Krish banged open the door of his neighbor as he carried Layla in his arms. The owner of the home was sitting in a meditative position and opened his eyes slowly after the commotion. He saw Krish panting even though he had just come from next door, there was distress in his eyes.
"What happened? " He asked calmly.
"Old man! Layla is not waking up. I have tried many ti-" Krish was cut off in between by the old man.
"I think you know why she is not waking up. It's not some newfound discovery to you that she is last stages of Dilhass disease. " The old man said mockingly.
"We don't have time for this! Do something. " Krish begged as he kneeled in front of the old man. His hands were shaking and his voice was cracking.
"It's too late my boy. No medicine of mine can save her now. I pity the child. " The old man said shaking his head. He was the only healer in the village. He arrived five years ago when he was mortally wounded by someone. The village had to think twice to let a man from the outside world in but after he saved a dying woman with his medicine the village welcomed him with open arms. From that day he became the only healer in the village and saved plenty of lives.
"What do you mean? " Krish asked frantically. He put Layla down as he grabbed his head and sat down. The old man looked at him pitifully. He had been taking care of Layla when Krish was out on his guard duty. He also somewhat grew attached to the girl. He picked Layla up as he checked her eyes and tongue. He sighed as there really was no way to save her. In a day or two, she would die.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Medicine could not save her now...... But magic can. The old man suddenly realized something but his excitement died down after a second. He was thinking of something which he would never even think of doing but if it could save the life of a little girl he would do it.
"There is.... a way to save her. " He said in a low voice. Krish sprang up from his position as he looked at the old man with surprise. The old man sat back on his homemade rocking chair as he looked at the roof. He kept looking with his finger tapping his lap. The speed of tapping increased and his expression became bitter.
"Nobody in this village knows about my past. And I intend to keep it that way, but I will tell you something that I have not told many...... about my curse." He stopped for a moment as he looked at Krish grimly.
"This curse might be the key to saving Layla? But are you sure you want to bear the responsibility of this curse? " He asked Krish.
"What responsibility? " Krish asked confused.
"Bearing this curse is like saying goodbye to your own will. It's like a wife who always nags but it's more than that... You can't decline its request. " He said. Krish was confused by his wording. But he had to make a choice and he had decided it far before the conversation even started.
"What do I have to do? " Krish asked. The old man stared at him for a long minute before nodding his head.
"I will pass on this curse to you. After that, I will be able to use my former powers. But I can only keep Layla alive, I cannot cure him. So you will have to find a cure by yourself. Alright? " He said as he stood up and walked towards the wall behind him. On the wall, there was a sword which he unsheathed and came back.
"Here take this and kill me. "