As Irene’s condition stabilized, Lucia rose and strode straight toward Heron, who still looked dazed. Without a word, she swung her hand, slapping his cheek with a stinging force.
“What are you moping around for? Get up and apologize,” she roared in his face.
Heron blinked, the sharp pain pulling him back.
“Right… You are right,” Heron said, feeling like he was waking from a nightmare.
Lucia still felt rage. It wasn’t enough to hit him only once. So she drew her back to strike him again, but her wrist was caught mid-swing.
“Stop it, Lucia. It wasn’t his fault. It was mine,” Irene said with anger in her eyes.
“What are you talking about?” Lucia yelled back as she struggled against Irene’s hold. “You were dead! I almost lost you!” Her voice fractured at the end, and she fought to keep from breaking down again.
“I was lucky,” Irene said quietly, then managed a small smile. She nodded toward May, who was still on her knees, drenched in sweat. “Lucky that May has become such a skilled healer.”
“Me, a skilled healer?” May managed a breathless chuckle. “Don’t be silly, Irene. You’re the teacher. I just picked up a trick or two… for times like this.”
“Then all that training paid off,” Irene replied.
“It certainly did,” Lucia agreed, her nod jerky as her eyes were shining.
“I am sorry to interrupt this reunion,” Richard said as he approached them. Then he pulled Irene into a fierce embrace. “Don’t do anything this stupid again,” he whispered into her ear, his arms tightening around her.
“Hey, let go of her.” Lucia shoved him away from her. “She just came back from the dead, and you want to kill her again?”
“Please don’t, Richard. My body can’t handle another wave of miasma right now,” May said while letting out a weak, half-hearted laugh.
Richard drew back, swallowing hard. “Right… I’m sorry, Irene,” he said as he fought back his own tears.
Irene didn’t say on the apology. Instead, she turned her attention toward Heron, stepping closer until she could take his hand.
She took his hand gently. “Are you feeling better? Any more unusual visual artifacting?”
Heron jerked back as if burned. “That’s what you’re thinking about?” he shouted in disbelief. “I killed you! don't even understand how you’re standing here!”
“For future reference, even when the body fails, the soul lingers for a short time. If not for everyone’s quick reaction, I would be dead,” Irene said calmly.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Heron’s face crumpled. He sobbed and threw his arms around her.
“Thank the Creators for such a blessing,” his voice muffled against her shoulder.
Once the situation had subsided, Icarus and Alessia joined the group for a hands-on meeting.
“We have all been through enough emotional turmoil for one day,” Richard said with a strained voice. “Please, Irene, walk us through it. Tell us exactly what happened.”
Irene nodded, still pale. “Heron told me he was seeing visual elements that don’t belong in our world. He described them as lines being present in every object he could see. From what I’ve read, there are records of individuals affected by soul crystals experiencing similar hallucinations. Heron wasn’t holding a soul crystal, and he didn’t have one on him, so I thought it was a slim chance that maybe there was miasma residue. The strange part was that he lacked the typical aura that usually signals such an influence.”
“But people exposed to soul crystals are known to suffer lasting effects,” Richard noted.
“Exactly. So, Heron,” Irene said, turning her focus to him. “Have you ever interacted with a soul crystal before? Perhaps carried one on your person without knowing?”
“No,” Heron replied firmly. “For as long as I can remember, I never even touched crystal magic before arriving in Jamtara. I certainly haven't used a soul crystal.”
“Then you’re either lying or you’re a freakish outlier,” Lucia snapped.
“Lucia, please, as I said, this isn't his fault. Just let me finish,” Irene politely said.
Lucia gave a begrudging humph.
Irene continued, rubbing her temple, trying to remain focused.
“So. As I said, it was a slim chance, but I decided to bring a translucent medical crystal and draw out any miasma clinging to him. I gave it to him and told him to channel his thoughts into it. Then…”
Suddenly, Irene’s voice cut off. A piercing sound hit Irene’s mind. It was high-pitched and jarring, like needles being driven into a nerve.
-.. --- / -. --- - / ... .- -.-- / .- -. -.-- - .... .. -. --. / . .-.. ... .
She curled forward, gripping her head.
“Irene!” Richard shouted, lunging toward her.
“Remain calm,” May said as she moved to stop him. But then Irene forced herself upright, one hand pressed hard to her head.
“I’m sorry,” Irene whispered, rubbing her temples. “There was a sudden pain. It must be a side effect of the revival.”
She swallowed. “Where was I? Um… I have trouble remembering what happened after that.”
“It’s alright,” Lucia reassured her. “You need to rest. You’ve been through enough.”
“I’m not sure this will help,” Irene continued. “The last thing I recall is looking at my hands on the crystal after it had filled. That must have been what triggered the reaction and killed me.”
She still felt the ache in her head. “I should lie down. But please, understand, it wasn't Heron’s fault. We all know the risks of interference when a crystal is active. Something made me disregard the danger, a lapse in judgment on my part.”
She paused to catch her breath. “Now, I am feeling tired, so excuse me as I go lie down.”
She left the room, and Lucia and May followed to assist her. The others remained behind.
Almir nodded toward the crystal, which was now pure dull grey. “So, what are we going to do about that?”
“For a start, we are not going to mention its existence to anyone,” Richard said with a low and dangerous tone.
I’ve never even heard of a crystal turning pure grey,” Almir remarked.
“That is exactly why we must remain silent,” Richard replied cautiously. “At least until I can find some answers.”
