In The Aftermath

The relentless downpour of rain hammered itself against the Earth, its steady rhythm keeping me conscious as I lay sprawled on the ground, clutching my lower abdomen. Sharp pain constantly pulsed through my body, each wave made it harder to breathe. 

All around me were shadows vaguely resembling mages of the Vyrath family surrounding me. I couldn't be sure, not through my fading vision. But I was certain they didn't all rush here just to help. 

An attack. Someone had struck me from behind. My core, which had once been stable, was in chaos now. Mana surged, out of control, raging through my veins like fire, scorching my insides. 

COUGH COUGH 

Blood spewed out of my throat as I turned to face them.

"Great." I muttered to myself. A bitter laugh barely escaping my blood stained lips. "First I failed my Tribulation, and now I'm being hunted down by the Vyraths"

Among the crowd of mages, One stepped forward, his silhouette sharper than the rest. His footsteps pierced through the pouring rain, echoing as though announcing his presence. 

As the mage drew closer, close enough to be seen despite my declining vision, I saw the insignia etched upon his coat that was granted only to heads of the Vyraths—The Vyrath crest.

My heart sank, I'd known it was them, but I had hoped it wasn't him. My greatest rival, Aldric Vyrath.

Finally, the mage stopped, his legs planted firmly in front of me.

"You don't seem to be doing so well huh Caelith?" His voice oozed with amusement and false pity.

I could only stare back in response as he crept closer before kneeling down. He was wearing a smug look on his face, the sight of which snapped me out of my silence, replacing it with a surge of raw anger.

My anger was clearly conveyed, seeing as Aldric laughed. "Woah calm down there" he smirked, seemingly finding the entire situation fun. I mustered all my remaining strength to swing a punch at him, but it was meaningless. Pain filled my body once again as he easily swatted my hand like a fly.

"I have to say I was surprised. Even after failing tribulation, having your entire core shattered, and being attacked by magic, you're still alive and killing" Aldric mused.

"Most people would have died right there and then, but not you," he continued, his tone almost admiring. "Always a stubborn one."

He leaned in, his voice now almost a whisper. "But thanks to that, I get to see you die myself"

I gritted my teeth and glared at him. "What is the meaning of this? You were always a bit shifty but this… this is something else" I spat, ignoring the excruciating pain from what was left of my core.

Aldric looked at me, a faint hint of shock flickered on his face, before he started to laugh maniacally. Before I could react, Aldric grabbed my head and raised it until I could see him, eye to eye. 

"Reason?" He said, voice thick with envy. "I just find you to be a nuisance, how effortlessly you climbed, how everyone admired you. I couldn't stand it, so I decided to put an end to it." 

He leaned in slightly, his tone becoming sharper. "I couldn't let you get ahead of me, could I? You started later, yet you reached the top first. All that attention... it should have been mine." His intense eyes drilled into my skull as his grip strengthened, revealing the jealousy behind the guise of malice.

THUD 

I felt his grip around my neck soften as my body tumbled onto the ground. 

Suddenly, one of Vyrath's lapdogs stepped forward and whispered something into his ear. Aldric eyes narrow ever so slightly before clicking his tongue in annoyance. 

"Tell the others we're leaving" 

"But what about him, Young Master?" The subordinate asked hesitantly, glancing toward my motionless body

"TSK" Aldric scoffed, "Just leave him, his fate has already been sealed, he is going to die sooner or later." Aldric gives one last mocking smirk before he and his subordinates disappear into the night.

I lay there, unable to move my body as the cold earth pressed onto my skin. I slowly felt my consciousness giving up. 

A small part of me had hope for some kind of miracle, but I knew that it was just an illusion at this point. Failing the Tribulations should've caused a massive commotion, but seeing that no one from the council even bothered to check up on me, this entire ordeal was most likely set up.

COUGH COUGH 

"Shit…" I cursed inwardly. I had dedicated most of my life to that shitty council, upholding their so-called virtues and carrying out their orders. But now, as I lay here abandoned, it became painfully clear—I was nothing more than a disposable pawn. 

I should be seething with rage, and part of me is, but it's overshadowed by a crushing regret. I spent my life serving those on top, giving up any chance at truly living. 

I let out one final sigh of regret before darkness fully engulfed my vision, and I lost consciousness. My body felt as if it were aimlessly floating through an empty void until, suddenly, the sound of a clock ticking echoed—eerily comforting, like a mother soothing her crying child.

How much time has passed? I'm not sure, as my consciousness continues to wander aimlessly. Then, suddenly, I felt an unknown force pulling at me, and though I tried to resist, I found myself unable to. It was as though the very fabric of my being was being drawn back. 

"Caelith…wake up! WAKE UP!"

I jolted awake, my eyes snapping open as I turned toward the source of the voice. Standing before me was a face I thought I'd long forgotten, her long dark hair cascading around her shoulders, her sharp, almond-shaped eyes filled with a mixture of disappointment and frustration. 

Her pale, delicate features were almost ethereal in the dim light, but the stern set of her mouth made it clear she wasn't happy.

"How long are you going to keep sleeping for, huh?"