It should have been a smooth transition; some discomfort, surely, but one that should have left her elated and eager to celebrate the earned promotion. Instead, it was as if she had been caught in the undertow of a cresting wave. Thrashed about, slammed against sharp reefs and pulverized rocks while struggling to gasp for air. Ironic that she didn’t need to breathe when swimming but at this moment it felt like she was drowning.
Hyperventilating as she was, Laven’s vision blurred and for the briefest of moments it looked like there were two Axinite’s beside her instead of the one. She blinked and two became one as it was supposed to be but all too suddenly the room tilted on its axis and Lavendulan felt herself sway. Had it not been for the steady weight of his hand on her shoulder, or her hold on his arm, no doubt she would have fallen to the ground; a crumpled heap of tangled limbs at his feet.
“I’m sorry…” her voice was but a whispered whimper for the shame she felt was a heavy weight upon her wounded pride and body. “I’m so sorry…” so much regret that Laven actually for a brief moment wished he would have just turned her into a full youma so she didn’t have to feel this way. Already she had unintentionally hurt him, something she knew with certainty when finally she was able to relax her grip.
In her heart, Lavendulan truly believed that he should have taken back the promotion, left her as a lieutenant for his safety and her own. Despite all the reasons he had listed for having earned it, she was weak both physically and emotionally. Something she hid well because oftentimes she preferred to just not be seen, but here she was on full display. A disappointment, no doubt, but the deed was now down and already it did not bode well for her or her future to be starting out in such a way.
“I’m sorry,” she spoke softly once more as the black veil closed in around and upon the next exhale her eyes closed and knees buckled beneath her as she slipped into oblivion.
The Space Cauldron
FIN
