The Shadows Within

Fluttering my eyes, I found myself in my room as the memories before I arrived were hard to recall. My right shoulder ached at any slight movement while the rest of my body was sore, making it a struggle to lift myself to sit.

Solas was next to me, quickly wagging his tail upon seeing me up.

"Sylvia!" he beamed, licking my cheek.

His voice rang in my ears, and my eyes opened wide when I realized he could finally speak.

"You can speak?" I voiced, failing to lift my right arm to touch him.

However, my gaze quickly traveled to Nyla, who opened the door upon hearing Solas, tears visible in her eyes.

"Oh! Sylvia! You're awake! You've been asleep for three days!" she cried, running to me before throwing herself at the bed.

The bed shook as she gripped my left hand. However, the sudden movement made my right arm throb again. My memory lagged to catch up, but it wasn't long until I remembered everything that happened before my world faded.

None of that was a dream. Finn did go berserk.

"Three days?" I mumbled, attempting to move my right arm only for it to lag.

Its sensations were also compromised, but at least I still had my limb attached, and somehow, I was still alive.

Death isn't for me yet. Ah... I'm not sure why I'm still around.

"Yes, Rizak used Lord Finn's essence to heal you," Nyla informed, gazing away from me.

"Essence?" I couldn't fully follow.

Slowly, Rizak's lesson on the difference between the two types of healing was coming back to me.

"Yes, his life force." She announced, triggering me to grab onto her rough hands.

That was when I noticed my right hand had little to no sensibility, as I couldn't feel the same warmth that my left did. My movements also made me realize I was only wearing a loose robe, which allowed me to see that parts of my chest, shoulder, and arm were covered in clean bandages.

"Doesn't that hurt him?" I asked, remembering the lesson.

That's right; the essence is a pure type of energy similar to mana, but it uses the user's life force rather than their magical power.

It was the only way anyone who wasn't a saint could heal others. However, it would shave years from the user's life.

"Painful? Yes, but he's immortal. It can't kill him, and after what he did to you, he was the one who insisted it be him." Nyla sighed, taking my right hand into hers.

"Did to me?" I mumbled, remembering Finn digging his claws into me.

Yet I didn't know what happened after it.

"Your arm. Don't you remember? You weren't fully lucid through the entire thing, so, understandably, you don't remember all of it." She informed me, caressing my hand, yet I felt nothing.

"Tell me, please," I mumbled, not wanting to hide from the truth.

"He severed it." She declared, shifting my gaze towards it.

Severed my arm?

Memories of feeling it pop while under him rushed into my mind as I winced, shaking my head.

Ah… that's why it hurt so much.

"Do you want to remove the bandages?" Nyla asked as I nodded, leaving her to reach for them and undo the bindings.

Once off, I could see the entirety of my shoulder was pitch black.

Damn, it looks like a cool tattoo.

Some branches spread from the black on my arm and chest. Nyla watched me, thinking I would freak out or start screaming, but a smile rose on my lips instead.

Wait… If I survived that, then…

"Does this mean I reached him?" I felt something within me grow.

On the other hand, she had her eyes wide open, tilting her head.

"What? Um… Yes, you did. He was able to break through the rage, but not before he hurt you." She mumbled, amazed.

Tracing my fingers over the mark he left me, I felt powerful.

All this represents is how I can bring you back. Otherwise, I would be dead.

Even if I lacked feeling in my arm, at least I had it.

It's nowhere near the many bruises my father gave me, but I chose to run to you, and it worked! I want…

"Where is he?" I asked, turning my gaze to her.

Again, her eyes stayed wide open before quickly shifting them away from me. "Oh, I don't know. He's probably with the generals."

Ah… that's vague.

"Well, let him know I want to see him," I mumbled, gazing at Solas, who wagged his tail.

A soft sigh left her lips before a smile formed on them. "I'll go get you some food and let him know. You probably want to shower, too, so let's do that first."

I nodded, gazing again towards my shoulder.

My first victory scar is a trophy I'll gladly wear!

Not wanting to stay down for long, I tried to stand up, only to fall on my knees as Solas quickly came to me.

"Are you okay?" the pup whined, pressing his snout against my cheek.

"Haha, I just got a little dizzy. My blood pressure didn't keep up with what I wanted to do." I simpered at him, unable to hide the emotions swirling within me.

I probably should've sat briefly before trying to get up. I was down for three days, but no more!

He tilted his head before nuzzling my cheek with his wet nose again. Grabbing onto his fur, I slowly found my footing. I felt lethargy, but that was normal after the bleeding from losing my arm. It didn't help that I felt cramps, and it didn't take long for me to notice I was bleeding from my lady bits, too.

I had caused Nyla to care for me in ways I never wanted her to, yet all I could do was be grateful, especially when I saw rags for me to use on the side. Luckily, I was never a heavy bleeder; the cycle usually only lasted three days.

It must've started when I was out since the bleeding was already less. After struggling with my arm to dress, Nyla brought me food with Gael, who came to see how I was. Seeing him come was surprising, but I was pleased to see him cared enough to see me.

"Hey, Shrimp, glad to see you on your feet. I've missed you." He smiled, petting my head like I was a lost pup.

Nyla quickly slapped him, huffing, "Keep your impure intentions to yourself!"

"Huh?! I didn't do anything this time!" He growled, glaring at the goblin who crossed her arms.

Their interaction left me giggling, which brought a smile to both of them as I ate the delicious meal he had made for me. The duo avoided speaking about anything about Finn, leaving me feeling odd.

Are they avoiding you because they think I'll fear you? Or is it because…

From there, I went to shower, where I ran into a new problem. Solas was so big that he no longer fit in my usual stall. So, instead of joining me for a warm shower, he watched me from the opening, whimpering.

Unlike most canines, this one enjoyed its daily baths. I didn't want to watch him sulk, but I couldn't do anything about it.

"You're too big, buddy. Maybe you can use the pool?" I suggested, as in my current condition, I could barely wash myself.

When I washed my body, I couldn't feel the warmth of the water running down my right arm. It was like it wasn't mine, yet it was attached to my body. The lack of sensation would be a new normal I had to get accustomed to, as it could be hazardous if I didn't pay attention.

I wonder if I can feel any pain. If I don't, then… crap… hopefully nothing happens.

Shaking my head, I finished washing my body with no other events. However, when I turned to exit the stall, I noticed Solas was missing. Walking out, I saw him sulking in the giant pool, whimpering again when he saw me.

Those little puppy dog eyes will be the end of me.

"You really love baths. See, now you've upgraded and got a bigger one," I giggled, heading toward the pup.

"I do, but I want to be with you too!" he whined, tilting his head when I sat on the pool's edge, reaching out to him.

Solas quickly closed the gap, laying his head on my lap.

Oh... how much I love you is beyond me. You're such a delight to be around.

His size didn't matter to me; I still saw him as the pup hatched out of the small egg Finn had given me.

I have Solas because of you. Yet you…

"Did you learn to speak while I was out?" I asked, trailing my hand down his fluffy white fur.

You're like a cloud, so unfair!

"Mhm, I wanted everyone to know I was there for you, so I spoke up! I think I gave Nyla a heart attack," he chuckled, tail wagging.

This pup was a sprout of energy, which I didn't mind. Yet, I saw Finn crush him, which meant he was a demon, just like them.

Oh right… I…

"Hm… Solas, why did you run into that place?" I mumbled.

"Oh! I can't remember! One moment, we watched the fight, and then it felt like something took hold of me! It was weird, and I didn't like it!" He whimpered, his ears back and tail tucked under his belly.

The guilt in his voice was so prevalent, though.

"I promise I would never do anything to harm you! I-I don't know what happened!" he whined.

Shaking my head, I simpered. "It's okay. I believe you, let's get you dried, okay?"

I have to find Finn. You're probably…

The pup nodded, getting out of the pool. However, drying him wasn't as easy as I thought. He was too big, and when he shook, it drenched everything in the room. I let out a soft sigh when he apologized for soaking me again.

"Geez, aren't you adorable?" I giggled, having to dry myself again.

Seeing how I didn't get annoyed triggered Solas to wag his tail. His voice resembled Finn's, yet I would never confuse them. After the wash, I headed to the library to see Rizak, though he wasn't there.

I had hoped he would tell me where Finn was since everyone else avoided it. Nyla was quick to inform me he had gone into town for supplies. It was the first time I heard about a settlement near the castle grounds, and there was a reason for that.

Most of the demons that lived there didn't have their sanity in check. The simple sight of a human would send them into a frenzy. So, I had to avoid leaving the castle grounds unless I wanted to be a feast. When I asked Nyla what Finn was doing, she avoided the question again before suggesting I walk around to regain my stamina.

A soft hum left my lips as I did just that.

Huh… So, you're avoiding me. I knew it. You kissed me while I was asleep, so there's no need for you to come to me anytime soon. How convenient… You can't avoid me forever, demon king!

I spent the rest of the day trying to find the elusive demon that avoided me like a walking plague; of course, I didn't go to the restricted areas, but I made it known to everyone I saw around my search area.

It all peaked when my feet hurt and the cramps from all the walking were getting in my way. Yet he was nowhere to be seen, leaving my temperature rising and my eyes twitching.

"Oi! Can you hear me, stupid king?! If you want someone to marry you! You should listen when they want to fucking see you, or is it you're scared to fucking see me after you broke me?!" I screamed down the hall, knowing he could hear me.

It caused me to flinch when my arm ached, thanks to the magic within me responding to my emotions. Nyla told me not to overdo it since the incantation was still unstable.

Even so, I refuse to give up. Not when you're probably blaming yourself for my actions. No one told me to go there or to run to you! I need to see you, God damn it!

Clenching my hands into fists, I was about to scream again when I felt a presence behind me.

Finally… I found you, Finn!