Rise of Calamity: Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Airia’s body fell limp and began to fall to the ground. Themis knelt and caught her unconscious body, cradling her in his arms. He checked the wounds on her legs, seeing the wounds slowly knitting back together. He lifted her carefully and placed her slowly down onto his bed, covering her with the blanket. Her memories would now be foggy and unstable; he could likely convince her that she had simply fallen asleep after talking to him for a while. He wiped the blood off his sword and placed it down on the small table next to the bed. The blood slowly faded from existence as Airia’s wounds fully healed. A small box caught his eye; it sat upside down next to the wall across the room. He reached out, and the box floated over to his hand. The box was made of sleek wood; he figured it to be oak, with a small engraving on the top. He opened the box, and a small note lay within it. He slowly unfolded the note and read it.

“Dear Librin,

I know you’ve told me a lot since we were younger to stop caring so much about you. But I never could really stop worrying. When the Commanders left us for the first time, we all took the opportunity to go and live. We ran down to the mortal realm and indulged in everything that was held from us. Yet you stayed cooped up in this temple like you were trapped. At first, everyone thought you were just going to take it at your own pace. But we soon realized you weren’t. We wanted you to experience the freedom we had, being able to live for the first time. But you refused. Hundreds of years passed, and you waited for the next time the Commanders would return. But they never did. We were on our own, the only link to our oath being the scrolls that told us our missions. Yet even when we all realized that they weren’t coming back, you remained locked in this temple. None of us wanted this temple to become your crypt. Especially me. Yet you wouldn’t leave. We could never die. But did you ever truly live? So we kept pushing you to try. To go into the unknown and experience life. Yet the years kept going by, and you pushed us away more and more. I won’t say I understand, but I won’t say we weren’t the cause of it. But we kept trying, kept trying to push you to live. When you finally agreed, we almost felt like we had lost our sense of purpose! Of course, I’m just joking. We were all ecstatic to see you finally take the risk and finally live. We hoped you would live a good life and return to us happier. I can’t describe to you the pain I felt when I saw you in that hallway. I knew what had happened. I had worried too much. So much that it had led you to pain unimaginable. I am so sorry, Librin. If I could take it all back, I would, but I will only ask one thing of you. You don’t need to forgive me. But Librin, please. Please don’t give up on living.

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I’m so sorry for what happened to you, but don’t give up on the happiness I know you haven’t yet forgotten. Please keep on living. If not for me, for the people you have lost. Know that they would want you to keep on living. I promise. I will help you, Librin. I know this isn’t your fault. I’ll be here if you need me.

Love,

Airia”

A wave of guilt and sorrow passed through Themis. Dried tear marks stained the bottom of the paper, and he added a few of his own. He looked past the paper into the box and saw a golden cuff bracelet. He lifted it slowly from the box, observing its sparkling beauty. It was inlaid with a large circular Moonstone in the center and bore the inscription “Οι χειρότερες στιγμές σας δεν σας καθορίζουν”. Themis’ heart shattered, and he slumped slowly against the wall. He slipped the bracelet onto his wrist. He began to sob. What had he become? He covered his eyes and wept. He flinched as Airia’s hand came and wiped away his tears. “Airia I’-” she shushed him. “It’s okay. We don’t need to talk right now. Just breathe. It’s going to be okay.” She held him in her arms once again. Themis cried into her embrace once more, “I’m so sorry, Airia, for everything.” He was apologizing for more than she could ever know, more than he’d ever let her know. She slowly began humming the lullaby, and as he slowly slipped into unconsciousness, he saw the stone on the bracelet shimmering peacefully.