The Rebelero Brothers' Curse

Twenty-two

*Jessamine*

There was only a month left until the day of the dead. Only one month until the convergence of the Great Spirits and until the Great Spirits claimed the brothers bodies, declaring the earth as their own. Just one more month until everything was turned upside down.

They met in the worst possible way and I blamed myself for that. I should have been a better leader and told him sooner. The convergence was coming hundreds of years before it should, but there is no stopping it despite our wishes.

So many Warriors were buried today. Far too many. We all wept silently until dawn as we buried and held vigil over them. He held me and cooed comforting words until we arrived to my home and I fell asleep. I wanted to slip into a deep sleep and not have to worry about the chaos that was to come, but nightmares invaded my dreams. I slept less than an hour when I woke. My whirring mind kept me up since and I could not rest no matter how much I wanted to. Luke slept deeply as he cradled me to him. All that was left of his wounds was a light bruise on his face. I lightly touched it and studied his features. 

Suddenly tears that I did not think could be produced blurred my vision. He trusted me fully and believed everything I have said and will say. He was a strong man and warrior whom I knew loved me. I saw it in his eyes and in his unquestioning trust. He would fight in any direction the Restorer or I would point him, but even the strongest man could fall to his knees facing the Destroyer.

 'Do not speak so lowly of him. His ignorance can be fixed with guidance. He is a true warrior.'

My conscience immediately scolded me for thinking so negatively, but I could not help it. There are so many unknown factors about this specific convergence that scared me for his life. The Restorer has not been able to fully grab a hold of Luke and I just could not figure out why. The Darkness around Adrian was massive and still gaining strength. He would lose in a battle with his brother. It concerned me greatly. I do not know what I would do without him. Deep in my soul I knew I would be incomplete without him. I did not have to know him long to know our connection was deeper than infatuation.

Suddenly tears spilled down my cheeks. I have made so many mistakes and I would pay gravely for them. I allowed it to be put off. I was in denial like the rest of the clan, but I should of known better.

I sighed and gently touched his cheek.

In that moment Luke's eyes popped open revealing one golden eye and one blue eye. It was the Restorer! I realized in shock.

He slowly smiled at me which caused the tears to flow faster down my cheeks. He radiated kindness and light, but most of all love.

'You lack faith child where it is needed greatly.'

His lips did not move, but his voice was a gentle baritone that caressed my hurting heart. "But I'm failing him as a Guardian..." My voice trailed off as emotion closed up my throat.

'Do not weep child' he stroked my cheek gently. 'You have not failed me. You have done well. After Darkness's ploy to rattle our people, you deserve to know what your mother never had the chance to tell you. You have housed my essence, all this time my child. The curse of the Dark one has made it so.'

"I-I don't understand," I stammered.

'The tainted one brought upon herself the curse of Darkness. It saddens me to say, but Darkness has tainted my gift of love with this young man. Darkness seeks to destroy goodness and love in the most twisted way. During convergence it is not Lucian who will perish, but my vessel. He is not my vessel child, you are.'

The shock on my face was evident and sad eyes looked upon me. My heart was shattering and I could barely whisper, "How is that possible?"

'The curse prevents my entrance into Lucian as my host for convergence. I knew your souls would find each other. You were willing to receive me so I chose you as my temporary vessel. Lucian is empty when he should not be which is why Darkness is able to touch him so easily. I can only touch him for brief periods of time. It is made easier when you are with him, but that is not enough. I will not be able to reach him fully until the greatest sacrifice is made.'

"My death..." My blood ran cold as I suddenly knew the answer.

'The death of the pure one or the death of the tainted one. It will be his choice. Not until then may I fill the Vessel who was made for me. The curse deems it so.'

I cried in horror at this truth. I could not contain my cries of pain. Lucian had to choose between me and his mother. I knew she lived and I knew where she was, but how could I allow him to choose me over his mother?

'The tainted one's death will destroy the curse while the death of the pure one will open my proper Vessel. What you do with this knowledge will be your choice. From there, it will be his choice.'

I could not stop myself from crying so uncontrollably. I could not allow Darkness to rule knowing the choice was partly mine in what I told Luke, but how could I willingly leave him?

'There may be a way around it, but he wakes, I must go for now daughter. Hold to your faith and Darkness will not rule.' He smiled and kissed my forehead. The Restorer was gone leaving Luke's body as it was.

He woke and kissed me gently. "Why does my queen weep?"

My heart fluttered when he called me his queen despite my despair. 

"Just hold me and do not let go." My voice broke and I wept harder.

"Shh...all will be well. Your pain will pass. I will be here for you always my queen. Nothing will harm you so as long as there is breath in my lungs." He held me closer and rubbed my back trying to comfort me. 

If only he knew it would be I who would have no breath in order for Darkness to be vanquished. 

*******
*Adrian*

'Tonight was quite comical Adrian.'

Darkness and I laughed. "The face of that imbecile was priceless."

I was at the high point of an oak tree. I used the leaves to conceal myself. The Santeri clan would be looking for me after all the warriors I had slain. Ah it felt good to kill again. I could not wait until I had my next victim's throat in my hands.

I smirked to myself and picked at the dry blood from my finger nails.

"You must not underestimate him. He may be new to this but my counterpart is not. Light has many tricks up his sleeve. "

"The amulet? No worries, it will be in my possession soon. That woman will not stop me. I just have to wait for the perfect timing. She wears it around her neck you know?"

"You must find it and take it. It may have been forged of Darkness, but even Light has a hold over it. It could be used in the favor of either one of us."

"You are right. What about my mother?" I silently cursed myself for allowing my voice to crack.

"You weak fool." Darkness scoffed at me. "Your mother must not be found by Lucian. Once the amulet is in our possession, he will seek your mother as a back up. Killing her will end my curse and I will be forced to lay dormant once more. It is the girl he must choose to kill. He wont be able to focus and may even give up" Darkness laughed.

"Understood, but what do I do about m-my mother?"

"Make sure she is well hidden and that there is absolutely no trace of her that can be found. Which means finding out what Celeste knows, understood?"

"Yes, may your will be done."

A/N

Hey there everyone! I want to start off by thanking all of you who support me and read my book!

How was this chapter for you guys?? I know it's kind of short, but I felt like this was necessary to get the story moving along. 

Please don't forget to comment and vote!

Cheers

C