Chapter 24: A Familiar Voice

Agatha closed her eyes as she felt the current take her away. She had tried to keep her head above but it had been useless. She was at the mercy of the waters crushing her underneath. "Terror," was all she felt as she moved her arms and legs while shaking her head. She did her best to hold her breath but then felt some water enter her nostrils. She used one hand to hold her nose, while the other still struggled to grasp something… or someone. But who would come for her? The current had swept her. It was dark outside, and even darker underwater. She felt her lungs burning up. Her body was telling her it needed air and begged her to let go. Her brain, however, told her to hold on. If she let go she would die.

"Die…" But wasn't she going to die in a few months anyway? What difference did it make if she died now? 

"The prophecy…" That's right. If she died now, and the ritual wasn't completed, then the White Lotus Priestess wouldn't return and the gate would open itself again.

"That cursed gate!!" The only reason the priestess was even needed was for the destruction of that gate. Why didn't she just destroy it when she had the chance? Why did she not do things properly when she was alive? Why did she decide she would come back through a vessel? Why at the cost of someone?

"Why at the cost of me?" All these questions flooded Agatha's mind as she fought with every bit of strength to hold her breath. She started to feel lightheaded and felt herself close to giving up. If she died, it would end her constant nightmares and suffering. Still, if she died, would anyone mourn her passing? Would anyone genuinely care? It was rather bittersweet to think that death was the answer to her yearned freedom but the thought of dying without accomplishing anything or seeing the world was truly disappointing.

"Agatha!!!" She suddenly remembered hearing Daliyah's cry as she disappeared under the current. Knowing her, she was probably very worried. Hopefully, she hadn't decided to jump into the water. 

"Daliyah…I'm sorry…" Agatha felt the last bit of her strength abandoning her. She heard ringing in her ears as her consciousness started to drift. Her body's command was winning the debate. She was ready to let go.

"*Whisper* Don't you dare let go." She suddenly heard a whisper somewhere far within her head.

"What?" 

"*Whisper* You can't die yet. Your time is yet to come. Use that power that has been bestowed to you." 

"Who…?" The whisper became clearer. The commanding voice of a woman. A familiar voice but from where? 

"What power…?" Despite the chaos and fear consuming her, Agatha did her best to listen to that voice. 

"*Whisper* You know what to do. Just calm your mind and remember!"

"Hmp, easier said than done." Despite her burning lungs and weakened state, Agatha focused on calming her mind. She did not know what power the voice was talking about, after all, she was nothing but a vessel, and yet, she told her mind to remember. Maybe it was her head playing tricks on her before death and it would be foolish to listen to this voice, but there had been many fools in those stories she had read who held on to what one would call hope.

Suddenly, a faint memory came to her. Her arms and hands, which had been struggling a few moments ago in desperation started to gently and swiftly make circular movements she had never done before. Was it muscle memory? Did she read it somewhere? She did not know, but she felt something within her emerge. Her body was no longer yearning for air. There was an inner peace within her. Her body gracefully moved along with her arms despite the force of the current. It was as if something had formed around her that kept all the chaos outside. Then, as if on instinct, she made a sign with her hands and felt like a fire on her palms. Fire? But she was underwater. Did it matter at this point? If this was her mind playing tricks with her then so be it. The heat in her palms grew and grew.

"*Whisper* Do it now!" Without opening her eyes, Agatha immediately lifted both her hands towards the heavens. She left as a huge amount of energy left her body. Just like that, Agatha felt her last bit of strength leaving her. She slightly opened her eyes, feeling the discomfort of the water entering her sockets. In the distance, she was able to distinguish what seemed to be a flash of light. It was a rather beautiful sight. She smiled as she felt her body slowly descending.

"Is this what people mean when they say they see the light before entering the afterlife?"

With this thought, she closed her eyes once again. It appears like her mind had truly played with her. How cruel it was to think that even her head would give her false hope for the future. Then again, had she not learned years ago that the word "hope" had long ago stopped applying to her? She extended her arm one last time towards the light, welcoming whatever fate it brought.

Suddenly. she felt something strong take hold of her hand and pulling her. She felt an arm wrap around her body. She no longer felt herself falling to the depths of the river. On the contrary, it appeared like she was going up.

"Who?" She barely had the strength to question what was happening. Was it the angel of death coming to claim her soul? 

After a few moments, she felt her head above the water. Her mouth opened and closed greedily taking in air. She took one deep breath after another as her lungs felt a bit of pain they were willing to bear as the air started to fill them once again. She felt herself cough uncontrollably as she opened her eyes and looked around. Realizing she was still in the river and that someone was helping to keep her above, she wrapped her arms around her savior. She felt the terror she had felt before and started to tremble.

"You're alright. Just hold on to me. The current is still strong." Agatha's eyes widened as she heard a familiar voice. That husky, cold, and authoritative voice that she had started to resent hours before, now sounded gentle and comforting. She looked up and was surprised to see the face of a man under the moonlight. 

"You…" Despite not having the mask on, there was no way she could confuse the voice of the masked soldier.

"Don't let go. I'll get you out of here." Ignoring her shock, Arcane started to skillfully swim towards the shore. Agatha felt tears flowing down her cheeks as she realized she was truly alive. She could hear Arcane trying to control his breathing as he did his best to fight against the current. Agatha felt a sense of guilt. He had told her to stay away from the water and yet she…

"I'm sorry," she weakly whispered. Arcane, still looking ahead didn't say anything for a few seconds. Normally he would be angry at someone pulling such a dangerous stunt. Not only had she risked her life, but had caused him to take a risk as well. Although it was his duty to protect her, it was still an unnecessary risk. He knew deep down, that it had been foolish of her, and yet he recalled how horrified she looked as she went into the river and started at them, saying she wanted to take her own life. Despite saying she wanted to die, here she was holding on to him for dear life. Not only that, but she was apologizing. His head told him that apologizing wasn't even close to enough, but in his heart, something bothered him. Seeing her so weak, tearful, and regretful made his chest hurt. He didn't know why or what to say to her except…

"Don't apologize. What matters is that you are alive." 

Agatha felt more tears swell up in her eyes.

"What matters is that you are alive."

Those words tugged at her chest. She wasn't sure if he truly meant this, but those words, even if they came from a stranger, made her feel joy and relief.

"Yes…thank you."