The Blood Witch

15: To Be Saved and Also Broken

~ Rhaenys Vissera, blood witch ~

When I wake up, it's to the smells of delicious warm meat and eggs. I sit up, rubbing the back of my head. My long, auburn hair is matted with dirt, mud, and dried blood. I sigh and look at the others.

Callidora is cooking, with Mithra beside her, aiding her in the making of food. Haakon and Zunera are across the small campfire from me, Haakon is stripping the animals of their less desirable pieces, and Zunera just sits and stares at her hands.

I crawl closer to them. "You all okay?"

"Sure," Zunera mutters. "I'm fine."

I take a deep breath.  "Zunera, you ... don't need to stay with us. Go back. Help Krihla. I'm sure you'd rather be with her than us."

Zunera sighs. "I cannot. Krihla wanted me to be with you."

"Yeah, to make sure we are as safe as possible in here," I reply softly. "But maybe now that we are here.... you could return to her. So, go. Return to her, Zunera."

She frowns.  "You do not wish me to come with you? Help you?"

"No offense, but I don't think any of us really trusts a Goddess. Even one of Love," Haakon mutters.

Zunera opens and then closes her mouth. She nods once, then stands up. "Very well. I shall return to you once we have found each other. If you need me before then, call my name. Focus on love. And if you do need me, I will come. Now, remember this.... Love is enough. It is always enough."

"Wait!" Mithra whirls on her. "You said you'd help Kai. So help him!"

Zunera smiles a bit sadly. "Alright. Take off the necklace, but keep a grip on it. Allow me to hold onto it, too. Are you ready for this, Mithra?"

Mithra nods. "Yes. I'm ready."

We watch as they do as Zunera instructed. But then, as Zunera and Mithra hold hands and also hold the vial, it begins to glow. The vial always has glowed. But now, it is ten times brighter than ever. A flash of silver and pink lights swirl and dance over all our heads.

Then, the light forms into the shape of a boy, laying on his side on the ground. We watch in silence and awe as the light fades, revealing a pale skinned guy with long, black hair and red eyes. He wears all black clothes, and boots, too.

"Kai?" Mithra whispers.

He looks up at her. "Mi-  Mithra?"

She nods, starting to cry. She sinks to the ground, and he scurries to her, throwing his arms around her. He holds her close, and they both cry.

Zunera smiles down at them. "I am glad to see love survives, even in this place."

Mithra looks up at her, smiling. "Oh, thank you, thank you so much!"

Suddenly, a man appears behind Zunera. He grins at us, red eyes glowing as he drives a blade into Zunera's back, the blade poking out of her chest. Zunera screams, and then, he and her both vanish into nothing.

"What the fuck?" Haakon asks.