TW// Blood, violence, death
Fire gave her warmth that nobody else could ever give her. The flicker of flames was like kisses she never received. They felt familiar on her skin, like she was supposed to burn for all her life. It was her mother's spell, and it was the only thing she left behind. It was Cornelis' constant reminder of her sacrifice. Her mother had placed a spell on her daughter so they wouldn't burn in the flames of Rhiamon. The flames were her mother's hugs. She would've laid there amongst the flames till they burned out if it weren't for the voices.
Despite that she was alone in the ruins of a burnt down kingdom, she always had company. They were constantly yelling and screaming at her. They were cursing her for things she had done and for things she didn't yet commit. It drove her insane.
She betrayed you.
The depth must still be paid.
He must die.
They need to die.
Oh, how much Cornelis wished to get rid of the voices. She could do with them crawling at her mind and saying something there and then. But this constant cursing, insulting, and reminding her of her mistakes, it drove her crazy. Just one minute of silence, please.
You did this to yourself.
You shouldn't have killed us.
It is all your fault.
You need to free us.
"I know. I know I should." She placed her hands on her ears, but the voices didn't quiet down. "I can't bring you back. I can't bring you back. I am the witch of death, but I cannot bring you back."
Cornelis had finally realized it – she could bring back the death and her sister, Evelin with curses that drained her, but she could've never brought back her mother. Her soul was already gone. It was Cornelis' fault she couldn't, because she sealed her in stone and took too much time to bring her back. If she didn't do that, Evelin could bring back their mother. Evelin could've done that without a curse. If she did that Cornelis wouldn't have to kill anyone, she wouldn't have to feel this pain, she wouldn't have to listen to the voices.
Or would you?
Cornelis stopped and put her hands down.
Or would I?
Nothing would change.
Evelin wouldn't do it.
She is afraid.
She needs to die.
He needs to die.
They. Need. To. Die.
And they will die. Cornelis had crawled out of the ashes of the fallen kingdom and went to where the screams were coming from. She would follow the smell of blood and she will have her vengeance.
They've ran away. The voices reminded her of that. They kept screaming at her for letting them go. She let them go. Evelin let them go.
She's a traitor.
Again and again, she's betraying you.
What does she think she's doing?
"What are you doing Evelin?" Cornelis didn't know if it was her speaking or her voices.
Evelin's hands were still raised, the serpent hissing by her side. "You need to stop Cornelis." Her voice was frantic, almost worried. "You are killing them. You are killing yourself!"
"Release me!"
"Cornelis please."
But she was already breaking out of her grip, after all Cornelis had hundreds of years to get stronger and her sister was barley any good at spells. She sliced her across the chest and pushed her away.
"You are too weak sister. You could never beat me."
Evelin rose her hands and squeezed them. Cornelis' throat went still and there was no air coming through to her lungs. Her eyes turned red as she gasped for air. She looked down at her sister, sprawled on the floor, her hands shaking, but not letting go. Cornelis felt blood dripping down her eyes. This was it. She would finally be free.
Oh, no.
Look.
Cornelis forced her eyes on Evelin. She was shaking even more and crying. Then she let go, moment before Cornelis' heart would give in.
"Please Cornelis don't do this to me." Evelin sobbed. "Can't we just be sisters again?" The voices died out. Cornelis looked up, still gasping for air. "Let's forget this and run somewhere far away. Let's start anew." She smiled – that kind smile, Cornelis never forgot. "Just you and me Cornelis. Sister to sister."
Evelin offered her her hand. Cornelis looked at her and then at her hand. Evelin and her, sister born to a witch. They could live together, away from everything and everyone. Cornelis could start anew, maybe even forget about the voices. The voices wouldn't matter if she had Evelin by her side. Wasn't that what Cornelis wanted all along? She looked up at her sister's soft smile. The wound on her cheek from the impact of Cornelis throwing her into the wall was gone.
No.
She's tricking you.
Kill her before you still got time.
Kill. Her.
Cornelis' eyes glowed. "Liar!" She screamed as she pushed an invincible force through her stomach. Evelin's eyes widened with surprise.
"You liar." Cornelis repeated, tears falling down her face. She pulled away her hand and Evelin fell down. The snake hissed at Cornelis and crawled towards Evelin, wrapping closer to her body as if it tried to warm her up.
Good.
Now find him.
Find them and then we shall rest.
Cornelis held the wound at her side, blood still dripping from it. Kill them and I shall rest. She repeated those words in sync with the voices as she limped her way towards Elias and Tivon.