The Healer Who Defies Death

Chapter 3: The Road Ahead

The chapel was wrapped in a heavy silence, its tall windows glowing softly in the pale silver light of the moon. Shadows extended long across the pews, and the lingering aroma of incense appeared to cling stubbornly to the stone walls, as if in a silent gesture of homage.

Lith stood near the solid wood doors, a little backpack draped over his shoulder. The strap dug into his palm, clutched hard as if letting go would mean losing his only link to this place.

Father Aldric stood alongside him, his aged visage severe but softened by sorrow. He spoke little, the creases around his eyes reflecting the weight he carried. On his other side, Sister Seraphine struggled to maintain her composure, tears threatening to fall despite her best efforts to keep them hidden.

"Lith..." Her voice quivered as she reached out, pulling him into a warm embrace. Her arms were soothing but shaking, and the faint aroma of lavender persisted in her robes.

Lith felt his cheeks flushed, despite his attempt to cover it with a smile. His heart raced; despite the warmth of her touch, there was a sharp sting in knowing this was the end. He leaned his head against her shoulder, forcing a grin that didn't quite reach his heart.

"I'm sorry," Seraphine whispered into his ear. "Forgive me, Lith. I couldn't stop this... I couldn't protect you." Her tears seeped into his tunic.

Lith shook his head swiftly, withdrawing just enough to meet her gaze. "Do not apologize, Sister. It is not your fault. This is... this is just my fate. I was born this way."

Her eyes widened, and anguish flickered inside them. She cupped his cheeks with shaking fingertips. "Never say that again. The gods have their reasons. You may not realize it right now, but one day you will understand why this was meant for you."

Lith's smile faded, but he forced himself to nod. "Maybe. For now, I'll do my best to carry it."

He then turned to face Father Aldric, who was standing peacefully with his hands clasped behind his back. Lith grabbed the priest's attention for a brief minute before he glanced aside. Nonetheless, Lith felt the weight of the occasion bear down on him.

"Thank you," he replied softly. "For standing up for me, even when you knew it was a lost cause."

Aldric clenched his lips into a thin line. "Why are you thinking of me? I failed. You are still leaving."

"You didn't fail," Lith emphasized. "You fought for me. A lowly priest taking on the high clergy—that's no minor matter."

Aldric's brows knitted together, and irritation flashed across his face. "You insolent boy," he snarled, his voice trembling. "You talk as if I should be proud of losing."

Lith lowered his head, with a faint but persistent smile. "Still, I'm grateful. Truly."

Something in Aldric's eyes softened, but he swiftly covered it up with a rough cough. He moved abruptly, digging through the bench beside the altar, and returned back with a worn leather satchel, shoving it into Lith's grasp.

"There's bread and water inside," he stated brusquely. "Enough for the journey. And.. something."

Something?

Lith blinked, his throat tightening as he clutched the bag close. His eyes sparkled, on the edge of tears. Even now, as they sent him away, they were thinking about him.

Seraphine hastily added, "And clothes," as she put a little bundle into the sack. "I sewed them myself. You'll need them."

Lith's brows shot up. "Sister, you didn't have to—"

"I wanted to," she replied firmly, her voice wavering.

Aldric cleared his throat and shifting uncomfortably. "Will you at least change? You can't travel in a priest's garb."

But Lith shook his head, running his fingers over the modest black tunic that suited him tightly. "No. I will keep this. While wearing it, I'll still feel like I belong here. As if I'm still part of this home."

Neither of them argued. Seraphine lowered her head, squeezing another sob.

Then Seraphine moved closer, her voice low as she whispered to Lith. "Father put something important inside the bag."

"Seraphine," Father Aldric said sharply, turning aside to cough. "That's enough."

Seraphine just pouted, but Lith eyes widened as he looked at the token. It seemed heavier than silver in his hands. He curled his fist over it, parted his lips, but said nothing. He just dropped his head and muttered, "Thank you. Father... Sister, for raising me and providing me with a home."

Those remarks struck them harder than any sermon ever could. Seraphine covered her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks. Even Father Aldric's eyes shimmered as he looked aside.

__

The doors creaked open as Lith stepped into the cool night air. The stars cast a pale glow across the horizon, while the moon illuminated the lonely way ahead. He drew a steady breath, felt the weight of the knapsack on his shoulder and—

"Lith!"

The shout broke the silence. Footsteps echoed in the stone, and Toren emerged at the chapel steps, breathless and sweating on his brow. His hair hung to his brow, and his plain shirt and shorts were sweaty from the run.

Father Aldric raised an eyebrow. "Toren? What are you—"

"Shh!" Seraphine hissed. "The children are still asleep."

Toren whispered an apology before racing over to Lith. His expression flickered between fury and grief.

"Are you leaving without saying goodbye to Mina?" His voice crackled, harsh and accusing.

Lith lowered his gaze, guilt washing over his face. "...If I wake her, she will cry. She won't let me leave. I couldn't handle it."

Toren's fists tightened. "Then don't go."

Lith blinked, taken aback. "...What?"

"I said don't leave!" Toren snapped, his voice crackling. "Or if you have to—promise me you'll come back. Return as the strongest healer the world has ever seen. Make them regret it. Make those priests choke on their arrogance. Promise me!"

Lith's throat clenched. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Toren spoke again, his voice raw now, stripped of rage. "Just... don't die out there. Please."

Lith felt a tightness in his chest and tears threatened to flow from his eyes. He reached out and pulled Toren into a strong hug, feeling the youngster shake against him, his earlier arrogance fading.

"I promise," Lith mumbled, his voice full of anguish. "I will come back. I will be stronger. I will heal Mina, and I will make you all proud."

Behind them, Father Aldric discreetly wiped at his eyes, while Sister Seraphine pressed her trembling hands to her lips, watching silently as the two held onto each other.

Eventually, Lith stepped back, the first light of Dawn creeping over the horizon. He turned to the three who had raised him, guided him, and loved him through it all, forcing a shaky smile.

"Please... take care of Mina for me," he said. "When I return, I swear I'll be strong enough to heal her. By then... she won't have to suffer anymore."

Sister Seraphine's lips quivered, and she covered her mouth as tears slipped down her cheeks. Father Aldric nodded grimly, through his eyes revealed the turmoil of emotions he was holding back.

Lith bowed deeply to them both, feeling a heaviness in his chest as if his heart was being ripped out. But he couldn't let himself hesitate; if he did, he might never leave.

He turned and walked down the dark road. Behind him, Toren's desperate cries shattered the dawn's silence. "Lith! Come back! Come back, you hear me?! If my Gift awakens stronger, I'll find you! I promise I will!",

Lith bit down hard on his lip, his vision blurring. He didn't dare look back—not even once.

"...Thank you, everyone," he whispered to himself, his voice nearly Breaking. Yet a faint smile tugged at his lips. Despite the pain in his chest, hope flickered in his heart.

Under the pale glow of the moon, he slung his small bag over his shoulder and continued on, step by step, away from the church that had been his only home. The night air was cold, and the road ahead was uncertain—but he pressed on.