Chapter 476 (2/2)

Thea had long since ceased crying, but she still didn’t know what to do. It was a lot like watching a car crash in slow motion; she couldn’t look away, but she felt her soul being torn in two as the slow progression meant the screams seemed endless. That was what Chrysanthemum’s feeble struggles to cheer her up were. They were horrifying in a way. That even now, her sweet partner would…

She forced herself to let that train of thought go when her face threatened to split open again. Her body didn’t even have any more moisture to force out of her tear ducts, but she could sit there and tremble for a while, perhaps hoping in some distant way to shake off the constant grip of fear and despair that was on her.

There was a part of her that wanted to lay blame at someone’s feet, but very quickly Chrysanthemum’s gentle spirit had warned her away from that. Even as the fury of Dance of the Ghostbear kept turning her vision red, the calm compassion of Chrysanthemum kept her alive.

Of course, that influence was slowly disappearing.

By now, Chrysanthemum was almost entirely unconscious. Her life was slipping away, drifting off of her and into the Earth below. Thea knew her mother would probably say something inane about the big bear feeding so many plants, which would feed so many animals and people, but Thea couldn’t stand that line of thoughts right now. It made her want to produce her hammer and crack her own skull open.

She was so filled with wild emotions, and yet so perfectly empty and hollow, just a listless zombie that was watching her partner pass.

Around her, Simon continued to try and cheer her up, but she ignored him. Honestly, it was growing increasingly infuriating. Thea just wanted… well, she wanted Chrysanthemum to live. But the more time passed, the more Thea realized it wouldn't happen. There was no one to save Chrysanthemum. The injury to her bear was something that no one yet truly understood; that vast passage of time was a blow that could even fell entire worlds.

What Thea truly wanted now was just… to be alone. The Ghosthound had understood that, which is why he had left her here, with her grief. The Ghosthound probably had gone through something similar in the past… and had learned from experience.

Abruptly, Simon’s flowers and birds and stars were gone. Instead, there was a low mist on the ground. Thea looked up, confused, wondering if this was another ploy by the idiot to make her smile or something shitty. But instead of Simon, she found herself face to face with a female figure.

And it was someone she recognized dimly, but also by reputation. It was the golden angel of Donnyton, Lyra. The woman who had somehow become a Village Spirit.

Thea was shocked enough by her presence here that she momentarily forgot the pain in her heart. But all too soon, it crashed back in, and some surly bitterness crept up. “What are you doing here? Leave me alone.”

Lyra smiled, wider now. “It doesn’t have to be like this, you know.”

“What?” This time, Thea didn’t bother to push back the rising tide of red. Furious, she stood. “If I could avoid this, don’t you fucking think I would? She’s my-”

“Yes, she’s a part of you,” Lyra said, her smile never wavering. “Which means you can save her. If you want Chrysanthemum to live… take my hand.”

Lyra extended her hand, and it was wreathed in green fire. Abruptly, Thea realized she recognized the fire; it was the same color and consistency of the Skeleton Knight before the Ghosthound defeated him.

“I…” Thea’s anger drained away, replaced by the crushing sadness, and just a small spark of hope. “I don’t believe you.”

Lyra snorted, her lovely nose wrinkling as she laughed. “Then what’s the harm in taking the chance?”

Thea had no answer that made sense to her, after two days of crying. So she reached out and took Lyra’s hand. The other woman laughed, watching the flame spread up Thea’s arms, to her chest, and then rushing up to consume her. It hurt, but it wasn’t as bad as she was expecting. Very quickly, she could feel the flames feeding into her chest, flowing through the bond between them to Chrysanthemum. She felt her own strength decreasing somewhat, but she felt Chrysanthemum’s tremble, and then start to rise.

As Thea made to pull away, rushing to Chrysanthemum’s side, Lyra’s hand tightened on her own.

“For where there is Champion…” The other woman hissed, her eyes glowing violet. “There must be Nemesis. Open your eyes, girl, and understand what you now are.”

Thea opened her eyes and saw, very briefly, the fabric of this world, and her place in it.