Burning hot in both hands was the sign of a life, beating steadily.
Elaine gazed at the woman who sat before her while holding the still beating heart, dripping with red blood. On the left side of the woman’s chest was a large, gaping hole with blood trickling from it.
Elaine whimpered,” What on Earth…are you…doing?”
Elaine watched in shock as the blood started to flow faster and rushed from the woman’s chest. Within the hole there was no heart. Her vision momentarily blurred.
The air all around smelled of blood. Flames ravaged everything in sight. All around was the sound of buildings collapsing and the cry of death. Pain ran down Elaine’s throat as she breathed in the black smoke.
In the midst of these sensations, Elaine felt a sticky moist sensation on her fingers.
She could not comprehend why, what should have been in the woman’s chest was now held in her hands.
With a trembling voice Elaine asked the owner of the heart, “Why…? Like this… Why….?”
With a pale face the woman gently touched Elaine’s cheek. Her hand was cold to the touch. Why was it so cold, when this hand was once the warmest thing in Elaine’s life?
Elaine stared at the pool of blood on the ground. It was so large, it was hard to image all of that blood came from one person. As the blood continued to flow from the wound, the woman’s voice grew weaker, like her life that was slipping away.
“I’m sorry… It’s all… my…fault…”
Through Elaine’s hazy vision she could see the woman crying. Her delicate shoulders trembled quietly. How had things come to this?
“What on Earth is happening? You’re not the kind of person who would do something like this without a reason.”
What had gone wrong? If anything, Elaine wished this was a nightmare, one that she would soon wake up from.
“My beloved… Elaine…”
The woman paused to catch her breath, gasping as if she could not get enough air. However, there was clear determination in her voice as she continued to speak.
“I will give you my heart.”
Suddenly Elaine’s mind cleared like she was struck by lightning. She wanted to scream. Unfortunately, all that came through her dry and cracking lips was a gush of air.
“Are you… insane? Have you lost… your mind? If you give that to me…. then you’ll…”
“With this… you will survive…”
Elaine’s insides were burning and she had no strength left to resist. In her pitiful state, she could only helplessly watch the woman’s actions in frustration, unable to move.
She felt horrified and resentful as she watched the woman pick up the heart and hold it close to Elaine’s chest.
“No, don’t do this!”
“I have one last request.”
As the woman faced death, there was a lingering regret visible in her eyes.
“I’m sorry for asking this of you. I know its shameless but… once I’m gone, that child will truly be alone, won’t they?”
“If you’re going to make such a pained face, don’t ask me to do this! Please, just survive!”
“Him and my child… Please, protect my Ash for me.”
“Bella, please…”
“There is no time left. Now…”
Eyes filled with tears, Bella smiled like a flower. It was the smile like the moon that would always guide her through the darkness.
At that moment, Bella became a ray of light that gradually began disappearing like powder.
Elaine mustered all of her strength and reached out to the light, but she could not touch anything. Her hand passed through the light.
Her hand was empty, suspended in the air. Unable to stop Bella from leaving. She stared at her hand in confusion then looked up. All that entered her vision was the royal castle in the distance, burning brightly. The blue flame of the witch consumed everything endlessly, as if trying to erase all traces on the land.
As she laid on the ground, Elaine heard Bella’s wispy voice riding on the air, “I was happy to spend my life with you, Elaine. I won’t regret this choice.”
And with those words, Elain sank into a deep sleep.
January 31, 512 in the Philion calendar
The once thriving capital city of Seveka, once known as the kingdoms blessing. A beautiful and prosperous region, met a gruesome end at the hands of a witch.
And Elaine, twenty years later, opened her eyes.
