Chapter 3: Savior
Suzume awoke to the sound of a battle.
Unfortunately, she was unable to wake to anything else. The area around her was too dark for her to see. The air smelled heavily of blood, and the ground beneath her still felt like it was covered in the stuff.
"Hello?" she ventured.
No reply. Either she wasn't being guarded, or the guards found it necessary to remain silent.
"Hey! Just because you're vampires doesn't mean you can leave me in the dark like this!"
When this also failed to receive a reply, she sat up weakly and grumbled to herself. If she was fortunate, her eyes might adjust, she thought.
Outside, the sounds of the struggle continued. To Suzume's ears, it sounded rather... simple. There was no sound of metal, or of magic being cast. Just the roars of the undead and the sound of blunt trauma and injury. As Suzume tried to pick up on more details, she considered that if there was a battle occurring, then there was a good chance that someone out there could be on her side.
She raised her voice as loud as she could manage. "I'm still alive! I'm in here! Someone help me!" Normally she would have hated to sound so helpless, but in her situation, she thought, she'd appreciate any help that she could get.
When this met with no reply, she sighed to herself and felt around her position for anything that she could use as a weapon, or that would make a loud noise. In only a few seconds, she had located one of the walls. As she turned around and stretched out her arms to feel for anything else, she saw the bright light in front of her and recoiled immediately.
Then all was brightness, as part of the room caught fire. After a few seconds of pain as her eyes adjusted to the change, she opened them to find that the flames were restricted to what appeared to be wooden furniture. She winced. If she had been thinking straight, and perhaps a little more reckless, she could have easily started such a fire herself.
Now that she had a good view of her surroundings, she looked at them. She was in one of what appeared to be a pair of small prison cells, and the door to her cell was still open. The neighboring cell was completely empty. Outside the cell, some chairs and a table had been overturned, and indeed it was the table that was currently ablaze. The body of what appeared to be an oversized zombie lay on the floor, decomposing. The obvious cause of death: a lengthy spear with a shaft made of some kind of light-colored non-metallic material, which had yet to be removed from the body.
She prepared to stand up, only to stagger in pain. Looking down at herself, she noticed that her chest still showed the remnants of several sword slashes. Even worse, she was still bleeding from them. It looked far worse than it felt, but this fact was not much comfort..
Thinking quickly, she tore some lengths of cloth from her outfit and pressed them against the wounds as tightly as she could manage. She didn't have anything long enough to tie around them, so she held them in place as she moved toward the entrance of the room to figure out her next actions.
After a moment of thought, she returned to the dead creature's body and tried to remove the spear. When it failed to budge, she charged up a quick blast of holy magic and struck the deceased beast with it, destroying its remains. This allowed her to lift the weapon, revealing the metallic three-pronged tip that had previously been buried in its opponent, and test its weight in her hands. Always carry a weapon, Gregor had said.
As she followed a short hallway out of the cell area, she noticed that she was currently in what appeared to be a tower. A spiraling staircase wrapped around the outside of the structure, with small alcoves leading to rooms like the one in which she had been kept.
Looking up, she finally saw the battle that she had heard earlier. A group of undead creatures were bunched in a group, and they seemed to be ganging up on...
...each other? As Suzume watched, it became more apparent that there was infighting within the group. A spear-wielding suit of armor attempted to swing its weapon at a winged gargoyle, which ducked and swung its claws at a zombie, which knocked it into the body of a skeleton. Recovering, it threw a bone in the general direction of the other fighters, striking a small winged demon, who chattered angrily in pain as it...
Suzume left the battle behind. It was better not to get involved. Instead, she headed down the stairs, trying her hardest not to trip and fall. As she reached the level of each room, she checked it for activity.
The first room was empty. The second room, while also empty, contained a few furnishings and a window to the outside. Looking out the window, she could tell that it was not yet dark, but it was getting close to sunset. She also took a bedsheet and ripped it apart with her spear, then used the straps to bind her wounds as best as she could.
Feeling better about her condition, if not stronger, she continued down the staircase. This section of the castle was not strongly guarded. That, she thought, or perhaps the fight behind her held the attention of the local inhabitants. If she hurried, she might be able to get to the bottom, where...
...where what? She hadn't forgotten what happened. Samuel was dead. All of them were, most likely. The vampires had struck, and none of the clerics had stood any kind of chance. At this rate, she might be alone in the castle, with no chance of escape or survival.
She tried to get such thoughts out of her head. She wasn't going to let this setback keep her from doing her job. She was going to stop these abominations by any means necessary, and she would not stop until she couldn't go any further. It was the least that was expected of her.
Still, that feeling of foreboding refused to go away. Ignoring it as much as possible, she continued down the stairs. It would not be much longer until...
...voices?
She stopped just before the next doorway and listened. It sounded like the voices of two men, and the tones of voice suggested that they were not being friendly to each other. Curious, she entered the doorway and tried to make out what they were saying.
"...bastard."
"Do not think that your master will succeed in his plan. The power of Dracula is not your plaything." That was Gregor, Suzume realized.
"You'd like us to give it up, wouldn't you?" That sounded like the vampire from earlier. "Anything to make it easier for..."
"Your former bait is here", Gregor interrupted. "Please show her some respect."
Suzume winced. She still hadn't mastered the art of moving silently. With no further reason to resist, she walked into the room, where she saw what appeared to be Gregor pinning the vampire against the floor with his staff. She couldn't make out his face, but from this angle, she could see the ponytail easily as it rested against the unworn hood of his outer cloak.
The vampire looked directly at her. "It wasn't my intent to hurt her. I mean it!"
The redhead shook his head. "Were you not the one who administered the final blow? Allow me to offer you the same greeting!" He lifted his quarterstaff above his head and swung it in an arc at the vampire.
"Since when do..." The vampire's voice was cut off as the staff struck its target, and the vampire's body suddenly collapsed and turned into ash. Suzume could only be astonished. He wasn't kidding when he said that he had everything he needed to fight the vampires.
His battle concluded, Gregor turned to face her with a look of concern. "I see that you have awakened. Are your injuries causing you discomfort?"
Suzume pressed her hand against her chest to check. "I feel faint, but it doesn't hurt too much."
Gregor frowned. "You have an unfortunate tendency to get caught in their ambushes. Are you aware that I have prevented your death twice now?"
Suzume thought about this. She had met the vampires earlier, and this same vampire had stabbed her, and they were gone when she awakened, and he had been standing there. It made sense. "So you saved me the first time, too."
"Have you realized the danger in which these people have put you and everyone else? Will you assist me now?"
It's a bit late for that speech, she grumbled to herself. Maybe if she had been more accepting of his offer, everyone else's life could have been saved. But still... she needed to be sure that no more villagers would die...
It still didn't answer her immediate question. "How could you possibly need my help? You took him out like he was nothing!"
"Indeed, I am more than a match for the lesser pawns. But their master is considerably stronger, and he may send a stronger army yet. We must hurry."
She nodded. "I'll gladly help you kill these abominations." She paused, remembering something. "But..."
"Why do you hesitate?"
"I still don't think that Soma deserves to die!" she responded angrily.
Gregor sighed to himself impatiently. "Criticize my methods or my motive as you wish. Have you not noticed that you are helpless here without my aid?"
"But what about my training?" Suzume looked down at her spear. It was not the staff that she had been using, but still...
He glared at her. "It is of no value if you will not apply it when the time comes."
Suzume sighed. He was right, as usual. In the face of all the death she had witnessed, and the threat of more in the future, the life of one man seemed almost inconsequential. But, at the same time, Dracula...
"I... don't know. I'm still not ready..."
Gregor nodded. "Of course you are not. You are in need of healing." He turned toward the exit. "Where are those clergymen with whom you traveled?"
"The vampires attacked", Suzume responded sadly. "They're all dead. I couldn't..."
"I know that at least one survives", he interrupted. "Find him quickly, then return. I will be waiting."
She looked up at him with a gleam of hope in her eyes. However, it was quickly replaced by a look of suspicion. "If you know this, then why can't you find him?"
"What?" He sounded surprised.
"Honestly! It feels like you've been avoiding my friends ever since we got here!"
Rather than react to this, he turned to the doorway again. "I did not come here alone, Suzume. I have my own allies, and you have yet to meet with any of them."
Her expression did not change. "You never mentioned them."
"You are not alone. You never were. In times like these, there are many who seek to aid you. As soon as you realize this, you will become stronger." He turned to her again. "Now hurry!"
She nodded and headed out the door and down the stairs as quickly as she could safely manage. As she looked back, she saw him heading up the stairs to the top of the tower.
The bottom of the tower connected to some of the hallways that Suzume had traveled before. Using her spear carefully to dispatch the surviving undead creatures that had returned to the area, she started looking for any signs of survivors.
It didn't take long. When she returned to the dining hall, Marcus was sitting at the table, staring at the wall with his hands folded in front of him, his eyes showing no signs of happiness. His staff was placed on the table next to him. To her eyes, he looked like a man who had completely run out of hope.
"Marcus! You're alive!" she shouted as she moved to greet him.
He turned his head to look at her, and then winced immediately. "You've been wounded again!"
She nodded. "The vampires got everyone. Can you see if I've been bitten?"
He stood slowly. "Let me check." Picking up his staff, he started moving it in front of her body as he mumbled some ancient words. "...no, that doesn't seem to be the case."
She breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't. "What about your other wounds?" he asked.
She put on her best guilty yet sympathetic expression. "I guess I'm not as good at handling danger as I thought. But I should be fine if you're here, right?"
He looked at her carefully. "No. You're fortunate to be alive at all. This looks more severe than anything I can cure."
She looked down at the injuries, then back at him in surprise. "What? But you're the best healer I know!"
He sighed. "I only have limited power. Even if I use my full strength, your wounds will still reopen afterward."
"So that's it, then?" she asked incredulously. "I'm supposed to lie down and die right here? I haven't given up yet, and neither should you!"
He looked at her for a few seconds. Her face was completely serious. Even with her injuries, she refused to show weakness. And the spear in her hand... she looked like she meant business.
"There... may be another way", he said reluctantly. "You're a Belnades. From everything I've heard and seen, someone of your lineage should be able to use a healing spell without any problems. If I teach you the spell, and if we cast it at the same time, you might be able to recover."
She seemed almost joyful at the prospect. "You're gonna teach me how to heal? That's great! I'd love to learn it!"
He was not as enthusiastic. "Suzume, listen to me."
She stopped. "Yes?
"Do not let anyone know that I taught you how to do this. At all."
The way he was speaking was new to Suzume. It scared her. "Why? Is this... this isn't a forbidden art, is it?"
Marcus shook his head. "No. Not at all. But there are many who would hound me if they knew."
She nodded her head. "I understand. I won't tell anyone. I promise."
He smiled for the first time in the conversation, and then led her to the side. He looked around to make sure that no one was watching, and then held out his hand and began to gather power. Suzume had seen this motion once before. A circular motion, then the tracing of a pentagram in the middle, and then pressing his hand through the design.
She mimicked the motion, only for him to grab her hand. "Summon the holy power first. Remember to move your hand counterclockwise, and trace the star down to the left first."
She was used to his teaching method, and had no complaints restarting whenever he interrupted her. The two practiced for a fair amount of time. About thirty minutes later, she felt like she was actually capable of channeling the power in the way he had suggested.
He stood close to her again. "Now, as you cast this, you need to mirror the motion as if you were casting it backward. You will want to lay the hand on yourself, after all."
She nodded. She could do this. She had faith in herself, and so did he. The two began charging their power simultaneously. The two patterns were nearly perfect, and she had no trouble pulling her hand toward herself at the same time as he pushed his own hand against her chest. The warmth was considerably hotter than the previous times, and it almost felt like it was burning her, but the moment passed and she found herself feeling considerably better than before.
She checked underneath her makeshift bandages, satisfied that they no longer needed to be in place, then smiled at Marcus. "Thank you very much for that. I will put it to good use."
Marcus nodded in affirmation. "You are talented and strong, Suzume, but you must remember to be cautious. Those injuries could have been the end of you."
"I understand. Listen, I need to find Gregor again. We should go meet him together."
"You mentioned him before", he noted. "Are you sure you can trust him?"
She nodded. "Absolutely. I've seen him beat a few vampires. He's saved my life twice now. He's definitely looking out for me. I mean, he suggested I find you as soon as he saw I was injured."
"He did." He was almost talking to himself.
"Come on. He's up in the tower. I'll show you the way." And she turned and headed for the door.
Marcus didn't follow her. He was too busy mumbling to himself. "...no... he didn't... did he..."
She turned to face him. "Are you coming?"
He suddenly looked up with a frightened expression on his face. "How long have you been talking to him?"
"Oh, I first met him before you showed up."
"When you arrived, or when you were injured?"
She thought quickly. "It was right after the vampires..."
"Dammit!" he swore. "I should have seen it sooner!"
Suzume blinked. "What's the deal?"
He was frantic now. "Look around us, Suzume! All the clerics, Samuel... they're all dead! There's a reason why we're still alive, and I'm pretty sure it's him!"
"Yeah", she responded. "I already said he saved me."
"Why do you think he did that?"
"He said he wants me to help him kill the vampires." She remembered the other bit. "And Soma."
He nodded. "So he told you. Have you thought about why he'd want to do that?"
"He said it was to stop them from using Dracula's power."
"Naturally. But wouldn't doing that also bring Dracula back?"
"Eventually", she said hesitantly. "Possibly. He admitted as much."
He threw down his hands angrily. "At least he's still as honest as ever. Suzume, I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Gregor isn't who you think he is."
She was starting to become frightened by Marcus's demeanor. "What do you mean? I know he's not a vampire! I'd be able to tell!"
"You're right. He's not a vampire." He took a deep breath. "That's the problem. We can kill vampires. Especially when he wants us to do so."
"So what you're saying is that he's..."
Suzume trailed off. She hadn't considered the possibility before. There was no reason to do so before. But now that she had thought about it, that theory neatly explained everything.
Marcus noted her stunned expression immediately. "I think you've caught on. Do not talk to him again."
The truth sounded so wrong to her, and yet so accurate. It even fit every part of his story, now that she thought about it. Except for a few parts he hadn't explained...
But...
She cleared her throat a bit before she spoke. "I'm not sure I can do that."
Marcus looked at her in surprise. "Suzume, I mean it."
"He's helped me too much already. If not for him, I'd be dead and the vampires would have won."
He winced. "So it is too late for you after all. Dammit."
"We didn't come here to stop Dracula from returning, you know. We came here to stop the vampires from attacking everyone. And we know that he has the same goal."
"Listen to yourself, Suzume! You can't trust him!"
Now it was her turn to take the deep breath. "We don't know that. And that's why I must talk to him again."
Despite his angry expression, he sighed. "You know, and yet you persist. I guess this means I can't convince you otherwise."
She placed her hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. "At this point, he may be our only chance to succeed. If I do this right, we'll be a lot better off. Trust me on this." And, having said this, she headed back in the direction of the tower.
Marcus stared after her. "I trust your heart. It's your judgment I worry about."
By the time Suzume reached the top of the tower, the sun was visibly setting on the horizon. From here, she could see several other towers that made up the upper structure of the castle. Gregor was staring out the window.
She had expected him to be up here. Not only because she had seen him move in this direction before, but also because she felt that same foreboding feeling that she had felt several times before. When she understood why it was there, it almost felt like the spiritual version of a metal detector.
"I intend to start the mission as soon as night has fallen", Gregor said without turning to face her. "The cover of darkness will give us an advantage." A brief pause. "You appear to have recovered. Are you prepared to..."
"I know who you are."
There was a lengthy pause. Then Gregor turned to face her impassively. He watched her carefully for several more seconds as she continued to glare at him. Then he spoke again. "Judging by your expression, you do."
She walked toward him angrily. "I died when I first met those vampires, didn't I?"
"Yes."
"And yet you allowed me to live. Twice now. Do you really consider me that important to your mission?"
Gregor nodded. "The power of Dracula is an unholy power. Even now that I can intervene, I am unable to stop it. I can only stop those that wield it."
She crossed her arms. "And that's the only reason?"
He sighed. "It is also my conclusion that Soma will not hurt anyone who he considers a friend. This weakness can be used against him when the time comes."
She shook her head in disgust. "I don't know if I'm insulted or flattered. I am a priestess of the church, being asked to kill one of my family's closest allies to unleash the unholy bane of humanity, and I'm being asked directly by one of the most powerful forces of nature in existence."
He paused for only a second to think about her words. "That is accurate."
"You deceived me! You wanted to use me..."
"I have yet to speak a lie", he interrupted.
She stopped in the middle of her rant. "And just how do you figure that?"
"I told you what my mission entails. I told you why I am doing it, as well as the methods that I intend to use. Nothing I have said has changed. And I cannot accomplish this without your help."
She didn't back down. "You were pretty damn manipulative about it. I mean, Gregor?"
"At no point did I claim it to be my name."
I believe that we are defined by what we do, not by what we say. He had said that, she remembered. And it was especially true in his case.
Given her hesitation, he opted to continue. "Your criticisms change nothing. You still require my help."
She recovered. "Don't you even start with..."
"These vampires are not merely followers of Dracula who desired his power. You may not be able to tell, but all of them are former clergy."
This was new to her. "You're sure? They're from the church?"
Gregor nodded. "They wield holy magic as well as dark power. And they have repeatedly proven themselves more than a match for your novice offense."
He had been right all along, Suzume considered. And what's worse, he is still right, even now that I know what he is, and what his true intentions are...
She lowered her arms in defeat. "I know this. And that is why I'm almost ready to help you anyway."
He raised an eyebrow. "Almost?"
She looked him in the eyes. "I need to know that I can trust you."
He shook his head. "Trust is irrelevant. You need me, and I need you. That is all that matters."
"And what will happen to me when we're done?"
He glanced at his staff. "Your soul belongs to me. I will claim it again when the task is complete."
"Wrong answer", she said in a contemptuous voice. "I am not your pawn. Not anymore."
His expression remained calm. "You wish to allow more innocent villagers to die."
"Compared to what Dracula can do..."
Gregor looked at her inquisitively. "Would you have accepted his return if you had lived?"
Suzume paused, remembering his words from earlier. "You were right before. It's better to kill the vampires now and risk Dracula's return later than to let the vampires remain loose. A hero will come someday, you said."
"Why should you believe that this will be any different in the face of death?"
She glared at him. "It isn't. But it's hardly worth it to figure out which choice results in fewer deaths if neither will save me."
He leveled his eyes at her and shook his head in contempt. "You are an incredibly selfish human."
"I'm not the selfish one here!" she snapped. "You're the one acting like you've got all the cards! You've only got half of them and you need my half! So quit jerking me around! Got it?"
Gregor's voice was livid now. "How dare you speak to me in that manner? I can extinguish your meager existence on a whim!"
"And then you'll never see your lord again!" Suzume screamed.
Both fell silent. Through the window behind Gregor, the sun had almost completely set.
Gregor finally spoke again in his usual stoic voice. "Very well. I am open to negotiation."
Suzume took a breath to calm herself. "I'll help you destroy the master of this castle. I have no problem with that. But after this is over, I want to live."
He looked at her sternly. "Understand that the fact that you breathe even now is more than most mortals should ever expect. I refuse to allow you to take this generosity for granted."
"So what would be acceptable for you?"
He stood in thought for a moment. "Choosing to assist me would prove that you deserve another chance. I can do that much for you." He returned his gaze to her. "But only under the condition that I regain your soul if you happen to die again."
"That's not too comforting."
"I am not going to kill you in an effort to reclaim it."
"Good, but that's not what I meant," she replied. "Look at my track record. It's too easy to die around here."
"Perhaps you should be more careful."
She crossed her arms. "Try harder."
He paused, and then nodded. "Very well. I shall also make an effort to protect you."
"Just you?" she asked suspiciously. She remembered what he had said earlier...
"The same effort will be made by my servants."
She nodded. "Okay. That, I'll agree..."
"But in return, you must help me kill Soma Cruz."
She closed her eyes. "Soma..."
"You are hesitating."
She looked at him again. "I'm not willing to kill him."
He glared at her. "You know why I am here. If he does not die, my goal will be unfulfilled. In light of this, there will be no reason for me to assist you at all."
"We wouldn't want that", she muttered to herself. Then, in a more audible voice, she continued. "You're sure he's not one of the killers?"
Gregor shook his head. "It is my understanding that he is a prisoner. It is entirely possible that he may be dead by the time we find him."
"And if he isn't?"
He looked at his staff briefly. "Using his awakened power goes against the natural order. I am within my rights to eliminate him, whether you assist me or not."
She paused to digest this, and then asked hesitantly. "In that case, will it be enough if I promise to not get in your way?"
"That... should be sufficient", he decided. "Are those all of the terms?"
Suzume thought about this briefly. This was almost what she was going to agree to originally, but certain revelations had made her reconsider. As far as she knew, there were only a couple more things she felt needed to be addressed. "Two more things, and I don't think you'll have a problem with them."
"We shall see."
She started with the easy one. "You said that you didn't come alone, and I suspect your friends have assisted me a few times. If I help you, I want them to drop the hiding act. There's no reason for it anymore."
Gregor didn't hesitate at all. "I accept this. They will do so as well."
Now, the hard one. "And if you really want me to agree to this deal, you've gotta drop the pretense. I have to trust you completely."
He looked at her with a small amount of confusion. "Are you absolutely certain that you want this?"
She didn't avert her gaze. "I don't think I've ever been more certain."
He nodded with a fair amount of hesitation. "With this in mind, I feel that we should formalize our agreement."
She nodded as well. "Go ahead."
And then the feeling started to overwhelm her. That feeling of foreboding, always a sinking sensation in her stomach when she had come near him before, now felt like an abyss in the depths of her soul. It screamed out to her. Don't do this. You know what he is.
Gregor didn't seem to notice. Instead, he lifted the hood of his cloak over his head, turned to face the last few rays of the sun as it passed below the horizon, and began his speech. "Under this pact, we agree to work together to achieve our common goal of eliminating the master of this castle, as well as any other vampires who serve him or share his power. As you suggested, this includes the unambiguous assistance of the minions under my command.
Suzume kept resisting the temptation to relent. Looking at Gregor, she could see that his cloak was starting to billow and lift off the ground. His voice had changed as well, becoming something far more powerful and supernatural.
This goes against everything you've ever been taught in the church. Stop now.
"Your soul shall be returned to you. In addition, my minions and I will make an active effort, to the full extent of our abilities, to prevent you from being mortally injured during the mission. In the case that you suffer such injuries, I retain the right to intervene and prevent your death, but you will no longer hold any claim to your soul in that event."
It is better to die. No quantity of villagers is worth what you're about to do.
"In return, upon discovering the entity known as Soma Cruz, I shall be allowed to exercise my right to end his existence. You will not be permitted to interfere with this action or dissuade me from doing so, directly or indirectly."
As he spoke, his quarterstaff rose into the air, lengthening to an even more ranged form. As if to punctuate the last few words, a long curved blade sprouted from one of the ends with a metallic sound.
Even Marcus thinks this is a bad idea. He taught you everything you know. Listen to him.
"Finally, as per your request, I vow that I will not deliberately mislead you in any manner. Any information that you receive from me will be expressed unambiguously, and I shall not withhold information without sufficient cause, such as information that should not be known to mortals."
Look at him now. See him for what he is. If you welcome him, you will never be forgiven for it.
She couldn't tell if he was aware of her internal thoughts, but the timing was uncanny. His metamorphosis complete, her associate turned to face her again. He was dressed the same as before, and yet completely differently. The dark grey hooded cloak still covered a sturdy breastplate, but there was no longer any substance below it. Nor any legs. He continued to wear his armguards over his arms, which were otherwise exposed from elbow to fingers... completely exposed, to the bone. And under the hood, the visage of a skull that she had seen in many books.
"This pact shall remain in effect until the time that the vampiric threat is over and Soma is deceased. Failure on your part to uphold your side of the terms will result in the nullification of the criteria of this pact, including any right to your soul that you have been granted."
She had known who he was before she climbed the tower to meet him again, but seeing him now, the significance still struck her as if she hadn't thought about it before. She was actually doing it. The circumstances made it necessary. And yet, beyond her logic, what she was doing was insane.
"For the sake of my mission, I formally agree to these terms. Do you have any remaining complaint with the terms of the pact as they have been stated?"
Stop stop stop stop stop heathen evil evil stop blasphemer corrupt evil stop stop stop cursed
She took a deep breath and tried to shut out the thoughts. "...no. I agree to the terms."
"Our pact is formed, Suzume Belnades. This should prove to be interesting."
And there, before her, was his extended arm. Each finger of polished bone, equal in length to the length of her entire hand, pointed toward her. And without daring to hesitate any further, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to grasp it.
The two shook.
FOOL FOOL DAMNED FOOL CURSED FOOL BURN IN HELL FOOLISH HYPOCRITE
This was it, Suzume thought. She had made the jump. It may have been the wrong choice. It may have been the only choice. Perhaps it was even her rightful destiny. No matter what, there was no looking back. Now all that was left was to follow the path, wherever it would take her.
She was now allied with Death.