Black Magic

Chapter 84: Consciousness

NELSON'S POV

I stare blankly out the window of the prison palace, my mind racing with the weight of my impending execution tonight.

The irony is not lost on me - I, a master of craft, will soon be meeting my own demise.

But I've come to realize that my craft has brought me nothing but pain and suffering.

As I reflect on the events that have led me to this point, I see the threads of my own deceit and manipulation weaving together like a tapestry.

I think of Florence, who I gave a potion to, manipulating her into making a choice that would change her life forever.

I think of Astrid, who I also gave a potion to, using her to destroy her lover's relationship with Eleanor.

I think of Magdalena, who was left to raise Thomas alone, her heart heavy with the burden of her husband's infidelity with Florence.

I think of Florence, who was caught and executed for her part in my schemes. And Aiden, who left Eleanor for Astrid, breaking her heart.

I think of Eleanor, who was consumed by anger and insanity after being betrayed by those she loved.

I think of the potion I gave her, using her to exact revenge on Astrid and steal Aiden back from her.

And then there's Thomas, who fell in love with Astrid, only to meet a tragic end.

Astrid and Eleanor being in a mentally unstable state.

As I replay these events in my mind, I see the damage that my craft has wrought.

The lives that have been destroyed, the hearts that have been broken. And now, as I prepare to face my own mortality, I realize that I must make amends.

Before I die, I must use my craft to undo some of the harm that I've caused. I must use my powers to heal the wounds that I've inflicted on others.

It's a daunting task, but it's one that I must undertake if I am to find any semblance of peace.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the journey ahead. It won't be easy, but it's one that I must take.

I crept through the shadows, my heart racing with anticipation and anxiety. I had written letters to each of the people I had helped destroy, telling them to meet at the old field to make amends and destroy the curse that had been cast over them.

I had managed to sneak the letter to Astrid and Magdalena's door in the palace where their fight comes in, hoping that she would see it and make her way to the meeting.

As I jumped from the window ran through the streets, I could feel the weight of my own mortality bearing down on me.

I had finally accepted that my time was running out, and that I would soon meet my own demise.

But I couldn't bring myself to care. I was too consumed by my own guilt and shame. I had spent so long manipulating and controlling others, using my craft to bend them to my will.

And now, as I faced my own end, I realized that it was all for nothing.

I didn't want to die, but a part of me did. A part of me wanted to be free from the burdens of my own making.

I wanted to be free from the guilt and shame that had been eating away at me for so long.

Then, I had made my way to Eleanor's door, carefully slipping the letter under her door and making a swift escape.

I was waiting for them at the field. The emperor isn't really strict.

THIRD POV

Magdalena's eyes widened in horror as she stepped into the dark office, the smell of decay and rot hitting her like a punch to the gut.

She had always known that Astrid was obsessed with Thomas, but she had never imagined that she would go to such lengths.

Before her, on the dusty desk, lay the mummified remains of Thomas. His skin was gray and shriveled, his eyes sunken and empty.

Magdalena felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she took in the scene.

"Astrid... what have you done?" she whispered, her voice trembling with rage and disgust.

Astrid's face twisted into a snarl, her eyes flashing with defiance. "You wouldn't understand," she spat. "You never loved him like I did."

Magdalena's anger boiled over, and she launched herself at Astrid, fists flying. Astrid tried to defend herself, but Magdalena was a force to be reckoned with.

She pummeled Astrid, beating her repeatedly against the desk and chair.

The guards who had been stationed outside the office burst in, trying to intervene. "Stop! Stop this at once!" one of them shouted, grabbing Magdalena's arms and trying to pull her away.

But Magdalena was beyond reason. She struggled and kicked, her rage and grief consuming her. "YOU MONSTER" she screamed at Astrid, her face contorted in fury. "YOU'RE A MONSTER!"

Astrid, still reeling from Magdalena's attack, glared up at her with a mixture of hatred and despair. "I love him!" she yelled, her voice cracking with emotion. "AND I'LL NEVER LET HIM GO!"

The guards finally managed to subdue Magdalena, holding her back as she continued to writhe and struggle against them.

Astrid, still snarling and spitting defiance, was dragged away by the guards, her eyes fixed on Magdalena with a mixture of hatred and longing.

As the guards finally managed to restrain Magdalena, she collapsed against them, her body shaking with sobs.

The scene was left in disarray - the office in shambles, Thomas's corpse still lying on the desk, and Astrid's fate hanging in the balance.

In the aftermath of the chaos, Magdalena's tears fell like rain as she mourned the loss of Thomas - not just his life, but also his dignity and humanity.