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In the darkness, the stillness that Adalia had conjured, Grieven’s hoarse gargling yells trapped in this invisible silent bubble, never fading, his echoes melding with his continued screams, amplifying it to an unbearable degree.

It really was a harrowing sound.

But strangely enough, with those glimmering rays, various coloured hues of prismatic glows flickering and transitioning, like a molten rainbow slowly rippling across the earth, I could almost see a glimmer of beauty faintly illuminating through the whole process.

Almost...

Mom, on bent knees, had her back facing directly towards Adalia and I, and from this angle, I felt like an out-of-body observer... seeing her there, felt like seeing my own self there.

My silhouette shaded in that enclosed incandescence, my hands outstretched, my magic being expended.

.....

Me... not really...

“You’re wasting your strength yelling,” Mom said, her soft voice somehow able to tower over his deafening shouts. “You’ll be silent soon enough. Be efficient, use that intensity, use your words, after all... this is the last time you’ll ever be able to.”

But Grieven wasn’t listening, or rather, he didn’t seem to be able to hear her at all. Whatever it is she was doing, it was hurting... and it was hurting him a lot.

It was starting to get concerning...

“Will he be alright?” I said, or at least I think I said, staggering a single step forward, hearing nothing but his agony in echoes. “Harry?”

“You mean unharm, unaffected?” Mom heard me, replying shortly. “Then no.”

“I meant alive...”

The coloured lights suddenly blended into one, flashing only crimson. Deep bleeding crimson. Consuming her entire outline in a harsh foreboding red, and Grieven’s shouts had soared to a higher peak.

“Mmm,” Mom took a moment to reply. “Let’s hope so.”

Hope alone was all I could hope for at this point. I couldn’t do anything now. No words I could offer, no actions I could contribute to vastly change the outcome. My only role now was to be the silent bystander, relegated to only stand and behold as someone else did what I couldn’t.

I took another step, closely supervised by Adalia, angling over for a clearer view, and the moment I could discern even the slightest glimpse, I had to try my hardest to suppress my own horror back.

Her arms weren’t arms any longer... those warm hands that used to hold me, comfort me were no longer there, and taking its place instead were long, black tendril-like appendages devoid of anything resembling human, resembling her – and it was burrowing, skewering... deeper and deeper embedding into Grieven’s chest.

It left no mark, no wound, it didn’t even look like it hurt... and yet the spit and foam frothing from Harry’s lips, the tears streaking down from his bulging eyes... to tamper with the soul is an unimaginable pain, Dad said... seeing him, I dearly I wouldn’t have to imagine it anytime soon.

“Last chance, Grieven,” Mom said to him again. “For decades, your anger for me has festered. I’m right here... so go on, just say what you want to say... I’ll be sure to listen.”

From screams, from yells, Grieven’s voice gradually grew feebler, into faltering wheezes, into strangled gasps. Looking at him now, he was unrecognizable.

I couldn’t see Grieven, I couldn’t Jay... all I could see was a frail old man lying in the dirt... his wrinkled, strained expression sorely yearning for an end to his suffering.

Mom’s ‘arms’ twisted in place, forcing him to lurch in a breath. He looked at her then, and he stared... just stared... empty of all emotions, not even a sliver of rage to be seen any longer.

“I’m going to bring it back, Terestra...” He slowly uttered, each syllable an excruciating eternity after the other. “Everything you’ve stolen... destroyed... I’ll bring it back.”

These were his final words, and he wasn’t using them as a chance to curse her for the last time. No threats, no ultimatums, like every other time before. Just a proclamation, a single statement, a...

“Promise... I promise I’ll take it all back...” He blinked, and his stare somehow found its way towards mine. “Every... thing...”

Even in his last few seconds, he could still think of her. If nothing else, as much as he was ruthless, as much as he was despicable... he really did love her.

The ring of red began to glow dim, and Mom, heeding every word, offered to his glazed eyes, her usual warm smile.

“Understood,” She said to him. “Goodbye, Grieven.”

And then, quickly – darkness shrouded the vicinity. The ring suddenly snuff of its gleaming colors. The only source of light being the feeble glow of gold branching all Mom’s inky black.

There was quiet again... the barn, the bubble no longer being compounded by incessant screams.

I knew what that meant – I’ve seen this before, done this before, in my own makeshift circle almost a lifetime ago. The process was a resounding success.

She’s done it.

All signs seemed to point to an end to this nightmare, a ray of light at the end of this very long, dark tunnel, and yet – her arms were still embedded deep into Harry’s unstirring chest.

“What are you doing?” I asked, edging an inch closer, stepping half a foot into the dark circle. “It’s over right?”

She glanced up at me, still with that cheery smile – that’s when I noticed just how deathly pale and gaunt her complexion had become.

Almost like a corpse. I wasn’t sure what caused it exactly – her sickness, the prayer, the process, or all three combined – either way... it was taking a heavy toll on her.

“Afraid not, dear,” She shook her head, maintaining her casual air. “I’ve only just severed Grieven’s parasite from Harry’s soul. Now comes the most exciting part of the procedure...” She briefly trailed away, veering her sights back towards him, letting out a small weary breath. “To see whether or not I take him, or he takes me instead.”

I eyed her some more, feeling growing concerns rise like bile up my throat, “You said you’ll consume his fragment.”

“And I still have every intention to,” She replied. “But he did sound pretty confident that I wouldn’t be able to. And to display confidence like that despite fully knowing who I am, well...” She flashed me a whimsical look. “It’s curious, no?”

Sadly, I didn’t share her sentiment. “Can’t you just leave it severed? Do you really have to consume it?”

“I leave it like that, and poor Harry will have to deal with sharing space all over again. Bad idea. No, this is the only way to rid us of this parasite for – ”

She trailed away again – except this time unwillingly.

She couldn’t hide it, she didn’t have the chance to, and a surprise surge of pain betrayed her calm and steady demeanor, and just for a brief second, I could finally see how she truly looked beneath her sturdy mask.

And it genuinely scared me more than anything to have seen what I saw... to see her constant smile momentarily disappear...

“Ow...” She muttered, trying to bury the moment with amusement. “Mmm... that wasn’t very pleasant.”

“Mom...”

“I’m fine, I’m fine!” She continued shurgging it away. “Just wasn’t paying attention, is all. Paid the price.”

“Are you sure your – ?”

“Of course I am. Now hush – I need quiet now,” She shushed me, throwing out a quick look of comfort. “I promise you, didn’t I? Whatever happens, I’ll see this through to the end.”

“That’s not what you said before...” I pointed out. “You said you wouldn’t risk yourself.”

“Did I now?” She cocked her head, feebly chuckling. “Well, maybe perhaps you’re selflessness is beginning to rub off on me.”

“So it’s my fault now?”

“What can I say?” She smiled. “You’re a bad influence.”

In my head, I tried assuring myself over and over again too. That she was strong, that this was nothing, that despite everything – she will prevail.

And yet all the same – with sickness ravaging her body, and with seven other godly entities’ might working against and stunting hers.

She may be all-powerful, and she may pull through just fine, after all. But as she said herself not long ago...

She’s been wrong before.

Adalia seemed to sense something, and immediately, despite me not moving an inch – wrapped her hand around my wrist.

“Don’t...” was all she whispered when I looked back at her, holding on even tighter.

I’m telling you, this girl’s senses are something else.

“Adalia, it’s okay,” I said, gently trying to wriggle free. “You can let go.”

“No... no... I won’t...” She said, fervently shaking her head. “You promised... remem...ber? You promise you will... rest...”

Right, I did promise her, didn’t I? Back then, with a smile and a nod, having every intention of upholding that promise to the letter.

But, being faced with this now... knowing what might happen if I did... I just... it’s just...

Sammy was right.

I do really suck at promises.