“Fine, I have the amulet you need.” Tess reached into a bag and pulled it out. “It’s the real one this time, I promise. Think about this: what if that darkness was meant for you? What would you do if you returned to your world without it? I’m sure there is a drab life waiting for you after the ritual.”
Chara clenched her fist. He didn’t know anything about her. The words still stung. She would go on to finish high school, continue to college using her Judo scholarship, and then where? Maybe something like the Olympics was in her future.
She had seen and done so much over the past couple of weeks. The future did seem dull when she measured it against what could potentially lie ahead.
Then there was the power. This dark aura that latched onto her and allowed her to use it. It frightened her.
“I know you are…”
“Shut it, Tess. She’s not thinking anything over. Toss the amulet here now!” Gage held out his dagger and stood between the two. His figure was wiry compared to Chara and Tess, but she knew he was a formidable warrior. He was the first one to greet her when she started this journey to cleanse whatever had infected her. He was such a stereotypical hero that Chara still couldn’t take him seriously. It was endearing at times how he treated her.
“Why don’t you let her speak for herself?”
“She will when she’s ready. Or maybe she’ll break your hand and take the amulet.” Gage smirked and looked back at Chara. Her expressions were hard to read as they all stemmed from seriousness.
“There’ll be no need for bloodshed or broken bones. I give this to you willingly and at no price but my health. I want her to know that I can help her control what she has. It isn’t a curse. Simply a tool for use. It’s something greater than us. Do come find me when you are ready.” Tess tossed the amulet in the air. It multiplied once and then again. Gage reached out to grab them and was overwhelmed as more than a dozen dropped around him. Tess ran past him in the confusion and out of the blocked alleyway. Chara continued to stand in place.
Gage reached out, and one by one the amulets vanished until he had found one that was solid.
“I have it! This was the last piece of the ritual. Let me prepare it.” Gage got to work unloading the supplies onto the ground.
This was the moment that it all led up to for Chara. Her life was about to be returned to her. The things that she had done wouldn’t be wiped away, but she would be with her family and friends again. Had they even noticed she was gone? Her friends would have. Her dad would have when he wasn’t able to bring her to Judo class. Chara didn’t remember why she continued except that she was good at it. The struggles, tears, and father who wouldn’t let her quit piled into the experience she now had.
The skill served its purpose on this journey. It had surprised Gage how versed she was in combat. The darkness has served her as well. It was hard to tell if it was her or the aura that had killed the bandits. Two lives, and then a third. An innocent who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Gage had understood, but she didn’t know if she did. It didn’t wear on her as much anymore.
“Right, almost ready, Chara. I will speak the incantation, and I need you to be over here.” Gage put his hand on Chara’s shoulder and guided her to where the items seemed to be scattered about. She obliged.
It all seemed so rushed. What did Tess’s words mean? A greater purpose?
“What did Tess mean when he talked about something bigger?”
Gage looked up from the ground, his green eyes locking with hers. “I have no idea what he meant. You know what I’m tasked with. I’ve never asked, but I know I do what is right by restoring people to their lives.”
“Have you ever not helped someone?”
“Never. Everyone returns to their homes.”
Chara thought it best not to continue down this questioning. Gage was a great person, someone she could be friends with if given a chance.
“Ready. I’ll miss you, Chara. You have taught some good lessons.”
Chara reached out her arms in hopes that this was a common gesture. Gage nodded as he stood. He walked over and embraced her.
“I don’t think I’m ready.” Chara’s hand was pressed against Gage’s abs, and she could feel the power form. It manifested from her body and pierced his innards. She felt his body go slack in her arms. “I can’t go back. I can’t lose what was given to me.” Gage’s mouth formed words as his shock froze on his face. Chara could feel a tear form in one of her eyes. The darkness allowed this moment of loss for a second before covering her feelings back up.