"The more heavy an emotion is—the more it'll refuse to be buried in the ground or stay dead; it'll haunt until its lips were already sated, with no more words to tell. "
AEGIR COULDN'T BREATHE. He was holding his hand tightly on his chest. It was no more than ago when Anthony followed Alucard's teaching and it also wasn't that long when they witnessed how his body glowed—first white; until it morphed into the lighter shade of purple. A burst of light spread from Anthony through the surroundings; until it stopped to the corpses, entering through their bodies. The bodies also gleamed, a rather disoriented ray of lights: purple, green, and white. The place became too eerily quiet, only their own breathing could be heard and the occasional sobs they couldn't find where they originated.
But the most bizarre of all that's happening is the heavy feelings they're experiencing. Countless of emotions all at once: rage, sadness, dread and desperation. As if the emotions of the dead had resonated with them and turned into a cry.
Artemisia, who was standing by the corner; find herself tearing up. Memories of her countless losses flooded her mind. The kind of losses that makes you question, "Why me of all the people? "
As she placed her gaze to the corpses, as if a mirage settled there; an illusion was created. One dead body; someone very familiar and dear to her. She was cradling them; their cold hand on her face; her tears uncontrollable; giving the unresponsive hand a desperate kiss.
Alucard, the Fenrir; just stood there not saying anything but his teeth gritted. The color of blood rushed on his pale face—as if it's being painted by... anger.
Perhaps out of all the emotions gathered in the place—it's the most he resonated with. Anger and self loathing for being weak.
A chorus of sobs could be heard emanating from the place. Soon, the sobs turned to collective whispers each only has one word to tell, "HELP. "
As if the place had become a parade of lost souls.
Aegir reached his shaking hand to the person next to him, Vin, who was also petrified by the situation. "What's happening? Is Anthony okay? " worry and dread laced his voice; both on the scary things and for Anthony's well-being.
Call it over reaction but they have gone through countless life threatening events and he just doesn't want to add another sooner.
Vin took a deep breath, he is also tries to take control of his thoughts; but somehow he is struggling. "This is a part of his power. His mana is resonating with the dead that's around us, " was his only reply; trying to stop himself from tearing up.
He was deeply reminded of the dead faces of his missing employees. How the corpse stared at him, eyes in anguish.
"You didn't answer my question, is he okay? " Aegir's grip tightened around Vin's arm. Vin could only shrug in response. A person's awakening is different, depending on the nature of their power.
"I... I don't know. He may be okay... I... don't know. "
Aegir, in distress; pushed his legs to move. With heavy steps, he tried to go to Anthony's direction. "Anthony, wake up! " he almost shouted.
Seconds later, the light around Anthony faded. Two shocked orbs greeted Aegir; the owner, gasping for air. "Anthony!" Relief washed Aegir's face; he placed his hands on Anthony's cheeks, pinching them.
Anthony blinked his eyes repeatedly. He found himself back in reality... or so he thought? As if he's still disoriented, he saw an unfamiliar face standing beside the dead body of the cat-man. The guy has orange hair wearing a rather disheveled white polo shirt with stains of blood. His face deeply saddened; eyes weeping as he stared at the body on the floor.
Anthony's body ran cold when he realized that the exact same guy looked like the corpse he's staring at. "W-What? " he found himself stuttering; shaking his head as if to clear the images he's been seeing.
Aegir, noticing, looked at his master with a frown. He tried to shake Anthony's shoulders to wake him up but he didn't seem to budge. "Hey! " he tried calling him to catch his attention but to no avail; as if Anthony was still in a magical plane.
Anthony couldn't remove his eyes to the spirit he's been seeing. As if the spirit, noticed that someone is staring at them; turned their attention to Anthony's direction. Eyes blank and lifeless, continuing to cry. Anthony's heart almost jumped from his chest when the spirit spoke. " Please... free us. " The voice was soft and low; tiredness was evident from the words the spirit has spoken. As if they already prayed to heaven countless times but it was unheard.
"Please... I-I am so tired of holding on, " the spirit continued, their hands tightly gripped on their hair. They sat on the ground; hands on their face while shedding his tears.
Anthony's heart got tugged, he felt his chest become restless. He was familiar with the plea of freedom, of begging—when everything was taken from you. He, like him cried just like that...alone.
It was that time that he believed that fantasy isn't real... because there's no real heroes that are going to save him nor magic to change his situation.
Finding his voice, he turned to ask, "How? "
The spirit didn't answer, instead mustered a sad smile. The spirit started to turn into white orbs of light that Anthony had seen before. It started to fly in the direction of other cadavers. A faint red light started to show on each of the bodies until Anthony could see various red colored strings wrapped around the bodies like a puppet. The strings were throbbing like some energy was pulsating on them from the bodies into the end of the strings on which Anthony couldn't see where.
Anthony could understand that the spirit wants him to sever the strings... but how? "Can I really bring peace to all of you when I don't know how to? " he tried to talk to the spirit, hoping that they will hear him.
But as if it was fallen into deaf ears; he didn't receive any answers. The orb disappeared and the effects that Aegir and the others felt went along with it. Although, the pulsating red strings was still there where Anthony could see.
"What's happening to you?! " Finally, Anthony was able to hear Aegir; who was now fuming mad yet eyes covered in tears; worried, gripping Anthony's sleeves as tight as possible.
Anthony shook his head; he gave Aegir a light pat in the head. "I am sorry. I saw something... there's a spirit, a thread. They want me to cut it. " He couldn't find his words trying to explain what he had seen. He walked back and forth, hand on his forehead.
Aegir didn't talk nor he care to the other details; he thrown himself to him; burying his face on Anthony's chest; relieved that his handful master was okay.
"You made me so worried, you dummy! "
Anthony, although surprised by the action, was used to Aegir's advances. He let the cat do whatever he wanted even though sometimes he could feel his heart throb which is quite normal when one is in a state of being abashed. "Now, now. I am okay, see? " he assured Aegir, rubbing his back. Aegir didn't answer but waved his tail instead.
Anthony who still want for his question to be answered; remembered that he could probably ask Alucard; who is now currently back on his normal unemotional face. "Alucard, tell me how do I cut a 'magical' thread? I want to save them." Anthony winced at his words, he doesn't know what to call it.
'Magical thread, my lame ass. '
"If it's thread made from magical energy. You need to first know what affinities the energy had, that's way you'll know how much energy do you need to destroy that. You need to match or even top its energy or your body will suffer. What kind of thread did you see? " Alucard's voice was serious. He walked to Anthony's direction.
Anthony tried to recall what he had seen. "It's a red thread, like some sort of energy was also pulsating from it. It's deeply wrapped around the bodies, " he explained, he even pointed on which directions he saw the strings.
Artemisia who was listening to the conversation, stepped in. "It's Blood Magic from the vampires, precisely a unique spell that only high ranked vampires could use, [Lust Haven]. We always thought that they're also part of this scheme but we couldn't present any evidence because a concealed spell such as this is difficult to see unless you have the affinity for both darkness and fire and is also difficult to diminish unless you have a strong resistance against seduction related spells and skills. There's a vampire who helps to harvest souls, that's for sure. We thought that someone who has death related skills could help but I see it's more than that. " Collective gasps could be heard, their expressions turned to sour; especially Vin who had tried to purify the souls even before Anthony came but miserably fail every time.
Aegir bobbed his face up when he heard the information. His expression was different from the others, tilting his head; he remembered something...how his master fit in the category with or without those darn vampires in the picture.
It's always those evil blood suckers. Not only in his favorite tv show but in real life.
He stared at Anthony's shocked face. Aegir stepped in from the conversation; intending to counter Artemisia's claim. "I think Anthony could. He saw it so he has an affinity for darkness and fire. " He pointed his fingers on the dead bodies; trying to indicate the red thread his master had seen.
"And if it's seduction related skills, my manipulation magic counts, right? But I've been living with him for two and a half months and there's countless of times when my powers went haywire but... he wasn't affected, " the cat stated in a matter of fact tone; his tail moving from side to side.
"I was so curious if it wasn't a coincidence so I tried doing what I have done to Vin before when I wanted him to change the channel or buy us snacks but he'll argue with me instead. My master is an idiot but his mind is tough and stubborn as he is. " Anthony upon hearing, doesn't know what to feel—to be happy because he was complimented or to glare to the feline next to him for calling him an idiot.
He was also quite proud of his master for this. One thing that made him choose Anthony apart from he is a good person was because Aegir is sure he cannot manipulate him.
Artemisia couldn't help but to smile. The cat-man had a smug look on his face when he was talking about his master. But also she couldn't help but to worry and doubt if Anthony could... he might exhaust his mana for trying and he is just a beginner.
Aegir continued speaking, crinkling his nose. "We can worry about the vampires later. My master wants to save the souls. They're waiting for a long time to be freed, weren't they? "
Aegir couldn't help but to feel a little impatience. It's getting too late and he heard his stomach grumble.
Silence fit the air for a couple of seconds. As if they were thinking and had an epiphany. Anthony could only stare at Aegir; processing on what he had heard. It's always a wonder for him when one minute Aegir is a cry baby then a second later, he'll shift to a sassy being.
Although indeed, he was never affected by Aegir's 'magic'. He sure does admit that the cat is charming. But he felt normal around him nor he had a mindless thought to get whatever the cat wanted, hell no! He even won a bet against him before; escaping the punishment of paying those parcels containing expensive cat toys.
As if nothing happened. Alucard cleared his throat to catch Anthony's attention. "As I told you a while ago. Imagination is a very helpful tool to materialize your magic. You need to visualize what kind of weapon or spell that could destroy the threads but I must warn you, don't overdo yourself. This might kill you. " He soon demonstrated by creating a small tornado on his hand.
Gulping; Anthony nodded to the 'this might kill you' part.
"For example, this. I want to make use of the sharp edges of the tornado to cut something and inflict damage. So, I'll imagine a blade that can create the same damage as this tornado. " The tornado started to materialize into something that resembles a discus. "Like this. It depends on you on what kind of things you want your magic to shape like. "
Anthony placed his hand over his chin, thinking. "What kind of weapon do I want? " he asked himself, closing his eyes to concentrate.
He certainly wants to wield a scythe. That's way too sick! But it'll make him look like the angel of death more. That's creepy.
He shook his head, disagreeing to his thought. He's a writer and he wants to have something unique. Maybe something that he'll even consider to be the weapon of his character.
What about two huge shears? Though it'll make him look like a gardener but there's also weapons that resemble those. It's also perfect for cutting some threads. It's also perfect for defense and offense.
Plus, he remembered the myth about the Three Fates. If his powers are about cutting those weird looking ties; there's a huge connection with them. They are assigned to life and death anyways.
"If it's about death... I'll go with Atrophos. I'll name it Atrophos. Okay! " He lifted his fist in the air, lips grinning; quite happy about his idea.
Excluding the 'it might kill you' part, Anthony is having fun plus he wants to help but hopefully not dying on the process.
"What do I need to do? " he asked Alucard. He already decided what to create, Alucard can see it. Although the Fenrir couldn't help but to sigh; forehead creased about how childish Anthony's expressions are.
"Channel your mana again. Imagine it forming something, " he replied.
Anthony closed his eyes. He imagined two large shears. One with a black and crimson color scheme. There's a cross with an emblem of a raven on the center. The holder of the shears is also black and red; the right one is designed like the red spider lily that he had seen before. He thought of it as the one who is capable of cutting the strings. The second one has the same design but its colors are white and blue... and it'll be cool if it'll be the one that could drain someone's life force.
If he could imagine things from his imagination and make it real; he'll make it as sick as he could. He's a writer after all... golden rule, "Show don't tell. "
"It's now or never, " he told himself. He knew that he'll get a side effect for wishing a grandiose first try in magic...worse case even dying. But if he'll be living this reality he could only encounter in books... at least he'll not be the lamest one who could only lament for being useless.
He is so tired of being useless. He wants to be something.
Soon he could feel his body get warmer just like before. But what he felt now wasn't as pleasant as it was before. He felt a pang of pain radiated all throughout his body; almost like he's being crushed by a tremendous amount of pressure. He could feel his legs give way; he sat on the ground with a loud thud.
He found himself screaming from the pain and the sensation that something is pressing his body to the ground; one wrong move and his body will be pulverized.
Aegir and the others were about to run to his direction but he stopped them. Although pained; Anthony refused to give up. Eyes flaring with his unfathomable will. "N-No. Don't. " he tried to speak; gritting his teeth, he mindlessly punched the ground repeatedly. Not minding how he bled from doing it.
'NO! NOT NOW! '
He understand if he'll stop now, he'll just prove that he couldn't do anything.
'I WON'T GIVE IN!'
He could feel his eyesight blurring. With his right bloodied hand, he slapped his face, desperately trying to wake himself up. Blood gushed from his nose; his vision spinning.
'I DON'T WANT TO DIE! NOW, LET ME FUCKING LIVE! '
"Anthony! " he heard Aegir's cry. He was kneeling on the ground; calling his name repeatedly.
'I AM NOT ALONE ANYMORE! '
Artemisia whose face was also alarmed, biting her lips to stop herself from rushing to the young man's side. "Don't force yourself. You can stop now! '' she couldn't help but to try and convince Anthony.
'A LITTLE BIT MORE... PLEASE! '
Anthony could feel blood rushing from his throat; he coughed with it. His life flashed before his eyes. His childhood, his family... being bullied and also he saw the scene again: the spirit crying begging to be saved. At the end of his vision, Aegir's smiling face was there with their two cats—having a small picnic by their garden.
"Anthony! " A blood-curdling cry from Aegir was heard as he tried to run to his master's direction, due to his tears obscuring his visions; he fell to the floor. His hands are still trying to reach Anthony.
With one last scream, Anthony saw white. In a flash, as if he saw his body moved while he's outside of it, like he's on an astral projection and he could see his body sleeping, although right now, he's wide awake to witness it all; he saw himself holding the same weapon he was envisioning. With his hands dripping blood; he raised the crimson shear. Continuous snaps could be heard all over the place. Like a ghost in a dark night; his body moved swiftly until all the red threads were cut to pieces. It flew in the air in slow motion and soon got engulfed in violet flames, seconds later it was reduced to ashes until it was no more.
He saw a white light again, he blinked. He was back in his body again. He breathed heavily and groaned. "W-What was that? " he said, confused.
He saw the spirit again, this time; they were not alone. Holding both of their hands were two teenage boy and girl; laughing with tears in their eyes. The spirit he saw smiled, also crying with them. They looked at him, with a look of gratitude.
"Thank you. " After they said that; two spirits also appeared saying the same words. They waved at him. Until all five of them slowly disappeared, only leaving orbs of yellow light dissipating in the air.
Anthony grinned, feeling accomplished. He stared at the sky. "I am alive, " he chuckled to himself. He did it!
Finally he was able to do something. It's a step closer for him to be able to protect others... and Aegir.
As the moon shone upon him; his two shears glimmered; glowing with violet hue as if they're agreeing to their wielder's thoughts.
Gibberish words formed in Anthony's mind until it created words that made sense.
[Weapon] Atrophos
"Ender of fate; a notorious thief who smites life energy. "
[Intrinsic Skills] Repose & Life Drain
[Spells] …
He sighed in relief. He could feel his world spinning; this time he doesn't need to fight it. With a weak voice; he called Aegir. "Catch me. "
He is sure he'll come. Always.
It wasn't long when he felt Aegir's soft skin and warm embrace enveloped his body.
He let exhaustion take over him with a smile on his face.
-
A wounded female was seated on the couch in a slouched position. She had bandages wrapped around her neck down to her abdomen. Her eyes were mixed with rage and misery. Many of them had died during the encounter; the woman whose name was Aimee had failed to save them all. She wasn't able to heal them or revive them because of using too much magic; exhausting her mana pool. They were just lucky to have a connection to the city and access a safe house to nurse the displaced nymphs and the injured ones.
Three rooms were used to occupy the wounded. They're still waiting for the healers; especially the only paladin that could cast Area High Heal to arrive. On which the latter was still sent on a mission by that person.
She fisted her knuckles until blood dripped from it. Hot tears ran freely from her cheek. "I wasn't good enough. My power wasn't enough to save them, " she whispered upon herself, heart burdened and blaming herself for what had happened.
Gritting her teeth; she punched her legs continuously in sheer frustration. "I should've used more magic... that way I can save them. " She hugged her knees; positioning herself in a fetal position as she sobbed; gone the strong assassin during the battlefield but now just a burdened woman with a wounded heart.
The door in her room; creaked open, announcing a new presence. The elder of the nymph village stepped in. A tall male with long blonde hair walked towards her. He has a fresh wound in his face; a diagonal cut starting from his left eye all the way to his cheek. It never had the chance to be healed nor his bandaged injury on the side of his stomach. He chose to give up his chance to be given healing magic to save those who acquired fatal injuries.
"It wasn't your fault. The attack was planned. We were ambushed. " A sad smile swept through his face. He wants to get angry but somehow all he could feel is dejection. "We all thought it was just the police hunting poachers who came to the forest but it wasn't humans coming in to hunt poachers but djinbes hunting us instead. " Upon hearing what the elder had said, Aimee raised her head. Eyes darkened in fury.
"I am part human. But I couldn't help but to feel angry towards them. It seems that they're in cohorts with our enemies. We were complacent that it was just humans arresting illegal hunters in our forests because the town's mayor always stressed on protecting the forest and he already did the same order twice and nothing happened. But it seems it was all a trap. They wanted us to feel safe around them then hunt us in one clear sweep, " Aimee deduced. Feeling betrayed by what her kind did. She could feel her stomach churned; almost like she wanted to throw up.
'Was it because of greed? That's bullshit. Greed over a pile of innocent corpses... Disgusting. '
The elder whose name was Thriak heaved a heavy sigh. He should've anticipated that this would happen. "It's always the humans. The great war happened because of one human. A second war happened because a human instigated the cat-race to rebel and now a human is helping the djinbes. It seems no matter how lucky and privileged you are... Some still want to plunder more and trample others to get more...I don't hate humans but the deeds of the majority committed made me sad. "
Aimee didn't answer. She's feeling guilty even though she wasn't the human who did it. She has their blood and it made her feel sinful.
Thriak was just a little boy when the second war happened, he remembered it all. It was his uncle, the village chief at that time, who was the unfortunate one to be killed by human's hands. It was many centuries ago.
A woman covered in blood was cradling a limp body in her arms. Her face was blank; eyes empty with no emotions present. But the presence of dried tears on her cheeks indicated that she cried until she couldn't anymore.
She tried to save him, but she was too late. Now, she could only hold his lifeless body and remember their good times together that will never have the chance to be repeated again.
The nymphs around her could only feel pity and grovel to her situation because it was their village chief who she's holding in her arms. They don't dare to step forward towards her, especially with the presence of other two dead bodies that were deeply mutilated and unrecognizable that are inches away from her.
She killed them with her own hands because they murdered her beloved.
From then on, an ominous curse started to exist and a pact was made by protectors; observers under the guardians' order—for the races not to hurt other races and protectors not to use their power to cast misfortune just like what happened that day.
It all started when a cat-race befriended a human. The cat-race wished for freedom; not to hide their true forms to humans anymore. The human on the other hand, wanted to have powers equivalent to his friend and the only way for a human to have powers is either they're a half-breed or a protector bestowed it upon them just like the first human from the first war. The human exploited his friend by using him to hatch a plan to brainwash the protector's daughter. The cat-race's powers were to manipulate emotions—so he made the daughter fall in love with him with the guidance of the human and he also made the nymphs who were the thorn to their sides turn to each other, resulting in a bloodbath. The protector's daughter's original betrothed; a nymph found out about their plan and tried to free his lover from the spell's grasp... resulting him from being killed by the cat man and his human friend. When the protector's daughter gained back her sanity, she was too late. Her lover was dead. In her fit of rage, she killed both of them and prohibited the humans to gain powers ever again. She also cursed all of the cat-race to suffer nine deaths.
That caused the cat-race to hate both humans and nymphs. But for him... the human got it easier by using his friend as a scapegoat.
And it seems history might repeat itself in different circumstances but with the same sin… greed.
Thriak could only hope that the tables would turn sooner or later. Without someone who has the ability to end it; they could only struggle to survive. Especially now that they couldn't go back to the forest and even the city is a dangerous place.