Blossom Fable

Chapter 35

Instead of blinking back into existence in the Chaos Tower, I open my eyes to the frosty outskirts, the hill right behind the Tower. I look back. An opening has been carved into the back of the structure. One by one, the party members that survived the battle blink before me. Teleported.

I strain my eyes. I'm convinced that all of my party survived. However, I could be wrong. The brother god could've got them at the last moment. Same with Mist.

As if answering my worry, Mist appears right before my feet, stirring about with a sleepy haze. Imprinter? he says weakly.

He is much too heavy for me to pick up now. I fall beside him, wrapping his neck in an embrace. "Mist, I'm so glad you made it."

He snuggles against me, licking my cheek. You were amazing in there, Hope! I've never seen such power.

I hold him tighter, not daring to tell him that my days as a mage are over now. I look up, seeing Avery and Princess run toward me. Behind them, Juno.

I stand up and meet my party members. We embrace tighter than we ever had before. Princess and even Avery squeals. Juno kisses me on the cheek.

I smile, knowing that we all prevented a great war. "Could you really believe that we did that?" I say. "And that we survived?"

Behind them, Lake, the king of the Golden City, joins Nathaniel as they walk up the crest of the hill. For some reason, everyone who survived looks at our party. No, they look at me.

*

A formal robe wraps around my shivering body. I stand alone in a waiting chamber at the Great Court in the Golden City. I keep my eyes on the burning lantern, on the door that will open any second now. They will barge in, through the carpeted floor and the ornate decor, gold and silver furnishings, and demand my presence.

I don't even have Mist with me.

I prepare my statement, even though none of my words could ever save me.

After the battle with the brother god, Lake confirmed that scrolls could now work since the Tower no longer gave off a malicious presence. He gave us all scrolls to the Golden City. Before my party and I could celebrate, however, Nathaniel informed me that the brother god left me with one massive blow. He revealed, before he died, that I offered him part of my soul.

The elders immediately got word. My soul might not have given the brother god much power, but it jump started his quest to avenge his sister. Therefore, I am responsible for the war almost breaking out. And for Nathaniel's death. None of my party's protests could save me. I still remember Princess screaming out, Avery looking at me in horror. Juno put up the most fight as officials ushered me away into the Great Court. Mist had to be subdued by the other dragon that joined the fight.

Closing my eyes, I think about what it would be like to be executed. Could I find out about the afterlife that the goddess was talking about so soon? We achieved so much by slaying the brother god, but my choices still have an effect on me and the rest of Blossom World.

The door slams open. I look up, expecting the guards to finally take me. Instead, Juno, Avery, and Princess rush in. The girls wrap me in a hug. Juno speaks quickly, "They will question you on trial, but you need to defend yourself. Tell them that you had no choice but to accept the brother god...."

I smile at him, despite this situation. "I will tell the truth. Where's Mist?"

"Outside," Avery says. "He threw a fit and got knocked out. The other dragon is watching over him."

"Oh Mist..." I say.

Princess gives me a brave look. "We will be there. We support you, Hope."

I nod as the guard comes in to usher them away. Another three guards lead me out into the main courtroom. I have to stifle a gasp. All of the elders are here, including Elder River in the front row. I can't catch his expression, too busy forcing myself to put one foot in front of the other. Nathaniel's ghost sits with the three other instructors, and then, at the helm of the judge's bench, another elder.