by Tamryn Tamer
“Talia,” Terra looked at the time witch hopefully. She could reverse aging so in theory she should be able to reverse diseases. Or at least buy them time. “Can we reverse time or something to remove it?”
“It doesn’t work like that,” Talia answered coldly. “The poison will kill her while she’s in my time flow.”
“Hey bimbo,” Jinx said confidently as she approached the table. Terra tried to block her from getting too close but Jinx walked right past and got in Mirage’s face. “Have you tried shapeshifting into other things? Hag. Crone.”
“Sorry Jinx,” Mirage answered. “It doesn’t work like that.”
“It’s not sun poisoning,” Luna whispered as she curled into a ball on the floor. “She’s never even been to the sun and she can’t teleport.”
“Okay,” Terra said while looking around the room for solutions. Ariel and Jinx would both be pretty useless since their magic was sensory. Sable trying to erase the cells from existence could work but she’d have to be able to see them. Theia probably couldn’t do much with light magic and even if Luna could do something, she was barely holding herself together. “Talia, are you sure you can’t reverse time or something?”
“I could try it but it’s more likely to hasten her death than slow it,” Talia answered.
“Okay,” Terra nodded. “Morgana, what if you took her soul. Her body would become a zombie, right? That means it wouldn’t decay or die.”
“Her body can still decay and die. But we would be able to transplant her soul into another body,” Morgana answered. “That'd be the best option right now.”
“I’m not giving up my body,” Mirage said angrily. “Jericho loves this body and he loves me! I’m not going to be anybody but me!”
“So what do you want us to do then?” Terra said irritably. “Just let you die?”
“Yes,” Mirage answered as the burns on her body spread. “Luna already told you, it’s incurable. It’s better that I die now before Jericho gets back.”
“I’m not going to let you die,” Terra said while stroking Mirage’s hair while trying to give her another potion. She needed to figure out a way to save the stubborn shapeshifter.
“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice,” Mirage smiled politely while declining the potion. “I will not let my darling see me like this. I know what will happen if he does.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jinx snapped angrily. “He’ll save you! Moron! Dummy!”
“He can’t save me,” Mirage chuckled. “I know that if I die now, he’ll be upset. I know how badly not saying goodbye will hurt him because I’m feeling that pain right now. But if he sees me like this, he’ll try to save me. He’ll burn the world looking for a way to save me and when I die despite his best efforts, he’ll blame himself. I won’t allow that. He should put the blame squarely where it belongs, on me.”
“No,” Terra said while wrapping her arms around Mirage. “You idiot. He’ll blame me. Because it’s my fault you’re like this. I should have come sooner.”
“It’s not your fault and he won’t blame you,” Mirage said while wrapping her arms around Terra. “Just hop in bed with him and he’ll forget all about me.”
“Funny,” Terra said while squeezing the curvy shapeshifter. She couldn’t believe the psycho was still making jokes while dying. “But we both know I’m not allowed…”
“It’s a stupid rule,” Mirage teased while burying her face in Terra’s chest. “I see the way you two look at each other when you don’t think anybody is watching...”
“Just shut up,” Terra blushed as her heart throbbed. “We’re just friends.”
“No,” Mirage pinched Terra’s arm. “And promise me you won’t continue like that. He’s going to be upset. He needs somebody to cheer him up.”
“He has everybody…”
“He needs you,” Mirage said with tears in her eyes and Terra realized she was serious. She wondered how Mirage could look at her like that after all of the time she spent tormenting her. “He’s always loved you the most. Ever since I first saw him look at you, I knew I’d already lost. And now I know why, you’re amazing.”
“You know,” Terra’s heart was pounding as she tried to think of a way to save Mirage. There had to be a way. “You might want to watch what you say because when I find a way to save you…”
“I love you,” Mirage stroked Terra’s face. Terra’s heart stopped in her chest as the words left Mirage’s lips. It wasn’t fair, they were supposed to be rivals. That was their game. It’s what made it fun. “I love you so much. I tried to hate you. I tried really hard to keep hating you so I could stop you from taking him from us. But I can’t. You’re fun, kind, generous, smart…”
“I’m telling you I’m going to find a way to save you and you’ll really regret saying all of this,” Terra teased as reality started to set in. She was running out of time and she had no idea how to save her. She could not let that crazy bitch die on her. “Stop it.”
“Terra,” Mirage cupped Terra’s face in her hands. “Just say goodbye. You’re an immortal from another world. Compared to you I am no different than an insect or a plant.”
“You’re such an idiot,” Terra growled while desperately searching for a solution. “It doesn’t matter what you are. I love you and that’s all that matters. I don’t care if you’re just a familiar and I’m an…”
“What?” Mirage asked as Terra smiled. She wondered if that was how Jericho felt when he came up with a crazy idea. Her adrenaline shot through the roof and she looked around excitedly. Mirage looked at her confused. “What are you thinking?”
“Morgana,” Terra walked across the room to the dark-haired reaper. “How does it work? Death magic? Do you have to be a death magic user to eat a soul?”
“No,” Morgana said decisively. “If that were the case then people couldn’t give away their souls or trade souls. Death magic is primarily about soul harvesting. How you use a soul is entirely up to you.”
“Good,” Terra clapped. “So, let’s do this. How do you take mine?”
“What are you doing?” Mirage asked.
“Don’t die!” Terra grinned and pointed at Mirage. “At least not yet.” She turned back to Morgana. “I’m an immortal. Take my soul, give it to Mirage. She can use it to learn my rebirth ability. Then she’ll come back at a graveyard like me, right?”
“Yes,” Morgana nodded. “But you’ll die. You understand that, right? You will no longer exist. Everything you earned will be lost. Even your knowledge of spirit magic and your bond with Freya. She’ll be completely masterless.”
“I’ll get her back,” Terra said excitedly. “Jinx, be sure to let Freya know everything will be fine. I have it covered.”
“What do you have covered?” Jinx glared. “What are you doing? Stripper. Harlot.”
“Weren’t you listening?” Terra asked. “I’m going to give Mirage my soul.”
“I won’t take it,” Mirage said stubbornly. “I’m not going to let you die to save me.”
“Yes,” Terra snapped powerfully as the entire room fell silent. She knew the familiars had trouble understanding the full scope of their differences but she didn’t have time for their objections. “You will eat the spirit even if I have to force it down your throat myself. Jericho and I aren’t just immortals. I will lose this body, but I will create a new one. Maybe I’ll be a mage next time just to spite him. That might be fun. Or maybe I’ll be an assassin.”
“What are you talking about?” Mirage asked. The entire group looked confused and Terra couldn’t blame them. Even if they had knowledge of immortality and knew they came from another world, the idea that even if their soul was destroyed, they’d be alive was a bit far-fetched given their knowledge. “If you lose your soul that’s everything. That’s your essence, you idiot.”
“No,” Terra grinned knowingly. “Tell me Mirage, do you love me?”
“I already said I did,” Mirage clenched her teeth. “Yes, I lov
e you. Not as much as Jericho but I love you.”
“You know,” Terra clicked her tongue. “You’re not as cute when you add the caveat. But, what’s your sixth sense telling you right now? If I was going to die alarm bells would be going off, wouldn’t they? But they’re not because deep down you know that I can be reborn as many times as I want.”
“Will you look different?” Ariel asked confused. “Like Sapphire?”
“Right! Exactly!” Terra said excitedly as the familiars tried to wrap their heads around what Terra was saying. “Sapphire. You saw how she became an elf mage right? It’ll be like that. I promise I’ll be fine. I’ll come back exactly as I am.”
“I don’t know,” Mirage said while glancing around the room. “What if you don’t come back? My life isn’t worth the risk.”
“Oh, shut up with the damn pity party,” Talia snapped furiously. “I’ve killed at least ten times as many people as you. Do you think my life isn’t worth saving?”
“She’s not lying,” Theia confirmed. “She’s killed an awful lot of people. The Seraphim records alone put her in the tens of thousands.”
“I’ve killed my fair share,” Sable said pensively. “I don’t know how many you’ve killed but I imagine my number exceeds it.”
“Exactly,” Terra nodded approvingly. “I get it. You feel unworthy of being loved. But you don’t get to decide that for me and I love you.”
“We all love you,” Luna said while wiping away tears. “Even though you’re scary sometimes. We need you.”
“If you’re not around, who will torment the slutty elf?” Jinx smiled wickedly. “Nobody torments the slutty elf like you. Slut. Cow.”
“And who will I nap with?” Ariel stomped.
“And who will I read and drink with?” Sable smiled. “I’ve tried drinking with Cynthia but I end up passing out before I’m a quarter of the way through my book.”
“Learn to hold your liquor,” Cynthia said before turning to Mirage. “But they’re right, this house wouldn’t run without you and god knows how that idiot mage would react.”
“Mirage, you are a familiar of Jericho Voidcaller,” Theia said politely. “It is your duty to survive by any means necessary just as it’s our duty to save you by any means necessary.”
“I refuse,” Mirage said stubbornly. “I will not allow…”
“I was afraid you were going to say that,” Theia said somberly. “I hope you will forgive me for this.”
“Wha…” Mirage panicked as Theia rapidly drew a knife and held it to her own throat. “Somebody take that away from her!”
“Trying,” Jinx said while pounding on a light barrier. “She’s not letting me in. Birdbrain! Chicken!”
“I can break it,” Sable said launching a dark spear at the barrier only to have it dissolve. “Hm. That’s not good. Her resolve is…she’s doing this.”
“It is my duty to protect my family,” Theia glared at the paralyzed shapeshifter. “I will not fail at my duty. Why don’t you consult that sixth sense of yours?”
“No, no, no, no, no,” Mirage growled furiously. “That’s not fair! It’s my choice!”
“Yes,” Theia said with an icy stare. “It’s very unfair. But as I said, it is my duty to save you by any means necessary.”
“Goddammit,” Mirage dropped to her knees. “Theia, you can’t kill yourself.”
“I’d rather not,” Theia said unflinchingly. “It’s up to you.”
“Fuck!” Mirage pounded the ground. “It’s not fair! It’s not fair! It’s not fair! I should get a choice!”
“Tough luck,” Terra smiled and nodded at the suicidal Seraph. “Look on the bright side though, you finally get to kill me.”
“It’s not funny!” Mirage started tearing up and Terra realized just how scared the emerald-eyed shapeshifter was.
“I don’t understand why you’re worried,” Terra said confused. “I told you it’ll be fine.”
“But what if you don’t come back?” Mirage said while wiping her eyes before the tears could fall down. As her hand brushed across her face not only did her tears vanish but her face shifted to her normal expression. Suddenly Terra found herself wondering how many times Mirage was crying beneath her mask. Mirage drank a healing potion. “It’s an unnecessary risk. Jinx, break through Theia’s barrier and disarm her. I’ll keep myself alive until then.”
“No,” Jinx crossed her arms. “I’m not helping you. Dummy. Dunce.”
“Fine,” Mirage turned to Sable. “Sable…”
“No,” the red-eyed Nyxian said coldly. “And nobody else here will stop her either. Terra’s life for yours. None of us like her very much anyway.”
“See,” Terra grinned victoriously despite wondering how much truth was in Sable’s words. “They’ve made their choice. And I’m making mine. Morgana, take my soul.”
“Alright,” Morgana said. “I need you to be more formal about it and be sure to ask if I accept.”
“Okay,” Terra side eyed the reaper. She didn’t realize the rules were so stringent. “Morgana, I offer you my soul. Do you accept?”
“I do,” Morgana answered while holding out her hand for Terra to kiss. As her lips touched Morgana’s hand, it felt like she was slowly being drained of blood and then when she was halfway toward empty the sensation stopped. A tiny glowing marble floated in front of her into Morgana’s hand. The reaper looked at Mirage, “Now, I will grant you Terra’s soul and you will select Terra’s rebirth ability. Then you simply ingest the soul. After which, upon death you’ll be reborn at the nearest graveyard.”
“Don’t bother arguing,” Theia said almost robotically. “I’ve removed your choice from the equation.”
“Mirage,” Morgana said. “I offer you up this soul. Do you accept?”
“I do,” Mirage said as Morgana kissed her hand and gave her the tiny glowing pearl. Mirage gave Theia with a murderous gaze. “You understand I’ll make you pay for this, right?”
“Yes,” Theia answered. “But I’m doing my duty and you need to do yours. I am your family, now protect me from myself.”
“And don’t worry,” Terra smiled as Mirage poked and prodded her soul, “I told you I’ll be back.”
“You better,” Mirage said as she popped the soul into her mouth and swallowed. “I won’t forgiv…”
Everything went black.
Chapter 9
Playing Catch Up
“I wonder where she is,” Jericho said as they arrived on the platform of his citadel. Valaria followed behind him in her new body and Eberis was so disgusted with events that he returned to his temple to spend the evening vomiting. “She’s completely deleted from my contacts. What happened?”
As Jericho approached the entrance to the master bedroom Sable stepped in front of him.
“Master, I want you to stay calm,” Sable said blocking Jericho from entering the bedroom. “Everybody is already upset. Mirage especially. We have some news.”
“I’m so sorry,” Mirage was curled in a ball on the bed wearing a grey death robe. “I’m so sorry darling. I made a mistake and…”
“Thank god you’re all alright,” Jericho pushed past Sable and rushed toward Mirage. She scooted away as if she was afraid of him. “What’s wrong?”
“She’s been like this ever since she came back to the manor,” Luna said somberly. “She’s been inconsolable.”
“I’m so sorry,” Mirage cried. “Please don’t hate me.”
“Mirage,” Jericho crawled into bed with the shapeshifter as she scooted toward the headboard until she had nowhere else to go. Jericho wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tight, “Mirage, everything will be fine. I could never hate you.”
“This is certainly awkward,” Valaria said entering the room. “What happened?”
“The stupid elf stripper killed herself,” Jinx said angrily. “She gave her soul to Mirage and died. She said she’d come back but she hasn’t. Liar. Deceiver.”
“Mirage is co
nvinced that Terra lied to her,” Theia said. “I assured her…”
“Shut up!” Mirage snapped at Theia. “I don’t want to hear anything from you! It’s your fault too! If you hadn’t made me take her soul…”
“Is that what you’re worried about,” Jericho chuckled as he embraced her. He turned to Theia, “I don’t know what happened Theia but the fact Mirage is okay means you did a good job.”
“She didn’t do a good job!” Mirage pushed Jericho away. “Terra’s gone! She said she’d come back but she lied! She died to…”
“Mirage,” Jericho smiled and patted his blonde familiar’s head. “Everything’s going to be okay.” He turned to the rest of the familiars. “I’ll have you catch me up on this all later. I don’t suppose Terra mentioned anything about rerolling? Races? Classes? Things like that?”
“She said she intended to return exactly as she was,” Luna offered. “I don’t really understand what she meant though.”
“Right,” Jericho looked around the room and then at Valaria. “Everybody, this is Valaria. Valaria, I believe you probably know who everybody is, right?”
“I do,” Valaria looked around but the mood was anything but welcoming. “But shouldn’t you introduce them prop…”
“No time,” Jericho gestured at Mirage. “I have to bring Terra back or the mood in here is going to be shit.”
“Bring her back?” Talia asked. “What do you mean?”
“You can bring her back?” Mirage looked at him hopefully. “Or is this another lie?”
“Mirage,” Jericho smirked. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”
“You’re really going to do it?” Ariel jumped up excitedly. “You’re going to bring her back?”
“Of course he is!” Jinx said confidently. “The bastard is the most powerful mage in the world! Idiots. Fools.”
“But how?” Morgana asked. “She…”
“Don’t worry about it,” Jericho laughed. “How long ago did she die?”