This Gothic World
Chapter 4

Ceres

Ceres hadn’t known to feel anything else but sleep at this hour of night. Yet his magic was shifting inside him…squirming to gain his attention which he could ignore no longer. With the angry will of a lion he opened one of his eyes and surprisingly his magic manifested in nocturnal vision and he saw an odd sight.

“What are you doing?”

His hand grabbed onto the blade before it could connect and the pained expression in the woman’s face was partly gone due to opening her eyes and Ceres saw nothing short than the depths of Hel in them.

Immediately, the woman tried to take the sword back but Ceres held on as he maneuvered her to come closer to him. He had a small blade under his bed which he tried to grab but before anything the woman’s eyes flashed a deep emerald and Ceres’s hand stopped along with his other bodily movements except for his beating heart and his breathing chest.

“What have you done to me?”

He gritted through his teeth as the woman’s hand grabbed the sword and yanked it out of his grip and placed it on his throat. Her eyes were burning a bright green in the darkness all the while Ceres was thinking of what she was going to do. Could he yell for his guards?

“Don’t even think about it.”

Her hushed voice prickled Ceres’s back as his eyes widened and he struggled to break the curse she had put on him.

“Guards…”

He tried to yell but his voice was barely above a whisper as she placed the sharp end of the blade against his throat. Ceres could see the hesitation in her and then the unexpected happened.

In one moment of swiftness, the guards scrambled inside and her eyes widened as she whirled around to face them. Ceres felt his mouth quirk up as her hands trembled with the sword at his neck. Yet before anyone could move a darkness enveloped Ceres’s vision and he struggled to scream. He was able to close his eyes just in time before anything else clouded his vision.

Then the sensation of walking awoke him from his temporary blindness and his magic flared into action to see through the darkness and replace himself following the woman who had taken him hostage with her foreign magic.

This time however he struggled to even open his mouth and move his tongue or even use his vocal cords to make any noise.

What had she done?

Ceres couldn’t think much when he started to hear the guards jumping around and his own nerves and magical energy trying to be released which were strangely enough bound by this woman.

“Don’t struggle. Otherwise I’ll stop your breathing.” Her voice was strict and her eyes were rather sad when she looked at him and the sadness made Ceres even more scared.

What can a human not do when they were sad or in fear?

The thoughts occupied Ceres’s mind as he started to following the woman without his will.

She took him through the labyrinthine Castle’s underground sewer systems. It seemed she knew every twist and turn and despite the disgust, anger, and fear Ceres found the woman’s instincts amazingly on point as she dragged him through the muck and stench.

He was still trying to figure out the magic’s hold when they arrived at the mouth to the Calelan River and without warning she jumped along with his unprepared psyche. A scream lodged into his throat as she dragged his body to float and swim through the polluted murky water of the Calelan.

She said nothing when they arrived at the shore on the other side of the river and then the grueling start to another drama began. The woman shed her cloak and put it around Ceres and immediately the magic enhanced its hold around him.

His body was fully under her control and he could say nothing as she walked towards the deep and dark woods under the glow of the Moon and his legs followed.

The night sky was beautiful as Ceres could now see while lying down on the grassy plains of the mountain valley. The woman had given him some relief at the least as she was taking him to wherever it was they were headed.

“It’s time to eat, my King.”

Her voice worked hypnotic charms over him as he obeyed without any regret. He sat down beside her near the small bonfire over which two fishes were being cooked. The scent of spices wafted through his nostrils as Ceres heard his stomach grumble.

The woman as he kept on observing smiled for a brief moment before setting the fishes down on a banana leaf and giving it to him with grace.

“Eat up, Highness.”

Her command was something but it wasn’t the command this time which made him tick with serious hunger. He looked at the fish but the incredible wonder at how the woman even caught it made him realize something…he knew nothing of her.

The curiosity killed the proverbial cat and without further delving into the food his eyes shot to her in a challenge as his magic wrestled with hers for some control and ultimately it settled on his vocal cords giving him power to speak.

“Who are you?”

The first question wasn’t unnerving as it was disrupting. It made him question a lot of the things in front of him. Not to mention, it brought a frown on the woman’s face along with bringing back sadness in her eyes.

“No one.”

“You know I won’t take that as an answer.”

“Eat your food, Sire.”

“Not before you tell me your name and why you’ve abducted me.”

His voice was firm and Ceres knew she’d give in sooner or later. Or her magic would take him over just as before in the palace. But at least the cloak is off…

“Let me repeat again. I am not anyone of your concern. Especially, since you’ll be dying within the next day or two.”

Dying…

“Why abduct me then? You could’ve killed me then and there.”

This question produced a different result from before. She looked at him with the green aura in her eyes growing louder before they disappeared and suddenly his body relaxed but then her resolve strengthened again and immediately the power of her magic surrounded his body and paralyzed his ribcage. However, it missed his voice box which was a small miracle.

“It won’t work.”

He said firmly and her eyes turned a brighter shade of green before fading into a deep emerald. She sighed and her eyes lowered while drops of tears fell down her chocolate cheeks. Ceres felt hurt for her but he refrained from showing any emotion while in her presence.

Finally, her eyes met his again and this time he saw the seriousness in them. She stood from the ground and with grace came up to him before taking the fish and slowly cutting it out and placing a small bite into his mouth which Ceres mechanically accepted.

“Eat, my King.”

Her voice seemed familiar by the second. Who was she?

Ceres was taken by her words as he kept on staring at the woman with the broken yet unyielding will. Who was she? Why was she doing this?

He tried again but this time his mouth stopped and he only enjoyed the food without much words. She fed him until his stomach was full afterwards which she discarded the bones and shells before finally returning her complete attention to him.

“Who are you?”

He asked without hesitation and her face devoid of expressions came close to his so much so their noses almost met. She looked into his eyes with deep green pools of Hel before receding from him and taking a seat right in front of the fire stroking it to burn bright.

“I am a humble subject of Crane, Your Highness.”

Ceres glanced at the fire. His eyes glittered reflecting the embers.

“What is your name?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“My name is Irene Methuselah, Your Majesty and I am sorry for kidnapping you.”

Her voice was solemn and it held no malice as Ceres listened to her speak. When she wasn’t issuing commands her voice was melodious to hear and it sounded peaceful even.

“Why did you kidnap me?”

There was a long pause during which Ceres counted the small embers flying to the sky from the depths of the inferno. After a deep sigh, Irene turned to him as he faced her.

“I cannot kill you, Your Majesty.”

Her voice again was truthful and strong with no malice in them. Ceres felt a sudden shiver of cold go down his spine as he stared into the depths of her eyes and saw nothing but sadness reflected in them. She sighed again lowering her gaze towards the inferno before her voice continued.

“My father…he wants your blood… But, I—I cannot kill, Majesty. I have never killed anyone in my life and I won’t start now. So, I decided to take you to him.”

Ceres was stunned. “Are you sure? Then, why not let me go?”

Her cheeks were wet again but this time he heard her slight sob along with it.

“Why do you want to lead me to death?”

Her voice was strong as she looked up at him with glistening eyes. “Because, Sire, I have no other choice.”

Ceres’s breath caught at the sheer amount of truthfulness in her. His magic which was working overtime with the enchantment in order to preserve his voice box was truly responding to him when she spoke and it was always the truth.

Or at least, she believes she is telling the truth…

“I am sorry, Highness.”

Her voice reached him no more as Ceres found him looking at the embers fall off and be scattered everywhere. She had told him the truth. She had apologized. But, Ceres wouldn’t let it happen. He wouldn’t let himself be captive and die.

He was a King. He needed to live for his people. And soon…very soon he would replace out a way to get back and punish the people who had asked for his death. They would pay. Boy would they pay when Ceres would get his hands on them.

For the rest of the night, Ceres only looked up at the stars. Sleep eluded his mind as he sought to replace kinks in the enchantment of Irene Methuselah. But, none were found.

What would drive this young woman to kidnap but not kill?

His curiosity piqued as he remained glued to see the stars. Irene was someone alright. She wasn’t some petty criminal. She wasn’t someone who was guilty either.

Also Methuselah sounds very familiar…

Whatever it was, Ceres hadn’t much time to think of it as sleep knocked him off after a few more moments of quiet contemplation. He couldn’t after all keep himself awake not while putting his body through such strenuous conditions.

If he were to escape he would need himself up to par with her strength. Yes…tomorrow…he’d be free tomorrow…

Ceres couldn’t believe it! What in the world was wrong with him? Why wasn’t his magic working?

Old magi blood…you were never old magus blood…

I am old magus blood.

He struggled and struggled and struggled…but nothing happened. In the end, the day went by with him having starved and trying desperately to keep him out of having his mouth shut.

“Where are we going?”

He asked impatiently as she silently started to cook another meal. This time a stew of fish and some odd vegetables she had taken out during their time at the valleys.

“City of Cranes.”

Her voice was solemn as she prepared the meal with immaculate manners. She was graceful for being so voluptuous. Then again, he expected nothing less of an old magus blood.

Unlike someone else…

I am old magus blood.

“What are you cooking?”

His voice was steady as she continued to stroke the fire to burn brighter. Her hands which were calloused were showing a gentle grace caressing the fire to burn hotter. It made Ceres feel horrified and demeaned as she continued her work with a slight nod and whisper of “Clam chowder”.

You are inadequate…

I am not inadequate. I am old magus blood. The magic in me proves this.

Finally, she took a small shell in which she poured the clam chowder before serving him with dedication. Her hands were going to feed him when Ceres’s throat closed up.

She even has the grace of old magus blood.

I am old magus blood. So what if she has the grace?

“Sire, you must stop those thoughts. I am not old magus blood.”

Ceres blinked as he stared into her eyes for a few more moments. His eyes were deceiving him.

“But you have—

“I am not old magus blood.”

Her eyes were deep dark and as Ceres’s magic responded inside with a sting of warmth, she was telling the truth.

“How?”

His voice wobbled as she slowly made him sip for the first time. Then it hit his tongue and he was utterly speechless for moments. She looked at him. Her face was expressionless as she continued to feed him with dedicated hands.

“Did you live in the City of Cranes?”

His voice was soft. Her reaction was similarly quiet. She only nodded once before Ceres resumed eating.

She isn’t old magus blood.

“You’re correct in the thought, Sire. I am not old magus blood.”

“Then how are you holding me hostage?”

In response she only looked at him with sad pools of death in her eyes. “Because, desperation always leads to the darkest of paths, Sire.”

Ceres could only stare at her afterwards. Even while his head was supposed to turn skyward for a night of rest…Ceres could only see her dead eyes.

Desperation always leads to the darkest of paths.

Why was there such desperation? What was wrong with her? Did she know the consequences of her actions?

Ceres had no clue and for once he had not a care. His mind was too occupied with the sadness in her eyes. She was sad. Completely alone and sad and once he was dead she’d die too.

Would it matter? Would this life truly matter at all?

Ceres could contemplate no longer as sleep slowly came for him and soon he drifted into the land of oblivion as dreams of desolation and fear clouded his eyes. Would it ever matter? Did anything matter at all? No one knew.