Eclipsian Dynasty

Chapter 17: Unexplored Horizons

Cedric packed his belongings and loaded them into a wagon along with the moon-sword and dagger.

The day seemed so beautiful, the morning sun illuminating the castle. The courtyard was paved with stone and adorned with stables, imposing columns, and the grand entrance leading to the royal castle.

He looked up at the queen's window but saw no one. Cedric sighed tensely.

"Perhaps last night was the final time I saw her. Poor Mum," he thought, twirling the moon-sword. "If I am destined to die as the prophecy foretells, allowing my 19th descendant to be born, so be it. But before that, I will try to stop the Cosmic Eclipse. Alone if I have to."

A pleasant tightness filled his chest as he sensed someone approaching. Elowen carried a couple of books, looking just as she did during their journey--in a green cloak and a light, cutout fabric outfit.

"Almost forgot to give you this. Whew," she handed him some books. "These are about Soliarion and Alaric, Dynasty founder. Something to read on the road."

He tossed the books into the wagon without much interest.

"How is it that you're the only one who cares about me now? I always thought it was the other way around," Cedric with a tired smile looked at his older sister.

"I warned you, dummy. I told you what Dad would do if he caught you two, didn't I?"

"Yeah. You did."

They stood in awkward silence for a moment.

"Do you feel it inside?" Elowen suddenly asked. "I mean, the spirit. Right? This thing... Can you feel it?"

"Yes, all the time. You?"

"I do. I feel..." She hesitated, shifting from foot to foot. "I feel it especially strongly when you're near, Cedric."

"Yes. Same. Our spirits connected. Faithwinder said they're spirits of love or something."

"Yeah, right. Spirits of love," she said, punching him on the shoulder, but somewhat hesitantly. Her tone shifted as she lowered her head, murmuring, "I don't want you to leave, Cedric."

"I don't want to leave either. I'm so scared, Elowen."

As he finished talking she embraced Cedric tightly, causing him to drop several bags as he returned the hug. They both felt a comforting tightness in their chests, a moment of warmth and deep connection in their hearts.

"Everything will be fine, Cedric. I promise. Our dumb spirits can connect even when we're far apart. I'll always be near."

He buried his face in her shoulder and dark hair. At that moment, she seemed to him the dearest and most beloved sister in the whole world.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"It's time to leave," one of the approaching guards said.

He expected Elowen to push him away like she always did when someone saw them close, but she didn't. She kept hugging him, enjoying their last moments together.

"I won't forget how you cared for me in the Valley, little brother. I'll take care of Mum, I promise," Elowen whispered. She kissed his cheek and let go.

He tenderly touched Elowen's face. One last time. "Goodbye, sissy."

Elowen smiled. It pleased him, so he climbed into the wagon with more confidence. He looked at her standing outside the carriage. She waved, and suddenly the door closed.

"Goodbye, Mama's boy."

===

2 months before the Cosmic Eclipse.

He shuffled forward, his feet dragging tiredly. Chains clanked on his arms and legs. The cold was harsher than anything he'd felt before. Solarion's northern chill felt unreal.

The Cult members led him through a frozen, empty forest. Cloaked in dark robes, they hauled Cedric along the path. The one on his left carried Cedric's moon-sword, while the one on his right held Riley's dagger.

At the front walked a man with a golden mask -- Gargantua. Cedric recognized him.

A cultist kicked Cedric in the back, speaking in a hissing way. Cedric thought, "Solarion language," remembering the old woman from the settlement.

It hurt to walk. He was still in pain after Arik's beating and his leg throbbed.

"You know, guys, there was a book in my wagon," Cedric said. "I read that Solarionians feel no fear. Sounds like nonsense. It also mentioned that King Malachin's army is actually as cowardly as chickens. Is that true?"

A few cultists laughed.

"I know you," Cedric said, still staring at Gargantua's back. "Let me guess. You chickened out and let the monster escape, getting your men killed? You know, the monster with hooves and claws from the Library. Is that what happened?"

Gargantua stopped, and cultists followed suit. The next second he drew his sword.

"How do you know about the monster?"

Prince was silent. Another cultist spoke in a hissing language and gestured at Cedric's hair.

"No, the mud from Eclipse cannot serve as a vessel," Gargantua said. Cedric was forced to his knees, his feet painfully touching the cold ground.

"Are you scared of my sword, pup? Your labeled us as cowards. Aren't you a coward?" The cold blade pressed close to Cedric's neck. "Aren't you a cowardly chicken?"

"I'm not afraid to die," Cedric thought, remembering the prophecy. He must die so that the 19th descendant, his and Seraphina's child, could live.

If he died now, then it was destined. And yet, his lower lip was twitching.

Cedric swallowed, feeling a surge of energy within him, the power of Corvus' spirit flowing through his blood.

Gargantua pulled back the blade. "There's a difference between hiding fear and not feeling it, Prince. Pick him up."

Two cultists grabbed Cedric.

"Keep your mouth shut, or I'll cut your long tongue. The journey to the Red Castle is long. Let's go," Gargantua said as he sheathed his sword.

At that moment, a white speck descended to the ground in front of Cedric, followed by another. The next one landed on his shoulders. White ash, Cedric thought, began to fall everywhere, growing more intense with each passing second.

Cedric looked up. "Is that snow?"

Cultists watched silently as prince experienced his first snowfall.

===

But the joy from the snow quickly turned into hatred. The weather changed to a strong blizzard, but they kept moving. The cultists ignored the snow, but Cedric stumbled with nearly every step. His muscles refused to move in such cold.

"Do you still like the snow, Prince?" Gargantua shouted through the howling wind, a smile seemingly playing on his lips as Cedric fell once more, his face covered in cold snowflakes. Every nerve ached from the biting cold.

Soon, the barren, frigid landscape gave way to ruins. The serene, snowy plains and hills were replaced by scorched earth, and the stench of death filled the air. On either side lay the shattered camps of the Empire. Dogs ran ahead of the cultists, fighting over scraps of bodies. They halted in a wasteland, with smoke from the camp visible on the horizon.

They were very close to the front line.

"Over there are Tilidus' troops," Gargantua pointed far off towards the hills. One of the cultists unlocked the shackles on Cedric's legs. "But don't expect a warm welcome. The soldiers who escorted your convoy told us you were being taken to your death before we dealt with them. They planned to execute you."

Gargantua turned and headed in the other direction, deeper into the north. Several other cultists followed him, leaving Cedric alone, shivering from the cold.

Cedric looked at the hill, then turned and followed the cultists. Walking without chains was much easier.

He walked over debris, garbage, and possibly even bodies. He stepped through ash and places that had once been scenes of slaughter. Snow covered everything, leaving the horrors beneath to his imagination. Cedric cautiously climbed over a fallen, century-old tree, oblivious to the Solarion army passing nearby.

His thoughts were consumed by one person--the reason he kept going: his mother.

"I hope you are doing better then me now, Mum. I hope you are okay."

He dragged his feet until evening, the chill and exhaustion pricking his skin like needles.

"Time to rest," Gargantua said, appearing beside him and guiding to a spot on the ground. Cedric sank onto the chilly earth as nearby cultists lit a fire and pitched tents.

Gargantua removed his black hood, revealing a mane of silver hair. His golden mask clung firmly to his face, and his warm brown eyes fixed intensely on Cedric as he honed his blade.

"Why? Why am I still alive?" Cedric's voice was strained. "Why not just end it here? Why drag me all the way to the Red Castle?"

"Why?" Gargantua sighed. "Why didn't we just kill you back there at the Valley camp then? Why? Because King Arik can always have another coward son with his gorgeous brown-haired bitch- wife. You are needed as a hostage, Prince. King Malachin will decide your fate. He needs you, but I am not permitted to tell you why."

"So, I'm just a hostage. Right." Cedric couldn't take his eyes off the fire, shivering from the intense cold.

"I wonder where is Mum now? Is she angry for what I did? Angry that I wanted to impregnate her? Will Mum ever forgive me? It was the best night of my life, but what if she's back with Dad now?"

Gargantua interrupted Cedric's thoughts.

"Eternal life awaits only the fearless," he said.

"What?" Cedric whispered, warmed by the campfire.

"That's how we live. You asked if we are fearless? We live to die in battle, to confront and defeat the soldiers of the Eclipsian Empire. Some label us as psychos for our beliefs, but we see it as the ultimate expression of freedom. We exist to engage in combat. To live and die in a fight to then live forever."

Gargantua put his sword aside and looked intently into Cedric's eyes.

"And what do you live for, Cedric, Savior of the Eclipsian Dynasty?" he said mockingly.

Cedric imagined a woman, her hands cradling her swollen belly, fingers tracing patterns across the skin. Her cascading brown locks framed her face as they spilled over her shoulders. He tenderly kisses her plump lips, and before that, she smiles, welcoming him as her husband and king.

"For her," Cedric murmured almost inaudibly, avoiding Gargantua's direct gaze. However, the masked man let out a chuckle, catching Cedric's response.

"So someone awaits you at home, right?" Gargantua's eyes gleamed beneath the mask. "Love is a splendid thing in youth. Love... Every woman here bears at least five children, ensuring that when a father passes, his legacy continues through his offspring. When a father passes, his children follow his path. Basically for us, lovemaking is like dying. What could be better than experiencing a few 'deaths' in the grip of a right woman?"

"Five children?" Cedric wearily glanced into the fire. "Another five wonderful children for my Mum. Me and her. What could be better..."

===

Elowen opened the huge door to the queen's chambers. The two armor-clad oaken-heads standing at the entrance didn't even offer their assistance.

She slammed the door shut, finding herself in a dark room. Not a sliver of light penetrated the tightly shut window, leaving the room shrouded in obscurity.

"Mum?" Elowen, her eyes adjusting to the dimness, lit a candle and raised it. The bed was in disarray, its blankets strewn across the floor. The princess turned towards the sound.

Seraphina sat in a worn chair, dressed in tattered rags that barely passed for clothing. Her brown hair was unkempt, strands falling loosely around her face. Despite the dim candlelight, her once-beautiful features appeared weary. With one hand resting gently on her stomach, she stroked it.

"What's going on with you, Mum?" Elowen walked over to the window and opened it sharply, removing all the barriers Seraphina had put up. Sunlight illuminated the room and Seraphina's eyes glazed over from the sudden influx of sunlight.

"Cedric?" barely escaped Seraphina's lips.

"Cedric has left, Mum. They took him away to war. Did you forget? It's been almost a week!" Elowen placed the candle aside and sat down beside her, noticing the dark circles under Seraphina's eyes. "When was the last time you slept, Mum? I'm worried about you. You need to talk to Dad about what happened. He is still your king and husband. You can't just hide here all the time."

"My poor, my poor Cedric," she sniffed and touched her belly again.

"Gosh, Mum! If you loved your mama's boy so much, you should have thought about his safety earlier and not let him between your legs. He is your son! I warned you!" Elowen nervously stood up and walked to the window.

"My blood... my belly is," Seraphina looked at her bed.

"No, no, no. Mum. I don't want to hear this," Elowen exclaimed. "I don't want to hear that you're pregnant by... by Cedr... Curse it. I can't even say it. Listen to me." Elowen grasped Seraphina's shoulders. "Just don't tell Dad about this, okay? Deny everything. Don't you dare tell him! Please! I don't want to..." Elowen nervously swallowed. "I don't want to lose you too. He might forgive you for being with Cedric, but not for having his child. Do you understand? Promise me you won't tell him!"

Seraphina focused her lost gaze and looked into Elowen's eyes. She did a light nod. It was enough.

"You are Arik's wife, Mum. Not Cedric's. Say it."

"I'm... I'm Arik's wife," Seraphina mumbled.

"Good." Elowen gently stroked her mother's head, wiping away her tears.

Something tugged at her heart. Seraphina had never been like this before. This broken. "Oh Gosh, Cedric. What have you done to our Mum?"

Stepping back, Elowen wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Tomorrow, they'll appoint me as the heir instead of Cedric. I want you to be there, Mum," Elowen said.

But Seraphina was distracted again, her hand gently resting on her stomach. "Death and suffering follows me. First Blunder, and now Cedric. My beloved Cedric. It's all my fault."

Elowen stared out the window at the city for a very long time, adjusting her bust on her dress before she spoke. "Blunder died because of me, Mum. I did it."

Seraphina kept stroking her belly.

"I convinced Dad to raid the valley. I hated every moment there. I still have a scar under my eye, Mum. I just, well, I wrote to Dad that you were having an affair with Blunder, and he sent Tilidus. I didn't expect him to react like that. I just wanted to get out of that cursed valley as soon as possible. I won't be sorry for what I di.. Mum?"

Elowen sensed a looming presence behind her and turned around, only to find Seraphina's hands gripping her throat, forcing her down to the floor.

"Mum!" Elowen gasped, struggling against Seraphina's hold. She tried to break free, but her mother's weight bore down on her, making it difficult to breathe.

"What. Have. You. Done, Elowen?!" Seraphina's grip tightened. She was choking her own daughter. It was only when Elowen jabbed her in the eye that she released her grip, collapsing to the floor.

Elowen coughed and gasped, scrambling to the door. "You're insane, Mum! You and Cedric! You are both crazy! You can't love each other. Do you want to spend your life rotting in here?! Alone? As you wish! You know what? This is your fault! Cedric might be dead because of you! You're a murderer! Screw you!" With that, Elowen slammed the door shut, leaving Seraphina weary and collapsing onto the bed.

Chapter 18: Assault on the Red Castle

To Cedric's surprise, he slept well through the night. They gave him a warm, dark robe that helped him feel cozy, and the cold snow didn't bother him as much anymore.

Even though he still had chains on his hands, Cedric didn't see it as a big problem. "I can break these chains just like I did in the library's dungeon. Having a spirit inside gives an advantage."

The cultists laughed, chatting among themselves, although Cedric didn't understand a word. He glanced at Gargantua's silvery hair and then at the white hair of the other cultists. Were they also vessels for spirits?

"May I ask why your hair is that color?"

"Just because I gave you a robe doesn't mean we've become friends, Prince." Gargantua answered. "The question that interests us all is why YOUR hair is turning white? King Malachin will resolve this issue. Be ready to meet our King. We're almost there."

They continued their journey as the sky darkened with black clouds. Eventually, the city emerged before them--the capital of Solarion.

"Behold, Prince Cedric, the Red Castle," said Gargantua.

The area around the Red Castle was desolate. This place was nothing like the peaceful Red Castle from Cedric's vision shown by Faithwinder. The heat from the war's forges melted any hint of snow, the surrounding forest was cut down, and tents with tens of thousands of fighters surrounded the capital, with dark smoke rising. Ash covered the castle, making its towers look dark.

The capital, bustling with people, greeted him as expected. As it should greet the prince of the empire that murdered their sons, fathers, grandfathers, and grandfathers of their grandfathers.

Cultists surrounded him with a shield, preventing the peaceful townspeople from tearing the prince apart. However, Cedric seemed oblivious to their reactions. A stone flew at his head. Blood gushed from his skull, but he didn't stop.

"I won't stop, Mum."

Finally, they led him inside the castle. Gargantua wiped the blood from Cedric's face as soon as they crossed the threshold.

"You held up surprisingly well, prince," said Gargantua coldly, pulling him along further. "Now, ready to meet Him. Our King. Welcome to the Hall of the Fearless."

Cedric found himself in a huge throne room filled with soldiers. Each one had gray or silver hair, some with specks of black, brown, or even yellow. Only a few had completely dark hair or no hair at all. Cedric noticed right away that instead of a ceiling, there was a large window in the throne room overlooking the sun.

The sunlight through the ceiling illuminated the room almost entirely, leaving only the throne in shadow. A tall stone throne without extravagance stood with a person seated on it. Cedric couldn't see the person's face clearly due to the dim light, but a crown made of sharp fangs and gold metal was clearly visible on their head.

Gargantua abruptly stopped Cedric and made him kneel.

"Kneel before King Malachin!" Gargantua declared. The entire room, following Cedric, bowed to their king. Cedric, breathing heavily, looked at the figure on the throne. It was the infamous King Malachin he had heard so much about. Cedric rubbed his eyes again.

Sitting upon the throne was an elderly man, with long hair and a beard cascading down to his shoulders, both grayed with age. His skin was wrinkled and yellowed. He was chewing something, his jaw barely moving.

"Is that Malachin?" Cedric asked in surprise. Gargantua struck him in the back.

"Show respect to our King," Gargantua fell to the knees. "We have fulfilled your task, Lord! The King of the Eclipsian Empire is finally on his knees before you. Just as you wanted."

"But I... am not a king," the pain subsided in Cedric's head. He looked around. "It doesn't make any damn sense."

"Execute him for his audacity!" someone from the crowd shouted.

"The descendant of Alaric must be crucified alive!" followed a second cry.

The crowd yelled insults.

He was surrounded by enemies, the worst enemies possible, all ready to kill him in the most brutal ways.

"I must not let fear consume me. Remember why you're here, Cedric," he whispered to himself, closing his eyes.

There was no one to save him now.

"You are the first king of Solarian before whom a descendant of Alaric has bowed," declared Gargantua. At that moment Cedric noticed his moon-sword on Gargantua's waist.

"No, I bow to no one," Cedric broke free from the shackles and grabbed the sword, rising to his feet.

The moon-sword gleamed in the sun as Cedric jumped back. Malachin didn't even flinch. Everyone in the hall drew their weapons.