Selene did not give up. She left a path of blood that led to Endymion's bed. His lovers were her victims. No amount of reasoning or threats worked. Rumors and whispers about him were everywhere, making his life difficult. But he still couldn't bring himself to take drastic action.
He may be a creature of the Dark but he does not like to kill needlessly.
Alas, the suspicions were getting harder and harder to shake. At risk of finding himself accused for serious crimes, he finally decided it was time to leave and put a much greater distance between Selene and himself, making it impossible for her to track him.
He regretted deeply every moment spent with her. He cursed himself.
This is why I never wanted to turn anyone! He shook his head pushing the memories away.
He left almost everything behind him, taking only his sword, and once again crossed the blue sea to reach the ancient colony lands and headed further East. He joined a caravan of Venetian merchants traveling the Silk Road. Lost in anonymity, among them, he found the opportunity to visit many new places and meet completely new people. He crossed fertile fields with rich harvests, wealthy cities with opulent structures, barren lands and mountains. He even used his sword to protect his travel companions, from bandits and hostile locals, thus satisfying his occasional bloodlust. He was a creature of the Dark after all. As well as he could disguise or suppress it, his true nature would forever be that of a predator, thirsting for blood, courtesy of the Dark Goddess herself, Hecate.
His mind was at ease again.
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After months of travel, they had reached the Far East. He was in a land that few Westerners have ever been before. The people there were still untouched by the Western ways, culture or religious beliefs. Endymion decided to stay for a while. He even learned new idioms to communicate with the people he met, although he preferred to keep to himself.
He parted ways with the merchants in a town near the borders of a small kingdom, located on a peninsula of the mainland. He found lodgings at the local inn, a colourful place bustling with life and all kinds of people, from merchants to mercenaries to bandits to scholars. He introduced himself as a naturalist, travelling and studying the local flora along the way. This allowed him to interact with the town's medic, as well as wander around the nearby forests without raising many questions. All in all, it was a peaceful time. There he would rest safely, keeping a low profile until he saw fit to return to the West. Selene was far away from him. She no longer even occupied his thoughts. And he had learned his lesson. He would never turn anyone again! Ever!
Ah! How the Gods laugh when their children make plans!
Or make resolutions.
YOU ARE READING
Heathen
FantasyIn ancient times they were mere mortals who were given the gift of immortality by the Goddess of the Moon, Night and Magic. Like Endymion, a young man who died in Hekate's arms and came back to life, seemingly forever. Reader discretion is advised.
