Wishling

The cold wind whipped around her, as she watched everything fall apart. Her entire world came crashing down with the hope of victory. They would not win the war this time. For some reason, the knowledge that maybe, if things had been different, maybe they could have won. She let her head drop so that her chin was touching her chest, I wish I could turn back time. Maybe I could fix this...

Her long black hair, cascaded around her as she knelt down, head still bent, to pray. She poured her soul into the words she spoke softly. "A whispered wish, power filled, borne of light and dark combined. Cast upon me, faith at hand, golden light of the Divine."

As she spoke dark storm clouds started to cover the sky, the darkness hiding the light. She spoke louder, to spite the clouds. "Send me back, undo the wrong. Faithful child, always strong."

A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky. The young woman was silenced by it's light. You called me child?

Impossible... She blinked, Yet, there she is...

I am not a dream...

"I know... My Goddess." Braver now she looked up towards the divine being in front of her.

You have a favor? A wish, my aisling?

Aisling? I have never heard that word before... "Yes. I wish to go back. I wish to fix the wrong I caused. I..." she stopped, I want to save this world, even if I have to die to do so.

Aisling, I hear your thoughts as well as your words. I will grant you this wish... For a price.

"A price my Goddess?" her voice trembled as she spoke.

I too have a wish, my aisling. I wish to save this world as well. the divine one said sadly, I too have something I want fixed.

The girl didn't even hesitate, "I will pay anything my Goddess."

You do not even ask my price and you agree to pay it? the Goddess laughed, You amuse me child... Aisling that you are.

"I will pay any price for my world. For my Goddess."

Very well my aisling. The price for your wish is your life. As soon as you accomplish what you have set out to do, you will enter my dominion. Do you still agree to pay?

"Yes my Goddess. I do."

I will send you back. Good luck my aisling. Good luck...

"Kiana. Wake up."

Startled she bolted awake, it was the voice that startled her. I was the only survivor... How can Sara still be alive?

"Kiana, are you all right?"

"Sara? W.. what happened?"

"Tobias must have hit you harder than we thought. You were training... Why, is something wrong?"

So, the Goddess has kept her part of the accord... Or did I dream that? "Nothing's wrong Sara. I must have had a nightmare."

"You mumbled something about 'devi' in your sleep. Is that a word from your homeland?"

"I said 'Devi'?" Kiana frowned, "I don't even know what that means..." She looked up at the ceiling... Just like I still don't know what 'aisling' means. Is that what the Goddess calls us? "Sara, I dreamt of the Goddess."

"What?" Sara felt Kiana's forehead, her short red hair falling over her eyes, "Are you sick?"

"I dreamt we had fought the last battle in the war. We lost... I was the only survivor... I prayed to the Goddess and she said she'd send me back..."

"I think you need to rest more Kiana. I'll call Andy, he'll look you over. Who knows, maybe Tobias has gotten you a stay in bed for another couple of days?"

"Ah... sure. It was only a dream," Kiana said, Although it felt very real to me. "My head is hurting."

"I'll get Andy. Be right back," Sara said as she headed out of the sick bay. Kiana lowered herself back down on the bed. Did I dream of the war's end. Was that a vision? Kiana raised her hand to her head, bandages? What happened?

"Well Kiana," Andy the camp doctor said as he entered the room, "It seems as if you've decided to join us again."

"Why is my head bandaged?" Kiana asked. It feels like I'm bleeding.

"Tobias managed to cut your forehead. I have done my best to help heal it, but I think you'll have a scar. How does your head feel otherwise?"

Kiana looked up at the doctor. He was young, twenty five at the oldest, and a highly trained field doctor. "It feels like it's been completely split open."

"I think that will earn you two more days bed rest, as well as some painkillers," he said as he took her pulse. "Everything else seems to be in working order. I'll have a talk with Tobias about weapons in training."

"Thanks doc. I'll rest up, promise."

"And Sara," he said as he headed out the door.

"Yes Andy?" Sara said as she saluted.

"Leave her be."

"Yes sir!"

Kiana watched as they both left her. It's going to be a long two days. She frowned as she let her head rest on her pillow. What am I going to do? Kiana sighed and closed her eyes. Maybe if I go back to sleep this will all go back to normal...