Bright One | Empire of Blood and Swords Series

50. I'm Scared

-50-
-I'm Scared-

"He's gone. . ." emptiness burrowed itself into Saoirse's tone.

Her eyebrows folded and Seth felt—more than he saw—something die in her core. Devastation is a very cruel thing. It gnaws at your heart, letting you know that you've failed at whatever you're doing. And that all your hard work was all for nothing.

The place where Crom has stood collapsed into dust and cracks. As if he blasted himself into the sky and disappeared.

Joanne put a hand on Saoirse's shoulder, rubbing her gently. But even the Joanne herself had the emptiness inside. They had the chance to wound him, but he got away. Perhaps this just shows they weren't strong enough.

Seth observed the aftermath of the battle. Quite a handful had survived the near-death experience, but the not so lucky ones. . . Their blood and corpses were the only evidence of how they had met their deaths. There were a few craters from the blasts and stuff, and trees around have fallen.

A weak cough pulled his attention. Samson sprung up, his cold eyes wide with unspoken terror. Saoirse rushed to him, checking for any injuries like the protective sister she is. Seth locked gazes with Sapphire, but he quickly looked away. Was it shame that had clung onto him? For he knew his sisters were aware of what he did. Of what power he had used on Crom.

Samson coughed. "S-Sister, forgive me—"

"—Hush now," Saoirse cut him off, messing his curls.

Samson didn't seem convinced, for the smile on Saoirse's face was tight. Sapphire put a hand on Samson's shoulder, her eye-bags dark.

They pulled him up, and Seth quickly went over to hold him. It's been a while since they've talked to each other. But the moment their skins touch, Seth didn't feel any barrier. Blood is thicker than water, after all.

Someone stomped their foot. Saoirse met Joanne's hard gaze, their faces both stoned and masked. She flung a limp Odette onto Saoirse's feet, hands trembling with rage.

"Where did Crom get your brother's true name?" Joanne demanded. "Who else's names does he have?"

"I don't know."

"Kuso!" She pointed at Seth, disappointment slipping onto her face. "He read through Odette's mind. Do you know how she got your brother's name?"

Seth said nothing. A trail of fire with an icy touch filled Seth's nostrils. This is what anger smelt like. Samson's claws sunk into Seth's shoulders, but Seth didn't feel any pain.

In the depths of his mind, only questions circled him. Where did she get Samson's name? Who could've told her? No one except Seth knew, and he's already forgotten that name a few days after Samson told him.

Odette never told him she had Samson's name. Nevertheless, they swore to be true to each other, to only tell the truth. Something this big shouldn't be kept a secret, because if someone found out they could manipulate their names. So why didn't she tell him? Was she planning on. . . betraying him?

Seth huffed. She was a snake, just like her old man. It was only fitting. Because no matter how many times a snake sheds its skin, it will still be a snake.

The tension was heavy that one could cut it with a knife. Soft footfalls pulled their attention.

Joanne turned to her soldiers, the clanking of their armour sent those around them to cry out for help. Identical insignias of a deer was imprinted onto their chest-plate, which they showed off boldly.