•PHAELIN•
THE DAY BEFORE THE DESTINED ENCOUNTER
I took small steps as I wandered in the ruins of an ancient temple. The place was familiar. The soothing breeze made me halt. “Phaelin…” A voice once again. I turned my back to see who it was. Then, I saw a stern and unyielding man walking towards me.
Lothaire.
He was holding his helmet and his onyx-colored cape danced with the wind. The rhythm and weight of his footsteps matches with the beat I feel on my chest. I met his calm gaze. “Why am I here?” I asked.
He stopped and stood in front of me. He replied, “You do not have to know.”
“Why are we here?” I asked once again, emphasizing the first word. Every graceful blink of his eyelashes makes me want to be drowned in his profound, eerily serene eyes. Always a relentlessly cold combination of azure and ash.
He gave me a deep sigh and smiled, “You would not understand and the Weavers would not let me declare it.”
“Weavers?” I countered whilst my eyebrows met. I was certain that I had heard that term before. I tried to think. His smile disappeared.
He avoided my question and said, “There is nothing to be afraid of.”
“I am not afraid, Lothaire” I answered. The way he acted brought confusion to my thoughts.
“Keep in mind at each moment that I will bring you no harm,” he said whilst staring deeply into my eyes.
“I never doubted you, but I do not understand” I said in response.
He breathed and paused before answering, “I need you to trust me.”
His eyes were pleading—communicating something that his lips cannot deliver. “I want to trust you…” I replied in a breaking voice. He let out a painful sigh sounding like a solemn sob.
His expression squeezed my chest with enough pressure. “I will leave now,” he mumbled in an audible tone.
He turned his back and I felt a sharp sting inside me. I reached out for his cape. “Lothaire…” I uttered.
He looked back at me and replied, “All is well, little flower.”
I let go of the cloth as I ran out of words. I stared at him as he headed towards the darkening distance.
Daylight hit the side of my face as I gained consciousness. The bell was ringing outside and a person was calling. “Mail for Phaelin!” he shouted. I swiftly stood up and went downstairs. The door revealed the mailman and it was from my mother. She wrote a letter stating that they would not be able to arrive tomorrow as their flight arrived later than what they expected. She did, however, pledge to come home with my cousin Brilo and throw another celebration.
Galikore and Froyo Dominicus are my foster parents. My mother is the one I am closest to. She has a kind and gentle soul. I remembered the day when I asked her about how I became a member of the family. She stated she found my being in a basket in an afternoon of spring. She said that she was the one who named my being Phaelin. They are the most wonderful parents I have ever known. They have loved me like I was their own. I could not ask for more.
Yet, there are times that I question my existence. Blame me not for I was a child who never knew where she came from. I question my purpose. I wanted to know why I was left alone in a basket. I sought to know who I truly am. I always felt like a piece—one that would complete a puzzle.
•⚘⚔⚘ •
Lothaire's Demesne
Underworld Realm
Great Hall of the Palace
•LOTHAIRE•
The arrival of my betrothed will be tomorrow. I went out of my chamber to appraisingly look at the groundwork of the palace. I strolled along the great hall. Everyone was bustling around—greeting as I passed by. I glanced at the previously decorated walls that reminded of the past and the wars I have been through.
The ornate windows are scattered generously in seemingly perfect symmetry. Without knowing its history, anyone would be fooled if this lair of mine is newly built or a well-kept one. The place is filled with pure gold, silver, glittering black obsidian, and marble portico.
I saw my reflection on one of the pillars—a mirror image of a god who has all the wealth but not all the warmth he can get. I know the truth will jolt her—may bring either amusement or disappointment. There is no assurance that after I tell her I am the God of the Underworld; she will still agree to be with me.
However, there is no harm in trying.
“Your majesty,” Azael appeared in front of me and bowed.
I gave him a nod and he rose.
“I have called the chefs—Bartolomeo Scappi and Cristoforo Di Messisbugo—to help with our cooking. They are currently in the kitchen and they want to be acquainted with your opinion about what to serve in the main dish. They do not have any idea on what entrée will fit the queen’s taste,” he uttered.
I bid their souls to come. They were recommended by Daciana, my sister who is the goddess of Hearth.
“We cannot foresee her desire for food. Bring her all that they can prepare but tell them to be ready if she will ask something to eat particularly,” I answered.
Azael nodded in concord.
“Indeed, your highness,” he replied. He bowed once again and left. I continued walking.
The orchard of pomegranate trees, hemlocks, lilies, and red poppies can be seen outside by standing at the entry hall. They were vibrant and splendid, making my being remember Phaelin’s grace and beauty.
Mortal Realm City of Lucien Phaelin’s House •PHAELIN• Their song hummed inside my head. Guests circled around my being as I was about to make a wish. However, there was oddity in everything. My whole existence could sense a thing. I deeply tried to ignore it, but I could not. Slowly, their voices faded in my ears. I can only hear the beat inside my chest and the way I breathe. “I wish to know my true purpose—to successfully find the answers I am seeking. I wish to know who I truly am,” I uttered inside my head and gently opened my eyes. The indistinct sounds went clear. I looked at everybody. At that moment, I blew the candle. A strong wind passed by for a second and it made everyone halt. Its coldness brought shivers to our spine. Some of the glasses fell from the tables. The hanging decorations moved. The silence was quite deafening. “The weather was fair earlier,” Marquis wondered. I was still staring at th
Underworld realmLothaire’s DemesnePalace •PHAELIN• The scent of Earth and sweet-smelling fruits lingered on my nose. As I slowly regained consciousness in the arms of a being wearing a recognizable helmet, I could hear a symphony of distinct voices. I gently opened my eyes and tried to focus on what was occurring. As he took large steps, he took big breaths. He grasps me in his embrace like a bride being carried by her groom. I carefully observed where we were heading, keenly not making movements. The voices were still singing like an orchestra, bringing pleasure to my ears. He took steps on the stairs before finally stopping in front of a massive entrance. It was filled with ornate patterns of metals and gems. The doors opened by themselves. A group of people stood before us and greeted in unison, “Welcome to the Palace!” they exclaimed. All of them bowed in harmony. I tried to be steady as confusion filled my thoughts. I failed to remember a single thing about a palace nor pl
Underworld RealmLothaire's DemesneThrone Room•LOTHAIRE• In the realm of the living, it was already dawn. Phaelin remained dormant in her chamber. I sat on my throne, smiling, recalling the events of the previous night. The supper we had seemed like a reunion for both of us. Her presence made me feel at ease. The dinner was a lengthy discussion and explanation. However, I would take some time and wait patiently. I understand she is still perplexed by the events. Mortals are delicate beings, and I cannot predict her since she is one. Everything should be taken slowly and carefully. I cannot afford to lose a thing too precious. I recalled our exchange of words as I escorted her back to her chamber to rest. “Thank you…” she mouthed as I opened the door for her. The dinn
Underworld Realm Lothaire's Palace Library •LOTHAIRE• Waiting feels like an eternity. I could not hold my fire. She did not open her door, nor did she want anything from the servants. Hence, I left a scroll containing the message that if she ever wishes to hear enlightenment on what she saw, I will be anticipating her in the palace’s library. The possibility for her not to appear pricks every vein I have in my body. However, what I need is optimism. I stared at the shelf full of books. I knew the hard bounds will enthrall her so I brought her here. I patiently sat and gazed at the surroundings. After a few minutes of ever and a day, I heard slow footsteps from the hallway and it brought a tremor to my core. She might be furious or she might be utter her desire to leave. I am afraid of where our discourse will lead both of us, above all. Within a second, the door opened, revealing a breathtaking beauty. Phaelin walked towards my direction—every step rhythmic
Underworld RealmLothaire’s DemesnePalace Grounds•PHAELIN• “Where are we heading?” I asked Lothaire. Eikesier led our path—walking in front of us. The underworld lynx held the resemblance of a lion. Its fur, however, appeared dark as the night. Eikesier, Lothaire implied, was the feline visiting in the upper world. He appears little to lessen the suspicion of the mortals. “We are going to the stables,” Lothaire spoke as we arrived at the stalls, “I am going to get a chariot.” The animals' majesty rendered my being speechless. I never knew there were horses here in the underworld—soul horses. Lothaire stated that when horses die in the land of the living, their spirits go down here in their realm. They will have wi
Underworld RealmLothaire's DemesneBaharan Meadows•PHAELIN• Cold wind touched the side of my cheek and the tip of my nose froze as we reached the steel gates of Baharan. I shivered as we stepped out of the chariot. The walls were immense, dark, and made of humus. "Wear this, my lady," Lothaire uttered, handing his cape. He settled the pegasus at the side. "How about you?" I asked in return, concerned due to his gesture. "I will be fine,” he answered, “I am used to it.” The silence was deafening. He waved his hand and the gates opened in his command. Darkness surrounds us but the path was still visible. We walked inside an
Land of the LivingCity of LucienDelphine Park•LOTHAIRE• I wore the helm of invisibility as I strolled around to find my betrothed. Azael and the servants greeted my being with a horrified expression stating Phaelin was nowhere to be found when I left. The gods of the underworld did not even notice her disappearance. Thanatos, guarding the gates with Eikesier, gave a word that the entrance on the Cape Matapan which redirects to the Village of Vathia was opened when they looked. It must have been where she exited. As much as my entirety wanted to set everything ablaze to what was occurring, I set it aside to find her first. It is not a pleasant time for her to be here—above our dominion—in the eyes of the enemies.“Scatter,” I uttered as the warriors of the underworld shifted as shadows and traveled. There is a certain place where she might go—their home—the last place she set foot in before she was taken.I went straight to it, cautious not to be noticed, while m
Underworld Realm Lothaire's Demesne Palace •LOTHAIRE• Fear. It embodied my entirety as we entered the gates of the palace. It felt as if I was falling apart. The servants were in hysterical endeavors upon seeing my bride. I gripped her tightly in my arms—her body becoming stiff and cold with every minute that passes. If she was a goddess, pulling the arrow from her chest would save her. Unfortunately, she is not. The rhythm of my footsteps, as I walk briskly, matches the way she breathes. Helplessly panting. Gasping for air. As we entered my chamber, I immediately laid her down. I held her hand saying, “Hold on.” Denali—also the god of healing and protection of the young—ordered the servants to get herbs and remedies. I believe that Solum already heard about what happened as Naeitha swiftly entered my room. She rushed beside my betrothed. It did not take a while before the Weavers of Destiny came. “We need to pull the arrow