Tower of Paradise

Chapter 58: Remembering the past

The logic behind my strategy was simple: the rain of arrows came from all directions, so maintaining a high forward speed minimized exposure to projectiles from behind and the sides. A single impact on my waist or legs could be fatal, limiting my mobility and exposing me to a quick and certain end.

A whistle cut through the air.

While blocking an arrow aimed at the left side of my face with my dagger, another appeared heading toward my unprotected stomach.

Momentary panic clouded my usual judgment, and I ended up blocking the projectile with my right arm.

The impact was painful, the arrow pierced through my muscles with a dull sound, penetrating near previous wounds and multiplying the pain exponentially.

I tried to maintain my speed without pausing, but the shock and pain betrayed my determination for a fraction of a second. That brief moment of weakness cost me dearly.

POOK! POOK! POOK!

Several arrows were fired from behind. Despite my attempt to dodge them by leaning to one side, my reduced speed made me vulnerable, and an arrow found its mark in my back.

—ARRrrrghghhhhh! —The scream escaped my throat before I could contain it.

Damn it, there were no more options. I would have to continue forward like a berserker, blocking the arrows I could see and absorbing the rest as if my body were living armor.

Forward!

A careless tilt of my head allowed me to dodge by millimeters an arrow that I hadn't even seen coming.

Pook, puk!

More arrows found their way to my body. I ignored the pain and continued. Each step was agony, the arrow lodged in my back seemed to tear my muscles with every movement.

As if that wasn't enough, another arrow pierced my left calf, penetrating deep into the muscle and causing my leg to momentarily fail.

My rhythm broke and I fell, but the death that flashed before my eyes served as a powerful motivator.

I got up instantly and resumed my race, though now it was more of a desperate half-leap than a proper run.

I noticed that arrows had stopped coming from behind... Forward! My concentration faltered for an instant, and while trying to dodge a frontal arrow by tilting my head, it ended up piercing my ear.

—Arrrgrgh! —The pain was unbearable.

My vision started to fail and my balance deteriorated rapidly. To make matters worse, an arrow found its mark in my right heel, effectively disabling both legs.

Even so, I threw my body forward with every ounce of energy I had left. Giving up was not an option, and an elegant landing was a luxury I couldn't afford in these circumstances.

The sound of water reached my ears, I had overcome the trap. Along a cavity there was a pond.

Dizziness began to intensify due to blood loss. My improved health was the only thing keeping me on my feet, but even with it, I was at my limit.

I coughed violently, blood dripping between the fingers of the hand covering my mouth. The pain spread like liquid fire through the nerves of my left arm and throughout my body, causing more retching.

Fainting threatened me, my body protesting against the abuse I had subjected it to. It was madness to have endured so much, and if I didn't rest immediately, I would collapse.

But I gritted my teeth once more. If I couldn't bear this, what hope would I have of facing future challenges?

With determination, I pulled the yellow arrow from my left arm. My body had reached its limit, but I had achieved my goal.

[Healing Pond.]

[Description: Heals when ingested or rubbed. May also work for baldness...]

I crawled slowly toward the healing well. With the last strength I had left, I threw my battered body into the healing waters.

And then, darkness claimed me.

[You have overcome the second floor.]

[You have received 10 soul fragments.]

[Innate ability activated: Successor's Eyes.]

***

I had very few memories of the moments following the impact. The horrible noise of metal breaking, the sound of ambulance sirens, the blood on my hands, the bone protruding from the torn flesh of my left leg.

Alessia's body lying on the ground... with blood coming from behind her head and her face, as if staring into the void behind me... Then, the crying and screaming.

Finally, the deep silence... It was that day... On that isolated country road, when Alessia and our unborn child... died. Violet would never be born.

A week later I was discharged from the general hospital. Concussion, double leg fracture, and multiple injuries. The hospital staff gave me a small plastic bag with Alessia's personal belongings.

Her purse, a pack of mint gum, her car keys... And a small red gift. Inside the package there was only a photograph. It was an ultrasound image. The features of a small baby were clearly distinguishable, there was an inscription in silver tone on the photo.

Alessia, apparently, had decided to find out the sex of the baby and intended to tell me at the restaurant. Violet... She had my same nose.

A large crowd gathered at the church, dozens of people hugged me and offered their condolences. Alessia's mother, with tears in her eyes, seemed to be paralyzed. She gave me looks mixed with pain and resentment.

I no longer felt anything. I learned that the person responsible for Alessia's death was alive. After having been arrested several times for driving under the influence of alcohol, his driver's license had been revoked. According to local newspapers, the 45-year-old man should spend a few years behind bars. A few years in prison for having taken the life of Alessia and our daughter.

...It was unfair.