28 The Aftermath (1/2)

Persephone

Those yellow flecked eyes stared right at me, calculating. He scanned me quickly, his eyes resting on my hand that gripped my scythe. He was looking at me like a foe, someone who was to be killed. I repeated my question, forcefully.

”Why. Did. You. Do. That?” My voice was pointed. The change in Xavier was too unsettling.

At this point, Solskin barreled out of the other room. He locked eyes with Xavier, a sense of happiness creeping over his face. Then he saw the body. Blood was already pooling beneath Xavier's feet. Solskin's eyes met Xavier's once more, widened with shock.

Xavier remained silent, staring blankly at us.

”I followed her here.” With a slash, he cut away the back of her uniform, revealing a large black tattoo in the shape of a skull.

I glanced at it quickly. I could see the resemblance to the crown tattoo. ”Three Kings?”

Xavier didn't respond, instead turning to enter his room. When he left, the tattoo began to pulsate with blue energy and the body dissolved away, leaving nothing behind. I was unnerved, not from the body, but by Xavier.

Solskin

I stared at the retreating form of Xavier. There was so much I wanted to talk about with him. I wanted to lean on him, to depend on him. But I was hesitant. I sensed an irreversible change within him. He felt evil. He felt like the villain behind every story. I looked at Persephone. ”He's still is Xavier, right?” The uncertainty was practically dripping out of my voice.

Persephone stared back, her eyes clouded with deep thought. ”I don't know.” She went to the door, closing it slowly. I heard the loud click of a lock. She turned around and sighed. ”He has changed.”

I didn't speak for a long time. I felt so conflicted. I felt like I should be fighting Xavier, but I still wanted to look up to him. ”Já.” That was the best reply I could manage. I headed back into my room, still trying to process what had happened. The world felt like it was collapsing under me.

Persephone

Solskin left to his room. I slipped back out in the hall after unlocking the door. Closing it with soft click, I let loose a sigh of relief. I stared at the door, the edges of the black rot creep towards it's center, retreating until it completely disappeared, leaving behind a plain wooden door. The tips of my fingers were still skeletal and my arm tingled with a hot sensation.

”Not as bad as last time,” I murmured to myself. After a few unfortunate brushes with Solskin, I was growing accustomed to the pain. I began to expect that tearing sensation at any moment of my life. Somehow, it made the pain more manageable. With a shake of my head, I cleared away the useless thoughts and returned to my room. I slumped against the door, my head banging against it with frustration.

I am cursed. Thanatos said there would be a price. I am tainted. Tainted by the destruction of the natural order. I felt pressure build up around me. The problems of the world crashed down on me.