The Wielder of Death Magic

In a way, the years elapsed in the overworld had their effects on the Underworld, most specifically, the Shadow Realm. Contrary to what Rosespire evolved into, there laid a stark difference. On one side, the royal palace allowed for visitors – the Shadow Realm, the other, the ‘real’ world had the castle in lockdown, threats of the plague had made the council eerily cautious.

“DRACONIS!” the inner palace walls shuddered, “-WHERE’S THAT BRAT?” cried an infuriated Gophy, her gloomy appearance stormed from the throne hall into the connecting hallway onwards to the southern side of the castle, her steps against the marble floor carried mild tremors. Serving retainers held their breaths, and platters closed to their chest, “-what did the young master do now?” inquired they hidden in a diverging corridor on the side. She walked and breathed – her steps increased till she ambled into their field of view, what stood was a lady doused in flour from head to toe. The ever-flowing silky hair tangled in a culmination of tightly gathered locks of white. Her deep red cheeks veered one side, glared at the retainers, then turned left and headed forth.

“We’re saved,” said the butler, “-I wonder what the young master did.”

“I poured flour over her head,” said a familiar voice.

The butler and maid gulped, they who had stuck themselves to the walls in fear of lady Gophy, slowly glanced at who spoke, “-hello,” said Draconis, “-long time no see.”

“I’ve found you,” a heavy presence manifested at their side – the maid’s eyes rolled, the butler leaned forth to grab the weak-kneed lass, “-sorry for the trouble,” winked the young master.

.....

“GET HERE!” cried Gophy to no avail, the boy ran off into the distance.

“Why’s he excited?”

“Young lady Saniata,” he voiced woefully, “-could I ask a favor in helping this recruit,” an unconscious retainer laid within his cupped palms over his knees.

“Right,” she stood prominently, age did her visage wonders. Her hair grew into a deep blue, as her eyes followed suit, her lashes were long as she was tall, the choice of outfit was yet to change. All could see her trollop around the castle in short skirts and tight shirts. It wouldn’t have been a problem if the castle was closed to the public. When asked once by a curious visitor, her reply was, “-the kids need to understand what beauty stands for,” daft as the answer was, the visitor held his tongue in fear of repercussion.

“I’ll help her,” she said, “-carry her to the infirmary.”

Saniata threw a carefree regard outside upon climbing to the sickbay, her sight landed on a lovely flowerbed drawn on a lush yard of vivid green, the paths around said patches of colors gathered in the middle, a small hill which sloped to a prominently standing tree. A swing and tire swayed, oily dark green hair wept, “-the melancholic princess,” observed the butler.

“My sister is a bit crazy in the head,” said Saniata who coincidently had the vulgar nickname, ‘Insidious princess,’ tales of her personality were spoken akin to scary stories to have kids go to bed. Following the trend, Draconis held the name, ‘-Eccentric prince,’ in the Rosespian culture of the Shadow Realm, the three princes were deemed a thing of glory and praise. Saniata’s quest to provide aid continued deeper into the castle. Vanesa found herself swinging.

‘Father’s coming home today,’ she moved to and fro. Date, December 5th X110, “-Vanesa,” cried a gentleman with a parasol in his grip, “-I’m here.”

“Starix,” she listlessly climbed out the loop, “-I need help picking a present.”

“For the master?” he inquired to receive a nod as a response.

“Yes, present,” the intonation made not much effort. On the way down, she locked herself to Starix’s arms, “-I’ll take a nap... take me there.”

“A nap?” he exclaimed,” don’t...” no chance, her eyelids were heavy, ‘-the melancholic princess,’ he stopped and pulled her onto his back, ‘-lady Lilith and I are lucky to have her. Out of the three, she’s the strongest and laziest. Eight long years,’ the promenade ended at the castle’s massive inner-town. They came from the right and started forth to an out-of-place parking lot, a storage building was torn in favor of said area. Left to right laid an assortment of beautifully made vehicles, strong to refine, it felt more of a dealership than anything. Each had differing emblems of brands inherited from the Shadow Realm. Eight long years, the car toggled with Vanesa in the front passenger seat, the time elapsed sufficed to have a world evolve into their own. Flying blimps took the place of clouds, the buildings were tall and modern, which was a reference to the symmetrically sharp angles and designs. The roads were immaculate and of a darker color, people walked else took the tram which rode in the middle of two-lane and some time, four-lane roads. In more ways than one, the evolution was focused on a better standard of living, better technology, better entertainment, and overall, better life. Opposite to an idyllic utopia, the world grew to have its own hierarchy with the poor and the rich. If one wanted to acquire goods and services, one needed to pay and to earn money, one needed to either hunt monsters or work for offices or businesses. Seems harsh at first glance, a mere scan would give naught save bits of information to be pieced on a bias outlook. ‘Everyone is born equal,’ such as the saying many adhered by the citizen, anyone could make it big – the tools are provided, they but need to take action and work for what they wanted. On policy by the four generals in attempts to increase the population, the state would provide a monthly allowance to couples who had a babe till they reached eight. Families walked along the pavements, the shops lit and showed their wares, the blimps gave visual updates on news and such, “-wake up, Saniata, we’ve arrived.”

Curtains shut, a round of applause riled the spectators, “-awesome movie,” said energetic watches.

“Seems to me it’s a success,” winked Julius.

“Right you are,” nodded Igna. The crowd dissipated, clicks formed and the seats emptied, Igna sat and waited, ‘-there they go,’ he thought, ‘-Malley’s pregnant, Julius ought to take notice of the pain that comes with raising children.’

“Igna,” a silhouette moved into his field of vision, “-look at me,” warm fingers took his sharp jaw and pulled, “-yes, me,” the star of the show meaningfully exchanged stares, “-are you trying to avoid?”

“No,” he broke her hold, “-I thought space would be better served.”

“And why?”

“Come on,” he turned to the big screen, “-Aceline’s a world-renowned name, she’s a superstar. I don’t want to tie you down anymore.”

“That is for me to decide,” she pulled him onto her chest, “-don’t hide your feelings from me. I said it before and I’ll say it again, we’re a couple, I’m here to share your burdens.”

“That’s the problem,” he pulled from her embrace, “-I’m reluctant,” he fell into a seat, “-we’ve been together for six years, our anniversary is tomorrow... you’ve given so much love and support, what did I do, spend my time working and digging myself a bigger hole to hide under. You know why I’m scared...”

She dropped in the next seat, “-terrified that I’ll be gone?”

“Suppose so.”

“The almighty Igna sure has his weaknesses,” she playfully flicked his nose, “-for someone who’s a mastermind, you sure are daft at times. Look at me,” she warmly grabbed the back of his head and leaned in, “-everything comes and goes, what counts is memories,” they locked lips for a few seconds, “-what matters is the memory I impart in thy heart,” her fingers ran to point at his heart, “-I forced the relation, which is why I’ll never demand anything extra.”

“Says the idiot who called me an idiot,” he took her hands and stood, “-I would have never accepted to be romantically involved with another if I wasn’t interested. Tell me, Aceline, how long have we known each other.”

“Since the start?” she chuckled.

“Right,” he smiled, “-that’s the reason why I accepted.”

It happened on a cold Friday evening in the year X104, the cold wind blew to pierce what little cloth he wore. The years were harsh on Igna, the focus on restoring his family name and reputation took him around the continent, he yearned to figure a solution – éclair and the Raven’s were well-off in the booming gambling market, the stain of the monster invasion washed by the rain of time. He might have been fine alone, sadly, the glaring shadow of misfortune over the Haggard name had him in a dire situation. There was no way out, no way in – the train had just arrived at the terminal, he exited the cabin and made for the staircase – afterward, choosing to walk as opposed to a cab. Rosespire carried on with their daily lives, he bit his lips and forced through the clouded sky, he went outside of the capital, picking the walkway that linked the three-expanded cities. Incertitude rose from within, the heart pulsed, inheriting Alfred’s memories and powers was more of a curse than anything. Destruction and raw jealousy were very hard to keep under control, a demon had its teeth sunk into his neck, one wrong move and it would have control. It took a few hours to walk to Juei. A massive thunderstorm laid thick on the land, the rain led into floods, paths turned stream ending in waterfall – in a rude twist of fate, Aceline, who had been riding in the company of a movie director, took notice of Igna’s damp white hair, she canceled her meeting and exited the warm vehicle for the harsh outside, “-Igna,” she stood in solemn contrast against the cityscape of Juei, “-it’s me,” she said.

“Aceline,” perhaps it was the rain, or perhaps it was torn, Igna threw a woeful look toward her, only realizing the visage after the stare. Opting to switch personalities, the frown turned into a smile, or so he thought, long fingers suddenly pressed against his lips, “-don’t give me a fake smile,” the droplets contoured her visage, “-we’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Sure we are...”

“Don’t give me that crap,” lightning cackled, “-Igna,” she moved closer, “-are you carrying the burden as Staxius did?”

Her words lit ablaze within his eyes, “-no-”

“Don’t talk,” she firmed, “-let me speak for once,” slender and feeble as she looked, her back was straight and shoulders firm, Aceline was strong, very strong, “-I heard from lady Courtney about what happened, the company’s not going so well, employees are being fired and the blame’s being pushed solely on you and Julius. Everyone’s out to get you, even Arda’s not looking great,” he averted her gaze, “-look at me,” she pulled his face, “-Igna, our promise to release a song as a band... I don’t think I could do it. Looking at you now, I see the broken vestige of a man who’s lost everything, tell me, are you a man to be broken as easily?”

“You wouldn’t understand...”

“Make me understand then,” she firmed, “-Igna, look at me, stop running away. What was the whole talk about accepting oneself?”

“How did yo-”

“I know,” she smiled, “-I may be nothing to you,” her hand lit to materialize a grimoire, “-after revival, I was blessed by the Arcane Goddess, Elysia. Therefore, I know, you understand, I know,” the book vanished, “-I can’t stand the way you look,” she pulled onto his sleeve, “-Igna, wallowing in woe isn’t going to work. To survive, one must fight,” she looked over her shoulders, “-if you need an excuse, make me your excuse. If you need a reason, make me your reason, if you need to cry, I’ll be here,” lightning struck.

The rain poured heavily, “-are you confessing?” wondered a jestful tone.

“Shut up.”