"I am happy you are betting such a valued price, Ms.Yang," Lady Winter smiled and added, "But, I do not accept it."
And when everyone looked at her, mostly shocked that she was rejecting the offer, presenting her whole existence to her, Lady Winter just smiled at Kyra.
"You are still very young." Crossing her arms behind her back, she put forward her suspicions, "You have all the opportunities to work again and regain your strength. And then, this sacrifice would have no value and if I might consider, will invalidate our whole contract!"
Squinting her eyes and leaning forward, Lady Winter further questioned, "So, Ms. Yang are you trying to trick us to that outcome?"
"Oh, Come on! You are being harsh now!" Kevin couldn't help but comment. She was just making things hard for Kyra as everything she said was absurd, and least made sense!
Learning magic was not like cooking a cookie; years of hard work and consistency were compulsions for a practitioner to succeed. And, even if they believed Kyra was deceiving them, she would require 30 or more years to attain the level of a magistrate. As even her inherited birth powers would also be taken with her magic, and she would need to practice as a human.
"Mind your tone, Human!" Her assistant was the one to step forward this time. "We know our job and it's better if you behave unless you want to die!" She couldn't tolerate anyone raising their voice against her majesty, no one in their team and not specifically a mere mortal human!
Her intimidating voice and that sharp blazing look sent tremors down Kevin's spine. She was evoking fear in him with some power and he couldn't fight against it.
"But," Anna tried to talk but Kyra stopped them.
"I deeply apologize for my immaturity, Your Highness!" Kyra bowed deeply and continued, "Since we were out of time and so are we now, I hadn't planned it. I I thought only this thing would show my sincerity."
Lady Winter looked into her eyes and realizing her cunning plan, she couldn't help but laugh out loud. This girl was actually tricking all of them! She wasn't willing to sacrifice her magic, not even in her wildest dreams but was actually feeding them with false promises. She knew they would suspect her offer, and was thus manipulating them to trust her, gladly praise for her willingness to give off her greatest asset!
She was a real witch, wicked in her own way! And, Lady Winter chuckled shaking her head. Maybe she had inherited this inheritance from her mother? She thought remembering the lady that once worked under her.
"So what else you have to offer us, Ms. Yang?" Crossing her arms, she added, "Something that benefit us. and also help us defend your evil thoughts?"
Though she liked her, going easy on anyone was not her forte and Kyra obviously didn't need her help. Lady Winter knew it very well and she waited for Kyra to actually talk about her real sacrifice. She was well aware that the girl had prepared something big for them.
But when Kyra looked flustered, something eating her inside, she thought of giving her time.
"Since we still have around," Looking at the sky, Lady Winter continued, "7 minutes before this soul gets dissipatted, let's work on helping it first." And when Kyra at her in surprsie, she added, "And you can think about this issue until then. Our contract is bonded now, so there's no going back and we trust your rightfulness."
"Shall We?" She asked, looking at her who nodded, sighing inwardly that she still had time to hold that thing back, that asset which was dear to her heart.
Following Lady Winter's lead, everyone sighed, mainly relieved that there efforts were getting paid. The girl would have a peaceful ending, and they were happy to witness it.
Lady Winter stood in front of the creature. It lifted its head to look at her as she observed it, looking reason for its existance. A creature older than time(Wendigo), a trace of demons that were eradicated long ago(Soul-Eaters), both were clearly visible in its eyes. It was just a host, a medium for the evil to descend in this living world. And, she saw the dark days ahead for these mortals, specifically Kyra as she was now playing with the evil. Challenging it by trapping its very own soldier!
Shaking away those theories that were least concerned to her, she placed a finger on its head and closed her eyes.
The creature groaned, screamed but it couldn't move under her power, as her finger generated a blue rays on its forehead. Something shined through it's body, a circle of waves micmicking a cyclone, formed around the two, and that forced everyone to move back supporting each other.
Soon something gushed out of that creature's body, it came out and fell on the ground while the Wendigo fell with a thud.
The girl got up, her transparent self shrieking her out as she scanned her hands. She nervously looked around, a sigh of relief escaped her lips as tears brimmed her eyes. She was finally out of that monster, out of that dark holo she was trapped inside.
"Ms. Elisa Granger?" Lady Winter squatted in front of her, touching her shoulder she continued, "I am sorry that you had to go through so much pain."
The pity soul looked at her, surprised that someone could actually touch her and tears didn't hold back as she recalled everything that had happened to her.
Kevin and Kyra, who were standing at a distance from the girl, teared up for there efforts finally managed to save the girl. Kyra leaned over him as she felt weak, while Kevin held her hand placed over his arm.
"We did it." Anna who was just beside them, mumbled hugging both of them. David and his teammates celebrated in a same way.
Lady Winter who had finished consoling the soul, helped her stand up and whispered something to her. The girl immediately looked at the group standing afar, she wiped her tears and bowed to them.
"Thank you." She mumbled, as the group teared looking at her.
She was so young, still in her teens and they could only pity her situation. She might be having big dreams, desires of her own and that thought made Kevin lose his tears. He was able to connect with their emotions easily than others as he was a human himself. Living as a human in his world was a great struggle, and seeing such a young soul have her unfair ending made his emotions burst out.
"Escort her and fulfill her last wish!" Lady Winter commanded her assistant, as she handed over the girl.
A white door soon opened and Diana led the girl in that way. Reaching the door, the poor girl looked behind, staring at them one last time before she followed her destiny. Her fate that offered her an unfair ending.
"Will she get reincarnated?" Kyra asked holding back her tears as Lady Winter walked towards them.
"Sorry, we cannot disclose those matters to you guys." Lady Winter replied pursing her lips. She saw through their emotions and was gald to see empathy still existing on this cruel land.
"Since I have fulfilled my duty, its your turn." She mumbled, opening her hand and Kyra held it hesistantly and took a step forward.
"Choose wisely, darling." Pressing her hand, Lady Winter assured her, "As long as I see honesty and worth in your sacrifice, I can reassure you that you will be safe and fear no threats from our side."
"Will the memories be okay?" Kyra asked. She had already decided about her sacrifice, right when she decided to summon a grim reaper. But still, her heart hoped it hold it back, to give something else than that precious moment.
And when Lady Winter nodded, Kyra mumbled, "I offer you my happiest memory."
Lady Winter's eyes gasped hearing her words. That was no lesser sacrifice according to the terms of Afterlife. And, she had read about Kyra, every single detail before coming here and now, she just wanted to give her a big hug. Though she was wicked, she still had heart of her mom, the one that was sincere and noble, the one that could worship you in gratitude.
"You can think again, I can wait." Lady Winter mumbled, caressing Kyra's cheeks as tears danced in the corner of her eyes.
"I have carelessly summoned you and instead of punishing me, you have helped us, and eased my heart. So, this is my token of gratitude for you guys, specially you."
Those words came right from Kyra's heart and tears tickled Lady Winter's eyelids. Ah, this girl was surprising her even more!
"Please take it." Kyra mumbled pressing her hands. She knew memories usually boosted the working capacity in the afterlife chambers. She wasn't aware how but they worked magic when offered as gifts according to some history books, and Kyra had prepared herself for this moment.
"Fine. I will take it and protect it under your will." Lady Winter replied, wiping her tears as Kyra smiled at her.
She opened her palms and a small bottle with some elixir appeared in sight. Sighing out loud, she passed the bottle to Kyra who nevrously took it.
"I can drink on her behalf." Anna who was lost in daze hearing Kyra's offer, came forward and looked at Lady Winter who shook her head.
"The one who summons needs to sacrifice." She cleared as everyone else stood confused unlike the three ladies.
What's wrong in sacrificing a happy memory? Kyra would have plenty of it, wouldn't she? Thought everyone so did Kevin as he silently stood beside them.
"Tell them, I am sorry." Kyra mumbled to Lady Winter who nodded in reassurance.
Taking a deep breath, Kyra sipped the elixir, her hands shaking in remorse. Passing tback he bottle, she waited for that memory to dissapear.
A blue thread started appearing in the bottle which Kyra had just emptied. It blinked a few times before a fine magical thread swiveled in it. And looking at the bottle, Kyra closed her eyes, her body giving up as she fell unconcious.
Kevin was fast enough to hold her worried as he looked at Lady Winter for a explanation.
"I will take my leave now." But she mumbled, before dissaapearing with the bottle as everyone hurried to look at Kyra.
Kevin held her tightly, patted her cheeks as she entered a dream full of regrets. A world that was dark like her past, a place that haunted with nightmares!