Lost love

But unfortunately for this sovereign who was fighting at this moment with so much fervor, the fabulous fire revealed to everyone that in his indescribable body existed as much a devouring sadness as an indelible one and that he would probably never have a chance to wipe off.

Ariadne wondered what drove this dreaded and hated person to take action against his tormented nature. Besides, a great magician who loved life, had agreed to give up his magic and his freedom forever, in order to create the power of Emyr, just to save him. Ariadne would never have understood it before. But now everything had changed.

- How ironic majesty. It is so laughable as things can change.

- Is not it? Reality has always made fun of people. I, who have been tried, now find myself a judge.

- You punish others with this insolence, this terrifying temerity and this ignoble arrogance, when you never had enough courage to take on your past mistakes. Would you by any chance try, by all means, to fight so as not to be crushed by the frightening gap between your dreams and hatred of others, and continue to live, half good, half bad? All these incomprehensible acts that spring from you like black water in the hope that the day will come when all your sins will be forgiven and that you will finally be redeemed. Either because of your existence and because of the lack of light, that the things that you repaired will never be enough.

- Who knows indeed Mertillo? Although I continue on this path, there is no guarantee that it will ever be enough. But a long time ago, I already invented my soul and I agreed to submit to it. Also Mertillo, you lost, and I have condemned you to a century of shading, if you allow that ironic term. But I'm not asking you to take it on, as sincerely, as drastically as I once did. So if you find any opportunity to free yourself from your iron prison and retribution. Please do it.

- No, I do not want.

- Rather than saying that you don't want it, it's more honest to say that you can't, because real tenacity is a power that you tirelessly nurture with conviction. You were undoubtedly very shocked by my virtuosity and the power which I used to escape from prison. And yet, you remained helpless to admire what I did. I really wonder which of us is the weaker. Persistent request if you want to know, think carefully in your dark room, and if you ever go out before the hundred years have passed, give me your answer personally.

- Majesty! You really should find shelter now to escape the power of the light of the stars. Or you'd be desperately "burned" and I think that will be a shame because I would like to live with the hope of being the only one to do so.

- And to think that you cared so much about me, Mertillo, this tenderness touches me. I can't help but promise you that the day you come back to satisfy your revenge, I will be there waiting for you, always so powerful. My only regret is to realize that you are still very far from the terrible secret.

- Don't worry, I'll find out next time. But finally, let me tell you about an important person who, when he discovers the great disorder you have created in his almost perfect undertaking, would kill you slowly and horribly until there is nothing left of you but dust.

- I thought you'd rather be the only one to shoot down me? Well, he already knows I'm waiting for him. I will not deceive you.

And reaching out his hands with majesty, the exiled prince made disappear with his crew and the huge ship where they ruled their dirty business, one of the great admirals of the underground world. They were all sunk into a huge, bluish, viscous hole.

And when it was over, the ruler emitted a raging pain and, holding his hand to his chest, fell to the ground.

- Majesty... ! Runned Seurus as he knelt beside him.

- It's all right, Master, I'm fine! He tried to reassure.

- Majesty... you're already so pale and you're cracking all over your body. It's time to get some rest.

- Yes. But first, you're going to send these people away, master. And then make sure they don't remember my face. I beg you, please.

- Very well. Forgive me, Your Majesty. Come, princess," he asked, turning to Ariadne.

- No! I'll go back alone too.

- You don't even know where we are. The master protested, greatly amused.

- Of course I do. In the middle of an ocean.

- Yeah, but not exactly where?

- I'll manage. I'll know anyway.

- Come with me, leave the emperor alone. He needs to rest.

- I've never been used to disturbing others, but this time I'm going to have an exception. Majesty!

The latter sighed, laughing at Ariadne's selfishness.

- Master, you may leave now. I think we underestimated her stubbornness. You'd only be wasting time if you kept insisting. I'll bring her home myself.

- As you wish, your greatness. Obeyed Master Seurus, resigned.

And he disappeared, taking the poor passengers with him to bring them safely back to Venezia.

The two lovers kept quiet for a moment and then the prince agreed to break the silence.

- What would you like to know? He asked, turning to her.

- First your name, if you don't mind.

- It's Azhewo. And before you ask, the insolent and protective person who is bringing back your companions of misfortune is my master Seurus. What else?

- Where are we now?

- This place is the empire of Euho.

- Euho? The Lost Nation?

- Officially and written in an archive, but in truth this empire is one of the most active places in the universe. The leaders here regulate their illegal affairs, and all the obscure activities of large companies take place, surrounded by these opaque waters, to guarantee their safety.

- In what way?

- In the usual way! They carry out their transactions, money laundering, unofficial meetings, bad publicity, secret plots, etc.

- It's really happening in this water?

- In a manner of speaking, princess. It doesn't necessarily happen here, in this particular place. But also further on. Wherever you go, in whatever direction you go, there are the ice lands, the continents, the islands and the whole circus.

- But what about these sea monsters, they're not afraid of them?

- It depends on the person, everyone has their own powers, their mastery of magic and their way of protecting their property.

And in any case, this will not prevent people from running their businesses at an infernal speed and risk. We'll all die one day anyway. So for them, it's better to spend this short time, but unknown by doing what they want with all the passion they can.

- It's incredible, Ariadne exclaimed, but I wonder why I'm no longer so amazed!

- That's the price of the experience.

- And you... She continued, hesitant. Everyone called you majesty. You were the Emperor of what empire?

He stared at her.

- I could answer you, but I think there are some things that are better left invisibly forever.

- But...

He looked up to the sky, illuminated by the rays of the stars of the day.

- I have to go back to the darkness now.

- Why? The voice he used to say it broke her heart.

- Because night is my real empire.

- Why were you chased out of the light?

- Do you want to know how much I was bad? But it's a long story, Ariadne, far too long to deserve to be heard again. And in a way, I myself chose to abandon the light to accomplish my duty and realize my dreams, and finally to know the real world that people seem, in spite of themselves, to love so much. In the end, no one is at fault.

- Have you chosen to come of your own accord?

- Yes and no.

- What kind of answer is that? Either it's yes or no!

- I was driven out of my empire for a crime committed a long time ago.

- Exiled? And I assume, in the way you say it, you weren't the culprit. Am I wrong?

- Of course not.

- Who did it then and why, can you at least tell me that?

- I could, but none of this really matters anymore. It was so long ago that I even forgot the faces of some of these beings that I pretended to love so much.

- I still want to know, so please give me the answers!

He had a strange smile on his face. And then he had this peculiar way of shaking his head, a way that touched her so much, like everything else he was. Good or bad.

- You're such a curious woman. Too curious and daring for your own well-being.

- I'm aware of that myself. Too curious and daring for your own well-being.

It took him a while to open his mouth.