Prince Of Darkness
Chapter 8
Horus was asleep on the mantle, his head tucked beneath his wing. He woke to the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. Horus raised his head to see his master descending the long staircase. "Good morning," Horus cawed as Duo walked over to take a seat in his favorite chair.
"Good morning to you too Horus," Duo replied as he got comfortable.
"How are you feeling sir after last night?" Horus questioned.
"Oh I'm fine. You know what Horus? I think I'm winning this battle," Duo said confidently.
"What do you mean master?" Horus asked in a confused way.
"The battle being waged within myself. I think I'm conquering the demons Horus."
"Oh I see. Sir, you know it's going to be an everyday battle," Horus said.
"Yes I know, I just feel that I have the upper hand now," Duo replied.
"How's that?" Horus asked curiously.
"Hilde. Every time I'm around her, I feel so calm and peaceful. She seems to keep the demons at bay."
"What happened last night then?" Horus questioned again.
"The first time, my emotions got the best of me and the demons were able to take advantage of that weakness. That is how they took control."
"I sure hope you are right master," Horus cawed.
The two then heard soft footsteps coming down the stairs. They both turned their heads to see Hilde walking down. She was wearing the white dress she had worn the day before. Duo got up to greet her. He walked towards the bottom of the stairs and held his hand out to her to help her down. "Good morning," she said sweetly.
"Good morning," Duo said with a smile.
Hilde looked up and saw Horus sitting upon the mantle. "Good morning Horus," she said.
"Good morning to you Miss Hilde. How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thank you."
"Glad to hear it."
"I'm hungry, I'm going to get myself something to eat," Hilde said as she headed towards the direction of the kitchen.
Duo nodded and as soon as she was out of ear shot, Horus spoke up. "What happened last night sir? I know something happened."
A wry smile spread across his lips and he said, "She happened. I love her Horus."
Horus raised an eye brow and said, "Really, is that safe sir?"
"What do you mean Horus?" Duo said looking at the bird suspiciously.
"What if you hurt her or even worse, kill her?"
"I tried to warn her but she said she doesn't even care what happens to her."
"I see, very well sir, just be careful," Horus warned.
"I will Horus, I love her too much to lose control of myself," Duo said as he cast his eyes downward.
Just then, Hilde emerged from the kitchen with a fresh roll in her hand. The two ceased the conversation. "Were you two talking about me?" she asked, raising a brow. "I could tell because as soon as I walked in, you guys all of a sudden got quiet," she said as she walked towards them.
She stood in front of both of them, eyeing them curiously. Hilde tapped Duo on the nose and smiled and said, "As long as it was good, I don't care."
Duo grinned sheepishly and said, "Of course it was good."
She couldn't help but giggle. Hilde then placed a kiss on his cheek and said, "I'm going outside to the garden, I will see you later."
Duo nodded and watched her saunter out the front door. As soon as the door shut, he went back and sat down in his chair, Horus perching himself above him. "She really isn't afraid of you," Horus cawed.
"Yeah, I was surprised she didn't run away the first time I tried to kill her."
Just then, a dark form appeared in front of them. Duo sat up in his seat and Horus watched carefully. The figure was dressed in a dark cape, a hood hiding its face, and a staff in one of its hands. "Who are you?" Duo said as he stood up.
The figure pulled the hood away from its face, revealing a man with long black hair and piercing blue eyes. "I am the Dark Angel, a messenger of God," replied the man in a deep, baritone voice.
"What do you want?" Duo questioned
"Sit down," the man said.
Duo hesitantly took a seat. "I'm sure you are aware of your curse Duo Maxwell, but it seems you have not found your salvation yet."
"What are you talking about? Of course I have," Duo said in disbelief.
The angel walked over to the window and looked at Hilde sitting down in the garden. "She is not your salvation."
"I don't understand! Then what is this feeling that comes over me when she touches me? How come I feel so calm?" Duo said sounding frustrated.
"It seems you don't understand. That girl cannot bring you your salvation, you must achieve by yourself. No mortal can give it to you, it is to be earned."
"But I love her!" Duo said, his voice full of anger.
"Love is not the key to your salvation. You must find it on your own, that is the only way to free yourself from this curse. Farewell," the man said and disappeared before Duo could say anymore.
Duo stood there in silence, not wanting to believe what that man had just said. "If she is not my salvation, then what is?" Duo mumbled sullenly to himself. Duo turned to look at Horus. Horus's blood ran cold when he saw the look in Duo's eyes. His once vibrant violet eyes were now full of sorrow and hate. They were empty, the hope that once shined in his eyes had now dissipated. "Horus, would you please excuse me, I'm going up to my room."
Horus nodded and Duo left to go to his room. Pain and hopelessness filled his body. 'What is she here for then? Is she only here to torture me? No, she can't be, she loves me.' Duo pondered as he ascended the stairs towards his room. The quiet sounds of the castle only worsened the empty feeling within his soul. He opened his door and slammed it behind him, causing a loud echo to fill the castle walls.
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Meanwhile, Hilde was outside meandering through the vast garden at the back of the castle. She sat down amidst a patch of purple wild flowers and began to pick the tiny flowers. Hilde carefully wove them into a delicate crown of flowers, the smell just intoxicated her senses. Picking it up gently with her hands, she held it before her eyes just before placing it on top of her head. 'I wish Duo could be out here with me' she thought dreamily. 'But that would be an impossible task because of who he is," she thought sadly. The gentle breeze blew through her hair as countless thoughts ran through her mind. "I think I will go back inside and join him." Hilde got up and walked back towards the castle.
Horus heard the front door shut and knew right away that it was Hilde. Hilde walked into the library only to find Horus perched on the back of the chair, his head hanging low. "Horus, what's wrong?" she said softly.
"It's master. He is very distraught at the moment. He had a visitor while you were outside."
"Who?"
"The Dark Angel, a messenger of God. He told Duo that he has yet to find his salvation and he is not free of his curse. Duo thought you were his salvation but the messenger told him otherwise. He is up in his room now. Maybe you could try and talk to him Miss Hilde," Horus said with extreme worry in his voice.
Hilde's eyes saddened at what Horus just said. "I will go and talk to him Horus," she said as she turned on her heel and walked upstairs.
With a light rap on the door, Hilde slowly walked into Duo's room. "Duo?" she said softly.
She then saw a figure standing by the curtains that covered the balcony doors. "Hilde," Duo said sadly.
Hilde walked over to him and held him from behind, resting her head upon his back. "I know Duo, Horus told me. I'm so sorry."
He gently placed his hands on top of hers and said, "It is not your fault Hilde. I thought once I found love that I would be free of this god forsaken curse."
"I know this probably won't help but curse or no curse, I will stay with you forever," she whispered.
He turned around and held both of her hands in his and looked her straight in the eyes. "Hilde, I don't want you wasting your precious life waiting for me. It's not fair."
She gently placed her hand upon his face and said, "Who said I would be wasting my life?"
Duo leaned in and gave her a tender kiss on her soft lips. Hilde just held him tightly around the waist as he wrapped his arms around her, neither one not wanting to let go. "I don't deserve you," he whispered softly in her ear.
"Yes you do," she replied ever so softly.
He just rested his chin upon her head and held her just a little tighter. 'I hope I find my salvation soon. I don't want to spend one more moment without her,' he thought as he just held her in the darkness.