For Glory and Loss - Epilogue

How long had it been now, since she'd faced the monster known as Aleister? Since the void in her chest had burned her from the inside and suddenly cracked and split until it covered her eye - or what remained of it? Not long enough, she knew that. It would never be enough time to heal from all that had happened. When she signed up for the King's Guard, she knew getting hurt was practically part of the job description, but this was bordering on ridiculous. First the assault in the middle of the night, rendering her with a near-death experience. Night terrors had haunted her for some time, after that, but with help and support that had gotten better. But now this... this was worse.

For one, she had been awake and aware the whole time. She had volunteered to go in there to apprehend Aleister, hoping to aid the witchfinders in their job. Instead, they had fled and she'd been the only one left. Aleister's illusions had been terrifyingly real, and it was pure luck (or so she felt) that she'd been able to look past them and continue her mission. That had been the biggest mistake of her life so far. She was nothing compared to him, not alone. Her sword fighting skills had barely just been enough to distract and hurt him slightly, but once he was unarmed and seemingly pissed off enough, she had been doomed.

The recovery had been long. She'd been confused, hurt, tired and scared. Being alone in bed at night was almost worse than the night terrors that had now come back full force. She often woke up in the middle of the night, sweat dripping from her face and hands clutching the blanket. Rapid and panicked breathing, before one of the nurses came in to check on her and calmed her down. The void had changed, since that day. No one could tell her exactly what that entailed yet, but it hurt as she breathed deeply and laid restless for the rest of the night. Sometimes she couldn't feel it all, as if she wasn't really there. She felt numb, emotionless.

The doctor's she'd spoken with were continuously puzzled by her affliction, and none had a definitive answer. Some said it was merely spreading and covering more of her body, and that there was no harm in it. Some were a bit cautious, telling her to keep an eye on future injuries.

It was as if the void was becoming more than just a part of her, as if it was watching over her. Had protected her, when she lost her eye. Had saved her from a weak heart as a child. But she knew none of this, not how it had actually worked and developed over the years. How the energy she gained from food and rest went to the void, to keep it strong and alive. How they would never be separate again, but always be part of each other.

But that was not important to her right now, as she still laid in bed recovering from it all. Instead, when she couldn't sleep and spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, she picked up Aleister's mask. She'd stared at it for far too long, hoping that by some chance it'd give her a clue of what he was or what had happened. As if it could answer her questions. Although it was solid, she'd discovered, that she could look through it, if she wished to. She couldn't deny, that whatever magic Aleister possessed, it was impressive. But now she had something of his, at least.

And she hoped, if she ever met him again, that seeing his own creation would piss him off more than their first meeting had.

Aleister, I will come for you one day.