Chapter 7: Truth Before Dawn

Chapter 7: Truth Before Dawn

I left the market quickly, eager to get back to Serah.

When I arrived home, I rushed straight into her room.

Cough… cough.

My heart dropped—Serah was coughing up blood.

"Serah!" I ran to her side.

"Serah, what’s wrong? I was hoping you’d be better," I said, patting her back.

"Dear… I have to tell you something. I don’t have much time left."

Cough… cough.

"Serah, don’t say that, please. Nothing will happen to you, okay?" I didn’t even notice the tears rolling down my cheeks. I laid her gently on the bed.

"Dear, I need to tell you something very important."

My heartbeat quickened.

"What is it, Serah?"

She cleared her throat, her voice shaky.

"Dear… I know what you are."

Fear gripped my whole body.

She knew?

"Uh… how did you know?" My hands were trembling.

"I know everything about you, dear… because you’re my granddaughter."

I froze. My entire body went numb.

"What?!"

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“Dear, your parents and I used to live happily in Kyratth. We used our magic freely. I was a good mother to your mother, and a good grandmother as well. Until…” she paused, eyes clouding with regret, “…I became greedy and too ambitious. I wanted more power. So I started practicing dark magic—voodoo. I used my gifts for the wrong reasons, initiating others, bewitching them, and even using the blood of innocents to strengthen myself.

At the time, King Zarreth’s father ruled the kingdom. He noticed witchcraft spreading, and issued a decree to kill all witches—both good and evil.

Your parents saw the monster I had become. They threatened to expose me if I continued. That’s when the guilt began to eat at me. I fled to Blackridge to escape, but the damage was already done. I had created something I couldn’t undo a cult that carried on my dark work without me.

Shortly after I fled, Zarreth’s father passed away, and the witch hunts stopped for a time. But years later, I learned the evil witches had returned… and Zarreth now sat on the throne. I knew it was my fault. You lost your family because of my greed and ambition.”

Her voice shook. “Kyra, dear… I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But if I could turn back time, I would.”

I sat there, stunned. My body felt numb. Serah… was responsible for everything?

She kept speaking, her breaths growing shallower. “I saw everything in visions—the attack on the kingdom, the death of your friend, the moment you crossed into Blackridge. That’s why I had food and the washroom ready. I knew you were coming. I made you inhale the brownish liquid… it wasn’t myrrh water. It’s a rare witch’s elixir—protects you from vervain, strengthens your magic. I knew you hadn’t used your powers before, but I wanted you to. You would need them.

When I said I saw my granddaughter at the market, I lied. I only wanted to get you home, to push you toward discovering yourself. The nightmares, the visions… I’ve been aware of all of them.”

I finally managed to whisper, “Serah… why?”

Tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry, dear. Truly.”

I didn’t know what to feel—hate, anger, betrayal… or the faint ache of understanding.

“Dear,” she rasped, “there’s no time. You must head back to Kyratth at dawn. Your destiny waits for you there. Take a new name… a new life.”

Her cough worsened, blood staining her lips. “I’m glad I could tell you everything. Fate gave me a second chance… by bringing you back to me.”

“I don’t understand. How am I supposed to go to Kyratth with a new identity? I could easily get caught,” I muttered under my breath.

Serah took my hand and began to recite a low incantation.

“By dawn tomorrow, place your hands on your face—you’ll have a new one. With it, you can move freely… and seek your revenge. I won’t make it till nightfall, dear. Make sure you bury me in the backyard by then.”

Tears slid down my cheeks.

The last time I’d felt pain like this was when I watched my family die.

“Cough… cough…” Serah doubled over, blood spilling from her lips. Her body shook as the coughing grew worse.

I stood, unsure of what to do.

“I’ll get help!” I was halfway to the door when her faint voice stopped me.

“No… there’s no need. I’m glad I could meet you… and tell you the truth.” She held my hand lightly, her grip already weakening.

Then, silence.

Her chest stilled.

Serah was gone.

Just like that.

I sat beside her body, staring at her face. I didn’t cry. I didn’t wail. I just sat there—completely numb.

It felt like I was somewhere outside my own body.

I sat beside Serah’s body until nightfall. It was time to bury her. I glanced at her face one last time before standing up and stepping outside.

I told her close neighbors about her passing.

They came without hesitation, helping me carry her body. They were kind enough to offer a proper coffin, one worthy of her.

We gave her a quiet, decent burial.

I stood there for a while, my eyes fixed on the coffin.

Her words from earlier echoed in my mind—every truth she had poured out, and the path that now lay ahead of me.

I couldn’t speak. I simply stared into the abyss.

When I finally managed to whisper a “thank you” to the neighbors, it felt like my entire world was spinning.

Serah was gone.

After the burial, I returned to her room. It was time to set my plan in motion.

I thought about taking her herbs, selling them in Kyratth but that alone wouldn’t get me close enough to my goal.

I needed to be near the king himself.

A servant.

If I worked in the palace, my plan could unfold right under their noses.

With my new face, no one would recognize me.

A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.

It was time for my revenge.

I reached for the brownish liquid on the shelf.

There were dozens more, and I swept them into a sack.

One by one, I folded my clothes and tucked them neatly into a bag.

By dawn, I would be gone.