Chapter 646 (1/2)

In her gaze, the condescending face of the Autarch was all that remained. Her body was dust, her personality was collapsing inward. Memories flew away like flighty sparrows. Would she never see Shal again? Was she wrong to visit Icklid before seeking out Shal?

Who was Shal?

Her son-

Her one love-

She needed strength-

Her consciousness began to disperse as it forgot itself without the vessel to hold it together. Desperate, Lucretia reached out and touched those karmic bindings that she was so proud of. They, too, were slowly fading into nothing, as she ceased to exist. All except a strange black thread, that seemed to curl around her like a boa constrictor. Her thoughts became sluggish and tired. They seemed to slow to nothing.

But she felt need. More keenly than ever before. It was a strange feeling, one that she had never had before so purely. It was so brilliant and demanding that the fear was blown away from her. That reckless desire brought her a brief flash of joy, the likes of which she hadn’t experienced in quite some time. Not since she had been with Aemont, and had Shal. that changed her life.

That need rose and spun out of the Aether in her chest. A male figure seemed to form, wiry and intense. His hand touched upon her shoulder, and Lucretia’s dwindling consciousness felt a sliver of warmth. Her time with Randidly had taught her that a strong enough image and an implacable will would not change the world, but they would let her survive until she found the means to seize the Path to lead toward that dearly held wish in her chest.

As Lucretia understood what she wanted, a strange thought struck her. Did Randidly know the true wish he held in his chest? Based on how he was acting, it was clear he didn’t.

Her thoughts wandered. The golden karmic threads drifted downwards like spider silk that had lost its mooring.

Lucretia reached. She needed another chance, another life, another body. Because what she wanted more than anything else-

It was a mistake to give in to fear and make up excuses to stay away. For her entire life on Tellus, Lucretia had hurt and taken, ostensibly to live forever. To escape the horror in her chest that was left after her parents died to the Calamity. But It was not fear that haunted her… it was loneliness. She was left alone.

In her chest was a small girl that swore never again, and gathered wicked power to harden her heart with hatred. It was the foolish plan of a child.

What Lucretia wanted was simply to feel connected, to have a home to go back to. To have a family. To see Shal.

Her thoughts grasped onto the thickest golden thread of karma that was attached to her. Even now, it was steady and warm. As her consciousness faded, she could feel her strength growing. The shrill screams of a child filled her ears. It reminded her of Shal. She smiled or tried to, but she was naught but a memory at that point.

And in the next moment, Lucretia the individual disappeared from Icklid, leaving only a pile of flesh and images and experiences that the Autarch began to shape with his hands.

Far away, the spirit of the woman Lucretia settled into a body separated from her home by dimensions. In this strange dimension, Lucretia opened her mouth wide and screamed.

“Aw, love, she’s beautiful, just like you.” A warm voice spoke above Lucretia. Lucretia rolled her head back to look at the speaker, but her head was too heavy and lolled helplessly sideways. Annoyed, she opened her mouth and cried out again.

Already, Lucretia was feeling a headache settling in. Could babies give migraines to themselves? That was a scary thought. Was she really a baby? Her body certainly was strange and chubby enough for it...

“Ah, Halt… that’s sweet of you to say. But we both know that things would be easier for the child if she was-”

“Nonsense,” The first voice cut across firmly. “You are perfect, Massy. Just like our daughter.”

Lucretia squirmed as best she could, but her arms weren’t obeying her instructions. There was too much information coming from too many raw nerves, and only barely did Lucretia suppress her urge to open her mouth and scream again. They were in a dimly lit room. It seemed to be made of dirt or stone, and the only light came from a candle on the table.

Lucretia was held by the second speaker, a woman, in her arms. The woman was laying on a bed, propped up on several sacks that seemed to be stuffed with goose feathers. The first speaker, Halt, was standing over the two of them.