Symphony of Death
Chapter 42

Anastasia’s POV

I grabbed my head with one hand and looked around to make sense of my surroundings. I gasped loudly when my brain recalled the events.

Demons.

There were so many demons around Cain when I was pulled inside something.

“Where am I?” I looked around frantically while standing up. I rubbed my arms and shivered violently. It was freezing in here and everything glowed blue.

I dragged myself forward to look for an opening.

The sooner I got out of here, the better. I didn’t even know who took me here. I hope Cain found me before I ended up on the wrong ends and in the wrong hands.

“What is this place?” I frowned.

It looked like a cave with no opening. The ceiling was covered in glowing blue icicles. There were blue rocks everywhere and I could hear water trickling somewhere.

“How am I?” I blinked in astonishment when I found myself in front of an ice tomb. It was in the middle of a blue lake.

I hissed when a sharp pain shot through my left wrist. The symbol pulsed strongly and glowed brightly the closer I moved to the lake.

“What is this?” I grimaced at the tomb. That dripping sound I pursued was not of water.

It was blood trickling into a goblet.

From the heart.

There was no carcass. Just a heart in the ice monument. It pumped a drop with every slow beat.

“I need to get out of here,” I fell back on my steps. “I–”

“I see you are awake,” I whipped around wildly. “And I see you have found my hidden treasure.” Harold grinned maliciously. “Welcome to my home, dear Anastasia.” He strode to me leisurely. “Welcome to Vozothis.”

I looked at him wide-eyed when he towered over me.

“My realm,” Harold answered my confusion. “This place is Slumbering Hollow.” I held my breath when he leaned forward. “Don’t fear me, sweet Anastasia,” he cooed. “I won’t harm you. You are too precious for me.”

He grabbed my wrist forcefully and rubbed the symbol.

“So much power.” He sniffed my skin. My insides churned when he growled. “I can feel it.”

Play smart, Ana. Watch your words.

“What is this place?” I asked him calmly.

“The core of my realm. The life force that drives it,” Harold smiled evilly. “I will tell you everything if you will be a good little thing and do as I say.”

I cried out in pain when he crushed my wrist in his hold.

“I don’t want to break you, sweet Anastasia. So, don’t provoke me.” He smirked when I nodded. “Shall we?” He extended his arm.

I had no other choice for now. I needed to get out of here first.

“Good girl,” Harold cooed when I held his arm.

“Are we in hell?” I looked around carefully when he guided me out of the cave and through narrow dungeons.

“No,” Harold replied. We reached spiral stairs. “Somewhere in between.” He jerked me forward when we stepped out of the crypt.

I held back my screams when I saw thousands of demons in his so-called throne room. Their glowing vicious greedy eyes and angry hungry growls sucked the life out of me.

“Hello, Anastasia,” Xoran grinned at my fear. “I hope I wasn’t too rough with you.” I fell to the floor when Harold left me amidst them.

“You wouldn’t want to become the meal of my legion, sweet Anastasia.” Harold sat on his throne and eyed me wickedly. “You won’t be able to set a foot out of here without being torn from limb to limb.” He threatened. “So don’t think about pulling any futile tricks.” He looked behind me when the doors opened loudly. “About time.”

I was stumped to see Sorush and Larc.

“That fucking Dante couldn’t last a minute.” Sorush spat disgustingly. “Cain didn’t react. It was our golden chance to take him down. But he didn’t kill a single human.” His eyes narrowed into slits when he saw me.

“Now, now, my dear friend,” Harold laughed. “It doesn’t make a difference if he didn’t.” He walked down from his throne and came to me. “Cain won’t be able to replace this place without Erlking.” He laughed cynically. “I’m sure they must have found his charred body by now.”

“The warlocks and sorceresses will be here in a day,” Sorush looked at me spitefully. “We cannot miss this chance.”

“We won’t,” Harold spat. “It’s our time now,” I screamed when his demons pulled me up from the floor. “Escort the princess to her room. Make sure she is comfortable.”

“Leave me.” Harold motioned to his minions and they released my arms. “I can walk.”

“I like your spirit, Anastasia,” I looked away when he leaned to my ear. “I’d like to see if you have the same fire in the bed.” Harold leered when I glared at him. “Take her away and watch her closely.”

I glared at Larc when I was dragged out of the throne room. The bastard couldn’t even meet my eyes.

I could barely see a thing. There were no windows and absolutely no light in this place.

“Bastards,” I screamed when they shoved me inside a room. “Damn it.” There was no light and the curtains were drawn.

It gave me creeps.

I went to the window and pulled the curtains aside, only to fall back on my butt when I looked outside.

The castle was sky-high with no perception of the depth below. The sky was the color of fire and was swarming with Anima and demons.

I closed the curtains hurriedly and crawled back.

“Cain,” I sobbed. “Please replace me.” I buried my face in my knees and cried loudly.

I was scared but I couldn’t sit and become a scapegoat for their intentions.

“You have to be brave, Ana,” I looked at my wrist. “You have faced so much. A little more won’t kill you.” I steeled my resolve and stood up. “I was made for the one whom the strongest of the strong fears. I have to live up to my reputation.”

I marched to the door and gripped the knob firmly. You got this, Ana. You got this. I breathed in relief when I found the door unlocked. I opened it as noiselessly as possible.

I peeked out first before fully stepping out.

The hallway was empty and I couldn’t sense anyone lurking around the corners.

“They are so sure that I won’t dare to run,” I ran down the hallway stealthily.

So far so good.

I ran through multiple hallways up and down. I bore no knowledge of my surroundings but I kept running with blind hope.

I found myself in front of a gigantic and seemingly endless staircase.

I ran down without a thought and finally reached the base after what felt like half an hour. Everything about this place was frightening.

I dashed across the empty endless hall. I was not going to give up on my hope.

“Yes,” I said breathlessly when I finally saw a gigantic door across me.

“Catch her,” I heard a howl behind me. “Don’t let her escape.”

“No!” I screamed when a dozen demons appeared in front of me and blocked my path. I was cornered. “Leave me alone,” I covered my face with my arms when they lunged at me from every direction.

I felt a strong pulse around me and everything fell into silence in the next instant after a heavy explosion.

“What?” I looked around, baffled. Every last one of them vanished in thin air. “What happened?” I looked at the half-blown corridor in confusion and then at my wrist.

I ran out hurriedly and was thrown roughly by invisible forces as soon as I crossed the threshold. I coughed out the dirt that entered my mouth and propelled myself on my elbows.

“Shit,” I groaned in pain. “What the hell is going on?” I was flabbergasted by the turn of events and the change of scenery.

I was sitting in the middle of a forest.

“What is this place?” I muttered fearfully. Everything was black. I looked up when I heard the haunting howls of Anima.

“Did you replace her?” I hid behind a tree and held my breath when I heard their guttural voice.

“I can smell her scent here.”

“Find her before the Master knows. He will kill us if he learns the girl disappeared.” I counted until their heavy footsteps faded completely.

Cain, please come soon. I’m scared.

I looked behind me when I heard a strange sound. I was being dragged deeper and deeper into the forest. I felt like a fool for following the creepy sound.

But I was helpless and hopeless.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I came out into the clearing.

But my moment of victory didn’t last long when I found the source of that weird sound.

I gaped at the giant monster sitting in front of a tall gate. I felt sick to my stomach when I saw what it was chewing on loudly.

It’s tail.

“What is that?” My eyes widened in dread when I recalled what this lizard-like thing was. “Oroboros.”

I jumped in time when it swung its giant tail at me and hid behind the tree.

“What do I do? What can I do?” I whispered desperately and looked at my wrist. “Save me please,” I peeked at Oroboros. “All I have is you in his absence.”

I kissed my glowing wrist and raised it toward Oroboros. I didn’t even know how it worked.

“Save me please,” I screamed on top of my lungs.

I stared at my wrist in awe when it was engulfed in a golden flame. My mouth fell open when that glow morphed into a giant ball and flew at Oroboros.

It was whacked hard and it flew back into the gate because of the impact.

“Wow,” I whispered incredulously when the gate opened. I ran out of my hiding spot and toward it. My smile fell when I saw what was on the other side.

Fire.

Screams.

Endless agony.

It was hell.

“Cain,” I fell back. “Cain,” I couldn’t keep up the brave front anymore. “CAIN!” I ran back the way I came from. “Please,” I sobbed loudly. “I’m scared. I’m scared.”

I stumbled through the thorny bushes. I cried out in pain when they pierced my flesh.

“I want to see you. Please.” I gasped loudly when I fell forward again.

The air turned scorching and the sky ablaze. The sand stung my wounds. I looked up and around the barren land.

“ANASTASIA!” Harold boomed behind me. I paled when I saw him standing with his cavalry and army of demons on top of the mountain. “Seize her.”

I started running. The air stirred once more. My hand went to my eyes and I sobbed when Anima appeared.

Death circled me from every direction.

“Cain,” I kept screaming his name. I wanted to see him. I wanted to return to him. “CAIN!”

“ANA!” My heart jumped to my mouth when I heard his voice.

A massive void forced open in the space and Cain stepped out of it.

“Cain!” Harold howled at him. “Kill him. Don’t let them meet at any cost.” I was horrified when thousands of demons lunged at Cain with Anima and Xoran.

“Keep running,” Cain yelled while fighting them off simultaneously. “Keep running to me, Ana.” He fought his way toward me through the ocean of enemies from every direction.

Xoran jumped back when Cain roared like a beast. Every demon and Anima was blown off in different directions and turned to dust. I extended my hand for him when he came to me at the speed of light.

I breathed loudly when his arms secured me in their hold. Cain’s roar shook the sky and raised a hurricane of death.

I stared at his wing when it morphed to surface out of nothing.

Both of his wings.

The flames burnt strongly and brightly.

His power raged around us and annihilated everything with its wrath.

The earth burst open and everything was swept in its fury. The sky turned dark and spat fire and deadly lightning. The air was painted with blood and blood-curdling screams.

I watched everything turn to nothing right before my eyes.

Cain flew upward in the middle of the apocalypse he raised on his enemies.

Nothing was left. No one was left.

I watched Xoran burning alive and being ripped into pieces by his minions. Cain didn’t lift a finger and he turned him into food for his kind. It was grotesque.

Cain was the true form of terror.

The cataclysmic sight blurred and everything fell quiet.

“Ana?” Cain lowered to the ground and held me in his lap protectively. “Look at me.” He cupped my face and forced my unblinking eyes on him.

I couldn’t respond. I couldn’t replace my voice.

I couldn’t feel it.

My heart.

I couldn’t feel anything.

“Anastasia?” Cain yelled. I saw the panic in his eyes for the first time. “No,” he grabbed my left wrist.

It was bleeding.

When did it start bleeding?

It must have been when I fell in the forest, or when I crossed those thorny bushes, or when I fell in the desert on those rocks.

But I felt no regret or remorse.

At least the curse was broken. Cain got his wing and was finally free. He was whole again and he got rid of his enemies.

There won’t be any more deaths. There won’t be any more pain and heartaches.

I could see the rage in his eyes through my slipping consciousness. I knew I had no time left. But I couldn’t replace my voice to tell him my true feelings.

I was cold. I was numb.

I was scared.

****

“Hey?” My eyes focused on Einar’s face. I looked behind him at Clarissa, Aeron, and Xic. Their expressions were dark and grim. “Can you hear me?”

“Einar?” My throat hurt when I spoke.

I frowned at my surroundings. I was back in Cain’s room.

“Stay still,” Einar stopped me from getting up. “I’m not done yet.” I looked at the green glow engulfing me from head to toe. He was sweating like crazy while casting the spell on me.

“The curse broke.” I rasped.

“We know,” he replied without looking at me.

“I thought I was dead,” I whispered. Einar’s expressions hardened further. “Where is Cain?” My eyes searched for him desperately. “Where is he?”

“Anastasia!” Einar raised his voice. “Stop pushing yourself.”

“What’s wrong?” None of them were ready to meet my eyes. “Einar?”

“Shit,” he cursed loudly. His hands fell to his sides in defeat. “Shit,” he cursed again. “Fucking shit.” Clarissa hugged his shoulders when he banged his fist on the bedside table.

“What happened?” I sat up after much struggle. I had no strength left in my body.

“You are going to die,” Einar said sharply. “You are dying, Anastasia.” He yelled furiously. “You are–I can’t do anything. Nothing is working.” He raked his hair wildly.

“I can’t tell you when you will breathe your last. It could be today, tomorrow, or in a month.” Einar looked at me blankly. “My magic won’t be able to fight the effects of the curse. It will become excruciating.”

“You will lose a little of your remaining life every day, Anastasia. It will be painful and the pain will only increase towards the end. Once you started losing your senses, you–” Einar let out a ragged breath. “I’m sorry but I can’t do anything anymore.”

“Where is Cain?” I asked him calmly. “I want to see him.”

“It’s better if you don’t,” Aeron grimaced. “At least for now.”

“I will be fine,” I smiled at them. “Please send me to him.” Einar looked at me guiltily. “I’m fine, Einar.”

“I’m sorry, child,” he rubbed his forehead with his thumbs. “I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t have to be,” I got out of bed. “Thank you for everything,” I said when he stood up.

“Cain is in Acreoterra,” Einar opened the portal. “Approaching him right now would be the craziest thing to do.”

“I don’t want to regret it later,” I smiled woefully. “I won’t have time.”

I crossed the portal and stepped out into his room. It was turned upside down. Everything was broken and burnt.

I looked outside the balcony when the thunder shook the sky and the downpour increased.

Cain was standing amidst the chaos he stirred with his rage.

“Cain?” I called him weakly. His body shook visibly when I neared him. “Cain?” I shuddered when I stepped out on the terrace.

The cold was unbearable.

“I told you,” he thundered at me. “I warned you. I fucking warned you not to–” I flinched when lightning struck the ground behind him. “Fuck,” he cursed loudly and kicked the balustrade. “Go, Anastasia. Just stay away from me.”

“I’m sorry.” He glared at me from his periphery. “I will go away. I won’t stay near you I promise.” I hugged my arms when I started shivering violently. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” I bawled loudly. “I just wanted to stay with you forever. I wanted to–I love you, Cain.”

“Shut up,” Cain roared angrily. “Just shut up.”

“I love you,” I said firmly through my tears. “I love you, Cain.”

“I don’t,” he got in my face. “I won’t.” He hissed angrily. “Never.”

“I know,” I wiped my tears. “You won’t love me because you don’t want weakness. You won’t have any, Cain.” I rubbed my eyes. “I’m glad you didn’t feel a thing for me.”

“Shut up,” Cain pushed me back and turned away. “Just leave.”

“I’m sorry for everything, Cain.” I hugged him from behind. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t want me anymore. You don’t need me. You never did. I just wanted to see you one more time before I –”

“Ana!” Cain turned in my hold. I looked at his raised hand in bewilderment. “Damn it,” he pulled me in his body. “You are freezing.” He carried me inside his room and locked the glass door. “Are you mad? I told you that you won’t be able to bear with the weather here.”

I buried my face in his chest and hugged him tightly.

“I’m scared, Cain,” I cried loudly. “I’m scared of the future but I don’t want to lose my present because of the fear of the unknown.” I looked up at him. “I know you won’t love me but I want to love both of us. For as long as I can.” I gripped his shirt pleadingly.

“Please don’t push me away. Don’t hate me, Cain. I won’t be able to survive a minute long.”

“I said shut up,” Cain grabbed my head and kissed me hard. “You are not going anywhere. I won’t fucking let you leave me.” I cried more when he kissed me again. “I will replace a way. I’m not losing to a fucking fate. I’m going to snatch you from it.” He held my face firmly in his hands.

“Cain,” I held his wrists.

“Do you trust me?” Cain asked. I nodded. “Keep on trusting me and keep on fighting. Because I’m not losing.” He meshed my body into his. “I will stake whatever price needed but I won’t lose you. I am the ruler of death, Ana,” his gaze seared into mine.

“I won’t let what I control challenge me.” I closed my eyes when he kissed me all over my face and put his forehead against mine. “We will win. I promise I will bring you back from death no matter what.”