Chapter 158: Someone Who Cared

Katarzyna (Kasia) Cieślar, [Classless]

Kasia blinked, then slowly took in the absolute carnage around her. But before her brain could fully register what had just happened, Hecate blinked next to her, dropped to her knees and cupped Kasia’s cheeks in her hands. She looked like Hecate again, her disguise gone.

“Kasia, are you alright? Are you fully healed? Do you need more? How are you feeling? Does it hurt? Kasia what can I do? Kasia talk to me.”

Kasia stared into Hecate’s concerned eyes and didn’t know if she felt like crying or laughing. She tried smiling instead.

“I’m fine, Hecate. Thanks to you.”

That didn’t seem to help with Hecate’s concern. “Why are you crying then?” She felt Kasia’s stomach, looking for wounds. “Didn’t it work? Are you hurt?”

Kasia couldn’t help but snort through the tears. “I’m not crying because I’m hurt.”

“Then why? Are you sad? Did I do something wrong?” Kasia’s reassurance had not calmed Hecate’s panicked concern.

Kasia grabbed Hecate’s hands and held them in her own. “No, Hecate, you did everything right.”

“I did? I did.” Hecate grinned widely. “I did!”

Hecate had saved her again. Just like that first time they met back in Lipova. When those inquisitors pulled her out of her home by her hair and claimed she was a witch. The people in Lipova had not been kind to her, and she had lived her life in fear, but none of that compared to the fear she felt in that moment. They said she would burn. She was certain she would.

But she didn’t. Because Hecate was there and Hecate fearlessly stepped between them. She had ended those inquisitors without even knowing who Kasia was. Besides Hecate, Kuba was the only one who had ever tried to protect her, and he was her brother. Hecate was, well… Hecate.

Then there was that time in the forest, with those bandits. Hecate had shielded her with her own body, taking the arrows that were meant for her. This was before she even had the ability to shield herself, so the arrows drilled into her flesh. Hecate could have died. Once again, it should have been Kasia, but Hecate would not allow anything to happen to her.

After that followed the Tail End. Bogumir’s squad. Everything that happened there was because Hecate wanted to protect her. Taking on eight inquisitors by yourself should not be possible, but for Hecate it was. For Hecate everything was possible. With Hecate everything seemed possible. With Hecate she felt that she didn’t have to be scared anymore, because Hecate would protect her.

All of that led her to today. So when that man tore a hole in her stomach, and she felt her lifeforce leave her body, she felt no fear, for she knew Hecate would save her. She knew everything would be alright. No matter how bad things appeared to be, with Hecate things would always work out. It would always be alright.

Once again Hecate selflessly risked her own life for Kasia, just like she always did. When that healing nova erupted from her, Kasia immediately understood why she had shot herself. It must have been some kind of skill that triggered on getting hit or getting hurt. Hecate had not stopped shooting herself until Kasia was healed, despite losing all that blood and the immense pain she must have felt. She just kept going. She just pushed through. Because that’s who she was.

The intensity and viciousness with which Hecate had slaughtered those thugs was a side of Hecate Kasia had not seen before. She didn’t try to talk to them. She didn’t try to be funny or clever. She was completely focused and obliterated them in seconds. They must have really made her angry.

She was so angry because they shot me. She thought I was going to die. She really, really cares…

Right after she ended them she was by Kasia’s side again, like she always was, comforting her in her own clumsy way. It was endearing and such a contrast with her other side. The violent side that used to scare her, but not anymore. She knew that it came from a place of deep compassion, the fierce need to protect. Hecate would never harm her, or anyone she cared about.

Hecate never asked for anything in return. All she did was give. All she did was care. She wasn’t good with words, or saying how she felt, but she was good at showing she cared. She was fiercely protective. She was good at making you feel safe. She was good at making you feel like you belonged. That you were good enough. That you had the right to exist. And she would destroy anyone who’d dare make you feel otherwise.

“Kasia? Kasia?” Hecate waved her hand in front of Kasia’s face. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Kasia burst out crying, tears of gratitude. She pulled Hecate into a tight hug, catching her off guard. Hecate stiffened, obviously unsure of what to do, but after a few moments she wrapped her arms around Kasia as well.

“It’s okay, Kasia,” she said. “I’m here. They can’t hurt you anymore. I’ll always protect you.”

“I know,” Kasia said through her tears. “I know, and I’m so grateful that we met. I’m just so grateful and I don’t know how I can repay you. I don’t know what I can do. I’m just so grateful.”

Hecate pulled back and met Kasia’s eyes. Hecate’s eyes had not stayed dry either. “Repay me? Kasia, no. This is not a transaction. I’m not keeping score and neither should you.” She wiped at her eyes. “You’re my best friend. I don’t… I don’t want to do this without you. There is no repaying. I just want you to be safe and I know I keep putting you in danger and I feel so guilty about that. Every time something happens and then you almost get hurt or you do get hurt and I—”

“Hecate,” Kasia interrupted. “I’m alright. I feel safe with you. I know nothing will happen to me when you are near me. And remember: I chose to come with you. I want to be here. I want to do this with you. To go on this crazy journey together. Please don’t apologize.”

“I just… I don’t want to fail you.” Hecate cast her eyes down. “I don’t want to fail you like I did Perry…” She looked back up and met Kasia’s gaze. “I can’t lose you too.”

“You won’t,” Kasia said with a smile. “You won’t.”

Hecate slowly nodded and wiped at her eyes again. “Glad you’re alright.”

“Me too.”

Hecate looked over her shoulder. “Those guys sure made a mess of the place, huh? I would hate to be the one who has to clean this up.”

“Those guys…” Kasia laughed and shook her head. “Yeah. Those guys. How rude of them.”

“The rudest. Oh well, they’re dead now.” She shrugged. “Problem solved.”

“That’s one way to look at it.”

Hecate tapped her chin, expression thoughtful. “I wonder what Banda Masvih is, though. Sounds like some kind of gang. They did want money. I’m guessing there will be more of them at some point. Something to keep in mind. Maybe Vasil or Bogumir know. Maybe one of the other guys.”

Kasia nodded. Hecate had an interesting mind. It never lingered on a subject for very long. Once the threat was dealt with, it was like it evaporated from her mind, forgotten, zero stress, on to the next problem. Sometimes it felt like she was thinking of twenty things at the same time, switching between them at random. The funny thing was that she seemed to be unaware that most people don’t think like that. That no one was able to follow her when she jumped from subject to subject like that. It was charming in a way.

Hecate stood up and offered Kasia a hand. She took it and Hecate pulled her up.

Kasia wiped her clothes off, then chuckled to herself. Her tunic was destroyed and useless now. Hadn’t been very good at protecting her against that attack either. Things would be easier when she got her class, which wouldn’t be too long now. In the meantime she should be a little more aware of her surroundings, to avoid a situation like just now. Wherever Hecate was, violence would follow, so best not to make a nuisance out of herself. Let Hecate focus on what she did best.

She took in the carnage again and shook her head. What Hecate did best… There were craters all over the town square. Several buildings had holes in them, including the town hall. There was blood and small pieces of unidentified person everywhere.

But was that really what Hecate did best? The violence? The killing? No. She didn’t believe so. What Hecate did best was caring and making you feel cared for. Above all else she cared. That was who Hecate really was: someone who cared deeply. Someone who loved. Someone who fought for the people she cared about.