Rheus…. Rhea…
15
It’s been a thousand years. Perhaps more. Perhaps none at all.
My brain is frozen, as is my body. There is no will to command my limbs. I cannot reach to cover my eyes. I can only stand there, stare at the forbidden and allow it to stare back at me.
My field of view blackens, and out of that darkness, two dim lights appear—two moons that are always divergent, but this time, they’re sliding toward one another at increasing speed.
The two circles come into contact. The overlapping area lights up, creating a reddish blinding flash.
My spirit is pushed back.
Rheus… Rhea…
The whispers continue to inundate my mind as the light exerts unbearable pressure on me.
Just as I think I might crumble and cease to exist, everything ends. I open my eyes and take a deep breath.
Warm liquid drips down my cheeks. I reach with my hand, touching it, only to realize it’s blood.
I’m bleeding…from my eyes.
Yet there is no more pain. My body is light as a feather, as if it’s been unburdened by the weight of being.
But I’m still here. I’m still standing. I still…am.
I look to the center of the formation as everything slowly comes back to me. The individual is now subdued. There is no more surplus energy coming from him; his true form has been restrained.
The red threads have now turned into indomitable chains that hold him together.
Elysand is on the ground, his entire countenance ragged and gaunt. He’s lost all spiritual energy from the scale of the ritual.
At least it’s over… And we had no other casualties.
What should have been a joyful occasion is marred by what I saw; by those unsettling visions and even more disconcerting changes in my body.
While others move around, getting ready to clean up the scene, I’m still rooted to the spot.
Elysand slowly gets back to his feet, congratulating everyone for their work and ordering them to move the body in an optimal condition for teleportation back to the Department.
“Nykander, good job volunteering out there,” Elysand mentions with a friendly pat on my shoulder—though even that seems to take a toll on his exhausted body.
“I just did what anyone would,” I mention humbly, slowly getting back to reality.
“Don’t sell yourself short. I’ll make sure you get recognized for your efforts,” he continues.
“I... I had a question.”
“Yes?”
I clear my throat. “What happens if I saw his true form?”
At his horrified expression, I add, “Just for a second.”
He looks me up and down, finally noting the traces of blood on my face.
“Are you alright?” He asks worriedly.
