Part II - Interlude - A Book for the End
A weak body lay upon the soft fabrics of a bed. Soaked in the shadows of the room as the curtains were drawn closed. The light hurt, or so she would sorely exclaim as she laid there. If she could talk that is. Weak from the cursed blade from a maker unknown.
How much time did she have left?
She did not know.
What happened that led to this event nearly taking her life?
That she knew.
"I was so close to finding the bastard.."
As she lay in bed, a gentle knock taps against the door. She knew who it was, and with herself mute she could only talk with her eyes. And with the silent acknowledgement came the opening of the door. Lefiya sneaks in and walks through the ray of light holding two things. A pot of tea, cooled where it wouldn't burn her mouth. And a book.
"I tried something new with this batch, hopefully it's not so foul." She tried to say cheerfully as she set it down on the white knight stand beside her bed. The tea was a harsh one, a herb from a village far away. That's all that she knew.
Her eyes tracked Lefiya as she took every step. It was all that she could do. It was her routine almost everyday. Lefiya gave up the opportunity to learn and grow by Riveria's side just so that way she could take care of her. If it weren't for either of them she knew she wouldn't be here right now.
She tried to say those two words.
"Thank you." She retched her diaphragm with all of her might. But like the strength in her legs and arms, they were weak.
Lefiya looked upon her noticing a trickle of tears in her eyes and immediately reached for a tissue to wipe them away.
"I'm so sorry you have to go through this, but we're going to take care of you. I promise you that you'll be better in no time." Lefiya tried really hard to believe that. It was written all over her face. "I promise you Anakitty."
Anakitty tried to nod with her eyes. To say something, but it didn't get across. Instead Lefiya reached for the book that she brought placing it on her lap.
"I know it might be your thing, but I managed to snag this away from Tiona. It's supposed to be one of her favorites. Not up there like Argonaut but still there. Would you like me to read it to you?" Lefiya offered earnestly.
Anakitty simply looked up and down twice. Her way of saying yes. But also to say-.
"Not like I have anything else to do.."
"Great." Lefiya said cheerfully as she opened the book to the first page. "It's about not one miracle but two. A tale of twin's on the search for their mother. A goddess. Our story begins with a name that time has forgotten. Or perhaps a name only their lover will remember. It begins with their father and the night he fell in love."
It was something impossible, the book would go on to say. For a goddess to give birth. And so it would be forgotten. Considered blasphemy. Pure nonsense. Ridicule would follow. But after some time so would praise. For what started on a simple night where the moon barely lit some far off village came to follow acts of selflessness, altruism, hope and ultimately sacrifice.