Chapter Text
Chisa's POV
Time...
I've lost sense of it...
All I do, is sit and stare...
At what? Nothing.
The numb feeling has settled in my bones, overtaking my senses.
I feel... Nothing.
Just grief... At the loss of Chise. I just can't believe it, but I witnessed her death with my own eyes. And I saw her corpse.
The deep red blood, pooling around her; her ghostly white skin; her lifeless eyes... Each image is branded into my mind. Every time I blink, I see her. These dark images haunt me, and I can't escape them. And it hurts, it hurts...
It's like someone has ripped out my heart, leaving the gaping wound to bleed... it's a wound that won't heal. My hands stay wrapped around my torso, like I'm trying to hold myself together. But I'm already broken. A never-ending stream of tears leak from my eyes, but I don't wipe them away, there's no point. Nothing matters anymore.
There are times when I must be sleeping, because the same gruesome nightmare plagues me every time. The image of Chise being impaled by that monstrous limb, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. I wake up screaming every time, until a hand that smells like sand, covers my eyes. When that happens, a calmness washes over me, overpowering the numbness for just a few seconds until I'm silent. Then, the darkness of the hand is replaced by light and the numbness returns.
So I just sit and stare. I don't know what I'm sitting on or what I'm staring at. I don't move, I can't. There's no reason to. Every now and again I feel someone's presence. Their aura is dark, but I ignore them. They lift me, setting me on their lap. They play with my hair and hold me gently, like I'm a fragile doll - maybe I am. They whisper muddled words into my ear, but nothing sinks in. I hear bits and pieces, but nothing that pulls me out of this numb state.
"Just wait, puppy..."
"A Dragon's Curse..."
"Damned to die..."
"If all else fails... I could use it..."
"My sweet puppy..."
It's like I'm underwater, unable to reach the surface to breathe air. But the uneasy, tight feeling in my chest, telling me that I need to breathe, remains. I wish for death. I hope it comes soon to take me away. I can't live like this anymore. I want to be with Chise... She's in a better place, and I want to join her.
But how do I join her, if I can't move? I have no motivation to do anything. All of my thoughts involve Chise, and how I allowed her to die...
How I killed her...
More time passes. I don't know how much. The sky darkens, then brightens. Days pass, as do nights. But how many, I cannot say. Time no longer makes sense to me. But why should it? I just want my time to run out so I can be with my sister.
Suddenly, a dark shadow envelopes me and large hands scoop me up. I flinch, sudden movements still scare me. I'm pulled against a chest and a hand touches my cheek, stroking it gently, while my eyes remain unfocused, like I'm still staring into the abyss of Chise's lifeless eyes. He murmurs some incoherent words, which I don't concentrate on. There is a short silence, before he finally speaks words that I understand, but wish I didn't.
"The deal has been terminated..."
After he spoke those chilling words he tossed me to the ground. Immediately, a sharp, searing pain, spreads across my abdomen. I shrieked, writhing in pain. Beads of sweat covered my forehead, mingling with my tears.
I managed to drag myself over to a nearby tree. I lay there, sprawled against its trunk, clutching my burning torso while panting heavily. It took me a moment to realise, that I could see more clearly now. My surroundings were no longer blurry.
Slowly, I also realised that I could also... feel. I wasn't as numb as before. The numbness was still there, but not as much as before. I could feel the cold snow, seeping into my skin. I could feel the bitter wind as it whipped through my hair. I shivered, my teeth chattering. The action only caused me more pain as the movement aggravated my wound. I gingerly lifted my hand off my stomach and held it in front of my face. My palm was painted scarlet, and I gasped in shock. I carefully lifted up the jumper I was wearing. It was peach, but it was now turning red. I stared down at my stomach and nausea hit me like a brick. I had a long, deep gash, running diagonally from my ribs to my hip. Blood oozed from the wound, and any movement sent white hot agony shooting through my core. It hurts so bad...
It's like from when Joseph-
Wait... Joseph...
I remember him! I remember him now! The Immortal Alchemist who hurt me... the one who wanted to merge with me. He made a deal with Ashen Eye! The one who smells like sand... He came to my aid, when Joseph sawed into my stomach! I shuddered, fearing growing in the pit of my stomach. I'm terrified of Joseph. And Ashen Eye. They made a deal, Ashen Eye would care for me until Joseph killed Chise. But Chise is already dead... Did Joseph kill her that day? Is that why I was left alive?
What if Joseph comes back to claim me? To finish what he started... No, I can't be with him anymore. I don't want to be hurt anymore. I just want to be free. Please, let me die before he finds me, grant me this one wish, please!
My limbs feel heavy and my eyes are drooping. The pain is so intense... maybe I'm dying... I hope I am, because then I can be free. Free from Joseph. Free from this pain. I can be with my sister again. I can be happy.
I can feel my consciousness slipping away. My wound throbs less and less. My vision becomes blurred, blackness appears at the corners of my eyes. I must be dying... So this must be what... Peace feels like. A ghost of a smile plays on my lips as I close my eyes, welcoming the darkness eagerly.
*****
"Look, here! A Sleigh Beggy!"
"What's she doing out here? Oh no! It was her blood we smelled! Is she dying?"
"Wait! Look! Her hair, the perfect hue of twilight... she's the Alchemist's Starling!"
I shifted in my sleep, woken up by strange, high-pitched voices. I immediately regretted the movement as a searing pain spread across my stomach. My eyes flew open and I cried out, my hands wrapped around my torso automatically. I was still alive... why? I was so ready to die, so why didn't I?
"Hey, look! She's awake! Little Starling, are you alright?"
It was the same voice from before. As my eyes began to focus, I was able to make out three small figures. I gasped softly. They were pretty little things. They had forest green wings and bird-like feet. Their eyes were strange though. Red, oval pupils surrounded by black. They had small, pointy ears, similar to that of an elf. They even had little antennae, just like a butterfly. One had messy green hair, the same shade as her wings; another had pale mint green hair; the last one, had sea green hair. I felt like I should be afraid of them, because of their eyes, but their auras were bright so I wasn't afraid.
"Who... are you?" I asked them shyly.
They giggled.
"Why, we're your Neighbours, little one!"
"Some may call us fairies, but we prefer Neighbours! Or Ariels!"
"Your precious eyes allow you to see us! And we are happy that we found you! A precious Sleigh Beggy! More dainty than the most beautiful fairy flower!"
"Neighbours? I've never seen anything like you before." I wince, hissing slightly as my eagerness hurts my wound.
They circle around me, each choosing a spot to land on. The messy green-haired one, perches on my shoulder, while the other two, take a knee each.
"Poor little Starling! What has happened to you?"
"You're hurt! You need help!"
"I cannot see the chains around you that bind you to the Alchemist."
Upon hearing the word, 'Alchemist', I broke into a frenzy. "Joseph! Is he here? I have to get away! I don't want him to hurt me! Don't let him hurt me!" I began hyperventilating, ignoring the intense burn that radiated from my torso.
The Neighbour on my shoulder quickly kissed my cheek, and I calmed down slowly. "There now, don't you worry your pretty little head about that Alchemist. He won't be able to harm anyone for a while. You're safe."
"That's right!"
"We can protect you!"
"Thank you..." I started to cry, overwhelmed by the fact that they were prepared to help me.
The Ariel who kissed my cheek, suddenly started sniffing my hair, looking me up and down. My heart rate started to spike at her actions, and I grew uneasy as she locked eyes with me, staring intently at my green orbs.
"Little Starling, you look like our Robin... What is your name?"
Her question confused me, 'our Robin'... who is she referring to?
"My name is... Chisa Hatori."
All three of them gasped, alarming me. "What's wrong? What did I say?"
"It's her!"
"Robin's twin!"
"Chisa!"
I was beyond confused... Robin's twin...
Then it hit me. Ashen Eye referred to Chise as 'Robin'... but Chise is... gone... I was sucked back into the dark void, wallowing over the loss of my twin. These fairies must have no idea... surely they wouldn't mention her otherwise.
"Chise... is dead."
They all started laughing, causing a surge of anger to rush through me. Did they think I was joking?... Abruptly, I struggled to my feet, the adrenaline rush giving me the energy I needed. I staggered, one hand clutching my stomach which was throbbing violently, and the other holding my thumping head. The Ariels quickly moved away from me, but their laughter had ceased.
"Little Starling! Please don't move rashly like that! You're injured!"
"We did mot mean to upset you!"
"But Chise is alive and well. I was speaking to her not so long ago, before she went off to the College!"
I shook my head sadly, leaning heavily against the tree as blood continued to trickle from my wound, dripping onto the forest floor.
"I saw her die with my own eyes..." My voice cracked. "The image is burned into my mind like fire... and it hurts... it hurts..." I began to sob, covering my face with my hand.
"No, little Starling. You have it wrong, your sister is alive!"
"She is, we promise!"
"Chise Hatori! The little Bird Mage!"
"Chise is gone!" I yelled in frustration, tears streaming down my cheeks.
I was furious at the Neighbours for making me go through this again. I'm plagued enough by the memories. I held her as the life drained out of her, her blood stained my hands... I couldn't protect her, not even at the very end...
I felt the small Ariel's hand above my own. Her skin was pinker than mine. She looked at me sincerely, and I wiped the tears from my eyes so that I could see her.
"Someone has tricked our Starling. Allow us to help you."
"What do you mean?" All Fae seem to speak in riddles... that I don't understand.
"Our Robin lives... and that much is true. But someone has tricked you, because you believe she is dead."
I shook my head again, ready to argue. "She is-"
"No she is not." She interrupted me. "And we will prove it to you. We shall send you to Chise!" She exclaimed with a smile.
My eyes widened as I slowly understood her words. "You're going to kill me?" If they're going to send me to Chise, I have to die...
"No! Robin lives! We're going to send you to the Alchemists' College!"
I froze, and then I started to shake violently. "No! You can't send me to an Alchemists' College! They'll hurt me and experiment on me! I can't go through that again!" Once again, tears began to stain my cheeks.
"No, little Starling! Chise will protect you. Thorn will too!"
"But..." How can I make them understand that Chise is dead?
"No buts! Now come on! Just stand right there sweetie! And we'll do the rest."
"Wait. What?" What's happening? They're forming a semicircle around me and my back is against a tree - literally! I'm getting scared now...
"What're you doing?" My voice was shaking.
"Don't be afraid, little Starling. We're just going to use our magic wind to send you to Robin."
"We won't borrow too much of your magical energy, just enough to get you to the College."
"You'll be with Chise and see that she's alive!"
They all hovered in the air with their hands poised elegantly, and a beautiful breeze swept around me. But it was getting faster and faster, causing the fear within me to spike as I yelled out:
"Wait! Don't do this! Don't give me to the Alchemists!"
I don't want to be experimented on! I don't want them to examine me, or take my blood, or take advantage of my abilities, or test how long it takes for me to heal... I don't want to suffer anymore! Joseph caused me more than enough agony, I can't take anymore.
The Neighbours are the ones who are trying to trick me! Chise is gone, she's not alive. I saw it happen... How many times must I say that!?
"No! Wait! I don't want this! Let me go!" I begged, frantically searching for a way out.
But the wind was too strong, it kept me inside this small circle. I'm scared, I don't know what's happening. I'm so scared. The wind had formed a twisting whirlwind. Flashes of colour: sparkly blues and greens appeared every now and then. Suddenly, a large streak of amethyst materialised within the tornado. It was the exact same shade as my hair, which was dancing in the wind. I pressed my back against the tree. I was still gripping my throbbing wound.
Suddenly, I became extremely lightheaded. I fell limp against the tree as my breathing became laboured. The wind continued to swirl faster and faster, and the purple streak began to glow brightly.
"Just stay calm sweetie. Just a little longer!"
"It's time for you to go and see Chise!"
"Don't you worry about anything. Robin will be so happy to see you!"
I felt so dizzy from all the spinning. The Ariels, who had been still, were now starting to waver and get blurry. I reached out to them, silently begging with my eyes for them to stop this, that I didn't want this.
"Help..." I said weakly.
Suddenly, all of the wind launched itself at me, clinging to my body. I screamed at the sheer force of it all. My wound was burning and once again, tears ran down my cheeks. My body began to glow with that same purple light, and my heart constricted with fear.
"It's working!"
"Yes! Go and be with our Robin!"
"I'm sure we'll meet again, little Starling!"
Before I could protest further, the wind picked me up off the ground. I gasped and shrieked, thrashing around, but it was too late. The glow of my body grew even brighter. I shut my eyes tightly as the light became blinding. And then, the wind exploded...
*****
My chest heaved up and down as I tried to catch my breath after that terrifying experience. Once again, my feet were touching solid ground. I sighed in relief, opening my eyes. As soon as I did, a wave of exhaustion crashed over my body and I stumbled forwards.
Through hooded and blurry eyes, I saw a mixture of colours: browns, lots of browns, blacks and even green. But one colour stood out... a flash of sunset red... but it can't be Chise...
Tears sting my eyes, threatening to fall. My hand is still outstretched, but it feels like it weighs a ton. My eyes droop and my legs are about to give way.
"Chisa...?"
I vaguely hear the voice before I collapse, giving in to the exhaustion, pain erupting in my abdomen. I feel my consciousness slipping away, the darkness is about to capture me again. But not before I hear the same voice...
"Chisa!"
Why does it sound so familiar?
And then I remembered...
I saw this coming...
All of my Flashes, become reality...
*****
Woo! Another chapter done! Sorry for the delay this week. The same thing happened, ideas changed and gaps had to be filled 😅😂
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter though 😊
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Until next time
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