Vanessa.

An angel stood in front of me. In the middle of nothingness, she shone with a gold hue. Her blonde hair burned bright yet never charred.

She looked like me but slightly distinct with almond eyes and sharper cheekbones.

“Wha…” I looked around at nothingness

“Do not be afraid. All will be explained in time. But I can explain some.” Sounded like me with a metallic hint.

“Where are we?!” I asked.

“Right now, you sleep. We are in the subconscious, within your mind's eye where your soul resides. Someone manipulated your mind. They had you forgetting your purpose. With the spell broken we- you are free to choose.”

“Choose?”

“You fate or the same.”

“As the saint?”

The glowing figure walked around me with her white cloth draping in wind I couldn't feel.

“I can give you what you desire. The power to change. To make a difference.”

Her guide motioned to a door I never saw before. “Open it and the power of the gods will become yours. Millions shall bow in your name-

The goddess-like being shook her head slowly with a knowing smile.

“No, you don't care for such things, forget… The people will need you. Your power.”

My mouth squeezed sideways. Tarion will need me.

“Make the choice. Enter or stay. Be what they need or be who they protect.”

I sucked my breath in. The choice was easy. I turned the round handle of the normal door and a waft of an old musty, nostalgic scent entered my nose. I looked around, eyes widening with memories I had almost forgotten flooding in.

Sun shone through a high, small window in the maid's quarters beneath ground level. In a room, I never wanted to enter again. The Hodge family residence, with splendour and beautiful decor above, below was a desolate place under the floors where my family feasted. Even the servants were granted nicer quarters while I had to accept a room barely big enough to fit a small bed. A terrible time with terrible people. But I was happy. It was when I saw Jen again after years apart. Both of us walked out to showers at the same time and our lifelong friendship was ignited once more. I fell on the bed smiling. The golden woman smiled longingly outside in the darkness.

“Thank you.” She said. “You made this so much easier.”

“Easier? What did-” The door slammed shut.

I jumped up. “Hey!” I twisted the handle. “Damn it. Hello! I am stuck!” I looked around the room that was no more but a cage of golden light.

“Angel!!” I said banging on the light prison.

“It's going to be okay.” A voice that sounded like mine echoed from everywhere and nowhere.

My knuckles hit hard on the golden cube and feel no pain. “Okay!? Let me out then I will be okay!”

“Things will be put on track. I will fix things. We will have our life back. Kyros will never have his way again.”

“ANGEL!” I hit the wall.

Darkness outside the transparent light prison opened like eyelids and I saw the roof of my bedroom. My hands wander into view. I feel them move but have no control.

My voice spoke. “I am back… I felt tears that weren’t mine run down my cheek. “I am really back…”

Tarion

I pushed through the door to her room. “Vanessa!” On the bed, she sat up with her strands of gold draping across her back. Her chest rose and settled in in her white chemise. I sighed with relief but groaned at the sight of the Cardinal giving her water.

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“Weak but she will be okay. Just some food and water and she will be right as rain..”

A thumb points to the exit. “Leave.”

“Yes, Grace.” Zeb walked past with a sly smile that gave me goosebumps. But never mind that. I hurried to her side.

“Vanessa…” I held her hand, and she flinched. I looked up and she looked at me like a stranger.

Lands above.

I let her hand go and suppressed the rush of feelings. “Haru. Welcome back.”

“You know of me?”

“I know you well. The you now and the you before.”

“Before…” She looked around at her room. “We are wedded.”

“Kinda. On paper. I was to pass away from a sickness brought on by poisons.”

“Poisons?” Pull her duvet away from her legs and placed them on the carpet.

“Eastern made. It degrades meridians. Shatters Circles leaving the person debilitated.”

“That’s the-”

“The same they used on you Husband. I saved myself the same way.”

“Former.” The saintess stood up from the bed like a newborn.

“Right.” I cleared my throat. “She trained a lot, you know.” Touching her own biceps in astonishment, I caught a little smile. “Knows how to fight very well. But she is you so you know the talent you hold.” each step became easier for her and she started her walk to her- Vanessa’s Libary.

“The duchess’s son?” she said looking through the books on the shelves.

Son? We don’t have children- Oh.

“Joshua? Whipped him back to shape.”

“Impossible.”

“I make the impossible reality,” I smirked.

“Hmph.” She perused Vanessa’s books like it was hers. “So you rehabilitated the bisexual fool. Where is he?”

“Captured. With his mother, a maid and a butler. Two days ago. By the wolfburns.”

Haru brought down a book with her finger. “Why would Davis be captured by his backers?”

“Because Charles took his role.” Haru nearly dropped the romance book fallen bookmark floated to the ground.

Damn. Now I have to find the page again.

“You must get the Forrest dweller back.” Such a stern look on Vanessa's beautiful face. I want her to stare at me like this forever except like a stranger. “His powers could change the battlefield on either side.”

“He used them… He summoned?”

“He had to,” Haru answered. “To protect what was left.”

“Lands above…” The news made me unbalanced. “If he revealed… He could have been hunted.”

“There were no more hunters. It was that dire. No king would care for summoners when a power greater than what is imaginable was coming to burn your kingdom. Not even the strongest mage could hold back the fallen angel's wrath. Mm. maybe I can get Vel help to teleport him away.”

“He’s dead."

She looked at me like a stranger still. "What did you just say?"

"You killed him. All fiery, you burnt him to ash.”

“Oh…”

“He was weird anyway.” I pointed to her head. “He did that to you, you know. The memory spell. Creepy fella.”

“I see.” Her head drooped down. Feeling sorry for the stalker felt useless but he was a long-time friend. Like mourning a rabid dog.

“But don’t worry I will get Charles back. No matter how much resources and men I must spend.” She scanned me. Unsure whether to believe the unknown variable that is I. “But first.” I swept Haru off her feet with my book still in her hands. A cute squeak came from her mouth. “You need rest and eat to keep those strong muscles.” I slowly put her down on the mattress, making this momentary closeness last just a little longer. Her face tensed like she was hugged by a rat.

“One question. Is she…gone?” I saw deep in her gem eyes.

Haru smiled comfortingly. But her green eyes were full of pity. “Maybe the memories will return. Maybe.”

“Oh.” I stood up straight with my fists tight. “I understand.”

“I see you cared for her.” Pity again.

“...” I hung my head. “More than the feeling love can allow. Rest well.” I spun to the door. “Jen will bring something to fill your empty belly.”

“Jen?”

I turned my head back, pushing down the urge to wipe her tears away, and smiled. “Oh I forgot, your mother has a day off cos of the city-wide explosions and what not. I will call her up here, telling her daughter misses her so.”

Kurt met me by the door. His eyes darted between me and his crying mistress. “Focus. The weapons and armour?”

“Sorted and arranged for transport along with supplies, Your Grace.”

“MOVE YOU GOLEM!!” A little ginger-headed lady pushed my captain. A wack on my chest from her small hand was like an ant bite.

“What the hell did you!!!”

I shrug. “Go ask the crybaby. Kurt let's move.”

“You prick. Rufian Bastard! If I find out what you did to her- Wha- why are you out of your room, Vanessa! I know you miss me but you don’t need to hug me so tight, you've got superpowers now!”

I turned the corner and the ladies's cheerful voice quieted in the distance. I leaned on the wall where only my captain could see.

“Tarion!”

“Vanessa… My Vanessa…” A single tear fell as I held back my despair.