The Icarian Bond

Harlowe

                Typically the saying goes "you could cut this tension with a knife", but the overwhelming weight of the tension was running laps around the room like an overfilled balloon waiting for the tiniest pin to explode. The ricochet of a rubber band that snapped after being pulled entirely too tight, even though you've been told not to. The words already escaped Harlowe's lips, so he couldn't back down. He did mean them. I did mean them. His haste for a solution in the moment completely disregarded the fact he asked the demigod of life, rebirth and creation, who was currently already strained with his godly father for going through trial training, to undo his father's decision. Inevitably when he couldn't, which Harlowe knew but never hurt to ask, Harlowe stupidly suggested his wife could. Prince Solenbarri spent his entire life protecting Tahlia. There was a sinking pit in his stomach that had grown to the size of a marbled stone boulder being pulled down by a current. Shit. Harlowe sighed heavily. It's for Syrire. He would do the same for Tahlia. I shame thee not for his anger and forgive his disgruntled discretions. We are the same. I need her and to get her back I need the help of my friends too. Gods have mercy on what is left of my soul. He prayed silently to whatever gods he believed in anymore and continued his bargain.

"Prince," Harlowe spoke cautiously and emphatically, "you know you can not stop fate."

          "We have so far.", voice thick and cut like an ax through a redwood.

"By hiding them away. As not a life to live. Tahlia has been kept like a maid by their father. The least you could do is-"

           "Enough Ireweild!", Prince's hand thrown up in protest. Harlowe watched the demigod restrain using his powers to actually silence him. They were still friends after all.. "I do what I do to keep them safe, to keep all of us safe! Why do you think I'm going through trials? Do you think I wanted this?! Because knowing exactly who you are... knowing what we both know my father wants from me. Tell me. You were there when he saved Kingdom and I life. Where was the mercy your god so offers? Because I am not looking at it from anyone in this room."

"He said you'd both be great warriors.", Harlowe offered the intel solemnly.

         "Which is why he forbade the scroll for so long? Leaving us with only knowledge of its mysteries from visions from my younger brother?" If looks could kill, Harlowe was certain he would be on the floor of Frevde by now.

"Which is why he forbade it forever. When I got assigned an earthbound duty I provided it to you.", Harlowe didn't want to reveal that ever. Even angels are allowed their secrets. Even from their gods. Stocked hidden behind their sight, as long as it doesn't corrupt their souls or cores. They weren't free from temptation. He was trying to help his friends.

         At this revelation, Prince's black and blue eyes turned from a previously manslaughter gaze to more a perplexed poke on an artery. His aura that previously glistened golden falters to a milky white that only amplified the stars shining on his suit. He was calming down, his more human side taking the forefront of his thought. Prince remained silent and stepped backwards to a singular position and nodded for him to continue. A peace offering? Harlowe could only hope.

"I worked for centuries for your father. I have seen, first hand, how corruption consumes him. Corruption that deemed him unfit. Deeds that rotted his soul and core, he craves power. You know that much, you've spoken to the bastard. Gods and Goddesses can do unjustifiable things in moments if the ends justify the means. He knows not such a status quo. I watched him destroy universes for the sake of entertainment. How he could have saved countless lives such as Nessa and Tahlia's mother, Jewel's father, evermore so. Your father chose you both so your prophecies could never reign true. If you died that night, you would have eventually been reincarnated over and over for eons until you dutifully completed your fate. To prevent another from claiming you out of pity and vengeance against him. He claimed you to control you... to prevent it from ever happening. I snuck the scroll from the archives. I triggered and gave Kingdom the final vision of it. It was me, alone, who left the scroll upon your familial counter. You meant nothing but a means to his end. His end was controlling you so you could never take your rightful place. A puppet on a string and I know you know that, Solenbarri, I fucking know you do. I..", Harlowe paused before deciding he wasn't above begging. He painfully stretched out his damaged wings, careful to not rip any of the stitching before rustling them and letting them droop. They felt heavier than before. I'm tired of pretending I'm fine all the time. "I don't know what else to do. When he expelled me, the flames and ice of the underworld upheld its grip on Syrire and me and I couldn't save her. I know not where she is except she is down there. Alone. Undeserving and probably scared to death. He promised me no harm would come of her. Your father is a liar. We have been friends since we were both young in that village. Please, brother, help or guidance. She is the love of my life. I have nothing without her and I don't even know if she is alive. I'm sorry for suggesting Tahlia okay? I'm sorry but we both know what we know! They are a ticket to the underworld."