Behind My Shadow - Book Three

58. That Was the Moment I Knew

I heave a ragged breath and quickly unhook my Amulet of Alice. Dad would always tell me that the second after I slay the Jabberwocky, I must remove my Amulet for the rest of the Labor to transpire. I lay it down on the ground beside my knees and glance up at the dead body of the massive Jabberwocky. I can't believe that I just killed the most feared creature in all of -

I suddenly cry out as a crippling wave of agony overwhelms me and my senses are washed out with anguish, the only thing that feels real anymore isn't the ground underneath me, or the air around me, but the pain inside of me.

I scream with gut-wrenching torment and fall to all fours, shakily bowing my head. My wet, heavy hair falls like a curtain over my face and my sides are heaving as the pain burns to higher degree.

I scream again as the agony burns in my chest like a branding iron impaling me and now it sinks back, deeper, and passes my spine, shooting my nerves into a wrecked, frantic fiery torment and makes me cry out with more agony.

Now the trauma seers into my back and my skin feels scorching hot. I wail and claw at the ground until I fall forward on my stomach. I-I-I can't take this pain anymore! The torture is so indescribable, it's like...it's childbirth I guess but through my back. I scream again and twist in pain. God, I wish Vyndren was here to Heal me -

Wait. Vyndren. OMG! This is my Bloodmark coming in!

I remember now about what he said about earning one. The pain will be so beyond comprehension, your mind will be threatened with insanity. And yeah, he's not wrong. This is exactly what that feels like.

I scream with an animalistic torment and wildly begin wrenching my armor off. I frantically rip the back of my jumpsuit open as I feel blood pulsing from my pores and dripping off my bare sides.

I press my sweaty, matted head to my lap and scream as if I'm being branded, tears roll down my face as I scream and howl with wordless, uncontrollable anguish.

But now suddenly...the pain ceases. It just...starts to fade now.

I whimper as I groggily lift my head. Blood is pooling all around me. God, this...this hurt like nothing else ever has. I timidly touch my bare back and instantly regret it. I cry out again with anguish and double over again, my hands are bloody.

Okay, okay...I'm just gonna...need a moment here to collect myself. I wearily flop down on my stomach, breathing heavily against the wet, rocky ground beneath my face, and dully stare at the body of the Jabberwocky across from me.

I suddenly startle as I realize its tattoos are glowing.

I shakily push myself up to my knees, struggling to use my sword as a crutch to push myself to my feet. Suddenly my skin begins glowing. What the hell?

A soft, warm breeze circles around me and the body of the Jabberwocky. It lifts the color out of the demon's tattoos and carries it over to me, the colors morph into bands of silk and now wind around my body.

I softly yelp as I suddenly levitate off the ground as the ribbons continue to dance around me. The rest of my armor falls off my body as the ribbons wrap around me like a second skin. My glowing skin shines through the bands around me and now they too begin glowing blindingly white.

I gasp with disbelief I sense the Jabberwocky's power in these silky strands. OMG, my spirit is cleansing the evil from its powers! I realize with amazement as my skin begins drinking in the newly purified powers.

I slowly drift down to the ground now and my skin fades back to its natural color. I feel so...incredible.

The agony of my Bloodmark is now overshadowed by this surge I feel through my very spirit, blood and bones. I did it, I realize. I completed my last Labor.

It's finished!

All of Raetri shakes with victory, only unlike all the other times, this isn't a brief event. This lasts for a triumphant amount of time and music erupts from the very ground itself.

Yes! I laugh with disbelief as I sway on my feet, tears of joy fall from my face. It's over! It's done! I did it! I did the freakin' impossible.

I sink back down to my knees to cry with relief, I really did it!

A moment later, I put my armor back on and summon my animal soul spirit to take me back home.

I have to see my family! I have to save Mom! I have to... I have to claim my throne, and I've never been more ready to do that.