Emperor: “When the time came for me to seek my first wife, it proved challenging to find true love, as I am drawn only to beauty unmatched by any since my youth. I once brought two companions, Fire and Wind Elementals, to my island, who bore children with Ice Elementals. The daughter of the Fire Elemental possessed the ability to manipulate the crystals you now see around you. I found in these crystals a profound and unparalleled beauty. Despite my efforts with that woman, none could bear a child with the same power until you, Crystal. It seems a small amount of that blood has sprouted in you. However, I am getting sidetracked."
Crystal, Sorn, and Keilan were all staring at the Emperor as he spoke.
Emperor: “Since then, striving to attain the perfection I once beheld, I have conducted experiments akin to what you have witnessed here. Each year, I select a woman to be my bride and bestow upon her this artistic tribute."
He took a moment to have a deep breath. So much talking was not good for an old man. Despite hearing all of this, Oden still hadn’t moved a muscle or taken his eyes away from his sister. Perhaps he had never been listening.
Emperor: “Ninety years ago, the Flower of the Chains was born. She was a woman of such exquisite beauty that she rivaled even the angelic vision I once beheld. However, by the time I first laid eyes upon her, she had already turned forty and was married to Varian.”
Sorn couldn’t believe Varian was someone who had found love.
Emperor: “Varian, once joyful and empathetic though still just as strict, lived in harmony with her for two decades. Though I wished the best for them both, I could not bear their joy no longer the day she became pregnant. I commanded Varian to relinquish her to me. He was a good man, but he was a slave bound by hierarchy. Taking Fiore against her will to this very cave, I threatened to kill her child in front of her if she did not oblige to my command. I then began replacing her features with these crystals.”
He snapped a crystal off the wall, looking at it nostalgically.
Emperor: “But I had ruined her ethereal beauty irreparably. She was no longer the perfect, smiling flower that was the weakness of all men in the Fortress. Defeated, I abandoned her to die. But Varian's loyal friend, who held deep respect for her, defied the order and fled with her to a hidden land south of the fortress. I pursued them alone, only to find my love deceased and that frail man raising you, Keilan. I killed him and returned back here with you. I want you to understand this: You are not my child, but you are my last link to my only love."
The room was silent for a moment. For Sorn, so many answers had brought forth perhaps even more questions. More importantly, he couldn’t believe that the man was talking about such horrific events in such a casual manner. It was as though the Emperor, Aelon, had made himself out to be a victim.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
For the first time, Oden had turned around. The pure hate on his face was evident.
Oden: “I decided since you’ve been so nice to me whenever you do appear, I’d let you finish. It seems that was a mistake. I’m going to rip you limb for limb for what you did to my sister you old fucker.”
The ice that usually encased his arms had turned blood-red. Bits of ice had stretched across his upper body to form a thin layer around his face. Large ice claws protruded from his fingers, and his first step he took towards Varian shook the relative area. A few crystals from above fell to the ground shattering.
Aelon: “Ah, it has been a while since I’ve witnessed the Bear. A true beast driven by pure fury. I am glad it was given to a boy like you.”
The legs of a swan emerged from the ground around them and latched onto Oden’s hands.
Aelon: “You may deem yourself justified in ending my life. Perhaps you are. Yet, I cannot meet my end just yet. Not until I behold the angel once more.”
Oden had become completely frozen in place. Crystal was the first to speak next.
Crystal: “I don’t get any of this. Why- how could you be so horrible?”
A single tear ran down her face. Aelon looked at her pityingly.
Aelon: “Keilan may not be my son, but you are my blood Crystal.”
Crystal pointed at Oden’s crumbled sister.
Crystal: “Was my mother also like that?”
Aelon: “Your mother was another beautiful Chain. Though I do not remember her name.”
Keilan launched a spear at Aelon, but a wall of ice emerged in between, breaking the spear.
Aelon: “I do not understand what wrong I have done to you. I have always acted with the best intentions, driven by my own motivations and goals. Is it so evil to live for oneself?”
Keilan fell to the ground, exhausted mentally.
Keilan: “Then why tell us any of this? Just lock me up somewhere and take over my body.”
Aelon looked up into the distance, musing the thought.
Aelon: “That dream ended long ago when my true sons left. My eldest somehow had learned of the truth behind the sacrifice and the younger followed shortly after. Unfortunately Keilan, this is only known by me and another man I trust deeply. You are not my son. You are not my son. You are Varian’s. Since you are not directly Royal Blood, you are not eligible for the ritual. This will be my final body.”
He looked at Crystal.
Aelon: “I never mentioned this before. But Crystal, you pertain to the same beauty I spoke of before. You carry the same light and radiance I saw in my love before. Seeing you grow and reflecting on my past has softened my heart. Keilan, protect her to your last breath, for she is and forever will be your little sister. And you-”
He turned towards Sorn.
Aelon: “I still do not know who you are or where you come from. But you are not the Chosen who will take the throne that the Prophecy spoke of. You, I believe, will serve a darker and equally necessary purpose. The true Chosen one is-”
He paused, as if remembering something. Sorn was truthfully, too shocked by the past news to care about this. Oden remained frozen, although his power had subsided. Keilan was still on the floor, clearly swimming in many thoughts. Crystal had streams of tears running down her face. Her nails were digging so far into her palms, blood was dripping.
Crystal: “I hardly care about any of what you said. How could you do your decrepit expedients to a child! How can you play with the emotions of so many, commit so many sins, and still stand here like you don’t need to atone for a single sin. I’m tired of your nonsense father.”
Aelon: “Even if you explained, you wouldn’t understand, my daughter.”
He reached out a hand to comfort her, but a single glare caused him to retract it. His expression was solemn and his eyes were defeated.
Aelon: “Varian will not allow any of you to live once he learns of this event. I no longer have the mobility to stop him.Your only option is to escape this Fortress. What you do from there is your freedom to decide.”
He snapped his fingers, and the room flashed bright white. The four disappeared and Aelon looked at the mess left behind alone.
Aelon: “To the very last minute, I can still never come close to reaching your perfection, can I, Seraph?”
He walked over to Rose’s corpse, picking it up and staring at it for a moment. He then walked away, a hole appearing in the end of the tunnel to allow him to come through. For the first time in hundreds of years, there was not even an ounce of noise in the tunnel.
End.