Thief of Twilight

Part One: Chapter 40

"...She's a what?" Emperor Kang stood motionless as he watched Zurine fall to the ground. Her eyes were void of life. Her veins glowing like the sun.

"She's a moon child. Have you heard of them?" Lord Baldwin held his hands behind his back. "Children of the moon? Celestial beings who are the descendants of Celene."

Emperor Kang took a step forward.

"Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you."

The emperor's eyes shot up.

"This is her punishment, right? I mean, she did lie to you after all."

"I don't care if she lied to me. She doesn't deserve this."

"Oh? What makes you say that? She's a thief. A liar. A criminal. Do you want to spare her life?"

"Yes, I do. I don't care what she's done. What you are doing to her is wrong and inhumane. I won't allow it."

"What do you mean, 'you won't allow it'?" Lord Baldwin chuckled. "She is my property. Or...she was my property. At this point, I don't care what happens to her."

"Then let her go."

"I can't do that. She has to suffer."

"Why would you-?"

"Because she knows the only way to leave my organization, or rather to leave me, is through death. She was made aware of that many years ago when we were young." Lord Baldwin lowered his eyes to Zurine's motionless body. "The only way to escape me is through death. I will not let her live a life without me. It is only fair." his eyes shifted to the emperor. He could tell that the emperor was troubled thinking of a solution.

Emperor Kang pursed his lips with furrowed brows. He desperately wanted to save Zurine but could not. Not with Lord Baldwin standing over her. He didn't think that Lord Baldwin would attack them during their escape. He was surprised to see such a thing happen.

"Why are you so fixated on her?" the emperor questioned.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Lord Baldwin laughed. "I'm a collector of rare things, just like my father. People included if possible. And she is one of them. She is the rarest of them all."

"Zurine is a person."

"She is a being related to those who killed the innocent. Do you not know their origin?"

"I do not care about the history of moon children. All I care about is Zurine and protecting her."

Lord Baldwin rolled his eyes before shaking his head. "How about this." he reached into his pocket and pulled out a vial containing a milky-white elixir. "This is the antidote. If you agree to my terms and establish trade with my company, I will give you this antidote."

Emperor Kang narrowed his eyes. He remembered all of the things Zurine had said in regard to Lord Baldwin. How he is an evil man who cannot be trusted. A man who only looks out for himself. How quick he is to discard you if things do not turn out well.

"Well?" Lord Baldwin dangled the antidote before his eyes. "What do you say?"

Emperor Kang shook his head. "She said not to trust you."

"...Did she now?" Lord Baldwin lowered his hand. "I see..."

Emperor Kang watched as the man stood over Zurine's body.

"...She was right to say that. I am a man who cannot be trusted." he held up a hand creating a spear made of lightning. "Perhaps I should quicken the process. Lightening won't kill her. Moon children are incredibly stubborn in that sense. The only way to kill them is through any weapon blessed by Helos himself. Or an elixir made from his tears. But at least this will aid in the process of her body becoming severely damaged." as he swung down his hand, Emperor Kang lunged forward. He unsheathed his blade creating a ray of fire that extended before him. Lord Baldwin jumped back creating a barrier of white energy before him. His eyes widened as he stood back, stunned by the emperor's response.