Fuck.
He didn't have time for this!
Alaris covered the distance between them as swiftly as possible.
He wasn’t as fast as he used to be and she had managed to take a couple of steps back before he finally grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder as he looked around in preparation to confront any beast that might come out to attack them.
“You lied to me. You betrayed me.” Her voice was broken now. She wasn't even fighting him. “Why?” She asked as he continued their journey with her on his shoulder.
He just couldn't wait to get out of here already. The thought of ending up with that ugly looking star-shaped creature made him recoil.
“We had time.”
“Yes and at the cost of a small part of my soul. I think I get to decide on how we use that time.”
“They asked for it. I didn't want to give it to them, I told you every–”
“I’m losing my dragon. I don't think I can live without him. The quicker we get to the gem, the better for me.” There was silence before he added like an afterthought.
“For you too. This is a better chance than the Resurrection Ground.”
Belladonna's lips trembled as she watched the distance they had left behind her thinner and thinner. “There is no certainty that the Gem will bring him back. It has never done it before.”
“There is no certainty that you’ll pass either.”
That was true but if the Gem didn't work eventually and she didn't try the Resurrection Ground, forever would punish herself, knowing that she had a chance and she gave up on it without trying.
Her days would be filled with what ifs and her night with more grief that she was presenting facing.
She wouldn't be able to take her own life, knowing that Eli had sacrificed for her to keep it, she wouldn't be able to live either.
She had to try! Now was all she had.
“It is a risk I am willing to take.”
“Well, I’m not and to get out of here, we must arrive at the door together! So stop being stupid or I’ll find something to shut you up.”
“Are you even listening to me?! What if the Gem doesn't work?!”
“Then maybe it is time for you to accept it, Nightshade. He is dead! Let the dead be dead.”
Belladonna's breath quickened with rage, the image of that Tree once again flashing in her eyes. “Unhand Me!”
At that moment, pain jolted through Alaris’ hand, forcing him to let go of Belladonna.
She slipped to the ground and rushed up to feet immediately.
Once she was out of his grip, the pain vanished.
Alaris' eyes widened.
It was happening again.
“Nightshade?” he said slowly, as he tried to approach her.
“Get away from me!”
The ground rumbled beneath them but this time, there was more.
A crack formed on the ground between them and in a flash the land splitted into two, drawing the distance between them even further apart.
Alaris raced towards her so they wouldn't be separated, then he jumped but instantly, the distance grew wider more than he had expected.
His wings sprouted from his back instinctively but they were useless to him and he crashed into the hole that was so deep that it was too dark for Belladonna couldn't see how much he had fallen.
“Alaris?” She called out, looking down into the abyss, scared that he was dead.
Her question echoed back to her emptiness.
She gulped, guilt filling her heart and tears fogging her sight. She hadn't even realized that what had happened at the river was happening again until it was all over.
Quickly she wished for him to be back here with her but nothing happened.
“Alaris!” She screamed and yet again, there was no response.
Another wish was made, another request that was denied.
She turned and raced towards the path she believed the Resurrection Ground was. It was the other path they had decided not to go in.
She had to get there fast and being them both back to life.
It was the only way.
Her heart ached and tears streamed down her face. She could feel herself running out of time and now more than ever, the moving Sandglass remained constant in her mind.
“Eli,” she murmured to herself. “Alaris.”
She was such a poison, killing everything she touched.
“I am so sorry.”
A deadly nightshade, a belladonna.
____
____
[The Dragon’s Realm]
Moving in and out of the Hideout had been difficult after the death of the Channeller. It didn't help that the Priest was also injured and it was taking so long for him to heal. He also refused to believe that his “Heir” was dead.
He couldn't be called a Protest any longer but a mad man.
It was for their own good that he was locked away.
Nyka, however, had spent a lot of time with her Gamama that walking through passages and finding channels was something she could do on her own.
It wasn't a great ability but it was better than none.
She heard something move behind her and quickly she turned to the intruder with a dagger to the intruders’ throat.
“Ny’ka. It is I.”
She pulled away her dagger. “Ka’el.”
The slender and tall man in front of her pulled off his black hood, revealing his slightly glowing brown hair and sharp brown eyes.
“How are my warriors?”
“Many are still alive. Thanks to you.”
He pushed a sack to her and she received it. “That was all I could get without suspicion.”
“We are grateful.”
“Your gratitude will be greatly received when you win me this war.”
“And we shall win you this war when you bring us information about the White King—”
How chuckle interrupted her. “Even the rare bastard has no luxury to that kind of information.”
“Doesn’t your brother done with the King? Ask him!”
He pinned her with a gaze and corrected her with a playful grin. “My step brother doesn't like his bastard brother. But I shall try,” he cupped her chin. “Anything for you and my throne.”
She moved away from his touch and he pulled away. “Are you alright?”
“There is something I need you to find out for me.” She showed him the gem that was once again black.
“The colour changed before to blue and red, and now it is black. Help me find out about this gem.”
He reached out to take it from her but she moved it away from his reach.
“I can't give it to you.”
“Where did you find it?”
“In the woods.” She lied effortlessly. “It might be of help so find out everything you can about it. Please, Ka’el.”
“Alright then. Let me touch it, I need to know and see what it looks like.”
She allowed it and the gem was back in her possession as soon as he was done.
Then he pressed a kiss on her forehead, and flew up into the night sky.
Ny'ka looked around to ensure no one had been an audience to their forbidden meeting.
When she looked back at the gem once again, the colour had shifted into complete darkness.