The recent events had left the city of Marcos in ruins, minds of the residents scattered. How would one even begin to make sense of the fact that the largest human settlement in the entire country almost fell in just a single night at the hands of a creature never believed to exist, and saved again by beings of the same blood?
After the battle, princess Emberle was laid unconscious in her room with little signs of recovery. Ernid was in the same state but was placed under heavy guard under house arrest a few miles north outside the city. As for Grey, he was back behind a cell in the castle basement with tighter chains around his neck, legs and arms. Unfair? Perhaps, but it was a choice between him or Ernid.
The corpses were gathered and burned outside the city along with the tears and regrets of the survivors. There was no ceremony or a sort of ritual, there were too many, just carts going around the city and clearing them out like litter.
Two days later reconstruction was already underway. Overseen by prince Cid and the order of black knights. Though no one was in high spirits.
Fear had creeped in. The fear of the unknown, fear of another attack. The fear of sleeping with the nightmares echoing in a distance in the darkness of their minds.
The citizens of Marcos had seen the true colors of the world after thousands of years of peace. All the ancient texts about exodus they had ignored had come knocking on their doors. As the sun rose from the horizon, a new day began, thus beginning the era of redemption.
◇◇◇
A glaive knocked and entered Johnathan's office, "Sir ,his Majesty would like a word with you," he reported.
Johnathan lifted the book he had placed over his face. He sat up straight with a heavy sigh to look at the knight.
"What about?" he asked tardily.
"He says it's a private matter, sir"
"oh, right...of course it is,"
He left with the knight and followed him to the throne room where he found king Marcos standing by the window, silently watching his people rebuild the city down below. His arms linked behind him.
"You wanted to see me?"
Asked Johnathan as the glaive quietly left and closed the door behind him.
" 'We truly are nearing the end of days' ...my wife said this to me the day I watched three children fight and defeat a demon barehanded in my stead as I and my knights coward behind a wall,"
Marcos's voice sounded heavy, exhausted, even temperamental. Johnathan remained silent.
"And do you know what I felt?" He asked as he turned to look at him, "It was relief. I was relieved that it wasn't me fighting that thing. I was relieved I was the one being protected. My own daughter lies half dead on her bed with a devil in her heart and here I am feeling relieved I didn't take her place. I know, I'm a bad king, even more so a father, but I dare you to deny you felt the same,"
Johnathan still did not respond, but the facial expression he tried to hide gave Marcos the answer he was looking for. It was shame, anger, regret, fear and embarrassment all rolled up into one.
Marcos walked up to Johnathan and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I need your help, Johnathan. No more running, no more regrets. Help me secure our safety from anything that may make us feel this way ever again."
To this, Johnathan found himself no longer able to keep silent. "Let me guess," he said, "You either want control over those kids like you do over the princess or you want them dead,"
"I'm starting to think you might know me too well. I want you and the knights to find out who or what that flying girl was. I heard she woke up earlier this morning," Marcos said as he went to sit on his throne.
"And? Then what? What happens when you realize you can't control them?" Johnathan asked, slightly distressed.
"Then we kill them," Marcos shrugged.
"What if we can't? Back there, princess Emberle rejected drawn blood and fled to the boy's arms. For someone known to lose all self control at the sight of blood , that's already a red flag. Now call me a coward if you will but my instincts tell me this is one shit show I want no part of"
"He's only human, Johnathan. What scares you?" Marcos asked with a light mocking chuckle as he slouched on his throne.
"You don't believe that. You and I both know you don't believe that...and neither do I." Johnathan replied, looking straight into the king's eyes, "You saw what I saw. He was the only one who didn't show any signs of possession but he still fought that thing to a standstill. What the hell do you make of that? how's that even remotely close to being human?"
"So, what are you implying?"
"Nothing, your highness." Johnathan said as he calmed his voice, "I'm just saying that just this once, plan B might not be an option. It might be safer to have them as allies,"
Merlin appeared behind Johnathan, a ghost in his shadow that only Marcos could see. "I agree with the blondie," he said , "What I found about that girl is rather interesting. She does not carry a heart like Emberle...but perhaps something better."
Marcos could not be seen speaking to ghosts, he gave Merlin a questioning look and the shadow told him:
"To kill her is to kill your people, and perhaps the world."
◇◇◇
With the information he had received from Merlin, Marcos appeared in front of Grey's cell with a glaive and a maid holding a tray of food. Some bread, soup and a cup of tea while the king held the lantern.
"Morning ,lad, I don't suppose you could care for some breakfast? unlock the bars and his chains" He commanded.
The guards obediently do as he said and he entered the cell. The maid rushed to place the tray at Grey's feet. His eyes hovered over over the contents then paused, looked up at the king and scoffed. A peasant's meal, he thought. But he was too hungry to refuse so he rubbed his wrists and ate, making a mess of the breadcrumbs.
"Forgive my poor hospitality, I just didn't know what to make of you. I trust you can understand?" Marcos said politely.
"No ,I can't understand. I save your city and you lock me up, then give me a peasant's meal and expect me to be pleased? If anything, I feel insulted." he said with a mouthful, "You're lucky I'm hungry. And where is my sister?"
"Don't worry, she's in better conditions. I have her in a house not far from the city. I can arrange for you to see her if that will calm your heart," Marcos replied, ignoring his repulsive tone and lack of manners.
"But I suppose leaving the city is out of the question?" Grey said after swallowing a large chunk of bread.
"Sadly so."
"Makes sense. I guess I underestimated your fear of the unknown. But tell me something," He emptied the cup of tea like it was a glass of water before he continued, "What's wrong with my sister? I'm sure you've already done your research on her and stuff."
Marcos glared at him, unabele to hold his temper anymore. "Aren't you a little too informal in the presence of a king?" he said in contempt.
"You're a little too unfair to a hero so I'd say we're square." Grey brushed off the glare, "What's wrong with her? She was possessed but she could still hear my voice, she was listening to me."
With heavy sigh, Marcos let his frustration go and decided it best to continue feigning politeness, "How long have you known about her condition?"
"Long enough."
Marcos paused, "If you're not willing to trust me then why should I trust you?"
Grey arranged the dishes on the tray after he was done eating. "Fine, that's fair I suppose. Let me see my sister and I'll tell you everything you want to know. But I expect the same from you" He said as handed him the tray, the maid stepped forward to take it instead.
"Very well then." Marcos agreed, "In the meantime ,you shall remain here unshackled until I call for you"
"Already feels like home. I wonder if this is how you treat all your guests!" he shouted as the cell door locked behind the king.
◇◇◇
Far South of Marcos, beyond the canyos, caves and mountains , through the forests and past the dry lands, there was a small village near a river. Here children laughed and played in peace. Men worked in the fields and chopped wood for the coming winter while women washed their blankets and clothes in the nearby river. It was a calm place, rich with culture and joy. A truly peaceful place, a simple society with a balanced structure and little to complain about. But within this village, a man heard a call.
"psst"
He looked around but he didn't see anyone trying to get his attention so he continued to chop his wood. Then the sound came again, this time it sounded closer, but he still couldn't tell where it was coming from.
***
'what I learned about that girl is truly interesting' Merlin had said.
***
The sound came again for the third time ,but this time it sounded harsher and more like a wounded man. "PSSSST! Over...*cough* h-here!"
The man dropped his axe. This time he had been waiting. It was coming from behind him. He reluctantly followed the sound into the trees, walking into the shade to investigate.
"That's it...good, almost there"
The voice encouraged him, and he went further into the forest.
**
'She holds the power of [the soul gate]. A terrifying ability. Whenever it is made active, the gates of hell are breached just barely enough for a demon to squeeze through'
**
As the man went deeper, he saw a dark figure of a person hiding behind a tree. "Come on, just a few more steps," The figure said.
There was a sound, crackling, like fire on wood. The man was confused. He could hear something burning but could see no fire. He could smell it too, it smelled like ash yet there was no smoke. The closer he got to the figure the hotter it began to feel, but no matter how hard he looked there was no sign of a fire or smoke anywhere. So he timidly asked, "H-hey, buddy, are you okay?" as he got closer.
The figure replied, "Good. Perfect. That's close enough."
It's body turned to collective black smoke and it instantly flew towards him so fast that he had no time to react. It was so thick that when it hit the man on the chest he was thrown at a distance.
***
'We cannot kill her, a soul like hers is not allowed to die, and everytime we do a new demon will surface. We cannot chain her or lock her up. From what we have seen, her brother could be something worse. As of this moment, your majesty, we are at their mercy, but they don't need to know that'
***
The man opened his eyes, they couldn't open all the way. The sun was too bright, it seemed to blind him. He sat up, "Ah, it's so bright up here. I had almost forgotten." he groaned.
He looked at his hands with a pleased expression and smiled, then scoffed, and then he was laughing.
"ha...haha...hahahahaha. I'M FREEEEE!! hahahaha" he laughed wholeheartedly as he fell on his back and stretched out his arms. "It's impossible, they said. Demons cannot survive on earth ,they said. Ha! bullshit, just possess a human before the curse takes effect and that stupid contract is cheated,"
"Maria, I'm coming for you!"
We cannot kill her, Merlin had warned the king, a soul like hers is not allowed to die. We cannot chain her, her brother could be worse. This was what forced him to overlook Grey's behavior.
"Johnathan is right, great king," Merlin had said, "You need them as allies, now as much as they need you."