Loki POV
The darkness of night had descended upon the Kenelm Capital. The who town slept, including the ones in the Ashington's mansion.
It was quiet, almost too quiet, I would say if we weren't in the home of a peaceful family, who lived in a peaceful land, far away from any dangers.
Peaceful, enough... I guessed.
In her bed, Cecilia slept. Her figure wrapped tightly in blankets. The full moon glow illuminating her face, giving it an ethereal glow.
Watching as a stray piece of hair, which laid on Cecilia's lips was blown up and came back down in a steady manner, I couldn't help by smile. But the smile faded in time when the though of her dying came to mind.
I touched her cheek softly and then, I found her hand, which peaked out of the covers.
Taking it, gently, I brought it up to my lips and kissed it.
"I pledge to save you. Even if it costs me my life." I said simply, and with that, electricity ran through my body. I felt myself about to jerk backwards but I stopped myself, in fear that Cecilia would wake up.
I paused for a moment, looking if Cecilia would wake up, but when she didn't I breathed a sigh of relief.
I backed away from her then, and lifted up my sleeve, revealing three tattooed circles, and a new one materializing. The first two were black circles while the other two were red like blood.
My eyes darkened slightly as I gazed at these rings. There were things from my past that I had done that I'm not proud of. That I wish I hadn't done but those were too late to regret. Now, I just didn't want to regret anything else.
Looking back at Cecilia's face I whispered a spell of protection. Then I left the room.
Walking through the big halls, passed long windows which revealed the beautiful night scenery, I could have felt serene but my mind was elsewhere.
My blood was boiling and I could feel a beast rage within me.
Duke Ashington, that bastard.
How dare he bind her and then forget about her so simply after her death! I thought.
It almost make me want to kill him myself. The feeling of bitterness and anger was ever present, but because I couldn't help but remember my own father— if he could even be called that— and how horribly he had thrown me out of his house, into the slums. I felt my core burn.
What Duke Ashington had done was no different. He had sealed Cecilia's fate.
With that final though I felt myself lose control for a moment.
And that moment was all Gerald needed to find me... I knew this. And once Gerald appeared before me like air I just clicked my tongue.
"Where do you think you're going?" Gerald said firmly, his pose never changing. He was astute and alert, just in case he had to use his skills to take someone down.
It didn't matter if the one standing in front of him was a friend or a foe.
"Out." I responded.
I usually showed him more respect. He was my master. The person who had taught me how to fight so I could protect my lady but he was Duke Ashington's right hand. He must have known something about the bind!
And if so, I couldn't allow him to know. I would save Cecilia no matter what. Even if I have to release the power I hurried deep inside. Even if I have to kill...
I walked towards Gerald, planning to pass him without problem. But the man swiftly blocked my path with his arm.
My heart clenched.
I didn't want to kill Gerald. He was the person who taught me so much, who raised me...
But what would happen if I killed him? I'd lose a "father" and Cecilia would lose me. I was stuck.
With those thoughts in mind, I clenched my fist. I had grown weak.
"Let me pass." I said.
Gerald ignored me.
"You're going to kill the prince." He said coldly.
Hearing this, my eyes grew wide and I looked at him with complete disgust.
"What do you take me for?" I spat. I felt my whole body grow hot and my firsts clench.
"You love the young miss." Gerald said.
I frowned.
"Not obsessively enough to ruin her life." I almost growled.
"Then where are you going." He asked without flinching at my emotion.
"There is something I need to find. A present." I said. This was no lie. Not inherently, at least.
"Her birthday's not for six months." Gerald said matter of factly.
"Engagement present." I grunted.
Hearing this, Gerald reacted. His mouth tugged slightly as if he wanted to laugh but the expression on his face was bitter rather than joyous.
He moved aside.
Gerald: "Do are you wish. Just don't bring trouble back with you."
I nodded and then began to head out, but before I did, Gerald spoke once more.
"Take care of yourself. Don't get yourself killed. The young miss will never recover if you're gone." Gerald said simply, not even trying to stop me from leaving the premises.
***
Passing by an alleyway, the scent of potent liquor filled my every senses. Yet I wasn't as a bar yet. Not even close.
From the corner of my eye, I looked down it and I saw a small gathering of men. I didn't want to be too obvious though, so I didn't stop and observe. Instead I just allowed myself to get a beat minimum of the information. Along with a few words.
Listening to people, I allowed my eyes to turn red, but I looked down so no one would notice.
If they saw my eyes, there was no doubt in my mind that someone would recognize me. There was no one like me in Kenelm...
Walking down the streets, there wasn't much information I could gather. The grand majority of people we're compulsive liars and that was what I had expected but there was one place I knew I could find a truthful soul.
Walking by a cloaked man, I stopped suddenly, and then I walked to the door right beside him.
"Where is the true light? Where does it burn, and where does it reside?" The old man cackled. His voice raspy as if someone was holding onto his throat.
"There is only one light. The light is we. It is I." I said without hesitations.
With that said, the man knocked on the door three times then opened to door.
I walked in.
As soon as I walked in memories of this place had stuck to me from childhood. The smell of tobacco, the loud booming chatter... it was all so familiar.
This place was filled with heathen. And not any kind of heather. They were mostly mercenaries and people who used powers which they shouldn't.
People who believed that they were better than everyone. That they were meant for greater things. All in all, terrorists.
I sat down in an empty booth and laid against the seat calmly. As if I belonged here. My eyes sweeping every single person in the room, checking for the pendent.
"What would you like to drink, darling?" A young bar maid said to me as she leaned her breasts towards me.
At first, I just wanted to refuse but I knew this wouldn't look good here so I put down a couple of silver coins on the table, "anything strong."
The woman smiled coquettishly, "right away."
"Wait," I said interrupting the woman. She stopped.
"Do you know anything about this?" I said taking the picture out of my pocket showing her the pendent.
This was a risky tactic but it seemed like no one inside the room was wearing the pendent and so, if I wanted to lure anyone out I had to be bold.
The woman took the picture and observed it.
She shook her head. "No, sorry, darling."
My eyes flowed red for a split second. Determining that she was telling the truth.
"Okay, thanks." I said politely.
To this the woman smiled and then she left.
I frowned as I looked down at the paper.
Usually these people didn't involve themselves in the affairs of simple men... I knew this, but some strange magical feats have been happening here.
I thought for a second, then, I suddenly heard footsteps approaching me. My ears perked. I could feel the malice in them and so, I turned swiftly, preparing my body for an attack but once I was turned, a young woman stood before me.
"Why are you looking for Primstone Pendent?" The woman said venomously. She was not speaking using the language of Kenelm. Instead she had a think Mein accent.
I frowned.
A child of the Mein empire... my mothers homeland.