Chapter 8 – Fallen and Found

Breaking Barriers

Cyrus’s POV

I was sprinting through a dark, seemingly endless corridor. Kate’s voice echoed ahead, begging for help. “Cyrus, please!” Her voice was filled with fear and desperation, each word a stab to my heart.

I pushed myself to run faster, my legs burning with effort, but the corridor stretched on without end. The darkness pressed in, and I could hear the growls of demons behind me, getting closer. Panic surged through me, each step feeling more desperate than the last.

“Kate!” I shouted, my voice hoarse and frantic. I could see a faint light ahead, her silhouette barely visible. She was trapped, reaching out to me, her eyes wide with terror. I strained to reach her, but the distance between us seemed to grow with every step.

Just as the demons’ claws brushed my back, I lunged forward, desperate to reach her. My hand stretched out, fingers almost touching hers. The darkness thickened around us, and I felt a crushing weight on my chest. The demons’ growls grew louder, their breath hot on my neck. I could see Kate’s tears, her fear mirroring my own.

In a final, desperate effort, I grabbed her hand, pulling her close. “I’ve got you,” I whispered, my voice shaking. But the darkness was relentless, dragging us both down. The terror was overwhelming, and I could feel Kate slipping away.

I jolted awake, heart pounding and drenched in sweat, with the echo of Kate’s cries still ringing in my ears. The sheets were tangled around me like the dark tendrils from my dream. I tried to steady my breathing, struggling to convince myself it had only been a nightmare, a product of my overactive demon-hunter imagination.

Kate’s laughter resonated from the living room, cutting through my lingering fear. The delicious aroma of something savory cooking wafted through the air, pulling me back to reality.

ime had somehow warped while I slept. I opened the roller blinds and looked into the garden behind the safe house. The peaceful scene, bathed in warm sunlight, was a jarring contrast to the nightmarish visions I had just experienced. The garden was a small, well-tended space, with vibrant flowers in full bloom and a stone path winding through the greenery. A group of sparrows enjoyed sand baths in the flowerbeds, their cheerful chirps a soothing melody. My stomach growled loudly, a reminder that I hadn’t eaten since yesterday’s pre-demon sandwich.

After a moment, I grabbed a fresh change of clothes and some toiletries from my backpack. Stepping out of my room, I found Kate and Marcus in the living area, clearly enjoying each other’s company. The room was filled with warm light, casting a cozy glow over the old but comfortable furniture. Kate looked refreshed in her clean, dark jeans and a soft, green T-shirt. Her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail again, giving her a relaxed appearance. Her skin had a healthy glow, and she seemed more at ease than I had seen her in days. It was the most relaxed I’d seen her since we met.

Marcus looked up at me with a grin. “You look like you just wrestled a bear… and lost. Go freshen up. Dinner’s almost ready.”

Kate chuckled, her smile broadening. “I’ve been up for a while since I slept in the car. Marcus and I made some Paprikás, but we waited for you to wake up so we could eat together.”

Marcus handed me a stack of fluffy, neatly folded towels. “Get yourself cleaned up. You’ll feel human again.”

In the shower, the hot water cascaded over me, washing away the grime and tension. The bathroom was small but clean, a welcome upgrade from the water basin and outhouse in the cabin. The hot water felt like a blessing, easing my sore muscles and calming my mind. I could hear Marcus telling Kate an embarrassing story from my youth, her laughter ringing out clearly. I couldn’t help but smile, the unfamiliar sound of her laughter soothing something deep within me.

Feeling much better after the shower, I dried off and changed into clean clothes. The fresh scent of soap and the feeling of clean clothes against my skin were incredibly refreshing. I joined Kate and Marcus in the living area, rubbing a towel through my still damp hair. The table was set, and the aroma of the meaty stew made my stomach growl even louder. Kate and Marcus were already seated, laughing over something Marcus had said.

“Feel better?” Marcus asked, a twinkle in his eye.

“Much,” I replied, sitting down with them. “Thanks for waiting.”

“We wouldn’t start without you,” Kate said, her smile genuine and warm.

As we began to eat, the earlier tension melted away. The meal was delicious, rich and savory, the tender chicken and creamy paprika sauce a comforting reminder of simpler times. The company was even better, and for the first time in days, I felt a sense of normalcy. The safe house, with its protective walls and warm, inviting atmosphere, felt like a sanctuary, a place where we could regroup and gather strength for whatever lay ahead.

Marcus and Kate continued their lively conversation, sharing stories and experiences.

“Kate has some fascinating stories,” Marcus said, smiling. “We’ve been talking about her work while you were catching up on your beauty sleep.”

Kate’s eyes lit up. “There was this one time in Egypt where we found an untouched tomb. The artifacts inside were pristine, and the hieroglyphs told a story that added so much to our understanding of that period.”

Marcus nodded. “That sounds incredible. Our work deals with history too, but usually, the kind that’s better left buried… literally.”

Kate laughed, the sound light and genuine. “It’s a different kind of history, that’s for sure.”

As the conversation drifted into lighter topics, Marcus glanced at the garden. “Kate, it’s a beautiful afternoon. Why don’t you take a moment to relax outside? The garden here is quite lovely.”

Kate looked slightly puzzled but nodded, picking up on the subtle hint. “Sure, that sounds nice. I could use a little fresh air.” She stood up and made her way to the garden, leaving Marcus and me alone.

Once she was gone, Marcus’s expression turned serious. “I contacted the organization and updated them on your situation while you were napping.”

My heart sank, a knot forming in my stomach. “What did they say?”

“They were shocked, as you can imagine,” Marcus replied. “This matter is being treated with the highest importance. Given that a saint hasn’t been seen in over a century, Kate’s safety and training are their primary concern. They’ve decided to bring in someone else to take over her training.”

“But there’s no one with experience in training saints,” I argued, frustration clear in my voice. “How can they find someone more suitable than me?”

Marcus sighed. “They’re sending someone with a wide range of training experience. They believe this person can help Kate more effectively. Besides, Cyrus, you’re getting too attached to her. It’s not good for the mission or for her development.”

I felt anger rising. “I’ve been with her from the start. I should be the one to stay with her.”

Marcus placed a calming hand on my shoulder. “I understand, Cyrus, but there’s another urgent matter. There’s been a surge in demonic activity in Hungary, near Budapest. They suspect a large-scale summoning ritual.”

My frustration turned to concern. “So they want me to leave Kate and go to Hungary?”

Marcus nodded. “Yes. You’ll stay with her until the new guardian arrives, but then you need to head to Hungary immediately. The situation there is critical.”

I looked out the window, seeing Kate enjoying the garden, her face relaxed and peaceful. The weight of my responsibilities pressed heavily on my shoulders. “I can’t imagine that whoever they send will be able to help her as much as I want to.”

Marcus placed a hand on my shoulder. “They will, Cyrus. And you’ll be doing what you do best: saving lives.”

I sighed, feeling a mix of emotions. Duty called, and I knew I couldn’t ignore it. For now, I could only make the most of the time I had left with Kate and ensure she was as prepared and protected as possible.

As Kate walked back into the house, her cheeks flushed from the fresh air, I mustered a smile. “How was the garden?”

“Beautiful,” she replied, her eyes shining. “It’s so peaceful out there.”

I exchanged a look with Marcus, who gave me a subtle nod. The decisions had been made, and the path was set. All we could do now was move forward, together, for as long as we could. “Kate, there’s some news from the organization,” I began carefully. “They’re sending someone to assist with your training. They should arrive in a few days.”

Her eyes lit up with excitement. “Really? That’s great! I could definitely use some guidance.”

My chest tightened at her enthusiasm, but I forced a smile. “Yeah, it’ll be good for you.”

Marcus gave me a knowing glance, his eyes holding a hint of judgment, but he remained silent. We both knew why I hadn’t mentioned my impending departure yet, but it wasn’t the right moment to break that news.

“Actually,” Marcus said, shifting the conversation, “I’ve pulled together some books from my collection. Cyrus mentioned your abilities, and I think these could be a good starting point for your training.”

Kate’s curiosity was piqued. “What kind of books?”

Marcus walked over to a side table and picked up a stack of old, leather-bound volumes. “These contain techniques and spells used by saints in the past. Let’s start with something practical: summoning a protective barrier.”

We moved to a more spacious part of the living room. The books were ancient, their pages yellowed and filled with intricate diagrams and handwritten notes. Marcus opened one to a page depicting a figure surrounded by a squiggly circle.

“This,” he said, pointing to the illustration, “is a basic protective barrier. It’s meant to shield you from harm, both physical and magical.”

Kate studied the page closely. “How do I do it?”

Marcus read from the book, explaining the process. “First, you need to concentrate your energy, visualizing it as a shield around you. Try to focus and create a clear mental image.””

Kate nodded, her brow furrowing in concentration. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to center herself. Her hands began to tremble slightly as she attempted to summon the barrier. I watched her struggle, my breath held in eager anticipation. Her face contorted with effort, but the air around her remained unchanged.

After a while she hesitantly peeked with one eye, scanning the space around her. “Did it work?” she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Marcus shook his head gently, a reassuring smile on his face. “Not quite, Kate. But you’re on the right track.”

Kate sighed, clearly frustrated. “I thought I had it.”

Marcus stepped closer, his attitude calm and supportive. “Sometimes these things take time. When you used your healing powers and during the attack against the demon, what did it feel like? Can you describe it as detailed as possible?”

Kate closed her eyes, focusing on the memories. “Healing felt warm, like a gentle, ticklish energy running through me. It was comforting and soothing. But when I attacked the demon, it was different—more intense, like a burst of energy from deep within me.”

Marcus nodded thoughtfully. “Good. Try to focus on those feelings. Imagine that same warm current or intense light forming a barrier around you.”

I moved closer, placing my hands gently on Kate’s shoulders. “You’ve got this. Remember those feelings and let them guide you.”

Kate took a deep breath and closed her eyes again. Her hands shook slightly as she tried to focus on the feeling. I stood behind her, my hands resting lightly on her shoulders, offering support.

“Visualize the energy inside you,” I whispered, my voice close to her ear. “Let it flow outward and create a shield.”

Her breathing steadied, becoming more focused. A faint shimmer began to appear around her, flickering softly. Encouraged by this, I gently squeezed her shoulders, helping her maintain her concentration.

“Keep going,” I murmured. “You’re almost there.”

The shimmer grew brighter, forming a more solid barrier around her. Kate’s face showed a mix of concentration and hope. The barrier pulsed gently, its light steady and warm.

“You’re doing great, Kate,” Marcus said, pride evident in his voice. “Keep focusing!”

Kate opened her eyes, seeing the glowing barrier around her. Her face lit up with excitement. “It’s working!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy.

But then her eyes rolled back slightly, and she swayed, her legs wobbling. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision, but her body gave out, and she collapsed towards me.

“Kate!” I called out, stepping forward just in time to catch her. Her body felt limp and weak in my arms, her breathing rapid and shallow.

“Easy there,” I whispered, holding her close. Her skin was cool and damp, her muscles trembling from the effort.

Marcus hurried over, his expression filled with concern. “That was an impressive attempt, Kate. But I think we’ve reached your limit for today. Even saints need to pace themselves, you know.”

Kate nodded weakly, her head resting against my shoulder. “I didn’t realize it would be so exhausting,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I guided her to a nearby sofa, gently lowering her onto it. “You did fantastic! Just remember, next time, maybe try to channel less disco ball, more shield.” After a few minutes of rest her breathing began to steady again and the color returned to her face. I sat beside Kate, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. “Take your time to rest. There’s no rush.”

Marcus picked up one of the old books from the table, its pages filled with detailed illustrations and notes. “For now, let’s focus on understanding the theory behind your abilities. These texts will give us a better foundation to build on.”

Kate looked up at Marcus, her eyes filled with curiosity despite her fatigue. “Does the book say anything about the barrier?”

Marcus flipped through the book, finding a section on protective spells. He traced the lines with his finger as he read. “It describes the barrier as an extension of your inner energy, a shield that responds to your will and focus. The more you understand your own power, the stronger the barrier will become.”

Kate sank back on the sofa, her breathing slowly evening out. “Okay. I want to learn everything.”

Marcus nodded approvingly, gently closing the book. “That’s the right attitude, Kate. You’ve made excellent progress already. Now it’s about building on that foundation.”

I stayed close, offering silent support. “Why don’t we take a short break and then go over some foundational concepts from the book? It’ll help you get a better grasp on your abilities without exhausting yourself.”

Marcus stood up and headed to the kitchen. “Before we do any more theory, you need to get some energy back. Creating that barrier clearly took a lot out of you.” He returned with a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of orange juice.

“Here, have one of these,” he said, offering the plate to Kate. “Sugar will help restore your energy. You need to take care of yourself first.”

Kate took a cookie, her hands trembling slightly as she brought it to her mouth. She took a small bite, and I could see her shoulders relax a bit. “Thanks, Marcus. I didn’t realize how draining it would be,” she said, her voice still a little shaky. “I guess I’m not used to burning calories with my mind.”

Marcus nodded, his eyes soft with concern. “You did great, but it’s important to pace yourself. We’ll stick to theory for the rest of the day.”

Kate finished the cookie and took a sip of juice, then leaned back, taking a deep breath. “When I created the barrier, it felt like all my energy was being pulled out at once. At first, it was a steady flow and I managed to control it, but then it felt like something snapped, and everything just drained away.”

Marcus leaned forward, nodding thoughtfully. “It sounds like you overextended your energy. It’s common when you’re still learning. You’ll learn to manage it better.”

I added, “It’s like building muscle—you have to start small and gradually increase. You’ll get stronger with time. And hopefully, won’t need as many cookies.”

Kate nodded, understanding. “I see. I’ll try to be more mindful of that. I don’t want to push myself too hard again.”

Marcus smiled warmly, the lines around his eyes crinkling. “Good. Now, let’s go over some of the basics in the book. Understanding these principles will help you control your energy better next time.”

Marcus reopened the book, turning to a chapter that detailed the basics of energy manipulation. The pages were filled with intricate diagrams and symbols, the text written in a flowing script. “We’ll start with the fundamental principles of channeling your inner energy. This is the groundwork for all the techniques you’ll learn.”

As Marcus began to explain, I watched Kate closely. Her eyes were fixed on the book, her expression intent as she absorbed every word. She was eager to learn, her determination shining through her fatigue.

“Think of your energy as a river,” Marcus said, tracing a line in the air with his finger. “It flows through you naturally, but you need to learn how to direct it with precision. The more control you have over this flow, the more effective your barrier will be. Just remember – no whitewater rafting yet.”

Kate leaned forward, her brow furrowed in concentration. “So it’s about guiding the energy rather than forcing it?”

“Exactly,” Marcus replied, smiling. “Guiding it with intent and focus. Forcing it can lead to exhaustion, as you experienced earlier. It’s about harmony and balance.”

I added, “When you healed me and fought the demon, you tapped into that flow instinctively. Now, we need to make that process more conscious and controlled.”

Marcus pointed to an illustration in the book showing a person surrounded by a glowing aura. The figure in the illustration looked serene, their energy radiating outwards in a perfect circle. “This is a visual representation of what we’re aiming for. A strong, steady flow of energy that you can manipulate at will. But don’t worry if you don’t glow like a nightlight, that’s not a requirement.”

As we continued to study, Marcus explained the importance of mental clarity and focus. “Maintaining a barrier requires not only energy but also a calm and clear mind. Distractions can weaken the barrier, making it less effective.”

Kate listened closely, her eyes fixed on the diagrams. “So, it’s about finding inner peace and balance while using my powers?”

“Exactly,” Marcus said, his voice encouraging. “The more balanced and focused you are, the stronger your abilities will become. It’s a continuous process of learning and self-improvement.”

Kate nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. She glanced around the room, her eyes settling on the bookshelf in the corner. “Do you mind if I take a look at those books?” she asked. “I want to see if there are any additional resources that might help.”

Marcus waved a hand. “Of course, feel free.”

Kate stood up and walked over to the bookshelf, her fingers skimming over the spines of the books. She pulled out a thick volume on ancient spells and began flipping through the pages. “I’ve always believed that having a broad base of knowledge can help in unexpected ways,” she said as she read. “Maybe there are techniques or insights here that we haven’t considered. You know, like those obscure footnotes that end up being the key to everything.” It was clear that she was not content to just follow instructions; she wanted to understand the underlying principles and explore all possible angles.

Kate found a section on energy manipulation and began to read aloud, her voice steady and confident. “Here’s something interesting. It talks about using breath control to help regulate energy flow. This could be really useful for maintaining a barrier without exhausting myself.” She returned to her seat, the book still open in her hands. “I think combining this with what we’ve already discussed about visualization and mental focus could really help me. It’s about finding the right techniques that work for me.”

Kate retrieved a notebook from her backpack and began taking detailed notes, flipping through the book with focused intensity. I smiled as I watched her, recognizing the same passion and dedication she had for archaeology now applied to mastering her powers. Her eyes lit up with each new piece of information, obviously eager to learn. I found myself looking forward to the day she would master these powers, imagining her confidence and skill, but then was suddenly reminded that I had only a few days left with her. This left a sour taste in my mouth, and I began to question if leaving her was really the right thing to do.