Chapter Text
Her grip tightens on Adora's shoulder. The girl is weak, distracted, but her power is still there, just barely accessible as Shadow Weaver reaches out with her magic. Her hair stands on end as she raises her free hand, physically tasting the energy of the Heart from where they stand. Soon...
A scream echoes. Adora tries to lurch away, the other girl's name on her lips like a mantra. But Shadow Weaver doesn't release her. She fears, for a brief instant, that Adora will strong arm her away, and she does try. Horde Prime's corruption has robbed Shadow Weaver's former ward of her trademark physical strength. The girl stumbles, and Shadow Weaver's clawed fingers dig deeper into Adora's upper arm. The blonde whimpers, in pain, but it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is releasing the magic. Yes.
The hunger in Shadow Weaver grows and flares. Shadow Weaver yells as she feels it tear through her. The world turns to darkness.
She feeds. And it still isn't enough.
Lost in the Dark
A tiny spark flies in the wind, brighter by far than any of the moons looming above. It's a clear night, and the stars are twinkling, just about there if you take the time to look up and stare hard. No one bothers to look up any more. The sparkle glints and twinkles as it moves in little jumps, giving the impression of several sparks appearing in quick sequence. Shadows recoil from its approach as it dives through the branches of the Whispering Woods. A hint of colour seems to reappear in the world as it leaves the greyed-out valley behind. Green leaves and pink vines greet the spark as it lands on a mushroom that glows momentarily on contact. Then the spark bounces off, growing in an instant to reveal the presence of a young woman, glitter evaporating off her form as she sighs and droops her shoulders. It's been a long and tiresome day, and Queen Glimmer needs respite dearly. She knocks upon the frame of knotted wood as she pushes through the cream-coloured curtain of Madame Razz's home.
"Glimmer, you're back!" Bow is sat next to the hammock, watching over the form sleeping there. His bright smile and broad shoulders are a sight for sore eyes, coated in the warm hues from Razz's fireplace and his voice carries a warmth that is all his own.
"Hey," Glimmer whispers, wishing she had the energy to fly across the room into his arms. Instead, she crosses the space slowly, scanning the area before asking, "Where's Razz?"
"She left an hour ago with her broom saying something about dusting down the doors to the Crystal Castle. Razz was muttering about how the berries haven't been tasting right." Glimmer gives a half-hearted chuckle at the extent of Razz's worries. Bow's gaze turns serious. "How's the Moon Stone holding up?"
"It's still untouched," Glimmer replies, sitting down beside him before flinging herself back into the cushions on the ledge. It's tight quarters for four sharing, but Razz's generosity has allowed Bow and Glimmer the peace of mind to rest that they haven't been able to find anywhere else in almost a year. Something about Razz's cottage and the magic of the woods has kept it mostly untouched from the cataclysm that is eating away at the rest of the world. They'd feel guilty about putting the old woman at risk if Razz hadn't amply demonstrated her uncanny knack for keeping the shadows away when she took them in. Glimmers sighs deeply. "I just don't get it. Shadow Weaver or whatever that monster calls herself these days is draining anything magical that her shadows can get their hands on, swallowing Mystacor sorcerers whole, and yet... All the Rune Stones seem untouched? Why, Bow? Why?"
"I don't know, Glimmer," he responds, his hand warm on hers as he turns to her. "But we'll figure it out. Together."
They share a soft smile together, eyes sad at the state of the world, but glad that they still have each other. Glimmer sits back up, wrapping herself around Bow's torso as he wraps his arms around her shoulders, tight, just how she likes it. The woman in the hammock stirs, but doesn't wake. Bow's lips quirk into a grin.
"I still can't believe we found her," he whispers, voice in awe.
Glimmer smiles, looking at the face of the person resting next to them. The woman had been weak when they found her, moments away from being devoured by the Shadows. Recovery has been a slow process. Still, it lights a beacon of hope in Glimmer's heart.
"Told you I felt her presence," she says, holding onto Bow's hand as she leans in under his chin. Her gaze is fond as she reaches with her free hand to brush some locks of hair off of the woman's face. She'd felt her warm encouragement reaching her on the day the world ended. She'd felt it again a few times since, giving her the confidence boost she needed to win a desperate battle or even just when she felt like giving up, exhausted and afraid as she thought back on how much they'd lost. The woman stirs once more, blinking as her eyes adjust to the soft light in the room. The lilac in her gaze turns to meet Glimmer's, and the woman smiles, her mouth attempting to form words but no sound coming out. Glimmer whispers a gentle greeting, her hand moving to rest against her mother's cheek. "Hey mum."
"I'll go grab some broth," Bow says, dropping a kiss to Glimmer's brow. He's giving the two a moment together, and the young queen appreciates him all the more for it. She can already tell that Angella is brimming with questions that she cannot physically ask. The need to resort to slate and chalk is frustrating and embarrassing enough to the former Queen without any unnecessary onlookers. Angella managed to explain a little of what she's been through since she got trapped in the portal, but the slate is too small and her energy too depleted to answer all the questions Glimmer has. Glimmer hands her the slate and chalk with a teasing quip and eyeroll reminiscent of simpler days.
It's peaceful and cosy. The three while away the time before Razz returns, a large basket full of berries on her arm that Glimmer eagerly helps her unload. Bow shares a laugh with Angella as Razz baps Glimmer on the head with her broom and shows her the proper way to roll the dough. It's almost enough to help them forget the shadows outside. But only almost.