☀️ Arselia and Akonia

Beata groaned as she regained consciousness and immediately started coughing. With difficulty, she turned onto her side and spat out a slimy lump that was hindering her breathing; with horror, she recognized it as a brain worm – the very one that had protected her mind for the past six months, first from Rynze, and then from other threats. Despite the unpleasant chill, she had grown accustomed to the parasite over time; it had given her a sense of security and confidence. It was sad to lose it.
After spitting, she sat up with a groan, looking around. Their entire group was slowly starting to regain consciousness... At least, the bipedal part of it.
She patted the black ball of fur next to her.
“Mysterious, wake up!” – no response.
She picked up the cat in her arms. It hung limply in her hands like a rag.
“Mysterious! Mysterious, what’s wrong?” she repeated with pain in her voice, bringing the cat closer.
The cat wasn’t breathing. Its heart wasn’t beating, and its eyes weren’t reacting to the light.
“Mis... Mis...” a heavy lump formed in Beata’s throat.
Pressing the lifeless creature to her chest and burying her face in its fur one last time, she burst into bitter tears.