Avoid The Lead! [[COMPLETED]]

48. The Dream

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Taze remained still with Celia in his arms, the weight of the moment rooting him to the spot, and disbelief was etched into every corner of his face.

'She shouldn't be here!' He thought, his mind reeling in shock.

Before he left, he had sent a telepathic message to Lord Scarlett, and Grand Mages Sidian and Patiel, asking them to keep Celia in the hall at all costs.

So how was she...?

'She can't be here!' He denied, stubbornly rejecting what his eyes were seeing... a lifeless Celia in his arms, and he shook his head, as though he could shake himself awake from this nightmare.

But there was no denying this all-too-familiar aura, which was now fading away, and his breath faltered as he whispered, "No… Celia, please, no."

His hands trembled as he gently held her. 'No! I won't let you!' he told himself, desperation surging in his heart, and his mind raced through all the spells he knew.

Soon, the air around them was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and healing herbs, and the floor beneath them was carpeted with soft grass, delicate vines and tender new leaves, as his powers surged, trying desperately to reach her and fill her with every ounce of life he could give.

'Come back, Celia!' He desperately begged. 'You’re stronger than this! Just… come back!'

But her chest remained still, her heart remained silent, her skin was growing cold beneath his touch, and no matter how much power he poured into her, there was no response.

"Why…? Why would you do this?!" He demanded in a fierce whisper, his voice broken and raw.

But only the silence replied.

She was gone, and his heart was shattering into a million pieces, as he clutched her to himself, his tears running into her hair.

Moment after moment... Memory after memory... All the times shared together came now to torment him, their previous warmth gone, leaving him without a shred of comfort.

'Not you... Not you...' He endlessly repeated, gently rocking back and forth with her, as his grief tore through him...

.

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Meanwhile, Celia opened her eyes in a dream.

No. This wasn't a dream.

This was a nightmare!

She had somehow been transported back to that winter night, so many years ago.

She could see Novia, and she could see the magic circle, which gleamed red and fiery against the white snow.

But this time, it was Taze who stood there waiting.

'Taze!' She thought longingly, and the nightmare suddenly vanished into a sweet dream.

In fact, the night turned to day, the harsh winter winds turned to a gentle breeze, the snow turned to the softest spring grass, and Novia had disappeared.

All Celia could see was Taze, and it was Carla who was now putting finishing touches to a golden circle.

Taze stood there with his back to Celia, a white spell book in his hand, and when Carla was done, he snapped his fingers, and Carla vanished...

In the real world, Novia cast a final spell, and red flames sprung up at the cardinal points of the circle. The wind picked up speed and dark shadows surrounded her.

Same as in the past, an unseen force began to strangle Novia, and she turned desperately to Vitav, who stood calmly by, the dark magic book in his hands.