Unable to see anything in the blackness of the dense miasma, Xellie stood up carefully, unable to use her right arm.

He got me good... Is he gone?

Blinking furiously and rubbing her eyes to regain her vision, she found herself in a world without colour. The black fog blanketed the ground, the mist blocked most light. The surrounding houses and park all barely visible in faded tones of grey.

The air was still and silent, only able to hear her breath and heartbeat, Xellie gulped and spun around, looking for anything, anyone.

Had Ashmeviti destroyed everyone? Or whisked her off to another world?

With each rapid, shallow breath, the world seemed even more dead. She just knew that she was alone in this place.

How could this happen? Why did this happen?

She sunk to her knees, grasping at her face with her working hand. The miasma reaching just below her chest seemed irrelevant.

She took her hand away from her face, blood stained her fingers and palms.

Widening her eyes, unable to draw another breath, she came to a new conclusion.

Maybe I did it.

The crunch of footsteps through the dead and burned grass prompted her to look up.

Ashmeviti looked down, holding out a hand to help her to her feet.

“You didn’t do it, this time. And I didn’t expect you to sacrifice that dagger to close the portal,” he said sympathetically, crouching down to meet her on eye level as she rejected his offer of help standing up.

“Why are you still here?” Xellie asked with a sniff.

“I’m not. You can call upon me any time you wish. You won’t believe me and for sure your nature will deny any chance of this being genuine. We have a common enemy, so when the time comes - either come to Lafayein, or approach a portal so we can communicate. Without that dagger in your possession, there is no merciful escape from your future.”

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Xellie stared back at Ashmeviti dumbfounded. He had just offered her help? This had to be some kind of illusion or trick.

“Farewell.” He told her, as the darkness around them blackened, and enveloped them both, until the only thing left to see was black.

“Wake up!” Tane’s shrill voice cut through the silence like an alarm. “WAKE UP WAKE UP!”

Xellie’s eyes fluttered open slowly, staring up at the blue sky, the clouds tinged with the pink and orange hues of sunset.

“Colour...” she mouthed, exhaling in relief, watching as the clouds slowly drifted and changed shape.

“Are you okay?” Mattos asked, crouched down next to her. “Say something?”

It didn’t seem important to answer. The idea of being okay seemed so strange considering everything that had happened. Ashmeviti mentioning the dagger she had been gifted by Myla tore through her. She had thought, hoped, that she could use it if she wanted to escape the process of becoming a valkyrie like her mother.

“It looks like she’s in shock...” Grau mused, fussing over her wounded shoulder and ribs. “This probably doesn’t help.”

I’m going to turn into a monster. A heartless monster who loves to fight and see people die. The kind of monster that would kill its own child. A monster excited by blood and battle... I can’t do anything to prevent it...

“She’s so weak, damn.” Tane said, folding his arms and looking down at her. “Won’t even stand up and slap me for saying that I bet.”

The sound of running footsteps crunching through the burnt grass, made Xellie finally decide to sit up.

Raye ran barefoot toward them, wearing only her tattered black dress. She stopped abruptly as the group looked toward her.

Recomposing herself, Raye walked over slowly, sitting next to Xellie, holding her against her body.

“You did it.” Raye murmured, leaning her head to one side. “I’m so proud of you.”

“I told you I could.” Xellie replied quietly.

“Well, you’re injured, should we get you back to the island to recover?” Grau asked awkwardly.

“Please.” Xellie stood up unsteadily. “And thank you.”

“All in a day’s work.” Grau said with a shrug, noticing Raye get up too. “... Are you really bringing her back to Luina with us?”

“I don’t have the energy to return home.” Raye said stiffly. “Don’t worry, I’ll try not to interact with you, unless it’s urgent.”

Grau sighed angrily, walking off toward the boat.

As Tane rolled his eyes, Xellie laughed under her breath and followed Grau, leaving Mattos slightly bewildered by the interactions.

“Oh yeah!” Xellie turned around and ran back to Mattos, to walk alongside him. “That’s my mother.”