Role

Chapter 28

As the blood moved from my veins into the tube, I felt lightheaded, which was
strange. I had been slain, I had been cut, and yet the slow drip was different.
Like a loss of essence, something weightier than a scratch or a strike.

The alchemist had collected all that he needed to finish the antidote. Kaide in
particular was most unnerved. He threatened the alchemist, violently, stating
if it did not work, he would cut the man where he stood, with no regard to the
wife or children he would leave behind. In that moment, I spoke against the
paladin who had given testimony on my behalf.

No harm will come to you, you have my word.

No sooner than I spoke those words than Odovodon administered the anecdote, and
the androsphinx was healed. He roared, himself again, and moved quickly to save
the alchemist's family and make right what had been done wrong on that fateful
night.

Still, there was more to that evening. My arms began to bleed. From the spot
where blood was taken, they bled anew. As the blood sept through my wrappings,
I find myself becoming strangely lighter.

Before my eyes, the red from my wound rapidly lost its color. With it, the last
of the darkness within my soul melted away. I wept and I prayed.

I was no longer a child of dark heart.