Xerxes

Bar fight!

It was midnight, I could not sleep. I stood at the edge of the ship, watching the moonlight kiss the open sea. It was quiet now, maybe too quiet. It's what happens when war becomes a norm in a person's life. Peace makes one uneasy.

My birth had brought about the death of so many people, and I knew it would not end until the tyrant was stopped. Ang did not deserve to die. Little Georgey, the abbot and so many warriors I had grown up knowing did not deserve to die. When the news of his death was announced, I broke down. The sweet lovely kid, dying in a brutal way, it really was horrible.

"May I join you?" she asked, breaking my train of thoughts.

I wanted to be alone. I wanted a 'me' time right now. I was tired of the heroic life I was forced to live because I was seen as some kind of saviour. I'm not a hero, I'm a mistake.

"Look, I know you hate me so much for not saving Ang, George or the abbot, but just know that I tried everything in my power..."

"Don't... Just don't... please," I whispered, making her flinch where she stood.

I could not look at her. I understood that it was not her fault, and I could see her injuries from the battle as a reminder. But I hated myself for having emotions. I should have known better. Everytime someone new comes into my life, something terrible happens to them. I promise to feel nothing and move on, however, someone breaks in with a smile and I forget the pain they would give when they leave.

The moon got covered with a cloud, maybe it would rain, maybe it would not. I gazed intently at a star. Was I a curse? Was that why my mother died leaving me to this crazy world? Did I kill her?

The cloud floated by, letting the moon shine down once more. Maybe I did kill her. I sighed at how lucky Queen was. She was gone from this earth, but at least she had peace. All I had was a beat-up god as a father trying to seal my powers, and an uncle who was trying to kill me. I felt nothing but grief. If she was here, what would she say to me? I smiled, as an image of her face appeared before me. She was still beautiful. I missed her. So much. She meant everything to me. But she was gone, and it was all my fault.

Her cane tapped on the deck as she took each step. Dropping the cane by her side, she leaned over the ship, looking into the horizon with me.

"She was sweet you know," she uttered. "She had dreams and visions."

Seeing the light of the moon on her face brought out features I had never seen before. I had known her to be strong, but right now, she looked weak — frail and fragile — almost human. Facing the brutal King and coming out alive was a feat on its own.

"Did you know what she wanted to do when the war was finally over?" she asked with endearment.

"Yeah," I answered. "She was going to open up a library and teach children from far and wide about strange and magical creatures. She was going to teach about herbs and medicines that were used in ancient times. She said she was going to change the world," I said with a light chuckle before sighing, it was too much to bear.

Well, she was spared from seeing more death and pain.

A warm feeling came over me when a hand touched my shoulder. She rolled her hand around, calming my emotions. I silently thanked her while letting the warmth flow through me.

"After you collapsed in the catacomb, we took you back to the camp, where you slept for almost a week," she narrated, taking away her hand to swat a night fly.

"Throughout that period, she stayed by your side and never stood up to do anything for herself. She always talked about you with a light in her eyes, saying you were going to change the world and bring back hope."