Taming the Darkness (Series 3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

"I will let the two of you talk for a moment," Veseva said before leaving the two of them alone in the wide living room.

Zenaia is still looking at Billius. She couldn't believe that the man in front of her is the same one in that memory. Their personality is just so different.

"So, you've seen that as well," he said, his voice low. He is looking down at the tiled floor.

"The puzzle is now falling into place. Kaya ba ganoon ang nangyari sa akin pagkatapos kong makita si King Zafrix ay dahil may kinalaman nga siya sa sumpa? He is the friend that you and Feruseah were trying to save. He is the reason, as to why she was cursed, as to why I was cursed..."

Nagtaas ito ng tingin at nakita ang unti-unting pagbakas ng reyalisasyon sa mukha nito. Nakaramdam nang matinding pag-aalala si Billius. He's afraid that it will reactivate the curse.

"He lost control of his wolf, he's slowly falling into his own darkness. We had to save him."

"B-But why did he even lost control?" Naguguluhan niyang tanong.

"Dahil isa lang siyang ordinaryong taong-lobo dati."

Napasinghap si Zenaia at napatitig sa mukha ni Billius. "Zafrix was never a descendant of the royal blood line. But, he received the throne after challenging the former king Lissandro who was a real tyrant and evil. The former king killed his family and loved ones, he killed a lot of people, and the pain of losing his family made Zafrix choose to be one with his darkness. That made him strong enough to fight the former king. But that strength will only last for awhile, and he'll end up dying in a few days."

"Parang adrenaline rush?"

"Sort of, but a thousand times powerful. I've already told you about what a Darkness is. It's a powerful negative force originating from the Underworld. It is the common root of all evil, but those who are not originally from the Underworld wouldn't be able to contain that much power. It will slowly drain their life force, and die a painless death."

"You mean, Darkness can give you unlimited strength for a short while, but in turn for your life?"

"Yes."

"That's why you saved him?"

Tumango si Billius. "I gave him my mark to contradict its effect. That is the reason why he became one of the strongest werewolf king. Because he is marked by a legendary lycanthrope."

Zenaia nodded in understanding. "I read that he was very vicious and cruel for the last nine hundred years of ruling the kingdom."

Billius sighed.

"That is the side effect of losing half of your soul to the darkness. He lost his emotions as well. That was his curse. I was only able to save half of his soul by giving him my mark, and Feruseah..." His face hardened. "She tried to save him with her ability, but failed. She was struck by the eternal curse instead. But that wasn't enough. He was still nearing his demise. Hindi pang walang-hanggang ang kakayanan niya. The more he loses control, the faster his life is fading away. He only had a year left and he will totally lost himself and die."

"But, how did king Zafrix break away from it? You said half of his soul is already in the darkness."

This time, Billius' face lightened. "Queen Sofia. She saved him. She helped him put his heart back in place."

"Ah..." Zenaia muttered, suddenly feeling awkward for some unknown reason.

"Their beloved bond helped him have his emotions back by channeling her own so he would be able to feel it as well."