With a huff, I turned and chose one of the dirt trails that led into the forest. Asher’s scent was practically all over the place. Trailing throughout the forest from recent and old patrol routes with Zeke, Mason, and countless other warriors. It would have been easier if nearly a hundred people hadn’t just come storming through, but it was better than searching a dwindling beach.

"You will frighten the others with your hellfire beast just be sure to shift when you arrive to show them your strength during the flaunt walk. All the challenges parade around an area to show off themselves." Raising a curious brow, Zaika asked, "You've been to them before?" Nodding his head Asher told him that he had a few times. Right before Zaika took my hand to leave, Esmeralda shouted, "NO!" The vision of her concern ended as he transported us to a lush forest of palm trees. The sounds of waves could be heard. I eyed him blankly and he chuckled. "My parents' home is here with the reaper's brother," he said stoically. The reaper appeared before us frantically.

We were flying across the Nevada desert towards my father. "I think you should go give the king the information about the reptilians, he will listen. He hates them more than anyone else I know. I believe that his parents, your grandparents were killed by them," Ashr mumbled. We were descending and getting closer to the ground. I saw the enormous mountain, no it was the royal mound. "That ship has got to be huge," I gasped and Ashr chuckled saying it was the biggest in the entire fleet. Ashr landed right in front of the mound.

“Explain.” Hamish pointed to Ashen’s chest. “Path one: reinforce the seal. Stronger, harsher, more painful than the first. It will suppress Solven longer but weaken Ashen’s connection to his wolf temporarily.” Ashen flinched. “Temporarily?” “For months,” Hamish said. Grayson narrowed his eyes. “What is path two?” Hamish faced him. “Let Solven rise partially. Allow Ashen to confront him internally and attempt formation of balance. It is dangerous. It risks losing control. But if successful, it will reduce Solven’s hostility toward the seal.”

Ashley did not know if she could ever repay this debt of gratitude. “Don’t forget to send me the second half of the information,” Alanti answered with her cold tone as always. “Don’t worry! That will be the second thing I will do once I come back to my place.” “The second thing?” Ashely smiled tenderly. Her voice was much gentler when she answered, “Of course I will hug my son.” Ashley’s tender smile did not last long though. Because she created a path herself and used Alanti’s skills to know the terrain in advance even when cloaked with darkness, the path was rougher and harder.

I glanced at the back door we had come through. There was no way I’d make it back there without being seen. The car was getting closer and slowing down. “What are you guys doing?” Asher whispered urgently. He grabbed my arm, dragged me to his car, and shoved me into the back seat. “Lie flat and stay invisible!” he ordered before slamming the door shut. Lord it was super hot and humid here. I squeezed myself as far down as I could and tried to breathe quietly. I was surprised they even wanted to save me from Xena after everything.

The collar rune around my throat snapped—light cracking like glass. It dissolved. Mara’s face twisted with rage. “No,” she hissed. “You don’t get to—” “I do,” I snapped. I turned to the black-water seam and spoke the only command that mattered. “RETURN.” Ash surged—not upward, not outward—*sideways*, into the water like a hook. The black water fought, swirling, trying to swallow my ash. I clenched my jaw and pushed. “RETURN HER.” The water bulged. A shape rose.