The sky was a deep, foreboding grey, as if it too were mourning the loss of a hero. The air was heavy with the scent of incense and the distant chirping of birds, a stark contrast to the somber mood that had settled over the Realm. The warm sun cast long shadows across the ground, a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life.
Henri stood at the forefront of the funeral procession, his eyes fixed on the wooden casket adorned with intricate carvings of leaves and vines. The casket was draped in a black cloth, embroidered with silver thread that shimmered in the faint light. The sound of soft weeping and muffled sobs filled the air, a heartbreaking reminder of the impact Seth had on those around him.
As they made their way to the burial site, the rustling of leaves and the creaking of branches beneath their feet served as a somber reminder of the finality of death. The Realm's inhabitants had gathered to pay their respects to the fallen hero, their faces etched with grief and sadness.
The funeral procession came to a halt at the burial site, a tranquil clearing surrounded by towering trees that seemed to stretch up to the sky. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, a poignant reminder of the cycle of life and death. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, causing the flowers to sway gently in the wind.
Henri's voice was trembling as he began to eulogize Seth. "Today, we gather to bid farewell to a hero, a friend, and a brother. Seth's passing leaves a gaping hole in our hearts, but his legacy will live on through us." His words were laced with emotion, and his voice cracked as he struggled to maintain his composure.
As Henri spoke, the sky seemed to grow darker, as if the heavens themselves were mourning the loss of a noble soul. The wind picked up, rustling the leaves and carrying the whispers of the mourners. The atmosphere was heavy with grief, and the weight of Seth's passing hung in the air like a challenge.
The funeral rites continued, with each person paying their respects to Seth in their own way. Some left flowers, while others offered prayers or shared stories of Seth's bravery. The sound of soft sobbing and muffled cries filled the air, a heartbreaking reminder of the impact Seth had on those around him.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the burial site, Henri stepped forward to perform the final rites. He poured a libation of wine onto the casket, and the scent of fermented grapes wafted up, mingling with the incense. The sound of the wine flowing onto the casket was like a final farewell, a poignant reminder of the transience of life.
With a heavy heart, Henri handed me a small, ornate box. "Seth wanted you to have this," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
I opened the box, revealing the Death Scythe, its blade glinting in the fading light. Selena's eyes widened in surprise, and she took a step forward, her face a mask of confusion and hurt.
"Why did Seth want Liam to have the Scythe?" Selena asked, her voice tinged with a hint of accusation and a dash of sadness. Her eyes searched Henri's face, seeking answers to the questions that swirled in her mind.
Henri's eyes locked onto Selena's, his expression somber. "It was Seth's wish. He wanted Liam to have the Scythe, to carry on his legacy." His voice was firm but gentle, a soothing balm for the raw emotions that threatened to consume them.
Selena's face fell, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and hurt. She felt a pang of betrayal, as if Seth's decision was a personal rejection. Her eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched in frustration. "But it's my father who passed. Why should Liam get the Scythe?" Her voice was laced with emotion, and her words hung in the air like a challenge.
The air seemed to grow heavier, the tension between Selena and Liam palpable. Henri's eyes darted between the two, his expression a mask of calmness. The silence that followed was oppressive, the only sound the distant chirping of birds and the soft rustling of leaves.
Selena's eyes blazed with anger, her voice venomous. "How come Steve didn't acquire this after Seth died?" she spat.
Henri's expression turned somber, his voice low. "I managed to arrive in time to stop him."
Selena's gaze narrowed, her eyes flashing with accusation. "You weren't there in time to save my father, but you got there in time to save his stupid scythe, eh, Sage?"
Henri's eyes dropped, his voice laced with regret. "I'm sorry I couldn't save your father. If I didn't arrive in time, then his death would have been for naught. He sacrificed his life so you could have a future and to prevent Steve from getting the Death Scythe. You know what he will do if he gets it."
Selena's face twisted in rage, her voice rising. "Cut the crap, old man! It's not a surprise that you can't defeat Steve when all you do every day is sit around and watch young women take their bath, aren't you ashamed? They call you a Sage, the least you could do is live up to the name, but you're just a perverted old man."
Selena's fist clenched, and she took a step forward, but I intervened, standing between her and Henri. "Get yourself together, Selena!" I yelled, grasping her clenched fist.
Selena's eyes blazed with anger, her voice venomous. "Don't tell me to get myself together when you don't understand how I feel. You have never felt pain in your life, so shut the fuck up and butt off, Cave boy."
My expression turned cold, my voice rising. "I was ten years old when I lost my mother. I stood helpless as I watched the only being I have ever loved die while protecting me. You don't know how damaged that can make you, not to mention the schmuck that got her pregnant wants nothing to do with her or me."
Selena's face twisted in anger, her voice rising. "The world doesn't stop just because you are in a bad mood or something bad happened to you, Selena. You are just a spoiled brat." I uttered without a shred of emotion with my deadpan face staring deep in her eyes.
Selena's eyes flashed with anger, her voice venomous. "I don't want to hear my name from you ever again. Why did he give it to you? You are not worthy to wield the Death Scythe."
I smirked, swinging the Scythe around with an air of arrogance. "Since he didn't give it to you, I guess you ain't the worthy one."
Selena's face twisted in rage, her voice rising. "Fuck off, Liam."
I chuckled, a wry smile spreading across my face. "You know, Selena, it's okay to lose your shit sometimes because if you keep your shit, you will end up full of shit, and then you will explode, and there will be shit everywhere. A shit storm. And nobody wants that."
Selena's eyes narrowed, her voice cold. "A shit storm, huh? From henceforth, we are no longer family."
Henri's eyes widened in alarm, his voice rising. "Stop, Selena! This is not the path Seth would want you to choose. He might have given the Scythe to Liam, but that doesn't mean he thinks less of you."
Selena's gaze turned cold, her voice dripping with malice. "Seth is dead, Henri. Dead men want nothing. You will join him soon, Liam."
With that, she opened a portal and disappeared, leaving Henri and me staring at the empty space where she once stood.
Henri's voice was low, his eyes filled with concern. "I'm afraid we've lost her, Liam"
I shrugged, my expression unchanging "She'll come back when she's ready."
...... ✍️
It had been a year since Seth's passing, and I had continued my training under Sage Henri's supervision. Our relationship had grown more intimate, and I often found myself wondering where Seth had gotten his perverted mind from. I hoped I could maintain my sanity after my training.
No one had heard from or seen Selena since she had abandoned the Realm. I was training with Sage Henri when someone appeared beside him, informing him that the King sought his audience. Henri left at once, leaving me to train by myself.
...... ✍️
The King's throne room was dimly lit, the only sound the soft crackling of the fire that burned in the hearth. Henri stood before the King, his eyes cast downward in a sign of respect.
"I told you many times to stop bowing at me, Henri," the King said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I'm sorry, my King," Henri replied, his voice low and gravelly. "I just can't stop myself."
The King chuckled, a deep rumbling sound. "It's fine. We are in a dire situation, Henri. The Demon Realm is growing restless, and we need someone competent to replace our fallen Guardian before they sense our weakness."
Henri's expression turned somber, his eyes clouding with concern. "I'm working towards that, my King. But it's not easy. The pool of candidates is... limited."
The King's expression turned skeptical. "What about Selena Remmick, the daughter of the Kovo? She's a skilled warrior, and her father's legacy would be a powerful symbol of our Realm's strength."
Henri hesitated, his eyes darting to the side. "She's... gone, my King. Abandoned the Realm, some say."
The King's face fell, his expression disheartened. "Another rogue. It seems we're hemorrhaging talent, Henri."
Henri's expression remained neutral, but his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness. "It's not just talent, my King. It's the heart and soul of our Realm. We need to find a way to bring our people back together."
The King nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I agree. But in the meantime, we need someone to fill the Guardian position. Someone who can protect our Realm from external and internal forces."
Henri's expression turned resolute. "I'll do it, my King. I'll become the Realm's Guardian."
The King's eyes widened in surprise, and he leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "Henri, you're... old. I mean, no offense, but you're not exactly in your prime anymore."
Henri's expression remained serious, but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "I may not be as spry as I used to be, my King, but I've got experience and wisdom on my side and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect our Realm."
The King nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I believe you, Henri. You've always been a loyal servant of our Realm. But I still have hope that Liam will come around. He's a skilled warrior, and his… unique perspective could be an asset to our Realm."
Henri's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes clouding with concern. "I share your hope, my King. But Liam is a stubborn one. He's driven by a desire for revenge, and until he finds what he's looking for, he won't be swayed."
The King nodded, his expression somber. "I understand. But I still have hope. Hope that one day, Liam will see the value in protecting our Realm, and hope that he'll find a way to put his past behind him."
Henri bowed his head, his expression respectful. "I will do everything in my power to help him, my King. But I fear it may be a long and difficult road ahead."
The King nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I understand. But I am willing to wait, Henri. For the sake of our Realm, and for the sake of Liam himself. He has the potential to be a great warrior, and a great leader. But he needs guidance, and he needs patience."
Henri nodded, his expression respectful. "I will do my best to provide both, my King. And I will continue to speak with Liam, to try and sway him to our cause."
The King nodded, his expression somber. "I appreciate your efforts, Henri. And I have no doubt that you will succeed, where others may fail. You have a way with people, Henri. A way of reaching them, of understanding them. And I have no doubt that you will be able to reach Liam, to help him see the value in protecting our Realm."
Henri bowed his head, his expression respectful. "Thank you, my King. I will do my best to live up to your expectations."
I walked into Henri's house, the scent of tea wafting through the air. Henri greeted me warmly, his eyes filled with concern.
"It's been a year since Seth died," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "What are your plans?"
I took a sip of the tea, feeling the warmth spread through my body. The tea was bitter, but it was a flavor I had grown accustomed to.
"I'm going to seek out Steve," I said, my voice firm. "It's time he pays for his sins."
Henri's expression turned serious, his eyes filled with a deep understanding. "Is revenge all you think about, Liam?"
I laughed, feeling a hint of bitterness. "What else do you want me to think about?"
Henri's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a deep understanding. "Why don't you think about becoming the Guardian of the Realm?"
I snorted, feeling a surge of anger. "I know it will come to this. There is no way I will risk my life for this Realm."
Henri's expression remained calm, but his eyes betrayed a hint of sadness. "You can have a life here, Liam. A life of purpose and meaning."
I shook my head, feeling a sense of determination. "That kind of life isn't for me."
Henri's eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a hint of challenge. "The life of a loner, an avenger, that's what you think is made for you?"
I felt a surge of anger, but I kept my cool. "At least I won't end up like Seth."
Henri's expression turned somber, his eyes filled with a deep understanding. "Seth couldn't defeat Steve, what makes you think you can kill him?"
I felt a surge of confidence, my voice filled with conviction. "Seth saw Steve as a friend and fought him as a friend, that's why he lost. I'm not as stupid as he is."
Henri's eyes locked onto mine, filled with a deep understanding. "You know you can't hide your true feelings when you are with me. Seth wouldn't…"
I cut him off, his words filled "Don't tell me what Seth would or wouldn't want. He could have killed that bastard a long time ago, but he chose to die a miserable death. I will not end up like him."
I slammed my hand angrily on the table, feeling a surge of rage. The table split in two, and I stood up, my eyes blazing with anger.
I stormed out of Henri's house, feeling a sense of determination. I climbed up the tallest cliff in the Realm, feeling the wind in my hair and the sun on my face. Seth used to bring me up here, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me.
As I sat on the cliff, I thought about my past and my motivations. I thought about my mother and her death. I thought about Seth and his sacrifice.
The sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the Realm. I stood up, feeling a sense of determination. I knew what I had to do.
The following week, I made myself ready to leave the Realm. Sage Henri paid me a last-minute visit, looking desperate.
"It's not too late to think about what I said," he said, his eyes filled with concern.
I smiled, feeling a sense of determination. "My answer is still the same. Once my mind is made up, there is no going back, and you know it."
I covered half of my face with a red scarf, feeling a sense of nostalgia. The scarf was given to me by my mother before she died.
My body slowly started to fade away, and Henri's eyes widened in alarm.
"Don't die, Liam," he said, his voice filled with concern.