Capítulo 5: The Darkness that has Already Been Embraced
Will observed the door to his metaphorical cage open with a heavy groan as a very familiar man walked into the clean but lackluster prison cell. The man had ocean blue hair and a dark complexion filled with hesitation and remorse. The man slowly came before the shackled Will and sat together with him on the floor. And then, Will saw his father apologize. "I am sorry, my son, for being unable to act as a proper father."
Will considered the words he could say in response and chose the ones that would most likely be appropriate. "You have done the best you could, father."
The King of Maraire placed his pale face into his two hands. "I truly am sorry."
"I understand, father. I understand."
However, it was as if the king could not bear to listen to the emotionless words of his son as he ignored Will's words and continued to speak. "I would've made the decision to protect you with everything I had. Anything it would cost. I would've done anything to protect you as your father."
"I know, father."
"However, as the king, I must throw away this part of me that aches to save you from these damned shackles. I must live for the people. I must act for the people.... I must sacrifice for the people."
"It always had been our duty, father."
"I see that my son is in iron shackles yet it seems as though I'm the one who is restricted. Every move I wish to take is followed by a chain that always reminds me of who I am and what I must do. However, The people of the Freolibera Coalition are willing to die for a commoner. Our people are not willing to do the same."
"They never would've fought for me," said Will indifferently. "The storm grey hair on top of my head, my lack of talent, as well as the rumors of my birth."
The king took his hands away and snarled. "You are my son and always will be. My blood runs through your veins and your mother would never commit an act of disloyalty."
Will shook his head, "It does not matter father. What we fight against isn't the truth but humanity's desire for hate. Their desire to be superior than others. To the common people, I am their scapegoat. I am the noble who is worth less than a commoner."
The king let out a croak. "But to me you are a son. Something worth incomparably more than the brightest jewel."
Will let out a smile. "Father. What I am, the role I am supposed to take is something different than yours. You are a mighty sea serpent, free to travel everywhere in the sea but nowhere beyond. I am a small rain catcher meant to collect water for the common folk. If you are the people's ruler, then I am a tool to be used by them and discarded when broken or unnecessary."
"Necessity.... is it really necessary to sacrifice my son?" asked the king.
"Perhaps it is not necessary," said Will while closing his eyes. "But the best option. Besides, you have nothing to lose. You will only lose a talentless broken son."
"A son, nevertheless," sadly smiled the king. "A son that I am about to lose."
Will chuckled, a surprising scene to anyone other than the King and Will. "For a king feared by many to be so fearful for another.... how shocked would they be, eh?"
"A king is not one who is void of fear, but one who controls it."
"Then you must know what you must do." said Will, the smile disappearing from his face like a lie.
The two of them silently watched over each other for a long moment before the king let out a sigh. "Goodbye my son. May the goddess of the sea guide you across the ocean and into her loving embrace."
Will gave a curt nod. "May the goddess of the sea watch over our kingdom forever to come."
The king stood up from the floor and was about to leave when Will gave him one final message.
"If these words will ease your mind, then please take it to heart. I am relieved to know that my life will be ended, not by a stranger's blade, but yours."
The king paused mid way out the cell door. "...I shall take your words to heart... but it does not ease my mind by any amount at all."
As the king closed the cell door behind him, he stood still for a moment before withdrawing an empty rusty goblet and rubbed the imprint of a fountain with his thumb. After a long moment of silence, the king held out the goblet in front of him and stared at it with a soul rending pain. "I call upon the goddess of sea, Aqua, to bear witness to my oath.... That as long as my son is to die by my hands, I shall tear out this dying part of me and live for the kingdom for the rest of my time."
The goblet filled itself with water slowly to the brim and the king drank it's entire contents with no hesitation. With every gulp, the king's expression became colder and colder until no sorrow or pain could be seen anywhere on his face. He placed the goblet back from whence it came from and made his way without ever looking back.
*****
Will stared resolutely into the crowd before him without a hint of fear or emotion. The people below were silent as well, not a word could be heard being spoken.
However, Will did not mistake the silence for sadness nor respect. He knew that everything was still the same. All that had changed was that, he was now a worse than a majority of the commoners in both skill and status. A person about to be executed had no status no matter what he used to be before. None at all.
Will stared up into the sky. The peaceful blue skies and cotton like clouds stretched beyond the furthest point Will could see and brought a certain restlessness to his heart. More than anything in the world, Will wished that he could turn into a small bird and fly away to the heavens. Fly to a world where he could be free. However, Will would never be able flap his wings and soar through the heavens. He could only be a bird with broken wings and shackled legs. He would always be a rain catcher at the lowest point collecting water, cursed to observe a world of blue he could never swim in.
Will observed the crowd beneath him with indifferent eyes. He had no doubt that many of them were gleeful at his demise. He was the inferior prince, a bastard child, a small snake in a family of sea serpents.
His father came before him and drew his magnificent blue blade. Will could see no emotions within his fathers eyes but did not feel any dissapointment towards him. His father had done enough for him already.
When Will turned his head, he could see one of his younger brothers gloating at him from the side. Will remembered how they were always ashamed to call him brother.
Will turned to face forwards once more and closed his eyes. Maybe he would be finally be free after his death. Who knew what the afterlife held in store for the deceased. He might not be able to travel the skies but at least the goddess would take care of him in her embrace.
Will felt a single drop of rain fall down from the sky and gently caress his face and a smile flickered on his face before disappearing. The rain would always cry for Will whenever he felt sad. It had always been his friend since he was a babe. He could hear the faint voice of his father addressing the crowd, most likely confirming his ever so soon death, however, the faint pitter patter of rain drowned the world of all other sounds.
"Why does the rain care about you so much? Is what I asked you but now I think I understand why." whispered a voice into his ear.
Another smile flashed across Will's face. "It seems the little spirit of water has paid me a second visit."
"Our previous meeting was rather rudely interrupted."
"Indeed it was.... Have you come to keep me company til my final breath?"
"No," whispered the little spirit, "I've come to ask the boy who the rain follows so sadly if he wishes to live or not."
"My death is inevitable and necessary. There is no salvation in contemplation or answering."
"Do you wish to form a contract?"
Will let out a loud laugh, no doubt startling many observers watching from the crowd. "Will you make a contract with a dead man?"
"I will make a contract for the boy whom the rain cares for so dearly. Now I ask again.... Do you wish to live?"
"I wish to be free."
".... Understood."
Will knelt onto the floor and faced the sky with his eyes still closed. He felt the cold touch of a blade slither across his neck. He could feel the blade draw blood but he felt no pain. As a matter of fact, had been a long time since he had felt true pain.
As he waited for his fathers blade to claim his life, Will listened to the sound of the rain. Although he was unable to see for as long as he closed his eyes, he could still vividly envision the endless expanse of celestial blue and swirling grey. And as he knelt in the darkness waiting for the final heart severing pierce that would end his life, Will relaxed.
And death came to him like the darkness that he had already embraced.
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