“Late night, I see?” Halcyon crossed his arms, raising a brow.
“It is late… yes.” I said sarcastically.
“You may wish to fix your hair… It is quite the mess.”
I looked at my reflection in the water. My hair was jumbled and messy, sticking up, and a slight embarrassment made my stomach queasy. I wetted down my hair, but to little avail…
“So… we’re spending time with Knights now?”
“It is—my business.” I told him.
“Of course,” he assured me, though the scowl of frustration never left his face. “I came to find you because I figured you may have questions… about me.”
Just as soon as it had left, the anxiousness of a rushing mind came back like a wave. “I suppose I do. But do we have to do this tonight? I’d really prefer to sleep…”
He looked upon me with sadness. “I understand; it is late after all. Where will you be staying?"
“That is a good question.” I stated, “I don’t know…”
“I have an idea… Come with me.”
Through the moonlit city, we rose through the Commons to the archway and further on, even through the park district, until, past that, we rose to the highest point of the city, the Sky District. The homes lining its streets were massive mansions fit only for the most noble of families and friends of the kingdom. And upon the most beautiful of them, we arrived.
“This is where you will be staying.” He said.
The home had 3 floors, with large windows overlooking the streets. The stonework was covered in flowing vines, and the cherry blossom trees planted around its sprawling yard wept upon its green, coating it with a gentle pink.
We entered the home, which was already furnished and warm. Luxury couches, tables, and shelves lined the walls, and intricately woven carpets and décor brightened up every inch of the room.
“Whose house is this?”
“It was Cedric’s… He left it to me, or us, I suppose.”
“Well, he had impeccable taste.”
He showed me to my room on the topmost floor. Through its windows you could see the vastness of the kingdom, the room's height only overshadowed by Castle Kygaron itself.
“Wow,” I said.
“I will… leave you to it then.” Halcyon said. “I trust we will talk tomorrow?”
“Of course…”
He left the room; a part of me yearned for him to stay, but I pushed it down. It was a wonderful night, and it was all I had to not be consumed by everything else.
I thought of Amicus, who I knew slept peacefully, and smiled, remembering his embrace. A new memory, and one I would never come to regret.
I lay upon the bed of satin sheets, like a cloud of softness, and cozied up with what may have been too many pillows, if such a notion could ever be true. Sleep came quickly, and for the first time in a while, I had no dreams… no voice reaching out to me.
The morning came, and I awoke to the sun glinting brightly off the ocean in the distance. It bathed the room in gold and strained my still tired eyes, and a knock fell at my door.
“Sebastien,” it was Amoria.
“I’ll be down in a moment,” I said groggily.
“Be quick, please…” she said.
I awoke grudgingly, something that would become a common theme for me in the coming days. But as I dressed myself and made my way downstairs, Tarrien, Amoria, Amicus, and Halcyon sat upon one of the couches, tense, with eyes fixed on me.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, wiping the morning grogginess from my eyes.
Amoria exhaled, “We’re not sure.”
A sudden heaviness pervaded the room. “What is it?” she asked.
“How are you… feeling?” Amoria asked.
“I am well…” I said, “Can someone tell me what this is about?” My words came across harsh, as my patience in the morning hours was thin.
“Be easy, Sebastien…” Halcyon assured me.
Tarrien spoke up, “Let us not mince our words,” he furrowed his brow. “There are tensions in the king’s court regarding this power that we recovered… that you absorbed.”
“And with Father… as you know.” Amoria said.
“They don’t seem to accept that the power disappeared after the battle… and many questions have already begun to surround us, and you in particular.”
Questions? Or doubts? I did not know. The truth was hidden within our group, but each of them was so worried. “Could they… whoever they are, covet this power?”
Amoria and Tarrien glanced at each other, and then Tarrien looked back at me. “It is no secret that the elite in the kingdom have always vied for power beyond what the king has granted them. And my father has done everything he can to quell these questions, but even his words’ influence has its limits.”
“Mages and Knights have been after that power for over a century, even not knowing what it was. These questions will not subside easily, and word cannot get out that it is within you now.” Amoria stated.
“It won’t…” Amicus spoke up. “We make a vow that word of this shall not leave the room.” He looked upon me gently, the edge of his lips rising into a comforting smile.
Tarrien was the first to put his hands into the middle, followed by Halcyon and Amoria, and then lastly Amicus and I. We vowed to one another silence in all places but here regarding the power.
“Thank you…” I said. “All of you.”
Everyone removed their hands.
“As it stands… we know nothing of this power.” Amoria shifted uncomfortably. “This being, Cyrinon, you said his name was; he gave you a prophecy?”
“Yes…” I said, thinking back. “I’m sorry, give me a moment.” I scratched the back of my mind trying to remember. There was… a haze of incomprehensible memories, perhaps mine or his, but similar nonetheless. Though I had not felt different, and his voice had faded, I knew I was changed. Something now lay within me; whatever this gift was, I knew the prophecy would reveal its purpose.
“’A death felt by all shall mark the beginning of the end. You will encounter war and heal its scars, find calamity and end it, and when in the face of unjust rule… you shall depose it’.” I breathed, “That is all…” A harrowing feeling accompanied the words. Each of us had felt it.
“I admit… there is not much we can do with words so vague.” Tarrien said.
“Halcyon…” I said, “You’ve been quiet so far. Anything you wish to add?” I think part of me wanted to hear his voice.
He seemed hesitant. “Prophecies… are always vague. Who better to understand a god’s words than another god?
Then it struck me, another sentence the deity spoke. “He did say that others of his kind walk our world… Do you all know anything of this?” I smiled.
“I… know of two.” Amoria spoke.
“Truly?” Tarrien questioned.
“I’ve never encountered them directly, but Father used to speak of a deity known as Senna. A goddess of nature and change, or the turning of seasons. She resides in the Faelands… among the Elves and Faefolk.”
“I hear she’s a bitch…” Halcyon said it bluntly, earning scowls from each of us for his blasphemy.
“And… the other?” I asked
“Amicus,” Amoria said, “perhaps you can explain this part better than I can.”
He breathed in and then out, a hint of irritation following his words, “I told you I was… a farm boy growing up. I had a simple life, good parents, and never truly encountered struggle. But one day, my parents felt a calling… from a god known as Cadmius.”
“The God of Love…” I mumbled.
“Yes.” He said, not wanting to hang upon the name. “They… retreated to his city, Palais Royale De Cadmius, the city of Love, to the west. I haven’t heard from them in years since.”
I tried to give him a comforting smile, but it was obvious that the memory was still painful. “Who… would be best?” I asked.
“The Faelands are much farther away than the City of Love. Perhaps it’d be best to travel there first… when you’re ready, of course.” Tarrien looked at me.
Amicus sat uneasily.
“My duties keep me in Kygaron for now… Would you be willing to accompany them, Amicus? I understand if it’s asking a lot of you.” Tarrien said.
The knight breathed deeply, “If that is what you wish, Knight Commander.” There was a twinge of anger, but willingness nonetheless. “I will ensure they make it safely.”
“Then it’s settled. Perhaps we shall pay a visit to this… Senna, another time. For now, maybe one final day of rest would be best for all of us— before you leave.” Tarrien stood up, and Amoria with him. “I must go now. What we have discussed here, I am thankful to know we can all trust each other. My father, Amoria, and I will continue to do what we can to quell these rumors. I shall see you again when it is time for your departure.”
“And I will return to the circle…” Amoria said solemnly.
They both departed, leaving just Amicus, who sat closely next to me, and Halcyon, who sat across from us.
“Do you… not have anywhere to be?” Halcyon said snidely to Amicus.
“Oh, I… suppose you’re right.” Amicus said. “I have rounds to do. So perhaps I will see you later.” He stood, bowing gently to me. He looked up to me mid-bow, a sly, sultry smile meeting my gaze as he winked. “And I’ll see you soon too.” He said bluntly to Halcyon, leaving soon after.
A veil of silence pervaded the house, as it was now the two of us left. Halcyon sat, arms crossed, with impatience and frustration.
“So… Bloodborn, is it?”
He scoffed. “So blunt,” his eyes rolled, “Yes…”
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“I understand why you didn’t tell me when we met. I wouldn’t have understood the gravity of it. I’m sorry if I made you feel wrong for hiding it.”
He couldn’t look at me.
“You’re the last of your kind.” I commented. My heart went out to him, and I hoped he could feel it.
He scowled, “Trapped in a world of mortals and diseased offshoots of my people.”
The vampires, he had meant. “Are they truly nothing like your people?”
“They are degenerates, born from the misuse of our blood.” He said. “étienne’s wish to ‘ascend’ to one of us was impossible.”
“It must feel difficult at times… to maintain a secret for millennia.”
He shook his head. “It isn’t a secret if nobody would know what you are… even if you told them.”
I moved to sit next to him as his voice grew shaky. His usual air of confidence, perhaps arrogance, had retreated. Perhaps he needed… comfort.
“Can I ask about your people?”
He rubbed his eyes, but only for a second. “I suppose so, yes.”
“You said they dwelt in the Underworld?”
“Yes,” he said, “we are… were children of Xenon, the God of Death.”
A shudder went through me. Xenon’s name was rarely even whispered in our world, as many thought it bad luck. A whisper of his name usually followed tragedy, depending on the legends.
“I would… speak in pride of my Lord. Please do not allow his name to invoke fear—that is a mortal myth.” He said assuredly. A deep breath filled his lungs as he continued. “I apologize; it has been so long since I spoke of this. It is… difficult.”
I tried to reassure him, but still he would not meet my eyes.
“In the age of our birth, we erected a great city in Xenon’s honor. Perhaps you have heard of it…” he said, “Noctis.”
“The Lost Citadel of the Dead,” I said.
“It was not lost back then,” he smiled. “As I told étienne, we lived in love and peace, as there were no wars in the Underworld. The idea of the afterlife you mortals so cling to was our reality.” In his eyes, he reminisced, the light that glinted within was the flow of memories.
“It sounds beautiful.”
“It was…” he exhaled. “You asked why we’re different from vampires.”
I nodded.
“Feeding, as they know it, was mostly taboo to our kind. Except in the case of rituals, like holidays or marriage. Such a thing could get you banished, but it was rarely a problem. Vampirism actually came about from one of our kind’s banishment long ago…”
Truly? I thought. Such a fact had long-lasting implications for all mortal kind.
“How did… your kind become extinct?”
The word sent a shudder through him: “The emergence of vampirism spread like a plague. Our diluted blood instilled a hunger in those infected, and with its spread, an order was formed.” He hesitated. “’The Bearers of Light,’ they called themselves. So pompous and arrogant. The god Zyphor blessed them with powers of light and purity. And with it, they purged these… abominations.”
“And… they didn’t stop there?”
“No…” he stated. “With their loveless light, they pierced the veil of the Underworld in Zyphor’s name after learning of vampirism’s origin. They burned through it, killing every manner of dark being, innocent or not, avoiding Lord Xenon’s gaze in the process… and eventually, they happened upon our Citadel.”
I stayed silent, as in that moment, his eyes welled up.
“My people never knew war. They were not fighters, and though strong… they were peaceful. Man, woman, and child were slain without conscience. All in the name of preventing a ‘disease’ they knew near nothing about. Eternities were ended in cold blood, but the last of us amidst this carnage could not accept this defeat.”
He paused again, a glimmer of sorrowful pride fixed in his eyes. “We retreated to the center of our citadel, warding the doors behind us… to buy time. My people, they knew we could not live on, not without sacrifice. Something that was so… commonplace among us would become our saving grace.”
A sacrifice, my heart sunk for him.
“I am… the last of my people, because that day, our blood magic became the crux of our survival… or my survival,” he corrected himself.
“But why are you the only one left?” I asked. “Was the sacrifice truly so great?”
He frowned; the memory was difficult for him—obviously—but he continued. “I told you once that blood magic can be liberating, used to control and subjugate… and near absolute in its effects.”
“Yes…” I said.
His eyes welled up. “I… I’m sorry. I can't… it's—”
“It’s alright…” I said, grabbing both his hands.
“No… I need to tell you, but I— the memory is—”
“It is difficult, I know,” I said.
He inhaled shakily, “Perhaps you could… see it for yourself?” he suggested.
My abilities— it was possible, but delving into another’s mind, it was too far. The mind is fragile, as are memories.
“Please, Sebastien… I cannot speak of it. But you must know. I don’t see another way.” His tears fell down his cheeks; it pained me to see him so upset, no matter what had happened between us.
I cupped his cheeks, feeling his tears beneath my palm. “It is… alright. If this is what you ask of me, I can do that much.”
With assurance, I gazed into his crimson eyes, and through them, another world loomed into sight… another time.
“With your permission,” I assured him, “I will experience this memory.” My sight of our world dimmed. “Delve,” I whispered to him.
A flash, overwhelming and bright, overtook my sight, and everything became sharp and loud. Adrift and falling through a sky like millions of memories, I almost lost myself. But within this, the memory he had spoken of, voices, old and strong, pulled me faster and faster. And below, a world formed…
Fires and flashes of light, screams and voices of rage and fear, and the sound of metal gashing flesh battered off cavernous walls into my ears. My eyes darted around the scene below me as my fall began to slow. The city before me, of black stone and precious minerals, was under siege. Homes were ablaze, and buildings collapsed; orbs of a harsh, unyielding light magic burned through the dark, their supposed purity like a disease destroying its host. More appeared by the second as I fell further, and in sight, the people of this city ran in fear, the appearance of these orbs searing their flesh, and those too close to them burst into flames. “Gods,” I muttered. No word could explain the horror.
I reached the ground, finally. Another orb appeared, incorporeal as I was… Its intense warmth burned across my own skin, and its brightness forced me to look away. Behind me, a father shielded a mother and their child with singed wings.
“It is no use…” a deep voice said, emerging from the light. He was clad in silver and gold armor, and his hair was white—his scowl unforgiving. “Submit to our lord’s light and be purified.”
“All this… for purity?” The father screamed, “We don’t even know who you are! Why are you doing this?”
Two more armored individuals walked from the light. “Vampires,” the white-haired man laughed, “always feigning ignorance. You know why we’re here… Your blood brought about disease and death in our world. For that, each of you is guilty.” An evil smirk rose upon his lips, “Even your… disgusting child.”
“Noooo!” The father pleaded! The orb of light blazed bright and blinding, and their bodies dissolved to dust.
When the light faded, I suddenly found myself elsewhere, in a large room, radiating with familiar magics. I recognized it as blood magic, much like étienne’s, but different. It held no evil and warded the doors much like other magic. My eyes turned to a group of individuals in the center of the room, speaking to a man facing away from me. He was crowned and clothed in a regal black gown, holding a sword in his right hand.
Those speaking were stressed and erratic, pleading, and begging. One dropped to their knees, “Please, my lord! It is the only way! You must do it. There is no room for consideration and second-guessing.”
“He is right, my king,” another pleaded. “We mean no disrespect, but our people are dying. If you do not do this, we are dead anyway.”
“Please,” the one on his knees spoke up, “we beg you, it is like he said, we will die anyway, but in you we can live on, our people can LIVE ON!”
“Rise… my friend.” The king said sorrowfully. “None need bow to me. I… know what must be done. But please, do not let our last moments together be spent like this. I need your faith. All of you!”
“My King!” Everyone said in unison. They bowed, and each, one by one, hugged the crowned man.
“We will do what we can to defend you until you’re ready! In our people’s name!”
They drew swords and magic, departing the room with haste, all but one who spoke once more to the king.
“Draw upon our people for the power you need. And do not worry, each of us will understand. Better our lives and blood fall to our king's hands than be snuffed out by mortal ignorance and the foul hands of blind faith.” He patted the king's shoulder and departed as well.
In the center of the room, the man stood motionless for a moment… soon taking off his crown and throwing it to the side.
“Faith… I told them.” He spoke through choked words. I approached him as he took off his cloak, throwing it to the side as well, and stretching large wings of black feathers. “What I must do… is deplorable. No amount of faith will prevent this pain… this horror. I only hope that you truly will understand in the end.” With a small dagger, he cut his hand, pouring blood onto the ground before him. “For my people… and our legacy, I will do what must be done.”
I stood before him now, as he knelt down, closing his eyes… a single tear falling from his cheek.
“Halcyon…” I whispered, my eyes widened and red with tears.
As the ground glowed red and blood swirled around him, a bright flash stole me away, and when it receded, I stood on the streets looking up at a large building jutting up from the city’s center. The topmost part of it glowed red… the king—or Halcyon’s ritual neared completion. Behind me, the grisly sight of Knights butchering these people made my eyes well further. A few who ran fell but a few feet from me, as the citadel’s height pulsed with power.
“It is the King!” one shouted, smiling despite her wounds. “He means to end this! Stand! Give him your power!”
Another flash, and I found myself directly below the structure, standing within a garden-like area of blue grasses and strange flora. Many of the city’s people gathered here, their faces tearful, though each of them smiled as they held their hands toward their king. A red energy flowed from them, and though they winced in pain as small wounds opened, pulling blood from them, they never faltered… even when their bodies began to shrivel.
Another flash stole me away, and now I found myself in the air above the city. The blood from the citizenry pulled atop the structures' height, and bolts of red lightning cracked upon the wind. The blood was changing, converting into energy.
“My people!” I heard Halcyon's voice. “I… thank you. Lord Xenon, guide us all!”
The energy of the orb grew unstable, and the air quaked. Everything grew cold, and just as soon as a great silence fell, an immense burst of magic rushed over every inch of the city and its surroundings. Below, the bodies of the men invading withered away instantly, and the light magic they employed snuffed out. The sheer force of the wave leveled buildings all over the city and laid waste to the surrounding areas, uprooting everything in its wake. This was not greater magic, and no spell in our age could cause such carnage. But… the look of abject horror upon the knights’ faces as they gazed upon death—no sight could ever so fit the witnessing of vengeance and victory.
What was once a beautiful city now lay in ruins; even the structure Halcyon had stood in was destroyed.
One more flash took me to the remainders of the city below. And upon his knees, a shattered man, bloody and battered, cried next to the charred remains of one of his people.
“I’m sorry…” he cried. “I am so sorry.”
A cold chill fell down my back.
“King Halcyon…” a dark voice spoke. “I am… so sorry.” It said.
“My Lord!” he choked through tears, trying to stand.
I moved to the side as a cloaked man approached. “No… please, you need not stand.”
“I… I didn’t know what to do, my lord. I…”
“You do not need to explain yourself, Halcyon, please… Mourn for your people. No king in existence will ever do for his people what you have…” he said. “And if I fear I am to blame for this.”
“No… my lord. Death comes for us all in the end, even those like us. This was— bound to happen.” Halcyon cried.
“No… This was an assault on the people of my realm, and therefore, directly my problem. This end was meant for no one. Rest assured—every mortal who perished in these events will be made to suffer for eternity. And I will exact vengeance upon the one who gave them such power…”
He spoke coldly, devoid of emotion, but in his words, there was anger… existential and deep. A god stood before me and himself knelt to Halcyon, placing a pale hand on his shoulder.
“King of the Bloodborn, as your people wished it, they will never know true death… and they shall live on in you, by soul and blood—your shared blood.”
Halcyon gazed upon the god, “Lord Xenon, I… cannot remain here.”
“Go where you must…” Xenon whispered. “I pray that when the time comes, and I call on you, you will return here, to my domain.”
Halcyon stood, wiping tears from his eyes. Soon, a familiar disdainful expression fell upon his face. “When the time comes, my lord… I shall.” With a furious beat of his wings, he took off into the Underworld skies, disappearing into their dark depths.
The god stood after his departure, removing his hood. His hair was a ghostly white. But he turned to me… eyes glazed black.
“It comes soon… Be prepared, Sebastien.”
I gasped heavily, returning to reality.
“Did you… see it?”
“Yes,” I caught my breath. “I—can’t form words right now. It is unimaginable what you went through.” I shook Xenon’s words from my mind.
“I see it every day… I feel them within me,” he said. “It never ceases.”
“But, you were their king; I saw how they felt. They were happy in the end! Even if it was terrible.”
“I am aware,” he said harshly. “I feel it, I know. Scattered voices try to comfort me, pulling me from sorrow every day. But I can’t escape the reality of it.”
“You did what few… possibly nobody else could.”
“I—don’t know that I want to keep talking about this. I trust this answers any remaining questions.” He snapped back into his collected persona.
I exhaled, “I understand… yes.” I said.
He was uncomfortable; that much was obvious. Though, then, I felt as if I truly knew him and why he was the way he was.
“Thank you,” he said. “I know I have not treated you with as much care as you would prefer. That is a… shortcoming of mine. Now, with what you know, perhaps we can be closer.” He smiled. “Whatever that may mean for you.”
We talked a while longer before he decided he needed some air. Already the morning had run long, and shortly after he left, I had decided to go on a walk of my own.
The morning sea breeze upon the streets of Kygaron was refreshing and chill, and so early as it was, the sky district seemed empty, likely far too early for nobility to wake.
I descended to the park district below it, whose streets were rampant with the morning’s working folk: those late rushing to their jobs and the seldom few whose stride could not quicken for anyone. But beneath it all, hollowed out within the sky district’s core, a great market bustled all night and day.
It was a sight to behold once I arrived. Lining the walls and floor and built to its height upon multiple levels, I’d arrived at the Great Bazaar, a thriving market for all within Kygaron, nobility and common folk alike.
Loud and busy, this atmosphere drowned out any and all heavy thought… exactly what I needed at the time.
I waded my way through the thick crowd, bumping shoulders and elbows, tripping over feet, and clumsy folk.
“Come one, come all!” A voice caught my attention. Speaking from a booth covered in cheap, vibrant rags sat a haggard old woman, voice shaky and skin sagged, ancient as the last age. “Mistress Vango sees all… knows all!”
A fortune teller, I thought. The fake crystal ball in front of her and the dramatic and flailing told all… No true seer would ever give in to such lunacy.
“Ah, you!” she pointed to me. “Come to me! Let me gaze upon you… pluck at the threads of your fate!”
So dramatic.
Her smile twisted upon her wrinkled lips, and her skeletal hand reached out for mine, beckoning me to sit.
“Mistress Vango sees you, young one…” she stuttered. “Perhaps part of you is not as young as I may have thought.” She whispered.
On the heels of Prophecy, I couldn’t have known what was to come.
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