DAYS OF OUR LIVES STORIES IN THE STYLE OF FIRE EMBLEM

Episode 2

The day Theo gets rid of Ben in front of Ciara

Fire Emblem Inspired by: Deirdre, Sigurd and Arvis's final scene in Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War

Setting: After Ciara announced to Ben she's leaving Salem to be with Theo in South Africa

Ben was devastated after learning from Ciara that she's leaving Salem to go to Joburg to be with Theo. That same night, Ben has another dream, of him as an esteemed knight of honor facing an army of executioners led by Theo, to die a merciless death for his past crimes and an alleged treason. And Princess Ciara can't do nothing but watch. Will he survive?

xxx

Ben stood across from Ciara in her hospital room, trying to process the news his wife had just dropped on him.

"You can't mean this." He whispered, "You can't just leave to South Africa to be with Theo."

Ciara shrugged from her hospital bed, "Why not?"

"Because you're still recovering, Ciara!" his voice raised.

Ciara scanned herself, "Ben, I feel fine." She calmly said.

"No mentally, you are still recovering!" Ben argued.

"Mentally?" Ciara snapped, "What you mean mentally? I can't make my own decisions?"

"That's not what I'm saying!"

"Okay then what are you saying? Are you saying that I don't know what I want?"

Ben stammered. "No, that's not what I—"

He abruptly stopped, looked away and fought back the tears filling up his vision. That aching feeling. That aching, tugging feeling of his heart ready to jump through his chest. That same feeling he had when Ciara went missing and was declared dead a year ago since they were married. He could feel it again.

He has to talk some sense into her. He just has to. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed a chair and took a seat next to her, gazing back at her big brown eyes.

"Ciara, I think everything has just gotten very crazy. And we all need to take a big step back and a deep breath."

She leaned in close, "But that is exactly what I'm doing for myself." She said, "Are you?"

Ben thought about his earlier conversation with Claire. He was about to. For Ciara. He had been pushing for her to remember their love, to the extent that he tried to use a memory serum on her without her consent. Now that he's stepping back and choosing to wait for their love to return, for her memories of their happiness to return, she's leaving town?

"I'm trying." He confessed, "Very hard! So yes, that is why I came in today. To tell you that I am backing off, and that I am going to stay away, and if it is space that you need, I promise you I'm going to give it to you—but just please—" he choked, "—you cannot leave Salem! Not yet."

Ciara stood speechless for a moment. "Ben…"

"Hey!" a voice near the door startled the couple. Theo Carver stepped in between them. "What the hell are you doing here?" Theo asked Ben.

Ben stayed quiet. His tears streaming down his cheeks.

Theo turned to Ciara, "You okay Ciara?"

It took a moment for Ciara to respond, "Yeah. I'm fine. I was just," she hesitated, "explaining to Ben how we are leaving for South Africa together."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, and um…" she looked back at Ben with hesitation, "…he was just leaving."

Ben looked away. His teary eyes on the floor. "Theo, you don't want to do this." He begged.

"I'm not doing anything." Theo quietly replied, "Ciara is the one who brought up the idea of coming to South Africa with me."

Ben sniffled. "You could have said no." He stood up, towering over Theo and Ciara. Despite his height, he felt pretty small right now. All his strength he gained from his love for his wife, shrunk down to ant-size.

"You didn't have to let her." He muttered.

"Let me?" Ciara repeated, "Ben, no one lets me do anything."

Ben sighed, "You know that's not what I meant."

"Sounds like it's exactly what you meant." Theo disagreed.

Ben growled under his breath, "Theo, I don't know what the hell you think you're doing, but you're making a mistake."

Theo stared back, "Is that a threat?"

Ben looked back at Theo. Compared to people like Eve Donovan, Vincent Belman, Christian Maddox, and even Ciara's own niece Claire; Ben couldn't see Theo as a threat. He was Ciara's childhood best friend and he cared about her wellbeing just as much as he did.

"No." he replied, slightly reassured.

He looked back at Ciara; scanning, searching for that love they shared, deep within her. But all he saw within her big brown eyes was deadness. Nothingness. He recounted the judgment he felt from her based on his past murderous sins when she woke up from her short-term coma. Sins he deeply regrets committing. Sins he desperately wished they were never dug back up the surface. He had never met this judgmental version of Ciara before up until now.

His Ciara, the love of his life, was gone. He felt defeated. But he can't give up. He just couldn't. One last plea can't hurt.

"Ciara, I get that you see me as this terrible person you can never love—" he said, "—but you did love me." He went on, "And somewhere inside of you, it's still there. So, you can run away from me, you can run away from this town, you can even leave this country. But you are still my wife. That's never gonna change."

Ciara stared back at him, her big brown eyes filling up with tears, its amount matching his. But she stayed quiet.

Ben headed out the hospital room. Despite Theo being a childhood friend, it did not change the fact that the love of his life was leaving him with another man.

xxx

That night, Ben couldn't sleep. He should have done more. Maybe he should have injected Ciara with that memory serum. She would've remembered their love by now.

Maybe he should have consulted with the doctor to administer the serum on her. Safely. He could have done something.

No amount of power can bring him back from the despair he felt at the moment, of losing his wife.

But Theo wasn't a threat. He was her childhood friend. He could take care of her on his behalf until she can come back to him. Theo Carver could never be a threat.

Could he?

xxx

"Lord Benjamin!"

Ben opened his eyes. He was on top of a horse. He looked around, surrounded by a massive army.

"Lord Benjamin!"

He turned to the person calling him. It was William, the Duke of Horton. He smiled at him, "You're all right there, sir?"

"Will?" Ben cleared his throat, "Oh, I'm fine. How long was I out?"

"Not long." Will said, "Lord Theodore is awaiting our presence at the castle."

A triumphant fanfare resounded across the clearing toward the castle. Ben lightly tapped his horse and the horse started its march toward the castle. Ben's army of cavaliers and paladins followed close behind.

A line of horse-riding mage knights awaited them at the castle's courtyard, and near the steps was the Duke of Carver, Theodore.

Theodore took a step forward. He was clad in a black mantle adorned in expensive jewels of gold necklaces and epaulets one could find in the deepest mines in Africa. His cape glistened like blood diamond under the clearing sun overlooking Carver Castle. He wore trousers and expensive boots matching the color of his mantle.

His hair, usually tied in a manbun, was released into a river flow of blood red curls, the split ends perfectly resting down his shoulders. He was a male perfection of beauty and majesty; the kind that Ben felt couldn't match.

…except the hair color. Red was rather tacky. Like a male version of Janet Jackson.

"Sir Benjamin," Theodore called him, "This is an auspicious day! We've greatly anticipated your return to the motherland."

"Lord Theodore." Benjamin took a step back and got down on one knee to bow, "Thank you so much for coming out to greet us."

"Likewise Sir Benjamin." Theodore gave a warm smile, "Please stand."

Benjamin stood up and looked around, "Where is His Majesty?" he asked, referring to King Abraham, Theodore's father.

Theodore looked down, eyes on the floor, "Well," he hesitated, "His Majesty has taken ill. He can't even hold himself up anymore." He looked back at Benjamin, "Accordingly, I am currently handling all affairs of the kingdom."

"Is that so?" Benjamin sighed, "I am sorry to hear that. I bet you have your hands full."

Benjamin thought about the King; and how much grief he has placed on him since he came to the country many eons ago when he was a crooked criminal. The works of a king, when dealing with bandits such as him, never ends. He still recounts the many blessings of the King giving him another chance at life in the kingdom that led to Benjamin turning his life around to become an upstanding knight of honor to the kingdom.

"I've caused His Majesty a good dose of anguish." Benjamin said, "I must stop by the Royal Palace later on and make a formal apology."

Benjamin greeted goodbye and turned to enter the castle. But then Theodore grabbed him by the arm, stopping him.

"…that won't be necessary." Theodore shook his head.

"What?" Benjamin asked.

Theodore let go of Benjamin. His friendly demeanor suddenly shifted into a cold terrifying stance, "Lord Benjamin, I hereby sentence you to death for your acts of murder and treason. No visits to the king today, Ben!"

Benjamin blinked back in shock, "What?"

Before Benjamin could process what was happening, two knights clad in black armor grabbed Ben from behind, locked his arms in place, and slapped handcuffs on him. Terror flooded through Ben's chest.

"Lord Theodore, what is the meaning of this!?"

"You're just now catching on? I'm afraid it's too late my friend." Theodore said, "You and your father plotted to kill my father and usurp the throne. Just like you've done to many people in this kingdom. That hasn't changed."

"What? Clyde? No! Haven't seen my father in a while! I—"

"As the husband of Princess Ciara," Theodore interjected, "I must subdue you. Nothing personal, Ben."

The name of the princess stunned Ben. "Princess Ciara!?" he said, "Wait a minute… that'd be…"

"Oh, you didn't know?" Theodore laughed, "I suppose an introduction would be in order before you depart this world." He turned to the castle's front door, "Ciara, come!"

Ciara stepped outside and came toward Ben, but then stopped by Theodore's side.

Ciara didn't look like the Ciara he grew to know and love. This one looked different. Almost doll-like. Possessed. She had on a silverish white gown with gold embroideries around her collarbone; like an angel from above. He could tell by her hair color. It glistened under the sun in a silverish shade of white, like diamond. It was definitely the kind of hair only angels could sport.

But why did she look that different? What did Theo do to her?

"Ciara, this is Lord Benjamin. Or should I call him the Cravat Killer!" Theodore announced.

Ciara turned to Ben, "This is… Lord Benjamin?"

Ben looked back at Ciara, still shocked and startled at her appearance. "Ciara!? What-? This can't be!" he blinked back tears; soon coming to realize that after searching for her across kingdoms, above mountains, below valleys, crossing rivers and over volcanoes, she was here. She was real. She was not dead but alive!?

"Ciara!" Ben yanked free from the armored knights' grasp and grabbed Ciara's shoulders, "It is you!"

She pulled away, "Why are you speaking to me like that?" she looked back at him. The armored knights seized Ben again.

Ben gasped. He studied her eyes. The usual big brown eyes that were full of life, looked greyish and dead. He spotted no love in there. What happened to her? What did Theodore do to her?

"This man killed three noblewomen," Theodore announced, "just by the use of a cravat, including your mother! He almost tried to kill my father the King."

Ciara's eyes widened.

"What?" Ben exclaimed, "That's not true. THAT'S NOT TRUE!"

Theodore turned back to Ciara, "So go ahead Ciara." He snarled, "Rip into him! Let him know how you feel!"

Ciara opened her mouth to speak but Ben interjected. "Don't listen to him, I've never killed your mother!" Ben struggled under the two knights' clutches, "Ciara, your mother left the kingdom to search for you and hasn't come back since!"

"Care to reach out to her to back up your claim?" Theodore countered.

Ben got quiet.

"Of course you can't." Theodore grinned, "Because she died. And her blood is on your hands"

"He's lying!" Benjamin roared.

"So, what of the other duchesses then?" Theodore argued, "Lady Serena? Princess Paige? Scholar Wendy? The ones who lost their lives in your hands? Are you saying that was a quip?"

Ben turned back to Ciara. "Ciara, you know me! I would never hurt your family!"

"Do you," Ciara paused, "know me?"

"OF COURSE I DO!" Ben screamed, "YOU'RE—"

"That'll be enough from you, Ciara, take a step back. This man is dangerous. He is guilty of mass murder! And treason! And he's to be punished."

Ciara hesitated, "But I… this person is…" Ciara looked into Ben's piercing worried eyes. Her big silverish eyes matching his tears at the same amount. She turned back to Theo, "—please, just a little more time."

"I don't think so." Theodore grinned, "Quick! Somebody, escort the princess!"

Two mage knights clad in black armor and cape came to Ciara, "Wait, Theo! Please! Just a little longer!"

They started dragging the struggling Ciara away. Ben continued to tug and pull from his captors, but their grips were just as tight, screaming for Ciara.

"W-WAIT, CIARA!" Ben cried out. The doors closed to his face. He turned to Theodore, "Theo, please! That woman… she's…"

"That'll be enough! Alright, inform the troops to seize Sigurd and his party." Theodore said, "We no longer need to keep them alive. Let them serve their sentence right here!"

All the knights surrounding Ben's army seized his comrades one by one. Two of them grabbed Will. Will gasped in panic. He looked back at Ben, searching for answers. One knight stepped in front of Will and raised a knife.

"Will… no!" Ben shouted.

The knight swung for Will's throat. Will dropped in his pool of blood. One by one, Ben watched his comrades getting their throats slashed. Surviving allies fought back. Some turned to flee. But they were outnumbered. Some of Theodore's troops were powerful magician in the fire magic arts they snapped their fingers and their bodies combusted into flames.

"Drop him." Theo ordered his two knights. They let go of Ben. Ben pulled out his sword and charged at Theo. "THEO! YOU BASTARD!"

Theo raised a hand up, and Ben froze. His body erected in a running position; Ben couldn't even move a pinkie. Let alone open his mouth to speak. It's as if time stopped on him. Everything around him moved in utter chaos, but he was literally a statue.

Theo began to chant in some ancient language. Either from an ancient African tribe or Scandinavian one. A red sigil started to form underneath Ben. The kind used in occults to summon dead people. But this one wasn't to summon the dead. It was to burn the living.

"Crusader Fjalar! Heed my call!" Theo chanted, "I call upon your divine flame from above! Consume your sinners! Destroy those who opposes your calling! Call for justice! Valflame! COME FORTH!"

Ben watched a meteor coming from above, charging toward him. And him alone. He watched in defeat the meteor getting closer and closer and his skin peeling hot and melting just only 50 feet away.

Ben let out one last scream, and everything turned red and dark…

xxx

Ben screamed. His body jerked up, pouring out sweats.

He looked around. He was in his bedroom. He must've slept through the night, he thought. Rays of the morning sun was pouring in through his windows, inviting the warm heat of another day in April; not that deathly heat of a meteor seeking a target on his back.

He pressed his hands over his face. He was alive. Thank God.

But what's life worth living without his wife by his side?

He recalled their conversation last night. She was leaving him to be with Theo. He spoke with Claire soon after and she was going to try and talk to Ciara and Theo again, giving him an update soon after.

He reached out for his phone by his side and turned it on. A text from Claire. His heart jumped.

"I'm sorry. "

Ben sighed in defeat.

After a pause, he replied back.

"At least you've tried Thank you."

He sent the message and gazed across the room to his wedding photo with Ciara on the table. He thought about that dream. That terrifying dream of Theo killing him and an entire army who had rallied to Ben's side, including Will.

And Ciara was Theo's princess—his possessed, brainwashed princess—by his side, not his! What the hell kind of a dream was that? First Romeo and Juliet, and now this?

Theo couldn't be that terrible of a person. He didn't know the kid, but he didn't look like the kind of guy to dye his hair red and do black magic to kill people… even though according to Clyde, they do that kind of stuff in South Africa a lot.

But then again it's Clyde. He says ignorant stuffs all the time.

He scrolled through his contacts until he landed on Marlena Evans. His shrink. He tapped on the number.

Dial tone.

"Hello?" Her voice came on the speaker.

"Hello Dr. Evans?" Ben began, "It's Ben."

"Oh, hello Ben." She greeted. Her voice always calm and full of wisdom, it kept reassuring Ben he wasn't alone in a world that always judged him for his past sins.

"How are you doing?" she asked, "How are you feeling?"

Ben sighed, "Wish I could say I feel fine." He confessed, "I had a strange dream last night. About Ciara and Theo. Can I have a session with you sometimes this week?"

"Of course." She replied. "Let's set up an appointment."