Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
“You don’t understand,” Araiya started.
“No, light of my light, you do not. But you will. Call on me, on my power, when you are in dire need. I will be there. I would never abandon you.”
“But, the war…”
“I do not know what the outcome is if you fight. But I do know the outcome if you do not.” The Goddess waived her hand out and the misted forest of the veil disappeared, and darkness replaced it. A tiny spark of light came to be. It was a small fire, in a dark forest, and a small family huddled around it.
There was a mother holding on to her babe, desperately trying to calm her. Tears coursed down her face as she shushed the bundle. The little boy at her feet cried silently as the father turned slowly faced away with a burning stick. On guard for his family.
“Lovey, I need you to quiet the baby. They are coming closer,” the husband whispered as he whipped around, facing the direction of a snapping twig.
“I can’t, my love. She is hungry, and sick. I…” She whimpered as a low growl came from the dark. “I love you. Come Den, come up with sissy and mama.” She pulled the little boy into her arms as they cried. “I love you so very much. You have always been such an amazing little boy for us, and a strong defender of sissy.”
“I love you mama. Papa, I am scared,” the little boy called for his father.
The man rushed to his family. He wrapped his arms around all of them and whispered his love. “Papa is scared too Den, but it will pass once we get to the ever after. There won’t be any pain or fear there.”
“Papa,” the baby in her mother’s arms whispered right before another growl came from the dark.
The Goddess waived her arm again, and the scene faded. “If you stay here, the realm falls to darkness, and no one will survive the beasts that lurk in the darkness around the edges.”
“What was…”
“The future. If we fail to fight off the coming darkness.”
“How am I supposed to win over that?”
“You are not alone. You are the hope, the spark of victory, but everyone will fight. Because everyone will need to.” Araiya hung her head. “I know you feel weary, child. And if there was any other way, I would offer it to you. But this was set in motion lifetimes ago. You saw the beginning, Soren set its path. The darkness paved the middle, now the end falls to you.”
The Goddess pulled her to her feet and kissed her head. “Remember, you are never alone. Call when you have need, and we will be there. Stay strong, my child.”
“I have to go back…”
“That is, and always will be, your choice.” The Goddess kissed her again and then faded.
Araiya looked down at the forest and saw a fiery couple standing on the edge of the trees. A warm breeze lifted her hair. The feeling of love wrapped around her. Two soft kisses were pressed to her forehead and the top of her head.
“Love conquers Araiya, always.” Fire’s smoky voice flew on the breeze and Araiya nodded back. She turned and flew from the cliff, diving back into the pain that was waiting her.
Araiya woke up to sobs above her. Her face was turned away and she was on her stomach. Korine was softly wiping the wounds and whispering to herself. “Please wake up, please wake up. Don’t leave me alone. I won’t survive without you. Please wake up.”
“Korine,” Araiya whispered. Her dry throat felt like sand had been poured into her mouth. She cleared her throat and tried again. “Korine.”
But Korine was too lost in her head, too lost in her fears to hear that Araiya was awake. Araiya tried to lift a finger, and she was happy to see it move. She had worried that she would never use her arms after the last time. She had felt the pop when pulling at the chain and then her arm went dead.
She tried to move her hand, and smiled softly when she could. “Korine.”
Her sister continued her ministrations. Wipe, dunk, wipe, dunk. Over and over, trying to clean her back. Araiya pulled her arm under her and found herself clear headed for the first time in weeks. She pushed up, and although she tried to Keep it in, she screamed trying to get up.
The scream finally woke Korine from her fear. “Araiya, oh my goddess, I was so worried. Here.” Korine stood and lifted Araiya by her hips, trying to help her maneuver without touching her back. Finally, Araiya was sitting, hunched over a pillow, trying to relieve some of the pressure on the wound on her back while also avoiding the wound on her front. Korine handed her a glass of water, along with the little medicine she was able to steal. “I didn’t think you would wake this time.”
“How long?”
“It’s been a few days. I begged Donal for a healer, but he only sent in the idiot medic. I was able to steal some medicine. Some kind of soap that he used to clean his hands. He said it helps to fight infection. I was able to add it to the water I have been using to wash your back. And the pain blocker I just gave you. It is supposed to be fast and strong.”
“Korine, he could kill you for the theft.” Araiya peeked an eye up at her sister. Korine had a determined look on her face.
“I don’t care. Without you, I would die anyways.” Korine took her hand. “I would gladly put my life on the line to protect you, Rai.”
“Why?” Araiya’s back slowly went completely numb. She gingerly straightened her back to look Korine in the face. “Why would you put your life at risk for me?”
“That’s what family does, you idiot.” Korine looked away. “Do you think I don’t know you take my lashes?” Korine turned back. “Why do you take my lashes?”
“Because…”
“Because why?” she demanded when Araiya grew silent.