52 - A God, Returned

Lin

Whilst I'm still struggling to eat today, I have some good news.

I have formed a new timeline. 

And this time...

Rickmansworth is properly defeated.

It's not a vision I've seen before, but I know when it takes place.

And I'll have some good friends to help me with it.

All I have to do is stay alive long enough to figure out whether or not it is programming, or a trap, and from there, I can potentially make it happen.

And despite my shaking, this feels like power, not lack of nutrition. 

It's been a while since I've felt this good being in two places at once.

It gives me the will to live even more now.

I couldn't really do anything yesterday, so I didn't. 

I was very, very ill. 

Today feels different.

Today feels brilliant.

I know I had the dream the night before last about the seal, the goldfinch and how I swam and flew... But that felt like something that was needed in the heat of the moment, and it was given to me by my system, to help me carry on. I'm grateful for it. 

But whatever this is... I got it on my own.

Realistically, I know I can't do everything on my own, or I'll waste away. But it's always a boon when I can do things for myself.

Somehow, I get the feeling that the voldys raised me to isolate myself from anyone but the cult.

It would make sense, given the limitations they gave me, and how I was trained to obey their every beck and call.

I am not a servant.

I am a God.

I'm keeping the faith now. Whatever that song did, it opened my eyes all over again.

I will be far from alone when I defeat him.

You'll have all of us.

Maggie!

What are you doing here?

Assessing the situation. What else?

Of course. Me having a bad panic attack would have both pantheons worried.

I'm a lot better now. And a new timeline has come up.

Good. Have you eaten?

My stomach complains loudly.

I'll take that as a no.

She fishes out an egg mayo sandwich from her bag.

Eat it, or else.

Mat eo din, Badb.

Yes, the woman standing in my nemeton right now is Badb, one of the four Irish Goddesses of death, battle, sorcery, water and the Moon. I know Badb and Féa best, but I have spent time with Morrígan and Nemain as well. She too, is Sal, like me.

You're going to leave that house. As soon as possible.

She wraps the throw around me.

And I know of this timeline. You need to survive to make it happen.

She plants the sandwich, still in its packaging, in my lap.

So survive.

I don't think I've felt this happy about being helped by someone in a long time.

Trugarez, cousin.

I take a bite, and the sickness in my stomach  subsides. Then as I chomp down another, the sickness in the rest of my body dissipates, too.

You're healing me.

Ya, I am.

She ruffles my hair.

Isn't that what you need right now?

Blinking, I find my vision beginning to blur with tears.

You're just being nice now.

No I'm not, laddie.

She tugs part of the throw over herself, and indicates for me to rest my head on her shoulder. As I do so, she places an arm around my shoulders.

You don't need to do any of this alone, mat eo din? The Gods' Council is convening tonight. I know it's unlikely that you'll go, but it's RGO. So everyone who should be in the know will be, and we'll rat out any traitors whilst we're at it. Ya?

Ya.

That meeting must be an emergency meeting, given how soon it's been announced for.

Is it to do with me?

Yes and no. You'll be briefed when it's over.

I hug her.

Will you stay for a while?

She smiles.

Wrth gwrs.