Before the Last Snow

Chapter 16: Sálvalo (Save him)

After finally gathering the courage to question the trembling and afraid owner, Lexon said, "Who is this man in these paintings, ma'am?"

Her stuttering and trembling increased as if she could be any more scared, but she was. Before she could reply to Lexon's question, a man with red eyes and glowing skin entered the room. Immediately, the woman gestured for Lexon to stand behind her, and he did.

"Darling Nathalia, you've brought a guest again. How could you bring an estranged man to the house when I am not there? Do you need to be taught a lesson again, hmm?" he acknowledged.

"Well, dear, I didn't know you'd be here. He just seemed lost, hungry, I thought he could use a meal, nothing much, dear," the fear in the woman's voice was evident.


He approached Lexon with pride in his heavy footsteps and asked him, "I have not seen you before. Who are you, young man?"

"My name is Lexon. I'm the Celion King," Lexon said, unknowing of who the man was.

"Ah, yes. Hedwig has spoken of you, King, and the things you've done for him. Aren't you too brave, though? Everyone knows Moonlanders and their friends are not welcome here, how dare you step foot in my realm?"
"Sir, I did not come here on purpose. A young lad- nevermind. Someone kidnapped me and left me here. I am only trying to find my way back, so I would not be of much trouble to you. If I may be bolder, how do you know Hedwig?" Lexon bowed.

"Hedwig?" the man began laughing, and then spoke to Nathalia, "Look darling, our Hedwig did  such a good job at hiding the truth."
"Hedwig is my son, young man, and Nathalia's."
"But he said he didn't remember his parents and these paintings of him are quite recent. Speak the truth!" Lexon asserted while placing his hand on his swordbelt.

"I am speaking the truth. Hedwig is not. For good reasons, though," the man smirked.
"What are you speaking of?" Lexon questioned him further."
Ah, fine. I will tell you, but only because you won't be able to tell anyone about this."

Lexon, at the moment, ignored what the man meant by his words, and chose to focus on Hedwig's information.

"Hedwig is going to take over the Kingdoms so we can rule over it all."
"Take over? Are you drunk, old man? He would never even think of-"
"Look Nathalia, our son really is a good actor. King Lexon. Are you really that naive? Hedwig was no lost boy, he was sent there, to your kingdom so he could win you over. Now, he is charming the Moonlanders and once he becomes successful at that, it won't be long before the other weak kingdoms bow, no kneel, before us. But, but you won't get to see the action, tsk tsk. Guards! Take him to the dungeons and lock him there. I will kill this man myself once I come back."

The guards were quick to follow his orders and of course, they did. They were under his control. Although Hedwig's father, Kithe, was a Zath, he had created a bond so deep with his wife (who was a Cherean) that he could use her powers to influence everyone in the town. He was King, but not the real one. Perhaps, his wife would realize it someday, but not today.

As the guards took Lexon away, Kithe whispered into Nathalia's ears, "Darling, I must go and send Hedwig a message. Don't do anything silly while I'm gone, hmm? Just be a good wife and knit something or water the flowers. I'll be back soon anyway, but you'll be in charge till then."She didn't move even an inch as he planted a power-lust kiss on her forehead. She stood there, frozen, empty, numb.

Just as he departed, Nathalia went down to the basement and mumbled a foreign language to the guards, which caused them to faint. Then, immediately, she grabbed the keys and set Lexon free.

The first thing that comes out of Lexon's mouth was, "Ma'am. Why are you doing this?"
"You remind me of my son, Lexon. His father would beat me and sometimes him, too. When he was about eight, I sent him away from here. I failed to save him, though. Kithe found him because of their astral connections and ever since-" she began tearing up and slightly sobbing before continuing, "ever since, he threatens Hedwig that if he doesn't listen to Kithe, he will kill me. Anyhow, if I don't save you today, my conscience won't let me live, Lexon. So, please, run away at once. My husband will be here soon, you must leave."
"How can I ever repay this kindness, ma'am?"
"Just save your brother, I beg you. Don't let him turn into a monster."
"I promise you, I won't let him, ma'am."
"Don't call me ma'am, you can call me mother."
"Yes, mother."


Nathalia's ears were filled with elation as she heard him speak those words to her, but her fear was too large and she had to ask him to leave at once. Lexon, too, knew that as much as he missed being a son, he had to go.
"Go towards the jungles and you will find a backward waterfall. Just follow the sounds of water and you will find them, son. Walk through the waterfall and you'll find your horse and your way out. Take care, Lexon."
"You, too. We will meet soon, mother."

Within minutes after the heartache, Lexon disappeared into the greens. He followed the sound of water as Nathalia described and it was not long before he found himself staring at another miracle of nature. The waterfall worked against gravity as the water streams went upwards and just seeing this view could erase Lexon's worries, but he refocused and stepped towards the water body. The dark caramel color of the stones and the chilling water distracted him a little as he bent down to see the pebbles glow brightly. They glowed too bright, too much, until Lexon realized that they were heating up, fast. He barely placed each foot on them to safely (and quickly) make his way to the waterfall. He tiptoed his way through and once he passed it, he noticed some blisters form, but he couldn't stop now. He limped his way through the waterfall and suddenly a thick and dense fog surrounded him again, but this time he didn't faint. Once he walked out of the mist, he found himself on a dirt road with Pearl standing there, she was fine. He also noticed the young boy again, and he questioned him, "How do I save Hedwig?"

"Now you have asked the right question
To save Hedwig from his obsession,
Help him find his true love's soul
and return the one he stole"

Lexon kept repeating those words and before he could query the boy about more, he had vanished. Lexon had enough evidence. He can return. He had to return. 

A/N

Hello lovelies! It has been a long time, right? Ah, I'm sorry you all had to wait so long, but I'm back :) How are you all doing?  I hope you're fine.

By the way, two characters mentioned in this chapter are going to die :)