Tangled By Fate

496  INTOLERABLE

When she heard about the pain, Catherine subconsciously flinched. She didn't want to die painfully. She wanted a peaceful death.

"It will be the most unbearable pain you ever had," Veronica mentioned. "It's also a test. If you can't bear the pain and let go of Sebastian's hand, the life force will come back to you."

Catherine gulped. "Why is it so complicated?"

Veronica stated, "That is why it is a test. It tests how much you love a person to go through the pain and give your life away. It's not an easy thing to do."

Chills ran down Catherine's spine. Her heartbeat rapidly increased. She was scared and nervous but didn't want to show her emotions in front of Veronica.

She was also afraid that her friend would stop if she showed a bit of weakness.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her heart. Afterward, She mournfully looked at Sebastian's pale face.

'What a life we have, don't you think Sebastian? I didn't have the courage to be with you, but now I have to show everyone how much I love you until I die.'

A sad smile spread across her lips.

'I guess this is for the best. This way, you will finally let go and move on.'

After that, Catherine laid down next to Sebastian and held his cold hand.

"I'm ready," she declared.

Then, she closed her eyes.

Veronica stared at her with tearful eyes. She wiped the tears and then started the ritual.

The silver light glowed where she curved the circle and then wrote ancient words. The light got closer to the bodies inside the circle and reached them.

At first, Catherine's body was enveloped with the silver light and then slowly transferred to Sebastian.

Veronica wasn't lying. When the light enveloped Catherine, she started sensing the pain.

As the light began to transfer to Sebastian, she felt the pain escalate quickly. Her whole body was crying in pain.

She opened her eyes and mouth. No words came out through her parted lips. However, tears streamed down her eyes. The pain was so intolerable that her body started getting numb.

Ten minutes passed. She couldn't stand the pain any longer. She wished it would be over soon but it didn't. Every second felt like years. When she wanted to let go of Sebastian's hands, she paused.

'…What am I doing…?'

She could barely move her body but she forced herself to turn her head toward Sebastian. Seeing him being illuminated by the silver light of hope, her heart was at ease.

She could feel that her pain became more tolerable after seeing his face. At the same time, it gave her courage.

'I can do this. For him, I can do anything. This pain is nothing. It will be over soon.'

She could sense her life force was slipping away. Her body was turning cold.

At that moment, an image flashed in her eyes. Sebastian was standing in front of a cottage covered in ivy plants.

He was playing with a small boy. They were laughing loudly.

At some point, a woman came out of the cottage. Sebastian smiled at her. He kissed the woman and hugged her along with the child. They looked like a happy family.

A smile escaped Catherine's mouth. She felt content. She wished for this dream to come true.

She closed her eyes.

When the last drop of life force was taken away from Catherine, the silver light abruptly vanished.

Veronica's body dropped to the ground. She looked lifeless. She didn't have the energy or the courage to go forward and check the result of the ritual.

Ironin was quick to catch her. He sat beside her and paid attention to her condition.

Merlin inhaled sharply. He didn't realize that he was holding his breath. He hesitantly advanced toward the circle.

At first, he examined Catherine's pulse and then Sebastian's.

"I think it worked," he announced. "Lady Catherine doesn't have a pulse but Sebastian has."

Upon hearing that, Veronica became weak. She leaned against Ironin. Her senses and feelings became numb. She blankly stared at the bodies.

Her heart was empty.

The person who knew her the best, who she grew up with, her lifetime childhood friend, a partner in crime, that person was gone. She was killed by her own two hands.

Merlin looked at Veronica and saw her state. Then, he lowered his gaze, unable to endure her expression.

After some time passed, Ironin asked her, "What do you want to do with her body? Bury her?"

"No!" Veronica instantly jolted. "She deserves a proper burial. We can't randomly choose a place."

She looked at the magician and asked, "Merlin, can you take her to the tower and preserve her body until I go back? I will choose a proper place where she could be buried and then hold a burial ceremony."

"Most certainly, Milady," Merlin agreed.

Veronica sighed in relief.

"Make two circles," Ironin instructed Merlin. "Veronica and I will go to the battlefield with Sebastian. You can take Catherine to the tower."

"But we need Sebastian awake. What if we end up in the middle of the battlefield with unconscious Sebastian?" Veronica mentioned.

Although she faced the shock of losing someone so precious just now, her brain was still working.

"I will draw the teleportation circles. We will wait until he is awake," Merlin stated.

Just as planned, he separated the bodies with Ironin's help and then drew the teleportation circles. After that, he stood beside Catherine's motionless body.

He wanted to ask Veronica if she wanted to have any last word to Catherine but seeing her condition, he controlled himself.

After Sebastian woke up, Ironin told Merlin to teleport them.

Without any delay, Merlin teleported Veronica, Ironin and Sebastian to the battlefield. Afterward, he teleported him and Catherine to the tower.

~ Flashback ends ~

In the desert camp –

Veronica hugged Arthur in the bathtub and cried mournfully.

Arthur's heart hurt seeing her heartbroken like this.

He was also speechless knowing the fact that his wife could bring a person from the dead without going through the procedures like him.

He had no idea how to comfort his wife.

While sobbing, Veronica asked him, "Arthur, do you think I'm the murderer of my own friend?"

Finally, done with the heartbreaking chapter. Huuugs to those who are sad by the outcome.

Flow07