A Troubled Time / Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 27

Lucy flew as fast as she could, her hands gripping the broom tightly as she flew. The wind hit her skin harshly, but the adrenaline in her veins kept her going.

She was shocked, to say the least. It was the very first time she received a letter from Ominis. The two chatted often but very rarely sent letters to one another. Yet, he wasn't the one in trouble. Lucy wanted to say fuck him after everything, even his apology. She still wasn't sure if it was real or not.

But, the amount of fear and worry Ominis had, just in his writing, had her soaring through these skies, heading to the Feldcroft catacombs as quickly as she could. She saw two figures pacing and talking outside the catacombs. She hopped off her broom, eyes softening.

"Ominis, Anne, what is going on?" Lucy shivered slightly, the brisk fall breeze sending chills down her spine.

"Oh Lucy. I didn't realize you were coming." Anne gently held the girl's hand. It had been awhile since they had seen each other. Anne was getting worse day by day.

"I'm so relieved you're here." Ominis approached closer.

"Sebastian has gone too far. He is willing to put himself and the entire hamlet at risk with that relic." Anne shook her head, voice broken, "I cannot stay here. Please, make sure he is alright. I know you two aren't in the best of places but he's still my brother."

"I know Anne. Don't worry." Lucy reassured her, squeezing her hands gently.

"We will both make sure he's okay." Ominis had a nervous look on his face, most likely scared of what they would encounter in the catacombs.

"Thank you both. I must go. Please, be safe." Anne gave one last look to each of them before running off.

Lucy looked at Ominis, her heart breaking at the saddened look on his face, "Ominis..."

"You swore you wouldn't let Sebastian take this one step further, yet here we are." Ominis sounded pained, as if someone physically hurt him.

"I know Ominis. I'm so sorry. I thought he'd stop but I was wrong. He only got worse." Lucy let her head hang, feeling her own tears form in her eyes. Everyone was at risk of getting hurt and she couldn't help but feel responsible.

Lucy looked up, feeling his hand on her shoulder, "I shouldn't have put all the pressure on you. I should've stopped him long ago. Just because I can't see how bad you feel, doesn't mean I can't feel it." Ominis shook his head, "He's in real trouble now. I know you two aren't on the best of terms, so I am going back into the catacomb to find him. Anne is right, he and the entire hamlet are in danger. The catacombs are crawling with Inferi."

"I'm going with you. I can't let you face them alone. Not when this is partially my fault." Lucy nodded, turning her head towards the entrance.

"Lucy-" Ominis gave her a knowing tone.

"I enabled him. It is partially my fault. Don't argue with me." Lucy reassured him.

"Very well. Let's get moving. He cannot be in his right mind." Ominis said as the two ventured into the catacombs.

The two made their way down the familiar path she once traversed with Sebastian to find the relic. Lucy held her wand at the ready, coming into the first room. The skeletal-like beings rose from the ground, grey skin covered some of their bodies, resembling a slowly decomposing corpse.

"Confringo!" Lucy pointed her wand at the creatures quickly approaching, watching as the fire burned them. Both Ominis and Lucy casted as many fire spells as they could, seeing as it was the most effective way to get rid of the Inferi.