Chapter 17: Two Hearts, One Love
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
- Martin Luther King
„MARINA," cried Laura, as Marina shot open her eyes to see Laura in front of her.
„Laura don't, stay back," snarled Marina with a sullen face and nearing the edge of the chair.
„Marina please don't do this, you have so much to live for," beseeched Laura shaking fearfully and a tear leaking out of her eye.
„I'm sorry Laura, this is something I have to do, for both of us," apologized Marina with remorse in her eyes about to cry too.
„Marina I know what you are thinking, but you are wrong," sobbed Laura with her eyes soaked in tears and lips curled up.
„Laura, don't make me hurt you, I mean it… stay back," growled Marina, summoning wasps to try and shield herself from Laura, but Laura advanced forward expressing bravery and determination.
„If you're going to hurt me… do it," goaded Laura, taking steps towards Marina, not being concerned about the wasps that swarmed around her body.
„LAURA NO," yelled Marina, trying her best to dissuade Laura, but Laura stubbornly took steps towards Marina. Unable to keep Laura away, Marina broke down and nearly fell off the chair, but Laura grabbed her legs and held her up. Laura pulled the noose off Marina's neck and they both sank to the floor, embraced and cried together.
„Marina, I know why you tried to kill yourself, but you have been duped," convinced Laura.
„What do you mean?" sniveled Marina.
„Naidiya, I know she wants both our souls so she can use us to gather souls for her undead army, her sister Kaitya told me all about it," divulged Laura.
„You know, how can this be?" wondered Marina, still trying to pull herself together.
„I had a dream, where Kaitya told me everything about the curse. You might think you have to die in order to preserve peace, but that only prolongs the curse for another generation. To stop the curse, we have to live and we have to love, that is the only way the curse can be lifted," revealed Laura holding her girlfriend tight and stroking her hair.
„Laura, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I snuck out of bed, fell for Naidiya's trickery and attempted suicide," regretted Marina.
„Marina no, just please, lets go home," persuaded Laura, picking Marina up while Marina grabbed her diary off the floor.
„How are we going to get home, and how did you get here so fast?" wondered Marina.
„I took the car," answered Laura, as both her and Marina headed to the crawlspace that leads out the room.
Laura placed an exhausted Marina in the passenger seat of the car, who just sat motionless and speechless while Laura got in the car. Laura started the engine and drove away from the large derelict factory, whose chimneys towered over the whole scenery and glowed in the night.
When Marina recovered from the event of almost committing suicide and feeling foolish for being duped, she felt the energy in her body again, and looked at Laura operating the wheel. She smiled at the sight of seeing Laura concentrating on the road and portraying her as the hero, who came to rescue her. Still feeling tired, but couldn't sleep because of the relief that she's alive, she decided to dulcify the moment by turning on the car stereo. She stretches out her stiff arm and turns on the car stereo, and Phil Collins' „Find a way to my Heart" plays.
Marina listens to the long growling noise of an electric guitar, which plays at the beginning with the drums playing and a beautiful melody. She witnesses a bright light in the distance, which turns out to be a tunnel, which Laura drives under.
Marina enjoys the brightness of the tunnel, and how its bright atmosphere with Phil Collins singing in the background warmed up her heart. She stared into the wing mirror to see her own reflection and see how happy and beautiful she was, knowing that Laura was driving her home, and how happy she was to be alive. She opened her eyes, breathed deeply and smiled feeling happy again, more happy than she can remember. She turned to look at Laura who was also smiling, maybe because of the music, and the fact that she saved Marina's life.
Content and optimistic about the future, Marina places her hand on Laura's lap as Laura temporarily takes her right hand off the wheel to place her hand on top of Marina's.
Nearing the exit of the tunnel, there were shocking signs of the engine failing, which made Laura and Marina panic.
„Laura what's wrong?" asked Marina, feeling concerned that the car is breaking down.
„I don't know, the car doesn't seem to be out of gas, I guess it's the engine," assumed Laura trying desperately to actuate the gear stick.
The car exits the tunnel, but the car begins to slow down until it stops near the curb of the pavement while still on the road. Laura huffed knowing that she was far away from her mum's, and that her and Marina were stranded. She tried to use her phone, and realized it was low on battery so she frantically tried to call her mum. Her mum did not pickup, so she left a voice message, „Mum it's Laura, we're stranded please help us…" The phone died and the screen went black as Laura again huffed and moaned , „Great, my mum is going to be worried sick."
„It's okay Laura, I'm sure we'll be alright, we just have to wait until help arrives," assuaged Marina taking Laura's hand and squeezing it.
„You're right Marina, we'll make it through this," smiled Laura.
Outside it was dark blue and there were red and orange tones in the sky, with dark and light blue clouds. The sight was so beautiful, Laura and Marina decided to step outside the car and get some fresh air. The air was cold, like expected in February in the state of California, and wind was blowing.
Laura and Marina sat on the bench and waited for the sun to rise, which emitted long rays of light (similar to a star) as it rose up from the horizon of the sea. They both admired how beautiful and wonderful the sight was, which they were glad they took the opportunity to see the sunrise, and considered it the perfect conclusion to their Valentine's Day romance.
With the sun out and waiting for what seemed like half an hour, they decided to walk up closer to the fence, where Marina sat herself on top and Laura supported her. Their faces were close and level with each, as Laura had her arms around Marina's body, and Marina had her hands on Laura's head. The wind was messing up Laura's hair, so Marina held Laura's hair in place and stopped the wind blowing it about. Marina smiled vehemently, as she looked directly at Laura's happy smiling face, she felt something run down her throat when she slowly moved her face towards Laura's waiting lips. They both kissed to pass the time and to maintain body warmth against the cold wind and low temperature.
All of a sudden the sound of a car silently roared and gravel crunched under the tires, then screeched to a halt.
„LAURA," screamed a female voice, which Laura and Marina noticed it was Caroline, and they both turned to see her scurrying towards them.
„Mum," cried Laura as Caroline ran into Laura and Marina and took them both in their arms.
„What were you doing, taking the car without permission?" rebuked Caroline.
„Mum I'm so sorry, Marina went wondering off and I tried to find her," explained Laura.
„Well at least you didn't crash the car so that's a relief," said Caroline, sounding like she wasn't that angry with her daughter, „Come, lets go home."
Laura and Marina walked with Caroline to the police car, which transported Caroline to help find her daughter. The police drove Laura, Marina and Caroline back to the house, where Laura took an exhausted Marina upstairs.
Laura guides Marina to the bed, and helps her in as Laura lies down with Marina by her side. „You're home Marina, we're in bed and we're alone, don't ever leave my side okay?" pleaded Laura, tearfully stroking Marina's face.
„I wont Laura, I promise. Now that I'm alive and we're together, I never want to leave your side again," sobbed Marina.
Laura and Marina cuddled up and hugged ever so tightly, as they wrapped their lips around each other's. They kissed until they ran out of energy and fell asleep in bed completely bounded in each other's arms.
„Wake up girls," whispered Caroline, as Laura opened up her eyes to see her mother looking at her smiling.
„Morning mum," mumbled Laura, slowly opening her eyes.
„Morning Caroline," greeted Marina, also waking up.
„I've just received a call from my date from last night. He does want to meet again. He plans to come here, and I'm wondering if Marina would like to cook dinner for us?" wondered Caroline, looking excited.
„Sure Caroline, I would love to do that, does this mean we'll be having a double dinner date?" asked Marina, already expressing excitement and anticipation for the event.
„Sure, it will be a double date," confirmed Caroline with a nod.
„Laura I can't believe this, we are going to have a double date," exulted Marina, looking at Laura also smiling and seeming equally excited.
Laura's phone, which was connected to a charger vibrated and displayed an incoming call, which was from Isabel. Laura picked it up and answered, putting the phone to her ear. „Hello," answered Laura cheerfully. She listened carefully playing with her hair as all of a sudden her face started to express shock and concern, „What… really? Okay… I'll be right there." Laura put down the phone and had her mouth hung open and informed her mum, „It's Olivia, she's attempted suicide."
At the hospital, a nurse was escorting Laura, Marina and Caroline to the ward where Olivia was. They were led into a ward where some patients were obscured by plastic curtains. The nurse stopped by one, and drew the curtain which revealed Isabel by Olivia's bed. Olivia's arm was bandaged, evincing that Olivia had attempted suicide by cutting down her arm.
Isabel ran to Laura and wrapped her arms around her, buried her tear soaked face on Laura's shoulder and wept, „Oh Laura, it was horrible. I found her in the bathroom and there was blood everywhere."
„Isabel it's okay," soothed Laura, holding Isabel's face, „I think I should talk to her."
„Sure, please give her this," requested Isabel, handing Laura a red envelope with Olivia's name on the front.
„Sure," agreed Laura.
„Gus has gone to get me something to eat and drink, I'll be out in the hallway," said Isabel, walking past Laura giving Marina and Caroline a light smile just to make them feel acknowledged.
Laura stepped in and closed the curtain behind her, as she looked at Olivia, who looked broken and maudlin. „Liv," lamented Laura, approaching Olivia with tears rolling down her face.
„Laura," sniffed Olivia.
„Why did you do it Liv? We love you," asked Laura, hugging Olivia, who remained motionless and enervated from bedrest.
„I feel so alone, why haven't I found love? You and Isabel have found love, and I'm all alone," wailed Olivia, burying her face in her hands.
„Liv, Liv, Liv please stop it," implored Laura, taking Olivia's hands away from her face and drying her face with a tissue. „You're very beautiful, you have a beautiful face and a beautiful body," complimented Laura, which made Olivia smile and giggle. „See there's a smile," laughed Laura, pointing at Olivia's face, „Come here." Laura gave Olivia another hug and kissed her on the forehead and kept her face close to hers.
„Laura may I?" begged Olivia, placing her hands on Laura's face.
Laura frowned feeling confused what Olivia was demanding and permitted ardently, „Liv, whatever will make you happy."
Olivia spontaneously threw her lips on Laura's and passionately kissed her, feeling a strong sense of love for her close friend.
„Thank you for letting me do that, I know you are with Marina, but thank you for letting me kiss you. I just needed to feel love," thanked Olivia gracefully.
„You're welcome Liv, I'm happy I made you feel loved again," smiled Laura placing a hand on Olivia's face.
„Can I see Marina?" requested Olivia.
„Sure, I'll get her now," agreed Laura, as she went to fetch Marina. She shortly returned with Marina by her side, who expressed shock seeing Olivia in the state she was in.
„Hey Liv, you wanted to see me?" wondered Marina, slowly advancing towards Olivia and sitting on the stool beside her.
„I do, I just wanted to tell you that I'm happy to be alive. I'm happy that you make Laura happy, and most of all, I'm happy you are happy," confessed Olivia holding Marina's hand.
„Thank you Olivia, I'm sorry you are going through a rough time, but I'm glad you're feeling better now," comforted Marina.
„It's okay Marina, I guess we all have low points in our lives, until we realize that life truly is worth living," understood Olivia, as Marina smiled hearing Olivia's wise words. Olivia turned her attention to Laura who was standing by the curtains, as she asked, „Laura, is it okay if I… you know?"
Laura hesitated trying to to figure out what Olivia was requesting, but then got the idea and slightly opened her mouth, smiled and permitted, „Sure, as long as Marina is okay with it."
Marina looked confused too. Olivia stroked Marina's face and asked, „Is it okay to kiss you?"
Without hesitation or unease, Marina smiled and consented, „Sure." Olivia then indulged herself to kiss another pair of lips and had her hands on Marina's face. When their lips parted, Marina then kissed Olivia on the head, took her hand and let it slide off hers and drew back to Laura's side.
Laura raised her eyebrows and remembered the envelope Isabel gave her. „Oh I almost forgot," remembered Laura, as she pulled out the red envelope and handed it to Olivia, „Isabel instructed me to give this to you."
Olivia took the red envelope, and saw her name in neat bold writing on the front of the envelope. She happily opened the envelope, and pulled out what looked like a Valentine's Day card.
„Oh you got a Valentine's Day card from someone. See, someone loves you. Who's it from?" questioned Laura, as Olivia looked up only after briefly reading the contents and identifying the sender.
„It's that guy, the one who fancies me," disclosed Olivia.
„Oh yeah, it's the one who's half British and has a sense of humor, also does impressions and magic tricks," recalled Laura.
„Yeah that's him, I don't know, he's kind of a bit too odd for me," doubted Olivia.
„But he's also kind of cute, even if he's a bit odd, he's just trying to impress you because he likes you," implied Laura.
„Yeah, I mean I was a bit odd when I tried to approach Laura," interjected Marina.
„You weren't odd sweetie, you were just a little too intense," objected Laura, hugging Marina with one arm and kissing her head.
„I'm still unsure, I'm not really into nerds," hesitated Olivia
„Maybe you should just give him a chance, I gave Marina a chance and then we got into a relationship, and we both found love," advised Laura, „I know he might be awkward, but I'm sure he has a big heart, and would do so much for you."
„I'll think about it," smiled Olivia, dropping the card on her lap.
„Good to know you are opening your heart to him, maybe all you need is to give dating a try. You never know, you might find happiness with him," encouraged Laura.
„Well Gus is a bit of a clown too, but he has a good heart," remarked Olivia.
„Take all the time you need to think about it, but in the meantime, you need to recover and get back on your feet," encouraged Laura stroking Olivia's hair.
„I will do that," agreed Olivia, smiling determinedly.
„Good," elated Laura, as she and Marina approached and both hugged her.
As Laura and Marina left the ward, Marina turned back to look at Olivia and quoted, „Shine On You Crazy Diamond." Olivia frowned, but then smiled finding Marina's witty remark funny.
Olivia sat in her bed, feeling happy and optimistic. She considered getting in contact with the admirer, who sent her the Valentine's Day card, and arrange a coffee date with him. She even reflected on her thoughts about Marina. She was dismissive of her initially and begun to envy her, but now those feelings were gone. She was ready to accept Laura and Marina's closeness and the passion they have for each other. It became clear that she needed to form an intimate connection with someone. That way, she could not feel so fixated on Laura or Isabel, and feel jealous of their own fortunes of finding true love.
In order to end her little disdain and antagonism she had with Marina, Olivia remembered the pending friend request Marina sent her. Without any further doubt, or any bitter feelings she initially had for her, she would accept her request as soon as she was discharged from the hospital.
„Are you sure you want me to do this Marina?" asked Laura.
„Yes I'm sure, I kept secrets from you far too long and I was wrong to cause you to suffer, now it's time you knew," insisted Marina.
„Marina these are your diaries and you want me to read them?" baffled Laura, holding the two diaries on her lap.
„Yes Laura, please do, you need to know me and how I felt for you. It's the best way we can restore our trust in each other, and truly understand one another," pressed Marina.
„Okay," agreed Laura, as she got up and searched her room for her diaries and found two then handed them to Marina, „Here are mine."
Laura and Marina both sat next to each other and begun to read each other's diaries, which took them about three hours (taking breaks in between) to get through them. They read through the pages thoroughly, and didn't divert their eyes away from the text, or get the chance to see each other's reactions. They were both shocked by certain paragraphs, knowing that there was along the development in their friendship certain rifts, paranoias and controversies. However there were pleasant, heartwarming paragraphs, which flattered them and really touched their hearts.
When they got to the blank pages, they shut the diaries and looked each other in the eyes, expecting a reaction that would determine their perception of each other.
„Marina, is everything in this diary true, what you felt about me and what you intended to do?" asked Laura with a look of bewilderment on her face.
Marina's eyebrows drew closer and her lips scrunched together, as she nodded and confessed, „Yes Laura, it's true I was contemplating revenge, and I feel really ashamed about it."
„Oh Marina don't," lamented Laura, taking Marina in her arms, „I'm not angry with you, I know what it's like to have regrets."
„I assumed you only felt sorry for me, and intended our relationship to be an experiment, but I know that all changed," acknowledged Marina.
„Marina, I did fall in love with you, I realized that what I needed in life was you gentleness and innocence. You have a big heart, and that is a heart I want to keep," admitted Laura softly, with the words travelled down Marina's ear.
„I don't condemn you Laura for your selfish decisions, and search for pleasure, we must never be judged for that. Even when you hurt me emotionally when I saw pictures of you and your friends at your birthday dinner, I still loved you," revealed Marina.
Laura released Marina and looked shock, not expecting Marina to confess such a thing. „What do you mean?" asked Laura, still baffled.
Marina took Laura's hand, looked directly into her eyes and expounded, „Laura, I loved that such a kind hearted, vivacious and multi-talented woman such as yourself could make me feel. Even if that feeling was torturous. You must understand Laura, I love that you could hurt me, make me feel something really good and unintentionally inflict me with such pain. The pain you gave me, which I knew you never meant for me to feel, made me truly feel alive and understand my own flaws as a human. I love what you do, I love what you are, I love who you are.
When I look at you, I don't just see a beautiful woman, I see an inspiration. I see the light in my soul and my soul mate. Every time we kiss, our souls become one, our worlds become one. We are meant to be, we were made for each other. I love you too much it hurts, I kiss you just to medicate my pain, but it never truly fades away."
„Oh Marina, I'm not poetic like you are, but I feel the same too. I feel pain from not having you, I just don't know how…" baffled Laura, looking down starting to cry, then looked up at Marina with tears in her eyes, „Marina, I'm happy you stole a kiss from me, it helped me break free and realize who I truly am... please… just kiss me until we feel no pain."
Laura and Marina threw themselves at each other, and ravenously lavished each other's lips.
They lay on the bed, making out in the sunlight that shone on the bed, and relishing in their intimacy. The tender poignant touching of their lips and exercitation of their love for each other, prolonged their intimacy and seemed it could continue right through the day.
Suddenly, Laura's phone started to ring, and while Laura was occupied making out with Marina; she blindly grabbed her phone and turned her phone off. Without regard who tried to call them, Laura and Marina continued to make out, and didn't want their intimacy to be disturbed by anything.
Marina's Diary 5th of March 2017
While Laura and I continued to make positive changes and accomplish our targets, Tyler informed me he had a date.
He met this medical student called „Melissa", who transferred to his class in late February. He told me how they both exchanged smiles when they looked at each other, and eventually they begun talking and studying together. She was very timid when she took part in dissecting a corpse, she had Tyler support her. Sometimes Tyler would even benefit from Melissa's broad knowledge of biology and Latin, which helped him when he was doing revision.
The more close they got as medical students, who relied on each other to progress in their studies, they talked about going on a date.
Tyler showed me some pictures of Melissa on Facebook, and she looked stunningly gorgeous. She was the same height as me, with dark hair, a cute button nose, small narrow lips and dark brown eyes. Her arms were lean and she had small delicate hands, which looked so fragile, too fragile to be considered for such daunting tasks; even surgery itself.
I agreed to help him Tyler get ready for his date with Melissa, and in return, he agreed to take up the risky task of gathering medical records relating to my mother's death. Kobe even volunteered to help Tyler avoid detection by using his unpredictable hacker skills to bypass security. Tyler and Kobe were never the best of friends, but they maintained friendly relations for Laura, despite their little rift. I was certain by pairing them up and getting them to work together, it would help put their differences aside and truly become acquainted.
Marina's Dairy 7th of March 2017
Tyler and Kobe got back in touch with me with information regarding my mother, including the house fire she was embroiled in while I was still in her womb.
I did fear that she might be ashamed of me for renouncing my heritage, and turning my back on my people, but I needed to know what her last wishes for me were. Did she want me to remain loyal to my clan, or did she want me to break away after she learnt their true intentions?
Tyler and Kobe were able to uncover the location of a letter that was meant for me, but it found its way into the archives. Kobe was able to sneak into the archives, obtain the letter and scan a copy for me.
He would email me a copy of the letter, which I agreed to view it with Laura, assuming it might concern her too. I've already shared with Laura the painful tragedy of losing my mother, and never seeing her live in the flesh, which made her cry.
Together Laura and I viewed the letter, which read:
Dear Marina,
If you are reading this letter, you should know that I am dead and am at peace. Please be prepared for the secrets I'm about to unveil.
We both belong to a witch clan, which has existed many centuries ago, and has been subjected to genocide. Your birth was part of a ritual, which would serve as our clan's last means of protection, and a means of vengeance against those who have opposed us. Please know and understand that this was not the life I wanted to give you, I wanted nothing more than you to have a normal happy life, which I wish I could have had.
My life was for this very purpose, to become mother to you, who would bring you into this world only to be used as a vessel for our priestess Naidiya. This was something I could not allow, but I was left with no choice but to comply. Part of it was because my clan were suspecting me of wanting to abandon, and the other part of it was because I knew that our pursuers would more than likely hunt and kill us. By going through with the ritual, I knew that you would be granted power, power which would protect and guide you.
Marina my daughter, Marina my love and only light in my soul, please know that your mother loves you and your father loves you too. I know you might never meet your father, because he always slips away undetected from national security. Someday you might meet him, and hopefully he'll know his own daughter when he looks into your eyes.
If you do survive and you are presumed dead by our pursuers, please go on living and do all you can to be happy, regardless of the curse that remains with you.
How I wish I could see you with my own eyes, and hold you in my arms like any mother would get the opportunity to do. How I wish I could watch you grow, finish school, get married and see you live a happy prosperous life, but unfortunately I can only watch from above.
Marina, know that your mother is there, watching you, smiling down on you and sending many kisses. Know that someday we will be reunited in the afterlife, but until then, live your life as happy as you can.
Your mother,
Ada
After reading this letter I did find peace and closure to the terrible tragedy I was subjected to. I did cry and shed tears, knowing that I'm living the life my mother wanted me to live. She wanted to break away from the clan as I did too, knowing that my destiny is with Laura and not with the honor and last will of my clan.
Suddenly a new email appeared in the inbox, which was from James. The email read:
Dear Marina,
Thank you for your patience waiting for an update.
Since our last email, I have spent weeks getting in touch with other historians, demonologists and pagans that reside in Poland and the Baltic states. With all the information that has been dug up and been forwarded to me, I spent last month piecing together the mystery you and Laura are keen to solve.
With the help of volunteers to translate the inscriptions and hieroglyphics, I was able to create this document. This document discloses the prophecy that was meant to happen, should a certain chain of events occur. If you read this, I hope it will guide you and help taking the right course of action. This should break the curse and guarantee you and Laura a happy life as a loving couple.
Please consider coming to see me in Berlin on my birthday, it would make the best birthday present I could ask for.
Kind regards,
James
„Aw that is so sweet, I think we should make the effort to come and visit James in Berlin for his birthday," proposed Marina.
„I agree, we should start planning at the beginning of May, but first we need to read the document he attached in this email," suggested Laura.
„I know that the mystery has been solved to the extent where we can both live and keep on loving, but I think we need to confirm our answers are correct," recommended Marina.
„I agree, are you ready to solve the mystery and find closure?" asked Laura, holding out her hand to Marina.
„Ready," agreed Marina with alacrity, as she placed her hand in Laura's palm.
Die Rache einer Hexe, die Segnung einer Priesterin und Schwesternliebe
After the Great Prussian Uprising in 1274, a Prussian clan in Bartia next to the lake district of Masuria, survived the onslaught by the Teutonic Knights. The survivors of the tribe retreated into the darkest reaches of Masuria, where the shrouded shaded woodland provided them with obscurity and refuge.
The high priestess Naidiya led the survivors of her tribe, who rebuilt their community and eventually contemplated retaliation against their enemies.
Naidiya had a younger sister called „Kaitya", who she proclaimed as her successor, and expected to carry out her campaign against the Teutonic Order. Kaitya however was not interested in avenging her fallen, or aggravating the enemy. She wanted peace and harmony. It became obvious that Naidiya was too consumed by revenge to even consider her sister's point of view, to the point she embraced and flaunted it.
Naidiya's tribe under her leadership begun training spies, assassins and watchmen. This was to protect her community and carry out guerrilla attacks against guard-posts, prisons and small communities under Teutonic occupation. They would even gather supplies needed to feed their community, and increase productivity. One thing they would do is liberate prisoners, who took part in the rebellion and wished to carry on the fight.
With each successful raid, Naidiya's confidence grew to such an extent she became reckless and more desperate for complete victory. She then decided to deploy two spies in Königsberg, where the heart of the Teutonic Order was. One of the spies was a 12 year old girl called Marina (surname unknown), who accompanied her mentor who was a well trained spy. Together they travelled north to Königsberg and posed as father and daughter, but were there to carry out an abduction. Their target was "Laura Holzmann" who was the daughter of a Teutonic general, who often volunteered as a missionary. She was kind, noble and charitable, who Marina admired for her elegant smile and how opulent she was dressed.
Marina didn't have anyone her age to play with back home, which was why she volunteered to come along. She even learnt German, so her and Laura would be able to communicate and connect.
She impersonated herself as a lonely beggar, who acted shy and helpless, which got Laura's attention and she approached her. Marina was able to to lure Laura into an alley, where her accomplice grabbed Laura, and dragged her to the Pregolya River where a boat was waiting. With Laura aboard and constrained, she was transported out of the city undetected, and embarked on a two day journey back to Masuria.
When Laura, Marina and her accomplice made it back to Masuria, Laura was brought before Naidiya; who examined her and presented her to her community. She announced that Laura would be treated like any member of the tribe.
Marina was tasked with keeping Laura company and accommodating her in her household, which she was more than happy to accept. She did try to help a homesick and distressed Laura adapt to her new life in a new community, and along the way both her and Laura became close, almost like sisters. Eventually the two became so close, they developed romantic feelings for each other, and formed a secret romantic relationship.
Naidiya intended to use Laura as ransom, and a means of manipulating the Teutonic Order. When it became obvious that the net was closing in, and Laura's role as collateral was fading. It would become evident that she would be used as a human shield.
Desperate for a solution, Naidiya spoke with Packols, who would disclose to her a ritual. This ritual would enable her to become a consumer of souls and command them at her will, which could assemble an unstoppable undead army, which could guarantee her victory over her enemies. This could only be accomplished with sacrifice of her sister, Marina, Laura and herself.
Naidiya tried to talk her sister into partaking in the ritual, which she was skeptical about at first. Naidiya convinced her how desperate the situation was, and that it wouldn't be long before they would be discovered by the Teutonic Order and be exterminated. Kaitya told her sister she would think about it, which was her way of buying herself time to get Laura and Marina to safety. She was intending to take them across the southern border into Mazovia, and then safely travel to Königsberg.
Before Kaitya could flee with Laura and Marina, they were both apprehended and prepared to be sacrificed. After Naidiya's forces repelled an assault from the Teutonic Knights, she sacrificed the captured knights to Packols. One of them was Laura's father.
Before the ritual could be completed, there was interference from a large force of Teutonic Knights, who slaughtered the followers while Naidiya tried to complete the ritual.
Naidiya was able to sacrifice herself and Marina, but Kaitya and Laura escaped and eventually returned to Königsberg.
Only a handful of survivors escaped and formed a coven, where they were able to capture an essence of Naidiya and Marina in an obsidian mirror, which would be used to carry on Naidiya's unfinished crusade against the Teutonic Order.
One of the members of the coven was Marina's mother, who agreed to undergo a ritual, which would continue her bloodline and become a human vessel for Naidiya.
Kaitya who feared that her sister would try to continue her quest for revenge, decided that Laura would have to continue her bloodline if she wanted to stop her sister. She marked Laura to be the bearer of her soul and begin a cycle of miracle births, so that the curse that both Laura and Marina carry in their bloodline will one day be lifted.
The Curse Explained
Not in every generation of your family does the curse repeat the circle, which is either to be complete, lifted or postponed. The curse skips two generations, mainly to avoid suspicions of those that are superstitious, religious or just open to the supernatural and mysterious.
The mother of each family will birth a daughter, one would be raised with care, love and cultivation, while the other would have the burden of being haunted by the spirit of Naidiya. Coincidentally and in a twist of fate, they would be named Laura and Marina, who will one day in their youth meet. The outcome of their acquaintanceship would remain unpredicted. They would eventually fall in love, just as the prophecy predicts.
There were agents from the Vatican that were assigned to hunt down Marina (Laura if necessary) and even the coven. It was believed that they would be stopping the curse, but what they failed to realize, was that the death of one of the girls only results in the curse being postponed. Laura and Marina would continue to be reborn until the curse is either complete or lifted.
Naidiya requires Marina's soul to be given voluntarily by self-immolation, and Laura's soul is to be obtained through the act of scrying. Once Naidiya has both Laura and Marina's soul, she would continue to harvest souls, which she would use to assemble her unstoppable undead army; and unleash her vengeance.
Kaitya's plan to prevent Naidiya's scheme is for Laura and Marina to find each other, fall in love and continue living until they both die of natural causes, ending the curse once and for all.
Naidiya was Marina's guardian and Kaitya was Laura's and they had to adhere to three rules. The first rule were no direct conversation with their subject, this violation would result in either Naidiya and Kaitya being able to influence and manipulate their subject in anyway they please. The other rule was that Laura and Marina can summon both Naidiya and Kaitya on command by scrying. The final rule was that Laura and Marina can refuse guardianship and association with Naidiya and Kaitya at their own will.
As for the Vatican and their crusade to stopping this curse, they presumed Ada Nadifar to be dead along with her baby inside of her, but by some miracle the baby survived. With this assumption that you (Marina) are pronounced dead, you can both go on with your lives, without having to worry about anymore assassination attempts from the Vatican. I might advise avoiding the use of witchcraft or only use it in moderation, this is incase you are detected by the Vatican and risk being hunted down.
If you're both still alive after you've read this, congratulations, you have lifted the curse. All you have to do now is see out your future as a couple and die of natural causes. I end this document with wishing you all the luck in the world, and the bright prosperous future you'll have together.
Dein Freund aus Deutschland,
James
To be continued…
