The Fringe (2)

Lilia's cheek grew hot and her ears rang. For a moment she thought she'd went deaf. She saw lips moving but she couldn't tell what they said. 

"Are you deaf! You ugly brat! Why didn't you retrieve the pin like I told you. Where did you hide it?!"

It was her Second Aunt screaming at the top of her lungs. 

She was immobile with fear. As long as she didn't respond it would all be over soon. She hoped some miracle would happen. 

Her sister would for once plea for her. But she knew that wouldn't happen. 

"Fine. You don't want to admit your wrongs. You can bare the consequences."

Second Aunt motioned to the servants behind her. Suddenly there was a wooden tub and servants were filling out with scalding hot water. 

Second Aunt dragged Lilia towards the bin. Lilia tried to pull her boney arm away. 

"No please no. I won't do it again. I promise. Please. Please. Please." Blood curling please could be heard. What was she sorry,  she didn't know. Being alive. Existing. Not fading away. 

Wham.

Another powerful slap was delivered across her cheek. 

"You dare to reject your punishment!"

Lilia didn't really hear her words. All she could think about is the hot water. It was worse than freezing water. She wasn't strong enough to protect herself. 

She kicked all she could but couldn't fight the servants who'd taken over. They grabbed all her appendages and dunked her in the water. 

A forced held her head under. Just a little longer. 

She wasn't drowning. She wasn't drowning.

She was constantly reminding herself. That she would be fine. She wouldn't die. She couldn't die. 

The fear they were trying to instill in her was only in her mind. It wasn't real. 

But this torture was mixing with others. Images of the dislodged hand of her sister she was holding only moments ago. There were no bodies to collect, pieces wouldn't fit together. The collapse of rubble around her. Everything she knew disappeared in an instant. No matter how hard she tried to remember sheer couldn't figure out what she was doing there. Who took her? They wanted answers thill questions she couldn't give. 

The water didn't work. They took knives to cut up her flesh out her stomach and pushed needles under her nails. 

Then the pain ended. 

She was walking in light. Given hope and freedom. 

Then betrayal. She looked up at the man she trusted the most as he didn't hesitate to stab her. In his stabs he poured out his version of his love. 

She pulled out a long sword from her beloved. He wasn't dead. He couldn't die. She whispered a spell and he suddenly disappeared. 

It was her now and him. Who was this intruder? What right did he have to disrupt her peace and calm. How dare he destroy her precious people.  What was his entitlement to her. 

Rage filled her. It was more than she had ever felt. She had to protect her people.  She was going to kill the intruder. 

But she had to break a promise. 

No matter. She'd seek forgiveness later if she lived. 

She attacked. Sparks flew. She wasn't going to waste time. 

The intruder stabbed her and she stopped. He caught her falling body. With familiar loving eyes he held her. But she disregarded them. She pulled a dagger made especially for him and stabbed him. If she had the time she would carve his heart out for all the pain and suffering he caused. But she could take his death. 

It was a shame he was the last thing she would see before her demise. She would remember his face forever. His aura. His presence. She would...

Snippets of memories swirled like the pieces of a pinwheel once touched by wind. They all became one and the same. 

Memories of torture and degradation filled her. 

There were memories of threats to throw her to the soldiers like she was a piece of meat. She was teased mercilessly by those people who shared the same blood as her. She was starved and beaten for others entertainment and made to crawl at their feet. Who were they? In  the end, weren't they one and the same? What rights did they have over her? 

The memories were all a part of her. The pain she vowed to forget came forth. She was filled with indignation and deep sorrow. 

How could she be filled with happiness when such shadows were on her heart? 

Lilia's eyes opened. Her hand was wrapped fittingly around a slender neck. A pair of shocked eyes were looking back at her. 

For a brief moment she didn't know where she was. Then slowly memories came to her. She quickly released Votra's neck. 

She clearly remembered being by the water but how did  she get here? 

Votra gave a nervous laughter, "My lady. You've finally awakened."

Lilia wanted to apologize but the words never came. Instead she tried to sit up but a pressure on her stomach made her stop. Yan was sprawled out on her torso, lightly snoring and suckling  his thumb. She frowned lightly before gently sliding him next to her. 

"What happened?" Lilia asked. 

"Aaahhh," Votra scratched the back of her head. "I'm not sure. It seemed you absorbed some star energy."

"How long was I out for?" Lilia asked. 

"Twelve days," Votra said. 

"Twe- twelve days?" Lilia was shocked. That was most of time here. She only had the days left. If she'd stayed asleep she wouldn't need to be awake. What a shame. 

She looked over. Ezer sat in the same place she remembered. He  was definitely dedicated. 

Memories from her dream flashed before her eyes. A bitter taste filled her mouth. She'd have to return that family once again. 

She didn't know why she felt so deeply but she had to teach them a lesson. Who were they to disregard her life. She would make them beg for mercy. 

She checked her qi. For the first time she could feel a surge of energy in her chest. She closed her eyes and could visualize her soul energy. It was entangled with another brighter, more potent energy. That must have been what Ezer spoke of. He was right. If she could fuse her soul she could be unstoppable. What a good present delivered to her from the universe. 

She'd couldn't get revenge for her own losses but the old Lilia could rest in peace. She would put her affairs in order. This would be her gift to  her. Afterwards, she'd be taking charge of her own destiny. 

She closed her eyes and began to cultivate.