We Faced a Goddess
Chapter Seventeen: Chantale

A bright light sparked in front of Keres and stopped Nemesis’ blade. For a minute, I couldn’t hear anything. It was as if the world stopped. Erik and I locked eyes as if we were both asking the same question. Then we turned back to Keres who seemed just as confused as us.

“Did you think you could kill my daughter?” A strong voice erupted from the light. Nemesis tried drawing her sword back and striking again and again but it wouldn’t go through.

“This isn’t possible…” Nemesis said in fear. She dropped her blade and stumbled backwards. The light followed her.

“I warned you to leave my daughter alone!” The light boomed. Nemesis looked deathly afraid. “Now…” The light engulfed Nemesis. There was a scream of suffering. I cringed at the sound. Then it was quiet. A deafening silence hung in the room. The light floated over to Keres and took shape.

Her white hair fell to the middle of her back. Her eyes were green and gold. Her skin was dark and radiant. She looked so much like Keres… It was her mother, Chantale.

“Mom?” Keres asked standing. There were tears in her eyes.

“Keres!” Chantale cried. She opened her arms and Keres ran for a hug. I managed to stand and get myself to Erik before collapsing to my knees. I helped him up so he could see Chantale.

“Mom…” Keres tried to talk through the crying. “I missed you so much! It’s been so long. I’ve been working so hard just so I could talk to you one more time.”

“I’ve missed you too.” Her mother said softly. They released their hug and Chantale wiped Keres’ tears. The entrance door slammed open and Ambrus ran inside. Talk about being fashionably late.

“I got here as fast as possible.” Ambrus explained. He was clearly out of breath. “Nemesis had me gagged and bound in…” he trailed off as he caught eye of Chantale. He walked to her and they both lit up. It was adorable and enough to bring tears to all of our eyes.

“Chantale,” Ambrus whispered. He placed his hand on her face as if to see if she was real and he smiled. They got closer and kissed. Ambrus smiled and tears rolled down his face. “I’ve missed you so much Chantale. It was so hard to lose you. I’ve spent years without you. I didn’t know how to raise Keres by myself...”

“I know dear, I’m so sorry,” Chantale’s eyes locked with Ambrus. “You’ve grown stronger. You raised our daughter beautifully. Every day I watched over you two. I miss talking with you and just being with you so much. I wish I could stay.”

“Mom…” Keres said, “I want you to stay, but I know you can’t. This is really hard on me…” She paused for a second. “I’d like you to meet someone. Two someones actually.” Keres led Chantale over to Erik and me. “Mom, this is my boyfriend, Erik, and my girlfriend, Bonnibelle.”

“I couldn’t ask for more perfect picks for you, Keres. Thank you, Bonnibelle and Erik, for helping my daughter tonight.” Chantale took our hands and helped us stand.

“It’s very nice yo meet you.” I stated. “Quick question though. Where did Nemesis go?”

“That was not my doing entirely.” Chantale explained. “The loa brought me and they caused her to leave. Even in death the questions of religion and divinity go unanswered.”

“So you have no idea?” Erik asked.

“Yes, basically,” Chantale answered. Light began to surround her.

“Mom?” Keres asked.

“It is my time to go again.” Chantale said. Ambrus ran over to us.

“I’m going to miss you so much mom…” Keres was already crying. “I don’t want you to leave…”

“I love you, Chantale.” Ambrus was tearing up.

“I love you mom.”

“I love you too very much. Please don’t cry. Until we meet again.” With that the light faded away. Keres buried her face in Ambrus’ chest.

The room was dim and damaged. We all took a moment to breathe. I felt like collapsing and going to sleep. I was drained and in pain.

“Now seems as good a time as ever…” Erik said as he turned to me. “Remember when I said to remind me to tell you something?”

“Yeah?”

“I talked to your parents.” Erik’s word hit me deep. I could feel the tears in my eyes. “They’re happy that you’re continuing on. They said they love you and miss you so much. Your dad told me he didn’t get to say it before he passed like your mother did but he loves you very much. They’re proud of you.”

Now I was ugly crying. I leaned against Erik and he held me tight. We stayed there for a while just letting it out. We didn’t exactly beat Nemesis but we survived what happened. Keres didn’t get to speak to spirits, but she got to speak to the one that really mattered to her.

I’ll never forget the ride home. For some reason, of everything that happened, the car ride is vivid in my memory. Ambrus drove Erik’s car so Erik could sleep a little bit. He, Keres, and I rode in the back seat. I rode in the middle and let the other two rest their heads on me.

Ambrus must have thought all of us were asleep; he took a long way home and started humming. Erik had a grip on my left hand and Keres held onto my right arm. The moon lit up the road and everything was just so calm and quiet. I loved it.

There was peace in the air. Images of the battle flashed in my head, but I wasn’t upset about it. It was fast and terrifying. I was just happy to be alive. I was happy Keres, Erik, and Ambrus were safe. I was happy that Aunt Paige didn’t have to lose anyone else. I was happy.

Erik slept in Keres’ room that night. I remember walking with Erik and Keres upstairs. I didn’t want to face Aunt Paige until the morning so I took the window route to my room. I may have been exhausted, but I didn’t sleep for a while. Everything just kept running through my head. From Nemesis to Chantale to my parents. Everything that happened that night and everything that happened in those months. If everything happens for a reason, I was still alive so I could help Keres. I was alive for this night.