Legends of Amacia The Awakening

Rachel meets the Trophy Wall Survivors

Hanna and Selina returned to the infirmary after eating dinner, going immediately to Rachel. They found Arabella and Jessica feeding her some soup. Both Hanna and Selina still had on their swimsuits and skirts. Seeing Hanna and Selina approaching, Arabella called out softly, “Hey girls...good timing. Rachel’s just finishing her dinner. She’s been asking where you were.”

Hanna smiled sweetly at Rachel as she rolled Selina up next to the bed in her wheelchair. “How are you feeling, sweetie?” Hanna chimed as Jessica took the empty dishes away. “Was your supper good?”

“Yes,” Rachel murmured very softly. “It was. Where did you go, Hanna?”

“Selina and I had some chores to take care of,” Hanna stated warmly, sitting on the bed with Rachel. “But we came back so we could bring you home with us. Dr. Drew and Nemesis said you didn’t have to stay in here any longer.”

“You mean you really want me to go home with you?” Rachel asked in shock, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Absolutely,” Selina purred. “We meant it when we told you we’d take care of you. You’re our little girl now.”

“That’s right,” Hanna chimed, smiling. “You’re our little girl. We’re going to make sure you have a normal a life as possible.”

Rachel started crying. “Why are you crying, sweetie?” Arabella cooed, putting her arm around Rachel. “Aren’t you happy to be leaving this depressing room?”

“Yes,” Rachel sobbed softly. “That’s why I’m crying. I’m happy. I have a family again.”

“That you do,” Hanna chimed, putting her arm around Rachel too. “You’re not alone any more. We truly want you to be our little girl.”

Rachel leaned into Hanna’s warm embrace. “You truly want a limbless freak like me?” she whimpered, looking up into Hanna’s caring eyes.

“More than anything,” Hanna insisted, “And you mustn’t call yourself a freak. You’re not a freak. You’re a beautiful, loving girl. In fact, I can show you that you’re not a freak.”

“How can you do that?” Rachel asked, sniffling.

“I can show you that you’re not alone,” Hanna stated. She pointed across the infirmary to where Althea laid, saying, “I have three dear friends over there that were robbed of their arms and legs just like you were. Would you like to see them? They asked if I could let them meet you when I came back to bring you home with me.”

“They wanted to see me?” Rachel asked with fearful amazement. “Why would they want to do that?”

“Because they’re just like you,” Hanna stated. “Just a bit older, that’s all. They understand the terror you felt because they felt it too when the Emperor maimed them. They want to be your friend too.”

“I’m not sure,” Rachel whimpered fearfully. “Are you sure they’re like me?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die if I lie,” Hanna replied sincerely, crossing her heart with her free hand. “They look at you as their little sister, and want to help you.”

“You can trust us,” Selina purred. “These girls have felt the same sting you did and have the missing limbs to prove it. They want to be your friend.”

Hearing the sincerity in both Hanna and Selina’s pleas, Rachel sighed emotionally. “Okay,” she murmured. “You won’t let them hurt me, will you?”

“Not a chance,” Hanna declared. “Besides, they’re incapable of hurting you. All they want to do is help and be your friend.”

“You should take a chance with them, Rachel,” Arabella cooed in reassurance. “They’re very nice and just like you. They’re just as helpless as you are, maybe more so because they’re still very weak. It would just make their day to meet you.”

“Okay, if you say so, Arabella,” Rachel murmured. “But I don’t have to stay here any longer. Right?”

“Right,” Hanna chimed warmly. “We’re family now and you’re going to live with us now. So, are you ready to go see our friends over there?”

Rachel nodded, cracking a trembling smile. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I guess so.”

“Okay, here we go,” Hanna declared, gently picking up Rachel. “I’m going to let you sit with Selina in her chair. Is that okay?”

Rachel nodded, her smile broadening because she remembered Selina and her incredible purr. “I’d like that,” she replied. “Momma makes me feel safe.”

“I’m glad she makes you feel safe,” Hanna stated as she sat Rachel in Selina’s lap. “It’s important that you feel safe.”

“That it is,” Selina agreed, wrapping her arms around Rachel, holding her securely, but gently. “You need to feel safe, sweetie. Now, let’s go see our friends. Hanna, take us over there.”

“You got it, sis,” Hanna stated, taking hold of the wheelchair.

“I’ll see you later,” Arabella said as she stood up. “I have more patients to check on. I hope to see you again, Rachel. Be good for Hanna and Selina, okay?”

“I will,” Rachel chimed, her mood drastically improving by just being in Selina’s lap. “I’ll see you again, won’t I, Arabella?”

“Of course,” Arabella chimed, leaning over and kissing Rachel on the cheek. “You’re my friend. Besides, I’ll be checking on your progress regularly anyway to make sure you fully recover. I love seeing my patients recover. It just makes my day. Oh, well, I’ll see you later.” With that, Arabella walked away, checking on her other patients.

“I like her,” Rachel said softly as Hanna started pushing her and Selina over to Althea. “She’s so nice. Why can’t everybody be like her?”

“That’s a good question,” Hanna admitted. “If everyone had a heart as good as Arabella, the world would be so much nicer and a happier place.”

“So true,” Selina agreed. “Even though the world isn’t a nice place, we should strive to follow her example. Wouldn’t you agree, Rachel?”

“Yeah,” Rachel murmured as Hanna rolled her and Selina up to Althea, Tala, and Suko. All three women were sitting up in their beds with Lola, Jessica, and Chihiro tending to them, helping them with their dinners. Rachel’s eyes grew wide with surprise as she saw Althea, Tala, and Suko without limbs, just like her.

Althea smiled warmly at Rachel after Lola gave her some water to wash down the last of her dinner. “Hi there, little sister,” she chimed pleasantly at Rachel while Tala and Suko finished their dinners too. “I was hoping Miss Hanna would bring you over so we could say hi before you left.”

“Hello, little sister,” Tala said pleasantly. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”

“Me, too, little one,” Suko agreed. “You’re such a pretty little girl too.”

Rachel stared with her mouth hanging open, flabbergasted at the three dollified women with no limbs like her.

“I didn’t lie, did I,” Hanna said softly, squatting down beside Selina and Rachel. “You’re not alone with your condition.”

“Do we surprise you, little one?” Althea asked sweetly. “As you see, we’re just like you.”

“Well, not quite like us,” Tala corrected, “This little girl has more left than we do, Althea. She still has most of her right arm and half of her left arm. We don’t even have that.”

“True,” Althea stated, “But we’re all in the same position as she is. We’re invalids who can do nothing to help ourselves.”

Rachel suddenly found her tongue. “You really are just like me,” she whispered in amazement. “And you’re so nice too. How can you be so nice and so happy after what those bad men did to you?”

“We’re happy because we’re no longer slaves of the Emperor,” Althea declared. “We used to be his sex slaves. He raped and beat mercilessly whenever he thought to. But Hanna saved us from his vile grasp, just as I understand she did for you.”

“You mean he put his thing in you?” Rachel whimpered in horror.

“Unfortunately, yes,” Tala answered, her pain evident in her tone. “He had us tied to tables and violated us so many times I lost count. But he’s not going to ever do that to us again.”

“No, he won’t,” Hanna declared, standing up and walking to Tala as Jessica stepped back with Chihiro and Lola to observe. Sitting down on the bed beside her, she put a comforting arm around Tala. Looking her in the eye, Hanna said, “He won’t touch a hair on your head ever again. I promise. Do you remember when I was there on the wall with you and Althea?”

“No,” Tala replied with tears welling up. “I don’t remember you, but Althea insists you were there as a doll too in an avatar.”

“I remember,” Suko called out, choking on her pain and emotion. “I thought it was a dream. You enraged the Emperor and he brutally raped you before making you one of us. Then, somehow after you were hung with us, you did something that broke his control over his pet. She talked him into taking you down. I was in and out of consciousness the whole time, but I do recall it somewhat. That did happen, didn’t it?”

Hanna sighed, looking over at Suko. “Yes,” she declared. “That wasn’t a dream. It actually happened, so I know the pain both of you have endured. It’s heinous beyond comprehension. It was the worst thing ever to happen to me. Only now am I starting to come to grips with it. I’d like to help both you and Tala release this pain, if you’ll let me.”

Tala gasped, looking Hanna in the eye with great surprise. “You’d really help us get over what they did to us?”

“In a heartbeat,” Hanna insisted. “We’re sisters forged in the fires of the Emperor’s evil. I have to help you. You, Althea, and Suko are the sole survivors of the trophy wall. I have to help you, just as I’m helping Rachel here. If I don’t, I’ll regret it forever.”

“You really mean that, don’t you?” Suko sobbed softly, overcome by Hanna’s kindness, compassion, and love.

“I do,” Hanna stated as Rachel watched in amazement. “Even though I was trapped in a female avatar when it happened, I truly know your horror and pain. Helping you girls deal with what happened helps me deal with it. I know the desolation, pain, and helplessness being a doll brings you. Together, we can beat this thing. I know it.” She leaned in and touched foreheads with Tala, adding with great emphasis and love, “We’re family...all of us because of what the Emperor did to us, even little Rachel there. We have to be there for each other and help each other release the pain and horror of what happened to us, otherwise it’ll haunt us forever and the Emperor wins. I’m not going to let that bastard win or ruin what’s left of our lives. That’s a promise.”

Tala broke into sobs, truly overcome by Hanna’s love. “You mean I can be happy, truly happy again?” she wept.

“Yes,” Hanna cooed emotionally. “You can. We all can, but only if we love and help each other in our time of need. The Almighty wants us to be happy and free of what has befallen us. We just have to let Him cleanse our hearts of the Darkness that’s contaminated and scarred us. It’s okay to let it go. In fact, we must let it go if we wish to be free of it. The Ancient of Days will avenge our claim. That’s a promise and it’s always so much better when He does it.”

“Your words have touched my dark heart and given me hope,” Tala cried. “I feel your love and light, Hanna. You truly know our plight and pain. I didn’t believe I’d ever be free of the pain and hate the Emperor inflicted, but you’ve reached me in my dark prison. Thank you, Hanna.”

“And me too,” Suko sobbed joyously, “I can feel the pain of our ordeal lifting and hope filling my wounded heart. You truly care about us. Thank you so much, sister.”

“It was my pleasure,” Hanna chimed, tears of joy and relief draining down her cheeks. “By helping you, I’m helping purge myself of this same pain and hate. Do not hesitate to call on me if you need anything, even after I reverse this mutation. I’ll always be there for you.”

“You truly care for them,” Rachel sobbed softly in realization, “You care for me, too.”

“That I do, Rachel,” Hanna declared, looking at Rachel sitting in Selina’s lap. “You’re all my sisters. I never take family for granted. I lost mine once, long ago. I’m not letting the Darkness take my new family, you included, Rachel. And I say to you all, the Ancient of Days may have allowed your arms and legs to be taken, but I know He’s going to replace them. It will happen. I know it down to my toes. He will show us how to restore you.”

“Your faith and love astounds me, Hanna,” Althea admitted, smiling warmly. “It’s a marvel in the darkness we live in. Thank you for sharing it with us and showing us out of that darkness.”

“It’s the least I can do,” Hanna chimed, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I lived for so long in the Darkness. I know its desolation, hate, and despair all too well. So, when I get a chance to share my light to dispel the Darkness, it gives me great pleasure. Love, Light, and Life will always overcome Darkness and Death; always.”

“I can see you do,” Tala whimpered. “Thank you for being there for us.”

“You’re welcome,” Hanna replied warmly.

“I can see your power now,” Chihiro declared with a trembling smile as she touched Hanna on the shoulder. “It’s just like Izanami said. Your kindness, compassion, and love of life are your greatest powers. You truly are the Beowulf. I am honored to be your friend.”

“You honor and humble me, Chihiro,” Hanna said, letting go of Tala and standing. Giving Chihiro a hug, Hanna said, “That’s good. Thank you for being my friend.”

“You’re welcome,” Chihiro replied. “I love you, Hanna.”

“I love you too,” Hanna said with a warm smile and kiss on Chihiro’s cheek. “I love all of you, and so does our God. He loves all of us, no matter what condition we’re in.” Turning to Rachel, she said, “What do you think, Rachel? Would you like Althea, Tala, and Suko to be your friends? I know they’d love to be yours.”

“That’s so true,” Althea chimed. “Please let us be your friend, Rachel. We truly know what you’re going through.”

Selina wiped the tears from Rachel’s eyes as she nodded. “I’d like that,” Rachel whimpered. “You’re like me. I can see you again, can’t I?”

“Of course,” Tala answered with a trembling smile as Chihiro wiped her tears away. “I’d love to.”

“Me too,” Suko murmured as Jessica sat with her, putting an arm around her. “You’re so full of life, Rachel. Just being near you makes me feel good.”

“I agree,” Althea said warmly. “Your life is soothing to us, Rachel. You’re welcome to spend time with us anytime you wish. I’m sure Hanna and Selina will allow it.”

“Of course we will,” Hanna chimed. “All you need to do is ask.”

“You mean it?” Rachel asked, looking Hanna in the eye.

Hanna knelt in front of Selina and Rachel, looking Rachel in the eye while touching her on her right stump. “Yes,” Hanna said sincerely. “You have my word on it. Anytime you want to come see Althea, Tala, and Suko, we’ll make sure you get to see them. We want our little girl to be happy.”

“I love you, Hanna,” Rachel blurted out, tears dripping down her cheeks.

“I love you too,” Hanna cooed, caressing Rachel’s cheek with her hand. “I’ll always love you. You’re our little girl now, and such a good girl you are.”

“That you are,” Selina purred. “You’re a good girl. We can tell.” Those present agreed, reinforcing the statement.

“Well, I guess we should go now,” Hanna stated, standing up and turning to Althea, Tala, Suko, Lola, Jessica, and Chihiro. “It’s getting late.”

“Of course,” Lola chimed, briefly hugging Hanna. “We understand. Don’t be a stranger.”

“Perish the thought,” Hanna chimed. “Let me know if Althea, Tala, or Suko need anything, okay?”

“We will,” Lola replied. “I promise. Oh, yeah...don’t forget to change Rachel’s bandages before bed. We’ve been changing her bandages in the evenings.”

“We won’t,” Selina answered. “Say goodbye to your friends, Rachel.”

“Goodbye,” Rachel told everyone with a trembling smile. “Thank you for being my friends.”

“You’re very welcome,” Althea stated. “We dolls have to stick together. Have a good night, Rachel. I hope to see you again real soon.”

“Me too,” Tala chimed. “I like you. You make me feel alive, Rachel, and that’s a good thing.”

“Same here,” Suko agreed. “When I look at you and what Miss Hanna and Selina are doing for you, I don’t feel so abandoned. It gives me a reason to live.”

“That’s very good,” Hanna chimed, going to Suko and giving her a hug while sitting on the bed with her. “I know just what you’re talking about. I’m glad we were able to give you a reason to live. It’s important not to give up hope. Remember, you’re not alone. We’re all here for you, including Rachel.” She kissed Suko on the cheek and stood up, stepping behind Selina’s wheelchair to move it. “We’ll see you later, sisters,” Hanna said warmly. “Let’s go home, Rachel.” Without another word, Hanna rolled Selina and Rachel away.

When Hanna, Selina, and Rachel were out of sight, Suko sighed emotionally. “There goes a true marvel in the Darkness,” Suko declared. “Hanna and Rachel did something I never believed would happen.”

“What’s that?” Jessica asked as she put her arm around Suko.

“They gave me hope when I had none,” Suko admitted. “I’d given up hope that I’d ever be free of the Emperor, much less have an opportunity to be happy. It’s been so long since any of us has had any hope. I hope the Emperor doesn’t dash that hope again.”

“He won’t,” Althea reassured. “Hanna is the Beowulf. Of that, I have no doubt. It’s her destiny to give hope to those of us who have none. She’s going to burn the Emperor for what he did to her and us. I’m so glad you and Tala had the chance to speak to her and experience the freedom I felt when she came to me earlier today. She freed me of my pain and gave me hope, just as she did for you. It’s a wonderful feeling. Even though what the Emperor did still haunts me and causes me pain, it’s not nearly as overwhelming as it was before Hanna came. It really helps to have someone share our pain who knows it from experience.”

“I agree,” Tala murmured. “I feel the same way. I may never truly escape the pain of what the Emperor did, but I think I can cope with it now. Hanna is truly a sister I can relate to; one who I know will not stop helping me. That’s what gives me hope.”

“We all feel that way,” Lola agreed, sitting next to Althea. “She’s truly one of us, as is Selina, Rachel, and you. I would die for them if I had to. I love them that much.”

“So would I,” Chihiro declared. “But I can’t help but to wonder what new marvel Hanna has in store for us after she’s restored to her male form. I hope she stays the way she is after the procedure. It would be so nice to see a man behave the way she does.”

“Amen,” Lola agreed. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see. But I do know that Hanna will love and protect us to her last breath no matter what her form is: man or woman. I know it.” Changing the subject, she declared, “I guess it’s time for your baths now. Are you ready?”

“Sure,” Althea stated, with Tala and Suko declaring the same thing.

Lola looked and saw more of her Harem sisters approaching. Three of them pushed wheelchairs. “Excellent timing,” she chimed. “Our sisters have come to help with your baths. Let’s do it.” Once the girls gathered around, they moved Althea, Tala, and Suko to the wheelchairs and took them to the infirmary’s bath area to give them their daily bath.