Trials

NATHAN

It was a guess at best, what Winifred was. I could just say she was a Saintess to the god of death and destruction but that was a possibility. But…how could I be hearing Yon's voice from her consciousness?

{Nathan}

{I have been trying to communicate with you and you are hiding in a girl's consciousness?!}

{Times have changed, Nathan.}

{You think I don't know?!}

{Why are you so angry?}

{You're really…you know what? No, I'm not doing this with you. I did not expect us to reunite like this but I need your help.}

{You cannot fix the chaos in her heart. There is nothing I can do.}

{You're living here without permission and you have that to say?}

{It's not like I'm here voluntarily. Someone tampered with time and space. You aren't even supposed to be here…or out of your imprisonment for that matter. I don't know who released you but it is too early.}

{So, you didn't want me to get out?}

{That's not what I'm saying. This change in the timeline is what is affecting her. Somethings were meant to align perfectly in time but because of these changes, she has been stuck in a rather unfortunate situation.}

{So, there's no way to help her?}

{There is a way. I would rather not do it.}

{Surely you're joking?}

{I am not all powerful…but she is.}

{Who is she?}

{Why? It's the same person whose heart you're in right now.}

{If you don't want to do it, I'll do it.}

{Very well. I'll take you to her.}

The scenery slowly changed and now, I was in a dark room. It looked like a bedroom. A huge bed with curtains, a small window, a single rocking chair, and a cane leaning beside the bed. The room was only lit with several candles lining the wall.

"Are you here to find me?"

I only noticed her after she spoke. It was like she was invisible but she was seated on the bed. She was staring right at me but her eyes, they were like Winifred's. Grey, clouded over. But looked like they were staring at me.

"You are strange. We are similar but...very different."

I couldn't move. Nothing bound me but the absolute terror I felt by looking at her. I didn't have to wonder too much why Yon was scared of her.

"Are you..."

"No, I am not Winifred. Well, not the one you know. I am the dark-blooded Saintess turned Villainess. I was hated, scorned and...killed. I decided something needed to change. But...I wasn't too sure how it would turn out. I hope she forgives me."

"Are you the reason she's been having those horrible nightmares?"

"No, those come with the body, unfortunately. It's not the tampering with her eyes. Yes, I know. I too did something like that. Our body...heals. We cannot die. These nightmares are a trial she would have to overcome. They are just the first."

"Why would you do something like this to her?"

"I wasn't the one who did it. You see, reversing the timeline was something I thought was my idea. But there are some things in the timeline that can never be reversed. Reversing time with my powers is one of them."

"Is there nothing I can do?"

"Your time here is running out. you have to leave."

"No! I have so many questions!"

"I don't have your answers. But she might. I doubt she will tell you but you should hold your breath. That's something they say in her world. Bye, Nathan."

"You know who I am?"

"We've...met before."

I saw a faint smile on her face before I was pulled out of her consciousness. I forgot to breathe for a moment, choking as soon as I came out.

"BREATHE! LORD SILVER, BREATHE!"

As it turned out, telling people to breathe when they couldn't breathe was...stupid. Shocking!

"Lord Silver, are you alright?"

"Yes, Lady Freya. Very helpful advice by the way. Look how it helped me."

"Praise be to Oriel! Sorry, I forgot you weren't religious."

"Don't worry about it."

"Did it work?"

"A little 'how are you feeling, Silver?' would go a long way, Bishop. I thought it was your job to care about people."

"I don't care much for heretics."

"Of course, you don't. The religious never do."

I take a look at Winifred and she's calm, quiet. That wasn't a good sign. For all I know, she was still drowning in the mire.

"Winifred?"

There was no reply. My heart lurched and I was ready to go back in there to pull her out, even though I knew it was too dangerous to do it two times in a row.

"I'm here."

"Thank Oriel!"

"You aren't religious."

"Well, I had to thank someone."

I felt a dirty glare definitely coming from the Bishop. I didn't care, I was far too exhausted to deal with someone like him.

"You haven't answered the question. Did it work?"

"It...did not."

"I said it! You were bragging so much about sorcery but it still didn't work. I should've gone ahead with the exorcism. For all I know, you probably tampered with her head. Winifred, are you feeling quite alright?"

"Bishop Matthew, while I appreciate your presence here, I trust Lord Silver more than I trust you. It sounds like I have been manipulated by some strange spell but that should be the least of your worries. Lord Silver, can you tell me why it didn't work? There has to be a reason."

"There is. What's happening to you has nothing to do with tampering with your eyes. Apparently, it's the trials you have to overcome. Your body is very peculiar and those peculiarities will continue to torment you until you overcome them."

"So, what I'm hearing is that I have to keep suffering until I find a way out of this madness? How unsurprising."

"This is madness indeed! I will find a way to help you and restore you to your senses, Lady Winifred. I swear on Oriel."

"That is a sincere oath. You're loyal to a religion that wouldn't hesitate to cast you aside. I am inclined to see this to the end."

"Lord Silver, that is enough. Perhaps you both should leave. Darryl and I will remain with the lady. Today has been very...traumatizing."

"I couldn't have worded it better myself," Winifred chipped in. I had better things to do than argue with a tight collared Priest or Bishop. It made no difference to me. Nothing was more confusing than what I uncovered in her mind.