Part 4: The Human Pain
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A heretic.
A child between a human and a deity. A product of a forbidden union.
or an earthbound celestial being.
And a sign of this is bright yellow eyes.
No one is allowed to talk about it, if they wished to live.
Raenef shouldn't know about it, if he wishes to live.
Eclipse knew there is something strange. He asked a couple of soldier ranking demons to do a little research on the young girl in Raenef's dreams named Anna, and for some reason unknown he dropped that little detail. Orin, one of the servant demons and an acting lieutenant in Raenef's demon army was a veteran and saw millions of bloody battles, his existence is longer than Eclipse by 2,000 years. But when the Eclipse mentioned a girl with yellow eyes, his face was written with shock and incomparable fear.
"We don't speak of children that are heretics." He hissed, "You better leave alone what we are not speak about. Understand?"
It irritated Eclipse to be spoken like he was the underling. "Watch your tongue, soldier.," he snapped, "Tell me what I need to know, what makes you fear a child that you claim is a heretic."
"You and I have lived and served enough and too long," Orin replied dryly, "..Yet you don't know issues not to be talked in Demon Courts. A child with yellow eyes is a product of a forbidden union with a mortal and a god. Those who know of this lived in temples, and churches.... humans who worship Gods. Its either that or something greater."
It surprised him, Eclipse has lived several thousand years and he has little knowledge of such taboo subject. "What do you mean, it's either that or something greater?"
Orin shook his head; "We all know that ONLY celestial beings could turn themselves to humans by their own will right?"
"Yes,"
"Several thousand years ago, even before the hangma war, there are stories of that of a young goddess who went to earth---feeling pity and great pain for the mortals. It was said she left heaven forever, so she can live and help them. When she discarded her heavenly garbs, she transforms into a pretty plain mortal woman--- except that she was given golden eyes. The gods gave it to her as a constant reminder to herself that not so long ago, she abandoned and betrayed heaven, almost threatening the secrets of the Blessed Domains so she could walk the earth. She is to be earthbound and her own descendants forever. Anyone that descend to her line will inherit those eyes--- or if a human and a deity fall in love, they will be accursed with such mark."
Eclipse sighed, "I envy you Orin, you seem to know everything that is to say."
"I get to go places, Sir Eclipse. There are stories in every place." he said with a dry grin, "I myself is tired of war, and I just want to stop and learn about the affairs of the changing world. You should try it sometime, if you're not busy rearing the next demon royalty."
"Very funny, now let's me just clarify this before I go--- we are not allowed to meddle with these 'heretics' yet these mortals keep such affairs about it. Why?"
"Because they are, their own link to the gods." Another soldier demon answered, he was smiting some weapons behind the two. "Anyone who have any contact or close relations to the celestial beings proved efficient for their protection and salvation. They are after all, have the best of both worlds."
"And what do you mean by that, Reim?" Orin asked, "best of both worlds?"
"Being half-human allowed them to understand and feel wide range of feelings, such as mercy and compassion. An urge to defend and protect weaker than them. A human instinct. And they have the divine powers to do it. Rumors has it, that some religious sects takes this an opportunity to raise demon hunters out of them who have shares a celestial's blood."
"Demon hunters, another rumor mortals spin to intimidate us."
"Well one can't be so sure. Rumors have a grain of truth within them. Who knows, this girl you are talking about might be a Demon Hunter." Reim said, minding his work seriously, not noticing their reaction. "But you know, those mortals are smart. Any record of a claimed heretic is quickly taken care of. No records, as if they don't exist so we know such legends about demi-mortals DONT exist."
Orin's jaw tightened and Eclipse noticed the sudden taut expression on the Demon Lieutenant's face. "What is this girl's name again you claim Lord Raenef knows, Sir Eclipse?"
"Just a first name--- Anna. Its a girl he claims he used to play as an orphan."
"Anna.." Orin rubbed his head of white hair. "Girl with long black hair, yellow eyes?"
"I presume that's what I said awhile ago."
"I don't know if this by coincidence, but come with me." The lieutenant became strangely silent afterwards, and quickly led Eclipse into to the castle's soldier quarters downstairs. Across the soldier's quarters are separate room units of particular ranking officers in Raenef's army. He led the raven-haired liege to his room. "Thanks to Reim's mouth, I thought I might have something...probably a clue." He explained, before Eclipse could speak. Orin reached into a big chest underneath his bed, and inside it have boxes containing well preserve clippings and articles. "I have a thing for collecting items like these, knowing they'll come handy some day."
"Just get to the point, Orin. What is that you remember?"
"Not all of this 'heretics' are off the records, there is one surviving record or so it seems. It's dated seven years ago."
"Recently, eh?"
Orin handed him a brownish paper, it shows a picture of young orphans and a burned village. "A town called Rue. La Ville De Martin, a magical demon village where one thought is only legend, is suddenly found crumbling in fire as a Restoration army from the south rescued human children slaves." Eclipse read. "I think I heard of this before mentioned in the demon courts."
"It is a pretty controversial issue they say." Orin explained, "It was said that the army of the south attacked the village and not the other way around. Its like some kingdoms are plotting some anti-demon campaign."
"Great, but what does it have to do with the girl?"
Orin pointed out at one of the orphan in the article. A girl with long dark hair and in a tattered white night gown. "That girl, they said have yellow eyes. Read the paragraph here."
"An orphan known by the name Anna caused confusion as she cried while being taken away from the others. Witnesses and soldiers claimed that the animals suddenly went berserk and it suddenly rained hail and blood. There is no current explanation except that the child has bizarre yellow eye color, which the old ones claimed is a sign of a Heretic. But there is no proof yet for that claim." Eclipse became slowly intrigued as he read the article, "...a child that can stir the weather because of her pain?"
"Well there couldn't be any explanation, its impossible to rain hail in the middle of august. That child might be what Lord Raenef is looking for." Orin gave Eclipse a quick look, reading his expression.
"But as far as I know, that's it. That's the only record that such child exists. The religious sects might have claimed her after that, making the rest of her existence a secret to the world. That's the only information I could give you, Sir Eclipse."
"You are a big help, Orin. I knew more than what I need."
"Just do us a favor, sir." The lieutenant said, "Never bring up a search for a Heretic to the courts or to the Gods. Who knows what chaos it will cause."
"I will be sure to remember that." Eclipse turned around to take his leave.
"And never let Lord Raenef know, if you want to spare his life."
"And what do you exactly mean by that?" Astonished, Eclipse whirled around. What faced him is an expression filled with dead cold seriousness.
"Lord Raenef is a demon lord, the girl might be of celestial descent--- They belong to two different worlds forever in eternal battle of mortal's fate."
--- ---
A heretic.
A child between a human and a deity. A product of a forbidden union.
or an earthbound celestial being.
And a sign of this is bright yellow eyes.
No one is allowed to talk about it, if they wished to live.
Raenef shouldn't know about it, if he wishes to live.
Disturbed by the wealth of information, Eclipse went back inside the private corridors of Castle Raenef. His master is plagued by dreams and repressed memories. He wants him to help him. And yet Eclipse wouldn't give him that chance. It's JUST dangerous. Why couldn't he just MEET a plain girl? Why a girl with a celestial's blood? There might be more stories in Raenef's fractured childhood past...and the all the more he knows, the more intriguing and dangerous it became.
Hmm, its odd...Eclipse noted, when he passed by his Master's room. It feels 'empty'. A strong nagging feeling compels him to open his Master's quarters. Raenef isn't there. The only clue of his whereabouts is the mess of his bedclothes on the floor by the bed, and his favorite cloak is gone.
Master Raenef, you wouldn't-------- ---
He was already near the gates, and a few feet away to freedom. If he makes it there, he will be able to reach the mountains and break the barrier. Yes, he could break the barrier if he has to...he have the will to do so.... and yes, with that will he could do anything.
He remembered the dream as if it was real. The barrier. It was that shield that divided him and the woman in his dreams. The woman that might hold the key to his missing past is the same one burning in anguish as a mirage of a burning village filled her with tears and soaked her gown with blood. She don't deserve the anguish---those memories, those childhood memories of her saving him and ultimately giving him up knowing he would be taken care of.... Her sacrifice shouldn't be in vain...
He must find Kunio, and then find her----free her
The crusaders won't see me at this distance, Raenef thought, as he tried to focus at his situation. I just have to take few more steps back so I can focus my energy breaking the barrier.
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He was to about to hit it, when a strong repelling force threw Raenef back. It couldn't have grown stronger....
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Raenef noticed the dark lurking shadow behind him.
"Eclipse!!"
Eclipse was standing beside him, and Raenef knew he was caught. If he remembered it correctly, it's a chant for a Sealing curse. No magic could break it except for the one who bounded it. Trembling and taken by surprise, the young demon lord couldn't stand up and gazed up at him. Despite his calm disposition, there is a strong disturbing anger written in the Eclipse's amethyst eyes--so much, that it's starting to burn to golden yellow. Raenef knew that in this form of anger, Eclipse shouldn't be trifled with.
"Lord Raenef, go back to the Castle NOW."
He knew he have to stand up for himself.
"No."
He was a demon lord and he, is his liege. He remembered the rule.
"This is no time for a banter, Lord Raenef"
All he wants is to be free for a moment...
"I can do what I wish! YOU don't have the right to tell me what to do! I AM the demon lord!!" He screamed, shoving Eclipse to one side with all his might. He focused on the gate, "Dark arrow!"
Eclipse was appalled, "Master..."
"Dark arrow!!"
"Its useless, Lord Raenef!!"
"Dark arrow!!"
He poured all his energy, even though how hopeless it seems. He needed to go out...He have to. He has to save Anna. What is Eclipse hiding from him? Why couldn't he just let him free...for once? For himself?!
A grip from slender pale firm hands prevent Raenef firing more blows.
Eclipse solemnly chanted a spell that weakened the young demon lord temporarily, thus disabling him to cast more dark arrows at the powerful seal he have created. Surprisingly, Raenef still put up quite a rough fight like a mad man possessed, fighting impossibly the noble demon's grasp with all his might. "Please master, don't make me hurt you." He said firmly, as the blonde constantly wrung his wrists and throwing kicks in the air "This is for your own good! Please listen to me."
"Why would I? You even don't know what I wanted!" Raenef cried, looking up to his liege. The expression all over his face nearly broke Eclipse's heart. For several thousand of years, the demon never knew that someday he would feel the effect of human pain. Raenef's face is wet with tears, copiously flowing from his innocent and incandescent blue eyes that have lost all its radiance---replaced with the feeling of grief, anger and agony. His sobs sounded like a muffled wounded cry of a young animal, as Eclipse subdued him with a dark spell.
He felt his pain encompass through him, and he felt intense pity. It compels him to wonder if he is indeed doing the right thing. What a foolish emotion, he thought. Why do celestial beings descend to the mortal's realm and exchange their power and immortality to experience such emotions, compassion and guilt? It's----a human's flaw. A big liability that placed them below the evolution chain just above the animals. Such feelings clouded reason. He fight the urge to hold him close, to comfort him within his arms. Raenef is a demon lord by birthright, and he should learn to instill fear and not pity. But he is also a docile child of fifteen, who lived a mortal's life of hardship and struggle...and yet so innocent.
"Lord Raenef, listen to me!" he firmly stated, forcing the young demon lord to look at him. "You don't know what is going to happen if you meet this young woman. I will explain it all to you if you become reasonable and calm."
"I shouldn't have trusted you." Raenef murmured, his violent anger having suddenly subsided. His face still soaked with tears, he stared blankly at a stonewall near him. "I shouldn't have...you won't understand.."
"I will if you let me, Master."
"You can't Eclipse, you never have been human. You'll never understand what it's like."
Before Eclipse could say another word, Raenef mustered what energy he had left to teleport back to the castle, only the echoes of his whimpering shows that he finally admitted surrender.
Ironically, the violent storm stopped as the heated reluctant struggle between the master and his liege ceased.
--- ---
A guttural cry, a strong aching lament of pain, so strong that one could feel it pierce through their heart.
Anna felt as if it was so real, she thought the wail could have come from her bedroom window. It was another dream, and this time it seems to take a life of its own. She have told the Mother Superior about her new recurring dreams involving a blonde young boy called 'Rae' long ago, but the nun didn't show any interest---even when the young Demon Hunter expressed concern that they should investigate this matter. There are a lot of orphans from wars that's impossible to track them, the nun said, and refused to clarify more.
The dreams continued, and it became more vivid, a flashback of lost innocence and forgotten childhood memories all came flooding in a blessedly warm and peaceful setting. Sooner in time, the young blonde boy's name is revealed to be Raenef. Even in dreams, she watched him grew into a young amiable man of fifteen, also Anna's age at the present. She was surprised that Raenef never lost his child-like demeanor and innocence like most youth of his age. Then from there, things turn slowly into a morbid nightmare. She at her present age, will be witnessing the same horror she experienced as an orphan when Rue. La Ville De Martin's residents are massacred and the village itself was burnt down from existence. Blood slowly soak and tainted her robe. At a distance, she could see her mysterious childhood friend rushing towards her, like a knight in shining armor, trying to rescue his damsel in distress. Only that, Raenef couldn't free her---there is a strong invisible barrier holding them.
In frustration, he banged the barrier and tried to use unfamiliar incantations to break it. Suddenly a dark slender figured appeared and tried to hold his wrists...trying to stop him.
He let out one long painful cry.
This time, when she woke up, the cry seems so real.
Just who are you, Raenef? She wondered. Is he one of the 'enchanted' orphans of Rue. La Ville De Martin like her? Or is he one of the young street urchins she met when she used to wander and play among the streets? Anna only recalls Kunio and she as the only enchanted orphans in the area.
Enchanted...it's the term that she secretly coined among the survivors of Rue. La Ville De Martin. It's their code just in case they see each other again. The orphans knew, that it was a rite of passage in Rue. La Ville De Martin's orphanage that when one reaches 12, they leave the confinements of the village, to the loving care of human foster parents they carefully selected. To be able to lead a normal life and to keep the village's location a secret, their caretakers casts a charm on whoever leaves. But when the village was burned down, the survivors retained the memories. Kunio, the eldest among them, told everyone that they must vow to keep the knowledge a secret and use it for good----since that will also what the elders wanted. People will exploit them for what they'll know---
Kunio. Now she remembers, she left the young Raenef in Kunio's care as a child. It was the day she was 'adopted' by the religious order. She didn't want the young Raenef to miss her, and she casts a charm like the elders do for them to forget everything but the good memories...
With a firm resolve, Anna got dressed and went out of her chamber. It is almost eleven, and it's very late. She headed to the stables and silently gets one of the horses. If her instinct is correct, she'll reach the city by the South by noon.
-- end of part FOUR --