Fallen - End

I smirked as I felt a hand lead me through the streets. A phantom sensation that told me of all of the sights and gave me all sorts of treats.

There were coo's of old ladies who whistled at my presence. And those of kind husbands who gave me extra fruit.

I bit into one of them and my eyes widened at the sweet tangy taste. It was quite good. But eventually I was led somewhere else.

To a place that had little to no orbs in it. I tilted my head and found myself stilled, my only thought was of why we were here.

All instead of the lively streets. But my question was quickly answered as a groan lit my ear.

It was a groan I had heard before. One that forced me to gulp down excitement and temper it with carefully hidden cynicism.

I flexed my fingers and with that I was let go of. Guided to the nearest patient at this hospital of ours.

I placed my hand on the first patient, and instantly I knew something was wrong. There were tiny bumps that I could feel pour over his wrist and through his body.

I gave a cursory prayer, one that helped to relieve those religious folk, and with a breath let my power follow through the woman.

She gasped, air that choked her and brought her to consciousness. A startle and she held me tightly to her breast. To skin that had healed perfectly.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." She numbered under her breath. I stiffened and gave a smile, only to, a moment later, move on to the next patient.

Girl after girl, man after man, I healed and healed.

All until I fell screeching to the ground in pain. An almost silent cry that forced me to stop.

For a moment all was silent, those orbs looked to me and tried to say something but I could not interpret it.

I merely rose to shaky legs, ones that could not support my weight, nor could even my hands.

But I rose and went to the next. Only to be stopped by a hand on my shoulder. One that gave a gentle shake and woke me from my pain.

I gave a grateful smile and fell towards her. She caught me and I gestured towards the next patient. One that I knew had time but wanted to help live too.

"No." 

"But-" 

I was cut off by another voice. Numerous that had most of all watched me stumble around. They shouted a no, and told me to go home to leave.

I did not want to be forced but my hand was taken and placed at my side, only to be plucked from my waist and thrown into gentle hands.

I pouted, a protest on my lips only to be shushed. Then placed on the ground, hand in hand, lead towards the exit. 

Finally, after hours had passed, wherein I could barely tell the time, I finally found the strength to walk away. Even as guilt racked through my mind. Telling me to stay, protest, protect the few you could.

A shake of my head, warm hand against my forehead. 

"No more of those thoughts… Ok?" 

…

…

…

"Abigail!" A voice shouted. I turned my head, craning it towards the source of noise. A question on my mind.

Most prominent of which was asking why they had stopped her, why they had stopped us? Was it some friend, colleague, or maybe just another noble.

Either way I ruffled my pants, rubbing any excess cloth down so as to somewhat present myself. No matter the person or the status.

The Lauragnes were a powerful family, known for their close ties to the Queen herself. And for a random no one to yell at the apparent heir of the family. Unlikely.

And so I shook my head, standing closely to Abigail, watching as the orb grew closer. Her footsteps echoing through my head.

"Johan." Her voice was even, "What brings you to our territory?"

"Some shopping for my man. Ugh- he wanted so many things. Get me this and that, another one of these. We don't have this type of decoration go and commission it."

I blinked, then blinked once again. I had not expected that at all. But I guess that souls could be deceiving after all, even if her orb was the size of a blazing sun. It didn't mean her personality was that noble.

And so I giggled unknowingly, all because of the simple contrast. Between the blazing orb that was her soul and the complainer that she had turned out to be.

"Oh, you didn't tell me that you were courting someone. Who is this?"

"Gabriel, of some nameless duchy. He was promised as my betrothed."

"Ah but he seems a bit young, has he even been through the academy?"

Abigail sighed, as if done with the gossiper.

"No, it was supposed to be a surprise for later but I guess I could tell you now."

She crouched down, and pat my head, bringing my blank eyes to her own. Setting that blazing orb of hers directly in front of me.

"You are to be sent to the academy with me, as with all, you will be expected to excel in all places."

I nodded though there was one question on my mind.

"But what of you?"

"How do you mean?"

"Aren't you… hm…" I paused, searching for a delicate way to speak of her age.

"Yes, I am a graduate of the academy, however I am a teacher there. So I will not be able to help you at all."

She turned away from me, placing me back behind her legs.

"Does that answer your question, Johan?"

"Yep. But why doesn't he look us in the eye, is he shy or something."

"No, he is blind."

With that I was dragged further back to the manor, ignoring the trailing wanderer that tried and failed to inject herself back between us.

I was still tired, and so, the first thing I did upon our return was to collapse on the bed. Shivering in pain. 

Of both my legs and my body. A pain further compounded because of the lack of rest. From healing, to walking. To even running at some point. Inevitable stumbles coming upon my fragile frame.