I only guessed that she was "looking" at me, it sure seemed that way by how she held her head perfectly still and wouldn't turn it any other direction. Her singing had returned to humming, only it was far creepier than before. She continued to rock her baby... but I had obviously distracted her.
"I know you're there," she suddenly whispered, probably in respect for her sleeping child. "I can't see you but I can sense you." I wasn't sure if she was talking directly to me, but I stepped forward to speak anyway.
Kade grabbed me suddenly and snatched me back hurriedly, angrily whispering, "Bella, don't you dare!" in my ear. I pushed away from him and brushed down my clothes as if he had dirtied me, then turned back to the lady. As I approached her crib, her head and hollow sockets followed me.
"What a handsome boy," I whispered, gazing down at his peaceful, sleeping face. "What's his name?" I tried to keep my voice as soft and kind as possible, which actually gained me a half smile from the lady.
"Daniel," she answered. I froze for a second, unable to think straight as my little brother popped into my head. My mind began to flow with memories of him and the rest of my family, then I started to crumble on the inside as I thought about the possibility of not seeing them again. My eyes noticeably sank as I looked down at the baby. I remembered Daniel being that age... and Lilly.
Those were simple times.
"Daniel... that's a lovely name," I whispered.
"I wanted to see him thrive and grow. Our lives and my eyes were taken, though, so now I sit blindly and am unable to experience the happiness I was setting to achieve," she responded bluntly. Sadness was all that remained in that silky voice of hers. She talked monotoned and sounded undoubtedly lonely. I pitied her.
"I hope the man who did this to us pays... or has paid," she quietly added. I couldn't possibly confirm that, but I wished the same thing.
I was still looking at the baby when my hand suddenly began to drift down to his cheek. I knew I wasn't able to touch him but he reminded me so much of my Daniel and I couldn't help myself. Before my hand even got close, though, someone grabbed my arm and held it tightly, disabling me from moving it at all.
"Don't wake him!" The woman whispered in my ear as if she somehow sensed my wanting to touch him. She let go of my arm and leaned over the crib protectively. She looked furious, even though I hadn't done anything.
I wasn't stunned by that. My eyes were staying fixated on my arm, the one she grabbed, and how the hell it had happened. She was a ghost, and I was... well... alive. That shouldn't have been able to happen. Her hand should've gone right through me.
I looked at Delilah and motioned her over with panic. Something started eating at my insides, figuratively of course, when my hand passed right through her as I tried to touch her arm. She seemed just as surprised as me, but said nothing like the others. Obviously, they were still too afraid to speak.
When I turned back to the woman and placed my hands on her shoulders, she gasped with surprised and clung to the crib with worry. "How did you do that?" I whispered. "I'm alive and you're dead... a ghost! You can't touch me!"
"What do you think we're doing right now?" she responded sharply and swatted my hands away. Even without eyes, I could see her squinting with anger. "How should I know? There are a lot of weird creatures with weird powers in these woods, so I've heard."
I suddenly got a strange tingling sensation, but it wasn't like the other... the rather murderous one. It was peaceful, a bit comforting, like a sign that it was meant for absolute good. I wanted to savor it like a delicious meal, but something told me to reach out, to grab onto something and spread the feeling that gave me such sereneness. I looked down at my hands which began to radiate with a dim light, a golden glow that sparked the excitement inside of me. I glanced at the woman tending to her baby and latched onto her shoulders once again, gripping tighter so she couldn't break free this time.
She struggled momentarily until something seemed to take over her from the inside. At that moment she froze and looked up at the trees, mouth dropping open from some kind of awe or shock. I didn't know what I was doing until her skin tone started to lighten... or at least take on a normal shade of tan. It spread to her dress and the rest of her body; I managed to watch every transparent part of her body become... well... completely visible. When the spreading reached her head and slowly made its way up to her hair, my mouth fell open when her eyes began to grow into their sockets. They were a dark blue, a bit dull honestly, but breathtaking. Her brown hair was now full of a natural color, and not one only the dead could possibly gain. She looked down at her tan hands, gawking while actually managing to widen her eyes.
I nearly fainted at the sight. Before, she looked so dull and literally lifeless, but now she was covered in vibrant colors and... alive. She was alive... alive! I just returned a ghost to the living!
Her hand went to her mouth and she cried, somehow managing to keep it quiet for her baby. I almost cried myself but I was still in shock. There's was just something so stunning about what I just did, even more stunning than the "death touch" I apparently had.
"How...?" The woman breathed as the young beauty in her face began to fully recover. "How did you do this?"
I looked at the others but they were just as confounded and astonished as me. Finally, all I could answer with was, "I don't know". She starting smiling but it quickly faded when she looked at her baby. She leaned over the crib and stared with desperation.
"Save him," she whispered. "He deserves another chance at life." I agreed, a child shouldn't have to suffer this eternal damnation of being a ghost. I approached the crib, no hesitation in my step, and reached down a hand. It began glowing before my it even came in contact with little Daniel's cheek, and it made me get all jittery with excitement. I prayed it worked a second time, because if not... I knew a mother that would be highly upset... and so would I.
My hand gently caressed the child's cheek, the effect beginning instantly. His paper white skin flooded with color, tan and pink in his cheeks. Dark brown hair, almost black. Blue little outfit and matching booties. Soft skin and bright blue eyes when they finally opened. He started kicking and waving his fists, laughing a jolly little laugh that brought tears of joy to my eyes, his mother too. She laughed and cried at the same time, picking him up and hugging him tightly yet gently as she thanked God in his small ears. She kissed his cheeks multiple times and he laughed with each one.
I stepped back to let them have their reunion, but she eventually laid him back in the crib and forcefully pulled me into a hug. "I don't what you are or what you did... but I thank you. Thank you for officially reuniting me with my baby boy. And thank you for giving me my eyesight back!"
"You're more than welcome," I whispered, still in awe. She pulled back and wiped her tears away with a bright smile.
"You wanna hold him?"
It didn't take me but a second to say yes and before long I was holding Daniel in my arms. His laughing still continued and not once did his smile break.
Kade came up behind me and reached around me to touch the baby's cheek as if he still couldn't believe he was alive. "He's so warm," he whispered in my ear.
I stared down into Daniel's blue eyes for awhile, then out of nowhere said, "When I'm older... I want to have a baby of my own." I could see Kade turn his head to look at me since he was leaning over my shoulder. He wasn't necessarily smiling, but I could tell he wasn't upset. He just seemed a little shocked.
Without saying anything, he kissed the side of my head and rested his chin on my shoulder, circling his arms around my waist as we both looked down at the baby.
I started to get butterflies in my stomach as I fantasized about a future with him... where we were married and passionately in love. I imagined just coming home from the hospital with a baby in my arms and him hugging and leaning over from behind... just like now.
But based on how things were going... I was sure that wasn't going to happen.
I eventually returned the baby to his mother and she happily bounced him in her arms. I then turned to Delilah and held my hands out to her and they instantly glowed, but she shook her head.
"The truth is... my parents... dead parents have been locked in that castle for years. I want to see them again... reunite with them so we can move on together." She sounded sincere and half smiled as she spoke like she was afraid we'd be mad at her for telling us the truth.
I understood, though. Why be resurrected when you could live eternal happiness?
"I wanted to help you guys too... but my main reason was having another chance to see them," she mumbled.
"It's ok, Delilah," I said nodding. "Hopefully we can get you to your parents." I smiled and so did she, but it was mainly because I saw myself in her. I also wanted to be reunited with my family more than anything.
The sudden silence didn't last long when the sound of crunching leaves came from our far left. Out of nowhere, white fur and the magnificent form of antlers came into view.
When I said magnificent... I wasn't lying.
The creature was a snow white deer obviously, fairly large, way taller than me, with antlers more complicated than a maze. They were huge, mixed and seemingly connected in a way that made them look like tree branches growing together. They were also white and made me wonder how the deer could hold up such weight.
Besides that, he was breathtaking and seemed to... glow or radiate with some white light. His eyes were a deep brown that almost appeared black, and staring into them made me feel at peace.
"The White Stag," I heard Darwin gasp. I looked down at him as he stared with wide eyes. "A famous deer known for many things in different cultures. Here, though, he's known for guidance and peace. He practically rules these woods... but I've never gotten a chance to see him until now."
With new respect, I glanced back over at the jaw dropping deer, noticing how he watched me with curiosity.
I jumped when he started to speak.
"A goddess!" he exclaimed in a booming, deep voice. His nostrils flared but he didn't seem angry. "How wonderful it is to know that not all are dead. I may not know your numbers but I see you still have powers that could change this world for good." He trotted over to me and stopped just a foot away. Our eyes connected as I looked up reluctantly. "Resurrection is truly something glorious, especially the ability of it. It helps those who were not ready to die yet... or who just want another chance. You've given two innocent spirits that opportunity, a blessing that I humbly accept in my forest. Many gods, even the pure ones, never took the time to show generosity to those of us on earth... to offer it the peace it needs. But you appear to be different."
He stepped away from me and studied the rest of us, his dark eyes holding no harsh judgment, just pure curiosity. "You've managed to tame five wild wendigoes, a deed said to be impossible, though I have no issues with attacks from any creatures of this forest." Pausing again, he glanced down at the numerous goblins blanketing the ground. "You've allied with thieves, I see." I saw his eyes narrow at them, but he said nothing else about their presence.
"I happily accept your visitation and appreciate the bit of purity you've brought to this wretched place. Although I walk above all that live here, I can't exactly tame their displeasing behaviors. But they do know who holds authority in these parts." The stag approached the wendigoes, barely reaching their eye level as he held his head high. I could see a bit of fear in their cloudy eyes as he snorted at them. They slouched over submissively but never broke eye contact.
Impressive.
"May I ask why you're gathering numbers?" He then asked.
"A war... against the demon Salazar," I answered. "He has a whole army on his side."
The stag turned around abruptly, narrowing his eyes and snorting ferociously. His massive and mazelike antlers lifted high into the air. "Salazar?!" he boomed. "That horrid scoundrel?! He deserves a massive loss! You need numbers? That's what you'll get, goddess!" His hooves smashed into the dirt as he turned sharply and leaped into the darkness. Moments later, I heard him shout "Follow!" and that we did.
The others, even most of the goblins, went ahead of me. I turned to say farewell to the lady and her baby... but they were gone, crib, chair and all. There was just nothing. I was dumbfounded and highly worried, unable to move on from such strangeness.
Kade grabbed onto my arm. Though he also noticed their absence, he didn't say anything about it and instead pulled me after the others silently. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" he whispered in my ear as we rushed to catch up with the group. "I mean, trusting these many supernaturals is never a good idea."
"You have a better idea? I'm sure Salazar's not gonna back out on his threat. How else are we supposed to be prepared?" I insisted. He shook his head like he knew this was a bad idea, but the thing was... so did I.
After we trudged through the forest for a little longer, the group stopped, and even from the back, I could see it was because of the stag. I tried to see why, but the wendigoes blocked the rest. Maeve and Odis shoved their way through the crowd, horror spread across their faces as they latched onto me and Kade.
"You need to see this," Maeve whisper yelled. She and Odis dragged us to the front and froze just as Kade and I did. My eyes widened staring at the gathering ahead.
So many eyes, so many deformed bodies... so much judgment as we stood alongside the stag and his magnificence. From what I could tell, the crowd that stood before us was the same as before, most of them were, at least.
Based on the sudden screaming and screeching that broke out, I could tell we weren't welcome.
"Silence!" the stag shouted furiously, instantly settling the chaos. All the creatures, submissive like the wendigoes, cowered down, though I was unsure why they were so afraid of the stag. He looked mighty but not capable of something catastrophic.
But the saying "looks can be deceiving" came into play a lot lately.
"You will listen and you will listen intently," he continued, snorting. "This, although said to be extinct, is a goddess. A deity you should all be familiar with. One that you should trust and respect. Quit crying over a few lost humans... who you shouldn't have been hanging anyway. I thought I made that clear before." As he narrowed his eyes, the beings eyed each other guiltily.
"However... I am willing to forgive and forget as long as you agree to a certain arrangement. I'm sure you've all heard that the infamous demon Salazar is back and in action. He has targeted our special guest for unknown reasons... and has a whole army accompanying him. I know some of you don't care... most of you, probably. But let's just say... I don't care that you don't care. You, as members of my forest, will obey the order of allying with this goddess and following her into war. You will respect her commands, never attack or bring harm to her or her comrades, and will assist in any way possible." He paused for a moment and held his head high as if waiting for a response. When nothing came, he snorted and stomped his hoof. "Do I make myself clear?!" he shouted.
There were quick nods from the crowd but no sounds were heard. The stag turned to me as if expecting me to add something, though I was sure he covered it all. But I stepped forward anyway and examined the cruel faces in front of me.
"I-I just want to say that your sacrifices won't be for nothing. I stand for the greater good, which is why I set loose the innocent humans you held captive. And I'm sorry if I upset you in any way." I had to pause to gather myself. "But I don't oppose you, I only wish for your assistance in a war that, with all of us, we are sure to win."
I could tell by the looks on their faces, even the deformed ones, no one was convinced by my mini speech. No one was liking the idea... yet.
"I know most of you, if not all, know what a god is capable of. You should know they were once the leaders of the Heaven and Hell wars. Though I'm not with Heaven, I still wield a power strong enough to fight against Hell and its current leader, Salazar. I know who I'm up against... and I can assure you I'm not afraid!" That part was a partial lie. "Based off what I've gathered from my past experiences... there will be bloodshed."
I stopped talking for a moment when most of the crowd perked up and exchanged interested glances. They then eyed me like they couldn't tell if I was being serious or not.
"Y-yes! Bloodshed... there'll be bloodshed." I could see why they weren't confident in me because I spoke unsurely... but just then I started to gain some determination. "You like the sound of that, don't you? You'll be able to rip into gargoyles and any other creature that tags along with the demon. You can go berserk, go nuts, go wild. Just as long as you set yourself on the right target." I implied the last part as a half-serious half-joke statement and smiled. Surprisingly, I heard raspy giggles and saw crooked smiles.
"You could go down in history for something so brave. I need your numbers... and I'm sure you want excitement. That is something we can give each other if you just agree to this alliance. Afterwards... we go our separate ways."
More and more eyes were focusing on me, and more were becoming less judgmental and far more thrilled. Eventually, I started hearing whispers and grunts of approval.
"So what do you say? Let's destroy a certain army and tear shit up!" I yelled.
After that, all that I heard were shouts of raging excitement and not one growl of disfavor.
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UGH! Another really long chapter! I'm so sorry! ;-;
But look who just got an army of her own! :D
I'm so ready for the upcoming events.