(MalexMale) The Crimson Immortal [Crimson Immortal Series: Book 4]

22: Death

The once vacant cavern had become lively again as it housed all the Immortals that defected to Mysia's side. Twenty-four in total, all but three stood with concerned expressions in binding cuffs attached to their wrists. Several whispered worriedly amongst each other, discussing what Mysia wanted them to do next while others stared blankly forward unconcerned. The other three had been paralyzed, marked by Riven's curse when they had refused to follow orders. Odi flashed in bringing with him the last of the Immortals, the old Protection Immortal, and himself, making the total of Immortals twenty-six.

"I could not find the Death Immortal," Odi explained with his head down. He wanted to make up a story but knew his mother would immediately see through his lie. So he didn't, hoping that suspicions wouldn't fall on him.

"Don't worry, she is following my orders," Mysia patted Odi's head and gestured for him to take his place with the rest of the Immortals.

Odi followed suit but hid behind the group. What Mysia hadn't seen was the trembling of her son's hands. Odi knew what was about to transpire and the chaos it would ensue.

Mysia slowly walked across the room and eyed individuals left and right. She had already detached herself from them. The Immortals could hardly be seen as people to her anymore. Everyone and everything had become an object or a tool to get what she wanted. If they continued to follow and obey her orders they would live comfortable lives. If they refused, as a few had already done so, then they would find themselves lost in an illusion until she broke them.

She sat next to her favorite toy, her sweet Seran, and wrapped an arm around him. The former Bleeding King barely existed. It had been several days since they had their discussion regarding her past. Since then she had plagued him with nightmares, forcing Sei to watch, live, and partake in the slaughter of his past loves over and over again. Sometimes he was the woman who made the killing blow to his wife, sometimes he was the Fate Master and threw his daughter into the ravine, sometimes he watched helplessly as Adasi was cursed, and other times he was forced to stare into Zhil's lifeless eyes as his torso was torn open. The torture didn't stop there, every past human he had cursed he felt what they went through, the pain of their organs failing, their terrified thoughts knowing they were dying, and their sorrow when they knew they were leaving people behind. Thousands upon thousands of people and he felt it all. It ripped his heart and mind apart, driving him into a new state of madness. When the nightmares finally stopped and the silence of the real world came back, he could still hear their cries and curses echoing in his head. The heart that once shared a shred of humanity and compassion had disappeared, and blackened and rotted never to feel emotion again.

Sei sat silently while staring at the ground in front of him. His long hair hung free, spilling around his shoulders as several strands covered his face. His eyes had completely turned to a darkened reddish hue. It was a sign that his mental state had suffered a serious blow. Day after day of torment left him incapable of wanting to take care of himself. It forced Mysia to take care of him. Mysia didn't mind, in fact, she took joy in seeing the Sei's misery. Sei was like her malleable doll where she could tell him to do anything and he would without question.

Mysia had dressed Sei in attire fit to greet the Immortals. She had gotten her hands on Sei's old red robe, the robe he wore when he cursed cities and towns. It draped off his shoulders and trailed behind him resting against the wall. It matched well with the white clothes she had him wearing underneath. The lower half of his face was covered by a matching veil that chimed like bells when he moved.

Sei jumped at the touch of Mysia's cold arm thinking he had fallen back into a nightmare but quickly relaxed when he realized it was the Devious Queen. He would obey her and listen to her every whim so that way he wouldn't be subjected to his nightmares.