Chapter 6

The thick fog enveloped the landscape, wrapping the path in a cold blanket. The ground was hidden beneath its cover, and the trees seemed lost among the clouds that kissed the earth. The whisper of the pines accompanied the chill, brushing against the air like a cold fire.

The brunette walked quickly into the fog, unfazed by its icy touch. She dragged a small cart with effort, while a worried Tessa watched from above. Cinder was nearly out of breath, and as drops of rain began to fall, Tessa dismounted.

"Cinder, stop! Let me help you," Tessa urged.

"We're almost at your house. Get back on!" Cinder snapped, her breath quickening as thunder rumbled in the distance, rain drenching them.

"No! I won't get on. It's better if—"

"No!" Cinder shouted. "I don't need your help! I need to get you home!" Her breath came faster, more shallow.

The path was now a muddy torrent. Tessa felt her feet sinking as Cinder's frustration boiled over.

"Cinder…" she murmured.

"I need to get you to safety!" Cinder replied, turning her gaze away.

"About what?" Tessa pressed.

"You almost got killed because of me!"

"But it didn't happen," Tessa said, stepping closer.

"I'll take you home and leave. I appreciate your help, but it's time to go." Cinder shook her head, her words heavy with conviction.

"You don't have to leave. It's not necessary."

"Of course it is! You'd be dead if not for me! My enemies are too many, and I'm a danger to you!" Cinder grimaced at her own harshness. "It's not worth risking your life for a feeling of doing the right thing."

Silence hung between them, broken only by the rain. Tessa's eyes glistened, but she stepped forward.

"You don't have to do this." She reached out to touch Cinder's injured cheek, but Cinder grabbed her hand, stopping her.

"Yes, I must." Tessa's eyes brimmed with tears, washed away by the rain. "I have no reason to stay here." Cinder clenched her jaw, choking on her emotions.

"Stay for me… please," Tessa sobbed, breaking Cinder's heart.

As the rain lessened to a drizzle, Cinder eased her grip, lowering her arm to Tessa's shoulder. The evening darkened, and fireflies flickered in the mist.

"I can't let anything happen to you," Cinder murmured. Tessa brushed her fingers through Cinder's wet hair, their eyes locked, and a blush crept onto both their cheeks.

"I know."

In the following weeks, Cinder struggled with nightmares and guilt, her mind plagued by the fear that Salem would come for Tessa. Tense and restless, she often found herself sleeping in chairs rather than facing the darkness of her room.

One morning, Tessa found her dozing in the garden. She woke Cinder with tea and led her inside.

"You need to relax," Tessa said, shaking out her hair once seated at the table. "Your nightmares are getting worse."

"I'm fine," Cinder replied, sipping her tea and inspecting the room.

"I'm sure next time I'll find you sleeping on the roof." Tessa teased, but her tone suggested concern. "But I have an idea."

"I don't like your ideas," Cinder retorted, avoiding Tessa's gaze.

Tessa smiled. "Onsen therapy is very relaxing. There's one nearby. We can go to the hot springs, then maybe the clay pool." Cinder raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

"I'm not going to a public pool."

"They're private baths," Tessa insisted. "No one will see you."

"I'd rather not go," Cinder said flatly.

"Well… I want to take a bath in the hot springs, so I'll go at sunset."

"Are you going alone?" Cinder asked, frowning.

"Yes," Tessa replied.

"That's dangerous. You shouldn't go alone."

"Okay, I'll go with you."

"Perfect! My brave knight will be my royal guard!" Tessa joked, a playful smile lighting her face.

At dusk, they arrived at the rustic Onsen, nestled among the mountains. Despite the crowd, Cinder chose to cover herself up, avoiding any curious glances. Inside, the reception was warm and fragrant, filled with the scent of wildflowers.

A woman with copper hair and magenta eyes greeted them, her smile widening upon seeing Tessa.

"Tessa! It's been too long!" she exclaimed, leaning in to kiss Tessa's cheek.

Cinder's irritation flared at the sight of their easy camaraderie. As they chatted, Cinder noticed the way the receptionist lightly touched Tessa's arm. Jealousy bubbled within her, though she couldn't pinpoint why.

"So, you're here for a hot spring bath?" the woman asked, typing into her computer.

"That's right," Tessa replied. "We need it."

"Oh! Do you want a pool for just the two of you, or separate ones?" The receptionist turned to Cinder, who remained stoic.

"I didn't come to bathe. I'm just here to keep her company," Cinder muttered.

Tessa shot her a concerned look, but the receptionist quickly typed. "It will be just one then?"

"Fine," Cinder said tersely, her tone sharper than she intended.

The receptionist raised an eyebrow but continued. "Just need your names."

"Cinder," she replied, her irritation evident.

"Okay," the woman noted, surprised by Cinder's tone but recovering quickly. "Enjoy your bath!" she said, handing them the key.

Once in their private pool area, they took in the rustic charm. Towels, oils, and soaps were neatly arranged, and the path to the pool was lined with smooth stones.

Cinder heard the sound of fabric rustling. She lowered her gaze, avoiding the temptation to look.

"You don't have to do this if it makes you uncomfortable," Tessa's gentle voice broke through.

"It doesn't bother me," Cinder replied flatly.

"Fine," she said calmly, a soft expression crossing her face. "If you want to go into the pool, the offer still stands."

Cinder blinked, standing at the onsen doors for several seconds, holding her breath. She dared to look; Tessa was already partially submerged, water glistening on her skin as a drop rolled from her collarbone down her back. The colors of the sunset splashed across Tessa's hair, making her look like a golden sculpture bathed in amber—she was beautiful.

Tessa turned her head slightly, meeting Cinder's gaze. Cinder felt her heart race, thinking it might leap from her chest. There was no hesitation in Tessa's eyes, only a pure, calm look. Finally, Cinder exhaled and lowered her gaze to the ground.

With a gentle ripple, Tessa submerged herself up to her shoulders, gathering her hair into a loose bun. The warmth of the water made her skin slightly pink.

Gathering her courage, Cinder stripped off her clothes, leaving only the bandage on her arm. She sank into the water with a startled gasp, surprised by its warmth.

"Cinder, you don't need to cover your arm. No one's watching," Tessa reassured her.

"No, but there's you," Cinder growled, quickly looking away.

"Remember, I've already seen you. You don't have to hide from me."

"Yeah, I know." Cinder sank down as low as she could, resting her arm on a stepping stone. "It's just that I'm in the same pool as you. I don't want to scare you or make you feel disgusted."

Tessa approached, her expression gentle. "I'm not afraid of you, much less disgusted." She reached for Cinder's arm, slowly unwrapping the bandage.

"You shouldn't touch it," Cinder said, serious.

Ignoring her, Tessa tossed the wet bandages aside. 

Cinder was speechless, watching Tessa relax in the water, eyes closed, enjoying the warmth. Tessa looked stunning, and in her presence, Cinder felt small, undeserving of her attention.

"I think the woman at the reception likes you," Cinder finally said.

Tessa opened her eyes. "No, she's just known me for a while. That's why she's nice."

"Still, don't you think she's beautiful?"

"She is. All women are different, and they're all beautiful in their own way."

Cinder rolled her eyes, half-smiling. "I think you're a pervert for saying that." She flicked water from her fingers.

Tessa laughed, filling Cinder with a sense of happiness. For the first time in a long while, Cinder laughed softly, naturally. She wished she could have met Tessa in a different life, without her burdens.

"I was beautiful once," Cinder said after a pause.

"What?"

"Long before this." She gestured to her scars. "More than that receptionist, even." The joke fell flat. "But now I'm a monster, both inside and out."

Tessa moved closer, a look of disbelief on her face. She reached out, gently lifting Cinder's chin to meet her gaze. Her fingers traced Cinder's scarred cheek, down her jaw, and along her lips.

"You are beautiful," Tessa whispered, her eyes sincere.

Cinder blushed, overwhelmed. In that moment, she realized she had fallen in love with Tessa.

As Cinder's gaze drifted to the leaves dancing in the wind, a pang of longing hit her. She wished she could be someone else, someone worthy of Tessa's love.

"Cinder, you look worried," Tessa said, sitting beside her. 

"I'm just thinking a lot," Cinder replied, resting her chin on her knees.

"What about?" Tessa nudged her playfully.

"I always have a lot on my mind," Cinder said, glancing at the leaves. 

"I'll help you with that," Tessa said, standing up.

"Oh no, don't bother. I'll take care of it," Cinder insisted.

"I want to stretch my legs," Tessa replied, starting to gather leaves.

As Cinder collected leaves, she felt Tessa's presence beside her. "Do you want to be alone?" Tessa asked.

Cinder shook her head slowly. "Getting away from you is not something I want." 

Tessa smiled, understanding. When Cinder finished, she turned to leave, but Tessa gently grasped her wrist.

"Thank you," Tessa whispered, meeting Cinder's gaze.

Cinder smiled in response, wishing she could express her gratitude more fully. Instead, she nodded a goodbye and walked into the forest.

The towering pines whispered around her as she found a clearing, a meadow filled with colorful flowers swaying in the breeze. Cinder let the leaves fall, watching them scatter with the wind. She closed her eyes, leaning against a tree, feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin.

Suddenly, she opened her eyes to find a young redhead watching her. Pyrrha. 

"Are you here to torment me today?" Cinder asked, uncertain if this was a dream.

"I won't," Pyrrha replied with a soft smile. "And I'm not here to discuss destiny."

Cinder felt an unusual warmth, a gentle tickle on her back. "I'm sorry, Pyrrha. I regret everything. You should never have died."

Tears welled in her eyes. "I'm so sorry," she murmured, voice breaking.

"I know," Pyrrha replied, still smiling. "But now you need to wake up."

Cinder jolted awake, still in the meadow but feeling a sense of tension in the air. She stood, fists clenched, sensing something was off. 

As she moved further into the plain, the wind picked up, swirling leaves around her. Suddenly, she noticed red petals caught in the gusts. Her heart sank as she heard a sharp sound—the unmistakable sound of a scythe being readied.

Cinder froze, eyes wide. Ruby Rose stood in the distance, gaze locked on her.

Cinder's hands loosened. She knew this was the end for her.

[T/N: If you like this chapter then leave a comment, write a review, and drop some stones. If you want to read a few advanced chapters then check out the P@treon or the Ko-fi.]

[Also check out my other books, either go to my profile or search up 'Invisible-a Harry Potter FanFic', 'Searching in the Abyss', or 'Omnitrix of Justice'.]

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