As I left my daughters room the personal unit led by Alphonso saluted and went back to their duties as I walked to my throne room, my seat of power.
I thought about what she said, over and over in my head. My anger diffused when I saw my daughter like that earlier. But now? But now, I am fuming yet again. "Fucking pigs" I growled as I continued to walk through the hallways, passing staff as they seemed to nearly pass out from fear when they saw my current state.
I continued to go over the new information, red robes, signature colours of the Vaelgrim family, the same family of Aurora's mother. The flame like emblem confirms that. Only they sport that emblem. Why? Why would they do it?
Did they really hate the fact she was with me? That they couldn't control her anymore? Or the fact she refused to go back after leaving me and chose her own path in life? And because she left me, she lost my protection, thus leading them to go after her, especially after her choosing not to go back.
I sighed, continuing to walk steadily, keeping my face neutral as I walked, even with the turmoil within my mind. I'm guessing if one got away they knew about my daughter but probably couldn't track her because of ending up in that orphanage. It was a harrowing experience for her, but maybe a blessing in disguise?
Maybe fate is on my side after all.
I arrive at the entrance of my throne room and enter through the massive double doors. Then, I walk to the base of my throne and stop. I look at the throne thinking to myself, was it all worth it for this?
I thought I never needed people, well people in the emotional sense. No one was ever there for me in my early life, I fought to get to where I am today and keeping myself closed off emotionally was one of the ways to do that.
However, her, that damn woman somehow broke her way into my heart and those years opened me up to emotional connection again, however, I could still not give up on my path, and that ended up pushing her away. Maybe If I didn't, maybe if I changed, perhaps....
I then here someone appear behind me, I know its Diablo. He then speaks "I have done as ordered, the people know, they are in a buzz right now. Its is quite funny, how mortals behave. I also fulfilled your other requests."
As he said this, I replied still staring at my throne "Good job, now I have some information about the ones behind Aurora's situation. Mobilise the Shadows and ensure the information is accurate.
Apparently, the attackers wore red robes and had a flame emblem." As I said this, I could feel the shock from Diablo, even though I wasn't looking at him. He then quickly composed himself before replying "So the Vaelgrim's? I did not see that coming."
I nod then reply "Indeed. If it is them, then I will burn their whole fucking family to the ground" As my aura releases a pressure that shakes the room and causes even more cracks to run along the walls.
....
Diablo visibly pales at this but, instead of fear he feels awe. And thinks to himself 'yes finally! Some blood! hahaha! Also, I kind of want to get payback for that woman. She was different indeed. Well, just getting this ice monsters heart to heat up a bit already makes her incredible, and it seems her daughter picked up that specific skill.'
....
I then turn to Diablo "Get to it, Diablo. I want this done a quick a possible." Diablo then nods and bows slightly before disappearing from my sight.
I look back at my throne and climb the steps. They feel steeper than they ever had in years, I reach the top and sit down. As I do, I remember a certain memory that I have tried to bury, but is now haunting me more than ever.
....
6 years ago - Throne Room.
In a lavish room fit for an emperor, where a golden throne with engravings and polished steps leading up to it, with pillars lining the walkway to that throne and floor to ceiling glass windows where one can oversee what seems to be a half built city - where people are moving like ants.
A man can be seen standing there, the picture of authority and aggressive grace, sipping on an expensive drink. Watching the people moving magi-tech machinery around and constructing what is now taking the shape of what will be a huge, circular, mega city.
Suddenly, the massive double doors open and in walks a woman of average height, but that is the only thing average about her, as pure white hair falls down her back in elegant waves, and her red eyes that should be fierce are filled with a calm and almost serene stillness - a paradox. She is wearing a lavish silken gown that matches her hair in colour, and jewellery that sparkles in the light of the room. Her soft features catch the natural light as she notices the man and approaches.
When she does she says "Watching your power increase further? Because being a Great Mage is not enough, now you want a piece of the world." The man seems unbothered by her provocation, however, if one is to look close enough you can see his hand tighten around the goblet.
He turns slightly and says "Elenora, do we have to have this discussion again? You know my path, my wants and desires. You also know my ambition, this is my fate. So, why the constant pushback when I reach out with both hands for it? You chose to pursue me, to be with me and I did something I thought I never would, let someone get close. Now seven years later, now you find fault with me. Why?!" The man, Kyros, slightly raises his voice at the end as he finishes his thoughts.
The woman, Elenora, however, seems unbothered by this, and instead of provoking him further reaches out and holds his graceful, pale hand that is gripped around the goblet. "Because after being with you for so long, I know this path is destroying you from the inside out. Even if you don't know it yet. How many more times do I have to beg, love. Please listen to me!"
Kyros, shakes his head as he turns away, breaking from her hold as he looks out of the windows. The he points at the city-in-waiting and states "That, is power. That, is legacy. That, is my future. My future power, my future goal. I have hit a bottleneck with cultivation even though I have the best talent and until I get over that, this is where I will increase my power.
You know better than anyone I do not sit still, I do not stagnate. I keep going forward, it is what has kept me going all these years. I allowed you into my life, because you showed me I can love, that I am not some cold, ruthless, power hungry man the world thinks I am. But I wont let you change me, because the change you want, will be the end of me." As the man says this, Elenora's eyes become vacant and tears threaten to spill out, she touches her stomach, an action that went unnoticed by the man in front of her.
She then says "Kyros, I love you more than anything, and I knew what I was getting into when I fell for you, but as those years ticked on by, and I saw the real you up close, I can now see that the way you act, the things you did to run away from your past, I can see that these things are catching up to you. How long are you going to be able to keep running? I am trying to save you, like you did me. When er got together, I was over the moon, because I had someone to rely on for the first time in my life. My family only ever saw me as a pawn. You though, you saw me as a person. Someone to love, someone to laugh with and someone to share life with. However, you, still after all these years, cannot let go of your obsessions for power. Why? Why after everything we have been through. Why, after finally letting someone in your heart can you not let go?!"
Kyros kept staring ahead as he answered with restrained venom, "Elenora, even after the way your family treated you, you still act like you are in rainbow land. The world is a disgusting, cruel, dangerous place. Filled with equally disgusting people, nobles fattening themselves up, getting richer and more powerful as the commoners and weak suffer. The mages sacrificing anything and everything to get more resources, more power. Some powerful enough wipe kingdoms out for it. This is our world, this is my first hand experience, I can not allow myself to be at the mercy of others ever again. I cannot."
After a quiet moment, Elenora said, though strained "Very well, if this is the path you chose I will accept it, however, I will not stay around just to see you self cannibalise yourself. Not any more." She then sniffs as she tries to further hold back the tears. "Goodbye, Kyros." Then turns on her heel and strides out of the hall.
As Kyros stood there looking out of the windows, and hearing the doors close shut with a bang like a silent executioner, he stayed there locked in place, stunned. 'She left me?' he thought, then out of nowhere the glass in all the windows shattered.
BANG!"FUCK!" He screams as his aura flares around him.
He quickly reigns himself in, before thinking 'fine leave if that's what you want, I do not need anyone, I was fine before you came and I will be fine in the future too. Fucking idealistic woman'