Chapter 14 - The Unbearable Truth (1/2)

Solskin

I stopped training and headed towards the inn after a while. I really needed to sleep. Sweat covered my face, blurring my vision. Wiping it away, I stumbled back, not really seeing anything in front of me. There was a splash and warm liquid trickled down my leg. I stopped, bringing up my sleeve to wipe of the last bit of sweat off my eyes. The sight was horrendous. The dirt was stained red. It was fresh, still spreading out, soaking the earth. There was so much blood. Too much. A coffee mug lay nearby. A horrible thought flashed through my mind. ”In the name of Odin, no. Please don't let it be

true!”

I collapsed to the ground, shocked, my thoughts racing. Persephone rushed out, hearing my cry. I didn't care. Mordred couldn't be dead, right? He knew magic, he was powerful. He couldn't be dead. The more I thought, the more I despaired. Mordred was dead. He was dead. Gone. I sat, crying, my tears dripping into the blood. The blood soaked into my sleeves and pants. I didn't care. It was my fault. I couldn't protect him.

”He… I'm sorry.” Persephone said, her voice was solemn. She knew. Her connection with death gave her a definitive answer. But I didn't hear her, I didn't hear anything, I was too lost in my thoughts. How could I have missed it? I was right there. Right there. 10 years and still powerless. Useless.

Utterly useless. What did I do wrong? Why was I so helpless? My powers were nothing. I was nothing.

Persephone

Blood was everywhere. He was dead. I knew that. I didn't even need to bring out my pocket watch to check. He was dead because of my curse. I shouldn't have gotten close to him. Death was irreversible. So why was I glaring at the clock's hands, willing them to change?

I knelt next to Solskin in the blood. Placing my hand on his shoulder, I looked at the watch again. Midnight. The final hour. I stood up. Pressing the pocket watch to my ċhėst, I prayed.

”Oh, Lord Hermes, your feet are swift and domain vast. I ask thee to arrive swiftly and guide this soul to the River Styx and to Charon.”

I took a long breath. Continuing, ”Hades, your judgement is swift and just. This is a worthy soul. Worthy of the joys of Elysium. Spare him from the Forgotten Fields. Protect him from the fires of punishment. Be proud of this soul.”

I dropped a coin to the floor. It splashed into the pool of blood. Drops of blood covered it, giving it a sinister appearance.

”That's odd. The coin should have passed through the ground.” I stood up, wiping the blood off the coin. I checked for scratches and dents. I found nothing. It was a pure, perfect, smooth gold coin.

”Why won't Charon accept this?” I mused aloud. ”The fare is a gold coin.”

I tried many more times, dropping the coin over and over. Nothing, it didn't pass through. I grew more worried with every passing attempt.

”Charon! Answer me! Is Mordred damned to wander endlessly?”

I received no answer. I touched blood with my hand, searching for his presence. I found Mordred. He sat on the banks of Styx. I saw Charon leaning over him, pulling at his hand. He wouldn't budge. The souls on the boat began to wail. Charon sighed, rubbing his fiery beard.

”I am sorry, but you are stuck here. There is not much I can do.”

He let go, and instantly, Mordred's soul was wrapped in black shadows. Charon stepped onto the boat, and without another word, sailed away.

I opened my eyes. Something was wrong with Mordred's soul. I ambled my way back to the inn. Solskin refused to leave.

After a while, during the night, I realized Xavier never came out of his room. I cursed him for not caring. I cursed him for not comforting Solskin, who locked himself in his room.