บท 25: The King's Coven
Thirstenpale Coven
City of Misor
Blood scattered on the ground.
The scent of dried blood wafted in the air, so strong that the wind carried it through the whole city.
Thirstenpale Coven, nestled in the heart of the mysterious City of Misor, was known for being hidden. Rumors say it's a place of ancient families with a glorious ambiance.
A torrential downpour battered the place on this particular night, casting an even darker pall over the hidden city. While most creatures of the night sought refuge from the relentless rain, it was a night unlike any other, for the residents of the coven were under strict orders from their king to remain indoors.
Inside the coven's ancient and grandiose castle, an eerie silence reigned, broken only by the rhythmic patter of raindrops against the windows. The atmosphere was charged with an alarming tension as if the very air held its breath.
Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed through the otherwise quiet halls, sending shivers down the spines of those who heard it.
The castle's antique chandelier swayed ominously, casting a dim and flickering light while candle lights danced wildly on the walls. Strangely, there was no wind, and every window was tightly sealed, leaving no logical explanation for the disturbance.
"Caspher!" A desperate cry pierced the silence, rousing the sleeping king from his slumber. He shot up in bed, heart pounding in his chest, and his eyes widened with disbelief.
"Soulenne! My wife, you've returned!" Caspher exclaimed, a mixture of relief and disbelief in his voice. He rushed to embrace his wife, tears welling up in his eyes as he held her tightly.
"My wife, you've been gone for so long," Caspher murmured, his voice trembling with emotion. "I couldn't bear the thought of losing you."
Soulenne returned her husband's embrace, her own eyes glistening with tears. "I'm sorry for making you wait, my love," she whispered, her voice heavy with regret. "But I had no choice."
Caspher's hands shook as he clung to his wife, his fear for her wellbeing evident. "Your life force is nearly depleted," he said with concern. "I can't bear the thought of losing you, my love. You can't sacrifice yourself! I'm afraid I have to disagree!"
"But they are your daughters too," Soulenne reminded him, her voice filled with anguish.
Caspher nodded, his eyes filled with pain. "I know," he admitted. "But you can't solve the prophecy alone. They are our daughters, and it pains me as much as it does you. But losing you would be a fate worse than any other."
"It's all my fault," Soulenne whispered, her voice breaking as she blamed herself for the troubles foretold in the prophecy, a prophecy that spoke of two sisters who would bring both salvation and destruction to the supernatural world.
Soulenne took the cup of milk from Caspher with a grateful smile. As she sipped the warm liquid, memories of their past flooded back.
Long ago, their marriage had been seen as a defiance of destiny itself. Two powerful and antagonistic races, vampires and werewolves, ruled over neighboring kingdoms.
It was at the Mating Ball, a grand event where supernatural beings sought their destined mates, that the youngest vampire prince, Caspher, had accidentally chosen the werewolf princess, Soulenne, as his mate.
What had initially seemed like an accident had transformed into a forbidden love, defying the enmity between their kind. Yet, as in the most enchanting of fairytales, their love against all odds ultimately led to happiness.
Their union had been hailed as a symbol of peace, and the threat of war between the Vampire kingdom and the Werewolf kingdom had dissipated.
Caspher and Soulenne had married and lived in bliss. However, a union between two races known for their rivalry made it challenging for them to conceive a child. Despite their earnest efforts, they had remained childless, their despair mounting.
Their prayers were answered by the goddess of childbearing, Asurianne. Under the deity's guidance, Soulenne had become pregnant, and the birth of twin daughters had filled their kingdoms with joy.
But this happiness was short-lived.
It was discovered that the goddess herself was heartbroken, as the supernatural being she had loved most had betrayed her and stolen her powers. Seeking vengeance, Asurianne transformed into a demon by marrying the demon lord, Shilirah.
In a cruel twist of fate, the goddess had cursed all the supernatural couples she had aided in childbearing.
Their offspring would be born as half-demons, bringing either disaster to their families or facing an early demise. When Soulenne and Caspher's daughters were born, they were plagued by fear, but their accumulated merits from aiding the kingdoms had mitigated the curse's effects.
As Soulenne wiped away her tears, she turned to Caspher with a desperate plea. "Husband, promise me one thing."
Caspher gazed at her, and concern etched in his features. "What is it, my love?"
"Do not allow Seraphyne to return," Soulenne implored, her eyes filled with fear.
Caspher hesitated, torn between his love for his wife and his sense of duty as a father. "But, my love, the child will be in grave danger if she remains outside!"
"No matter the danger! She cannot return! If she does, the demons will descend upon us, and they will not hesitate to take her life."
Caspher's brow furrowed as he struggled to understand. "My wife, you erased her memories the day you sent her away. You fragmented her soul into three parts and sent them through portals leading to unknown destinations. You made these decisions without my knowledge. Do you truly wish to conceal her from us forever? To erase her memory of us?"
"You must understand why we cannot even reveal ourselves to her," Soulenne sobbed, unable to bring herself to speak her older daughter's name.
Caspher sighed heavily. He gently wiped away Soulenne's tears and held her close. "My love, I understand your fears, but we cannot keep Seraphyne hidden forever. She deserves to know her true identity and her family."
Soulenne trembled in his embrace, "Ce-Cele-" Soulenne breathed deeply, "The oldest girl, she will stop at nothing to destroy Seraphyne. Her hatred for our kind is boundless, and Seraphyne's existence is a threat to her."
Caspher stroked his wife's hair soothingly. "I know the danger is real, but our daughter is strong. We must believe in her. We've kept her hidden for so long, but we cannot deprive her of the truth any longer. It's time for Seraphyne to come home."
Soulenne nodded reluctantly, her heart heavy with the knowledge that they were embarking on a difficult path. "Very well, husband. But we must prepare her. She must know the truth about her heritage and the danger she will face. Yet time's not right!"
Caspher agreed, "We will tell her everything, and we will do our best to protect her. No matter what challenges lie ahead, we will face them as a family."
As they clung to each other in the dimly lit room, the weight of their shared secret pressed upon them heavily. The fate of Seraphyne, their beloved daughter, hung in the balance, and the older daughter, Celestine, with deep vengeance, loomed on the horizon.
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