Tale of the Prophet Bearer: The Dark Queen's Reign

Chapter 37: The Dark Dimension Returns

Reil's hot breath tickles my ear, returning to her normal state of breathing. "That," She twists the sword deeper into my chest, pain shooting through my body. I inhale sharply, blood drizzling down my chest. "Is what it felt like."

Her grip on my hair loosens and she gives the sword one last twist before gliding it out of my body.

I know I'm supposed to be in excruciating pain, but I'm numb and cold. My thoughts suspend in my mind and my limbs seem to forget how they work. I swallow, tears prickling against my eyes. The next thing I know, my body collides with the floor. I melt into a coughing fit after an attempt to breathe, blood splattering onto my hand.

You just had to play hero.

Reil steps in front of me.

You just had to save the day.

She unsheathes her sword, anger gleaming in her eyes.

Look where that got you.

"Goodbye, Prophetess," She hisses.

What kind of hero are you?

"NO!" Another voice shouts.

I hear the newcomer and know I know the voice, but I'm not conscious enough to decipher who it is. Part of me wants to see who it is, but I don't have the strength to open my eyes and my desire to sleep is more than my curiosity. I guess I deserve to spend my last few moments in excruciating pain and confusion.

As I wait for death's hand, I listen to the chaos ensuing around me. Screams, metal clangs, the crackle of fire burning. I can feel myself slipping, my senses numbing to a ringing. A peaceful buzzing fills my head, calling me to sleep, and I follow it, sounding more peaceful than the chaos going on around me. I'm dying, slow and painfully, but at least my time is finally finished. I can make amends for what I've done.

Something jerks in my chest, sending waves of pain through my body. The pain throbbing in my chest feels awful. It twists, burns and a scream builds in my throat. It brings my senses to normalcy, my ears hearing Reil's frustrated scream, the taste of blood on my tongue, a familiar voice crying out in pain. Everything brings me back to the realization of reality.

The pain starts easing, as if someone were lifting off my chest, starting at my head and moving down.

What's going on? I open my eyes to the crazy scene before me. Fire covers the walls and chains shoot this way and that. The shouts overpowers the ringing in my ear and I wrinkle my nose at the strong scent that reminds me of burnt popcorn.

Something moves from the corner of my eye and I see a familiar face with long brown hair cover her pale face and doe-like eyes glazed with pain. Blood drenches the blue dress hugging her small figure. I don't know why, but it seems that Lakarnians look paler on Earth than they do on their home planet.

"N-Naris?" I croak out, my voice scratchy and strained.

She struggles to breathe, fist clenched around her bloody chest. "I healed you," She squeaks. "You will be alright..."

"What happened?" I manage say.

She coughs a pathetic wheeze before saying, "It is a fatal wound... I cannot heal it without taking it on myself. But I will be alright with time... and a lot of recuperation... give me a few moments..."

I nod and try to catch my breath, my vision swimming. This is all too confusing... How did the others know I was here? Why are they here? I'm not worth coming back for.

My eyes dart to my blood stained shirt, torn and ripped into shreds so you couldn't see the cute way it fit on me. I really liked this shirt...

Reil's savage scream rips through the air and I look up to see the Queen diving at me, her sword aimed at my chest, the crazed maniacal panic returning to her eyes.