Sacrifice

As we approached the bathhouse, steam rose from its stone walls into the cool evening air. The
building was elegant yet understated, with curved eaves and lanterns casting a warm glow. Through
the entrance, I caught glimpses of the main bathing area where several people relaxed in the
communal pools.
My stomach tightened at the thought of bathing publicly, but Lyra guided me past the main area toward
a smaller private room. "First time's rough enough without an audience," she said with a knowing smile.
Relief flooded through me - a private bath would be much easier to handle.
The room was simple but peaceful, with smooth stone walls and a single pool of gently steaming water.
Lanterns cast soft shadows, and the air was thick with the scent of mineral-rich water. It felt almost like
a sanctuary.
Lyra shrugged off her gear, tossing it aside before slipping into the bath with a contented sigh. She let
her hair down, the waves falling around her shoulders as she settled back against the stone edge.
She glanced over at me, raising an eyebrow. "You comin'?"
I hesitated, the thought of being exposed making my heart pound. With trembling hands, I began
removing layers, focusing on folding each piece neatly - a small ritual to steady my nerves. When I
finally slipped into the water, the warmth immediately began melting away my tension. I sank deeper,
letting out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
With every step, I kept glancing at Lyra, who was leaning back against the stone edge of the bath, eyes
closed but still smirking. She’s enjoying this, isn’t she? I felt my face heat up, and I quickly wrapped my
arms around myself, feeling as if I could disappear into the steam.
I took a deep breath, stepped into the bath, and let the hot water envelop me. It sank into my muscles,
washing away the tension. My legs ached in ways I hadn’t felt in ages; after a year of barely leaving my
room, a single day of walking around the city had left me completely drained. The steaming sensation
seeped into my tired limbs, like the weight of the water gently massaging my muscles. Slowly, my
embarrassment dissolved into the soothing water. I could stay here forever.
We both sank deeper into the bath, letting the warm quiet settle around us. For a while, neither of us
spoke, content to indulge ourselves in the subtle stillness. Lyra leaned back with a small sigh, glancing
over at me.
“You know,” she teased, “you’re more adorable when you’re all flustered.”
A flush rose to my cheeks. “I… I’m not adorable,” I muttered, looking away, though the blush on my
face probably said otherwise.
“Sure, sure,” she said, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “If you say so.”
The quiet settled around us, the warmth of the bath creating a peaceful sanctuary. Lyra's expression
softened as she watched the steam rise, her fingers tapping thoughtfully against the stone edge. "Hey...
I've been meaning to ask," she said, her voice gentle. "What were you doing out in those woods?"
The question caught me off guard. My mind raced with possibilities - the truth about another world, the
arrow, waking up in a forest filled with magic and monsters. But how could I explain any of that without
sounding completely insane? She'd either think I was lying or dangerous. The weight of my secrets
pressed against my chest, but now wasn't the time. Maybe someday I could tell her everything, when I
understood it better myself.
"Well... I guess you could say I got lost," I said quietly, stretching the truth into something simpler. "I
was alone after my parents..." I let the words trail off, the implication hanging heavy in the air. "I
panicked and ran. I didn't have anyone left, and I'd never learned how to handle the outside world.
Never had to before."
Lyra fell silent for a moment, then moved closer, her usual brash demeanor softening into something
more gentle. Her hand found my shoulder, warm and steady - the same kind of touch she'd used when
healing me. "Aria..." she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "that's not something anyone should
go through alone." She squeezed my shoulder gently. "I'm so sorry."
The sincerity in her voice caught me off guard. In just two days, this seemingly fierce warrior had
somehow become my protector, my guide - maybe even my friend. My throat tightened as I realized
how lucky I was to have found her in those woods. She could have left me there, scared and lost, but
instead she'd taken me in without question.
“Well,” Lyra continued after a moment, “you’re safe now. Otto’s happy to have you around, and you can
stay at the tavern for as long as you need.” She shrugged, her tone brightening. “And hey, who knows,
maybe there’s some work for you at that fancy castle.”
The thought made my stomach twist a little, and I let out a small laugh, more nervous than anything.
“I… I don’t know. It’s… a lot to think about. Just the idea of work, of being around so many people…” I
looked down, fidgeting with my hand. “It’s overwhelming.”
Lyra nodded, seeming to understand, but she didn’t press the subject. She gave my shoulder a gentle
pat. “You’ll figure it out,” she said, her voice encouraging. “In your own time.”
The tension eased a bit as we let the conversation drift away. I felt the anxiety slip into the back of my
mind. It was just a small whisper now. I closed my eyes, letting the serenity of the bath settle over me
completely, and focused on the gentle tingling at my fingertips. I could feel the healing energy, soft and
steady, spreading a comforting glow through me, smoothing the frayed edges of my nerves. Maybe…
this is something I can hold onto.
Lyra watched me with a small smile. “If magic feels right to you, stick with it,” she said. “It’s something
to lean on.”
I nodded, feeling a quiet confidence building, if it was just a spark. We sat in a comfortable silence for a
while, enjoying the calm, until Lyra let out a sigh and stretched. “Alright, I’d better get out before I turn
into a prune,” she said, standing up and grabbing a towel. She wrapped herself up and began gathering
her things, casting me a quick, approving glance.
As she stepped away from the bath, I took a deep breath, letting a small resolve surface. I can do this. I
stood and followed her, drying off and slipping back into my clothes.
As we made our way out, Lyra turned to me, her tone more serious. “One last thing, Aria. Be careful out
there, alright? The only reason people didn’t look twice at you was because you were with me. People
in high places… they don’t look kindly on us common folk.”
I felt the weight of her words, but the lingering comfort of the bath remained, leaving me feeling… calm.
“I’ll be careful,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile.
“Good,” she replied, and we stepped back into the cool evening air, the bath's warmth still clinging to
us. The night was calm, the city’s usual buzz softened in the late hour. We strolled through the quiet
streets, and I found myself relaxing more, my mind drifting peacefully.
I glanced around, noticing trees with leaves that seemed to glow softly, casting a faint green light onto
the road. The rustling of the leaves mixed with the cool night air, creating an almost magical feeling, like
the city itself was alive. “Those trees… they’re beautiful,” I murmured.
Lyra nodded, her gaze following mine. “Yeah, these glowing leaves are a bit of an Alerian trademark.
They help keep the streets lit at night, but they're not just for show. People use them to make weapons
glow in the dark—it's especially useful for guards and adventurers. Practical and beautiful, right?”
I smiled, taking it all in, savoring the calm as we continued down the path. Before long, the warm lights
of the tavern came into view, and we spotted Otto stepping out, his usual easy grin on his face.
Lyra raised an eyebrow. “Heading out already?”
“Ah, duty calls,” he replied, giving her a casual nod. “They need an extra pair of hands at the church.
Say, Lyra, think you could open the place up tomorrow?”
Lyra’s face scrunched up in reluctance. “Do I have a choice?”
Otto laughed. “Nope.” He glanced at our slightly damp hair, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “And
hey, next time you two hit the baths, don’t forget to invite me.”
Without missing a beat, Lyra gave him a solid punch on the shoulder. “Keep dreaming, old man,” she
said with a grin, then looked at me. “Aria, take notes—that’s how you deal with types like him.”
Otto chuckled, rubbing his shoulder. “Good night, ladies. See you bright and early.” He waved and
headed off into the night.
Once inside, Kai bounded over to greet us, her tail wagging as she nudged me with her head. She
leaned in, resting her muzzle against my hand, eyes half-closed in contentment.
I knelt, scratching her behind the ears. “Miss me?” I murmured, feeling the day’s tension begin to ease
away in the familiar comfort of the tavern.
Lyra watched us with a smile. “Go ahead and get some rest, Aria,” she said, catching the weariness in
my face. “We’ve got some rough training ahead.”
I nodded, giving Kai one last pat before heading up the stairs. My body felt worn down, my legs sore
from all the walking—more than I’d done in a year. Each step sank into my muscles. Finally reaching
my room, I slipped off my shoes and shrugged out of my hoodie, slumping onto the bed. The softness
of the mattress seemed to welcome me, the relief of letting go washing over. I let myself fall back,
draping my arm over my eyes. Today was exhausting.
I let out a slow breath, the memories of the day flickering through my mind: the bustling city, the magic,
the warm bath, each moment feeling like a glimpse into a life I hadn’t known I wanted. But now… I did.
Then there was the healing. The calm it brought, the way it reached deep inside, quieting everything.
My hand drifted to my chest, the memory of that comforting sensation filling me again. I closed my eyes
and retraced the steps Lyra had shown me, reaching inward for that spark, letting it rise up from within.
It pulsed in my core, a quiet energy waiting to be called.
I drew it up, feeling it flow through me, and the aches in my muscles softened, my tension easing as a
gentle glow washed over each part of me. This… this was something incredible. The kind of calm I’d
never been able to reach before—steady, lasting, like a comforting embrace wrapping around me from
the inside. A quiet smile tugged at my lips along with a blush. This was the best gift anyone could have
given me—a way to finally feel at ease, knowing that peace was something I could reach on my own.
My gaze drifted to the bracelet on the nightstand, the one my mom had given me, the silver and
iridescent metal catching the dim light. The memory of my nightmare surfaced, along with the eerie
figures I’d glimpsed in the streets. A shiver ran through me, but exhaustion weighed heavier than fear.
It’s a problem for tomorrow, I thought, letting my tiredness win.
Curling up under the blankets, I nestled in, tucking my legs close and hugging my pillow to my chest.
My exhaustion pulled me under, and for a moment, I felt a fleeting hope: maybe things were finally
changing for the better. Before I knew it, I was slipping into a dream.
I was surrounded by darkness, an endless void pressing in. Crimson red streaks flashed across the
void, as if something dangerous lurked just beyond sight. Suddenly, I saw a lion—massive, its mane
wild and bristling. It stood over something, its muzzle dripping with blood, tearing into a form I couldn't
quite make out. The thing beneath it let out a scream—a gut-wrenching, desperate cry that seemed
almost human. The sound grew louder, hoarse and agonizing, until it seemed to seep into my mind.
A scream tore through my dreams, jerking me awake. For a moment, time seemed to fragment - was I
still dreaming? But the sound came again, raw and desperate, cutting through the darkness. The
sheets were cold against my trembling hands as reality settled in. This was real.
The cry echoed through the halls again, the sound like something being ripped apart. My legs felt
weighted with dread as I forced myself from the bed. Everything in me screamed to stay put, to hide
under the covers until morning came, but that voice... I knew that voice.
Each step down the stairs felt wrong, like my body was fighting against whatever waited below. The
weak firelight cast shadows that seemed to reach for me, twisting into shapes that vanished when I
tried to focus on them. Part of me wanted to run back to my room, but that scream... I couldn't ignore it.
I reached the bottom step and the scene slammed into me like a physical blow - Layne looming in the
flickering light, his dagger catching the glow as blood dripped steadily onto the floor. Below him, Lyra
lay crumpled, her hands pressed to her throat as red seeped between her fingers. The wrongness of it
all hit me in waves - these people I'd just begun to trust, this place that had started to feel safe...
Near the fire, Kai thrashed against glowing cords that bound her massive frame. Her fierce eyes were
glazing over, each growl weaker than the last, like her very life force was being drained away. The sight
of them both brought low - Lyra bleeding out, Kai trapped and fading - sent bile rising in my throat.
"Why..." The word escaped me in a broken whisper. The air felt thick, almost solid, pressing down on
my chest until each breath was a struggle. Lyra's eyes found mine, desperate and pleading. Her lips
moved, but only a wet, choking sound emerged. Run, her face screamed, but I couldn't move. My body
refused to obey as horror rooted me to the spot.
I forced myself to look at Layne. "What's going on?" My voice sounded distant, small, as if speaking any
louder might make this nightmare real.
His head snapped up, and my heart stuttered - his kind eyes, now burned with a sickly red glow. Veins
bulged beneath his skin as his body convulsed, every muscle straining like he was fighting against
invisible chains. Tears streamed down his face even as that haunting light pulsed brighter in his eyes. "I
can't... stop it..." The words came out strangled, desperate - still him, still Layne, trapped inside
whatever was controlling him.
He raised the dagger toward me, his movements jerky and unnatural, like a puppet on twisted strings. I
stumbled back, my breath coming in sharp gasps. Then, with agonizing slowness, his trembling arm
turned the blade toward his own chest. Blood welled up where the tip pressed against his shirt,
spreading outward in a dark stain as the dagger sank deeper. His face contorted in pain, every inch of
him fighting against the motion, but still the blade pushed in. A sound escaped him - not quite a scream,
not quite a sob - as crimson ran down the front of his chest.
"Why...?" I whispered, stumbling forward as he crumpled to the floor. His body convulsed once, then
went still. The heavy scent of copper and ash filled my lungs, making everything feel distorted, wrong -
like reality itself was coming undone at the seams. His dim, red-tinged gaze found mine one last time,
blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he forced out the words: "I... didn't... want to..."
I dropped to my knees beside him, hands trembling as I struggled to summon the green glow of healing
magic. “I… I can help you,” I stammered, reaching out, my voice weak and unsure. The light flared in
my palms, shaky and thin, but as I pressed my hands against the wound, it felt like something was
fighting me—like the wound itself resisted, refusing to close.
I pushed harder, willing the energy to sink into his skin, to take hold, but the jagged edges of the wound
only bled faster, slipping beyond my reach. It was like trying to grasp water, my healing slipping through
my fingers. No matter how hard I tried, nothing worked.
Tears blurred my vision, my hands trembling violently as I stared at Layne's lifeless form. His eyes
stared upward, empty and accusing - a sight that burned itself into me, a mark I knew I'd carry forever.
A crushing weight of failure settled in my chest, threatening to suffocate me.
But Lyra - Lyra was still alive. Blood pulsed from her throat with each weakening heartbeat, her
breathing coming in wet, ragged gasps. "No, no, no..." I scrambled to her side, desperate and clumsy in
my panic. Every scrap of focus I had left channeled into my hands as they flared with green light,
pressing against her wound with trembling determination.
Lyra’s eyes fluttered open, her lips moving soundlessly, struggling to form words. Her hand reached
out, finding mine, her grip weak but desperate. But no sound escaped—the wound was too severe, and
still, no voice came. Her face twisted with confusion and pain, her eyes wide with a silent question.
Just then, I heard the heavy thud of boots pounding from outside, the sound building until it seemed to
fill the room. My stomach dropped, and I barely had time to process it before the door burst open.
Knights flooded in, their armor clanging loudly, voices overlapping in a wave of confusion and
commands.
Some of them immediately rushed to Layne’s side, expressions twisted with shock and horror as they
looked down at him lying motionless on the floor. Another knight raised his sword toward me, his eyes
hard, and shouted, “Step away from her!”
“No!” I stammered, panic swelling as I shook my head. “I need to heal her! Please, she’s hurt!”
One of the knights advanced, snapping a cold metal cuff around my wrist. The metal bit deep into my
flesh. The magic in my hands sputtered and flickered out, vanishing instantly, leaving me hollow and
powerless.
“Please, I need to help her!” I screamed, struggling as they seized my arms, dragging me back from
Lyra. My heart twisted painfully as I watched her lying so still, her once-bright eyes dulling. I wanted to
scream, to make them understand, but they held me too tight, pulling me further away.
It wasn’t me. The thought spun wildly, trying to make sense of the scene. What did I do? Why won’t
they let me help?
The knights’ faces loomed over me, hard and accusing, their grip unyielding. I tried to speak, to make
them understand, but my words were barely a whisper, buried under the roar of panic. “I didn’t… I didn’t
do this… I was only trying to—”
But the room spun, sounds blurring as their hands closed around me tighter.
They think I did this. They think I hurt them. The thought hit, sharp and sickening. They think I’m
responsible.
“No… please, just listen…” My voice wavered, the panic crushing down on my chest. My vision blurred,
the cuff around my wrist tightening, constricting everything. Everything felt distant, slipping away as my
strength faded, my body shaking, unable to hold on.
The world spun violently as they dragged me away. My last glimpse was of Lyra sprawled on the floor,
her eyes dull and fading, Kai's massive form crumpled beside her like a broken statue. The darkness
crept in from the edges of my vision, and I thrashed wildly against it, against the hands holding me,
against this nightmare that couldn't be real. My scream tore through my throat - a sound of pure
anguish, of everything shattering apart. But the darkness swallowed even that, rushing in until there
was nothing left.