The Celestial Nobles (The Awakening of the Phoenix) [Completed]

Chapter 19: A Curse

"So what you're trying to say, is that... You're a former guardian?!" I was more than surprised to hear what he said. "How? And why did you stop being one?" I asked again, and he just looked at me with sad eyes. So I apologised as fast as I could.

"No need to be sorry. I was the one who chose this path in the first place." He answered, making me look at him intently and didn't said a word. "Hmm~ How many years have already passed since I last got out of this place? Sometimes, I even wonder what the outside world looks like now. Are they still the same as the last time I saw them? Or did it change into something more unexpected.
Those questions are still left unanswered to me." He explained, so I came up with the conclusion thay maybe, he was locked up here from the beginning.

"Why won't you explore then? No one is prohibited from doing so." I said, and he just sighed.

"Easy for you to say." He laughed sadly. "You've never been cursed anyway." He also said, and that made me worry. "Since the day the last phoenix bearer disappeared, dusk started to do everything they can to take over Aurora's Land. They also tried to destroy Genesis Academy, and... I tried by best to help them, as a guardian. But, they cursed me and I wasn't able to fight back.

I-I felt embarrassed and disappointed at myself that time, that the only thought that came in mind, was to abandon my will and leave the academy.
After that, I came here and found this place. At first, it was hard for me to adjust. But as years pass by, I got used to it and just lived like a normal being inside here and never ever leaved." He explained, and I can't help but tear up. The feeling he had must be worse than I expected. I tried to kill him earlier without knowing the truth. Am I a monster now?
"I-Is the academy... You know~ still standing firm as to now? I mean, did the duskians-"

"No need to worry about that... Everything is fine. No duskians there." I smiled as I assure him about his question. But then, a thought came to me, making me ask... "How did you know that I came from the academy?" Don't get me wrong. I mean, how did he ask a question like he was really sure of. His tone of voice tells me that he is sure that he knows where I have been!

"I saw the formidable crystal in your neck." He said and it made me hold my necklace.

"Oh~" Was the only thing I could think of.

"What a pretty crystal!" He said and smiled sweetly. "The bond you've built with your team must be really strong to from that kind of crystal. What a rare bond to see." He said.

"You know about it?" I asked confused as to how he knows all of this. Even if he is a former guardian, he must have forgotten about things like this.

"Even if I got locked up here in this cave for years. My memory is still as fresh as a blooming flower." He answered, and I just nodded as an answer.

"May I ask a serious question? What curse did the duskians gave you? Is it that bad?" I asked, and he looked at me with sad eyes and looked away first.
He walked towards a cabinet and got something from there.

"We centaur's can live up to how many years, I can't remember. But, aside from taking that away from me, they also cursed me to only go out during nighttime. And that's the worst because I can't talk to anyone. You know what I mean." Yeah, everyone is asleep, or inside of their houses at nighttime. That's why he is all alone. "Also, a witch from dusk cursed me, that by nighttime... I will go berserk and hurt everyone who I see. That's why, I never leave the cave." He said and showed me a sandclock. A big one. And the sand from the top part is almost over. "You should leave this place. Sun is setting, and I don't want to hurt you." He said, and didn't looked at me.

I thought for a minute if I want to. But my instinct tells me that I need to help him at some point. I feel that I can do it. But, what if I die before I get the chance?

"Sorry, but I won't leave you." I said, and he looked at me with a shocked expression.

"Are you out of your mind?! I already told you what I am capable of, so why are still-"

"If I die, then that will be the end of everything, and I won't regret it, because it is my own choice." I said and looked at him seriously. "Please, I want to help you." I continued.

We argued for about a minute or two, before I won and he just sighed as a defeat. So I tried to think of a way to help him. And the oy thing that crossed my mind, is to let him under the sun.

"There is no other way. If you want to defeat your fear, you have to face them at all costs." I said, and he just heaved a sigh again and followed me out. "I promise you, I won't leave even if something bad happens. I'll be here to support you!" I cheered and held his hand. We walked slow and steady, until we reached the tip of the cave.

"I'm kinda nervous about this." He said and I could feel that he's nervous, but I just smiled at him. "(sigh) Ok... Let's do it." He said and we started walking again.

We slowly walked towards the exit while holding each other's hands and when we both got under the sun. I saw him, in pain.

"A-Are you okay?! What is going on?" I asked and he ran back inside of the cave. That made me feel guilty, but I went inside to talk to him.

"See what I meant?" He said and I felt sad. So he is burning under the sun. I thought of something else earlier.

"I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't know." I said and looked down embarrassed.

"You don't have to. Thanks for helping me with my problem anyway. I really appreciated it." He smiled and I could feel that he is trying his best to not look in pain.

To be continued~