Something Immortal

39: Close to Home

As soon as the body was discovered, Sigurd was called in to identify it once more since he was the only relative left of Lord Vegard. In spite of their conflict and his uncle's attempt on his life in addition to his alleged killing of his parents, Sigurd stood, momentarily frozen in place when he discovered how his uncle had been mutilated, he was still in denial.

The Dragon Emperor immediately ordered the return of all the participants and the audience back to the academy without delay and the retrieval of Lord Vegard's body. Som and the others, watched as the body was wrapped in a protective barrier that served as the temporary coffin and the draconian guards lifted it and carried it to the air to be transported to Devanagari, the holy city of the draconian race.

Som hasn't seen Kali since, he didn't leave Sigurd's side who was still in shock. He also couldn't get near since at this point, the draconian race was huddled together as though they have suddenly lost the trust of everyone around them. A sudden meeting was also called and all the members of the council will be there, including his brother Sri. Barely escaping the twins and Irin, Som walked further deep into the forest that surrounded the academy to have a breather. They were all scheduled to return since the celebration of the festival was postponed indefinitely which was an obvious decision at this point.

Reaching the edge of the lake that connects to a waterfall, Som sat down on the rock to watch the landscape one last time before returning to his home—The Valley. Ilarion found him this way and quietly sat down beside him. They remained silent for some time, admiring the view and neither one of them was willing to speak first.

"You asked me before what kind of name is Aster Fay."

Ilarion slowly turned his head to the person who broke the icy silence. "I only said that because you said what kind of name is Darren Pike. But, seriously, what kind of name is Aster Fay?"

Som laughed bitterly. "I was nameless as much as I was homeless. I was found by a nun in front of the church and I was only a few days old. Hungry. Pale. They tried to trace my DNA to see if I have relatives somewhere, but couldn't find any. Usually, newborns get adopted right away but I was sickly and nobody wants me. It took a month before they finally decided that I was there to stay. Anyway, the nun who found me gave me the name. She pulled it out from a random book and it means star. She took good care of me, and even provided me her last name—Fay. I liked the name. It gives me a sense of purpose. A meaning. I got into a lot of trouble when I was a child because of it. But I don't care. When the nun passed away, she told me a story. About her. She said she was like me too. She was nameless. And that her last name was also given to her, and it also came from a random book."

Ilarion, "Som...Aster...I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's alright. I wasn't the only kid in the orphanage with a story like this. It's just that nobody wants me. I can't get adopted. But that was fine, you know. I said it's better that way. I can't wait to be an adult and leave that place. I really like your novels, Nathan. I believe you're a great author. You brought me to places that I'd rather be and for a moment, you make me forget what reality is like."

Ilarion scoffed. "Me? A great author. I doubt that, but thanks anyway."

Som looked at him. "So, what's your story?"

"My story?" Ilarion chuckled. "I don't know if the sadness can be comparable to yours. I've always been surrounded by people. I was popular in high school until I joined a book club. I wanted to write a story about my first love. But my first love wasn't the same as others. In short, I was outed in high school by a friend—to my parents. They couldn't accept I was gay and I was asked to leave the house. I had to work for myself, live with relatives who treated me like shit and I had to endure homophobic coworkers throughout my life! Woke people are kind of lucky. The new generation is much more accepting compared to mine. I'm sorry if I ruined the Legion War for you. I grew tired of writing about straight people and their conundrums when it comes to their love life. I mean, what other issues are they still having with it? Their fucking straight. No offense."