Chapitre 18: He listens to the voices - 2

"Morpheous !!!"

Nicholas called him again and again and then lightly tapped on his shoulder.

"Huh...."

Morpheous suddenly opened his eyes like he was in some dazed state. His hazel eyes had become completely blue. Taken aback Nicholas, staggered backward.

Pointing his index finger in his direction, Nicholas said,

"Your eyes !!! Something is wrong with your eyes !!!"

Morpheous shut his eyes tight for a second and when he opened them again, the voices were gone. He shook his head again, and then looked around.

Seeing the sight in front of him, his eyes crinkled with a smile that etched on his face.

"Morpheous !!!"

She screamed and unlocking her hand which was held by Damianos, she came running towards him and hugged him tightly.

"Where did you go yesterday? Do you know how worried we were? Just now Damianos told that he saw you sleeping in the woods."

"Were you going to the woods in search of me?" asked Morpheous.

"Of course. I was scared as you always get lost without me." Then taking a step back she looked at his right arm, which was looking perfectly fine and said, "Mother and Father are really worried. Let's go. Quick." Saying that she held his hand and tried to make him stand-up while in her mind she kept thinking,

'Maybe it was all just a dream.'

'Maybe it was a way God was helping us.'

But she still had no explanation as how they landed up in the forest of the forbidden and how Morpheous's hand was burning before the village was set on fire.

Nicholas was glad to hear it as it affirmed the fact that Morpheous's family was safe from the fire. 'Looks like I am in luck,' he thought to himself.

"How do you feel Morpheous?" asked Damianos as he reached close to him.

"I feel ... I feel fine," replied Morpheous in a bit of hesitant tone seeing the smiling face of Damianos.

"Who is this man?" whispered Eva in a hush hush tone.

"Ah... He is Nicholas. He comes from the kingdom with precious herbs to provide to our Apothecary," replied Morpheous, and then he said looking at Nicholas, "This is my sister Evangeline, and he is Damianos, my Godfather."

Nicholas slightly bowed his head in front of Damianos as a mark of respect for the elderly.

"I have been sent by Master Nubeous. He personally asked me to arrange for these herbs," said Nicholas with a smile on his face, trying his best to paint a positive image of his master even though he had nothing to do with his visit.

Damianos looked into the eyes of the man for a second, as then asked,

"The fire had spread dead in the night in our village. It's quite surprising that Master Nubeous sent you so early. Looks like the news of Ambracia burning has spread faster than the real fire."

Nicholas was stunned with the remark of Damianos for a moment. "Erm... master has eyes and ears everywhere in and around the kingdom. He wishes well for his people."

But Morpheous couldn't take a single word of praise for Nubeous anymore. Turning towards Nicholas he said,

"That man has no shame and ...."

But suddenly the words got stuck in his mouth as he heard the silent voice of Damianos

"Remember my words my son - Let the voices of the soul guide you today."

Morpheous looked towards Damianos who gave him a gentle nod and then looking at Nicholas he said,

"Follow us, we will take you to our apothecary."

Saying that Damianos marched ahead and was followed by Eva, Morpheous and Nicholas.

"Brother !!! Did you get to see the face of the mystery man who saved the life of father and mother?"

"No," replied Morpheous.

"Oh... Poor guy must be hurting so bad. Mother told me that his body was on fire. He spread his arms around them and protected them without caring about himself. He must be really brave. Don't you think so brother?" Asked Eva.

"I guess. I was next to you as you had collapsed, so I couldn't see properly who he was," replied Morpheous and then asked, "Did you eat anything since morning?"

"Yes, Damianos had given us nectarines this morning. He went to the neighboring village last night and collected them this morning while coming back. It was then that he found you, but he didn't want to wake you up."

As they walked, they crossed the first house and then the second. There wasn't much left except for metal and rubble. Some people were scavenging through the dirt pile and some were so broken to see the last remains of their loved ones, that they couldn't move or speak. Tear streamed faces spoke about nothing but grief. The salt from their soul was getting poured through their eyes. The sight was earth-shattering.

Seeing the amount of devastation in front of him, Nicholas though,

'Why Balthazaar why? Why you want me to stop this good man? Why won't you let him seek revenge?'

"I cannot go further anymore," said Morpheous as he came to a sudden halt. Everything was too overwhelming for him. "I want to go to the Kingdom. I want to see him watch his people die in front of him."

Damianos looked at calmly and said,

"First think how you are going to defend the remaining. Help them stay safe. Revenge is secondary Morpheous."

"Brother !!!" said Eva and clutched his hand even tighter. She had no intention of letting his brother go to fight against the monster.

Morpheous stood there undecided, for he was unable to calm his nerves, he was unable to channel the molten lava that was burning hot inside him. And then suddenly he could hear the voices again. But this time he was prepared. Taking deep breaths he tried to decipher what the voices were trying to tell him.

"They are coming for you Morpheous !!!"

"They are coming for you."

[Author Note - Do not forget to vote for my book at the end of this chapter.]