The Binding Fates SEASON 1: The Past

Chapter 48: The Rahania Empire: Siblings

The legend whispered of a cloaked figure, a phantom who had stepped into the heart of Rahania on the day a new king was crowned. The figure, shrouded in black, had bestowed upon the young Cairo a gift – the curse and blessing of immortality. He had been an ally of Tina, a silent witness to the birth of a new world, a world ruled by the Master until her sudden disappearance.

Rumors swirled, whispering of the cloaked figure as the God of Death himself, or perhaps the King of Souls, Seth.

Elyse, lost in the pages of a history book gifted by Lu, found herself face to face with the rumored Immortal Emperor Cairo. He was, as the book described, a vision of regal beauty. His long, emerald hair cascaded down his back, framing a face that held the intensity of a thousand suns. He sat upon his throne, adorned in white and green robes, shimmering with pearls and jewels. Though he wore no crown, his presence commanded reverence, his eyes piercing through the very soul.

"So, you are the rumored Descendant of two strong Alphas of the past – Chrystiana, and Aniya," the emperor spoke, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down Elyse's spine. They sat alone on a balcony overlooking a breathtaking vista, a crystal blue lake shimmering with magical lights, surrounded by enchanting flowers and vines.

"Yes, Your Highness," Elyse replied, her gaze fixed on the shimmering water, unable to meet his intense gaze.

He sipped his tea gracefully, his every movement echoing the elegance of a bygone era. Elyse couldn't help but notice the resemblance to Aniya, the ghost of her half-sister haunting his every gesture. Was it the shared blood that bound them, or was it simply the echoes of a past that refused to fade?

"I never would have imagined personally meeting the Descendant of Aniya. In this Empire, Amira Arina is one of us and she is respected," he said, his voice filled with a wistful longing. Elyse remained silent, her mind racing with the weight of his words.

"As you have heard – I am her half-sibling, her little brother. Although I never met her in person, I can always imagine her face from the stories of my father with his proud and gentle look while telling me about his daughter Aniya."

Elyse's heart ached with a sudden understanding. This was what he had meant earlier.

"Your Highness, don't the whole world hates Aniya?" Elyse finally spoke, her voice a mere whisper.

Emperor Cairo turned his gaze upon her, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. "Everyone hates her – but not exactly everyone. In Rahania, Aniya was portrayed to be someone who was not protected and had no other choice is to obey which is true. We learned the truth before the Aracnia people knew it. Since then, we became enemies again after the disappearance of Lucia, The Master of all Empires."

He looked out at the distant horizon, his back straight, his posture regal. "The leaders of Aracnia Empire believes that The Alphas were the one who betrayed the Master, they couldn't accept the fact that it isn't The Alpha's fault – but the one who manipulated everyone and that is the Devil, Cain. He is also known as The God of Ending," he said, his voice laced with a chilling conviction.

"Who... Is Cain?" Elyse asked, her voice barely a breath.

"Cain, also known as The Devil. In the Ancient World, he was known first as The God of Ending. He was friends with The Goddess of Beginning and The God of Life until something happened that changed him and made everything that The Goddess of Beginning created destroyed from his hands. They say that the God of Ending is dead and he now becomes the Devil. In other words – Cain is the real one who manipulates all the fates and destroys them."

Elyse felt a shiver run down her spine, a primal fear gripping her heart. She could almost see Cain, a terrifying, powerful god who played with the hearts and minds of mortals, crushing them into the depths of their souls.

"Even Tina knows that fact very well," Emperor Cairo whispered, his voice laced with a hint of pain. Elyse remained silent, sensing the unspoken sorrow in his words.

"But I believe that my half-sister is also a victim. But, because of the difference in beliefs, like in the past – the two Empires became enemies also. But not that very much like in the past political wars, where we lose and win each time. Still, we have different beliefs."

"Elyse Valentina, you are her Descendant – I am quite sure she lets you inherit the memory of her shards into you?" he asked, his gaze piercing through her.

"I... am quite unsure, Your Highness," Elyse replied, her voice trembling.

"Oh? Why is that?"

"There are times there are memories that are either mine or of someone else. No – It's always been the memory of someone else. Wearing her white dress and her beautiful silk black hair, her purple eyes deeply looking at me – in those memories she felt different. She was more cheerful and innocent than the present 'she' that I met. She was happier than anyone else, there was nothing a hint of sadness in her eyes because she always smiles. But sometimes, I feel there is something missing. If she is indeed called now 'Lucia' then why there's no memory of her as Lucia in mine? If I am indeed her Descendant."

"About Aniya, I don't really know about her. There is also a person who has such beautiful silver hair, wearing a cloak to hide her face. But I know that she was gentle and kind because of the gazes that I would feel from her. That woman... She felt so familiar and yet she also feels distant. Where did I see her or where did I meet her? I don't know. But every time there's a place that I know the Alphas would always frequent in the past – my heart hurts with regret and guilt. As if I am always blaming myself for what I did – things that I don't even do as Elyse or someone else. It feels strange, yet it feels painful and sad."

Elyse poured out her heart, her words flowing freely as if she were speaking to an old friend, a confidante who understood her pain. The emperor listened intently, his eyes filled with a deep empathy. In that moment, they were not emperor and descendant, but two souls connected by a shared past, a shared longing.

The young Prince Malik, who possessed the ability to see "through," watched them, his heart swelling with a bittersweet joy. He saw a vision of Elyse, but with silver-white hair and golden eyes, the same woman his father had spoken of with such longing. He knew, with a certainty that defied logic, that Elyse was Aniya, his father's beloved half-sister.

"Your Grace, what are you doing here?" a voice, soft as a summer breeze, broke the spell. Prince Malik turned to see his mother, the Empress, standing in the doorway.

"Mama, look. Papa is talking with his long-lost sister," Prince Malik said, pointing at Elyse, his eyes filled with a childlike wonder. The Empress looked at Elyse, but saw only the brown hair and hazel eyes, not the silver and gold of Aniya.

"That is her Descendant, Your Grace. She isn't Alpha Aniya," the Empress said, her voice laced with a gentle authority.

"But she has golden eyes and silver hair like what Papa said," Prince Malik insisted, his voice filled with a childlike conviction. The Empress, however, remained unconvinced.

"Let's go back to bed now, my Prince. You need to take a nap after such a long day," the Empress said, gently pulling Prince Malik away, leaving Elyse and the Emperor to their conversation.

The air crackled with unspoken emotions, a silent symphony of longing, loss, and hope. They were bound by a past that had been ripped apart, but their hearts yearned for a future where they could finally be whole again.