Venator : Devil's Moon

XXXIV SEBASTIAN'S SCAR

■□■

[ A Few Days Ago ]

"There's a way out." Pamela said.

She had eavesdropped Sebastian's entire conversation with Uncle Rob regarding Delroy's offer - he'd get back Aunt Jane from Gudruk provided Laura is traded to them. This forced Sebastian in a dilemma. He couldn't lose his aunt and neither, like a selfish heartless monster he once was, could he simply give away Laura who trusted him with her life.

"I don't know whether it'd work 100%. But considering the situation you fools have created, it is your best shot." Pamela said.

"I'm telling you this but I don't recommend it. In fact, forget I said anything. It's way too risky." Pamela uttered. She was herself in a dilemma - whether to suggest the only way which might work or refrain from putting Sebastian into a terrible risk.

"What are you talking about?" Sebastian said. He couldn't think with Pamela's blabbering. And her decision to dissipate her suggestion even before saying it was driving him mad.

"Tell me." Sebastian said.

Pamela opened her mouth intending to stay stubborn on her wavering decision. However the deadly glow in Sebastian's eyes made her speak. The name of Delroy was itself enough to stir such hatred within him; and now that the wretched creature, after destroying his family, still intended to play with another one of his family, his wrath knew no limits.

"This is just a theory and I don't think anyone has tried it ever before." She said, her eyes full of nervousness. What if she failed?

"Your father-" she paused when Sebastian flinched.

"You remember what he did when you were exactly six years six months old?" Pamela said.

"How could I forget?" Sebastian said. His eyes flashed with anger momentarily.

Those born in royal Deathstar families, like Sebastian, had to undergo a sinister ritual when they're exactly six years six months old.

Suddenly he was six and a half years old.

"Bered, take Lady Iris to her room." Julius ordered his servant.

"Mother?" Sebastian said weakly as a tear trickled down Iris' cheek.

"Julius, is it really necessary?" Her horrified voice was mingled equally with disbelief.

"Iris, I told you. It's a tradition of our family. Soul of the first born must be sacrificed to Lady Melissa. I can't let my emotions cloud my sense of duty. You must understand too." He said gravely. Though he intended to sell his son to Lady Melissa's statute that stood in the dungeons beneath the Merigrimmian Castle, his shoulders were strained and eyes moist.

"I'm sorry Sebastian." He whispered taking care Sebastian won't hear him.

"Bered, why are you still standing? Take her away." Julius said and roughly led his son away from his mother, into the dungeons.

Down there was a cave hidden from everyone's views, from everyone's knowledge. And there stood the statue of Lady Melissa, the Guardian of the Deathstars, the knowledge of whose existence in current age was equally hidden from all.

Sebastian reached his soulblade which hung by his waist. Having trained as a warrior since right when he'd learned walking, the cold metallic touch of his soulblade was his only source of comfort.

His tiny eyes studied the cave. Flames that circled along the walls of the cave casted an orange glow all over the place. The cave was still dark. At the centre stood a tall statute of a warrior lady who radiated as much menace as the fury her one eye did; the other one was hidden beneath a curtain of long loose hair which reached until her knees. Dressed in an armour and bathed in rage, the statue filled every Deathstar heart with such pride and confidence their wrath would increase a zillion times.