Magoa

dark hearts

        A cool mist filled the air, brushing the ground that homed thousands of the exanimate fallen. The only thing illuminating the surrounding headstones was the bright fire of the burning stars scattered across the sky. The only signs of life were a man and woman standing together, waiting. Even the trees, and the grass, the flowers and animals and insects all seemed to stop breathing, and stopped living all together, in anticipation. They seemingly knew who, knew what was coming. She was the first person to notice the figure on top of the hill, and her breath hitched at the sight. The man noticed next and he instinctively wrapped an arm around her, his movement stiff with nerves.

The dark figure approached the couple, it's movements smooth as it appeared to glide across the ground instead of walking. It stopped, precisely a foot in front of them, in the form of a man. No-not a man, he had large, dark wings tucked into his back. He'd been called many things over the centuries, yet no one who believed his presence was there could come to a mutual decision to what he was, other than eternal darkness. The couple looked up at him, as he towered over them, and met his cold, dark eyes. The cloak he wore, appearing to be the fashion of a few eras ago, concealed his other features. His eyes slid to hers, bright blue and full of wonder and admiration.

"Viatrix, I'm almost surprised you came." He said, his voice a deep rumble. He forced his eyes away from hers, bothered by how entranced he found them, and looked to the man who held her close. "And it seems you've brought a friend."

"Yes, Zelos, this is Silas, the man I'm to marry." Silas gave him a smug grin, pulling Viatrix further into him. Zelos gave the petite brunette a look, as if they shared a secret Silas wasn't a part of, as if Zelos knew something about his betrothed that he didn't.

"Shall we get started, then?" Zelos asked the pair, eyes moving between them. Viatrix stepped out of Silas's grasp and towards the creature in front of her.

"Can you explain what's going to happen one more time, please?" Silas questioned, and Zelos let out a cold laugh.

"You're exchanging your heart for a wish, Boy."

"My heart? Will I not need-"

"No," Viatrix cut in. "It's magic. Just trust him." Viatrix had explained this to Silas previously, on multiple occasions. He had a hard time grasping the concept of magic, however. The man in front of him, though, gave off an aura that couldn't be described by words.

"A wish? What are the limitations of this wish?" Silas mused curiously, looking back to Zelos. The moonlight shifted, and a grin could be seen on the entity's face.

"You're imagination." Silas thought for a moment, glancing at his beloved, who wore a face of anticipation. He found himself unable to resist the odd man's offer, as much as he didn't understand.

"Okay, deal."

"Now tell me, mortal, what is it you want?" Viatrix looked between the two, almost surprised that Silas was even agreeing to this. He'd always been the type to achieve things on his own, or with very little help. He was a proud man. Silas met Viatrix's eyes as he spoke, love shining behind them.

"Money, and power. Lots of it." He reached for his love's hand, but it was snatched by Zelos. He looked at the winged man in surprise, as Zelos quickly drew a dagger from his cloak and cut along Sila's right thumb. Blood welled until a soft, dark feather was pressed into the cut. Silas met the man's eyes, "Wha-"

"The deal is sealed. That was our contract. Once it stops bleeding, your heart will stop beating and you'll stop feeling any form of love for everyone." Silas's eyes snapped to Viatrix, who smiled sadly. "She already made her deal with me."

"Silas, I fell in love with Zelos a while ago. I sold my soul to him last night to spend the rest of eternity with him. I wanted you to make this deal so you could be more at peace." She explained, he felt his world shatter and fall into pieces within seconds. He felt emotions he couldn't name, but he didn't have time to. As soon as they came, they were gone. He looked at his thumb, seeing only a thin white scar. He looked back up at Viatrix, seething in anger.

"You're cruel." Was all he could manage, too full of negative emotions to think properly.

"Your heart will beat again once someone makes you feel love again, and only after that can you die." Zelos informed, and Silas just sent them each another glare before turning away and storming off. It was only another moment before Viatrix and Zelos turned and headed in the opposite direction, his hand finding hers as warmth bloomed within him. Once they crested over the hill and disappeared, life seemed to come back to the plants and animals. The only witness left, and they were grateful to have survived another visit from the godlike creature.