“La da da dum, la da da dum... ” Bella stood in her kitchen, her wispy white hair framing her wrinkled face, as she hummed a cheerful tune. The melody breathed life into the room; a knife flew from the drawer and danced in the air, chopping fresh vegetables on a wooden cutting board. Once reduced to bite-sized morsels, they fell into a pan of boiling oil that hovered above the stove, heated by no visible flame. Wooden spoons soared through the air, stirring the sizzling concoction with rhythmic precision.
Bella meticulously measured a dash of soup, tipping the contents from the jar into the pan. The liquid hissed as it hit the hot surface and bubbled away, its sound almost seeming to join in with her low humming. She stood back and stirred the mixture until it boiled, singing her favourite song as she moved the wooden spoon through the steaming soup.
At that moment, Cherry, a golden-furred labrador with bright eyes, padded into the kitchen, dragging something in her mouth. Unfazed, Bella continued her melody without sparing a glance at her canine companion. Then, a faint humming reached her ears.
“Cherry, what have you brought this time?” Bella adjusted the heat beneath the pan with a flick of her wrist.
She turned to find Cherry holding a Queen Wasp between her jaws. The insect, adorned with black stripes interwoven on its golden body, was nearly twice the size of Bella’s head. The creature’s wings fluttered in a panic, the buzz of her wings filling the air, asking for her help.
“Mercy me!” Bella said, kneeling beside Cherry.“How many times have I told you not to bully the Lady Wasp?” She tapped Cherry’s golden head, her fingers brushing through the soft fur.
Cherry woofed in protest as she released the Queen Wasp from her mouth. The wasp buzzed indignantly, darting to the old lady’s side and making small sounds with her wings as if seeking solace.
“Cherry, it’s quite rude to just barge in and take Lady Wasp without a proper invitation.” Bella listened to the Wasp Queen’s complaints and shook her head, her wispy white hair swayed with the movement. Cherry huffed, but a glint in her bright eyes betrayed her playful spirit. “Woof!” her tail wagged with eagerness.
“Late for breakfast? Cherry, we still have nectar stored on the shelves,” Bella gestured towards the neatly arranged jars. The Wasp Queen nodded in agreement but faltered under Cherry’s gaze.
“Fine, I will let you go this time.” Bella sighed, tapping Cherry’s head once more. “But next time, be more polite or I’ll cut your food portions.”
Turning to the Wasp Queen, Bella softened her voice. “If you wouldn’t mind sharing some of your nectar with us, we’d be most grateful.”
The insect acquiesced, flying above the pan, as it drizzled sweet nectar onto the sizzling vegetables. As it happened, a rich aroma rose from the pan and filled the air.
Savouring the sweet scent of nectar-infused vegetables, Bella couldn’t help but smile at Cherry, who was already salivating with her tongue hanging out. “Not on the floor, you,” she chided gently.
Bella turned to a kitchen shelf and selected a jar, opening it to reveal a fist-sized jelly orb. The Wasp Queen buzzed happily around her, eagerly accepting the treat from Bella’s outstretched hand before disappearing through the window.
“Cherry,” Bella warned, her tone firm yet affectionate, “Don’t even think about stealing that from Lady Wasp, or you’ll be eating pickles from now on.” At the mention of pickles, Cherry’s gaze snapped back to Bella, her eyes conveying an unshakable determination to resist temptation.
As Bella resumed her tuneful singing, the kitchen transformed once more into a lively dance floor for utensils. This time, however, Cherry’s rhythmic tail-tapping added an extra layer to the enchanting melody. As they neared the last step of their culinary creation, Bella guided a fresh bottle from its resting place, to add her special sauce and with care, made sure to add no more than two precise drops into the pan.
But in an instant, the harmonious atmosphere shattered as an explosion boomed from outside, disrupting Bella’s control over the floating objects. Utensils crashed to the ground, creating cacophonic disarray. Bella was able to secure the valuable bottle of her secret sauce with a surge of panic, but the vegetables in the pan were thrown into chaos, at least by human standards.
Cherry, seizing the opportunity, darted forward like a skilled hunter, devouring the ruined dish with unrestrained enthusiasm. Bella couldn’t help the mix of annoyance as stood amidst the wreckage of her once-orderly kitchen, the scent of scorched vegetables clinging to the air. Her heart thundered in her chest as she took slow, measured breaths, attempting to quell the rising tide of anger within her.
“Cherry,” she said through gritted teeth, placing the unopened bottle back on its shelf. “This has Bardar written all over it.”
The sight of Cherry gleefully devouring the ruined meal while ignoring her words only served to stoke Bella’s ire. She grabbed the dog’s collar, forcibly tearing her away from the remains of their breakfast.
“Come on, you ravenous beast. It’s time we taught that boy a lesson.”
Cherry whimpered, casting a longing glance toward the abandoned food as Bella dragged her from the room. To the dog, it felt less like an exodus to the lawn and more like a march to her execution.
It took mere minutes for Bella to reach the garden, though each step felt like an eternity. The acrid smell of smoke assaulted her nostrils, confirming her suspicions. A panicked voice called out, desperately urging the plumes of black smoke to disappear before others arrived.
“Too late,” Bella muttered, her eyes narrowing as she followed the trail of destruction and dragged Cherry along with her.
There, in the chaos’ heart, stood Bardar – a man in his thirties, his tousled hair dishevelled and clothes black from soot. Sweat beaded on his brow as he frantically waved his arms, futilely trying to dispel the smoke. It was as if he had forgotten that he could use magic.
“Shit,” Bardar cursed under his breath, freezing in place when he spotted Bella’s stern expression and Cherry’s downcast gaze beside her.
Bella surveyed the wreckage before her, the once lush garden was now littered with shattered sculptures and upturned flower beds. The fountain, a centrepiece of their backyard, lay in ruin – water seeped through the cracks, darkening the soil beneath. Branches from nearby trees bent outward as if recoiling from the explosion’s blast.
Her icy gaze traced the extent of the destruction, finally settling on the magical shield surrounding their garden. Though still intact, Bella could see faint traces of repair work hastily done. With each additional detail, she observed, her anger deepened.
“Explain yourself, Bardar,” she said, her voice low and steady. Her grandson stood frozen, clad in soot-stained clothes. She could practically hear his heartbeat quicken as he realised there was no escape.
“Gr-Grandma, I... I can explain,” Bardar swallowed hard. “Please, just let me tell you what happened.”
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Bella’s lips curled into a humourless smile, causing Bardar to shiver. “I’m listening,” Her arms folded as she awaited his explanation.
“Look, Grandma, today was such a beautiful day,” Bardar began, attempting to set the scene. “The sun was shining, and the birds were...”
“Enough with the poetic nonsense,” Bella snapped, cutting him off. “Get to the point and spare me your bad karma.”
Bardar coughed nervously, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “Well, I was working on an experiment, trying to merge space storage magic with my second layer theory. But it seems some of the runes didn’t work as expected, and they created a ripple in the surrounding space.”
As Bardar explained his ordeal, Cherry saw her chance to escape. The clever labra slowly backed away from Bella, her eyes darting between grandmother and grandson.
Bella’s glare never wavered as she listened to Bardar’s explanation. “So not only did you create a mess inside our house and destroy parts of my garden, but you’ve also damaged our magical shield?” Her voice grew even more icy, and Bardar could see her shoulders shaking with anger.
“Grandma, I promise, the magical shield is still intact!” Bardar blurted out, panic rising in his voice. “Small space ripples indeed occurred, but the shield is almost functioning at normal levels.”
“Almost?” Bella’s eyebrow arched, and Bardar could feel the temperature drop a few degrees. “You mean it needs maintenance now?”
“Y-yes, I’ll make sure to repair it immediately,” Beads of sweat formed on his brow.
Bella’s eyes blazed, her wrath boiling over like a cauldron of molten fury. With a swift, imperious gesture, she summoned her dreaded ruler from the depths of their home. The wooden instrument flew into her grasp, its polished surface gleaming menacingly. Bardar involuntarily shuddered, memories of past punishment flooding his mind. He recalled with vivid clarity how, in his reckless youth, he had brought down the ornate ceiling of Osasis’ City Lord’s Mansion. Bella had chased him through the city, ruler in hand, delivering stinging retribution to his tender behind.
“Stay,” Bella commanded, her voice icy and unyielding. Bardar froze as if rooted to the ground by her words. His heart pounded in his chest as the footsteps kept drawing closer. He braced himself for the impending nightmare to unfold.
But salvation came in the form of an unexpected saviour: Cherry. Her spirited woof pierced the tense atmosphere, diverting Bella’s attention. The golden-furred labra stood on the remnants of the shattered fountain, her paws digging at the debris with frantic enthusiasm.
“Grandmother, Cherry found something!” Bardar exclaimed, his voice thin with relief. He seized the opportunity to escape, scampering towards the eager dog. Bella’s frown deepened, but she lowered her ruler and followed her grandson.
Bardar’s fingers danced, manipulating the debris with practised ease. The broken pieces lifted into the air, revealing the puddle beneath. Bardar stared as his anxiety was momentarily forgotten. “What the?”
The water was tainted, clouded with swirling tendrils of crimson. The unsettling sight gnawed at Bardar’s nerves. What could have caused such a phenomenon? He glanced at Bella, seeking answers in her wise, aged face. But she remained silent, her expression a storm of conflicting emotions.
Bella pushed past Bardar, her eyes locked on the dark pool before them. The water rippled with Cherry’s sudden leap, droplets scattering like tiny jewels in the sunlight. Another woof echoed through the air, confirming Bella’s worst fears: human blood tainted the murky puddle.
“Cherry, see if anyone is there," she ordered softly, her voice fraught with worry.
The golden-furred labra paddled through the mire; her bright eyes focused as she searched for the source of the blood. Bardar hesitated, his earlier tension now replaced by concern. He glanced between Bella and Cherry, debating whether to join the search.
In that moment of indecision, Cherry found the body - a young boy, no older than fourteen, his brown hair plastered to his pale face. His closed eyes and the pain etched into every line of his features.
“Grandmother,” Bardar finally summoned the courage to enter the tainted water. “He looks like a child.”
Bella entered and walked towards the boy before kneeling in the puddle and taking him in her arms. With trembling hands, Bella cradled the boy’s limp form, her fingertips gently brushing away the grime coating his youthful face. She did not answer her grandson, her focus consumed by the deep gashes marring the boy’s body. Each wound was silent evidence of the space rifts he’d endured. Running her fingers over his broken, bleeding nails, Bella couldn’t help but think about them.
“His eyes,” she murmured, lifting his eyelids to reveal the unnatural crimson that stained his irises. “Potion overdose.”
“Will he...?” Bardar trailed off, unable to voice the question hanging between them.
Beneath Bella’s palm, the boy’s heartbeat stuttered and faltered, a fragile rhythm losing its battle against time.
Bardar studied his grandmother’s face, seeing her eyes soften and lips quiver as she cradled the boy. He hesitated, then ventured a cautious question. “Grandmother, how is he?” The blood seeping into the water painted a grim picture in Bardar’s mind.
“His chances are slim,” Bella replied, her voice a melange of sorrow and determination. “But remember, it’s not your fault.” She brushed away the guilt threatening to take root in her grandson’s heart. “There’s more than just the injuries weakening him.”
Bella scooped up some water with her free hand, gently washing away the dirt from the boy’s face. As she did so, she marvelled at the unusual softness of his skin, reminiscent of a newborn baby. How could this be possible for a fourteen-year-old? She pondered this anomaly but was interrupted by Bardar’s quiet inquiry.
“Grandmother, how much time does he have left?” Bardar knelt before Bella, the boy’s battered form still a stranger to him, yet the tragedy of a life slipping away weighed upon him.
“Can’t really say with certainty but given his condition, it’s already too late.” Bella murmured, her thoughts clouding over like a brewing storm. Silence enveloped Bardar, Cherry and Bella as they knelt in the murky puddle. Time itself seemed to slow as the unconscious boy’s breaths grew increasingly shallow.
Bardar and Cherry remained silent beside her, with Cherry’s ears also down. Bella looked at the boy’s closed eyes and dirt-streaked face, lost in thoughts. She didn’t want to save anyone anymore, her help had not done any kindness to anyone. Besides, she saved many people in her life, so she knew. Sometimes situations are critical and give a choice of saving only a few out of many, and so a question always comes to mind, who to save first but even more so, who to give up?
She can tell saving the boy was not an easy feat, falling organs, signs of potion overdose and the cuts from the space storm, none is easy to treat under normal conditions. This was not a normal condition, far from it. Tons of reasons not to save. She just met him, not enough time, and not enough will. She should just give up, just consider him one of her many patients who cannot be saved.
Looking at his face again, eyes shut tight, and his hand grabbed a helm of her cloth, like a child in a nightmare or is it pain? His pain will end if he dies a little earlier. Why suffer more when the end is so near? Her hands come down from his face and into his neck. A doctor needs to end the pain when it’s just too late, but why does her hand resist her will?
Bella moved her hand back from his neck and brought her near her face before she closed it into a fist. ‘You have taken so many lives, going to take more. So why resist doing it today too? Sympathetic now?’ She asked herself and deep from her sealed memories, words returned to her, of the day she didn’t want to remember, the day she learned how to heal others, of the vow she made towards the person she didn’t want to face again. ‘You showed me the smile of one. I will show you the smiles of Thousands…’
“You want me to buy him some more time, after all this time?” Her hand’s resistance faded as her control returned. “ I too don’t want to face him like this…let’s save someone for the last time…”
Having decided that her mind raced with countless thoughts, searching for the next course of action and magic erupted with Bella as a centre, startling Bardar and Cherry and making their clothes flutter.
The air crackled as mana compressed and small crystals formed on the surface of the unconscious boy’s skin. They shimmered with the glow of sunlight. They glinted even more brightly as the chill enveloped the trio.
“Uh…Granda?” Bardar said as he felt the cold, but the question remained unanswered. Bella continued till the crystals enveloped the boy’s entire body, like a crystal coffin just before he could take his final breath. With the last flicker of magical energy, Bella’s magic calmed, and the crystalline cocoon lay still before them.
“Did you just-” Bardar dared to ask, but the lack of strength in Bella’s eyes stopped him from pursuing the matter any further. Silently, Bella nodded, her gaze never leaving the crystal tomb that held the boy.
Bardar noticed her eyes getting cloudier as time passed and her consciousness left this place. He knows her condition well and how this wasn’t the time for questions; she needed solace more than anything. In a hushed voice, he offered to carry the crystal coffin to the third floor, sparing Bella the burden.
“Thank you, Bardar,” she whispered, her voice laced with gratitude.
As Bardar lifted the crystal coffin, cradling the unconscious boy within, he moved towards their home. His steps were measured and solemn as if each one signified a silent prayer for the child who now lay suspended between life and death.
Left behind, Bella sat beside Cherry, who put her head on Bella’s lap. Both sat there without bothering to get out of the wet puddle they were in. If possible. If given a choice, Bella wanted to back and stop herself from taking that photo.
*****