Alan walked through the door, blinking against a sudden flash of light. As his vision cleared, he found himself inside a bustling party hall. A smile spread across his face, gleaming in a dark yet classic regal attire reminiscent of what he had worn to Lyco's wedding.
The atmosphere was jubilant, with many familiar faces celebrating the joyous occasion. In the center of the room stood Lyco and Poduria, chatting with guests, glasses of wine in their hands. Their faces shone with happiness, outshining the decorated hall bathed in sunlight.
They were finally expecting a child.
"Oh man, wasn't that a good conversation? It really brought out some feelings, didn't it?" Longiseus remarked, entering the hall and standing beside Alan, his gaze sweeping over the scene of celebration.
"You don't have to lie, commander. I know it puts you on the spot. But I couldn't care less; it was important for our upcoming shared investments," Alan replied, walking ahead with a faint amusement in his otherwise stern expression.
Longiseus, draped in a comfortable white tunic embroidered with golden thread and adorned with rubies and other gems on his cuffs and collar, lightly patted Alan's back before making his way to a table covered with a white cloth.
The table was beautifully adorned with regal-looking glasses of wine, which guests picked up as they arrived, sipping the purple liquid and blending into the crowd. Before walking away, Longiseus remarked, "Lying? Tch... I'm telling the truth, man." Smiling and squinting his eyes, he continued, "And seriously, ego much? Let down the pride and enjoy a little, Alan."
Alan just passed a simple smile to the departing Longiseus. Suddenly, Relecta joined him from the side, her expression stern but her eyes exuding seriousness.
Moving ahead of him, she turned and stood in front of him, subtly showing off her attire. Alan took in her deep-necked, tightly fitted tunic that accentuated her heaving bosom and revealed the bold contours of her chest.
The white fabric cascaded down to her knees, gripping her slim abdomen and holding her long, plump legs from one side, while a bold slit on the other side revealed her leg. She wore beautiful white sandals and a droplet necklace around her neck, and her high bun with hanging locks of hair made her look like an authoritative beauty to Alan.
"Looking good, Lady Relecta," Alan complimented with a nod and a faint smile. Returning his gesture with a nod and smile, Relecta entwined her hand with Alan's as they began to walk toward Poduria and Lyco. With a stern voice hinting at hidden seduction, Relecta asked, looking ahead, "So, Lord Alan, how did your meeting go?"
"As expected is all I can say, despite the usual resolve-full harmless lies of Master Longiseus. Everything went as a gentleman could expect," Alan replied, keeping his gaze ahead with a smile.
Relecta, after hearing Alan's words, turned and saw Longiseus laughing and joking as he approached his wife, Lady Roartad, who stood watching him.
She wore a bold outfit consisting of nothing but a white blouse covering her small yet ample bosom, with a cloth running down from the seam of her blouse, covering the front of her lean and muscular abdomen, down to a small skirt that tightly hugged her hips.
The skirt ended just above her thigh, with only strapped sandals covering her lean yet muscular pale legs. Her short frilly hair bounced as she jumped into Longiseus's arms, locking his lips in a passionate, juicy kiss, embarrassing the guests around them. Relecta's stern expression faded into a neutral one as she remarked in a low, stern voice, "Their nonchalance makes me uncomfortable sometimes."
"Well, that is where our pride teaches us: don't meddle in the affairs of one you'd rather keep distance from in public," Alan replied as they approached Lyco and Poduria.
The couple stood in the traditional attire of expecting parents, both wearing matching patterns. Poduria was draped in an overall, covering her from just below her neck to her shoes, with only her long locks of beautiful hair distinguishing her from Lyco. He welcomed Relecta and Alan with a big smile, wearing an overall with the same blue and green checks on murky green fabric overall which cascaded down to a skirt touching his shins. Despite the oddity of his outfit, Lyco greeted his friend with enthusiasm, "Oh, my friend Alan, you made it! How are you?!"
Lyco greeted Alan with a half hug, while Relecta mirrored the gesture with Poduria. Both couples smiled at each other. Before Alan could reply, Lyco nodded to the guests he had been conversing with earlier. They nodded back and walked away from the group with a smile. Alan smiled lightly at Lyco, taking in the view of Lyco's attire, and commented, "Well, I am as fine as one can be, but what about you? The joy of pregnancy is getting to you, I suppose?"
Lyco kept his big smile but reacted with a puzzled gaze, oblivious to what Alan was hinting at. Understanding Lyco's obliviousness, Alan simply smiled and retrieved a small black box from his pocket, presenting it to Poduria and Lyco. He remarked, "Here, it's nothing big, just a gesture of love and blessing for the upcoming member of your family, from us."
"Oh… Alan, you shouldn't have," Poduria hesitated yet humbly received the box from Alan. As she opened it, her eyes widened in surprise. She looked back at Relecta and Alan's smiles, then passed the box to Lyco. He had the same reaction as Poduria after seeing the content of the box and remarked, "C'mon Alan, are you going to make me cry? This is the best gift anyone has ever given me."
As Lyco said this, he bore the disappointed, amusement-laced gazes from Alan and Relecta, and an angry glare from Poduria. Watching their reactions to his remark, not understanding the reason for their looks, Lyco looked back, puzzled, and gasped, "What?…"
At Lyco's words, Poduria quickly snatched the box from him, deepening his puzzlement as Alan and Relecta chuckled at their banter. Alan then politely asked, "So where are our other companions? Have they arrived yet?"
"Oh yeah, almost all of them are here. There's Armis and Aurelia," Lyco replied, pointing towards a table of flowers where Armis and Aurelia stood.
Armis, dressed in a red and black robe with white threading over a black tunic and pants, was engrossed in a book. Beside him, Aurelia, though dressed beautifully in an emerald tunic and cascading skirt, stood with a vaguely feigned smile. Her attire highlighted her alluring yet respectable beauty, which was clearly being ignored by Armis, along with the words she constantly spoke, looking humbly at him.
"And there are Orioros and Leotrus. Oop, these two…" Lyco continued, turning Relecta and Alan's gazes to the other side of the party hall. Their eyes widened in surprise, and a blush appeared on all their faces as they saw Orioros and Leotrus holding each other lovingly, dancing slowly with no music, lost in their own moment.
"Well, now we know which side to avoid," Alan remarked, exchanging stern gazes with Relecta. Faintly smirking, he looked back at Lyco and continued, "And what about Arian? Where is the soon-to-be uncle?"
"Oh yeah, Arian... let me see..." Lyco replied as he scanned the hall, eventually spotting his brother in the far corner. Arian was impressing a group of female guests with his air-wielding skills, swiftly retrieving items from across the hall, eliciting praise and admiration for his speed. "Oh yes, there he is, the goofball, always up to something."
Lyco's words elicited knowing smiles and shared glances from Alan and Relecta, who then looked at Poduria. Both of them returned to their more composed demeanors as Alan excused himself and Relecta, saying, "Well, congratulations once again from us."
"Thank you, and we appreciate you two for coming," Poduria and Lyco replied in unison, their genuine emotions evident despite the practiced response.
"Let's catch up later, Lyco," Alan said, nodding at Lyco, who returned the gesture with a smile. Alan began to walk away with Relecta, who exchanged hugs and smiles with Poduria first. As they left, Alan added, "If you'll excuse us, I'm hoping to catch up with Armis before dinner."
As Alan and Relecta approached the flower table where Armis and Aurelia stood, Aurelia's near-gloomy face lit up with excitement. Without a moment's delay, she jumped on Relecta, pulling her down into a strong embrace despite her shorter stature, eliciting a feigned smile from the struggling Relecta.
"Oh my Roiran, I am so happy to see you guys! How are you, little one?" Aurelia exclaimed, her eyes squinting with joy as she raised a hand to pat Relecta's face.
"Almost feels like a tease, but I'm very well, Aurelia. How are you?" Relecta replied with a hint of stern amusement, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Alan, a bit surprised yet not disappointed, noticed Armis paying no attention to his friend. Leaning in, Alan gently tapped on Armis's book, mocking him amusingly, "Knock, knock." On Alan's tapping, Armis lowered the book from his face, revealing his thick glasses that covered his macho features. Armis showed genuine surprise at seeing Alan, deepening Alan's amusement.
"Hello, Mr. Scholar. Have some time for hearing a few words from the likes of us?" Alan asked with a smile.
Armis smiled back but only lowered his book instead of putting it down. "Oh, hi Alan. How do you do? I am fine. Now, if you can excuse me, I need to finish this segment before dinner," Armis replied quickly, then engrossed himself back in his book.
Alan stood with a confused and slightly weirded-out expression, mirrored by Relecta. Meanwhile, Aurelia, standing hand in hand with Relecta, wore a different expression—one of disappointment and sadness, clearly hurt by Armis's lack of attention.
Noticing Aurelia's expression, Alan subtly gestured to Relecta with his eyes. Relecta acknowledged with a slight nod before turning to Aurelia with a smile. "Hey, Aurelia, I'm thirsty. Let's get something to drink." With that, Relecta gently pulled Aurelia towards the table set with drink glasses.
After they left, Alan turned to Armis, his eyes serious. "Armis... Armis..." he began, but getting no response from his polite calls, Alan's tone sharpened. "Armis! Put the book down!"
Startled by the sudden loudness, Armis abruptly lowered his book and placed it on the table. He looked directly at Alan with a confused gaze as Alan asked -
"What's wrong?"
"What do you mean, Alan? Everything is fine. W—"
"Armis, I don't have time to argue," Alan cut him off in a low, sharp tone. "So, like the gentlemen we are, let us come straight to the point: Is everything alright with you and Aurelia?"
Taken aback by Alan's straightforwardness, Armis sighed and lowered his gaze back to his book. But as Alan asserted dominance with loud taps of his fingers on the table, Armis quickly met his gaze and began speaking in a helpless, low tone.
"I... I... I don't know what to tell you, Alan. It was nice at the start, but when I picked up my research on the Relic Castle, I got a little busy. I thought Aurelia would support me—she even said that at the start. But as I got busier, we began fighting over the littlest things. She would get upset and irritated. So, not sure what to do, I decided to distance myself from her until my research is done. And don't worry, after this book and a report, I'm almost done."
Armis finished his explanation, a glint of excitement evident in his eyes. Alan, closing his eyes, sighed in disappointment as he straightened up and replied, "See, Armis. It goes against my nature to meddle in the affairs of others, let alone personal problems. But considering our companionship, I can only offer you this advice."
Turning his stern gaze to the puzzled yet attentive Armis, Alan continued, "A successful courtship depends on three things: Trust, Love, and Attention. Even one missing element could result in an uncontrollable fire of betrayal and hurt feelings. So, tread lightly, my friend."
As Alan finished his words with a stern smirk, Armis stood in confusion, his eyes widening in wonderment. However, his expression made it clear that he did not fully understand Alan's advice. Alan gazed at Armis in disappointment once again. With a sigh of regret, he remarked, "I'm not going to elaborate on it for you, Armis. You are a grown man."
"So, what seems to be the problem, sis?" Relecta asked, her expression stern as she passed a glass of wine to Aurelia. Aurelia took the glass, keeping her gaze on Armis before turning to Relecta with almost teary eyes. "Everything, Relecta. Ever since we returned from that wretched place, Armis has been consumed by his research. He never gives me any time anymore."
Relecta, still maintaining her stern demeanor, took a sip from her own glass of wine before moving closer to Aurelia. Speaking in a low, consoling tone, she said, "I understand. Sometimes, Lord Alan goes on research expeditions or spends days in the fields. But when he returns, he makes up for all the time we've missed. There are even days when we don't leave the bed at all." Relecta finished her words with a faint yet suggestive smile, attempting to console Aurelia. "Maybe you should be supportive of Armis's endeavors. It could help your relationship."
"I've tried, Relecta. I've tried my best," Aurelia replied, taking a sip from her glass. Her voice carried a hint of sadness and guilt as she continued, "But you know, a woman has her needs. Even in bed, when he's not studying, he either sleeps or eats. I've tried to initiate things myself, creating situations that would bring us closer, but he just..."
Aurelia's words trailed off as she looked down, a tear escaping from her eyes. Relecta approached, placing a supportive hand on Aurelia's shoulder, trying to instill hope in her friend. "Come on, sis, don't be like that. You don't have to cry. It's just a phase, it will pass. You just have to be strong and trust Armis. He w—"
"No, he won't, Relecta!" Aurelia burst into tears, quickly embracing Relecta, her shoulder becoming a refuge for Aurelia's sorrowful eyes. She continued amidst sobs, while Relecta gently patted her back in an attempt to comfort her. "He won't. Things have spiraled out of control. We fight constantly. I even tried to negotiate with him, asking him to give me children so I could put my time and attention into them, but he never takes my words seriously anymore."
"Stay composed, sis. A woman should not appear vulnerable in public. Be strong and do not provide opportunities for people to exploit your emotions," Relecta advised, gently guiding Aurelia out of the embrace and wiping her tears with her fingers. With a gentle touch and supportive words, she encouraged Aurelia to continue speaking. "I know, Relecta. I tried, I tried my best. But... but it led me to do something... something unforgivable. I'm not sure what to do anymore, Relecta... I'm lost."
Aurelia's emotional turmoil nearly softened Relecta's stern demeanor, but regaining her composure, Relecta stepped back slightly and looked directly into Aurelia's eyes, her tone firm and determined. "I understand, sis, and don't worry, I won't pry. Just wait here, and I'll bring some water for you. Then we can talk about what happened and how we can fix it." With a small nod of confirmation from Aurelia's tearful eyes, Relecta walked away to fetch water for her friend.
Aurelia wiped her tears, gradually regaining her composure, when suddenly, a cup of water was presented before her, accompanied by a voice that brought a slight glimmer of joy to her eyes. "Sadness doesn't suit a nice woman like you. Here, have some water," Leotrus said, draped in a white robe adorned with black threads, over a lime-colored overall underneath.
His loose-fitting pants matched the overall perfectly, and his white shoes completed the ensemble. Despite his blindfold, his smile radiated love and humility as he offered the cup to Aurelia, who managed a faint smile in return.
Feeling the warmth and care emanating from Leotrus, she took the cup of water from his hand and replied, "Thank you... I wonder what I did to not deserve a husband like you."
"Come on now, don't say words like that; you'll give people weird ideas about us," Leotrus said, moving a little closer to Aurelia, attempting to hush her with a finger on his lips and a hand raised in caution. Startled by his response, Aurelia quickly grabbed his hand, pressing it against her cheek, and pleaded, "Oh, Master Leotrus, how much I've missed your warmth and care. Please, give me more of it. I need you right now."
Aurelia gazed at Leotrus with expectation and suggestion, prompting Leotrus to withdraw his hand and glance around for any prying eyes before replying to Aurelia with a scolding tone, "Don't be foolish, Aurelia. We're in the middle of a celebration, and we can't—"
"Don't be such a coward. Look at your husband," Aurelia interrupted, gesturing towards Orioros, who was deeply engrossed in conversation with Longiseus and Arian. She then pointed towards Armis, who was chatting with Lyco and Alan, and continued, "And my husband? Let me worry about him. Now, what do you say? I'm sure Poduria's bedroom would be empty by now."
With a suggestive gaze and a discreet tug on his hand, Aurelia took Leotrus's confused yet flustered expression as agreement to her proposal, leading him out of the party hall behind her.
After their departure, Relecta returned with water in hand, accompanied by a cloth, searching for Aurelia amidst the crowd. She called out, "Sis? Aurelia?"
Concern etched on her face, Relecta scanned the party, her eyes darting from face to face in search of her friend. Approaching Orioros and Longiseus, Relecta greeted them politely before posing her urgent question, "Pardon me, Masters, but have you seen Lady Aurelia?"
Longiseus responded, "Can't say I have. Is there an issue? Your voice sounds concerned." Orioros, however, reacted with sudden shock, his eyes widening as he glanced around, perplexing Longiseus and Relecta with his abrupt change in demeanor.
"Orioros? Is everything alright?" Longiseus inquired, placing a reassuring hand on Orioros's shoulder.
"Leotrus… he's missing too," Orioros replied, his tone grave, intensifying their worry.
Longiseus surveyed the surroundings, confirming Orioros's observation. Turning back to Orioros, he spoke sternly, "Yes, you're right. That is strange."
"It's not just strange. It's disgusting!" Orioros exclaimed, his voice rising suddenly, startling Relecta and Longiseus. With a burst of anger, he shouted, drawing attention to himself, "I WILL KILL THAT BITCH!!!!"
With determined strides, Orioros stormed out of the party hall, his footsteps echoing heavily on the floor as he ascended the stairway. Longiseus and Relecta, their concern turning to shock, hastened to follow him.
Meanwhile, in a secluded hallway, Aurelia pressed Leotrus against the door, her passion fueling her actions as she gazed at him with forbidden desire. With trembling hands, she began to undo the buttons of his robe, her eyes reflecting the intensity of her longing.
"Master Leotrus, when will we get married?" Aurelia breathed, her voice laced with urgency and longing.
Leotrus hesitated, his gaze filled with conflict as he gently grasped Aurelia's heaving bust, his touch betraying his own tumultuous emotions. "I've told you, not yet. There are matters to discuss with Orioros, and then there's your husband…"
But Aurelia, consumed by desire and impatience, interrupted him with a sultry tone, "Don't worry about him. I'll leave him as soon as you're ready to elope with me."
"I knew it!!" - As Orioros's voice pierced through the tension, Leotrus's heart sank with dread. Startled, he pushed Aurelia away, her figure crumpling to the ground. Facing Orioros, Leotrus could feel the weight of his disappointment and disgust even without the use of his eyes. Panicking, Leotrus lunged toward Orioros, his voice trembling with desperation.
"My lord, please, it's not what you think," Leotrus pleaded, his words coming out in a frantic rush. "She initiated everything, I was under her spell, I couldn't resist—"
But before he could finish his plea, Orioros's voice thundered through the air, cutting him off with a mixture of fury and anguish.
"SHUT UP!!!! You freak!! You traitor!!! I….I loved you!!! I trusted you, You disgusting animal!!! Just shut up!!!!!!!" Orioros's anger burst forth, his eyes became bloodshot, tears falling from them. He ripped off the rose tear necklace he had been wearing around his neck, throwing it down in a mix of shock and despair. Leotrus stood frozen, his expression a mask of shock, as Orioros continued with a mixture of pain and rage evident in his voice -
"I realize now, you never loved me, you just took advantage of my vulnerability. I should have known, I should have realized it sooner. I was living in a dream, who would love someone like me?? Why would some man devote their heart to a man like me?!!! My dream is shattered…all because of your lust!!!"
Orioros's outburst shocked even the newly arrived Relecta and Longiseus, leaving them confused and frightened. Gritting his teeth in pain and anger, Orioros turned his teary glare and blood-stained fist towards Aurelia, his nails dripping with blood, as he spoke in a fury-filled voice -
"And You!!! I…I will kill you, you bitch!!!!"
But his pained words had no effect on Aurelia, who maintained a stern expression throughout the ordeal. With a deep breath and gritted teeth, Orioros stormed off down the stairs, pushing past Longiseus and Relecta in his rage.
Observing Orioros storming off, Leotrus sprang into action, calling out to him as he dashed off to catch his lover before he did something regrettable. Longiseus and Relecta stood in shock as Aurelia, now wearing a faint smirk over her stern expression, walked towards them after Leotrus. Relecta, gripping her hand tightly, asked in a loud tone, "What is going on, Aurelia?!"
With a careless air, Aurelia replied, "I told you, I was in pain, almost lost. Well, I had to do something to save myself."
"What do you mean, sis?" Relecta asked, her confusion tinged with shock and a hint of disgust directed at Aurelia.
"Don't look at me like that. I did what I had to. Nobody helped me, nobody came to save me when I was suffering but him, so I am doing what any woman would do, making him mine," Aurelia retorted, meeting Relecta's gaze with unwavering determination, tearing her hand away.
"And how are you repaying him?!" Longiseus snapped from the side, his expression a mix of shock, disgust, and anger at Aurelia's nonchalance toward such a sensitive matter. "By destroying his life?!! Is that what you call love?!! How can you—"
"Please refrain from any more accusations. I don't regret anything. I know he will be in pain for some time, but I will be there for him, to support him, to give him the love he deserves," Aurelia replied calmly as she began walking down the stairs. When Relecta tried her final attempt to make Aurelia understand the gravity of her actions, the seriousness of the situation, Aurelia remained unaffected.
"What about Armis then? What will you say to him?!" Relecta demanded in a loud voice.
But her words fell on deaf ears as Aurelia continued down the stairs and entered the party hall.
"Orioros, please wait!!! Let me explain myself, please, my lo—"
"Don't you dare call me that!!!!" Orioros cut through Leotrus's bloody-eyed pleading as they entered the party hall, instantly attracting shocked and startled gazes from the guests and their friends.
But paying no heed to the prying eyes, Orioros continued to berate Leotrus. "Explain what? Explain what, huh?!! What are you going to explain? Are you going to explain how that witch enchanted you with her feminine wiles?!! Or how her love blinded you even further?!! Or perhaps that you were just indulging in a little experimentation, and now that I've caught you, you suddenly realize how repulsive you are!!!!"
"Please keep your judgment to yourself. What we have is beautiful and pure," Aurelia interjected sternly, entwining her hand with Leotrus's, stoking the flames of Orioros's anger and frustration even further.
"You bitch, I w—"
"Aurelia?..what is going on?" Armis's voice entered the heated argument, cutting through Orioros's threat, halting his attempt to lunge at Aurelia. Armis moved through the crowd encircling the three, holding a confused expression.
He looked at Aurelia, who was holding Leotrus's arm. She met his gaze with stern disappointment, biting her lips. As Armis moved towards her, voicing his confusion further, "Love, what is happening? Why is he yelling at you? And why are you standing like that with—get away from h—"
"Back off, Armis!!!!" Aurelia exclaimed, cutting through Armis's words of confusion and pushing him to the ground with force when he tried to separate her from the frozen and shocked Leotrus, tears of blood dripping from underneath his blindfold.
Murmurs of the crowd around them turned into a big gasp of shock as their friend joined in the heated argument. Poduria, shocked and surprised, helped the stunned Armis from the floor, looking at Aurelia in anger, demanding an explanation, "What the hell is going on, Aurelia?!"
"C'mon, love, it's time to reveal our love to the world," Aurelia gently whispered into the stunned and unresponsive ear of Leotrus. Then, turning his head, she planted a one-sided kiss on Leotrus's lips with closed eyes, stunning everyone around them. Armis almost staggered to his knees, supported by the just as shocked Lyco and Alan.
After that, Aurelia turned her attention to the reeling, shocked eyes of her friends and the surrounding crowd. "I, Aurelia Goliath, soon to become Aurelia Arcaim, announce my newly found yet true love to Leotrus Arcaim. We love each other, we care for each other more than our cowardly," Aurelia turned her playful expression into a glare first directed at gritting-teeth Orioros, then shifted it to Armis, "and careless excuse of a husband. Partners. And we hope for you all to give us your blessing."
——thwahhhackk—-
Aurelia's words were cut off in the middle by the sharp sound of a tight slap echoing through the air.
Poduria, her face twisted in disgust, delivered a swift slap across Aurelia's cheek, her voice dripping with anger and disbelief, "What the hell is wrong with you?!!! I knew you were sad, depressed, and troubled in your marriage with Armis, but is this how you're going to solve your problems? By sleeping with other men?!! By shattering countless hearts and betraying trust just to save your own?!!! What has happened to you, Aurelia?!! When did you become so despicable?!!!"
——thwackkk——
Another slap resonated through the air as Aurelia retaliated, her eyes brimming with guilt and tears. Helplessness colored her voice as she addressed the shocked Poduria, who held her red cheek, stepping away, "Yes!!! Yes, I am despicable!!! Yes, I don't care what happens to others, their feelings, their hearts don't matter to me!!! Why should they?!! When they don't care about me, why should I care about them?!! I…..I don't know why…when…how…I've become like this. I don't know when I started loving this man!!"
Aurelia's words poured out as she enveloped Leotrus in her embrace, his body collapsing onto his knees under the weight of helplessness, guilt, and regret.
Tears streamed down Aurelia's cheeks as she continued her explanation, her voice trembling with emotion, "But you know what," Aurelia's tearful gaze hardened into a determined glare as she directed her words at the stunned and silent Armis, "He is much more of a man than you could ever be, Armis. He cares for me, he understands my needs and desires, unlike you. You just... You are such a w—"
——thwooobhhhh!!!——
The hall was consumed by a grim silence, broken only by gasps of shock and terror as Orioros, brandishing a small dagger, advanced towards Aurelia, his eyes ablaze with rage.
With a swift and ruthless motion, he plunged the dagger into Aurelia's stomach, eliciting a gurgling cough of blood from her lips as crimson splattered across Orioros's enraged face.
Ignoring the horror around him, Orioros, his teeth clenched and eyes bloodshot, withdrew the dagger, mercilessly tearing through Aurelia's flesh. The crowd erupted into screams of terror as they recoiled in horror, scrambling to flee the hall, while their friends stood frozen in shock. But Orioros remained unyielding, his vengeance-fueled fury driving him to deliver another brutal blow, sending Aurelia collapsing to the ground.
Aurelia was overtaken by sudden agony, as she attempted to speak but her words only to be stifled by Orioros's relentless fury as he continued to drive the dagger into her gut, piercing her flesh with each vicious thrust.
Her body convulsed with pain, every movement sending waves of agony through her as Orioros's frenzied assault carved through her, blood spilling relentlessly onto the floor. She clenched her fists tightly, nails digging into her skin, as Orioros's enraged shouts filled the air, his words a torrent of madness and hatred.
"I won't let you take him from me!!! I'll tear you apart!!! How dare you lay a hand on him!!! You'll pay for this, you bitch!!!!"
——thwackkk——
As he witnessed the love of his life being mutilated before his very eyes, Armis snapped back into the grim reality of the moment. He saw Aurelia's tear-filled gaze locking with his, her eyes still brimming with love despite the agony she was enduring.
Armis's anger surged, and he shoved Orioros away, gathering Aurelia's upper body into his arms. The sight of her mutilated form, the blood staining her once vibrant clothes, pierced his heart with a deep, searing pain.
Tremors shook Armis's body as tears streamed down his cheeks, his lips trembling above his gritted teeth. Desperation filled his voice as he futilely attempted to stem the flow of blood from Aurelia's wounds, his hand pressing against her abdomen in a desperate bid to halt the bleeding. He locked eyes with her, his gaze filled with pleading and despair as he begged for inevitable-
"No… no… please, Aurelia, don't leave me. Please, hold on. I'll get help, I'll do anything, just please don't give up," Armis pleaded, his voice choked with emotion.
Turning to their stunned and shocked friends, Armis's desperation turned to urgency as he cried out for assistance.
"What are you all staring at?! Do something! Get help, find a potion—anything! Alan!!!"
Armis's urgent cry jolted Alan into action, prompting him to frantically search through his pockets, his heart pounding with fear and helplessness. He joined Armis's plea, his voice filled with desperation.
"Does anyone have potions, herbs—anything?! Please!"
But before Alan could finish his plea, Aurelia's weak voice pierced the grim atmosphere. Alan turned to see her struggling with pained groans, her hand stained with blood as she reached out to caress Armis's despair-filled face. With every word a struggle, she spoke brokenly.
"My love… forgive me… none of this… is true… I… am… sorry… for…"
Suddenly, Aurelia's trembling lips faltered, her body jerking slightly as her words trailed off. Armis gathered her bloodied form into his arms, his voice choked with desperation and tears.
"No, my love, don't speak. Everything will be fine. I'll save you, don't—"
Amidst Armis's desperate pleas, he felt Aurelia's body growing limp in his arms, the warmth of her breath fading away. Unbeknownst to him, as he tried to infuse hope into his wife with his words, Aurelia took her final breath.
A sudden shock washed over Armis's face, swiftly replaced by a hollow emptiness. Slowly, he lowered Aurelia to the ground, her body resting in the pool of her own blood. With closed eyes, Armis gathered all his pain, his anguish, his grief, until it overflowed.
In a deafening cry that echoed through the hall, he bellowed her name to the heavens:
"AURELIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
In a sudden, blinding flash, the world around Armis and his companions twisted and contorted with his anguished cry.
The opulent party hall shattered like fragile glass, and they found themselves back inside the dim chamber where they had set up camp. Each eye blinked with strain and pain, their senses readjusting to reality after the deluge of emotions that had begun with joy but ended in anguish and loss, reality snapped back into focus, replacing the illusion of joy with the harsh truth of loss and suffering.
Everything reverted to its true form— the once regal carpeted floor now lay in ruins, matching the darkness that surrounded them. The walls, once adorned with opulence, now stood as shadows of their former selves. Even the fabric of their clothing had returned to its mundane state, yet one thing remained unchanged—her.
Despite Armis's silenced cry, the scene before him remained unchanged. His beloved wife lay motionless, her lifeless eyes staring into oblivion, blood still staining her lips. Her abdomen, once riddled with wounds, now bore charred skin, a stark reminder of the tragedy that had unfolded before them.
"Ahhhhh!!!!" The scream tore through the mystified yet grim silence, jolting everyone into the reality of the horror that had unfolded.
All eyes, except for Armis's, turned to see Orioros, his voice echoing with agony as he clutched a burning, crimson-stained, shard of stone, his hand brutally seared, which he dropped with a cry of pain.
Orioros collapsed to his knees, his burned hand trembling with anguish. Leotrus, despite the horror etched onto his blood-stained blindfold, dashed towards Orioros, offering comfort as he held him tightly. But even in his embrace, Orioros's face contorted with terror and realization, his cries escalating into a symphony of agony.
In a sudden surge of understanding, Orioros looked ahead in horror, his bloodied face twisted in anguish. With newfound awareness of his own actions, he began to scream and sob, the weight of his deeds crashing down upon him like a relentless wave. Leotrus, embracing him, could offer only solace in the face of such overwhelming despair.
Meanwhile, Poduria, her steps steady but her heart heavy, approached Armis, who sat frozen beside Aurelia's lifeless form. As he gazed upon her, he witnessed a haunting transformation—the once vibrant essence of Aurelia slowly dissolving into specks of crimson light, drifting towards Orioros. Each glimmer seemed to carry with it a piece of Aurelia's soul, and as they merged with Orioros, his cries of torment intensified, consumed by the agony of absorbing her essence.
"You killed them… you killed both of them," Poduria exclaimed in a low, trembling tone as she approached the fading form of Aurelia. With a heavy heart, Poduria collapsed to her knees, saved from hitting the floor by the swift reactions of Lyco and Alan.
Suddenly overcome by grief, Poduria burst into tears, her sobs echoing through the chamber. Relecta, unable to bear the sight of her friend's death, ran away, seeking solace as she pressed her head against a nearby pillar, her tears flowing freely. Alan and Lyco, though holding tight to their emotions, couldn't help but feel their tears welling up as well.
Lyco slowly enveloped Poduria in his arms, offering what little comfort he could as she cried out once more, "He... he killed both of them…"
"What... what do you mean, Poduria? Who else? Who else are you talking about?" Alan's voice trembled with restrained emotion as confusion clouded his words, unable to comprehend Poduria's cryptic revelation.
Poduria's sobs continued to echo in the chamber as Aurelia's lower body completely dissipated into a glowing light, flowing towards Orioros who writhed and shrieked in pain and horror, struggling under Leotrus's embrace while Arian, Longiseus, and Lady Roartad attempted to calm him down.
But as Poduria replied to Alan's question, her words pierced through the silence like a dagger, filling everyone with a newfound horror. The air grew heavy, still, not a single eye blinked, and even breathing seemed to halt for a moment as Poduria revealed in her cry:
"He… he killed your baby, Armis! He killed it too with Aurelia! She… she… she was pregnant—"