Interlude: Fragments
As we strolled through the corridor, the last rays of the sun gave way to the evening sky. My eyes drifted toward the peak of a bell tower. With my next step, black feathers swarmed around me, and I vanished. Another step, and I found myself standing upon the edge of the tower, overlooking the bustling alleyways below. Poet hopped off my shoulder and settled beside me.
“I apologize, little Poet. I just need some time alone.”
Poet rubbed his head against my hand. “I understand, My Lady. It has been so long since you walked among mortals. It will take time to adjust, but I must say… you are doing well.”
“Thank you, my bird friend. You always know what to say.”
“I only speak from the heart, My Lady.”
I couldn't help but smile as I gazed upon the deep red and orange hues of the sky.
“Poet… why did I even come back? I could have stayed in the underworld, and nobody would have said otherwise. Mother Hecate, Mother Persephone, Grandmother Nyx… my family. I was happy. I had a place where I belonged.”
Poet looked toward the open golden curtain before turning back to me.
“You came because of your first question, My Lady.”
“Why?”
“Yes. I believe what you seek is closure. We all know something was amiss, but only you can discover what it is. The question now is this: are you prepared for the truth? The pain you feel is not because of what they did to you. I believe the pain comes because you do not wish to believe it happened.”
His eyes softened.
“The last remaining part of your soul is still pure. If you truly desired vengeance, if you truly hated them, your soul would have long since been tarnished or shattered what remains. I believe that despite everything, you still wish to forgive them. Such a thing requires strength beyond understanding.”
“What should I do, Poet? I don't know anymore.”
“I believe you already have the answer, Lady Veil.”
I scratched the top of Poet's head and smiled.
“You are right.”
I closed my eyes.
“Alex suffered. Alex grieved. Alex was betrayed. But Alex also lived.”
I placed a hand over my chest.
“And because he lived… I was born.”
Slowly, the darkness surrounding me softened. Among the sea of black feathers, a single silver feather appeared.
Then another.
And another.
Fragments of memory returned.
Poet's eyes widened.
“My Lady…”
I smiled.
“I remember, Poet. I remember their faces. Leon, Dante, Elvnia, Tina.”
My expression softened.
“She was crying. I could see the sadness in her eyes. She didn't…”
I closed my eyes and forced myself to relive the memory.
The dagger.
The kick to my back.
The sword aimed at my throat.
Then
“Siera.”
The name escaped my lips.
“I remember her name. She was there.”
I frowned.
“No… not like the others.”
Her face surfaced in my mind, and with it came something deeper than sorrow.
Despair.
Agony.
Regret.
It felt as though her very soul had been breaking apart.
I placed a hand over my chest.
I could still feel the sorrow, but it no longer consumed me. It was contained. Balanced. Given purpose.
“What is my purpose?” I whispered.
Poet gazed into the twilight sky before looking back at me.
“It seems your question has changed, My Lady. No longer do you ask ‘Why?’”
A gentle smile formed on my lips.
“Now I ask ‘What?’”
Poet dipped his head.
“Indeed, My Lady.”
“Then let us find that answer together.”
Poet spread his wings proudly and perched upon my shoulder.
“Together My Lady, Always”