Chereads / Prince of Sentinels / Chapter 44 - Flawed

Chapter 44 - Flawed

The chill of dread permeates my core as I hold the limp bodies of my cousins in my arms. Their lifeless forms, once vibrant with energy and laughter, now weigh heavily against me. The dread is suffocating, a heavy cloak that wraps around my heart, squeezing with each beat. I can feel the coldness seeping into my bones, freezing me in a moment that I never wished to witness.

Terror grips me, an icy hand clutching at my throat. The room, once filled with regal splendor, becomes a haunting landscape of tragedy. The grandeur is replaced by an overwhelming sense of loss, and I find myself lost in a sea of shadows. The terror is not just for the present but echoes into an uncertain future, a future without the laughter and camaraderie that once defined our existence.

Sadness washes over me in waves, a torrent of grief that threatens to consume everything in its path. The tears that well in my eyes are both a testament to the pain I feel and a futile attempt to wash away the indelible sorrow etched into my soul. Each sob is a melody of mourning, a lament for the vibrant lives silenced too soon.

Anguish twists within me, a visceral ache that resonates through every fiber of my being. The weight of loss is an unbearable burden, and I find myself questioning the cruel twists of fate that brought us to this moment. The once regal chamber now echoes with the haunting sounds of grief, and in my arms, my cousins remain silent witnesses to a tragedy that has shattered our world.

At that moment, I had lost everything.

… 

As the young girl, generally around 13 years old, stood before the imposing marble door, an air of enigma surrounded her like an invisible shroud. The juxtaposition of fragility and strength was evident not only in her demeanor but also in the flow of her long, fluffy dark green hair, which seemed to echo the dichotomy of her personality. Each strand cascaded down her shoulders, softening the sharp edges of her pale and fair complexion.

The dual nature of her eyes intensified the mystery she exuded. One eye, a captivating shade of dark green, held an unspoken depth, while the other gleamed with a striking blood-red hue, creating an almost ethereal and otherworldly quality to her gaze. 

Long, delicate lashes framed these captivating eyes, adding a touch of elegance to her visage. A subtle yet rebellious lip piercing adorned the right side of her bottom lip, hinting at an untamed spirit beneath the surface.

The birthmark etched upon her face was the hallmark of her uniqueness. A thin black cross, so dark that it almost masqueraded as a tattoo, added an intriguing layer to her appearance. It symbolized something deeper, an element of her identity that transcended the visible. Despite her overall feminine presentation, there lingered a subtle and intriguing hint of masculinity, a toughness that hinted at a complexity far beyond the surface.

Her clothing, a masterpiece of craftsmanship, exuded an air of timeless elegance. A finely tailored jacket, made of luxurious fabric, clung to her form, accentuating her figure with a precision that bordered on perfection. The deep, forest green color of the jacket echoed the richness of her hair, creating a harmonious ensemble.

The jacket was adorned with intricate patterns, suggesting a meticulous attention to detail. A set of unique insignias, perhaps symbols of her lineage or affiliations, were discreetly embroidered on the cuffs, adding an element of mystery. Beneath the jacket, a high-collared shirt conveyed a sense of formality, its fabric flowing gracefully.

Completing the ensemble were tailored trousers that embraced the line between practicality and style. The trousers, in the same shade of deep green, hinted at a subtle fusion of traditional and contemporary fashion. 

"Your Highness, we must get to your next lesson," A voice called out from the shadows, and with an exhausted expression, hinged to the frame of her emotions, she replied with a cold… 

"Shut the hell up." 

"As you wish." 

"Tch… that bitch." 

The imposing marble door creaked open, revealing a grand office beyond its confines. As the door swung wide, the young girl stepped into the room, exposing an opulent space filled with an air of authority. The office was adorned with intricate details, from ornate furniture to the polished mahogany desk at the center, signaling an environment steeped in power and significance.

Within the room stood several individuals, all sharing a striking resemblance to the young girl. Their long, green hair, though varying in shades from lighter hues to an extremely dark green, hinted at a familial connection. Their eyes, captivating in their heterochromatic beauty, all held a constant green right eye, mirroring the shade of their hair. However, their left eyes differed in color, each unique and mesmerizing.

In the center of the group stood a woman who exuded elegance and authority. Her dark green hair, even more intense than the others, framed her regal countenance. Like the rest, her right eye bore the constant green hue, while her left eye, a mesmerizing blood-red, set her apart. The absence of piercings emphasized her refined appearance, standing in stark contrast to the younger girl.

The many family members shared a similar fashion sense, their clothing a symphony of deep greens that harmonized with their verdant locks. The garments, though diverse in design, alluded to a shared heritage, emphasizing both individuality and unity. 

The focal point of the room was the woman in the middle, her dress a breathtaking masterpiece that eclipsed even the most elegant ensembles. The fabric, a cascade of darkness and mystery, shimmered with a luxurious sheen. The gown seemed to capture the essence of the night sky, adorned with jewels that resembled borderless, glowing miniature stars.

These celestial adornments, meticulously placed on the dress, emitted a soft luminescence, casting an otherworldly glow. The jewels sparkled with an intensity that hinted at a magical quality, each one telling a story of cosmic origins. The woman's regal attire, grander than any other in the room, elevated her presence to a celestial level, creating an aura of authority and elegance that commanded respect.

"Seems my child has finally come." 

The young girl's face quickly expressed her disgusted disturbance at that comment as it spoke miles of comprehension. She knew her presence was soon to come and just the thought of that sent shivers down the young girl's spine. On top of that, the woman's eyes dug into the young girl, blaring fangs of persistence and slight annoyance. 

"Don't look at me like that," The young girl glared. 

"Please, have a seat…" The woman gestured towards one of the many couches. 

"You-" The young girl choked on her words. "You killed them." 

Her cold, maleficent eyes met the young girl's glare which wavered with uncertainty. She had never done something like this before and until recently, this was completely out of even the limits of comprehension.

"What did I tell you about displaying such vile appeal…?" 

She had shown no remorse. The people surrounding her were nothing but boot lickers, wanting a taste of the noble dust her heels kick up, so obviously they did nothing, said nothing… heard nothing. 

"You killed them. I-I loved them." 

"They killed themselves." 

"They did not! I know they didn't! Don't lie to me, mother!" 

"Child…" The woman's pupils swirled in each eye socket, rubbing against the innermost flesh of her eyelids and twitching the tips of her lashes. Eventually, they melted into a new shape. A bullseye that caused the young girl to instinctively shiver with fear. "... You are still flawed. You need more training." 

Her mind was strong though, so she resisted as best as she could until the woman took a step forward, and years upon years of trauma crushed the young girl under an unbearable weight. 

"Flawlessness is the jewel in the crown of excellency. As somebody who shall succeed this crown, you must be perfect." 

"..." 

"...Understand?" 

"Yes ma'am." 

The girl stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her as fast as she could. Her entire body quaked while her teeth chattered endlessly, half due to rage and half due to the utmost terror she had inflicted upon herself. 

As she stormed through the pearly regal halls, the opulence of the surroundings was a stark contrast to the turmoil within her. Expensive and magical decorations adorned every inch of the corridor, their glittering facets reflecting an illusory facade of grandeur. Massive windows, potential gateways to the outside world, were obscured by pitch-black curtains, shrouding the opulent space in an impenetrable darkness.

With a subtle nobility, her feet carried her through the pearlescent halls, where her presence shifted with an eerie grace, almost as if the air itself whispered approval. Subtle ripples coursed through her form, a symphony of micro-adjustments that shifted the very essence of her being. The contours of her face softened and reshaped, molding into a more angular and masculine silhouette. Long, flowing strands of hair became ever so slightly shorter and more tousled, embodying the characteristic appearance of a young boy. 

"Madam doesn't like it when you change so openly," The shadows beside him called out. 

"She's not fucking here," The young boy replied, his voice a bit raspier compared to his previous light tone. 

"I apologize… but we must continue to your next class." 

"I know god dammit…" the boy's face crumpled with utter defeat as that same repeated phrase echoed in his mind. 

'Flawlessness is the jewel in the crown of excellency. As somebody who shall succeed this crown, you must be perfect.'

"Oh… I got destroyed," Silas muttered, rubbing his eyes as the florescent beaming liights above glistened into the pool of water below him.