Burning Rage - 4

I fell, dirt further staining my pants, creating a layer of dust and grime that I knew would take effort to clean. Not that I cared. For when I fell, it was not some random decision. No, my knees dug deeper into the dirt.

My hands clasped together.

In a silent prayer, all so that those poor souls, who I had healed so would receive salvation in that heavenly realm. Only in the deepest recesses of my mind though, only there would I admit to myself, that maybe… just maybe it was the wrong decision.

Yet as I kneel in prayer, my head tilted to that silver sky, covered in a monotone black. I felt myself smile. For I knew that I gave them the best chance.

It was the only comfort upon my soul. Knowing that those souls, who had been tainted far beyond even my own life, had been given a sort of salvation. That same taint, pain beyond mortal words, had been cast off of them.

Only when that silver light began to dim, replaced by a burning white. Illuminating the realm with its rays. Only then did I find myself standing up, dusting the dirt from my form as more approached.

But I stopped, stilling as I crouched down once more, ghosting my hand against their cremated remains. Ones that had disintegrated in front of me, all because their physical form couldn't handle their soul being healed.

I frowned, looking back up to those approaching monsters… no, to call them monsters was disrespectful. As grotesque as their forms were now their souls were beautiful -when healed. Right now as I look at them.

They were as grotesque and hateful as their forms showed. But knowing what lied beneath gave me such hope.

And when I turned again, that same sad smile gracing my features. Full of hope and despair. 

That not even I could give them the rest that they wanted, merely a chance. For what else could I do but pray to the goddess that she may be merciful with the pitiful souls I sent her way. Hoping, against hope, that she was so merciful.

My hand reached back to my face and I cupped my cheek, tilting my head. Standing as still as I could. All to gaze upon that fading silver. Washed away against that ever growing white.

"Gabriel." A voice spoke. An oh so soft voice that reached towards my shoulder, tilting my head to face her own. 

"Gabriel. Are-" I shushed her, tilting my head and bringing a finger to my lip.

Atalante merely sat next to me, her leg curled against the other, her head leaning against mine. 

"Watch." I began. Bringing my hand to the piles of ashes, to the slowly gathering creatures, who had gained such distance.

In fear of the lady beside me. But when I stood up, gazing at them with such warm eyes, inviting their presence into my own.

Reluctantly, and with great fear they overcame. Walking over to my form and silently grasping my hand. For that part of them, so desperate, found my presence the same. A holy beacon of light.

"Stay back!" I was pushed aside. Forced to watch as the heads of those same creatures, who had trusted me so, fell to the ground. As shocked as I was.

"ATALANTE!" I yelled, truly yelled. For the very first time in my life. I had no idea where it came from… truly I didn't but still.

Still it was the first time that I was genuinely angry at someone. Except for…

I shook my head, divesting myself of that line of thought.

"Why?" I spoke… true pain etching through my voice.

"I…" She stuttered, "I just wanted to protect you."

I turned, crossing my arms and huffing, planting my bottom to the ground and sitting straight. Looking to the sky. Not bothering to even respond to her. Even if I knew that she was in the wrong, she didn't. 

All Atalante had thought was that she was protecting me. And… and I couldn't berate her for that. She didn't know of the complexity of the soul. Of the taint that I wanted to heal.

…

Hours… had it truly been that long. When I held that grass between my fingers, ignoring the pleas of the one beside me. Of the other that had soon joined. And the dozen others that came across us.

It was a true camp. With fires set up everywhere, giving heat to those in need and cooking meat they had slaughtered.

Some had tried to run to the furthest depths, closer to where they thought civilization was. But they were soon teleported to the exact place they had spawned within this accursed plains.

And here I sat, healing the injuries of those that came back with them. Dusting the blood and grime from their shirts and acting as some sort of standing maid.

Not that I minded, as for once I was being useful. But there was another that just tried and tried. Using any and all methods to plea to me.

I had thought it a mere crush, wanting to be in my presence but there was something more. A desperation that I thought was too deep.

"Gabriel?" She spoke, bringing with her a meal, one prepared for by the more culinarily inclined. But I ignored her again, taking the food in hand and eating it. Soon going back to idly watching the grass fade in and out of sight. Picking at it with barely hidden boredom.

"Please… I- I didn't know… just…" She trailed off, searching for support from somewhere yet all she found were veiled glares, and those that didn't… who openly showed their emotions found disgust in their gazes.

Why?

Simple, they didn't like how she had seemed to upset me. And I couldn't blame them, for I had healed each and every one of their wounds. Whether it be congenital or gained. I healed them all.

Letting them bask in the warmth of my glow. And for someone to have harmed what they thought to be a saint. It was practically blasphemy.