The encounter shook him to his core. He didn't know whether her despondent demeanour had stirred him so profoundly or his desire never leave her side. But he had to, as much as he wished to, drown in her emerald eyes and revel in her loving embraces. There was no room for that. He wouldn't dare to hope. Ian took a deep breath and finally noticed that his palace shook violently, threatening to crumble at any moment. Darkness stirred once more inside him. It had been quiet lately. It gripped the last sliver of his soul, squirming to hold on. Iris tethered him to the world of the living. He hated to admit it, but Nobos was right. The tremors slowly subsided, and his gaze shifted to Nobos, still headless on the floor. He is not going to live this down. His recklessness and his obstinate behaviour were endangering Hollow.
Nobos body rolled on the floor. His hands began patting it. He was looking for his head. Ian sauntered where Nobos's head was and pushed it with his foot into his hand. Lifting his hand, he quickly realised that he had returned to his previous form. Rotting away and disgusting. A tinge of disappointment, mixed with sorrow, unfurled in his gut. It was an awful sensation, and he felt somewhat grateful that Hollow had no mirrors or reflecting surfaces.
" Ah! You're back!" Nobos said, sarcasm tinged his voice, and he felt the urge to sever his head again, just for stating the obvious.
" Aren't you a quick one," Ian replied in the same tone and turned around, walking back to the table where the books lay.
Nobos looked around and noticed the gaping cracks in the walls and floors. While the Hollow fires still furiously blazed throughout the realm, shrouding it in a blueish hue that seeped into his palace.
Nobos sauntered to where he was and placed his hands on the table. With the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of his troubled expression but remained silent. Afraid, perhaps, of what would happen.
Ian smudged the drop of blood over the page, to his surprise. He wasn't thrown into the nearest wall.
Each letter on the page lit up, revealing its true meaning. Just one drop of her blood. It was her blood that could unlock the whole book. The drop only revealed a page. He needed more.
Nobos ran his finger over the page, reading each line to himself while Ian did the same. The rumble had quietened, making room for a deafening silence as they both focused on the book. It spoke of the A'Khina creation and the gift that was offered to them by Yarin. He could assume the gift meant, Arkathira. As he read on, the book revealed what the source was made of, to his surprise and shock. He came to the realisation that Arkathira contained the souls of the unredeemable, unbound pure darkness. No wonder the shikari was so ghastly and terrifying. They were part of Hollow, and only Yarin knew what kind of darkness had put into it. One would think, judging by the glow of the source, was nothing else other than pure, unadulterated souls.
" I thought Hollow was the only place that could contain souls of the darkest nature!" Nobos broke the stifling silence, confounded and raised its head to look at him. His dull eyes searched his face for an answer.
" Nothing escapes you," Ian said deadpan, shutting the book and strutting to his favourite place; the cliff overlooking his domain.
Nobos was still chewing on what he read but followed him with his eyes. There was nothing they could do about it. Azra's was already inside the source. Any attempts to rescue him would be futile. If the book were accurate, he would be at the Arkathira's mercy and the souls trapped inside it. He heard Nobos forcefully sighing behind him, but he decided that it would be best to keep looking at the one the flames in the distance. He needed time to think.
" They belong in the Hollow. The souls trapped inside the source." Nobos clarified and stopped at his side, giving him sideways glances.
" Hmm...How do you suggest you do that? My only son is trapped inside it. We can't leave this cursed place. Enlighten me, please." his frustration grew as he spoke, which was enerving. He wanted nothing more than to be done with it, but things got complicated each time they uncovered a new piece of information.
Nobos shrugged " I'll check on the tournament." he said before disappearing in a cloud of black smoke, leaving Ian alone with his thoughts and probably Guyhirn, who usually lurked in the shadows out of sight.0
" Some help you are," Ian grumbled, swiping
his hand through the black smoke feeling discontent with Nobos's input on the matter.
Ian clasped his hands behind his back. His thoughts drifted to Iris and their earlier encounter. The feel of her soft lips on his still lingered and stirred him. Her emerald eyes brimming with joy staring at him flashed in his mind, and he wished for nothing more than to be able to hug her and fold her into his arms, never let go.
Stop it! Don't be a fool! He scolded himself. Hopeless thoughts, that's what they were. He lost the one person he had cherished. Iris would never be his again.
Ian unclasped his hands from behind and looked at them one more time. His rotten flesh was a ghastly sight, but she didn't seem to mind. He felt undeserving of her love. Let go! He had to let go of all those thoughts, but no matter how much he tried, he just couldn't. He wasn't ready to give up just yet, not yet.