Dirius

I prepared myself for the night, and the queen had the delicacy to offer me clothes of my world, a robe in silk so soft, a negligee of dream of a transparency of wing, slippers which massaged my feet, without forgetting the bathroom whose water came from a magic source created by the fairies of waters. Then, everything took place in my sleep as I was promised. The next day, I put on my white and blue costume, strengthened by very energizing beneficial spells.

In the warmth of my bed, I could already feel my dreams calling to me, as well as the silent but true voices of my conscience urging me to be strong for what I was about to accomplish. Which, as always, made me wonder if this person, even if in his deep and growing boredom, had bothered to save me, had any.

What I didn't know was that for a while, perhaps during my dreams or while observing the paintings when I woke up, I had the urge to go home, to disappear, and especially to shout to this other person my rage because it was his fault that I found myself, in spite of myself, involved in this whole story that was turning his world upside down, because he failed in his duty to come and save me.

If only the morning would never come, if only I could make my choice again, in order to be spared from what already tires me so much, then... at this precise moment when all my doubts, all my weaknesses took possession of me, nothing could have prevented me from leaving everything, even knowing to disappoint and hurt Seiran. But when dawn came, I was already up, full of anxiety, but ready to go, to keep my promise.

Riders were meticulously chosen to accompany us, mounted on strange beasts with dark gray skin decorated with countless spots. They did not smile, on the contrary, they were all serious, brave but torn by fear and uncertainty, crimson. The border was still only a few miles away and already magical censors were put on the way, as if someone, however crazy, would want to venture here. But there were, they were the living example. The riders were starting to get nervous. Their mounts felt the tension of their masters, made strange noises, the silence was total because the sound of our frightened hearts beating could only be heard inside. The absence of life and light was cruelly felt.

When we arrived at the last barrier, a gigantic construction of intertwined metal bars, engraved with various very powerful spells, created especially to prevent as much as possible, although obviously not indefinitely, the growing evil from spreading in the kingdom of the shadows. I was appalled at the slowly crumbling, funereal vision. The seven guardians, and greatest mages of the realm, lined up at the sight of the arrivals, then reciting an incantation, they all cut themselves to let their blood out. Then from their incantation, sparkling letters appeared suspended in the air. The seven lords let out icy white breaths from their throats and then took a few drops of their blood each, mixing them harmoniously with the snow breath. Snow that turned red, the color of the heart, then the border deformed to reveal a huge corridor, whose end was completely out of sight.

I knew that no matter what happened I should never blame myself for being weak and afraid. Seiran, on the other hand, entered without hesitation the long tunnel that would lead to the truth and a danger greater than anything else. He clearly and unwaveringly deserved his title of ruler. So for such an emperor, such a man, I will make sure I do not break my word. And that's what I did, I joined my steps to his and crossed the long dark tunnel with him.

- Good luck majesty. Our prayers will accompany you.

Then the portal that linked us to safety closed and we were left alone.

We walked for a long time in the darkness, brushed by things we preferred to ignore despite the pain they caused, not to mention the stifling heat and then the biting cold that made us suffer despite our costumes filled with spells.

Strangely enough, when we finally emerged from the squalid tunnel, we found ourselves in a large abandoned house, as old as this world. I looked around and saw that the walls were black, as if from a fire. But I thought it was impossible unless... I looked carefully at the floor which seemed to me most suspicious, it was covered with coal-gray ashes. I bent down to touch it and felt a macabre chill run through my body.

- Seiran? This ash is strange. I've never seen anything like it. What is it?

- You've never seen it? You who are mortal. Your world is all about cremation, isn't it?

- You mean that... that pool of ash and powder... that's... that's...

- Yeah, that's exactly what you think it is... unfortunately.

- And they probably burn them in their respective houses...!

- I see that for once it's more of an observation than a question, a first from you," he scoffed to lighten my mood. As if that were possible.

- I'm sorry.

We walked out of the lifeless house. The alleys, the atmosphere, the weather, the people themselves, as I expected from a place afflicted by the curse, everything was dark and cold, colder than any winter twilight. I hated this lightless, inhospitable, heatless world. The air was heavy, very heavy, which soon made me suffocate. Seiran took me in his arms and kissed me. He mixed his breath with mine. Then, detaching himself from me, he asked me without constraint.

- Do you feel better now?