SWNOVELS Chapter 18: Closure
A crisp wisp tickles the tip of my nose. I open my eyes, feeling my cheeks are a little chilled. This is strange given how I’m completely buried under a mound of sheets.
Something then shifts slightly against me. I pan over to my right, seeing Luna groaning softly. I smile to her and then pan over to my left, noticing that Micha hasn't moved an inch. My smile stretches into a soft grin.
Despite everything that happened yesterday, the night was relatively peaceful. Neither pup moved or squirmed, maybe simply due to the fact they were more excited to have me home again.
I plant light kisses on their foreheads as I slowly and carefully sit up on the bed. I slip off and recover the twins, making sure not to wake them, but also so they remain warm without me.
My room feels slightly chilled as I rub my arms. I wonder if the heater is in one of its off cycles as to why it’s chilly in here. Despite that little annoyance, I pan around my room, once more accepting and loving the fact that I’m really home and in my room. I grin softly, knowing it’s all real and not some fantasy.
A silvery-white light filters in from the drapes covering my balcony doors. It gives the room a soft, white glow as the sky outside is no doubt still cloudy from the snow. This is still my favorite time of the day, a dark room, with a silver glow of morning. It’s the same as it was when we left Japan. I really should give the village a call at some point.
I smile more and quietly then head for my bathroom. Heh, I’m still in the same clothes I wore after my battle with Lana and Mistral so I undoubtedly stink of dirt and light moss. I quickly strip out of my clothes, seeing my hamper on the inside of my bathroom and toss them into it.
As I shower, I feel the hot, steamy water beading against my battle-weary skin. I lean against the shower walls, letting the water beat against my back. I smile, nearly transforming into a kitsune from how peaceful I feel. It feels so odd yet incredible to shower at home after so many months away. I think back to my time both in Japan and Dewloura, both also were home to me.
After a few minutes I shut off the water and step out. I grab a towel dry myself off and then quickly put on the clothes I yanked before heading in. I leave my bathroom and quietly walk towards the balcony and slip outside, feeling the cold air instantly sting against my cheeks as I walk towards the banister.
I stare out onto my home, seeing it completely covered in snow as I see the treetops of the forest swaying slightly in the breeze. My eyes scan the snow-covered fields. There are still a few lingering scars from the battle visible, mostly impact craters from the flight of dragons. I feel the land itself is slightly off, not quite full of the life it once had. Nothing’s hidden or out of place, just diminished to some degree but recovering.
What I do feel is a stronger connection to the land itself than ever before. I’ve always felt connected and a part of the Estate, but now I can feel it within, as if I’m truly a part of it. It makes me recall when Astraea was forged, in how I saw the Estate rather than Tennessee. My heart has always resided here from the first moment I arrived nearly three years ago.
I look back to where my swing chair is. I sigh softly, remembering this was where I was right before the attack on my home. I was resting on Silvi’s chest as she held me. I then peer at my feet, recalling my first glimpse the dragons and start of that battle.
My thoughts turn to how much I’ve missed home, being away for so long and to places that don’t really appear on a map.
My eyes then catch the distant shimmer of the lake. I think of the gossip. I still have their letter from December, my first real good news from those who escaped. I know Savero has and will keep them safe while there. However it still makes me miss them all the more.
I take a deep breath as I then hold up my hand, summoning a ball of foxfire. I quietly speak a prayer into it, an old Dewlouran prayer of thankfulness Serasfall taught me. Each word feels like a pinprick to my heart, stinging with joy and sorrow.
I then perform the prayer ritual, splitting the flame into three smaller balls and twirl them around for a few passes before summoning them back into my hand, clasping it tightly. I smile softly, thinking I really did become more Dewlouran in my time there. Celes was right, if I had stayed there longer, the sacred crystal really would have started to call out to me.
I peer up, my heart now feeling lighter. I stare out onto the Estate once more before turning and heading inside.
As I quietly close the doors behind me, careful to not let too much cold air in, I glance at my bed. Micha and Luna are still fast asleep, nestled deep within the covers. I know they’re going to be pretty upset when they do wake up and not find me with them. I smile, but I am still here you two.
I pan over to Astraea as it rests on the rack and walk over to it. I stroke my hand over the sheath, knowing what it means to me. This sword is the physical culmination of who I am, with each part of it having been drawn from each of the forms I take, aspects of the whole.
My thoughts go back to its creation, feeling the heat from the forge, hearing Helgsven striking against the red-hot metal as its components fused into the other. I smile nodding, grateful to have it and to the ones who made it.
I nod once more before turning and quietly heading out into the hallway.
As I stroll down the corridors, I streak my fingers against the wall, feeling the cold paint underneath the tips. Part of me is absolutely reveling in the fact that I’m home. The other thinks it’s just too surreal. I chuckle softly, loving the duality of my reality.
My smile widens softly, recalling my steps from when Miriam was here, how each step is nearly the same as then. This too simply reaffirms that I’m indeed home.
I keep my pace slow as I sigh softly. My thoughts go back to when I was last here back in July. How torn I felt, and then having to flee and stay hidden for the past few months. So much has happened during all that time. I grin, knowing I have one hell of story to tell Mom.
Fenris and Athena never came back at all. I’m wondering of the pair really did stay out all night. I know they normally would have, so maybe they retreated into the forest, knowing I’m truly safe at home.
The sounds of muffled footsteps soon fill my ears. I pan up seeing Abigale and Lyra walking towards me. I smile as we draw closer, although I wonder where Bianca and Marie are. The glacie may be overseeing cleaning and Marie might be holed up in her lab working on God-knows-what.
The pair before me smiles, bowing slightly. “Good morning, Young Miss,” they greet.
Before I’m able to respond, I quickly find myself being pulled into a tight hug by Abigale as she holds me tightly to her. “You can’t imagine how much we’ve missed you. We worried for months in your absence, having longed terribly to see your bright and warm smile, and to listen to that wondrous laugh of yours.”
She squeezes her arms tighter around me. “Yet now we are beyond words to have the Manor complete once again with you in it.”
I grin softly. Abigale is someone, among many here, I hold deeply in my heart. It’s not just because I tried to save her life. We are close, on and off the battlefield. She’s always nearby, sometimes with a quick swat with her tail over something I may or may not have done or someone close enough to gleefully tease. We train together, laugh together, we’re family.
I smile as I then feel more arms wrap around me, hugging me close. I pan up to see Lyra, smiling brightly to me. She then leans down, planting a kiss on my forehead. “As your sword master, and your sister-in-arms, I am so proud of you for making it home safe and intact.” She strokes my hair, feeling her hand glide over it.
Lyra and I share a strong bond, since before she became my sword master. Like Abigale, we love each other dearly, with her often pulling me close after a long session. I can still recall the morning before Lana and Mistral attacked us, just sitting near my training grounds along with Abigale and my knights.
I smile, clinging to each of them. “I thought of you all a lot, missing you terribly.” I then grin bashfully. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, and for being with my mother.”
They each smile, hugging me even tighter.
I smile then look to Abigale, “So, I guess you saw the other wolf with Fenris.” It’s something I knew I’d have to ask if I saw her again.
She smiles, nodding slowly. “That I did, Young Miss, that I did. I will forever love him, no matter what. Our time together was special, but we had reached a particular point we couldn’t move past. Regardless, I will still love him.”
I grin brightly, “Called it.” She smirks, gently flicking my nose.
Part of me was worried something might happen when we arrived and Athena stood with Fenris. Thankfully nothing did, only a truthful confession.
Lyra then looks to me, “I hope you aren’t too upset, but we checked in on you while you slept. I saw the sword resting on your rack. It’s different from the others. In fact, where are your other swords?”
I smile, knowing they would have done something along those lines. While the maids are staff, and family, they do tend to check in on me when Mom isn’t around. It’s nothing new. In fact, after my birth family was murdered, they were there that morning, watching over me.
I sigh softly, yet still hold my smile. “That’s a long story I’m gonna tell later. But, do you think you can bring it down when the time’s right?”
She smiles, nodding.
It’s a story that everyone is going to want to hear. “Do you know where everyone is?” I ask.
“I think I last saw them downstairs a few moments ago,” replies Abigale.
I smile to her, “Thank you,” and slips from their grasp. I take a couple steps and turn, smiling to them. “I love you both.”
Abigale and Lyra both smile to me, their cheeks now a soft pink. “We love you too, Young Miss.”
I grin and head off back down the hallway.
I exit out from the corridor and into the foyer. The entryway is still dark, only being illuminated by skylights above, granting the room a whitish glow. As I stroll down the stairs, I still see where I Rushed after Irina when she dove for Luna.
I streak my hand down the cold wooden outer railing as I peer at the front door, seeing that a proper replacement had been installed in my absence. I wince slightly, still regretting having to blast the trio out of the old one.
I reach the bottom floor and look around. The first floor is quiet and still. I step over to the many pedestals where the living armors stand. Four more are empty from the original dozen or so. I feel my heart aching more for their loss. While I never spoke to them like I did with the others, granted they never really moved or did anything else but stand there like statues, I still fought alongside them.
I chant a small prayer for them, hoping to give something in return.
I then hear something coming from the backdoor. I tilt my head as I turn and see a flash of someone there. I quickly head for it.
As I exit out onto he veranda, I see everyone here, my knights and wolves along with Silvi and Velhemina. Further beyond stands Mom and Marron off in the snow. My eyes then flash wide as I watch my sister kneeling before my mother.
I feel my heart racing in my chest as I dash towards them only to be caught by dragonic sister and aunt. I struggle to free myself from their clutches, looking up at them. “Please,” I plea, “please let me go.” However they each remain silent.
I look to my knights, both are not wearing their gauntlets, nor are they even making a move towards Marron. Fenris and Athena each also remain still on the deck, watching stoically.
I turn to my mother, remembering what she told me. How if Marron were to return, she’d either be killed or expelled from the Coven. Either fate would forever remove my sister from me.
“Mom,” I call out to her, feeling a large lump growing in my throat, “please don’t do this.”
“This must be done,” she replies flatly and coldly.
I continue to struggle from being held, now starting to cry.
“Sweetie,” says Marron, “I knew this was going to happen if I came back.” She looks to me, “I may have to break my promise to you.”
No no no, this can’t be happening. I struggle more and more, feeling the urge to transform and intervene but Silvi’s grip is too strong, even hurting me.
I look to Fenris, “Please Papa Wolf.” Yet he remains still.
I look to my knights, the same pair we fought alongside for months, lived together. However before I can ink out a word, still stand as immovable statues.
I look Athena, who is as Fenris is, unmoving and unwavering in my pleas. Why…why now?
I turn back to Mom, “Please, please. I’ll do anything.” Just don’t take my sister away from me, not again. Not after all we’ve been through, all the pain and discovery, who she is to me.
“Aria,” she says, “what is it happen, must be done. She is bound by coven law as are you to bear witness.”
Oh god, please don’t let this be real. We’ve come all this way, just for this to happen. No, no, this has to be a dream. I can’t accept that I made it all the way back home just to watch my sister die.
Mom turns to Marron, hands held calmly at her side. “Marron O’Connor. You stole my daughter from me, breaking a sacred vow between sisters. You then abandoned her out of fear. Lastly, when your sister pleaded for you to stay and talk, you again left her.”
She takes a deep breath, her eyes blazingly stern. “You have atoned for the last two sins by staying at her side, guarding and protecting her during your travels. However, the final sin is reserved for me. You stole a precious child from her home, out of anger and jealousy. Both of these were solely directed at me.”
I watch Marron winces at the charges. She and I worked through this already, why isn’t that enough? I continue to free myself, only to fail each time.
Mom takes another breath and looks to my sister, “Are you prepared to meet my judgment?” Mom’s voice sounds firm, determined. It’s scaring me, she’s actually scaring me again for the first time in a while.
Marron nods, “I am, my Lady,” now presenting a dagger to her. It’s not Mystletainn, that I can tell for certain.
Mom takes the dagger and holds it. I grow frantic the more I watch, struggling with all my might to free myself and protect my sister, willing to do anything to do it. My fears grow more and more she then raises the dagger, pointing it at Marron.
Her arm rises higher and higher as I see the killing intent in my mother’s eyes. She then starts to thrust into Marron, causing my heart to seize as I am about to scream only for her to throw it into the snow and kneels down, hugging my sister tightly.
“I forgive you.”
I feel my heart nearly stopping as Marron and I look at her in utter shock. Silvi and Velhemina then release me from their grasp. My mind whirls as it tries to comprehend what just happened. Hot, steaming tears run down my cheeks as Mom holds Marron tightly.
She looks to me, “I forgave your sister long ago, soon after I brought you home that night.”
I stagger a bit towards them, only managing a few steps. “But…but I thought you said that if Marron came back, she’d either be expelled or killed for her betrayal.”
Mom chuckles awkwardly, soundly as if she’s choking up as she helps Marron to her feet while still holding her. “I…may have been a bit overzealous the night you awoke. The aftermath of those events were still incredibly fresh in my mind and when you asked about your sister, I think a few nerves were still frayed.”
Overzealous? You sounded so firm in your statements, unwavering. “Then…then what about Miriam?”
Mom smiles, now stroking Marron’s hair. “She merely wished to test your loyalty to your sister. While it was never in question, she wished to see to what lengths you were willing to go for Marron.” She then closes her eyes for a moment before looking at me. “This is all in accordance to coven law. Granted, I highly doubt either of you know of it, being this is the first time in our entire history this particular law had to be enforced.”
She smiles, “I know what you think heard from us, each saying that your sister would be killed or expelled. However you weren’t truly listening to me that night. Yes, Marron had to atone for her sins, by staying with you and protecting you. However, she still had to return here and face those she wronged. Returning to the place where her first sin was committed.”
Her smile widens more, “Only then could the circle be closed.”
Wait, is that why Miriam said she wouldn’t talk to Marron? That despite having no ill will towards her she wasn’t the person she had to talk to? Why Marron said that when saw Jonathan and Evie, they weren’t angry with her? Granted Grandpa was also happy to see Marron.
Mom smiles, looking down slightly, “The truth is sweetheart... I wanted to go looking for your sister. However, I knew if I did, she would go to ground and I’d never find her.” She then looks to me, “Yet, I knew you stood a better chance in not only locating her, but for her to stay. I knew you would eventually leave and do so. However, I could have never anticipated how quickly Regulus would attack us.”
She chuckles, “I knew somehow you would reunite one way or another.”
I stare at my mother, jaw nearly dropping to the deck. “You…you used me in order to bring her back?”
She nods, tearing up more. “It was a massive gamble on how you would react to all of this. I stood a good chance of you leaving me and never wanting to return upon learning the truth.
She used me. My own mother used me to do something she knew she couldn’t? She’s right however. I was planning to run away from home in order to find Marron. But now I learn she took that urge and dared a bet on how I’d react to her.
I feel anger bubbling up within me yet…should I really feel that way? I mean, I’m not condoning what she did but still. It hurts, it really hurts.
I slowly walk towards them, keeping my head low. Thoughts race through my mind the closer I reach them.
“I…I am prepared for you to hate me my darling,” she says, voice cracking slightly. “Heaven knows you have every right to be.”
My heart shudders at her words, feeling them driving deeply into my heart. I stop right in front of her. I look to my mother, tears rolling down my cheeks. “Dirty pool Mom.”
She smiles and nods, with tears down her cheeks. “Yes, very dirty.”
Behind me, I summon snow from the ground and shape it into a ball. A grin then appears on my face as I fling it at her, hitting her in the face. She looks at me stunned for a moment as snow falls from her cheek, only for a broad smile to form as she lets go of Marron and summons her own snowball and tosses it at me
I giggle as the two of us hurl snowballs, with me flipping and twirling, hurling more and more at her. Mom laughs as she continues to summon more snowballs and throws them at me.
Marron looks on confused until one stray snowball lands smackdab in her face. She wipes the snow away and smiles, joining in on the fray.
I giggle as the snowball fight continues each throwing more and more at the other. Snowballs fly through the air with some hitting their mark while others miss entirely. I then suddenly launch myself in to the air, only for them to catch me.
I hug them tightly, burying my face into my mother’s chest before looking up at her, “I could never hate you. You’re my mom.”
She chokes up, hugging me tightly. I feel her hand stroking the back of my head.
I then smile, pulling back and holding out my right arm, “We are one coven.”
Mom looks to me and smiles, holding out hers, placing her wrist into my hand, “We are one family.”
We look to Marron, who is in shock at this. I smile, nodding to her. She then smiles, taking my wrist while Mom takes hers. “We are one spirit.”
“No matter the storm, we will never falter.”
These words… hold so much meaning for me. It’s our coven’s creed, a mantra. I wholeheartedly accepted when Mom brought me into the Coven. They are my link to everyone, a binding prayer we all say with pride.
Marron beams and tears up, knowing the meaning behind why I chose to recite them. Mom then pulls us both into her, holding us tightly to her
“My girls,” she says.
I blush softly as Mom calls us at that. The last I heard that was from Serasfall when she referred both Celes and I as her girls. So does that mean Mom also considers Marron as hers because of me? Maybe, but I also know Marron is someone else’s girl. I really hope we get to see her soon.
I look up at Mom, “Is it over?”
She smiles, stroking my hair, “Yes sweetheart. I no longer hold any animosity towards your sister.”
I smile up at her, feeling the cold wind blow against us. Mom kisses both our foreheads, “Why don’t we take this inside before we all catch our death of cold?” She smiles, “There I wish to hear about all your adventures.”
We all laugh, knowing Marron and I both have rather lengthy stories to tell.