Chapter Twenty Five

Sohrrow felt sick.

The male felt Lhyra touch his shoulder as if to comfort him. Not even his shellan could sooth him after what he just heard. Standing around him was his family who held the same shock on their faces. Standing in front of the gathering was Sayge. She had returned from the guest house not long ago and Sohrrow thought she was going to bring news on his twin. Being unable to see him was making him go mad. Sohrrow wanted to see Ahnger. Everyone but him had the approval from Sayge to see the male if they wanted to. He was even thinking of arguing with her when she asked for everyone to meet her. When all was accounted for, she told them what Ahnger had told her.

A dark shadow was casted over. Sohrrow felt it especially. He was Ahnger's twin and he never knew. His brother had given up everything for him. Taken his place as the darkness's host. Faked his entire life for them. Became his father's enemy to keep his hope alive. Completely cut all ties from them in hopes of sparing them pain.

Sohrrow felt disgusted with himself.

He was the first born of the two. It was his duty to protect Ahnger, not the other way around.

"I need to tell the Scribe Virgin," said Sayge.

"I think you should," answered Mehrcy. "Maybe she'll know how to fix this."

Sayge looked up at the male like she wanted to say something. But then she glanced at the rest of the family. When it looked like she was going to keep it to herself, Mehrcy assured her she could tell them.

"Ahnger already told me he would say no to anything the Scribe Virgin will do to the in hopes of fixing the curse. He said this was his only chance of dying and taking the curse with him if what he believes is right. I can tell the Scribe Virgin what happened but Ahnger's going to fight her on this."

Sohrrow didn't mean to do it. He didn't mean to dematerialize from the mansion. But he was so outraged by everything. Hearing his brother took all these hits over the decades simply because he switched places and built a false life was close to the breaking point for Sohrrow. Now he was hearing Ahnger would fight the goddess when it came to the curse. What if she found a way to restore it? That meant Ahnger wouldn't die. That meant they would have their brother back. If it meant Sohrrow would return as the host for the darkness, so be it. Victoria could help him learn to deal with it like she has done over the years. The male could live with the darkness.

One thing wasn't a lie in their past. Ahnger always cared about Sohrrow. How could the male believe any of this if he knew his twin would rather go to the grave instead of giving up?

Materializing in the guest house, Sohrrow found himself on the second floor. Standing by the window and looking out was Ahnger. The damn headaches came again but Sohrrow forced them aside. In fact, because of his father, Sohrrow used a tiny portion of the light to help out. It wasn't much but enough to make it bearable.

Before Ahnger could turn around to see who was in the room, Sohrrow marched up to his twin and grabbed him by the arm. Whatever power the male kept the headaches at bay dropped and it came rushing through his head. The pain came so fast that it was gone as fast as it came. Sohrrow closed his eyes when he felt the attack and opened his eyes when it was over. But he was no longer standing in the guesthouse. Trees surrounded the field he stood in. A stone slab rested in the center of the ring of grass for one to sit on. In the distance was the mansion which stood high in the distance from the trees.

Something shuffling in the grass caught Sohrrow's attention. Turning around to find what caused the sound, the male went still when he saw a black figure struggle to stand. Wobbling to its feet and stumbling around, a black wolf with black eyes looked at the male. It gave a tired huff like a laugh before settling back down.

"Isn't this ironic?"

The voice came from the wolf.

Sohrrow stood where he was. The wolf lying in the grass was no ordinary wolf. The male knew it was the darkness. But what he was wondering why he could see it. Then he remembered he had touched Ahnger. Maybe this was the darkness's world. His father had told him both the light and darkness had their own worlds they resided in. What he wanted to know was how he got into his brother's darkness's world.

"Sit down before you fall over," barked the darkness.

Even though it looked weak, Sohrrow sat down. He didn't want to know if it was weak as it looked. That didn't mean he would be getting close.

"Heh. Ahnger was right. He's more fun than you."

"How am I here?" Sohrrow asked.

The darkness made another huff. "We're both weak. I can't keep intruders out of my world like usual. Besides, you're my original host. You have the strength to come here even if it's by accident. I figured it out that night at the warehouse. Why do you think Ahnger was being such as ass to you? I told him about it and he pushed you away harder than the others."

Now Sohrrow understood why he was in the darkness's world. So why was he still there?

"I believe this conversation is long overdue."

Before Sohrrow could speak, his chest tightened. Leaning forward and clutching his chest, Sohrrow gasped for air as the soft grass wisped around his face. When he closed his eyes, the feeling began to ease until he opened his eyes. But when Sohrrow did, the ground below him had changed to where a puddle of water reflected his reflection. Sohrrow's golden eyes had changed to white since it was inside him but the male watched as black began to flood over the white. Unlike Ahnger's eye which were mismatched, Sohrrow's eyes were black with white rings surrounding his pupils.

"What did you do?" he demanded.

When the darkness didn't speak, Sohrrow was about to jump up. His eyes were different and he knew that thing across the field had something to do with it. The male wanted to march right up to it and demand what it had done to him. Even if beating it came to it. Sohrrow would get his answers.

However, before he could so much as move a muscle to stand, the darkness once again fought to its feet. It stumbled around to where it fell back to the ground. Sohrrow watched in surprise as the darkness managed to hold its ground. Taking one step at a time, the darkness slowly made its way over to the male. This time Sohrrow did get up when the darkness tripped over its own paws. Catching it before it went down, Sohrrow's hold over it faltered when he saw something.

Ahnger. The darkness. Sohrrow announcing his engagement to Lhyra A sadness hiding in his twin's eyes. The darkness turning away. The sense of home vanishing. Loneliness settling in. Both of them becoming outcasts.

When Sohrrow jerked back, he looked down to seeing the darkness looking straight up at him. It settled it sitting up on its hunches and faced Sohrrow. The male saw the same eyes he just saw his twin hold in the memory.

"I was ready for you to be my host," spoke the darkness. "I didn't know a thing about you. All I knew was that you would probably turn out just like Dhark and Rihgor. You would succumb to fear and turn into a raging animal like the others. But when I felt Ahnger watching me, I woke up. I saw a male stronger than the others and I was stuck in a body that wasn't. You were so weak that I knew you would fall faster than the others. So when I sensed your twin threatening the light, I decided to pay him a visit."

"Sayge already told us about your deal. She even told me about Ahnger's decision. So how is any of this relevant?"

"So impatient," it laughed to itself. "I'm telling you not to be angry with Ahnger."

"Why should you care? Because of this damned curse, my brother was forced to be something he's not!"

The darkness shook its head. "I'm sentimental. I like the male. He's given me good stories I never experienced with the others. I've been with him longer than Dhark and Rihgor. It's gotten to the point to where we both know what must be done. Ahnger wants to die to protect you and the line to come. I want to die because I feel like its time. Besides, I can't see a future where I'm stuck in some other vampire's body and it not being Ahnger. Again, I'm a sentimental bastard."

The hatred Sohrrow felt a second ago seethed away. The darkness just told him it wanted to die because it was sentimental over Ahnger. His twin was sacrificing his life to protect those later on and the darkness was ready.

"So why are you telling me this?"

"Give the male a break. We've both been through enough shit as it is. You can see that I'm tired. So is Ahnger. Our time is close. So take it easy on him. Right now he needs you as his brother and not his enemy. The reason why you get those headaches is because the light now knows you're not its real host. It's stupid but not that stupid. The more you stay away, the more it forgets. But it would help if you have a chat with it so you and Ahnger can stop suffering. It would do the male a great deal. Once you have that light under control, you can see you twin. I know he would like it too."

The darkness took in a deep breath and stood. It was shaky considering how weak it was. Turning around and looking over its shoulder at the male, the darkness's eyes begged for Sohrrow to give his twin a chance as it began to walk away. The world then turned dark as the darkness walked away.

It was time for Sohrrow to return to the real world.

Closing his eyes, the male opened them to find himself back in the room. He was still holding Ahnger's arm who was looking at his twin with tired eyes. Sohrrow released his grip as Ahnger turned to face him.

"So what did it say?" Ahnger asked.

For a second, Sohrrow didn't know what to say. Then he shook his head and said nothing. The male watched as Ahnger made the same tired laugh as the darkness and went back to staring out at the night. When they didn't say anything, Ahnger glanced over at his twin. Replaying what the darkness had told him, Sohrrow forgot about the ranting he wanted to do a second ago and decided to stand on the opposite side of the window.

There was a silent agreement between the twins since they both looked out into the night together. In fact, the both of them mimicked the same smirk. Whatever differences the two held towards one another seemed to fall apart as they stood side by side once again.

Sayge didn't have to worry about Sohrrow. She figured the male would've done what he did sooner or later. When nothing happened, she told the others to give the twins some time alone. Mehrcy had left with Victoria to tell the Brotherhood about the news while Sayge figured it was time to tell the Scribe Virgin. The female knew the goddess already knew about Ahnger's confession but had to report either way.

The faster she got this over with the faster she could return to Ahnger.

Appearing on the Other Side, Sayge was wearing the same white robe with the hood down. The Scribe Virgin was standing in front of her bird cage like usual. The arm of her black robe had slid down so a glowing hand traced the bars on the cage as the birds sang their song. Sayge bowed and greeted the goddess when she turned around.

"It seems your theory was correct," the Scribe Virgin said. "The male would defiantly do anything for his twin."

"My lady, you now know what Ahnger has done."

"Now wish to know what I will do, correct?"

"Sayge was hesitant when she said, "Yes, my lady."

The Scribe Virgin sighed. There was a silence in the air as the goddess began to sort through the information she had seen. Sayge kept her head bowed as her goddess decided the fate of Ahnger. She desperately hoped the goddess would come up with something where Ahnger could live.

"Return to the male," answered the goddess. "My decision will be final when speak to him."

Sayge wanted to say something but kept her mouth shut. It would sound like she was undermining her goddess's order and things would just get worse. All the female could do was bow and bid her farewell. And pray. She prayed with everything she had that the goddess knew what to do.

Once Sayge was gone, the Scribe Virgin looked down to the world below. It seemed Ahnger was growing tired by the hour. It was only a matter of time before he died and that time was getting closer. As she had waited for Sayge to come, the goddess had seen the male with his twin. The two still had the brotherly bond that it seemed unbroken over time. The Scribe Virgin saw how strong Ahnger held that bond and how the darkness would honor it.

Sohrrow had left around the time Sayge appeared in her world. Now Ahnger was resting as the female found her way to the male. This would be the only chance the goddess would have to speak to the male. She had felt how weak the darkness was. The conversation between it and Sohrrow took its toll on it and seemed to have sped up their end. Calling for Ahnger now would only do the same but the goddess had to. She needed to speak to the male to see what to do about the curse.

With one thought, Ahnger appeared on the Other Side. Lying on his side, the male stirred since he had been sleeping in the real world. When he opened his eyes to see the Scribe Virgin, he laughed and rolled up to his knees. He kept his head bowed and stayed on his knees as if standing was too much for him. The Scribe Virgin didn't bother having him stand. She knew he probably was too tired to stand.

"My lady, what an honor it is to have been summoned by you?"

"I do not appreciate the sarcasm in your voice," she warned.

Ahnger just laughed. "I'm dying. Sarcasm is all I have to avoid the subject. So do forgive me for old habits die hard."

The goddess couldn't help but notice the similarities between Victoria and Ahnger. She thanked the human for her rebellious attitude to deal with the male. She would allow him to act his way considering his words were true.

"I'm guessing this little meeting has to do with the curse?"

"You have admitted in switching places with your twin brother who was supposed to receive the darkness while you the light. Apparently your actions has broken the curse in ways I never foresaw. I also know you will refuse to accept your proper half in hopes of sparing your brother. You can see the predicament you're in."

This time Ahnger fought his way up to his feet. The Scribe Virgin watched with her veil hiding her astonishment as the male managed to stand firm. He swayed but stood tall.

"I have lived with the choice I've made, my lady. Even though my actions have brought my death, I refuse to give my brother the darkness."

"Even if your decision will sentence your twin to death?"

Ahnger staggered backwards. Even though the goddess wasn't sure of this, she used the threat of Ahnger's twin's death to see what the male would do. Perhaps he would reconsider his choice and retake the light as his own.

The male went back to his knees since he couldn't stand for much longer. He took deep breaths of air to show his fatigued state. The Scribe Virgin awaited his answer and hoped he would choose best when he had his breath.

"Make me the host."

"What?"

Ahnger looked up at his goddess.

"Lhight became the host of both the light and the darkness. You can make me the host."

"Do you not remember that Lhight killed Dhark to claim the darkness?"

"But you have some power over the curse. Surely you can make it possible?"

The Scribe Virgin hadn't expected this. Ahnger, son of Mehrcy, grandson of Lhight, was asking her to turn him into the host which both sides of the curse would dwell in. This male was willing to hand over whatever humanity in him to spare his brother and his line of the curse. Surely the male would know that the only emotion he possessed would fade away just like his grandfather. What he did for his family had been out of duty so it wasn't an emotion. It was his love for Sayge which would fade into the wind. He would slowly lose hold over what made her so important to him until he became nothing but an empty shell.

Yet, he was still willingly to make the sacrifice.

"Dhark and Rihgor sacrificed their love for their brothers. You have gone so far to where you're willing to sacrifice your life for Sohrrow. Now you're asking to sacrifice whatever makes you you in order to protect him. If I were to do this, the emotions you hold towards Sayge will become nothing. Not even a memory."

A sense of unease flickered in the male's gaze. It might've shocked him to hear the goddess perhaps held the power to complete his request but didn't think of the outcome. The thought of forgetting his love for Sayge seemed to have altered a portion of the male's determination.

Thinking he might change his mind, the goddess waited to hear Ahnger's decision. Surely he changed his mind and was ready to reclaim the light. Ahnger clenched his fists like he was about to make a decision he might regret before looking up at the Scribe Virgin.

"If you have the power, make me the host."

"You insulant child!" The Scribe Virgin actually yelled at Ahnger. He lowered his head but that was all. It was like he knew he deserved his goddess's fury. When she saw him bow his head, the Scribe Virgin's rage died just when it began. Kneeling before her was a male willingly to do anything, even suffer her loud opinion if it meant he would become his host. And as the goddess looked down at the male, she watched his fists clenched harder. This action proved how torn he was in making his decision.

When Ahnger spoke, he knew he would lose Sayge. He probably thought he already lost her. The goddess had seen the two talk. She had seen how the male looked into the night like he had lost the only thing which made him who he was. He knew this decision would seal his fate and any chances of him being with the female he loved.

"Stand, son of Mehrcy."

Using his strength, Ahnger stood for he knew what laid ahead of him. He would become the host of the curse and soon lose anything that made him who he was. The thought of losing what pulled him towards Sayge had been terrifying. But after so long in protecting Sohrrow, this was the only way. Ahnger would love Sayge even if she no longer felt so towards him until the day he no longer felt his love.

When Ahnger held himself up, the Scribe Virgin lifted her hand and her sleeve slid down. Placing a glowing hand on his chest, the goddess could sense the darkness feel her power. How weak it was. Both the darkness and Ahnger didn't have much time left to live. Death was at their doorsteps, awaiting to visit them. It was under her touch did the Scribe Virgin whisper something. Her voice was so low the wind easily covered it. But as she whispered, something burned under her palm and Ahnger bit down on his lip from the pain.

"It seems I cannot do what you wish or reverse your previous action."

Ahnger stiffened under her touch.

"But listen carefully, Ahnger, son of Mehrcy. Seals are Sayge's specialties. This curse was originally created by me. Even though I cannot do these two requests, I can alter it." The Scribe Virgin paused as she drew her hand back. "You will die. That is for sure. But it must be your choice to come back."

"My lady?"

"I have watched over Sayge for so long I myself have picked up some traits. I have placed a seal on you. Nothing will appear until you die and come back. If you do, the seal will form over your skin and proclaim you as the official host of the darkness. I will place the seal on Sohrrow for him to become the official host to the light. When you die, the seal on your twin will activate. The light will then forever be bound to him like it is to Victoria and your father. Your brother's line will be free of the curse. The only thing you must do is come back. If you do, you will claim the darkness as your own and no one else.

"My lady."

"But this can only happen if you die. Once you do, my seals will begin their work. I will tell Sohrrow myself. It is your choice to tell Sayge."

When the Scribe Virgin finished, there was something in her voice that made Ahnger snicker. As he swayed on his feet, the male reached over for the fountain and sat down on its edge. Head dipped low out of exhaustion, he closed his eyes and sighed out loud.

"I don't have much time, do I?"

"All I can say is make peace with Sayge. She will lose you sooner than she thinks."

Ahnger nodded to show he understood what he goddess was telling him.

With her share said, she sent the male back to his world and prepared herself to call forth his twin. The news would be shattering to the male. The Scribe Virgin saw how he and Ahnger reconciled. Now she would tell him his twin would surely die for this plan to work. Just like when she believed Victoria would never returned, the Scribe Virgin hoped Ahnger would come back to the people who loved him.

Ahnger startled awake. Taking in a breath too fast, his eyes popped open and found himself propping himself up on his elbows. It was like he woke up from a dream too fast and was finding his bearings. As he blinked around, Ahnger noticed Sayge looking out the window with her back toward him. The drapes had been pulled close to one another and a sliver of the night outside was all that could be seen. The sun must've been around the corner for Sayge to draw the drapes close together.

Apparently she didn't hear the male because her back was still facing him. Since the female didn't know Ahnger was awake, he pushed himself further up and found he was already winded. The Scribe Virgin's words rang clear in Ahnger's mind. He really didn't have much time here.

Ahnger managed to sit up for what felt like ours and released an exhausted sigh. Just then Sayge turned around when she heard him. There was a hint of surprise in her eyes like she hadn't expected him to wake any time soon. Then something clouded her eyes and it was the same look she had given him when he told her about his past. Ahnger still couldn't place what emotion this was.

"You should be resting," she said.

"I'll have enough of that later," he joked.

Drawing the drapes together so the sunlight wouldn't find its way inside later, Sayge walked over and sat at the edge of the bed. She looked down at her hands as she rubbed them down her pants. Then she told him she had reported to the Scribe Virgin. He just gave her a nod and smirked. His expression got him a tiny sneer and he chuckled to himself. Sayge was still herself no matter the situation even without her knowing.

When the two stayed silent, Ahnger once again so the sudden distance between him. Deep inside, he felt like he already lost her. The loss was why he was looking forward to his death. Now the goddess had given him a second chance and all he had to do was come back from the dead. Watching how Sayge avoided any eye contact made him wonder if it would be worth it.

"I'm going to take a wild guess and say you met the Scribe Virgin?"

"Yeah. We had a little chat."

She looked up at him with surprise. Then she suppressed it and shrugged her shoulders before asking about their conversation. At first, Ahnger wanted to lie. But he knew his time was limited with Sayge. Lying to her felt like pushing her away. And he didn't that.

So he told her everything.

Ahnger told Sayge about the goddess's deal and how it led up to his choice in returning to this world. Once he was done, he turned his gaze away from Sayge. He didn't want to see what she was thinking or the distance furthering. All he could do was listen as she took in a deep breath and shook her head.

"At least you told me," she said.

Ahnger waited for her to say something else.

"Do you have any idea how angry I am at you?"

"About how I knew you or about this deal?"

"Both."

"Then I'm guessing a lot."

Sayge surged to her feet and faced the male. Her eyes held the same emotion he had been trying to figure out. As she stared down at him, he now understood what emotion this was. Sayge wasn't angry or furious at him. She was frustrated. She was frustrated at the male who believed he had to shoulder the world on his own. She was frustrated that he never told her that he knew her so long ago and the threat he hung over her father's head.

Sayge was frustrated that Ahnger didn't let her help him.

"Why? Why take this deal when you could've handed over the dark to Sohrrow?"

"Because I already sacrificed too much to make sure my brother never got it.

"What about me?" Sayge practically screamed.

Her sudden outrage caught Ahnger off guard.

"What am I to do if you die? What do I do with the rest of my life knowing you could've lived and yet you chose to gamble with your life? I would've been satisfied if you had become the host of the curse. Sure you would've forgotten your love for me but you would still be alive! You would still be with me."

"With you?"

Tears shimmered around Sayge's eyes before falling over. She wiped them away as she cleared her throat to speak.

"I would've stayed by your side no matter what. Even if you threatened Behnjamin. I mean, he was a totally asshole towards me. If you had told me about your encounter, I wouldn't have been so frustrated with you. I could've accepted it easier if you had told me from the day I placed the seals on you. I wouldn't had been so hard on you about the curse. I probably would've taken my time in getting you to tell me what you had done. Even this. If you had chosen to become the host, I'd still be there by your side no matter what."

Sayge stopped because she had to catch her breath.

"But this. Damn it, Ahnger. You're going to die. You're going to die when you had the chance to live. I know you care for your brother out of some damn duty and I can't expect you to change that part about yourself. But you should've pushed harder to taking both the light and darkness. You wouldn't have to worry about dying and hopes of coming back to life. I wouldn't have to worry about losing you."

Unable to calm herself or stop her tears, Sayge watched as Ahnger's eyes widen. She then jumped into his arms and the both of them fell back. Ahnger slowly wrapped his arms around her body as she buried her face in his chest. Her tears stained his shirt as she cried her heart out. She clutched her fist full of fabric like her hold would keep him with her.

"Sayge?"

"Damn you, Ahnger. How am I supposed to go on if you don't come back to me?"

Her words was all he had to hear. Her words was what he needed to change his mind.

Ahnger would still keep to the deal the Scribe Virgin gave to him. But now he had something to fight for.

He had someone who wanted him to come back no matter what.

Rubbing her back with one hand and lifting her chin with the other, Ahnger wiped away Sayge's tears as she bit back her hiccups.

"I love you, Sayge," he said. "You already know I've loved you since the day I laid eye on you. What about you?"

Sayge leaned forwards and kissed Ahnger. Her words and kiss told him everything. Sayge loved him so much it was hurting her to think of losing him. Her love was just as deep as his was.

"I love you, Ahnger. I love you so damn much."

"Then I will come back."

The male placed a finger on her lips when she was about to speak. "I thought you hated me for not telling you. I was ready to go through with this plan and not come back because I thought my lies had turned you away from me. But now I know how you feel. Now I have something to fight for to return. My family is a duty. But you're not. You're more than that. You are my heart and soul."

When he said his peace, Sayge rested her head on his chest as he held her close. The two laid together as the sun eventually came up. With the drapes drawn, the only hint of day was the faint rays coming from the bottom. It was when these rays streaked over the floor did Sayge fall asleep in Ahnger's arm. The male kissed the top of his female's head before falling her into a blissful dream.

He would make it. It was a promise he intended to keep no matter what. He would return to his female.