Dreamer

20.

Fate, and decisions.

Are they all of different meanings? Or do they coincide into one another?

With all I have seen, I do believe they are actually of the same nature which is,

Destiny.

As I stare at the dark clouds, I can't help but imagine what it all was and how it all happened that led me here, here with Articus.

It definitely did take me betrayals to see the font that is right before me all these time, of how cruel people can be, how they can turn on you the very next moment.

The dark clouds reign with lightening and clouds, something I should be scared of, but after staying with Articus for two weeks, I've learned to adjust to some things.

Especially to see that Articus may not all be what they claim him to be. He may not be the monster they take him to be, even after killing my grandmother.

"I see you're beginning to enjoy them." I hear Articus, as my face turns to meet with his gaze.

His favorite colour black as usual, even with my constant complains of him looking like a monster when I first came about why he always has to be in that colour, yet, here I am seeing the beauty in it.

Seeing the beauty in everything he has, which makes me question my self.

Am I really becoming evil like how I saw Articus to be before, or do the rumors just do Articus no justice?

"Seems I'm becoming to enjoy a lot of things lately." I tell Articus making my eye wonder on his sleek black outfit. 

Articus sees my gesture, making a light smile creep on his lips, something I've seen more than once now, ever since I began letting myself feel everything he is teaching.

My gaze leave his back to the balcony I'm facing, while I feel him join me there. "You still haven't told me the reason why they strike." I speak with my eyes on the repetitive glows of the dark sky.

"Because I want you to find that out yourself." Articus replies me.

"How? How am I going to do that?" I face him having have this constant answer repeated to me.

"By reading through me Atheena." Articus tells me and my heart races. I stare at Articus petrified, as the last time I touched him, I regretted it, as with what I saw through his eyes can make the strongest of minds become weak.

"I can't... I don't..."

"Yes you can Atheena. You can. Do not ever underestimate yourself again, because when you do, they exploit it and make you weak." He tells me seriously.

"The last time that happened, I saw what I shouldn't have and didn't want to see." I stare at Articus.

"Every thing you see I want you to see, Atheena, because I would never deceive nor lie to you." Articus faces me with full sincerity. "Dig deeper and find what you're looking for.

Yes, my mind may not be like others, so take it as part of your training. You are more than you think you are child. You have potentials that you can reach and I'm going to make that happen. Like I promised you, you would never bow down to any man ever again, neither would you be trespassed, because now my blood flows through you." 

I stare at Articus as with his words, I feel a sudden surge of strength from him, and I nod my head positively.

Only if you look closely would anyone see that no matter what, I still am that petrified girl. Yes, I may put on the facade that I'm not, but deep down I still am, which I despise. 

But, as Articus has always said, 'with strength comes will of mind.' So I'm going to be stronger, I will be stronger.

Articus extends his hand forward, wanting me to take it. My gaze moves from his extended hand up, to his eyes seeing him nod at me to go ahead. I sigh lightly before placing my hand into Articus hands.

The escape of breath hits me first, as my body swims into Articus memories. "Concentrate Atheena, search for what you want to know." I hear Articus voice amidst my dilemma of sinking in his head.

My body begins trembling, as I find myself at a scene more petrifying than anything I have ever seen in my life. 

The sky dark of blood red, as I watch Articus slay men and dispose with them with just the tip of his claws. My mind races, as I watch him kill and s*******r people just like me, while my body's trembling intensifies.

"Compose yourself Atheena!" A light sob escapes my lips hearing Articus voice ring in my head.

"I can't... I can't... This is...its too much... I can't watch it... I'm sorry." My voice comes weak, while tears run down my eyes as watching it all, makes me question exactly what it is I'm doing or becoming.

At an instant, I'm brought back to the present knowing it is not of my doing, but Articus, who is staring at me with a gaze I can't fathom, while my body still shudders with fear in my lachrymose situation.

"I would never harm a hair on your head, neither would I ever put you in harms way, because my blood flows through you and even if it didn't, I wouldn't still. You are my legacy, my heir and for that I require you to be stronger than you are now, because much more is at stake that you can only know of when you cower your fear." Articus tells me, as I stare at him.

"I do not know how to be kind or assuring like the mundanes do by hugging or making you feel at rest, but one thing I can assure you is, as long as my blood flows through you Atheena and that is forever, I would always protect you, so do not fear and accept the power you feel." My gaze on Articus raw, that I didn't know when another tear slips out.

"Open your mind Atheena, let me show you something." Articus furthers, but I nod my head negatively.

"I...I don't know if I can handle it anymore." I speak, terrified of what's about to come. Articus doesn't listen to me, but comes closer and when he is facing me directly, his orbs changes to the deep red he has, before he places a finger on my temple.

Safe and sound, I gain consciousness landing in a room. The room bright and colourful, with mixtures of pink, grey and white defining it. At first I get perplexed as of why I’m here, until I  sight Articus in the same room, but not the Articus that led me through here, this is another Articus. 

An Articus from the past.

"And what is it my little princess drew this time?" Articus speaks while I see the most amazing thing I have seen in a while. His laughter. A laughter from the Demon king.

"I'm not little anymore daddy, I told you." Another voice comes through, that of a little girl to be exact, but I can't seem to seem to view her face with Articus behind her.

"Oh, I'm so sorry my princess, so can I see what it is you drew today?" Articus speaks, in a tone so soft I hardly recognize.

"Yes you can daddy." The little girl says with a giggle making me have a little smile creep on my lips. "This is you, and this is me when I grow up." She says while Articus chuckles again.

"It seems my princess can't wait to be all grown up huh?" Articus replies. "So, who is this other person?" Articus questions while I try to move further to have a look at the little girl and that of the painting.

"This, daddy is the one who will help you protect me." The little girl says again, still yet I can't seem to see her face.

"But why do I need someone else to protect you, don't you know how powerful daddy is?" Articus replies.

"I know you are strong daddy, but that is what I saw in my dream. So when I grow up and you see this boy, be kind to him daddy, will you? Please?" Her words brave and soft at the same time, whereas Articus stares at his daughter in perplexity.

"Okay princess, I'll be kind to him." Articus nevertheless, replies with a smile I can tell is having him perplexed.

"Promise daddy?" She asks again.

"I promise princess." Articus smiles lovingly as all these makes my heart warm, yet, perplexed.

Why did he bring me here?

" I love you daddy." The little girlwraps her little hands around her Father's torso.

"I love you too Farah." Articus runs his hand over his daughter's hair. As they pull apart, my gaze remains on them, whereas Articus moves to the side, picking up the painting, and giving space for me to properly see the little girl.

My eyes go wide, while my mouth opens agape, staring properly at the little girl in front of me.

Is this a dream?

Is this a joke?

What is this?

As though the little girl senses my presence, her gaze stays on mine with a bright smile on her lips, while mine stays on hers with perplexity, as I am staring at a replica of myself when I was eight years old.

How is this possible?

What is this?

How?

"Yes Atheena, you are more to me than you know of." My gaze moves away, as I now stare by my side the present Articus, who brought me here in the first place.

What is this?

Oh my God!