Tears I Cry
By Seniya
Children are always the first to suffer
Chapter Two
…
There was yet another failure in the plot to retrieve Elyon. The sunlight made stealth an issue to put it lightly and Caleb suggested that they try again tomorrow.
For the first time in months she actually anticipated what her slumber held for her. If it were only here she could be with him, then she would gladly wait for him to come to her.
She would soon be in the presence of him, her lover. The thought of him holding her, kissing her, made her heart leap with an almost child like excitement.
…
He did not disappoint. She soon found herself in the same dark room, the constant moon still watching her with indifference.
This time she bounded over to the bed, finding him lying there, and she flung herself upon him, she sought and found his lips at once.
It was not a gentle kiss, it was a rough one, and it surprised her that she had such zeal within her. It was a kiss a woman would give a man who was going off to his death, a long, lingering one.
"Thank you" she gasped finally.
"For what?" his face showed no reaction to her obvious display of affection, though his eyes shone with great interest.
"The sun…it was you—wasn't it?"
He grinned at her finally, and then it seemed as though the layer of ice had finally melted.
"You saw that?"
"They all saw it…" she traced his face with her hands taking in every detail. "Oh God Phobos…I don't want to go back…I want to stay here with you"
"Why the change of mind?" he wrapped his fingers around hers.
"You were right—they don't…they can't understand me" she bowed her head until she could smell his warm scent. "And I think I love you"
It was a lie of course. No one of spite, but one of youth…she didn't know what love was. Love for her mother…for herself…she wasn't sure.
All she knew was that she had never felt this strongly for anyone before, and she would hate for it to disappear.
He didn't answer her, she hunted for a reply within his eyes, but they too seem locked.
"You can't" he breathed at last.
"Why not?" she pulled herself up so that she was straddling him, "Why can't I?"
"I want you to…believe me I do—I just—I don't have the power to…not anymore"
"I don't understand" she could feel her throat tightening, this couldn't be happening, there had to be a way.
"You said it yourself, the sun" he smiled weakly, and added a laugh for good measure. But he knew there wasn't anything funny.
"Then I can come to Meridian with you…in the castle" the tears flowed freely now, she hated for him to see her like this.
"It wouldn't make a difference, your friends would find you and we can't…"
"Please Phobos" she was frantic now, desperate, "There has to be a way"
He held her face in his hands, hating the way her sobs still made him feel. "Don't cry…I think there might be a way…but—"
"But what…"
"You would have to sacrifice a great deal for it to work" he spoke slowly, softly, as though he were concentrating on not scaring her.
"What?" her answer surprised him, and caused an explosion of…happiness was it…in his chest.
"The crystal" her face fell when he said it, and slowly the realization dawned on her.
"Is that what this is about…you want that too"
"No, just listen to me…"
"You said all those things about them, and you're just the same!" she moved to climb off of him, but he held her.
"Let me go!"
"You asked me how we could fix this and I've told you"
"You're lying to me"
"The heart of Kandrakar can do many things, perhaps it can even restore my powers, I don't want the crystal…I don't care about that, not any more…I want us to be together—that's all"
He glared into her eyes trying to force her to believe his words. She shook her head and laughed.
"How?"
…
"It's a very ancient spell, if the Oracles found out about you doing this, you'd be destroyed" Phobos allowed her the gift of movement once more, although after his dire warning, he merely smiled at her.
She understood. He was challenging her.
She returned the smile, and instead of a retort; her eyelids fluttered shut, as she leaned forwards to taste her lover's mouth once more.
He groaned at the simple ecstasy of her kiss. This wasn't what he required now; he needed to complete his preparations, for time was not his to keep.
He could already feel his tenacity melting, his focus was slipping. And when she opened her lips to him, his desire for her became almost painful to resist.
It was a miracle that he managed to pull away from her exhilarating embrace.
"There will be time for that later love;" she bit her lip and nodded, another pang of guilt flowed through him at the sight of that untainted belief drawn across her face.
"I need you to put your hands here" he tentatively moved her porcelain hands across his chest, resting them above his heart.
"Do you have the crystal?"
She nodded, and shifted her position above him to reach for it.
His heartbeat increased at the sight of the moonlight reflecting off the surface. Surely it couldn't be this easy.
He directed her to place the heart over the same position on his body. She obeyed without question. At another time, he might have wondered why.
But for now he was too grateful.
And he coaxed her through the difficult spell.
"…mortir" he finished, and then waited for the feminine echo, which soon followed.
…
…
…
Pain shot through him like a thousand white hot needles. He could feel his muscles twinge, his heart shuddering within the chambers of his body.
Lights blurred her face from his eyes, and dulled her screams of panic from his ears.
…
Everything felt so unfamiliar, he could see himself, standing among a group of girls, they were all laughing, but he could not share their humor.
He watched as his dark haired mother screamed into…a device, at a person he knew must be his father.
As a boy neared his face, he felt his knees weaken, his eyes clamped shut as he allowed them to make harmless, though intimate contact.
More girls this time, screaming at him, blaming him for something…he didn't understand—he felt the emotions well up within his chest, and then disappear.
A girl, taller than he was stood before him, screaming, he couldn't appreciate why. But still an anger, hatred almost, burned through his body. Stop talking, he commanded. He wished that she would shut up, he would make her stop…he could, couldn't he?
He saw himself, staring into his own face, kissing his own lips, as pleasure surged through his body…
And then—it was over.
…
…
He reopened his eyes, to find himself covered in sweat. No, she had stopped it. It wasn't supposed to be finished yet.
"Why…" he breathed "Why did you stop?"
"You were screaming" she looked as though she was on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry…I just thought that something terrible was going to happen…I"
He gulped, and he could feel a tension seize his body. "Don't…cry" his fingers brushed away the forlorn tears.
They traced a line along her neck, past the scars that were the evidence of their previous encounter.
"It's all right…" he readjusted himself so that he was now sitting up with her on his lap.
"Don't worry…I don't want you to worry" his eyes scanned over her face, he hated the look of despair he had seen there, he knew he needed it to withdraw.
What were these feelings?
Where had they come from?
Oh God.
He was helpless.
…
…
She angled her face towards his for another kiss, and he obliged her, savoring the glide of her parting lips and the moans he had created from her throat.
"Do you love me?" she whispered, her eyes glared into his for an answer.
How could he refuse her?
"In the same way that you love me"
She smiled, and knitted her fingers in the jungle of blonde hair.
"Then, promise me, that you won't hurt them…my friends, if they come looking for me"
A vision of a haunting blonde girl flashed into his memory.
"Don't you trust me?"
She lowered her mouth to his neck, where she proceeded to recreate the markings on her own skin.
"I love you" she murmured.
And he didn't even have a single thought of resisting her.
…
…
…
From her throne in the sky above, lady moon watched those unfortunate enough to tread on the earth beneath her. The pitiful humans; who day after horrid day continued on with their monotonous lives…never tiring in the fact that nothing ever seemed to change. But tonight, perhaps, she thought, tonight would be different; for the evening winds had brought with them a taste of excitement, the flavor of blood.
The moon through all her vanity was a soulless creature, not caring for anyone but herself, conceivably she had quite a lot more in common with those humans she despised so much.
…
The winds were mysteriously livid that night; they carried with them the familiar feelings of woe and anxiousness, spreading them around the group as they would a plague.
Above them towered the castle, eerie and powerful, it had thwarted their previous plans, and now it was prepared to do so again.
…
Not a word passed between the girls; possibly they were all too frightened or too engrossed in their own thoughts to offer any words of optimism to the others, whatever the reason, they all agreed…there was nothing to say.
Will turned to face the others, the mask of bravery that layered her face showed no signs of faltering, however if one could see her heart, you would believe otherwise. Instructions were spoken, all was understood; there was no turning back now, this would be finished tonight.
…
It had only been a few minutes into battle before they knew they had been defeated. Phobos' men were too many; they came pouring out of the castle's mouth like a never ending black flood.
Outnumbered and overpowered, they were damned. Retreat, nevertheless, was still not an option, better to die fighting than to live a coward.
Will stood in the midst of it all, completely disorientated…where were the others? She wondered…if she could find them then maybe…
She still didn't trust him.
…
Another man fell beside her, how many had died now, she didn't know, his tattered armor was covered in blood; she couldn't tell whose side he had belonged to.
Another surge of energy passed through her body, those it struck, fell, helpless. She couldn't even feel remorse any more, in her eyes; they deserved a fate much worse than death.
…
"Will!"
Somewhere, though far off, she heard a voice calling her, she responded, and then it grew silent…everything did.
It wasn't hard to determine why.
…
Cornelia… her golden hair tangled…her once graceful limbs awry, hovered above them. She moved like a broken doll would, clumsily, she was being drawn towards something…someone.
He stood above them all, dominant, menacing, his eyes laughed with a humor no one else shared. He grasped the girl around her neck, she didn't cry out, he smiled with his victory…she was dead.
…
Her chest tightened and her breathing became ragged, though no tears came…there were none left to shed for her.
That liar!
Not considering her emotions, Will prepared herself, and prayed that the others did the same, they would win this, at the very least tonight Phobos would see his first sunset in hell.
Cornelia's death would not have been in vain.
…
Elyon reached him first, panic struck and filled with an ominous heartache; she attacked, her arms flailing wildly, accomplishing nothing.
Soon she too fell, her limp body entangling with her friend's; her powers transferred to her sibling.
The night wind howled their fury and then soon they were silenced, even they understood what had just ensued.
…
Around Will grew a panic, from both sides of the combat, the deaths of one of the guardians and the princess terrified most, the urge to fight had been taken with the breeze.
His laughter echoed around her, consuming her, trapping her in its clutches. Sadistic, repulsive, she couldn't describe him. Instinct alone guided her in the search for her friends, but the force of those retreating pressed against her body, and was pulling her along with them.
His laughter grew louder in her ears, she had to find them, somehow…the laughter stopped, so did the rush of people…he had seen her, and now, she too was being drawn towards him. She screamed and thrashed, trying to stop his will, but her efforts were in vain, she was alone…she was powerless to stop him.
He was too strong, and his hold on her, was too great.
For a moment their eyes met, and a sickening smile played across his features. He pressed his body against hers, and played with the redness of her hair. Slowly, seductively as only he could, he whispered in a voice that made her skin crawl.
"Thank you"
…
…
Outside the moon cackled with an untold delight. Oh I can't describe how thrilled she was, after watching all those petty humans suffer. And it still wasn't finished! Oh no, after watching humans all of these years she had discovered one thing—they had the awful habit of dwelling on their pasts. They would dredge up things and mourn for them for what seemed like years to her.
Foolish; the lot of them, they were absolutely ridiculous.
…
…
"You lied to me!" she screamed at him, thrashing in his grasp.
He looked at her, but didn't answer.
"You promised me that they would be safe, and you killed her!"
She seemed on the verge of tears, though none came. "I hate you!" she finished.
He managed to ignore the absolute pain that had surged through him at her harsh words.
He threw her onto the bed. She noticed, from behind her tear laden eyes, that this was the same room that he had taken her before in his dreams, his room.
"Stop crying, it won't bring her back" he was pleased at his attempt at sadism.
How could he be so calm? There wasn't a symptom of remorse on his face. In fact as he stood there smiling at her, he seemed almost…festive.
…
She clamored off of the bed, walking over to him, angrier than she had ever been.
"I hate you" she said again, although this time it was half choked with sobs.
She extended her hand, feeling the energy drain from her body and congregate in her limb.
"What…are you going to kill me without telling me your name?" he smirked at her.
"My name won't serve you any purpose in hell" she released the energy; the force of it threw her off her feet. She fell hard, on the cold stone floor.
But he didn't join her. She watched, in a truly bewildered state as her blast was deflected, journeying instead, through the castle wall.
Why was she surprised…Elyon.
…
"Now, will you be a good girl" he was smirking again. And once more she screamed at him. He was on her in a moment.
He drew her up to meet him, pressing his lips against hers in one swift, hard movement.
She floundered beneath his grasp. But he wouldn't release her. Her heart crumbled in her chest, and fused with her tears, and they both poured from her face.
He pulled away soon after, halting the kiss. He released her as if she was deadly, allowing her to once again slump to the ground.
He stared at her again, for another long moment, as if her being there was an absolute revelation. Then, he wiped his face, and stomped away.
Leaving her to dwell in her own miseries.
…
…
Cornelia rose from beneath the layers of smoke, she was perfumed with the smell of death; of decay; her blue eyes scanned the scenery, seeking—her.
Finding her.
A gasp escaped from Will's confined throat. Her face…her hair hung loosely from her stale scalp, her eyes bulged as though they would escape from her head.
"You" she hissed.
Will staggered backwards.
"This is your fault!"
"No…I—didn't"
"You killed me…was this for him Will…just get over it…he chose me, he wanted me"
"Stop it!" her hands clasped themselves firmly over her ears, trying to drown out her screeches.
"He loved me…he could never love you; he only kissed you once Will, one time, it didn't mean anything"
"This wasn't about him, Cornelia…it was a mistake…"
"A mistake…my death was your mistake" she laughed, a sound that caused Will to want to retch.
"I'm sorry"
"No you're not…you wanted me dead, I'm not stupid Will…you were always such a selfish bitch" she moved closer.
"No…"
"They all think that you're so perfect…but you're not…I see you for what you really are" chunks of her flawless skin detached themselves from her white bones.
Will felt her own body changing, her hair growing longer, her limbs growing taller.
"Stop trying to hide it" Cornelia hissed.
"I'm not hiding" Will felt the energy move towards her hand once again.
"I never did like you" she whispered, delighting in the way the remnants of Cornelia's face looked when the realization dawned.
"And you're forgetting that Caleb kissed me first…it meant a lot" she released the jolt, watching in anticipation as it melted whatever was left of Corenlia's memory.
…
…
She must have fallen asleep. She awoke hours later to find an elderly woman staring at her. She was smiling, and when she spoke it was in a whisper of a voice.
"Come along now child, let's get you cleaned up"
She extended her bony hand.
Will looked at her, and the hand, confusion evident in her voice "For what?"
"Your wedding dear"
…
…
He was ill, obviously. Though this time it wasn't the same officious sickness from before. This one was far worse…probably because he couldn't understand it.
He needed her. Oh Gods he needed her. The smell of her, the sight of her writhing below him in the pleasure that he had granted her—
How could he be expected to ignore it?
If he could only touch her…beg for her forgiveness. It hadn't been his intention to disobey her…but when he had seen her below him, full of her arrogance and condescension…he couldn't stop himself.
…
This was ridiculous, him, all of this fuss, over this girl…
How had his plan become so twisted?
He needed to push these thoughts aside. He couldn't have her. He was still sick, he knew it. Any closer contact with her would endanger her as well.
He could be strong, he would have to be…
For himself.
For her…
He really did love her.
A marriage would prove this to her, and perhaps, in time, she would forgive him.
But what kind of relationship could that be…he wouldn't allow intimacy, even the fantasies he had indulged himself in, over the past few days were too precarious. He would just have to satisfy himself with his imaginings of her.
Though, he already knew that even they wouldn't be enough.
…
…
…
Tonight's tears had long vanished; not taking her sorrows with them. If anything, she now felt even worse than before; strange, since she wouldn't have known that it could have been possible.
The gaping hole in her heart seemed to have doubled in size since last night, and she knew that by tomorrow, she would have nothing left.
She hadn't dared to transform back into her human form. She needed to protect herself from him; that monster who had forced her into wedlock. Her stomach churned at the memory of their union.
She had been dragged to the room, kicking and screaming, attacking those who tried to bound her, and still, it hadn't been enough, he had succeeded in humiliating her even further.
One look, that was all it took, and she had melted at his feet.
He had noticed his victory; and she was convinced that everyone else had seen it as well. And that knowledge, of course made her feel even smaller.
After that, he had pretended as if she wasn't there, looking at her only once to ensure she said her vows.
When it was finished, he moved away, dawdling only to whisper in a husky tone, about how much he anticipated the honeymoon.
Of course, that night he hadn't emerged.
And of course that night, she had waited for him.
…
How much time had passed since then?
She didn't know. Time seemed so unimportant. Hours trudged on; forming days, and then months...she had lost count awhile ago.
What she did know was that her days were almost as lonely as the nights. And she knew that the faces of her friends would probably haunt her dreams until her dying day.
She had tried to escape ages ago. After that; that bastard had placed guards by her door and charms on her window. She had attacked them once, but more had swamped her in an instant, and soon she had been overpowered and chained to her bed.
Why was he prolonging the inevitable? Why was he playing this game? He had gotten what he had wanted; she had transferred to him most of the crystal's powers.
So why was she here?
Why was she still alive?
…
The thought that Phobos might have some unspoken emotion reserved for her, had strolled through her thoughts on more than one occasion. She had dismissed it before it had gotten the chance to spread, he hated her, and she had recognized that.
He had played with her emotions and now she was suffering.
He was a heartless, cold beast.
Now, if she could only force her heart to believe those words.
Rancid emotions still soared in her chest at the thought of him. After all of this, and she still wanted him, she still loved him.
…
Author: Well, yes when Will transferred the hearts powers to Phobos, he was for a moment witness to her emotions and memories. Will wanted Cornelia dead; it's sick, I know, but if you've got to kill off one of the Guardians then why not start with her?