Revelation - Chapter 34 (Patreon)

Remus

War.

I’ve always reveled in war. The battle. The fight. The sheer will. The power. I’ve loved the push back. The give and take. The feel of victory.

Sadly, this will not be a war. This will not even be a battle. It will be a massacre. With only one survivor. I don’t care why Braith did this. I don’t care to hear his side of the story. I don’t care to torture any information of a coming threat out of him. I want him, and his entire people, dead.

“Remus, are you sure about this?” Xion is standing next to me already dressed and ready for battle. She looks fierce. I feel bitterness as Andrew walks up. He will be on my left seeing as my brother is out of commission. I look out the archway. I can hear the people already cheering. Crying. Waiting for me to emerge and confirm what it is they all want. Revenge.

“The last time you did something like this, it didn’t end well. Don’t react to your emotions use your logic.” She says. I frown at her.

“Ok. Let’s review their crimes, shall we?” I say.

“Kidnapping. Murder. Attacking the royal family. Destroying the palace. Committing treason. Starting war. Conspiring against us. Each of which is punishable by death.” I say. She takes a deep breath looking away from me for a moment. I can see the wheels turning in her head.

“Ok. If you are sure, then I am sure.” She says. I nod my head smiling at her.

I turn away from her, listening to my father as he yells over the crowd, bragging about his son. I take a deep breath making my way to the archway as he finishes his speech. He hasn’t even approached me on my decision to leave Nira and bring Iris back. He knows not to. They have pushed me far enough and I can afford them no more mercy.

“… And back from the dead, my son, your King, Remus!” He shouts. I step out onto the balcony and the roars are deafening in my ears. The mass crowd stretches back for miles. People from all over the kingdom that have come to make sure I am alive.

I smile holding my hand up. Slowly, but surely, silence falls over the land.

“My people.” I start. I look out over each and every visible face. Taking in their expressions. Pure joy. Happiness.

“We have been wronged. All of us. We have granted peace and protection for these people, and what do they give us in return? War. Betrayal.~”

“As most of you know, the palace was attacked by these people. Many lives were lost. Including mine. If not for my sister’s persistence and my father, I would not be here before you.” I say. I look at Xion who offers me a small smile. I hold my hand out to her and pull her forward so the people can see.

“This woman. Saved your king!” I shout.

“This woman, the child of the queen that all of you have condemned because of her past,” I say. I look to Xion.

“In my eyes, she is my sister. She is your savior! From this day, you will treat her with the respect you give to anyone in the royal household, for she is one of us! Your lady, Xion!” I shout. Cheers from the crowd erupt as they begin chanting her name.

I look at Xion and she’s watching me with wide eyes and a shocked expression.

“What’s this?” She murmurs.

“Something long overdue,” I say. I turn back to the people holding my hands up to silence them.

“As most of you know, the day of this attack was on the royal wedding,” I say.

“A wedding that never should have taken place.” Murmurs erupt but I silence them.

“While in my life, I have seen planets from beyond. And from one of the planets, I found my mate. My love… my world.” I say. I look back out over everyone.

“Your future queen. And those people have stolen her away! Taken her in hopes of using her against me. Against us! Well, I say no!” I shout.

“I will find them, and I will end each and every one of those retches! I will protect this realm with my life, and I will bring back your queen!” I shout. The crowd erupts in cheer.

“No mercy!” I shout I hold my hand in the air. “No mercy!”

The crowd begins shouting back to me, chanting.

“No mercy! No mercy! No mercy!”

“We have been wronged, our kindness has been taken advantage of! We will not stand for this kind of betrayal! We are celestivine! We will burn a hole so deep into anyone’s memories of the consequence of crossing us!”

“Yeaahhhhhhh!” The cries are even louder. I can feel the energy flowing through every living being here. I hold my hands out on either side, letting the flow wash over me from my spine to my fingertips. It feels amazing.

This is what I am. Who I am. I am a conqueror. I am a King. And I am ready to take back what is mine.

~

Iris

The trees are beautiful. It’s as if I can see the life running through them. My gaze focuses on the little sliver of light as it travels up through the leaves and back to the trunk of the tree.

“Iris.” I look up and see Braith coming towards me. He has a soft smile on his face and a bowl of food. I slowly sit up watching him carefully. Ever since I found out about my pregnancy, I have been very cautious especially in setting him off. I have no idea where I am or how to leave this place.

And I have no idea if he knows or not.

I take the bowl from him and to my dismay he sits next to me.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it?” I don’t respond. I just shovel a spoonful of food stuffing it in my mouth. Once he feels I’ve had enough fresh air he’ll lock me back up. I swallow the food, looking back to the trees.

“How are your people?” I ask. I haven’t seen them since we arrived. It’s always Braith. Only Braith.

“They’re doing very well. Happy they’re finally free.” He says absentmindedly. I look at him.

“Why can’t I see them,” I say. His gaze pins me to the spot.

“Because you are a danger to them. If you’re not careful, you could kill them.” He says. I narrow my gaze but go back to my food. I’ll need all the strength I can muster to get out of here. Braith is dangerous.

Coming to terms with my pregnancy has been hard. Especially since he keeps me locked in a cage with my own thoughts for most of the day. I don’t even know how to raise a child let alone an energy-consuming being.

I need Remus now more than ever to show this child the ways of controlling itself. Will this new power inside of me be a part of it? Will it be a danger to others? My brain hurts just thinking about all of the possibilities. I know if Remus was here he’d have a solution. He’d know what to do. He’d calm me down and make sure that everything was alright. He’d have a plan.

But now, I’m with a child whose father I killed. I can’t control myself, or my power, and I can’t even begin to teach this kid how to live. I remember Remus telling me everything he had to go through growing up just to be able to control his power like he does. I don’t know where I would begin. Maybe if I escape I can somehow find a way to get back to Remus’ home. One of them would take the child in. I couldn’t imagine what Braith would do with the child.

Thinking of all of this makes my head hurt.

I finish the bowl and stand. Braith looks at me.

“Are you ready to resume training?” He asks. I narrow my gaze.

“For what, Braith? All the training you have taught me is for fighting, not controlling my power like you say I should be able to.” I say. He glares at me. Really glares. He finally stands, looking me in my eyes. He steps closer to me, making me nervous.

“Do you think Remus’ family will stand idly by? We killed him and his brother along with people. One day they will come for us, and when that day comes you must be ready.” He says. I keep his gaze as long as I can, and he steps back from me.

I feel it before I see it.

Braith blasts me with his full power and I have no time to block it. I cry out in pain as I’m thrown from my feet.