Calai fell into a small river that led her down a long path, the cocoon in which she had escaped was fading, fading in the same way a rose loses its petals in the wind. She was still passed out, but little by little her figure could be glimpsed through the smoke coming from inside the cocoon. She was lying in a fetal position. The water quickly swept her away as that magic faded.
In her mind, Calai wandered the labyrinths of the dream world.
She was walking in what appeared to be a city, a jungle of metal through which people in suits and ties were walking, but their faces were covered by their hats, they were tall and somewhat strange, making her look even smaller than she was. The sunlight was not visible among the large shadows of the buildings that stood against the skies that had almost lost their colors. She walked cautiously, making her way through the adults who seemed to be minding their own business. Calai caught sight of a crying girl, begging for alms and dressed in dusty old rags. She was trying to get the attention of the men in suits and ties, who were simply pushing her or passing her from a distance. She approached the girl and gazed at her with those curious eyes of hers.
The girl exchanged glances with Calai and then stepped back, revealing the contents of a box she held in her hands and to Calai's surprise, it contained a tunnel. She stepped cautiously into it, trying to walk as slowly as possible. The sound of the city was muted and the tunnel began to darken everything like the moons at night.
The little girl stood at the entrance Calai had entered, the shadows dancing with her.
--What are you?
She continued to crawl in, crawling as if she were a worm.
--I am me.
Calai repeated the phrase as she walked crouched down the passageway. When she came out of it, she reached a dead end and the smoke coming out of the buildings gave a heavy and black atmosphere that made her feel uncomfortable, but something caught her attention. At the end of the alley was a seated, female looking shadow and at her feet a box in which she sensed a heavy energy. The shadow seemed to moan and cry. The heat found her hand and as she turned she could see the girl, Calai was confused, but she asked no questions and made her way to where the shadow was sitting sobbing and moaning in pain. The closer she got, the more she could hear how slowly the ballad of pain transformed into words that flew to Calai's ears.
--L... I'm sorry.
--What are you sorry for?
--I'm sorry..." Those words were marked in black by the walls of the alleyways.
--What are you sorry for?
--I didn't mean to do that to you.
--What did you do? And to whom?
The woman raised her hands to the heavens and Calai saw that the shadow was holding a knife.
--But don't worry, I'll be at your side soon.
With speed she buried the weapon deep in her soul and Calai felt the shock, the adrenaline, the sweat and fear. That had left her mute as she saw it vanish and the weapon fall to the ground. A large amount of water began to fall from the sky, carrying objects capable of burying the city; Calai fell to the ground. The girl watched cheerfully as Calai slowly drowned.
--It is time for you to awaken from your slumber... sleeping beauty.
She could only glimpse her smile through the water that enveloped and overwhelmed her, sinking her into the arms of death that waited anxiously for her.
You open your eyes and see blurry, intrigue takes over your soul and you feel pain in your chest mixed with confusion, you watch the sky until your sight adjusts and you contemplate a wooden ceiling, suddenly a smell floods your nose with its beautiful fragrance and intoxicates your lungs and brain.
Calai looked to her right, she had a damp cloth on her forehead, her head was spinning, she looked around a bit and was comforted by the bed that tucked her in and gave her that embrace of warmth she needed so much.
--Where am I?
She stood up and looked around the room she was in. The wood gave off a soft smell and had a rather cozy and calm air. She; rather awkwardly, got up and began to walk as best she could, she leaned against one of the walls, she felt weak, as if something had been sucking her from inside. She could hear something, it was a woman singing a song. On the other side of the room the smell was calling her more strongly, meat, a tomato sauce and the smell of vegetables attracted her. As she entered the other room she could see clearly.
--You're awake already, what a joy.
Calai was surprised.
--You see, my ears are very sensitive to noise," the girl turned around. She was quite cute, had fluffy fox ears, sported a bit of fur on her arms and carried a tail that looked quite fluffy and playful. My name is Tera, a pleasure.
Calai was having a hard time taking things in and lost her balance, she slipped down the wall to the floor, her legs were still shaking and her head was throbbing, the burning was intense and her chest was heaving.
--You mustn't get up, you're not well and you've caught a cold.
She took her in his arms and carried her to bed.
--A cold? --Her voice was very weak and a little broken.
--I found you floating face down in the river, you were drowning and I think you were lucky enough that the river ran through the fields below my house.
--Where am I?
--In the land of Onyx, in the country of Helster. After I pulled you out of the water, I dressed your wounds and changed your clothes, yours are drying right now, luckily it's spring. I put you in clothes I wore when I was thirteen and although they are too big for you, they will be fine. I also washed your face since you were wearing blood, although it was strange since you were under water, I thought you were dead...but thank the gods you are still alive.
He laid her down on the warm bed and tucked her in with a little TLC, then continued on his way to the kitchen to finish what he was preparing.
Calai was trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, she didn't remember well what had happened and that dream was still stuck in her memory like an annoying stake, one she couldn't get out.
When Tera finished, she took a deep plate and served Calai some food.
--Thank you.
Calai touched her fingers and then swirled her hair, covering her face that was almost red. She ate that food and was in love with its taste. She knew she had to repay her for that favor, gratitude could not be measured, the values she had been raised with demanded that, but... she didn't know how.
--I watched what came to pass in Eden. I heard it on the radio.
--I was there...
--Don't tell me that...
Calai lowered her face, her hair covering it.
--Yes, I don't remember very well, it was all very cheerful until... until she came.
She started crying uncontrollably, a little scared maybe. Tera was surprised and understood her pain.
--How did you get to the river?
Calai tried to calm herself, wiped her tears and told in a broken voice.
--She killed everyone, burned them and... I couldn't move, I was too scared to move. Then one of my friends carried me in his arms, but she... she smashed that building and then... then... then...
She couldn't remember anything after that, his memories faded and he only remembered the dream, he didn't know how he had ended up in that situation, but he did know that something strange had happened in that place.
--I don't know what happened next?
--As I said, you got pretty lucky.
She got up to prepare the bath, Calai, she wasn't used to bathing with someone else, but she was weak enough to reply, although it was a situation she didn't feel prepared for. Tera helped her and they entered the bath, she took off her clothes and left her body naked, but the cold didn't bother her since the heat and steam generated by the hot water prevented it despite the low temperatures.
--This is a bit embarrassing," she thought, as she looked at the floor.
Tera took a better look at the girl who above her left nipple was wearing a symbol that looked quite strange to her. She approached, which caused Calai to be even more embarrassed, she didn't like to be seen for quite some time and even less if she was naked. She knew they were both women and she shouldn't worry enough, as it was quite normal for women to bathe in groups, just like men, but, she never got to share such ideas, it was the first time it happened to her and she was weak enough to not be able to bathe alone in the right way. Tera took a bucket of water and partly surprised Calai as well. Tera's naked body was quite different from what she had imagined, she thought she had fox legs like some she had met, but they were human legs, though she did wear the same fluffy fur to cover the more sensitive areas of her body and she got to look quite cute and nice.
--How old are you?
--Seventeen.
she took the hot water and poured it over Calai. As she came in contact with the liquid she began to relax, to feel calm.
Tera's torso came in contact with Calai's back and that fur between her breasts was quite soft and Tera was quite careful.
--What is that symbol you are wearing?
--My symbol?
--Yes, is it some mark you got as a child?
--N... no, to tell you the truth, s... I've always had it, from the moment of my birth.
--I never thought I saw a purebred human. I thought all purebred humans were extinct.
--I really don't know much about myself. I don't remember anything.
-Didn't they look for you?
-What do you mean?
-Well, you're a purebred human, I guess they must have tested you.
Calai shook her head.
-Celgris says no one's interested in me.
--I guess it must be sad.
--To be honest," she said, staring at the floors and playing with her thumbs as the water washed the soap off her body, "no, I lead too happy a life to think about that, but it's something that's given me a lot to think about, even if it's only in small moments.
Tera began to wash her hair slowly with a coconut oil. When she was done, she dried her off pretty well and put warm clothes on her since her pores were open and in the state she was in she could get worse. Then he put on a cloth and carried her to the bed where she could sleep peacefully. After Calai was in bed, she retreated to the bathroom to finish cleaning herself.
-Anything you need, just let me know.
The princesses arrived in Havila, where the relatives of the nation's greatest houses were already waiting for them. They greeted each other courteously and entered the palace through long corridors to the central meeting room. The stained glass windows reflected the sunlight and let the paintings glow, the hustle and bustle of the city could be heard. Chaos sang merrily through the crowd. The room was huge, with an oak table and imposing, elegant chairs. Many sat down, and others, worried and uneasy, stood trying to calm themselves.
--I did not expect to see you so soon.
--We knew everything that had happened; they are lucky to be alive.
--Not all of them-- Sara crossed her arms. Jen... well... he sacrificed himself so we could all get out.
Silence began to sing its ballad and for a minute no one produced a sound, their vocal cords were silenced and for that time they were deprived of their song and their voice. The wind gently rustled the trees outside the castle and the leaves rattled as they came in contact with the large stained glass windows.
--What shall we do? --Lady Ursula put her hand to her chin and leaned her elbow on the table. In her soft voice, but with total concern, she broke the silence after that minute.
--I don't know.
--What if we attack the three nations?
--Well, there seems to be something everyone clearly forgets. The shadows.
--If I may..." Vanitas walked over and took a seat. Sweat beaded on his face and he looked worried. That spell... is impossible to cast.
--What do you mean?
--Crystal is right, we watched her.
--If there is one thing I have learned is that the rules of magic cannot be broken, there is no being capable of doing it, but... ... she was able to keep an incredible amount of magic in circulation, no one can cast a spell of such magnitude and live, she would have died within ten seconds of summoning such an amount of shadow-spectres.
--Are you telling me she used a vow?
--No, if she had used it, she would have died after attacking the castle.
--To that we have to add the fact that she fought against Diligitis.
--So Vanitas is she a demon?
--I don't think so, my princess, there is a being that guards the gates of hades and I'm sure he would have prevented her escape.
--If I may..." Lord Feir interrupted the conversation... "Wasn't there a spirit that guarded the lands?
--Lord Feir is right." Lady Ursula's rabbit nose twitched. The legends tell of a being who guarded and protected all these lands, a spirit of great power.
--Legend has it that he was last seen three hundred years ago, curiously coinciding with the disappearance of the red plague disease.
--That means that he disappeared after those dark years..." Cristal watched everyone who was silent and observing.
Outside the castle, people murmured and the wind sighed softly, mingling with the melancholy song of the sad cicadas. The concern was easily felt and both Sara and Cristal knew that the Lords of their respective countries would arrive to meet them as soon as possible to try to find a solution to what was happening.
--Well, I am sorry to have to interrupt, but we must go back to our nation, we have to meet with the Lords who must be very worried.
--It is better to rest and tomorrow, with a cool head, think about our next move, since it is something of the utmost importance.
--I will stay with Princess Brillo, if she wishes it.
--Of course, Vanitas, you have always been welcome.
--What will happen to the most powerful houses of Eden?
--No one knows about them, they haven't sent any messages, most likely the fairy has already taken them prisoner.
--It would be better not to even try to rescue them.
--And let them die?
--Brillo is right, we have to understand, we can't risk so much, she may be waiting for us.
--Remember that she alone could bring a nation to its knees, we don't really know what we are up against since she uses magic that unknown.
Brillo observed the window and the view that his castle offered him, the great trees that weaved the entrance, the gardens and the fountain. Looking at that landscape was that he came to conceive something that would give them an advantage.
--Lord Feir, Lady Ursula.
--The two answered in unison and exchanged glances.
--I know what you can help us with," Ursula looked at her with curiosity and considerable interest. I need you to investigate in depth all the types of registered magics, I have heard that there are books, scarce, but they exist, I have one and it is the one from which all my family learned to use magic, but surely in some library we will find others. Those fairy tales that use magic, may offer a clue to his magic.
--Well, we know he uses fire magic.
--I don't think it's a conventional fire, there's something weird about it and I think it can use more than two kinds of magic.
--Can we say he uses change magic? --Sara knew it could be one of those possibilities, although she wasn't sure.
Vanitas came to shuffle more than one option, although they all came to the same thing since she did not know several things and to her bad luck, the shadows that chased them away prevented them from knowing the end of that battle between Diligitis and Verum.
--She trapped us, from the moment she hit that magic, she won.
--But the fairies were not supposed to go up there, and they themselves sealed the only known entrance.
--That's the problem," Vanitas seemed to go into a state of helplessness. They have more than one way to get there. Legend tells us that a barrier was put up to prevent them from flying up, yes, but unfortunately, there were roads before that and the central one was where the four rivers meet, the sea of the crystal swans.
--She caught us off guard and planned everything in advance, so it is best to wait until tomorrow and with a cool head, decide on a solution. For my part, I'm retiring, have a good night, ladies and gentlemen.
--I too, I must rest my mind, a pleasure to meet again.
--But we are in a full-scale emergency! We must act as soon as possible! --Lord Daera pounded the table. She destroyed an entire nation! All by herself!
--Yes Lord Daera, but, we have to know the enemy since... sending soldiers into the lion's den would be stupid, we have to study her better to put her in check. Don't worry, we will take the necessary cards.
The princesses and dukes withdrew, said goodbye to all the Lords and ladies of the nation of Havila, they were escorted by the guards and these took them to their respective carriages, each one retiring to their own nation. The Lords and ladies retired five minutes later and Brillo would inform them of all the important decisions.
The next morning was very cold and in Helster it easily reached two degrees below zero and in the lower provinces and the higher mountainous regions temperatures of minus ten and above. Verum, woke up early, the cold was still in her bones and her sight was still blurry, she knew that those after-effects would not disappear for a long time, but she also had full knowledge that she had earned it, she should not have used so much magic and wanting to boast about her ability to use it almost cost her dearly. Her arrogance almost killed her, but in part she knew she had to do it or else she wouldn't have felt complete.
She left the room and walked down the hallway, she was surprised not to see the maidservants, though she partly understood that they feared her, despite the fact that Verum would not harm them. She watched the disintegrating steps leading to the central floor. She lost her balance, she felt weak and her knees gave way and she fell to the floor, the broken windows let in the wind that shook her hair and even swayed it over her shoulders slowly. With his cloudy view he contemplated the panorama, from above he could see the clouds of that grayish day, since the contrast with the previous day that was sunny was substantial, but it was partly understandable, a cold front had been announced days before. From his back came his wings, the sound was familiar and he flew awkwardly to the first floor, he was trying to keep his balance, but that day he was out of it, his body was unresponsive and he crashed into the wall, his head echoed and he cursed as he fell to the ground. Her clothes gave off a bad smell as the sweat from her body had stuck to the clothes she was wearing, her hair was greasy and her eyes were relatively normal, although her skin had some dried blood, she was dying for a glass of water, she felt dehydrated.
--Diligitis, Jen-- Her voice was broken, she could hardly believe it.
Her hoarse voice bounced off the walls, but no one came, so as soon as he could he got up and continued walking awkwardly, he could not even fly and the majesty of his wings was overshadowed by his countenance. His body was asking for water almost madly and he was in a state similar to an alcoholic when he does not drink for a long time. His hands were shaking and he looked like the living dead. Among that panorama she could glimpse a light, a maid walked towards her with a glass of water in her hands, Verum could clearly see the fear that woman had, sweat was running down her forehead, but... she also feared for her own life. She was so weak, that woman could kill her with just a deep cut on her wrist, let her bleed to death, or, if she wanted to kill her quickly, she could stab her neck and even take her by the neck right there and Verum would not be able to lay a finger on her. However, with all that branch of possibilities, she stood, the shadow of that maid washed over her and Verum could only see her from the ground as her legs denied movement and she collapsed again like snow in the summer. She, with a little fear, bent down and extended the liquid to her.
Verum watched in confusion, she had not even heard it coming.
-It is not poison." The woman drank to prove the truth of her words. Go, you can drink without fear of dying.
Verum took it quickly and drank from it as fast as he could. The water brought her back to life and its freshness was such that she felt as if she was in heaven, as if the streams of life were returning to her, soothing her wounded soul. The maid waited until she had finished.
--Would you like anything else?
Verum was still confused, she understood nothing of what the woman was saying.
--Why are you good to me, that you do not fear for your life?
--How could I be afraid of someone who can barely keep her balance? Besides, if you had wanted to kill me, you would have done it when Diligitis revealed the place where we were hiding, you could have, the shadows could have killed us, but they didn't. Unlike a good many, the five of us stayed.
--Why don't you kill me?
The woman took his hand and brought it to her chest, the wind shook her silver hair and hid her emerald eyes.
--An assassin kills, I don't have the hands of an assassin, I have the hands of a servant, and they are for service.
--But... Why are you not afraid of me?
--Because there is no evil in your eyes. Do you need anything else?
Verum pondered.
-Now that I see her better, I can verify that. There is no malice in her eyes. If she had wanted to kill me, I wouldn't have been able to leave this castle yesterday morning. Am I wrong?
-I could kill them, if I recover I can kill them. Don't you measure your actions? Don't you know that your life could be in danger?
-His look, his countenance... It is not that of an assassin. Her hands... are fine, like those of a pianist. They are not marked with death.
-How do you know that? Why are you so sure? I've killed many soldiers and...
-Because I've seen death in your eyes, my lady, you... you don't have the eyes of an assassin, nor the hands for it.
Verum watched her with that weak and tired face, her eyes wiped small tears that tried to escape from her chin while her lungs struggled to make her breathe.
The woman gave him a smile.
-Would you like anything else?
Verum took time to react.
"-Verum.
Saeria's lips stopped caressing Verum's, still leaving her with the feeling that the kiss carried.
-What's wrong?
Saeria gave a laugh to herself, the moon hid them both, its rays did not touch the earth and that big tree sheltered them both like a hen with her chicks.
-Your hands... are like those of the pianist who plays every night in the castle.
Verum blushed and covered her gaze, releasing her hands from Saeria's."
-My lady? Are you all right?
Verum came back to her.
-Yes... can you fill my glass with water again?
--Yes, my lady.
Verum didn't understand that gesture of kindness, but... it felt quite warm, even though he couldn't give warmth.
--Wait! --The maid paused; Verum's voice was rather soft and weak. What is your name?
--My name is Silhist, Silhist Vóneris.
He looked at her with a smile.
--Thank you... Silhist.
She leaned back, took the glass and stepped back to refill it. Diligitis and Jen entered the castle, apparently they had come out to see if the Lords of the great houses hadn't escaped, which was a bit more of a logical thing to do, but he had to be sure. Seeing Verum they rushed to her aid. She supported herself as best she could and breathed deeply and serenely to let her body relax, she needed to take a bath, but first she had to listen to what Dligitis and Jen had to tell her, the Lords, although they were of no use to her in the least, she wanted to know about the current situation.
--Madam... the Lords escaped, the houses are empty and they took all their fortune. Although I haven't been able to check if they all exactly escaped, there are two more houses I haven't checked yet.
--They don't matter to me at the moment, I'm more interested in the current situation of the princesses.
--Do you think we should make a surprise attack?
--No, it is something very risky, I managed to get this assault successfully because I used the surprise factor, but now, all of them will be watching my movements and I think they could even watch us, attacking them alone would be suicide, they are probably already taking action, what I should do is to plan something different.
--As you see fit, I am here to help you, my mistress.
The maid arrived and the sunlight that was beginning to dissipate the cold rose, letting the warmth cradle the lands in her arms. She slipped between the window and illuminated the servant, her shadow was projected by the wall and the same one showed her arm extending the glass with water, Verum's shadow extended her arm, taking it and taking it to her mouth, the light began to illuminate little by little her face.
--I'm going to take a bath.
--Would you like us to help you?
Verum's face reddened, but in his state he had no choice, so he accepted the help of the maids.
-Perfect, then I will put the remaining four maidservants of the current situation." She bowed. My lady Verum...
Author's note
This is the last chapter that will be uploaded this year, January 16, 20 23 will return faernes, although if you want to know more, the original version in Spanish already has 21 chapters and is in its second saga.