Within minutes, the temple sisters surrounded Katalya and helped carry her to the temple's Infirmary. There she would receive the first aid. The air was thick with worry. The murmurs couldn't seem to stop.

“Maybe she collapsed from the midday sun..” Ophelia said, her voice trembling.

The nurse and the Head Priestess exchanged a doubtful glance.

“She seems to be in a very weakened state. I think it started long before now. It was a hot day - but I dont think that is the reason of her collapse."

"For now she needs to rest, we will handle the rest.” they said, not wanting to elaborate further. 

Ophelia couldn't help but worry. She was determined to wait next to Katalya's bed until she woke up. The candle light was dim. The room was rusty, old and drafty. She opened the window for relief, but the summer heat was as stubborn as she was. 

Her anxiety rose with the hours passing. She had already lived through the death of her family, the thought of losing Katalya too was unbearable.

At last, a faint voice broke the silence

“ Hmm, where am I? This isn't my room…”

Ophelia sighed in relief.

"Finally you woke up, I was worried sick!” her voice breaking as all her tension spilled out. 

She explained how Katalya had collapsed in the sun, how the priestesses could not explain the cause, how the hours had felt like years as she waited.

“Opheliaaa, Opheliaa - Calm down please” she said in a soft voice “ It hurts me deeply to see you so worried about me. Even more so when this is only the beginning of my suffering…” 

Ophelia's heart sank…“The beginning? No… you’ll get better. I'm sure. You’ve always been the most devout of us all. Surely the gods wouldn’t bring this upon you.” Her green eyes welled with tears that would not stop.

“My dearest, you know that for me you are like a sister, a daughter I never had… Please calm down and listen to me. The gods of the Nieu can't help me. This is only an after effect of the misuse of my magical powers"

“Magical Powers? I didn't know you had any. And even if you did why in the world would you ever misuse them and hurt yourself in this way?”

“I manifested my powers at the age of twelve. It's all in my dreams - in my dreams I see the future and the past. The people who want to see me and not. This cursed mother had to leave her son behind with my cruel husband. How could I not use everything in my power to save my sweet little boy, innocent of my sins and his father’s.

All these years not only I dreamed, but broke the laws of my magic to influence every little event that could risk the life of my dearest son. And now that he is 18, finally my body can accept the punishment of my actions. So no Ophelia, nothing will cure me. And I will die before the arrival of the new year. I know this as I dreamt about it so many times I can never forget.

Ophelia took a deep breath. Surely she could understand a mothers sacrifice, as her mother would have done the same for her. Still the sadness would not go away. To her she was the closest person she had.

She felt frustrated and sad. The thought of her friend dying without seeing her son filled her with guilt. 

"Who am I to be by her side when he is not?" she thought. "I am stealing the last moments that should belong to him."

“Is there… no way for you to see your son again?” Ophelia asked, her voice hesitant.

Katalya reached for her hand once more, her fingers trembling. She raised her gaze to meet Ophelia’s.

“There is. But only if you agree to help me…”