Behind the Mask | Garroth x Reader

| Part Thirty | Blessing of Irene|

No amount of humming or reminiscing on old memories could help me drown out the cries of Molly. Losing my sight meant that my other senses were working in overdrive to make up for it. The smells of the people who visited lingered in the room, and I could hear every word outside the door and a few rooms down.

I didn't need to hear anything to know Alexis had the lingering essence of a shadow knight. In the past few days, it has dwindled down to a dying ember of the spark I felt at her emergence. She was nothing compared to a new shadow knight, though I worry what might have happened if she kept hold of that pendant for any longer.

A part of me stirred at the awakening of a new shadow knight. It wanted me to take her back. Images of what I had gone through pulled me from those thoughts. Time was different in the Nether. It ran far slower than it does here. No one should ever have to go through that pain, especially not a child.

Being a shadow knight was new even for me. I was aware of what I could physically do while in that form, but all the fine details of what is different are lost to me. Gene was far more worried about my physical strength than my mental stability. It felt more like I was a test subject than a new soldier under his command. Something was different with me than how he treated the other shadow knights.

I am pulled from my thoughts when I hear three sets of footsteps coming down the stairs. Armor, and two sets of lighter footsteps. Y/N, Garroth and Aphmau. The hushed whispers of Y/N and Aphmau as they get closer to Zoey's room couldn't escape my hearing.

"Let's not get our hopes up. It's worth a try, but it is also just a ritual in and old book." Aphmau spoke. She sounded tired and unsure.

"Lady Irene is a figure that people from all over Ru'aun have looked up to for hundreds of years. Molly is no different. I know my mother prayed to her infant our times of need. It gave her hope, made her feel there was some higher power looking after her. That very well be what Molly and Dale need." Y/N was far more optimistic. "I don't think you should talk with Laurance though. Even if the other wyverns gave you permission, I think he should know."

I straighten myself out at the mention of Aphmau coming to speak to me. I move to the edge of my bed and listen in further.

"You're right." Aphmau let's out a sigh. "You two check on Alexis for me and see if Molly and Dale need anything."

"Yes ma'am." Y/N and Garroth would make their way into Zoey's room, followed by Aphmau's approaching my door. She hesitated before knocking.

"Laurance, it's Aphmau." I didn't move from my place but gave her the go-ahead to come in. She made her way into the room and stopped somewhere in front of me.

"You sound stressed." I lift my head up, feeling the warm rays of sun hit my face.

"There is a lot happening and I'm trying my best to help where I can. I feel that things keep going wrong, and I can't do anything to make them right." I pat the spot beside me on the bed. Not long after, she settles in and plops her back down. Her weight against the bed barely made a dent, but I could feel the ends of her hair tickling my hand.

"Want to get some of it off your chest? I'd say I'm a pretty good listener." I let out a small chuckle and turned my body to face her.

"I'm sorry..." Her hand reached out and rested on mine. "I failed to get you home safely, you were turned into a shadow knight because you were protecting me. I should have done more to make sure all three of us got back. You'd have your sight, you'd still be human, and Ungrth..." I place my other hand over hers and give it a gentle squeeze.

"I would do it again in a heartbeat. That was my choice to make. You needed to save Caster and I was there to make sure you two got out alive. As far as I'm concerned you did nothing wrong."

"But-" I shake my head and raise her hand over my heart.

"No buts. You getting out of the Nether was the best option for us. I knew the stakes going in there. If I had to go through that pain and torment again to ensure your safety than I would. Knowing you're alive is what matters to me." I know she could feel my heart racing. And I wish I could see her face. Her silence and quiet breathing made it difficult to gauge her reaction. She pulled her hand away and sat up in the bed.

"I hate to ask this of you, but Emmalyn believes she has found a way to get rid of the rips in the realm barrier that Zane created. We want to stop them from spreading and it might possibly help Alexis as well."

"That sounds amazing, but what does it have to do with me?" She didn't answer right away. She would take my hands and place a smooth, cool object into them. "What is this?"

"Ungrth's soul." My whole body stiffened. This was all that was left of him. Sitting in the palms of my hands.

"We would need to use it as part of the ritual. The other wyverns said that I could use it, but Ungrth was your friend. They made a grave for him as well." The other wyverns had given him a proper burial and they trusted his soul to Aphmau.

"And this ritual will help Alexis?" I run my thumb across the surface of the stone like soul.

"That's what we are hoping for. Our options are limited, but at the very least we would close the rips in the barrier that might have links to the Nether." I let out a small breath and offer the soul to Aphmau.

"Do it. For Alexis." She didn't take his soul from me right away. Instead she hugged onto me. Her small arms wrapped around me and her head resting on my chest.

"I promise to make it up to you, I swear." She whispered those words, but I could hear them perfectly.

"I only wish to stay at your side. You've let me stay here, despite what I am. If this will put your mind at ease and help your people, who am I to deny you that." I rest my chin on her head and drape and arm around her waist. We stayed like that for a while before she pulled away and stood from the bed.

"Then we should get a proper house built for you. I'll come speak with you after I complete the ritual." I give her a nod and allow her to take Ungrth's soul. She made her way to the door and paused for a moment. "Thank you again Laurance."

---

The rays of the sun hitting my face was different from the warmth that I felt. This had passed through my whole body. It was different from the blistering heat of the Nether, rather it was comforting.

A blinding light caused me to recoil. A light?

I take a moment to shield my eyes before slowly opening them again. There it was, the ocean just beyond the trees. Calm waters tinted orange by the sunset. I sat in awe. I had seen sunsets too many times to count in my lifetime, but never did I think I was going to see them again.

I fall back into my chair and try to take it all in as much as I can. If I lose my sight again at least I will be able to recall this last moment. I don't know how long I was sitting at that window for, but the feeling of someone's hand on my shoulder snapped me out of my trance.

"It's done Laurance." Aphmau. I hesitantly stand and turn to face her. She hasn't changed at all. The same gorgeous smile that I clung to when I needed hope. I raise a hand and place it on her shoulder. "Laurance, your eyes."

"Please, let me have a moment. If this is only temporary I'd like the last thing I see to be you." Her face flushed a faint pink, but she held my gaze. "This must be Ungrth helping me one last time."

Aphmau smiles up at me, she was studying me just as much as I was her. "Well if it does stay, I think the blue eyes suit you well." I raise a brow. "It seems that the ritual might have restored your sight and changed the color of your eyes. It looks like pale diamonds now."

I let out a soft chuckle and pull my hand away from her shoulder, but instead I take her hand. "Thank you. Over and over again you're helping me, I'm in your debt." I raise her hand close to my lips and keep eye contact with her, looking for permission first. She hesitated and turned her head away. I lower her hand but keep my smile.

"I won't keep you here, Molly seems happy. You should go check on them." She would nod and make her way out of my room without meeting my gaze again. I let out a small sigh and look down at my hand. "Maybe there is hope after all."