Chapter 30

Nashka entered first, placing a careful foot on the path to avoid stepping on the thorny vines. The uneasiness grew in my chest as I followed her, and this time, no matter what I did, I couldn’t shake it off.

What did she expect me to do?, I wondered as I glanced at her. She continued silently. On each side of us, the hedge grew tall, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that only increased my uneasiness. I shook my head, trying to focus on the cold ground against my bare soles to keep my mind from running wild. It didn’t take long before I learned about the sharp vines covering our path. I clenched my fists and bit my lip.

“Be careful”, I whispered.

She turned to me, shivering in the cold wind. I looked ahead, but our path disappeared beyond the corner, and the uneasiness grew in my chest. Should I turn back? No, I couldn’t. Even if I didn't understand why, I knew that coming here carried a deep sense of meaning for Nashka, and I couldn’t predict what would happen if I decided to leave. Knowing my luck, I would probably create a mess that I would regret.

I took the lead, and we carefully strode forward. What had the old priestess said about this place? People came here to feel her doubts as she walked her path… I sighed. It was the last thing I needed. I had enough in my head as it was, and I doubted Nashka needed it either. A sharp pain in my foot brought me back to my senses. I cursed silently and clenched my fists.

“Be careful”, I grumbled.

I reached out and took her hand, helping her to step over the vine.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

She didn’t let go, but gazed at me, and I saw fear reflecting in her eyes. I sighed. It wasn’t fair. She didn’t deserve what had happened, and I had no right to pull her even deeper into it. She should be happy, doing whatever other children her age did.

“It will be okay “, I said quietly.

She gave me a hesitant smile, and I could see her gaze shifting to hope. It took me everything I had not to turn my eyes away. She opened her mouth to speak, but I shook my head and instead spoke,

I dispel the darkness

and bring the light.

I don’t regret

walking this path.

She nodded as we finished and let go of my hand. We followed the path, and not long after, it ended in a fork. I glanced around, but none of them gave any clue to where they would lead. I could feel Nashka’s eyes on me, and I sighed. So it was up to me to decide. I glanced down one way and then turned and continued down the other.

Despite the tall hedge, the wind still found its way in, and I wished I could have taken my cloak with me. I hoped it would soon be over, and we could return to the castle. I glanced at her as she followed behind me. Her head hung low, and she seemed deep in thought and didn’t pay attention to her surroundings. I slowed down to walk next to her, and she glanced at me with a faint smile and nodded a ‘thank you’.

I turned back to the path. The uneasiness grew in my chest, but I tried to shake it off. I had to focus on what lay ahead. I didn’t want her to get hurt more than she already had.

“What is it?”

Nashka halted and took my hand. She must have noticed, and I peered at the path before us. It was empty, yet the fear kept rising in my chest.

“Stay close,” I whispered, stepping in front.

I slowly crept forward, and the path soon made a sharp bend, and we came out to a small terrace with a stone fountain in the middle. I froze. A man stood by the fountain, a sword raised above him, and his gaze was fixed on the entrance as we emerged. His black mane flowed behind him, and his yellow eyes widened in surprise as he saw me.

I didn’t have time to think. I rushed forward, rammed my body into his and tackled him to the ground. He howled in anger like a beast and pulled his dagger. I didn’t have time to block it, and the blade sliced into my arm. A triumphant growl cut through the air as he thrust the blade towards my face.

I took hold of his hand, but my arm started to bend under his strength. He grinned, flicked his wrist, and the dagger pierced my arm. I screamed and headbutted him. He roared in pain, and I wrestled the dagger from his hand and plunged it into his face. He howled, flaying his arms wildly until he caught my arm.

“Die!”

I headbutted him again, and he let go of my hand, and I pulled the blade from his face and plunged it into his chest.

“Die! Die!”

The cold blade pierced his chest over and over again, and I continued long after he stopped moving.

I collapsed to the ground, and Nashka ran over to me. I could see terror in her eyes as she looked at me. She didn’t deserve it… I whispered,

Soft like a feather,

hard like a steel,

shine like a star

in the starry sky.

I had tried to cheer her up, but my words only brought tears to her eyes.

“It will be okay..” she whispered.

She gently took my arm and wrapped it with a cloth. It hurt, but I was too weak to protest. I could hear her whispering the rest of the verses as she helped me to get up, and I leaned on her as we slowly stumbled our way out.

“Who was that?”, I asked when I was strong enough to speak.

“Zaria”