Tama

  I heard Saki suddenly cough out “Goddess of creation?!” She sounded shocked.

  “Yes… Do you not know who she is? I suppose she isn’t as well known as the other elements. But she is the creator of this entire world and all who dwell in it.” Aunt Talia said solemnly. “She is said to be very wise and able to create life and defeat darkness with her mere presence.”

  “Is she now…” Saki said under her breath. But I was listening, so I heard her. Then she said even quieter “I heavily doubt the wise part though.”

  “What Saki?” Aunt Talia said curiously.

  “Oh, n.n ...nothing. So, what's the trade off?” Saki stuttered out. That was weird. Was Lyran nearby?

  Aunt Talia answered with a snort “She can’t actually willingly hurt someone.”

  Saki laughed and replied “No, seriously.” There was silence for a moment and then Saki asked “Wait, you're serious? Like, Really? She didn’t have any problem swatting me through three different hills!”

  Aunt Talia chuckled and said “Technically Saki, all she did was move her hand to block your attack and gently pushed you back. She could legitimately claim she didn’t realize you were that weak as Tama’s best friend. It was less an attack, and more someone gently pushing.”

  There was another moment of silence before Saki spoke, her voice very quiet, almost fearful. “That.. was a love tap…”

  Silence and I heard something hit the ground and quiet sobbing from Saki. I wanted to get up and comfort her, but I was so tired and I couldn’t move.

  “You know, Matriarch?” I heard Saki say between sobs. “Tama always told me she would protect me. For a while. I thought.. I thought maybe she was strong enough to keep that promise. Now, I want to take her far away and keep her safe.

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  These things aren’t human, At least the Lich was beatable. This.. this is impossible.”

  There was a loud smack and I forced myself to sit up. The pain was instant and overwhelming. I fell back and clenched my teeth as multiple people held me down. I was so weak, I couldn’t fight them off.. I still tried.

  “How dare you give up. Look at that girl in there. She almost died protecting your name. The least you can do is try and help her get rid of them. Never run away Saki. NEVER” Aunt Talia’s voice was cruel and hard. She sounded enraged.

  “but.. but how?” Saki asked, her voice barely a whisper. How would anything help? Tama would need years, and I would need way more.”

  There was a deep, tired sigh that came from Talia before she spoke. “Not necessarily Saki, Not everything can be solved with violence. Sometimes the biggest win you can make, is also the one you were already on the way to finish.

  Tama needs to reach Trissaile and be sworn in, once she is Queen. This problem will be far more manageable.”

  There was a long silence before a third voice spoke. By now I felt my water healing my insides and the pain slowly evaporating. There didn’t seem to be damage to my body. Just the pain. It reminded me of when Sensei would go extra hard in training and I couldn’t move for days. That was then, this was now.

  I forced myself to sit up and winced at the pain. My water quickly covered the pained areas and I felt it dull to manageable. I had to help Saki. A bunch of robed people came up to me and tried to push me back down gently onto the bed.

  That’s when I realized I had been moved while I was asleep. I was not wearing my gi anymore. I looked at one of the people and said “Tama needs her clothes! Saki will be upset if Tama doesn’t have her clothes!”

  The robed person looked at me perplexed and tried to hand me a robe. I stared at it and then back at her. “Tama doesn’t want this! Tama wants her gi! Anna!” I said angrily. I tried to move but I suddenly felt very tired.

  I turned to see another robed person pointing their hands at me and whispering something. They were making me tired? Enemies…

  I summoned a water dagger to attack. I tried to move, but before I could a voice came from outside. “Anna, where have you been? I thought you were with Tama?” Saki asked and I paused. That was a mistake as my vision blurred and everything went black for the third time in a row. I couldn’t help but wonder what Sensei would think of my failure.