No one stopped the weeping man as he made his way out the huge castle doors. The shuddering sobs of the petite woman hiding by his side echoed in the silent air. The pitying looks of the spectators was lost on the grieving couple.It wasn't the first time that someone left suffering out the castle walls.Like every other time , no one found the courage to raise voice against the injustice and the cruelty. Against the monster who ruled over them all. Their dark Lord and master.
Xaki Valens. The only heir of the Anthean Kingdom.
It was right for them to fear him , to keep their silence. Because if he heard it, if he sensed it ,he won't hesitate in bringing the worst fires of Hell upon them all and even that won't satisfy the evilness and darkness that lived in him.
His silver eyes followed the old couple with an animosity that made one and all tremble at their intensity. Geneviene ducked her head down in fear. It won't bode well at all ,if those eyes turned to her. A shiver wracked down at her spine at the mere thought.Genie stood in the safe embrace of her parents on either side.Protected. Warm. Still the anger of their Lord seeped in her pores even when it wasn't directed at her.
It didn't seem real to Geneviene. Just yesterday ,everyone was readying for the festivities.Everyone, joyful and happy , preparing for the big event.The Wedding.
Their Lord and Master was at last, settling down.The one who could calm him had entered their lives.The days to come should have been blissful.Peaceful.Harmonious.They shouldn't have been this dreadful and hostile.
Her friend.Her only friend. She should be here.Standing by the Master's side.Enjoying her new life. Not buried...not dea.. Genie shut her eyes tight against the pain that assaulted her senses, containing in the sob that wanted to erupt out. They say she killed herself but that is not true.She refused to believe it until her dying breath.Her brave friend could have never committed such a heinous act. It was all a farce.A deceit , created by the biggest manipulator witch.Genie dared another glance in anger at the one behind it all.
At the murderer.
Lady Yuri.May Gods rain all their wrath on her.
The slow movement of the dainty hand on Lord Valen's chest infuriated Genie like nothing else.It was her friend's right, her place , which was being tainted now by this evil wench. The only black cloud that still hovered over all their lives.There can never be any peace in the land until their Lord is free of her grip.
"They don't deserve your anger." The words spoken so softly were audible in the eerie stillness of the atmosphere. "Let them be." How could Lord Valen miss the pure venom of her soul , baffled Genie the most. It was visible to all.
Maybe it was the words or may be it was the one who spoke those words that shattered the otherwise suppressed air.
The grieving man halted in his tracks and turned slowly towards Lord Valen and his companion, the snake Yuri. Genie could hear a pin drop.It was as if the air itself had stilled. Genie held in her breath. Almost everyone did.Too enthralled at the scene playing before them. At the grief and pain of an old man who had lost not only his wife but his only daughter. The sorrow and the agony had given way to red hot anger.
"Xaki Valens." The haunting and hollow voice broke through the silent air.Genie rubbed her arms up and down to get rid of the goosebumps that erupted as the result of the gut-wrenching shriek.
"I am going away.I have not forgotten my daughter's death .And neither am I afraid of you. I will not harm a single hair on your head. I will not avenge my daughter." The old man supported his wife, holding her tightly as she crumbled down.
" I understand it all now, why you come out unscathed from all your battles, why you always evade death , why it is near impossible to kill you. You will get your justice. Not by man's hand."
An empty laugh and those dead eyes chilled the onlookers. Genie shivered and clutched her mother's hand tightly.Something big was unfurling today.Something beyond existence. Something unearthly.
The old man pointed his finger at the sky. "But by His hand. He has written a fate worse than death for you. You will suffer the worst pain imaginable to mankind.
I curse you , Xaki Valens , that day will come. The day when the one you'll love beyond your existence, will be ripped apart from you.You'll watch helpless, unable to do anything as the life will drain ,right in front of your eyes.
Then ,you'll understand the pain I went through. I will leave but this day won't ever leave you."
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Xaki jerked awake at the long forgotten words.His very soul shivered at the impact of those words.That curse still ringed in his mind replaying again and again. His eyes fell to her immediately.Despite his tumultuous emotions , he gently grabbed her hand and brought it to his face.Her skin warm.The only sign of her being alive.
She is alive.She is here.She'll wake up soon.
He sprayed several kisses on the palm, infusing his life force in her.Trying his best to rouse her from this slumber that she was lost in.
Not satisfied.He got up from the chair he sat upon , near her bed. He couldn't stay away now that she is here. He couldn't go on without touching her,without being near her. Very tenderly he climbed the bed and lay down facing her. His hand stroked her cheek affectionately.
No , he won't lose her again.Even the thought made him tremble in fear. He has suffered enough.He cannot go through that pain again. No , he will not. He'll fight the Gods to keep her with him.He'll accept any punishment for his sins.Anything but spending another moment without her. If possible , he'll keep her tied to him all day everyday.
Yes , he'll do just that.Tie her soul with his in a string so strong that nothing would break it.He'll etch and imprint the song of her soul in his, beyond the tides of time , beyond the stars, beyond the very existence of life.
Because there's no Xaki without Yana.
