In the Shadows of a Legacy // A Sebastian Sallow story

Chapter 10-Miscommunication\\ flashback

I walked into the dimly lit undercraft, the weight of completing another Keeper's trial pressing down on my weary body. My bag dropped heavily on the table, and I found solace in sinking against the wall, resting on the floor. With my head cradled in my hands, I grappled with the overwhelming anxiety brought on by the mounting responsibilities. The Keeper trials, the ancient magic, Anne, Sebastian... Sebastian. Thoughts of the brown-haired, freckled boy who had introduced me to this hidden sanctuary consumed my mind, despite my efforts to push them aside. But I couldn't afford to be distracted. Ranrok was still at large, and the looming presence of Rookwood and Harlowe added to the weight on my shoulders. Confusion was a luxury I couldn't afford at this critical moment.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as my body felt laden with exhaustion, my muscles tense and fatigued. The sound of the door opening and approaching footsteps broke the silence.

"Ominis, really, I'm fine. I just... oh." I lifted my gaze, meeting Sebastian's warm, brown eyes instead of Ominis's clouded blue ones.

"Sebastian," I murmured, suddenly feeling a surge of shyness.

He smiled, his hands slipping into his pockets as he observed me sitting on the ground.

"Ominis told me about your trial," he muttered, a hint of hurt evident in his tone that I hadn't confided in him.

"Yes..." I exhaled, the weight of regret settling in. "I should've told you."

"Yes, you should've," he replied bluntly, his foot idly kicking the ground.

I swallowed, my feelings for Sebastian have been becoming increasingly complex and overwhelming. I knew he would have wanted to fight alongside me, but I couldn't bear the thought of risking his life when it wasn't his responsibility. He has enough to deal with, with everything going on with Anne.

Sebastian paced the floor, I could see his anger rising with each step, he loosed his green tie and tossed it to the ground. His white button up untucked from his trousers.

I rose from off the ground, my arms folded as I watched him pace back and forth. I didn't understand why he was so angry that I didn't tell him.

"You could've been hurt." He spoke after a moment. His face twisting with concern as he turned to face me.

"Well I wasn't"

"But you could've been." He stated simply, running his hands through his hair. "Why didn't you tell me. I could've helped you."

I shrugged my shoulders, "You have alot going on with Anne, I-I didn't want to bother you."

"Bother me?" His voice rising, "You could never bother me."

I turned away from his gaze, "Well I was fine nothing happened. This is MY fight, not yours."

He took a step closer, his voice tinged with frustration. "You're always so damn stubborn, Ophelia. You push me away whenever things get difficult. You act like you can handle everything on your own, but we both know that's not true."

I met his gaze, fire blazing in my eyes. "What about Anne, Sebastian? You're searching for a cure, how can I pull you away from that? What if something happened to you?"

He scoffed, his frustration boiling over, "Why won't you let me help you? You've followed me through every case for Anne. Why won't you let me be there for you in return."

Fear swept through me threatening to consume me. How could I tell him, my best friend that I was terrified of losing him. Terrified that if something happened to him, we wouldn't be able to save his sister, who should be his first priority. It was selfish of me to want him alongside me in battle, no I must sacrifice my own feelings for his sake.