Good morning, readers! This chapter may blow your mind a little bit- a couple characters are going to take a blast to the past and it may not be what you expect! Just a small note: the "past" scenes are not canon to Beauty and the War, and was something that I made up for the sake of this fanfic. If you haven't already, please play the demo, Poison Apple Tales has a few games out there to get to know the characters a bit better. One thing that is noted in the game is that "Arsenik did earn his name for a reason," so this chapter was my way of speculating upon that while connecting it back to this story. For those who don't know, the characters of Virgo Island have earned the names they have now. This will explain some of the odd references in those "past" scenes. If there is still some confusion, leave a review, pm me, or play the demo to learn more! Well, I've rambled long enough- as always, please enjoy this latest update!
Barium arrived back at the palace with the others, Onyx and Night proceeding to the dungeons to lock up Kapra and Pyramus. As the pair of brothers proceeded to their bedchambers, they stopped in the hall to speak.
"I will question the humans in the morning. It would be best to let them settle into their new home." Alexandrite said.
"You may interrogate the girl. We were aware of her, but there was never a mention of the second human we picked up. I need to find out about him first before I question her. Just try to control yourself." Barium said.
"I'm not making any promises." Alexandrite replied. "We shall discuss this more in the morning. Goodnight, brother."
In the dungeons, Pyramus' eyes followed Kapra as she paced about their cell.
"You're going to tire yourself out, darling. Come, I'll keep you warm." Pyramus said. "I may not be your lover, but you could pretend-"
"Okay. I am not in the mood for your flirty shit. Do you not understand the situation we're in?"
"I do. The Hulder prison was smaller though... nice and cozy in here." Pyramus chuckled.
"Is there nothing that you take seriously?" Kapra sighed.
"Why bother? My life is a joke. Your life is a joke. They all mock us. They relish in our pain. If we were not meant to suffer, then why do we? Every time I think I have something, it is snatched from me. I have made stupid choices, like a fool, and it is what I have become. Others will just expect nothing different."
"Stop bringing yourself down so much if you want people to stop hating you." Kapra said.
"I cannot."
"Why? Because you don't even want to try, like with everything else? So you can keep hiding in that blanket twenty four hours a day?"
"Because I hate myself more than anything." Pyramus replied. "I am a wretched excuse for a life. The pain I feel, I have caused tenfold to others."
Kapra sighed. "We've all done stupid shit, okay? But wallowing over it and never moving on isn't going to help anybody. Stop living in the past." She said as she sat next to him, leaning her back against the cold, stone wall. "At any rate, we're both in this mess now, so we need to work together to get out of it."
"Look at how strong you've become. But... there is someone who will soon be stronger than you." Pyramus said.
"What do you mean? Who are you talking about?"
"She is not here yet... not completely." Pyramus replied.
"She? Pyramus, just tell me what's going on." Kapra said.
"The pretty healer thought she could destroy what nearly killed you. But... what she thought would save you has placed everyone in danger. She is beginning to manifest into something physical... human in likeness. Up until she was drawn out of you, she was draining your life."
"The one I've been seeing my whole life..." Kapra said lowly to herself. "Pyramus... do you think that if we defeat her... that it will end all of this...?" He responded by nodding slowly. Kapra turned to face him a bit more. "You can help me. You have a connection with them."
"I could... but when it is all said and done, you will go off with the one you love. I will be all alone again... that will not do."
"Do you even hear yourself?! You would sacrifice innocent lives because you're selfish?" Kapra asked.
"If you could be mine..." He said as Kapra groaned, shaking her head. "... if I could keep you... I would sacrifice every life in the universe, darling."
"That's a really dangerous way to think." Kapra said.
He chuckled then. "But I am a dangerous man. When a man is no longer afraid of death, he fears nothing. But... I still fear just one thing... being alone. I would rather die, again and again."
Kapra hugged herself as she leaned her head against the wall, trying to just drown him out at this point. She cracked an eye open when she felt something then, jumping when she saw Pyramus had moved closer to her. When she realized he was putting his blanket around her shoulders, she blinked in surprise.
"You're... letting me have this?"
"For the night. Better for me to freeze than you, love." He said, chuckling. "See? I am not as heartless as you think."
Kapra shook her head lightly. "I don't think I'll ever understand you."
"I hope you never do." Pyramus said. "Sleep now. Neither of us know what tomorrow will bring."
Kapra couldn't really disagree with this, deciding for once to take his advice as she curled up in the blanket, resting her head against the wall and closing her eyes as she attempted to sleep.
The next morning, Jasmine sighed shakily as she drank some tea. When Rosemary came into the room loudly, Jasmine startled, dropping the cup. "For goodness sake, Rosemary, will you cease your racket?!" Ambrosia rose from bed then, rubbing her eyes as she came into the room. "Ambrosia, you need to rest. You spent all night tending to Wildfire and Brooks."
"There is no need to fret, I am well… besides, there are things to harvest. I won't overwork myself, I promise."
"Ambrosia. Promise me something." Jasmine said as Rosemary begrudgingly helped clean up the broken teacup.
"Of course." Ambrosia smiled.
"Stay out of trouble." She said firmly. "No running off to where you don't belong. Please stay close to the village."
"Alright. Jasmine… please don't worry so much." Ambrosia smiled, hugging her cousin.
"Sometimes I feel more like a mother than a cousin to you." Jasmine said before Ambrosia headed out.
Ambrosia took a basket, carrying it until she reached the small road, looking towards the palace. Wearing a determined expression, she was about to make her way towards it when she tripped and fell. She winced, looking down to see she had scraped her knee. As she went to stand, a hand extended towards her as she looked up.
"Seems like you took a nasty fall." Night said to her as he helped her up. "I've told you before Ambrosia, you need someone to guide you."
"I think I can handle myself… thank you sir Night-" Ambrosia stopped when she felt an arm snake around her shoulders. "Um… sir Night?"
"Come, your knee is hurt. I'll have a servant fix you right up... you can have some lunch with me as well."
"I appreciate the offer, but I really must harvest some fruit for my family-"
"Ambrosia, is it so hard to spend time with me?" He asked. "You know what I love about you?"
"L- Love?" Ambrosia blinked.
"You play hard to get. You make me wish to give chase like a hunter to prized game."
"Then I should flee, for that would mean a doomed end for me. Good day, sir Night." She gave him a wary look.
"Now Ambrosia, you're of age, aren't you? Look at us. I'm a high guard to the King and you're a fair maiden of the Phoenix… you're as beautiful as they come and, well… I'm as handsome as they come. Either one of us could have our pick." Night reached up to take an apple. "Thing with apples is… if there is a rotten one, it makes the surrounding ones rotten. But when they are ripe and juicy…" He smirked, taking a bite out of the fresh apple, about to say something when he saw a worm inside. He curled his lip, dropping it on the ground.
"Not all pretty apples are what they seem on the inside, sir Night. You should take care to remember that." She smiled lightly, bowing her head politely before taking her basket and heading off. Night stared after her, smirking to himself.
"I'm going to marry that girl one day… she'll realize I'm the man for her one way or another. In the meantime, I suppose I'll continue having fun with other fair maidens." He said to himself before going his own way.
Kapra groaned as she awoke, rubbing her eyes. She ran a hand through her hair as she sat up. "Ungh… my back…"
"Good morning, my dear." Pyramus smiled sleepily. "I can say now that we've slept together."
Kapra rolled her eyes. "It is way too early for that right now." Kapra sighed as she folded the blanket, handing it to him. Pyramus hugged it to his chest, retaining his smile.
"I'm the happiest I've been in a long time. I was not alone last night. I would rather have someone in a cold, dark dungeon than no one in a warm, cozy bed. Because even then, a lonely bed is a cold bed."
"… There must be a girl as crazy as you out there somewhere." Kapra said as she got to her feet, stretching her arms.
"There was, darling… there was." Pyramus said. He was about to say something else when the door to the dungeon opened, Onyx entering.
"You." He pointed to Pyramus. "The King will be interrogating you now." He then opened up the cell, taking Pyramus' arm to escort him out. Kapra sighed lightly as she stood around, Onyx returning a short time later, taking her up to an interrogation room. "You will wait here for the Prince." He said before closing and locking the door behind him.
After a while, the door finally opened. Kapra straightened up in her chair as Alexandrite entered, a servant following him with a hot meal. Kapra tilted her head- the servant looked like an Imugi. As he sat, the servant placed the tray in front of him before exiting the room. Kapra cleared her throat when Alexandrite took up his utensils, not saying a word as he ate. She blinked, looking from him to the door with a wary expression.
"Um... hi?" She said, but he did not respond. She bounced her knee up and down, and he glanced at her for a moment from the noise her foot was making. He finally finished his meal, reaching back to pull a string hanging from the wall, a bell sounding. About a minute later, the same servant arrived, taking his empty dishes. The young woman glanced at Kapra for a moment before silently exiting the room. Alexandrite straightened up in his chair then, folding his hands.
"Now... that's much better. I can think properly on a full stomach."
Kapra rose her brows. "Seriously? This is how you start an interrogation?"
"I can begin an interrogation however I wish. Do you know who I am?" He asked.
"No... I don't." Kapra said. "Haven't exactly introduced ourselves, have we-"
"I am the Prince of Virgo Island. I am your ultimate superior less my brother and you will do as I command, when I command it, and you will answer every question I ask. You have brought a great threat here, and if I find you are guilty of attempted instigation of a revolt against the crown and the Vi, you will be judged and sentenced."
Kapra stared at him as he said all of this, scoffing when he finally finished. "Nice to meet you too."
Alexandrite curled his lip slightly. "You will address me with my proper title, human."
"I have a name. It's Kapra." She replied.
"I can call you whatever I wish. You will cease this disobedience immediately or you will regret what comes next."
"I'm not a dog."
"We'll see about that." Alexandrite replied.
Kapra thought for a moment. "You were expecting me to try to run for the door, weren't you?"
He smirked. "Indeed. You were wise to not attempt to escape. Do you think your arrogance will save you? I am intimidated by nothing."
"Look. This is supposed to be an interrogation, so just ask me what you need to." Kapra said.
"Very well." Alexandrite replied. "Why did you come?"
"Because the dark ones brought me here. They opened up some kind of portal in my world and I ended up here."
"What is your intention for Virgo Island?"
"To destroy the dark ones. I'm not going to do much of that from in here." Kapra said as Alexandrite scoffed.
"So... you are not here to usurp my brother and take his place upon the throne? You are not actively causing fear among the clans with these 'dark ones' so they may follow you in an uprising?" He asked. "By the way... do the Trold and the Imugi have a significant role in your plan? You know of whom I speak of. I can start with having them executed."
"You're worried about a revolt? If you just start killing people based on suspicion, you'll definitely spark one." Kapra said.
"Do you think anyone will care about a pair of troublesome pests being sentenced to death? All I have to do is say they were assisting you, a dangerous foreigner who seeks to threaten my people."
"No one will believe you." Kapra narrowed her eyes. "You call yourself a prince? You're a monster."
Alexandrite chuckled at this. "I do like a challenge. You know, I could see you gaining support from your Hulder friends."
"Those blonde guys? Barely know them." Kapra shrugged.
"Really? You think I am a fool? I know that Arsenik's nephew was not simply watching over you to prevent your escape. What is his name... Viktor?" He said as he got up and began to pace about, smirking when Kapra's confidence waned a bit. "Yes... pathetic little thing."
"I wouldn't know." Kapra said through clenched teeth.
"Ah... so you wouldn't be bothered if misfortune befell him then?" Alexandrite chuckled as Kapra's brows began to twist.
Meanwhile, Barium nodded slowly as he questioned Pyramus. "You're certainly an odd fellow... but I appreciate you being honest with me."
"There is one more thing I must say, your highness." Pyramus said. "The one I spoke about... concerning the prophesy... she has escaped. If Kapra's heart is left vulnerable, she will influence her actions."
"What do you mean?" Barium asked.
"Is there someone you love more than anything, your grace? Someone you would die for?"
"... There is." Barium replied.
"Imagine losing that person. It is difficult, is it not? But if you did... you would lose a part of yourself. Hell, you may lose all of yourself. You would no longer fear death to try to fill the huge void left behind. You would no longer care who is harmed. The emptiness would take such a strong hold. Losing what strengthens the light in your heart allows the darkness to come swiftly." Pyramus said as Barium frowned deeply.
"You seem... quite familiar with this concept." He said as Pyramus chuckled lightly.
"Your highness... it has been wonderful speaking with you, but... if I were you, I would check on your brother." He said, glancing over towards the door.
Kapra began to tremble a bit as Alexandrite smirked. "I could have Viktor convicted for anything I wish. I could say that he was harboring a criminal. So, if you want your Hulder friends to remain unharmed, you will beg me for forgiveness." When Kapra only stared at him with burning anger, Alexandrite went over to ring a different bell. About a minute later, Onyx entered the room. After he did, someone emerged from behind one of the large curtains in the corridor. The Imugi servant listened silently as she remained vigilant.
"You called for me, sir?" Onyx asked. "If you did not, say nothing. If you did, please disclose your request."
"Go to the Hulder clan and collect Arsenik's nephew. The human here refuses to cooperate, so perhaps a bit of motivation will do the trick."
"This isn't going to help anyone!" Kapra shouted. "I'm telling you everything I know!"
"Do you honestly think I'm going to find your story credible?" Alexandrite spat.
"You're not getting it! I'm trying to save everyone!" Kapra exclaimed. "Including you, your brother! There is a darkness out there, THAT'S what you need to be worrying about!" Kapra shouted.
Alexandrite slowly approached her, lowering a bit so he was at eye level with her. "I don't believe you. There is a darkness in here as well... you have come to kill my brother and take this land for yourself."
"No! I was brought here because they chose me for something! But if I can stop them, it will end all the chaos here!"
"You speak lies." Alexandrite said lowly. "But perhaps you will speak the truth when I bring Viktor here, hm?"
"I'm not lying, I swear I don't know them!" Kapra screamed.
"Then why are you making such a fuss over people you don't even know, hm?" Alexandrite asked.
"Because you don't just go and kill innocent people, that's not what a prince does!" Kapra exclaimed as she breathed a bit deeper, Alexandrite staring at her a moment before grabbing her collar.
"You do not tell me what I ought to or ought not to do." He said lowly as Barium appeared in the doorway, Night keeping hold of Pyramus behind him.
"Alexandrite, that's enough." He said, Alexandrite turning to respond to him.
"It's just as I suspected, Barium. She has lied right to our faces, the Hulder too. They are conspiring against you!"
"I'll be the judge of that." Barium said.
"Very well. Onyx can go fetch Viktor so she may give you better answers than she gave me." Alexandrite said. He did not notice Kapra's pupils beginning to dilate as a darkness crept into the room.
"You may not want to do that." Pyramus said then. What came out of Kapra's mouth next shocked them all.
"You do not tell me what I ought to or ought not to do." They all turned when she spoke in what sounded exactly like Alexandrite's voice. "Perhaps not them... but I can." She then spoke with the entity's voice. Suddenly, they moved back when Alexandrite levitated into the air, the prince beyond shocked at this as he struggled. As Night hurried over to try to get him down, Kapra began to shake, her breathing quickening as Alexandrite was flung into the corridor by the invisible force. When this happened, the Imugi servant backed away, hissing lowly. Pyramus rushed over, and when Kapra darted her eyes to him, he stopped when he felt resistance.
"You're not going to throw me around like a ragdoll, love." He said to her, taking one step at a time towards her. "Kapra. I know you hear me. You know this sorry bastard isn't worth your time. Don't... let them... control you." As Pyramus spoke, Barium watched in shocked silence. Pyramus stared for a few more moments before Kapra's pupils began to shrink, her eyes rolling up as she collapsed. He caught her, lowering to his knees as he held her close. Alexandrite clenched his jaw as he was helped to stand by Onyx. "Like I said, your highness... she will lose herself." Pyramus said to Barium. In response, he nodded slowly.
"Onyx, take my brother to his bedchambers. Night... give the humans their own room. Make sure it's guarded." He watched as Pyramus shot Night a look, insisting on carrying Kapra himself. Barium went over to the chair, sitting in it as he rested his head in his hands.
What forces was he dealing with here?
Viktor sat in Kapra's former bedroom somberly, gently sifting through her bag. He smiled sadly when he took out her music player, remembering how she had showed it to him. He placed the buds in his ear, pressing a few buttons until he turned it on. As music played, he closed his eyes, a tear escaping. After some time, he placed it aside, reaching in to take something else out. He saw it was her kindle, remembering how she had read him stories from it. He figured out how to turn it on, looking at some of the entries.
"'Romeo and Juliet...'" He said to himself, remembering when he and Kapra had read it together. He heard the door beginning to open then, quickly hiding the kindle as Arsenik entered.
"Viktor... what are you doing in here?" He asked.
"I... I was just-... I miss her." Viktor frowned deeply.
"As do I. Anyhow... I came to collect miss Kapra's things to store somewhere safe. Place her things in her satchel and hand it to me." Viktor reluctantly did so, Arsenik taking the bag. "Is that all of it?"
"... Yes, uncle." Viktor cleared his throat as he lied.
"Very well." Arsenik replied. "We are both deeply saddened by this, Viktor. But we must remember that we still have obligations and tasks to fulfill. We must remain strong for Kapra now."
"Arsenik... just before she was taken... we finally professed our love to one another." Viktor smiled sadly, Arsenik staring at him. "I always feared the prospect of kissing, of being so vulnerable, but now I greatly long for it... for her..." His lip began to tremble, a lump forming in his throat. "Oh heavens, I must take her away from that horrible place!"
"Viktor, you must calm yourself." Arsenik said.
"I can't stand it! The thought of her being at their mercy, my heart can't bear it, Arsenik!"
"You are speaking dangerous thoughts, Viktor. You cannot allow your emotions to take such a strong grip upon you, or ill consequences will follow." Arsenik squeezed his shoulders. "I would not have you waste away your life. Leave it to me. Remember..." His voice softened as he wiped away a tear with his thumb. "... you are the most precious thing to me. You have the kindness and gentleness of your father but the love and valor of both your mothers."
Viktor looked up at him. "Arsenik... you never... told me exactly how... they died. Mari and father."
"It is unnecessary. It would bring you unneeded pain." Arsenik said.
"I wish to know." Viktor frowned. "You were there, Arsenik... in their last moments."
Arsenik was not expecting this. He figured Viktor would question him about this someday, but sometimes he forgot that his nephew was now a man, no longer a boy lingering in the ignorance of youth. He sighed lightly, going over to sit beside him as he gathered his thoughts. This was going to be difficult, but he owed his nephew an answer... he owed him far more than that, but the least he could do was give him an answer.
"Your father was one of our greatest warriors, but he was a reluctant one. He did not enjoy fighting. He led our clan with honor, but he would have avoided war if possible. He had great empathy for others, even for those from other clans. I tried to convince him that many were not capable of reciprocating it, but he believed all were worthy of the same treatment. I truly wished to believe him... however, one night..." Arsenik sighed shakily. "... we awoke in our campsite to the Trold dashing towards us. It was a vicious attack. Their men began killing ours, and their women raided our rations. Despite being ambushed, we put up a good fight. Mari received word of the attack and feared for your father. She came out to the battleground and as much as I urged her to go back, she refused." Viktor frowned as he saw his uncle becoming visibly upset, gently taking his hand.
"It's alright, uncle." Viktor said quietly, nodding for him to continue.
"One Trold tried to say something to my brother, probably a threat. When I came to his aid, the Trold charged at me... but the blade did not pierce me. Mari... dove in its path..." Viktor frowned deeply as Arsenik put a hand over his eyes. "... I could not save her." His voice cracked. Viktor had never seen his uncle like this. "Your father and I were so despaired... he called her name, his cries echoed into the night when the life left her eyes. Emotion overwhelmed him... but not hatred. Never hatred." Arsenik lifted his head, staring straight ahead. "It was where he and I differed. The last thing he said to me was that I was stronger than he, that I would raise you to be a fine man. I did not expect him to do what he did next... it happened so quickly." Arsenik paused to compose himself. "I... tried to stop the bleeding when he cut his throat... but he was already gone. All he wished was to be with her." He looked over at Viktor, who maintained his shocked silence. "Mari and your father were the dearest people to me." He tucked a strand of hair behind Viktor's ear. "We may be close in age, but you are like a son to me, Viktor. Do not meet the same end as your father. I would regret it for the rest of my life."
"Uncle... what happened to Mari and father was a result of the Trold's heartlessness... you fought bravely for them and our people." Viktor said.
Arsenik sighed. "I shall leave you to your thoughts. If you seek comfort... I'll be waiting." Viktor nodded as Arsenik rose to go to his bedroom, leaving Viktor to take in what Arsenik had told him. As he sat at the edge of his bed, he reflected upon what had transpired that night after his brother and Mari had perished- he had only told Viktor part of the truth. If he knew what really happened that night... Arsenik feared he would never forgive him, he would never look at him the same again. It was the night that changed him forever.
It was the night he earned the name he had now.
Willyam's brother pursued the Trold that unintentionally killed Mari as he rejoined his mate in the woods. Willyam's brother had managed to corner them, pointing his sword at them.
'You will suffer for what you have taken from me.'
'I saw you, you started the fire! You are the one who should suffer!'
'You are gravely mistaken, Trold. You killed my brother's mate. Because of this, he took his own life and I am deprived of them both, my nephew is now deprived of his father. For that, you will pay dearly.' He said, and as he went to grab the female, the Trold attacked him viciously.
'Go! Find our son and run!' The Trold shouted, the female dashing into the woods. Willyam's brother slayed him while he was distracted, killing him. He slowly looked up, his rage driving him to hunt down the woman. She may have been fast, but Willyam's brother would not cease his pursuit. She found where her son was hidden, hugging him and kissing his forehead.
'Find your brothers and sisters and stay with them. You must run as fast as you can and do not stop, do you understand?' When the boy nodded, she embraced him tearfully. 'My sweet Chase, I love you. Now go, quickly.'
The boy ran for a bit, stopping to look from behind a tree, confused as to why his mother did not follow. It was difficult to see in the dark, but he gasped quietly when a Hulder began to approach. Just then, he saw his mother pounce from behind the bushes, challenging the Hulder as she screeched viciously. She fought as best as she could, but when she was shoved to the ground, the boy widened his eyes when the Hulder's sword came down, silencing her. He felt his chest tighten as it began to rain, thunder roaring through the sky. The boy clenched his teeth, tears gathering in his eyes as he watched the Hulder linger for a few moments, his sword bloodied before turning to head off. He then ran over to where his mother lay, seeing the lifeless expression in her eyes when lightning illuminated the sky. Even as the rain quenched the fires, it would not wash away the boy's sorrow.
That day, he swore he would forever hate the clan which took both his parents from him.
Arsenik shut his eyes tightly at the memory. The face of the Trold woman haunted him to this day as he rested his head in his hand. Despite the motivations for doing so, the act was still inexcusable. That day forward, he promised himself that he would never bring harm to another woman again, regardless of the clan. He remembered returning to the keep later that night to deliver the ill news.
'What in the hell happened out there-' Ravyn had approached him, halting. '... why do you wear Willyam's cloak?'
Before Willyam's brother could answer, his nephew- he was a young teenager then- rushed into the room. 'Uncle! Where is father, where is Mari-' He stopped upon seeing his uncle wearing his father's cloak. He felt his chest tighten, his face scrunching as he fell to his knees. 'He's not... tell me he's not-'
'Nephew, look at me.' Willyam's brother made him rise to his feet. 'Your father fought admirably. His death shall not be in vain. Mari...' He paused to compose himself. '... she too fought admirably. Until you are ready... I will carry their responsibilities as my burden. I will teach you all I know in your father's stead.' He closed his eyes as he drew his nephew close, petting his hair as the boy sobbed heavily. 'How cruel fate has been to you... robbing you of your father and not just one mother, but two. I will always protect you, nephew. You are all I have left.'
As he looked past his nephew's shoulder, Ravyn stared back at him darkly. After his nephew went to his bedchambers, the pair sat in the dining hall, staring at one another.
'I know what you did. I saw you light the fires in the cover of night in the Trold territory. You miscalculated. You wished to drive them towards the Vi, but the wind had other plans. You drove them straight to us, and so, your attempt to gain an advantage came to this.' Ravyn said.
'No one will believe you.' Willyam's brother said lowly. He narrowed his eyes when Ravyn held up one of their own scorched torches.
'They will believe this.' He smirked. 'You'll be executed and so will that pansy of a nephew-'
'Do not.' He hissed. 'Do not speak ill against my nephew.'
'The Vi was not the only one you wanted to take advantage of. You wished to change Willyam's mind. Send him into battle. If he were to have perished... you would have finally had what you wanted all along-'
'You will not presume to place a rift between my brother and I. I loved him, more than anything!' His brother exclaimed.
'No. You loved HER more than anything. You will never admit it, but you resent Willyam for taking the one you loved as his wife. He was robbed of his first, just as you were robbed of Mari.' Ravyn said as suddenly, his brother twisted his brows, overcome with grief.
'My heart has longed for her since childhood...' Tears rolled down his cheeks. 'I never wanted this for either of them.'
'Poison does not discriminate. This is what you have become. So, if you wish for your character to not be poisoned as well... you will make me your high captain and you will settle this mess you've made MY way. Then you shall earn your name as I see fit. You will be known as the one who killed our enemy silently, as poison does. You can wear your kind smile and be as gentle as a summer breeze... but your name shall follow you forever just as this night shall.' Ravyn leaned closer then. 'I will make sure you never forget this night, Arsenik.'
Arsenik looked out the window as it began to rain. He went over to it, the low light illuminating his face for a moment. His expression of remorse slowly turned to something darker as he drew the curtains closed, depriving the room of light.
He was going to make sure this secret was all that it remained- a secret. And he would make sure that Ravyn paid for what he had done. He would regret ever sending Kapra away.
Leaving this chapter on a bit of an ominous note. So, as you can see, Arsenik has proven to have a bit of an unpleasant history. In the meantime, what will happen to Kapra and Pyramus? Can they be saved? Find out more in the next update and leave a review with your thoughts! Thanks again for reading!