Chapter XXIII: Eternal
.
I awoke to the song of an angel. My last memory was the sight of Luna and Sophia vanishing via portkey. After that, darkness.
But if I was dead, why does my body still hurt? Was this punishment from the heavens for my sins?
"You do not have sins, my Knight," a gentle voice said. I wished I could believe her. But the pain of loss made me think unspeakable acts and had acted upon some of them.
"You were forgiven and given a second lease on life," the voice continued. I still doubted that.
"Do you doubt the words of your friend?" the voice asked and I immediately opened my eyes.
Big mistake.
My head ached like a boulder had struck it. Immediately, a pair of soft hands guided me down and I lay on something soft and warm.
"This is the third time you have died for me," the voice said sullenly as the hands caressed my hair.
Third? I opened my eyes but I could not see. Panic welled up upon me but the owned of the voice calmed me like I remembered then.
"Your eyes are still regenerating," she said. She? It was a voice of a woman. But what was she talking about? Regenerating?
"Half your body has healed but your eyes took damage," she said.
Eye, I corrected mentally. For the other was not mine.
"No," the voice was soft. "It was mine."
My body stiffened as I realized who she was. But then I relaxed. I finally have found her again. Then we could be together.
"I'm afraid that's not possible," she said. "You still have a job to do."
Jobs! Tasks! Quests! Nothing matters but you.
"Have you become selfish in the passage of years?" she asked sadly. My heart ached as I heard her sadness.
Perhaps but this was the only time I could be selfish.
"I am sorry I left you," she said. A drop of hot water touched my forehead. Tears. She was crying? I tried to touch her face but I couldn't feel my hand. I couldn't feel anything.
Please stop crying. I'm the one who should apologize for I didn't even help you then.
"You saved my soul and that is enough," she said as she kissed my forehead. "But the soul of another is threatened. My other half is in danger."
Other half? You don't mean her?
"I am she and she is me," she said. "It would be hard to explain but I need you right now to live."
If she needs me then I shall obey.
"We will make our presence known when the time is right," she said. "But now, you must rest."
But she would be in danger!
"She will not come to harm. I promise you. Now rest, my Knight."
"As you wish, My Lady."
Darkness became light,
And light became hope.
And hope became a chance.
A chance I am willing to take
Darkness
.