“Kaioson, get over here,” Haleema yells.

“Coming!” I say, jogging over through the smoke over to everyone. “What’s up?” Hayden points down into the crater, where Olly’s half-chared-up body lays. He’s still breathing, but it’s slow and clogged.

“You two really cooked him up good,” Hayden says while laughing between his words.

“That’s not funny,” Zadock says.

“Ah, come on, man. This dick deserves to be laughed at.” Haleema pries Olly’s weapons out of his hands, tosses them over to our right, then kneels over him.

“It’s over. You and your whole legion of scum shit cultist are finished,” Haleema says.

Haleema’s declaration of being the victor brings a fat smile to my face. Olly’s vision of a world dominated by a jealous goddess and his willingness to be a servant is unbelievably insane. Ulrika will be so happy to know that we won’t have to endure this cause in the long run.

“You think you’ve won?” Olly says, coughing up some blood.

“Well, you lost here. Soon Nite will dwindle throughout the Inaubiraian continent,” I say.

“You’re very wrong,... boy!” He leans up towards me. Some of his burnt skin peels off his arm. “My defeat won’t stop us. I am just a small yet significant part of our grand revival of Zadione. Ivaran will bring you to your knees!”

“Ivaran?” Haleema says.

“Oh yeah...he’ll destroy all of you...”

“We’ll see about that.”

Olly’s injuries begin to take their toll on his fading life. He lays back dazed, blindly staring into the sky, mumbling words.

“Kaioson,” Haleema says in a monotone voice.

“Yes?” I say, glaring at her.

“Kill him.”

As I look down at this piece of filth of a man, I concede to Haleema’s command to rip his soul from his body. I hover my sword over his heart, using one finger to conjure it. Right as I flick my finger down to send it in, he throws a small needle at my face. I move out the way just enough that it grazes the left side of my neck. My sword slams through his chest, going all the way to the handguard.

“Whoops,” I say, calling it back to my hand. I ignite the blade to burn off his wicked blood.

“Good riddance,” Haleema. She rolls her boot over Olly’s face, making it recoil to face his right. “Excellent work Kaioson.”

“The world can breathe now.”

“Only for a moment. Now we got a new target to hunt. Ivaran sounds like he could be worse than him.”

“We’ll be prepared.” I clench my fist out in front of Haleema. My offer gets fist pumped with a soft yet solid hit that stings with pain. “Ouch.”

“Hmm? I’m sure I didn’t hit you that hard.” Her jab leaves a bruise across three of my knuckles. “Whoa, what’s going on there?” She takes my hand into her hands to view the knuckles closer. My veins dispersed from the wound like roots in a dark purple color.

“Is that-?” Zadock says before Ulrika cuts him off, screaming my name. I turn around and see her charging me with open arms.

“Ulrika!” I say. She slows down to give me a gentle hug. My body, for some strange reason, aches from her hold. I flinch from the pain yet try to keep my grip on her. “Are you okay?”

“Rhyndac checked me off. I’m good,” Ulrika says, grinning. “Damn, I really missed all the fun. I would really love to kick Olly’s ass.” Her statement makes me laugh, but I start coughing. “Hey, are you alright?” She tilts her head to her right, then her eyes track something below my face. “Kaio, your neck.”

“W..what...w?”

My legs start to buckle, and the world begins to spin. The pavement comes flying at me from the left side of my face, then it freezes. Ulrika has her hand against my cheek and an arm around my chest.

“Kaioson?” Ulrika yells. My lungs feel like they’re on fire. The pain is making it nearly impossible to get air.

“I can’t breathe,” I say. I gasp for air through my mouth. Ulrika cups her hand over my mouth, forcing air inside of me.

“Someone, help me!” Everyone around us leans down to us. Rhyndac warps in behind Ulrika, then bends over her shoulder.

“What’s wrong with him?” Rhyndac says. A massive amount of pain surges from my neck to my entire body. I scream to combat it to suppress my agony.

“Kaioson,” Ulrika cries in a weeping voice.

“Rhyndac, take a look at his neck,” Zadock says. “Is that what I think it is?”

“Ulrika, roll his head over,” Rhyndac says. Ulrika exposes my neck to her. The turn gives me more discomfort. I want to turn it back where it was, but she’s forcing me to stay in this position.

“What’s wrong with him?” Ulrika says.

“He’s been poisoned. I’ve seen these symptoms before. It’s called Toxical. He has minutes live.”

Ulrika repeatedly says, “No,” as she cries over my face. “Help him!” She forces more air into my mouth when I start gasping.

“I could, but the process might kill him.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“I’m not. To extract the toxins out of his body, I would have to suck it through his skin, which would make him lose tons of vital bodily fluid.”

“There’s got to be another way.”

“There isn’t. I’m sorry.” Ulrika goes silent as she looks down at me. Her tears increase, falling down on my chest.

“This can’t be happening. Kaioson, don’t leave me!” My tears come in full force. I can’t believe I’m going to die in her arms. “Somebody, for love of the gods, HELP HIM!”

“Ulrika,” a man says from a distance behind her. Ulrika’s mother, Spyro, and I’m assuming her other brother runs over to us. “What’s going on?”

“Kendrick? Oh, thank the gods you’re here.”

“Oh, my goodness. His neck,” Kendrick says. He grazes his finger around the cut. “This is really bad.”

“Can you help him? He’s been poisoned!” I press her hand into my face to bring more air in. She increases the pressure to expand my slowly closing airwaves. “Please save him. You’re an herbalist. You gotta know something he can take that’ll save his life.”

“Umm...”

“Please!”

“I think I might have something for him, but we need to move quickly.”

Ulrika and Kendrick rush me into their home by my arms and legs. We enter a small room. They lay me on a padded mat on the ground, then she feeds me air through my nostrils.

“I’ll be right back. I’m gonna get the plant from my lab.” Kendrick says, rushing out of the room.

“Hurry!” Ulrika says with her eyes on me. “Stay with me, Kaioson. Don’t you fucking die on me, you hear?” The lack of breathing is causing me to feel tired. I want to close my eyes, but if I do, it’ll be the end of me. “Please, Kaioson. Fight it.”

“It’s...hard to,” I say.

“You made a promise. Don’t break it now.”

Tears trickle out the sides of my eyes. I feel my life wanting to escape my body. Trying to hold on to it is becoming exhausting. My eyes get heavy, and I keep blinking. As I close my eyes, Ulrika screams my name, but it echoes as if she’s moving away. I open one eye to see her, but she’s gone. I’m lying on the wet stone ground without the bed. I’m not in pain, and I can breathe naturally.

“Am I dead?” I say.

The candles in the room go out. I try to flame up my right hand, but nothing is activating. It seems like I completely lost all sensitivity to magic. I can’t wield magic or sense where my sword is.

Where am I?

I feel helpless, weak, and scared. Ulrika must be losing her mind right about now. The thought of lamenting over my lifeless body brings me into an explosion of tears. I’m in so much distress, I have to get on my hands and knees to support my crying.

A bright blue light bleeds through my eyes ahead of me. It’s so bright it hurts to gaze at it. The few details I can see are the light has a white center with a blue outline. Whatever it is, it has a figure of a body, but I can’t tell the gender.

“Cry no more tears, my great protector,” the light says. It’s the voice of a woman, but it’s low in tone.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Who are you?” I shout. I use my forearm to cover half of my eyes to look at it without having to strain.

“Keep your eyes closed until I tell you to look.” It steps closer, slapping its feet on the wet ground. “You poor child.” Her voice becomes apparent and sounds familiar to me.

“Wait a minute... Is it you?”

“Open your eyes. My holiness shall not blind you anymore.” I squint at her. Her body radiates with a dim glow. “Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Coretha. Angelic goddess of tranquility.”

“Your holiness.” I bow with one knee on the ground.

“You don’t have to do that, Kaioson.” She raises me with her soft, warm hands under my jaw. “I’m not your queen or anything of the sorts,” she says, giggling.

I’m mesmerized by Coretha’s beautiful yet interesting face. Her skin is mostly brown, with pale pigment spots scattered all over her face. She has dark yellow eyes. Her hair is black, short, curly, and sparkles like there are stars in them. I look down at her body to see what kind of outfit she’s wearing. Around the breast and torso is a feather-like shirt. The whole outfit matches her eyes and stops right above her knees. Her sandals are yellow too, and come up to the lower part of her kneecaps.

“Do you remember me?” She says.

“Three years ago, you gave me a task to protect a woman named Syren and her unborn child for a whole year from a man named Soren.”

“Mhmm.” Her big smile, for some reason, makes me chuckle.

“You also came to me as a ball of smoke.”

“Believe it or not, I was a bit shy.” Her body starts glowing brighter. I have to shield my eyes from its intensity. “Sorry about that.” She puts her light back down to a comfortable glow.

“Where am I? Am I dead?”

“No, but you’re in a coma. It’s been over a week.”

“What? How? I just woke up.”

“That’s because I’m the one who brought you here. You were having severe nightmares through the days.”

“I...I don’t remember any of them.”

“I wiped them away from your mind.” I wander off away from her, so I can digest the terrible news. My worry goes straight to Ulrika and her sanity.

“Is Ulrika okay?”

“See for yourself.”

A window opening appears out of the ceiling’s blackness showing a top-down perspective of Ulrika lying next to me. She sings a song to me about herself from a third-person perspective. She sings about the days she was sad, leading up to the revival of her spirit. I’m praised in her lyrics for making her happy in a tough time of her life.

Once she finishes her song, she kisses me on my right cheek. In the world I’m in, I can feel her warm damp lips press against me.

“Ulrika is a wonderful woman,” Coretha says, pumping my chest with her fist.

“I love her so damn much. Ever since she declared her love to me three months ago, she’s always been by my side.” Ulrika snuggles her face on my shoulder. I can feel her warm face pressed into my neck, but the sensation fades away when I try to lean into it. “Oh, Ulrika. Stay strong.” Coretha starts humming while tapping her mouth as she looks at me. “What’s up?”

“Looks like your mind wants to wake up.”

“Really?”

“I don’t know when, but it’s soon.” She hums again but at a higher pitch. “I could take you out, but you’ll be waking up in a weaken state.”

“I’ll take it. I don’t want Ulrika to suffer any more days.”

“Alright, then. Look up here, please.” Coretha raises her hand to my face, but I take hold of it when I remember the reason that put me in this state, to begin with. “Kaioson?”

“Can I ask you something before you take me out of here?”

“Yes.”

“Are you aware of what’s happening down here?”

“All the gods and goddesses know what the mortals are doing in the name of our former sister, Zadione.” She crosses her arms under her breasts, giving me a somber look. “I pray for you and everyone trying to stop her.”

“Pray? Why?”

“To put it simply, we deities have no jurisdiction to intervene and stop the issue. It’s Xanlos orders.” My heart pauses, and a knot emerges in my neck, causing me to cough.

“Xanolos, as in the supreme god of the world?”

“The one and only. Father believes the people can defeat and end her once and for good. I hope he’s right.” She surprises me with a tight hug. I almost fall back from her weight on me. “Kaioson.”

“Yes?”

“Be vigilant, train hard, and give Ulrika a kiss for my sake.”

“I will.”

“Repeat what I said.”

“Be vigilant, train hard, and give Ulrika a kiss.”

“Goodbye, Kaioson. I’ll be in touch.”

“See you around.”

Coretha grips my face hard, and then a flash of light bursts out of her palm. I close my eyes, then pop them open. Ulrika’s soft nose rubs against my neck. I try to roll over to her, but it hurts to move. Out of nowhere, Coretha’s voice whispers, telling me to kiss Ulrika. Ulrika adjusts herself in her sleep, putting her mouth at the same level as my lips. I have enough space to turn my head and give her a single kiss. Her eyes slowly open all the way.

“Kaioson?” She whispers, shedding tears. “Am I dreaming?” Since it hurts to move, I give her another kiss. “You’re okay!” She weeps while I tear up with a smile on my face.

“Well, not completely.”

“Oh, no. What’s wrong?”

“I’m in pain. Lots of pain. Even talking is hard to do. Plus, I can’t sense any magic.”

“Shush.” She rests her index and middle knuckle on my lips. “I’ll be right back. I’m gonna get some stuff to remedy the pain.” She rushes out of the room, swinging her arms from side to side. I try to sit up. My body shakes so hard, that I have to let go to prevent myself from passing out from the strain.

Fuck me.

----------------------------------------

Minutes have passed, and Ulrika isn’t back yet. The pain in my body is starting to throb at the rhythm of my heart. I hear what sounds to be glass rattling against one another increases in volume outside the room I’m in. Ulrika walks in, holding a platter in her hands.

“Sorry I’m late. Mom just finished making soup,” Ulrika says, walking over to my side. She gets on her knees to place the platter down between us. I try again to sit myself up but end up giving myself more pain. “Hey, stop. Let me pick you up.” She puts her arms under my armpits and locks her hands behind my back. “Just relax. Let me do all the lifting.” Her strength allows her to set me in a sitting position without any struggle.

“So...much...pain,” I try to say.

“I have something for that. My brother said it might taste bad, but it’ll ease your ache.”

I watch her pour brown liquid into a small porcelain cup. She drops a green leaf inside it. The leaf melts into a green substance that covers the entire volume of the circle. After adding two sugar cubes, she mixes everything.

“Here you go,” she says, putting the cup up to my lips.

I down the bitter yet sweet-tasting concoction. Everything the liquid touches numbs me. As the drink settles in my stomach, I can feel the pain wash away throughout my body.

“Wow,” I say with a weak voice. Only moving my mouth, I ask Ulrika what that leaf was. She hands me an extra one from the platter.

“It’s called a Norsetron. It’s a magical plant with super healing properties. It healed your neck and saved you from dying.”

“This little thing has that much magic?”

“Yeah, which means you’ll have to wait a day before you eat another one.” I hand it back to her. She puts it back on the platter, then picks up a big bowl steaming with delicious-looking soup. “It’s been a week since you’ve eaten. I bet you’re hungry.” My stomach growls right on cue. “Can you hold this?” I reach over to grab the bowl but begin to shake.

“Damnit,” I say, cracking my voice. “I’m too weak to do anything!”

“Relax, Kaio. It’s okay. Kendrick warned me you might be like this for a while. I’m prepared to take care of all your needs until your strengths returned.”

I’m grateful to have a woman like her. Xanolos must’ve created her with the best sculptors throughout the high heavens. She continually amazes me with her love, dedication; consistency for me. These past days I haven’t given her much of a courtesy that’s worth her love. My lack is about to change once I can move with being a stump in the ground. I’ll take the first steps to the life she foresaw us to have. But, for now, I’ll heed her command to take it slow.

----------------------------------------

I’m stuffed with soup. Most of the pain is gone. The only discomfort I’m feeling is being on the ground. The room I’m in is small and doesn’t accommodate the space Ulrika needs to snuggle in a comfortable position with me. She’s matching my upright position while rubbing her cheek on my shoulder. We’re holding hands in my lap. Her thumb circles around the back of my right hand. In our peaceful, intimate silence, I remember the fight with Olly and the mess that happened in the city.

“How is everyone?” I say.

“Hmm? Everyone?”

“Haleema, her people, the city, and your family.” Ulrika backs away from my face but keeps holding my hands.

“Haleema and the trio are around somewhere. She brought our horses and stuff here a few days ago. I don’t know what the city is doing.”

“Hmm?”

“I haven’t left the house since you got poisoned. My family is fine. Oh, and thank you again for saving my mother.” I use my nose to tickle her nose to show my acknowledgment. “Hey, Kaio.” Her giggling pitches in a higher octave. I know too well what type of actions come after those types of laughs. “On a scale of one to ten, how much pain are you feeling?”

“About a four.”

“Hmm, that’s good,” she says with a smirk.

“Either you’re planning something or wanting something.”

“It’s a want.”

“What is it?” She points at the door.

“My place. I wanna take you there, so you won’t be cooped up in here.”

“Please.”

In one swift impressive lift, she hauls me out of the room over her left shoulder. Knowing her physical physique and training style, I’m not the slightest surprised at how she can carry me with ease. I find this quite amusing to be taken like this to her room. The floor moving beneath her is a blur, and her ass jiggles with every step she takes.

“Afternoon, mom,” Ulrika says.

She turns to the left down a hallway. I raise my head to look behind her. Her mother stares me down with arms crossed and a tight smile as she laughs through her nose. Ulrika walks into her room, then takes a long stroll down the hallway.

“Umm, Ulrika, how long is your room?” I say. Her room is vast with dressers; wardrobes alongside the walls. On my right are tall windows. To my left are various weapons, from longswords to daggers.

“Room,” she scoffs, rolling me on the bed, then hovering over me from my right side. “This is my chamber.” Her bed has a canopy that’s flanked by purple curtains. “How’s my bed? Is it comfy?”

“Better than the floor and any beds I’ve laid in.”

“Better than our cabin’s bed?” Her face turns into a pouty look with her lower lip flushed outward.”

“Uhh...”

“Yeah. This bed is way better.” She resumes the same position from before, but we don’t hold both of our hands. I have only one hand on my stomach with hers resting on the backside. “I could sleep for hours on this.” Just the thought of sleeping makes me yawn. “Awe, you’re already tired?”

“Weirdly, yes.” My eyes get heavy, and I yawn again. “I feel a bit drowsy.”

“Oh, right. My brother told me the medicine would do that. Well, if you’re about to sleep, I’ll follow right behind you.” Before I can tell her she can’t force herself to sleep, she also yawns, shedding some tears. “You’ve drained me mentally and physically these past days.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s my duty to take care of you no matter how bad the situation is.”

“I believe the same way.” A surge of excitement and strength takes over me. I roll over to her and take her face into my hands. “Thank you for caring for me.” With the small amount of strength I have, I pull her onto my body. She fans out her legs to lay flat on my stomach.

“Rest well, my love. With the world on edge, who knows what kind of shit will happen tomorrow.”

“Pray we have a few more peaceful days.” She gets up and sits on my stomach with her palms up, eyes closed, and head upwards.

“High father, to you, I ask. Give us days in which we can be at ease,” she whispers. She opens her eyes, yet she keeps the same posture. “For a week, he was taken from me. For a week, I would like to recover it back.” She drops her hands and looks down at me. I interlace her hands as I slowly sit up to her. “I missed seeing his beautiful brown eyes hawking me every moment of the day.”

I wonder if Coretha is around listening to Ulrika’s prayer to take it up to Xanolos.

“I am, and her prayer is accepted,” Coretha says in my head.

Thank you.

“That’s a wonderful prayer,” I say, laying back on the bed with her close to me.

“Really?”

“Mhmm.”

“I’m not a praying woman. Do you think he’ll hear me out?”

“You’ll get what you desire.”

“How can you be so-” I shush her with a poke to her stomach. She digs her right hand under her shirt to rub the spot. “Ouchy,” she says with a fake somber voice. “Why you do that?”

“You doubt my claim.” I pull her hand away from her stomach and kiss her knuckles. “Remember about the story I told you about when I talked to a ball of smoke?”

“I do.”

“It turns out it was an angel named Coretha. She came to me when I was under darkness and brought me back to you.” Ulrika’s eyes widen, and her mouth pops open. “And she just told me your prayer has been answered.” I can see muted excitement in her deep stare and slow expanding smile.

“Really,” she says, elongating the word. Her smile continues to grow.

“Yes, Ulrika. Now come to bed.”

I slump back on the bed. I’ve exhausted all my strength just from sitting up. I shut my eyes and feel Ulrika sprawl down on my body at a gentle pace. With the last few seconds before my mind doses off, I call for Ulrika’s name.

“Yes, Kaio?” Her mouth is near my right ear, so I turn to rest my face on hers.

“Marry me.”

The last thing I hear before silence reigns is a high-pitched hum, then my full name in a fading whisper.