The Next Erased Title for Security Reasons

Chapter 13: Shadows and Reflections

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Fleit Emeyeong, the Floating Islands

The Behemoth curled tightly in a leaf. One year without the one he loved, nothing hurt more. If he didn't eraze his lover's memory, then none of this would have happened, and they'd have been cosy in each other's arms. Until the alignment, that is. Thinking of Shadow and knowing that he would never think of the Behemoth again, made him tremble, and he wanted to cry. But it was for the good of everyone; since the alignment was coming, the five moons positioned thus spake an evil omen to bring pain to those involved, and all he wanted was Shadow to live happily.

If he had no place in the world of Shadow's happiness, then he would not be there. It was that simple. If he had to tear down his feelings, he would.

Since when had he, the selfish and heartless Behemoth, turned into such a pathetic being?

He gazed at the heavens. The constellation of Psyrandiri was upright in the sky. There was mist covering the outer circle of the sundown point. Both read as hard times to come. He remembered the old healer's advice: Forget that person and return home. As the five moons of Nizolensa edged closer and closer for the pentangular alignment, the pain in the Behemoth's heart would only grow. He had to forget Shadow, but he couldn't. Then what other choice did he have, than to make Shadow forget him?

The forested island was directly above the Northern Atolls. The Behemoth jumped down and walked through all the places Shadow had taken him to. He stood on the rock cliff where they had spent long hours of tenderness, hidden away from the rest of the world. A single crystal teardrop oozed down the ethereal beauty that was the 'Prince's' cheek. It dropped into the churning viridian waters of what previously had been an Aguqca ore.

The Behemoth's gaze followed its accelerating progress...

...till it landed on an intimately familiar figure that had thrown itself into that abyss of oblivion.

The Behemoth froze. But only an instant he remained, for, he was floating the next, with his paramour in his hold.

"Unhand me! I chose death! Life has no more meaning to me." Shadow cried desperately, as the Behemoth floated back to the top of the cliff. The Federation's 'Prince' did not turn, he could not bear to look into those misty eyes, and see himself reflected as a stranger. "If you knew how painful it is to have your soulmate erased from your memory, you would have let me die. No matter how I try to remember, how I enamoured was, nothing comes to mind! Except that the way I loved her was to the extent of choosing death to be by her side, if ever I lost her... I've combed through every nook and corner of this Kingdom. I wonder if I came across her; because I can't seem to remember her at all..."

Shadow swallowed. His mouth was dry, his eyes were wet. His lips quivered in the agony of his heart. The Behemoth took one quick glance. The man in his arms was ragged and woebegone; someone that had endured and fought for a long time, but fate had caught up and defeated him at last.

She...? So, Shadow had naturally assumed his paramour to be a woman. The Behemoth lowered his head sadly. I'm so sorry. I just did not want to see you get hurt. The 'Prince' kept his thoughts muted; but Shadow had sensed something. He slid the Behemoth's hood off and gazed into his silver eyes. The latter froze and stared back at the tender expression on the man's face. Shadow charted down the perfect arch of his alabaster brows to the petal lips and remembered this face. Recollecting to the very texture and temperature of this porcelain skin.

"You're so beautiful...it just takes my breath away." He whispered. Shadow couldn't recall anything more, but he held the smaller man gently, and reclined peacefully against the rocks.