Maes could not take this anymore. He rushed to the bedroom, just as the Grim appeared to reap his wife’s soul. Zelda and Cecil stood there, crying helplessly, but he wouldn’t allow it. If the Goddess would not protect his family, then he would do it himself, may his soul be damned.
He fell on her knees and begged the Wraith to spare her.
– Please. You cannot take her from me!
The creature raised its faceless hood, as if it could see him even without eyes. A low, disembodied voice filled the room, sending shivers down his spine.
– Her soul belongs to the Dark Lord. If I don’t bring it to Him, there will be a price.
– I will pay! I will give you anything you want! But please, not her!
The Reaper lowered its scythe in a slow gesture that almost felt kind.
A strange gust of wind swept through the house, and in an instant, Carlisle was back on her feet, and the Wraith had vanished away.
Maes held her tight in his arms.
– What happened? She asked. I thought I was…
– Don’t worry about it, you’re safe now.
He gently guided her to the bed to rest. She was so tired and weak that she almost immediately fell asleep.
Zelda and Cecil looked in horror as this horrible miracle unfolded. Yes Carlisle was alive, but the Lord of Shadows would certainly come to claim its price. And who knew what cruel punishment He would inflict upon them.
– Maes, no! Cecil cried, what have you done? My sister would have never wanted this.
– I saved her, Maes interrupted. And if you love her as much as I do you won’t tell her anything.
He picked up the little baby that had been left aside. A boy, who so clearly resembled his mother. His name would be Cedric.
As the baby reached out for him and grabbed on his shirt, Maes convinced himself that he had made the right decision. He would not bear the thought of his precious boy growing without a mother, alongside the other kids with happy families. Now, they would be happy too, and even if he wasn’t proud of it, it was worth the price.
But there remained one problem: the witch. Before she left, she pulled him aside on the porch.
– What were you thinking? Have you lost your mind?
– She’s my wife, Zelda. You think I’d just stand there and watch her die. What other choice did I have?
– You do not understand. The choice you made, it will impact all of us. You’ve seen what the Lord of Shadows is capable of. This is how he gains his strength, by making deals with fools like you.
– I said that I would pay the price. I will take on full responsibility.
– Whatever happens, I’m washing my hands from all this.
