Heartbeat

I: Sacrifice-4

THE TIME FINALLY CAME for the priestesses to begin their ascent of the temple with Iva leading them up very slow as they sang the goddess’ name. The temple girls followed behind—all except Akshara, who stood at the base of the temple and looked up at the fires on the top. She took a deep breath and steeled herself to make the climb. One foot in front of the other was how she got through it, even singing the goddess’ name herself as a way to keep her focus and keep herself from crying.

The entire city of Aransia was gathered around the temple, watching in silence as their appointed spiritual leaders climbed the pyramid. Akshara thought of the boy Heko and how he’d be in the audience watching. Iva always teased her about Heko, even calling him Akshara’s boyfriend on a number of occasions. But Akshara only considered him a friend, though she knew he definitely thought of her in more romantic ways. Heko had told everyone who would listen that he was going to marry the beautiful temple girl with the silver streaks in her hair. He even did it in front of her, which she thought profoundly annoying. Though tonight, knowing Heko was there watching provided her with a shred of comfort. She needed all the comfort she could get.

Once Akshara finally reached the top, she stood as far back as possible in order to stay away from the others who were clustered around Iva, still singing their song of praise to Tars’keli.

Then the song went quiet, and Akshara felt her heart fall into her stomach and stay there. A lump formed in her throat and she began trembling. The crowd gathered below were silent as Iva was lifted up and set down upon the altar.

“Lie down, Iva,” Akshara heard Sarkasi say.

The moment when she would need to act was drawing close, but she was frozen by fear. She never had even an ounce of the bravery Iva possessed. And now Akshara’s fear was going to cost Iva her life.

“Tars’keli, our life granting mother and our guide to the gift of death, we ask you to come down to us now and look upon your sacrifice. Bind this child and we will send her soul to you,” Sarkasi said as she raised the dagger above Iva’s small body.

“I—I—I can’t move at all,” Iva said, her voice quivering.

“Silence, girl. Remember you volunteered for this,” Sarkasi hissed.

“I’ve changed my mind. Please, Priestess Sarkasi!” Iva shouted. “Akshara, do something! You were supposed to be holding my hand...”

But Akshara did nothing except collapse to her knees and weep. It was all she could do. She no longer had the strength to think about how she could help Iva escape. She didn’t know if this was a sign from the goddess that Iva’s murder could not be stopped no matter how hard anyone tried, or if it was just Akshara’s weakness shining through.

“Help me, Aksha. I love you so much,” Iva said.

In that moment, Akshara stood up straight and shouted, “I love you!”

The knife came down at the same time as her declaration of love. And Iva’s screams shook Akshara to her soul.

It was not just one thrust of the knife but several, and Iva did not stop screaming until around the fifth. Then she saw the priestess slice the knife across Iva’s throat, and the blood begin to gush.

“Akshara, come,” Sarkasi said. “Collect her blood in the vessel to the side of the altar and pour it down the steps. Do as I say, or it will be you on this altar next, girl. The difference is that your death will be meaningless.”

The still trembling Akshara stepped forward and performed her duty without question. As she poured Iva’s blood upon the steps, she thought it was strange how Iva had screamed in such terror as the knife was plunged into her over and over again. It seemed her friend could feel pain after all, or maybe it was just the terror of no longer existing in this world.

Whatever horror it was that caused Iva to scream like that, Akshara knew that she would be the one to feel it the most.