The butterfly was small and red. Red like blood
It paid no attention to the boisterous voices or me. It was simply drifting around the cage. It looked like it was trying to get inside the cage. Or rather observing which place was the ward weaker because a moment later it had entered the cage. No living creature can enter or leave it so I was quite surprised. Strangely my voice won't come out nor could I move. It was as if I was in a trance. My apprehension came back stronger than before as the butterfly now circled around Claudina's head.
I couldn't scream when the butterfly went inside the cavity of Claudina's neck. Lifeless eyes blinked once before fresh blood flowed out in torrents from the wound. Then from the mouth and ears until the eyes were so bulked up with blood that they burst open.
SPLAT. SPLAT. SPLAT.
Blood overflowed from the cage and fell in ground.
I was rooted on the spot. I couldn't scream. I just stood there unmoving. Claudina's head split opened into two and large amount of blood got splashed on my front. Bloody cocoons were hanging out where flesh and guts were supposed to be.
'What on earth...?'
The cocoons started to move as if they are about to hatch. Slowly they shook. Trembling underneath the silk were rapid movements. It made me sick to the core. I wanted to close my eyes but I wasn't able to. I was paralyzed at the sight.
It is frightening.
Disgusting.
Scary.
Please...someone help me.
The first cocoon hatched. A red butterfly slipped out of it before spreading its wings. Instead of the usual sparkle dust that comes after a butterfly waves its wing, droplets of blood coated it. In a moment it took off. Soon enough the rest followed suit. Bile went back in my stomach.
I don't know how long I stood there but I remember people screaming in pain.
'People...in pain? But I remember coming alone...
Wait...where even... am I?
The trance broke and I was able to get back my inhibitions. I turned where the screams came from. When I did I was horrified.
Flocks of red butterflies were diving into the soldiers tearing off their flesh, draining their blood. A shrill laughter filled the hall as people took their last breath.
And I...just stood there, both bile and hopelessness building up in me. I couldn't say a prayer for resurrections or a chant for protection. I dropped down on my knees. I was the saintess, a beacon of hope and prosperity. I was to protect everyone. Yet what did I do? I couldn't do anything. I couldn't save anyone.
Claudina was right. Mother was right. I won't ever be able to save anyone. I was a saintess only by name. Whatever I did would amount into nothing but destruction. I would always be useless.
Is this what...despair feels like?
I heard someone call my name. But I didn't hear it. My mind kept on repeating the agonized screams for help. I couldn't feel anything when someone forced me onto my feet. My vision was blurred through tears but the same blood bath flashed in my eyes.
I am no saint. I am unsuitable for this position. I protected no one. I killed all of them. I will be blamed for their deaths.
My vision turned black and all was quite. I don't know how long I was out for. It was dark and cold but at least it was quite, no one will be able to point fingers at me.
"...lia!" 'What? "Op...ia!" It's...loud. Please stop.
"Ophelia Crescent! Wake up!"
My eyes snapped open. Noelle was kneeling beside, shaking me. There were tears in her eyes.
"Ophelia Crescent! Have you forgotten your duty as saintess?!" I was dumfounded. I slowly got up to my feet again.
The red butterflies seemed to have increased in numbers while I was out. Where once an army of two hundred was now there is a cyclone of butterflies.
'Strange... how do I know that? Wait, where is this place?'
"Ophelia!"
I spun around but my head hurt when I did so.
Melany was leaning on Syrus' shoulder. Both her arms were bleeding. Seeing Melany's injuries somehow made me aware of what had happened.
"Oh Melany w-what happened to you?"
"You were entranced as well weren't you?"
"Entranced? W-what do you mean- No more importantly your arms! They are bleeding so much!"
I started to heal her, my self deprecating thoughts going back in the corner.
"Seems like Claudina wasn't dead. She entranced not only me but you and Orion as well."
"But...didn't we-"
"An illusion." It made sense. Claudina always specialized in various magic spells no matter how complex. An illusion spell of that degree alongside an entrancement may as well be child's play to her.
I finished healing Melany. It was like her skin was peeled off before the raw skin was burned.
"That fox became slyer since she was banished."
"O-ophie?"
I turned to Noelle. "Ophie, you are the saintess right? So you are able to resurrect anyone right? Even my father as well?"
I remember now. Noelle's father the Marquis Herfley, was one of the generals that came with us. And now he is...
But it's fine; as I am now the saintess. And Mother was dead.
I smiled. "Don't worry as long as the Holy Heaves wills it I will do whatever it takes to resurrect the Marquis. His time hasn't come yet."
"Thank you so much." Noelle fell to her knees, sobbing in relief.
I was glad I was of help but Claudina is still alive. She will probably continue to kill others like this. She needs to be stopped but where is she? Her headless body had also disappeared.
Judging by the situation, other than the seven of us everyone else was dead. Amidst the chaos someone took control.
The red cyclone increased its speed until it is red blur. Michel was at the corner attacking with lightning bolts while Lucian tried to slash through it. Nothing was working. I tried using my offensive spells but even that was fruitless.
"Let's not waste our mana like this," a voice behind me said.
I spun around. When did Orion come up to me? I scanned him for any injuries. He looked fine albeit a bit tired.
"What do you mean?" Syrus asked. Worry was evident in his eyes and he was the bravest among us.
"While I was resting I observed how the butterflies were reacting towards the attacks. Rather than resisting they are absorbing the shock to get stronger. Also the way they are only in one place. Almost as if they are protecting something inside."
"So you mean..."
"Yes. Whatever is hiding inside there is far more dangerous than those butterflies. We better prepare for the worst."
Slowly the cyclone stopped spinning. I half expected the butterflies to attack us so I already chanted the protection spell. Instead of the pain of muscle tissue being ripped off alive I felt the smooth and soft texture of flower petals.
Huh? What's going on?
The carnivorous butterflies were replaced by bright pink flower petals. The previous smell of blood was being overwritten by the fragrance of fresh flowers. The sight reminded me of a long forgotten memory.
A memory I had managed to forget. A memory I had hidden away among the trivial of life.
A memory where the white hair was pitch black...of porcelain dolls and sweets...honey filled tea...ironed laces...and bygone warmth...
As the petals tumbled down I made out streaks of white hair. Nostalgia was replaced with familiar dread. Bile rose from my stomach.
That's right. That person no longer exists no matter how much it hurts. They are gone and nothing I say or do will bring them back.
I should get that to my head.
Claudina Von Crowley is not them. No matter how much they look alike, they are no longer the same. The Claudina from fourteen years...is dead and gone. The Claudina now that was banished from ten years ago is alive.
That's right. They will never be the same.
After all the Claudina that I know was betrayed and killed by me.
The petals settled down in piles and in the middle of it stood a person. Someone with snow white hair and a crazed look in her face.
Claudina Von Crowley