July 2, 1997, 08:57
The moonfolk's kingdom
The sky castle garden
"You look trepidatious. I didn't want to mention it in front of Hilla." Artem says as he walks along with LiQin down the passageway of the royal garden.
"I'm not. Just Jet lagged." LiQin lies.
Artem doesn't push it, instead he hums to him and leans down to pick a flower that has fallen off the bush. He holds the stem delicately between his slim fingers, admiring the little white flower. He's probably going to lace it to Hilla's hair or some romantic shit when he sees her.
"I've been wondering." Artem says after a while of pure silence. LiQin never found it to be awkward between the two men. Artem is more like a brother to him than anything after all.
"About?" LiQin asks, imitating the slow paced walk of Artem's.
"You have been staying at the vampire mountains for a while now, have you found a pack?" Artem asks cautiously. He knows LiQin has been a loner wolf since he was born. Being half fairy half werewolf was never easily accepted in either groups.
LiQin flinches at the thought.
He never met his parents nor whichever parent it was it's pack, as he was discarded when he was nothing but an infant, left out between tress for wild animals to prey on. He was later found by a forest nymph in the woods that took care of him until her time came.
He never liked calling her mother, he'd rather say she was his provider. When he was young and foolish, he thought maybe if he travelled through the lands and oceans, that he could find his parents, ask them how bad was he to be thrown away just like if he was a soulless creature.
LiQin has grown up between the hell fire of rage and hate to both of his kind because of the parents he never got to meet, that he wished to end both species. Wishes. It's wrong, he imagines, doesn't really care if you asked him.
He's an elite warrior and wizard, the best of them all. He has also fought on the same line along with Artem, where they met during the times Artem was serving as the general of the moonfolk's kingdom. He was later chosen to be the royal moonfolk's kids tutor. While they all had guardians, they still needed someone to be hard on them, to teach them how to deal with the cruelty of the world. LiQin's name shortly reached the iron elves and vampires ears, and he took it upon himself to raise all of those kids into something bigger than they think they could be.
Not so long after, Ivar has asked LiQin to create a weapon, a spell that could be used for war intentions, to enhance the bare ability of a creature, as he has always been hungry for more. More power, more lands, more goods. He promised him revenge, and LiQin took the bait and clutched onto it.
He used the kids as his laboratory rats as he wished, because they seemed to be the perfect candidates, where in this world, if their nations ever turn onto each other, they'd have equal magical or physical power, he thinks it's fair enough. Besides, he had them all to himself away from their families on their journey with him, makes his job easier.
Some might think it's cruel of him, but to be completely fair, LiQin doesn't give a fuck, neither about those kids or their families. He does care for his revenge, though. And he uses them to get it, because he could.
His first successful spell happened to be on Evdokia, where his potion turned her from a white delicate creature to a dark blood thirsty creature. He created a monster, he thinks. He doesn't know if it stays in her, or if it's a one time thing. He likes to think it would be a great show to watch her eat other creatures alive if it does stay. Quite frankly, LiQin's spells were unheard of, created with dark magic that has been long banned between all empires and nations, but LiQin didn't belong to any of them, and so he does as he pleases.
Ivar has found out about his little secret, and he kept it to himself, even that he knew the kids were being tortured through the process, but it brought only good to him, so a little suffering wouldn't hurt now would it? He did say his kids were off limit, but LiQin didn't really find it in him to care for that rule, the more the merrier.
That until last week, when LiQin fucked up his spell and Eric, Ivar's oldest son, went out of control, that LiQin had to snatch a gun from his bag and shoot the monster he has become in the head.
He should have known better, now he thinks. He knows Ivar will find out soon or later. He knows his days as a free man are numbered, but he also has some faith in Artem to get him out of this, to believe his lies and protect him.
And if he doesn't, LiQin will make sure he regrets it for the fraction of a moment before he ends his life.
It's all or nothing, LiQin decides there and then when he sees Artem run into Hilla's arms where she's waiting for them by the waterfall. He was deprived of love, and he'll make sure no one gets to feel it if he doesn't.
*
July 17, 2021, 03:00
The higher vampires mounts
"You're good?" Valodya offers a smile as he asks YuNing, who's wrapped in a blanket by the fire place. "I know the shifts after death aren't exactly pleasant. "
"I don't really remember much of it." YuNing shrugs.
Valodya hums understandingly. He doesn't remember that much about his first rise either.
He watches the sleeping people around them. LiQin's hand is clutching YuNing's blanket, still in shock of what just happened a few hours ago, Jean and Evdokia huddled up together, king Dima reading a book at the other end of the fire place and Ufuk on guarding duty along with a dozen army men. Its a peaceful image he wishes he could stretch for as long as he can.
"Valodya, how old are you?"
YuNing's voice pulls Valodya out of his thoughts. His smile only gets wider as he chuckles internally, crescent eyes never leaving Jean and Evdokia, oh how fast have the days gone and they're now older and all.
"I don't remember. " he sighs, eyes meeting YuNing's.
YuNing's eyes are wide as ever and his mouth is slightly open agap.
"you don't remember how old you are?" He asks in disbelief.
"You will too, at some point." Valodya shrugs as he rests his lower back against the log, letting his head fall back with no restraint from his neck.
"How does it feel like being immortal?" YuNing questions the sky, but its a good thing Valodya is also here.
"How do I put it into words? Its like you can always see the end but every time you almost catch it, it turns out to be a mirage. You'll think you have all the time of the world in the beginning. You'll live your life to the fullest. You'll think you can take down the world and rebuilt it. You'll think you can do good to all those who are alive, but it won't take you that long to lose all of those feelings. You'll think of yourself as the legendary bird that is cursed with immortality. It'll seem to be flaw more than ever, it'll make you throw yourself off buildings, walk up to the lions and let them tear down your flesh to pieces. Your break your own wings only to see them reforming perfectly into flames.
You'll lose so much and so many, You'll shed your skin by your mere claws trying to reach those who you loved once. It's a different type of longing, knowing that you'll never see them again once they're gone.
It feels draining, knowing that, whatever you're going through will never be over. But it also feels like you get to do whatever, because everything but you has an end. Quite scary, but you'll get the hang of it, even if it took you a millennium, at some point, you'll truly understand how to cope with it."
"I didn't...think it through that much." YuNing scratches the back of his neck, cracking it while he's at it.
"Yeah, I forgot it has only been one day for you." Valodya smiles at him apologetically.
"Its not just that, but this whole journey is overwhelming. I still can't digest all of it, only for something like this to happen."
Valodya hums and allows him to ramble, you can't imagine what this kid has gone through so far in just a few weeks.
"I couldn't even accept the fact that I was a godamn fairy, and now I'm a phoenix? Do you realise how fucking unreal this is? No, and the fact that I can see through someone else's mind? That's fucking insane dude! Its also fascinating, that I can see through Evdokia's mind. There's so much I want to ask her about but there hasn't been a single day that I didn't see her stressed out like shit-"
"you like her." Valodya stops him, amused.
"What? No. I can't like her."
"You can't act upon it, but you can't not like her, I mean, it's Evdokia we're talking about."
"good point. Its easier to lie to myself than..." he leaves it hanging in the air, eyes fixated on Jean and Evdokia.
Valodya doesn't push it, instead he bids him good night sleep and walks away into the darkness of the night, where Ufuk is standing by the trees on the edge of the hill.
"How's your wrist?" Questions Valodya.
"it's fine, I've had it worse before." Ufuk eyes are watching the sky above them.
"Of course you have." Valodya murmurs, hands travelling over the intercut design of twigs running through each other. He has always found archura's magic fascinating. How they can make a tree grow within seconds. How they can communicate with plants and bargain with them. It's a marvellous relationship between a creature and a plant.
"Do you think it's worth it?" Valodya wonders, and Ufuk isn't sure if he's asking or just wondering on his own.
The question could be broken down to so much. Is their ultimate goal worth it? Is it worth leaving everything they've built in another realm for one they've long abandoned? Is it worth their losses?
Ufuk thinks about Reema's death.
Reema's presence was the essence of Ufuk's life stream. He feels lost and distorted now that she's not around.
Its only been two days, but god how much does he miss this woman and her husband. The only reason he agreed to do this was because of her, and now that she's not here, what's the fucking point?
Ufuk doesn't think its worth their lives, absolutely not.
"No, no, it's not worth it." Ufuk states.
"You're not wrong." Valodya nods, eyes wandering in the sky. He has his lips pressed into a thin line, and Ufuk knows the man well enough to know what Valodya left unsaid.
But those who lose their loved ones because of the cause aren't any less of worth than the ones you lost.
He knows it all too well, and maybe that's why he still haven't turned around and left for good. He might be text book bright, but he's only a hundred years old, immature and lacks experience, but he recons it comes with time. Maybe time might show him one day what Valodya sees in life.
*
July 17, 1997, 08:57
The moonfolk's kingdom
The sky castle garden
LiQin is having his afternoon tea in his wing when the enforcers barge into the room and take him with force.
LiQin calls for Artem's help, but he never answers. He just watches in silence as LiQin is escorted onto a plane that will take off to the vampire clans.
LiQin doesn't miss the twitch of Artem's mouth, and he knows, he knows Artem is holding himself back from doing something when his mouth twitches.
Has Ivar possibly told Artem about their little secret? Surely he didn't expose his plan for war to one of his biggest rivals, right?
But why would Artem watch as LiQin is treated like a criminal and not do anything about it?
LiQin's eyes catch the eyes of the three moonfolk kids, well, not exactly kids, only Evdokia would be. He sees Amara asking his father to help LiQin, he asks him what has he done. Amara's fifty seventh birthday us in a few days, what a shame, he wouldn't be able to make it.
Artem bows one last time to LiQin and walks back into the castle, hands gripping Evdokia's small fist and dragging her inside.
LiQin sees a glimpse of sadness in those green and golden eyes before she turns around and walks willingly with her father.
LiQin now wonders if terminating his relationship with the only person that ever accepted him into their family was worth it.
He has an idea what he feels at the moment, but he doesn't let it blind him from his ulterior motives.
*
July 17, 2021, 07:12
The higher vampires mounts
Jean wakes up in panic when he doesn't find Evdokia in his arms. He shuffles in his place in anxiety and gets right on his feet. The rest of the team are still asleep, where could have she possibly went?
He spins around himself, trying to find the same nest of white frost hair , that, until he hears it.
The familiar siren like voice, but it lures you to comfort rather than danger. A voice he gets drunk on and high on its notes. It's the Moonfolks kingdom mawwal they sing for their fallen angels.
It's beautiful but also terrifying. Jean have always had a love hate relationship with their songs. They could be poetic but also have the most horrific tones to it that sends shivers down your spine.
He follows the voice through the woods and across the tress Ufuk has bent to keep them covered. And there he finds her on her knees before the river stream.
It's a sad song for the late loved ones, but it's also a promise of avenging them. Jean walks up to where she's kneeling and sits by her side. She has her eyes closed and her head bent in a silent prayer. Her eyes tear from time to time.
The song is in fae language, a beautiful melodic language. Jean doesn't remember much of it, but he understands every word she sings. Its not about the meaning, but rather the notes and tones, her emotions spilling out in every word that it explains to you everything that needs to be said. Its like poison and antidote on her lips.
She stops, eventually, from the tears.
Evdokia leans to the side and rests her head on Jean's shoulder.
And he's there to keep his hand on top of hers, intertwining their fingers, fitting into each other ever so perfectly.
"We'll requite every life that was lost, I promise you that."
She doesn't say anything, she knows him and she knows he'd deliver his promise if it took him his own life.
"I love you." She whispers instead. And its overwhelming and tough, but that's what their parents have ever trained them for, for the day they have the power in their hands, they know when to use it and when to utilise their mercy cards.
Jean wishes this could all be a longass dream that he will wake up from, eventually, finding himself in a his bed in the golden castle, where his father would give him a monologue about always making it on time to meetings, then he'll meet up with Evdokia, Ira and Thomas. They run through the fields and practice together, LiQin, of course, is also there. King and queen Artem invite them to dinner in the sky castle, and the day ends with Evdokia playing him his favourite song on the harp, where he sleeps on the couch of her room's balcony.
But he knows it's all to good to be true. Reality is much more real and true. The world is far worse than allowing kids to grow up steadily going through every stage of life at their own pace. Life is a bitch that throws a three year old in a fire circle and asks them to find a way out before suffocating and dying.
He thinks about Robin and what he would tell him should be done. Knowing the person Robin was, he'd say forgive and move on.
But Jean doesn't think it's the right call, not this time.
This time, Jean wants to reach the truth before he gives it his entire heart and let it all go.
Jean takes her hand on their way back to the fire place, where Dima is putting on his cape and getting ready to set off. They have little hovering boards that they use to transport across the lands, and they ride them to the ocean's side, where they meet with Ira and the rest of the army.
Ira doesn't take the news of Robin and Reema's death well, and while Valodya was telling him about it, Jean notices LiQin's eyes being empty as they can ever get, like all he feels is shame and regret.
Jean has something to ask LiQin, but he decides on postponing it till they reach the Atlantic empire and settle in.
After walking a few miles into the water, they reach the huge war bathyscaphes of the ocean. Large navy blue bathyscaphes with glass body so the army would still enjoy the last few moments of their lives with the beauty of their world if they were ever not coming back home from a battle.
It's sentimental, in Jean's respectful opinion.
They stop at some point in the middle of the road to septate ways with the army, and King Dima dives them to the beautiful heart of the Atlantic empire, the Aqua castle.
Queen Hilla is the first person that welcomes them back home when they reach the aqua castle, hugging Jean and Evdokia with basking warmth that only a mother's hug can provide.
Much to Evdokia's surprise, when she lets go of the hug, she sees a bright shiny smile she's all too familiar with, her uncle, Cilia. His wife is also there, along with her little cousin, who was nothing but eleven months when they lost the final battle, although, now he's almost twenty years old, and god he looks almost identical to Felony with his long blonde hair and the fancy prince clothes he's wearing.
She also realises this is the first time she has met a moonfolk since they left this world, and she loses it when her uncle runs up to her and takes her into his arms, overwhelmed with joy and happiness, as the last thing she ever thought might happen is meeting one, nevertheless three of her family members.
Shortly, they're lead to their rooms to rest before they properly sit together as one family again. Evdokia notices that Jean's aura is different. He seems tense and his mind is like a tornado flying all around the cupboards of his mind.
She finds Jean all over her the moment they enter their assigned room in the castle. His kisses are sloppy and lust driven, and if she knew any other way that can put his mind at ease she would have stopped him and talked sense back into him, but she doesn't, and she doesn't stop him.
*
July 18, 2021, 09:03
The Atlantic empire
The Aqua castle
The sun isn't as apparent as it is in the surface when it's 9am but she strays from her sleep either way. Last night sleep might have been the most peaceful night she has had in months. She isn't sure if it's the sex, peacefulness of the underwater or knowing that no one can reach them if they stayed here forever, or if Jean's vulnerability last night with her was what has put her mind at ease.
He broke down to a million pieces and she put him together as well as she can make it, the weight of that night he almost killed himself if it wasn't for Robin, the night he got his face carved with a dagger and he was on the edge of death when his father pulled him out of the fire. Robin carrying him through thick and thin, Robin being his wall and the builder of it, Robin, Robin and Robin.
None of it was new to her, but perhaps the little hiccups and chocks between his words what made it different. Maybe seeing him crying his way to sleep in her arms, bodies and souls bare is what made her fall in love with him all over again.
And so here she is. Tracing down the scars all over his face as his face is lit up by the few rays of sun making their way through the water to his delicate features. She has her head plopped on her wrist and body balanced on her elbow.
She can stay like this forever. She'd be happy and content to stay like this forever.
She'd cross her heart and hopes to die that all she needs in life at this point is one look at this man's face, one smile on his behalf.
She never meant to drag him down to hell with her when she agreed on this, never. Part of the reason she didn't want to go was of him and his unclosed wounds, she can't bare hurting him that hard, but she only did far worse than just rubbing salt to his wounds.
Evdokia doesn't think she can live with it, with herself after causing Robin's death. Jean would argue it was never her fault, but Evdokia's decision of coming here was, after all, the sole reason why this all has happened. She thinks about death and what comes after it, where Robin and the rest of her family are at now. Its unknown.
Yes, death is unknown. But for god, Evdokia is far more petrified of living than dying.
It's not easy for any of them. They were born in a fucked up world that they had to get moulded like perfect gods and goddesses to live smoothly day in day out. Only that they're not. Jean's parents didn't care if he was in fact ready for the world or not, while Evdokia's cared too much that they couldn't pressure her too much into politics, after all, she had two older brothers to take care of the dirty work for her.
Jean stirs in his sleep and shuffles closer, pressing his nose to where her heart is tucked under layers of muscles and skin.
For once, she lets go of her ghosts and focuses on what she still has.
She whispers in his ears that everything will be okay from now on.
She lies. And she could be a damn good liar sometimes.
*