A Crumbling Society

Part 2-20

"Don't you dare say that for a second, it's not your fault", Dusk fought back. I still kept my eyes on the ground, it felt right.

I pressed, "It is though, if I hadn't shared any of this with her then she'd still be here. If we hadn't gone after the team then they'd all be alive, I got them killed by bringing them back together. None of this would have happened, and all this would have been...", I tried to find the right word to say but nothing stuck.

"Stop it! If you hadn't told Starlight anything then you would have gone into this alone, then what!? There still wouldn't have been even the smallest bit of a chance to fix what's going on in your world. You made the difference, you did what you thought was right, what you knew was right! Even you couldn't have predicted all this, it's probably one of the most fucked up situations but you're still here. I hate to say it but it's true, you're alive and still trying, I hope."

"It just feels pointless, I feel the burden of it being my fault even if you can't see it that way since you're not me."

"But it's not pointless, you're in Valsyri, there's many more possibilities and allies that you've already met. Don't let defeat consume you, you've done wonderful things so far and you have to focus on those"

"Like what?", shot out before I could hold it back to think for myself.

"You went and brought back Earthworld's best hero team, and even if you weren't everyone's sole purpose for returning then at least you tried. They disbanded how long ago, three years you said, and you're the first person to go and get them back. No other hero tried and not even a single person from their own team tried either. I'm not trying to dis anyone of them either but of all the people in this world you did something. With all the shit going on in your world, you still attempted doing what felt right to stop it or change it. All those others left; they ran but you jumped into the fight even though you didn't know where it would put you. It doesn't matter how long it took or for what reasons, what matters is that you did what no one else would."

"Are all vampires this cold?"

"When you've lived as long as I have, you see things differently and learn to not blame yourself"

"Thanks...", I told her as the sniffles ended my fit. I see where she's coming from but It's still hard to just accept it. Liza was murdered and even though I tried to help there was nothing I could do; it makes me feel like shit. There was a moment of acceptance when I got to Ankastle since Castor saved me for a reason, I still haven't figured out but trying to convince myself is getting old. Maybe the stress of not being able to use magic is freaking me out because I've had it my whole life. I'm getting anxiety having to walk around helplessly, if anyone finds out who I am or that I can't use magic, I could be dead. The thoughts are really starting to eat at me. Brushing them off, I felt arms grip around me, Dusk was giving me a hug. This was definitely awkward for me as I'm not one to give hugs unless I want to, but there was a bit of peace coming from it. My arms stayed by my side, it felt right, and I think she was okay with it as well. "Come on then", she said breaking contact and motioning to continue on the sidewalk in town. A mile down and these poles were reaching out of the ground with a noise like gears grinding. Making a confused face Dusk told me these were for sharing distributing information throughout Valsyri at once. Lights began flickering and then a stream of it shot across what seemed like a foot. The Queen of Mages appeared, I hadn't seen her since Ankastle when she made accusations after the ARC tradition. My face went alert, Dusk's brows furrowed telling me she didn't know why this was happening. The one before us came to a whining halt and stood close to three feet out of the ground. I wasn't sure if the Queen was moving before or after they became stationary.

"Good evening, all, as many of you know our attempts to cease the problems concerning Valsyri have not gone to plan. First, the mage world has been exposed to Earthworld, this could mean the end for those who live outside of our realm. This could also lead to a possible invasion or the destruction of our home. Second, Hexwitches have found their way back to this world which could end in our magic being taken away completely. They will eat your magic right out of you until there is nothing left. Third, there is great sadness in sharing that hundreds of mages have lost their lives throughout the cities and providences. Their murders have been investigated and have returned conclusive evidence leading to the same individual. It is with strong urgency that we come together to apprehend the one person responsible for these crimes, Carson Deveroux. He has taken down members of the council now, including guild leaders and bystanders. Anyone found with him shall be terminated on the spot, there is no reason for capture. Many of you know him as Earthworld's hero called Summoner, others may have considered him a friend. He is extremely dangerous, you might be his next victim, stick together and keep a close eye, report anything and anyone that may be aiding the killer. The council has placed a bounty on his head dead or alive, the reward is based on whom or what brings him in and however many of you it takes to do so. Thank you and may peace find you."