The Last Goddess

Samara

Being unable to move around much was a strange feeling. I felt numb, and yet, Aryan's warmth against my back was comforting. But each moment that passed, I could feel the octopus's poison leaving me. However, it was much too slow for my liking.

I felt Aryan shift against me, his warm hands holding me securely as he lifted me up and away from the sea... and Anisha. I watched her, her dark eyes seemed conflicted. Even though she had said she would help us. I could tell there was something more she wanted to discuss.

I managed a smile and a nod. Her face softened for a minute before she took careful steps behind us.

Meanwhile, Aryan brought us back to the ruins, placing me down gently so I could sit up against the cool, rough stone.

"Thirsty?" he asked, searching through our bags, but I knew all he would find were empty canisters.

"There's none in there." I mentioned, feeling a bit embarrassed as I remembered what happened in the Pastel Dessert. "I would make some, but..."

There was a twitch of a smile before he scowled at Anisha who watched us, stone-faced. He took the empty canister and went to the watering hole we came through. Swiftly, he filled it up and then returned to my side, placing the bottle against my lips. I drank greedily, not realizing just how dehydrated I was.

"You can make water?" Anisha asked, her eyes examining me.

"Normally." I confirmed, trying to sit straighter. I managed but struggled some.

"So, you really are that cursed goddess." The mermaid stated matter-of-factly. "Does that mean that you also killed Lord Nolan as has been rumored?"

I cleared my throat, surprised by her straightforwardness.

Aryan took a predatory step forward, but Anisha's eyes didn't leave mine. Though I could tell she was ready to strike, if need be. "Trying to back out of helping us already?" he accused.

"No." she shook her head. "I just want the truth. Everyone's story is different, but you were there."

"So were the Sarcophilus and goblins that started that whole mess." Aryan said with sharp snark.

"And everyone knows that you can't take them at face value." She said, somewhat irked. "I just want to know the truth. Can't you do that much considering what I'm risking to help you?"

"Risking?" Aryan asked, his hand balled into a fist tightly.

"My home. My standing." The mermaid said with conviction. "If I help you and everything goes awry, then I lose everything. I think the bare minimum I should get is transparency."

"She's right, Aryan." I told him, making him turn his face just enough to look at me while still keeping an eye on Anisha. "She needs the truth."

I wiggled a bit more but couldn't get up still. A moment of frustration went through me. Aryan sat down beside me. His hand grazing mine before he silently leered at Anisha.

"Anisha stepped forward, standing above me. "What is the truth?"

"We were travelling through Laurels when those Sarcophilus and goblins began to—"

"Be total asshats." Aryan rolled his eyes, recalling it all.

I tried not to smirk at my familiar's quips as I continued. "One of them sent for Nolan, and when he arrived, he was determined to challenge me. Like it was all some sort of—"

"Game." Anisha said somberly, lowering herself to be standing on her tiptoes in front of me. "He was quite known for such antics. It was both charming and annoying."

"There was nothing charming about it." Aryan grumbled. I slid my hand towards his, hoping this small act would be comforting. His hand twitched—almost like he was surprised—but quickly, he settled, leaving his hand where it was beside mine.

"These powers. This curse." I swallowed a lump in my throat. "I can't always control them, and when a god threatens me, they just... activate." My eyes began to tear up as I thought of the way I squeezed the life out of Nolan's body. Aryan squeezed my hand, unabashed. I smiled towards him before looking at Anisha's blank face. "Once the curse activates, I lose all control. I didn't want to... you know. But I had little choice in the matter. However... I am sorry. I know it's not enough, but—"

Anisha blinked, finally showing some semblance of emotions. Her lips tightened into a tight smile. She reached for my free hand, holding it gently as she whispered. "Lady Fausta would forgive you."

That blurry wall of tears finally fell at her words. "How do you know?" I asked, feeling incredibly small in that moment.

"She never holds grudges. Especially when it seems a game is rigged." Anisha said, stretching as she stood up. "Besides, she was the only one that ever beat him at anything. He always kinda liked it." She smiled, recalling some distant memory.

Hearing Anisha's calm reply left me feeling a little lighter, but not completely blameless. I don't know that there will ever be a time where I don't feel responsible for what happened. But this... this was a start.