Ephemeral

The Cursed Fate

Thomas *turns around facing a group of guards*- I know you are there, come out!

Eva - who?

(...) - I am surprised you noticed me, what gave it away?

A person steps forward from amongst the guards.

Guards *draw their weapons*- you! 

(...) *threatening*- Thomas, why don't you dismiss them or they could get badly hurt

Thomas *alert* - you all may leave us, do not come in until I say so.

Guard - but, his majesty-

Thomas *firm* - his majesty appointed you all under me, this is an order!

Guard  *hesitant* - as you command *leave the room*

Thomas - now then, would you like to tell us about yourself and the reason behind all this trouble?

(...)- Yes, of course, the lovely princess should know her soon-to-be fated partner *stares at Eva*

Thomas pulls Eva behind him and holds the hilt of his sword. *turquoise ring and sword glow faintly*

Ajax - I have had many names, there was Carl, then Max and in this life it's Jiyuk. But I guess you should call me Ajax...since that name is the most familiar to you, Thomas or should I say Clovis...

Thomas *perplexed* - Why...why should that be familiar to me? Clovis...I heard that before in one of my lives but...

Ajax - as I suspected, you can't remember past lives or maybe it's because you never cared to remember my name *throws a knife toward Eva who had moved to Thomas' side* 

Thomas - Eva!

Eva *deflects the knife* - Don't worry Thomas, I'm not a helpless princess, I can protect myself. You! Ajax, why are you after me? I do not seem to recall ever interacting with you

Ajax *laughs* - how can you? Out of the three of us, you are the most oblivious to all of it! I still remember how I ended my first life after I killed Clovis and you that night, Princess Luciana...

Eva *despair* - you... what? 

Author's POV

This goes back many centuries, when there weren't any rulers or lords and when gods used to interact with their children. They used to create what we now call fates between two humans who would most likely help them in making the world peaceful. However, some fates broke or got too twisted, causing only misery and demise in their wake. With the numerous fates created by the gods, there were a few which would go on for more than 100 years, both good and bad, although, there was one which was blessed by all the gods, called 'destiny'. And so, once the two souls who were destined to be together till the end of time finally met, the gods decided to no longer interfere in their children's matters. 

Time went on and the two destined souls formed bonds with other people, between two people and even reformed some broken fates. Looking at this, the gods were satisfied and decided to aid their children discretely. However, there was one who rejoiced in the children's suffering. One day, this god descended from the heavens and decided to start a small fire in the peaceful land. Once again, the strings of fate were being affected but this time they would burn away and burnt fates would never intertwine again. The other gods found out about this and decided to banish him from the heavens, but he continued his little game when he had a fateful encounter one night. 

First life 

Under a moonlit sky filled with stars, surrounded by red roses and pink lilacs, there they were, in a white gazebo embracing each other. Clovis the crown prince of the Kingdom and Luciana the crown princess-to-be, were the two destined souls to meet in every life. They pulled away and gazed lovingly into each other's eyes as they came closer and met their lips. The bonding between the two destined souls caused the moon to cast a turquoise glow and the flowers to radiate purple sparkles; creating an enchanting scenery. 

Even though the night was a warm and joyful one, nobody knew the cold and sorrow that was about to fall upon the two. A man covered with a black cloak, emitting an evil aura was approaching Luciana from behind. Clovis was not just the crown prince but also the strongest knight in the kingdom; he sensed this and swapped places with Luciana which led to the dagger being stabbed into his shoulder. After taking a few steps back to keep a safe distance between them and the intruder and checking on Luciana, he drew his sword. "Who are you?" Clovis demanded while keeping Luciana behind him. The intruder revealed his face and introduced himself, "I am Ajax and I have come for Luciana" he said while smiling. Clovis was enraged by his demeanour and decided to finish him off with a single blow, however, his body froze and he kneeled gasping for air. He realized that the dagger was covered in a highly potent poison. Ajax laughed with his whole body, "Well, I guess you can die first and then I will kill you next Luciana! Once you die I will kill myself and when we are reborn, you and I will be the destined souls!" he exclaimed. 

The poison spread faster and Clovis was coughing blood, he knew he didn't have much time left, his eyes filled with tears while looking at Luciana sobbing and praying. Luciana lifted his head and placed it on her lap, "you will be fine, you are the strongest knight!" she sobbed. Clovis put his hand on her cheek and wiped her tears, "It's alright, I am sorry; if what he says is true then I will find you in our next life and save you. I am sorry..." he said as he drew his last breath. Not long after Luciana was also stabbed and then Ajax stabbed himself.

The moon, which shone so brightly, was now hidden behind clouds, the flowers, which had radiated warmth, had dried, and the white gazebo, which had symbolized new beginnings, had become tainted scarlet and now, it symbolized the beginning of the cursed fate.