The Labyrinth of Negrastir

Pledged

Blood splattered across my face. Warm and sticky, almost comforting in its own way.

I opened my eyes just as the last person I expected to come to my rescue slayed a demon.

"Malachi...?"

"Are you out of your mind!" It wasn't a question. What was wrong with him? I thought he hated Hera. "You're just gonna let them kill you!?"

But I never had the chance to respond. As the other demons lunged at us, he shielded me and fought them off until we were the last ones standing amidst the ruins and bloodbath.

Even then, I couldn't move. Worried sick rather than irritated, he helped me up and escorted me back to the woods, where the rest of the court awaited.

Lara didn't let go even as I crumbled under her touch and blankly stared ahead of me.

It was only much later that I learnt she also lost her parents during the onslaught and was holding onto me for dear life – the only person left from her past life.

The next thing we heard was that the Emperor and Empress had been brutally slain and that their lifeless bodies were now on display at the bailey – impaled for all to see.

I glanced at Malachi when the sudden news reached us.

Even though he tried hard not to show his feelings, I could tell by the way he put a distance between himself and the others that the demise of his parents was eating his heart out.

I wriggled myself free from Lara's embrace and swore under my breath.

It was my fault.

If he hadn't lingered behind to fight the demons off, then maybe he could've saved his parents...

Vanir's beaming grin flashed through my mind. The festering agony within me transmuted into a seething brew of hatred and anger.

How could he do this!

All this time, I thought he was capable of changing for the better, that the assassin was wrong. But now... now I wasn't so sure.

I had witnessed Vanir destroy all life between Heaven and Earth – murder innocent people without batting an eye – so how did I forget he was capable of so much misery?

How could I be so stupid, like a fool, and let him deceive me?

In a heartbeat, I stepped onto the chilling air and rode the whistling wind to the palace.

There he was, the prisoner, on his way to claim the throne.

I picked up the pace and followed him into the Great Hall, shutting the double doors behind us before any of the demons could react.

Vanir turned around as if he knew I was on his heels all along. A smile played on his lips while my insides seethed with a burning desire for revenge.

The left-out demons scratched and pounded on the other side of the grand doors, going berserk, desperate to force their way in and save their lord.

With a flick of my wrist, a gleaming sword materialised in my hand. I charged forwards. Even then, as he saw me come at him, he stood his ground without flinching.

I drove the blade through his chest, feeling the resistance of his flesh as I twisted it.

Although he bled, I knew he didn't feel a thing. The sword crumbled to dust, slipping through my fingers like fine sand and vanished into thin air.

I glared at him.

"Do you get it now, Hera? What it feels like to hate this wicked world so much you'd do anything to see it disappear!"