If I would have died protecting them, it would have been better than this. They saved me and I did nothing. I couldn’t even avenge them right, Emil thought as his eyes emptily drifted to the darkened recesses of the cave where their final moments played out before him. Why am I so weak? He questioned himself as he witnessed them fall once more. His stomach twisted as he remembered how he stepped in only after it was all said and done. The taste of bile irrigated his palette, but he choked it down, bitter at his own lack of action.
He was disgusted with his unfulfilled resolve. The tears that steadily streamed from the sides of his cheeks ceased to fall as his guilt ignited into a silent rage. Despite the pain, despite the hurt, he knew that he had to stay alive. His drive to kill the only person who he hated more than himself wouldn’t settle for anything less. Only then could he throw his life away.
“Mourn now but we fight later once you gather your strength again,” Arius said as turned to face his brother. “Use that pain you feel to seek revenge on Raphael and his men, the bastards who took everything away from us.” From against the cavern wall Emil looked at his brother and silently agreed to his brother’s proposition.
“Blood for blood,” Arius said as he walked over to Emil’s side to pick up their father’s sword that rested beside him. He picked up the sword and analyzed it before placing it upright against the wall where Emil rested. “Keep it in case they come for you.”
“Where are you going?” Emil asked as he noticed the fire in his brother’s eyes.
“To get food. We need to eat,” he said bluntly before turning to the opening of the cave, looking to venture out into the darkness.
“Wait…”
“Hm?” Arius’s black layered hair swooned over his dark eyes as he turned once more, curious to see what his brother had in mind.
“How did you do what you did back there… in the house. You never explained. What was that?”
“I wanted him to stop so he did. We… connected. How? I’m not too sure yet. But that is what practice is for, isn’t it little brother? As soon as you are able to, that is what we will be doing. In order to kill Raphael and anyone who stands in our way, we need to learn the extents of our powers. It’s just me and you now. We can’t afford to be weak.”
“Yeah…”
“If I’m not back before sunrise, then look for me. Other than that, stay put,” Arius said as walked out into the wilderness.
Chapter 13: Family
Well before the sun rose, Omari, with his heavy mind, walked the grounds of the abandoned church in which they hid. With only his thoughts and the ambience of the night, he walked alone until on his path he managed to find Emil.
He stood on the rooftop of the church, watching the unseen hours unfold while the world slept beneath him. As he peered out over the town, his eyes held steadfast to the blank gaze that he wore over his face like a mask. For so long, it seemed that he had stowed away his true feelings, only showing others what was most convenient while his heart hung heavy. Only recently had he begun to express how he truly felt.
There’re all gone… and I’m to blame. Not just Serenity and the others but the village of Nerai as a whole. All this time I was searching for them but now that they’re gone, what’s left in this world for me? It was foolish to think that I could have my own piece of paradise while the world suffered. That’s why I -.
“So you’ve awakened… I see the silence of the night draws on you too, Emil.” Omari’s surprise visit pulled Emil back from thoughts and replacing them with his newly found ally.
“Hm? Yeah… and you as well,” Emil answered before turning back to the skyline.
“Usually, when my mind wonders, I go out on walks like these in the night. Sometimes around the church, other times wherever the wind takes me. The destination hardly matters… it’s more so the journey. Sometimes a simple walk is all I need. Other times I’ll reflect somewhere quiet until the sun comes up. Either way, the twilight has long since been an aide to my troubles.”
“On nights like these I would always find a way to be alone but somehow Serenity would always find me.” A faint smile ran across Emil’s face as the memories they shared projected themselves against the night sky. “She was good at that. And then when she did, she’d always find a way to make me smile. No matter how stupid or silly, it was she would always find a way. It’s sad that, even now, a part of me is still waiting for her.”
“Emil… when faced with opposition, there are two choices. We can let it tear us down and defeat us or we can rise again and overcome. The death of your loved ones was very unfortunate. Loss is something few are spared from in these times, but aside from what has happened, the question that remains is what will you do in their memory?” Omari’s words were accompanied by a cool breeze that swept atop the church, ruffling the black scarf he wore around his neck as it danced in the wind. Though it was a reality Emil had already known, the words Omari spoke weighed heavily upon him. For it was the same question that, since his family’s passing, he had asked himself.
“Serenity wanted a better world. Ever since her father died it was a dream of hers to live in a world with no violence, no war… just peace. Part of the reason our connection was so strong was because, at one time, we shared the same vision. Ever since I was a boy, I wanted to see a world where we could all coexist as equals, but that dream was stolen from me at a very young age. Pointless murders were committed all for the sake of a slight difference. It was naïve of me to think that if I kept my mouth shut and my eyes closed that things would turn out okay. For my resistance to action, I paid the ultimate price. I understand now that it is my burden to bear; knowing that they lost their lives because of me. I thought that killing Silvia would bring closure, but nothing has changed. Nothing can be gained by simply killing a messenger. That is why I’ve decided to do something that I should have done long ago, Omari. I’m going to kill my brother, King Arius.”
Chapter 14: The Man Who Would Become God
5 Years Ago
“They probably think we’re dead by now, but still, stick to the plan. Head low, body movement natural. No sudden movements.” Arius’s voice melded in unison with the pattering droplets of rain that fell from above as both he and Emil walked the city streets. “We get in, we get out. You have nothing to worry about, brother. The mundane weather actually adds to our advantage.”
The smile that emerged on his brother’s face did little to console Emil. As they neared their destination, his body trembled more so with every step. The rusty knife he hid beneath his garment that pressed against him, served as a constant reminder of what was to be done.
“There.” Arius jutted his head forward as he continued to walk towards the house that stood not too far in the distance. The set of lanterns stationed at the front of his home illuminated the path to Raphael’s house, causing it to stand out in the sea of black around them. “As we practiced. Pick the lock in the back of the house while I stand guard. Not many people are out tonight due to the rain as well as the time. Still, be as swift as possible. Regardless of the circumstances, time is still our enemy.”
Adhering to his brother’s orders, Emil snuck to the back of the house and pulled out an old lock pick that rested in his pocket. Carefully he examined his surroundings before squatting down to analyze the lock that bolted the door shut.
“Focus,” he muttered to himself as he attempted to stop his shaking hand before beginning to do his part. With a deep breath, he inserted the pick into the keyhole and began to meticulously work at the security piece. A sharp click pinged as his hand slipped forward, severing the pick in two. “Damn it!” Emil swore as the head of the pick fell to the ground, immersing itself in a puddle that lay beneath his feet. Emil looked back at Arius and then scanned behind his back before illuminating a small spark in the palm of his hand. With a quick jolt of energy at the base door, it creaked open. Emil then waved his hand at his brother, but he had already seen the fruits of his labor and was on hi
s way.
“Good job,” Arius whispered as he pressed himself against the back of the house beside his brother. “I’ll go in first.”
Emil remained silent as his brother passed him and entered the house where Raphael stayed.
“Come on,” Arius whispered as he signaled Emil to venture deeper into the house. Silently they crept though the interior, staying out of sight, as the house was still lit on the inside. In the silence of the night, Raphael’s voice reverberated through the halls, leading the two of them to where he stayed.
“Read the story again, daddy!”
“Yeah, please!”
A set of lighter voices became apparent as Arius and Emil drew closer to Raphael’s location.
His daughters are with him? A cold chill ran down Emil’s spine as his body suddenly stiffened.
“It’s time, Emil. Guard this exit until I gain control of the situation. It seems things are going to go a little bit different than what we planned.” After saying his piece, Arius stepped into the room while Emil remained stationary at Raphael’s possible escape route.
“Raphael... I’ve finally found you.” As Arius stepped into the center of the room he removed the black hood that rested over his dark hair. A demented smile ran across his face as he basked in the terrified expression that exuded from Raphael’s usually superior persona. “What lovely daughters you have. I suppose they are back with you since Catherine’s passing earlier this year?”
“Daddy, do you know him?”
Arius walked closer to the little girl and kneeled down to meet her at eye level. “Your father,” he paused as he momentarily looked into Raphael’s eyes. “Your father was a good friend to my parents. Isn’t that right, Raphael?”
The chair that Raphael sat in scuffed the hard wooden floor as he hurried to stand to his feet. “Arius!”
“Yes?” Arius responded as he casually flicked his hair back, basking in the ambience of Raphael’s desperation as he ran to grab the sword that rested on top of the mantle of the fireplace.
“Girls, get away from that man.”
“Yes, go to your father.” Arius said as he raised his hands slowly into the air and slowly distanced himself from the both of them. “You shouldn’t point the sword at me like that, Raphael. Cutting down an unarmed man isn’t a good thing for the girls to see.”
“Why are you here!?”
“You know why I’m here. It’s actually insulting that you had to ask. Four months ago, you killed my mother and my father in pursuit of my brother. All three were innocent of any crime. At the order of a tyrant, you mowed them both down but made the fatal mistake of letting myself and my brother escape.” Raphael moved closer with his sword, but Arius remained unmoved. “What? Plan on killing me in front of your daughters? I don’t think you’ll do that. Not even someone who is as scum-like as you could do such a thing. Now point that thing away from me.”
Raphael’s body subtly jolted before his hand started to shake against his will. “What’s… what’s happening to me? You’re–”
“An abomination…just like my brother? Cursed, according to those who have no idea what being cursed truly is. Raphael, you’ve watched me grow from a young boy to who I am today. I am the same Arius only far more gifted than you are now. It’s amazing how easily you can erase a person’s history simply because you choose to believe the lie the king shoves down your throat. Anything so you don’t have to think. But I ask you, Raphael, if I am a demon then what does that make you? An angel? And if so, wouldn’t that make the current king God? Hardly. A man on a throne who barks orders and undermines his people is revered as such only by the lapdogs who grovel for his leftovers. Yes, that’s what you are. A lapdog… taking orders from whoever is your master.”
“Girls, run!” cried Raphael to his daughters.
“Your daughters won’t be going anywhere. Don’t worry. I won’t hurt them. In fact, they’ll stay right here.” Arius directed his attention to Raphael’s daughters who stood behind him on opposite sides of his parted legs. “Both of you… kneel before your father and don’t say a word.” As if in a trance, his two daughters emerged from behind him and kneeled at his feet as ordered. “Good.”
“Please, let them go, they had nothing to do with it. I made a mistake! I’m sorry! Please, I’ll–”
“Your begging only compels me to do what I came here to do even more so. Just like you, four months ago I begged, but where was my mercy? As innocent as they may be, so were my parents as well as my brother. Instead of searching inside yourself for a way out or even granting some form of pity, you killed our parents in front of us. How do you suppose that affects a person, Raphael? Being a noble man like yourself, have you ever felt useless, unable to change anything, defeated, watching fate play out as you stand merely as a bystander? From personal experience I can tell you that it is truly a horrible experience. That night when you murdered my parents and almost killed my brother, I felt the same way. But of course as fate would have it, the worlds reversed. At first I thought killing you would be enough to satisfy my thirst for revenge, but in my reflection I decided that killing you outright wouldn’t be enough. No… not nearly enough. While an inferior being such as yourself couldn’t possibly understand what I felt that day, I have taken it upon myself to send you to your own personal hell.” From his cold face a malevolent smile rose as he witnessed the aura of defeat radiating from Raphael’s body.
“As a lapdog, you only live to obey. I understand that. And that is why, as your new master, I command you to kill your daughters.”
Against his will, Raphael’s body moved towards his daughters and his drawn sword rested on the top of one their shoulders. “Please, stop. I’ll do anything. They’re just children!”
“I told you already, your cries do nothing for me. Now aim for the gut and go through her slowly.”
The blade that trembled in Raphael’s hand moved slowly to his eldest daughter. She was not much older than eight years of age. Her hazel eyes stared into his as the blade moved closer.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry.” Tears began to fall from Raphael’s cheeks as he sobbed at the heinous act he was bound to commit against his will; forced to inflict judgment for his own sins upon his daughters.
“Arius, stop!” From the hallway, Emil emerged with fire filling his eyes. The rusty dagger that he held in his hand quaked as he slowly entered into the main room. “You never told me there would be children involved! Arius, this isn’t right and you know it. We aren’t murderers. Let the children go. Block out their memory, or make them mute when they try to speak about it. Can’t you do that?”
“Perhaps… but I’m unsure of the long term effects of my hold. Matters such as these aren’t the opportune time for experimentations of that caliber. Besides, the truth of the matter is, I didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t follow through with the plan if you would have known.”
“With Lady Catherine’s passing, it was the perfect time to get our revenge. For months I’d suspected he’d be on the move once we were not found. That’s why I insisted we stay in the forest away from the main roads. Seeing that Raphael was one of the king’s noblest of men, I knew he wouldn’t stop until he found you to reclaim his honor. You were to be captured and killed simply so he would be in the king’s graces. I, on the other hand, was only seen as a normal human. The King’s orders were to kill you, brother, and once one of his noblest of men failed to do so, shame was brought unto his name.”
“My original plan was to obtain information on his whereabouts through rumors and speculation but progress in that manner came painstakingly slow. My next course of action was to turn myself in and confide in the guard, in hopes of getting Raphael face to face and ending him there, but that would have become messy rather quickly. But as fate would have it, not long ago I heard that Lady Catherine had fallen terribly ill and her daughters were to live with you. Given our family history I narrowed down the places you could have possibly stayed with s
imple logistics and common sense, thus placing us where the three of us stand today.”
“Raphael once said I was an abomination. Perhaps now is the time I embrace my fate. What better way to erase a man from history than to end his legacy? When Raphael dies, he will be the sole cause for all of the misery that befalls him. I am simply the tool used for his judgment.”
“You can’t do this, Arius. They’re just children.” Emil raised the dagger he held up to his chest and began to walk towards his brother. The smokey lilac hue that flooded over the whites of Arius’s eyes, a sign that his powers were heavily in use, intimidated Emil from approaching any closer.
“Don’t you remember that night, brother? Blood for blood. He killed two of ours. We kill two of his. The only difference is that our hands will be spared from the blood split on this day. Regardless of how you feel the reality of the situation is that if these girls live, our lives will be at risk. In time, they will grow to hate our kind just as their father; whether our paths cross with them or not. The chance that they would one day spread the message of hate that they spread so easily to the masses, is simply a chance I can’t take.”
“Perhaps in a different world, things could have been different. But the risks associated with their blood-line, coupled with the deeds of their father, sealed their fate. Brother, lower your dagger.”
Emil’s hand trembled as he contemplated his next move. As he scanned the room, he took note of Raphael’s convulsing body as he struggled to rebuke the commands that he was forced to obey. Not far from him, his daughters silently awaited their fate.
“If I wanted to, you know I could force you to comply,” Arius said. “I chose not to because I know deep down you understand that what I am doing is a necessary evil. I always knew that you didn’t have it in you to do what was necessary. So I took steps to ensure that the burden of what was to come of Raphael and his family fell on my shoulders. Now please, lower your weapon.”
The Dreamer and the Deceiver (The Last Light Book 1) Page 9
