006

“What?!” Martius’s eyes widened, watching the sword struggle to penetrate Desdemona’s chest to no avail.

“What’s wrong?”

He quickly stretched out his left hand and used his index finger to draw a spell on it. He stared deeply into his palm for a few seconds and saw Arram’s tear falling into Desdemona's mouth.

He took a step backward, shocked. “She is in possession of my lord’s relic?” He let out in disbelief.

He stared at Arram’s face. “Why are you going this far for her?” He queried.

He resorted his gaze back at Desdemona. “Since I can’t harm you without my lord getting hurt, I will wait until you wake up and then, I will kill you.” He vowed.

******

{An hour later}

Arram gradually opened his eyes and looking at his side to see Desdemona lying beside him, he instantly figured out he was still in his hideout.

He raised his head and sat up on the bed. He felt a slight pain in his head, and he held his forehead, frowning his face in discomfort.

Remembering the reaper had taken Desdemona’s soul, he instantly turned to her and checked her body, even though he didn't know what he was looking for.

“We still have time to save her.” Martius’s voice through the entrance. He entered and walked closer to Arram, filling his lips with a bright smile. “My lord.”

Martius’s smile annoyed Arram. He attempted to stand but fell back to the bed because he was weak.

Martius paced closer to Arram. He held his hands, attempting to help him up, but Arram flung his hand away. 

“Stay away from me!” Arram roared.

“I am sorry, but I have to do this,” Martius let out. He held Arram tightly and placed his hand on his chest, transferring some of his energy to him.

After transferring energy to Arram, Martius took a step back and Arram panted heavily for a few seconds.

Martius hung his hands across his back and bent his neck. “I’m sorry, my lord,” he apologized.

“It’s dangerous to go after the reaper,” Martius explained. “If you follow the reaper through his tornado, your soul will be cursed and you won’t make it to hereafter neither can come back to the world. Your spirit will just be wandering around.”

“I have to save her.” Arram remarked.

“Why is it important to save her? Shouldn’t you-” Martius wanted to pour out his mind, but Arram's announcement cut him off.

“She is my mate!”

Hearing Arram’s announcement, Martius put on a long face. “Your mate?” He repeated in a confused tone.

Arram nodded, confirming, “yes. She is my mate.”

Martius nodded in disapproval and unintentionally raised his voice out of concern. “No! That’s not possible!”

Arram eyed Martius, shocked. “Why?” He interrogated.

Martius instantly wiped the shock on his face away with an insincere smile. “I’m thinking about something else."

‘How can his mate be his calamity?’ 

‘Being his mate, he must keep her beside him forever. But as his calamity, he must kill her immediately they meet. Will he keep her by his side or kill her? What card of fate is the moon goddess playing?’

Lots of thoughts about the future clouded in Martius’s head and he couldn't get his mind off it.

Arram watched Martius for a few seconds, expecting him to say something, but he said nothing. 

“Martius…” Arram called, but Martius was deeply lost in his thoughts to hear him.

“Martius…” Arram called again, but Martius still didn't hear him.

Arram tapped Martius.  “Martius!” He called in a high voice.

Martius came back to reality with a shocked tone. “Hun!”

“What are you thinking?” Arram interrogated.

“Hmmmm...” Martius vibrated with his mouth, scratching his forehead, speechless. He didn’t want to reveal the truth to Arram so he lied. “Nothing.”

Arram wasn't convinced. “Are you sure?”

Martius feigned a smile and nodded. “Yes, my lord,”

“My lord, let's kill two birds with one stone. We should work with a quick option to get her soul back and heal her.”  Martius uttered.

“Is that possible?” Arram doubted.

“Impossibility isn’t my word, I don't use it. There's a solution to every problem even if its chance is so tiny.” He pointed out.

Arram believed Martius's words. “What's the way out, Martius?” He inquired.

“The way out is a dangerous one and I doubt you can do it.” Martius disclosed.

Arram wore a confused look. “Why?”

“You are weak.” Martius’s simple reply fled his mouth.

Arram sighed. “Don’t worry about me, just tell me what to do. I’m ready to do anything to save her. She is all I am living  for right now.”

“The only solution is a journey outside of this world. A journey to a place, where you will trade precious things to get something in return.”

“Where is that place?” Arram inquired.

“The Abyss. The place where people of heaven and earth interact. And also a prison for banned demon wolves,” Martius explained.

“My lord, are you still willing to go to such a dangerous place?” Martius raised a question.

Arram nodded and bravely declared. “Yes. Death is the worst, and for her, I’m willing to sacrifice my life. Please, tell me how to get to the Abyss.”

“It’s not a journey you will embark on with your body, it’s a journey to be embarked with either your primordial spirit or soul,”  Martius announced. “Your primordial spirit is weak, so, we will send your soul.”

“What will I get in the Abyss?”  Arram inquired.

“A flower on an island in the Abyss. It’s a relic with pure Elixir of life and it’s a cure to all ills.” He described.

“What will I sacrifice to get the flower?” Arram dug deep.

“I don’t know because I have never been there. It is believed you will pay with something dear to your heart,” Martius stated. “It costs nothing to plug the flower on the island, but it will cost a lot to make it to the Island.”

“What do you mean?” Arram inquired.

“To get to the Abyss, you must pass before Enid and Lilith.” Martius foretold.

Arram frowned his forehead, unclear. “Who are they?”

“The spirit goddess and the demon queen,” Martius shed light. “Enid doesn't offer help unless you request it. You just have to return her favor, you won't be forced to pay with anything.” Martius said and stopped talking.

Arram waited for a few seconds for Martius to continue but he didn't and Arram was already curious. “Lilith?” He threw a question.

“To Lilith, you don't need to ask for help before she renders it,” Arram introduced. “Once she helps you, you must pay and if you refuse to do so, you will suffer,”

“You may not be the one to pay her, it may be your generation. Likewise, if you fail her, your generation may suffer for it.”

“What will Lilith ask for?” Arram raised a question.

“You can’t know until you meet.” Martius informed.

“Okay.” Arram comprehended.

“My lord, I will open the earth door and teleport your soul to its dream.” Martius informed.

“Okay.”

“Your soul have limited time to embark on the journey. If you don’t come back before the earth door close, you won't make it back,” Martius announced. “Your soul will be trapped forever.”

“I will make it back, if not because of anyone, but because of her. She needs me. I must give her everlasting love, care, and happiness.” Arram vowed.

Martius nodded. “Okay.” He let out. He stretched out his left hand and a feather and stone appeared in his palm.

He took some steps closer to Arram and grabbed his left hand. “Take this.” He said, putting the feather and stone in Arram's palm.

Arram had a glance at the feather and stone in his hand. “What are these?” He inquired.

“Treasures,” Martius' simple but confusing response came, so he further explained. “These are things you will need. You are weak so they should be of help.” 

“How will I use them?” Martius inquired.

“When it's time to help, they will activate themselves and do their jobs.” Martius let out.

“Okay.” Arram said. He closed his palm and the feather and stone vanished. 

“Thank you, Martius,” he appreciated, promising, “I have more reason to come back. I owe you a lot and I wish to return them all.”

“Only the living repay favors. Your return comes first and every other thing will follow.” Martius uttered.

Arram stepped closer to Martius and stared deeply into his eyes. “When I return, I will permit you to request for one thing and I will grant it no matter what it is.” He vowed.

Martius filled a part of his mouth with a smile and said nothing about what Arram said. Instead, he pointed to the bed, changing the tune of discussion.

“We don’t have much time,” Martius uttered. “Lay on the bed and let’s send your soul on this dangerous journey.”

Arram smiled and walked to the bed. He had a last glance at Desdemona's face and lay on the bed, facing up.

Martius moved closer to the bed. “Are you ready?” He asked.

Arram nodded. “Yes.”

“Close your eyes.” Martius instructed.

Without letting Martius notice, Arram held Desdemona's hand tightly and he closed his eyes.

“I will send your soul away now.” Martius informed. He raised his hands above his head and a flame appeared in each of his hands.

He joined his hands and mixed the flame for a second till they became one.

He held the flame in his right hand and hit it on Arram's chest.

Immediately as the flame touched Arram’s chest, it vanished and Arram gasped for a few seconds till he was covered with sweat and his dress soaked.

After a minute, Arram’s struggle stopped and a white flame in bug’s form flew out of his body.

Martius eyed the flame till it flew out of the hut and after it disappeared, he blew air at Arram's face, using his mouth.

Martius sighed and hung his hands across his back, filling his lips with a sour smile.

He stared at Arram and Desdemona and shook his head in pity. “Nothing scares me now like the uncertainties of your future…”

“I wonder if all your efforts will be worth it in the end,”

“My lord, what will be your decision when you find out who she is? Will still want to protect her.”