The Last Goddess

Chapter One Hundred Sixteen: Fausta

Samara

Across the room lay the goddess of water. I didn't have to be close to know it was her. I could feel it. Just like the others. I barely got halfway through the large chamber when I heard fighting outside the door.

I turned to look—despite knowing I couldn't see. I couldn't help but worry about Anisha. Her plea chilled me. I could feel her pain, and I hoped that I could help her regain some peace of mind.

Suddenly, Aryan was beside me. He placed his hand on my back, drawing my attention. "She'll be fine." He said, certain. "She's like me."

"I'm not sure that makes me feel better." I told him, turning to see Rafferty glancing back and forth between his goddess, us, and the door. "Let's not waste any more time."

I took another step but froze again when I felt the water Anisha had removed, begin to fill the room again.

Rafferty took several steps forward—his green fists clenching tightly. "She's distracted. She may not have much time."

"You should go to her." I replied, getting ready to make a bubble for Aryan.

"No." he shook his head. "I told her I would help you. I have to make sure you don't do anything to Lady Fausta aside from revive her."

The water was up to my shoulders, and I bent over just enough to make Aryan's air bubble. By the time I finished it, Aryan was already holding his breath. I placed it carefully over his mouth and looked over at Rafferty. His cheeks were puffed up and he gestured to me to hurry.

Aryan nodded and we both headed over to the goddess of water.

Fausta's body lay just ahead of me. The only thing moving was her short blue hair that floated around her—swaying slightly with each step we took towards her. Our every movement forcing the current around us to swirl.

When I was finally in front of her, I couldn't help but notice how petite she was. By far she was the shortest goddess that we've come across. At least five foot two, but somehow strangely approachable. Not like Seraphina—in that regard, at least. Her light blue hair had an asymmetrical side part. Her right side reached her chin while the left stopped halfway down her ear. It was that same side that was partially shaved. A surprisingly modern hairstyle for an ancient goddess. As with the mermaids, her outfit shared features of her hair. The shirt was light blue and asymmetrical. The edges were purposefully ragged, and her short sleeves lay off her shoulders. The ends of her top were lined with a shimmering gold. Unlike the other goddess, Fausta wore what appeared to be teal leather pants and gold sandals.

Aryan stopped a few feet behind me, but his nearness was reassuring. Especially considering what happened the last few times I returned a goddess's soul. It was nice to know that someone was here for me. But unlike Zenaida and Izara, no one would be here for Fausta...

My heart ached as I thought about how I wronged her. How I took from her.

Releasing a shaky breath, I grabbed her hand and began to manifest Fausta's powers within me. Light shined from my hands—much like how they glistened when I used my... no, her opulent glow—before a steady stream of water came out of me and onto her. As the water formed a bubbling pool onto her chest, she gasped. Golden eyes snapping open right before tears fell down the side of her face. I thought they would float, but instead, they transformed into pearls and landed on her pillows.

"Nolan..." she breathed. Fausta's piercing gold eyes gazed up at the ceiling before turning towards me.

"Fausta, I—" I felt the last of her soul leave me. Before I could get another word out, the ocean swallowed me. It entered my mouth, nose, and lungs. I coughed and sputtered to no avail. I tried to turn. To reach out to Aryan, but I didn't have the strength to do anything but clutch my throat. I tried to make an air bubble, but it was like the water had a mind of its own.

I'm sorry! I thought to Fausta.

I was so close to blacking out. I began to see little dots in front of my eyes, floating like black glitter in the water. But before I was taken by unconsciousness, a pale hand shakily held up a pearl in front of me.

Fausta's big eyes stared into mine, and when I didn't move towards the pearl, she placed it carefully in my hand. The moment she did, the entire room cleared of water by rushing away in huge gushes like water down a slide.

I clutched the pearl tightly, gasping for air as I muttered, "I'm... sorry... I'm.... so... sorry... Fausta."

The goddess of fortune and water gently patted my head as her eyes began to close again. She tried to keep them up, but like the goddesses before her, she could not manage it. "Why?" she asked slowly. "I... should be the one... to—"

"No." I shook, holding her hand tightly. "No. It's me. Because of me... Nolan..." Her eyes were nearly closed. A panic began to seize me. "Fausta, go to Seraphina! Seraphina can bring him back!!"

Fausta managed a small smile, but it was big enough to reveal her dimples. Just before her eyes closed again, she said, "So long as you have the pearl... water shall not harm... you."

And with that, Fausta rested—truly rested—for the first time in centuries.

I slipped the pearl securely into my pocket right before a dizziness came over me. The next thing I knew, Aryan had me in his arms. His tight grip was entirely soothing.

"You ok?" he asked, but he already knew the answer to that.

I gave him a tight-lipped smile just before I rested my head against his shoulder. "Who's next?" I joked.

"No one. We're resting. And there's no arguing either, got it?"

I released a sigh of relief as I patted Fausta's pearl and took comfort in Aryan's warmth. "Ok..." I spoke slowly. "No arguments here."