Amazon had been avoiding coming back to Polaris, knowing the memories that awaited her there. Despite the cave being so large, she could not help fearing that she would stumble across the dead and decaying body of the aardwolf. Just thinking about it sent shivers down her spine. And it was even worse, knowing that she was going there just to find them.

But she had to believe. She had to have hope. She wanted to give them a chance to live again, just like she was living. Perhaps this time the life would be longer and less tortured then the one they had lived before. She wondered if they would live beyond her as well.

The thought both brought her sorrow and a peaceful sort of happiness. Even after she was dead, she would live on inside this little creature. Her magic, a piece of her soul, would be within their body, giving them life and spirit. But...would her illness go to them as well? Would the sickness in her gem transfer with her magic? It scared her a little bit, but she had to take that risk. Perhaps it was only her gem that held the evil disease.

It took a long time, but she finally found the spot. As she got closer, her feet slowed, as if her body didn't want her to go any closer, knowing what would come next. But she forced herself onwards. She had to do this, for both herself, and for Onye.

She rounded a corner and stopped dead as the rank smell hit her nose. Death and decay hung heavy in the air and the body of the young gembound laid just where amazon had left them, almost fully decayed, with some tissue still clinging to the bones. The gem was obvious now, no longer hidden by the fur on the head and Amazon knew now why they had died. The gem must have pierced their brain.

Feeling sick, she crept closer, trying not to breath in too deeply, her eyes starting to water. The memories were long gone now - all she could think about was the horror of this sight. And she was heading straight into it.

But she had to get there. She was almost there. And, finally, where the smell was most intense, she stopped, just in front of the gem.

She had one chance. One chance to get it right. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her raging heartbeat and started to focus her magic. It wasn't something she did often, but she had experience from using her recovery spell when her symptoms got worse. Once enough had accumulated, she felt a shudder within her as if her brain suddenly realized what she was about to do.

Without hesitation, she held her breath and jabbed her nose against the gem.

She was initially surprised at the force of the spell and how much it drained out of her and she almost pulled back, but stopped herself just in time. Finally, the spell finished and she breathed out, taking a step away so she could breathe in again. The gem now had a faint green glow to it, looking more full of life already.

As she looked on, she felt something almost like a weight lift from herself. She did it, she had given life to the dead. She and Onye would live on, even after she was gone. She would have a purpose now - raise this child and live for them.

Amazon retreated away, glancing back at the gem, already feeling the connection building between her and the gembound that was growing within. Once the smell and the sight of the decay was gone, she settled herself down, shivering with happiness, and drifted off the sleep.

*exit