Solace and Nox: A New Light

Chapter 10: Fifteen Years Ago

Cytra's mother was not well.

Eight year old Cytra Nox was alone with her mother. Living on the outskirts of Shodon, near the cemetery, wasn't the best lifestyle. Many people outside the city walls were very poor, and didn't have the money to get a lot of food. It was almost like the people living outside the wall were forgotten.

Cytra hoped that wasn't the case.

Cytra's mother, infected by some unknown disease, lied in her bed. Her mother had difficulties breathing, and Cytra knew they were near the final days of her life. They already lived poor lives, but since Cytra's mother was incapable of working, and she was too young, they could hardly provide food for each other. There was no way they could pay a doctor to come in and check on her, so they had no idea what caused her mother's sickness, and they could not get it fixed in time.

"Cytra," her mother whispered.

"Yes, mother?"

She sighed. "I know you've lived a difficult life." She coughed in between lines. "I know that this darkness that is inside of you is overwhelming, but you are the strongest young woman I have ever met. I know you can fight it."

Cytra wasn't sure how to respond. She just grabbed her mother's hand and nodded.

"When your father left us, I didn't know what to do," her mother continued. "I had no idea how I was going to provide for such a precious little girl, all on my own. But one night, as I was singing you to sleep, I saw how truly blessed I was. The innocent little child I held in my arms was the most valuable thing I had." She stroked her daughter's beautiful brown hair. The black highlights added more variety to her hair, and it made her mother smile. "I suddenly realized that I had to move on, for you."

Cytra was crying. She curled up against her mother on the bed, while her sick mother continued to stroke her hair.

"Mom," Cytra said, through her tears. "Will you sing that song one more time?"

"Of course," she said soothingly.

Despite her health, she was somehow able to sing the song. Her raspy voice was suddenly gone, and the coughing subsided as she sang the words:

In my arms, a precious child,

In her eyes, her love runs wild.

In my mind, How will I?

In her heart, don't say bye.

Cytra curled up closer to her loving mother. She somehow found the strength to hold on to her precious daughter. Nothing was more important to her than Cytra.

Suddenly, a knock on the door echoed through the house. Cytra perked her head up. She glanced at her mother, who simply shrugged. Cytra got up to get the door, and her mother rolled over, groaning slightly.

Cytra cracked the door open, and peeked out. A tall man holding a briefcase was standing there. It took him a minute to realize that the person who opened the door was fairly short. The man's light brown hair was pushed back, and his blue eyes had a hint of curiosity. He wore a black suit, and looked like he belonged inside the city walls. Why was he here?

"Excuse me, young one," he said kindly. "But I'm looking for Grace Nox. Is she here?"

Cytra nodded. "Yeah, but she's not feeling well."

"Well, that's exactly why I'm here," the man replied. "I was told by my brother that Grace needed a doctor."

"Who's your brother?" she asked quietly.

"He's the man who lives across the street right here," he said, pointing at the house.

"Dadien?" Cytra asked perking her head up, opening the door a little more. "You're his brother?"

"Indeed. My name is Jitlan," he said smiling.

Cytra smiled sweetly, and opened the door for him.

"Thank you, young one," he said gratefully.

"I'm not young anymore," she replied. "I'm eight now."

He laughed. "Excuse me. I meant big girl." He winked.

Cytra seemed satisfied, and happily followed the man towards her mother, Grace. Grace seemed to recognize the man. Her eyes widened when he approached.

"Jitlan? What are you doing here?" she asked, her raspy voiced had returned.

"I'm here to help," he replied, opening his briefcase. "Free of charge."

Grace couldn't believe it. It wasn't until Jitlan began checking her symptoms, that she finally began to cry.

"Mommy, don't cry," Cytra said. "He's here to help."

"I know, my dear," she said, blinking tears away. "I haven't been this happy in years."