An innocent heart is purged of its innocence. Amber eyes, burn and seethe at the cruelties of the world. Love gives way to hate. Justice bows to vengeance. And the skies are eclipsed as the Black Stars descend from the skies...
My novel, tackles and...
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_________________________________ "I know that look. You're recalling a past battle aren't you!? Don't tell me, did you actually battle Damar?" Jinto asked with surprise.
"No, I wouldn't dream of it..." Jaleel bespoke.
Jinto stared in absolute shock! Did this pillar of pride, Jaleel, just admit that he was afraid to fight someone? This man, whom exudes confidence and reeks of arrogance?
"No need to look so shocked brother. I wouldn't have dreamt of fighting her back then, but now? I'd take her on for sure," Jaleel affirmed.
An amused smirk was painted on Jinto's lips. That's the Jaleel I know... as if he could ever be humble enough to admit someone is too much for him.
"Jinto. I met Damar most recently in a distant land where there resides The Seven Siblings," Jaleel confessed.
His younger brother wore a puzzled expression.
"Hmph, The Seven Siblings are a group of brothers and sisters whom wield uncanny Qudra, each deriving from their individual vocal prowess. I have met two of them, one of them in particular... has earned my countenance... I'll call her The Kesar Vocalist for now. One particular night, she and I had concluded our meeting," The Prince of Lightning elucidated.
Jinto's eyes narrowed. A meeting? A girl? Who does he think he's fooling? He can act as cold blooded as he wants, he's still a man. I bet this so-called Kesar Vocalist, is more than just a friend. Why else would a self-absorbed guy like him ever give her the time of day? I bet there's something more... amorous to it? Just then, mischief covered his face.
"Jinto! This, is no laughing matter. Pay close attention. As The Kesar Vocalist and I parted ways, a strange, cold, murderous air swept our surroundings. In an instant, the street lamps were extinguished and two figures stood upon a rooftop. Peering down at The Kesar Vocalist. Unbeknownst to her, I decided to hide behind a wall and observe this strange occurrence. That's when I saw it. It was unmistakable. Those wretched amber eyes, malevolently gleaming. Those inhuman, slit pupils dilating with bloodlust. It was Damar and her accomplice Hakeem. They conversed and concluded to themselves that The Kesar Vocalist was one of their targets that they were ordered to kill," Jaleel explained.
"D-Damar... what the hell were you doing..?" Jinto lamented. He wanted it all to be lies. To reject what had just insulted his ears. But alas, he knew the words of his older brother to be as true as lightning itself.
"Damar, descended from the rooftop. Swinging a blazing ball and chain, composed completely of fire. At once, I jumped from the shadows, standing between her and my friend. Immediately, Damar ceased her advance. Her fiery mace vanished. And she looked at me with derisive scorn. Followed by sadness. And departed, ordering Hakeem to fallback. That they'd kill The Kesar Vocalist another time... But Hakeem didn't obey his orders. He made evident, his contempt and hatred towards me, because I apparently resembled someone who hurt him or something. Whatever his reason was, it was stupid. So I laughed at him and told him to run along home to mommy Damar, before I decide to kill him," Jaleel said with a cocky smile.
Jinto face palmed, "Yep... that does sound like something you'd do."
"Well, to make a long story short. Though I was the victor, our battle left us both at death's door. Hakeem lost consciousness as he bled out. My vision could barely hold out, but before I too succumbed to my injuries, I witnessed Damar return. She was furious! She berated Hakeem and told him how he'd be tortured for this, before leaving with his unconscious body. When I came to, Kesar was healing me with her Qudra," Jaleel explained.
"This is unbelievable!" Jinto exclaimed.
"Indeed..." Jaleel agreed, crossing his arms.
"What I'd like to know is why she looked at you with hatred, then sorrow? And why did Damar withdraw when she saw you? No offence but, she has no need to run from you. She even had an accomplice with her. But, most mystifying of all is the fact that she was furious when she saw Hakeem had attacked you? She said he'd be tortured for it," Jinto mulled, as the rabbit hole only deepened for him.
"Most curious indeed brother. But I suspect it has something to do with what Haytalek said. That I'd reclaim my true greatness, that I'd join my so-called people in due time. It's all connected, Damar, Haytalek, Hakeem and whoever the Origin are," Jaleel declared.
"I think I've seen your eyes turn amber before? But your pupils weren't slit," Jinto said.
"I too, have witnessed yours turn amber with no slits..." the older brother replied.
The two of them began to grind their teeth. It was as though, fate was holding a mirror up at them, however, only time would tell what it really was, that they could see in the reflection of destiny.
"Y-you don't think... we really do belong to the Origin... do you?" the younger brother nervously asked.
"I'm not sure. Our eyes don't have slits. Nor are they permanently amber. Perhaps Haytalek and Damar did something to us?" Jaleel theorised.
"No, they seem way too invested in us emotionally for us to simply be some test subjects that they randomly chose. Plus, whenever I'd be near Damar, I'd feel something within me change..." Jinto said.
"Hmm, that holds true for me as well, regarding Haytalek. I'd feel something change and my power surge.." Jaleel confirmed.
"But.. Frude and Evera are our parents... right?" Jinto bespoke.
An esoteric expression adorned The Prince of Lightning, "Yeah... maybe," he muttered, then added, "Those amber eyed freaks want me alive for something... And, they want you too! Frederick told me everything. I know she was asking of you tonight. How she became possessed with rage until Frederick assured her of your wellbeing. How a strange man named Sakar, mentioned that Damar has secretly been protecting Melanina from threats even worse than the Vikes. How he is trying to age us like fine wine, through the intoxication of hatred towards humanity. Frederick fears they'll one day claim us by force... But they seem especially keen on you. Yes, the Origin, circle our fates like sharks circling marooned swimmers..."
