(A/n as compensation for late upload 4500+ words. And this is the second last chapter of PSR)
<< Recap >>
"I hope you're okay child. And thank you, for everything." I said silently as I closed my eyes, letting the light of sun illuminate my vision as I stood there for a while. I opened my eyes after a while as I turned too, my battle robe fluttering in the slight breeze as I made my way back to the castle.
/// Narrator's POV ///
A trial was about to take place in a very far-away land, full of life. The hidden continent was a separate world in itself. Aether coursed through the very essence of this land. This continent was surrounded by huge mountains, each rivalling one another like they were alive, in an attempt to reach the high heavens.
Aether surrounded the titanic mountains like a sheen of purple, hiding it from the naked eye.
And there, surrounded by these huge mountains laid a certain civilization. A civilization which was an amalgamation of all knowledge and power one could amass. But the extent of knowledge wasn't constricted to merely this world. There was more than adequate proof that the metropolis was built by amassing knowledge from other worlds too.
A carriage pulled by nothing in particular passed through the middle of the road of the bustling market of the futuristic metropolis. The carriage seemed to have been made of a lustrous metal with almost nothing to adorn it. Just a huge, plain and gunmetal colored box carrying two people continued to tread towards through the city. The looks of confusion plastered over the faces of the people were the same as the one reading this paragraph. They had never witnessed this carriage move— or rather, they had seen it but it wasn't used in the longest of times.
"Hey, isn't that the carriage used to escort prisoners?" A person adorned in tight fitting clothes remarked as he put a hand over his friend leaning over him. His skin was pale while his skin seemed to radiate a faint purple hum. But that wasn't it. It was not his whole skin, rather the source of this light was the aether coursing through his veins. Besides him stood another man who was much taller than him, towering over at 7 feet produced a similar glow, but a little brighter. The carriage continued its independent course, as it treaded across the bustling street, a path created automatically as people gave way without any unnecessary gossip.
The carriage or the metal box continued, without making a single voice. Soon the whole place started to shine in a vibrant amethyst, as everyone started to let out a portion of their light, the energy filling the place like a purple aurora looming over the entire valley. The carriage stopped in front of huge gates that laid in the far end of the advanced city. Mist covered the area behind, obscuring anything that laid beyond it. The door to the carriage opened as more and more people started to gather around it, peering at the first criminal they had in centuries with contempt. Some even didn't try to suppress their hostility as they directed their intents at it.
*clang*
The sound of a sharp, hard, non-resonant sound, like that produced by two pieces of metal striking, one against the other resounded in everyone's ears. All of them silenced as their eyes remained fixated at the darkness and the one beyond it, the source of everyone's unease. Due to their closeness to aether they could feel it— the way aether became erratic with every breath the figure took as the chains rattled again. He moved again as a standing silhouette came into view. He took a step towards the entrance.
*zhhhhhnnnggg*
The sounds of metal chains grinding against the metal floor echoed again among the uncanny silence that enshrouded the whole place. Suddenly everyone started to fall to their knees, one by one as a sheen of purple manifested physically over them. They gasped for breath as a foot emerged from the other side. Another step was taken outside as the pressure increased many times over. Their eyes seemed to practically bulge out of their sockets as the prisoner fully emerged from the other side.
The wind blew, making the cold air of the valley caress the boy's hairs, making them flutter wildly. The sun shone on his face. He raised his head upwards like, his face embracing the delicate and soothing touch of the warm sun as his face got revealed. Sharply chiselled face, like it was carved out of stone by gods themselves, long golden lashes that covered his eyes. His eyes were shut as they continued embracing the morning sunlight. His wheat blonde hair fluttered as he finally opened his eyes.
His golden eyes with 2 specks of blue continued to shine like miniature suns as he lowered his gaze at the people prostrating themselves in front of him. He stood there, in the land of deities after killing the king of asuras– shackled by chains from head to feet as hundreds upon hundreds of people succumbed to his intent further supplemented by the sheer amount of ambient aether. Suddenly, the space around him distorted as a figure appeared from the other side. With a slight and elegant wave of hand he dispelled the physically manifested bloodlust as a smirk grew over his face.
"Control yourself boy. No one's gonna lay a hand on you." The elderly figure said as he walked towards Arthur.
"Just replying to my hosts in kind." He shrugged his shoulders as the elderly man scoffed. He waved his hand and a purple fire clung to the chains. In the blink of an eye, the chains vanished, the flames not even touching his skin.
"Shall we go?" He asked, rocking his head slightly towards the bewitched mist that laid beyond the horrendous and spooky gates that seemed to lead the way straight to hell and the impending doom. Arthur sighed as he took a step forward followed by Azreal.
The mist seemed to react to him as it grew- both in volume and density as it started to feel like clinging to his very senses making him drown in it. The voices of his beloved started to ring in his ears as arcs of amethyst started to envelope him. Sounds of destruction rune rang in his ears.
A wild groan, akin to that of an animal that had spotted its prey escaped his mouth as he spotted a silhouette in front of him. The space around him bent and twisted, unlike god step he cut the space between himself and the figure entirely from existence as a black void took its place. Arriving in front of the figure he swung his fist, coalesced with enough aether to warp the space around it, in an upward thrust. A hand descended, stopping it. A palm permeating a blinding light of purple hue, met his fist, completely nullifying his attack. The hand seemed to be saturated with the glow as it touched Arthur's forehead.
"Huh?" Arthur blinked his eyes several times, his vision blurry as colour started to return to his eyes. He looked down as he saw his fist caught by a cold and granite hard grip. He looked up to see a young boy, much younger than him, a hue of purple permeating through his pores– just like the others, albeit much vibrant.
"Bit on the edge I take it? This mist was never a problem for you." Azreal chimed in from behind the boy as he placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. His grip on Arthur's fist loosened. Arthur withdrew his hand slowly, slightly rubbing his wrists.
"Just had a fight with a lizard." Arthur replied with a snort as Azreal let out a chuckle. Azreal tapped his cane on the ground as the mist flickered, like a hologram and then vanished completely.
"Illusion arts and technology. Quite a nice blend" Arthur remarked as he continued walking with Azreal just behind him. They soon arrived in front of huge double doors. The doors were carved out of a precious stone as runes ran along throughout the door. Azreal motioned for Arthur to continue walking as the doors continued to open by themselves. Arthur continued to look around, not bothered by the heavy chains that held him in place even in the slightest.
They soon reached a huge room, the doors that led to it already open as an eerie silence continued to dwell in the room, the sound of a single person resonating like a boom inside it.
"Since ancient times we were the first ones to know of the ability to wield Aether, the building block of everything living and nonliving. We strived, worked hard, discovered a few of the countless edicts that it had. After the three main edicts we came to a conclusion of an edict much higher than any other one." The announcer paused looking at Arthur in the corner of his eyes. His chains rattled a little as he took a place silently in the corner.
Azreal left him there as he walked up to the far corner of the room. A huge throne was laid there. The throne was huge. It towered over the room like a ferocious beast, ready to pounce and tear apart anyone who dared to look up at the one sitting on it, limb to limb. Its shape was asymmetric. Steps carved out of beautiful white marble, its delicacy unmatched which was a contrast to the throne, led to it where a figure sat on it– like 10 feet above everybody else ... He sat in this raised position looking down on everyone with an expression that seemed like... he was bored out of his mind.
The announcer continued,
"That edict was Fate. After millennia of failures and damages dealt to our kin, not only because of our failure to use it but by our ability to wield it, it was decided to never violate Fate again. From that day we only used it to gain more knowledge from other worlds for our own prosperity. It was an unspoken fact and act, passed through generations. And it remained like that, until...." his gaze straggled towards Arthur as a frown formed on his face.
"An outsider, someone carrying miniscule of the essence of the djinns, the only race we directly brought under our tutelage, came into our homeland. We taught him our ways, ingrained our insights forcefully into his brain which were beyond the comprehension of even US. And yet" his tone turned grim as he looked at Arthur, spite and anger practically oozing out of him,
"Not only did he change the original events and timeline, he manipulated fate. Fate no matter how cruel needs to be the same. How many times could we prevent the deaths of our former kings but still didn't do it, just for the sake of the centuries old decree. Yet, it was violated by Arthur Leywin."
Sounds of protest and disapproval boomed in the throne room, ranging from anger to contempt. Arthur's face contorted into that of annoyance for a fraction of a second but soon returned to its impassive one, devoid of any emotion as the glimmer in his eyes was replaced by a bland golden colour, which looked like a dying sun.
For the first time the expression of the king changed, replaced by a look that replicated that of Arthur. His lips parted as he said,
"Silence"
His voice struck in everyone's mind like a gong, causing ripples in the air despite how low it was. Arthur's eyes widened ever so slightly as the malice in his voice almost made him gasp for air. However, he stood there standing, not flinching a bit, the bare tremble in his hands and legs almost unnoticeable. A veil of silence spread in the room as everyone went as silent as a corpse.
"Better. Continue." The king said after a little observation, satisfied with the silence.
"As I was saying," the man continued after giving a curt bow to the king, "despite the fact that the boy helped us get rid of the one who not only eradicated the whole race of the ones we invested so much time, but also the one who defiled and stole the power and knowledge of one of our own, Ophelia Rivermoore. Kezzes Indrath sure was an infestation that needed to be eradicated from this world, but doing the one thing we told him not to, it is an unforgivable sin." He paused as he looked at the king.
Until now the King wasn't allowed to say anything in-between, or rather he stayed that way himself. But the man came to an abrupt silence just the moment the punishment was about to be announced. Arthur knew that right now even the weakest one in that room was able enough to fight him. Let alone, the king who stood at the epitome of power. There was no getting out of it, so he stood there, ready to accept whatever FATE was about to throw at him.
The king stood up, the first movement he had shown since the trial started. He walked out of the shadow that loomed over his throne, making only his blood red eyes visible. A middle aged man came out from the shadows, his black haired bangs fell over his sharp face which was adorned with a neatly trimmed beard. His eyes glowed underneath his black hair as he peered down at everyone.
*thomp*
He stepped down one of the marbled stairs that led to the iron throne.
*thomp*
He took another step as everyone took an instinctive step back.
*thomp*
As he reached the second last stair everyone buckled to one knee their heads lowered on the ground. The king, not paying a single dime worth of attention to anyone, walked past them, ignoring them as he made his way to Arthur. He stood in front of him, staring at him at his eye level as he started to gauge him. Even Azreal, the king's elder brother, was on his knees.
"You're interesting. Have I ever told you that, Arthur Leywin." The king spoke as he got close to Arthur.
"More than once Michael. Or do you prefer My King?" Arthur spoke as he gave a mocking bow to Michael. Everyone let out an audible gasp but still held their heads bowed down. The ends of Michael's lips twitched into a smirk,
"You never cease to amaze me Arthur. To think you would use your doom as a return ticket from death." Michael said as he turned back to the steps. Once he was on the top again, he looked back over his shoulders,
"You knew we can't let you die because of the compulsory retribution that you have to face. So you still used the art that should've killed you but you knew we would save you."
Everyone's eyes widened as they heard this. They felt a blow to their pride as they finally came to an understanding that all this time they were dancing in the palm of his hands.
"No idea what Your Majesty might be referring to." Arthur replied with a simple shrug of his shoulders. The King let out a hearty chuckle as he turned around to his throne. He gripped one of the handles of the throne as he turned around. The same suffocating pressure flooded the whole room as Michael's eyes scintillated in a vibrant hue of red.
"Then it's decided, Arthur." He said in an authoritative voice as the lowered heads of everyone rose and looked at their king,
"For the crimes of violating fate for your own selfish reasons, you are sentenced to pay the price for all the accumulated karma. The fates of the ones you changed, the pain and the suffering, their deaths- you shall account for all the events that were supposed to happen but didn't because of your unnecessary intervention." The King declared as he took a seat on the throne, his hands resting on his armrests. "Does anyone object to it?"
It was an unnecessary question. A question that would never be responded negatively. Still the king asked for it. The looks on some people's faces clearly showed that they wanted a more severe punishment for him but none of them dared to stand up to him. The all could do nothing but nod their heads in agreement.
"Very well, take him away. However, it may take a lot of time. For the sake of all you've done you will be punished inside the time dilation realm." Michael added, and a look of relief flashed over Arthur's face. He bowed his head moderately, a bare minimum of respect as Michael waved him off. The guards advanced as they grabbed the chains that started from his neck down to his arms and then down to his both legs. Arthur's jaw clenched but soon relaxed as he gave one last look at the king and then the guards pulled him away.
TIME SKIP- 5 MONTHS
/// Caera POV ///
I sat in my room, looking at the chandelier hanging from the roof of our room, the candles inside it producing a dim light that illuminated the room. The weather outside was now a pleasant warm as it was now the season of flowers.
Cherry blossoms blossomed in our garden while a plethora of other flowers, both vibrant and aromatic bloomed here. Happiness seemed to fill the air- cooing pigeons, warbling wrens, saucy starlings and many other birds flew here and there during the day. Happy and in joy, at the coming of a new season after the long months of winter filled with suffering, hunger and cold.
The pollen dust floated in the air like pixie dust as flowers too continued to spread their pollen. Their aroma always felt like a blessing- ranging from sweet fruity to musky and even putrid. Their vibrant colours illuminated the day, capable of lightening a burdened heart.
The nights were the same, filled with other wonders. The sounds of crickets, cicadas and katydids producing a calling sound in search for mates was also a good thing to hear. Everything about this season was nothing short of soothing and refreshing for the soul. But even among everything, something felt amiss. I never knew the presence or absence of a single person could affect me so much.
The world around me had its colour, but it lacked its vibrance. I could smell but they always felt lacking and in the end I would find myself uninterested by them. I had my sense of taste, but still everything felt so bland. There was a hole in my life- in my very being, that I couldn't just put my finger on. Or maybe, I could. I just didn't want to remember it.
In this life, that had now lost all its colour there was only one thing that had kept me going. Kept me from breaking down. My last hope. When I first heard Sylvie talk about it I didn't believe it. After than when Regis told me the same thing I still couldn't believe it. How could I? How could I accept this when all of this wasn't real. I wanted to believe that all of it was not real. Just a bad dream, another nightmare.
"Don't worry, he will be back for us." I said as a sad smile crept up my face, unknowingly as I gently caressed my now swollen belly. It was almost time. The little life that dwelled inside me was ready to meet the real world. But the world was so cruel as it didn't allowed his father to be here at that time.
I looked around as I saw Alic- Mom, knitting clothes for our child. Sylvie was sitting by my side. Over these past few months I grew exponentially close to her. To the point I've started considering her out first born. Another pang of pain stabbed my heart like thousands of flaming needles stabbing every portion of my skin at the same time.
His face, full of guilt, flashed in my mind. He could've done it if he had our help but still he was ready to sacrifice himself- just to protect everyone else's life. My hand lifted as I placed it on Sylvie's head gently caressing her silky smooth golden hair. It felt just like his. Memories of him laying in my lap as I ran my fingers through his golden locks invaded my mind.
*thp thp*
My eyes stung as unrestrained tears started to fall from my eyes, their size large enough to make small sounds. The lone tear didn't stop as it broke the barrier I had be trying so hard to establish around my emotions. My emotions ran rampant, like a flood let loose from a broke dam as my loud sniffles became the only sound in the otherwise deadly silent room.
Alice looked at me as she stood up from the couch she was sitting on. She walked over to me, her steps muffled by my crying. She closed the distance as she came near me. I saw her stop just infront of me, her figure a total blur because of the tears that saturated in my eyes. I felt her arms wrap around my head as she she placed me into a warm motherly embrace.
"It's okay dear. It's okay to cry. But, you have to bear with it. For the sake of the little life that's right here" she said as she pointed her index finger towards my highly inflated belly.
I lifted my one hand as I hugged her back, burying my face into her as my other hand automatically reached for my belly as I caressed it.
*thump*
Suddenly, I felt my heart beat faster and faster. My breathing became erratic as I felt my consciousness fade in and out. Sylvie stood up from her spot as I felt the edges of her true form flicker around her. Purple mist had already enveloped her. She closed the distance in an near instant and without wasting a single second she placed her hands over me.
I felt her tiny hands, contrast to her real age, tremble as tears started to fall over her cheeks. They fell over my limp arms as I struggled to suppress the bone-shattering pain.
"It's happening." Alice said as she hurriedly started to shoo everyone except her and Sylvie outside the room. I looked over to Sylvie who still had tears running down her cheeks, drenching the sheets I was laying on.
"What's wrong Sylvie?" I managed to ask and she placed her both hands on her mouth muffling her sniffles. Wiping the tears that didn't seemed to stop, flowing endlessly she spoke.
"I-it's... they.... they're actually *** *** *** *****"
(A/n I think it's a bug. I can't write what she's saying 🙂)
/// Arthur Leywin POV ///
It's been a few years since I've been here. To say I'm in hell would be the most cruel thing to say. Even the dukes of hell would be ashamed of their methods once they came here, I was sure of at least that much.
I was currently lying on the ground, barely breathing as I continued to look at the sky.. or roof- whatever it was. After painstakingly finishing the process of my basic sentence I was now paying for all the fate alteration.
"Hmm, let's see." A high pitched voice ringed in my ears as I managed to shift my head to the left, as I spotted a silhouette standing in front of me. His facial features weren't visible but the build of the man was enough to make me realise who he was.
"You human really have some useless methods of torture. To call it torture really is an insult to all torture." He said with a mocking scoff as he turned a page on the clipboard he was holding.
"Hmm, so next is fate intervention. Individual name is Alea Triscan. Was supposed to have her legs cut, eyes gouged and core shattered. Didn't actually happen. As per the order of the king to provide a little lineance, core shattering is exempt. Further shattering an aether core isn't something so easy." The man said as he started to move towards me.
I tried to resist but couldn't. My body had already went through years of torture and penalties. Although my body healed extremely quickly because of this whole place made of aether, the damage done was way too critical for it to be in tandem.
The man neared me as he stooped down. My body trembles as he places his hand over my right leg. He grabbed my thigh as he looked at me,
"I'll count to 10. This won't hurt at all." He said and an ominous sneer formed on his face.
"1" I held my breath as my heart started to beat abnormally fast.
"2"
"3"
"4"
"10, surprise." He shouted deviously as I felt my tissues being ripped apart. I felt every bit of it, heard every crack and tear that went through my muscles. And the other moment, the same sensation went in my other leg.
"Gah...."
A pained voice managed to escape my throat but I gritted my teeth, hoping I could somehow suppress it.
"You see, the pain is much less when it's a surprise." He said as he started laughing. Ignoring him, I focused on gathering aether to heal myself, the stubs burning like some kind of acid had been spilled on it.
"Well then, next were the eyes." He said as a wave of horror went through my spine. The thought of seeing my child, just once, was my only motivational factor that kept me from screaming in dread as I felt cold projectiles enter my eyes, and then backing as I felt my vision fade, my eyes falling from their sockets with muted thuds.
- Time skip (4 years) -
Today was yet another day. Another day in this same place as I've been for the last .... I don't even remember the time I've spent here. Lost count after 20 years. The pain and suffering is still unbearable, but I'm bearing with it. My family's faces are slowly fading. The intense amount of wreck that my body has gone through, has rendered me unable to move.
I just lay down, receiving retribution for my actions. I even stopped resisting or screaming. I don't even feel the pain now, rather I'm waiting for when the next one will come. Maybe I really am a masachosit.
- Time Skip (4 years) -
/// 3rd person POV ///
The doors to the chamber to where Arthur was kept opened with a bang as Azreal walked inside. Once inside he spotted a figure sitting on a makeshift throne of earth, his arms resting on his knees and his head bent down.
"Arthur." Azreal made his presence known as he raised his head. His wheat blonde hair which reached to his waist was not cut just past his nape.
"It's time already, isn't it?" Arthur asked as Azreal nodded.
"Very well." Arthur replied as he got up from his seat and the throne dissolved into mud.
Azreal extended his hand to Arthur and motioned for him outside the door. To finally get out of the place that kept him for the past 9 years. A smile graced Azreal's face,
"It's time for the Prodigal Son to return home." He paused , "But first we have to meet the king."
*************
(A/n Yeah so this is the second last chapter of PSR. Been one hell of a journey. Won't say much here since I have a final Authors note prepared for that. Hope you enjoy the chapter.)