5

I couldn't believe it. They were actually serious.

Like I was still a kid for gods' sake.

"Jack, you don't have a choice." Joe said firmly.

I glanced at my mother for help, but she wouldn't look at me, "Why?" I croaked.

My mother had tears in her eyes, "Because you were chosen." My sister said firmly.

"I don't wanna go," I whispered, "I really don't."

My father rolled his eyes, "It's not something to whine about, our patron god chose you."

I shook my head, "So? He selects people every decade or so."

"My son, it's a huge honor to our whole tribe that you were selected."

"I don't care, this is supposed to be my decision." I argued.

My brother and real caretaker, Kriss whispered, "Jack, you'll come back, if you stay here the leaders and our closest relatives will turn against you."

You, I noticed, not, us. "Still, I'm hardly ten."

"He only chooses them if their worthy and young." My sister chimed in.

Kriss ignored them all and was just focusing at me, "Jack, none of us want to send you, but if you don't, they'll make father and mother's life hell

and you won't be able to enjoy another second of your great life."

"Still I don't want to go." I really should come up with something more creative than that.

Josephine said calmly, "Look, if you don't go today, they'll make all of our lives living hell."

I didn't mention that Kriss already mentioned that, instead I said, "What would you do if you were in my position."

She snorted, "I'd be honored and I'm also honored that my brother who can't pick up an arrow is chosen."

Kriss glared at her. "What? It's the truth."

"Josephine, shut up." My father said calmly.

She was taken aback by that, but sat still at her seat.

"When is it my departure?" I asked in a broken voice.

My father beamed at me, "The moment you make your decision."

"In that case, give me a day." I said and went up to my tiny room, trying to think of the benefits of being an acolyte of the God of Relief, whose grandmother was the Goddess of Good Health and started wondering if I would become an angel of the gods and through those thoughts, I fell asleep.



Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

When the Dotek Kinsa was here there was at least visible land, but now that he went it was just mist and darkness, and I was nothing more than a mere shadow in this ocean of Darkness, and wondered if this is what

happens to all the souls if they don't give in to the demons, they turn into only fragments of their real self, in that case, I should better just let go of my Limburg and go to the Realm of Death.

I started concentrating about leaving this shadow of body, Don't, a voice said.

I looked around, "Where are you, and who are you."

You are not a shadow yet. The voice said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Do not give up hope so soon.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

Do not let go, or you will never see light again.

"What do you mean?" I repeated.

But it was gone, leaving me bewildered.



I could feel them, my children they didn't even know me, saw me as their enemy, thought I cursed them, but then I too think of them as my enemy- "NO!" I yelled, and my vision turned black, darker then my power darker then I anything I've felt in the past.



George looked like he wanted to kill us, "Why have you guys been listening to our conversation?"

I shrugged, "Just never saw open your heart in that way, Lysandra." I added.

George just shook his head, "You have nothing to say for me?"

Veronica snorted, "You haven't really done anything to catch our attention."

He rolled his eyes and looked at Lysandra, "I'll try to follow the actions you told me."

She squeezed his hand, "I like to see good changes in people."

Veronica cleared her throat, "I also like people to follow the advice they give others."

I swatted her arm and she chuckled, "Lady Alice." A voice said from behind.

I turned around, shocked, and Veronica and Lysandra snorted, "She's no lady, like by no chance." Veronica assured the young men, who came.

He winked at Veronica, "Just saying out of respect."

Veronica seemed shocked by the way he said it.

"Anyways Alice," he emphasized, "Could you move out of the way, as the demon has to go through that way."

"Demon?" I asked shocked.

He grinned, "Am I not a demon?"

I sighed in relief, and stepped away, "Who are you?"

He winked, "Just another guest here."

I didn't really process anything he said, but the fact how he's always winking and grinning.

"You're really jumpy, aren't you?" Lysandra asked annoyed.

He grinned, "I'll take that as a compliment." And went took a random seat on the expensive table.

­­"Well that happened." George muttered.

The guest turned towards us, "Come on, have a seat, because in a while more people will come and then we won't get to talk."

George asked, "Why do you want to talk to us?"

He grinned, "I'm hurt, can't you give attention seekers the attention they want?"

Lysandra sighed, "Great."

But we trudged towards the table and sat, not too close to him, though closest to him was Henry.

"You didn't really believe me, did you?" He asked, mischief gleaming in his eyes.

"Excuse me?" Sorscha asked.

He frowned, "You gotta go?"

"No, I meant-" Sorscha was cut off by his laugh.

"Just kidding, I mean when I said I'm a random guest, you guys bought that?"

"So, you're going to tell us who you really are?" Lysandra asked surprised.

"It's only fair," and flashed a grin to George, "As I know everything about you guys."

"Well then go on." Veronica said impatiently.

He stood, swirls of darkness encircling him he cleared his throat, "I am the one and only, brother of the Heir of Darkness." And grinned.

I reached for my dagger, then remembered I didn't bring it, but he noticed the movement.

He laughed, "Really Alice, your enemy admits who they are and you lunge for your weapons?"

My face went red by the way he said it, "No, just had to make sure I would be able to defend myself."

He winked, "Well now you're at my mercy."

I rolled my eyes, trying to steady my nerves.

"What brings you here?" Henry asked politely.

The prince looked around wondering who said that, "There you are," he exclaimed, "Well it's one my kingdoms, so basically I can come whenever I feel like it."

Lysandra grinned, "So you won't tell us everything?"

He shrugged, "I do what I like." And winked.

How could he be so... weird?

"So, you and your brother were sired by the same mother?" Veronica asked.

He rolled his eyes, "Duh, I said one and only brother of the Heir, otherwise we have a million siblings."

"How do you know that?" Lysandra demanded, in a voice that except for us everyone thought was creepy, but we know it would be a joke.

He shifted in his seat, "How I know we're related? Well I've met both my parents, and they both agree on this."

"Just kidding." Lysandra chuckled.

He winked, "Your tone would say the opposite."

"Why are you so....?" Henry asked.

He grinned, "Crazy? I take that as a compliment, as I was born that way, second to only my looks."

Henry just rolled his eyes, proving he was only half as polite as his perfect sister.

"Anyways, we don't have much time, just telling you guys, you're dead." And grinned.

"You really are crazy." Veronica implemented.

He winked, "Lord Bezenforth," and gave her an exaggerated bow.

"Never heard anyone like that." George admitted.

Something twisted in my gut, Bezenforth was the same man who had laid waste to countless lands with only his blood brother with him, had the power of shape-shifting to even a Dark Blood Dragon, the tales about him were uncountable.

Bezenforth grinned, "She knows me."

I tried leaning away casually but my hands were shaking, if he wanted, he could destroy us with a single thought, why is he letting the land be surrendered?

He cleared his throat, "Anyways, if it kills the mood so fast of a conversation, I won't reveal myself again, unless I want the person to shut up." And grinned again.

"Perhaps you could hint us what you're doing here?" Veronica said.

He winked, "Sure I'll hint it, I'm here trying to revive my father, the Dotek Kinsa, Dark Lord."

"That much is obvious, tell us more." Lysandra complained.

He tipped his head back and laughed, "Ok, I'm here to take part of the potion we need."

My first instinct was to rush to the governor and demand it's either his head or the ingredient, but then remembered Bezenforth was still here.

"What potion?" I asked calmly.

He winked, "I'd advise you to first control your shock, then ask questions."

"Shut up." Lysandra snapped.

He grinned, "Finally someone said that to me." And clapped his hands thrice and then murmured some chant and instantly his mouth was gagged by a dark cloth.

"There ya go." He said through the cloth.

"All I was saying-"

"Shut up." He laughed and the cloth vanished.

She clenched her fists, "When you speak with my family, control your tongue."

He snorted, "Do you even know your family?"

She turned on her heel, and started climbing the stairs "Woah, lady chill, I won't speak to your sister if you don't want me to."

A man came and told her to be seated as the nobles and lords were coming.

Bezenforth snorted.

She ignored him and took her seat and said nothing.

He shook his head, "Women these days." When an invisible hand slapped

the back of his head.

"Guess that means you're cool with me?" he looked at me meaningfully, though I didn't get how a mass murderer was worried that someone was mad at him.

"Look I didn't mean to hurt you," he looked at me and added, "any of you, I didn't know it would piss you so bad, I usually act more annoying than this but if you find this annoying near you, I won't be an ass to either you or your sister."

She seemed surprised by his promise and his pleading expression for forgiveness.

She nodded, and I wondered how a guy could be so compassionate along with being so infuriating and kill innocents without a second thought.

He nodded satisfied when the nobles and lords came too and took their seats.

We all sat back straight and formal- all except Bezenforth, who was still leaning against the chair, "So, Jessica, how ya doin'?" he grinned to the young lady who was seated beside the governor, but when the governor shot him a disgusted look his smile vanished replaced by a bored expression.

"Lord Bezenforth," The governor started, but Bezenforth grinned at the title, "We will discuss about the matter of the surrender terms and then of our own personal matters."

Bezenforth shrugged, then added, "You know you'll be getting a new land."

The governor blinked, "But of course we'll talk about that later." Bezenforth said with a malicious grin.

The governor looked like he wanted to destroy this kid but was afraid he

wouldn't get a new kingdom.

So, for about an hour we talked about the land and politics and mad oaths to gods and then before we bid goodbye, I saw Bezenforth's expression turn bright unlike how it was while we were talking about the land, and he gave Sorscha a ring box, "Open it only when you're in a life-and-death situation." And winked before closing the door on our face.



Stunned I stared at her, "What did you say?"

She nodded, "The reason why we're late." She said simply.

I felt my hands shaking, not through anger but through concern, I sat, "What happened?"

"It's nothing to worry about,"

I grinned, "Just something to make me to travel to the other corner of the world?"

She tried for a smile, "Kind of, but you can't because of the mission."

"Jeanette," I said warmly, "What is it?"

She took a deep breath, "The curse of the ghosts-"

"No, no," suddenly I was glad I was sitting, "no, that's impossible! I made sure they would stop haunting you! I- I- I'll take the curse, just pass it on to me."

She shook her head, "Your destiny is more important."

"DAMN MY FATE!" I screamed.

She flinched at the way I yelled, "Samuel- "

"Will you pass it on or will you keep it, besides you know I stand a better chance." I cut her off coldly.

She shook her head again, "Still the small chance you'll be affected the way I am, we can't risk that, I just didn't want to lie to you that krakens attacked."

I shook my head, "You shouldn't have mentioned it." Then I took a dagger from my belt, "Come here." She flinched but didn't come, "Jean, come here."

Then the door opened and Sophie entered, her hair tied in a pony, "What the hell?" she asked bewildered.

I held the dagger more tightly, "Get out." I said through clenched teeth.

"Um... no as you're screaming and holding a dagger, and usually I'd only believe one explanation."

I sighed, and flexed my wrist and wind pushed Sophia out and locked the door, "Jeanette," I said carefully, "I'm serious pass on the curse, you don't deserve it, in fact I should've had it from the start."

She still seemed bewildered at my screaming, but whispered, "Samuel, I'm sorry but no, and I did deserve it, after all the curse chose me and I'm sure it wasn't expecting someone like you to step in my life and try to force it out of me."

"We will end it," I promised.

She nodded not believing me, as we all knew the only way to end it so far was not to get children, but anyone who got the curse would find their mate.

"Come on let's go."

When we exited, I saw Sophie glaring at me, I held up my hands, "I can explain."

"No need." Simon said, though I detected a bruise on his forearm, but

his face was red from laughing.