The trees, once proud oaks, clawed at the sky. They had transformed after the green had brought back the Song. Dust, a pale reddish purple color, covered roofs and the streets in Ravensboro.
Here, in the ruins, a fragile deal had been struck. Peace had begun to bloom between David and Vanessa, a contract nurtured by the echoes of hope and what once was.
David, his face carrying with it the hardships of survival, knelt beside Isabell. Her skin had become translucent, and veins radiated like delicate mystery as they spread from her heart. The purple mycelium had claimed her, and her flesh had become an angry place with blooming welts. He closed his eyes, focusing his mind inwards. David summoned the Song, heavy and somber, not brokering defeat.
His hands, gray and clawed, hover a mere breath away from her navel, not touching. He visualized the Rot that infested her and twisted her flesh into ground meat from within. A soft, emerald light emanated from his fingertips, bathing the small room in its warming light. David felt it, the loving embrace of Gaia; she seemed to pat his back and hug him tight, every time he used his magicks. Isabell, I hope you are feeling this too; the coils of mycelium on your feet are disappearing, David thought.
Minutes bled into what felt like seconds. David's strength began to waver. Sweat covered his forehead. But he persevered, fueled by Gaia's embrace, the need to make things right, and normalcy that had forgotten most. Finally, with a shaking sigh, he pulled back and examined himself.
"Only 30% left of my reserves." David whispered to himself.
Then, it happened.
With a start, Isabell's eyes flew open. They were clear and vibrant, the color of the summer sky, contrasted by the flame-like feathers in her hair. David could get lost in those eyes; it reminded him much of the past, a time without magic in this world.
She looked at him, a motherly smile touching her lips.
"You." she whispered, her voice weak but filled with gratitude. " You saved me again."
He managed a worn smile in return. Questions appeared in his head. Once again, he knew a piece of the puzzle was missing.
"Do you not remember? The car wreck?" Isabell said, invoking images in David's head. Of, course she, Tom, and Vanessa had been saved by him.
"It felt so long ago when the green had broken the status quo of earth." David mused to himself.
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"I want to express my sincere gratitude. Thank you." She bowed her head.
The sight of Isabell's recovery rippled through the tight room like a warm current. It was a victory, a testament to what they could endure. And for Isabell, it meant even more. The reunion with Vanessa and Tom.
Both tackled Isabell after she had thanked David, a spell had been broken, and the damm that held back tears had released its load. The trio hugged each other tight and emotions spilled out. It was a beautiful sight, a reminder of the human connection that still thrived in the ruins.
David watched the scene, warmth from his chest tickled his senses. He gazed between Isabell and Vanessa. His eyes narrowed reflexively once as they reached the feathers and dagger-like ears. But I need them; their voices, when combined, hold the power to protect Ravensboro, he thought.
Brahan had told him never to trust the dagger-eared folk. While he didn't go into detail, David could tell why. Vanessa's zealotry and the mistreatment of the "normals" was a big concern to him. He knew the behavior would come to a point later down the line that would require David to make a choice, but luckily, this time was not now.
That evening, a celebration was held in the heart of the gym. A violin played mystical tunes expertly tuned by one of the normals. The light-giving cube cast dancing shadows on the faces of the survivors. Food and water, carefully rationed, were handed out and shared. Stories were told, memories brought nostalgia and faces lit up with joy.
And then, it was time for Isabell and Vanessa to sing. They stood together, hand in hand, their eyes locked. Their voices were hesitant at first, but they soon found their confidence. They weaved a magical scene of loss and resilience, standing against all the odds.
Everyone felt it then, the Song of their past—of the world they had lost but also the future they would never see. The tune changed, slowly at first but inevitable. It was recomposed. Loss was replaced by hope, and resilience by wonder.
The Song now spoke of the future, the world they were determined to build. As they sang, a palpable energy filled the air. The very air that heated up and released warming orange light.
Then, it happened. A shimmering, crimson barrier rose from the earth. It connected with shards already present as it encircled the gym—the very same Barrier that had held off the plague of rats before. It was a ritual of hope, a symbol of their Unity given to them by their ancestors.
A collective sigh swept through the crowd, muscles previously still on edge now finally relaxed. They were safe, for now.
The following days were filled with a sense of renewed purpose. The barrier held firm, the air was clean, and the survivors of Havenwood allowed themselves to dream of a future beyond mere survival. They repaired their cots, brought water from the river, and even started to explore the world just a hairs width away from their sanctuary.
But the peace was a mirage, a fragile bubble about to burst.
The first sign was subtle. A slight twitch in old ladies hand, a vacant stare in a young guards eyes. Then came the hunger, insatiable and unnatural. People clawing at each other for scraps of food, their eyes burning with a terrifying intensity.
David noticed it first. He saw the change, the subtle shift in their behavior, the growing unease in their eyes. He tried to warn them, but his words were dismissed as paranoia, as the lingering effects of the green. They were safe, they told him. The barrier was holding.
He should have listened to his instincts. He should have left.
