Chapter 36

Seeing as Athy was awake, Uriel instructed all the maids to go out. We did not want to cause any commotion and risk everyone knowing that Athy was weak at the moment.

We went to Athy and assisted her to sit down and lean on the headboard of the bed. She looked pale and weak, like she was sick, but she does not have fever. I worried that she was already experiencing the effects of using her ability to hurt for no reason. Thought she actually have a reason but it wasn't acceptable.

"How do you feel Athy?" I asked.

Athanasia's POV

Darkness..

All I could remember was the darkness that surrounded me.

'Am I dead?' I thought to myself. 'Am I dreaming?'

I tried to move my body but I couldn't. I could not even feel my limbs.

'What is happening?'

I kept trying to feel my surroundings and my body. I couldn't.

'I'm tired.'

'I want to sleep.'

'What?'

'What is that sound?'

I could hear footsteps moving about. I could hear people talking in hushed whispers.

I opened my eyes but I couldn't see clearly. The grogginess remained for some time as I only stared at the ceiling and tried to focus.

When the initial whirlwind of confusion subsided, the grogginess still remained. It was like I was drunk and is having a hangover. Then, the initial wave of sharp pains came crashing down all over my body.

"Sisters." Was the only thing I could mumble through the pain I was suffering before I closed my eyes again.

I heard rustling, hurried footsteps and the door closing. My bed dipped from both sides and I tried to open my eyes again.

My vision was still blurry, as the two vague shapes moving above me, covering the ceiling, attested. The blurry shapes before me slowly turned into the faces of my elder sisters as my vision became clear. They both looked worried, brows furrowed and looking at me with wide eyes, waiting for me to speak again.

I frowned and closed my eyes tightly again as the second wave of pain hit me. Both of my sisters panicked the moment they saw me in pain. Not knowing what was happening and not knowing what to do. They have always, ALWAYS, been like this to me. I have always been spoilt as I was the youngest. Now, I feel like shit being distant since we came to this world. I know my sisters have been checking on me and my well-being, even asking Anderson about me, but I always tend to brush them off like I was okay.

It was because that idiot Sidapa told me that my emotions would affect my abilities, so I started to control my emotions.

Tsk! I shouldn't have listened to him if I knew this would happened.

"How do you feel Athy?" My eldest sister, Mel, asked.

"Pain." I replied without opening my eyes.

"Where?" She asked.

"All." I answered.

I know they will be able to understand my one word answers. We lived in the same house for twenty four years, it's more than enough for us to deeply understand each other.

"What you are feeling must be the recoil of you using your ability to hurt the spirit of that Opal." Mel answered.

So they knew!

I let out a pained breath.

"We'll talk about it another time sis." Uriel told her and held my hand. "If you are still not feeling well later, you don't have to come to the ceremony."

Gods! The ceremony!

I was too blinded by the anger I felt for Opal that I even used my ability to hurt his spirit knowing I would receive a backfire for it. I can't believe that I let my emotions get the best of me at such a crucial time.

"Sorry." I told them as I opened my eyes and looked down. I wanted to cry for my stupidity.

"Don't worry about it." Uriel comforted me. "We'll find something else to do for the ceremony."

I looked at both of them and nodded.

Uriel smiled at me and Mel patted me on the head.

"So, what should we do sis?" Uriel asked Mel who was surprised by her sudden question.

"I'll think of something." Mel breathed out exasperatedly.

We had planned to show everyone House Castellan's power by simultaneously summoning Sidapa, Parsua and Tribmaka during the ceremony later. We wanted to end the rumors about House Catellan being abandoned by the gods and goddesses.

It was such a good plan that would not only clear the rumors but also gain us more trust and loyalty from our people.

I felt worse knowing that I destroyed such well out plan.

"Sorry." I couldn't help when my lower lip curled as I was about to cry.

"Don't worry about it." Mel patted my head. "I can always change the method but receive the same results." She assured me.

I nodded and wiped the tears brimming on my eyes.

Uriel smiled at me while Mel, started to think of another plan. She just sat beside me looking out to space, that's how she is whenever she thinks of something thoroughly. We waited for her to finish thinking for a plan while Uriel went to the table to get me food.

She brought back a glass of milk and some sof bread but before I could eat, another wave of pain hit me. It was stronger than the first ones so I ended up hugging myself and crouching through the pain. My sisters panicked again because of my reaction and tried rubbing my back which cause me to scream in pain.

Not knowing what to do, Mel ran to the bathroom and we could hear water running from inside. She then came back and carried me to the bathroom before dumping me into the tub filled with cold water. Uriel followed us in and was shocked at what she did. I gasped because of the cold but after the initial shock, it actually help lessen the pain I felt.

I looked at her like she was a genius for knowing exactly what to do every time an emergency happens.

"Sis," she called out to Uriel. "I have a plan."

"Really?" Uriel asked as she moved closer to us.

"I think this plan will be better than the first one." Mel had on her knowing smile. "Would you like to hear it?"

Uriel and I looked at each other and nodded.