A cross and roses for all those lost
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Making their way back into headquarters, Valery heads directly to the healing chambers, checking on everyone. No one tries to talk to her. They see the blankness on her face and the dullness in her eyes. No one says a word to her.

"Valery, please, you've got to stop," Angela urges, stepping in front of her friend. Concern radiates from her eyes as she tries to make eye contact. "You're pushing yourself too hard. You need to rest."

Valery seems distant, avoiding Angela's gaze and moving down the hallway. Angela persists, deeply worried about her friend's well-being. "Val, please. You're exhausting yourself. Stop before you collapse."

Valery remains unresponsive, and her demeanor detached. Angela's concern intensifies. "Valery!" she exclaims, gripping her shoulders firmly. "Listen to me. You're on the verge of burning out. You can't keep going like this."

Valery's voice lacks emotion as she responds, "There are things that need to be done—herbs to restock, salves to make." She tugs her arm, attempting to break free from Angela's grasp. "Let me go."

Fearing for Valery's health, Angela persists, her tone pleading. "This can wait. Your health is more important right now. Please stop."

Valery finally pulls away and retreats to her office, resuming her work without acknowledging Angela's concern. Feeling helpless, Angela sighs, her worry evident. "Fine, if you don't listen to me, I'll find someone who can make you understand the importance of resting. Your well-being matters, Valery."

"I need help." Angela blurts as she opens the door to the training room where Trent's been working with the first-year students.

"Hold on, Gretchen." Trent turns to face Angela, "What's going on?"

Angela groans. "I take it you haven't heard the news today."

"I've been a bit preoccupied helping Tessa with the kids. What's going on?"

"It's Valery. She found her dad's dead body. And she snapped, something broke within her."

Trent's eyes harden. "Can you work with Gretchen?"

"Of course, go. Healing office."

"Thanks." Trent whisks out of the room and knocks gently on Valery's door. Valery doesn't budge. "Val?" Trent murmurs as he opens the door and creeps in. "Val, I heard. " He stands there and crosses her arms as he analyzes her. "Love, come on. You need rest. The bags under your eyes have grandkids, and there are so many of them." He holds a hand out to her. Valery ignores him. Trent sighs, grabs her hand in his, and guides her out of the chair. "Val... I know this isn't easy. I'm so sorry. You don't have to say a thing. Come on, I'll take you to your room," he whispers gently.

Without a word, her face dead, eyes cold, they make their way up the steps. Trent holds her close, keeping her from walking into things or losing her footing. She walks like a robot, her mind a million miles away, hollow and empty inside.

"Relax." He tells her. She closes her eyes. "Good. I'll check on you later."

He enters the room to find her in a troubled sleep. He sits in a chair near the bed, ready and waiting to comfort her as soon as she awakes. He watches her toss and turn for a few minutes, thrashing around, frantically turning her head side to side like she's looking for something. Her face is pale, tense, and frightened. Finally, Trent gets up, goes to the bed, and lays down, grabbing her hand.

He says nothing. Knowing better than anyone how little he wanted to hear anyone's words when his parents fell. Trent understood it better than anyone. He holds her close, wanting nothing more than to help her fight the demons that are haunting her dreams. At his touch, she relaxes. She stops thrashing around, and her face softens. He strokes her cheek. "Don't hold it in. I'll be here. You are not alone." He whispers.

"Trent." She murmurs in her sleep.

"I am here." He whispers back, giving her hand a little squeeze.

She fully relaxes. Trent watches her fall into a deep sleep where dreams can not bother her. Not wanting the dreams to return, he stays there holding her hand. Dinner time comes and goes. He doesn't leave the bed.

***

When the morning sun starts peaking over the horizon, Trent finally takes his hand out of hers. He stands up and stretches his stiff muscles. He looks at Valery. Seeing her peacefully sleeping, he goes to the bathroom. When he returns, he finds her awake, sitting in bed looking distressed.

"What's wrong?"

"I-I don't know." She says, looking around.

"Are you sure? You look shaken," He says, sitting next to her.

"Nothing... It's just my dream."

"What was it about?"

"My dad. He was calling to me, needing help."

"Where was he?"

"No place that I have ever seen before. I can't even describe it. Total blackness. I have never seen something so black before. I don't even think that my feet were touching the floor. It was that empty. Yet it was alive. So many voices were calling out for help, yet not one voice was clear. They all knew me, but the only voice I recognized was my dad's. They were all miserable, suffering, and wanting to be freed."

"Val..."

"I know what you're thinking! I know it sounds crazy... It felt like his spirit was talking to me."

Trent groans and rubs his temples, trying to make it all make sense. "You think that all of these souls are trapped somewhere and trying to get a hold of you for help?"

"Yes!"

"I know it felt real to you, Val. And I want to believe it too, but trying to track down something like a 'spirit room' in the Devil's Own territory? That's a monumental task. " Trent's voice is filled with concern, his brow furrows with uncertainty. "I understand your need to find answers, especially for your dad. But we need to consider what's feasible. Your dream might be a reflection of your pain, your longing for support." He places a comforting hand on Valery's shoulder. "I'm here for you, and I want to help. If this is something you are going to put your foot down on, I can talk to the council and see what they have to say about it. Maybe there's another way to deal with this without diving into the unknown. We can explore different avenues together. Your dad wouldn't want you risking yourself like this."

Valery sighs, feeling the weight of Trent's words. "You might be right," she admits, her voice heavy with resignation.

Trent softens his voice to nearly a whisper as he presses his forehead to hers. "I know it's tough, but sometimes the best way to honor those we've lost is by being there for the living. They need you, Val. We might not have all the answers, but we'll figure it out together."

"I guess you're right." She admits with a heavy sigh.

"Come on, let's go get something in your system. Maybe that will help you." They go downstairs, eat, and start their day.

Trent keeps an eye on her while they eat. She is quiet. She's still not eating much and looks frailer than yesterday.

"I'm still hearing them. 'Help me,' they scream. Trent, I'm hearing dead people." She whispers, her voice tight with desperation and fear. Her eyes are filled with tears.

Trent takes a moment, looking into Valery's tear-filled eyes. "We'll figure out how to help, okay? It might take time, and it might not be easy, but I won't leave your side. We'll find a way to make sense of this and make sure you're okay. You're not hearing them because you're going crazy. There's something here that needs addressing, and we'll handle it together, step by step." He offers a reassuring smile, "Take a deep breath. We'll figure this out.

"Thank you." She says and wipes at her eyes.

"For now, though, why don't you go check on those that remain in the healing chambers? Distract yourself by being productive."

"Ok, good idea." She says. She gets up from the table and leaves without giving her half-eaten bowl of cereal a second glance. Trent sighs and finishes off his bowl, then hers.

After breakfast, Trent goes to their library and reads every book about Guardian spirits that he can find.

"We need to talk." Angela comments as she sits down beside him. Trent sighs, bowing his head. Damn it.

"The voice of her dad is in her head. Echoing all around. Consuming her every thought, " She tells him. "We need to help her."

"She's actually hearing those voices?" Trent asks, looking at Angela in surprise.

"All throughout her mind, steadily in repeat. What is going on?"

"Damn it." Trent slaps the table. "I've been researching all day and found nothing to back her up. No proof whatsoever. I want to believe her, but I can't. It's not possible. For something like that to happen, it's not right. I thought it was just a nightmare." Trent starts and tells Angela about it. "This is just between us."

"These spirits need help." Angela tells him. "It's the only way she is going to get any peace. Unless she finds a way to balance the world around her with what's going on in her head. But take it from me, that takes YEARS. Voices in your head are not something anyone wants."

"I haven't found a single thing that supports her! I have no idea where to even start."

"She needs us to believe in her. Believing something is always seeing it."

"I know." Trent groans.

" I'll see what I can find out. Help keep an eye on her, and make sure she doesn't spiral too much." Angela volunteers.

"Thanks, Ang."

Angela nods. "Hey, she's my family too. Taking care of her is not only on your shoulders. Try to relax and reach out to us every once in a while, ok?" Angela stands up and walks back out of the library, leaving Trent alone with his thoughts.