Chapter 28.

TRIGGER WARNING: mentions about violence and vulgar language.

“A voice called out to you

Strange how you can't turn away

You've got someone who's true

When the darkness becomes too great…” All my Heroes - Naeleck

March, 2137

Eveline

“Do you know anything about someone known as The Crow?" I asked and turned to him, seeing only his silhouette in that darkness, his breathing was still a little labored and wheezing but I saw him blink and regain his composure before answering me.

“You were smart to get me out of the palace before you asked me that question Eve,” He said and chuckled softly without humor as he sat back on the bench and coughed hard and I frowned.

"Why do you say that?" I ask and turn to him just as he glares at me, our eyes flashing in the dark.

“Because if I talked about what I know about the leader of the Knights of Hell inside the palace I would probably be dead,” He said and I stopped, absorbing the new information and opening my mouth in shock at the realization I'd just had.

"When I commented about the girl in the forest and what she told me, you knew it was about them didn't you?" I asked a little disbelievingly and he widened his eyes and hit the roof of the car to turn on the lights so he could look me straight in the eyes and in his eyes I saw despair.

“I didn't know, I swear, I just had a vague idea that they might be members of one of the countless radical rebel groups from the north or south, but when you said his nickname I knew who they were, the girl must have been trying warn you in advance about them,” Roman said looking into my eyes and I nodded still dumbfounded at the information.

“Who are they Roman? What do you know and what could you say that is so bad that it probably could cost your life?” I ask in a low voice and he tenses up.

“The Crow, or prince of hell as they like to call him, was no big shot in the government or anywhere, he was just a rebel who fought for a lost cause and had a legion of loyal followers but when things got messed up during the war he did not measure forces and began to use the followers in extremely suicidal plans and traps and because of him many people lost their lives at that time and probably now because of the last uprisings and many were forced to serve him even if they did not believe in his ideology, many of these people just indulged or were sold to him so they could save those they loved most, and one of the people who died unjustly because of him was his grandfather, Eveline, and I'm sorry about that, but he's just a guy with whom the Kingdom of Waybrook had an extremely tense relationship and that people couldn't wait to get rid of,” Roman said seriously as he stared at some spot in front of us in all that darkness.

“If he's the crow, how can he be alive after all these years? The war ended over 50 years ago, that was maybe possible but still unlikely,” I say extremely confused and he sighs and closes his eyes as he involuntarily squeezes his right side “Are there more leaders out there?” I wonder curiously after a long time in silence and a little hurt to think of my grandfather I couldn't meet and everything my guard was telling me.

“As you know the world we live in today is not the same as it was 50 years ago, and possibly that Crow is dead but others have taken his place in the last few decades, but one thing I say is they are not good, they have no morals or laws, they like to incite discord and create chaos wherever they go and leave the bodies of the dead behind, so the girl was scared when you accused her of being behind the attacks, because I believe the Outbreak Crown group is not behind this,” He said sincerely and my blood ran cold "And to answer your question, yes there are several leaders out there, we have Crow for the knights and we have Outbreak for the other group, we have other smaller groups but those are the names that run through the Vortex," He said and I was even more confused, I knew he could help but had no idea he knew so much about it.

“How do you know all this? And how do the inhabitants of the Vortex know?” I asked and he started twirling the ring with the red stone on his finger as he thought about it.

“They just know, we who are allowed there pay for the information because we were asked to and we pass it on to our captains and they do what they want with it,” He says and I sighed evaluating the information.

“What else do you know about these groups? What did they really do here when the war broke out?” I asked fearing the answer and he looked extremely tired but straightened up and kept turning the ring as he spoke.

“Since I was a kid by I've lived in an extremely poor and small town in De'Ath called Drebert and I never even got to know our capital Azluldence but rumors have always been around between towns in De'Ath, and ever since I was a boy I accompanied my father to the construction the men muttered about the Knights and the Outbreaker's, some had tattoos with their symbol and said that the revolution would one day begin, I didn't live in wartime but my father did and my mother too, they were kids, too young to remember, but my grandmother was terrified of that time, we could barely bring it up with her, but one day I got up the courage and asked her about that time,” He said and paused so he could cough and I put a hand on his shoulder so I could hold him in place and he laced our fingers together and when he stopped coughing I started talking again.

“And what she said?" I asked and he looked me in the eye to answer and I gently squeezed his hand.

"She told me that at that time the countries are experiencing a climate of tension due to the last war that took place a few decades earlier, that is, everyone was suspicious of everyone Eve, and at that time oil was running out and natural resources too, a few countries they had access to these perks and our country was the poorest, at the time we were not a country united with Waybrook, not even McQuoid was, just CassCross, and she told me that one turned against the other because of territories and resources as we had nothing and Waybrook and CassCross had everything, the war started when De'Ath invaded Waybrook and McQuoid invaded CassCross from the sea since they are an island, the army fought with everything they still had available, but at some point the resources ran out and we needed support and the rebels had a lot of resources that we had no idea still existed, so our King at the time made a deal with Crow and a legion of rebels was incorporated into the front of De'Ath and McQuoid but Waybrook and CassCross also had the same idea and did it with the Outbreak group who also had what they wanted and the Crow Rebels made a carnage on the battlefield, it was the worst battle in the war and that's where your great-grandfather fought and died, it took place in 2087 and became known as The Battle of Ekagon because it took place in the gorge in De'Ath that bears the same name and where the ruins of the battle still remain today, because of it your grandfather took the throne,” He said and did a little pause where he coughed a lot and laid his head on the back of the seat so he could breathe and I reached over and touched his face which made him turn towards me and give a weak smile.

“You're not doing well, are you? I think we better go back,” I said and turned around so I could start the car but he held my hand gently and I stopped and turned to look at him questioningly.

“I'm fine, but I'm not done telling the rest of the story yet,” He said and I nodded and waited for him to keep talking “Your grandfather assumed the throne shortly after that battle towards the end of the war, and he realized that there wasn't much of the country's economy left and most of the territory was decimated by war, including De'Ath which lost the Battle at Ekagon and surrendered which resulted in the annexation of the territory by Waybrook and McQuoid who was under the command of the knights and the former King surrender peacefully, so your grandfather made a deal with them and set them free as they could not resist when Waybrook's soldiers arrived at the royal palace in the capital in Turgrow and because his grandfather was a close friend of the King even though they fought on opposite sides he gave him the benefit of the doubt, but as we know a war doesn't always end well for all sides, someone is always dissatisfied, and it happened here also, Crow didn't like your grandfather's act of mercy and that bitterness was saved to be used later and at the right time,” He said and my body froze with the revelation and the shock that ran through my veins.

So my mother was corresponding with the enemy, but for what? I couldn't tell but I needed to finish listening to Roman and then think about what to do next.

“Your grandfather, together with other nations, created a fund to rebuild the new union that was being formed, the URMR, the one we know today and it was founded at that time and together the nations began to help people with housing, food and jobs but the things went very slowly since the money was not much and they barely had one pound in their pockets. They keep helping the people but your grandfather was doing what he could and with his own hands, my grandmother told me she met him when he was about your age, he visited our town and helped the people with his own hands and it was there that he met his grandmother, they got married some time later and she helped him with what she could, people liked them a lot but some still didn't think it was fair that Waybrook have won the war after so many deaths. So as I said before Crow is cunning, everyone that went before and after him are, and he took advantage of that vulnerability of dissatisfied people, and after almost a year and a half of the end of the war my grandmother remembered that Celine had just given birth to her father and some uprisings were still going on between Rolyat's countries, but nothing was too serious, but one day she told me she was having dinner with my grandfather, they were married recently and were seeing the news and it was announced that the royal palace was invaded during the night and that King Charles had died in the conflict along with some guards and that Queen Celine was hospitalized in serious condition and the couple's son was under observation, the URMR was in despair and the leaders speculated what might have happened but they had an idea,” He said and coughed again but soon composed himself and looked at me, his eyes with that sad note always there and this time I could see affection in them as he stroked my hand and lifted it to kiss the back of his hand, our eyes locked, he then placed my hand in his lap and spoke again.

“The Crow at the time claimed the attack thinking that the people would try to overthrow the monarchy, overthrow his grandmother and all the rest, but he didn't expect the people to like them so much, and when he tried to kill the Queen again he was arrested and that part is a little bit obscure because no one knows what really happened, but they believe he died in prison which was a relief, so your grandmother took the throne right out of the hospital and later your father took over and you know what came after Eve, but I'm sure they never told you in detail what really happened, didn't they?” He asked as he laced our fingers together and I nodded feeling completely lost with so much information.

Everyone had lied to me, and it fucking hurt me a lot, mainly because I trusted my mom and brother but finding out that they might be using me for some purpose still unknown to me was like getting stabbed in the back, my brother was my best friend and he was lying so much, I was sad and very hateful but I still had to figure out how to handle it and use their game to my advantage, so I went back from my mind when I heard Roman speaking again.

“My grandmother already told me about it, some things were left out, but she was the only one who didn't lie to me, but tell me how you know that?" I asked curiously as I watched him.

“My grandmother lived at that time and unlike what they do with you at the palace, many people commented on and left in the newspapers almost always, but I'm very surprised that they didn't tell you the details, in fact I'm not surprised because they always hide the newspapers from you and make a fool of you thinking you don't see things, but you notice everything around you, even realized that I wasn't in the right place and managed to find me, the people inside that palace watch you day and night, you're lucky to have found those secret passages and always break into the security room to mess with the cameras, because they watch you always hoping the bubble they think they put in you stays intact forever, but you blew it a long time ago Eve, and thanks for having found me,” He said and I noticed that his face was getting pale and his lips seemed to be losing their color which made me snap into alertness.

“No need to thank me, the only thing I ask is that you stay by my side at all times and don't leave me,” I say and he smiles weakly and leans his head on the bench to look at me, his green eyes unfocused and I start to worry "Rom what happened to you today?" I asked and got a little desperate and he just took a breath before actually answering.

“We did a patrol in the Vortex, we went to buy information like I said we do but they told us we were there and some masked young people showed up and started shooting at us, some came up and it was a complete mess, I took some punches and a shot from graze, some got worse and are resting but things ain't easy out there Eve, and after what you've told me you'll have to look over your shoulder more times than you think, that palace is a nest of snakes and you it's the mouse trapped in the middle of it,” He said and I nodded and noticed he coughed again and so I decided it was time to get back to the property before he got worse.

"Thank you so much for listening to me and telling me what you knew, it means a lot to me Rom, but now let's go back because from your features you must be with an infection and need a good curative urgently," I said worriedly and started de engine while he muttered something incoherent.

The ride back was faster than I'd imagined and as usual the gate opened without arousing suspicion which made me make a mental note about asking Roman about it later.

I got in and turned off the headlights and accelerated slowly until I parked behind the greenhouse, I then turned off the engine and waited a bit to see if anyone showed up, when I didn't hear any sound I got out of the car and walked around to open the door for Roman and he staggered to his feet and leaned against the car as he coughed.

“For a grazing shot you look terrible,” I said as I laughed humorlessly and locked the car and walked over to him so he could lean on me.

“I'll survive Princess, don't worry so much about me, I've been through worse,” He said smiling weakly as I walked with him towards the front door of the greenhouse.

I then remembered the thick scars that criss crossed his back and my blood ran cold. It sure must have hurt a lot and took even longer to heal, but whatever had happened he had received the punishment and was still alive. That's what showed how strong he was.

“I know, but you have a fever and you need to get it right there," I said as I touched his forehead with the back of my hand and he just sighed.

I then juggled to keep him upright and open the door but I managed, so we went in and I used the flashlight that was still in my pocket to clear it to the studio in the back, I opened the door and went in to the back where a small bedroom had been set up and I turned on the lamp on the nightstand and sit Roman on the bed.

“I'll go get a first aid kit in the bathroom and be right back, if you can take off your jacket and shirt please I would appreciate it," I asked and felt my face heat up but luckily the half light in the room hid it from him but I saw when he smirked and looked at me.

These fucker.

“If you wanted to see me naked just ask, Miss," He said chuckling and I rolled my eyes at him as I left the room and muttered to him.

“Be quiet and stop talking nonsense, Rom,” I said and he chuckled inside the room as I laughed and opened the bathroom door to get what I needed.

When I got back to the room he was shirtless and leaning with his hands back on the bed and was with his eyes closed humming a melody I didn't know, it sounded like an old song in a different language, the same one he muttered from time to time, and I smiled as I approached him and deposited the kit on the bed beside him.

He opened his eyes and stared at me, he looked pretty tired and from the blush on his cheeks he must have had a pretty infection so I opened the kit and put on a pair of latex gloves and pulled out what I needed before crouching down to look at the wound.

"I'll need to remove the bandage, is that okay with you?" I ask calmly and he just nods and takes a deep breath.

I then noticed the poorly placed bandage on the left side of his ribs, where an intricate pattern took over that side of his body, and realized he was bleeding. When I pulled on the bandage I saw the bullet wound completely open and the blood had oozed out so much that the waistband of his jeans was soaked through.

Although the wound was a graze it had to have taken some stitches, so I started to work in silence to clean up that mess and as I cleaned I didn't see any emotion cross his face other than the tiredness present in him, he didn't make any sound. It made me a little scared and made me wonder how many times he had been shot before. I took a little longer than I should have to make sure he didn't get a second infection and left the wound fully visible, and started preparing the thread to suture him.

“You need to stay still now because I'm going to stitch your wound up,” I said as I threaded the needle and he just nodded and closed his eyes.

I then ran the antiseptic on the spot one last time and burned the needle with a lighter that I kept in the kit and shook it so it would cool down and I could get started. I watched him one last time before starting and his face was expressionless but his eyes carried that usual weight so I started stitching and he tensed his body only once which allowed me to continue the job without any problems.

“It's ready, let me just cover you up and get you some painkillers so you can lie down," I said when I was done and he nodded, so I went back to the bathroom to discard the stuff I had used and came back with the medicine and a glass of water that I take from the pitcher I always brought here with me, and I went back to the bedroom.

He was now sitting with his back on the headboard and his eyes were closed, but when I went back into the room he opened them and looked at me, so I went over and handed him the cup and the medicine, he took it and gave me back the cup that I left on the bedside table.

"You can take the bed, I can sleep in the chair," I said but he shook his head and pointed to the other side of the bed.

"If you're going to sleep in the chair I'll sleep on the floor," He said and I rolled my eyes at him and sighed.

"Okay, you’re an annoying one, don’t you? So let’s share the bed smartass, but if you come over to my side I'll kick you in the ass" I made the dumbest threat I could and he smiled and pulled me towards him and rested his hands on my waist and I held on his strong shoulders as he watched me.

“Thanks for your help Eve," He said and took my hand and kissed her back which made me shiver and I lifted my free hand to caress his face and watched as he slightly pulled him away from me because of the injuries.

"I'm sorry," I said softly and he just smiled and hugged me. I leaned my head over his and ran a hand through the dark curls that tickled my hands and he rubbed his face against my shoulder.

"It's okay, it just hurts a little, let's go lie down?" He asks and I agree and pull away from him so I can take my shoes and my trousers off keeping only my dress shirt on and get more comfortable.

He lies down with only his pants and socks on the right side of the bed and I lie down beside him and we watch each other in silence, the dim light from the lamp illuminating his angular face and making his green eyes sparkle with tiny golden dots and when I realize my hands are touching his bruised face and contouring his perfect mouth now with a small cut.

"What are you doing?" He asks while he slid his hand around my waist and I see that his muscular, inked chest is rising and falling rapidly and my skin burns with his touch.

“I don't know,” I say and at the same time I think “I'd like to kiss you” but I know I shouldn't and it's better to stay the way we are so as not to complicate things further and hurt him even more “Let's sleep handsome, good night, Carnation,” I say softly and lean over to kiss his forehead and he shudders beside me and grabs my waist tightly.

“Night, Sunflower,” He says and I smile, so I roll over with my back to him and I wait in silence to hear his breathing slow down and it doesn't take long to happen.

I then turn to him and see his sleeping face for the first time since I've met him and see how peaceful and serene he looks in his sleep, without the worry lines marking his face he looks like an ordinary 22 year old, I smile and I move a little closer to him and brush aside a curl that has fallen over his eyes.

“Thank you for always being by my side Rom, I hope we can meet in another life to be happy together” I say and his only response is a small snore that makes me chuckle softly and pull away.

I then snuggle up and pull the blankets over both of us and as I drifted off to sleep I wished I could stop time in that moment with him sleeping beside me in peace.

Because in the days that are to come the last word we would hear was peace.