Chapter Text
Chisa's POV
A black dog... is chasing me... down a corridor…
The sound of my heavy breathing... fills my ears...
Stairs... so many stairs...
Pain... so much pain...
And fear...
*****
I woke up with a start, my eyes flying open. My chest was heaving, my sight was blurry. The dream I had was still spinning within my mind. Dreams are based on memories... but none of that has happened to me... yet.
Did I just dream about the future? My eyes widen in surprise at this possible truth. I've never done that before... could it be possible?
I let my gaze wander over my surroundings. Everything looks... pretty. I rub my eyes quickly, my vision becoming much clearer. I gasp softly, my eyes sparkling at the sight. Lush, green trees, dusted with powdery snow sway in the breeze, a beautiful contrast to the sapphire blue sky. Sunlight dappled through the gaps in the trees, warming my skin. I could hear the occasional chirps from birds and the hum of bees. Tears welled in my eyes at the beauty of it all. I never thought I'd see anything like this again.
After viewing my gorgeous surroundings, I sat up slowly. To my astonishment, I felt no pain... not even a measly headache. I couldn't help but find joy at that. For the first time in forever, I woke up to no pain - it felt nice.
I finally noticed that I was lying on the soft brown bark of a tree. I was extremely comfortable. Although... the colour of the bark did look familiar...
"Ah, she wakes at last!" A voice booms, breaking the silence.
I gasped, suddenly alarmed by the close proximity of his voice - it was coming from the bark. Instantly, I tried to scramble away as I now realised he was the one I thought was a tree... Ashen Eye.
At my sudden movements, Ashen Eye quickly wrapped his long limbs around my form, trapping me. In that moment, everything came back to me... Ashen Eye healing me, Joseph's rage, their deal... I kept struggling in his arms, trying to get away. He scares me... not as much as Joseph, but he's scary.
Suddenly, Ashen Eye put his hand over my face, partially obscuring my vision. To my shock, I instantly stilled. I couldn't move! My heart was beating erratically and I broke out in a cold sweat. My eyes were wide with fear. I felt him sit up slowly, but his hand remained at my face.
"There, now. Calm yourself, young Sleigh Beggy. You're still healing, you shouldn't move rashly like that. But I must say, I do enjoy watching your reactions... You're a special little thing..."
"W...why can't I ... move?" My breathing became shallow, even talking was nearly impossible.
"Ah! That would be because I want you to be still. You have been asleep for some time, replenishing your energy. The only reason you are awake now, is because I allowed you to consume some of my own energy."
I shivered at his words. I didn't like the idea of consuming anyone's energy... Joseph often did it with me, and I'd get very tired afterwards... I always seem to sleep for long amounts of time after being injured... why? I let my eyes wander again, noticing the mist that came from my mouth as I breathed. It's cold... but strangely, I feel warm...
"Where... are we?" Fear evident in my voice.
I knew we were in a forest of some sort, but I know for a fact that I'm far away from Joseph. He lived in London, there were no forests like this in the city...
Ashen Eye's chuckling pulled me from my thoughts. "I have certainly piqued your curiosity, haven't I, young one?" He said, stroking my face. "We are in a small forest, located on the outskirts of rural England. Recovery is always quicker in nature, so this is the best place for you to be."
"Why?" I was so confused... How can trees help me?
"Well, you see, Sleigh Beggy, nature too, has magical energy. Nature is the birthplace of magic! You have the eyes to see the sparkling trails around the trees, have you not? Being around nature allowed you to absorb its magical energy, speeding up your recovery. You feel no pain, correct?"
"I don't..." Nature healed me?
"Then being with nature has healed you." He clarified.
That's... incredible! I never believed in all that 'nature is good for the soul' nonsense... but it turns out that it's true. There's still something I want to know though...
"How long... h-have I been asleep... this time?" I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the answer.
"It has been 10 days, little one. For a Sleigh Beggy, that is a fast recovery." He said indifferently.
I blinked. I never get used to the shock of hearing how long I sleep for... it's just not natural, Sleigh Beggy or not. And speaking of unnatural... where is...
"Where is... Joseph?" I asked with a gulp, goosebumps forming on my skin.
"He is still in London, preparing for his battle with your sister." I could practically feel him smirk.
I shivered again, fear spiking within my heart. Oh no! I can't help Chise from all the way out here! Why does Joseph hate my sister so much? What has she done to make him so angry? Chise would never hurt anyone. When we were little, she would always try and protect me, but she's never hurt the creatures, even though they've hurt her - it's her heart, she's so kind.
"Ah, yes! I almost forgot. Now that you are awake, I must inform Joseph. He has been worried, you know."
My heart stilled. "What... w-why?" I don't want him to know. I don't want to see him.
"You seem surprised... Do you not believe that Joseph cares for you, Chisa?" Ashen Eye asks, curiosity lacing his tone.
I shook my head violently at his words. Joseph wouldn't treat me like this if he cared about me. Ashen Eye doesn't understand. Abruptly, Ashen Eye stands up, hauling me up with him. He turns, so that we both face the tree that we had been occupying. It was a magnificent tree. I didn't know it's kind, but it looked powerful yet elegant.
Ashen Eye spun me around so that I faced him. He put his hands on my shoulders and pushed me back down onto the old, sunken trunk of the tree. Using his other hand, he gripped my chin, forcing me to gaze into his spiralling eyes. His gaze was very intense, and I was afraid.
"Now then, Sleigh Beggy. I'm going to speak with Joseph. You are to stay here, do you understand? You are not permitted to wander around the woods. I report everything back to Joseph... you don't want him to punish you for misbehaving, do you?" He paused, and I shook my head quickly. I didn't need to be warned about consequences. "You should also know that I am not opposed to the idea of punishing you myself either. Do not move from this trunk, or the consequences will be dire."
I gulped, instantly afraid. I nodded my head vigorously, emphasising that I understood him. Seeming satisfied with my answer, he let go, and walked away from me. When he was about ten feet away, he turned around.
"I'm trusting you, Sleigh Beggy..." He said ominously.
With that, he disappeared within the blink of an eye. My jaw dropped... he really is powerful... An Ancient Fae.
Soon, my mind started to wander, and I realised something...
This is the first time I've been alone since I started my journey with Joseph. I sighed contentedly, drinking in the serene setting. It felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I was going to enjoy this time alone while I could. I breathed in deeply, the pure air was a beautiful change to the chemical smell of Joseph's home.
Nature truly is beautiful in winter. The frost makes the plants sparkle. I closed my eyes, basking in the glow of the winter sun. I strained my ears, listening to the gentle flow of a brook nearby, the chirps and squawks of the birds, and the rustling of the trees in the breeze. My hair also fluttered in the breeze, and I relished the feeling of the wind in my hair.
"Chisa! Chisa! Are you out here?!"
My eyes flew open in shock. That voice, it definitely said 'Chisa'. That voice... it feels familiar. Someone's looking for me! Could it be... Chise? Ashen Eye told me not to move, but curiosity is getting the better of me.
"Hello? Who's there?" I timidly called out, praying I wasn't mistaken.
"Chisa! Is that you? It's Chise! I've come for you!" The voice answered.
My heart skipped a beat. Chise! Could it be... I felt a surge of adrenaline and I leapt off the tree trunk, throwing caution to the wind. Ashen Eye's threats meant nothing now. Chise was here to save me! I'd never be with Joseph again!
"Chise! Where are you? It's me, Chisa! You came for me!" I yelled in excitement and relief.
I started running through the forest, heading in the direction her voice came from. She's alive! She really is! I need her, heaven knows I need her! We both need each other. Trees whizzed past me, my eyes desperately searching for that sunset red.
Suddenly, she emerged from behind a tree... Chise...
Abruptly, I stopped running, staring at her in disbelief. Our matching green eyes, mirroring our wonder. She looked so pretty. Her fiery hair was gathered in a ponytail, and her green eyes sparkled like precious stones. She was wearing a dark green coat that went to her knees, and brown lace up boots. She looked so healthy.
Then, for the first time since being with Joseph, I smiled. A true, happy smile. I felt... joy... immense joy, for the first time since we were separated. I'm sure my eyes were sparkling with the same happiness. To my delight, Chise copied my facial expressions, smiling like a Cheshire Cat.
"Chisa..." she breathed, I could sense the relief in her voice.
"Chise..." my heart was thudding loudly as I matched her tone.
Chise started running towards me, her arms outstretched. I quickly followed suit. When we finally collided with each other, we embraced each other tightly. Neither of us said anything, we didn't have to. I could feel the love within the hug - it felt so right. I felt the tears pricking my eyes and I sniffed, savouring this moment with my other half, my twin.
We stayed like that for a long time, both of us sniffling, overwhelmed by being reunited. When we finally broke away from each other, we interlocked our hands, pressing our foreheads together.
"I thought I'd lost you forever..." I gasped, my voice breaking.
"I thought you were dead. I'm so sorry, Chisa," Chise cried.
"Don't say that! I thought you were dead, too, until I saw a glimpse of you in the future," I admitted, tears beginning to stain my cheeks. "But it doesn't matter now, we're together again."
"We are, my twin. And we'll never be separated ag-"
Chise suddenly stopped speaking, throwing her head back and gripping my palms tightly. Confused, I tore my eyes away from hers, wondering why she was acting so strangely.
I soon saw why...
Her chest was rapidly turning red, and the stench of blood filled the air. Because right in the middle of Chise's chest, was a clawed limb. Chise's face was contorted in pain, but disbelief was present in her eyes. Suddenly, the limb twisted itself in Chise's chest, tearing her flesh before it removed itself sharply. Chise coughed up blood, falling limply into my open arms.
I buckled under the weight, crumpling to the ground, cradling Chise. My hands soaked with her blood. What had just occurred finally sunk in, as tears leaked from my eyes, running haphazardly down my face. I screamed in agony, hugging Chise's limp body tightly. I had finally got my sister back, and now she was being taken away. I didn't even care who was lurking behind her. With any luck, maybe they'll kill me too.
"Chise!" I wailed. "Don't die on me, you can't! I can't live without you..." My voice cracked and I couldn't continue.
I buried my face in her hair, which had tumbled out of the ponytail, and was now hanging around her shoulders. I sobbed, holding her close to me... I don't know what else to do.
"Chisa..." Chise rasped.
I gasped, she was still alive! Very carefully, I manoeuvred her weight so that she was lying flat on the forest floor. I took one of her hands in both of mine, gripping it tightly.
"Chise... please don't leave me..." My heart was breaking seeing Chise like this. Her once green coat was now saturated with her blood. Tears were still streaming down my face. Our bond that was being restored, was now being severed again... but this time, death was playing a hand.
"Chisa..." Chise said weakly. "My sister... remember me..."
With that, Chise took a deep, ragged breath, and stilled. Her pale face turned a ghostly white, vivid with the hue of death. Her eyes ceased sparkling, becoming lifeless. Her hand stopped clasping my own - it went limp, growing cold. I watched the life drain out of her, silently, not believing what I was seeing.
"No..." I whispered, tears cascading down my face like a waterfall. "No! No! No! No! No!" I yelled, covering my face with my hands.
My hands were soaked in her blood... my dead sister's blood! I screamed at the top of my lungs, fisting my hands into my hair. I can't give up! There must be something I can do!
"Chise I'm sorry! Please forgive me! Even now... I couldn't protect you!"
A wave of heartbreaking pain crashed over me and I clutched my chest with my hands, screaming and crying, writhing in the agony. She was gone! Cruelly taken away from me for a second time. Every person has a breaking point... I just found mine.
I continued to scream in the excruciating agony. Refusing to accept the fact that I just watched my sister die. She can't be dead! She just can't! I turned my head, locking eyes with my sister's corpse.
They held me there...
Those lifeless orbs...
Drawing me into a dark void...
And I allowed them to...
My eyes burned with unused tears as I kept staring into the abyss of Chise's cold, green eyes, drowning in them. I felt my limbs relax, my shoulders sagging. Tears continued to trickle down my face as a new feeling seeped into my bones...
Numbness...
I feel nothing...
All the haywire emotions I just experienced... gone.
My hair blew in front of my face, I didn't attempt to push it away. There's no point. I can still see her lifeless body, even when I blink. It still hurt. It hurts so much... that's all I can feel - pain. Every other emotion has been blocked.
Chise... I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I never should have made that Pact with Joseph in the first place. None of this would have happened...
I've killed my own sister... The one who I was living for, who I agreed to fight for...
I killed her...
"That's enough, Ashen Eye."
I heard the voice, but it sounded muffled, like I was underwater. It doesn't matter though... nothing matters anymore.
I watched through foggy eyes as Chise's body disappeared, leaving behind a pile of sparkling sand. I couldn't react, all I felt was the numbness... but why did she have to go?
Suddenly, I felt a cold hand on my shoulder, shaking me gently. I didn't respond, there's no reason to. Maybe this is the person who killed my sister... maybe they'll kill me, too. I won't struggle, I've got nothing to fight for now.
Blurry fingers were snapping in front of my face, I blinked slowly, unfazed by them. Then I saw a face, surrounded by silvery-white hair. I know someone with hair like this, but that doesn't matter anymore. I feel nothing. I can't even see this person clearly, my eyes refuse to focus. All I can see, is Chise's blood-covered body.
"What a truly marvellous display of heartbreak that was! She truly is a perfect specimen! Are you satisfied, Joseph? Is she broken?"
That voice also sounded muffled, distorted. I couldn't concentrate enough to listen properly. Although, the voice did sound familiar too. But it's not important. Chise is more important.
I felt hands crawl underneath my arms, lifting me to my feet. That face was still in front of me. Their hands left me cautiously - I stood completely still, not moving. I think the voice called him Joseph...? Why does that seem familiar too? I feel hands on my face, cupping my cheeks, then he speaks.
"Yes, she is broken. The sparkle in her eyes has vanished. It's better this way. Now she truly believes her sister is dead."
"Be careful with your words, she may begin to suspect-"
"Suspect what? That her brat of a sister is still alive? Look at her, Ashen Eye." My head to tilted to the side, I don't care though. "She is broken beyond repair - she's numb to everything..."
"Are you certain that your plan will be successful? What if she sees the future? Did you know that she is an Oracle?
"Of course I knew! I haven't come across a Seer in a long time. But yes, my plan will succeed. Her spirit is broken. When we merge, she will not resist me. This is perfect. Did you hear me, puppy? You're perfect."
His words were muddled. I was too far into the void to be able to make sense of the world around me. I wanted to die with Chise. I don't need to live now, because she's not here with me. It hurts...
It hurts so much...
I wrap my arms around myself, the numbness doesn't take away the pain. I feel like I'm about to fall apart. I feel arms around me. At my back and behind my legs. I slowly register that my feet have left the ground and that I'm now pressed against someone's chest. I huddle closer, trying to make myself smaller so I can mourn in peace.
Chise, come back... let me join you... I don't deserve to be here without you... I need you...
"Sleep now, puppy. You need to rest."
Rest? What is rest? I've forgotten about all these other things... Chise is the only thing that matters, but she's gone now. My eyes start to close, my limited sight becomes fuzzy, everything is turning black...
I feel something brush against my forehead, but I don't dwell on it... it doesn't matter. My eyes close completely, and I see her, Chise. Her bloodstained clothes, her pain-filled eyes... the void that's calling me, waiting for me to dive in...
Agony rips into my heart again, and I groan. Tears escape my closed eyes. A hand brushes them away, but I don't acknowledge it. There's no point...
"Sleep well, puppy."
I barely hear the voice as my senses shut down completely and I spiral into the pitch black darkness of the void, chasing after my twin...
*****
Hi readers! Sorry again for the delay. Ideas changed inside my head and I had to take time to fill in the gaps 😅 Hope the wait was worth it, though!
Also, I'm sorry if this chapter made anyone cry 😅 if it makes you feel better, I cried too 😂
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*Skip this next part if you understood this chapter okay*
Don't worry! Chise isn't really dead, it was just an illusion created by Ashen Eye on Joseph's orders to break Chisa's spirit. Mean, I know. Their proper reunion will be later in the book... and it will be a lot better.
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Hope everyone's still healthy and coping okay in lockdown, I'll be here to talk if anyone needs to!
Until next time,
ilovemanga2000 💕