Hurricane ✔️

Special Chapter 2

Years go by as Rune's body is broken over and over again by the mocking guards, but he feels none of the pain. The memory of Xenus dying plays in his mind over and over again. 

"Did you hear that the Heavenly Empress gave birth to a son on the same day that the Goddess of the Sea gave birth to a son?"

"I heard rumors that they were lovers."

"There is finally an heir to the throne."

"I heard he's weak though."

"Such a shame."

"The Emperor is entering!" A guard announces and interrupts the chit chat of the guards who have been torturing Rune.

"Look at you. You are so pathetic." The Emperor mocks when he sees Rune's broken state.

"Just kill me already." Rune whispers without looking up.

"I need you though. You see, your little brother needs you to train him. Once you have properly trained him, I will let you die as you wish." The Emperor's words cause Rune to look up. This is all he wants. If he dies, his soul will enter the wheel of human reincarnation, and there is a chance he can be with Xenus again.

"Very well." Rune mutters and looks away.

"How pathetic." The Emperor chuckles and has Rune released. As Rune weakly stands to his feet, the Emperor places a curse on him to weaken him.

When Rune returns to his chambers, a broken sob fills the room. Xenus' clothes are still neatly hanging from the closet. Their pillows are side-by-side, and his beautiful ornaments are nestled in their jewelry box.

"I'm so sorry. I was too weak to protect you. I miss you so much. I hope you are living a happy life on earth. I hope you find someone who loves you and protects you. Once I am allowed to die, I will come and find you and protect you. Even if you do not love me, I will stay by your side as a mute guard and protect you." Rune sobs as he curls up on their bed and clings to Xenus' pillow.

As the long, painful years pass by, Rune trains his disappointingly weak brother. He had gotten to see the beautiful son the Sea Goddess gave birth to before they were cast down to the depths of the sea. He knows that boy is much stronger than the future Emperor, and this is satisfying to know to Rune.

"Hello? Is there anyone here?" A sweet voice rings out as Rune locks himself in his chambers for the rest of the day. If he is not training the future Emperor, then he is locked in his chambers. He finds no happiness in living, but this sweet voice startles him because no one has ever dared to come near his dwelling.

"Excuse me. I'm sorry, but I'm lost. I don't know where I am." The sweet voice sounds scared, and for some reason, that fear makes Rune's dead heart feel pain.

"Who are you?" Rune asks as he opens the door to his dwelling.

"I'm Illya. I'm a sky nymph." The gorgeous boy answers with a bright smile.

"Why are you on this side of the palace?" Rune asks and looks at the boy with curiosity.

"I was roaming around and saw a butterfly. I followed the butterfly here." The boy smiles and shows Rune the butterfly that is sitting on his hand.

"Do you not know who I am?" Rune asks when he realizes that the boy is not afraid of him.

"You are Rune. I've seen you training the Prince before." Illya answers and gently sets the butterfly on a flower.

"Then why are you not afraid of me like everyone else?" Rune mutters and watches as Illya gently pets the butterfly.

"Your soul is grieving, but you are kind." Illya softly answers and looks up at the broken god.