Ilya's eyelids fluttered as the moonlight caressed her countenance.
Rather than opening her eyes, she kept them closed. The pain coursing throughout her entire body was something she had never before.
It was as if her chest was in someone's tightening clutch, digging their sharpened nails deep down the thin walls of her heart.
It was as if her limbs were continuously being beaten with a myriad of spiked maces, mauling her bones before they're pulled away.
It was as if every single one of her organs were slowly being mangled, wrung until their dry off of her blood.
However, Ilya didn't mind any of those. She could endure ten folds of the same pain.
No matter how long she had to.
But the one thing that drove her to insanity was the heat. An ever scorching heat that enveloped her body. Ilya felt like she was being burned alive. A perfect remembrance of the hell that she had just escaped from.
A wretched moan seeped through her sealed lips. Tears came running out of her closed eyes, wetting her face and pillow.
In the midst of her struggle, a man entered her room after hearing her cries. He immediately made his way towards her bed and held her hand as gently as he could.
"Ilya… Ilya what's wrong?" Halkias whispered, wiping the tears rolling down her cheeks thereafter. "Are you in pain? Do you want me to call for a healer?"
As he was about to leave, Halkias felt Ilya grip his hand back. He quickly looked at their joined hands, gazing next at her now narrowly opened eyes.
"Ilya! Dear heavens, you're awake." Halkias muttered, kneeling down beside Ilya's bed at the same time.
Truth be told, he didn't have any hopes that Ilya would regain consciousness. The doctors and the Sorcerers adept at healing magic believed that her earlier awakening was only a short-lived miracle. And that her death was imminent from that moment on.
"Ilya, thank you, thank you for waking up."
Under the twinkling stars of the winter night, the two acquaintances separated by a lifetime were able to reunite.
A phenomenon that transcended any reason.
A phenomenon that would reveal the fragility of time.
~~~
Reverend roamed his gaze around the room, trying to find a place where he could place himself. Since the room was small, the only choice for him was to stand with his back sticking on the door. Once he was settled, he heaved a sigh before beginning to speak.
"Commander, how should we deal with this? I'm sure that you will earn the suspicions of the judges if you continue to hide the fact that one of the victims was alive."
A short window of repose descended within the room. Regrettably for Reverend, he was the sole target of the tension in the air. He clenched his fists, thinking thoroughly of the preemptive measures he had to take to preserve the honour of their Knight Order.
"Sir Reverend-- No, Everon, do you trust me?"
Reverend was bewildered by the query. Still, he answered with all honesty, "Yes, of course. I won't have joined the Order of Ghealach if not for your excellent leadership. At this point, if you commit a crime, I am willing to be your conspirator."
The young knight declared his loyalty without a sliver of hesitation. The conviction in his voice was booming, like the devotion he had for his job as Halkias' subordinate.
"A conspirator, huh? I see. Then, are you prepared to be one at this very instant?"
"Yes?"
"I'm asking if you are prepared to be my conspirator right at this moment."
Because of how nonchalant Halkias sounded, Reverend had the impression that his Commander wouldn't be asking something consequential. Withal, he knew Halkias better than that. Reverend couldn't help but swallow his nervousness. He closed his eyes and drew another long breath.
Once he had gathered his resolve, Reverend opened his eyes.
"Commander," The knight said as he lowered his head. "I'll be at your service."
Halkias kept silent for a few seconds, contemplating on whether his decision would be of benefit or would be detrimental to Ilya's life.
He raked his hair with his quivering fingers, trying to recover his calm. His hold on Ilya's hand tightened, prompting her to flinch. Halkias saw that she was slowly opening her eyes, so he removed his hand forthwith.
"I apologize, Ilya. I didn't mean to hurt you."
Even though she was still weakened, Ilya gave Halkias a smile.
"Hmm, no, it's fine."
"Did we disturb your sleep?"
Instead of responding, Ilya just lightly shook her head. Her gaze then went to Reverend who was already looking at her. Halkias noticed the curiosity in her eyes, so he decided to address it.
"He's a member of the Order of Ghealach. Everon, say your greetings."
Reverend approached Ilya's bed, stopping by the footboard. He then bowed his head before speaking.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Everon Reverend, the heir apparent of the Reverend County. You can confer to me anything during your recovery."
"It's… it's also a-- hnn"
Ilya shut her eyes tightly when she felt dull pain hit her stomach. Reverend thought that it was his fault. Therefore, he took a step back, not knowing what to do.
"Ilya, what's wrong?" Halkias frantically asked as he took a stand, "You're in pain, right? Where? Wait, I'll call one of the healers for you."
Still writhing in pain, Ilya grabbed the sleeve of Halkias' coat and replied, "N--no, please…"
"No? But you're in pain."
"I'm… I'm fine. This w--will go away soon."
Considering that Ilya said it herself, Halkias didn't insist anymore. He just put a hand on her eyes, and once he removed it, Ilya had returned to her slumber.
"Reverend, from this point on, listen to my instructions carefully."
"Understood, Commander. I'm all ears."
While he was abiding for Halkias' instructions, Reverend conjured a soundproofing barrier that enclosed the entire room. He didn't need to be told that his Commander's words were only for him.
"Everon Reverend, your main goal is to dispatch all of the people who are aware of Ilya's existence. As for the men in the Order, command them to keep their mouth shuts, or else they'll end up in the same fate as the others."