Cassandra Pendragon

“But… you said you know what went wrong. Can’t she…”

“If I was still bound to her, she would be able to bolster my power with her own, but I’m not, not anymore. As it stands… whatever was done to Cassandra is changing her. She is subconsciously fighting against anyone, who comes too close. Her own power protects the curse. Circumventing it… even Sarai’s uncounted millennia wouldn’t help her. She’d have to experience the magic to find a loophole. No need to look so glum. Like I said, I think I already have.”

“And if you’re wrong,” Viyara asked quietly. The vampire shrugged nonchalantly.

“I’ll most likely be dead and you can turn to that cursed creature over there. If that fails as well…” she looked at me with an expression I couldn’t read. Pity and anger were there, but also something else, something I couldn’t place. “I’m not going to tell you what to do, but I’m sure you don’t want to find out, where this is going to end.” Ahri’s tails tightened around my waist and she whispered in my ear:

“Don’t even think about it. We’ll find a way, we always do.” I answered through our tattoos:

“I’m not… there’s something you don’t know. Before his puppet died, Amon asked me to hold on for a few days. I imagine, that’s what he meant. Whatever this is, I’m pretty sure that killing myself won’t be a solution. But I also fear, that I’m going to have a whole lot of reasons to try, before the end. If I’m going to become a danger to you, or them… I just don’t know. I can’t turn into a half cognisant monster. Just now… I barely managed to hold back and I’m still more or less myself. Give it a day or two… I can feel it growing, even now. What if I can’t differentiate, anymore? What if I can’t tell what I want? What if I’m going to lash out, indiscriminately?” She only pondered for a moment, a maelstrom of emotions and images collapsed as quickly as it had formed. She had given the question some thought, beforehand.

“Either we tie you up and wait until it gets better, or… we’ll fly. If he so desperately wants you, that’s what we’re going to give him. A curse dies with its creator, doesn’t it? It’s going to be him, or us, one way or the other. What we won’t do, what I won’t do, is leave you alone, ever again, I can’t, and neither will I allow you to push me away. Whatever happens.” I should have argue, I should have told her, that it was pointless for us both to go, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. I remembered the vows of married couples, back on earth. In good times and in bad, until death do us part. I had never put much stock in ritualised promises, but then again, I had never understood the meaning. That was, until now.

“Thank you.” I sniffed and buried my face in her hair, her scent a calming balm, that allowed me to think more clearly. “I don’t know exactly what I’ve done in my last life, but it can’t all have been bad. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. I love you.” Her lips brushed against my cheek.

“We are married, silly, or rather, we were and we will be, again.” Apparently, she had picked up quite a bit more than I had intended for her to see. “And that’s enough moping, now. We’re nowhere near the end and I’m not going to entertain your self sacrificing impulses when there’s still hope. And there is. If all else fails… two more transformations, and your soul will become as unyielding as the rest of you. You’ve changed thrice, in a few weeks. You’ve even carried me through my last evolution. Who says I can’t do the same for you? Chin up, it’s far too early to give in. Also, let’s put an end to whatever shortsighted ideas you might come up with, shall we? I promise, I’ll stay by your side, in good times and in bad, until my very last breath.” I squirmed, as I felt the crimson sparks settle in around her core, but before I could do more than stare in amazement, gratefulness and quite a bit of anger, she asked loudly: “what loophole?”

“You… you damned…,” I stuttered, but she pushed her fingers against my lips and silenced me.

“What just hap…,” Aurelia began, but the golden dragoness, who had been privy to most of my thoughts, stomped on her foot. “Never mind. I think the curse is anchored to your soul, Cassandra, spreading in and outward. It’s using your power to poison you and protect itself. The way I see it, even another immortal would be unable to break it, all of them but you. Unfortunately, you can’t fight it, since it’s already a part of your essence, a part you can’t even control, yet.”

“That’s all well and good,” my mom interrupted. Even her telepathic voice sounded hoarse and strained. “I just don’t see… all but her. You mean, if someone else was to control her energy…” the vampire nodded.

“I’m just not sure how we can accomplish such a bond. Taking control of a soul, and that’s what we need… I don’t think anyone but an immortal even has the strength to do it. But there is only one with us and she is far too young to shackle an angel, especially you, Cassandra.”

“Unless I’m summoned and willingly accept your commands… like Amazeroth.” I whispered.

Ahri’s breath tickled my ear, when she breathed: “you know what that’d mean, don’t you?”

“I’m already bound to you. What are you going to make me do? Love you unconditionally? Protect you? Grant your wishes? Even if there was something… you’d never hurt me. You can’t. Why are you even asking?”

“Good point. Next time, I’ll just get a collar for you.” She was smiling honestly for the first time, her eyes sparkling with hope. “And maybe a leash. A nice one, one that matches your fur.”

“I’m always open to trying out new ideas, but I’d never have thought, you’d be into this kind of thing. Maybe I should get a mask and cuffs, as well?” She pinched my side, but her furtive smile made it clear, that she wasn’t entirely opposed to the notion. Or she was simply glad, there was something we could actually do, a sentiment I could comprehend in its entirety.

“There might be a way… remember the book, I’ve brought back, when the elves summoned me? There’s a ritual in there. It needs my blood or something similar to work, but in theory, it should allow Ahri to summon me…”

“Which would put her in a position, where she can easily order you to fight against the curse,” Aurelia finished pensively. “There’s only one problem. You don’t know how, do you? I’m no expert, when it comes to summoning spells, but they won’t allow you to do things you’re incapable of, will they?” I shrugged.

“No idea, but probably not. And I can’t learn, either, can I? Access to my soul is still a far cry beyond me. Maybe if we had more time… which reminds me, how long was I out?”

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

“A couple of hours. It’s almost dusk,” Viyara replied offhandedly, before she quickly added: “but you don’t have to learn, do you? Whoever summons you can access your power. They would have to know, what they want to do with it. Couldn’t you,” she turned to Aurelia, who shook her head slowly.

“We could try, but in essence, I’d have to channel her energies. There’s no way I’d survive. I’m pretty sure there’s no one but Ahri, who would. Which begs the question how we can… crap.” Her eyes shot to the faintly glowing gem. “Are you sure, the creature in there knows, what has been done to you? If so, there might be a way.” A brief silence followed, all of us recalling our encounter with the spider.

“Not completely, but it’s likely,” I finally said, when no one spoke up. “Why?”

“She’s a spirit, a consciousness and a soul, tied to an object. If I was to help, I’d have to somehow get access to Ahri’s mind, manipulate Cassandra’s power through her. The only thing I can think of, is trying to turn her and I’m convinced, that wouldn’t work. A spectral presence, though… if you were to channel the forces through the gem, it would most likely disintegrate, but if you took her in, if only for a moment, she would be protected by your own essence and she could use the energies at your disposal to fight the curse.”

“And why can’t you,” my brother inquired.

“I’m a vampire, bound to my flesh. Even with the changes I’ve experienced, I still can’t leave my shell. No… I fear the beast, you’ve caught, is the best bet, after all. It’s not even that risky. As long as she’s an unbound spirit, Ahri can expel her easily, which would mean her certain demise. She’ll only be able to use, whatever you grant her access to and as soon as she strays, you can cut her off. It’s just… why would she even help and what will she ask in return? If she’s as experienced as you made her out to be, she’ll know, that we need her. Are you prepared to pay her price?”

“They,” I replied, indicating everyone with a gesture, “aren’t, but I don’t have much to lose, do I?”

My mum growled, her fangs appearing behind her lips. “Haven’t you learned that lesson, yet,” she hissed. “Stop trying to do everything by yourself. Whatever she demands, we will find a way. And you’re also not going to talk to her. As you are now, there’s no telling what might happen.”

“Then who,” I wanted to know, ignoring the rest of what she had said, since I wasn’t willing to spill even more tears. It truly was remarkable how actual concern could turn me into a waterfall much more quickly than danger, pain or suffering. I still failed miserably.

“I will,” Ahri immediately said, caressingly stroking my back. “You’re mine, this is my responsibility.” I saw the urge to contradict her flash across the faces of my family, but she was right. “Besides, there are still a few unresolved issues between the spider and me. We’re going to have a lovely chat and I’m sure she’ll come to understand, that helping us is in her very best interest. I can be quite persuasive, if need be.” She gently pushed me back onto the cushions and picked up the gem. “While I’m gone, you could have a look at the ritual and make sure we have everything we need.” I didn’t feel comfortable in the least, having someone else fight my battles, but as my mom had said, it was a lesson I had to learn. They wanted to protect me, just as much as I wanted to keep them safe and I’d be doing nobody a favour, if I was going to stubbornly insist on cleaning up my mess, all by myself.

“Thank you,” I said again, to no one in particular.

“Just get better,” my brother responded, stepping up to the side of my bed. “You’ve no idea how strange it is, to see you hurt.” He ran his hand through my hair and added: “I want to brag about my invincible, immortal sister for years to come. Now, show us that book of yours. Might as well try and make ourselves useful. I might not be an ageless being at the pinnacle of evolution, but figuring out a few spells should be well within my possibilities.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” I sniffled. “Here, take it with you, I can’t read the text anyways, all I see are the runes, Amazeroth left behind.” I conjured the heavy tome and handed it over. “Would you mind giving us a minute? I’d like to…”

“No need to explain,” Viyara interjected, and motioned for the others to follow her. “We’ll be outside, just call us when you’re ready.” Reia squeezed my tail one last time, before she followed, her face buried in her hands. If I managed to get out of this bind, I’d make time to take her somewhere nice. A theatre, maybe, or we could fly over the island together. Knowing her, she’d prefer for me to either teach her some magic or how to fight, though. A pity I wasn’t well versed in either. Could have, should have, would have…

When the door closed behind them, I exhaled heavily and closed my eyes. “Would you just hold me for a minute,” I asked timidly, the nonchalant masked, I had tried to wear, gradually melting away. I was tired. Tired and afraid.

Ahri didn’t reply but a second later, I felt warm arms circle around my neck, while soft, fluffy tails wrapped around my middle. “For as long as you like,” she whispered, her head resting on top of mine. “It’ll be okay. We’ve been through worse, haven’t we?”

“I… I just don’t know. This… this feels different. Ever since… have I ever told you, how I first discovered my powers? Why I was challenged, back then?”

“I’ve heard the story a few times,” she chuckled. “You were quite famous, you know? A beautiful princess without magic, born with two tails, killing royals? Even if I hadn’t already been close to you… I imagine there was no one on Boseiju who didn’t know. Why?”

“Ever since, I’ve always felt… confident. It has been much closer than I would have liked, quite a few times, but I’ve always been… whole. This time, I’m not and… it scares me. It scares me, that you have to deal with Shassa and I can’t even… god, I’m a mess. I’m sorry. I should be thanking and encouraging you, not…” she silenced me with a kiss.

“Don’t. If you want to repay me, please, just stop being so goddamned stubborn. I know how hard it is for you to let go, but honestly, if you’re going to thank me one more time for something as natural as protecting the girl I love, I swear, I am going to buy you a muzzle and make you wear it. You didn’t hesitate to break the ancient laws for me, you didn’t think about the chances, when you tried to break the curse on Boseiju, you fought a dragon for a child, you didn’t even know… is it so difficult to accept that we’d do the same for you? All of us? Give us a chance and you might be surprised how little we are going to mess up, along the way.” A choked laughed escaped me.

“In contrast to me, you mean to say. Ahri, tell me honestly, do you think I have a chance?” She pushed me to arms length and stared into my eyes, allowing me to see the conviction in hers.

“We do have a chance, a pretty good one. We haven’t survived, only to be stopped by a spell. I won’t allow it and if the spider decides to make it more difficult, she’ll soon come to see the error of her ways. Cassy… do me a favour and imagine how you’d feel, what you’d do, if I was in your place and you in mine. Do you honestly think, there’d be anything or anyone in creation who could stop you?”

“Only if they managed to kill me,” I replied glumly. “That’s pretty much what I’m worried about.”

“I know,” she sighed, “but that’s what I’m trying to tell you. I’m not going to die, I’m not going to allow the spider, or the curse, to get the better of me. I won’t, I can’t, the same as you. With just a pinch of luck, you can take me on that date you promised, before midnight. And once we’ve eaten,” an evil smile spread across her beautiful features, displaying her canines, “we can visit the church and ask how they’d like to make amends for siding with the enemy. I’ve heard keelhauling is the preferred punishment for traitors and I’m sure the Captains would appreciated a nicely wrapped gift.” I nodded, even though I wasn’t convinced, it’d turn out to be that easy. If I had learned anything from Boseiju’s fall, it was the importance of contingencies and I just couldn’t imagine, Amon had put all his eggs into one basket, this time around.

She eyed the gem and added: “I’ll talk to her, now. You can come with, if you want.” I cocked my head in surprise and she quickly explained: “our tattoos. You can listen and I’d appreciate it immensely, if you pulled me out, should anything go wrong. I don’t want the others with us.”

“Why?” I was genuinely surprised and a little worried, but she answered with a grin:

“I’m not quite sure what’s going to happen and every time you ran head first into a similar situation, you came back without your pants. I don’t think I could ignore the stares, as easily as you have. I’m not without shame, you know?”