The Runaway {Hunter} (WATTYS 2022)

The Choice

Cora stepped out into the hall and stood before Cas. Her eyes scanned his face as she greeted the old man with a soft smile. His face lit up once she said a good morning to him.

"You wanted to see me." She said standing in front of him.

"Yes." Cas had his hands behind his back. "I wanted to apologize."

Her head tilted to the side, looking to him with a weary eye. "What for?"

Cas sighed, "For not being truthful about your true nature."

True nature meant her being a demigod. About her father and mother. He had lied. "You did it to protect me, Cas." Cora assured. "I am thankful for that."

"I know you are, my child." Cas nodded. "But it does not excuse my lies." His eyes fell, as if in shame.

"You are forgiven, Cas." She leaned forward. "I promise you that."

Cas looked up, smiling softly to Cora. He stepped forward, "I do have one last thing to revel to you."

"And what's that?" Cora asked crossings her arms, raising her brow.

"Your power also holds another important ability." Cas nodded as he spoke, his voice firm. "It's called the Seeing Eyes."

"It sounds like your power." She scuffed as Cas smirked.

"It is very similar." Cas nodded to her. "This power gives you the ability to reach out, connect with anyone you desire. You can see them, connect with them if you wish, even talk with them."

Cora looked to him, her face falling. "Isn't that what I did to warn Hunter? Well..." she shrugged, "My father made me."

Cas nodded. "It is."

"It felt very much like the force." Cora chuckled.

Cas gave her a swift look. "The gods of Qwern are not like the force, but they work with it." Cora nodded. "My dear, close your eyes."

Cora hesitated, but unfolded her arms and closed her eyes. "Now what?"

"Reach your mind out." Cas voice spoke softly. "Reach for something, anything that you feel is important to you. Once you feel it, focus on it. The Seeing Eye will guide you."

Cora let out a sigh. With her eyes closed she focused her mind on something, but she couldn't put a name to it. It was like her mind was drawn to an unknown force, she was in autopilot as she slipped into her own mind. Opening her eyes, the area was foggy, rain falling to the group around her. She quickly looked around, seeing nothing but fog, rain and darkness.

But someone was back on to her.

Her mind was drawn to this person, their face facing away from her eyes. The rain fell around her, but she didn't get wet. She stepped forward, her feet echoed off nothing as the figures turned to her. Cora's eyes grew wide as she stopped, her body close to this person.

The sharp look in their eyes pained her heart. She took a breath and looked into the face of this person. They said nothing, just watched with careful eyes.

"They stole everything from you. Your life, your mind, your heart." She took another step closer. "But what they did to you," she shook her head, "it doesn't have to define you."

They just watched. Saying nothing, but their eyes watched her carefully as she reached forward, reaching to touch their face. She needed them to know it was okay, that she was here. That she wasn't going to leave them again.

"This is not who you are." She whispered, "You know, who you are."

Her hands lightly brushed their cheek, but they quickly grasped her hand. Their touch ripped Cora from her mind, pulling her back into the room with Cas.