Chapter 38.

Franklin's POV

FOUR YEARS AGO…

“Orion?” My father called me in the name only my mother used, knocking on my door.

“Father?” I responded, not feeling very comfortable with it.

“Can I come in?” He asked, and the nervousness in his voice baffled me.

“Yeah, sure.” I shrugged, and he walked in calmly. He was fiddling with his hands, and I could see that something was up with him.

“Is anything wrong with mom?” I asked, feeling my chest heave.

“No, she's fine at the moment.” He said, and I could breathe properly. “Although, it might not be like that for a while.”

“Huh? What do you mean?” I asked. He leaned on a table in my room and stared at me, clearly having difficulty articulating his thoughts.

“Have you read the book of beasts? Or the curse of beasts?” Jon asked, and I nodded.

“What does anything have to do with that?” I asked, sure that he wasn't just trying to cite an example from in there.

“There's a curse on this family placed on us by the North.” Jon said, and my heart began to thump aggressively. I could already see the trajectory of the conversation. “And it only comes once in a thousand years.”

“Where's this going father?” I asked, wanting this conversation to be over once and for all.

“A son in the family must bear the burdens, or everyone including him in the family will die.” He said.

“Is that why mom is sick?” I asked, shaking my head in disbelief.

Jon nodded calmly, lowering his head. I saw a drop of water fall from his eyes.

“I hate to ask this of you, but it's a very tough ask.” Jon breathed really hard. “It'll last for five years, and you would die in the fifth year, or we will all die.”

I could not believe my ears. I could not believe that he was actually asking me to become a beast. Why would he even think of asking me that?

“I've already built a house in the forest for you just in case you decide to accept it.” Jon said. “I'll visit with your mom every year.”

“If you don't accept it,” Jon sighed, “we will all die, and the family's bloodline would cease to exist.”

This was a very difficult choice. He was making me choose between saving my mother and everyone else, and living for myself.

The noble choice was clear, but I don't want to.

“You have enough time to think about it, but not too much time.” Jon said. “The clock is ticking, and lives are on the line.”

He was about leaving when I called him back.

“Is there no other way?” I asked, and he slowly turned to look at me with tears in his eyes.

“I checked for every other way firstly before I came to you with this.” He muttered, shaking visibly. “I can't imagine losing my only son to such evil.”

“I asked to take it upon myself, but it couldn't be me.” Jon sighed.

“Can I say my goodbyes at least?” I asked, and he nodded.

“No one must know what your purpose in the woods is.” He said. “Everyone must think you died a natural death, else the curse would loom.”

“Why can't it be any other way?” I asked, still taking the whole situation in. I wasn't sure how to feel, but my heart just kept thumping. A part of me hoped that he'd laugh at me and call it a prank, but he was looking very serious.

My mother was also very sick, and I could see the curse taking effect already. My death is the key to saving everyone especially my mother.

I guess it's just my turn to be part of something unfortunate. Hopefully, after five years of probable suffering, I might reincarnate and live a more peaceful life.

My three sisters walked in after Jon left my room. They sat around me, all happy and bright.

“So, I have good news for you.” Aziel said, clapping her hands and squealing.

“I'm listening .” I chuckled, trying to be normal, although nothing was.

“So, you remember Therion?” She asked.

“The boy in city?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Your sister thinks she's in love with him.” Paenyrah, my second sister, mocked.

“And we're just telling her how impossible it is.” Jane, the last daughter whispered.

“This is what happened, I…”

She kept talking, and seeing them all happy and excited made me realize the several things I'd do to keep them alive.

Maybe there's dignity in becoming accursed if it saves my family. I can't let anything happen to them. My mind was no longer conflicted. I was ready to do anything to save them. And seeing them was the last nail on the coffin.

***

“I checked on my mother one last time, but she couldn't even speak to me. I went into the forest.” I shrugged. “I shifted almost immediately into this.”

I was barely holding on to my consciousness. Scarlett stared at me with her beautiful eyes. I could see my eyes through a mirror at the far end of the room, and they were almost completely red, meaning I was close to losing my consciousness.

“I've spent four years, and I have one more year till I'm rid of this evil.” I growled. “I definitely wasted your time, and I'm very sorry about that.”

“I got so carried away that I forgot that I'd be dying.” I sighed. “Live a good life with whatever boy that comes your way, and defy your parents as long as it brings you peace.”

“Franklin, I'm so sorry.” She muttered, coming close to me. “I didn't know it was this bad.”

“Scarlett, it's all good, but please leave now!” I begged with every sense of urgency.

“Franklin, I promise to find a way out of this for you and your family.” Scarlett assured me.

“How will you do that if I've already ripped you apart?!” I yelled, hoping that something would work in chasing her away from me, but it all seemed to make her more resolute in staying behind.

I watched my eyes completely turn red before she ran out. I was now aggressively trying to break free. The fight between my consciousness, and whatever wanted to take over just because it was a full moon was quite strong.

I wasn't going to let him take over yet when I knew that Scarlett was somewhere close.

The battle inside me got tougher, and he was sniffing the life inside me out. I was barely holding on to a thread of myself.

“Argh!!” I screamed, losing the battle as it snuff life out of me.

I knew I had wriggled free of the chains I used to hold myself bound.

And Scarlett's life is now in the hands of The Goddess.

I only now hope that goddesses protect each other.