Chapter 22 - Helen

"Helen: The shadow is the greatest teacher of how to come to the light"

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YEAR: 1213, SOMEWHERE IN THE MONTH OF MARTIUS, OF MERIDITH'S LUNAR CALENDAR.

KINGDOM: ANGBOTAIN

HELEN'S POV:

I lay somewhere at the peak of the summit, nurtured by sunlight rays. It was warm and bright. I feel relaxed. The soft susurration filled my ears, making me relax my muscles even more.

That is what I usually do to rejuvenate my powers. With bright sunlight. I felt fascinated to see how whenever my body met with the sunlight, it gave me such a rush through the blood. It was as if my powers were waiting for the warm sunlight to fill them.

As I lay in the serene summit, something caught my attention.

A small dear runs with an injured leg, as a mountain tiger, chasing him.

Oh, poor boy. I thought.

This cruel world has never been merciful to anyone. Not even to this baby dear who is running for his life. This reminds me of an incident that occurred long back. That terrified me so much that it still has its effects on me.

FLASHBACK 4 YEARS AGO:

"Lullaby and good night,

With roses bedight.

Creep into thy bed,

There pillow thy head.

If God will thou shalt wake,

When the morning doth break.

If God will thou shalt wake,

When the morning doth break.

Lullaby and good night,

Those blue eyes close tight.

Bright angels are near,

So sleep without fear.

They will guard thee against harm.

With fair dreamland's sweet charm.

They will guard thee against harm,

With fair dreamland's sweet charm."

My mind flashed to the memories of when we were kids, and Maya would sing these songs every night to make us fall asleep. She was the one who never leaves my shadow.

"This song was originally written by your mother." She said remorsefully as she kept watching outside the window. "Oh, if only you all could just meet her even for once. She was a pure soul." She said the words regrettably.

"Maya?" I called out for her. I knew most others were asleep by now.

"Oh dear Helen, haven't you slept yet?" She asked bewildered.

"No," I said keeping my voice low, in fear that I might wake my sisters. "What does a mother feel like?" I asked not knowing what exactly I could ask her. I have only heard about my mother but have never seen her. Well, I was told I was adopted. That my mother had given us up. But Maya tells us that she loves us and she is far away for a cause.

But I wish I could have seen her once. I wanted to feel how it felt like to have a mother. Well, my stepmother never loved me less. But it was my brother Chen, who didn't like me that much. He accused me that I have taken away his mother.

But the truth is I love them all. And sometimes I do wish I could see my real mother. That she wouldn't have given me up.

"Oh dear, I wish I could just tell you, but I cannot. It is forbidden to talk about her anymore. Oh that poor soul, she had gone through so much darkness. I wish she could have gotten a little light in her afterlife." She said broodingly.

"Lights? Oh, I can help with that." I say innocently while igniting my powers to create a bright form of light.

But she laughed. "Oh," she said making me confused. "Oh dear, I wish everyone was as thoughtful as you are. You certainly remind me a lot about your mother." She said while asking me to put down the lights. I listen to her.

"Really?" I asked amusingly. "How was she like? Why cannot?" I asked wanting to know more about her.

"What is happening over here?" A voice entered our room, making both of us flinch at the sudden action. It was Amanda, my aunt. She was wearing a teal-coloured nightgown but still holding a grimacing face. I never had a good feeling about her.

I don't know if it was because of how she treated me or what she actually was. Well, technically she was brother Chen's aunt. Also, the person who doesn't like me that much. He find it amusing to abuse me and warned Maya to tell anything to father Charles.

"You should be sleeping by now Helen. Why are you still awake?" She asked.

I was nervous to reply anything to her, but somehow managed to say "I-I was curious"

She took slow predatory steps towards me, and I started backing off in reaction. She scared me. "I heard you made Chen take up the punishment that originally belongs to you?" She asked.

"My Lady, please do not harm her, she is innocent." Maya tried to plead for me. She always has.

"Oh. Shut your filthy mouth you rat. I know what she exactly is. She is someone's leftover! Her parents abandoned her. I find it odd. Why would my brother bring this girl home and Chen would have to divide his attention from his parents?" She retorted. She looks scary.

She stop reaching a point where she held my arms showing the scar that I got last week from her. "Did you forget this? If so, I can curve a new one on you" She sneered.

"N-No" I managed to breathe out of fear.

"My lady, please have mercy on her. I am at fault. I had accidentally told sire Charles. It was my fault, not hers! " Maya says asking for mercy for me. I felt bad. My intrusiveness has brought trouble to her.

She looked down viciously at her as she replied "Very well then you should get the punishment this time"

But before I could do anything two guards took her out forcefully and they all left me there. The room was dark once again. The only thing missing was the humming songs of Maya, who was now in Amanda's resentment room.

I felt scared to break the rules, but curiosity had gotten the best of me. I didn't want to wake others so, I went after them. The hall was empty and dark. I could hear my heartbeat.

It was said to be the most horrible punishment room. It originally belonged to my father Charles who was the head commander of Angbotain. But Aunt Amanda felt the other way. It was where she preferred to torture her prey. Anyone that had hurt Brother Chen.

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As I reached the end of the hall, I found the big door was somewhat open. The light was filling most of the darkness in the hall.

A sharp screen filled my ears as I slowly walked towards it. And the next scene horrified me the most.

They forced her to strip down her clothes. Her silver wings were tied up while she kneels on the ground. The guards were standing to witness the cruelty that was ordered by Queen Lily and my grandmother. The slashes of whips ripped through her skin as she screamed in pain.

How I wish I could make everything stop right there, but I was weak. I couldn't. So I ran. as fast as I can from there. Blaming everything on me was because of me. I couldn't fight the darkness that night.

All my life I have regretted not taking any action since that day. I was just a kid. A scared one.

The shows of my past have haunted me for years. I saw how weak she was for the next few days as she still didn't choose to give up on us. I was thankful to her for that. So I thought from that day, I would bring the light whenever it was needed. I didn't care what might be the result.

BACK TO THE PRESENT DAY

As I walked through the hills, following them, my eyes fell on the standing figure. A lady looking at the moment when the mountain tiger was about to kill an innocent deer!

I wonder why she is still calm. What is she waiting for?

But I didn't have any time left to ask, as I see the mountain tiger was about to pound on the lost baby deer. I ignited my light towards him.

The bright light filled the area, making them blind for a time. By then the baby deer had run away.

I smiled a little to see that the baby deer was finally safe.

"What are you doing? This kid would have died if I didn't come at the right time" I asked bemused at her. I was furious at her, as he just stood there watching the scene, not thinking to help.

But her face didn't show any emotions. Just as she was.

"I feel liberos," She said as she walked away.

I sighed knowing, I realised that I possibly cannot change others, but if my small contribution would change a life, I would do it many times.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in"

So if you see any cracks, try to fill in with your lights. Let's help each other grow. Let's make this place a little happy.

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