Elena's eyes snapped open.
She was lying in the infirmary tent, damp and sore, water dripping from every strand of her soaked curls. She was alive. Truly alive.
From the corner of her eye, a small talisman swung gently beside her mat - didn't that belong to the old widow she would visit sometimes with the children? she wondered, blinking.
Her gaze fell to her hands. The skin was fully healed, the faint bronze tone creeping up her arms just past her elbows, a few shades darker than before. Her spiral scars, once a pearly white, now a deep, shimmering dark pearl. Like black pearl.
That's when she felt it: laying on top of her chest was a machete, its hilt made of gold and black pearl. The Matteo crest glinting. The sheathe the blade was in softly rumbled, as if rain patter was coming from the blade itself.
The Blade of Boinayel.
Elena clasped it with her hands, whispering, "Thank you."
She looked around cautiously. The tent was empty.
Dizzy, she sat up slowly, clutching the edge of her bedroll for balance.
"Mami?"
Her heart leapt. She whipped her head toward the voice.
"Esperanza?!"
Rising to her feet unsteadily, she stumbled toward the tent flap, clutching the Blade of Boinayel, and pushed it aside, blinking as bright sunlight flooded her eyes.
The hold was deep into evacuation preparations.
Elena stood dazed, her wet clothes clinging to her frame, gripping a tent pole for support. People nearby froze in place at the sight of her, whispers rippled through the crowd like a sudden storm.
Lightening flashes, outlining her dripping silhouette.
Some crossed themselves, murmuring prayers. Others dropped to their knees, overcome with shock and reverence.
She paid them no mind.
Maaami, echoed in her mind, tugging her forward like an anchor. Her bare feet dragged over dirt and gravel, soaked and heavy, thunder clapping in the skies above with each step. The blade dragged behind her, its sheathe dragging in the wet tracks left behind.
Is this real? she wondered, Or am I still trapped in the void?
"I'm with Papi, Mami!" a small voice chimed.
Elena's gaze followed the sound, and her heart clenched.
Inside a large commanders' tent, the council was in session. Niegal sat at the center, his focus sharp despite exhaustion. Beside him, Phineus and Alejandro bent over maps, planning the next move.
Esperanza stirred, whimpering softly and tugging at Niegal's collar.
"Goo goo, ahh-"
Niegal smiled, soothing her gently. "Just a moment, mijita. Papi is almost done."
The babe whimpered, reaching for the tent entrance.
Thunder shook the tent.
Then, to the shock of everyone, especially Niegal, Elena stumbled in.
Water trailed behind her in glistening droplets, her arms miraculously healed, glowing faintly with that same golden-green hue. Her scars deep black pearl swirls climbing up her flesh. Lightening flashed, water reflecting off her soaked frame and the blade she dragged at her side. She blinked through the haze, eyes wide but dazed.
The room fell utterly silent.
Elena swayed, barely able to stand. She reached out a trembling hand toward Niegal and their daughter, shivering.
Esperanza giggled, stretching her arms toward her mother from across the table.
Niegal's eyes widened, disbelief etched deep on his face. He staggered to her side.
Phineus dropped the map he had been holding, ink splattering across the table.
Alejandro's pen slipped from his grasp, its dark trail staining the cloth.
Despite her weariness, Elena took a shaky step forward and nearly collapsed, but Niegal caught her with a strength born of love, gently settling her into a chair. The blade clattered to the floor beside them.
Everyone else in the tent fell back, some crossing themselves, others openly weeping.
Niegal knelt beside Elena, cradling the wiggling baby against his chest.
"Mi Doña… is this real? Have you truly come back to us, my love?"
His voice trembled, tears streaming freely down his cheeks.
Elena turned her head, smiling softly as she patted Esperanza's head and kissed Niegal's cheek.
She breathed in raggedly and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I'm back," she whispered.
"I told you I would find you. That I would find a way."
Niegal embraced her tightly, their tears mingling as relief and gratitude washed over them.
Just then, Aurora and the Behike burst into the tent, out of breath and wide-eyed.
"We had to fetch more medicinal herbs and clean rags," Aurora explained, voice shaking. "When we returned, Elena was gone!"
Niegal pressed a hand to his lips, his gaze fixed on Elena.
The Behike sank to her knees, hands raised in silent thanks to the spirits.
Aurora wept openly, her burden lifted. "Thank the gods," she sobbed.
Exhausted, Elena managed only a slight nod.
"Thank you for loving me and watching over me," she whispered.
Niegal lifted Elena effortlessly, one arm strong beneath her.
Esperanza cooed, reaching out for her mother's hand.
Dazed but lucid, Elena rested against Niegal's chest, the comforting scent of his armor and their daughter's hair surrounding her.
At last. Together again.