She felt pain before even having the chance to open her eyes. It felt as if her bones had all been shattered and the muscles battered. There was also cold, even with the absence of awful winds. Instead, there was a bed, soft and warm. Were she a fool, she would wonder if that was a mere glimpse of the after life, but the truth was one and dreadful: the dead had not claimed her yet.
Her first breath disgusted her. The second was one of disappointment.
Weakly, her hand moved under the sheets, coming in contact with an all too familiar chain. It cluttered lightly as her fingers slid along its length, to eventually wrap themselves around the locket. The whispers from within were muted, the beating of the Heart slow and terrible, that of a dying being. The sun's warmth came to mind, something she would never feel again no matter how may golden rays would touch her and burning tears were soon trapped between her eyelashes, threatening to descend to her cheek.
"Let it fall." A familiar voice echoed from all too near. It was soft and gentle, but at the same time stern and colourless.
Rapidly Celysiel tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt far too heavy. Still, as they were pushed up they were presented with a chamber larger than she could have ever imagined, adorned in shades of ruby red and lilac. And there it was, the veiled stare of the house's former Lord, piercing through onyx drapes. Standing by the circular bed and overshadowing it all was a pale figure dressed in midnight blue. The ominous mask was still on her face.
The very sight of Xoriana Ravenfall was enough to discipline Celysiel and do the opposite of what told. Her right hand was lifted from the sheets, dressed in black silks that were not hers. They were soon stained with those errant tears that were deprived of the chance to go any further. "You are here."
"I am not an enemy." was the Lady's reply. Her slender digits were pushed forward, hidden under an ivory handkerchief. "If mourn is what you wish to do, mourn you may."
Though Celysiel's free hand reached for the handkerchief, her fingers stopped just above it. The Heart's beat remained slow, a threatening bell reminding her all she could lose. Slowly, she pulled her hand back and under the crimson sheets. "You would not weep were the roles reversed." was all that she said, softly.
Xoriana's face remained expressionless. Her green eyes remained lock on her employee for a while, but an answer was never offered. Instead, she set an envelope next to the young elf. "Then wear your mask, Ashfury. For you need it now more than ever. This was in your house's mailbox."
The envelope had already been opened; the intruder had not even made an attempt to hide their actions. As she emptied the container, a small idol of the sun scultpured on metal fell by her side. That was an ill omen. The letter was held loosely as she lay on the bed, containing nothing more than a few sentences.
Your corrupted ways lead our people down the path of damnation. Repent now, or face the fury of the Sun's Light!
- The Faithful
If a shudder at first shook Celysiel's weakened form, it was replaced by great tension instantly. Her soul mourned as Krator's suffering was extending, as memories formed a whirlwind of voices in her mind, even with the absence of whispers. She threw the letter to the side, though the idol remained next to her.
"What do they want from me, anyway?" she huffed in irritation and pain alike.
"Everything." Xoriana replied calmly. "But nothing is all they will take."
"Let them have everything then." Celysiel burst out, while tugging the sheets. "There is nothing for me anymore. You had no right to remove me from that shore." Now her voice was full of poison, vile and bitter. "You had no right-"
"I had every right, you insolent child." As the Lady interrupted her, there was no great difference in her tone. Venomous words had become her weapon as well; all mercy was gone. The long sleeves hanging from her gaunt arms fluttered sharply as she wafted her hand. "Do you think you are the only one with an excusivity to suffering, Ashfury? You know nothing of it. You surrender at the first hurdle."
"You know not what I did-"
"Foolish child, I know very well what you did." Xoriana interjected for once more. "I know what knife you held and where it you sheathed it. Now you wish for those blinded by a false faith idiots to take you?"
With burning fury, Celysiel managed to sit up. A hollow sound was claiming the place of the whispers, inadequate. The thought of the sun's golden rays, rays she would never-
Lady Ravenfall placed herself by the ill elf, taking a seat on the bed. Bony fingers reached for the other's cheek, holding it gently. "This is your home now, Ashfury." she uttered, her tone softer now. "Under my wing, no harm will find you again."
The itch returned to her eyes, that awful irritation which beckoned unwanted tears. Slowly, but without removing herself from the woman's grasp, Celysiel shook her head. "You do not wish this." she spoke, her words nothing more than a weak whisper. "All around me perish. My legacy is that of death."
It was these words which made Xoriana's fingers slither away from the abnormally pale cheek they had been until then gracing. Instead, they reached for the youth's hand, giving it a gentle tug to invite her out of the bed. "Then follow me and let me show you something." she replied, her voice most serene. "I will give you a reason to live."
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