Tales of Revenants

Chapter 10 – Curse

The moons are gleaming brightly. The cold wind breezes just fine. When Luciella used the Shard of Nature, the very foundation of the magic commune with her allowing the spell she invoked to surpass grand magic; the highest form of magic determined by the Tower of Sorcerers.

However, for some reason, Luciella went and fainted, before she falls to the ground Laken quickly got her back.

“She only collapsed. That habit of yours to duel is really troublesome.” Laken huffed.

The guilty face of Eirisse was blunt. Her pride never allowed Laken to see such weakness of her side.

As for Laken, it didn't matter since he already knew the soft side of her. Eirisse doesn't want to kill Laken or do any harm.

She always wanted a duel because it's the only moment when she can get closed to him without getting bashful; that's the only fervor Laken never knew about her.

“You know I'd never say sorry in this form. Get inside the house, I'll treat her. It's also getting dark, wild Nightbeast lurks around this area so you both stay here for the night.” Eirisse beckoned Laken to get inside the wretched house as he carries Luciella on his back.

The inside of the house might not be so bad. It's just a typical home of a witch who dwells in the forest. Although it's more of a haunted place, there are a couple of books on the shelf near an aquarium packed by unknown species of fishes.

Next to it was a shelf with some questionable vials and experimenting flask with a greenish and reddish liquid substance. To top it off, the mixing pot was in the middle of the room as if a witch just finished brewing something dreadful.

Laken doubts it's where she gathers hearts to eat them on one nightly fiesta. It turns out it was just a pot for brewing mana potions and health potions when he sniffed the scent of plum berry; it's the fruit an apothecary uses to dye and flavor the potions with various combinations.

They entered a shady room. Eirisse lit the lamp using her magic and pointed out to stay in the bed, then leaving them off behind.

There's nothing to say, both Laken and Eirisse only had a non-verbal conversation. Laken carefully laid Luciella on the bed. He politely places up the blanket to keep her warm.

He knew that Eirisse didn't want to talk about her Metamorphosis where she loses all her emotions. It seemed for Laken that Eirisse's desire was just restrained for good.

Laken sat on the chair near the window, the moonlight was enticing and calming; the same scenario when they were at the inn.

Fortunately, that place is protected by ward of magic so it won't be easily infiltrated, rather he should be warier of Eirisse, but Laken could never feel distrust towards the one who extends an arm for him.

While he gazes to the two moons, brightly shining into the cloudless sky. Laken took a breather and slept to restore some of his energy without worrying a thing or two.

Slowly when the sunlight peeks at the window lighting Laken's eyes, surely the dawn arrives.

It's already morning so Laken equipped his sword on his back, energy's full, the guard is on.

Laken was going to exit the room to check on Eirisse when abruptly, he halted when Luciella hugged his back.

“I thought you left me...” She cried. He breaks the embrace and crouched to talk to her face to face.

“I won't do such a thing. Stop crying okay? I'm sure Eirisse should be awake now.” Laken patted Luciella to make her feel safe.

Speak of the devil, right when Laken stood up, the glass of milk Eirisse is holding slipped in her hand, it made a mess early in the morning.

“So-Sorry if I interrupted you two! I'll clean up r-right away!” The stuttering Eirisse tried to grab the pile of shattered glasses on the floor.

She only made the situation worse when she injured herself on the fragmented piece. Laken initiates to take care of the circumstances.

“I'm sorry again!” Eirisse apologizes.

Luciella is perplexed as to the strong, bold, and confident Eirisse they encountered yesterday night was the same opposite of the one who slipped the glass of milk. She's a bespectacled girl who's careless, clumsy, and most of all she's humble like her.

“Hey Luciella, tend her wound, I'll take care of cleaning this.” He asked.

Luciella just nodded and took Eirisse on the dining table that is already prepped up. The food that is supposed to be their breakfast is already served. It seems Eirisse herself woke up early to prepare something for them.

“Light Blessing.” A simple Light Blessing is all it takes to fully heal the wound.

Eirisse scrutinized her palm to see it more clearly, then she smiled of joy. “Thanks, Luciella!” She hugged Luciella so tight she is having a hard time breathing.

Laken quickly finished cleaning the shattered glass to cover up for Luciella. “You see, this is her true self. What you saw yesterday was her Metamorphosis.” Laken affirmed.

“Y-Yeah... I'm sorry for attacking you guys out of nowhere yesterday. I'm Eirisse Cadence, this is my normal state, so don't be afraid of me Luciella...” Eirisse restlessly fixed her eyeglasses. “Help yourselves with the breakfast I prepared.” She offered.

“My name is Luciella Valor Le Blanc Vermillion, and thank you for letting us sleep in your house. I can't remember what happened after invoking Aqua Geyser...” Luciella first took a sip of the hot milk. She wriggled of its sweetness.

“But you used the Shard of Nature isn't it?” Eirisse confirms. She slurped from the glass of milk.

“I did? Oh, I've been wanting to ask but... what's a Revenant Metamorphosis?” Luciella reciprocated but with another question.

“Laken, here I thought she already knew all the Revenant stuff. Hah...” Eirisse groaned. On her thought, Laken is still the type of guy who is not used to talking much.

“Why don't you teach her? Anyways, I should check the outside field just to be safe.” Laken tried to mock Eirisse but it's no use. He also finished his meal immediately to get down to business.

“O-Okay!” Eirisse agreed. “Thanks for the meal,” Laken said his gratitude before closing the door.

“He's been like that for as long as I can remember...” It seems Eirisse contemplates over the past.

“Are you crying, Eirisse?” Luciella asked. “No, no...” She wiped her tears. “It's just I'm happy Laken is still safe... It's been years since I last talked to him normally like this...” Eirisse's trying to cope up and refused to weep anymore.

“Sorry for being weak... I have no confidence.” Eirisse implies. “Forget that, let's go back to the real topic,” she added and finished eating her rice porridge mushroom.

“About the Metamorphosis, what is it and how does it work? Laken seems to went out of control when he entered that form when we were in the Skyhaven.” Luciella also finishes her breakfast, she attentively listened to her as Eirisse washes the dishes.

“You see, once upon a time, a group of heroes wished to have great power. They wished a blessing, yet what befall them was a curse of domination.” Eirisse began to tell a story from a distant past.

“A curse...?” Luciella wondered.

“The curse caused them an unfathomable and excruciating experience, to the point the other heroes which had the curse thought to die is the only true blessing. Thus, committing suicide to end their miserable life.” She brought a glass filled water before sitting next to Luciella.

“But those who survived entered the Metamorphosis I speak of becoming a true Revenant. It's an undeniable process in which the body ceases to have the concept of limit. However...” Eirisse tapped the glass of water and it became beautifully red-blood colored.

“However...?” Luciella's interests in the truth grow more influential.

“There's a consequence. It's different for each of the heroes, but for me, whenever the moon calls the night, I turn into my opposite personality; it's like an alter ego. During that time, I thirst for blood like the vampire I am.” Eirisse expounded, she drank the glass of water that is dyed in red.

“But if your curse triggers every night, how does for Laken?” She asked as it piques her knowledge.

“Amongst us... his affliction is different. It doesn't activate periodically or anything like the others, but his curse acts like a trigger. Whenever he feels an extreme emotion, he turns into a killing machine, annihilating anything in his way.” Eirisse explained.

The sorrow in her voice is like reminding her of the past she tried to forget.

"It can't be...” Luciella placed her trembling hands on her chest.

“Tragically, t is that it can only be stopped when he had taken enough life...” Eirisse lowered her tone.

The past of Laken and the true nature of a Revenant is revealed as Luciella couldn't believe such events happened.

Notwithstanding such experience, that didn't make Luciella feel discouraged, rather she held the hope of understanding her comrades is the first thing to do before following the wish Laken had hidden in his pure heart.