Merry Christmas, everyone!
Rorek stood triumphantly within the crowd, more than pleased at the spectacle with the roar of the crowd. It felt so damned good, as if a massive burden had been lifted from him. He had done it! And without the blessing of God at that, that savage God that had murdered his beloved and child!
Rorek stayed as he soaked in the beautiful scene of gore before him, memorizing it. However, the man's musing was shattered as a voice rang out next to him, feminine and sultry, "Can't believe the ol' King is dead."
The tainted man turned towards source of the voice, the familiar sight of Vivica by his side, "Believe in what you see. Your eyes do not lie."
"Honestly, I thought you would be dead now. Killing a King...and not just anyone, but a necrodancer played a part in it." Vivica laughed slightly.
Rorek's canines shown as he chuckled, "Unfortunately for you I can only shimmy."
"So what are you going to do now that this is over? Shimmy out of trouble?" Vivica teased, the man's breath hitching in amusement.
"Ahh, if only it were that easy. But really...go back to the shadows and do what I do best." He shrugged, the woman's eyes narrowing.
"Like making more bastard heirs?" She asked, voice laced in a silent venom that the man picked up on, he flinching.
"No. No, I...do not plan on it. It is too painful." Rorek cleared his throat, seeking to change the subject, "What of you?"
"I've been thinkin' of going to a Church House. Try to get out of the guild."
"That is good. Pick yourself up." He commented, Vivica nodding.
"Yes. It's the least I can do for my children."
At this, Rorek paused, "...How is she?"
"Phee-Phee is...fine. She's fine. My boy...has scars from you. She has scars from him, and he has scars from you." Vivica replied, Rorek not liking her pause.
"I will still kill him if given the chance. I will have no regret." Rorek stated softly, the woman looking upon the man with concern and terror.
"But he is my son. You have no business."
"I make it my business when my daughter is being harmed."
"If you care so much for her why don't you go to her?" Vivica asked, voice laced in venom.
"I shall from a distance. I told you to protect her from me."
"Don't be stupid, Rorek. You're not a bad man." The woman counteracted, rolling her eyes slightly.
"Towards you, no. In the eyes of society, yes." Rorek replied, beginning to walk away as the woman followed.
"You should still try, you know."
"Try for what?" Rorek asked, stride pausing ever so slightly as he looked at the woman, "To be a father."
With that, the man grunted, "Every time I try it backfires and a travesty happens."
"So you are just goin' to sit there like a bump on a log?!" The woman hissed in explosive rage.
"Blankly, yes. It may hurt Phee-Phee at first, but in the end it will only benefit her." Rorek explained, Vivica now shaking in rage.
"You are a pathetic excuse for a man! What happened to trying to be a better father, Rorek?! What happened?" The woman cried, suddenly sullen.
"I became tainted." Rorek replied, as if the answer were that simple.
"Tainted? Rorek, what in the Lord's name are you talking about?" Vivica asked, beyond perplexed.
"Something that you will never understand. Trust when I say it is for the best-for both you and our daughter."
"By walking away? You're a damned coward, you are. Always runnin' away from responsibility." The woman spat, Rorek remaining silent.
The pair continued to walk, air pregnant and reigning with oblivion.
"Will you at least see her? One last time? That would mean a lot." Vivica's voice broke the silence.
"I will not. I am not the same man I was when she last saw me. I want her to keep the memories of a father that loves her-not one that will abandon her."
"You're a damn knave." Vivica hissed, slapping him as her nails scraped his flesh, the woman walking away in furry, stride swift.
Rorek stood, cheek red and slashes inflamed. But the only word that rang in his head again and again was knave. Knave...no one has ever called him that since he was a child, the flashes of water flooding his mind.
Pulling himself out of the ravine, Rorek retreated to an alley. Alone and in the darkness of the shadows, the man slumped against the side of a home and sobbed. But not for his daughter, no.
The man grieved for the loss of Anaya and their child killed within its mother's womb. Now, with a deed done, he could mourn freely, yet briefly.
Rorek silenced himself, briskly wiping his red rimmed eyes as he heard soft footfalls approach. Cursing and shooting up, he noticed it was Sophia.
"Daddy?" Sophia asked, eyes brightening ecstatically, "Daddy!"
Rorek flinched as the small girl rushed to him and hugged him, the man not even returning the sign of affection.
Sophia pulled back, frowning, "Daddy, is something wrong?"
Rorek dared not look at the girl. Her eyes shown with confusion and hurt.
"Daddy? Did I do something bad, Daddy? Was I a bad girl?" Sophia asked, lips quivering and mucus beginning to run down her nose.
"No, Phee-Phee, I did. I am sorry." Rorek forced out, swiftly walking away to avoid seeing another innocence shattered. The little girl followed, confused, yet her smaller strides made her fall behind.
"Daddy? Daddy! Daddy, come back! Slow down, Daddy!" Sophia cried, the small girl now crying freely, hurt and lonely.
Rorek retreated once more, guilt overwhelming the man and sorrow clenching his heart. His lips moved silently as he recited verse after verse of an old poem as horrid memories flashed by:
When I was three
I was young, and carefree
When I was three
I knew not what was in store for me
By the watery dock
I allowed my feet to soak
By the watery dock
I watched the sun bleed like crimson yolk
Giggling, I saw a gull, and heard it cry
Twas then I reached up into the sky
Giggling, I saw a gull, and heard it cry
I frowned upon realizing the gull was too high
Suddenly, I heard a croak
'Neath the waves, I saw a man shrouded in smoke
Suddenly, I heard a croak
The beam underneath had broke
With a splash, I plunged into the deep
The creature within made me want to weep
With a splash, I plunged into the deep
My terror the beast did reap
Green to blue, I met its eyes
And the beast abandoned its guise
Green to blue, I met its eyes
The blue scaled serpent appeared most wise
Were it not for the wyrm, I would have drowned
Being pushed towards the surface, I broke the water's crown
Were it not for the wyrm, I would have drowned
Swiftly, urgently, I was brought aground
Startled, the town began to flock
Yet the water was still within the loch
Startled, the town began to flock
In hushed whispers they did talk
I told them about the eerie man beneath the waves
Since I was a child, they looked upon me as if I was a knave
I told them about the eerie man beneath the waves
Some paled, as if I had damned them to their graves
They told me that I was the devil child
They saw me as defiled
They told me that I was the devil child
That day on the docks was the last day that I truly smiled
When I was three
That was when I creased to be
When I was three
I never thought that man would be me
Rorek drifted into shadow once more, finding a secluded place to sob once more. It may have been fine for him to ruin his own innocence, but it was unacceptable to shatter the fragile innocence of a child-and not just any child, but his.
The next few chapters will be focused on multiple characters. For some reason I chose Rorek for this one, since it can be viewed as a good analysis of his character. Not sure who will be next, but the chapters are how the characters are coping after the war. Thank you all for your support! :)