Chapter 17, Wilted Rosa

-10 YEARS REMAIN-

Miryam awoke to the sounds of shouting. It was common enough that she didn't think too much of it. Though it was a little odd that they started so early. They seemed to fight more frequently, or maybe Miryam was just noticing it more often. She got out of bed and began to get herself ready for the day. She was having to do that more frequently too. Her parents spent more time fighting than interacting with Miryam. She had to do things herself. Often her mother would get so caught up in the argument that Miryam would've fixed her own food by the time she came around to offer. It wasn't all bad though. Miryam enjoyed having more time to draw. She eavesdropped on the conversation. 

"Damnit woman! Do you think I'm a fool?!" Icarus shouted. It seemed like it was the usual fight. Miryam's mother did something before she was born that made her father upset. Really upset. She didn't know what though. They wouldn't tell her. 

"Are you drunk already?!" Eliza screamed back. "It's barely dawn and you reek of wine! Service will start soon! Is this behavior really fitting of a high priest?" 

"Don't you talk to me like that! Do you know who you're talking to?! Do you know what family you married into?! I could do this service dead if I wanted to! They'd still sing my praises!" 

"I know exactly what family I married into! A family full of heartless monsters!" Her voice was starting to shake.

"And what would you be without me or this family? Without the heartless monsters?" Icarus mocked her. "You would be nothing but a common whore!" There was a loud crash and Miryam could hear her mother yelp loudly. "Go get your daughter, slut."  Icarus stomped away, presumably to get ready. Shortly after Eliza shuffled up the stairs. She knocked on her door. 

"Miryam honey." She said softly as she let herself in. "Oh good, you're getting dressed already." She smiled warmly, but Miryam got the sense she was hiding something. 

"Mommy! Your cheek is bleeding!" She gasped, pointing. Eliza looked flustered and quickly covered the wound with her hand. Her wrists were also bruised. 

"Oh! It's okay, I just tripped on the stairs. Clumsy me as always!" She laughed halfheartedly. 

"Do you want me to heal it for you?" MIryam asked. Her hands started to glow. 

"No no!" She threw out her hand to stop Miryam from casting any spells. She recoiled slightly; a look of guilt washed over Eliza's face. How could she scare her own daughter? Such a sweet soul. What did she do to deserve being born here? "It's okay, really. I'll clean myself up. You just finish getting ready and join your father in the chapel." Miryam nodded and Eliza turned to leave. 

"I love you mommy." Miyam said. Eliza stopped, though she didn't turn back around. She didn't want to see her cry. 

"I love you too honey. You're the light in my life." She tried to keep her voice steady. Miryam giggled and went back to getting ready. Eliza sighed and walked away. The service started a few hours later. Miryam greeted guests as usual. The town people always loved seeing her cute face. So happy. Just beaming with light. 

"It's hard to believe she's their daughter." One resident commented, finding his seat. "Icarus is so stern and his wife just seems so... gloomy." 

"Haven't you heard the rumor?" His wife said. The man shook his head and his wife gasped. "It's all the other wives talk about! Aetherwind's greatest secret, they call it." The man chuckled a little before his wife pulled him over to whisper in his ear. His jaw dropped a little. 

"Oh my..." He whispered. Icarus glared at them before starting the service. It seems all of his efforts were a waste. The service also went on as usual. A standard sermon, nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe a little heavy handed with the adultery talk, though Miryam didn't exactly know what that was. She just knew Icarus got very passionate talking about it. Eliza couldn't look at her husband, but she had really nowhere else to look. Because everyone else was looking at her. When the service ended Miryam did her usual job. She waved the guests farewell and hoped they return. Then she snuck off to go play with the other kids. Icarus would want her to begin her studies, but she could do that anytime. It was very nice outside. The sun was shining brightly. The birds were singing. The flowers danced in the gentle breeze. Everything just felt perfect. Nothing could ruin this day. Miryam ran around with the other kids. They bounced between random games, never committing to one for long. They chased each other. They played with each other's toys. Miryam never felt happier. She didn't want to leave. She didn't want to return to that dark house. 

"Miryam!" Her father called out. She stopped in her tracks and winced. "You'll ruin your dress. Come here." 

"Yes daddy!" She called back. She smiled and waved goodbye to the other kids. 

"You need to work on your studies. You can play when you're done." He said as Miryam ran up to him. She took his hand and they started to walk home. "Miryam, who was that boy you were playing with?" He asked, not looking at her. 

"Clement?" Icarus groaned. "I mean, mister Fischer." 

"Fischer huh? He doesn't have a brother, does he?" Miryam shook her head. "Then I don't want you playing with him. I need you to form good ties with a strong family." 

"Mister Fischer's strong!" Miryam protested. "I once saw him lift this huge rock!" 

"Not strong like that, Miryam. You need to find a Helson or a Lucifer. It's the only way to fix the Rosa name, thanks to your mother." 

"But they don't go to our church, father!" 

"Sure they do. People from all over Solstya come to listen to me. You just need to try harder." Miryam didn't push further. The two of them didn't talk the rest of the walk. The rest of the day also went by as usual. It was quiet. Icarus didn't talk to Eliza. Eliza didn't talk to Icarus. Miryam studied in her room, occasionally checked on by her mother and father. Eliza would treat the wounds of her training. Icarus would correct her and give her more work. They brought her food and let her be. Miryam watched the sun slowly set across the sky. Soon it was time to go to bed. Miryam got herself ready and climbed into bed. Eliza hurried upstairs to tuck her in. She had a new mark on her face. 

"Goodnight Miryam. I'll see you when you wake up." She kissed her forehead. "Sleep well my angel." She left the room and Miryam drifted off to sleep. Though it didn't last long. Another crash from downstairs and more screaming. But this time it was different. Different enough where Miryam felt compelled to check. She crawled out of bed and crept downstairs. The screaming was louder. It echoed off the walls. Miryam grew nervous searching the church home. Where was her father? Where was her mother? Then she found it. "MIRYAM!" Eliza called out. "HELP ME!" She was tangled in a gross mess of sludge. Tentacles wrapped around her. Arms grabbed ahold of her. A rotted face looked down at her. Both human and rodent. "PLEASE! HONEY!" Eliza screamed as she was pulled into the mass. Miryam, despite her fear, ran forward. Magic flowed through her body. But she was stopped. A hand rested on her shoulder. 

"Don't help her, Miryam." Icarus said calmly. He pulled Miryam closer to him. 

"I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! PLEASE!" She begged. The sludge consumed her. "I'LL BE GOOD TO YOU! I WON'T ARGUE WITH YOU! I’LL REPENT! I’LL BE LOYAL! I’LL DO ANYTHING YOU WANT ME TO! PLEASE!” Her bones started to crack. “MIRYAM! I LO-“  The sludge covered her mouth and cut off her words. Icarus held Miryam tighter. 

“She gets what she deserves. This is what happens to those who disobey my teachings, Miryam.” Miryam started to cry. Eliza’s neck snapped. The light drained from her eyes, and it faded from Miryam’s life. Eliza’s body got pulled into the dark rot. “Besides, I don’t think you’d be good enough to save her.”