Fair Maiden - Alcina x Fem Reader

81: Seeing a Ghost

"You'll look into it's eyes and see the world shift. You must not be afraid as familiarity fades, for within that little bird is the strength to bring brighter days"

Mary had a strange habit of speaking in riddles and rhymes. A woman with the ability to see the past, present, and future with such clarity of detail. With those she chose to share her sight, she left them to ponder her puzzling words until their own eyes opened to witness it. As absurd as that woman's words seemed, somehow, they all made sense at one point or another.

•••

Scorching heat embraces you. Flames reaching up your body, finding their way into your lungs. One would expect nothing more that unbearable pain. Flesh and bone melting away in roaring hellfire. However, this isn't the case. You've heard legends of creatures burning to ash, only to rise from the lifeless soot. Tall tales of willpower and strength to sooth the questioning minds of humanity.

If you have learned anything from your life, it's that anything is possible. Even if it sounds entirely absurd or positively bat-shit crazy.

Remaining spectators watch from the shadows of the crumbling castle. Hiding, their fear restraining them to where they stand within the chaos. From what they see through pained and defeated eyes, it seems any chance of the odds in their favor is long gone. Donna sinks to the ground, silent tears slipping down with her. Heisenberg is already on the ground beside her, tender limbs no longer able to hold him up. The burning hues of blue illuminate the disheveled space around them. Making the carnage all the more noticable. Blood stains the cobblestone. Bodies of lycans rest amongst the wreckage. The lifeless corpse of one loved one and the statued remains of another placed among them. Within the center of it all, there you are. Turning to ash among the flames.

"No." Donna utters, barely audible.

Heisenberg winces as his hand moves to the shoulder of his sobbing sister. An attempt to comfort her, despite all that has unravelled through the night. Donna falls into her brother, sobs released into the air. As the flames in front of them grow dim, Heisenberg now knows there is nothing left to be done. His own heart sinks as he cradles Donna with what strength he has left.

"We did what we could." He mumbles. "It just wasn't enough."

Heisenberg closes his eyes and shields Donna from the sorrowful sight around them as the last of your fire dies out. His own tears begin to slip from his clenched eyes. There is silence. Stillness. Darkness, despite the strange glow of the moon that shown through the gaping hole of the crumbled castle entrance.

It stayed like this for a long while. Until, a familiar beast steps forward. His long, hesitant strides break through the quiet. Splintered stone crunching beneath his clawed feet. Slowly, he approaches the black ash in which you once stood. The beasts eyes lack the hardened gaze they usually hold. Replaced with the saddened beady eyes of a puppy. His scarred snout lowers to the scorched stone floor below him. The sound of his sharp whine echos through remaining walls. The pained sound is enough to break a person's heart, had they not already been broken. Devil Dog circles ashy remains before his large body slides to the floor. The way he is positioned would be the same if your body had been resting within his warmth. Only, you're not there. His soft moans of grief continue until his exhaustion takes over and the castle falls silent once more.

By this time, three flies had clustered near Donna and Heisenberg. Sticking to the wall, observing from a distance. The silence had grown eeriely intense. Not even the wind dared whisper beyond the castle walls. It was as if the world around them had froze. Mourning the events that had unfolded and all that was lost. However, Devil Dog dared break the silence once again. With his head tilted back a steady howl released through the tense air. This seemed to wake the slowly drifting lords from their mournful daze. Another howl filled the sky, drifting up to the violet moon.

"Damned dog." Heisenberg grumbled, irritated by the sudden disturbance. "Shut your trap, you mangey mutt!"

Again, Devel dog howled. Again, and again, and again.

"For mother's sake, I said shut-" Heisenberg abruptly stopped as his eyes snapped open.

He gently peeled Donna off of him, silently urging her to sit up. Donna sniffled as she rose.

"What is th..." Her muffled words trailed off as her eyes followed the direction of Heisenberg's.

Five bodies sat still, eyes full of bewilderment. In front of the towering beast, small violet sparks began to rise from the ash. One after another, they slowly gathered. Devil dod stood up, and took a step back. Mesmerizing light illuminated the space around them. Shadows retreated to the corners of the castle, not daring challenge the light that was growing stronger and larger by each second. It continued to grow, causing everyone to shield their eyes from the light. Just as the violet light seemed to reach it's brightest, a gust of wind raced into the castle, tossing everyone back and eliminating the light.

One by one, each person groaned as they came to. They fought off the ringing in their ears and struggled to regain their vision. But, as they did, they were stunned to see what stood before them. Eyes wide, questioning if they were dreaming. Or, perhaps, they had become delusional.

"Is that?" Donna questioned, not expecting a true answer.

"I'll be damned..." Heisenberg said in stunned reply.

"Karl, how is this possible?" Donna asks in a bewildered whisper, eyes still staring intently.

Heisenberg fails to produce an audible response, slowly shaking his head with wide eyes and a dumbfounded expression across his grizzly face. Donna adjusts her weight slowly, gradually urging her frail body off the floor. Her legs tremble beneath her as she takes a cautious step forward. Her steps are filled with hesitation. Small and light, careful not to make any sudden movements or sounds. Her hand rose from her side, trembling fingers daring to reach out. Before her fingertips can clarify her delusion, she takes a deep breath. With another minor step, her touch reaches out to a solid form. A small whispering gasp escapes her. The figure doesn't move.

A tall body stands before her, back facing her. Her hand gently grips the shoulder, pale skin exposed beneath the thin straps of a thin, flowing white gown. Strands of crisp white hair fall down the figures back. Donna's expression is unreadable. Fear, bewilderment, shock. She couldn't sum it up, even if she wanted too. The feeling of warm flesh below her fingertips didn't lie. This was no figure, no ghost. This was the body of a living, breathing woman. Warmth seeping from skin, steady breath rising and falling in her chest. A rather eerie experience. As just moments ago, where the woman now stands, had been nothing but smoldering ash.

Donna's stiff grip is interrupted as she quickly pulls away. She looks down at her hand, still guestioning if what stood before her was real. The woman's head slowly turns to the side, just enough for those behind her to see the vague silhouette of her features. The eerie silence is broken.

"Hello, Donna." The woman utters. Voice sweet and soft.

Donna's eyes dart away from her hand and back up to the woman. As her eyes reach the woman's height, she takes a step back when she notices an alarming glow in the woman's eyes. Donna doesn't say a word.
A small giggle comes from the woman's throat, sending a chill down Donna's spine.

"There's no need to be afraid." The woman softly assures as she turns to face the spectating audience.

Already wide eyes seem to bulge from their sockets. Faces painted with clear disbelief. Heisenberg seems to mutter something to himself. Flies buzz beside him. Donna gulps as her eyes meet those of the woman standing before her. Violet eyes gleam in the darkness that enveloped the deteriorating castle. She may not be a ghost, but she was a haunting vision, nonetheless.

"Eva."