Private Tales Trapped Inside One's Mind

[Katja]

Katja’s body trembled, her breath coming in ragged gasps as the world around her spun, the pain still clinging to her every nerve, but it felt distant now. As if it was happening to someone else. She tried to move, to speak, but her limbs felt heavy, like they had been drained of every ounce of energy.

Alistair’s voice cut through the haze, but it felt muffled, as though it came from far away. His words registered just enough to bring a fleeting smile to her lips—barely a flicker before the overwhelming darkness settled in again.

Katja’s eyes fluttered closed, the light slipping from them once more as unconsciousness swept her away, her body succumbing to the need for rest, for healing, both physical and otherwise, and the darkness welcomed her.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

A moment of fear shot over Alistair as he made sure that Katja was unconscious and not dead. Once he confirmed that she was still among the land of the living, he groaned and pushed himself to his feet.

What followed was a blur in Alistair's own memory as he moved by pure force of will. He made sure the estate was locked up so no one came wandering in. Then he roamed the rooms until he found a blanket and pillow for Katja to rest.

As he knelt down to make her comfortable, his mind raced with other things he should probably do before he was able to rest.

Of course, those were his last thoughts, as the next thing he knew Al was waking up bleary eyed next to Katja.

How long had he been asleep?

Katja

 

[Katja]

Katja's breath stirred in the quiet stillness of the room as the soft light of morning filtered through the broken windows, casting pale, golden beams across the cold stone floor. The flakes of snow drifted gently in, swirling lazily in the air. It was peaceful, the kind of moment that felt almost surreal given everything that had transpired.

She blinked slowly, her eyes heavy from the deep sleep that had overtaken her, the weight of exhaustion pulling her back to the present. The blanket over her felt like a small, but welcome comfort against the biting chill, and she drew it closer, pulling it tighter around herself.

Katja glanced at Alistair, her gaze softening as she took in the sight of him. He was still lying there, his condition not much better than hers. And yet he’d spent whatever power he’d had left on her.

She cleared her throat as he woke, the sound raspy but enough to pull her from the lingering haze of sleep. It took a moment for her to gather her thoughts, but when she spoke, her voice was quieter than usual—almost cautious, as if she wasn’t quite sure what to make of the situation. “I didn’t know you could do that... but thank you.” Her gaze dropped, a faint flush creeping up her neck, before she gave him a half-smile. “And I don’t hate you.”

Her chest tightening slightly as she realised, for the first time, how much he had risked for her.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair shot up to a sitting position, and his body quickly reminded him why that was a horrible idea. Every bone, muscle, and crevis ached all over his body and it felt like any moment he was just going to crumble away. A groan escaped his lips before he registered that Katja was up and talking.

The young man smiled as he looked around the room again to make sure nothing was amiss before he admitted.

"Neither did I, but...I'm glad it worked out."

Another deep groan came from Alistair as he forced himself to fight through the pain and push himself to his feet. As soon as he was upright, a moment of vertigo hit him and his legs felt like they were jelly. He steadied himself before smiling again.

"I know...I'm pretty cool."

Katja

 

[Katja]

Katja held the blanket tightly against her chest, though it offered little comfort as her mind slowly pieced together the aftermath of what had happened. She winced at the aches and pains as she sat herself up, her body felt like it had been run over by a herd of wild beasts. The smell of her own blood clung to her, and she could feel the dried remnants of it all over her skin. It was overwhelming, the weight of it both physical and emotional.

"Yes... so you've said," she replied dryly, her voice strained as she sat up, wincing at the strain in her muscles. Her eyes swept around the hall, drawn to the empty space where Evander had stood and the stone that still sat there, brimming with power. Her head shook slowly, the reality of it all crashing down, and a tremble left her lips—a deep, raw breath as she tried to push through it.

"I should get cleaned up…" she murmured, her voice far weaker than she wanted it to be. Her head spun as she tried to rise to her feet, her body screaming in protest, but she forced herself to stand anyway. The dizziness threatened to pull her back to the ground, but she fought it, keeping herself steady.

Katja’s gaze softened for a moment as she glanced back at Alistair, her tired eyes taking in the damage he'd taken. She managed a half-smile, the action feeling foreign after everything that had happened.

"You're welcome to the guest wing. There's a bathing chamber... I can find you some clothes and something to eat, and bring you some salves and dressings for your wounds.." Her voice trailed off, and she frowned, pressing a hand to her forehead as the pain from the effort of standing surged through her head, making everything feel heavy and distant.

"You should rest up, before you get on your way.. Take his horse. Take whatever you want." she swallowed. It wasn't like Evander had much use of any of it anymore.