It was a close call for Tobias. He was trembling after the fight with Commander Remus.
Did he recognize me? But it was already dusk. I'm sure not.
A knock from the door of his office woke him up from his thoughts.
"Captain, Commander Remus is here for you," the staff said and he let the Commander into his office. He then left and closed the door.
Tobias was quite dumbfounded as to why the Commander had gone to visit him.
"Good afternoon, Commander! What can I do for you?" Tobias managed to greet him, feigning ignorance of their previous combat.
"Are you free for a talk?"
Tobias stared right into the Commander's eyes.
What might it be?
Tobias then led the Commander to an isolated place.
"What is it, Commander?"
"Wow. You really led me to an isolated place. Understandable."
"What do you want to talk about, Commander?"
"How have you been, Young Master Risus Nubis?"
As soon as the Commander called out his real name, Tobias halted. Scenes of that night where the Commander had slain his mother flashed before his eyes. He started to tremble and yet he tried to remain calm. He cannot show any sign of weakness in front of this murderer. The bulging veins and the bloodshot eyes are evidence of his determination to be calm and rational. He managed to unsheathe his sword and he immediately pointed it at Remus.
"So you knew?" Tobias asked, both taunting him and curious. He then walked closer towards the Commander and placed the sword firmly against his neck, making a visible cut. "Then how does it feel that you will soon be slain by the son of the woman that you murdered?"
Surprisingly, Commander Remus remained calm. He knew that Captain Karsh wouldn't be able to kill him as he is his greatest leverage in finding the truth. "I would say that your revenge would be done. But, wouldn't you need me?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, if you really want your true revenge, I think that you need to keep me alive."
"Then, tell me what happened then. Tell me the exact details."
"Are you sure that you want to know?"
"Isn't that given?"
"Then, you're gonna get hurt."
Tobias didn't think of anything and swung his sword, cutting off the Commander's left hand where his scar is. He let out a sound of pain as he crumbled to the ground.
Tobias kneeled close to the fallen Commander.
"You don't have the right to warn me about being hurt. How about that? Does it hurt? That is your first payment. Depending on how useful you are, it could be your last payment. So, who?"
"Who do you think? It's obviously the one I served."
Tobias froze as soon as he heard what he said. He held his sword against the Commander's neck.
"You are lying."
"Why would I lie when my life is hanging by a thread with your sword pressed against my neck? Maybe, you are just thinking that it's a lie because you couldn't accept it. You seem to be close with Young Miss Caia. What will you do about it?"
"That's my own matter. As for you, I'll be collecting the full payment soon. Your cuts and losing your hand is not enough for what you have done. It should be fair. A life for a life," Tobias said and walked away.
Commander Remus stared at the man as he disappeared from his sight. His footsteps were heavy as he trudged the rugged path with a light head.
Commander Remus then tore his robes and bandaged his wounded arm. He stared at his severed hand on the ground.
I hope I won't get nightmares anymore.
Commander Remus then geared towards the nearest Healer Center.
Little did they know that they were being watched by a man who works at the Manse. He heard all about their conversation.
Young Master Risus Nubis is alive?
After that revelation, a smile was painted on that man's face. He then also started to walk away as he geared towards the Manse.
XXX
Sol glanced at Tobias as they sat down under that lone tree in that cosmos-covered hill. It seemed that Tobias was not too happy to see her. Yes, he smiled, but it faded quite fast. All she can see now is the sadness painted in the windows of his soul.
"How have you been, Captain? I've missed you a lot," Sol said, clearing the awkward silence.
Tobias let out a forced smile as he caressed the loose tresses of the Young Miss.
"Mm. I've been well. How about you? I see that you've been enjoying your vacation."
"You can say that. I had meals with my father. I had dinner with Sir Braegen and Sir Allegros. Also, I had a quality time with Karisha and Haelas. All that is left is to see you," she said, beaming.
"You've met Haelas? How is he?"
"Well, he's been busy with his training…" she said and talked about everything she did.
Tobias let out a smile as he listened to Sol's stories.
"Tell me straight, Captain.."
"About what?"
"You've been smiling the whole time as you listened to me but still…I can't seem to ignore those sad eyes of yours. What is it?"
Tobias harshly sighed.
"I think…it is best that this will be the last time that we spend together."
"What are you talking about? Are you ending our relationship again?"
"I'm sorry."
"Why? Did I do something wrong? Am I that lacking?"
"No.No.No. I just don't want things between us to be not so complicated so that you won't suffer so much."
When you find out the truth, you wouldn't be able to sleep nor eat. You try to make a rational decision but your heart will be there messing it up.
Also, I don't want you to be entangled between me and your Father.
When our relationship ends, it would be easier for you to choose your side. It would be easier for you to choose your Father.
I am sorry for being selfish again. I made a promise to my parents to uncover the truth and settle it. I wouldn't let anyone get out of my path of revenge, even if it is your Father.
"That talk again, Captain. You're talking about not wanting to hurt me and not wanting to let me suffer. What you're saying now is making me suffer in pain. It is making me miserable. "
"Sol, listen. The affection that you are giving me – I want that. Numerous times, I tried to justify that you are the one for me and I am the one for you. But…Sol, I don't deserve you. I don't qualify for your affection."
Sol can only sigh in sorrow.
"Captain, let me ask you, do you adore me?"
"I do..but-"
"That's all I want to know. Knowing that you feel the same as me. That's enough for me. Whatever it is that you fear that is causing you to be like this-let's deal with it together. For now…"
Sol took a step closer towards Tobias and gulped as she stared at the Captain's plump lips. She gathered all the courage she has and planted a kiss on it. She stared right into the Captain's eyes and she saw no adverse reaction from what she did. She then proceeded to wrap her arms around the Captain's nape to pull him closer towards her. She then planted another kiss, this time – it's deeper, longer and wetter.
When Tobias felt the soft lips clashed into his, he felt all the nerves in his body alerted in full attention. As those lips clashed into his again, finding its way deeper and rougher, Tobias gave in. He immediately embraced Sol in his arms, pressing her firmly against his body.He then gently laid her on the ground as they continued interlocking their passionate lips.
As Sol felt the soft ground against her back, she immediately reached for the robes of the Captain, pulling it off. Before she could finally pull off the Captain's robes, she felt a warm and calloused hand gently and firmly touching her belly towards her chest. The next thing she knew, she was free from her own robes. She stared at the Captain in confusion as to how he was able to undress her in such a short span of time. Now, all she could see, towering above her, is the Captain's tan and toned body with the bright night sky as the backdrop.
The Captain's face was so gorgeously warm that it's melting her. Before she could get a longer look on his face, the Captain proceeded to caress her neck with his own lips. And those warm and wet lips of the Captain continued to travel all over her body. It was so sweet and gentle that she was not prepared for the next part.
After Tobias received a nod of consent from Sol, he immediately worked on the Young Miss' lower body. He tried to control his rushing hormones in order to prepare the Young Miss for the next engagement. When he sensed that she loosened up, he let the dragon enter the forbidden kingdom.
Sol felt a stinging pain and pleasure as she welcomed the dragon. She also welcomed the deep kisses from the Captain that almost made her lose her breath. Her body continued to welcome the tender bites that the Captain was leaving all over her body.
Under the night sky full of stars and above the cosmos covered ground, the dragon feasted in that forbidden kingdom which graciously welcomed him---numerous times.
XXX
Sol felt the burning touch of the sunlight on her cheek that it made her conscious. She can feel the sore all over her body especially in the middle. She let out a smile as she slowly opened her eyes. She saw a wooden ceiling. Dumbfounded, she looked all over the room. It was the room of the Captain.
How did I get here? Last time I remember, I was wrapped around the Captain's body on that cosmos-covered hill. Did he carry me here?
While organizing her thoughts, the door opened and a freshly bathed Captain in his usual dark robes entered the room. He glanced at her and locked their gaze towards each other.
"You are finally awake. How are you feeling?" Tobias asked her.
"I feel fine, Captain."
Tobias then walked towards Sol and sat beside her on that bed.
"Sol…" he started, "I need to tell you something."
"What is it, Captain?"
"While I still have the courage, I need to tell you something about myself. About the truth of my identity. About the reason why I want to part with you."
"Captain!" Sol said in a much louder voice that it stunned Tobias.
"Ye-yes?"
"Do you know that I'm still hurting? After being physically hurt, you still want to hurt me emotionally?"
"I…If I won't say this now, I may never have the courage to bring it up again."
"Okay. Give me one truth about you and I will decide on the next step."
"My real name is Risus-"
"Okay! That's it. So your real name is Risus. That's enough fun fact for today."
Sol doesn't know but she suddenly fears the facts that Tobias is going to tell her.
Knowing that it is taking the Captain a lot of courage to reveal it to her and that she might get hurt or suffer because of it, she is suddenly afraid. There is only one ending to this. They will eventually part.
She is not yet ready to part with the Captain. Their love just blossomed and now it is on the verge of dying.
"Okay. How about breakfast? Can you get up or I'll bring -?"
"Of course I can get up, Captain. But first, I need to bathe."
XXX
Risus Nubis.
On the second day of Sol's stay at the abode of the Karsh's, the second fact that Tobias said to her is his family name – Nubis. That afternoon of the second day, Sol decided to leave and refused to be escorted back to the Capital as she reasoned that she would spend time with Serga and Reicha. She feared the fact that Tobias would tell her on the third day.
You can tell me the other things on the next day that we'll meet.
That's what she said to him.
She glanced at the hill where she came from. Tears suddenly fell from her eyes.
I guess that on the next day that we will meet, we'll not be lovers anymore.
Thus, I will make sure not to meet you again until I'm ready to say goodbye to you.
XXX
The next day, Tobias, Ka-el and Dorn roamed around the Capital towards the West when an Amethyst defender from the South came looking for them.
"Captain, Sirs. We have another missing case again. It happened last night," he said.
Tobias and his friends immediately followed the Amethyst defender back to the South to investigate. Captain Braegen went to meet them.
"Yesterday, a witness came forward alleging that he saw a masked man loaded an unconscious man on his steed and galloped towards the east," Captain Braegen said.
"What time did it happen, Captain?"
"He said that it's around midnight when he is going home after a drink with his friends."
"A drink?"
"Mm. I know what you're thinking. He might have seen things because of the influence of the alcohol; but, a lady came this morning and told us that her husband hasn't come back to their abode after he had gone to work on that day."
"Then, it might make sense. Can the witness describe the supposed kidnapper?"
"He said that he is of sturdy build and armed with a sword. He also caught a glimpse of his cosmos hair that is covered with the hood of his robe."
He might not just be a usual thug as they usually carry bolos. Having a sword means that he is with the force or he has stolen it or is given to him.
"Mm. How about the body searches, Captain?"
"We already covered the South except for Mount Arcanus and near the Corpse Shield. We haven't found anybody yet."
"Okay then, I'll join the night patrol then, Captain."
"Then, we'll join as well," Ka-el finally said after listening for a while.
XXX
It's the fifth night patrol of Tobias and there was another missing case that was just reported. It's nearing midnight as he trudges along the pathways in the suburbs. Dorn and Ka-el carried their night patrol on separate paths. He was contemplating on moving to another route when he heard a fast approaching steed. He immediately led his steed towards the nearby large trees and hid behind it.
Under the bright light of the moon, Tobias saw who was aboard that steed-a masked and hooded man. An unconscious man was leaning on him. Tobias grasped his sword to prepare for an attack but he decided to follow the man instead.
They climbed the nearby mountain. It was a rugged path and if you're not an experienced horse rider then you will surely fall from your steed. They galloped for about an hour until they arrived at a clearing. There was a fairly large abode. It seemed like it was recently built.
Then, he noticed that there were about 50 men in dark robes patrolling the vicinity.
What is this?
His heart began to pound faster and louder.
Is this where all those missing people went?
Tobias looked around for an opening in order to enter the abode. He then tied his steed behind the area that was densely populated with trees. He carefully trudged along the rugged pathway as he grasped his sword. He then observed the rotational scheme of the guards. After figuring out how to enter the abode, Tobias cautiously stood up as he prepared for the run to enter the abode on the left wing. As he took a leap, he felt a cold metal cutting into his robes and piercing right into his left chest. He tried to unsheathe his sword as he fell to the ground. He could see the guards with his blurry eyes surrounding him. He tried to slay them but his arm fell limp and it fell helplessly to the ground. And his vision went dark.
XXX
When Tobias opened his eyes, he saw a wide room with about 10 beds and there were people who were chained on the bed. He also quickly noticed that half of the guards were in the room and they were all looking at him with their hands grasping their swords. Tobias instinctively moved his arms, his feet and his whole body but it wouldn't budge. He was also chained.
"HEY!!!" he shouted, "Unchain me!"
But they didn't make a move. He continued shouting at them when the door on the far left end of the room opened. A man dressed in a healer's robes approached them. He steadily walked towards him.
"You are up, Captain," the healer said. He looked pale, his eyes were sunken, and he looked thinner than his original frame.
Tobias couldn't recognize him until he spoke.
"Aspirant Aris?"
Haelas couldn't look at the Captain in his eyes.
XXX
Earlier, he was preparing for bed when he heard a commotion from the outside. He then rushed towards the source and it seemed that a man was wounded. He made his way towards the man and he nearly lost his breath when he saw who it was. He then ordered the guards to bring him inside.
He then immediately tried to remove the arrow that pierced his left chest and tried to lessen the blood coming from it.
Why is the Captain here?
"Chain him!" the Vice Commander of the Golden Shields ordered his men as soon as he arrived.
"Wait…he is still wounded, Vice Commander."
"Are you the one in-charge here?" The Vice Commander questioned him.
"But…isn't he a defender?" Haelas asked, faking ignorance on the identity of the Captain, "I heard that we should not test the concoction on defenders."
"Yes. But he is different, he is Captain Tobias Karsh and I was ordered to bring him here. And here he is . I don't want him to flee from my grasp," he said and ordered his men again, "Chain him."
The Vice Commander then left. Haelas couldn't do anything and then the arrow caught his attention. He smelled something pleasant from it. A night blooming Jasmine. The Kiss of the Moon.
XXX
Haelas faintly nodded and gestured to him to drink the tea that he brought. He then helped Tobias drink the tea that he brought. As soon as Tobias swallowed the tea, he felt a burning sensation right in his throat and in his chest.
"What did you make me drink!?" he roared.
"It's the Luminous, Captain."
"What!?"
"It is what you had heard, Captain," an authoritative voice said. It was the Supremo and with him was Adviser Moraii and Commander Remus. They then approached Tobias at his bedside.
Tobias' heart fell down as soon as he saw the Supremo.
"So, you finally concocted it?"
"Mm. But it's still not perfect."
"If it's really the Luminous, then you'll be burning your own land to the ground."
"I wouldn't want that obviously, that's why I have Healer Aris here and that's why I have you here."
"This is not right, Supremo."
"The Luminous will be used to protect our land so I don't see what is not right… Young Master Risus Nubis."
Tobias was stunned when he heard his real name from the Supremo. Except for the unconscious test subjects, everyone else in the room stared at Tobias and back at the Supremo. They were dumbfounded as well.
Commander Remus looked confused as well as he didn't see it coming. He didn't know how the Supremo found out the real identity of Tobias.
"I see you know who I am, Supremo. How incredible…"
"I just found out about it recently."
"Now that you know who I am, then may I ask if you are really the one who orchestrated my parent's death?"
"Hmm. How did you know about that? Did you hear that from someone else? Did you hear it from him?" the Supremo asked and as soon as he finished his statement, he struck a sword right into Commander Remus' chest. The Commander immediately fell down and slowly breathed his last. It is clear in the Commander's facial expression as to how he is totally shocked with the attack.
The attack was so sudden that it made them gasp as their hearts raced. Haelas trembled as he firmly grasped Tobias' arms.
The Supremo then walked closer towards Tobias.
"Yes…it is I. What took you so long to ask that?" the Supremo whispered.
"Lies. Tell me it's not true, Supremo! Tell me, it's not true, Uncle!!!" Tobias shouted at the Supremo who was walking away from him. Tears were falling from his eyes.
"I also wish that it's not true. But it is," the Supremo said with a small smile and left the room. Adviser Moraii and around 10 guards followed him.
Tobias tried to break free from the chains but it only dug right into his flesh. He felt his strength fading.
Haelas tried to calm him down but he wouldn't stop.
"Captain, you can't break free as you no longer have the strength that you had!"
"What? What do you mean?"
"You are no longer a Wishbone as you are already poisoned by the Kiss of the Moon."
"What do you mean? What are you saying? Make it clear!"
"You were struck by an arrow coated with poison and its name is Kiss of the Moon. It will restore you back to your original state- an ordinary individual."
"Then that Luminous earlier…"
"It will bring you back to being a Wishbone."
"But it was not a perfect concoction… and taking the wrong concoction will either make me ill or seize my breath?"
"Mm."
"So you are saying that I… I will perish here? Is that what you are saying??!!"
The tears flowed bitterly from his eyes to his robes. Tobias doesn't care if he will perish. All he is asking is to bring justice to what happened to his father and mother. He had just opened the door towards the truth and now it is closing its doors after only giving him a peek. And now, it seemed that the justice that he yearned for so many years was beyond his reach, he couldn't accept it.
Even if this may be his final hour in this world, he needs to find a way to live.
XXX
Dearest Reader, how are you doing?
So happy that you reached the end of Book 1.
A fun fact about this story:
Actually the draft of this story was started in 2009, was revived in 2018 and was then reworked in 2021 until now.
Finally, it is finished. Off to working on the Book 2.
See you there!