Chapter 3 Split
Sophia smiled as she showed the young girl around the outsides of the temple, around the back of the whole walled in area to a kitchen garden and beyond the wall to an open pasture where some sheep and goats were grazing.
"The temple tries to be self-reliant." She explained as they walked. "But some things have to be sent for, like fabric and anything metal. So, they have this."
As she spoke, they rounded the very rear of the temple garden to a space where a large long single level building was set up, just away from the mountains, the sound of neighing and whinnies showing just what it was.
"Come on." Sophia said with a laugh, already hurrying over.
Inside the stable, a few robed men and women were hard at work, cleaning stalls or tending to the horses and after they gave the new comers a formal bow, they went back to their tasks. There were at least 9 horses, each in their own stalls, each of them rough and rugged for the terrain around them. Sophia quickly walked up to the first door and smiled as a stallion moved towards her, letting her stroke his nuzzle. "This was my favourite place to come when I was staying here. Do you know how to ride Annamarie?"
"A… a little. I did it on holiday once."
"Well, as long as you are here, you can ride anytime you want."
"I'm not sure that's a good idea." She confessed, keeping away. "I mean… in my state."
"That's precisely why you should." Sophia explained as she opened the door and stepped in with the horse, picking up a brush from the side. "There is something therapeutic in caring for an animal, to tend for it and help it." She said, holding out the brush. "Come on, give it a try."
Stepping in as well, Annamarie took the brush before slowly sweeping it over the animal's coat, half expecting it to jolt at her touch but it didn't and instead just stood there, allowing her to continue. She did for a bit and it did feel nice, watching the coat begin to shine. She worked for a bit in silence before looking at Sophia as she worked on the other side. "Why did you come here before Sophia?"
The blonde looked up, slightly startled by the question but then lowered her gaze. "After…" She began then paused. "After Hawk Moth worked out who I was… I ran as fast as I could away from him, knowing he would hunt me down. The peacock miraculous isn't the strongest and it isn't the one he wants but it would be a fine bargaining chip. Even more if he could catch it with a chosen."
She went back to brushing the coat. "Froufrou told me about this place and I came here in hopes of finding a way to stop him hunting me or a way to protect Adrian… or to defeat him." She slowed slightly. "I stayed only a few weeks but it soon became clear the answer I needed wasn't here. So, I realised distance was my only hope. My plan was to stay just out of his reach and hopefully get him to chase me, get him away from Paris and Adrian. It worked, for a bit, I got him to follow me all the way to Calais but then he stopped. I lost track of him and he must have lost track of me as soon as I went into England." She let out a deep long sigh. "I decided that I would settle in England and wait, knowing he would return eventually."
"How long did you wait?"
"Four years."
"And you never went back? Never had any contact with Adrian?"
"It was for his own good." She said as she closed her eyes, as if trying to convince herself it was the truth.
The two went back into silence, the only sound being the horse as he grunted with pleasure at being groomed. Finally Sophia huffed loudly. "You know, sometimes I think being a chosen is a curse. I mean, I was forced to leave my home, my life, everyone I love… I had to go on the run, leaving my son and husband behind because I had to keep the peacock safe. And… and now you. Everything that happened to you… I mean… you could have died Annamarie. Hawk Moth could have killed you. Even now… everything that has happened to you is because I gave you the miraculous." She looked quickly to the ground. "I was stupid, giving it to a teenager. I'm so sorry."
Annamarie's mouth dropped opened in amazement as she listened, quickly walking to her. "Sophia, it's not a curse! I mean… I… I don't know what would have happened to me if you haven't given me the hair slide. Yes, I wouldn't be in this… condition but I wouldn't be the person I am either. Being Peacock gave me the escape I needed and it made me realise who I am." Against her own fear, she grabbed the older woman's hands and held them tight, fighting back the burn. "I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for you. Don't you remember? The night we met, you saved my life. That is not a curse. It's a blessing."
Tears in her eyes, Sophia held the hand in hers back and managed to smile. "Annamarie…"
"Even now, even after everything that has happening to me, I am so glad you trusted me to become Peacock, Sophia. I would not have traded a second of this last year, even if I knew this was where it would lead me."
The other smiled at the honesty in her words and reached out for her face, brushing some hair away. "Oh Annamarie. You know, you're like the daughter I never had and I'm so proud of you. You've been so strong and brave. And… I wish I didn't have to leave you."
"I don't want you to go."
"I don't either." She confessed, releasing her hands and walking out of the stall. "But the masters are right, you can't rely on me forever. I will not go against their wishes."
Following, Annamarie sighed. "Where will you go?"
"Back to England probably. I have a business there and things to do. And it means I'll be far enough to keep everyone safe but close enough should you need me."
"And… what about me? What happens to me now?"
"The masters will look after you."
"And… what if I don't get better? What if I can't get over this? What… what if I never go home?"
"You will. Eventually." Sophia explained as they walked. "But you can't rush this. Take your time."
She sighed again and looked up at the sky. "I know. I just…" She trailed off, heading back up the path towards the temple without speaking.
After being shown around the whole temple, including the vast and impressive library underground, the two friends sat under a tree and talked until spotting Master Niji walking towards them. "Annamarie." He said with a nod.
She returned the gesture and swallowed. "Have you found something?"
"In a way, yes." He explained, kneeling on the ground beside her. "But it is not what you are hoping to hear."
"Please, just tell me."
He took a deep steady breath then looked her in the eye. "Annamarie, do you know about the threads of fate?"
"What?"
"It's a belief that everything in the world is connected by threads; every action we do creates a bond between ourselves and those around us. Some of these strings are weak and vanish within moments of being made. Some are far stronger, like the bond between you and Sophia or between Chat Noir and Ladybug. You are bound together." His eyes hardened on hers and she noticed absently they were a dark brown almost red colour. "When you were akumatised, Hawk Moth made a very strong connection between the two of you, one that he would pull on to his own design. You fought against him, which is a skill in itself, one not many have the will and strength to do. But… that is where the problem of you condition is."
"He still have hold of the threads." Annamarie said, catching on.
"Yes. And no. You see, there was a bond but as soon as the Akuma was destroyed, it was cut."
Sophia stiffened. "So... she is free of him?"
"There is still a connection, one that will never be destroyed. A residual mark and energy that is burning inside you. The residual energy is part of your condition but with time it will be absorbed into the miraculous. But there is another, more concerning element that I am very worried about." He paused, taking a deep breath. "Annamarie, when Hawk Moth put that darkness inside you, you fought back. Darkness is a force, an energy that is uncontrollable and unable to be destroyed. You fighting only made it more determined to control you and did something… that will be difficult for you to hear."
"What? What did it do to me?"
Niji blinked slowly. "It split your soul in half."
The blood drained from her face as she heard the words. "What?"
"How is that possible?" Sophia whispered in as much shock as her successor.
"I do not know. But from what you said earlier today, about Feathers and the fight you are having, it would appear your soul has split, creating two beings in the same body, yourself and Feathers. The darkness could not control you so it divided you."
Heart pounding and her mouth feeling dry, Annamarie slowly gulped. "Can…can… can you do anything?"
Niji looked away from her to the ground. "Regretfully, I do not know right now. But I will do everything in my power to help you. We will find a solution."
Hugging her own arms for comfort, the teenager fought back the nauseous sensation in her stomach. "And… if you can't?"
The man lifted his head higher. "We will find a solution."
Letting out a deep breath, the dancer stood up and looked at the floor, eyes lost into the distance. "I… I need to be alone." She said before running in the other direction.
Sophia moved to follow her but the master held her back. "Let her be." He ordered.
"Please, Master, reconsider. Let me stay, let me help her. She will need me."
"Sophia, I know you care for the girl…."
"Then let me stay!" The older woman shouted suddenly before sinking back. "Sorry, I shouldn't have shouted."
The man just smiled at her. "Your commitment to her is admirable Sophia but you are letting love and concern blind you. If she is to stand any chance at repairing her soul, she needs to do it alone." He sighed then reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "We will take care of her and I will be sure to send you regular reports on her condition. But you must distance yourself from this. Please."
Sophia sighed deeply. "Very well Niji."
He nodded then stood up, brushing his knees from the dust. "You are a good person Sophia. I just regret so much sadness has come to you because of us."
"Comes with the whole 'help save the world' deal." She chuckled dryly.
A/N: Hello everyone! So a lot of people have said that sending Sophia away seemed sudden and in the moment but if this chapter didn't explain why please send me a PM and I'll explain as best I can.
In other news I have just been working on 'Feather's flight and I realised something very, very exciting.
Apart from the battle scenes in chapters 12, 17, 19, 23, 25, 33, 34 and 35, the sequel to Turning a Feather, Feather's Flight, is finished. Yes, you read that right! The sequel is finished!
I am honestly speechless that I have been able to, more or less, finish this second story so quickly! I didn't know I was so close! And to mark this triumphant moment, I have published on my DA page the image that will become the cover for this story (I'm Storylady35 there as well if you want to check it out)
As well as that I'm going to pick up the pace on publishing chapters for Recovery! So keep your eyes open for the next chapter!
