15 Broken heart

I could feel the link between me and little Dove weakening and thinning.

My heart felt like it was being compressed and shredded to pieces.

My sweet little Dove, this little girl that had suffered so much in her young life was hanging between life and death with that fall she had made.

I kept sending energy through my body to circulate it into hers, but it felt like droplets trying to mend an ocean. I could feel Sparrow struggling not to burst into deep wails, afraid to curse the faith of his little sister.

I look to the physician, seeing his expression dimming by the moment... I knew deep down that it would likely not end well for our little Dove; At worst she would lose her life and at best, turn into a cripple… which to me sounded like it would be a life worse than death— a prisoner of her own body.

After a while, Imperial Physician Fa spoke to me about his fear, it was clearly shown in his tone as it constantly trembled.

"This is hard to say, but I am unable to do more; I beg your forgiveness Divine tiger. I am unable to mend this little girl— the Internal wounds are just too much for such a frail little girl. Even if by a miracle she passed the night, she would neither walk nor stand for the rest of her life."

I listened and nodded solemnly. With my understanding, I knew he was powerless to do more. After all, no one here is immortal gods, not even me or this beast of power— namely Kenshin.

He then gave the girl a mixture that could help stabilize her condition, but it was just like giving medicine to a dead horse.

After a moment he added, "If this girl can pass the critical days ahead then she might survive, but the illnesses that are deeply rooted in her body is giving her very bleak hope. Most likely she is alive solely because of the energy flow that Divine tiger is providing for her. I do not wish to be a prophet of misfortune, but it might be better to invite those that loved this girl to her side, this is most likely her last moments; This illness consumes all the energy that is beneficial to her hence… " He didn't continue to explain but I understood very well. No matter what we do... it won't work, even if we used some immortal pills, all the energy would be eaten by the disease that was supposed to be cured...

Hearing this, Sparrow could not hold it anymore and moved from his spot to come next to us and spoke what I had in mind but had yet to speak of.

"How can she be ill? Master obviously had the best imperial physician look at her condition months ago…" He blurted out all his thoughts as we were not able to accept that we were not truly losing Dove due to the wounds she sustained. But to the illness which is keeping the wounds from being mendable.

"I don't know why, but clearly she is too ill even if all the symptoms have been treated, the illness is still there. The root of the problem had not been taken care of." His tone was solemn, leaving no room for ifs or buts.

Sparrow kneeled near the bed, taking Dove's little hand into his; Gently running his finger along the top while holding on to it.

I spoke to Sparrow softly and apologetically. "I am sorry. I am supposed to protect the three of you and yet I failed the two of you. I am a being that had lived multiple lives yet I was unable to protect one small child of the three that I cherish." My voice was choking and crumbling down, until a soft voice ran into our minds gently.

"Please master Katsy, do not blame yourself for my misfortune. You are not to blame, I am grateful and happy to have encountered such a caring master. I, Dove, hold no regret. Master please do not forget that this life of mine would have ended that night if master had not brought me home." Lifting her small hand she gently wiped a tear that flowed down my cheek, dripping down slowly. We could feel her energy slowly dispersing and leaving. She had focused all her last strength to wake up and say her heartfelt feelings and farewells.

Sparrow's tears flowed like rivers as she turned her attention to him, gently she rubbed her thumb against his cheek trying to ease her brother's pain by drying his tears.

"Big brother please take care of master Katsy, others will try to harm her and use her for their own gains." Seeing Sparrow nod while holding back from bursting into sadness, she gave a small saddened smile, she held one regret and it was that she had wished to stay with her new family longer…

Dove then said something that shocked them both.

"Master Katsy, if you take over my form now, it'll get rid of my defects and you can use a human form to break into the realm of the true divine beasts. If not, my death will then harm you, it's a drawback of the contracts; I am sure this is why the physician lied and why master was given so many contracted people. Only one would have been enough as contracted, why did his highness ask all of us to be contracted? Clearly, we are being used as invisible chains to strike at master Katsy." The little Dove was very witty, sadly she paid a heavy price for us to get such information Even if it was only suspicions, it made sense if it was true.

"Master, big brother, please do not be too sad as I'll be with you always in spirit. Master, please. The ritual for this is simple and I am willing because I won't last much longer anyway."

Instantly, I knew what to do. It was as simple as breathing for a spirit beast to assimilate with someone that not only held a contract, but was very familiar with what risks there were. One was, if the one being assimilated tried to fight and take over the :host:, it could lead to the main host's body being taken over.

The other was if one's first form was weak, it would impair the strength of the host as the form could not house all the power. So while in that form the power of the host would be greatly reduced.

On the other hand, once the dominant spirit had gained the others' ability, one would then be able to use the form of the dominated soul at will, which would give Katsy the use of a human form.

Also, the dominated soul would not leave to be reincarnated and would stay within the host body, most likely in a dormant state.

"Very well, but are you certain you wish for this? You will not be able to reincarnate until our souls are separated." Seeing her nod once again as her eyes closed slowly, I knew that if we did not start now then her soul would leave soon, she had reached her utmost limits.

Looking at Sparrow, he nodded and spoke, "It's her last wish master, please, it's the only way for us to save her soul from death; We might even be able to find a way to revive her one day." Hearing this, I no longer hesitated and started the ritual.