The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 52: Grasping Reality

Curran's rampage had left everyone unsure of a positive resolution. If Slarant was accurate with his claim, Curran is the key to saving not only Mikhail and Krinx, but the entire world.

With Evenharth and Slarant down, Chri struggling to remain standing and Naitosai barely holding his own; Cecilee now stepped up to try her hand where everyone else failed.

They stood face to face as Curran placed his hand gently upon her cheek.

"Curran, I need you to listen to me." She said, welcoming his touch by placing her hand gently over his.

"Of course my love." he replied in the most soothing tone the onlookers had yet to hear.

"Curran, I am not Raintree. My name is Cecilee and I need your help." she began to explain.

"Not... Raintree?" he replied with a confused look beginning to take form.

Through his clouded eyes, the woman who stood before him interchanged back and forth from Cecilee to that of his deceased wife.

"Krinx has my son." she continued, but hearing the name "Krinx" triggered his psyche as Cecilee herself took on the form of Krinx in his eyes.

Swiftly, the hand that had once held her cheek fell to her chest and with a quick jab, pushed her away into combat distance. Reclaiming his katana, Curran took to an offensive stance, ready to strike.

"Hey, you guys be ready to help her if need be, I'm going to see if I can't check on those two." Thengol whispered while inching over towards the injured.

Chri glanced at Thengol and nodded while Llaw warned for him to be careful.

Meanwhile, Curran continued to struggle with the appropriate action while gripping his blade. She realized that he was still holding on to his sanity the best he could.

"I can see that you don't want hurt me. Please Curran, help me get my son back." she pleaded.

He replied by swinging his mighty blade but she quickly blocked with her sword. Face to face with blades drawn, her eyes began to glow as she calmly spoke to her comrades, "No matter what, do not interfere."

Chri and Llaw were in awe that she would be so willing to face the samurai alone, especially after seeing the state that he left not only Eventharth and Slarant in, but Cavell as well.

A command that was the hardest for Naitosai to adhere, yet he knew all too well how powerful his mother's strength was when she was like this. Despite his heart's desire, he too abided with her wishes and lowered his weapon.

Since Curran was preoccupied with Cecilee, Thengol managed to successfully make his way over to Evenharth. He knelt beside him and rolled him onto his side, then propped him up against his knees.

"I... tried." Evenharth whispered while slowly looking up at him with dried blood around his mouth and on his chin.

"Hang in there buddy, I haven't introduced you to that waitress yet." he said in jest. Smiling back, glad to see that he was still alive.

Evenharth coughed up blood with a faint smile.

"Hey man, promise I'll be right back. I'm gonna go check on Slarant." he reassured him while gingerly dragging his body to the nearest tree.

He propped him up in the most comfortable position that he could and took one last look at his close friend before making his way over to Slarant.

Cecilee and Curran remained standing face to face with their weapons against one another as he continued to struggle with his inner self. He looked deep into her eyes and saw the truth.