Broken-Hearted
2595 Words
Ash did not care about his job anymore. He was not intimating his manager about why he took leaves and neither did he answer their calls. It was as if he wanted to resign or was ready to get kicked from the job. From the moment Ash understood about Solaris and the reason for the teleportation, his job on earth seemed petty and unimportant. Here on earth, he was a normal individual who goes to work, enjoys with friends, enjoys the care of his loving parents and led a very simple life, but on Solaris, he was unique. He had a major role and people depended on him. He took it for granted when he was there but when he left it, he could not think of anything else other than Solaris.
Ash went to Izumi's lab and Izumi and Tron were already waiting for him there. As soon as he entered they hugged him tight. They saw his friend getting sucked into something in front of their eyes, it felt as if he was dead or will be. Seeing him here made them emotional.
Tron: It is so good to see you again, Ash. We were so worried.
Ash: I can see that. I have so much to say to you guys.
Izumi: Spill everything that you know right now. I cannot wait anymore.
Ash: Alright. So, your research was right, Izumi. There exists a planet called Solaris which consists of two suns. And people on Solaris believe that demons would soon invade their land and devour every last of them and they think that I am the Chosen One who could save them from the annihilation. That sounds crazy, but they really believe in their history.
Izumi: So, did you come back naturally as always or is it under your control now?
Ash: No, I recited some spells, which opened a door, and inside was a magical potion. I drank it and recited another spell which helped me teleport here. I might be a warlock, after all.
Tron: So now you can come and go whenever you please?
Ash: Unfortunately, no. The potion only has enough liquid for two teleportation. I used one to come here. Another downside was, an old man told me that I could only use it yesterday. So the potion doesn't let me go. Oh my God, I thought to decide after I talk with you, but I totally forgot about the limited time.
Izumi: Can you show me the potion that you are talking about?
Ash took it out from his jacket and gave it to Izumi.
Izumi: I have read somewhere about a magical fluid which when ingested could help people travel from one place to another in an instant. This potion might be different but all the potions that have similar functioning would have almost similar characteristics. And one of the most common characteristics is that they last for one day. So, when did you first used it?
Ash: I don't exactly remember the time, but it was evening.
Tron: If you go now, how would you return?
Ash: I cannot.
Izumi: But if you do not go, millions of people will get devoured. Is that what you want?
Ash: I cannot leave my friends and my family for a battle that I don't know that I could win.
Izumi: You were made Chosen One for a reason, Ash. Maybe your secret power unlocks if you stay more time on Solaris and also what about all the families that would die? Think about them, Ash. I don't want to lose you, but I can't let you stay here for selfish reasons while people get slaughtered over there. It makes you evil.
Ash: Assuming I do go there. How the heck am I supposed to be saving them, huh? I cannot just go there over an assumption of superpowers. Also the people on Solaris are thrice as strong as me or even more. They are skilled and brave. Even though they tell me that I am special, I feel useless. My presence doesn't do them any better.
Izumi: Ash, ash, ash. What you are dealing with is mystical, not some physical brawl. If physical strength is the key, then Solaris would never be able to defeat the demons. If you are the Chosen One, then there would definitely be something about you that might help them win the war. You just hadn't unlocked it yet. Imagine if Earth was in danger and only a person from Solaris could help us. How would you feel if that person flees? He escaped from his responsibility which would cause you and your parents to die. Stopping viewing it from your perspective. Try to look at it from their point of view.
Ash remained silent as he couldn't answer Izumi. He knows that not doing anything was immoral and wrong. But the thought of leaving everyone behind was too much for him. If he could somehow make peace with that matter, then it would be possible for him to go to Solaris and do his part.
Ash: If I decide to go, I will not tell goodbye to my parents. It will break their heart and I too couldn't leave them. If I go, I will go right now, surrounded by the dearest friends of mine, who are also a part of my family. Can I get one last hug from you guys?
Izumi and Tron hugged him right away. They weren't ready to lose their best friend, but there is no other way. They took a selfie as it was the last memory that they would make with his dearest friend.
Ash opened the potion and looked at his friends and drank it. He then recited the spell he himself created and said, ' I love you all. I really do. Tell my parents that I died during an adventure. It would cause immense pain to them but it is better than knowing they can never see me again. '
Ash disappeared and the tracker went offline.
----*----
Klaus had never cried in his entire life. But a drop of tear now rolled on his cheek. His heart became so heavy that he couldn't breathe properly and his chest became heavy. He realized that emotional pain was way worse than physical pain. His entire body became numb. This feeling was completely new to him. Although he knew that people die but seeing his father's decapitated head on the top of the pole shattered his heart. His hands were shivering and slowly his entire body began to shiver. He wished it to be a bad dream but he knew it wasn't. People soon gathered around to see a mighty warrior down on his knees, but the entire world around him was blurred to him. He couldn't even look at his father. As he moved his head to the left, he found another pole, and on top of that was Rohesia's decapitated head. She was the first person that he promised. For some reason, Klaus felt he was the reason for their deaths.
The depressing emotion was soon invaded by the thirst for revenge. His blood boiled and his fingers curled into a fist and his eyes were determined to end the life of the person who was responsible for such an inhuman act. Just as he was about to stand, Draven reached the spot.
Draven: Oh little Klaus. How did you like my new constructions? On one is your beloved father and on the other is my little w***e. It must be heartbreaking to you, I suppose, seeing them like that. Unfortunately, they didn't have a proper burial. I will let them hang here until their face gets deteriorated and their flesh gets completely eaten off and then I'll preserve the skulls and put them in a special room, by which I will let people know what happens if someone tries to cause me pain.
Klaus: Why?
Draven: Why? Are you serious or are you acting as if you don't know anything? The night you talked to my father. Sorry, late father, I overheard your conversation, and when I heard him tell that he might love you more than that of me, I felt dead. I know I am not an ideal person, but he is my father and is supposed to love me more than anyone. If my own father doesn't love me, how will the people of Solaris do? So I decided to end him at that moment. So firstly, I killed my father and then I thought that you are the reason I had to kill him and now I don't have anyone. I am all alone in this world, so I wanted you to know how it feels to be fatherless. So I summoned him, your father, Edgar. I guess he had already understood that his life was on the line and yet he was calm. I respected him for that. So I had him killed in an instant without any pain. He did not resist. Maybe he accepted his fate. I think that might provide you some relief. I thought we were even then, but whenever I looked at that little w***e, it reminded me of you. So, I played with her for a while and killed her too. So, get the hell out of here before I strike you down.
Klaus tightened his grip on the dagger he carried and one throw would have ended Draven's life. But his father's words reverberated in his ears, ' Don't seek vengeance and his last wish was to save Solaris. '
Klaus slowly stood up and walked towards the pole to bring down the heads of his father and Rohesia.
Draven: Guards, cut him down if he attempts to take my trophies.
All the guards who were present there stood before the poles. There were roughly 20 soldiers and they all knew they were no match to him but still they have to follow Draven's orders. They were sweating and shivering as they knew that if they had to fight Klaus, they will be dead.
Klaus: The man who is ordering you to stop me is not a human because no human would commit an atrocity like this. Most of you follow him because you are afraid of him. And now I am going to walk towards that pole and take my father and Rohesia with me to give them a proper burial. They deserve that and if anyone tries to stop me, I will be forced to fight back and Draven, I wanted to kill you the moment I saw my father, but the irony is it was my father's last note that made me spare your life, but I promise you one thing, if your soldiers obstruct me, I will slit your throat and gut you down in front of everyone here.
Draven, even though he despised Klaus knows about his capabilities. And he thought it was better not to rub salt into the wound. A warrior is difficult to fight with but a warrior seeking revenge is deadly and would stop at no cost. Draven asked his soldiers to stand down and Klaus retrieved them both. He secured them inside a bag and retraced his steps to his horse.
Draven thought that Klaus would definitely make a scene but a mere note from his father prevented him from taking revenge. He was surprised at the level of commitment that Klaus have to his father, even though he was dead.
378 and 412 were teary-eyed as they saw Klaus leave. They never saw a Knightstar in tears and in such helpless condition. But they could think of no words that would lessen his pain. Klaus went back to his kingdom and the moment Cyrus saw his father, he was enraged and decided to go to war against the Prime. The entire Thunder was saddened by the death of their king. Klaus showed the note his father had written and Reagan also backed Klaus saying that his father's last wish needs to be executed and only then they would think about what to do with Draven and that sounded acceptable to Klaus and Cyrus too. Sylvie was the only one who cried and even though Klaus wanted, he couldn't. They sent a note to the Kingdoms of Northburn, Dark Lands, and Frozen Throne to ask for their help in the upcoming war. Hearing about demons might sound crazy but if Knightstars call for help, it would definitely be answered.
----*----
Ash found himself in the treehouse where he recited the spell which teleported him to earth. The old one was still sitting there and as soon as he spotted Ash, he got on to his feet and flashed a wide smile.
' You are back, ' he said.
' I talked with my people and had some realization and I am here now. '
' So noble. '
' Thank you. Where is Klaus? '
' He had some matters to deal with, so he went back to his kingdom. '
Ash suddenly started to have a headache and he held his head with his hands. The old one stood where he was as he understood that Ash was having a vision. After a couple of minutes, the headache was abruptly gone.
' We don't have enough time. They are coming. Will you please continue about the history? You hadn't told us anything about the demons. I will fill Klaus in when we go to war with them. We cannot wait for him to return. '
' It is important that you know everything and hence I will tell you the rest. So when Solaris was formed, the Gods created it in such a way that, once after a few centuries, the demons come out of their eggs or pods or whatever that is and they attack everything that comes in their way. If the Chosen One doesn't make it here then the demons would kill everyone on Solaris and life on Solaris starts from the beginning. The only way to put an end to this cycle is for the Chosen One to realize his destiny and end the war. We don't know why Solaris is this way. '
' Two things. The first is, what do you mean by life starts again? Would it start with two people and then the population slowly rises or a civilization would automatically be born? And the second thing is how do the Chosen One defeat the demons? I do not have any special talents and I do not know how to use a sword or arrows. What am I supposed to do? '
' No one knows the answer for the first question you asked and coming to the second, you will figure it out on your own. It is your duty and primary responsibility. '
' In the vision, I saw some stuff, but it was all blurred. The demons might soon come out of their eggs and begin to kill people. I don't want to sit here and waste time, but without Klaus, I will not last out there. Maybe the visions would help me in defeating the demons but I cannot survive from non-demon attacks. I will wait here until Klaus comes and we will start our quest as soon as he comes. Is that alright? '
' It is your decision and I have complete trust in you. Do whatever seems right to you. '
- Writer
