{HIATUS} Éternel: Between Two Worlds (#3)

xi. Resentment

Warning: The ending scene may be triggering for those who have expererienced bullying or physical violence. Proceed with caution.

✶⊶⊷⊶⊷❍⊶⊷⊶⊷✶

³³ The water before me glistened, mirroring the spheres of water circling around me as I breathed deeply, letting the gentle breeze flow in and out of my lungs. My hands, pressed together at the palms, loosened as I focused on the feeling of my lower half submerged in the lake underneath me. The faint wind brushed against the water's surface, the ripples ruffling the stillness of the surface and shattering the reflection of my stance.

Meanwhile, in the subconscious of my mind, I controlled the water floating around me, centering my spirit and my mind at once. Blocking out the sounds of the birds chirping and the dragons roaring, the only thing I could hear was the sound of my own breathing. Yet, I was still unaware of the rising and falling of my chest. My mind was simply blank.

"Maya."

The spheres of water around me dropped immediately from my broken concentration, and I let out an annoyed groan as I stood up and turned around to see Levi standing at the edge of the lake, Mei Hua by his side.

All of my anger faded away and turned into an overwhelming feeling of guilt at the sight of them. As much as I didn't want to, I couldn't see Levi standing there - what I saw instead was Yoongi standing in his place.

But the illusion quickly disappeared once Levi spoke again.

"The kid has something to say to you," Levi sighed, motioning for me to come out of the water with a flick of his eyes. I let out a sharp breath and waded out of the lake, my clothes soaked from the waist down, but nevertheless, when I approached Mei, she hugged me.

Taken aback by her sudden affection, I hesitated before wrapping my arms around her, pulling her closer to me.

"I... I know what you did to Yoongi and the others," Mei whispered, my eyes shooting open and darting to Levi, standing above us. He shot a wayward glance at me, no hint of regret in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Maya. I know how much you loved them, and how much they loved you."

"No, no it's okay. I'm fine," I said, having to restrain myself from crying in front of her. I couldn't show her weakness, not when she needed to know strength. "It was the right thing to do."

"I-I don't think it was." Mei pulled away, staring at me with her innocent eyes and a slight frown on her face. "But... I don't hate you. I could never hate you. Not after you saved me. You're the only person in my life that I have left."

"Mei..."

"My sister, my parents, all of my friends. They're gone. But I still have you. And that's all I need."

Mei embraced me again, this time burying her face into my shoulder, holding me tightly. I sighed and placed my hand on her back, rubbing it comfortingly.

"Just promise you won't forget about Yoongi and the others."

I winced quietly at her words, a stray tear rubbing down my cheek as I pulled her closer, sniffling into her hair.

"Never. I will never forget," I promised, running my fingers through her silky, black hair.

Mei and I stayed there for a moment that seemed to last for an eternity, but we were interrupted when Levi cleared his throat and placed his hand on my shoulder.

"I need to talk to you back at the castle," Levi said. With a nod, I pulled back from Mei and stood up with her while Levi called Cepheus over, allowing Mei to climb into the saddle, Levi sitting behind her. After putting my shoes back on, I summoned my wings and took off with Levi, flying back to the castle, which was just a few short minutes away.