Emiran abandoned her car about a mile outside the village after hiding it as best as she could in the middle of nowhere. Grabbing anything she could from it that would fit in the backpack she found in her trunk, that she thought might prove useful. She took a minute to write down the numbers she felt were most important from her phone then threw it on the ground, smashing it to pieces. For good measure she picked up the sim card and ground it under her heel, trying her best to crush it. She was glad she’d had the foresight to wear tennis shoes when she left. After throwing the sim card in the bushes as far as she could away from the car, she took off in the direction of the village. The harder time they had tracing her last known whereabouts the better.
She knew they’d put the pieces together quickly enough once she’d been tracked and they found Hera dead, but she couldn’t worry about that now. Her main concern now was getting to town and finding another way to get around. She had a long way to go and if she had to travel by foot the whole way she risked being found before she’d completed picking up all the pieces. Her hopes weren’t high on what she would find in the small village, but she had no choice but to try. She made her way to the village slowly, dreading every step of the way. Even though the backpack didn’t contain that much, it weighed heavily on her. Her mind wandered as she walked, staying away from the road as much as possible.
Since she no longer had a phone to keep track of the time she had no idea how much time had passed when she stopped for a break. She knew she’d have to get a watch of some kind when she could, until then though she’d just have to do her best to track the time by the sky. It had been a very long time since her grandma had taught her the way to do it. As she sat there, hidden in a little grove of trees she tried her best to recall what her grandmother had taught her. She wished now that she’d paid closer attention to the lessons her family had tried to teach her. Lifting her head she stared up at the sky, trying to locate the North Star. This would both help her get better acquainted with following her internal clock and help her find the direction she needed to go.
It took her awhile, but she did finally manage to find it. According to the star, she was heading in a roughly northeastern direction. She made a mental note of it and got up to continue walking. She couldn’t imagine walking a mile would take her more than three hours, if she included breaks. So she had to figure about an hour had passed since she’d left her car. She periodically called out to Traevin telepathically as she walked, wondering if he’d show his face. She wondered how much he really listened in on her mind, since as far as she knew she had no way of dropping off his radar. If he was listening to her though, he wasn’t answering. Emiran huffed in frustration. She’d always been fairly grounded in reality and this whole thing was taking her so far out of her comfort zone.
She pushed on and started singing a song quietly to herself trying to calm her whirling mind. She’d obviously heard it before because the words were in her mind clear as a bell but she couldn’t for the life of her remember where she’d heard it from.
“The sands of time fall endlessly for you, a great wind blows pushing it through, spreading across the expanse of sky, the stars they sparkle to catch your eye. Visions of the future show you the truth, eminently wise but seeming aloof, the sunbeams dance to your very tune, our love blooms deeper with every moon.
When you feel that you’re hopelessly alone, remember my wisdom etched in your bones, always together but forever apart, until we meet again at the start. To start the cycle over again, bending time to my every whim, moving the desolate Earth and stone, creating a world that’s all our own.
One side death and one side life, Boundless beauty and endless strife, at the end I’ll destroy you too, until the world is born anew. Then our dance will begin again, chasing each other until the end, fleeting moments together at last, sometimes in future and sometimes in past.”
It was a haunting tune and the words stuck in her brain. It was so familiar and she sung it over and over at least five times trying to recall where she’d heard it before. Assuming he was listening to her, she wondered if Traevin was planting the song in her mind. He would have to be doing it intentionally though since she couldn’t yet reach into his mind. She continued to hum it as she went along, periodically looking up at the sky to check the movement of the stars. At last the first of the buildings on the outskirts of the village came in sight and she heaved a sigh, partially of relief, and partially of dread. She hadn’t really planned a specific time with Hera, they had just agreed on morning. So she prayed that she wouldn’t arrive before she’d visited the apothecary.
She spent the better part of an hour wandering around the village with her hoodie up, trying to remain as stealthy as possible. There were very few cars in the village; she could only find two and both were locked. She cursed her luck and continued searching. Eventually she found a stable with several horses tucked inside it. Just my luck, she thought. She hadn’t been on a horse since she was 8 years old and she’d never ridden one alone. But if she couldn’t find a car then she’d just have to make do. It was a way to get around quicker than walking, and hopefully at some point along her journey she’d be able to find a car. The white horse nickered at her and she shushed it quickly. She picked the closest saddle off the wall and set about getting it on the white horse.
It took her longer than she’d ever admit to someone, but finally she had the saddle in place and she peeked out the doors to see if anyone was around. After a five minute survey with no movement noticeable, she led the horse out of the stable and towards the abandoned buildings where she planned to meet with Hera. Once she’d done what she had to she would have to get out of there as quickly as possible. Emiran led the horse inside one of the buildings and set out the bit of hay she’d taken from the stables, hoping that would be enough to keep it quiet for the night. Then she went further inside the building to hide out in the corner by a shattered window that had a big splash of the full moon light coming through it. Taking off her backpack, she pulled out the Bloodlines book, and a few pieces of paper. Fishing a pen out of her pocket she set to work.
She knew her grandmothers name, and she knew she had lived once as Meredith. That was two names to help her try and follow the clues. When she found the page with her family tree, underneath her grandma’s name she added her mother, then Elanore and her own name. She wanted it to be current if for whatever reason she failed and she had to do this again. Starting from her grandmother’s name she followed it all the way up to the top which consisted of one name. Henrietta McPherson 1987-2018. She wrote the name on a piece of paper wondering why she’d only lived to the young age of 31. It was long enough for her to have three children, who in turn had six children spread between them. But it was still a pretty young age to die. Unfortunately the book didn’t give details of how they died just names and dates.
She flipped back and forth between about twenty pages before she found the tree that ended with the same name. It was nowhere near the original page. She was definitely going to need time to study this. Once she had located the correct tree she followed it up to the beginning. The name at the top of this one read Fiona Dresden 1930-1961. She wrote it underneath the first name, keenly aware that she had also died at 31. If the next name also had the same age on it then there was definitely a pattern to it that she didn’t yet understand. She folded the corner of the page so she would know she’d already used it, and then did the same with the first page. She hoped this would make it easier in the long run to find the correct page she needed. Another 16 pages passed back and forth before she found the third tree.
At the rate she was going she wouldn’t even be halfway through writing the names down by the time morning dawned. Her stomach started to ache with hunger and she now wished she’d eaten all of her breakfast before she’d left the quaint little bed and breakfast. There was nothing to do for it now though and she was intent on her task. She traced the third tree back and wrote the first name down under the others. It was now officially a pattern. This woman had also died at 31. Which she supposed wasn’t that unusual given the time period she lived in. In fact it might have been older than a lot of the population at the time. Still she couldn’t ignore the fact that all three women so far had died at the same age. Now she was intensely curious as to how they’d died. If she ever got the chance to use a computer again, she would definitely have to research their names.
A crackling noise rang in her ears and she closed the book quickly and scooted all the way into the corner so she was completely obscured in shadow. She listened intently waiting to see if there was another crackle. With her breath held tight she reached out with her mind to see if she could sense anyone’s thoughts. Another crackle interrupted her concentration and her head shot up. The noise was coming from above her somewhere. Since she could sense no mind that severely limited who or what it could be. She stood up and crept around the perimeter of the room she was in, staying tight to the wall and the shadows. When she found a staircase leading up she unwrapped the dagger from its cloth and gripped it tight. Creeping up the stairs as silently as possible she continued trying to sense any other mind.
She opened the door at the top of the stairs slowly praying it wouldn’t squeak and give her away. One inch at a time she opened it enough to peer through the crack she’d made. It was just as dark on this floor as it had been on the bottom. So it limited how much of the room she could survey. She had a flashlight in her backpack but she didn’t want to use it unless she absolutely had to, lest she draw attention from someone in town up late. She just stood there peering through the crack for several minutes, looking for any hint of movement. Before she could react Traevin’s head peered around the door above hers nearly making her jump out of her skin. “fffff-” she stopped herself and said “What are you doing here?! You scared the life out of me.” He laughed at that and pulled open the door so he could come through it.
“Well that wasn’t the intent, though scaring it out of you could be more interesting than just touching you.” he said, “I came to make sure you do what needs to be done, and to help you do it if necessary.” She glared at him and replied “I will do what I have to. I really have no choice anymore. Are you responsible for COLO searching even all the way out here for me?” “Yes and no.” he answered “I didn’t specifically prod them into putting your wanted information in the newspaper. But it is because of me that they want you so badly.” Emiran wrapped the dagger back in its cloth and slid it in her back pocket. “What do you mean by that?” she said “Why do they have such a keen interest in you?”
She turned and headed back down the stairs knowing he would follow her and give an answer if and when he was ready. He remained quiet as they descended the stairs and Emiran became increasingly impatient as they reached the bottom. In one swift move he overtook her and forced her against the wall because she was closest to it. He put his arm up on the side opposite the stairs so she had no easy way to get out. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her, or at least she had a good idea of it, even if the move filled her with a tinge of fear. She sucked in a quick breath to steady her nerves and waited. Clearly he wanted her where she was or he would move. He stood there with his head down for a minute then leaned in and placed his forehead on hers with his other hand on her cheek.
He still said nothing for a long time, an uncomfortably long time in Emiran’s opinion. Finally he sighed quietly and said “I can’t explain it completely, you won’t understand yet. But suffice it to say COLO has taken someone I care for deeply prisoner. They gained information from her they never should have had. Both our names and descriptions included.” Emiran had an inkling she knew who he meant. “You’re talking about Lenora aren’t you?” she asked “Who is she to you?” His head came up now and he looked in her eyes. She could feel the pain like a sucker punch. His eyes were filled with it even though his face remained stony and still. He grabbed her face now and pressed his lips tightly against hers.
She felt sympathy for him though she couldn’t explain why with how upset she was with him. His touch was comforting though and she wanted to make him feel better. His pain was hitting her in waves even though she hadn’t yet taken Hera’s gift from her. Or was it her own pain? She couldn’t really tell and she wanted it to stop. She put her hands on his jaw and pressed her lips back just as tightly. He seemed to soften in her hands like a clay figurine ready for molding. Time stood still and she had no idea how long they actually stood there like that before he finally pulled away. “I see even without your Empathic gift you can’t stand to see me in pain. You never could. Thank you.” he said “She’s my daughter, the last of our children. She’s the last remnant of you I have. Unless you become who you should be again.”
Emiran blinked in surprise “I’m sorry, but did you just say our?” she asked. Traevin nodded and moved away from her, but Emiran stayed where she was. “Yes I said ours. I told you that you wouldn’t understand it yet. She is the only one of our children still alive, and she is alive still, I can feel her. I can’t lose you both.” She opened her mouth to say something but Traevin held up is hand. “The answer to your question is no, I’m not after COLO just because they have her prisoner. Even if she were already dead I would still be sending you in there.” He said “I love her and cherish her but my duty is to you and the world first, and her second.” He stopped now and went quiet again. Emiran was quiet for a time too, stunned and unsure what to say.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
He placed his hands behind his back and stepped into the room where she’d been hiding. He remained quiet but his pain was hitting her again just as strongly as before. If this is what it felt like without her empathic gift, she was terrified to think what it would feel like once she’d taken it back. “This isn’t the first time you’ve been in pain. I’ve seen it in your eyes before. Why can I feel it so strongly now even without my empathic gift?” she asked at last. “Because of our connection, it started getting stronger that first night in your apartment when I cut you with my blade. The blade transferred some of my power to you. The more time that passes and the stronger and more whole you become, the stronger the connection will be.” He replied.
“Will I be able to save Lenora?” she asked “Or have you given up hope of ever seeing her again? I assume the more complete my soul becomes the more I’ll remember. I’ve never considered children before, but if I truly do have a child, from any lifetime, I’d like the chance to meet them.” He turned to her now and shook his head. “I really can’t answer that. That’s an answer I don’t have. I honestly don’t know. Your mother probably knew, but if she did she never told me.” He said “She never even told me that Lenora would be taken prisoner. If she had I would have made sure she never went anywhere near them.” Emiran tilted her head at him now and recalled what she’d read in Elanore’s diary.
“Perhaps that’s the point.” She said “Perhaps had you attempted to save our daughter you would have risked the safety of the world. My mother obviously thought it was a cause worth dying for. It’s possible our daughter does too.” She stopped for a minute trying to catch her breath, an overwhelming pain in her head threatened to bring her to her knees. After a few minutes of silence had passed she felt better enough to speak again. “On that note I have a few questions for you. Well more than a few. But in this particular case, I mean directly tied to this subject.” She said “You clearly have multiple powers, some I have no way of knowing about or understanding right now at least. So how did you acquire all of these abilities, and why can’t you acquire mine?” It was a question that had been nagging at her for some time, and now seemed the perfect opportunity to ask.
“Some were given to me in exchange for different things. Some were given to me by persuasion. And some of them I stole. Yes by killing the person they belonged to, before you ask.” He replied “As for why I can’t acquire your power, that’s because only someone who brings life can be an Oracle. Even if I tried to steal it, it would be pointless. I don’t bring life, I only take it.” “Alright, Do you mean only a woman can be an Oracle?” she asked, “If you can’t see the future then how did you bring my mother the vision she had when she was a child?” Traevin gave her a faint smile and replied “Yes. Only a woman can be an Oracle. As for the vision, I didn’t so much bring it to your mother, as I did give it to her. Your mother was a powerful Oracle, even at that age. Touching the ring on my hand was enough to let her see what she needed to see.”
Emiran looked at the ring, still in its place on her left hand. She’d almost forgotten that she’d never taken it off. “You said this ring was mine. The very first time we talked. If it belongs to me then why did you have it?” she asked. He grabbed her hand and held it tightly, he appeared to be examining the ring but she doubted that’s what he was actually doing. “You gave it to me, when you were whole still, and told me to keep it until I found you again. You didn’t tell me exactly how to find you, just that I should continue watching the family of Oracles.” He said “You told me that when one of the women in the Oracle family touched the ring and saw the vision that induced you to split yourself apart in the first place that it would be almost time to give it back.”
That would explain why he’d been haunting her family for so long, she thought. He continued, still holding her hand tightly “I thought for a long time that Elanore was your reincarnation. You and she were so connected because of your bond as sisters missing their father that I couldn’t distinguish which of the two of you it was. It wasn’t until your bond had completely dissolved after your mother died that I realized my mistake.” Now he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it, looking at her intently as he said “Forgive me my love. I would not dare to assume your forgiveness.” Emiran felt her cheeks flush and she couldn’t help but smile. “I see no reason I shouldn’t.” she said “You are forgiven.” She pulled her hand out of his and walked towards the door leading to the outside. She could see that the sky was beginning to show the first signs of dawn coming on.
She stood in the doorway and stared up at the rapidly fading stars. Her mind was in a flurry and her heart hurt for more than one reason. Traevin came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “I’m not ready for this.” She said quietly “That poor girl doesn’t deserve to die. I rationalized killing myself, or the version of me you brought at least, but I don’t know that I can rationalize this.” Traevin turned her to face him and embraced her shoulders again, laying his head atop hers. “I know you’ll struggle with this. You are used to saving people, helping them. Not taking their lives.” He said “But you must do this. I cannot do it for you. I can force you to do it, but it must be your hand that strikes the death blow. It’s the only way that you’ll get that piece of your soul, and your power back.”
Emiran sighed heavily and leaned into him. His arms around her were comforting and familiar. “In answer to the questions you want to ask but haven’t yet” he said, “Yes, someday you will be able to kill with a touch as well. That’s the last piece of the puzzle, the first to be gained, and the last to be mastered. And no I don’t kill with every touch, only a touch I want to be deadly, as will you.” His presence no longer frightened her; in fact she craved it the more time she spent with him. She wished that time would just stand still and they could stay in this embrace forever. They stood quietly for a long time and Traevin pulled her tighter. “I’ve missed you so. One day I will complete you again, the way you complete me.” He said finally.
As the first rays of the sun began to crest the horizon, he released his embrace and reached into his pocket. Pulling out a necklace, he pulled the chain apart and clasped it around her neck. She looked down at it to see what it was. The pendant on the end of the chain looked like a four leaf clover that was divided into its four sections by a golden ankh, the bottom of which made up the stem of the clover. Each of the four leaves was a different shade of green ranging from jade and emerald, to green agate and amazonite. The middle of the clover, inside the ankh, was made up of black moonstone. She was stunned by its beauty and multitude of precious stones. “What is this for?” she asked, somewhat speechless with awe as she examined it. Traevin lifted her chin and kissed her softly and quickly.
“Consider it my gift to you, to remind you that I’m always with you and that together we can overcome anything.” He said, “Long long ago, I gave it to you as a wedding gift. You can think of it as an early engagement gift if you like. Until you remember when I originally presented it to you.” he smiled quickly in a boyish way before his face returned to its typical stony look. He walked over to the horse she’d hidden in the other corner of the room and stroked its mane. “Such a lovely creature, she will serve you well.” He said, “It’s nearly time now. I’ll be right here if you need me.” He pointed to the stairwell they had come from. “Go to the apothecary, he should be open fairly early. He lives in his shop after all. Do what you need to and prepare yourself for the task ahead.”
With that he disappeared into the stairwell, and Emiran turned and walked out the door. She kept her hood up and her head down, so that she wasn’t immediately identifiable. She took a few deep halting breaths as she approached the apothecaries shop and knocked on the door. The man’s thoughts were hitting her before he’d even answered the door. Nothing alarmed her, and she did her best to block it out. The apothecary answered just as Emiran was about to knock for a fifth time. When he opened the door she kept her head down as much as she could and tucked her bangs behind her ear. “I’m sorry to disturb you so early.” She said, “But I am in desperate need of some items and I was hoping you’d be willing to sell them to me if you have them. I’ll give you a little extra for the inconvenience.”
He gave her a sleepy and bleary eyed sideways look and said “I don’t require anything extra. I just don’t usually have customers so early in the morning. What is it that you need?” Emiran gave him a list of the things she needed and he bumbled around the small shop grabbing the things she’d listed. “You don’t happen to have any watches do you?” she asked “Or any kind of device I could use to keep track of the time really.” He gave her a funny look now and replied “Now that’s definitely not a typical item I get asked for. I can’t say that I do. Not a modern one at least. I do have an old pocket watch a traveler traded with me that I don’t use. I could sell you that at a slight discount from its original value.” Emiran smiled warmly, trying to seem disarming and said “That would be perfect. I’m much obliged, thank you.”
Grabbing the last of the items, he stumbled behind the counter, still clearly half asleep. She was somewhat grateful about that. It would make it harder for him to remember her later. He reached under the counter into a drawer and pulled out a simple silver pocket watch. He put everything into a small cloth bag and she handed him the amount she owed. Thanking him again as sweetly as possible, she left quickly and walked in what she hoped was a nonchalant manner back to her hideout. She slipped into the doorway like a cat slinking into a tiny space, and quickly ran across the room to the staircase. She bolted up the stairs and into the second floor, incase Hera showed up before she was ready. Traevin was seated in a half broken chair that had been abandoned with the building, with his eyes closed and his hands folded in a tent shape.
Emiran didn’t bother to say anything to him and immediately set about her business. Dumping everything out of the bag, she quickly put all the ingredients into the mortar and started grinding them together with the pestle. Once the paste was complete she put on the gloves she’d bought and began to run her fingers, covered in the paste, through her hair. She’d never really had cause or desire to dye her hair before now. She’d chosen black, because it was an easy colored paste to make, and would ideally cover up the bright red she had naturally. She put the paste in thick globs on her head and scrubbed it into her scalp trying to make sure every bit of hair was covered with it well. She loved her natural red hair though and would miss it terribly, so she left a streak about an inch thick in the front of her bangs.
Once all the paste was gone, she removed the gloves carefully and stood up. She picked up the pocket watch to check the time, assuming it was correct, it said it was 7:30am. She paced in circles around the room furiously until the clock read 8. Traevin stayed in the chair, unmoving, the whole time. She half wondered if he was asleep. When the clock read eight, she put the second pair of gloves on and poured the bottle of water she’d bought over her head slowly, doing her best to rinse out the excess paste and clean her hair. It wasn’t as good as a shower, or even a river or stream, but it would have to do. With no mirror to look into she had to hope she’d done it well enough.
Just as she finished drying her hair off with an extra shirt she’d brought from her car, she heard Hera calling out for her. Her stomach sank to the floor and all of the air rushed from her lungs. She pulled the dagger from her pocket and bolted to the door. Creeping down the stairs, she hid right inside the doorway and held her breath. Hera continued calling out for her, her voice getting closer then farther away as she wandered around the bottom floor looking for her. For a long time Emiran said nothing and the pit inside her stomach continued to grow. She knew she had to, but killing an innocent girl was impossible to rationalize in her mind, no matter how hard she tried.
Finally in a cracked and choked voice that was all she could mange she called back to her simply saying “I’m in here.” She could hear Hera’s footsteps on the hard floor as she walked to the stairwell from where she was. She counted every single one. As she grew ever closer Emiran squeezed her eyes shut tight and gripped the dagger so tight she thought her fingers might break. When she came within the threshold of the door Emiran swung her arm swiftly before she could lose her nerve and landed the dagger firmly in her side. Hera’s eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. She said nothing, whether from pain or shock she really didn’t know. Emiran held her up as she stumbled backwards, nearly toppling over with her.
“I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. This is the only way I can help you.” Emiran choked out “I didn’t know that when I told you I would take your gift.” She held her tightly and pulled the dagger out of her side. Closing her eyes she thrust it again, this time into her chest/abdomen area. Hera still said nothing and Emiran squeezed her tighter as the energy of her life started to flow through her arm. The visions started moments later, and she watched her life in reverse as quickly as the blink of an eye. But this time the visions continued past just Hera’s life. She saw each lifetime this piece of soul had inhabited from Hera all the way back to Meredith.
The flow of energy stopped and she dropped Hera without meaning to. Her head was splitting and she could barely stand. She stumbled back into the stairwell and fell on the ground to her knees in front of them. Her brain was on overload and she felt as if she were dying. She called out Traevin’s name and saw him rushing down the stairs just as she collapsed and lost consciousness. Lifetimes flashed through her dreams, in no particular order. She’d jump from one lifetime to another without any rhyme or reason. Even in her dreams she felt like she was on fire. Her brain was burning up and she lapsed between half consciousness and unconsciousness for a long time. No matter how she wanted to, she couldn’t control the endless tide of disordered lifetimes flooding through her brain.
At some point she felt freezing cold water touch her lips and run down her chin and neck. She coughed violently from inhaling some of the water and roused enough to realize she was no longer in the stairwell she’d been in before. Rolling on her side she coughed more and tried to sit up. But she had no strength and quickly fell back down. An arm caught her and she looked up hazily into Traevin’s smoky blue/grey eyes. She groaned softly and blinked a few times trying to make her head clear. “Where? How long?” was all she could mutter and closed her eyes again. Traevin pulled her into a halfway sitting position into his lap and said “Shhhh. You need to rest. You’re feverish and delirious just be still.”
Emiran rested her head against him and continued drifting in and out until she felt him shaking her awake. She lifted her head and stared in his eyes again. “Here drink this.” He said, lifting more water to her mouth. She took a few sips then groggily tried to sit up. He helped push her into a sitting position and offered her some kind of meat on a stick, what kind she could only guess. “Eat this, you need food. You’re never going to recover without it.” He said. She took the stick from him and picked at the meat. She still felt weak and her head felt like someone had thrown it in an oven for three days. She chewed slowly, struggling to stay awake. “What happened? Where are we?” she said, shaking her head as best she could trying to keep herself awake.
Traevin offered her more water and said “After you did what you had to, you collapsed. You were burning up but I had to get you out of there. So I put you on the horse and took off like a bat out of hell. I thought I’d lost you again.” She took a few more sips of water and continued picking at the food. She was starting to feel a little bit of energy but her fever was still making her feel pretty delirious. “Where are we?” she repeated. “We’re in a hidden grove where we’re very unlikely to be bothered, 3 sectors away.” He replied, “You’ve been unconscious for 4 days. I was getting ready to try and wake you from inside your mind.” “Why?” was her only reply. She was struggling to form coherent questions but she knew she needed to try and keep herself awake. Traevin shook his head, his eyes clearly showing his distress.
“This is exactly what I was afraid of. I pushed you too far too fast. And your soul is having a hard time mending itself. You’re brain is literally destroying itself trying to reconcile all the lives you just absorbed.” He said. “There’s a schism in your mind and until you put all the lives in the order they belong you’ll never be able to bridge the gap.” Emiran nodded as if she understood, though in reality she’d only heard about half of what he’d said. She handed the stick back to him and lay down against him. She closed her eyes but he shook her awake again. “Eat this first.” He said, putting a leafy plant and some type of berry in her mouth. She mumbled something incoherently and tried to close her eyes.
“Oh no you don’t.” he said, pushing the plant and berry between her lips “This will help you mend the schism, between who you are, and who you should be. I will not lose you again. I’ve lived without you long enough.” When Emiran made no effort to chew it, he grabbed her face and began to chew it for her, careful to keep her head upright until he was ready to make her swallow it. Once he was sure it was chewed enough that she wouldn’t choke on it, he laid her head back down and rubbed her throat until she swallowed it. It tasted awful but she certainly wasn’t in any position to refuse or spit it out. He lifted her head back up for a minute to drip some water in her mouth, and then cradled her against him. Rocking her slowly back and forth as he held her tightly, the last thing she heard was him singing an eerily familiar tune as she faded back into her unconsciousness.