Broken - 4

"Look." Aia spoke, her hair falling over my shoulders as she held me close to her body. My own head pushing against her stomach. There was not a single wound that I could heal over within her body.

Whilst walking I found myself trained on the hellish landscape. My eyes seared the sight of death and destruction within my brain. And her words - so nonchalant - were the final strike to my…

I could only hope that they had been given swift deaths, the fire that consumed cheap wood used to construct multiple houses at cheap prices. A cost saving measure to squeeze out every last drop of money that could be.

Yet for those within, who had trusted their honeyed words, it was the last they would think. As the structures they huddled within collapsed. Souls long gone from their body. 

The only hope I had. Was that they had a swift death, quick so as to feel nothing. Still, it still hurt my heart to see such deaths but such was the nature of life.

I was forced to witness such travesties. And within my heart came a faint rage. Sown by the seeds of discontent. From the feed of anguished bodies I knew were given no salvation.

All for some nascent goal that no one would tell me of.

"I see…" I slowly responded. My voice trembled, just a little. The bravado within gone. For I could give none in the face of despair.

Maybe… maybe…

No, I cut the thought from my mind prematurely. 

"I-" Aia hesitated. Her voice had trembled within the frigid wind of her words. Only to be reignited as she found what was to be the end of our little journey. The end of the peace afforded to us.

"Stay here." 

Suddenly, and without a warning to be seen, she pulled me to the side. Her voice harsh as she spoke her thoughts.

I nodded.

"Good, rush in when you see a chance to heal me but no sooner and no later. Above all, care for yourself, not me."

I nodded once more.

"Alright. Be careful."

She left, a prideful smirk laid heavily upon her soul. Only to be wiped from existence as it steadily grew to be one of determination. Whatever was laid out within that field of souls, it was not to be underestimated.

Maybe that was why she brought me. Not for the obvious - that being my healing - but because I would be her trump card. A play in a play. An act that would turn the tide of the battle.

"So she abandoned you." That same perfect voice spoke. Manic in tone.

"Of course. I am but a healer, I have no power within such a battle." There was little to no hesitation within my response. For I sincerely believed each and every one of my words.

She sat next to me and only within that vision afforded to me by trauma, giving me an imperfect view of reality, was I able to see her visage.

The smile she held as Ouriel sat next to me.

"If that is what you want to believe. Then I have no obligation to remove such a belief."

I turned. Away from the battle. Away from the reality of the world. Merely affording every speck of attention upon her. 

"Truly."

"Yes, truly. I am your teacher. I do not dictate your life."

I sighed. Looking to the stars, even as my whole body shook under the temptation. 

"No, I do not want such power. If it would lead to death."

She smirked. Placing a firm hand on my shoulder.

"Of course~" There was almost… almost purer intention within her voice as she spoke towards me. As if remembering some long forgotten event.

"Of course you wouldn't. You-"

She hesitated for a moment. An almost climax to her statements as she tried to string together her words.

"You will find out. For now let me fill you in on the situation."

I nodded.

"If that would please you."

"It would."

…

Ouriel's words still rang heavily within my mind.

This battlefield was made for you. Oh' but don't worry, this was meant to happen. None of the deaths are… strictly your fault. It can be said to be a mere… circumstance of your appearance.

A punch to the gut. A feel of anguish as I searched the surroundings. My vision became clearer and clearer with each and every sweep. As my legs pushed one after the other. Feeling the heat within my body as I reached out a grasping hand.

More courage than I had ever afforded. More than that defiant touch. More than… more than…

Memories of all I had gone through. From the submissive boy I once was. Given to the Lauragne's. To the mother and matriarch who felt it so prudent to scare me into more submission.

Even the large expectations of perfection that hung around my neck like a noose would to a prisoner. 

To my arrival. To the second lesson where I was given a choice between death and healing. Whence I had used my gift for death rather than life. Only to send them to salvation.

I took a deep breath.

Another word. Another phrase from that perfect being echoed within my mind. Heavily. Even as I rabidly approached Aia. 

You will grow. You will be placed at the top of the world. As is only natural of my student. For he.. For she… for whoever took my guidance must be the picture perfect of perfection. They must be and you must be too. Survive and distinguish yourself from amongst the beasts you heal.

I took one last breath. My hand over Aia, feeling every single speck of pain. Of the cuts and bruises she had obtained by way of the sword. To the gut wrenching pain that was her soul exhausting itself of its immortal resources.

Every single bit of exhaustion fell upon my body. But I was not one to fall. For I had healed Aia, my eyes aimed for greater distinguishments.

A blaze set aflame by the words of perfection. An ambition I never knew.