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Helnik || GHOSTS OF OUR PAST || Chapter 1

Timeline: Just after Crooked Kingdom, right before King of Scars

Genre: Angst

Word Count: 852

Note: totally not venging revenge for my wasted tears over the untold story of helnik-

• masterlist // prologue // next chapter (coming soon)

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Nina Zenik stood in the dimly lit study of the Van Eck Mansion, her gaze fixed on the flickering flame of a solitary candle. The grandeur of the room was lost on her as she wrestled with memories that refused to fade. She clutched Matthias Helvar's worn leather jacket to her chest, feeling the weight of his absence like a physical ache.

Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the promise of a harsh Fjerdan winter. Nina shivered, not from the chill in the air but from the relentless sorrow that gripped her heart.

Matthias, the boy who brought her back from death, the boy he loved, was gone.

Gone.

"Nina," a voice called out, deep and steady. "What are you doing here, witch?" he demanded, though his tone lacked the venom it once had.

Nina's heart ached at the sight of him. "I'm not here to fight, Matthias. I'm here because I miss you."

Nina reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm. "I know. But I can't help it. I keep seeing you everywhere."

His gaze softened slightly. "I was your enemy once. Do you remember how we met?"

Nina nodded, her mind drifting back to that fateful encounter. She remembered the fear and adrenaline, the way they had circled each other like predators, each one waiting for the other to make a move.

"You were so determined to hate me," she said softly. "But we both changed, didn't we?"

He looked away, the hardness returning to his face. "We did. But some things can't be undone. My people, my duty... they were my life."

"And now?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Now I'm gone," his words hitting her like a physical blow. "You need to let me go, Nina."

"You saved me, Matthias. More times than I can count. You brought me back from the brink," she said, tears streaming down her face. "But I couldn't save you."

Matthias reached out, his hand hovering over her cheek. "You did save me, Nina. You showed me a different way, a different path. Even if it was just for a moment."

Nina's heart clenched, the pain too much to bear. "I don't want to say goodbye."

"You have to," he whispered. "For both our sakes."

The snowstorm intensified, and Nina felt herself being pulled away, the image of Matthias fading into the blizzard. She tried to hold on, but the wind was too strong. The cold bit at her, and she heard her own gasping breath. She was falling.... falling .....

Nina's vision blurred, and she sank to the floor, Matthias' jacket slipping from her grasp.

"Nina?" Inej's voice broke through the haze, filled with concern.

Nina looked up to see Inej standing in the doorway, her friend's dark eyes filled with understanding and worry. "I'm okay," Nina lied, her voice hoarse from crying.

Inej stepped closer, picking up the jacket and handing it back to Nina. "You don't have to do this alone, you know."

Nina nodded, though she knew that this journey, this grief, was something she would have to face on her own terms. "I need to take him home, Inej. It's the least I can do."

"I will," Nina promised, though she wasn't sure how she would keep that vow. She felt like a part of her had been buried with Matthias, and the road ahead seemed impossibly long and cold.

Inej sat down beside her, the silence between them filled with unspoken words. "Do you remember when Oomen cut me?" Inej began softly.

Nina glanced at her friend, surprised by the sudden shift in conversation. "Of course. How could I forget?"

"I was so close to giving up," Inej continued. "I felt the darkness closing in, and I thought that was the end for me. But then you came, Nina. You healed me. You brought me back."

"I did what I had to," Nina said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You did more than that," Inej insisted. "You showed me that there was still light, even in the darkest of times. You gave me hope when I had none."

Nina's tears flowed freely now. "Inej, I..."

Inej reached out, taking Nina's hand in hers. "You have that same strength, Nina. You can find your way through this. And you don't have to do it alone."

Nina squeezed her friend's hand, drawing comfort from the warmth of her touch. "Thank you, Inej."

Nina stood up, wiping her tears, and looked around the study. She had to be strong, for Matthias, for herself, and for those who believed in her. With a deep breath, she steeled herself for the challenges ahead.

Then, without warning, the sound of shattering glass echoed through the mansion, followed by a chilling voice that sent a jolt of fear through Nina's heart. She turned, eyes wide, as a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness.

"Nina Zenik," the voice hissed. "Did you really think you could escape me?

Nina's breath caught in her throat as the figure stepped into the light, revealing a face she never thought she'd see again.

Nina and Matthias compliment each other always.

It's been a while since I've read six of crows and Crooked Kingdom so I apologise if anything is incorrect.

Six of Crows duology spoilers ahead <3

At the start/when they first meet:

Nina brings life. She heals, right? Matthias is a soldier (?) He hurts, he kills.

Where they end:

Nina is the one causing death with her altered powers, Matthias is the one trying to help. He no longer wants to kill the Grisha, he wants to help he wants it to stop.

They changed and grew together instead of apart.

As they changed as people instead of separating they learned to love these new versions of themselves and each other. They were always so different, but matched so well.