Page 95 of A Rising Hope

The Queen’s soul trembled,trapped between her body and mine. Lunging, jumping from one place to another as if tethered to a leash, never able to distance herself too far from my body.My blood rolled down Heart Piercer mixing with the Queen’s blood, anchoring her to the In-Between.

I stood still, observing, organizing the thoughts within.

It was always so clear.

How had I not seen it before? I pondered, taking another look at the Queen.

“You can’t kill me!” Her voice was distorted as she shouted at me. It was odd to see her soul like this, tainted, shattered like glass broken into a million pieces. “I shall evade death!”

My eyes gazed at the calm waters around us as we stood on the familiar shore next to her castle, near our motionless bodies. In this trance, the surroundings were muted, colors reflecting the sunlight were dull, lacking their usual shine.

“Death is not what you should be afraid of, Insanaria,” I finally replied. “Death you might evade, but justice? No, even gods shall be brought to justice,” I uttered. There was no anger in my voice, only command, only power. “And now you shall receive your ruling now.” At my words, my powers flared. All of them shaping into something of a divine nature.

It was as if the knowledge had always been a part of me, as if I always had the authority over it.

Without even a thought, my soul called upon hers in a way only a god could command, revealing my true nature.

Insanaria’s shouts quieted as her distorted soul trembled, falling down to her knees. Her eyes didn’t dare look up even as I moved a step closer, celestial glory illuminating my every step.

Like a book, I could see all her transgressions, all her wrongdoings, all the mistakes and vile decisions she had made.

I also saw the intentions of her heart. I saw her darkest thoughts and her deepest desires.

I saw all of her.

At last, I raised my hand above her head, declaring her verdict.

“For your transgressions, for all the pain you have caused, and the harm you have inflicted on so many, you deserve punishment,” I declared. “So, for every innocent life you have taken with vile intent, you shall serve a servitude in the darkest realm of cursed demons.”

Insanaria didn’t beg, her eyes still glued to my feet. Perhaps it was fear, perhaps it was the absolute acceptance of defeat. A small tremor rolled through her body. My hand still hovering above her head as I sealed her fate.

“But for all the pain you have endured, for the innocence that you have lost at the hands of others, for everything you have suffered so young, you too deserve a reprieve.”

I called upon Death waiting behind the veil as it lifted.

There were no introductions needed as Insanaria erupted in sobs, immediately recognizing the young woman appearing near Lady Death. She was a near copy of her mother crying at my feet.

“Each time the moon passes you shall be allowed a visit with the one you love the most, should she wish to see you.” The corner of my lips tugged upward as I glanced to the girl sheepishly standing behind me.

“Why?” Insanaria dared to glance at my glowing figure. “Why?”

“For justice to exist, mercy must be present. And besides, just because you’ve been wicked doesn’t mean your daughter must be punished, too. And she”—I glanced back at the young woman hovering near Death, who gave a subtle approving nod,—“she’d very much like to meet you.”

“Come.” Death extended her hand to Insanaria. “It’s time for you to pass through the veil.”

Insanaria nodded, wiping away tears from her eyes as she stood up, never taking her sight off her daughter lingering nearby, completely bewildered and amazed.

Death held the veil open, letting Insanaria and her daughter walk past her. The Mad Queen crossed the shimmering barrier, each step more confident than previous, and in her wake black thorns blossomed into beautiful blooming flowers once again.

“It’s been a while, Daughter of the Dead,” Death smiled, gesturing a farewell.

“Tell your mother, Fate, I am coming to deliver justice to her next,” I called out, feeling the pull of my physical body to reunite with its soul as my heart slowly resumed its beat.

“Tell the Lord of Death, I much rather prefer to work with you than him.”

My mouth opened as if to question further, but Death had already disappeared between the whiteness beyond.

“Goodbye, Finnleah, Daughter of the Dead, Goddess of Justice and Mercy.” Death’s eerie laugh echoed through the In-Between.

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