Across the Worlds
Chapter 21: Bitter losses
. . . . . . . . . . . .
The Plague Man smiled at them, showing off his cracked and yellowed teeth.
"Do you honestly think you can defeat me?" he hissed.
Everyone started shocked that he could even speak. The infected monster laughed.
"Although I'm a little surprise," he rasped, his breath punctuated by the wheezing of deteriorating lungs.
His hands swept around indicating his army of diseased animals, they hung back, eyeing them hungrily but stayed in their holding pattern.
"You got much further than I expected," he smirked, "But one thing worries me…"
He pointed at Selena who tensed, ready for a fight.
"Why are you working for a monster like her?"
"Uhh… I think the kettle has something to say about that," Inara rolled her eyes, "Hypocrite!"
The Plague laughed in amusement.
"You think I am a monster?" he glared accusingly at Selena, "I'm what her people made me!"
Even in the madness of the battle there was a second of stunned silence.
"Made?" Elias demanded.
The Plague Man opened his mouth to speak but Selena cut in, furious.
"Why are you even listening to him?" the Sister demanded, "He's a murderer! He's obviously lying!"
Susan glanced at her face and saw no hint of falsehood. Selena honestly had no idea what the Plague Man was saying.
"Oh really?" the Plague Man laughed, mocking her, "Are you sure about that?"
Selena raised her sceptre, her eyes glinting dangerously. The Plague Man blinked and suddenly he was in motion before they could even react.
Susan cried out as razor sharp claws sliced across her forehead, blood spilling down her face. Jason raised one arm to defend himself and grunted as talons ripped deep into him.
The Plague Man whirled and laughed, mocking them.
"Are you sure you can defeat me?" he taunted.
Selena glared at the monster and reached out with one hand. Her cool fingers probed Susan's wound and the queen hissed in pain. There was a flash of light, a sense of overwhelming warmth and the head wound was gone.
Without taking her eyes off the Plague Man, Selena did the same to Jason, wrapping her fingers around his wounded left arm and healing him in the blink of an eye.
The Seeker grunted in surprise and moved his arm testing it out. Elias gasped out loud.
"Impossible," he stammered, "That's… that's just impossible!"
"Enough talk," Selena raised her sceptre, "You die!"
The Plague Man laughed and gestured. The infected animals attacked, howling with feral rage.
Three plague-infested dogs leapt at Inara, bowling her over. The warrior girl hit the ground and was instantly lost from sight amidst a frenzy of snapping jaws and fierce growls. Elias managed to recover from his shock and stepped in, his staff flying out and knocking one dog away, giving Inara time to recover.
With a cry, she kicked out throwing both dogs off her. She flipped to her feet as the dogs recovered and charged at her again. Keeping the scientist behind her, Inara stabbed out again and again.
Three bodies hit the ground as Inara turned to Elias.
"Thanks," she smiled.
She spun around him to face an incoming sheep.
Zaru was embroiled in a melee with two other cats. Fur and blood flew through the air as they clawed and spat at each other, giving no quarter.
Elias, Inara and Zaru continued to fight against the monsters forcing them away from the well as behind them Susan, Jason and Selena found themselves locked in combat with the Plague Man.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
The Plague Man was incredibly was fast, capering out of their way as they tried to hit him. Selena swung out with her sceptre but the Plague Man easily jumped backwards dodging the blow.
He kicked out smashing Jason in the face and sending him spinning to the ground. With a cry, he charged at Susan but the queen was ready.
She dropped her bow, her training from the Temple taking over. With a cry, her hands shot forwards grabbing onto the infected monster's outstretched arm. She twisted, slamming her hip into his charging body and momentum did the rest.
With a flick of her wrist, she used his own speed and inertia against him and with a fierce battle cry, she tossed the monster straight over her shoulder.
The Plague Man's back slammed against the hard paved rock, bone crunching as he screamed out, black blood exploding from his mouth. Susan hurriedly jumped out of the way, avoiding the infected fluid.
"Nice move!" Selena said with frank admiration.
Susan helped Jason up, the Seeker clutched at his chest glaring at the monster who eyed them wearily.
"Princess," Jason growled quietly.
Susan instantly got his message, she pulled out one dagger and expertly threw it with pinpoint precision. Jason closed his eyes and pushed out with his power, pouring it into the dagger's flight.
The Plague Man screamed as the dagger tore straight through his chest, tearing through skin, flesh and lung before exploding out through the other side. The monster staggered but was far from finished.
The Plague Man convulsed and vomited out a stream of black blood at Selena. With a cry, Jason threw his hand forwards and the spray of black blood went wide.
It splattered to the ground, the mosses and weeds growing between the stone paving instantly shrivelling up and dying.
The monster cursed and cried out in fury.
Instantly a stag with bleeding eyes and mouth bounded right over Inara's head, its hoofs knocking her down as it sailed past. Zaru instantly leapt to the warrior's defence, snapping and clawing forcing the infected animals back until she could get up once more.
The stag charged at Jason and the Seeker threw himself aside, rolling as the stag thundered past.
He leapt to his feet and slashed out as the stag tried to wheel around. The razor blade sliced right through the beast's flanks.
Instantly a huge torrent of blood sprayed into the air, infected flesh and writhing maggots flying everywhere.
Jason was half-blinded by the deluge and the stag rammed its antlers in Seeker sending him flying.
"JASON!" Susan cried.
She whipped around as the Plague Man flew at her. The queen was like water, literally flowing around his movements until she was in a place to attack. With a cry, she landed a stout kick to his back sending him sprawling.
Again she lashed out and this time the edge of her boot slammed into his knee with a sickening crunch.
The Plague Man screamed out and writhed on the ground, clutching at his knee. Susan picked up her bow and coolly shot two arrows into the side of his head.
Jason sidestepped the stag as it charged at him again. With a cry, the Seeker's arm shot out and he buried his dagger deep into its exposed neck.
The stag fell to the ground at exactly the same time the Plague Man did. The infected demon's eyes rolled up to the back of his heads and he fell forwards without a sound.
"You…" Selena stared at Susan, "YOU DID IT!"
Jason nodded his head in approval as Susan stood there, slightly stunned by her own handiwork, her chest heaving.
"Looks like the training at the Temple did pay off," the Seeker said casually.
The infected animals went into a feral rage at the fall of their master. Jason rolled his eyes and shoved out with his powers knocking them all back.
Zaru bounded over to Susan and nudged her leg, beaming in joy. Susan laughed and ruffled his head lightly.
"Alright," Inara grunted.
She was covered in cuts and bruises, her hair a wild tangle but her eyes were filled with humour.
"Let's put down these beasties and get out of here!" she cheered.
Elias loaded another fire orb into his crossbow ready to burn all of the creatures to the ground.
A flash of movement caught Susan's eyes and she turned. Selena stepped up to the Plague Man's body, her sceptre held high.
"You will not harm anyone anymore," she swore, the bladed end of the sceptre pointing down at the Plague Man, "This is for all the innocent lives you've destroyed!"
"Selena…?" Susan asked.
"Just making sure he's dead," Selena said grimly.
She shouted and she swung the sceptre down with all her might, the bladed end flying towards the Plague Man's head.
A sudden sickening wave of premonition and dread hit Susan like a physical blow and she cried out. But she was too late to stop the inevitable.
"SELENA!" she screamed, torment in every syllable, "WATCH OUT!"
Startled, Selena glanced at her and the Plague Man struck. Even with the two arrows embedded into his skull, the monster exploded forwards, swiping out with his hands.
Selena screamed as claws tore through her thighs. She fell to the ground as the Plague Man reared his head, leering at her.
Gritting her teeth, the Sister tried to lash out with her sceptre but the Plague Man caught her wrist in one arm.
"SELENA!"
There was a sickening crunch as he easily broke her wrist. Selena screamed and her sceptre fell from her broken hands.
"Stop them!" the Plague Man barked.
The animals banded together and launched a fresh wave of attack, sheer numbers overwhelming the five companions. Susan tried to fire an arrow at the Plague Man, to stop him but an infected owl got in the way, taking the blow for its master.
"NOOOO!" she screamed.
She was bowled over by a bear cub who foamed at the mouth, instantly embroiled in a deadly fight for life. Zaru roar and leapt onto the ursa's back, biting deep with his teeth.
Elias was almost overwhelmed by the attack, his crossbow lost in the frenzy as he tried to fight back with his quarterstaff. Jason stabbed a pig and used its body as a springboard to vault over the roaring rabble and landed beside the scientist, protecting him.
Inara danced and weaved around the monsters, spinning and flipping as she fought for her life, taking claws and teeth as her sword slashed out again and again.
And amidst the madness, Selena screamed in agony.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Her sceptre fell from her shattered hand as the Plague Man laughed maniacally.
"Maybe now you understand what your victims feel," he hissed, "Before they die from your actions!"
Selena spat in his face and clamped her uninjured hand around his neck.
"Trying to choke me?" the monster laughed, "Please try, it'll amuse me!"
"Then you'll find this hilarious!" Selena snapped, fighting back nausea and pain.
White light exploded from her hands and the Plague Man screamed, his anguish sawing through the air making everyone and everything look at him.
Selena closed her eyes as she poured her healing powers into the Plague Man trying to drive whatever rampant infection away from him.
For a second, it seemed to be working as some of the sores on the man's body began to close but she never really stood a chance.
The Plague Man sucked in a deep breath and opened his mouth.
Selena's eyes were still clamped shut as she continued to send waves and waves of healing energy into the Plague Man's twisted body.
Susan felt tears on her face as she kicked the bear's dead body off her. She felt sick knowing what was about to happen but she could do nothing but watch.
"SELENA!"
Time seemed to slow as the Plague Man retched violently.
The Sister's eyes were still shut tight as the Plague Man vomited all over her. Black blood invaded her mouth and nose as Selena let out a choked cry.
Her hand fell from the Plague Man's neck, the healing power fading as she crashed to the ground, twitching and kicking, completely drenched in black goo.
Susan felt like someone had just punched her in the gut as Selena went still.
"NOOOOOO!"
Red-hot fury spilled through her veins and Susan charged forwards. An infected fox tried to get in her way but Susan smashed her bow over its head, wood splintering and cracking from the blow.
She tossed the shattered bow aside and stepped right in front of the Plague Man as he rose to his feet.
"I'm going to kill you," she promised in a tight heated voice.
"I do not wish to destroy you," the Plague Man said softly, "My crusade is not against one who is innocent."
"SHUT UP!" Susan screamed, "SHUT UP! AND STOP LYING! YOU'RE A MURDERER! DON'T YOU DARE LIE ABOUT IT!"
Her foot knocked against something and she instantly scooped it up. It was Selena's sceptre and it was the only weapon she had.
"SUSAN!"
It was Zaru who screamed, using her name for the very first time but Susan didn't hesitate as she threw herself against the Plague Man.
The Plague Man raised his arms to defend himself as Susan swung the sceptre around, the blue crystal head flying towards the monster.
The queen let out a cry of shock as a tremendous wave of heat swept through her body, channelling down the length of her arm and into the sceptre.
She felt a tingle, a twinge and a tickle and the blue crystals of the sceptre instantly lit up.
The Plague Man screamed as the glowing crystals touched his skin and flashed.
It was like a thunderstorm had exploded out from the end of the sceptre, thousands of tendrils of crackling energy ripping through the infected man.
There was a tremendous boom and the Plague Man flew backwards.
His back slammed into the rim of the stone well behind him and before everyone's astonished eyes, he flipped right over the top and fell into the well.
There was a long silence before a massive splash echoed out from the well as the Plague Man finally hit the water.
"ELIAS!" Susan barked, shoving all her surprise and shock aside, "FIRE ORB!"
The scientist reacted quickly throwing her a ceramic ball. She caught it and charged straight for the well, tossing the small orb into its depths.
The ceramic smashed into the water's edge, the tension shattering the clay and the orb instantly detonated.
Shockwaves blasted the well apart as Susan was sent flying. She hit the ground and looked up, dazed at the smoking hole where the well once stood.
"Let's go!" she shouted, voice ringing, "MOVE!"
Inara helped her up and the two girls ran, Zaru just behind them. Jason cleared a path with his powers and they charged straight through the tattered rabble of infected animals, killing any who dared block their path.
A bear tried to swipe at them but Susan stabbed out with Selena's sceptre. Blue light flashed and paralysing energy instantly knocked the animal down.
They burst through the horde and onto the other side.
"ELIAS!" Susan commanded hurriedly, "LEVEL THIS PLACE! JASON MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GET AWAY!"
Elias and Inara instantly threw a whole barrage of fire orbs into the animal's midst. They began to panic as they realise what was about to happen but Jason drew up every last dreg of power he had lost and flung it forwards, almost fainting.
The power was like a clamp, forcing the animals into a tight group as the ceramic orbs hit the ground with deadly consequences.
The army of infected monsters instantly went up in a hellish wave of blue hot flames as they fled from the village.
"Do you think it's over?" Inara asked sprinting beside her.
Susan looked at the yellow ring inside her pouch and saw the metal was still white.
"No," the queen said grimly, "It's not."
Behind them, animals burned and screamed, their shrieks providing a horrific symphony of suffering and anguish as the five companions continued to run away from the village.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Inara's eyes were closed as she let the cool morning air sweep over her body. Slowly she shifted her foot, adjusting her balance as she slid smoothly into her next move.
Her breathing was slow and steady in absolute synchronisation with the beating of her heart.
Her mind was blank, focused only on the purity of her surroundings and movement.
She swept her arms around in one slow, precise movement before she twisted her hand around before withdrawing with the same controlled steadiness.
"You have no idea who stupid you look right now," a gruff voice shattered her serenity.
"It helps me stay in balance and in control," Inara replied calmly without opening her eyes.
She moved again, sliding her foot slowly along the ground. In Jin ShiZi, what she was doing was known as Tai Chi, an ancient art that helped her regulate her breathing and balance and strengthen various parts of her body as well as improving her flexibility.
To Jason it looked like a completely useless exercise for a would-be warrior but Inara had been trained well and knew better. Tai Chi had taught her how to direct the energy and force of her strikes, the subtle differences in hand and foot placements having different effects when sped up and used in battle.
She moved her arm out once more in a palm strike that would push her enemies away. She retracted and pushed out again, this time her hand placed in such a way that would transfer all energy to her opponent's body causing massive internal injuries.
"Please, it'll help me completely kick your ass one day," she opened her arms, shifting back into a normal stance, "What's up Cowboy?"
"How's Princess?" Jason said bluntly.
Inara frowned.
"Queenie? Why are you asking me?"
"You're the one who sleeps with her!" Jason blinked, "Uhh… that sounded a bit…"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Inara moved into stretches, loosening up her muscles, "She didn't sleep at all last night. Even though she was obviously dead tried."
After running from the village, they had managed to stumble onto a small tavern just as night began to descend. With nowhere to go and with injuries and fatigue wearing them down, the five companions had stayed the night, resting up for the final leg of the journey back to Navachandra.
"I woke up a few times and she was up, staring at that sceptre thing," Inara finished.
"Guilt," Jason sighed, "Susan does love to beat herself up over everything."
For one so young, the queen had so much riding on her shoulders and she took it her duties with a dignity and determination that demanded respect from all who met her. But her one fatal flaw was her inability to see that everything was not her duty and not her fault, every time something went wrong Susan would place herself right in the middle of it, questioning her every judgement and action.
"I know," Inara replied with a sad smile, "She's not going to rest until the Plague Man's dead."
"And we just have to make sure she doesn't get killed in the process," Jason said grimly.
The two warriors smiled at each other and nodded, knowing that for Susan they would fight to the death.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Elias pushed the door and walked into without preamble. Susan was still sitting on the edge of her bed as she had done the night before, her blue eyes staring at Selena's sceptre weapon.
"Eat," the scientist said sternly, "You need the energy."
"I don't want to," Susan said hoarsely.
Elias eyed her as if he had half a mind to smack her across the back of the head for being silly but he set down the tray of food down with a small sigh.
"Susan, don't do this to yourself," he advised gently, "Don't beat yourself up over this. I wasn't your fault."
"It was," Susan said quietly, "When Selena came to me with her plan… I knew it wouldn't succeed. It just couldn't. The odds were stacked against us. And yet, I agreed and now she's…"
She trailed off, her throat clogging up with emotion.
"Selena would've gone with or without us," Elias said sternly, "We are not responsible for her decisions and actions nor the actions of the one who actually killed her."
But Susan was shaking her head.
"I should've made her stay behind… should've…" she protested.
She had spent the whole night wracked with thoughts of what could've been, plans she could've executed to get them all out alive but somehow imagining what could've unfolded if she had been wiser and faster made Selena's death all the more terrible.
It was no wonder she hadn't slept at all.
Elias sighed and sat down beside her. He placed a fatherly hand on her shoulder and Susan glanced at him, startled.
"I once had a good friend," Elias said quietly, "He wanted to do a dangerous experiment involving particle accelerators to study the…"
He saw Susan's blank look and cleared his throat, blushing slightly.
"Bottom line is… I knew my friend was placing himself in danger, that he was risking his life but he was risking his life for something he wanted to do. And as a friend, I told him about the risks but at the end of the day I supported him… because what else is a friend meant to do?"
A dark look entered Elias's eyes as he continued to tell his tale.
"He died," the scientist said flatly, "The experiment backfired and he died… we couldn't even find a body. And the days that followed… I was haunted. Maybe if I had been stronger and argued more fiercely and…"
He looked sadly into Susan's eyes as the queen stared at him, shocked.
"It took a long time but ultimately I realised it wasn't my fault. That the choices people make are out of our hands. Things happen. People make stupid choices that gets them hurt or worse… and what can we do?" Elias glanced at the window, internally staring into his past, "What else can we do? We respect the choices they made and we don't demean them by judging or criticising them."
Susan was shaking her head but Elias stopped her with a gentle hand.
"And we realise we are not the ones at fault. People are responsible for their fate and no else can be blamed for what they do… Susan… let go of the guilt."
Susan saw the sadness in his eyes and wanted to weep. The dams holding her own emotions threatened to break but Susan clung on.
"I can't help it," Susan said throatily, "I… just… I'm a leader. I'm supposed to protect my people… to protect does under my care. When I fail… people die."
"People die more than just because of you," Elias said severely, "I think I speak for all of us when I say you're a damn fine leader and we'll follow you to the ends of the earth. We trust you not because you're perfect but because you care enough to cry when we get hurt… we trust you to put us before yourself, to be first to charge into battle and the last to retreat. We trust you because you are one extraordinary woman."
Susan stared at Elias, shell-shocked at the depth of his feelings. For the usual calm and logical scientist to profess such emotions and passions, for him to shower such praise on her… she saw herself and her duty in a new light.
Loss with an inevitable part of leadership but was she going to curl up into a ball because of it? Or was she going to accept the inevitable and do the best she possibly could to protect those left? Was she going to remain strong?
Susan smiled.
"Thank you," she whispered, "Thank you."
Elias smiled back.
"Good," he rose, "Now… eat! I command you!"
Susan laughed and began to tackle her meal with gusto.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
The closer they got to Mystic Lake, the more morose and withdrawn Susan got knowing the confrontation she would have to face against Artema.
As Jason and Elias paddled their boat across the smooth bejewelled waters of the lake, Susan squared her shoulders and tried to take in the serenity of the surroundings into her, to still her thoughts and prepare herself for the ordeal to come.
"Don't let that cow blame everything on you," Inara said fiercely.
Susan smiled.
"If you want I could take off a hand for you when she says something stupid," Zaru offered, only half-joking.
Susan had to laugh at that.
"And what would that do?" she asked.
The leopard shrugged.
"I figured it'll distract her for a while," Zaru responded, "Give you time to calm yourself before you shoot Artema full of arrows for whatever stupid things she's bound to say."
Susan laughed as their boat smoothly sailed into one of the inlets surrounding Navachandra. She looked up at the marble palace and promised herself one thing.
She would not allow Artema to blame Selena's death on her.
She was not responsible for Selena's choices or the Plague Man's murderous actions.
But she would do her damn best to get justice for Selena. No matter what it took.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Leaves began to fall from the canopy, the green leeching out of them as they fell amidst a rain of wizened twigs and branches. The forest was silent, devoid of all life as the monster continued to walk through the trees, death trailing in its wake.
There was a resounding boom as a tree, rotted through to the core, crashed to the ground, branches and debris flying everywhere.
Black blood dribbled down from uneven teeth, plants dying from even the smallest drop.
A hawk circled through the air overhead. Its keen eyesight took one glance at the creature moving through the jungle and the bird shrieked before powering away, fleeing for its life.
The Plague Man was badly injured, his skin burn and lacerated amongst the livid sores and bruises but yet still he walked, driven on by whatever ravenous disease that now occupied his skeletal body.
The Plague Man stumbled, his blood splattering against a clump of wild bramble. The plant instantly curled up and shrivelled into nothing as the monster slowly rose his feet.
He refused to lie down and die… that would come later. But for now he had people to kill.
With an eerie smile, the Plague Man continued on his journey, eager to finish what he'd started.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
There was a timid knock at the door. Susan who'd been pacing the room in anticipation for summons to see Artema glanced at the others in surprise.
Inara opened the door and a small figure spilled into the room.
"Cinda!" Zaru bounded over to the little girl and greeted her with enthusiastic licks to the face.
The little Void laughed and clapped her hands in joy. Zaru backed up a little and Elias's eyes widened in shock.
"What happened to you?" he gasped.
A neat white bandage covered her forehead, her left arm was similarly swathed in bandages. Cinda laughed them off, delighted to see her friends once more.
"Oh that," the little servant shook her head, "Well… I don't… the Sisters said I must've fallen somewhere but they patched me up real good."
"Are you okay?" Jason asked urgently.
Cinda nodded vigorously.
"They gave me some… med… med… medicines," she stumbled over the word, "And they gave me light duties for a few days."
Everyone still looked a bit worried and the servant smiled.
"Don't worry," she promised, "A lot of the Voids tend to get hurt and the Sisters always look after them. And when we get too old or just unable to work, the Sisters retire us and send them us to a peaceful village up in the mountains."
"Does you people get hurt a lot?" Elias asked, surprised.
Cinda sighed.
"Sadly, yes," the servant smiled at them, "So what happened? Where did you go?"
Zaru opened his mouth to tell her but a warning rumble from Jason stopped the leopard instantly.
"Nothing," Susan lied smoothly, "We had to check something for the Sisters. It was a bit boring really."
Cinda looked a bit crestfallen, clearly expecting some dramatic tale of daring and adventure but she quickly recovered.
"What…" she began.
"VOIDS! ATTEND!" a piercing voice boomed from somewhere nearby.
Cinda sighed and slipped out of the chambers, heading towards the crying Sister.
"Do you think she's alright?" Jason asked, not quite meeting their eyes.
"They better not have hurt her," Inara said flatly, "Otherwise, Artema might have a nasty accident with my sword."
Susan nodded grimly, agreeing with her words. Suddenly the door swung open and Cinda was there, ashen faced.
"Yes?" Susan asked.
"It's…" the little girl gulped, "Artema. She wants to see you."
Susan took a deep breath and nodded at Cinda. The Void came her a worried smile but walked out of the room, Susan following in her wake.
The others offered her sympathetic but encouraging looks as Susan followed Cinda to face Artema once more.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
"Get out," Artema said calmly.
Susan arched an eyebrow.
"No recriminations or accusations?" she said dryly, "How very unlike you."
"It's obvious you won't listen to a word I say," Artema hissed, "So I want you to leave. I will not have you here leading more of my Sisters to their death."
"Selena chose her own path," Susan said coldly, "I didn't push her to her death."
Artema growled under her breath.
"You certainly didn't stop her!"
"She came to you with a plan to face the Plague Man," Susan reminded her, "You didn't stop her either."
Artema flushed but didn't reply. Instead, she gestured at Cinda to open one of the doors leading into the chamber. The Void instantly obeyed pulling it open with a small grunt.
A very familiar and much loved figure stepped into the room. His blonde bangs flopped over his forehead, half-obscuring his crystal blue eyes as he gave her a small, warm smile.
Susan's eyes widened in shock as delight and joy suffused her heart.
"PETER!"
She threw herself at her brother, tears stinging her eyes as she wrapped her arms around him. Like so many times before in her life, her older brother's arms returned the hug in a familiar, comforting embrace.
"Hey, Su," he said lightly with a small wry grin.
"That's all you have to say for yourself?" Susan demanded, laughing and crying, "I expected sudden confessions of awe and adoration!"
Peter laughed, the familiar sound of it comforting Susan more than any words he could've ever said. She took a step back and studied him slowly, noting his unblemished skin, his clear eyes and his firm commanding stance that she knew so well.
"You're…"
Gingerly she touched him on the cheek where only days before horrible scars and wounds had marred his skin.
"You're healed."
"You're welcome," Artema cut in coldly, "But I believed I told you to leave?"
Even Artema couldn't spoil Susan's joy. She hugged her brother again.
"Easy there Su!" Peter laughed, "I need to breathe remember!"
Susan clutched her brother's hand and drew her away from the room, Artema's glare boring into the back of their heads with each step. Cinda skipped ahead of them, her friend's joy making her beam.
"What happened?" Peter demanded, "Susan, what's going on here?"
Susan shook her head, the reality of their situation jarring her joy for a second.
"Peter… there's so much…" her lips trembled, "You have…"
She stopped.
"I think we should wait until we see the others first."
"Others?" Peter frowned.
Somewhere in the back of his mind he vaguely remembered hazy faces, snatches of things he'd seen in his delirious fever. He shuddered remembering how close he'd been to death.
Again he looked at his Sister and felt a wild joy to see her once more. But more importantly, he was happy to see the old Susan back, not the sneering bitter girl she'd briefly changed into.
"Come on," Susan followed Cinda until they reached their temporary chambers once more.
She pushed the door open and instantly everyone turned to look at her. Zaru gaped, instantly recognising the young man standing behind her.
"Your majesty!" he cried flinging himself to the ground, "It's an honour!"
Jason, Elias and Inara all recognised Peter but had very different reactions.
"So you're heal," Jason grunted, "Good, didn't want to almost lose our lives for nothing."
Peter looked at Jason and instantly saw a warrior, a tool he could use in battle. The Seeker narrowed his eyes, not liking the vibes he was getting from the oldest Pevensie. The boy definitely had an authority to him, a sense of nobility and duty but there was an arrogance and a pettiness as well.
"I'm glad you're alright," Elias said sincerely.
Peter nodded at him, unsure of what to say.
Inara raised an eyebrow at him.
"Gotta say, all cleaned up, you don't look too bad… Petey Boy," she said with a wicked grin.
Peter started at Inara's smirk. His eyes flickered towards Susan as his sister rolled her eyes well used to Inara's teasing ways and her delight in setting people off-balance. She glanced back at him, her eyes telling him clearly to just keep quiet.
The king shook himself and returned to the matter at hand.
"What's happening?" Peter asked in a commanding voice.
Jason bristled at the way he talked to them but said nothing, his blue eyes narrowing to thin slits. Inara sensed his tension and glanced at him questioningly. The Seeker shook his head.
Zaru instantly straightened more than ready to report his side of the story.
"I think you should sit down," Susan said quietly, "It's a long story."
Peter frowned and did as he was instructed.
"So where is everyone? Is Lu okay? Ed?" Peter asked urgently, "Where are we? Is this Narnia?"
Susan opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by a sudden sharp moan. Her head instantly snapped towards Cinda.
The Void was leaning against the doorjamb, her face pale.
"Cinda?" she asked urgently.
The little girl gave another moan as she stumbled forwards, Elias catching her in his arms.
"What is it?" the professor asked quickly, "Are you okay?"
"Pain," the little girl whimpered.
"Where?" Elias asked in a soothing voice.
Cinda gave a small cough and Elias was alarmed to feel a sudden wave of heat rush through her body.
"Everywhere!" the girl screamed, "IT HURTS!"
She began to buck and writhe, screaming on top of her lungs. Inara instantly leapt over them, running out into the hallway.
"SOMEBODY!" she screamed, "HELP! HELP!"
She charged down the corridor, looking frantically for any Sisters as back in their chambers, Cinda continued to yell out in pain, tears pouring down her little face.
"What is it?" Peter leapt onto his feet, "Is she…"
Elias froze as he felt something hot and wet leak between his fingers. Trembling, he slowly removed his hand from Cinda's back and held them up.
Everyone stared in shock at the blood staining his fingers.
"Oh my…" Susan swore.
"Is she… what's happening?" Peter demanded, completely bewildered.
Jason swore.
"INARA!" his voice boomed won the hallway, "I DON'T CARE WHAT THE HELL YOU DO! GET A SISTER IN HERE! NOW!"
"Susan…?" Cinda whimpered.
Susan quickly shook herself out of her paralysis and sank down beside the girl, taking her little hands in her own.
"What is it?" she asked in a calm, low voice.
"I'm scared," Cinda cried.
She suddenly coughed and foam and blood flew out of her throat flying through the air before splattering against the ground.
The Void continued to buck wildly, screaming in agony as the blood from her back turned from a trickle to a torrent.
Elias felt sick as the blood continued to stain his hands but still he held the little girl, giving her as much comfort as possible.
Inara appeared at the doorway, a Sister wriggling in her iron hard grip.
"Something's wrong," Zaru begged, "HELP HER!"
The Sister took one look at Cinda and shook her head.
"I'm sorry but I can't," she shrugged, "She's a Void."
Everyone gaped at her, completely stunned.
"What?!" Elias exploded, "She's a little girl! Are you just going to let her die?!"
The Sister looked at him helplessly.
"This happens all the time," she informed him, "There's nothing I can do."
The Sister suddenly found Jason's dagger at her neck. She blanched as Jason's eyes burned into her.
"You help her," he growled, "You help her in anyway that you can or so help me, I'll…"
The Sister instantly knelt down and placed a hand on Cinda's face. The healer closed her eyes and concentrated, the familiar white glow of their healing powers washing over the tiny writhing girl. But unlike before, nothing happened.
The Sister opened her eyes.
"I'm sorry but there's nothing…" she sighed, "The Void work here because they're sick. We try to help them but sometimes… there's nothing to be done. Really they come here to die."
Jason let out a roar of fury and hurled his dagger into the room. It thudded into the bedpost as the Seeker kicked the wall in rage.
Inara slumped against the wall, her eyes disbelieving as she stared down at the little helpless girl.
"There's nothing…"
The Sister shook her head.
Susan looked helplessly from the Sister to Cinda, her world completely breaking apart. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up.
Peter looked down at her, trying to give some of his strength to her as he stood and watched, a bystander in this tragic he was not fully a part of.
"Susan… Zaru… Elias!" Cinda cried.
Her movements were getting weaker and weaker as the pool of blood gathering beneath her grew and grew.
Elias's hand from fingertip to wrist was now bathed in her warm lifeblood. The scientist wanted nothing more than to breakdown but to do so now instead of comforting the little girl was the most selfish act imaginable.
"We're here," Susan said soothingly, rubbing the little girl's cheek, "You're going to be fine sweetie. We're going to get you help and you're going to be just fine. And when we leave this place, you'll come with us."
"With you?" Cinda gave her a ghostly smile as her skin turned to a dusky grey, "Really?"
"Yes," Jason said in a hoarse voice, "You'll come with us and have lots of adventures."
"Really? And I won't have to work here anymore? I can play with all of you?" Cinda begged.
Her breath rattled in her throat as her eyes began to flutter shut.
"Yeah, we'll have a blast," Inara tried to smile but failed miserably, "We'll chase Zaru around all day until he gets sick!"
Cinda laughed, dully, the veins and arteries bulging in her neck as she fought to breathe.
"I'll teach you how to climb trees," Zaru promised.
"And I'll teach you everything you ever wanted to know," Elias smiled at her paternally.
Cinda looked at all of them gratefully through eyes that wanted to close. Her limbs began to go limp as her wild seizures stopped.
"I… I… I'm so glad… I have friends like you," she managed to wheeze out.
"Not friends," Susan smiled, "Family."
"Family?" Cinda closed her eyes, "That sounds wonderful…"
Susan felt her hands go slack and Elias felt everything in her relax and it was all over.
"Cinda… Cinda…" Susan looked away, tears pouring down her face as Peter continued to grip onto her shoulder, offering her an anchor in the tidal wave of grief and pity that threatened to overwhelm her.
She rose and turned into her brother's embrace as she broke down, sobbing into his shirt.
"I'll leave for now," the Sister hurried out before everyone could stop her.
"What the hell is going on here?" Zaru hissed venomously, "This place… what did she mean the Voids come here to die? There was nothing wrong with Cinda! Her heart and breathing, it sounded normal! There was no smell of disease on her anywhere!"
"I told you!" Jason swore, "The Sisters cannot be trusted."
"Well," Inara's cool voice cut through their grief and turmoil.
Everyone look at her. The warrior's face was an iron mask of simmering rage and resolve.
"There's only one thing to do. Find out the truth."
"Yeah… but how?" Elias demanded, still holding Cinda's lifeless body, "It's not like they're going to be forthcoming about this."
"I think there is one person who would talk to us," Inara said quietly.
Susan wiped her tears way and froze her grief in a shell of cold anger. She glanced at Cinda's body and sorrow ripped her apart but she forced it aside. There would be time for mourning later, now it was time for action and answers.
"Who?" she demanded.
Inara smiled crookedly.
"The Plague Man."
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Author's notes:
Well, it's exam time against so I'm going to be uber busy and may not be able to update as much as possible! I hope you are enjoying this fic!