Annabelle knelt at the edge of a shimmering pool, her shoulders shaking with sobs that echoed through the cavern. Statues of angelic maidens encircled the pool, their serene faces gazing downward as if carved witnesses to her despair. Annabelle had come to petition Shepha for mercy.
"Shepha!" she cried, her voice raw and desperate. "Please… Bont is such a good boy!" Her chest heaved as she gulped for air, trying to steady herself. "He was scared—he didn't mean to do it. Please spare him!"
A sudden flash of lightning lit the grotto, its brilliance casting sharp, flickering shadows across the craggy walls. The statues seemed to watch more intently, their hollow eyes catching the light. Then came the voice—terrible, unyielding, shaking the very ground beneath her knees. "THE BOY MUST DIE!"
Annabelle let out a wail of anguish, collapsing forward and pressing her forehead to the cold stone rim of the pool. "He's my son," she wept, her voice cracking under the weight of her grief. "How can I sit back and watch him die? He's only a child!"
"I will not let one child unravel the Harmony I have labored thousands of millennia to achieve," the voice thundered, its force reverberating through the pool, distorting its calm surface into chaotic ripples.
Tears streaked Annabelle's face as she raised her head, defiance flickering through her despair. "Shepha! I won't leave until you listen to my prayer!" she cried, her voice trembling but resolute.
A suffocating silence fell over the grotto, heavy and oppressive, the weight of judgment pressing down like a vice. How could a god so powerful, so omnipotent, not see the goodness in him? Shepha's silence only deepened the chasm of her grief, leaving her to fill it with her anguished cries.
Then, the voice returned, colder than before, each word sharp as a blade. "THEN YOU WILL BE PUNISHED. ANY IMMORTAL WHO DARES TO PRAY FOR HIM SHALL BE CURSED."
A deafening thunderclap shook the cavern, the faint light filtering through the entrance snuffed out in an instant. Darkness closed in around her, suffocating and absolute. Annabelle's sobs rose louder, more frantic, reverberating through the cavern like a dirge.
As her cries rent the air, the statues seemed to awaken. Thin streams of saltwater began to seep from their stony eyes, streaking their faces as though they wept alongside her. The pool at her feet shimmered faintly, its glow now eerie and ghostly, reflecting the woman's despair.
She collapsed fully, her body wracked with uncontrollable sobs. Her despair echoed endlessly in the cavern, her agony etched into the stone, transforming the once-sacred place into a shrine of sorrow, cursed to remember the forbidden prayers of a mother who defied a god.
*—*
The night of the planned rendezvous arrived. Bont paced his room, wings twitching with anticipation as he waited for Rapunzel's signal. The air felt thick with tension, the minutes dragging into what felt like hours. His gaze flicked to the mirror, his thoughts spinning in anxious circles. Doubts crept in, whispering of failure and consequences, but he pushed them aside. He had to trust Rapunzel, just as she trusted him.
Finally, the mirror flickered, and Rapunzel's image appeared.
"Is everything okay?" Bont asked, a little anxiously.
"Yes, but there's an archangel standing at the entrance," she replied, her tone hushed, urgent. "Can you distract him so I can get inside?"
Bont nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes."
They had accounted for this possibility, but now that the moment had arrived, he felt a distaste for the task ahead. But they hadn't been able to come up with any alternative solution. Closing his eyes, he steadied his breathing and began weaving a subtle illusion—a faint, rhythmic hum emanating from the far corners of his room. The sound reverberated faintly through the door and down the stairwell, the echoes amplifying the volume as it wound down and down.
Soon, he heard footsteps rushing up the stairs and leading right up to his door, where they stopped.
"Is everything all right in there?" came the archangel's stern voice.
Bont didn't answer. Instead, he focused on heightening the illusion—a low, irregular thrum that mimicked the dangerous buildup of power.
With a series of clicks, the guard released the rune-spells binding the door and slowly opened the door. The archangel stepped inside, scanning the room. It was all the opening Bont needed. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he released the sleeping spell he had prepared—a modified version of the spell used on him in childhood to help him sleep. The air shimmered faintly, carrying the soft scent of vetiver and something heavier, more soporific.
The archangel paused, his body swaying slightly as confusion flickered across their features. "What…?" he began, but his words trailed off as his knees buckled. Within moments, he slumped to the ground, his breathing slow and even.
Bont exhaled sharply, his wings sagging in relief. An aftershock of guilt wracked his body and he stood trembling for a long moment. Collecting himself, he dragged the unconscious guard to the far corner of the room, tied his hands and feet with torn off strips of sheet, and stuffed a gag into his mouth.
As Bont stood up, the door opened again. This time, it was Rapunzel. The sight of her rendered him momentarily speechless. She was even more striking in person than he remembered and her wings were glowing with the glittering light of a thousand stars. Bont immediately felt calmer, and the tremors in his hands began to subside.
Her eyes immediately fell on the unconscious guard. "What happened here?" she asked, concerned.
"I had to… I feel terrible," Bont admitted, his voice low.
Rapunzel stepped closer, her expression softening. "It's okay," she said gently. "What did you do to him?"
"I made him fall asleep. But he'll wake up soon."
"By then, we'll no longer be here," Rapunzel said, offering him an encouraging smile. Then her face dropped as she glanced over her shoulder. "My wings…they're…"
"They're beautiful." Bont interrupted, his tone full of admiration. "They're shining brighter than the sun."
Rapunzel looked surprised. "Are they? Their light faded as soon as I stepped out of the water."
"I think only the one under the spell can see their light." Bont smiled. "We got lucky."
Rapunzel held out her hand. "Let's go. Let's not waste time."
Bont took her hand, his own trembling from excitement. He automatically squeezed her hand as a pleasant thrill travelled up his arm at her touch. Rapunzel smiled at him, squeezing his hand back. They ran out of the room together.
In the hallway, Bont stopped suddenly, his emotions surging like a tide he could no longer hold back. The relief of Rapunzel's presence, the exhilaration of his first taste of freedom—it all collided in his chest. Before he could think better of it, he turned to her and leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a breathless kiss. It was brief, and soft, and filled with his overflowing gratitude and unspoken affection.
He pulled back, his eyes sparkling with happiness. "Thank you, Rapunzel," he whispered, looking into her eyes with unbelieving wonder.
Rapunzel blinked, looking a little dazed, before a slow smile spread across her face. "It's too early for that," she said lightly, though her gaze lingered on his.
They stood there for a moment longer, the air between them charged with the enormity of what they were about to do. Then, with a determined tug, Rapunzel pulled him towards the stairs.
Bont held his breath as they descended. Step by step, he followed her, his focus entirely on her glowing wings and the sound of their footsteps echoing in the stillness. The stairs felt endless, but he no longer feared their enchantment. With Rapunzel leading the way, they reached the doors. She pushed the doors open and led him outside, just as she had in his dreams.
Bont stepped outside for the first time in his life. The cool night air hit his face, and he inhaled deeply, the sensation almost surreal. They had timed their escape perfectly—there was no one in sight.
"We need to get moving," Rapunzel said briskly. "Can you fly?"
"I can handle it," Bont asserted confidently. He glanced around, soaking in the sight of the open sky, the vastness of the world beyond the tower. A laugh bubbled up in his chest, and he spread his arms wide, his joy spilling over. "I can't believe it… I'm free!"
Rapunzel tugged on his sleeve, catching his attention. "I don't want to be a downer, but…"
"Got it," said Bont, his grin undiminished. He then spread his wings to their full span, flapped them a couple of times, and soared high into the sky with a powerful thrust. He was free at last.
*—*
The exhilaration of his wings slicing through the cool night air was indescribable. The world below seemed infinite, its vastness overwhelming and thrilling all at once. Bont's heart raced, not from fear, but from pure, unrestrained joy. His pitiful attempts at flight in the confines of his room or the stairwell had not prepared him for the reality. The very essence of life seemed to be coursing through him with each beat of his wings.
Rapunzel's steady flight beside him anchored his excitement, her graceful movements a calming contrast to his enthusiastic, slightly clumsy bursts of speed. She occasionally glanced over, smiling at his enthusiasm, her beating wings guiding him through the dark skies.
Rapunzel led Bont to a small island away from the Academy. Nestled within its rocky terrain was a grotto, hidden away like a secret.
"They used to come here to pray," she explained, her voice hushed as though respecting the sanctity of the place. "But now it's abandoned."
Bont followed her, his gaze sweeping the cavernous space with wonder. "When you've spent your life within four walls, everything else feels enormous," he murmured.
The cavern was hauntingly beautiful. Craggy walls twisted upward to an uneven roof, much of it hidden in shadow where the faint moonlight couldn't reach. At the center stood a dilapidated structure, its broken stone steps leading up to a shimmering pool. Surrounding the pool were statues of angelic maidens, their salt-stained faces streaked as if weeping.
Drawn to the pool, Bont ascended the steps and reached out to touch the water. The moment his fingertips broke the surface, an unbearable sadness clawed at his chest. Waves of pain and sorrow swept over him, growing heavier with each passing second. His knees buckled, and he collapsed at the foot of the pool. The anguish of a thousand voices swirled within him, drowning him in their collective grief. Tears streamed down his face, mingling with streaks of blood that dripped onto the stone.
"Bont!" Rapunzel hurried up the steps, alarm etched across her face. "Are you alright?"
Through a red veil of tears, Bont looked at her, his voice cracking. "Why do I feel so much pain?"
Rapunzel knelt beside him, her hands steady as she helped him stand. She wrapped an arm around his waist, half-dragging, half-carrying him away from the statues and the saltwater splashing at their feet.
Once they were a safe distance away, the flow of bloody tears stopped, and Bont calmed down a little. "Something isn't right…" he whispered, his voice trembling. "Something isn't right here, I feel bad. Can we go to another place? I beg you…"
"Of course!" Rapunzel said soothingly, despite the worry in her eyes.
*—*
They returned to the Academy under the cover of near-dawn, their wings heavy and sore from the long flight. Rapunzel guided Bont to an abandoned ballroom in one of the older wings, the risk of discovery outweighed by their need for shelter before morning.
The ballroom was eerie yet enchanting. Faint dawnlight filtered through shattered stained-glass panels, casting fragmented patterns of color onto the marbled floor. Creepers twisted through the broken windows, their leaves brushing against the glass shards scattered across the ground.
Bont sank onto the cool floor, burying his face in his hands. The weight of his earlier experience pressed heavily on his mind.
"How are you feeling?" Rapunzel asked softly, sitting beside him. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I don't know what it was… I never felt so sad and lonely as I did back there…" He thumped his chest a couple of times as if to dislodge the heavy knot of pain in his heart. His voice trembled as he added, "Why did it affect me so much?"
Rapunzel's earlier question echoed in his mind:Who are you, Bont?The words resurfaced like a haunting refrain, stirring a deep unease within him. He kept his eyes tightly closed, almost afraid of opening them and reliving all the anguish he had felt at the Weeping Maidens. Then, he felt Rapunzel's arms wrap around him.
Without hesitation, Bont clung to her, soaking in the comfort of her touch. It had been so long since he'd felt a connection like this, so long since anyone had offered him solace. Gradually, the knot of pain in his chest began to unravel.
Rapunzel adjusted her posture, and their noses brushed against each other. They both froze, the accidental caress sending a ripple of tension through the air. Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, their lips met in a tentative kiss.
Warmth flooded through Bont and his pulse quickened. He opened his eyes, seeing Rapunzel as though for the first time. Her beauty seemed to radiate from within, her soul shining through her luminous eyes and the soft glow of her wings. Her aura of light and shadow danced around her, swirling like the delicate morning mist filtering through the cracked glass of the window panels, casting her in an almost ethereal light.
"You're so pretty," he whispered, his voice reverent, carrying the depth of his admiration and attraction.
A blush spread across her cheeks, and she looked down, her lashes fluttering shyly. The sight made Bont's heart swell with tenderness. He leaned forward and kissed her nose, then her eyes, and her forehead. His fingers gently stroked her silky black hair before he finally returned to her lips.
He kissed her softly at first, savoring the warmth of her lips against his. As she responded, her quiet sighs and the subtle tilts of her head guided him. He listened, learned, and mirrored her movements, his lips and tongue exploring hers with growing confidence. Her intoxicating aura enveloped him—smoky sandalwood and some flowery note he couldn't identify. The intimacy of the moment swept him away, a sweetness so profound he could scarcely believe it was real. He felt lightheaded from sheer joy. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined such bliss.
"I'm glad I met you," Bont murmured when their lips finally parted.
Rapunzel's smile was soft, then a flicker of concern crossed her face. "Aren't you afraid?"
"Of what?"
"I'm an Unclaimed—it's forbidden."
The segregation law hadn't even crossed his mind. "It's forbidden for me to leave the tower," he said with a small, self-deprecating smile. "I am on the wrong side of the law anyway." He pursed his lips and looked away. The enormity of what he had done looming over him like a giant shadow.
"Isn't that what you wanted?" Rapunzel asked, her tone concerned rather than accusatory.
"It is," he admitted, squeezing her hand. It was all he had dreamed of ever since he had woken up in that little room. "But it still feels like I'm doing something terrible…" But he didn't want to place the burden of his guilt on her shoulders—not after everything she had done for him. "But that isn't your concern," he added.
Reassured, Rapunzel stood and stretched. "I need to go," she said reluctantly. "But I'll bring food and supplies next time."
Bont nodded, though his chest tightened at the thought of her leaving. "In the meantime, I'll think about our next step."
She hesitated, her gaze lingering on him. The sympathy in her eyes was unmistakable, her reluctance to leave him evident. But she smiled encouragingly and said, "See you soon, Bont."
"See you soon, Rapunzel."
She bent down and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. He reached for her hand, holding it for just a moment longer, before letting go. Her wings brushed against his hand as she turned to go, leaving him with a mix of gratitude and longing in his chest.
Bont lay down on the cool marble floor, stretching his wings and staring at the patterns of dawnlight cast by the stained glass. He tried to meditate, but his mind was a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts.
When he had dreamed of escaping the tower, his goal had been simple: freedom. He had longed to soar under the stars, to breathe the open air without barriers, and to find peace in solitude. He had imagined seeking sanctuary on a remote island or hiding among Heaven's uncharted cliffs which would shield his aura from Shepha's reach. But then—if he vanished so completely, would he ever see Rapunzel again?
Nothing in his imagined freedom compared to the sweetness of the moments he had shared with her. The sense of connection, of being seen and understood, had brought a joy that eclipsed the simple idea of escape. He had traded one cage for another, and yet, the new reality felt less suffocating. A fresh longing stirred within him—a hope that Rapunzel might seek him out, wherever he ended up, and that they might share more moments like those in this ballroom.
Bont sighed. His future was uncertain, tangled with risks and questions he couldn't yet answer. But he wasn't a child anymore. Whatever path he chose, he would face it with the courage and responsibility that freedom demanded.
*—*
Rapunzel arrived very late in the evening, carrying a small bundle of food, water, a pillow, and a couple of blankets. Her expression was apologetic as she set them down. "I'm sorry for not coming earlier," she said. There was tension in her voice. "The Academy is on high alert. They're conducting an elaborate search for you. It has mostly shifted to the outer grounds for now," she explained. "No one will be near this wing tonight, especially not at this hour. I timed my visit carefully."
Bont's heart sank at her words, but he nodded in understanding.
"I may not be able to visit tomorrow," she added, her tone hesitant. "I'm taking part in a competition."
"A competition?" Bont asked, curious despite the gravity of their situation.
She nodded. "It's specifically held for the Unclaimed. The participants compete in what is essentially a race to reach a creature called the Serpent Tempter. Have you heard of it?"
"Yes. I've read about them," said Bont. As the name suggested, the creatures were known for the enchantments they wove with their words. Their voices could plant doubts, unearth insecurities, and twist even the most resolute minds.
"The first person to reach the serpent and kill it will receive a tattoo made from its blood. It grants mind-influencing abilities like those birthright immortals are born with."
"Where is the competition being held?" Bont asked, wondering if Rapunzel would have to travel far for such a dangerous event.
"The ruined city," she replied. "We'll have our wings tied, so we'll have to rely on our special powers, which—as you know—I don't have any."
Bont's anxiety flared, his wings drawing slightly closer to his back. The thought of Rapunzel venturing into danger unsettled him deeply. But his faith in her abilities pushed back against his trepidation. He had seen her courage and resilience firsthand—her quick thinking and determination. If anyone could navigate the ruins and overcome the Tempter's tricks, it was her.
"You'll do a wonderful job," Bont said earnestly, his voice steady with conviction.
"Thank you." Rapunzel smiled, a flicker of warmth breaking through her anxiety. But her expression darkened just as quickly. "When my mom was a student here, she apparently won the same competition. So that's one more expectation for me to live up to." She rolled her eyes, though her frustration was clear.
Bont frowned. She had spoken before about the pressure she felt to live up to her mother's achievements. To follow in the footsteps of an unclaimed woman who had risen to the position of a Seraph had to be daunting.
Wanting to encourage her, Bont said, "I saw you compete once before. In the Academy's flying tournament."
Rapunzel blinked, startled. "You… what?"
"Before we met," he admitted, his cheeks coloring slightly. "I used to watch the tournaments from my window. I saw you there once, competing against the angels." His gaze softened. "Even then, I thought you were amazing."
Rapunzel's lips parted, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "I had no idea," she murmured. "Then you must have also seen me get knocked out and plummet fifty feet to the ground. Not so amazing, huh?" She looked a little embarrassed, though Bont could discern a flicker of unease.
He was silent for a moment, then he said, "Actually, I didn't see how the competition ended because I had a strange vision. When I woke up, it was over."
Rapunzel's eyes widened, her hand instinctively going to her chest. "You saw it too?" She frantically clutched his arm. "Was it a burning tree and a goblet of blood?"
It was Bont's turn to be shocked. "How… how did you know?"
Rapunzel swallowed convulsively. "Because I keep having that vision. So does Lucifer."
"The son of Satan?" Bont was flabbergasted. "How do you know that?"
"We figured it out," she said absently, her gaze distant. Refocusing her attention on Bont, she said, "Tell me, Bont. How many times have you seen this vision?"
"Only once," he replied. An angel, a demon, and an Unclaimed having the same vision had to mean something. The thought troubled him, though its significance eluded him.
"Huh… That doesn't make any sense," Rapunzel murmured. "Maybe you only saw the vision that one time because you were looking at me directly?"
"Perhaps." Bont shrugged helplessly. "I've never heard of vision transference. But it's possible, I suppose."
Rapunzel didn't reply immediately, her brows drawn in deep thought. Bont watched her, regretting that he had brought up the tournament. He had only meant to encourage her, not deepen her anxiety.
Hoping to distract her, Bont shifted the conversation. "So, tell me about this upcoming competition. What challenges are you expecting?"
Rapunzel blinked, but after a moment, she began explaining the rules and the obstacles she might face. Slowly but surely, Rapunzel's posture shifted. Her shoulders squared, her voice grew more animated, and the faint tension in her features melted away. By the time they had covered a few hypothetical scenarios, her usual spark had returned.
When it was time for her to leave, Bont couldn't let her go without drawing her close and kissing her softly. But one kiss wasn't enough. He kissed her again and again, each kiss a tender expression of his admiration and growing affection. When she finally pulled away, her cheeks were flushed, and she gave him one last, almost shy smile before disappearing into the night.
Bont slept fitfully that night. The pillow and blankets were a welcome addition, but the hard floor of the ballroom was far from comfortable. And his mind was restless.
As if sensing his unease, Rapunzel checked on him through the mirror several times during the night. Each time, her voice was filled with concern. Bont was deeply touched by her vigilance, though he worried about her exhausting herself. After her fifth check-in, he reminded her about the competition. "You need to rest," he said firmly. "You'll need your strength."
She hesitated, clearly torn, but then gave him a rueful smile. "You're right. Goodnight, Bont."
"Goodnight, Rapunzel," he replied, watching as her image faded from the mirror.
Bont sighed, the ache of guilt and gratitude swirling together in his chest. He closed his eyes, willing himself to focus. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, for both of them. For now, he could only wish for her to get a restful night of sleep.
*—*