Patching Emily up this time was easy. She had not suffered any significant injuries that could harm her life. The most she had suffered was a lack of energy. But that could be easily handled with the help of a potion.
She was allowed to rest the night, and she fell asleep.
The only one who was not able to sleep that night was Lea. But this always happened when she was out in the rift. There were too many noises in her head for Lea to feel comfortable.
"What's wrong? Are you not able to sleep? Is the rift keeping you up?"
Lea blinked as Patricia joined her. It was a surprise to see Patricia up in the middle of the night. Usually, she liked her sleep and found any chance to slack off.
Or that was what Lea remembered about her. But it had been years since she last travelled with Patricia or lived under the same roof. Patricia's habits might have changed in that time.
"The rift is too loud today. And it also seems exciting. I have a bad feeling about it, and that kept me up. But I am tired, so I think I will force myself to sleep."
Lea admitted. Now that Sara and Emily were asleep, there was no need for her to put up her cheerful mask on.
Patricia had seen Lea at some of her worst moments. So, Lea was happy to be her usual self in front of her.
"I see. So, this was a typical night for you out here, huh? Still, I am glad I got to see you before I bit the dust. But I have to say, you have not changed at all since I saw you. No wonder our commander called you a 'doll' back then."
Patricia admitted. Remembrance passed through her eyes when she looked at Lea. Looking at that young and fresh face made memories come back to her.
But it also reminded her that she was old. She was likely not going to survive till this year's end. Her body was giving up on her. And it was all because of the rift poisoning.
"Patricia, you should head back to the central city if you want to live. I know that you can feel it as well, the hold this rift had on you. You might survive a few more years if you head back now."
Lea advised, and Patricia felt tempted. She wanted to live as well, and heading back would provide her with the best chance. The more she thought about it, the more she was tempted to head back.
But it was too late to have regrets by now.
"I am afraid that my old bones do not have what it takes anymore. Somehow, I managed to live past my 30s and remain healthy in this rift. This is all I can ask for."
Patricia had decided that she would end her life out here. So, she was ready to follow through as well. She was born out here, and she would die out here as well.
"Fine, if that is what you want to do, I will follow your wishes. But I will not come to see you in your final moments. You will have to die out here all alone before the rift gets a hold of you and turns you into its soldier."
It might sound heartless to most people, but these words only made Patricia smile. It must have taken Lea enough courage to utter these words.
After all, no one had lost more people than Lea. It was tough for her to keep track of everyone she knew and to see them change as the rift got a hold of them.
Patricia did not want to add, so she kept her feelings in check. Lea did not need to know how close Patricia was to falling.
Her sentinel part had never been guided before. And medicine was scarce to find out here. The rift was also a constant whisper in her ear, seducing Patricia to use its power and come to its side.
It was all a little too much. But she wanted to be human in her last parts. She tried to show Lea her best side so she would forever be remembered with fond memories.
'I guess that saying is true. You never forget your first love. I was also never able to forget Lea, and I don't think I want to either.'
"Let's go to sleep now. It's too late, and you need to head back tomorrow early. If you still do not want to, I guess I have no choice but to sing you a lullaby-like I used to. Would you like that?"
Patricia asked with a teasing tone. Usually, Lea might have teased the others as soon as she heard those words. Or she might have pulled her tongue out and pretended to be annoyed.
But this time, Lea only smiled and shook her head.
"I am too old for those tricks to work. But if you still want to try, then be my guest. I will not stop you."
Lea had noticed Sara shifting her bed, trying to get comfortable. Sara was awake and listening to this conversation for sure. However, Lea did not feel a need to the point that out and put Sara in an awkward position.
*static*
[You will get a gift tomorrow. We are so excited to see how you will react]
Lea was incredible at turning out the rift and its voice, but this one slipped past her mental barrier. Her head hurt as the rift whispered to her again and again.
For some reason, the rift sounded excited and anticipating. It also felt satisfied with whatever it was planning.
Lea had a bad feeling about it, but she did not want to alarm anyone.
She tried to sleep the whole night, but she kept on twisting and turning all the time. She was not able to concentrate on anything she wanted.
In the end, she woke up early and decided to look around. The sun was not up in the sky, but it was starting to emerge from the horizon.
"Lea, what are you doing up so early? This is unusual for you. Are you sick? Or! Did you not go to sleep yet? Go to sleep because I will not hear you complaining of being tired while we are on the road."
Sara had a habit of waking up early. But she rarely saw Lea awake at this hour.
The sombre conversation from the previous night echoes in her mind, and she wants to ask Lea if she is okay. But it felt awkward to break these severe topics with Lea.
Sara might be in love with Lea, and she might have spent a long time with Lea as well. But that meant nothing compared to Lea's lifespan and what Sara had learned about her.
"Oh! My adorable Sara came here to check up on me. Ah, you are just here in time. What do you think about this cliff? Isn't this the best place for suicide? One jump should be enough to break all your bones and kill you on impact. Shall I try it out?"
Lea asked, and Sara felt her worry fade away.
She knew that she should be more concerned about Lea, but she could not help it. Lea was acting like her usual self, making Sara sigh in relief.
"Lea, you will likely survive a fall this huge and then you would complain about pain. So, are you sure you want to try? It will be incredibly difficult for you to walk back home with broken bones. And there is no hospital or supplies to treat such a huge wound."
Sara reminded Lea of her shortcomings. Lea seemed to be seriously contemplating her options before she sighed.
"You are right. I want to die, but I do not want the pain that comes with it. I guess I have no choice but to halt this plan. I know what I can do. I can-"
Lea stopped talking in the middle. She looked at the horizon but saw nothing. Instead, her senses felt a prick of familiar energy.
The rift tainted it, but there was no way Lea would ever mistake that energy.
"Lea, is everything alright? You stopped talking suddenly and went pale. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Sara asked with a concerned voice. She had never seen Lea look this serious before. All the humour and joy had been sucked out of Lea's face.
"Head back and tell Patricia that this is an emergency. We are about to be attacked by the rift, so be ready. Those who cannot fight should be evacuated now. Hurry up and go."
Lea's voice sounded urgent. It left no room for Sara to question her decisions. She wanted to ask Lea what happened, but she had to follow orders.
And Lea continued to look at the horizon. Sara had no idea what Lea was looking at, but it should be something dangerous. Lea was making an unfamiliar expression, and it scared Sara a little bit.