She didn't care what she was saying. Her own body felt numb from the familiar sparks of magic flaring from Huckleberry. And she didn't care. Everything around her felt unreal, her head was tipping, and she was trapped in her own head. She'd failed to keep her son safe, right after promising to never let him hurt again. She couldn't even fight off the one that had hurt him. She couldn't protect anyone. She couldn't find redemption.

So, then, what was the point of any of it?!

As Orlaith stepped away, she stumbled to her feet. She'd follow them, wherever they took her. She couldn't care less. Even if they were taking her to throw her off a cliff, she wouldn't care. She was giving up. Jayberry was a lost cause. Huckleberry was a lost cause. Elderberry and Blueberry were dead. Baneberry was gone. And everyone else...missing, defected, or long dead themselves. They could do what they wanted with her. She was just a walking corpse now.

*exit

@Orlaith

It seemed that Blackberry finally listened to reason, and so with a short nod Orlaith kept an eye on the goose. She turned to Huckleberry for a quick second. "I am awfully sorry about your wrist Huckleberry. I didn't mean for that to happen. I will explain this to Rift of my mistake when we get back to Eridanus." They had gotten Blackberry, but in trying to capture her, she had accidentally hurt Huckleberry. With a soft sigh, she walked behind the goose on their way to Eridanus.

-Exit Orlaith

@Huckleberry

Huckleberry didn't respond to Orlaith's apology, just stared as Blackberry stood with shock. This wasn't her. This was a shell of his mother. She'd been powerful, terrifying, and a monster. He was convinced that she deserved every bit of pain she'd endured and everything coming to her. But...why did he pity her?

Huckleberry limped after them as they headed back to the Kingdom, shocked into silence while Shiny clutched to his back, this time completely quiet.

*exit