Story
Chapter 13: Out of the Shadows
Snapping back to reality from his memories, the Grey Painter has a decision to make. The choice is already daunting enough, facing Vira, but both of them know full well their patron is always watching from afar… and hates to be disappointed.
Baelia
I was lucky enough to find a friend who cared about me.
Baelia
And I know it’s hard to see, but you have friends like that, too, Ozzy.
Grey Painter
I know that! Vira—
Baelia
Vira tried to use you. She tried to isolate you and prey on your loneliness… just like the Faerie who imprisoned me did.
Baelia
Every day she would say such awful things to me, and tell me that nobody would come to help me… That nobody loved me enough to even care that I was gone.
Baelia
And I believed her. When I returned to Faerieland, all the other Faeries shunned me. They rejected me. They didn’t know what to do with me.
Baelia
But Tavi stuck by me – and together, we left to try and find me a new name.
Baelia
She saved me. Not just from the cage, but from myself, and from all the hurtful things I was told.
Baelia
Just like Nyx and Styx are trying to save you now.
Grey Painter
But they… they left me. Styx may have been led away, but Nyx chose to leave!
Grey Painter
Even if she was worried about me, she still chose to abandon me. I… I was just a kid!
Grey Painter
She wasn’t there when I needed her the most.
Baelia
But she’s here now. Fighting for you, trying to protect you. Just like we all are.
Baelia
Just look at her!
Nyx
*Grunts*
Vira
Hah! Take that!
Grey Painter
Nyx!!!
Baelia
There’s more to the story than you know. Nyx didn’t even realise how long she had been gone.
Baelia
Please… believe that your sister loves you.
Nyx
Aagh!
Grey Painter
But I… she…
Baelia
It’s not too late, Ozzy. We can still help you… We can still make things right!
Vira
Pathetic! All that time out in space has made you weak. But now that you’re down…
Nyx
No… I’m not… beat… yet… I can’t… I won’t…
Nyx
I won’t let you take Ozzy again!
Vira
Yeah, right! Just try and stop me. By the way, how’s the dirt taste, space-worm? Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Nyx
Oof!
Vira
Ha ha ha… But enough flaunting my victory. There’s one more pest I’ve got to take care of…
Tavi
Baelia! Look out!