The Legacy

Kain stared at the ground, her eyes heavy and her body feeling weak. She smacked her tongue against her pallet but there was no moist in her mouth to make her feel better. She hadn’t eaten anything for a while now and she wished she had something to drink. How long had she been locked up now? Days? Weeks? Hekatai sat on the cold floor just a few inches from her, looking at her with thoughtful eyes. Hekatai’s reassuring words were the only thing keeping Kain sane. Kain admitted that she still didn’t like the deity much but it was all she had to hold on.

There was a soft shuffling sound coming from the door just before it opened. Kain lifted her head thinking that it was Abbadon who had come to gloat once more. Instead Gavin was the one walking into the room. his shoulders slumped and his expression weary. He slowly closed the door behind him and gave her a nervous smile. “You have looked better,” he commented, hoping that would break the ice a little. So, he noticed the wall Kain had built up between them, Kain thought as she followed Gavin’s movements with a scowl. And what? Did he honestly think he could just go to her with that gorgeous smile of his and the wall would just crack open again? He was the reason that there was a wall between them in the first place. More correctly stated, it was his betrayal that was the reason for the wall between them.

“What do you want?” she croaked, sagging her head back down.

“Kain please, I don’t want you to suffer like this! Just tell Abbadon what he wants to hear.” Gavin pleaded.

Kain glared at him. Did he really think he could manipulate the love she had for him to make her squeal the whereabouts of Sophia and Wison, just to have him run to Abbadon? Of course, Kain found the notion to be pathetic and a waste of time. She would never have growled like this to stay in Abbadon’s good graces. “Go away Gavin!” she said, her voice raw and her throat feeling like sandpaper, rubbing against each other. Gavin didn’t budge, “I said I will always be there for you. I meant that! But I can’t be there if you don’t come clean!” Gavin tried to implore.

Kain heard Hekatai scoff, does he honestly think that, that is how loyalties work? she said with a roll of her eyes.

“You can get me out of here Gavin!” Kain started to plead, “we can run away from this place and finally be free. You’re right! I don’t have to suffer like this. You say you love me. That you’re here for me. Prove it! Prove that you are on my side!” Kain Continued. Mentally crossing her fingers, she hoped that Gavin did love her enough to set her free. She could instantly tell that it was a waste of time the moment he started to shake his head. “You know I can’t,” Gavin said quietly, his eyes closed, and his lips taut.

Kain cocked her head to the side, “can’t or won’t?” she inquired pointedly.

He’s a coward, and a fake. He won’t help you Kain, you know that already. He has proven his chosen side, Hekatai said, shifting from her place on the ground. Kain smiled through the corner of her mouth, turning her eyes towards Hekatai. “You are supposed to be all powerful. Why don’t you do something?” Kain inquired, “you have proven your chosen side!” she then spat savagely towards the deity. Gavin stared awkwardly at her.

I could say the same about you. After all, you do have my power running in your veins! Hekatai stated sharply. Kain gave a snort as Hekatai smiled deviously, knowing that she won this round.

“Kain, who are you talking to?” Gavin asked, his face of concern morphing back into weariness. His eyes never left her, with fear that she might be going mad if he does. Kain’s smile vanished from her face as she turned her head back towards him. “Does it matter?” she asked him curtly, raising her eyebrows.

“Kain please, I’m begging you to reconsider your options,” he pleaded again, his voice betraying a hint of fear. Kain scowled at him, “why don’t you reconsider your options? Why not choose me over him?” she countered.

There was a glint in his eyes which almost made his plea seem sincere and of true intentions. Kain lowered her glare and stared at the wall behind him, “what do they have against you?” She asked, frowning at him. She studied Gavin’s face. His eyes. But she couldn’t read any sign of the fear or worry he was harbouring. His composure didn’t give away any glint of being under pressure. He only looked sad. “They don’t have anything against me. It is you I’m worried about. Abbadon can kill you for just talking to the fae folk.”

Kain rolled her eyes as she gave a fake laugh, “oh yeah? Then why am I still alive? Don’t tell me you are foolish enough to think it is because he wants to know where the others are?” Kain accused. Gavin straightened his posture. “So, you do know where they are?” he asked enthusiastically.

Kain shook her head, biting down on her lower lip for a split second. “I never said that! I don’t know where they are. Why don’t you believe me?” Kain asked hopelessly, throwing her head back and staring at the ceiling. Because they only believe what they want to and nothing else matters. It is how humans work Kainun, Hekatai commented in Kain’s mind. She was glaring at Gavin with disgust. Kain scowled down at her.

“I used to be one of them remember?” she directed towards the deity. She didn’t even care anymore if Gavin or Abbadon thought her mad. Kain was tired of pretending. Hekatai shook her head, no Kainun. You were led to believe that you are one of them. The truth is that you never were, and you’ll never be one of them. You are fae. You are a Bleeder, one of the Seven. Hekatai turned her head back towards Gavin, who stared at Kain with confused eyes, the love you have for this human will only break you. He doesn’t love you enough to choose you, she added softly. Kain knew that the deity was right, but she couldn’t bring herself to admit it.

Kain stared at the deity, “I want and do believe that his love would break through,” Kain said but wasn’t positive that she believed her own words. She turned towards Gavin before she continued, “we have loved each other since the first day we met. I will not give up on hoping that he’ll do what is right by me.” Kain looked at Gavin, with eyes that burned into him. She was urging her words to mean something to him, to convince him to make the right choice. To help her.

I hope you are right, Hekatai sighed unconvinced. Kain turned her attention back to Hekatai, glaring at her with disbelief. Gavin looked around the room and then at the ground where Kain was staring. “Kain?” Gavin said, “I’m worried about you. Did they do something to you?” he asked hesitantly. Kain laughed before looking at Gavin again, she knew which ‘they’ he was referring to.

“All they did was show me the truth that everyone else denied me. They told me who I am and what lies I have been told,” Kain said with a snort of disbelief, “Abbadon lied to us Gavin. He’s been lying all this time!” she added, bursting with hysterical giggles. Gavin stepped back, “they messed with your brain, Kain! You aren’t thinking clearly!” Gavin accused then left the room. Kain stared at the closed door, her face blank and her eyes wide with shock. He just left. He didn’t even just leave like a normal person would. He practically ran away. He didn’t even attempt to fight or defend her. She had so much faith in him and he basically slapped her through the face.

Hekatai was right. His loyalties truly didn’t lie with her. They remain in Abbadon’s possession. They are all fools, Hekatai announced then stared up at Kain, you will get out of here soon. And it won’t be through death! Hekatai added with a promise burning in her eyes. Kain didn’t know which was worse. The fact that she trusted and believed Hekatai whether Kain hated her or not, or that she is foolish enough to think that she will be getting out of here alive.

It wasn’t long before Gavin came stumbling back into the room, Kain scowled at him. “You just don’t know when to give up do you?” she accused him, frustration lacing her voice. The frustration wasn’t just pointed at him it was also the result of hunger that has grown aggressively in her stomach. She had this tendency to become rude and unkind when she was hungry and Kain was starving. “Kain,” Gavin breathed, it was only then that she realized his paleness and wide eyes. He was scared. It was the very first time she had ever seen him scared. When Abbadon entered the room behind him, she understood why. Abbadon held Gavin at knife point, the tip of his shamshir pressing into Gavin’s back, and his other hand squeezing its fingers into Gavin’s neck and collarbone.

Kain dropped her scowl and felt her own face losing colour. Kain tugged at her manacles hard, “what are you doing?” she directed to Abbadon. She used all the strength she had to force herself to straighten, her eyes focused on Gavin’s. Abbadon pushed Gavin roughly, urging him to move closer to Kain. “You are going to tell me where your friends are. Either willingly or by persuasion!” Abbadon said pressing the shamshir harder against Gavin’s back, “I gave you enough time to come clean. I even allowed your lover to try again but I’m getting impatient. I don’t like getting impatient. You clearly need a new way to be persuaded and I’m more than happy to help you get motivated!” Abbadon offered with a toothy sneer. Kain gasped, her heart pounding. She was angry at Gavin, but she never wanted anything bad to happen to him.

Frustrated tears burned in the corners of her eyes as she clenched her teeth together, “I told you many times over and over again. I don’t know where they are! Wison took Sophia away without telling me where they are going! I’m telling you the truth!” Kain said, swinging herself forward with the failed attempt to reach Gavin, the manacles restricting her. Abbadon laughed, “Wison,” he shook his head, clearly amused, “so the creature has a name,” Abbadon laughed a little longer then pointed the shamshir at Kain, “you are a funny little girl,” he said before pressing the shamshir against Gavin’s throat. Abbadon moved his other hand around Gavin’s chest, pressing Gavin hard against his own chest.

Kain caught the glimmer of red oozing down Gavin’s throat, where the sword had nicked at the skin beneath his chin. She had hoped that this was just some act to get her to talk but seeing the blood she knew that no one was acting. “Where are they Kain?” Abbadon growled, his face pulled together with a dangerous expression and his teeth clenched with irritation. “I don’t know!” Kain pleaded, she felt the warm, saltiness of a Houdini tear that ran down her cheek. The last thing she wanted was to look vulnerable in front of Abbadon. Her eyes began to blur as they filled with more unshed tears.

There was a warm hand squeezing her shoulder. Kain yanked her head to the side and stared at Hekatai who stared back with sympathy, “why aren’t you doing anything!” Kain yelled at Hekatai, “why aren’t you helping me?” she added with a plea. Hekatai only shook her head slowly, bending it down in what looked like shame, I’m sorry Kainun, but I can’t help you. I have no power here, Hekatai said calmly. Kain felt more tears flowing down her face, her chest squeezing into her heart.

“You are lying! I saw what you did with Breezes’s body! If you have no power, then how could you do what you did? how can you come and go as you please?” Kain shouted angrily.

Abbadon stared at Kain with bewilderment, “so you have gone crazy after all. Are you hearing voices in your head Kain? Are they telling you how much of a traitor you are?” Abbadon cooed with sarcasm. Kain whipped her head towards him, “shut up!” she shouted at him, she could barely see the two of them standing there through the water collected in her eyes.

Breezes was dead, I was able to take her soul from her body. It is not power. It is what deities do. It’s the force of life. As for the comings and goings. That’s not power either. I am just a spirit after all, Hekatai explained, showing no sign of offense taken by Kain’s accusations, I am sorry Kain, but you are the only one with power here, Hekatai continued calmly, patiently. Kain sobbed louder. She turned her head back towards Abbadon, “please!” she pleaded with him, “please let him go! I don’t know where they are! I’m telling you the truth!” she sobbed.

Abbadon sighed impatiently, but he released Gavin non the less. Gavin grabbed his throat, covering the wound created by the shamshir. He was looking at Kain warily and Kain felt her heart skip a beat as she could feel a sliver of hope. “You know,” Abbadon began, swinging his shamshir in circles next to his side, “I consider myself a reasonable man. I gave you a chance and many more chances to speak up Kain,” he said shaking his head in disbelief. The sliver of hope Kain felt, vanished leaving a growing void in its place. “Well, I guess I have to keep my word,” Abbadon added, giving Kain a wink. Without warning, Abbadon turned in a circle, picking up his blade and swung it with blinding speed. “NO!” Kain screamed, throwing her body forward. The manacles cut into her wrists against the force. The shamshir sliced clean through Gavin’s neck. Kain watched the frozen expression of shock on Gavin’s face as his head rolled towards her feet. Kain screamed and trashed but it was all just failed attempts to get away. She couldn’t take her eyes away from Gavin’s head, thankful that her eyes blurred too much to see clearly. His body collapsed to the ground, a pool of scarlet liquid flowing from the stub where his head used to be.

Abbadon made a disgusted sound, “now look what you have done!” he moaned. Kain glared up at Abbadon. He was looking at his shamshir which was covered in Gavin’s blood. “No matter,” he shrugged then wiped his blade clean on Gavin’s clothes. He turned towards Kain who hung white as a ghost in her manacles. “I’ll get someone to clean up the mess you made, tomorrow. It’ll give you enough time to say goodbye won’t it?” he asked, sarcasm lacing his voice as he cocked his head to the side innocently and giving a lazy wave of his hand.

“You’re a monster!” Kain growled. Abbadon shook his head, “no Kain, your fae friends are the monsters and we will find them soon enough,” he paused then spared a glance towards Gavin’s head, “with or without your help,” he added with a bemused sneer. Abbadon turned on his heal, resting his shamshir on his shoulder and whistled as he left the room.

Every inch of Kain’s body began to curl in pain. She sagged and gave in to Gravity. She would have crashed to the floor if the manacles didn’t hold her up. The tears ran down her cheeks in uncontrollable streams. Everything inside of her was broken and shattered by just one single swing of a blade. Kain felt ashamed of how she treated Gavin. She felt ashamed of everything she accused him off. She was broken because she didn’t even get the chance to tell him how much she still loved him, because through everything, through it all, she still did.

Hekatai moved around Kain and knelt on the ground beside Gavin’s body, and stroked his chest lightly. I have released his soul. He is in a better place now, Hekatai assured. She straightened and moved towards Kain, I’m sorry Kainun. I’m sorry that there’s nothing more I can do for him. For you, the deity said but before she could continue, Kain cut her off. “Just go!” Kain ordered.

Hekatai stared at Kain, she was taken aback. Kainun, there was nothing I could do! she tried to explain but Kain didn’t want to hear it. “Go! Leave me alone,” Kain sobbed.

Hekatai reached towards Kain’s face with a hovering hand, Kainun… she began once more, but Kain cut her off yet again. “GO!” she snapped, glaring at Hekatai. Hekatai pulled her hand back and sighed sadly. As you wish, she said and then she was gone. Alone in the room with Gavin’s body. Kain dropped her head towards her chest, her body shaking silently.

She hated herself for treating Gavin the way she did. She was hurt but that wasn’t any excuse. Now it was too late. Gavin was gone, and she still felt betrayed. She felt the hatred for Abbadon burning stronger than ever and her greatest desire was vengeance. Vengeance for Breezes, for Gavin, for every innocent Fae the Academy had killed and even for Collins. She would get her revenge one way or another, but she knew it wasn’t going to happen by being locked up. She had to figure out a way to get out of here so that she could give Abbadon a slow and painful death. Kain glared at the door. She will have her revenge, she’s confident about it. Her eyes found Gavin’s lifeless eyes, and felt her heart rip open once more. Yet there were no more tears left in her eyes to be cried. “I’m sorry Gavin,” she whispered, “I am the one who failed you.”