The Life After Death

  Chapter 9: After the Flames

  The heat from the flames still lingered in the air, its oppressive warmth clinging to my skin as I stood in the midst of the wreckage. Smoke curled around me in lazy tendrils, stinging my eyes and filling my nostrils with the acrid scent of charred wood.

  My gaze swept around the room, but it kept returning to Elara. Her body frighteningly still. Her burns—angry red patches of raw skin stretching across her right leg and arm—were stark against her pale complexion.

  Helena knelt beside her, tears streaking her face as she frantically cooled Elara’s wounds with her water magic. The faint mist rising from her hands glistened under the flickering light of the still-burning debris.

  Raiden crouched next to her, his strong arms wrapped protectively around Elara’s upper body, his expression a mixture of anguish and determination. I was frozen, my mind racing but my body refusing to move.

  My chest tightened as I tried to process the overwhelming reality of what had just happened.

  I… awakened…again? I have fire magic now. A second affinity.

  The realization hit me like a punch to the gut, but it was quickly overshadowed by guilt as my gaze fell to Elara once more. And this is what it cost.

  Suddenly, a sharp spray of water struck my face, snapping me out of my spiralling thoughts.

  “Come and help Mama, you idiot!” Helena’s voice cracked with emotion, a mixture of panic and fury, as she glared at me through her tear-filled eyes. Her outburst shook me, and I stumbled forward, dropping to my knees beside her.

  “I… I’m sorry,” I stammered, my voice breaking as my hands hovered confusedly over Elara’s still form.

  This is all my fault. The thought repeated in my mind like a relentless drumbeat, each beat heavier than the last. The sight of Elara’s burned and motionless body only deepened the pit in my stomach.

  I had never felt guilt like this before. In my past life, regret was an abstract concept, buried beneath layers of detachment and cold calculation. Yet here I was, trembling and sobbing, overwhelmed by the realization that I had caused this.

  Tears blurred my vision as I looked at Helena, her frantic determination a painful reminder of the stakes. “What can I do? Tell me what to do!” I sobbed, my chest heaving with the weight of my guilt and the unfamiliar ache of helplessness.

  The contrast of my past indifference with the raw, consuming sorrow of this moment struck me hard—what was happening to me? And why did seeing her like this hurt so much?

  “Just stay here and hold her hand,” Helena said, her voice trembling but firm. She leaned closer to Elara, her water magic continuing to flow steadily. Raiden’s deep voice broke through the chaos.

  “Emrys, calm yourself,” he said, his tone commanding yet not unkind. His piercing eyes locked onto mine. “Take a breath. You won’t help anyone if you lose control again. Helena, sit with him. I’ll take Elara to the bedroom.”

  Gently but swiftly, Raiden scooped Elara into his arms and carried her down the hallway. Helena and I watched in silence as the door to their bedroom closed behind him. The house felt suffocatingly quiet, except for the faint crackle of dying flames and my ragged breaths.

  Helena shifted closer to me, wrapping a blanket around my shoulders. “You’re still naked, you know,” she said with a weak attempt at a smile.

  I gave a hollow laugh, my voice still shaky. “Thanks for the reminder,” I muttered, pulling the blanket tighter. My body still felt raw, as if the fire had burned me from the inside out.

  Helena sat down beside me, her expression softening. “Em, this is not your fault. You didn’t mean for this to happen. You didn’t know.”

  I buried my face in my hands. “But I should have. I should have been more careful. I… I’ve hurt all of you.” My voice cracked under the weight of my regret.

  Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around me, pressing my head close to her chest. “Stop it,” she said firmly, her voice trembling with both grief and strength. “Mama’s going to be okay. We’ll figure this out together. Don’t forget what happened when I awakened. You’re not alone in this, Em.”

  The warmth of her embrace and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat calmed the storm in my mind, if only slightly. Her words brought a small measure of comfort, but the guilt still gnawed at me.

  “Hel,” I said hesitantly, “When I used that air magic earlier, I didn’t even think. I just sensed danger. I didn’t anticipate the danger to be me, let alone this… a second awakening.”

  She looked at me with wide eyes. “You don’t know what you did, do you?”

  I frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Em, that wasn’t just any air magic. The amount of mana you pushed out… the pressure behind it—it felt like a real spell. And you cast it without even using an incantation.”

  Her words left me stunned. “No incantation? That… that doesn’t make sense.”

  Before we could continue, Raiden’s footsteps echoed in the hallway, drawing our attention. He re-entered the room, his expression grim.

  “Elara’s burns are severe,” he said, his voice heavy with worry. “If they’re not treated soon, they could become infected. She may fall seriously ill.”

  “What do we do Papa?” Helena asked, her voice small.

  Raiden strode to a wooden drawer and pulled out a scroll, its surface marked with intricate sigils. He bit his finger and swiped it across the scroll, smearing a line of blood over the symbols. Holding it up, he spoke clearly and urgently. “Kae, I need your help. It’s Elara.”

  The scroll ignited in a burst of flames, burning to ash in his hands.

  “What was that?” I asked, my curiosity momentarily breaking through my despair.

  “A communication scroll,” Raiden explained, brushing the ash from his hands. “A magic artifact that can send a single 5 second message to its linked pair. It’s rare and can only be used once. I’ve called for Kae, a member of the Ember Order. They’ll help us travel to Aetheria. That’s the only place with healers skilled enough to treat Elara.”

  Helena’s eyes lit with a mix of fear and wonder. “Wait… the Ember Order? The same one from your stories Papa? Is this Kae… Kaelith?”

  Raiden gave a firm nod, his expression softening slightly. “Yes, my old friends.”

  “How long will it take them to get here, Dad?” I asked, my voice laced with urgency.

  Raiden sighed. “A month. Until then, we need to do everything we can to keep your mother stable. I’ll need both of you to help.”

  Helena and I nodded in unison, determination hardening in our expressions. My guilt remained, but beneath it, a spark of resolve ignited.

  No matter what it took, I would make this right.

  The house had fallen into an uneasy routine during the long wait for Raiden's friends; the Ember Order.

  The first three days were the hardest. Elara remained unconscious, her breathing shallow, as myself and Raiden tended to her burns. Every morning, Raiden would carefully unwrap the bandages, revealing the angry, blistered wounds beneath. I would silently assist, my hands trembling as I handed over fresh wraps.

  "It’s okay, son," Raiden said one morning, catching my hesitant gaze. "You’re helping more than you know." His words offered little comfort, but I nodded, my guilt too heavy to voice.

  “I just wish there was more I could do”, I said, my chest aching with regret.

  "You’re doing enough," he replied firmly, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder before returning to his task.

  Helena, ever determined, hovered nearby, her hands glowing faintly with the soft blue hue of her water magic as she tried to soothe Elara’s injuries. Yet no matter how much mana she poured into the effort, the wounds resisted healing.

  “It’s not working,” Helena muttered after another failed attempt, frustration etched across her face. “Why isn’t it working?”

  Raiden placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, though his eyes betrayed his own doubts. “You’re doing all you can, Helena. Sometimes… These things take time.”

  Meanwhile, I grappled with my own guilt. Every glance at Elara’s fragile form felt like a dagger to my heart. I did this to her, my chest tightening with every passing day.

  On the fourth day, Elara stirred, and the world felt like it held its breath. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she let out a soft, pained groan. Raiden, who had been dozing in a chair beside her, shot upright, his eyes wide with relief.

  “Elara!” he exclaimed, his voice thick with emotion as he leaned forward to take her hand. Helena burst into the room, tears already streaming down her cheeks. As for me, I stood frozen in the doorway, my breath caught somewhere between a gasp and a sob.

  “Raiden?” Elara’s voice, though hoarse, carried a warmth that seemed to push away the shadows in the room. Her weak smile found each of us. “Helena, Emrys… my darlings.”

  Helena practically threw herself at her, while being careful not to press too hard. “Mama! I was so scared! Are you okay?” she sobbed, her voice trembling as she clung to Elara like a lifeline.

  “I will be, my love,” Elara whispered, her hand weakly stroking Helena’s hair. Even through her obvious pain, she managed to smile softly at her. Then her gaze shifted to me, standing motionless and gripped by the heavy weight of guilt.

  “Emrys,” she called softly, her voice wrapping around my name like a comforting embrace. “Come here, my little one.”

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  I wanted to move, but my legs felt like stone. Slowly, I forced myself forward, my steps stiff and hesitant as though I carried the weight of my shame with each movement. "I’m sorry, Mom," I whispered, my voice cracking under the strain. "I didn’t mean for this to happen. I—"

  “Hush," she interrupted, her trembling hand reaching out to cup my cheek. Her touch was as light as a feather yet filled with so much warmth it made my chest ache. With a tender smile that seemed to carry the weight of her love despite her closed eyes, she said, "It’s okay, Emrys. I’m just glad you’re safe."

  Her words broke something inside me. Tears I had been holding back streamed down my face as I dropped to my knees beside her.

  Safe? After what I did? How can she possibly say that? The love in her eyes and the gentleness in her words were almost unbearable.

  But as her forgiving gaze held me, a new feeling began to grow within me; a resolve I had never known before. I will never let this happen again. I will protect her. No, all of them.

  The days that followed were a blur of care and quiet determination. Despite her pain, Elara wore a brave face, always greeting us with a smile. But I could see the truth in the shadows beneath her eyes and the way her hands trembled when she thought no one was watching. Her burns showed no signs of healing.

  One day, as Raiden and I carefully unwrapped her bandages to change them, we noticed that the burns had worsened. Her leg now bore deep shades of purple that seemed to pulse ominously under the dim light of the room. The raw, mottled flesh was stark against the pale uninjured skin.

  Raiden’s hands faltered for a moment, his jaw tightening as he exhaled sharply. "It’s getting infected," he muttered, his voice barely audible. The sight was enough to leave me frozen, bile rising in my throat as guilt and fear clawed at my chest.

  How much worse can this get? Feeling the oppressive weight of my helplessness.

  Elara screamed one night in pain from the infection, each agonizing cry slicing through the silence and echoing in my mind. The sound was unbearable, gnawing at my chest with every piercing wail.

  That night, Helena appeared in the living room, her eyes red-rimmed and glistening with unshed tears. “Can I stay with you?” she whispered, her voice trembling. I nodded silently, unable to find my words.

  We curled up on my small makeshift bed, her arms wrapping tightly around my right arm as though anchoring us both. Through the muffled cries of our mother in the distance, we held each other, clinging to the fragile sense of comfort we could find.

  I buried my face against her shoulder, my heart pounding with a mix of guilt and helplessness. The faint scent of her lavender soap mingled with the tension in the air, grounding me as we whispered reassurances to each other.

  "It’ll be okay," she said softly, though her voice wavered. I nodded, though the ache in my chest said otherwise. Together, we waited out the night, united in our shared fear and silent prayers for the screams to end.

  Raiden, usually a pillar of strength, was unravelling under the weight of it all. The dark circles under his eyes deepened as sleepless nights piled on. His temper grew shorter, though he tried to mask it for our sake. I often caught him staring out the window, his jaw tight and his hands balled into fists. He’s scared, I realized. We all are.

  A month after Elara’s injury had left us all reeling, a knock echoed through the quiet house. Raiden rose from his chair, his movements brisk but weary. Helena and I watched from the corner of the living room as he opened the door to reveal three figures silhouetted against the afternoon sun.

  “Brannick,” Raiden said, a genuine smile breaking through his exhaustion as he clasped the man’s arm in a firm handshake. Brannick was a towering figure, his broad shoulders wrapped in a dark cloak that barely contained his muscular frame. His square, sharp-featured face, with brown eyes and short black hair, softened as he returned the gesture.

  “Raiden,” Brannick replied, his voice deep and steady. “It’s been too long.”

  Behind him stood a lithe woman with flowing brown hair, intricately braided along the right side, giving the appearance of a shaved undercut. Her green eyes were striking as they scanned Raiden’s face, a hint of sharpness tempered by the smirk playing at her lips. Her fitted black clothing emphasized her curvaceous form, blending practicality with a flair for intimidation. “You look terrible,” she said bluntly, though the smirk tugging at her lips betrayed her affection. She pulled him into a brief but warm embrace.

  “And you haven’t changed a bit Kae,” Raiden retorted, his tone light despite the gravity of the situation. “Come in. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

  The third figure, a quiet woman with a thin, almost delicate frame. Her blackish-blue hair shimmered faintly under the light, flowing down her back in soft waves, contrasting sharply with her piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold a quiet intensity.

  "Still so silent as always, Mira," Raiden exclaimed with a weary smile as she stepped inside.

  Mira glanced briefly at him, her eyes flickering with acknowledgment before she nodded silently, her presence as enigmatic as ever. Raiden chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Some things never change." The three adventurers filed into the house, their expressions sobering as Raiden led them toward the living room.

  “These are my kids, Helena and Emrys,” Raiden said, his voice tinged with pride. Helena offered a shy wave, while I stared at the trio with wide eyes.

  Brannick’s booming laugh filled the room as he stepped toward Helena. “Look at you, little lady,” he said, scooping her up effortlessly. She squealed in delight as he swung her around in a playful circle. “Just like your dad described, a whirlwind of energy!”

  Kaelith, meanwhile, crouched down in front of me, her green eyes sparkling with warmth. "And you, young man," she said with a teasing smile, "so handsome. You definitely take after your mother."

  Before I could respond, she wrapped me in a tight hug, and my face was suddenly buried against her chest. My breath caught as I tried to wriggle free, my cheeks burning hotter than any flame I could conjure. I can’t breathe…

  Helena giggled from her perch in Brannick’s arms. "Aunt Kae, I think you’re killing him."

  Kaelith released me with a laugh, ruffling my hair as I stumbled back, trying to compose myself. "You’ll live," she said with a wink. "Though I have to admit, it’s nice to see I can still make a Valenhart blush," Kaelith said, glancing at Raiden with a brief, knowing smile, her green eyes flickering with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.

  Mira, standing silently to the side, offered a small, almost imperceptible smile before stepping forward and bowing her head slightly. Her soft voice broke through the playful atmosphere. "It’s an honor to meet you both," she said, her tone gentle yet formal.

  Why are you so formal? My face formed a perplexed expression as I stared at her.

  She’s the youngest, right? Shouldn’t she be a bit more… Relaxed? My brow furrowed slightly, a faint flicker of amusement crossing my mind.

  Raiden cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. "Elara… she’s resting in the bedroom," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “We can talk more after you’ve settled in. Tomorrow, we leave for Aetheria.”

  The Ember Order settled in quickly. Kaelith took my semi patched up room, Mira shared Helena’s, and Brannick sprawled across the couch in the living room, his massive frame barely contained by the furniture. Once they’d organized themselves, the trio visited Elara, their expressions shifting to sombre concern as they stepped into her room.

  “We’ll get you to the right hands, Elara,” Kaelith said softly, kneeling beside the bed and taking her hand. Her usual sharpness softened into an earnest warmth that made me blink in surprise. Raiden stood silently at the doorway, his gaze fixed on Elara, who managed a faint smile despite her pallor.

  Elara’s voice, soft but tinged with effort, cut through the room. "Kae, you always knew how to take care of us," she said, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Even now, it seems like you haven’t changed."

  Kaelith chuckled, a light, warm sound. "And you haven’t changed either, Elara. Always trying to keep the world together, even when you’re the one who needs to rest."

  Elara’s eyes softened, glancing briefly toward Raiden. "You always did a good job keeping Raiden in check, though. I don’t think I ever thanked you enough for that."

  Kaelith turned slightly, looking back at Raiden with a playful yet knowing glint in her green eyes. "Someone had to," she teased, her voice lightening the room’s weight. "Back then, he was a whirlwind of fire and impulsiveness. It’s a miracle he survived half the stunts he pulled."

  Raiden’s lips twitched into a reluctant smile, though the shadows under his eyes betrayed his concern. "I’m standing right here, you know," he muttered, his tone carrying a faint mix of exasperation and amusement.

  Helena giggled, and even I couldn’t help but smile at the exchange. Kaelith’s ability to bring levity to such a heavy moment was remarkable. As I watched her interact with my family, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she truly cared deeply for them, and not just as a friend of Raiden’s.

  Later, we gathered around the table for a meal Kaelith and Raiden prepared together. The smell of roasted vegetables and seasoned meat filled the air, momentarily lifting the heavy atmosphere.

  Through it all I noticed Kaelith’s subtle gestures; her hand brushing Raiden’s arm as she passed him a plate, her laugh a touch too warm as he recounted an old story. Raiden, oblivious, was too consumed by worry for him to notice, but the interplay between them didn’t escape my attention.

  After dinner, Raiden retreated to the bedroom to sit with Elara, leaving the rest of us in the living room. Brannick leaned back with a hearty chuckle as Helena peppered him with questions about their adventures.

  “Papa said you were five, but why are only three of you here?” Helena asked, her head tilted inquisitively.

  Brannick roared with laughter. “Well, let’s just say Raiden’s math has always been… questionable.”

  Helena’s brow furrowed in mock indignation. “Papa’s good at everything!”

  “Oh, he is, little one. But keeping track of numbers? Not so much,” Kaelith teased, earning another laugh from Brannick.

  “I think Hel is talking about Sorrel, where is he?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.

  Helena's face lighting up. "Yes! That is his name, thanks, Em."

  Kaelith’s smile faltered, the warmth in her eyes dimming slightly. Brannick’s booming laugh tapered off into an uneasy silence as he exchanged a glance with her. "That," Brannick said, his voice growing unusually somber, "is a story for another time."

  Kaelith's expression carefully neutral. "Yes," she added, her tone quieter, "let’s not discuss that now." Her gaze shifted to me briefly, softening before she straightened and spoke more firmly. "Tomorrow, we leave for Aetheria."

  Mira, who had been silently observing the conversation, finally stepped forward. Her soft, formal tone broke the silence. "We should rest. It’s been a long journey, and we have much to prepare for." Her words were met with a subtle nod from Kaelith and a deep sigh from Brannick as the room fell quiet once more.

  Slowly, the group began to settle for the night. Helena and I set up our shared sleeping area on the floor while Mira slept on Helena's bed. As Helena dozed off quickly, her soft breathing mixing with the faint creaks of the house, I lay awake staring out of the window. The moons cast their silvery red glow over the fields outside.

  As I lay there staring at the twin moons, a mixture of guilt and excitement churned within me. My concern for Elara consumed most of my thoughts, her frail condition haunting me, but a small ember of eagerness flickered.

  This was my chance to explore the world beyond Verdant Vale, to finally unravel the mysteries of magic and my dual affinity. Still, the thought of venturing into the unknown while leaving Elara in such a vulnerable state made my stomach churn.

  With those thoughts swirling in my mind, sleep came slowly, and the house fell into a quiet stillness, broken only by the occasional rustling of the night wind outside.

  The next morning, the house was abuzz with activity. Raiden’s sharp voice echoed through the hall as he instructed Brannick on which supplies to load into the carriage.

  "Make sure the rations are balanced. No point in running out halfway," he called, his tone firm. Kaelith and Helena worked together to pack food and water, with Helena’s cheerful chatter cutting through the early morning stillness.

  "Is it really necessary to take this much water?" Helena asked, her small hands struggling with a heavy jug.

  Kaelith chuckled, kneeling to take it from her. "Better to have too much than not enough, little one. Besides, you’re strong enough to handle it."

  Helena puffed out her chest proudly. "Of course I am! But don’t call me little," she teased back, sticking out her tongue.

  Nearby, Mira quietly checked their traveling cloaks and double-checked the straps on the carriage. Her movements were precise and methodical, the faint rustle of fabric and creak of leather straps adding a layer of industrious calm to the scene.

  "Everything seems secure," she murmured, her voice barely louder than the morning breeze.

  I joined the bustle, carrying lighter supplies and making sure my new dagger was safely secured in its pouch as Helena’s chatter continued. "Em! Look at this!" she called, holding up her wand. "I packed it perfectly."

  "Yeah, you did," I said with a small smile. "Maybe I should get you to pack my things next time."

  As we stepped outside, the crisp morning air greeted us, carrying the earthy scent of dew and fresh grass. The twin moons had faded, giving way to the soft orange hues of dawn. Raiden and Brannick lifted Elara carefully into the carriage, their movements slow and deliberate to avoid jostling her. She managed a faint smile, her eyes glimmering with gratitude despite her weakened state.

  I stood beside the carriage, gazing back at the house that had been my world for as long as I could remember. The memories of laughter, lessons, and late-night talks flooded my mind.

  As the wheels of the carriage creaked into motion, a wave of determination washed over me. Whatever lies ahead, I would face it head-on; for Elara, for my family, and for the future that awaited us.

  With one last glance at the house, I turned my eyes to the road ahead, the promise of Aetheria and the unknown calling me forward.