Revelation - Chapter 6 (Patreon)

Iris

It’s strange to me how much this place keeps me calm. And although it’s been the only place outside of the bedroom I’m allowed to go, I find it peaceful. Eerily so. A part of me wants to detest it because I know it’s something that Remus made. But it gets exhausting trying to constantly prove my hatred to him.

“Everyone hates me, Iris.”

Those words are enough to break anyone’s heart. And had I not been with Remus all the time I’ve been and seen everything he’s done, they would have broken me to trust him. But not in this case. He tortured me and my people. He destroyed a planet of innocents. And I still don’t know what he did with the others. Including my brother. Remus is evil behind a beautiful façade. And I won’t be foolish enough to fall for it as I did on Leviathar. All of that was an act. Just to get me comfortable.

I keep my eyes on the water in front of me. It’s nothing like the water on Earth. It’s clear, yet has a slight pink tint to it. As if it’s glowing. This whole garden is like that. And I can see the calm rhythm the plant life is somehow extruding. It’s comforting. It almost reminds me of the symbol Remus has on his skin. The one that moves and changes with his mood.

I look up in the sky and it’s beginning to darken even more. I try and see stars or a moon or planets of some kind, but I see nothing but darkness. I let out a deep sigh resting my chin on my palm.

I turn and look towards the direction of the gardens that I came. I know my way through the halls now to get here, yet I never go anywhere other than here. I think back to Remus’ words the other day.

“You are not a prisoner here. You’re free to roam the castle.”

My eyes stay glued to the path I used to get to this part of the garden. He said I could explore. But still, I feel like he only said that to make me feel better about my situation. Not because he actually wants me to. I slowly stand from the seat, looking down the path. I look around the gardens for any sign of Remus, but he is nowhere to be found. So, I use the path and walk back to the castle.

I can see the double open archway as I approach. The guards that Remus assigned to me are at the top of the spiral staircase, making sure no one comes in I assume. I make my way quickly up the spiral staircase but pause at the top having to catch my breath as my stomach lurches. I see now why Remus always helps me down the stairs.

Once I reach the top, I see the door that Remus always leads me through. So I know that his guards are on the other side. And even though Remus gave me express permission the other day, I don’t want to take the chance of his men stopping me so I walk around the hall to find another doorway. Excitement runs through me when it's unlocked and ready for me to walk through.

I look back at the door feeling a sense of hesitation, but push it aside as I make my way through the castle. Somehow the halls are lit up with a dim light that is perfect for the time of night it is. The halls of this place are huge. I see row upon row of archways that lead to different sitting rooms and ballrooms. Even the walls are lined with pictures of Remus and his family. Some are of him by himself, and even his mother and father alone. some are of his past relatives. My eyes widen as I take them in.

They all have bright white hair and glowing purple eyes. Something I’ve grown fond of in my time with Remus. The walls of this place are made from a solid material that I couldn’t name if I wanted to. Even the lights in the ceiling are a different type of crystal that seems to move with life. There is greenery growing within the walls, and it’s the most peculiar thing. I remember when I was a child on Earth, I would read storybooks about castles. Remus calls this place a castle, but it looks nothing like the ones in my storybooks. I make my way up a flight of stairs, looking at the ground below me. I see some people walking around carrying things, some in groups speaking with each other.

I pause on the railing taking in their features. It’s hard to see them from this high up, but I can make out the black hair from here. I tilt my head in confusion. Remus and his guards have white hair as well as his mother and father. But these people have black hair. Could they be a different species than Remus? Are they here against their will as well?

I turn away from the railing and climb up the rest of the flights of stairs, finally reaching the top. I cross the balcony slowly as I look above me and take in the ceiling. There’s a mural drawn on it. It has a mountain on it with clouds and a blue hue to the lines coming from the two people standing next to each other. My eyes widen and I realize I'm looking at a painting of Remus’ parents. I’m sure one day he’ll tell me the story behind this mural. But not today.

I make my way up the new hallway and see an archway. I pause in front of it, peeping around the corner to make sure no one is here. My eyes widen at the sight in front of me. The room is filled with glowing lights. They look like fireflies slowly floating around. They’re a dim purple and pink. Slowly changing color. And Remus is seated in the center. He’s wearing a sleeveless white shirt, that opens up so that I can see his chest. His hair is pulled back half up half down and even though it is tied behind him, it still moves with the energy flowing through him.

His eyes are closed, and his hands are centered in his lap slightly touching. He’s just sitting. But the lights that are floating around the room seem to be coming from him. I furrow my brow in confusion. I know I should leave, but something in me is being called to stay here. I’m mesmerized. I can’t look away.

Somehow Remus doesn’t even realize I’m here. His eyes stay closed and his breathing is so still, that I don’t even see his chest rise or fall. He looks somewhat peaceful. Perfect. Free. I slowly make my way towards him on the verge of tiptoeing. I lean into him reaching my fingers out to touch any part of him.

It feels like hours pass as my finger come inches close to his face. I pause inches from his cheek, immediately withdrawing my fingers.

Have I lost my mind? Remus could open his eyes the moment I touch him and get angry with me for leaving the gardens. I slowly back away from him, careful not to run into anything on my way out, and round the corner to continue my exploring.

Remus

Iris is a strange being I’ll give her that. I slowly open my eyes just as she rounds the corner. I was meditating when I sensed her presence. I knew she was close the moment she climbed those stairs. And when she came into the room I could hear her rapid heartbeat as if it were a drum right in front of me. But I decided to keep still and see what her plans would be.

Somehow touching me didn’t cross my mind for her to do. Though I’m glad she didn’t. She would have been shocked by the energy conversion I had been doing. I knew sooner or later she would want to explore. I told her she was free to roam days ago but she never decided to which made my heart ache for her more. I even left different “escape routes” for her. But seeing her some form of curious makes me happy. I stand from my seat and make my way in the direction of her, deciding to watch her in her explorations.

I’ve done nothing but paperwork and prepare all day today. It will be nice to have some kind of entertainment. My only fear is her running into a servant. But I have to learn to let her face things on her own. I round the corner just in time to see her meddling with the doors.

I smile softly.

I wish I could know what it is that she’s thinking. But since my mother removed the bond between us, I'm back to reading her emotions. I can’t place a bond on her any longer. It would be too dangerous. Iris is the lowest level of being in existence. My people and I are the highest. I have to be much more careful around her now that I have awakened and my body is back to its original state. Even now as she walks through the halls I see no aura coming from her.

In the eyes of these people, she’ll be dull. Fragile. Weak. But in my eyes she bright. Strong. And curious. Things I’ve always admired about her. She pauses at a painting and I step behind the nearest column. Even now, she has no idea that I am following her. It’s the sad truth, but in this world, she is very vulnerable. I look to the painting that she’s staring at. It’s me and Celise. I’m young in the picture. These halls are where Celise would bring me to our studies and training sessions. Celise was the woman that educated me, taught me manipulation control, and how to shape matter. I outgrew her training at a young age, but because I was gifted, and she was an amazing teacher.

I haven’t seen her at all since my arrival back. I wonder if she would be willing to teach Iris and Sky. Iris moves on from the picture, making her way down the hall and I follow behind. She stops and stares at things I’ve never thought twice on. She looks at statues, and constantly out windows. She touches paintings and peaks indoors. She’s as curious as a cat. I fear if I reveal myself I’ll ruin her current mood. So I watch her until she finally stumbles upon the library. I immediately move into the doors, ignoring the beauty of the room to intercept her in an aisle.

I can hear her slow footsteps as she pauses picking up books. I even hear her flustered sigh when she opens some. Even if she could read, she wouldn’t be able to read these. They’re in my language. But I don’t think that’s even crossed her mind.

I stand in the aisle and watch her shadow as she rounds the shelves, pausing when she sees me. Her eyes widen and her heartbeat speeds up. I can’t help it. I smile.

“Bored of the gardens already?” She looks like a child that was caught red-handed. She even grabs her arm as she looks away.

“You said I could explore.” She says. I laugh softly.

“I know I did,” I say. I slowly walk towards her, and she backs up ever so slightly. A reaction she’s always had with me.

“I asked you a question,” I say pointing out that she hasn’t answered me yet.

“No… I just… you said I could-“

“I know what I said, Iris,” I say. Her eyes harden as she glares at me. I turn away from her.

“Do you like the castle?” I ask.

“Yes.” She says. I look up at the second floor of the library.

“You haven’t seen the most beautiful parts yet,” I say. I think of all the spots in this place that she will love.

“It’s different…” She says. I know she’s saying it just to spite me. So I don’t try and prove to her otherwise. I reach up on the bookshelf, grabbing a book. I open it skimming the pages lightly.

“You never learned how to read on your world,” I say.

“If you hadn’t come and ruined-“ I hold my hand up stopping her mid-sentence.

“I know what would have been if I hadn’t shown up Iris. And no matter how many times I explain it to you, you still ignore facts. So why bring this up again? Why continuously argue with me?” I ask. I can feel my irritation with her growing but keep it bottled up. She widens her stance, clenching her fist, and lifting her chin meeting my gaze head on.

“Because you need to know and understand what you did, Remus!” She says. I stare at her. Really stare. She's never going to change her opinion on me. Her hatred for me is too strong. She'll never go a day without being happy by my side. Never. And that realization is a punch to the gut. But I only nod my head and turn away from her walking out of the hall to leave her alone.

Iris is silent behind me. I don’t say a word to her. I don’t want to. For once, my patience has worn thin and I'm just tired. I walk through the usual wing, leading her to her new room. She has no idea. We walk past the bedroom we once shared. I hear her footsteps faltering, and she slows down. But I keep walking.

“Follow me.” I say. And she does. I pause in front of the door, pushing it open. I hold my hand out for her and look into the bedroom. It’s a beautiful room. It’s also spacious and has an open view of the world beyond. It’s perfect for her. She slowly walks past me and into the room.

I watch her. Gauging her reaction. She looks around and turns back around looking at me in confusion.

“What is this?” She says. I walk past her turning on the lights.

“This is your room now,” I say. Her eyes widen slightly. And I turn back to her.

“Let’s not kid ourselves, Iris. You don’t want me, even if I want you. I won’t force you to stay with me any longer.” I say. She continues to stare and says nothing in response to me.

“If you need anything, I’m right down the hall,” I say. I don’t wait for her reaction to her new room. I don’t care to hear how happy she is to be away from me, or how miserable she was with me. Right now, I just want to sleep and think of nothing. So I leave the room and leave the love of my life behind.