The Shining Light at the End
Outside the window, the storm recedes, and the clouds part.
This is part of a Choose Your Own Adventure story, Through the Black Door. Go back to the first chapter. You can also return to the previous chapter. Check out the chapter guide.
“No, Asha,” you declare. “We have to free the foal. It’s the right thing to do. As for the black mare, we will find a way to protect ourselves.” You refrain from adding that the black mare could become an ally, as Asha is already in such a rage.
The storm is also raging outside, and you don’t envy any poor sod out there.
Lionel nods and states, “I’ll remove all the iron reinforcements, and you restrain Asha.”
“What?” Asha yells. “What insolence!”
But Lionel goes ahead to collect the iron instruments at the foal’s door and all around the church. You hold onto Asha and pin her arms to her sides.
How many times have you held her like this in the past? But that was a time full of love, affection, and laughter. Now, there is only rancour and resentment.
Soon enough, the colt trots out of the room, looking dazed but otherwise fine. Moments after, the church door bursts open, and the black mare herself steps inside.
She first nuzzles her son’s head in greeting. Then she shoots a glance at you, Asha, and Lionel. Shi Lei says, in a smooth voice, “Lionel, you have proven to be good and kind to my child. You are free to go.”
The man’s shoulders sag with relief. Outside the window, the storm recedes, and the clouds part.
The black mare peers at you and Asha. You are still clutching your former lover, who continues to struggle and protest.
Shi Lei gives you a meaningful smile. “I thank you, Isabelle, for persevering in protecting my son, even as Asha kept trying to dissuade you. I’m not as heartless as you think, and I am sincerely sorry for what has happened. Why don’t we strike a new deal, where I try my best to make it up to you?”
Asha mutters, “We don’t want to make any more deals with you, you lying witch.” She kicks out, but you restrain her from getting at the black mare.
Shi Lei shakes her head. “We faeries don’t lie. But I was addressing Isabelle, not you.” She gazes intently at you. “How would you like it if I restored Asha’s youthful looks?”
You freeze at the announcement, and even Asha stops struggling for a moment.
Bitterness rings in your old lover’s voice. “There must be a catch. That’s how you faeries are. You promise us the moon, only to throw us down into the pit.”
Shi Lei ignores her. “What do you think, Isabelle?” The black mare’s eyes are stunning emeralds, and for a moment, you have no idea what to say. Lionel has already left the church, as he wisely didn’t want to stay a minute longer with the faeries.
Then you ask, “Will there be any caveats to this deal?”
Shi Lae snorts. “No. I only wish to make amends — as long as you and Asha promise not to hurt my son again.”
You never wanted to harm her son in the first place, and you quickly promise, all the while knowing that faerie vows are binding. You can’t go against an oath unless you want to be severely hurt or even killed.
Asha makes grumpy noises. “But will you and your son promise to leave me and Isabelle alone as well?”
Shi Lei nods, and, as if they were linked by telepathy, mother and son both chant, “We promise to leave Isabelle and Asha alone from now on after this last spell.”
There’s something about their promise that bothers you, but you can’t put your finger on it. Regardless, you’re excited by the prospect of Asha regaining her youth, as if Shi Lei could truly undo all the damage that she had done.
After Asha also makes her vow to never hurt Shi Lei’s son again, the black mare begins to chant a spell. A bright blue light engulfs Asha. And when the light fades, you gasp and let go of her in astonishment.
Indeed, it’s Asha Bluebell, flawlessly gorgeous as you remembered her. She is a little older than she was back then. Asha might be around your current age, twenty-four. And Asha’s once sweet, comforting aura, is now a sad, mournful one.
You have a strange feeling in your heart. Not exactly love, not even desire. But you fold her in your embrace again and murmur, “It’s all right, my dear. We’ve been through so much, we have both suffered deeply. But now is our chance to start over.”
You are glad when Asha hugs you back. She presses her face to your shoulder, and weeps, letting out all the anger and misery she has clung to for fifty-two years.
Shi Lei observes you both with neutral eyes. “Farewell, Asha, Isabelle. We will not meet again.” The black mare and her colt exit the church door, and gallop away into the mist.
You are happy that you get to have Asha back. But you have both gone through a tremendous amount of grief, and will need a lot of time to heal.
In the end, you and Asha got what you wanted, the freedom to love and be together. Asha even had her youth restored to her.
Yet, you feel an odd sense of loss, as you will never see Shi Lei again.
