Symphony of Death

Cain’s POV

The doors opened slowly and I carried Anastasia inside. Toward the casket resting before my throne. Einar and Clarissa stood by it and watched us grimly.

Every head was bowed. Everyone from my realm came to honor their queen.

Anastasia’s friends started crying silently when they saw her. Aeron and Xic brought them here so she could meet them.

I knew it’s what she would have wanted.

My face bore no expression or emotion as I carried Anastasia to her deathbed. This place was always home to demise but this moment pinched and pricked my defunct heart and tainted soul.

I wasn’t made to feel things.

How could I when I was born of death and evil!

I only knew darkness and destruction. I was only capable of inflicting fear. The only two emotions I felt were hatred and anger.

Until I met Anastasia.

The windows blew open and the white and black rose petals flew in from every direction. Everyone watched them with mixed emotions as they danced in the air and filled her casket.

Anastasia said they represented us.

Black and white.

Dark and light. Pure and evil.

It was only right these flowers accompanied her to the very end.

She deserved so much better.

I laid Anastasia carefully in the casket and gazed over her face. She was looking breathtakingly beautiful in her white dress. She always did and always will.

She was meant to be the queen and she looked like one right now.

“Sleep, my love,” I kissed the back of her hand. She was warm. Her skin glowed with the fading life. “Until I return by your side.” I pinched her chin softly and pressed a chaste kiss to her rosy lips.

“Are you sure?” Einar asked when I faced him.

“Protect her until my return,” I replied coldly. “Don’t let a single strand on her be misplaced and mistreated, Einar.”

“Let me come with you,” Clarissa said desperately.

“No,” I replied sharply. “It’s my war.” I opened the rift. “Only I’m going to fight it to the end.”

My Ashrune appeared in my hand when I crossed the rift and stepped out in Aessagar.

I jumped on top of the mountain and sat over the edge. I scoffed when the alarms rang everywhere and the Blue Bloods surrounded me in a flash.

“You have some nerve to set foot on our land,” Sorush sneered. “You won’t step out of here alive today.”

His underlings attacked me from every direction at his command. Sorush seethed when his dogs were blown away like dust.

“As much as I want to kill you,” I glared at Larc, “it’s not my place.”

“As if,” Sorush taunted. “You are nothing but-” His eyes widened when he saw my wings.

“Yes,” I smirked at the fear that drowned every last Blue Blood in the terror of death. “But as I said, it’s not my place to put you to your doom.”

The sky opened and four tall cloaked entities with massive swords appeared. Sorush paled at the mere sight of them.

Especially Azrael.

“Oh great angel Azrael,” Sorush knelt to the ground before him. Every Blue Blood followed his lead. “What an honor to be in the presence of our creator.”

“Not quite,” he looked behind him. “They are here because I called the judgment.”

“Huan!” Sorush was appalled when Hannah unveiled her face. “You were–”

“Alive!” Hannah walked past him. “Of course, I was.” She stopped next to me. “You think it is easy to kill the one who was supposed to be the Sachem, a position you stole by deception!” Sorush broke into a cold sweat. “I chose not to intervene with divinity and you labeled me a traitor.”

“Is this true?” Sax stepped forward. “Did you frame my mother and lie to me all this time?”

“Its” Sorush looked toward the towering figures fearfully. “I didn’t.” He bowed to them like a maniac. “I followed the ordinance through and through. I never stepped out of the line.”

“Harold sent a parting gift for you,” I threw the crystal ball to his feet.

His face was ashen when it broke and the timeline they stole and hid through forbidden sorcery flew free and revealed his evil doings.

“My bad,” I sneered at his horrified expressions, “I slipped.”

“Sorush!” the air stilled with Azrael’s powerful voice. “You betrayed the oath you took under my blood.”

Sorush spluttered blood when Azrael and the other three angels plunged their blades into him.

“There is no forgiveness for messing with the order of creation,” Azrael struck Aessagar with calamity. “Everyone who was your accomplice in your evil will stand the heavenly judgment.”

His cavalry burnt to ashes before his eyes.

“Forgive me, oh great Azrael,” Sorush begged.

He perished.

It was not enough for me. Their death and demise. I wanted to see them die over and again.

Both Sorush and Larc.

At my hands.

“I don’t wish for this bloodline to continue,” Azrael addressed Hannah. “They soiled their purpose of existence.”

“I beg for mercy,” Hannah knelt before him. “I admit that they forgot their objective but not everyone was part of this folly. I beg you to give these lost lambs a chance at redemption.”

“I see the forbidden one here,” Azrael looked at me. “Your arrogance is worse than hell dwellers. But I can see why divinity lets you live.” I gnashed my teeth at his words. “Very well, Huan, the bearer of my blood,” Hannah took Sorush’s scythe from Azrael. “I grant you the chance to mend your ways.”

“Mercy, my Angel,” Hannah bowed respectfully. The angels disappeared and Hannah dispersed her kin. “You too, Sax. We will talk later.” Sax didn’t argue and left as well.

No one dared to rebel or argue against her commands. They knew they were in hot waters for their actions.

“I owe you once more,” Hannah said once we were alone. “Thank you, Cain. For saving me again.”

“You are not going to go crazy after my wings after sitting on your new throne!” I chuckled. “I’d hate it if I had to chew you to pieces, Hannah.”

“I’m not desperate for death,” she retorted and looked over the horizon. “The more you have, the greater your suffering,” Hannah glanced at me from her periphery.

“Power I mean. It’s a curse in itself. It won’t let you feel true happiness and closure. It isolates you.” I chose not to say anything. “If I can be of any help, let me know.”

“You have done enough,” I replied offhandedly. “But I’d appreciate it if your children don’t go insane over me anymore,” I smirked when Hannah laughed. “Your kingdom awaits you.”

“Your life awaits you,” she smiled. “Go and conquer it.”

“I will,” I opened the rift to Acreoterra and returned.

Everyone looked at me when I appeared in the throne room unscathed. I went straight to Anastasia’s casket and looked at her sleeping face.

“Lyra!”

Time stopped for everyone except for me, Einar, Clarissa, Aeron, and Xic.

And Anastasia.

“I ask you again, oh Dalazar Daemmone!” Lyra asked solemnly. “Do you wish to cross the time rift at the cost of your power?”

“I never needed to think twice,” I caressed Anastasia’s face. “I never needed to when it came to her.” I faced her. “I am ready to give my wing in return for her life.”

Flashback

I couldn’t bear the sight of her unmoving body anymore. Her unopened eyes stirred the monster in me to wake and annihilate everything.

If she was not going to live and breathe then nothing had the right to exist as well.

I didn’t listen to the catcalls of my family and returned to Acreoterra. Her last moments plagued my mind and vision. It made me insane towards every lucidity.

I was not going to spare and listen to rationality. I will destroy the world and spread terror just the way everyone expected of my existence.

“Seisc,” they appeared on my call. “Open the gates of the Abyss to Earth. Release the Anima on every little thing in the fucking world.”

I will destroy everything. I will become the monster they fear.

“Cain!” I froze when I heard her soft voice behind me. “Jeez, this is so tough. I’m feeling so nervous facing you after what I did.”

My heart drowned in anguish when I saw Einar holding Anastasia’s camera. The one she carried through the entire trip.

“I know you are mad at me right now. I know you are planning to destroy the world and prove them right that you are the monster they always feared.”

I didn’t notice when I walked up to Einar and took the camera.

“Honestly, I want you to destroy everything too.” My heart clenched painfully when she tried to cover the shaking of her voice behind her laugh. “But more than that, I don’t want anyone calling you evil and bad.”

“That’s what I am,” I chuckled dryly and touched the screen. “That’s why you chose to leave my side.”

“I know what you are thinking right now,” Anastasia smiled. “That I left you because I thought the same.” Her words punched me hard. “That’s not true, Cain. It’s not the reason that I chose to leave your side.” Her eyes pooled with tears.

“I didn’t leave because you said you didn’t want weakness. I already know that I am your weakness. I know,” she breathed shakily, “I know you love me.”

I couldn’t breathe.

“And that’s the reason I chose you over me,” Ana said firmly. “Because I can’t bear those so-called righteous monsters using me to get at you.”

“I am fine with dying but I can’t let them mock you. What do they know?” Tears started rolling down her cheeks. “Nothing. They know nothing about you but I do.”

“You fool,” I gritted through the pain. “You little-” the sky thundered with my anguish.

“Remember what I said!” Anastasia wiped her tears and smiled. “You are more like an anti-hero. You can always switch sides.” Her eyes pooled with tears once again.

“I have spent my entire life running from the darkness, Cain. But I found my light in you. I found my world in you.”

“I love you, Cain. And I don’t regret it for even a moment. I’m glad I was created for you. The little time I was granted was the most precious time of my life.”

She showed the ring on her finger.

“You gave me the whole world and that’s enough for me. I am ready to leave in peace with that. I don’t want- I -” she broke down.

“Please don’t forget me. Forgive me for my selfishness but I pray and I wish that I might have brought you some peace and happiness too. I hope that I was the reason for your smile somewhere, that I brightened your life a little.”

Damn you, Ana.

“I love you, Cain,” her smile was sorrowful. “I will love you now and forever. So, don’t let those monsters win. You don’t need to destroy anything for my sake. You don’t need to become a monster for me.”

“I will wait for you in another life, Cain,” Anastasia whispered, “It is a goodbye until then.”

The screen went blank.

“Stop,” I whispered. “Wait for my further commands.” I gave the camera to Einar and teleported back to my room.

Anastasia was lying still on the bed.

She was partially under the effects of the curse. The end was claiming her slowly. It was torture worse than any death. Her stillness was worse than the effects of black Phoenix ash for me.

I lifted her carefully in my arms and breathed against her cheek.

“Oi,” I whispered to her closed eyes. “You cannot leave me like this, Ana. I am not ready to let you go yet.” I caressed her cheek with my thumb. “I haven’t told you anything. You haven’t heard your heartfelt wish yet.”

My eyes stung with something salty and warm. I touched my cheek when something wet rolled down my eye.

“Oi, Ana,” I closed my eyes to push back the stingy feeling. “Look what you’ve done to me, you little vixen! You have messed me up. You keep on messing with me and I keep letting you,” I growled. “Why didn’t you ask me? Why couldn’t you ask me?” I hugged her tightly. “Come back to me, damn it.”

I glared at Lyra when she appeared before me again.

“Get lost,” I snarled at her.

“Are you sure?” She smiled that hateful smile again.

“Why did you need to test her?” I got up and faced her. “You could have fucking asked me directly. Why did you drag her into this?”

“Would you have given up-”

“Yes,” I yelled at her. “One wing! I could have given up both wings for Anastasia. I can give them up right now if it can save her. Because I love her.” Lyra looked at me, stunned.

“I love Anastasia, do you hear me! I fucking love her so much that I can give my life as well as take others just for her sake.” I breathed heavily.

“You mistook my words just like her, Lyra. I didn’t want her to be my weakness for others to exploit. Just like you and your fucking Dalim did.”

Lyra composed back into her hard shell within a flash.

“Dalim doesn’t know I am here,” Lyra spoke softly. “I’m going to help you save Anastasia.” I faced her fully. “She can be saved as long as you are willing to sacrifice your left wing for her.”

“I don’t need to say it twice, Lyra,” I said determinedly. “I want her back more than a fucking wing.”

“Take her to Acreoterra,” her eyes showed a different resolution. “Take care of Blue Bloods first. I know Hannah is alive and in your hiding.” Lyra smirked. “I know Harold left you with a lovely gift to destroy Sorush. Deal your cards first. The rest will follow after that.”

End of Flashback

“Did you get a shard of that crystal?” Lyra smiled when I raised it for her to see. She took it from me and placed it in the center of the halo she drew on the floor. “Release Angie and Nat.”

They were released as soon as my brothers held their hands.

“Laurel!” Angie looked at her in bewilderment. “You were alive!”

“We don’t have enough time to waste on chit-chat,” Lyra extended her hand for them. They joined the circle with Aeron and Xic. “So everyone present that day is here?”

“Except Einar and Clarissa,” Aeron told her. “They came after Anastasia was pulled inside the portal.”

“Fair enough,” Lyra slashed their palms and made their blood drop on the halo. It glowed brightly when the blood connected and channeled to six corners. “I need Einar out of the halo.” She looked at him. “You will need to use every last drop of your power from the outside and channel it through me to the time rift.”

“You are really going to open it?” Clarissa asked her skeptically. “Won’t Dalim know?”

“We will stall him with the help of this,” Lyra levitated the broken crystal shard. “But we will be running against the time. An hour at maximum.”

“That’s more than enough,” I responded darkly. “You take me to the exact moment when Dante took Anastasia to meet the guests.”

“You cannot let anyone see you,” Lyra warned. “Especially your past self.”

I gave her my arm and she turned it over. Lyra chanted something and a circlet appeared on our wrists.

“It will start running once you trigger the events in motion.” I just nodded. “It’s time.”

“But your wing” Clarissa looked at Einar when he grabbed her shoulder. “Just come back alive and in one piece.” She brooded over my smirk. “I am done watching my family die on me.”

“Please,” I looked at Angie and Nat. “Bring her back.” Nat sniffed. “She hasn’t lived enough happy days in her life. It’s unfair.”

“We are counting on you like Ana,” Angie gripped Nat’s hand tightly. “She doesn’t even know that Nat and Xic are going out.”

I’m bringing you back, my love. You are coming back at every fucking cost.

I pulled the hood over my head and covered my face with the mask. My Ashrune appeared and I stepped inside the halo at Lyra’s command.

“Now,” Lyra nodded at Einar.

He spun his hands in different gestures and funneled his power into the halo through Lyra. The space opened before me and took the shape of a black hole.

“Don’t alter the future more than necessary,” Lyra yelled at me. “One hour, Cain. You need to return within one hour.”

I crossed the time rift and stepped out in the arena.

The scene replayed before my eyes in the same manner once again. I waited in the shadows and surveyed the arena. The place was swarming with demons and waiting on Dante’s command.

“This way, Mio Amore.” My heart started beating furiously when I saw Anastasia. “You will be delighted to meet this guest.” He guided her to the empty stage.

I cast the mirage on the entire place and put everyone to sleep including my brothers before they could have noticed.

The demons perished with a single blow of my sword. Dante swirled on his feet when I jumped down after them. I didn’t give him the time to assess and process. I gutted Dante hard and pushed him in Ochelas through the portal.

“Keep him alive,” I commanded Seisc. I needed him to open the gate to Vozothis before anyone took notice.

Anastasia’s eyes widened in horror when I shut her mouth with my palm. I knocked her out and teleported her back to my estate. I laid her in the bed and raised the barrier around the place.

“Sweet dreams,” I stepped away from her. “I’ll see you soon.” I went back and pulled Dante out of Ochelas. “Tell him,” I plunged my blade in his abdomen. “Send the signal.”

Dante coughed out blood when I stabbed him again.

“Right now.” I shoved my hand in his chest and gripped his heart. “Or I’ll rip you from inside out.”

“I’m - doing-” he sent the signal and the rift opened the next instant. I thrust him through the gate when it opened.

“Fuck!” Xoran stared at me wide-eyed when I jabbed the blade into him through Dante and slashed them open from limb to limb in front of Harold.

“I wanted to give you a death worse than this,” they turned to dust within a blink. “But I’m not at luxury right now.” I stood up straight and faced Harold.

“Who the fuck are you?” Harold stood up from his throne. “How dare you?” he stopped dead in his tracks when I charred his demons before his eyes.

“You won’t live long enough to know,” I engulfed his throne room in my flames. “None of you will.” I looked at Sorush and Larc.

They charged at me simultaneously with Harold.

“You love to make others dance!” I sent them flying in three different directions with a single blow. “I will show you who owns the tune.”

I gave them pain worse than death.

Their howls and screams were music to my ears. I tore them to pieces and put them back only to tear them apart again.

I forced them through the agony over and again until they crawled to my feet and begged for death.

I was drenched in their wretched blood from head to toe. I relished in the feeling and savored the moment.

I was the child of death and evil after all.

“Seisc,” The gates to Abyss opened and they appeared behind me and encircled them. “Drag them to the depths of despair.” Harold spluttered blood when I stepped on his chest. “Kill them over and again. Feed them to the worst of Anima. Make them beg death for another death.”

“No,” they screamed and thrashed when spiked restraints pierced their bodies and Seisc dragged them to the depths of Abyss. The earth closed in on their cries and I tore the entire realm to its core.

Everything started falling apart and perished into nothing.

I plunged my blade into the floor and opened it to the hidden cave. I went down and stopped in front of the lone monument.

Omisha’s heart.

It kept beating slowly, feeding the goblet that channeled its power to keep this place going.

“The beginning is the end you seek.” I entered the lake and waded towards the tomb. “Time is like sand. It constantly slips out of your hand.” The dagger appeared in place of my sword. “While you try to mold its frame to your thoughts, it will play its trick and you won’t be able to discern what you lost.”

I stopped in front of the burial and stared at the slowly beating heart.

I solved Dalim’s riddle.

“You were the answer all along.”

The ice shattered and I rammed the dagger into the heart.

“You were the beginning and end to this fucking circus.” I scoffed when it withered before my eyes.

My vengeance was complete at last.

The blood rose from the goblet like strings and snapped one by one.

The curse broke.

The last light rose out of the dying heart and blinded everything including me.

I was standing in limbo with no beginning and end.

I looked at the circlet and teleported back to the arena.

It was time to go back.

“I’m coming,” I rasped when the time rift opened. I stepped in it and returned to my time. “I’m coming, my love.”

Everyone looked at me when I stepped out of the rift. They were circling the casket. The relief and victory were dancing in everyone’s eyes.

“Where” I staggered forward. The time-traveling took its toll on my body. It made me laugh. At least, I was not immune to its pain. “Ana”

“Cain!” Everyone stepped aside to let me see. My heart stopped and started beating when my eyes landed on her.

She was alive.

She was healthy.

She was smiling tearfully at me.

Anastasia jumped out of the casket and ran toward me. I met her halfway and lifted her in my arms. I breathed in her scent and held her tightly.

“I’m never letting you go again,” I kissed her hard. “Never.” I showered kisses all over her face before claiming her lips again. “Never again.”

Anastasia buried her face in my chest and embraced me passionately.

“Why are you covered in blood?” She mumbled.

“Just forget everything,” I kissed her temple. “You have no fucking idea what I’m going to do to you for playing me,” I smirked when Anastasia looked at me shyly. “I warned you, didn’t I?” I brushed her hair back. “I’ll show you a hell in me if you dared to leave me.” Her cheeks blushed beautifully. “You wait till we are alone.”

“Ana!” Anastasia was shocked to see Lyra.

“What did you do?” Anastasia sobbed loudly when I put my finger on her lips.

“Nothing matters to me but you,” I cupped her cheek. “I can give up anything for you.” I wiped her tears. “It’s only a wing.”

“How could you do this, Lyra?” Anastasia looked at her disappointedly.

I was equally surprised when Lyra’s face cracked like glass.

“I only did what was best for my child and her happiness.” Lyra smiled woefully. “I needed to see if my sacrifice was worth it.” Another crack appeared on her arm.

“You disappointed me, Lyra,” I held Anastasia protectively when Dalim appeared. “You betrayed my trust.”

“I’m paying the price,” Lyra faced him calmly. “I didn’t step out of my line and use your powers to my advantage, Dalim. I used the remainder of my life in exchange for my child’s.”

“You didn’t take his wing!” Anastasia asked Lyra.

“I was just testing him,” Lyra looked between us. She swallowed the pain when her body broke further. “To see how far he can go for your sake and how deep and true his love is for you.”

We looked at each other.

“He is not the threat to the world or heaven and hell.” Lyra faced Dalim again.

“Only time will tell, Lyra,” Dalim said emotionlessly. “Farewell, my dream.” He caressed her cheek. “Rest in peace now.” He disappeared.

“Live well,” Lyra looked at Anastasia tearfully. “You don’t have to fear anything anymore.” Her body broke further. “You won’t be alone anymore.”

“No, Laurel, please,” Anastasia cried loudly. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be.” A single tear rolled down her cheek. “Take care of her always, Cain.”

“Laurel!” Anastasia screamed when she shattered into pieces and vanished forever. I palmed Anastasia’s head when she hid her face in my chest.

“Goodbye, Lyra,” I whispered under my breath. “You fulfilled your duty well.”