"You will lose someone you can't live without, and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is that you never completely get over the loss of your beloved. But this is also the good news. They live forever in your broken heart that doesn't seal back up. And you come through. It's like having a broken leg that never heals perfectly – that still hurts when the weather gets cold, but you learn to dance with the limp."-Nicholas Flamel
The purpose part 52 The heart is a bird
This day was not like the others. It started with a mild headache. Even after he took a pain-relieving potion, it did not go away. It started right as he had woken as he wandlessly cast the Tempus spell, showing July 31st, 1975, 12:01 glowing in the darkness of the room. He was sixty years old that day, but it felt oh, so much more.
A dreadful feeling hung to his heart, and he tried to push it away. He sat on the edge of his bed and passed his hands on his face several times. His weaponless tail gently brushed the cold floor. He could hear the steady breathing of Corban behind him, his reassuring heart beating half slower than normal, which had always been the norm for himself. He stood up and went by the tall window, pushing the dark silver curtains and looked outside. The moon was barely visible as it was as its smallest crescent of the month, but the stars illuminated the cloudless sky. It was always a sight to see the milky way in its purest form since no electricity was used on his island.
He grabbed a pair of black pants and put them on, followed by a silver silk night robe he did not bother to tie. He made his way outside, passing by Michael who had fallen asleep in the corridor. He had called Colpy to bring him in his bed, then continued in the halls, seeing two vampires in silent discussion.
*He will have to be informed before it gets out of hands.*Whispered one.
The other yawned, then saw the King pass by. He opened his mouth, but to speak this time, but Seth shook his head, not wanting to talk, and went outside by the nearby garden door.
It was a very warm night with a calm ocean at the horizon. His feet led him to the large dock below. He wondered why he had that feeling of dread not going away, with the rising headache. Danyck was asleep he did not know where, but his mind was peaceful. Corban was also still sleeping in the bed he had been. Voldemort had not done anything during the event Seth had worked on for so long, and he had appreciated that. It had been a complete success, where they had made thousands of profit for the ministry, and the Vulken's vaults too.
He turned around and walked along the beach, ever so slowly, his thoughts wandering at his early life, remembering as he walked that beach so many times alone, but also with Kathleen who had been his guardian for so many years. Even if he had hurt himself and healed instantly, she always had been there to reassure him. When he did not understand something, he had gone to her before going to his parents, not wanting to bug them of silly things a servant was able to answer. He had never really ordered her around, but his father often did, reprimanding of things she shouldn't have done, like giving him candies and chocolate. He snorted at that thought. Chocolate. He thought he could perhaps remember its taste. She had sung lullabies every other night, especially when his parents were gone.
He must have walked very slowly, for a pale rising sun was beginning to show as he arrived at the old marina, where giant containers were still present, like a haunting area. They now used smaller boats if muggles wanted to shop in London or in the cities nearby. A lone guard stood in a small house near the docks. An eagle owl was perched on a wooden fence, probably in case of emergency messages. A small radio was playing music beside the man. The guard was sitting outside smoking a cigar and had a beer in his other hand, not seeing the King arriving silently on his side until the owl made a small screech. The guard was startled and yelled, but not without bringing a gun out rapidly and with astounding precision and confidence, pointing at the intruder as he stood up.
*Hmm, this defense would not work against wizards.*Said Seth, hands behind his back.
The guard placed the gun back in his inner pocket, then bowed after seeing Seth's crown.
*I'm sorry, my King. Why are you… no, sorry, it is not my business. Can I do anything for you?*Asked the guard.
*No. I was just taking a walk.*Said Seth.
He slid his wand from his wand holster into his hand and examined the area. He detected powerful muggle repelling charms a few meters by the ocean and it seemed to extend all around the island. There was also an anti-apparition charm and a notice-me-not spell. The lack of security was explained by all the spells Flamel had placed around the island. The guard had observed Seth waving his wand around and frowning, not knowing what he was doing.
*Is there anything wrong, sir?*Asked the guard.
*No. How long have you been guarding the marina?*Asked Seth by curiosity.
*Uh… fifteen years, sir. But I have been alone for three years for the night guard time since the boats were not used for supplies anymore.*Said the guard.
Seth hummed, thinking how many of his own island's muggles he did not even know. They were all regulated by rules, laws and behaviors learned for hundred of years and ingrained in their minds.
*Are you happy here?*Asked Seth.
The guard was taking aback by the question and paused to actually think about his answer, then realised who had actually asked the question. Seth felt his conflicting mind, but then was resolute in his answer.
*Yes. Yes, I am. I have everything I need for. The only thing I miss is going by boat with others since I'm lonely… and read about world news. At least Colpy brought me a radio a few weeks ago.*Said the guard but then glanced at Seth who had a serious face. *B-But I'm not complaining.*He blabbered, and Seth smirked.
*I'll bring you world news if you want. What's your name?*Said Seth.
*I…, uh, John.*Said John.
*Well, John, just write a letter to the daily prophet saying you want muggle and magical news. Do mention you want several copies and tell them to take their fees from the Vulken vault. Give your letter to that owl, give it some work.*Said Seth.
John eyed the owl, then at Seth again and nodded.
*Uh, thank you, my King.*Said John with a bow.
Seth nodded in farewell .The sun was now above the ocean and seagull's cries were heard above them. Seth continued his walk by the water, his feet sinking in the sand with each step. He felt Corban stir inside his mind, wondering about his whereabouts, then going to the bathroom for a shower. Corban always did the same routine: wondering where Seth was, shower, tea, blood, then going to the ministry, or doing whatever activity coming to mind. Corban also wished him a happy birthday in his thoughts. Seth's headache amplified again, with still a dreadful feeling hanging close by. He had made his way back to his castle, slowly by walking in the high grass. He saw horses of his stables running free around the island. It made him remember the horse called Thunder he once fed on when his thirst was driving him crazy. The horse probably died of old age. Another thing he had forgotten he had. The sun was now high up in the sky, but a cool breeze made the temperature tolerable.
He passed by the greenhouses, large and long enough to feed 200 humans every year. There was a large area with a chicken coop, where eggs could be laid all year long. Muggles were working and cleaning around. They all looked at the King in confusion, never did they ever see him in that area, nor thought he would care. He cared as much as it kept vampires fed and happy.
'Why is he here, did someone do something wrong?'
He heard a young girl whisper a nervous question to another woman. The woman turned her head towards the King who was still far away from them, then shrugged.
'He looks like he just woke up, and walks pretty slowly, I'm pretty sure if he was angry, the person would already be punished, Kristelle.'
Seth chuckled and continued his way towards the plane further away where he saw Steven and Galea in a heating conversation. The cargo door of the plane was opened, and he could see a few humans with black bags over their head and their hands tied behind their back.
*They will never come here, there are fucking SPELLS blocking our island!*Said Galea.
*And whoever's idea it was, no one is allowed here, Galea.*Said Seth and the duo gasped upon seeing Seth.
Seth knew they did human trafficking, and he could not care less. What he cared was the protection of his island.
*Fuck man, you scared me. But now, the surprise is ruined. Happy 60th birthday, my King.*Said Steven with a curt bow, and an arm extended .
Seth raised an eyebrow and looked at the cargo again.
*Humans? What exactly did you want me to do with them?*Asked Seth.
Steven and Galea eyed each other and grinned.
*Giving them justice yourself. They are not just mere humans.*Said Steven.
Galea took Seth's hand and guided him inside the plane. She had a mischievous smile and did not hesitate into kicking a human as she passed in front of them. Steven followed behind and whispered several swears.
*Took us almost a year. We know you are busy Seth, but since vampires are… getting more visible in some countries, well, there are vampire slayers.*Informed Steven.
Galea removed one of the bags from one human. He was also gagged, but when she removed the bag, only a deadly stare met Seth's eyes. Seth clicked his tongue and crouched in front of him.
*Slayers. Why? Aren't vampires… following my father's laws?*Asked Seth as he grabbed the man's hair and pulled it behind.
Seth moved his hand upwards conjuring a ball of light so he could see his features better. The man's eyes went wide at the magic display.
*With all your respect and your father's, not everyone knows about them. Not everyone wants to follow them. Oh, and they don't know about magic, none of them.*Said Galea as she looked at her nails.
He knew it. Yet, he did not want to acknowledge it. He let go of the hair and stood up before pointing his wand at him.
*Legilimens.*Spelled Seth.
'There is a threat among us. Monsters that drink blood. You have to be faster than them, smarter than them.'
The man walked in the streets, hidden by a cloak.
'Most hunt at night, not wanting to be too revealing, hiding from us.'
A vampire fed in a dark alley.
'They can hear you, they can smell you, you have to strike at the right time, when they close their eyes, enthralled by their kill.'
He waited, patiently, letting the cars drive by, hiding his noise. Letting the wind blow in his face, hiding his smell. Letting the vampire kill his victim, hiding his own steady heartbeat as the vampire was too entranced by his kill.
'A hit in the heart won't work, they are already heartless. A swift knife in the brain, where all communication cease, swift and precise, you only have one chance.'
A sharp dagger in hand and no hesitation. The vampire fell down, his eyes turning white, showing death.
Seth stopped the spell; he did not need to see more.
*Avada Kedavra.*Whispered Seth, hatred in his eyes.
The green light shone in the plane cargo, and the man fell down, dead. It had been so simple to cast the killing curse. Not a sound was heard from the other slayers. Steven and Galea let out an exhale. Seth could also feel the dark magic rushing through his veins.
*God, I love magic. Do it again?*Asked Steven.
Seth's hand trembled in anger, his wand warm in his palm, ready to unleash another dark spell.
*Where? Where did you find them?*Asked Seth as he looked at the two other bagged humans.
*New York. There are more, but there seem to be a magic that hides them.*Answered Galea.
Seth removed the bag from another slayer's head. The man showed fear as he saw the dead body on the floor beside him. Seth also removed the cloth from his mouth.
*How many did you kill, human?*Asked Seth with a compulsory charm in his voice.
*F-Four.*Said the man, grinding his teeth.
Seth could feel his heart pounding in his head, worsening his pain. He grabbed the man's head between his hands and broke his neck. The man fell on the floor at his turn, and Seth removed the last bag over the other slayer's head. He used Legilimency again, and went into the man's mind, not bothering to be careful. He completely shredded memories after memories. The muggle screamed in agony and fell on the floor, shaking uncontrollably until foam went out of his mouth. He had seen another two of his kind at the hands of this man. He saw a church in New York city. He also saw there were four other slayers within that church. He saw a pathetic attempt at a love life the man had tried to have, and with another killing curse twisting his lips, the man died in a flash of green.
*Steven! Galea! Have you seen Seth?*Asked the voice of Michael.
Seth, who Michael could not see since he was inside the plane, went out. His body was still radiating dark magic from the killing curses he had just done, and Michael took a step back. Seth took a deep breath to calm his speeding heart, and his eyes went back to their icy blue.
*What is it, Michael.?*Asked Seth.
Michael bowed and was searching for his words.
*Sir, uh… Kathleen… well, maybe you should come… and change clothes.*Said Michael.
There was his dread feeling.
He turned to Steven and Galea, pushing the feeling away for one more moment.
*Did you get the slayers only in New York?*Asked Seth.
*The one you snapped his head was in Miami, the two others from New York. You know… Sanguini hides way more things than he should. But, I think you have more pressing matters, again, my King.*Said Galea.
Sanguini, again.
He nodded then quickly went inside to take a pain potion again and change into proper clothes. He made his way to the muggle ward where Michael showed him which room Kathleen was. The smell of the room was peculiar, even if it was filled with lavender. The light blue of the covers and the walls sickened him. He wondered why those rooms were like that. Ruma was sitting in a chair beside the bed and tears fell down her face.
*Remove that frown from your beautiful face, Seth, and come sit here.*Said the old voice of Kathleen as she patted her mattress beside her hips.
Seth walked to her and sat right beside her, taking her hand in his.
*What's wrong…?*Whispered Seth.
Her soft green eyes were peaceful and loving when she looked at the King, she had served for so many years, starting from his birth. Her heart was beating so slow, Seth knew what was wrong, but was already in denial. He had never paid attention to her wrinkles, nor the long white greyish hair or the thin and fragile skin she now had. A lovely smile went on her face.
*You already know there is nothing wrong with me.*Said Kathleen.
There was a moment of silence, Kathleen was mindlessly caressing Seth's hand with her thumb.
*Are you happy with the life you had?*Asked Seth.
*Of course, I am. I have seen the horrors of many lives around the world, and I feel cherished to have been born here and serve the marvelous beings vampires are.*Said Kathleen.
*Why?*Asked Seth.
*We never have anything to worry about.*She answered and frowned. *Why are you asking those questions? You are a King and a powerful wizard. You should not have to care so much.*Said Kathleen.
*And why not?*Asked Ruma.
*Because caring too much hinders his duties. Emrick was bad because he was a tyrant that did not care at all. Nathaniel was a perfect King, until he got you, Seth. Caring too much for you made him go away in Egypt. Fortunately, you are still defending us against that aw-awful… wizard.*She had said the last words with fatigue, closing her eyes for a second.
Caring hinders his duties?
*What do you mean?*Asked Seth as a faint whisper.
*What if your people needed you, right now, as we speak? But instead, you went to see me. I know you love me very much, Seth. You need to always be alert of every vampire, because that is your duties, the same as it was my duty to watch over you until you were old enough. I had no other purpose, and I was glad to have had it. Your purpose to have been born both a vampire and wizard, I believe, is to watch over them and to do the best for them, not us. Besides, there's billions of us compared to the half million of wizard around the world, or even the thousand vampires.*Said Kathleen.
How could a human be so wise after less than a hundred years? She made him thought of the slayers he had just made been aware of.
*Hn. You spoke way too much with Flamel.*Said Seth and Kathleen made a weak laugh. *So, what, you think I should be the world's King?*Said Seth, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
She stayed silent for a short moment. Ruma's eyes were going between her and Seth repetitively.
*Like any King, not alone, but yes. Your heart is where it should be, but you care too much. That dark wizard is just like Emrick was described as… hm, I'm so tired.*Said Kathleen.
She paused again, then looked at Ruma, asking her to leave them alone. She kissed her grand-mother on her forehead, then went away. Kathleen waited a bit more that Ruma was long gone before speaking again.
*We have a big library, Seth. I know you probably read almost all of them in your section of the castle, but almost none in our ward. I did… about history, monarchy, men of power, slavery…, war. This world… is broken. It's people are destructive. I remember Gellert speaking so much of what he wanted when you were gone. He made sense; his words were… captivating. He stopped when you came back.*Said Kathleen with a glimmer in her eyes.
*I want him to govern America, where he had first started. He already started a plan.*Said Seth quietly.
*Good, you have a general then.*Said Kathleen with a faint smile.
Another pause, another slow blink.
*Can you… take me in your arms. I'm too weak to walk, Seth. I want to see the stars.*She said in a faint whisper.
Seth stood up and removed her covers before grabbing her frail body in his arms, her head resting on his chest. He walked out the room, then went along the corridors, passing through the magical barrier. He had taken the long way out from inside the castle, thinking it was the last time she would ever see the stony walls.
*Hn. You smell so good.*Mumbled Kathleen.
Seth snorted silently. He passed by the gardens, his tail taking a yellow flower as he passed, then dropping it in her lap. She smiled as she grabbed it, bringing it to her nose. The sun was slowly coming down, nearing the edge of the ocean view. A great turmoil of emotions were in his mind and body. He closed his mind firmly, not wanting his childes to live any of that. Corban would understand, he never questioned what he did. Danyck was probably busy doing his usual debauchery.
Seth went to the edge of the cliff, his toes in the emptiness, and the high winds blowing their hair.
*This view is beautiful, I feel like I'm flying, free like a bird.*Said Kathleen.
*I can make us levitate.*Said Seth as he took a step in the emptiness.
He wandlessly cast a slowing charm, softly gliding down the high cliff. Kathleen hummed, her eyes closed. After a long descent, Seth's heart was going faster from the effort he made and was glad to feel the sand below his feet, canceling the spell.
*I love hearing your heart, reminding me you have a part of humanity in you.*Said Kathleen.
What was this emotion that clung to his heart, paralyzed any coherent thought, and constricted his throat? He had walked to the dock again and sat by the edge, his feet in the ocean water. The sun was almost hidden by the water, beautiful hues of violet, pink and orange in the sky.
*I forgot, happy birthday, my sweet, sweet King. I will never forget the honor your father gave me, sixty years ago.*Said Kathleen.
*Don't… don't die just yet.*Whispered Seth, the words choking in his throat.
*I'll try… not today.*She answered softly.
He had never cried of sadness before. It had always been of anger or pain. Just like when he learned about the vampire mark, or when he did his first kill, and when he placed the purple enchantment on his shoulder. This feeling was new. The dreadful feeling was there. He felt sorrow, and he hated it. There was nothing worse than that feeling. She was right, it hindered his duties, even worse, it froze him in time. Spells could not heal her. No enchantments, curses or incantations could remove the human from dying of old age. At this point, making her a vampire would just be cruel, and she had refused by just giving Seth a look. His face burned as fire went down his cheeks.
Perhaps she fell asleep, her heartbeat was faint, but still there. The stars were bright, and you could see the milky way, so magnificent. He whispered Kathleen's name several times, brushing a thumb on her cheek. Her eyes slowly opened, but only half-way. A small smile as she looked at the stars.
*Seth. Sing me the lullaby…*She paused, taking a long breath in. *The lullaby I sang to you when you were little.*She breathed.
Seth swallowed with difficulty.
'Par-delà, les frontières. Les prairies, et la mer.'
His voice was low as he sang in French. The sound of the ocean waves crashing on the sand, and distant seagull cries mixing with his song.
'Dans les grandes noirceurs, sous le feu des chasseurs.'
'Dans les mains de la mort, Il s'envole encore.'
'Plus haut, plus haut, le cœur est un oiseau.'
She had closed her eyes again, her head never moving from Seth's torso.
'Dans les yeux des miradors. Dans les rues de nulle part.'
'Au milieu des déserts. De froid, de faim et de fer.'
'Contre la tyrannie, il refait son nid.'
'Plus chaud, plus chaud, le cœur est un oiseau.'
Seth took several breaths before continuing. Her heartbeat was dimmer.
'Ce n'était qu'un orage. Ce n'était qu'une cage.'
'Tu reprendras ta course. Tu iras à la source.'
'Tu boiras tout le ciel. Ouvre tes ailes.'
Thump-thump.
'Liberté… liberté.'
'Li-Lib… berté.'
Kathleen never felt lighter in his arms, as if something had left her body, and would never come back. If Seth had cast the Tempus charm, it would have showed August 1st, 1975, 12:01.
Author's note: If I made you cry, please tell me below as a review. For god damn sake, I made myself cry… and you have not read the next chapter, oh gods. Danyck time, oh noes.
Here's the translation of the song, I suggest you listen to it Le Coeur est un oiseau sang with France d'Amour. watch?v=Z5bo0Q8smoM
Beyond borders
The meadows and the sea
In the great darkness
By the fire from hunters
In the hands of death
It flies away again
Higher, higher
The heart is a bird
In the eyes of the watchtowers
In the streets of nowhere
In the middle of the deserts
Of cold, hunger and iron
Against tyranny, he rebuilds his nest
Warmer, warmer
The heart is a bird
It was just a storm
It was just a cage
You will resume your race
You will go to the source
You will drink all the sky
Open your wings
Freedom, freedom
Freedom
