The rays of sunlight touching my skin woke up from my restless sleep at dawn. I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar white ceiling. The soft bed felt strange, as did the fluffy pillows and warm, comfortable blanket.
Where was I?
Blissful forgetfulness didn't last long though, as yesterday's mories were quick to fill my mind.
I buried myself under the blanket as grief threatened to overco . Grief and guilt. Sadness and wrath.
I didn't even know who to hate – I couldn't put a na to the faces I'd seen and the most important person – the woman under that cloak, the sa person who used that little girl, Elise, as a weapon. Though I didn't know who she was, I could guess what she was.
I had to get out of bed and get moving. I had to sohow force Aelith to tell who that person was. I needed answers, desperately. Yet, I continued to lie tucked between the fluffy pillows and soft blankets. I couldn't find it in – the strength to get out of bed and face the world again.
I missed ho so much. Despite all the challenges I faced on a daily basis, my life was a good one back then. I bitterly chuckled at the irony. Back then, I'd have done anything to get out of that life – I had even gone as far as escaping ho via a distant scholarship. And where had that led ? Here.
I laid on the bed for so more ti, but eventually convinced myself to get up. I forced the guilt and grief to the back of my mind – I'd deal with those feelings later, when I could afford to.
I fixed my wrinkled clothes and washed my face in the bathroom. I couldn't believe how modern this place looked. Sure, there was no electricity, but there was running tap water, proper lighting – magical, of course – and even soap that slled like lavender.
Once I was properly awake and ready to face Aelith, I finally reached for the door handle. I was honestly fully expecting it to be locked, so when the door slowly opened, I was more surprised than I probably should have been.
"Good morning, Keeper." A cold voice sounded. Of course, there were guards. I looked at either side of the door to see two Ereth guardsn, clad in white armour.
"I was told the Divine Matriarch wished to see ," I said after bidding them a good morning as well.
They nodded. "Follow us." I did as they said, trying to supress this anxious feeling. Confronting Aelith wasn't sothing I wanted to do yet – I wasn't well enough prepared for it. Yet, I couldn't let Samantha's death go unpunished.
I repeated that sentence. Again, and again. Samantha's death. Not my fault, not Erik's, not anyone else's. Not even that young girl's. The only person to bla for Samantha's death was that cloaked woman.
Eventually, we arrived at the throne room. Just like before, I stepped on the sigil on the ground before Divine Matriarch Aelith's throne and, with a white light, got teleported to her library.
"I didn't expect you to pull yourself together so quickly." I looked around, searching for her. She wasn't by the windows, or the bookshelves, or the couches. "I'm impressed." I felt her hand on my shoulder as she whispered into my ear. "Very impressed." She pressed every word as her bewitching voice threatened my mind.
"If I could bring her back, I would," I said softly. "But I can't. What I can do is avenge her." I stepped back, then turned to face her. "I saw the person who led and orchestrated the attack."
To my surprise, her eyes widened. Did she… not know her? Or was I not supposed to know that?
"Describe them." She suddenly said, her voice echoing with traces of magic. I clenched my fists, then did as she asked.
"You wounded her?" She asked, her eyes glittering like she'd found sothing she'd been looking for. "Are you absolutely certain?" I could see her determination, but that only made feel uneasy.
"Who is it?" I finally asked. I was ready for whatever dismissive answer she'd give . And I was ready to push for more information.
She shrugged. "I'm not sure." She ran her hand through her crimson hair, then reached out towards . I instinctively stepped back – I did not trust her one bit. "I will find out, and I will make sure her deeds do not go unpunished."
I flinched; I didn't expect that response. In fact, I was sure she'd tell not to investigate this any further. Seeing her expression, I furrowed my brows. What was this deed she was talking about? I simply couldn't see it in this devilish woman to care about Samantha's death so much.
"What will you do?" I asked after a short mont. Her lips ford a wicked smile just before she turned her back on . "Oh, let that be my secret." Her cold, terrifying tone was enough to send shivers down my spine.
"Fine." I said after taking a deep breath. "Is there sothing you want from ? I'd like to return, if possible."
She stopped mid step. I felt my body beco tense as she very slowly turned towards . "Hmm…" She mumbled sothing as she looked at . "You may return, for now." She waved her hand and before I even got the chance to say anything, a flash of bright light enveloped .
"Please follow us, Keeper." I heard the Ereth guard's voice before I even opened my eyes. Wordless, I nodded and followed them as they led back to the entrance. Only when I left the palace and put so distance between us did I breathe a sigh of relief.
"Asher." I called out to him through our ntal connection. I needed to talk to him, tell him about Aelith's reaction. Now that I think about it, I hadn't even gotten the chance to tell him what I saw yet.
"Where the hell were you?" I nearly jumped in my place as his ntal scream startled . "I couldn't contact you all night!" He continued to shout.
"I'll explain everything," I tried to calm him down. "I'm fine, you don't need to worry."
A mont passed. I could imagine how he was trying to regain his composure. "Let's et." He finally said with a sigh. "Victoria found sothing, can you co there?"
I hesitated. I really wanted to check up on the others first. "I'll be a bit late." I finally said. I wasn't about to try and speak to Erik, but just seeing him and the others safe and sound would help quell this anxious feeling.
"We'll be waiting." Once again, I was surprised at Asher's understanding. No matter how much ti had passed, I couldn't get the first ti we t out of my mind. He was still that goal-oriented sadist to , in a way.
I headed back to the inn. I pondered how to approach them, but a familiar face saved from my dilemma as I reached for the inn's door.
Just as I reached for the handle, the door swung open and Mona ran outside. She stopped right before colliding with .
"Kai?" Her angry expression softened imdiately. "How are you holding up?" She asked, pulling away from the busy street into the nearby alleyway. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile. "I'm sorry if I worried you." I glanced at the inn. "Did sothing happen?" I asked hesitantly. She did seem quite angry as she left the building.
She flinched and shook her head. "Oh, no." Her voice trembled as she looked away. "I was just checking up on your friends." She was clearly lying.
"What happened, Mona?" I insisted.
"Nothing!" She suddenly smiled. She reached out and gently touched my shoulder. "Are you sure you're ok?" She finally asked. "You don't look okay."
"I'm fine." I brushed off her question. "I-"
"Soone just died." Her words were like daggers, digging deep into my chest. "Your friend just died." She said, again. "I can see how guilty you feel."
The thoughts of guilt that I had thrown to the back of my mind resurfaced. I wanted to say that I was fine, that she didn't need to worry about , but the words got stuck in my throat. I gave up as she hugged . "I'm so sorry, Kai." She whispered.
I leaned on the wall as she did on . We stood like that for a bit – I wasn't sure how long. We didn't talk, we didn't cry, and we didn't judge each other. Eventually, she gently pulled herself back and smiled, not averting her gaze at all. "We're here if you need us." She lightly squeezed my hand before letting go. "All of us."
I nodded. "I know. Thank you."
She smiled, then left. I stood there a short while longer, processing my thoughts and feelings. It took a while, but when I left the alley, I could say without looking away.
It's not my fault.
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