The Court has ordered Liam, who has become Orexis, to be eliminated. If he can not be killed, he must be buried alive and sealed beneath the earth.
The commander was sent to execute him. He tagged along with some soldiers in search of Liam in the forest.
For hours, they comb the wilderness, but they see no traces of him.
The soldiers are well aware that by sunset, Orexis will become a rampant threat.
In preparation, a deep, well-like pit has been excavated for Orexis. Since he has no soul, his destruction is impossible; thus, confinement is the only option.
The General couldn't follow them to the deep forest to search due to his injured hand, so he stayed at the foot of the mountain near the well waiting for his adopted son.
The rustle of leaves and snapping of twigs signalled an approaching presence, and he drew his dagger with a soft metallic scrape."I knew you would come to find me once I was alone. Is it true that you have become Orexis? His father demanded, his dagger glinting in the fading light." Answer me. Did you sacrifice your men and become an evil spirit? Did you really kill Blair and your son with your own hands? He questioned.
Liam couldn't say out a word than to kneel and bow before his adopted father. He said, " Please kill me," Dejectedly.
"What?" The General replied in awe.
"I cannot die, I jumped off a cliff and stabbed myself, but I did not die. I have truly....become Orexis, an immortal monster. " Liam said as tears filled his eyes. "I have become an evil spirit who feeds off human's blood.
"So it is true, the court wants you dead, if you cannot die, I will cut you into pieces and seal you shut at the bottom of a well. The General explained.
Liam sobers quietly.
The General's dagger flashed in the fading light, its blade poised to strike. "I will ask you one last time. Did you really kill Blair and your son with your own hands?
Liam's nod was barely perceptible, his eyes downcast in shame. " I did. I dragged them into this, promising I would break the curse. So, I led them to their death. I was not able to forget how Orexis saved me when I was little. I let it go, and that has led to their deaths. Their neck were torn, and as they lay dying with their eyes still open, I could not do anything. So I am the one who killed them. " He sobers.
The General's rage boiled over, his dagger trembling with the urge to strike. But as he gazed into Liam's tormented eyes, his fury faltered. With a snarl, he sheathed his blade, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Go,flee from the humans, and live in hiding. Do not harm them."
Why spare me?' Liam's voice was laced with malevolent curiosity. 'I am Orexis, who feeds on their blood.'
The General's expression was a mask of anguish, his voice heavy with sorrow. 'You are not a monster, Liam. You were born of human flesh, lived as one of us. Your heart still beats with humanity.So lived, no matter what.' He dropped his dagger and turned away, as if unable to bear the sight of his adopted son.
But the commander's voice cut through the air, cold and unforgiving. 'Kill him! Behead him!' The soldiers surged forward, their daggers drawn in unison. 'I saw everything, that man...no that evil spirit wishes to die. Behead in and put him in the well. The commander's eyes blazed with a zealous fury, as if determined to exorcise the demon that had once been Liam.
The General replied, "he used to be a human, so he will not hurt them."
"Will you disobey the court order?" Commander questioned. "Monsters must be killed!"
The General's voice was a forceful protest, He saved our lives countless....the commander's dagger sliced through the air, plunging deep into the General's heart before he could finish his plea.The General's eyes widened in shock, his mouth agape, as he slumped to the ground with a faint gurgle.
The commander's voice was cold," I told you not to trust anyone who was of lowly and ominous birth. I will attest to the court that you fell in battle against Orexis.
Liam's grief and rage ignited like a tempest, his eyes blazing with fury as he attacked the commander.
The soldiers' voices rose, 'Kill him! Kill Orexis!' But the General's cry cut through the din, a desperate 'No!' as Liam's dark, razor-sharp claws poised to strike.
Liam's eyes burned with an unholy hunger, his face twisted in a snarl. Yet, the General's words held a strange power, a reminder of the humanity that once was. 'Do you truly wish to become a monster?' he pleaded, his hand extended in a gesture of supplication. 'Come with me, Liam. Let's go.
The forest grew quiet, the only sound of the soft rustle of leaves and the heavy breathing of the commander.
Liam was able to control his rage to kill the commander and took his father up the hill under a big tree.
"You need treatment, let me take you to the village." Liam said with deep concern.
It's too late. Worry about yourself. Since I have failed, the court will send someone else to do the deed.
In no time, he had an unquenched thirst for blood.
"Promise me that you will never feed off human blood," his father requested. "Answer me, answer me out loud.
"Yes, father." He managed to say.
"No matter how many centuries go by, you must remain a human."
"Yes, father." He replied, hurtful.
"Good."His father nods in satisfaction. Now, I would like to rest. Take me to my daughter, I must ask for her forgiveness. All my life, I have been neglectful of Blair. I avoid her. Her abnormal power of reading people's pasts.... made everyone talk behind her back. I considered her a strange being myself, I should have treated her better. I should have embraced her when she lost her mother and her daughter. And with that, his life force flickered out, like a candle snuffed by the cruel hand of fate, leaving behind only the eerie silence of death.
Liams wept bitterly.
He buried his family as he was giving his last condolence " the old woman who prophesied walked up to him.
"What you said was true. Those who were by my side have all perished due to Orexis grudge against me. Is there more to the curse that you have yet to tell me? He questioned.
She quickly bowed and pleaded. " Oh, Orexis, please let your anger subside. Please put an end to this cycle of death. Please put an end to this bloody carnage.
Why have I become Orexis? Liam questioned.
Orexis is immortal because he has no soul. The former Orexis took yours, that is why you've become Orexis. The old woman explained.
Then what happened to that woman? He asked.
She died as a human, and she will reincarnate as a human. The old woman replied.
She became a human and will reincarnate as one? Liam was lost in his own thoughts. You murdered my family and made me immortal by stealing my soul. You threw me into this agony. Then it is my turn to hunt you. I will let you know how agonising it is to be chased by Orexis. No matter how many times you are reincarnated, I will make sure to find you and get my revenge!
* Liam finds his shelter in a hollow rock and keeps to his father promise not to feed off human's blood. He sketched out the lady's image in his head and searched for her over the years. *
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