Chapter 53: Rieka and the Cloak

The weak morning sun, filtering through thick drapes into Reika's chambers, sat her listlessly tracing idle patterns on the window sill while seated unmoving beside the window, her pale fingers leaving faint scratches. Her health had only declined in recent weeks and took from her an extra allotment of that already finite supply. As her malaise fogged body and senses alike, so it would seem everything was muddied in her thoughts-except the words remembered from the Moon Goddess: "A life for a life." The weight of the decision crushed her chest. Riftan was her brother. Once, he had been her protector-the one who stood between her and the cruel world. But that was before the darkness in him grew, before the crimes that put him in the dungeons of Alpha Lleus's manor, before he betrayed everything Reika thought she knew about him. For having been found out and put behind bars for an heinous crime of attacking an innocent girl, while his most unpardonable crime, his involvement in her death in the previous life, let alone many other things, was presented before her with brutal truth after all these years of obscurity, yet, as much as her mind shrieked in scream, 'This had better be the justice', her heart refused to budge with any compliance. "How can I take his life, after all he's done?" --- Midday found Reika standing before the cold stone walls of the dungeon. She had gone there on a whim, restless for his company-to confront him regarding the tormentor. Guards beside the iron door saluted her with cautious expressions. "Open the door," she ordered, her voice more resolute than her feelings. Groaning, the iron door opened; he was in a cell, dark and cramped. Riftan sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, his hands bound in thick chains. His once proud face had withered, sunken eyes weary. He looked up at the sound of her steps, a bitter smirk curling on his lips. "Reika," he drawled, his voice husky. "What brings my dear sister here today? Come to gloat?" Her stomach twisted at the sight of him, but she squared her shoulders. "I came to talk." "Talk?" He laughed, the sound like gravel on concrete. "You've never wanted to talk to me, Reika. Not since…" His voice trailed off, but the unsaid words hung heavy in the air between them. "Not since you destroyed everything," she finished for him, her voice shaking. His smirk fell away, and he gave her a cold, hard stare. "I made mistakes, I'll admit that. But you have no idea what I've been through." "No," she snapped, anger flaring in her chest. "What she went through. What that girl went through because of you." His jaw clenched. "I didn't do this intentionally, I didn't want it to happen." It is always too far with you," she spat, her body inching closer to the bars. "And don't think I've forgotten what you did to me. What you caused in my past life." Riftan's expression altered, confusion dancing in his eyes. "What are you talking about? She said nothing, her anger too real to articulate the terrors he had set in motion. Instead, she spun and strode toward the door. "Reika!" he called after her, despair creeping into his voice. "I never wanted to hurt you! You're my sister!" She stopped, her hand on the doorframe. "You were my brother," she whispered. "But I don't know who you are anymore. The rest of the day was one blur. She couldn't seem to take hold of anything whatsoever. Those words that the doctor said, about a week being given, kept whirling in her mind like some malignant mantra. She could hardly bear such an impossible choice-watching the sacrifice of Riftan for the saving of Daisy or letting Daisy slip away while she clung to a fractured bond with her brother. The sun had set, and Reika retreated into her chambers, shutting the door behind her. She began to pace, her mind racing. "He was the one who killed me in my past life. He hurt that girl. He should die. But, he is my brother." Each one tore at her, the thought ripping her heart, until a pain flared in her illness. Slices of shooting pain cut through her chest and she clutched over her heart, gasping breaths as her face streamed with tears. There came a knock at her door then. "Who is it?" she called weakly "It's Alpha Lleus." a deep voice came through outside of her door. Reika stuttered over a few words as she unlocked the door; Alpha Lleus entered, his features soft yet creased with worry. "Dinner?," he said. "No thanks," she replied, He neared her, his eyes perusing hers. "Reika, I can see what weight you are carrying. You do not have to bear that alone." She shook her head, not even looking at him. "This is just something that no one, not even you, can help me with, Lleus." "Allow me to try," he insisted. "Tell me what's bothering you." Her chest tightened at what must remain buried. "It's Daisy," she replied, skirting the issue. "She's dying, and no one can do anything for her. Alpha Lleus sighed, sagging a little. "I have spoken with the doctors; they do all they could, Reika. At times. we are forced to bow down, for we do not have a chance to rescue all souls. " The words had hit her as from the Goddess of the Moon, and she shunted her face so that the tears only blurred her view. Alpha Lleus leaned forward and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You're a lot stronger than you think," he whispered, "and whatever happens, I'll be here for you." Reika nodded, though her heart was no lighter. Late into the night, Reika sat staring at the ceremonial dagger on her nightstand. Her fingers ached to reach out and grasp it, to feel the cool heaviness of the metal in her hands. She thought of Riftan alone in his cell. "He killed me," she said to herself. "He deserves this." Yet another voice whispered back, more softly but firmly, "He's still your brother." She was pulled out of her reverie by the sound of a knock at the door. Who is it?" she called startled. "It's Lyra, Your Majesty," came the now-familiar voice. Reika opened the door to find Lyra standing in the doorway, looking rather ill at ease. "Your Majesty," Lyra began hesitantly. "I thought you should know… someone was seen around the dungeons tonight. Someone cloaked." Reika's heart skipped a beat. "Who? "We don't know," Lyra said, "but the guards are trying to find out. I thought you should know at any rate." Reika nodded; her mind churned. As Lyra went to make her exit, that lump of fear inside her returned, renewed. "If a person is after Riftan… does that mean I might never have to make the choice myself?" She sat, her dagger clutched tightly in her hands, as for the first time she considered: Maybe fate will step in instead.