A Fractured Paradise

Chapter Nine (Part Two)

But none had expected they’d need to utilize those skills. Not with injuries such as these. Even Larissa was dazed, though her autopilot had taken hold. 

She didn’t think, she just continued to lead those around her and help where she could. Time was going so slowly for her, it seemed. Though all they needed was a leader and soon all the injured were being tended to. The nurses seemed to ease a bit and with everyone focused, Larissa was beginning to truly process what had happened.

There was nothing. She stared at her fingers. Caeli had no pulse. How could she not let her die when Caeli was already dead? What was Darius doing? Darius was with the king...did he die? Larissa’s breath caught in her throat. Max wasn’t with them. 

Larissa began running, fear gripping her heart once more. If he loses control now we’re all in trouble. She raced through the temple, though the prince was nowhere to be found. Maybe. 

She visualized their flowers. She fell upon the cool grass, the prince lying unconscious among the flowers. 

“Max!” She shook him, feeling his energy flow into her. But there was something among his now, as though it had twisted within him. The hell is that? “Max!”

She noticed dry tears upon his cheeks and blood staining his clothes. Oh no. “Max, please wake up!” Larissa wrapped her arms around him. “What happened to you?”

“Rissa?” The prince’s voice held confusion. 

She stared into his chestnut eyes, though for a moment they seemed to flash a red. “You okay?”

Prince Maximus closed his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Larissa. His grief filled her, escaping as tears through her eyes. 

Our king. Not our king. 

King Vitus had been the most beloved king in all of Adytan history. His thinking was vastly different than any that came before him. He’d brought peace to Adyta, once thought impossible. He’d saved the Paskoins. Everyone will grieve when they know. 

“I’m so sorry.” Larissa whispered. 

“Caeli.” He seemed to recall that she had still been battling during the events of his father’s death. “Rissa, is Caeli okay?”

“Your mom said she was going to save her.” Larissa answered, not wanting him to know what she too was most likely dead. “Are you okay? Why were you passed out?”

“Doesn’t matter.” She felt a jolt as they arrived back at the hospital. The two began providing aid once more. 

Caeli, please just be okay.

*

Darkness shrouded Caeli, though there was something much darker moving around her. Those shadow creatures.

Caeli desired an escape. She was frightened and alone, unable to run. “Maxy! Darius! Rissa! Marcellus!” She cried out. “Help! Can anyone hear me!”

“Little one, calm yourself.” Marcellus appeared and wrapped her in a hug. “You are safe now.”

“Marcellus, we lost.” Caeli held him just as tight, though he was cold and his chest did not seem to move as hers did. “You have joined the dead.” 

“My great warrior I am filled with pride to have trained you, but great sorrow as I must now leave.” Marcellus kissed her forehead. “Adyta is in need of you.”

“No.” Caeli held him tightly. “Adyta needs their greatest general. Your family needs you. There is much you still have to teach.”

“I am sorry, little one. I do not have a choice.” Marcellus whispered. 

“You have nothing to apologize for.” Caeli shook her head. “I was not strong enough to sense their treachery. I don’t know how they were able to block me. I failed you, the king and all of Adyta.”

“Your power still grows, Caeli.” Marcellus rubbed her back. “Yet look how strong you have become. You rescued many and returned those beyond rescue. Failing would have meant leaving our men behind. You gave them the greatest gift a soldier can receive. We were returned home.”

Marcellus began to fade. Caeli wasn’t sure how she was crying. “Please don’t go.”

“Calm, little one.” Marcellus whispered. “Do not cry for me. I have been informed that I still have much to learn. I may someday see you and my beloved again.”

“I love you.” Caeli buried her face into his chest. “You’re my father, Marcellus. You always were. I’m not ready to lose you. I’ll miss you too much. You can’t go.”

“You were always our daughter, Caeli.” Marcellus’s arms crossed through her back and her head passed through his chest. “I love you, little one. Continue to make me proud.”

Caeli fell to her knees, wailing. Her chest swelled with a hollow ache. “Come back!” She cried. “Don’t leave me all alone! I need you! Please don’t go!”

She wrapped herself into a ball. A knot formed in her chest, releasing as a shrill wailing. She was cold; numb, but she could feel her heartbeat. It’s not fair. The faces of her fallen comrade appeared before her. I was supposed to protect them. I failed them. 

She laid upon the ground, though it didn’t seem much like ground. It was neither cold nor warm. Any sensations she should’ve felt were replaced with the feelings of cobwebs on her skin. Yet she could cry, feel her heart. She could feel everything. She knew she was alive, though she knew not where she was. 

But somehow, this abyss seemed fitting. 

I belong here. I let everyone down. Please, let me join my general.

*

I won’t let you die, Cae. And I’ll keep my promise somehow. I’ll get you all the blood you need.

Larissa rested against the unconscious Prince Maximus, reading Darius’s thoughts. 

The gravity of the situation had finally hit Larissa once all the injured had been tended to. It had been hours, yet neither Darius nor the queen had left Caeli’s room. 

Larissa realized this meant Caeli must still be alive. After the second hour of silence, she had begun to read Darius’s mind. Caeli was still alive.

She kept her eyes closed, not wishing to see the once pristine white now bathed in blood. Quiet sobbing and loud wailing was impossible to ignore, but she herself had created those noises. 

They had come upon Liber and Marcellus. They were alone in a corner, Liber was cradling Marcellus and producing cries Larissa hadn’t heard since the plague. There was evidence that the healers had attempted to save him, but his wound was too great. 

Larissa broke upon seeing them. She had fallen beside her friends and screamed until spots filled her vision. She and Liber cried for what seemed like an eternity, while holding their fallen friend. 

There was still a lump in Larissa’s throat, flashes of Marcellus drawing tears to her eyes. She would be reminded of Caeli too, begging for someone to save their friend.

So she stayed locked in Darius’s head. There wasn’t much, mostly him promising that he wouldn’t let her die.

All the while, Prince Maximus was stoic. His eyes dull, as though he were far away. He stopped talking once they returned to the temple. He stood, staring at, but not seeing Marcellus’s deceased body or his grieving friends. Larissa was worried. He’s pulling away. Please, don’t let this have broken you.

She couldn’t describe what she was feeling. There was a gaping hole in her heart and a constant lump in her throat. The world was no longer hyper visualized, but she was numb. If we lose Caeli…

The door quietly opened. Queen Cassiana crept into the hallway.

“Is she okay?” Larissa asked.

“She is alive.” The queen answered.

“But is she okay?” Larissa pressed, her rising voice momentarily stirred the prince.

“She is a fighter.” The queen answered. “Darius will come and get you when she is ready for visitors.”

Larissa closed her eyes. “I’m sorry for your loss.” She whispered. 

“We all lost today, Larissa.” The queen’s voice cracked. “Think positive now, for Caeli. Do not think of her as dying, think of her the fighter she is. Give her strength, Larissa. After these events, she will need the love of her friends.” The queen began to walk away. “Talk to her as often as you can, or the darkness will consume her.”