Chapter Three

Mortal Realm

City of Lucien

Phaelin’s House

•PHAELIN•

            Their song hummed inside my head. Guests circled around my being as I was about to make a wish. However, there was oddity in everything. My whole existence could sense a thing. I deeply tried to ignore it, but I could not. Slowly, their voices faded in my ears. I can only hear the beat inside my chest and the way I breathe.

           “I wish to know my true purpose—to successfully find the answers I am seeking. I wish to know who I truly am,” I uttered inside my head and gently opened my eyes. The indistinct sounds went clear. I looked at everybody.

            At that moment, I blew the candle.

           A strong wind passed by for a second and it made everyone halt. Its coldness brought shivers to our spine. Some of the glasses fell from the tables. The hanging decorations moved. The silence was quite deafening.

           “The weather was fair earlier,” Marquis wondered.

           I was still staring at the sky and there were no nimbus clouds. “It was simply a cold wind,” I said out loud and shrugged my shoulders. I tried to assure them and they agreed. They cheered and went dancing like gypsies at ancient festivals.

•⚘⚔⚘ •

Underworld Realm

Lothaire's Demesne

Palace

•LOTHAIRE•

           I sat at my black marble throne. The rainbow beam hits the floor from the chandelier on the ceiling. Somehow, it keeps away the gloomy ambiance of the throne room. I feel a mixture of fear and excitement. My betrothed will be arriving tonight. The voices and footsteps of the servants from outside can be heard.

           Eikesier—the lynx of the underworld guarding the gates—rushed towards my direction and sat beside my foot. I ran my fingers through his black fur. I often send him to visit Phaelin in the upperworld. His eyes are mellow with a lagoon-blue sheen.

            He makes sure that no soul escapes the realm. Back from the past, he also guarded Gulya in anywhere she went. He licked my hands. As I smiled, a memory ran through my mind. 

           "You cannot just keep me down here!" Gulya said, “I want to see my mother.”

           "I am here…” I said selfishly, “I am all you have and all you need.”

           I calmly sat at my throne as she stood still in front of me.

           “You do not understand!” she argued in return, “I am needed by the mortals. I help my mother in cultivating their land, Lothaire.”

           I can feel her rage.

           “Am I not enough?” I questioned her out of impulse, “You would rather choose the mortals than staying here with your consort.”

           "I have a responsibility, Lothaire,” she replied whilst slowly losing her temper.

           I clenched my jaw and spoke, “You also have a responsibility down here. You are bound to serve the underworld. You have an obligation to this dominion.”

           Eikesier went to her and he rubbed his head to Gulya’s left hand. She did not notice as she stared intently into my eyes. “Obligation?” she interrogated furiously, “You are expecting my being to be a queen of this realm and I am doing all I am supposed to do. You should not discourse about duties. I am doing my obligations and you are just making an excuse. You are locking indeed locking my entirety in this dungeon.”

           I was out of words for her reply. I deeply sighed as she turned her back and headed straight to her chamber. I felt a piercing pain inside my chest.

           Being left alone after committing yourself to a being, certainly brings discomfort and agony. One would always want to blame themself on how undeserving they are to be loved. It was truly excruciating not to be chosen in the end.

           I gazed back at Eikesier and gave him a weak smile.

           A mass of smoke entered the throne room. It settled in the middle and gradually spun. Bit by bit, it formed three timeworn women wearing rugged cloaks—the Weavers. They are the ones who give portions of life. "King of the underworld…" they all greeted and bowed.

           I rose upright. "It is about time," Ischales, the Allotter, said. She was the one assigned for the future—holding a thread and a staff.

           “You are now honored and permitted to leave and procure your betrothed in the land of the mortals,” Britomaris, the Spinner, declared. She was assigned for the present—holding a spindle and scroll.

           “We are aware of what will happen,” Acrasia, the Inflexible, uttered. She was assigned for the past—holding a shear and the Book of Life. She cuts the thread of those who are destined to face death. “We will appear to her before you cross paths with one another. By that time, we already had a word with your fated queen. We will leave the rest to you, King of the Underworld,” she added.

           I nodded in concord. The smoke returned and wrapped all of them. It spun once again until they vanished into thin air. I immediately went to the stables of the palace and told Azael to prepare my chariot.

MOMENTS LATER

Upperworld

Land of the Mortals

           I successfully arrived in the realm of the living. “Settle down," I commanded my pegasuses. I stood still in an abandoned park.

            The Weavers gave a scroll stating, “The moon will be revealed when the cold wind has ceased. At that moment, before her, you ought to appear.”

           There was a place indicated at the end of the inscription. I gazed at the night sky with no sign of the moon. The wind blew cold as I waited.

•⚘⚔⚘ •

•PHAELIN•

           Clouds fill the night sky as I sit in front of our porch. There was no moon but only stars. I cannot stand the noise from the surrounding. Hence, I left for a while to have air. I was staring straight ahead when I noticed an elderly woman attempting to cross the street. She gave a gaze and I gave her a smile as she hardly tried to take a step. She returned the crinkle in her eyes.

            I was ready to rise up and assist her when a speeding automobile approached. It trampled on her. I stood stunned and covered my mouth as I watched the vehicle flee without even looking to see who he trod on.

            When I regained my senses, I dashed to her. She was helplessly laying on the ground, unable to even speak. I went on my knees and took her hand in mine and I could see she was in a lot of agony. I was enraged at the driver and weak for the woman. When I checked her pulse, she was still hanging on. I attempted to raise her but was unable to do so. My eyes welled up with tears. “Help! " I screamed, but no one could hear me. Not a single one of my neighbors stepped outside. It was strange.

           I yelled again to call any of my guests but I was also aware that the deafening noise was preventing them to hear. “I beg you to help!” I shouted. No one came. “Grandmother, hold on,” I said in between sobs, “I will seek for aid.” I wiped the tears from my cheek and tried to stand up.

            She grabbed my wrist and said in a breaking voice, “Stay here with me, my child.”

           “Grandmother, you—”

           “Please…” she painfully pleaded.

           “Alright,” I replied in a weak tone, “I will not leave.” The strong wind passed by once again. I did not mind because I was still sobbing and could not believe what was in front of me.

            “I have a favor,” she said in a breaking tone.

           “Anything,” I replied.

           “Can you look directly into my eyes?” she said. I nodded and wiped my tears. “Do not cry, my child. Do not cry,” she added and placed her palms on my cheek. I held it with my hand as I stared into her eyes.

            The oddity returned.

           I felt a sudden jolt as I was brought into a huge golden tapestry. I looked everywhere and I was firm. I have seen the place before. “You are looking at the grand tapestry of life…” someone spoke and I turned my back. There were three women wearing white glistening cloaks—each one of them holding two objects. One with a thread and staff. The second with a spindle and scroll. And the other with a shear and a book. I tried to take a glimpse of the inscription on the material and it read, “Book of Life.” My eyes widened. “I guess you already found out who we are,” the one in the middle spoke.

           They introduced themselves and I was still on the floor staring at the weavers of destiny. I cannot believe what was in front of my eyes.

           “I can see that you are staggered,” Britomaris said. I chuckled bitterly.

           “This is untrue. I am dreaming,” I answered, “This is how Lothaire visit.”

           “Lothaire?” Acrasia asked.

           “Yes,” I answered.

           “I see,” Ischales stated, making the two women look at each other.

           “You are not dreaming…” Britomaris added.

           Confusion filled my thoughts. “Where is the old lady?” I questioned as I remembered what happened earlier. “I was with her,” I added and stood up.

           “Fated one…” Acrasia spoke, “She was us.”

           My mouth hung open. Britomaris uttered, “You are here because it is about time for you to fulfill your purpose.” I ran out of words to say.

            “According to the prophesy, you have the mind of a goddess and the soul of a queen. We have proved that earlier and we have also watched you from the fountain of life. It may be hard to believe, but you are destined to rule a demesne,” Ischales declared.

           “What demesne?” I managed to ask, “I know you do not make mistakes for you are the Weavers but I am no queen and goddess. I am only a mortal with no royal blood. My parents are solely—”

            What I was about to say made me halt. Realization hit my entirety. “It is true that you have no royal blood,” Acrasia said whilst smiling, “You are born mortal.”

           I tried to ask again, “But you—”

           “My child, your questions are left to answer by someone you already knew. We believe that he will bring clarity to your thoughts. We are now honoring your destiny and may the forces be with you.”

           I opened my eyes and I found myself still sitting on our porch—at the position before I saw the lady. “Phaelin…” A voice called and I quickly stood up.

           It was Harrison. I looked at him. “Have some,” he said, and handed a drink.

           “Harrison, are you alright?” I asked, “Is there anything you need?”

           “You should simply try it,” he said, referring to what I am holding in my hand.

            I tittered before I took a sip. “In celebration to my coming of age,” I said as our glasses clinked.

           “Since you are here, I want to show you a thing. It is simply five blocks away from this point,” he pointed at the other side of the street and there were several vehicles parked.

           I blinked and tried to reply, “You should not drive—“

           “Please...” he begged and held my wrist.

           “Alright…” I muttered, “However, no one driving.” I was still recalling the occurrence earlier.

           “Walk,” he stated and nodded, “I will walk.”

            We took a walk along Beaufort Avenue. Several streetlights were flickering. It was now dusk, and the chill in the air made my being tremble. There were no passing vehicles or people outside, so the stillness was indeed overwhelming. It was simply both of us. As we came to a halt on the sidewalk, he handed up his jacket. He mentioned that he observed the unusual weather tonight as well. As he continued to speak, I couldn't help but think about what the Weavers stated earlier.

           I still cannot believe that I that I helped an old lady embodying all of them. However, I am convinced I was not dreaming. A thing inside my entirety is clear about what transpired.

           "Can you hear what I am saying?" " Harrison inquired as he waved his hand in front of my face. "It appears that you have thoughts within your head," he continued.

           I went back to my senses. I looked at him and smiled. “Nothing,” I simply replied.

           We kept on strolling. When I was certain we were indeed five blocks away from my house, I asked him what he intended to show me. "Keep on," he said. Edginess filled my system. The feeling was uneasy.

           The moment we reached the intersection of Wert Avenue, I felt light-headed. Everything was spinning in my eyes and I felt wobbly and dizzy. I told him that I wanted to take a seat for a while. He led me to the waiting shed near where the buses stop. The surroundings were a bit eerie for there were no street lights above us and the ones near were malfunctioning. Harrison sat as I closed my eyes. Out of nowhere he spoke, “I apologize. I really do.”

           I whispered, “What for?”

           It took him a few sighs. “I placed a thing in your drink,” he replied. I did not speak. No words escaped my mouth. The wind, faulty street light, and his voice are the only ones I can hear. “I want to express how much I admire you. I want to be with you for a day but I do not know how,” he said.

           I tried to stand but he grabbed my wrist. “I beg you to stay,” he said, “Give me a chance, Phaelin. You know how much I want you.”

           My eyes were half-open as I pulled my arm. “I do not love you, Harrison,” I replied, “nor I ever want you.”

          I was able to stand and walk shakily. However, he drew my body slightly through his jacket, causing myself to lose balance. He leaned against the wall, trapping my entirety in front of him. "If I cannot make you love me, I will make you cry my name," he said, clutching my shoulders.           

            “You need to calm down,” I answered in a frail tone. He was staring blankly. I tried to take his hands off my shoulders. I tried to glance if there are people I could call for help. I checked my pocket to see if I have my mobile phone and I left it unfortunately. The headache was adding up and making things difficult.

           “I can make you happy,” he weirdly stated.

           “You are clearly drunk, Harrison,” I said in response.

           “Drunk or not, I still want to do this,” he whispered and tried to steal a kiss. I slapped him before he could even reach my lips. He took off his hands.

           “You are certainly a bastard!” I exclaimed and slapped him again on the other side of his cheek.            

           I ran as fast as I could even though my knees were shaking.

           “You cannot run away!” he yelled as he tried to catch up on me.

           “Help!” I screamed. Things are getting blurry in my sight. I was panting at every step—breathing heavily.

           “No one can hear you!” he yelled back. My adrenaline rushed on what he said. I felt panic.

           I ran with all my strength but I could feel I was about to faint. When my knees felt numb and I was about to lose balance, someone appeared from nowhere and caught my being in his embrace. I was not able to utter a word. Everything turned pitch-black. I closed my eyes as he wrapped his dark cloak around me.

           “I am getting you out of here,” he said in a familiar voice.