THAT ILLUSION || ONC 2021

~•{Chapter #12}•~

"It's not. She could see my purple eyes. She knew we are not mere humans. She even requested me to take care of her daughter till her husband returns. How could that be possible?"

"Some spirits can read the subconscious mind of mortals. Maybe that's how the spirit could have gathered these fragments of her life. But the purples and us?" Serephina pondered.

"Maybe it's all an illusion. A play to be precise. Serephina was caged in a bizarre place and you had resurrected a woman in the same night. Did you check on their house?" Mordana's words brought a new claim but it was put off when Eir refrained her responses.

Her already pale face grew paler and the dilating orbs grew glossier, wetting her raised cheeks coloured carmine out of guilt. She swallowed up every word that fought for their freedom. Her nails pinched her palms, bespeaking her slapping troubles. Amidst her oscillations and foolish riots, Mordana picked the tune.

"Not again! Spill it all. How are you so sure of it?"

"Mora! It's enough. Stop compelling her. She is weak and that's more important. First, we must tend her before..."

"Stop, Sere! It's her turn to speak and I'm sure nothing is less burdening." Mordana retched her words while her eyes were fixed on Eir's throbbing knuckles.

"Please don't frighten me!"

Eir's yelling sobs replaced the serene waves of the teal water with harsh ripples. The delicate creatures swimming in it bubbled out an elegy of sorrow for her.

"Oh, Eir, I'm sorry that she..."

"Please, Sere! Stop." She begged between her bated weeps.

"Why so?" Mordana implored as she grabbed a pitcher to suppress her devastation.

"Care me not. I deserve no mercy," her inflexion strutted.

"No riddles now. Just direct speeches. You get that?" Mordana stressed her every word, making her nod twice.

"Is Arva alright? Did you reach for her?" Galene asked.

"She is fine. I hope so." Eir chose between her words.

"Gods sake Eir. Direct replies will save us. Is she safe and in your care?" Mordana snorted.

"I will say she is in my custody but I'm not sure if she is safe."

"Why not?"

It's now or never. Spill it all. Her rummaging heart stiffened her.

"I will tell you everything. But to know that you must know how it all began."

Her unsteady words hitched up every breath floating in air.

Galene understood that something uncertain was munching up their lives. If not for that why would her sole be burning in the middle this excruciatingly.

"How did this begin, Eir? How are you so sure that it's nothing devious?" Galene asked as she clutched her shoulders, giving some courage. With a final breath, she made her decision to spill everything at last.

"My father was a sermon bearer. He died because of the uncontrollable hallucinations that haunted him, making him forget everything. Eventually, he died. But before that, he did a thing. Something I wish he shouldn't have done."

Galene laced her palms in Eir's and tried to read the unsaid from her eyes. Her heavy lashes soaked as they collected the tricks of grim grips.

Better to be a soldier than a slave. Unleash it all. Her heart spoke its usual words, something she cared the least. But now she did pay heed to it. She took her last breathe of rue and threw out her hidden chain. The metallic tendrils and crossing serpents with a bulged eye teased everyone's sight.