Myths and Legends

Chapter 20

The battle was won, but a terrifying secret lay hidden within the depths of Caspian's unconscious mind. The darkness, though subdued, remained a potential weapon or a terrifying curse, waiting for the opportune moment to resurface.

A surge of terror jolted Meldrid out of her stupor. Ignoring the throbbing pain in her ribs, she scrambled towards her son. Reaching his side, she cradled him in her arms, the weight of his unconscious form a stark contrast to the emptiness she'd felt moments ago.

Tears streamed down her face, a mixture of relief and a newfound fear. She didn't understand what had happened to Caspian, the chilling darkness that had consumed him. But one thing remained certain – he was her son.

"Caspian," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Don't listen to the darkness. No matter what you become, no matter what you are… you are my son, and I will love you. Always."

Her words hung heavy in the air, a promise echoing through the clearing. The weight of the unknown loomed large, but Meldrid held onto that promise, a beacon of love in the face of the darkness.

The clearing fell silent, broken only by Meldrid's ragged gasps for breath and the faint chirping of crickets returning to the night. Tears streamed down her face as she cradled Caspian's unconscious form, whispering reassurances into his ear. The weight of the battle, the loss of Elric, and the terrifying secret within Caspian pressed down on her, threatening to consume her.

Suddenly, a twig snapped in the distance, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps. Meldrid tensed, her heart hammering against her ribs. Who could it be?

As the figure emerged from the trees, relief washed over her. It was Rei, his face etched with concern as he took in the scene before him. The fallen werewolf, Elric's lifeless body, and Meldrid holding Caspian close, her face streaked with tears.

"Meldrid! What happened?" Rei cried, rushing towards them. His eyes widened in horror as he spotted Elric. A strangled sob escaped his lips, and he sank to his knees beside his fallen friend. Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision.

Meldrid reached out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Words seemed to fail her at that moment. How could she explain the horrific battle, the darkness that had consumed Caspian, the secrets that now resided within him?

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Meldrid began to recount the events of the night. She spoke of the werewolf's attack, Elric's sacrifice, and Caspian's desperate fight. Her voice trembled as she described the chilling darkness that had enveloped her son, the inhuman power he wielded against the creature.

Rei listened intently, his face pale and drawn. The concept of demons wasn't entirely foreign to him. He and Meldrid had heard about such dark entities during their visit to that remote village eight years ago, speaking of malevolent forces lurking in the shadows. Yet, witnessing that power firsthand, coursing through Caspian, sent shivers down his spine.

When Meldrid finished, a heavy silence descended upon them. The weight of her words hung in the air, thick with unspoken fear and uncertainty.

"So… Caspian…" Rei finally stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "He… he could be...?"

Meldrid nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. "The darkness… it felt unnatural. Like something demonic, just like the stories from that village."

Rei stared at the ground, his brow furrowed in thought. The terrifying possibility settled heavily upon him. But as he looked at Meldrid, her face etched with worry and unwavering love for her son, a sense of acceptance settled over him. Just as Meldrid had declared, Caspian was her son, regardless of the darkness within him.

"We'll figure it out, together," Rei said finally, his voice firm with resolve. "If there's darkness within him, then we'll help him control it. We won't let it consume him."

Meldrid offered him a grateful smile, a flicker of hope rekindled in her eyes. She wasn't alone. She had Rei by her side, and together, they would face whatever darkness lurked within Caspian. The road ahead might be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but they would walk it together, bound by friendship and a love that transcended the shadows.

A sliver of sunlight snuck through a ventilation shaft, casting a faint, dusty glow across the otherwise dim room in the Crimson Blade's base. Aurora stirred, a frown creasing her forehead as she struggled to recall where she was. The stale air, heavy with the metallic tang of cleaning supplies, filled her nostrils – a far cry from the earthy aroma of her village home.

Her eyes fluttered open, blinking away the remnants of sleep. Meldrid sat beside her on a metal bunk, her face etched with worry and exhaustion. But a flicker of relief sparked in her eyes as Aurora's gaze met hers.

"Mommy?" Aurora croaked, her voice hoarse. "What happened?"

Meldrid reached out, gently stroking a strand of hair away from Aurora's face. A lump formed in her throat, making it hard to speak. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"There was trouble, sweetheart. We have to stay here for a while."

Aurora's brow furrowed. "Trouble? But where's Dad?" Her voice trembled with a growing unease.

Meldrid's smile faltered completely, replaced by a grimace of pain that tore at Aurora's heart.

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words. Tears welled up in Meldrid's eyes, blurring the already dim light. How could she explain the loss of her father, the hero who had died protecting them?

Finally, Meldrid spoke, her voice thick with emotion. "Your father… he was very brave, Aurora. He saved us from a great danger." Her voice cracked with emotion, but she continued. "He's gone now, but he'll always be with us, in our hearts."

Aurora's eyes widened. The world seemed to tilt on its axis. Denial flickered across her face, then morphed into raw disbelief. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill.

"No," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "No, that can't be true. Daddy wouldn't leave us."

Tears began to stream down her face, hot and silent. She buried her face in Meldrid's arms, her small body wracked with sobs. Meldrid held her daughter tight, whispering words of comfort that seemed hollow even to her own ears.

The weight of loss settled on Aurora like a heavy shroud. Her father, her hero, the source of her laughter and security, was gone. A wave of grief engulfed her, a vast emptiness that threatened to consume her.

In that moment, nestled in her mother's arms in the cold room, Aurora felt a deep sense of vulnerability, a fear for the uncertain future that stretched before them. Yet, amidst the pain and fear, a flicker of determination ignited within her. She would be strong, for her mother, for herself. She would honor her father's memory and face the unknown with courage, just like he would have wanted her to.