The Legacy

Kain stared at the grey walls of the room, ignoring Abbadon’s presence. It was quite ironic how they called the Grey room a grey room. Not only was it called the Grey room for its grey walls but also for the unemotional aspects of what happens inside the room. She had been locked up for two days. To her it felt as if it might have been longer. There was no sense of time in this room. Not without any windows or any shade of light passing underneath the door. There was another presence in the room. The same warm golden light she’s starting to get familiar with. Kain shifted her head to the side, looking at the glowing woman leaning with her arms folded against the corner of the room. She looked more like a spirit. Her features visible yet faded at the same time. Sometimes Kain could just make out the wall behind the woman by looking straight through her and other times it seemed that the woman was solid. All the same, the glowing golden light around the woman held up that celestial gleam she carried.

The woman was staring at Abbadon, her face unreadable but her eyes flashing with anger. After all, Abbadon did just kill one of her own. Abbadon moved to stand in front of Kain, his hands still lazily folded behind his back. “Nothing to say to me?” he cooed with fake disappointment. Or maybe it was real disappointment. What did he think of his star pupil now, Kain wondered as she stared into his emotionless eyes. Kain understood now why she was never able to stare him in his eyes. Looking at them sent a cold snake down her back and she had to fight the urge not to shiver. He was but a shell that concealed things of evil and no emotion. No, Kain didn’t have anything to say to him. She glared at him, her eyes still stinging with unshed tears. “You will tell me where your little fae friend ran off to,” he warned coolly, his voice was patient. He wanted her to tell him where Wison and Sophia was, but he wasn’t pushing her for the answers. It was all just a game to him and she knew it. If there was one thing that made Abbadon a man to fear, it was his love for dragging things out. Tensing things up. Until the victim begged him just to get it over with the sake of getting rid of the tension that went along with the suspense of how long it would take before Abbadon finally killed them. He didn’t seem to be in any hurry to kill Kain at all. Kain slitted her eyes, her face burning with anger, “I don’t need to tell you were my little fae friend is! You know where she is! You were the one who ordered her killed!” Kain spat venomously.

Abbadon’s lips tilted at the side, he found her anger amusing which only enraged her more, “that is right! I almost forgot!” Abbadon gave a slow laugh, turning around the room as he paced along the walls. He moved past the glowing woman, unaware of her presence. Kain saw the glowing orb of light around the woman expand into an aggressive flash before receding back to its agitated solar flares. Abbadon turned on his heel and faced Kain again. “Of course, I didn’t mean her,” he said. There was a cold playfulness playing on the tone of his voice, “I meant your little blue fae friend and that traitorous Sophia!” Kain bit on the inside of her lip, she knew that she would give him the satisfaction if she screamed at him. Forcing herself to remain calm. Kain asked, “why do you deem Sophia a traitor? What did she do?”

Abbadon stared blankly back at her, the playfulness receding, and his previous posture returned. “She mingled into things that weren’t meant to be mingled with. She and that lover of hers,” he cocked his head up, his face thoughtful, “then again. So did you. You lied to me the other day. You did speak to Sophia when I caught you and she said something to you didn’t she?” Kain glared at him. “So, you admit that you were the one to kill Collins!” she challenged, as she sneered at him. She could see his nostril flare, her sneer turned into a smile, because she knew that she had triggered something.

His mouth grew taught and his jaw twitched, “I didn’t admit to anything. But I do admit saying that I am greatly grieved by the way you mingled with fae. I thought that I raised you better!” he held a dramatic hand against his chest, pretending to actually be offended. “Bite me!” Kain spat, she wasn’t going to give Abbadon the satisfaction he wants. He meant nothing to her, and she knew with all possibility that she meant nothing to him either.

The door opened behind Abbadon and Greg stepped in. He sneered at Kain, as if she was an animal hanging there, already dead and waiting to be skinned. Abbadon turned sideways to Greg. “What is it?” Abbadon hissed, his expression showed that he was annoyed for being bothered from his little game. “I apologize sir, but there is someone who wants to speak to you,” Greg whispered, leaning into Abbadon in attempt to keep Kain from hearing. Only he wasn’t successful because a keen sense of hearing was one of her hunting strengths.

Abbadon sighed, “tell him to wait!” he growled impatiently. Greg grabbed onto Abbadon’s arm just as he was about to turn away. “She’s already waiting in your office,” Greg whispered quickly. He was strangely insistent which made Kain very attentive to the exchange of glances.

I feel a dark presence! the glowing woman whispered. Her voice sounding tight in Kain’s mind. Kain saw a flash of light and knew without looking that the woman was gone. “Very well,” Abbadon said, his mood suddenly changed to a sense of entertainment. “I will be back soon!” he half sang to Kain as he walked through the door. Greg grinned at her before closing the door behind them, leaving her alone once more.

After a while, the door opened up again to reveal Gavin with a tray of food balanced in one hand. Kain instantly glared at him which made him bend his head down. “Why bring food when my hands can’t even reach my face?” she asked venomously. Gavin closed the door behind him, “I am here to feed you,” he said slowly, his slouching shoulders told her that he was feeling guilty. Good, she thought. She didn’t want to stay mad at him, but he didn’t fight for her and that was what is breaking her apart the most.

Kain shook her head, turning it away from him. “Please Kain! You must come clean! I don’t want Abbadon to hurt you!” he pleaded, rushing a step towards her. She snapped her head towards him so fast that she could feel the sudden pop in her neck. “I have nothing to hide! You can stop trying to be Abbadon’s puppet. I’m not betraying my friends for a traitor who I thought was my friend! My boyfriend!” Kain snapped, ignoring the warm feeling in her neck.

Gavin stared down at the food in his hands, “I’m not here because of Abbadon. I am here because I am your friend and I really want to see you safe,” Gavin whispered nervously. “I love you Kain. I really do, but I can’t help you if you don’t tell Abbadon everything. Give up the fae and return to me.” Kain shook her head, “I’d rather die than betray the only people who never lied to me.”

Gavin breathed in deeply, “I never lied to you.” Kain made a sarcastic scoffing sound which made him look at her again, she in turn scowled at him. “If you truly loved me then you would help me get out of here!” she argued. Gavin shook his head, “that’s not fair. You know I can’t do that,” he said quietly. He placed the food on a high table which he pushed towards her before he went to the wall behind her and loosened the manacles just enough for her to reach the food and eat, then began to walk away.

“You know that is a lie!” she said, her voice cold, “do you know that it was Abbadon who killed Collins?” she asked him just as he was about to open the door. He stopped but didn’t turn around, she knew he didn’t know. A smirk formed on her lips, “yeah, and did you know that Abbadon is working alongside a dark fae? Bet you didn’t know either of the things I told you!” she said raising her voice a little. Wondering if she was right. She wondered if he at least suspected one of the things she named but she knew that chances of that was slim. Unlike her, Gavin preferred to stay loyal to Abbadon. Even if Abbadon was the monster in this story.

Gavin shook his head, “it’s your word against his,” he said flatly before he yanked the door open and slammed it shut behind him. Kain closed her eyes, anger burning inside of her. He didn’t even attempt to be worried that their headmaster was a two-faced bastard. Perhaps he didn’t believe her. Or maybe he chose to ignore Abbadon’s evils because it was easier to betray his girlfriend for mingling with the so-called enemy. Her only hope now was that Wison and Sophia had gotten far away.

Kain opened her eyes again, staring at the food in front of her. They gave her stale bread and beef soup with a cup of water. How humorous did they think they were? Treating her like a prisoner, was all just a game. Everyone who knew her, knew that she didn’t eat meat. This was a joke. Revenge for her betrayal to the Academy and to the hunters. Kain growled venomously. You should eat better to keep your strength up. Kain heard someone say. She lifted her head and saw the glowing woman standing in front of her, her arms folded in a V beneath her stomach. “Who are you?” Kain asked, glaring at the woman.

The woman gave Kain a warm smile, I am Hekatai, the deity of magic. She answered inside of Kain’s mind. “How come I can see you, but they can’t?” Kain asked nodding her head towards the closed door. Hekatai shook her head, her long flowing hair of lights flowing around her in the way hair would flow if you were underwater. Because it is not them, I am connected to. You are Kainun Bloodleaf, the bleeder of magic. My magic. Only you can see me. Others see me when they believe in me and if I want them to see me, but it takes a lot out of me to appear to someone without the gift which only a Bleeder has, Hekatai explained smoothly.

Kain studied Hekatai for a moment then asked, “why now? Why are you here now?” she began to feel an anger building up for the deities as well. If they truly were there and all powerful then why didn’t they stop everything from happening. From the very start? Why didn’t they stop Zorzia from destroying everything? Kain felt hatred towards Hekatai, the same hatred she used to feel towards the fae once upon a time. I was at your side all along. I couldn’t connect with you because of the enchantment your mother placed on your memories. You bear the powers of all seven deities since you are the last bleeder connected to the circle, she paused and stared at Kain for a moment. Kain wondered if Hekatai could see the fury in her eyes. She must have because the deity hesitated, I’m not your enemy Kainun. I’m trying to help you. You’ll need my help if you’re to survive the magic pulsing through your veins, Hekatai explained, moving to stand in front of the tray of food.

You should eat, you’ll need all your strength, Hekatai said again before vanishing in a flash of light again. Kain reached for the stale bread and cup of water, eating it slowly and swallowing the dryness down at the same time. The food was vulgar but Hekatai was right. Kain despises that she agreed with the fae goddess, but she couldn’t argue with the fact that she needed her strength. Not just to be able to contain the energy inside of her but strength to survive long enough to escape and then staying alive afterwards.

After a while someone else came in and tightened her manacles again before taking the cold beef soup away. Her eyes heavy and her body tired. Kain began to feel drowsy. Her eyes drooped closed and her consciousness faded away to a dreamless sleep.

Kain was woken up by the loud bang of the door. She stared at Abbadon, startled by the rude awakening. He looked irritated and impatient as he walked towards her. He studied her face for a long while before turning on his heals and started to pace the room. Kain lifted her head slightly, watching him and wondering what the merry reason was for his foul mood. “This is the last time I am going to play nice Kain,” he warned before continuing, “where are they?” he demanded, turning towards her and fell to a stop. Kain smiled foolishly, “who?” she asked coyly, fluttering her eyes.

Abbadon seethed, his face bristling before he stormed towards her, grabbing her by the throat, “don’t play dumb with me! Where are they?” he spat savagely. Kain choked but refrained from showing fear, instead she creased her eyebrows together with pity, “someone seems to have gotten out on the wrong side of the bed. What happened? Tea too cold?” she cooed sympathetically, causing Abbadon to squeeze harder.

Kain could feel her face turning red and her throat tightening. Her breathing became harder as the air flow in her throat squeezed shut. “WHERE ARE THEY!” Abbadon shouted, his face inches from hers. “I…don’t…know!” Kain coughed between struggled breaths. Abbadon released her throat, sending a rush of air to flow back into her lungs, resulting in a fit of coughing.

She glared at him, “why don’t you just kill me! I can’t tell you what you want to know!” she croaked at him hoarsely. She caught Hekatai’s appearance in the corner of her eye. She turned her head to stare at the woman. “What are you doing here?” she asked without bothering with the fact that Abbadon couldn’t see Hekatai. “I want to know where your friends are hiding!” Abbadon said impatiently. He didn’t seem to notice that the question wasn’t directed at him.

Hekatai smiled sadly, you might be angry with me Kainun, but I won’t leave your side. You are my chosen. Kain scoffed and turned back to glaring at Abbadon. Abbadon folded his arms over his chest, slitting his eyes, “do you think the fae will take you in after what you have done!” he asked irritably. Kain cocked her head to the side, “you mean what you made me do!” she corrected him.

Abbadon laughed, “you killed many, as you say, innocent fae. They’re not going to take you back! You are a hunter Kain, and a great one, wouldn’t it be better to stay at a place you know you can call home and do what you do best? Killing them and not siding with them?” he asked. His words sank into Kain’s mind. She stared down at the ground, her doubts threatening to take over. Kain felt the warmth of Hekatai as the deity moved closer to her, you are one of us Kain, they won’t blame you for what he taught you. They will forgive you, Hekatai assured gently. Kain turned her head towards the deity. She was looking for more than reassurance on the deity’s face. you are not the monster he claims you to be! the deity assured, almost pleadingly. Kain desperately wanted to believe the deity’s words. Even if she really didn’t want to know what the deity had to say.

Kain’s heart was beating in her chest with a fierce pounding, her head spinning with doubt and wonder. Abbadon was right, she did kill a lot of fae, given the most of them was demon fae but there had been one or two she assassinated in her earlier years. She couldn’t see any reason why the fae would forgive her for killing their own. For killing her own. “Kain,” Abbadon called, dragging her name out with annoyance, “I am waiting, and I am not one who likes to wait!” he added. He was getting agitated. Kain turned her gaze from Abbadon towards Hekatai. “Do you promise?” she asked the deity in a quiet brokenness.

The deity nodded but it was Abbadon who answered, “do I promise what? To whom are you talking to? You are acting like a lunatic,” Abbadon said savagely. Kain turned her head towards Abbadon, “I can’t tell you what I don’t know,” she said, her voice flat.

Abbadon uncrossed his arms and walked towards her again, grabbing her by the throat once more. “Fine!” he growled, “if you want to play hard, I’ll play hard.” He yanked his hand away, leaving her with a fit of coughs once more. He turned towards the door, his face burning red with anger. “Greg!” he called towards the door. Greg opened the door within seconds. Greg must have been standing guard at the door, waiting for instructions from his master.

“Master?” he inquired. “Make sure it is known,” Abbadon turned his head sideways, glaring at Kain from over his shoulder, “Kain doesn’t eat or drink anything until I say otherwise!” he announced. Greg nodded his head, “as you wish,” he responded then left the room to go spread the word.

Abbadon turned toward Kain once more, “you will break one way or another and when you do, I will be here,” he proclaimed, before exiting the room. The door slamming shut after him.

Kain bended her head down in semi-defeat. She felt Hekatai’s hand resting on her shoulder, you will be alright Kainun, just keep on being brave and stay strong! the deity assured, using the same words her mother used the last time Kain saw her. She hoped that the deity was right. Kain might be strong and hard-headed but she was still just a child. She was just a teenager who still had a whole life ahead of her. No matter how twisted it might be. If she doesn’t find a way out of the academy soon, she’s afraid she would never see daylight again. Kain wasn’t scared of dying. No, what scared her the most was not having the time to make things right. To make amends with her sins and apologize for the blood she spilled. An apology won’t bring them back or make things better but at least it was something. She didn’t want to make excuses for the hand she was dealt but she wanted the chance to at least explain her actions. Kain chided herself for being blind for so long. She, Kain, the best of the best had been fooled by false wishes and fake accomplishments. All because of childish desires and foolish dreams and wishes. She had been stupid to believe any of it was right.