Chapter 51: Yumino
The sunlight slipped through the window and fell on Lara's face. She groaned at the light disturbing her through her eyelids and slowly opened them, squinting as her eyes adjusted. She was in the palace. In Melody's bedroom, to be precise. She looked around and saw it was late afternoon. The western sky was turning orange with the first signs of sunset over the sea, giving the light entering the room a fiery character. She looked down and saw her body wrapped in bandages inscribed with unfamiliar magic script. Lara tried to sit up, but quickly stopped as pain flared through her arms and stomach. She winced as she drew a sharp hissing breath and then eased herself back on the bed, only to wince again at the stabbing pain from her spine and wings. Every part of her hurt, as though her body were one enormous bruise. Even moving her tail hurt. Why was everything so painful?
Then she remembered. She remembered being led into the palace dungeon with those magic-suppressing chains Poseidon forced on her. Or Triton. Or whatever that blasted merman's name was. She remembered sulking in her cell, refusing the food brought to her even though she was starving. She remembered being visited by Melody and disclosing her recovered memories and the dragon heritage she kept hidden. She remembered Remora intruding shortly afterwards, revealing the story of her own survival before offering Lara a choice between betraying the people she swore to protect or death at the witch's hands. She remembered the horror and anger she felt as Remora freed the spooklight wisp, and how those emotions were joined by relentless guilt when she saw the hospital being devoured by those merciless blue flames. She remembered diving into the burning building to rescue Arista and her newborn. She remembered watching the fire climb through the floors, closing in on the people trapped inside. She remembered the unyielding pain as she took those flames into herself, feeling them tear her apart from the inside-out. Then she remembered…nothing. Everything after that was a blank. No life flashing before her eyes. No white light at the end of a tunnel. No fluffy clouds with angels ready to "welcome" her to "paradise," or a fiery hellscape filled with devils and demons eager to devour her soul. She just woke up here, as if she skipped chapters in a book. Yet she had this unshakable feeling something of immense importance happened to her.
Lara held up one bandaged hand, opening and closing it. Then she did the same with the other hand. A part of her thought she might be having one final dream before she slipped into whatever lay beyond the Otherworld for a sinner like her. And yet the ache in her forearms as she moved her fingers, the feel of the bandages against her skin, the flow of her breath across her lips, and the rhythmic beating of her heart told her this was no dream. The wisps' fire should have killed her. She should be dead. Yet she was not.
"I'm…alive?" she whispered to herself.
The sound of someone else's breathing reached Lara's ears. How she did not notice Melody the moment she woke up Lara did not know, because the princess was not exactly hidden. She was asleep in the alcove window, head resting on a pillow with raven hair spilling off the side. Her face was tranquil, chest rising and falling with easy breaths.
"Mel…" Lara breathed a sigh of relief. "You're all right."
A new sound reached Lara's ears. It was coming from outside the door. She heard the cyclical squeaks of something on wheels being rolled towards the room. Then she heard muffled voices talking. Two women and two men. Odd, she should have been able to hear them clearly. Maybe her body was not the only thing still healing. Then a guard pushed the door open, allowing Carlotta to push in Arista on a wheelchair. She was wearing a simple green and white dress, her red fins visible below the skirt's hem. Her baby was swaddled in a soft cream blanket in her arms. Both women gasped when they saw Lara lift her head to look at them, only to grimace at the pain it caused her neck.
"Miss Lara!?" exclaimed Carlotta. "You're–!"
"Shh!" said Lara, nodding gingerly to Melody. "Don't wake her!"
Carlotta clapped a hand over her mouth before she said anything that might stir the sleeping girl. Then she lowered her hand, revealing her smile as she tried to hide her quivering lip. She genuinely looked happy to see her, wings and all.
"How long have you been awake?" asked Arista quietly.
"Just now," Lara said. She looked to the window again. "How long was I out?"
"Three days, miss," said Carlotta as she pushed Arista near the bed.
Lara's eyes widened. "That long?"
"We honestly thought you'd sleep longer," said Arista. "We've all been taking turns watching you so we'd know the moment you woke up. And so Melody has a chance to sleep, too. She's barely left your side this whole time."
Lara looked at Melody again. "She has?"
Carlotta suddenly startled. "Goodness me! Their majesties! They'll want to know immediately!" She took a few steps towards the door but then stopped. "Your highness, would you mind if I…?"
Arista answered with a dismissing nod.
"Thank you! I'll be right back!" Carlotta gave a hurried bow and then ran from the room, only to quickly double back and close the door before her footsteps took off again.
Arista smiled and shook her head, then looked back to Lara. She set the baby in her lap and used her hands to move the wheelchair closer to the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got caught in a landslide and then run over by an elephant," said Lara, groaning as she slowly pushed herself upright on shaky arms.
"What's an elephant?" asked Arista as she picked up her child.
"A really big, heavy animal that you don't want stepping on you." Lara winced as she settled herself into the pillows. "How's the kid?"
"Just fine. Still a little smoky, but fine." Arista smiled as the baby shifted in its blanket, but then the smile faded. "Lara, I owe you an apology."
Lara was not expecting that. "For what?"
"When I first met you, I was scared of you. You looked and acted so different from any human I'd met. From anyone I'd met, actually. I was even more scared of you after you showed us your magic. And then you changed into, well…this." Arista paused, looking Lara over. "It wasn't just the wings or tail or fire. Or that black thing you turned into. Watching you tear apart the clockmen, then defeating Morgana and Undertow like you did. And when I saw that poster of you, and Ariel told me what happened after Melody almost died…I was terrified of you. So when you came through that door in the hospital, I thought the worst. I thought you were going to…going to kill us."
Lara did not realize her hands were clenching and unclenching as she listened to Arista. She really could not blame her for being afraid. It was everyone's reaction when they first saw her. It did not help that she also attacked their father. That did not make it sting any less to hear her say it, though.
"But you didn't," said Arista. "You saved us. You saved all of us. And a lot of other people, too. At the hospital, and at the marina. And then watching you dying on the ground like that, and then sitting outside the hospital room not knowing if you were going to make it, I…" Arista chewed nervously on her lip for a moment. "I just kept thinking about what I said to you when you found us. And all the times I thought ill of you, or said something unkind behind your back. How I thought that you…that you were a monster."
Lara tensed, her hands and jaw tightening.
"But you're not." Arista sniffed as she wiped her eyes. "You're a lot of things, Lara. But you're no monster. If it wasn't for you, we both would've died in that fire. Even if you have changed, you've never done anything but protect us. I can't apologize enough for thinking so little of you. Or thank you enough for saving our lives again."
Lara looked away. She did not feel like she deserved any apology. It was because of her that Remora started that fire. Arista would not have been endangered in the first place if she had not been so antagonistic to that witch. If Eric had not come when he did, Arista would have been one of many casualties from the fire.
"Don't worry about it," said Lara quietly.
"There's something else. August and I talked it over while you were asleep, and…now that you're awake, there's something we want to ask you."
Lara looked to Arista. "What is it?"
Arista shifted in her wheelchair. "Seeing as you saved our baby's life, we were wondering if…if we could…?"
Lara looked down at the baby, and then back at Arista. "Wait…are you gonna name the kid after me?"
Arista blinked. "What? No! No! I mean, there's nothing wrong with your name! But we already had a name picked for her ages ago!"
"Oh. Well, that's…wait. Her? I thought you said it was a boy."
Arista smiled and wiped her eyes again. "Turns out I was wrong. Guess my motherly intuition wasn't as good as I thought. But yeah, she already has a name. What she doesn't have, though, is a god mother."
Lara stared blankly at Arista. She heard the words, but they were not registering. Then she looked around the room to see if there was anyone else present Arista could possibly be talking to. Other than Melody, she was the only one. Yet she could not possibly be asking what Lara thought she was. There was no way! Not her! Not Arista! So why was Arista still looking straight at her?
Lara pointed to herself. "You mean…me?"
Arista nodded. "You."
"Um…wow. I, uh…" Lara breathed out heavily, looking at the sleeping baby. She gulped. "Arista, are you sure about this? I mean really, really sure? I mean, I'm flattered, but…you're a mermaid. And Posei–I mean, Triton's daughter. And I'm, well…me. I know I have the wings and the magic, but…I'm really not cut out to be fairy god mother material. And…" Lara licked her lips nervously. "I don't know if I'll be sticking around here much longer. Not after everything that's happened."
Arista shook her head. "We're absolutely certain. There's no one else we'd rather have watching over her. We won't take no for an answer, either. Besides, having a half-dragon god mother still sounds pretty cool. So, Lara…" Arista scooted to the edge of her wheelchair. "Meet your new god-daughter, Aria."
Before Lara could say anything else, Arista handed the swaddled newborn to her. Lara carefully took her, cradling her close. The baby was sleeping quietly in her blanket, eyes closed and tranquil. A few wispy strands of blonde hair adorned her head. She barely weighed anything. She looked so soft and fragile, too. Was this how all babies looked and felt when they were brand new? Was she like this once upon a time?
"Does she have…you know?" asked Lara, nodding at Arista's fins.
"She does," said Arista. "I gave birth to her as a human, but she came out a mermaid. Guess daddy's magic ring couldn't change that."
Lara tensed, suddenly remembering whose family this baby was a part of. This was Triton's grandchild. The same merman who put her in those accursed chains. The same merman who tried to kill her. Even if Triton really was not the same merman who killed her father, he was still a descendant of Poseidon. It was because of him Lara no longer had a father or a home. If it were not for him, she never would have spent so long searching for a way home. She never would have endured five years in the eastern kingdoms. Lara felt a spike of anger in her chest, her arms tightening as the tip of her tail twitched in agitation. Her magic began to heat up.
The baby groaned as she shifted in her blanket. Then she slowly opened her bright blue eyes, giving a yawn before she blinked. Lara froze as Aria's eyes settled on her own. Had she picked up on her anger? Did she handle her too roughly? Did she make her feel threatened? What would she do when she saw her face instead of her mother's? Would she cry? Scream? Struggle to get away?
Then Aria smiled, making a happy cooing sound at Lara as she wriggled her little arms free and reached up to her.
All of Lara's anger vanished in an instant, her magic returning to slumber. Her grudge against Triton and Poseidon suddenly seemed so trivial compared to the new little life in her arms. She was not even her own, and yet Lara already felt she would hold up the sky itself to protect her. Aria had done nothing wrong. She was innocent. So were her mother, father, aunts, uncles, and cousins. So was Triton, if that's really who she fought in the marina. They had done nothing wrong. They deserved none of her anger, much less retribution.
"Hi, Aria," Lara whispered. "Looks like I'm gonna be your god-mom."
She offered the baby one of her bandaged fingers. Aria's hand was so small she could not even wrap it all the way around the digit. Yet there was a strength in her grip as Lara tried to pull her hand back, not allowing her to escape. Then Aria looked up and reached for Lara's face, hands grasping at the air.
"I think she wants your hair," said Arista.
Lara reached up and pulled a length of her now fully regrown orange hair over her shoulder, allowing it to fall within reach of the baby. Aria pulled it to her, her smile growing wider as she played with the vivid strands. Lara found herself smiling back. She wished her heart would stop beating so hard. It made her chest ache.
"You like that color?" asked Lara, giving Aria a gentle bounce. Aria giggled as the hair wound through her fingers.
"No surprise there!" said Arista. "It matches her fins."
Lara looked up at her. "Wait, really?"
Arista nodded. "See for yourself."
Lara pulled part of the blanket back, just enough to see the tops of Aria's fins. Sure enough, they were the same vibrant furnace orange color as Lara's hair.
"I thought fin colors ran in families or something like that?" said Lara.
Arista shrugged. "Not always. And I don't think there's ever been orange in the royal family before, either. We were just as…Lara? Lara, what's wrong?"
Lara tensed again. Had she done something to worry Arista? She was not hurting Aria, was she? "Huh? What? What is it?"
"You're crying!" said Arista.
Lara blinked, feeling a tear escape down her right cheek. She brought a hand to it and looked at her wet fingers. She was crying, and not just a few tears either. She looked down and saw the Aria's blanket was splotched with wet marks.
"I…what?" Lara touched her face again. Her cheeks were dripping wet, fingertips glistening with salty water. She had not even noticed she was so focused on the baby.
"I'm sorry!" apologized Arista. "If it was something I said, or if this is all too much…!"
"No! No, it's not you!" said Lara. She wiped her eyes on her bandaged forearm, but the tears kept coming. "It's…I don't know. They just won't stop."
Suddenly a loud gasp caught Arista and Lara's attention. Melody was sitting up in the chaise lounge, hands clasped over her mouth as she stared straight at Lara. "Lara! You're…you're awake!"
Lara offered a small lopsided smile. "Hi, Mel. Guess what? I'm a god mother now!"
Melody quickly walked over to the bed, sitting on the side opposite Arista. "She said yes?"
"As if I'd let her say anything else!" said Arista. "She seems pretty happy about it, too!"
"It's just glare from the sun," said Lara, wiping her eyes as the tears finally subsided. "That's all."
Melody started to reach for Lara, but then paused. "Um, Lara? Could you hand Aria back so I can…you know…?"
"Oh! Yeah, sure." Lara carefully handed Aria back to her mother before turning to Melody. "Okay. Just go easy with the hu–."
WHAP!
Melody drew her hand back and slapped Lara across the face so hard she hurt her hand. The sound reverberated through the room. Arista gasped and flinched away, causing the wheelchair to roll back from the bed slightly. Aria's face scrunched up in displeasure at the harsh noise. Lara fell over on her side, clutching her stinging cheek as it turned bright red.
"Take care of yourself!?" Melody yelled at Lara as she started to get up. Melody leapt onto the bed and straddled Lara's hips before starting to slap her all over. "Take care!? That's all you can say to me before you try to kill yourself!?"
"Ow! Ow! Mel, stop!" Lara pleaded, shielding herself with her arms. "That hurts!"
Melody only assaulted her more. "It better hurt, you stupid, reckless, suicidal idiot! It's half what you deserve for what you put us all through! And what was that speech supposed to be!? Your idea of an apology!? The only thing you got right was saying you're sorry! After that you blew it completely!"
"I wasn't trying to die!" said Lara, only to have one of Melody's hands slip through and strike her nose. She clutched her nose as it smarted, her eyes watering again. "Ow!"
Aria began crying from the shouting and the sounds of hitting. Arista backed her wheelchair further from the bed, bouncing Aria in her arms as she talked soothingly to her.
"Don't you dare lie to me again!" Melody shouted, her hits starting to turn haphazard. "You knew it would kill you! If I didn't know any better, I'd say you wanted it to! Did you think you were being some sort of hero!?" Her slaps became slower and weaker as she started to cry, the tears falling onto Lara's bandages. "Do you have any idea how scared I was!? How scared we all were!? Or how much it hurt to hear you say those things!? I thought I lost you, Lara! I thought you were going to die in my arms just like Will!"
Lara lowered her hands as Melody started beating weakly on her chest. It still hurt, but she bore it silently. Melody started crying in earnest as she bent over, her head coming down to rest on Lara's shoulder.
"Don't you *sniff* don't you ever say *sniff* goodbye to me again!" choked out Melody, weakly hitting Lara twice more before she forced her arms around her and hugged her as tight as she could. "Don't you ever *sniff* ever, ever throw your life away ever again! You *sniff* you can't do that to me! I already *sniff* I already lost Will! I can't *sniff* lose you, too!"
Lara hugged Melody back fiercely as the princess broke down into sobs. It made her muscles burn and cramp to do so. But the guilt and shame she felt was far more painful. "I'm sorry, Mel! I'm so, so sorry! For everything! I never meant to hurt you!"
Melody sniffled loudly. "You *hic* you should be sorry *sniff*! You *hic* you gave me hic- *hic* hiccups! Jerk!"
Lara managed a small laugh. She started to separate from the hug, but Melody would not release her. "I'm *hic* not done!"
"Mel, my wings are cramping," said Lara, her face displaying her discomfort.
Melody just held her tighter. "I don't *sniff* care."
They stayed like that for a long while as Melody's crying and hiccups subsided. Eventually Melody let go and moved off Lara, her face red and wet with tears from her glassy eyes. She sniffled loudly, looking around for a tissue or something to wipe her nose on. Lara grabbed the edge of the bedsheet and offered it to Melody. She took it and blew her nose loudly, not caring if it dirtied the linen.
"Just a guess…" said Lara, looking over her bandages. "But I get the feeling I was in bad shape?"
Melody wiped her eyes on her hand. "That's putting it too lightly. You were dying, Lara. Your heart stopped three times! Sarah and the other doctors tried to save you at the old hospital, but there was *sniff* nothing they could do. They told us you…" She paused as she wiped another tear out of her eye. "You wouldn't last the night."
Lara looked down at herself. "Then how did I survive?"
Melody swallowed and blinked her eyes. "The, uh…*sniff* the Hive Queen did it."
Lara tensed visibly, eyes widening in terror and disbelief. Then she slowly looked up at Melody. "What…?"
"She's the one who saved you," said Melody. "Right after Sarah told us you were dying, she appeared. Along with two of those thin men."
"Slendermen," Arista coughed under her breath to correct her. She cast a quick glance at the shadow from the wheelchair, warry one of the masked stalkers might appear at the mention of their name.
"She said she could save you as long as I went with her," continued Melody. "I don't know what she did, but I woke up outside my room the next day. And you were in my bed and still alive."
Lara sat completely upright. "Are you telling me I'm still kicking because she stepped in!? And you let her take you!?"
Melody nodded. "Yeah."
"Are you insane!?" Lara all but yelled, wincing as it aggravated her chest. Aria cried even louder.
"Watch your voices!" said Arista. "You're upsetting Aria!"
"Do you have any idea how dangerous she is!?" continued Lara, ignoring Arista's warning. "Or what she could've done to you!? What she might've done to me!? Why would you let her do that!?"
"Because we didn't have any other choice!" yelled back Melody angrily. "She was the only one who could help you! What else was I supposed to do –just stand there and watch you die!? You know I couldn't do that! And don't pretend you wouldn't have done the same if you were in my shoes!"
Lara opened her mouth to speak but then bit back her words. She stared at Melody and then sighed. "What did she do?"
Melody shook her head. "I told you I don't know. I went with her when she took you, but I don't remember anything after that. Like I said, I woke up here the next day and we were both still alive."
"What did she want?" asked Lara. "For saving me, I mean."
"She didn't want anything. All she said was she wasn't doing it for us. And that she doesn't want you dying again. Not until…" Melody swallowed. "Not until she's had a go at you."
"So she's gonna start playing bodyguard for me now?" asked Lara.
Melody shook her head. "No. She told mom she won't come save you next time. That if you can't stay alive by yourself, then you weren't worth her time to begin with. She just didn't want you dying that way."
Lara looked at a shadow cast by the window, scowling as she narrowed her eyes at it. "Yeah, that sounds like her."
"Shh, shh. It's all right, sweetie. It's all right…" Arista said gently, rocking Aria as her crying began to quiet in the absence of Melody and Lara's shouting.
Melody looked to her aunt and new niece. "Sorry about making her cry, Aunt Ari."
"Just don't do it again," said Arista. "Both of you!"
Lara's face fell as she noticed the bandage around Arista's right hand. That was where the fire burned her. The same fire that would have killed her and Aria if Lara had not pulled them from the hospital. But they were only two of many trapped by those flames.
Lara looked down at the bed. "Melody…what happened to the people at the hospital? The ones still inside?"
Melody turned to her. She could tell with one glance Lara was dreading whatever answer would come. But she dreaded not having one even more. "Everyone in the basement and on the first floor was…they died instantly. And there were some on the second floor who didn't make it."
Lara grimaced as her hands clutched the bedsheets.
"But everyone else survived!" Melody quickly added. "You stopped the fire before it reached them! Or destroyed the tents!"
"How many?"
Melody blinked at Lara, not understanding her question. "Huh?"
"How many…?" Lara bit her lip as she drew a breath. "How many died?"
"Lara…" Melody said pleadingly.
"Please, Mel," said Lara, her eyes fixed down. "Just tell me."
Melody drew a breath. "We…we don't know the exact number yet. But…it's around a hundred and fifty."
Lara closed her eyes drew a shuddering breath. Her hold on the bedsheets tightened, arms shaking visibly.
"Lara, it wasn't your fault!" said Melody. "Dad told me what happened after I left you!"
"And you believe him?" asked Lara. "And me?"
"Of course I believe you! You didn't start that fire! Remora did! She's the one responsible for what happened! Not you!"
"I might as well be," said Lara, still keeping her eyes closed. "Remora set that fire because I wouldn't go with her. Because I angered her. If I'd just…!"
Melody reached out and grabbed Lara's hands. "Lara, no! We both know that's not true! You're not to blame for this! You didn't do anything wrong!"
"It sure doesn't feel that way." Lara opened her eyes and looked up at Melody. "Mel, there's something I need you to do."
"What is it?" asked Melody.
"I need you to get your mom and dad," said Lara. "Actually, get everyone. And Grimsby, too. There's something else I need to tell you all."
"About what?"
"About who I am. About who I was, I mean." Lara cast her eyes down again. "Maybe who I still am."
"Lara, you just woke up," said Melody. "If this is about your father being a dragon, I already told them. And what happened with my great-grandfather. Whatever it is, it can wait till–."
Lara shook her head. "No, it can't. I've been asleep for three days. That's long enough. And this is…it's about that poster. And why I came to Seahaven in the first place. And what I said before I…you need to know the truth. The real truth."
Melody could tell by the look in Lara's eyes that this was serious. She would crawl through the palace on her hands and knees to tell them if that was what it took, and she was not in any kind of shape to do that. "Okay. I'll let everyone know."
At that moment Lara's stomach growled loudly, reminding everyone in the room and down the hall that she had not eaten or drank anything in three days either. Melody looked at Lara's stomach, and then at her face. "After you eat something, that is."
Lara just nodded. Empty as her stomach was, she did not feel that hungry.
News of Lara's awakening spready quickly through the palace, which created a flurry of excitement and concern. Melody no sooner found her parents than they scattered through the maze of halls, corridors, stairs, and rooms trying to find the rest of their family. Word was sent to Sarah at Ariel's request. The fledgling doctor started to decline out of obligation to the many injured still needing attention, but she quickly found herself all but pushed out of the old hospital and into the carriage by the other doctors and nurses. They could all tell she wanted to see Lara more than anything.
If there was one upside to the time it took to locate everyone, it was that it gave Lara a chance to eat something. Despite the grumbling of her stomach, she barely managed to down a half dozen biscuits and a glass of warm milk before she felt nauseous and had to stop. Melody had the impression it was due to more than her injuries.
The sun was touching the horizon when everyone was finally assembled in Melody's room. To say they were relieved to see Lara awake was an understatement. Aquata became a sobbing mess when she saw her, and Andrina was not much better. Sarah was barely able to keep it together for a minute before she started crying joyfully. Adella tried to pretend there was something in her eye, but she was not fooling anyone. Alana went to hug Lara, but quickly thought better when she saw how much it hurt Lara just to lean over to her. Ariel hugged her anyway, both overjoyed to see her awake and scolding her for the emotional turmoil she caused them all. Eric was content to smile and ruffle her hair before handing her goggles back to her, commenting how much the orange color suited her. Grimsby expressed his delight at seeing Lara awake in his usual manner–as composed and professional as he deemed appropriate. Only Attina did not greet Lara, standing quietly in the back of the room. She was clearly uncomfortable being there, her body language all but screaming suspicion and unease.
"You're sure you're okay to talk, Lara?" asked Eric as he, August, and Nemo helped Lara get more upright in the bed, propping her with pillows. It was tricky to do now that she had such large wings attached to her.
"Yeah, I'm good." Lara leaned slowly back against the pillows, wincing as they pressed on her spine.
"I still can't believe you survived!" said Sarah. "Or that you're awake this soon! It's a miracle!"
"Yeah…a miracle," Melody said, sharing a knowing look with Lara. The Hive Queen really had erased all memory of her intervention from Sarah's mind. Not only her, but all the hospital staff that saw to Lara. As far as they knew, Lara's recovery was some incredible combination of Seahaven's medicine, Lara's own healing, and no shortage of luck. They believed Lara was transported out of the hospital once she was stabilized, as they badly needed the room. They had no idea about what really happened.
"You're absolutely certain?" pressed Ariel.
"Like I told Mel, this can't wait. I kept this from you all for too long." Lara looked to Eric. "Did you bring it?"
Eric looked over to Grimsby. The advisor reached into his jacket as he approached, producing a folded piece of crumbled paper. He handed it to Lara, who hesitated a moment before taking it. Everyone saw the tremor in her hands as she slowly opened it, and the way she tensed when she came face to face with her own likeness.
"Never thought I'd see one of these again," Lara said quietly, tracing her fingers over the image. "Never wanted to, either."
"Lara, what is that?" asked Ariel.
"It's just what it looks like," said Lara. "It's a wanted poster. From the eastern kingdoms."
Several gasps went up from the room. Attina was not the only uneasy one now.
"How can that be?" asked Melody. "You said the eastern kingdoms are on the other side of the Sand Ocean! No one can get across that!"
"I thought the same thing," said Lara. "Even flying, it took me weeks to get across it. But Remora's new master had other ideas."
"Her master?" asked Eric.
"That guy in the black hood," said Lara. "The one from Glowerhaven I told you about. He's their leader, and not some run-of-the-mill warlock. He's strong. Too strong. He's the one that brought it back. He threatened me with it in Glowerhaven. Said he was gonna expose me."
Melody saw Lara's hands and jaw tighten, then looked to her mother. They remembered the terrible oppressive power that brought them to their knees as they ran through Glowerhaven castle. How it paralyzed them in both body and mind. How Lara told them of the ease with which the Master incapacitated her. They both knew who he was the moment they saw him square up against Lara in her berserk state. Their fears were solidified when he was able to hold his own against her in that form. They agreed with Lara. If anyone could traverse the Sand Ocean and return, it was him.
"But that isn't you, is it?" asked Alana. "Even if it is from the eastern kingdoms, that's not your name."
"It's not a very good likeness, that's for sure," said Andrina, glancing over at the poster. "You look like someone stuck a snapping clam in your seashells."
Lara arched a brow at her. "I'm…not sure what that means. But yeah, that's me."
"Then why does it call you Kaida Blackjaw?" asked Grimsby.
"Because that's the name I used to go by," said Lara, setting the poster aside.
"What do you mean 'used to?'" asked Attina from the back. Everyone looked to her, suddenly remembering she was present.
"Before we get to that, I need to tell you what led to this," said Lara. "I'm guessing you all sort of know about who and what my dad was now?"
"You mean that he was a dragon?" asked Arista.
"Or that he made you a fire-breathing human-dragon hybrid?" said Aquata.
"Or that he raised you and taught you how to fight and use magic?" said Alana.
"Or that he kidnapped our father so he could force our grandfather to hand over the trident, but ended up getting defeated by him?" added Attina. All the mermaids looked at her with expressions that told her she was rather indelicate with her words. "What?! That's what she told Melody!"
"Ever heard of this nifty thing called tact, Attina?" said Aquata sharply.
Ariel shifted nervously, her hands fidgeting unconsciously. She still had not told anyone about what happened between her and Bel'al in the hospital. Even if Bel'al truly was at a fraction of his former strength, Ariel did not want to find out what the strongest of Eternals could do if she broke his trust. It made her insides twist and her palms sweat, not being able to tell anyone much less Lara. Especially Lara. What would she think if learned her father was still alive? Or that he had been watching over her this entire time? Or that he chose to remain silent so Lara could not be exploited to find him? Though Ariel could not agree with the dragon's decision to let Lara keep believing him dead, she could understand why, if only in part and grudgingly. Bel'al took a great risk revealing the truth to her, not to mention his other interventions. Given the savagery and power Maelstrom demonstrated thus far, if they so much as suspected Ariel knew anything about him, she had little doubt they would do whatever was needed to wring that information out of her. She was now burdened with carrying this secret alone. She almost wished Bel'al had not told her at all.
"Look, I'm not gonna try to excuse what my dad did," said Lara. "I still don't know why he wanted the trident in the first place. He was plenty strong on his own. Can't imagine why he needed it. And I'm not gonna excuse what I did, either. But that's not why I wanted you here. What I need to tell you is what happened afterwards. What I've told you so far…it wasn't the whole story."
Melody went and sat on the edge of the bed by Lara, watching her attentively. All eyes were on the sorceress now, waiting for the confession to begin.
A/N: "Vogel Im Kafig" by Hiroyuki Sawano and Cyua
"The only thing I remember after dad said goodbye was a flash," said Lara. "It was night when I woke up. I was in a slaver's camp with chains on my arms and neck. That, and my legs were stuck in some sort of crystal. The men were going at it with pickaxes and chisels. There were shards of the stuff all over the ground, too. I never put two-and-two together till now, but…I think my dad put me in it. That must be how I stayed asleep for so long. Anyway, they were arguing over what to do with me once they got all the crystals. None of their ideas appealed to me. That's when one of them noticed I was awake. When I started to melt the chains, he tried to put a pickaxe between my eyes. So I…" Lara swallowed nervously. "I killed him."
It still made Melody tense to hear Lara talk about killing someone, even if it was done in self-defense.
"I hadn't killed anyone before," said Lara. "I didn't mean to, either. My body just moved and…next thing I knew, he had my sword in his chest. But it was him or me, and I didn't get the feeling he wanted me breathing anymore. His buddies didn't like that one bit, or when I broke loose. They called me a 'heathen' and went for their swords and guns. I ended up having to kill most of them, but one was still alive after. I made him tell me whatever he could. He said I was somewhere called Hun Rao. I asked him where Arcania was and how I got there, but he didn't know. He'd never even heard of it. He said a bunch of villagers were keeping me in their shrine as some sort of religious object. Thought I was a goddess or something like that. The guy's gang raided the village and stole me. They were planning to sell the crystals once they dug me out of it. They didn't expect me to be alive, though. Figured they could sell me as a slave. I told him to run and let him go, but he went for his knife instead. You can probably guess what happened to him. I grabbed whatever I could use from their camp and flew out of there as fast as I could. I was able to find the village, but everyone was dead."
Lara folded her arms, rubbing up and down her biceps worriedly. "It didn't take long to figure out four things. One, I had no idea what happened to my dad. That whole series of events was gone from my memories until now. Two, I didn't know where I was. The first decent map I found didn't show anything outside the eastern kingdoms. None of the others did, too. Just the typical 'here there be monsters' and edge of the world type stuff. Far as those people were concerned, there was no world outside the kingdoms. Three, I had no clue where Arcania was anymore. No one else did, either. That or they didn't believe it existed at all. And four, magic and demihumans were not welcome anywhere. The first human settlement I went to greeted me with bullets. The second one used swords, pitchforks, and whatever else they could find with a sharp end. I was even less popular at the third place. After that I started keeping my wings, tail, and magic hidden. It was an improvement, but not by much. I got a lot of looks and unwanted attention. I had people try to steal my sword and pendant, or capture me so they could sell me into slavery. That usually ended with either the sword or magic coming out, and that always ended with them shouting 'heathen' or 'monster' as they ran me out of town. So I kept to the wilds for a few months. I was safer sleeping around the animals than the people. But I knew I wasn't gonna find my way home if all I did was hide out in the mountains. So, I kept myself as human as possible and started asking around where I could. That brought up my next problem."
"Which was…?" asked Melody.
"If you're gonna survive in the east, you need two things: a way to protect yourself, and money," said Lara. "My sword, strength, and magic had the first part covered. The second part was harder. I didn't have a huge skillset to work with. And since all magic was considered evil, I couldn't rely on that. Or my wings and tail. No one would hire you if they so much as suspected you were a demihuman. Not that anything anyone was offering was a dream job, mind you. Did a stint as a barmaid for a few weeks, but that ended after I used my tail to lay out a guy who tried to grope me."
"So, what did you do then?" asked Ariel.
"I…sort of found my 'calling' on accident," said Lara. "There was this old inn way out in the sticks. Run by this ex-merc named Gin. I went in looking for directions to the next town. I caught the eye of a bunch of drunk soldiers. They wanted more than my sword and money. They didn't take no for an answer, and things escalated until I broke a table over their heads…and three chairs…and a bar stool…and a bucket…I think there was a bottle of wine, too." Lara shook her head, realizing she was drifting off topic. "After they were out cold Gin started yelling at me about causing trouble and paying for the damages. I didn't have nearly enough to cover all that, so he said he'd take the cost out of the reward for those guys. I didn't know anything about any reward. Turns out they were deserters with a low-level bounty on their heads. I told Gin I'd haul them into town, get the reward, and come back to settle up. But he wasn't buying it. Didn't trust me not to run off with the reward and keep it all to myself. So, I left my sword with him and said I'd be back for it. He clearly didn't expect me to do it, because he was real surprised when I showed up at the crack of dawn with a bag of coins and dropped it on his bar. I paid it all to him for the damage and trouble and started to leave, but he got to the door before I could. He said I had some talent for this sort of thing, especially if I could be trusted to see a job through. He asked what I was planning to do after this. Told him I was gonna try to find work and then use what I made to find Arcania. He just laughed at me. Said there wasn't such a thing, and even if there was, I wasn't gonna find out something like that without serious cash or asking some dangerous people. And if I was gonna go around knocking heads, I needed someone to make sure I didn't knock the wrong ones and end up on a hit list. That's when he offered to become my bookman."
"Your what?" asked Eric, Alana, Adella, and Melody at the same time.
"Bookman. It's someone who keeps track of the bounties you bring in and helps you get new ones. For a fee, that is." Lara looked around the group, seeing their realization at what she was implying. "Yeah…Gin wanted me to become a bounty hunter. Or as he called it, a huntress."
Melody drew a sharp breath, as did several of her aunts. Bounty hunters were unheard of in Seahaven. Criminals were not plentiful enough to maintain the profession. There were barely a handful of them in Vorhaven and Strihaven. Most of their time was spent chasing simple thieves and con-artists, or just people running from a mistake out of fear. There were the occasional pirates and highwaymen, but the navy and guards largely handled those because they had the training and resources for it.
"Why do I get the feeling you accepted his offer?" asked Eric.
"Because I did," said Lara. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I didn't want to, but what else was I supposed to do? No one would give me an honest job, and there weren't many of those to start with. And I couldn't just fly off in some random direction. There was nothing but desert to the west and south. The east was ocean that's probably just as big, not to mention crawling with pirates and monsters. I couldn't get a boat to take me across it even if I was a normal human with every scrap of gold in the east. And the north was…I don't know what it was, but anyone who went up there became sick and died. That, or they never came back at all. If I was gonna get home, I needed information. And anything about Arcania that was more than rumors and fairy tales was gonna be hard to find. So was anything that could restore my memory."
"Why's that?" asked Ariel.
"Because the only one's who'd have that sort of information or ability are witches and warlocks," said Lara. "And not the good kind, because there are next to none of those in the east."
"But you said magic was outlawed in the east," said Adella.
"Doesn't mean it wasn't practiced, or that people didn't take advantage of it," said Lara. "Anyone with weak or new magic was usually killed once they were discovered. But the ones who did survive were powerful, and they didn't hesitate to put down anyone who tried to come after them. Or to offer their services to whoever could get them what they wanted, which was usually something rare, illegal, or dangerous for some spell or curse or artifact they were making. A lot of kingdoms and gangs secretly kept mages on their payroll in exchange for creating weapons, assassinating rivals, or strengthening their armies. All done under the table, of course. The other people who might've had the info I wanted were the ones those mages answered to. Crime bosses, pirate lords, kings, emperors–that sort. The rewards for them were huge, but so were the chances of getting killed. Bounty hunting was dangerous enough already. Most hunters and huntresses quit or died in their first year. There weren't many willing to go after the big shots or magic users…which meant there were plenty to choose from."
Lara drew a breath and sighed again. "I didn't start with them, though. Gin had me spend months honing my skills on lower to mid-range bounties. Thieves. Deserters. Blasphemers. Murderers. It didn't take long to claw my way into the big leagues, so to speak. Being able to fly and use magic definitely sped things up, though it didn't win me any allies. Within three months I was going after bandit gangs and pirate crews. In a year I was taking on warlords and mages. Before two years were up, I was hunting the highest bounties out there. Gin kept me busy, and I kept bringing in the rewards. Word got around fast about a demihuman fire witch with orange hair and a scar over her right eye taking down targets no one else would try for. Gin started getting requests for my 'services' from all over."
Grimsby coughed, grabbing everyone's attention. "As fascinating as this all is, you still have not answered my question. Why does that poster name you as Kaida Blackjaw?"
"I figured it would be safer to use a fake name rather than my real one. Gin thought so, too," said Lara. "Kaida's a very common name in the east. Sorta their version of John or Jane. The Blackjaw part came later. From the way my face looks when I'm wearing the, you know…the armor."
"That was armor?" said Adella.
"Sort of. It's difficult to explain." Lara looked down at the poster, holding its angry gaze. "I wish I could say I only stayed a huntress because I wanted to find a way back to Arcania. Or that I never did anything criminal or immoral. But that's not what happened. The things I saw and did…" Lara stopped and shook her head. "No, it was what I felt as much as anything else. I was a wreck. I'd lost everything again. I lost my home and my father with no idea how or why, only to wake up somewhere that everyone either hated me or wanted to kill me. I was desperate to find a way home, and that desperation let me excuse a lot of things I shouldn't have done in the first place."
Her eyes settled on Melody for a moment, and then she looked away from her. "None of it ever brought me any closer to finding Arcania. Every witch and warlock's lair I raided. Every criminal I threatened and tortured. Every coin I spent on every map, medicine, relic, or old book I thought might have the smallest clue. And all the things I stole when money wasn't enough. It all amounted to nothing. I kept telling myself the next job would be the last one. That I'd find my answer, wash my hands of the bounty hunting business, and leave the east for good. That I was helping people by bringing criminals to justice. That I was making the east a better place. But the longer I kept hunting and the more dead ends I hit, the more frustrated I got. Somewhere along the way that frustration turned into anger. I lost hope I'd ever get home again, even as I kept searching. I cared less and less about bringing the targets back alive, or who got caught in the middle of the fights. I just wanted to take everything out on whoever Gin told me to hunt next. I wanted to hurt them because in my messed-up head it made me hurt less. It made the anger more bearable. And with the things most of them did, I convinced myself they deserved whatever 'punishment' I gave them. Bit by bit I forgot who I was and why I started hunting in the first place. I forgot who my father trained me to be, and who my mother gave her life to protect. I stopped being Lara Anclagon and sunk further into being Kaida Blackjaw. After three years and a literal stack of aliases and bounties to my name, I was one of the most infamous and feared huntresses in the eastern kingdoms. There wasn't a bookman, hunter, or huntress out there who didn't know who I was."
Lara looked back at the poster. "But when you hunt people for a living, it's only a matter of time before someone else hunts you. And as I found out, one kingdom's hanged criminal is another's martyred hero. People put bounties on my own head in retaliation for the targets I brought in. Other hunters and huntresses came after me, both for the reward and to make a name for themselves. If it wasn't them, it was some relative or subordinate or comrade coming to get revenge. Others just wanted to kill me for existing at all. I fought plenty of zealots who thought I was some demon or devil that needed to be destroyed. Some I could scare off, but most wouldn't back down no matter what. By that point I wasn't as careful about unnecessary casualties. If someone wanted me dead, that was reason enough to snuff them out. Gin warned me to be more cautious about who I crossed swords with, but I hardly cared. I kept bringing in the targets. Gin kept getting his share. And the crimes I was accused of and the price on my head kept getting larger."
She held up the poster for them to see. "These charges? They're because of what I did as a huntress. Like I said, one kingdom's criminal is another's hero. To some, I was just a huntress doing her job. But to others, I was nothing but a murderer."
Melody looked at the poster, reading the words across the bottom. "Then…what happened to Lao Xan?"
Lara tensed visibly, fingers crumpling the edge of the poster. She slowly lowered it and then turned it around. She stared hard at the picture, biting firmly on her lower lip. Already Melody could tell there was something different about that particular charge. Something more painful and haunting than the others. Lara did not say anything for a long while, clearly struggling to confront her worst sin.
"Yumino happened," said Lara finally.
"Yumino? What's Yumino?" asked Melody.
"Not what–who. Yumino was the crown princess of Lao Xan, and the oldest child of their royal family." Lara paused again as she shifted her wings. "I'd been hunting for over four years when Gin was contacted by a guy claiming to be a messenger for King Kenzo and Queen Akiko of Lao Xan. The story we were told was that Yumino and Prince Takato–that's her younger brother–were traveling to the neighboring kingdom of Yin Jai for peace talks. Their convoy was attacked by a group of rebels. They caught Yumino, but Takato was able to get away. The rebels demanded the king and queen step down from the throne and hand control of the kingdom to them. If they didn't comply within ten days, they would start sending pieces of Yumino home every day after. They sent the heads of her guards and ladies-in-waiting as a warning."
Melody gulped, unconsciously clutching a hand to her throat.
"Kenzo and Akiko were ready to do what they asked," Lara continued. "They just wanted Yumino back. The royal court, however, had other ideas. They weren't about to let the king hand over his throne to…what was it that fat git of a duke called them? A herd of lowbrow terrorist thugs, I think. They were planning to have the army corner the rebels, kill them, and rescue Yumino." Lara gave a dismissive huff and shook her head. "Idiots, the lot of them. It never would've worked. They would've seen those soldiers coming from miles away. They either would've run off with Yumino or killed her and dumped the body. Her parents didn't think it would work either. That, and they were worried about foul-play. So, like any royalty needing the services of a mage, they reached out to me behind the court's back. They figured I could find the rebel's hideout, get in, and sneak her out without anyone noticing. They offered a hundred thousand gold coins for her safe return. And really emphasized the safe part. I had a reputation for collateral damage."
Melody gasped. She had no idea what gold was valued at in the eastern kingdoms, but a hundred thousand of almost anything gold in Seahaven was an astronomical sum of money! A hundred thousand of their gold coins could build and train an entire navy!
"I wasn't fond of playing fetch for some king," said Lara. "But I hadn't hunted anyone in almost a month, so Gin pushed me into taking the job. Finding the rebel's hideout was easy. I tracked them to an abandoned castle in the mountains, just inside the Yin Jai border. The sneaking in part…I gave up on that after I blew the doors open. I killed most of the rebels and set their castle on fire. I found their leader trying to run away with Yumino. I cornered them in the forest. He put a gun to her head and threatened to shoot her if I didn't back off. I threatened to kill him for sure if he did. So, he tried to shoot me instead. It didn't end well for him. Let's leave it at that."
"What about the princess?" asked Ariel.
"Dirty, hungry, bruised, and scared of me after what I did to her captors. But alive," said Lara. "I got her home right before the army could march out. I still remember the look on everyone's faces when I barged into the castle with her slung across my shoulder and a ring of guards pointing their guns at me. Kenzo and Akiko were overjoyed to have her back. Wish I could say the same for the royal court. I could tell plenty of them wanted her gone. I was all set to take my reward and leave, but Kenzo had other ideas. He wanted me to stay as Yumino's bodyguard until Lao Xan and Yin Jai finalized this peace treaty they were working on. Apparently, she and Takato had been getting death threats months before the kidnapping."
"Why?" asked Aquata. "Why would they threaten them rather than the king? And why would her own court not want her back?"
"Because Yumino and Takato were the biggest advocates for the treaty," said Lara. "Lao Xan and Yin Jai had been at war for generations. Disputed lands, conflicting political systems, prejudices, skirmishes–the usual stuff for the east. But the war was wrecking both their kingdoms. People were flooding the capital cities to get away from the fighting. Lao Xan's capital was a big city to start with, but it wasn't gonna handle the entire kingdom trying to live in it. They were bursting at the seams just trying to house everyone. The kingdoms were in the middle of a two-year armistice to find a way to end the fighting. It actually looked like they were getting close to a resolution. Not everyone was on board with that, though. The 'lowbrow terrorist thugs' that captured Yumino were Yin Jai na…na…oh crud, what's the word I'm looking for?"
"Would you be referring to nationalists, by chance?" asked Grimsby.
"That's it! That's the one! Nationalists! Ouch!" said Lara, wincing as she aggravated her wounds. "And they weren't the only ones against making nice with Lao Xan. There was a lot of bad blood between the kingdoms, and plenty of it was being aimed at Yumino. Even from their own court. They wanted a victory, not a peace treaty. They didn't see any difference between a truce and defeat. That, and they were making a pretty profit off the weapons. Kenzo and Akiko were afraid someone might try to kidnap or assassinate her again, so they asked me to stick around till the treaty was finished. Course, I didn't want the job. I was still a pissed-off hothead itching to go beat the tar out of my next bounty. Not babysit royalty in a castle. But Gin forced me to take it. Said I'd been drawing too much attention and needed to lay low for a while. And doing a bodyguard job would balance out my reputation for blowing up my targets and everything within fifty feet of them. That they were willing to pay like royalty helped, too. And Lao Xan's castle did have the largest and oldest library in the east. We're talking books, texts, manuscripts, and scrolls that were hundreds if not thousands of years old! I'd all but given up trying to find Arcania, but I still wanted to go home just badly enough to try to find some clue in there. So, I took the job and became her personal bodyguard."
Lara looked up at the ceiling. "There were the awkward first weeks of getting to know one another. You don't really have a choice when you spend every waking moment together. Yumino was scared of me because of what I did to her kidnappers. I didn't help that, either. I wasn't interested in making friends with her or anyone else. I'd given that up completely after the number of times I'd been stabbed in the back–sometimes literally. Every chance I had I was down in the library scouring the old books."
Melody saw something change in Lara. There was a look in her eyes she had not seen except when Lara talked about her mother and father. There was pain and sadness, yes. But there was also a fondness and reverence amongst the longing nostalgia in them. Her expression softened and her body relaxed as she let go of a tension no one realized she had been holding.
"But Yumino wasn't…she wasn't like everyone else," said Lara. "Yeah, she was afraid of me at the start. And I wasn't as civil with her as I should've been. Not at first, at least. But there was something about her that…I can't explain it. It was everything about her. The way she smiled. The way she moved. The way she laughed. The way she spoke. She had this selflessness and gentleness I hadn't seen in anyone else. And she wasn't selective about who she showed it to. But she was also brave and fierce when she needed to be. She could get a whole room to quiet down just by walking in a certain way. And she had hope. She genuinely thought there was a chance for peace. That there could be something more for her kingdom that endless fighting and death. She made people want to do better. She made me want to do better. She was like…like light. She chased out all this darkness I'd been allowing to fester in me. Within a few weeks we were talking freely. Within a month she got me to laugh. Another month and she asked me to call her 'Yumi' instead of her full name or princess. I remembered how to smile again. I started letting go of all the pain and anger I'd clung to for so long. Piece by piece, Yumino put me back together. She made me Lara again."
Lara looked down at the paper, then tossed it aside. It drifted back and forth through the air before it settled on the floor. "Yumino treated me like no one else in the east had. She treated me like a person. She didn't see a heathen with a sword or a mongrel with wings, even if that's all everyone else in the castle saw. She genuinely cared about people. Even a blood-soaked angry huntress like me. The more I opened up to her, the more I started thinking maybe I could make a new life there in Lao Xan. That I could give up my huntress days and do something other than hurt and kill people chasing after a home I might never find. That I really could use my sword and magic to protect someone for once. And when it started to look like the treaty was going to be signed, that's what Yumino asked me to do. She asked me to stay as her permanent personal guard. She told me she had dreams that went beyond the treaty. That she wanted to show everyone there was another way besides killing and war. Not just in Lao Xan and Yin Jai, but everywhere. That she wanted to rebuild the eastern kingdoms and find a way to end all the bloodshed forever. And she wanted me to help her with that dream."
A faint smile appeared on Lara's lips. "I said yes. Not just because I wanted to stop being a huntress, or that I'd made my peace with not returning to Arcania. Gin was furious about losing his golden goose, but I didn't care. I did it because I wanted to stay with her. She brought me back from the dark. She saved me from myself. I wanted to repay her for that. I wanted to be by her side no matter what came next. I wanted to keep her safe and help make her dreams a reality. I…I…"
Melody's eyes widened as she saw Lara struggle to find her next words. She knew that look. She had seen it so many times in so many faces, including her own. Why had she not recognized it sooner? There was nothing else it could possibly be!
"You fell in love," said Melody.
Lara startled, face snapping up to look at her. Melody now saw more than mournful affection in those eyes. She saw anxiety and surprise in them, afraid that what she just confessed would become a wedge between them that could never be removed. That she had handed over a knife they could use to cut her down in one stroke. She looked scared and small.
Melody reached out and took Lara's hand, trying to ease her fears with that touch alone. "You loved her, didn't you?"
Lara's mouth moved wordlessly as she tried to speak again. Then she closed her mouth and nodded. She looked away from Melody, staring down at the bed. "I never thought it was possible. Not for someone like me. But I did. I honestly fell for her. And I fell hard. Of course, I could never tell her that! I couldn't tell anyone! That sort of thing was as liable to get you killed in the east as having magic! The only reason they hadn't tried to kill me already for being a demihuman mage was because I rescued Yumino. That, and I was technically serving the king as her bodyguard. Besides, close as we were, Yumino was still a princess. She already had several suitors interested in her. But I didn't need her to love me back. It was enough just to stay beside her. I could live with that, even if I'd never be able to tell her how I felt. Next to my dad, she was the best thing that happened to me. I couldn't imagine life without her anymore."
Melody glanced around the room. She saw several of her aunts and uncles exchange looks, surprised by Lara's confession. Romance was something they never asked Lara about. That Lara fell in love with a woman was unexpected, but not alarming or offensive. Love between the same sexes was not unheard of in Atlantica. After all, there were couples under the sea who were not even the same species! Gabriella and Little Evil were once an example of that! Melody herself was the product of such a relationship! Now that she thought of it, she remembered this very issue being vigorously debated in Seahaven's royal court five years ago. There were a pair of men who moved to Seahaven from another kingdom. The two were already married in their native land, but they ran into a snag when they were registering as citizens of the kingdom–Seahaven had absolutely no law regarding marriage between the same sexes. And it had no law because, by some strange coincidence, the issue had never come up before! It was not illegal, per se. But neither was there anything that made it legally recognizable. Their marriage was stuck in a sort of legal limbo, and one that required the royal court to settle.
To say the court had differences of opinion was an understatement. What should have been an hour-long discussion turned into five whole days of contentious debate. Back and forth the arguments went, each side trying to prove their point. At one point the guards had to be called in to prevent a fight from breaking out. It seemed the problem would never be solved till Ariel stepped in. Motherly and kind as Ariel could be, when she took the center of the room, she had a presence that could silence even the most argumentative tongues. She asked them to consider what love was to them. For Ariel, it was finding joy in the happiness of someone else. She never expected that someone to be a human, but it was. If love was about finding that same selfless happiness with someone else, who was to say who that someone could be? And if Seahaven really did pride itself on being a welcoming and prosperous kingdom where anyone could be happy, how could they claim such a thing if they would deny someone the opportunity for love purely because of who their heart chose? Ariel closed her argument by saying that, while not everyone had to approve of who someone loved, no one had the right to deny them the chance to be loved.
Suffice to say, no one in the court wanted to rebuke the queen. Just like no one apparently wanted to comment on whom Lara's own heart had chosen, even if it was the princess of a far-off land.
Then Lara gave a long, sad sigh as she closed her eyes. "But if there's one thing people in the east always lose, it's the things they care about most. Whether it's their money, their lives, their dreams…or the people they love. Yumino and I were no exception."
Melody gave Lara's hand a squeeze. Somehow, she knew this was going to be the worst story Lara told them yet. "What happened to her?"
Lara looked at her hand, and then at her. Then she turned and looked out the window at the falling sun. "The bells had just sounded off noon. Yumino and I were up in her chambers. She said she was hungry, so I said I'd go get something for us. I was just at the door when I heard the Yin Jai gunships fire. They'd launched a surprise invasion. I don't know how so many ships got into the harbor without anyone raising the alarm. But they didn't waste time laying siege to everything, and neither did the soldiers and machines they offloaded. And since the castle was on a hill right in the middle of the city, that's the first place they shot at…"
Lara was about to leave when she heard it. The unmistakable shrill whistle of a shell heading towards them. And it was getting louder by the second. But if it was getting louder, then that meant it was coming right for…!
She spun on her heels, her tail and wings manifesting with flashes of fire. "Yumino! Get away from the window!"
Yumino heard the sound a split second later. She glanced out the window, seeing something that made her eyes widen and drop the book she was holding. She bolted away from the window towards Lara, both reaching out to–
There was a dazzling flash as the shell hit the castle wall, detonating with the force of ten cannon rounds as the chemical explosives inside the head were catalyzed into a fireball. The blast wave smashed into Lara like a sledgehammer against a nail, throwing her against the far wall. Her head struck the stone hard, dazing her as she was pelted with debris. She fell to the floor, ears ringing, head pounding, and lungs empty. She sucked in dust and smoke, hacking despite the pain of her broken ribs and right leg. The light was faint with the dust clogging the air. Her vision swam, causing her to stagger and then fall as she tried to get up.
"Yumi…*cough cough* Yumi, are you *cough* okay?" she croaked. She felt something wet run down her head. Her fingers came back red when she touched it. "Yumi? Hey, Yumi!? You there!?"
"Kaida…" came a faint reply through the incessant ringing. "Kai…da…"
Lara pinpointed the noise. She drew her wings back and flapped, thinning the dust. Yumino lay half-buried beneath a pile of stone and wood. Blood stained her long golden hair with crimson. Streaks of it ran down her dust-covered face, and rivulets trickled from her nose and mouth.
Lara's disorientation and pains evaporated instantly. "Yumi!"
Yumino coughed as Lara scrambled over to her in spite of the broken leg. She hooked her arms under her shoulders and started pulling. The stones refused to surrender her, but Lara refused to give her to them either. She pulled a second time, then a third. On the fourth try the stones yielded, allowing Lara to pull Yumino free. She dragged her away from the rubble lest it fall on them.
"I got you, Yumi!" said Lara, pulling her closer as she sat down. "I got you!"
Yumino's jade eyes opened to look up at Lara. "Are you *cough* hurt?"
"I think some of my ribs are broken!" said Lara. "And my right leg is busted! But I'll live!"
Yumino gave a relieved sigh, her eyes closing. "Thank goodness."
Lara looked around. The shell blasted the room into a wreck. Wood, stone, metal, and glass was everywhere. Anything flammable was now burning or catching fire. The door was blocked by rubble collapsing from the ceiling. She could hear more cannon fire in the distance. Long guns, from the sound of it. Most likely from warships in the harbor. And lots of them, going by how quickly the shots were going off. Now she heard the sharp reports of rifles, pistols, and crank guns alongside tanks and war machines as well. But why had there been no alarm? Someone must have seen them coming. Screaming joined the artillery and explosions.
Three more explosive rounds struck the castle in rapid sequence, causing the whole structure to shake. Dust and stones fell from the ceiling, causing Lara to reflexively cover her and Yumino with one of her wings.
"Come on!" said Lara as she tried to stand, only to trip back and fall. "We've gotta get out of here! Another shot like that and this place will come down on what's left of us!"
"You go," whispered Yumino, not making any effort to rise. "I have…to stay."
"What are you talking about!?" exclaimed Lara. "You'll get killed!"
Yumino opened her eyes, looking up at Lara sadly. "Kaida…I'm already dead."
Lara froze. "What?"
In her scramble to get Yumino out of the debris, Lara completely overlooked the dozen long shards of wood that impaled her. One of them was right where Yumino's heart was. The others had pierced her lungs, abdomen, and legs. The front of her dress was rapidly turning red. She coughed, spitting up blood. Her face screwed up in pain, hands clenching tight.
Lara could only stare. "No…no, no, no! You're not gonna die!" She started to stand again, leaning heavily on her good leg. "I'm gonna get you out of here and to a doctor!"
Yumino managed a weak smile. "Kaida…"
"They'll fix you up!" Lara continued, limping as she dragged the princess to where the door once was. "You'll see! A couple weeks of rest and you'll be–!"
"Kaida," interrupted Yumino. "We both…know…I'm not…"
"You can't die!" shouted Lara, pulling Yumino along with even more vigor. She tried to pull her over a fallen beam. The moment she put weight on her broken leg she dropped the princess and fell hard on her side, yelling as searing pain tore through her leg and ribs.
"Please…" said Yumino. "I'm…done for…"
"Don't you dare say that! You're not dying!" yelled Lara as she pulled herself over to Yumino and placed a hand on her arm. "I won't let you! Commu–!"
Yumino reached up, clapping a hand over Lara's mouth before she could finish. "That's…enough. Don't…sacrifice yourself…for me…Lara."
Lara's eyes widened as Yumino lowered her hand. "Wh-what? What did you call me?"
"That's…your real name…isn't it?" Yumino coughed, giving a whimper as it aggravated her wounds. "Lara. It's…a pretty name. You…should use it…more."
"But I never told you!" said Lara. "I never told anyone!"
"Did you know…you talk…in your sleep?" said Yumino. She coughed violently, drawing back a shuddering breath afterwards. Lara could hear the damage to her lungs, each breath crackling and wet now. Even if she transferred those wounds onto herself, she would be the one who died. She could just force the spell on Yumino, but she knew Yumino would never forgive her for it. She could not betray her like that. She pulled the princess close, cradling her in her arms. She was already growing cold.
"Lara…I'm scared…" Yumino said, her voice a quiet whimper. "I know I…said…to go, but…please…don't leave me…"
Lara took her hand. "I'm right here, Yumi! I won't leave you! I promise! I'll stay with you no matter what!"
"Thank you…" Yumino cast her eyes upwards, taking in Lara's wings. "They really…are…beautiful…"
Lara gave a sad laugh. "You're the only person in the east who thinks that!"
Yumino lay her head against Lara's shoulder. "It's…the truth. They're beautiful…just…like your name. Just…like you are…"
Her eyes lidded over and her head slipped forward. Another shell hit the castle, shaking it. Lara's heart began to race. "Hey! Don't you fall asleep on me now! You've gotta stay awake!"
She gave Yumino a jostle. The princess lifted her head, eyes opening again. "I don't think…I have…much time…left."
"Please don't say that!" pleaded Lara. "You've gotta hold on! Just let me think! There's gotta be a spell I can use to–!"
Yumino shook her head, her breathing becoming more labored. "We both know…that's not…your area…of expertise."
Lara held her hand tighter. "But I can't just let you die! Not after everything you've done for me! Everything we've been through! You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Yumi! Without you, I never would've found myself again! I'd be just as lost as before! I can't go back to that! I can't go back to a life without you! I…I…!" Lara swallowed hard. "I love you, Yumi!"
Yumino smiled. "I know…and I…love you, too. You can't imagine…how happy I am…to finally hear…you say that." Tears began to leak out her eyes. "Too bad…our timing…is so awful…"
Tears started to fall from Lara's eyes as well, dotting Yumino's cheeks. "Please…please don't die, Yumi! I've lost my mom! I've lost my dad! I've lost my home! I can't bear to lose you, too!"
"Lara…I know you're scared. I know…you will hurt…when I'm gone. But please…promise me…one thing."
"Anything!" said Lara, sniffing loudly. "I'll do anything you ask!"
The princess smiled weakly, blood leaking out her mouth as she reached up to cup Lara's face. "Promise me, Lara. Promise me…you'll keep…on living…"
Lara nodded. "I promise, Yumi! I promise I'll stay alive!"
Yumino smiled and shook her head. "No, not…like that. I want you…to do more…than stay alive…"
"What…?" Lara paused to wipe her eye. "What do you mean more?"
Yumino hissed, grimacing as she drew a painful breath. Lara felt her body tense up from the pain. Then she relaxed enough to smile at Lara again. "I want you…to leave the east."
Lara's eyes widened. "Leave? But where would I go!? No one knows what's out there!"
"You'll have to…find out…for yourself. But this place…these kingdoms…they're not…where you…belong." A coughing fit came over Yumino, causing her to grimace at the pain it caused her before she continued. "I want you…to go…and find a place…you can call home. Find somewhere…you truly belong. Somewhere…you can fly. Somewhere…your magic…is welcomed. Find people…who'll stand beside you. Find people…you can trust. And find someone…who makes you happy. Find someone…who'll love you…as much…as I do…and never…let go of them…"
"I…I can't!" said Lara. "How can I go on without you?"
"Because that's…what I want for you. I want you…to have a life…worth living," Yumino winced, drawing another hissing breath. "Lara…can I make…one more request?"
Lara sniffed and nodded. "Yeah! Anything you want!"
"Can I have…one kiss…before…I go?" asked Yumino softly. "I want that…to be…how I spend…my last moments…with you…"
Lara nodded again. She slowly lowered her face to Yumino's, closing her eyes. Yumino raised her other hand, cupping Lara's face. The space between their lips disappeared, both of them conveying as much love as they possibly could into that one gesture amidst the sounds of destruction and warfare raging outside. Lara's hair glowed like a torch, a beacon of light to all who saw it.
Then Yumino gave a heavy sigh, her breath washing over Lara's lips. Her head went limp, leaning heavily against Lara's shoulder as her hands fell and her eyes closed.
"Yumi? Hey, Yumi?" Lara gave her another jostle. "Yumi, wake up. Hey, wake up! Don't fall asleep!"
Yumino did not rouse. Panic welled up in Lara as she shook her harder. "Wake up! Please wake up! Yumi! Yumino! Please wake up! Yumino! YUMINO!"
But Lara already knew she would not awaken. She would never wake again. She would never look at her with those beautiful jade eyes. She would never show her that radiant smile. She would never speak, or sing, or cry, or laugh anymore. Yumino was gone, a faint smile upon her face as her soul left for the Otherworld.
Lara pulled Yumino's body close, pressing her forehead against hers. She let out a wail of anguish, clutching her as tight as possible as she rocked back and forth. Tears streamed from her eyes now, washing dirt from her cheeks. Another shell struck the castle, rocking stones and dust loose. Lara was oblivious to it as she sobbed, her tears raining down onto the princess's face.
Melody could only stare as she watched the tears pour silently from Lara's eyes. No one said anything. No one wanted to say anything. No one could say anything. What could Melody possibly say to her? She had been in Lara's position. She watched William die. She remembered the shock and pain of watching him fade away before her. How it tore her world and heart apart. Surely Lara suffered no less than she had in that moment when Yumino passed. She just kept holding Lara's hand as she kept crying.
"She died," said Lara. "Right there in my arms. The one good and pure person I'd managed to find in all those wretched kingdoms. The only one besides my parents to ever love or care for me. The person I'd loved more than anyone else. And I had to watch her die. Just like I'd watched my mom and dad die. Just like I'd seen so many people die."
Lara looked to her free hand, then she clenched it tightly. "I couldn't take it anymore…"
Another shell struck the castle, this time close enough to shake more of the room apart. Lara barely noticed the stones striking her back and tail. The shockwaves of the shells going off over the gunfire and screaming reverberated through what remained of the disintegrating castle, but Lara felt nothing. She just kept crying as she clung to Yumino.
"WHY!?" she screamed, proclaiming her question to whoever could hear her. "WHY!? WHY!? WHY!?"
Why did this keep happening? Why was everything and everyone she loved and treasured taken from her time and time again? First her mother. Then her father and their home. Now Yumino, too? None of them deserved this. Not her parents. Not Yumino. Not herself. And yet fate, the universe, the world, destiny, or whatever she might call it, saw fit to torment her repeatedly. The moment she became close to someone, the moment she found happiness with them, the moment she found a place in the world, they were all snatched away in the most painful way possible. Her mother was murdered. Her father and Arcania vanished without a trace. Years hunted, abused, and hated in this never-ending warzone. And now Yumino died in her arms, yet another victim of the senseless violence and death that ceaselessly plagued the eastern kingdoms.
It made Lara angry. It made her angry that she had to endure this cruel life. That she was forced to spend her days in such an unjust and bitter world. That time and again her heart was broken when those she cared about were ripped away. Was this all life held in store for her? Was this all she would ever experience? Just one agonizing loss after another? Forced to wander forever, never belonging anywhere or with anyone? Witnessing death after death until it was her turn? Was this suffering all she would be permitted?
A wind brewed around Lara as her magic began to blaze, rustling hers and Yumino's hair.
If this endless pain and misery and heartbreak truly was all life would offer her; if despair was the only thing waiting for her if she pressed on; if her story was destined to play out as one tragic act after another; if this world saw fit to deny her a place in it; if it was her fate to burn in this waking nightmare…
Then she would burn it all with her. She would burn it until not even a speck of ash remained. She would burn and burn until there was nothing left. Because a cruel world like this did not deserve to exist.
A/N: "Another Life" by Motionless in White
She clenched her hands into fists, knuckles popping as her nails cut into her palms. The flames engulfing the room began to creep towards her, crawling up Lara like ants as her pendant glowed brightly.
"You…you…you killed her…!" she growled through her teeth.
The air around Lara began to heat rapidly. Dust and pieces of debris levitated off the ground and then caught fire as the whole castle began to shake. The fires now came to Lara from all over Lao Xan, flying through the sky to come merge with her. They sank into her wounds, her skin, and her mouth. An aura formed around Lara, first orange and then turning a vicious red color. Her teeth clenched hard, breath hissing through them as her eyes filled with that same red light. Her hair began to turn the color of blood.
"YOU KILLED HER!" Lara yelled, her voice echoing and deeper. "YOU KILLED YUMINO!"
Another shell hit the castle, dislodging a beam above Lara. It came down to crush her, but it burst to flames the moment it touched her. In a split second it was reduced to flittering pieces of ash. Yumino's body then ignited, becoming doused in brilliant yellow fire. She lingered in the flames for a moment, and then she too became ash, instantly cremated as Lara was wreathed in an inferno of fire and magic.
"I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" Lara howled. She fell onto her hands and knees, the heat of her fists melting into the stone floor. "YOU'LL PAY! YOU'LL PAY! YOU'LL PAY FOR ALL OF IT! YOU HEAR ME!?"
Lara's skin began to smoke as glowing orange lines raced across it. Black shards like broken glass erupted through her skin, causing her to bleed heavily. She screamed even louder, not from pain but blinding rage as it saturated every inch of her conscience. Two gashes appeared above her eyes and then split open, revealing a new pair of red eyes.
"I'LL BURN YOU!" bellowed Lara, her voice no longer her own. "I'LL BURN YOU ALL! EVERY LAST ONE! YOU…WILL…BURN!"
In an instant Lara caught fire, and then the flames disappeared as her obsidian armor formed. She threw her head back and roared repeatedly, releasing a sound no human ever could have made. A final scream tore from her throat, and then she disappeared in a series of four flashes before an explosion devoured her. It ripped through the castle like a wave of burning blades, destroying stone, wood, metal, and anyone still inside. The castle was obliterated in an instant. Flaming rocks were sent hurtling miles out into the city like a meteor shower, crushing anyone and anything in their path. Buildings came toppling down from them as roads were chewed apart when the stones rolled through.
Down in the harbor, the fleet of gunships stopped their assault on the city. Every soldier and every citizen fleeing in the streets halted, all faces turned to the spiraling pillar of fire and black smoke rising from the wreckage of the once proud castle. The fires climbed into the sky until it seemed they touched it, and then the blue heavens turned crimson as far as the eyes could see. Then the fire pillar collapsed down into the castle.
A large black demon-like figure bathed in fire lifted its head, tears like molten metal dripping from its four red eyes. Then it spread its wings and threw its head back, roaring loud enough to shake the very ground.
Lara pulled her hand out of Melody's hold. "I don't remember all of what happened after I lost control. Just flashes of it, but those are enough. I remember fire. I remember people screaming and running. I remember the smell of blood and smoke. And I remember explosions and guns and pain. When I woke up, everything was gone. Yumino. The castle. The ships. The city…"
Lara looked down at the poster on the floor, tears still falling from her eyes. "And the hundreds of thousands of people who lived there. They were all gone. There was nothing left but a ten-mile crater filling with seawater and a ring of burning wreckage and forest around it."
Melody's breath hitched in her throat. Hundreds of thousands of people. That was what Lara said. Not thousands. Not tens of thousands. Hundreds of thousands. She heard it, but she could not comprehend it. There were just under a hundred thousand people in the entire kingdom of Seahaven! To have that many people die at once…it was beyond Melody's ability to fathom! That did not make the shock and horror of it all any less real –for her or anyone else.
Lara started crying as she pulled her legs in, pressing her hands against her eyes as she wept. "I killed them! I killed all of them! All those people! All those innocent people! Men, women, children, babies…I burned them! I burned all of them to death! Their screams…their screams…!"
Melody could tell Lara was falling into a flashback. And this one promised to be the worst of them all. She scrambled up to her, throwing her arms around Lara as she hugged her tightly. "Lara, don't! Don't go there! Stay with me!"
"I can still hear their screams!" Lara screamed as she curled up into a ball. She clapped her hands to her ears as she let out a long wail, rocking back and forth as she descended into the most harrowing, vivid, and traumatic of all her nightmares. "Stop! Make it stop!"
"Fire! Fire! Fire!" yelled the gunship's captain as Lara flew out of the melting wreckage of a nearby ship. "Kill that thing!"
Lara roared as the long guns fired at her again. She drew her hand back and swung at one of the incoming rounds, shattering it apart. The shrapnel bounced off her as the other rounds flew by. She beat her wings to hover in the air, breathing in before she spewed a beam of fire down on the gunship and then raked it up through three more. The vessels were split in half by the fire, men reduced to smoke instantly just by proximity to its heat. Then the four ships and the water below exploded in a blast of steam and flames.
"Kill it!" someone shouted in panic from a group of gunships over, their guns and rifles filling the air with lead as they tried to shoot her. The long guns slowly swung around to train on her as its partner vessels did the same.
A bullet grazed Lara's arm, bouncing off harmlessly with a shrill ricochet. Lara hissed angrily and dove down to land before the ship's prow. The water below her boiled and steamed as she stood on it. She sunk her claws into the metal hull and then beat her wings, lifting herself and the ship into the air. The ship came free of the water as she rose, hanging from her claws like a fish from a hook. Sailor screamed as they fell off into the water below, the metal of the ship groaning in protest. The other ships began firing at her in earnest, desperate to stop whatever she intended next. Their weapons failed to so much as scratch her armor. They knew they were too late when Lara spun and swung the ship over her shoulder, arcing it high into the air before slamming it down on the nearest ship like a club. The two vessels broke in the middle, neither able to withstand the impact. Then their boilers ignited and the ships exploded, tearing them apart in a pair of massive fireballs. Lara roared at the burning ships, the firelight reflected in her black armor. The flames gathered into her mouth as a shining white ball, and then she spun twice in a circle as a searing yellow-orange beam shot from her mouth. The beam melted through every ship in its path, leaving them cleaved in half with molten tears through their bodies. Then they too exploded, killing all hands on board and sending a large tidal wave racing for shore.
A shell hit Lara from behind, knocking her down a hundred feet before she resumed flying. She whipped around to face the shore, growling as she saw flashes of more artillery being fired at her from the Yin Jai and Lao Xan tanks, cannons, and war machines. The air was filled with their munitions, knocking her around like a pinata at a child's party. Then her eyes flashed as she roared at them, releasing a shockwave that exploded every round in the air.
Lara raised her right hand overhead. A ball of fire appeared in her palm, and then it rapidly swelled to the size of a small house. She held it there for a moment, and then she clenched her hand. The fireball shattered apart into hundreds of smaller balls, which went flying out across the line of artillery. Each one exploded like fifty barrels of gunpowder when it landed, tearing apart anything and everything near them. The machines and their operators were blasted apart instantly, their firepower and metal armor incapable of withstanding her wrath.
Fire gathered in Lara's mouth as a pair of dragon heads emerged from her wings, fire building in their own mouths. Then she and her copies breathed out three searing beams of fire as she raked them out across the city. The earth shook as buildings, roads, and people were obliterated instantly. Lara swung her head back and forth, dragging her beam across the city itself. Large explosions followed in its wake, destroying block after block of buildings. If there were screams, they were lost until the thunder of the rising flames subsided. Lara roared again as the heads crumbled apart, breathing a massive plume of fire high into the sky.
"Lara, stop!" said Melody, clinging tight to Lara as she kept screaming and sobbing. Her wings and tail were flailing about wildly. "You're here! You're with me! It's not real!"
"I didn't want this!" Lara screamed, tears pouring out her eyes. Her wings flung back and struck the headboard, cracking it in half. "I never wanted this to happen! Someone stop me! Please! I'm killing them! They're dying! They're all dying!"
"Everybody back!" Sarah ordered as she leapt for Lara's side, only to back off as Lara's wing almost struck her. "Now! Right now! All of you!"
"I'm not leaving her!" said Melody as her aunts and uncles quickly retreated away from the bed.
"Lara, pull yourself together!" said Eric as he darted to her. "You have to–!"
Lara's tail blindly whipped over and smacked his stomach, sending Eric skidding across the floor. He lay there gasping for air, the wind completely knocked out of him. Guards ran into the room a moment later, drawn by the noise.
"Eric!" Ariel ran to him. "Eric, are you okay!?"
"I'm *cough* fine!" Eric grunted, clutching his abdomen as he shakily pushed himself up on one arm. The guards ran to him and helped him upright. "Help Lara! She's going to hurt someone like that!"
"I'm sorry!" Lara sobbed as her right wing splintered the bedpost behind it. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Lara stopped breathing her fire as she landed in the burning rubble of the castle, her four red eyes scanning the destruction all around her. Lao Xan was in flames as far as the eye could see. The entire city was burning, the fires spreading faster than people could run. Great burning scars and craters had been torn into the earth by her. The soldiers of both sides had abandoned fighting her, now fleeing with the citizens they were supposed to protect or conquer. Their weapons and machines lay torn asunder. The red sky was darkening with smoke. The screams of pain and fright never stopped, just like the roar and crackle of the flames.
Lara looked around her, the glowing molten tears still leaking from her eyes. Suddenly she spread her wings and roared. Every fire in the city came rushing towards Lara, melding their power and heat with her. Her black body began to turn red, and then orange as it heated. Lara slowly levitated off the ground and then rose into the air, growing brighter and hotter the higher she went. The last fires of Lao Xan came to her, and then the air turned cold and frigid. Frost formed on surfaces as water became ice. Pipes cracked and burst. The sea itself froze white and solid. People found themselves assaulted by freezing wind and slippery ice. Still Lara became hotter and hotter. The castle remains below her began to heat and then ignite as she threw off heat like the surface of a sun, stones and earth melting. A ring of steam formed where freezing earth met burning air, the white plumes spiraling up towards the sky as tornadoes and hurricane winds were born from the volatile mixture.
Lara hovered above Lao Xan, glowing white as a star except for her burning red eyes. Then she threw her head back, flung her wings wide, and roared her loudest yet. But what came forth was more than a noise. There was terrible power and magic contained within it, causing all the magic and rage and pain within Lara to release at once.
There was a single flash from Lara's body. Then a pillar of blinding white light and heat erupted from her. It struck the ground and then rapidly expanded outward, a ring of molten earth and rock preceding the expanding wall of destruction. Everything in its path was turned to ash, vaporized, or melted to glowing magma before the wave of annihilation consumed it. It spread out with unstoppable force, driving back the sea itself. It continued to grow and spread, devouring everything and everyone in its wake. The screams were silenced by its roar as Lao Xan was obliterated completely and absolutely. The light was seen from far beyond the kingdom's borders, making all who saw it wonder if a new sun were rising.
Lara kept roaring inside the light, her form darkening as all the gathered fire and magic was fed into her final destructive blast. Her armor turned black, and then cracks raced through it. Then the armor shattered like glass, leaving Lara uncovered and screaming as loud and painfully as she could. The molten tears continued to fall from her eyes as the magic kept pouring forth. Then she, like the city and its people, was lost in the light.
"I'm sorry!" Lara kept repeating loudly. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
The guards ran to restrain Lara, but one of her flailing wings knocked them back. Ariel used the chance and leapt onto the bed, narrowly avoiding being struck by Lara's tail as Melody continued to hold onto her. She grabbed onto Lara's face and lifted it. Tears were pouring out her eyes like a river as she screamed over and over. Her golden eyes were darting all over the place. Ariel knew Lara could not see her. Her senses were in the clutches of the nightmare. This was not another panic attack. For all intents and purposes, Lara was back in Lao Xan.
"Lara, it's us!" said Ariel, struggling to keep her face still. "We're here! Just listen to me! Please!"
Lara kept screaming as her eyes kept wandering madly. She covered her head as her wings began beating even more wildly. Melody clung tight to her, not letting go.
"Your majesties, be careful!" Grimsby shouted.
Ariel held tighter to Lara's face again and forced her to look at her. "Lara! Lara, it's not real! You're not there! You're here with us! Just listen to my voice! Follow my voice back!"
Ariel let her voice come forth as only she could. It was indescribably beautiful, requiring no words to give the sound purpose or strength. It filled the room over Lara's tortured wailing. Even in the midst of the panic and chaos of Lara's flashback, everyone found their focus turned to Ariel and the music she was creating. Lara kept screaming for a bit longer, and then her eyes focused on Ariel, hearing her for the first time. Ariel kept going as Lara's crying began to subside, her voice driving the nightmare back into the recesses of her memory. Ariel stopped clutching her face and instead moved up to hold her alongside Melody, still singing to her. The two stayed like that until Lara's crying stopped, just holding her as she clung to them both like a frightened child.
Eventually Ariel let go. Lara's eyes were bloodshot and watery, and her reddened cheeks were smeared with tears. She reached up and stroked down Lara's hair. "You're all right, Lara. It's over. You're safe now."
Lara sniffed and nodded, drawing a shuddering breath through her shaking jaw. She was trembling all over. Ariel drew back carefully, watching in case Lara started to relapse. Melody started to release her as well when Lara grabbed her arm. "Please…please don't…"
Melody sat back down, keeping her arms around her. "Okay. I'll stay right here. As long as you need."
"Th-thanks." Lara sniffed again. "After…after I woke up…"
"Lara, no!" interrupted Eric. "I don't know what kind of memory you just went through, but you can't go through it again!"
"Agreed!" said Sarah. "You've had panic attacks before, but nothing like that! I thought you were going to give yourself a heart attack!"
"We're ending this here for today," said Eric definitively. "Everyone, let's–."
"No, wait!" Lara begged, wiping her eyes. "Please! If I don't say this now, I don't know if I'll ever be able to say it again!"
Eric looked at Lara, then at Ariel and Melody. He could tell they did not want Lara to go through another episode like that either. But they also were fully prepared to be there for her if she did. Lara came this far already. She had to see it through to the end.
"Okay, Lara," said Eric. "If you say so."
Lara took another breath, wiping her eyes and face on her arm. "After I woke up in the crater, I knew what happened. I knew I'd destroyed Lao Xan and its people, so I fled. Word spread fast about what happened, and the blame quickly fell on me. Everyone that came to the castle while I was serving Yumino knew who I was and what I could do. I changed my hair and eyes, but it wasn't enough. Now everyone was afraid of me. They would run screaming at the first sight of me. Which was fine, because I didn't want to be near anyone ever again. I was terrified I could go off at any moment. I spent months out in the middle of nowhere crying, raging, or sleeping. I kept having nightmares and flashbacks over and over again. Not just of Lao Xan, but everyone I'd killed. I tried to make them stop. I stole alcohol and drugs to block them out, but none of those worked. There were a couple times I even thought about taking my own life. Days when I just didn't think I had it in me to go on. When the guilt and pain and memories were too much. But I'd keep remembering what I promised Yumi. I promised her I'd go on living. And much as I hated myself and wanted it all to end, I couldn't bring myself to break that promise. Not to her."
Lara looked down at the poster. "About two months later, I found one of those while I was stealing booze from a tavern. One million gold alive. Five million gold dead. It's the highest bounty ever offered in the eastern kingdoms. And it's how badly they all wanted me gone. It wasn't just hunters and huntresses after me anymore. Every kingdom, gang, witch, and warlock was on the lookout for me. I knew then I had to do what Yumino asked and get out of the east. It didn't matter where I went anymore. I just had to go. I went back to Gin to get what was left of my money to buy the supplies. He was angry enough to kill me himself. His two sons were in Lao Xan when I…" Lara paused, steeling herself before she continued. "But as much as he wanted me dead, Gin was a bookman. And a bookman never betrays their huntress. He gave me what I wanted of my rewards, and then swore he'd kill me if we ever crossed paths again. So I bought and stole what I needed, burned what I didn't, and then flew out into the Sand Ocean."
Lara shook her head sadly, pressing a hand to her forehead as she closed her eyes. "You know, something just occurred to me. Gin was the first person in the east who did right by me. Don't get me wrong–he wasn't a good man. Not by a longshot. He was crafty, hard, and hated magic and demihumans as much as the next easterner. We were never friends by any stretch of the word. I was just a profitable side venture for him. But he never cheated me, or sold me out, or tried to get me killed. Even when people threatened his life trying to get to me, he never gave in. Yeah, he was an insufferable, spiteful old fart who deserved a kick to the face. But at least he had some integrity. Now he's dead, too…"
She lowered her hand and looked up at the group. "That's the truth. So is what's on that poster. All of it. To you I'm Lara Anclagon, a half-dragon half-human sorceress who swore to keep you safe. But to them I'm Kaida Blackjaw, the demonic huntress who hunted people for money and destroyed the kingdom of Lao Xan."
Lara looked to Attina. "And I'm the one who killed Poseidon."
The tension in the room returned, the princesses looking between each other at Lara's confession. Melody saw Attina's jaw tighten as she breathed, staring hard at Lara.
"I know you want to think I'm some sort of tragic heroine," said Lara, staring down at her hands. "Some of you, at least. But I'm not, and I never will be. It doesn't matter how many times I protect you or how many people I save. Beneath it all I'm just a mass murderer and a coward. A coward who ran because I couldn't face the things I've done."
She closed her eyes as her head hung, wings drooping low. "Dad didn't turn me into a monster when he gave me magic and wings. I turned myself into one when I used them to kill people. And there isn't a place in Seahaven for monsters. Not in the Alliance. Not in the west or the east. Not even in Arcania. I don't belong in this world. I don't belong anywhere."
Melody moved to face her. "Lara, you–."
Lara turned away, her tail reaching up to gently but firmly push Melody back before enclosing herself in her wings like a shell. "I don't want to talk anymore. Just…leave me alone. All of you."
Melody opened her mouth to speak, but Ariel silenced her with a shake of her head. She wanted to talk to Lara just as badly. To have her listen to what she had to say. But there was a time and place for it, and this was neither of those. Lara was exhausted and in pain from more than her injuries. And like those, she needed time to rest and heal.
"All right, Lara," Melody said quietly, stepping back as everyone began to leave the room. "If that's what you want, I'll leave."
"Just call if you need anything," said Ariel, placing an arm around Melody's shoulders as she led her away.
"Yeah…sure," came Lara's muffled reply from beneath her wings.
Lara stayed like that till she heard the last feet leave and the door click shut. She lowered her wings, looking around at the empty room. Then she grabbed the cord to her pendant, pulling it up from beneath her bandages. She held it in front of her face, watching the flame dance inside the glass. Her hand closed around it as she grimaced, eyes clenched shut.
"I'm sorry, Yumi," said Lara as her tears started again. "You too, dad. I failed you. I failed you both."
The raven watched from a rock by the shore as Lara began crying once more, burying her face in her hands as she wrapped herself in her wings. He sighed sadly and closed his eyes. "No, Lara. The failure was mine. It is because of me you endured the eastern kingdoms."
His form began to dissolve to smoke, fading away on the breeze. "I will not make that mistake again."
Eric sat wearily in one of the armchairs in his study, watching the flames dance on the logs in the fireplace. It was a surprisingly cold night. A cut crystal glass sat on the low table before him, the amber brown liquor inside seeming to glow in the firelight. He was still in his day clothes. He picked up the glass, bringing it to his lips and taking a sip. The smoky flavor spread across his tongue before he swallowed. He felt the heat of the liquor as it flowed down his throat. Eric rarely drank outside of social occasions, but tonight he needed one. Actually, he needed two. He rubbed his tired eyes with his other hand as he leaned back in his armchair. He knew he should be asleep in bed by now. But his mind was racing too fast for him to even think of sleeping.
A series of soft knocks caused him to startle slightly. "Who is it?" he asked, setting the drink down on the table.
The door opened in response, and Ariel poked her head in. "Eric? You're still awake?"
Eric straightened up in his char. "I could ask you the same thing, Ariel."
Ariel walked into the room, closing the door quietly behind her. She was in her pink nightgown and barefoot, hair loose behind her. "I can't sleep. You?"
"Same." He gestured for her to join him in one of the other armchairs. "Might as well be sleepless together, I guess."
Ariel went to the chair. She started to sit when she noticed the glass on the table. "You…wouldn't happen to have another of those, would you?"
Eric's eyes widened in surprise. Ariel never drank liquor. "Uh…yeah. Over in the cabinet. Are you sure, though? This isn't like wine."
"After the last few days we've had, I need something a lot stronger than wine!" Ariel went over to the cabinet in question, pouring out a measured portion of the liquor into a glass. She took a sip and swallowed, then coughed repeatedly as her face scrunched up in distress. "Whoa! That's *cough cough* interesting! Where *cough* did *cough* you get this?"
Eric gave a small laugh as he watched Ariel attempt another sip of the drink, only to cause a milder coughing fit. "Garrod sent it to us at Christmas. He said to go slow with it. It's smooth on the tongue, but it kicks on the way down."
"No *cough* kidding!" Ariel went over to the chair and sat down, cradling her glass in her hands as she stared at the fireplace. She sipped again, this time suppressing her cough. "So…can I guess what you're thinking about?"
"You'll probably get it on the first try," said Eric.
"Lara?" said Ariel. Eric only nodded. Ariel sighed, leaning back in the chair. She ran her fingers through her hair and then took another sip. "I thought her past couldn't get any worse. Can't blame her for not wanting to talk about it."
"We knew whatever she went through before Seahaven was bad," said Eric. "And that it traumatized her. But I didn't expect it to be so…" He shook his head and reached for his glass, taking a drink.
Another knock sounded on the door. "Dad? You in there?"
"Melody?" said Eric, surprised to hear his daughter's voice at this hour.
"We're both in here, honey," said Ariel.
The door swung open and Melody stepped in, a white robe on over her blue nightgown and hair braided across her shoulder. "Mom? You're here, too?"
"I'm guessing you couldn't sleep either?" asked Ariel.
"I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to," said Melody as she walked in and closed the door. She was halfway to the fireplace when the knocking returned.
"Now who is it?" asked Eric as he stood up.
"Your highness?" came Grimsby's voice. "Are you still in there, sire?"
"Come in, Grims," said Eric as he sat back down. "Door's open."
Grimsby opened the door and stepped in. He was still dressed in his daytime outfit. His eyes widened when he saw Ariel and Melody were present as well. "My goodness! Your majesties, what are you all doing awake?" He fished a pocket watch out of his jacket, brow arching as he realized the time. "And at this hour, no less?"
"Would you care to guess, too?" asked Eric, holding up his glass. "The prize is some of Vorhaven's finest."
Ariel looked at her own glass. "If this is their finest, I'd hate to try their worst!"
Grimsby looked at their faces and then their drinks. Then a small frown appeared on his. "Would I be correct in assuming Miss Anclagon is the cause of your insomnia?"
"As if it could be anything else," said Melody, taking the last armchair for herself. She looked between her parents. "At least, I'm guessing so."
Ariel nodded. "You'd be right." She took another sip of her drink, holding in a cough when she took more than she intended.
"Since when do you drink that sort of stuff?" asked Melody.
"I make an exception for really long and stressful days," said Ariel. She took another small sip and then she set her drink down on the table. "And when things get really, really weird around here."
"Would your majesties prefer to be left alone?" asked Grimsby, taking a step towards the door.
"No, you're fine Grims," said Eric. "At this point, the more the merrier."
"As you wish, sire." Grimsby went and stood beside Eric, watching the flames dancing in the hearth like everyone else.
It was uncomfortably silent for a long time. Everyone knew what was on each other's minds, but no one knew quite what to say, much less how to bring it up. They simply let the crackles of the burning wood fill the air as the firelight cast their dancing shadows on the walls.
Finally, Ariel broke the silence. "How is she, Grimsby?"
"Sleeping comfortably, your majesty," said Grimsby. "We moved her to the guest room down the hall. Carlotta coaxed her to eat a little more, but she has yet to regain her strength or her appetite. Not surprising given how taxing this evening was for her, and right after awakening no less."
"Did Attina leave yet?"
"No. She thought it best to wait till morning before returning to Atlantica." Grimsby paused for a moment. "I also suspect she wants more time before speaking with your father."
"What do you think she'll say?" asked Ariel nervously.
Grimsby shook his head. "I haven't the foggiest idea, your majesty."
Melody sighed, tempted to ask her mother for a sip of her drink. "What are we going to do?"
Eric sighed himself, taking another sip. "I've been asking myself the same thing since we walked out of your room. I thought I'd have an answer by the time I got to the bottom of this glass." He held up the glass, revealing a sliver of brandy swirling in it. "But I'm almost at the end of my second and I still don't have any idea."
"Me either," said Ariel. "I kept tossing and turning just thinking about it. I know what the laws say we should do, but…I don't think anyone imagined this situation when they were written."
"In all fairness, your majesty, I do not think anyone could have imagined this situation even if they tried," said Grimsby.
"What would happen to her?" asked Melody. "If we went by the book, I mean."
Eric downed the last of his brandy in one go and set the glass aside. "Because Lara committed her crimes in another kingdom–not to mention she's a wanted fugitive–we wouldn't be able to try her in Seahaven. She'd have to be extradited to the eastern kingdoms."
"Extradited!?" exclaimed Melody, sitting up in her chair. "But they'll kill her! You can't!"
"And we won't!" assured Ariel. "No one is sending Lara anywhere, Melody!"
"Even if that was our decision–which it isn't," Eric quickly added. "It's impossible. We don't have a way to cross the Sand Ocean. And that's assuming we could get through the White Iron Mountains first."
"Nor does the Alliance have diplomatic relations with said kingdoms, sire," added Grimsby. "And, if I may be so bold, given the status of affairs Miss Anclagon has described in that part of the world, we are far better off keeping it that way."
Ariel nodded. "Agreed."
"Also agreed," added Eric. "Even if she were to stand trial here for her crimes, we have no way to prove any of it. All we have is her confession and that poster. It's incriminating, but it's all hearsay. That's not enough for a conviction. And if she was found guilty, I don't know what sort of sentence could be handed down to her. I don't know where to even start."
"At risk of sounding morbid, I believe most would start by announcing a public execution," said Grimsby.
Ariel startled visibly. "What!?"
Melody's hair stood on end. "Grimsby, you better not be suggesting that we –!?"
"Good graces, no! Perish the thought, your majesties!" said Grimsby. "I would never promote such a medieval sentence! I was merely stating my opinion on the most likely course of action if she were tried anywhere else! Capital punishment has been outlawed in the Alliance for centuries!"
"And it'll stay that way so long as I'm still breathing!" said Ariel firmly.
"Same here," added Eric. "We're not about to bring that practice back! Death doesn't help anyone!"
Melody breathed a sigh of relief. It was short lived, however, as she remembered their other and much closer predicament. "What about grandfather, though?"
Eric frowned. "That's what I'm worried about." He looked at Ariel. "Attina's right, isn't she? Triton's never going to let this go?"
Ariel shook her head. "No. Daddy's always been too short-tempered and stubborn for his own good. He's not going to rest until he sees Lara punished. Everything she told us isn't going to help, either."
Eric sighed, rubbing his eyes again. "I was afraid you'd say that. And under Alliance law, she has to stand trial for killing a king. Maybe it can't happen in Atlantica, but that just means it'll have to be done here."
"Based on what evidence!?" asked Melody. "So far it's just grandfather and Lara accusing each other of murder! There's no way to prove any of it! Even if she did, that was sixty years ago! Isn't there some sort of time limit on accusing someone?"
"Regicide is a special circumstance, princess," said Grimsby. "There is no statute of limitations on it, same as any murder. And the charge is serious enough to require all cases be investigated to the fullest extent. Especially when it is a king making said charge."
"Then couldn't you pardon her?" asked Melody, looking at her father. "You're a king too, after all! And you hired her! She technically works for you!"
"I'm the king of a kingdom of laws, Melody," said Eric. "I might have the crown, but even I have to respect the law. Your grandfather–your human one, I mean–used to say the path to tyranny isn't a sudden leap, but many small silent steps. I want to pardon Lara. I really do. But my hands are tied. I can't bend the laws for her just because it's what I want."
"And a pardon from his highness would not be able to help Miss Anclagon," said Grimsby. "Only a pardon from King Triton himself would spare her from trial."
Melody clenched her hands as she bit her lip. She knew her father was right. If they flexed their political power to suit their needs, it would set a dangerous precedent. And because Poseidon was Atlantica's king, Lara's crime was against Atlantica itself. A pardon was powerless unless it came directly from Triton, especially since he was the one making the accusation. Any way she looked at it, Lara could not escape a trial. And if she ended up in court, Melody did not see Lara walking out of it a free woman.
Ariel looked at Grimsby. "Can you think of anything that would help her? Anything at all?"
Grimsby shook his head. "I cannot, your majesty. Crimes in the east notwithstanding, our laws are very clear concerning regicide and the due process for it. Lara must stand trial in an Alliance court."
Melody swallowed nervously. "What if she's found guilty?"
Now it was Grimsby who swallowed nervously. "If she's found guilty, the penalty is…" His voice trailed off.
"It's death," said Ariel. She picked up her drink, watching the firelight in the glass. "At least, it used to be. Now it's life imprisonment without any chance for pardon or release."
Eric nodded gravely. "Lara would be put in the dungeons for the rest of her life. And knowing her, I think that would be worse than dying."
Melody bit her lip again. "That's probably what Lara wants."
Eric looked up. "What do you mean?"
Melody stood and went over to the hearth. "When I spoke with Lara in the dungeons, she told me how she killed Poseidon. She stabbed him through the heart and burned him away. Lara told me she doesn't regret it either. At least, she didn't regret it then. Honestly, I understand why. She saw him kill her father. She was angry, and still is. If I went through something like that, I'd feel the same way. I'd want to avenge you, too. But she does regret the things she did in the east, and what happened in Lao Xan. Problem is…I don't think she wants to be forgiven for them." Melody turned to Ariel. "Remember what she said at the hospital? Right before she ate the fire?"
"I remember," said Ariel. "She said she's done things she can't make right."
Melody looked back to the fireplace. "Lara didn't try to sacrifice herself at the hospital just so she could save everyone. She did it because, deep down, she still thinks she doesn't deserve to live. That dying is the only way she can atone for what she's done."
"How can she think that?" said Ariel. "How does Lara dying make anything right?"
"It doesn't," said Eric. "Neither does locking her up for the rest of her life. But that may be what the law demands."
"And if Miss Anclagon truly does believe she needs punishment for her actions…" said Grimsby.
"Then if we make her stand trial, she won't try to defend herself," said Ariel.
Melody nodded solemnly in agreement. "Lara knows what she did was wrong. And she doesn't want to be given mercy for it. Right now, the only one who hates her more than grandfather is Lara herself."
Eric sighed tiredly yet again. Even if his body was not tired, his mental exhaustion was finally getting to him. He reached for his glass, then remembered it was empty.
"Have mine," offered Ariel, holding her glass out. "I don't think I'll finish it."
"Thanks," said Eric. He took a swig of the liquor, grimacing as the burn worked its way down his throat. "Grims, I could use some advising here."
"I'm not sure how much help I can be, sire," said Grimsby. "I'm as at a loss for a solution as the rest of you."
"Well, what do you think should happen to her?" asked Eric.
Grimsby's eyes widened. "Me, your majesty?"
Eric nodded. "You were in that room. And you know her almost as well as any of us. If you were in my place, and you had to make the call, what would you do?"
Grimsby's brow furrowed in thought. Then he started pacing back and forth across the room, hands clasped behind his back. He did this for several minutes, not saying a word as his eyes remained glued to the floor. His shadow followed him on the wall, as did the gazes of the royals as they waited for his answer.
Then Grimsby went over to the window and looked out it, staring at the dark ocean. "May I speak freely, your majesty?"
"Of course," said Eric.
"It's no secret that Miss Anclagon and I see eye to eye on very little," said Grimsby. "Nor is it a secret that she and I are not and have not been on the friendliest of terms. And with reasons beyond the altercation involving Sebastian and Princess Alana. While her anger is better restrained now, and I could consider our relationship before these events tolerable, I still see little progress compared to when she first entered your majesties' services. Miss Anclagon is and remains, in my opinion, a brutish, coarse, and ill-tempered young woman who does not conduct herself as a lady of her appointment should, as well as being far too carefree with her fire. This latest revelation of her dragon father does not worsen my outlook on her, but neither does it improve it. The same cannot be said for the destruction she caused in the marina, nor her confession to killing an Atlantican king, hunting humans for profit, holding romantic affections for a woman, and massacring an entire city in a blind rage."
He paused for a moment. Then he sighed, turning away from the window to face them. "And yet, despite all her faults and sins, I have not a shred of doubt that young woman is one of the most valorous, honorable, compassionate, and selfless individuals I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Princess Arista and Prince August could pick far, far worse for the little Princess Aria's godmother. Nor do I doubt Miss Anclagon's remorse or anguish for the wrongs she committed and the love she lost. The crimes of her past may be contended, but her contributions to you and this kingdom cannot. It's not my place to say what her fate should be. That is for the law to decide. But I would sooner abandon my own appointment than allow Miss Anclagon to use our court to walk herself to the gallows, literally or otherwise. And I will testify that openly before any court whether she wants it or not."
Suddenly Grimsby startled as though he were pricked with something sharp. "Openly…"
Ariel looked at him with clear puzzlement. "Grimsby?"
"Of course! If it's open, then…!" Grimsby held his chin in though for a moment, staring intensely at the fire. Then he lowered his hand. "Your majesties, I may have a way to save Miss Anclagon–both from imprisonment and herself!"
A/N: Things are going to be crazy busy for a while, so the next few chapters might take a while to get posted. But posted they will be! If you can't wait to find out what will happen next, please follow! And if you're enjoying the story, please favorite!
Till the next chapter! Take care everone!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own "The Little Mermaid," Disney, or any of its associated intellectual property. I do not own the listed song(s). Everything else, however, is mine =)
