Everyone were insulted by her disappearance in mid of discussion.
Tian "That apprentice needs some discipline Ishtar"
Ishtar "She's young and impulsive, we all were like that once"
Mordroc "Anyway we need new plan to eliminate all possibilities and win this fight"
They start discussing the plan again.
...
Meanwhile Satasha was walking in nearby beach trying to sooth herself. She sat on the sand took off her shoes so she can feel the water caressing her feet. The moon was big and clear and the sound of ocean waves seemed to calm her down.
She asked Mark who was standing next to her
"Who was that lady?"
"What lady?" He replied
Satasha "The one that I saw in my dream"
Mark "I can't see your dreams, your grace"
Satasha "White haired, dark skin, and a fairy like appearance"
Mark "I think you already know the answer"
She sighed "Why I don't remember anything then?, I remembered everything but the things that matters, I feel like I've forgotten something extremely important"
Mark "Some things are better off forgotten"
Satasha "Why?"
Mark "I don't know, you never said why"
She felt sharp pain in her head that made her wince, she felt something touching her neck so she turned around searching for whoever did this but there was no one. She wiped her neck and saw blood, her wound was still bleeding and it hadn't healed yet.
Mark "Do you want a healer your grace?"
Satasha "No, thank you. Just stay close to me"
Mark "As you wish, but you need some rest your grace. I advise you not to go to war tomorrow, it will do you harm"
Satasha "Thank you for your concern but I must stay to make sure the people that I care about are safe and sound"
Mark "Then l will remain close to you to protect you and everyone else"
She smiled faintly "Yes please, I will fear nothing with you by my side"
"Who are you talking to?" Asked Fuji
Satasha "Myself. What brings you here?"
Fuji sat next to her and replied "You did, Ishtar is worried about you so I told them that I will look for you. Are you okay?"
Satasha "I am tired, other than that I am famished"
Fuji "You should come back and get some sleep then"
Satasha "No, I can't do that "
Fuji "Why not?"
Satasha "Because if I rest the barrier will diminish, and the enemy might strike the temple again"
Fuji examined her trying to figure this mystery that sat next to him "I have never met someone with grey eyes. Where are you from?"
Satasha "Far away. Far, far away"
Fuji "How come you have such power?"
Satasha "Honestly, I don't know either" she smiled through pain.
Fuji sighed "You need to go back. They set up some plans, and you should know them for tomorrow's battle"
Satasha stared firmly "My only duty is to protect those who I care for, you are included in this"
Fuji smirked "I am honoured. Try not to use your powers against human, use them only for defence"
Satasha "Noted"
Fuji got up then offered his hand to help her up, Satasha held it after picking her shoes up. They walked back toward the camp.
Fuji "So Satasha from far away land what makes you so certain that we need your help?"
Satasha worryingly "I have a bad feeling. I fear that something bad might happen tomorrow"
Fuji "Don't over think it. You must rest for tomorrow, you can't protect us in this state"
She smiled and stopped to wear her shoes once they reached the camp, they went to Ishtar's tent. She looked horrible, the news of her brother troubled her that she took little notice of who entered the tent, she only noticed after Aiva spoke worryingly "For God's sake Satasha where did you go?"
Satasha "I needed some time alone to rest a bit"
Ishtar got up and embraced her tightly saying "You foolish child, I owe you my gratitude for saving Shamsh" she examined her seeing if she is injured but Satasha stopped her before she touches her head saying "I am fine, I am only tired and hungry, how are you?"
Ishtar "Worried!, This seems to be way beyond our power to help, and I don't know if we'll live to see the ending"
Satasha confidently "As long as I still breathe no one can harm you"
"You look terrible Satasha, how will you do that in this state?" said Keno who just entered the tent
Satasha assuringly "Don't worry I can still fight everyone, I've been in worst states and managed to slay my enemies"
Keno "That doesn't help. You cannot participate tomorrow in this state, you should go back to the temple"
Satasha stubbornly "You cannot force me even if you did, I will come back so don't bother"
Keno "Satasha you haven't been yourself ever since you came back from Acre, and honestly I am worried that you might loose control tomorrow just like today or worse"
Satasha smiled brightly "Don't worry, I have someone who will help me if that ever happens" she looked toward Mark who was invisible to them
Keno "Great she became officially crazy"
Satasha "I am just tired, I'll try to sleep now"
Ishtar "Yeah you should rest"
Keno to Ishtar "Don't worry Shamsh is strong man he will be healed in no time"
Ishtar nodded. Keno and Fuji went back to their tent and everyone lied down on their feathered mattresses resting before the fight, but none actually slept that night especially Satasha who was in great pain.
She walked out of the tent an hour before the sunrise. She couldn't tolerate the pain anymore and sleeping on her back made it worse for her so she had to walk or sit to endure the pain more, to her surprise Keno was sitting at the end of the camp looking at the horizon. She marched toward him and sat by his side.
"I can see your suffering Satasha. Why you insist on being here?"
Satasha never knew why every time she is around him she become more honest and reveal almost everything to him "I don't want to loose anyone"
Keno "But we can take care of ourselves. It's something else, something you saw in Acre made you do things just to restore order upon yourself. Talk to me, you know I can help" he held her forearm gently
Satasha gazed at the horizon and after moments of silence she confessed "There I saw my true self, I kept blaming Zeus for making me a killer but the truth is I enjoyed it. I like killing people, chopping them it makes me feel alive and that scares me. I fear of what I am the darkness is deeply rooted in me and it's not something created by anyone. It's like I was born with it"
Keno examined her worryingly, she seemed lost and confused, he didn't know what to say or do. Everything that crossed his mind seemed inappropriate to say but before he could say anything Satasha inquired "Why aren't you sleep?"
Keno didn't like to change the subject but he doesn't have something to say either so he replied "I couldn't sleep. To be honest I always exhaust myself till I pass out, other than that I cannot sleep normally so I go out often in these hours to watch the sunrise it helps clearing my mind from life noises" he looked at his hand it was still holding her arm, he moved it away. It ached him not being able to help her but he knew that the right words will come to him later and if he was lucky she would be there.
Satasha knew what he was thinking without trying to read his mind so she smiled gently at him "Don't worry about me I cannot die yet, I am well protected. You see there is an odd fellow that I trust and admire comes to my aid before I even ask, and ever since Sippar he's here with me helping me to regain control"
Keno's heart ached a bit, he didn't know why but surely it was her smile. He understood what she was trying to do and smirked, she understood him without saying a thing 'how odd' he thought, he asked "And where this odd fellow now?"
Satasha "Not far away. I'll participate tomorrow only to garantie everyone safety, I fear fate more than anything else and it has the worst ways to punish me for my crimes. Tomorrow you worry about yourself and if you need my aid, I will provide it"
Keno "My guardian angel, what a good offer you gave, I accept it only if you do the same. Call me when you feel like you cannot fight and I will take you away"
Satasha smiled "Then it's a deal" He nodded.
The sun emerged from the horizon giving its first orange ray to light the dim sky and it reflected on her grey eyes. She looked away at the horizon but his eyes remain fixed on her. With all that dirt and blood covering her body except her face and hands that she cleaned, she looked graceful. He didn't know why but something about her makes his heart ache from time to time, and surely she makes him feel warm. It reminded him of times when he was a child playing with Fuji and Yama, it made him breathe as if the air before her was heavy smog. He kept looking at her while drifting away with his thoughts about the good old time it made him smile faintly, he lost track of time and the sun was half risen when Zeta interrupted his chain of thoughts saying to them.
"And here I am thinking, I am the only one who hasn't fallen asleep yet. Are you anxious?"
Satasha not bothering to look up "If I sleep now, I would've missed the battle. What about you?"
Zeta "I kept thinking about something"
Keno don't like Zeta, he thinks that he's wicked and arrogant, so he said nothing because he knew that he want something.
Satasha smirked "I think I know what troubles you handsome" she looked at him keenly
Zeta kept staring at her with no expression saying "I figured that out. Should I be worried?"
Keno was amazed, he didn't deny nor made excuses but wants clarification before he acts. Satasha seemed to enjoy playing with fire carelessly to Zeta and it made him wary of her. She stood up, got closer to him so she can whisper something only he can hear "For you love I won't tell a soul as long as you behave"
Keno didn't hear what she said but saw how Zeta reacted by arching his brows trying to comprehend what just happened. On the other hand she was amused and patted his shoulder winking, she went to eat something.
Keno cautiously "What you're up to this time?"
Zeta "Nothing good my friend"
Keno got up flicking his hand "Ah the usual" he patted his other shoulder saying "Come and eat breakfast with us" then walked toward Satasha who was eating anything she sees.
Zeta followed them observing her cautiously.
...
At mid day the scouts spotted the enemy ships approaching, the army positioned in their assigned posts waiting for the enemy to strike. The spirits were low but they had to win this battle even if it meant their death.
Satasha, Ishtar, Aiva, Tina, Tatiana, Tian, and Mika were stationed at the hill along with the arches to provide the necessary coverage for the troops. The troops formed rows covering the shores where the fight is held, it was an open space with no place to cover up or ambushed by the enemy but it was weak in defence so they weighed the responsibility of their defence on those who can conjure magic.
The ships were only half of their total number but they were larger than their numbers, five of them had catapults with other five ships for supplies of rocks and oil. As the ships drew nearer to the shores the enemy troops landed, the enthusiasts jump of deck while the others waited till it's safe enough to land. The first wave of enemy troops were humans,they clashed with them fighting gallantly,those up in the hill remained stationed. The second wave of troops landed after reaching shores were from the western tribe (These tribe had the ability to control the earth, metal, and plants). As they approached, they used their power to mold pedals as sharp arrows at them.
Tina cried "Shield" and those who can do magic created a shield that reached the sky for protection, the pedals turned into dust once it passed it. To their surprise some of the western tribe disguised themselves as humans and used the dust to create sharp arrows that stroked some of the troops and Mika was one of them, his part of the shield was gone due to his arm injury so some of the western tribe entered the field.
Tina "That's not good, we have to stop those who managed to cross. Tatiana, Tian follow me"
Ishtar issued "Tina, the barrier will be open for few minutes till we create another one so be careful"
As they went down the barrier fall off for a minute and in that minute the ships catapulted huge rocks with their ability to the battle field, they seemed no to care if it hit their allies or not.
Ishtar cried "Shield!" But it was too late, some managed to cross while the other turned into dust.
Mika "The shield doesn't help if those who can mould it are inside"
Aiva "He's right we need to make a water barrier"
Ishtar "It takes lot of energy to make one"
Mika "Not if we all do it"
Ishtar "We need to inform Tina before breaking the barrier again"
Satasha "Leave it to me" she jumped from the hill onto some enemy head, he fell dead.
Ishtar turned around and cried "Archers, Shoot everyone who can mould the rocks"
The archers stepped forward shooting them, but some of them were killed and injured by the counter attacks.
Meanwhile Satasha was fighting her way to Tina by cutting some heads and striking the limbs. She saw Lucifer fighting a western tribe man who was trying to mould the nearby rock. Another one came to strike him from behind but she stopped him by throwing her sword at him and he fell dead, Lucifer turned to see her few feet away from him with nothing to defend herself with. He wanted to go and protect her but his opponent swung his sword to kill him, he stopped it immediately pushing him away and stroke back deeply injuring his chest. He turned again and didn't see her, he was worried about her but didn't have the time to search for her because another western tribesman came with moulded spears flying at him. He cut them with his sword missing one that could've injured him if Satasha didn't appear out of nowhere taking it as a weapon to kill that man. She landed on the rock not saying anything to him but completed her way toward Tina, he was both surprised and relieved to see her.
Satasha kept fighting her way toward Tina till she reached her. Tina was holding the barrier while the others were fighting to protect her, Satasha said once she was close "We need to make a water barrier. Ishtar and the others decided that"
Tina "We cannot fight and hold the barrier it takes loads of concentration"
Satasha "Leave the fighting for me"
Tina "I don't trust my life in your hands"
Satasha "I don't think you have the luxury of choices here. You either do this or everyone suffer a worse fate if another rock turned into dust"
Tina frowned saying "Girls water shield, Now!"
Satasha held the spear high enough and waved it.
Mika who spotted her cried "Water shield"
Once they dropped the barrier the enemy archers were prepared and launched rain of arrows toward them.
Some in the back cried "Shield" to protect them from the arrows but those on the hills and them were busy creating water shield. It takes few minutes to create one, and long time to make a skyscraper one. Satasha had to act since she was the only one available and the arrows were coming closer with the next wave being loaded, she used her ability to control the air and deflected them away, few arrows managed to escape her grip hitting foes and allies. She was defenceless now and someone stroke her, she managed to dodge it but it injured her arm. The second wave of arrows were launched, she had no time defending herself, so she concentrated on deflecting the arrows away. The man swung his sword aiming for her head. She saw that coming but remained focused, to her surprise Satan along with Sitka came to aid and killed him. Satasha deflected the arrows away again "This is not good" she thought loudly
The water barrier was rising from the ocean slowly, they were doing everything they can but the water is a tricky element it can slip away if you lose a bit of your concentration.
Satasha looked at Satan and Sitka after she took the man's sword saying "Protect Tina and the others"
Satan asked "Where are you going?"
Satasha already running "To drain myself I guess"
She had an idea to make the same barrier that Untar did in Babylon but this time she needed marks that cannot be easily removed. The battle field didn't have enough resources for pillar marking protection so she needed to be creative. Time didn't due her any favour as well because the third wave consisted of troops, arrows, and catapulted rock. That gave her good idea to throw the rocks as fixed pillar for her barrier but the time was short.
The water barrier stopped the troops but it didn't stop the rocks nor the arrows.
Satasha had to use more power this time to stop the both. She threw the sword unleashing great deal of her power to control the air into a barrier. The air around the stopped making the arrows fall unharmed to any, but the rocks were heavier and not easily controlled because those who were on the ships are pushing them forcefully.
The Force made her kneel. Zeta ordered the arches to shoot on those in the ships, he was amazed by her capabilities, the archers managed to take few but not all.
Satasha felt dizzy but kept the barrier.
The water barrier was now high enough to stop further attacks and it broke the connection between the rocks and those in the ships, Satasha used the barrier to push the rocks back to the ships, once she succeeded she fell on the shore panting. Keno came rushing to her asking "Are you okay?"
She barely managed to sit because her whole body was trembling.
He asked "Do you want to leave?"
She took a deep breath then let it out, it made her chest ache but stopped her body from shaking.
She leaned both on the sword and Keno to stand up answering"I can still fight, don't worry"
Keno arguing while holding her close to him because she couldn't stand straight "No, I don't think you can" she tried to speak but he interrupted "Don't push yourself, your body won't take it. Leave back to the camp and rest"
She leaned her head on his shoulder saying "I can't rest while everyone I love is here"
He smiled shyly and wanted to say something but it wasn't the time to, someone came to interrupt this sweet moment with a spear. He stood infront of her blocking the attack, she came from behind aiming at his blind spot but the man dodged the attack swiftly.
Keno "Leave this to me and go"
Satasha who was unable to stand still, looked at the man and closed her eyes trying to get grip of her consciousness so she can remain fighting, when she opened her eyes she looked at the man again determined to eliminate him.
The man saw her eyes turning from loving to dim, and it gave him the creeps so he backed a little.
Satasha turned into her killer mode, the one that Zeus created and ran using her ability to disappear and reappear behind the man chopping his head off, but the man was no ordinary opponent he managed to dodge it right on time. Satasha didn't stop she stroke again lowering her sword so she can stab his abdomen, her movement was faster than his and stabbed him. He fell on his knees looking at her one last time before she be headed him.
Keno was already fighting another one argued "That doesn't prove anything, you can't push yourself further it will do you no good"
Satasha killing another man "As long as I am breathing nothing can stop me"
Keno walked closer to her trying to convince her to walk away "Satasha. Please be reasonable, you cannot carry on with this"
Satasha panting "I have been through worse. This is nothing but a slap in the wrist"
Keno worryingly "And yet you look like your about to die from exhaustion"
Satasha wanted to say something but someone alerted "Incoming"
She looked up and saw rain of rocks coming from the other side of the barrier, they were launched higher than it. She stepped forward and stopped the rocks by controlling it not by a air barrier, throwing them far left where no one was there.
Her sight was blurring and her body felt heavy, she tried to stand on her feet leaning on the sword she took from the last kill but she couldn't balance herself, falling hard on her knees feeling the hot pedal stones burning her skin, she looked up and saw more enemies coming from the left side. The water barrier covered lot of spaces but not all, so they managed to reach the ending of it. The enemy had the advantage of its troops number and they were now few, few enough to lose if they didn't use their powers.
Satasha saw Mordroc saying something to who's left but she didn't hear what he said due to the buzzing that she kept hearing.
Keno placed her left arm around his neck and lifted her on her feet. She barely dragged herself to walk and he kept saying something angrily, she didn't hear him well but she guessed it was something like 'Why are you so stubborn or why you never listen'. She looked at the right side and saw the enemy was coming from that way too, it was settled they've lost. Tina and the others stopped controlling the barrier and walked back to the cliff. Those who remained start to finally use their own abilities instead of wasting time with normal swordsmanship.
The buzzing dimmed a bit when she was close to Keno as if he was healing her, maybe he did without her noticing. She heard someone shouting "Cover up". She looked behind and saw load of lit rocks heading toward them, and one seemed precisely aimed toward her and Keno. She used what had left of her strength to push him as far as she could, luckily Fuji was also there trying to drag them away. She stood and tried for one last time to stop it by diverting it to another direction. Unfortunately, some slipped away from her grasp and fell on several places but she threw the rest on the right side killing few. She was barely breathing now as if there was no oxygen left to breathe, she looked at Keno's way to check if he was safe but she felt something was pushing her toward the cliff. It was an attack aiming to kill her, luckily Lucifer showed up right on time stopped it. The force of the clash made her fall back on the rocky cliff unconscious.
...
Peace is what she felt, a soothing peace that followed a lullaby sung by that fair lady. She saw her again humming while brushing her hair but this time she heard her bedroom door knocked, it felt as if it was a memory but who's she couldn't tell yet. Behind that door she heard a man's voice calling her name, it was Lucifer's.
Satasha opened her eyes gasping. She looked around and saw the battle field was filled with fire and dead bodies.
Lucifer urgently "Get up and take cover"
He turned around to kill five men at once with his flaming sword.
Satasha looked around to see Keno's whereabouts, he was a bit away from her fighting like a menace with Fuji one his side shooting frozen spears on the enemy. She wanted to carry on the fight but her body responded poorly, she barely got up and walked up the hill where she saw Ishtar last time, her sight did her no favour but fortunately Mark was now by her side holding her so she can lean her weight while walking.
"You showed, Can anyone see you" she asked
Mark "No"
Satasha "Good"
They reached the top and saw death and fire again. Mika was fighting with his mother and sister beside him, it wasn't an everyday scene you can witness, but Ishtar and Aiva were no where to be seen. Her heart sunk, and grabbed Mark's shoulder tightly so she can stand up straight and search for them.
"Where are they?" Asked worryingly
Mark "There" he pointed with his nose
She hasted toward them and to her horrors she saw Aiva drenched with blood and Ishtar next to her trying to heal her, or just to close the gap in her abdomen.
Satasha sat next to Aiva's feet feeling any sign of life from her. Ishtar was sobbing and Satasha knew why because Aiva was barely alive, she shook her foot calling her name but Aiva was unconscious, so she asked Ishtar "Can you save her?"
Ishtar trying her best not to wail "I can't do it here" she wiped her tears with her bloody hand "I need Gulana with me"
Satasha "What do you need from me?, What can I do?"
Ishtar shook her head saying "You're barely alive. I thought that I lost you down there, I cannot lose both of my girls in the same day"
Satasha "You won't lose any"
Satasha at Mark "Take them to the temple, please"
Ishtar "Who are you talking to?"
Satasha still talking with Mark "Summon the others, I need five or six at least"
Ishtar held her arm saying "You're making me worried. Who are you talking to?, Are you hallucinating?"
Satasha held her hand with reassuring smile "Don't worry about me. I will end this sham, Mark will take you to safety"
Before Ishtar could ask who is Mark, Satasha ordered "Reveal yourself to her"
Ishtar gasped at the presence of cloaked figure standing next to Satasha. She knew who he is and what he represent so she said fearfully "Satasha you know what he is right?"
Satasha with a smile "He is my best friend, don't worry he won't harm anyone"
Mark bend down to hold Ishtar so he can transmit them back to the castle but Ishtar said "Wait. You must come with us too, I cannot leave you here alone"
Satasha smiled "I am not alone, I am never alone"
Ishtar holding Satasha's hand tightly "I can't leave you here, they'll find out about you. Come with me"
Satasha "Save Aiva" she pushed her hand away and Mark took them back to the temple, She looked around at those who are still fighting and felt that her blood boiling form anger.
Mark came back with seven cloaked figures, they all knelt down in front of her.
Mark "Tell us the orders and we shall fulfil"
Satasha "I need one to see how many left of the enemy and there whereabouts"
One of them got up and disappeared.
Satasha "The others must position themselves in different places circling the area"
One of them asked "How further you want our posts"
Satasha "far enough to include everyone here"
Mark "May I ask what you're up to?"
Satasha spitefully "I am going to end this war"
She stood up saying "And I need all of you to stop me once again from losing my control while I do so. If I lost it, you have the right to stop me in any method you want, including killing me"
She looked at Mark "Mark I need you by my side"
The one who left minute ago came back saying "I've done what you ordered and memorised their posts as well"
Satasha "Good you stay with me also so I can include them all"
She looked at all of them "My friends, I feel ashamed to ask lot from you, but I need your help. If you don't want to then I shan't obligated any to stay. I am asking as a friend not as a boss, so if you may then I shall put my full trust to stop me in the best and most efficient way"
They all knelt and said "And we shan't break your trust"
She smiled "Thank you, I am truly blessed with your presence. Let's go"
She marched toward the edge searching for Keno and Fuji, when she spotted them she closed her eyes while her arms were wide spread. She felt her power flowing from her abdomen to the palm of her hands, dark shadow blazed from them. As she raised her arms closer above her head, the shadow began storming bigger covering her arms, the moment she clapped her hands above her head, the shadow turned into a black beam ascending to the sky, the beam reached a point where it began to spread enclosing the battlefield.
Everyone stopped the fight to see what's happening.
Keno looked at the hill and saw Satasha was the one who doing this, he froze frightened by what he was seeing.
The shadow beam now had turned into a dome sealing the field, everyone who was in it couldn't move, she didn't just seal the place but also paralysed them.
She felt the existence of everyone and everything, the wind, the wave hitting the ships, their breathing, and even what they were feeling. She halted the shadow seal and placed her hands in front of her as if she was holding the field in her palms.
The dome made the area so dark that they couldn't see their own body, they felt isolated and floating in the darkness. Some were so afraid that they wanted to scream but were unable to produce any sound, they were completely paralysed as if they were statuses.
Satasha was the only one who shone in this abyss, radiating white halo as if she were the moon. From her light beams emerged beneath her feet strands that reached everyone.
Once it reached everyone she ordered the grim reaper to place his hand on one of her palms guiding her to the foes whereabouts. When he did, she locked the enemy excluding the tribe leader in a portal seal, she clinched her fist making the earth rumble as the seal swallowed them. All of the enemy in the shores and on the ships were gone back to the western tribe leaving the ships empty with the fleet leader kneeling in terror. Once she opened her eyes the dome disappeared but she still had them paralysed. Her eyes were blazing dark shadows and her hair was completely white, her whole body was radiating shadows and everything around her died or turned into dust except Mark and the other grim reaper, those who were fighting on the cliff weren't affected by her due to the reaper's barrier which were now seen by everyone. No enemy was left in the battlefield so the others came back standing behind her. She looked at the tribe leader and ordered "Bring him to the shores"
Two of them went and placed him kneeling on the shores.
Satasha who was raging because they've hurt Aiva, was losing control over herself. She walked straight off the cliff as if there was solid base underneath her not air, and stepping down once she reached him.
She lifted the seal off him by slapping his face and pushing him away. The leader panted, he was both angry and frightened by her power, summoning up his courage he got up striking her with his sword but she blocked it with her hand, holding the blade tight she turned it to lighting that stroke him, he yelped agonised. She threw the sword away and slapped him hard again, he fell bleeding from his mouth, he spitted the blood and stood up to kill her with that dagger he had, she clutched his throat but he had managed to stab her shoulder with the dagger, she didn't seem to notice it and squeezed his internal organs with her power. He cried twirling with pain, she released her grip and he fell next to her breathing hardly, with her foot she moved his head to see if he was alive and he was.
She took the dagger from her shoulder so she can finish him off but once she touched it she sensed the maker's power and froze, she turned to her audience as if she just remembered they existed and released them from their seal.
Keno who she sensed was afraid while ago rushed to stop her from killing him, he said "Wait don't finish him off"
He saw her puzzled as if she didn't understand what he was saying or chose to ignore him, then searched the crowd again angrily because the maker was standing there, once she found him the sky and earth rumbled again and everyone fell on their knees terrified.
"Satasha" cried Keno amid the chaos but it didn't reach her, he wanted to walk toward her to stop her but the reapers had already sealed her by placing their hands on her shoulder, head, abdomen, and Mark was holding what it seem a light needle blade aimed on her forehead. The other three were holding the same thing; two on her aide and one behind, all aiming for her head.
Satasha calmed herself down and sealed her powers again, once she did that they let her go and disappeared only Mark remained visible to the others.
She looked at everyone who were horrified by what had happened only Keno and Fuji looked worried.
She glanced at the tribe leader who was now unconscious and asked "Is he alive?"
One of the reapers who stood next to him answered "Barely"
"Can you heal him?" She asked
"I'll try" he answered
She smiled faintly saying "Thank you"
She looked at the rest and ordered"Can someone find me a nice house in the village nearby and fetch me new clothes?, the rest of you can leave now, I am truly grateful for your help"
They all nodded silently and disappeared. Without even looking behind knowing very well that Mark was still here "They can see you?" She asked
"Yes" he answered
She turned around and asked again "Will you stay by my side protecting me while I try to rest?"
He answered "I will"
As she walked toward the crowd the other reaper came back "I found you a house and prepared the bath for you with new clothes placed on the table nearby"
She warmly "You're a generous soul, I cannot thank you enough"
She swore that she saw him blushing underneath the cloak and smiled faintly.
"What's your name my friend"
"William" the reaper answered
She patted his shoulder "Thank you William, will you lead the way"
He nodded.
She looked at the crowd as she approach them and saw some now grew greedy to gain her power for themselves, some seemed to plot on using her for their selfish reasons, some were still frightened as if they saw the person who's going to destroy them, and some like Mardoc and Marvok were worried not about her but for their status and power.
Keno now was angry that she revealed herself to them but said nothing, his eyes were scolding her saying 'We'll talk later'.
"Did you kill them?" Mika inquired once she got close.
Satasha calmly "No, I sent them back to where they came from"
"How can we believe you?" He asked
Satasha "Send someone to investigate"
"What about the ships? Anyone can take it now and attack the shores again" Satan stated
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that"
She turned around and waved her hand, as she waved the ships along with its content turned into ashes with her power. Satasha now had reached her limits, the viens in the arm that she waved bursted out as wounds and bled. She looked at her arm not feeling much pain but rather dizzy.
"For God's sake" said Keno angrily while holding her injured arm, he looked at her as if he wanted the kill her for this.
She smiled at the crowd "I must leave now to rest, don't disturb me please"
She pulled her hand away from Keno's and walked off, she stopped few steps away saying "Oh and the guy over there isn't dead make some use of him to end this ridiculous war"
She walked away from the crowd, as she walked among them everyone would step back not wanting to be near her, Mark and William were walking behind her visibly guarding her and clenching their needle blade ready if anyone dared to attack her but no one dared.
It was near the camp where she collapsed on the ground feeling like her whole body was screaming from pain, Mark and William picked her up and transmitted to the house, set up a protection barrier that made the house invisible. Satasha barely took off the armour and her clothing so she can sit in the bathtub, Mark who was helping her walk to it stood in front the door guarding her through the healing process.
"Mark" she spoke barely through the pain
Mark "Yes your grace" without turning around
Satasha spoke intermittently "You can tell William to leave and thank him for me" then she collapsed unconscious floating in the tub.
...
Meanwhile everyone were gathered at the main tent discussing the event
"She's clearly an evil being and not some ordinary human as we thought" the red fox leader issued
"We cannot judge that she is evil or intent any harm upon us" clarified Zeta
"Still she had the enough power to show us or threaten us there if you weren't able to see it, I was. Clearly she has no good intentions" the red fox leader persisted
"I agree with Lord Malik" said the white fox leader "This mustn't let slide. First she showed up out of nowhere ordering us and now this. Who knows maybe this war is started by her"
"Wait let's not jump into conclusions without hearing from her first" interrupted Satan "This is very unusual situation we have but she has every right to put on an argument if we put her through trial"
"Why aren't you saying anything lord Keno?. We all know how close you two are" said Marvok while keenly examining him
Keno who was more worried than confused defended "She only used her powers because they've hurt Aiva and Ishtar. From what I can see she had no business with us, but to end this war"
"Of course you're going to defend her, she is your friend after all" lord Malik interrupted
"Well there are types of magic that can be performed when the sorcerer sacrifice something to gain this massive power, I've read that somewhere" spoke Mika calmly
"Yes but that doesn't explain why the grim reapers tried to seal her or walk with her as if she is their leader" Tian argued
Lucifer interfered "Let's postpone this matter for another time and deal with the one that we have now. If she tries to run away, I'll find her and bring her to be trialled, but first what shall we do with the western tribe leader?"
Zeta "He's right we must save this situation first then deal with her and Ishtar later"
Mordroc "Calm yourselves people, you all are so frightened by a mere witch while our positions is in a great peril"
"I say we kill him and make those in Acre think that we are holding him as a hostage then ambush them and kill them too" said Sitka
Satan "I appreciate your enthusiasm but I don't think killing him is a good idea. Let's interrogate him first then try to negotiate with them"
Tina "I don't think the negotiations will work but we must stall till the reinforcements arrive"
Zeta "I agree but will the reinforcement help us win this war?. We cannot rely on force always, we must find a way to end it"
Mordroc "Let's cut their ways of communications and supplies to force them to agree with our terms"
Fuji "That will only make them angrier and more stubborn"
Mordroc "This is better than waiting to come up with solutions. We don't have the luxury of time and we cannot risk more men"
"Give me ten men and we'll go to destroy their supplies and ships" stepped Sitka
Zeta announced "Those in favour of this raise their hand please"
Ten of fifteen agreed
Zeta "That's settled then, Sitka take ten men with you and destroy their supplies plus their ways to communicate, make them absolutely isolated and ignorant about the current situation. Also, make sure not to be spotted and report to us as soon as the mission is accomplished"
Marvok "Also stay there and observe. If they submitted or decided to fight anyway we must be prepared"
Sitka nodded and left the tent
During this discussion Keno was absent and not participating with them. He was thinking about how they will get out from this dilemma that Satasha had created.
After they left the tent Zeta followed him and Fuji to talk to them. They stopped after Zeta called him "Keno wait"
Keno who doesn't try to hide his disliking toward him answered bitterly "Yes?"
Zeta clearly with bad intentions advised "I know you are as surprised as any of us, but if I were you, I'd try to convince her to stand in the trial. You know to clarify her image"
Keno sarcastically "That's so sweet for you to be so worried about her image, Don't tell me you grew to be very fond of her"
Zeta disgustingly "Don't be ridiculous, let's just say she and I have a common interests" he took one last threatening look then walked away
Fuji discontent "He is up to no good and may even want to harm her, what shall we do?"
Keno "I'll go ahead and search for her, try to cover me up"
Fuji "You know l'll always do that but what will you do once you find her?"
Keno angrily "Force some sense of reason to her. She always so reckless and never think before acting up even if she had good intentions, but exposing herself like that endangers her and every resident of the temple"
Fuji "Try to be gentle with her, she seemed vulnerable"
Keno sighed and went searching for her.
...
After four hours...
Satasha was still in the tub unconscious. The water helps her heal fast and calm the urge to unleash her powers.
She opened her eyes slowly feeling like she'd hit by a huge rock, her sight was still blurry and she could barely breathe properly. She dived her head in the water trying to heal the wound in the base of her head, but it was too painful that she got up agonised. She threw herself on the edge of the tub taking one arm out of it to cushion her head. Mark rushed to her offering his aid
"Your grace you need to go back with me to rest. This cannot help you to fully heal"
Satasha huffed "Can you take a look on the wound" she barely waved her arm to point on the wound but Mark knew what she meant. He parted her hair and saw what had seemed an open wound showing fragments of her skull and part of her brain exposed.
"How bad is it?" She asked while breathing heavily
Mark "Terrible. Do you want me to heal it for you?"
Satasha let out a squeak in attempt to laugh "It's this bad huh?. If you can, just close it please"
Mark "Try to bare the pain a bit"
Satasha waved her hand, with his power he produced a green haze that covered her wound. She shrieked twirling from pain, the wound it self didn't hurt her but the throbbing pain of the sealed memories being broken did. Many flashed before her eyes so fast and unclear, it was just a glimpse of her never ending memories without any word spoken only faces of people, events, and feelings.
Mark closed the wound covering her brain with scarring tissue not bone, he said "It will heal properly once you come with me to heal fully, try not to fall on your head again or don't fight in general"
Satasha trying to get grip of herself nodded through the pain. She lied back in the tub to clean herself, Mark got up and stood facing the door. She carefully cleaned her hair and body washing away all the dirt and blood then healed her injuries partially not consuming lot of her powers.
Once she finished, she asked after trying to get up "Can you help me out?"
Mark came to her aid gazing on the floor the whole time while helping her up and getting dressed. She wore the robe that he gave her and dried her body with it, she also took the towel that he handed her to dry her hair.
"Do you want me to dry it out for you?" He offered
She held his hand that he presented "Thank you my friend, but I cannot trouble you more than that"
Mark gently "Serving you is no trouble for me. If you wish anything from me, I'll do it before you blink"
Satasha smiled happily "And for you, I am ready to turn a dessert into a forest if you asked me to"
He placed her hand on his forehead while kneeling saying "You're very generous my lady, but I only ask for your well being"
She cradled his head and kissed his forehead "You bow to none my friend, not even me"
His sky blue eyes gazed at her with admiration and devotion, he smiled faintly burying his timid face in her palms "You've changed my lady"
She smiled sadly "Yeah I've noticed that too, I apologise if I ever had hurt you"
"You never did" Mark objected
"You may leave and rest, you must've grew tired from standing all this time" she spoke warmly
Mark enthusiastically "With you, I never know tire nor bore. I'll guard you till you regain your strength back" he stood up and left guarding the bathroom from outside.
Satasha got up and felt her head was spinning but she kept herself composed and went to wear the dress that set for her. It was a long grass green dress with 'V' neck and a dark green belt to hold it together that matches the leathered shoes next to the dress.
Mark knocked the bathroom door while she was wearing the dress "Your grace, Keno is looking for you, and he's near the house asking permission to enter, shall I allow him?"
Satasha said while wrapping the belt on her waist "Yes" she knot the belt on the side after wrapping it twice, then wore the shoes.
She took the towel and squeezed her hair many times hard to let all the water out.
Keno entered the house furiously saying "Where the hell have you been?. Do you know how long I was searching for you?. Do you know what mess you put yourself into?" He searched the living room and saw Mark standing in front the last room in the corridor, he stormed furiously clinching his cloak asking "Where is she?"
Satasha opened the door to see him raging but trying to restrain himself from killing her right here and now. He let Mark's cloak off snarling, and after few tries to calm himself down he said "We need to talk" then walked toward the living room.
Satasha followed cautiously "Mark can you warm the place for me I feel cold"
Mark nodded and went to put more logs in the fireplace but also watching Keno warily.
Mark place a chair near the fire place and brought a blanket for her.
Keno on the other hand was pacing angrily here and there trying to scold her but also be the sound of reason.
Satasha who sat near the fireplace didn't dare to speak, she knew what she did and what are the outcomes of her action but if she could go back in time she'd make the same choice.
Keno place his hand on his waist while pointing the other toward her saying "You... Do know what you did?"
Satasha calmly"Yes"
He rubbed his head with his hand pushing his hair back murmuring "God please give the strength"
He looked at her trying to be the wise one "What are your plans now, huh?. Enlighten me please"
Satasha covering her legs with the blanket, and with Mark next to her "I had to reveal myself sooner or later that's the point of why I am here"
Keno argued angrily "So you put not only yourself, but the whole residents of the temple in danger just because that the point of your existence?"
Satasha argued back "No one will dare to touch them not while I am here"
Keno marched angrily toward her "For God's sake Satasha stop being this stupid"
He tried to reach her but Mark held his arm stopping him
Keno threatened "Take your hand off me or I'll cut them"
Mark "I'd like to see you try"
Satasha got up and held Keno's shoulder "What happened happened Keno, and I'd do it again to save Aiva and you"
Keno resentfully looked at her but her touch seemed to loosen him up a bit, he was less angry than before, he pushed her arm and sat on the chair near the table whispering "I know"
He continued calmly "But still, there were other ways to save everyone and not expose yourself, did you have to be this dramatic?"
Satasha sat next to him holding his hands and with a faint smile answered "Have I ever not been dramatic?"
He sighed trying not to fall for her charm and smile but he couldn't help himself not to smirk. She looked happily at his smirk as a sign of winning the argument, she searched his arm with her hand gently "you're injured"
"It's just a scratch" he acted tough but deeply like how her touch felt on his skin, it was warm and filled with love. He looked away and saw Mark had disappeared, he didn't know if he had truly left or just made himself invisible but Mark was there standing near her to protect her if Keno tried to harm her.
Satasha place her hand over his wounded arm noting "It's bleeding"
Keno taking her hand away holding it knowing very well that she might use her powers to heal him, assured "It's fine Satasha, it'll heal soon, once I rest"
"Nonsense" she objected "I'll try to close the wound and clean it"
She got up toward kitchen not minding what he said next "No don't bother.." but she was already away in the kitchen. He hid his grin under his hand not knowing why he was acting like that, he supposedly was going to scold and try yo reason her; 'How did I end up like this?' He asked himself.
She got back with a bowl and two fabric cloth. She tore his sleeve revealing his wound and cleaned it with soaked cloth, once it was clean she placed some herbs that she had in her pocket over it then wrapped it with the dry cloth. Keno was watching her patching his wound with great interest, when she came closer to him he felt his heart beating fast and very audible. He thought that it was loud enough for her to hear but she didn't seem to hear anything and rather focused on the task that she had, he could smell the scent of honey and roses emitting from her hair as she drew closer to wrap his wound.
Now he seemed very calm and obedient, totally forgetting why he was here. Dazzled by her, he kept looking fondly at her even after she finished, scanning her as if it was the first time he truly noticed it, he had strong urge to touch her face and just caress it. He extended his other arm unconsciously to do so but his hand met her wet hair and held strand of it saying "You'll catch cold if you don't dry your hair well" he kept caressing her hair strand while looking at it admiring how soft and fuzzy it is.
He seemed to get away with this not noticing his actions for several minutes, it wasn't until Satasha spoke that brought him back to his sense and let go of her hair strand.
Satasha "Are you injured somewhere else?"
Keno trying to process what had happened answered "Hmm?... Oh no, no I don't think so" he looked fearfully at her to see if he made her uncomfortable or annoyed and asked "And you?... How are your wounds?"
Satasha got up before he could see through her answering "They are fine"
Matter of fact Satasha's heart was also beating fast and loud when he held her hair, she felt something is burning or flattering in her abdomen but she didn't want him to notice it fearing he might joke about it later. Her face was red and she felt feverish, she grabbed the towel to dry her hair away from him so he wouldn't see her red cheeks or her stupid grin.
Keno was cursing himself and rubbed his face trying to hold himself together and think of something to say but the silence between them was louder than words even Mark himself was amused by how incompetent they are.
The log in the fireplace broke into two halves and Satasha looked at it, she glared thoughtfully at how the fire was eating the logs and turning it to ashes, then she heard the humming of that lady again. She stopped drying her hair and searched for the source, her eyes fell on the mirror hanging behind Mark. She dropped the towel and walked slowly toward the mirror and got past Mark as if she was hypnotised. Mark looked at her worryingly but Keno didn't notice and was disconnected trying to summon up the courage to speak.
When Satasha reached the mirror she stood in front of it staring at what seemed a reflection of the fair lady brushing her curly white hair while humming. She raised her arm to touch the mirror and saw the lady noticing her as well and doing the same, both of their hands where placed on the mirror.
Keno now noticed Satasha and called her name but she didn't reply.
The reflection spoke to her in the ancient language saying "It's been a while old friend"
Satasha's eyes started tearing on its own, not knowing why she felt so sad, she asked her in the ancient language "Who are you?"
The reflection replied with sorrowed smile and broken heart "You already know the answer"
Satasha started to breathe heavily and felt a sharp pain striking her head trying to make it explode, she dropped back falling agonised again with severe pain in her head that made her wince. Keno caught her head before falling to the ground asking worryingly "What happened Satasha?" But she was in pain preventing her from answering.
She held on into him restlessly trying to stop the pain by burying her face in his shoulder or by clutching his clothes tightly.
"Make it stop" she begged him
He didn't know what else to do but to hold her trying to heal her with his powers, but he didn't know what to heal. When he saw that healing didn't work he searched the room calling "Mr reaper are you here?"
Mark made himself visible to him, he was sitting next to them try to stop the pain for her but it didn't work.
"What happened?" Asked Keno anxiously
"Her mind is on fire ever since she woke up in Sippar" answered Mark
"What do we do?. Can you help her?" Asked Keno worryingly
Mark "I tried to stop her pain but it didn't work"
Keno held into her gently and saw that her body is ice cold, he demanded "The blanket, give me the blanket"
Mark got up and brought the blanket to him, Keno covered her up with it and embraced her gently trying not to press on her body and make her warm. Satasha was exhaling cold vapour and her whole body was covered with glace.
"What's happening to her?" Keno asked fearfully
Mark "We must take her to the tarn"
Keno asked suspiciously "What tarn?"
Mark "It's the only way to help her now" he extended his arms to take her but Keno held her tightly "You're not taking her anywhere without me"
Mark's arms dropped low "I cannot do that"
Satasha spoke barely through the wincing "There is no need, just bring me Lily she can help me" then fainted
Keno asked immediately before Mark could leave "Wait who is Lily?. Can we trust her?"
Mark stood up answering"Her grace trusts her, they are like sisters" then disappeared before Keno could stop him
Keno carried her frosted body and sat embracing her near the fire place, whispering "Why did you do this to yourself you fool?" He leaned his head on hers trying to warm her up, his hand was caressing the back of her head when he felt the scaring tissue of her wound, once he touched it she wined a bit during her sleep. It all came to him why she was absent yesterday 'Did the injury made her like this?' He wondered. He placed her gently on the floor and went to bring her soft pillow and extra blanket, once he did, he placed the pillow gently under her head and wrapped her with the second blanket. He heard foot steps outside side that didn't seem to be Mark's because he knew he'd pop up in the middle of the house with Lily, so he got up held his sword to strike whoever tries to harm her. Luckily, he looked through the window to see who was that and recognised Fuji followed by Untar.
Keno opened the door once they arrived near it "How did you enter through the barrier?"
"What barrier?" asked Fuji
Keno looked around and saw there was no barrier, he was confused of why Mark lift it.
"Where were you and where is Satasha?" asked Untar
Keno "I only found her maybe an hour ago and she's in a total mess"
"What?" asked Untar worryingly pushing Keno aside to enter the house, once he did he saw Satasha laying on the floor shaking, he asked "What happened?"
Fuji entered the house seeing her covered in blankets while everything including her was frosted.
Keno who was taking one last look to see if anyone had followed them answered while closing the door "I genuinely have no idea, she was fine until moments ago, she fell on the floor shrinking from pain after seeing her self in the mirror"
Untar looked worryingly at her and tried to heal her with his powers but she didn't respond.
Keno "I tried that but it didn't work"
Untar trying to come up with a solution "I am not sure if taking her to the temple can be helpful, right now all the healers are busy with the wounded people and healing her requires lot of time and energy"
Fuji "We can take her to the wise lady of the white fox tribe, she can heal her"
Keno objected "I don't think this is a good idea, it's like giving Lord McClain the golden opportunity to seize and use her"
Fuji "We don't have another option at the moment do we"
Before Keno could say anything the barrier was brought back again and they all held their weapons preparing to attack. Keno walked slowly toward the window and saw Mark with two people with him, he opened the door saying "What took you so long?"
Mark walking hastily with a red haired girl saying "He insisted to tag along"
They entered the house to help Satasha.
"My God Satasha, what did you do now?" Exclaimed Lily after she sat next to her.
Keno was interested in analysing Lily that he completely ignored the other guy standing away in the yard. He didn't pay attention to him until he heard a familiar voice calling him "Keno?" in both sad and surprised tone.
Keno looked immediately at the guy and saw his little brother Yama standing there looking overwhelmed.
"Yama?. What brought you here buddy?" asked Keno
Fuji heard Yama's name and immediately stood behind Keno to see him, he rejoiced "Yama"
Yamazaki saw Fuji and ran to hug them both but mostly hugging his brother.
Fuji while hugging him back "It's good to see you little snake, how have you been?"
Yama who stopped hugging them was tearing up and wiping his tears away trying to get himself together.
Keno who knew his brother asked "Are you okay?. Why are you so overwhelmed?"
Yama amid tears "It's just I haven't seen you in a while made me a bit emotional"
Keno embraced him and said while patting his back "I promise to visit you as soon as possible just don't cry"
Yama who couldn't stop his tears said in a choked voice "Yeah"
He hugged him tightly and buried his face in his shoulder crying. Keno felt something is off, no matter how many months it passed without meeting Yama would never be this emotional. He looked at Fuji who shared the same thoughts as he did arching his brows, Fuji raised his shoulder for a second, gesturing that he didn't know why he's like that either.
Lily "I hate to break this reunion but can you give me the crystals please"
Yama pushed Keno away wiping his tears before giving her the bag with, he saw Untar and got overwhelmed again but before he could say anything Mark pressed his shoulder when he was bending down to give Lily the bag, Yama got up trying to hold himself together and not saying anything. Keno knew then what's the matter "You are from the future, aren't you?"
Before Yama could say anything Mark spoke "Yes they're both from the future and they cannot share anything"
Yama annoyed "I know, I know"
Fuji "Ah that's why I felt something is new about you, you've got uglier and taller"
Yama smiling "You mean older and wiser"
Keno teasing "Nah he meant what he said, not mentioning you've gained extra sentiment"
Lily said angrily after placing the crystals around Satasha "Could you all be silent for a while, I'd appreciate that"
Keno asked immediately "Can you heal her?"
Lily sadly "I can only stop the symptoms for now, she must do the rest"
Untar worryingly "Why she's like that?"
Lily "The memory curse is broken that's why she's suffering, and I'll try to guide her to the right path with these crystals"
She closed her eyes muttering something while her hands are held together, when she parted them a bit, the crystals flew over Satasha's head.
The room was so quiet only the burning of the logs could be heard. After several minutes Satasha seemed to calm down and stop shaking, she started to defrosting herself and the place she was laying on. Lily didn't stop till her face gained its colour back, she then made a green haze that covered her whole body healing her wounds completely.
Yama was standing next to her the whole time like a guardian.
Fuji whispered to Keno "I think the little snake got himself a girl"
Keno whispered back "I think they are already married"
Fuji shook his head disagreeing and whispered "I think he hadn't made a move yet, wanna bet?"
Keno excitedly "The loser buy the other meals for a week"
Fuji "You're on"
Keno was the happiest to see all his loved ones in the same room, even though the circumstances of how they were gathered isn't the best but he was happy to see them all safe and sound, especially knowing that his brother is looking well and found himself someone he loves.
He searched the room and saw Mark had disappeared again, he knew that he was here somewhere but preferred to not be seen.
Everyone seemed so relieved after Satasha showed signs of improvement and sat together far from her so they won't disturb her while she was sleeping.
Lily made some herbal tea that has the ability to soothe them up and to increase their healing abilities, everyone drank it and felt relaxed. Keno who was extremely anxious and frightened about Satasha's safety leaned his back on the wall gazing at how she was breathing, he saw no sign of pain or restlessness and sighed with relief.
Fuji who was monitoring Yama and Lily the whole time asked "So are you two dating?"
Yama choked on the tea he was sipping and Lily answered while patting his back "Yes, but he proposed weeks ago and now we're preparing for the wedding"
Keno laughed and Fuji was annoyed that he lost the bet.
Keno happily "Congratulations, I hope your marriage is filled with love and prosperity"
Yama nodded shyly and sipped the tea again.
Lily excitedly "You must be Keno his older brother, we haven't met properly my name is Lily" she extended her arm to shake his, Keno shook it merrily. Lily continued "He always talk about you and never fail to seize the opportunity to mention you in every conversation we have, like (She puffed her chest mimicking him with a deep voice)'My brother said once' or 'My brother is the greatest man I know'. He values you a lot"
Yama's face turning red poked her elbow whispering "Enough"
Keno laughed loud enough to be heard outside the barrier, he wiped the tears of happiness that his brother both love him and he found the right one to be his wife, Fuji was giggling silently while Untar was smiling widely unable to resist how embarrassed Yama was feeling.
Keno still smiling "You need to tell me everything about that in another day, but first tell me how did you met"
Lily who was so excited "Well we met after I was saved, the red palace took me in and we met there. He was shy at first but he finally had the courage to say how he felt, he's a cutie" she brushed his hair with her fingers affectionately.
Yama was felt annoyed by how embarrassing this is, he complained "I wasn't shy, I just didn't want to upset you with my feelings"
Keno proudly "The little snake grew up Fuji"
Fuji happily "Indeed"
Untar curiously "How did you end up in the red palace?. I cannot help but to notice the distinctive features of the white fox tribe that you carry"
Yama looked at Untar threateningly but said nothing because she held is arm calming him down, and answered "Well it's a long story but I'll give you the headlines. It's true I am from the white fox tribe but my city had seen many wars that divided us into separate branches from the family, and mine was the unlucky one to be exterminated years ago. They took me away from my family and sold me out from cage to cage because I was the leverage card anyone can possess to keep out the riots. I met Satasha when she was in Olympus, we both were tortured, but she had it worst and after I left when her father decided to save me instead of her and ordering me to shape shift to her, I lived there as an actor for a year. When I decided to run away and her brothers helped me. After we saved Satasha, I went to the red palace to restore my village and aid them in the war" Yama held her hand comforting her silently, she was overwhelmed to remember the past but continued "Seeing Satasha like this breaks my heart, she's so strong to return to her old self after they tortured her every day and took all her memories from her. Living like a rat they kept her in a dark dungeon with nothing but fear and loneliness, they broke her hard but she fought her way back just to get outcasted again. I am very relieved that you guys are with her when I can't, she really needs someone by her side or else she'll lose her way again" she wiped out her tears trying not to cry in front of them, Yama was overwhelmed to see her crying, it broke his heart.
Everyone else was dead quiet, they couldn't say a word after hearing this.
Keno didn't know lot about Satasha's past but he was happy that she didn't remember all of it and knew why she was in deep pain when she remembered it, he didn't know what memories she remembered now but hopefully not the bad ones. Then he recalled when she'd go to the mirror room to remember her past and felt angry all of sudden 'Of course, she must remember everything but lied about not to, this fool' he thought.
Satasha who was laying away spoke in her sleep "Lily stop crying, you're making my head ache"
Lily rushed toward her holding her hand once she heard her voice saying "I'll stop don't worry"
Everyone's attention now were at Satasha who seemed to wake up but barely opened her eyes, she asked "Lily is that you?"
Lily calmly trying not to cry "Yes, indeed"
Satasha smiled faintly holding her hand asking "How are you?"
Lily jokingly "Better than you"
Satasha smiling widely "Sounds good, and How is everything back there?. Are they treating you well?"
Lily caressing her hair answered "Yes, could you please worry about yourself now?"
Satasha smiling "No, How are my brothers?"
Lily sighing "Everyone is doing great, they're just busy with the usual"
Satasha relieved "Good, very good"
She placed her hand covering her eyes then asked "Can you make me something to get rid of the headache please?"
Lily "I already did, do you want some?"
Satasha nodded
Lily stormed immediately to get another cup of tea for her, Yama got up to help Satasha sit.
Satasha who couldn't see clearly after opening her eyes inquired "Who are you?"
Yama softly "Have you forgotten me already?"
Satasha held his arm happily saying "No my friend how could I"
She semi turned her head to where Mark was standing "I didn't know Mark would bring you as well"
Yama proudly "I insisted"
Satasha smiled happily "It's good to see a familiar face that I like"
Lily who came with the tea said "Excuse me!. What about me?"
Satasha tried to lift her arm answered "I asked specifically for you love, of course I wanted to see my best friend"
Lily sitting next to her placed her arm away gently "I'll help you with it" and she placed the cup near her mouth to sip from it. Satasha drank the tea slowly, she felt like every sip is scaling her throat up but she finished it all. After she did her head ached less and her vision got better, she searched her surroundings to see Fuji, Keno, and Untar sitting away trying not to look sad. She immediately asked Untar "How is Aiva?"
Untar trying to calm her "She's fine, when I left she was doing great"
Satasha worryingly "What about Ishtar and everyone?"
Untar "Everyone is doing well Satasha, and Ishtar asked me to bring you back to the temple"
Satasha sighed out of relief hearing that Aiva is alive and well. She placed her palm on her face trying to sober up but the pain didn't let her move.
Keno asked immediately "Are you in pain?"
Satasha lied "No, I just want to get myself together so I can walk"
Keno knew she was lying and felt angry that she's trying to act tough and immune, he tried to keep himself composed and not to speak angrily, yet he spoke frustratingly "Walk to where?. Back to the battlefield or to another dumb decision?"
Lily defensively "Hey easy on her she just woke up and not completely healed"
Keno sarcastically "No really, thanks for telling me the obvious"
Fuji placing his hand on his shoulder "Calm down"
Keno clearly not able to keep himself composed "Trust me I am trying"
Lilly "well try harder"
Satasha "It's okay he is right, I am not thinking straight"
They went silent for a while before Untar asked "Now what are we going to do?, clearly they seem to think of her as a threat and we cannot leave her like this she's too vulnerable. Do you have any idea Keno?"
Keno "The best thing we can do now is to lay low until she recovers, of course they are busy with the war a head postponing her trial to later, so until then you need to concentrate on healing and we need to think of something to evade us from unnecessary tragedy"
Satasha "If Anyone dares to harm any of you, I will kill them"
Keno angrily "Seriously, did you not just hear that you have, a trial?, they think of you as a threat, once they find you guilty they will kill you and you say that you will kill them?. Satasha please think straight, you cannot do anything right now, if you do something wrong they will find it as an excuse to kill you and the rest of us"
Satasha arguing "That's the point, no one can kill me; so if they find me guilty for trying to help, then nothing good will come upon them"
Keno raising his voice "For God's sake can you just stop talking for a minute and listen to me. You need to do nothing right now, all you should do is to lay low and do nothing. Can you hear me?. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?, if you do something and give them an excuse to harm you and the others I will kill you myself. Even if you cannot be killed, I will try to find a way to kill you, because your stupidity would kill us all not just them"
Before any could say something he continued "And please before you do anything tell me or anyone what you're about to do because your next action isn't only going reflect your future but our future"
Satasha thought about what he said for a minute then replied "I'll do as you say, but if it came to the point where they try to harm any of you, you cannot stop me from eliminating them all"
Keno argued "In this state?. You cannot kill a fly in your current condition, so don't try to act almighty because honestly at the moment a bee stung can take your life away"
Satasha defensively "None can kill me. Even if I was immune to death, I still have Mark and he won't leave me until I get better"
Keno annoyed "The grim reaper, seriously?. You kept talking about the odd fellow that will protect you even before the fight, but where was he when you were badly injured?, you're telling me you trust your well-being to a creature who reaps them?, I think when the rock hit you, you lost your ability to think if you had one"
Untar "That's a valid point. We cannot trust him, we don't know what he gains from this"
Keno agree "Exactly!. No offence to him but he is too suspicious to be around you, especially when you are over powered"
Mark still invisible whispered to her "He may be rude but he has a point. I'll protect you but I can't interfere with fate, you know that"
Satasha defensively "Mark stays because I trust him. He's been with me ever since I remember, he never interfered with the on going events, but when I tell him to do something he do it"
Fuji "That doesn't validate him. He maybe obedient, but wants to take your power or control it, or even worse your life"
Satasha stubbornly "You can say whatever you want but he's my friend, and he never would do any of that because his task is to contain my powers from destroying everyone and everything. If he hadn't interfered in Sippar I would've wiped out everything. Besides, I already know how l'll die and it's not being executed, it's not soon"
Keno frustrated "You are impossible to communicate with" he stood up saying "Do whatever you want to do, I'm tired of reasoning with a thick headed person like you"
He walked toward the door but before he opened it Satasha said "Rest assured, I'll do as you want"
Keno not looking at her said "For now" then walked out of the house.