LATEST UPDATES

Published at 1st of April 2022 07:28:44 PM


Chapter 105: The Heaven He Never Imagined

If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again




"Wait! Come back! Not you too!" He yelled, running and running to follow it. "End me! End this suffering already! I'm so tired, alright!? I lost everything, so why not just end me!?"

The butterfly did not care, fluttering its wings faster as if in spite. 

"It could only be you! It's only you who could end this, that's all I ask for! Then you could be happy with him!" He ran until his legs felt weak like cooked pasta, and his breathing hurts. "Sangfroid! Min Libitino!"

There was only darkness with him, and he was afraid of seeing color again because he doesn't know what he feel once he see them again. There was only death around him, and he was afraid of living because he doesn't know how long he can keep his wits with him.

But he did catch up to the butterfly, and once it perched on something, color returned. Life returned.

He was in the forest again.

But this time he could see himself, laughing and chatting with both Leron and Vladstin. 

They were all wearing red hoods, an odd trio indeed. There were no dead wolves around them, they were riding three chestnut horses. 

"What should we have for dinner today?" Leron asked them.

"Fish soup." Sangfroid easily answered, his one hand feeding barley to his stallion.

"Again? I want rampiogli!" Dream Vladstin said. "I'm sure the Hermit would like to try it too. He's been asking me more about Crescentian culture lately."

"Anything Leron cooks is good." Sangfroid shrugged.

"You should try it too, love. You might like it." Dream Vladstin said...

And kissed his cheek!

But Sangfroid didn't react at all. In fact, there's a semblance of a smile on his lips, though unnoticeable to someone who's not observant enough.

And even more strange, Leron wasn't envious at all. He just smiled at them. "Then we better hurry up and buy the ingredients in Alfend. It's nearby."

He brought his horse to the right, but Dream Vladstin stopped him, chuckling.

"Love, Alfend's not that way!" He ruffled Leron's hair. 

"Oh, sorry, sorry! I'm still haven't memorized the geography of these woods." Leron scratched his head, flustered.

Dream Vladstin gave a peck on his cheek too! "Don't worry, let me take the lead so you wouldn't get lost again."

The current Vladstin could only follow them with much intrigue and confusion. What kind of dream is this?

He never daydreamed nor wish for something similar like this. It never even crossed his mind. What he imagined for the future in case the Hermit did exist, is that the deal made with the New Ilvedian's would be followed, and Sangfroid would cut his head.

But the three of them..... together?

It feels impossible, too much of a paradise to exist.

Still, he ran after them to the nearest town of Alfend. It was a kingdom with large marble columns, and people selling wares freely through bartering, not coins. Rugs, pots, meat..... It's all in a jumble, and visitors may find it difficult to reach the store they are looking for, perhaps taking them even sundown to do so.

But once Sangfroid dismounted, he walked with much certainty for the pasta shop, the tomato shop, and all the shops that have their needs. His gait commanded the respect of people and the crowd gave way to them, but not in the sort of intimidation that scares people. In fact, everyone seems to recognize them as one would recognize a friend.

"Hey, it's the trio! Would you like some buttered shrimp soup?" A shopkeeper offered. 

"We already had breakfast, Noo." Leron waved his hand while smiling.

Even a blacksmith called out. "There are new batches of arrows here, One Eye Man! Come on, get some."

"Later." Sangfroid answered plainly, but the blacksmith seemed long used to it.

"Uh, you boys came to shop in my store again." The old lady selling much fresh produce, including big, juicy tomatoes greeted. "Is there any occasion? Someone's birthday?"

"Just buying things for future needs, Uela." Dream Vladstin answered, taking her hand and placing it by his on the top of his head to ask for an elderly blessing. "And a bit of a lovers' stroll, as you Alfien's call it."

This caused another wave of shock. He mumbled, "She knows that they're all together?"

"Ah, that sounds lovely. I suggest you stroll farther by on the Square, there's an acrobatics act you can watch. Fire-breathers too, and pantomimes, the whole circus show. They traveled to Alfend at least, I would also like to see, but the crowd is not good for an aged lady like me." Uela smiled. "So just tell me all about it when you get back, and this old lady will enjoy it vicariously through you."

"Will do, Uela!" Vladstin waved at her as he placed rare flowers and fruits from the wild in her hands, and took the bag of tomatoes and chili peppers.

"I think I've read about this 'circus' before." Leron informed them. "It's a group of entertainers for specific things, usually performing on a  very large tent the size of a mansion."

Sangfroid was thankful for the new information. "It sounds interesting, Leron."

"Why don't you ever call us love, Sangfroid? It's unfair that only me and Leron use that and you don't, don't you think?" Dream Vladstin teased.

Sangfroid's ear reddened. "I'm.... I'm just not used to it."

Instead of defending the poor boy, Leron joined in the teasing. "You should try it as much as you can. How will you get used to it if you don't even try?"

Sangfroid looked down, feeling so wronged by these two. But he relented. "Alright..... Love."

"Me too!n Me too!" Vladstin jumped up and down, raising his hand like a kid. 

"Yes.... Love."

They continue fooling around like this until they reached the town square where the large circus tent was. They entered through its flap that serves as a door, and a man with a fancy costume and shoes with high stilts as high as a seven-year-old child greeted them.

"Welcome to Lord Baphie's Circus Extravaganza! We are currently having a trapeze performance today, as well as a song from a live mermaid later. May you have fun in circus land!"

"Thank you, sir." Leron looked up to the tall gentleman in stilts. "Do we need to pay anything?"

"No, just your applause and cheers will be enough!" The man grinned from ear to ear. He was wearing make-up, with red four-pointed stars drawn under his eyes to look like tears.

He bent his back to whisper closer to the trio. "If you do wish to be a generous sponsor, you may hand me any coins. We accept anything from blodrops to silveins to weilings---"

"Gesshua!" Another tall man in stilts, with long flowy hair and a sword by his side came behind him. "Stop tricking the audience for coins! We all know you would keep it to yourself!"

"Ah, don't be like that, Maphen! We can share, no one has to know~"

"If you are willing to share, you should share it with the whole troupe!"

As the men kept arguing, Dream Vladstin urged his two partners forward. "More and more people are coming, let's go."

"Wait." Sangfroid said, and turned to the two circus gentlemen. "You. Come here."

The two stopped when they were called out, both asking, "Who, me?"

"The one with the sword." Sangfroid said, and Maphen went closer. "Take this. If your circus master isn't paying you enough by making the performance free, you should tell it to him or talk with the court that holds legislation over your troupe. I hope this would help"

He handed him... the Amulet of the Dracon!

The ghostly Vladstin who's watching gaped his mouth in shock. So easily, like that, handed to clowns.

"T-Thank you, sir." Maphen bowed, and almost lost his balance, but Gesshua helped him. They both happily went out and talked about this big score they earned. 

Even Sangfroid's lovers were surprised. Leron timidly asked. "Are you sure that you give your father's Amulet so easily, Sangfroid? It's the symbol of Ilvedian's heir after all."

"Ilvedia is long gone, and New Ilvedia is already doing well with Rothfir's democratic rule. The Amulet had already lost it's powers once he took the throne anyway, so it's just a piece of gem now." Sangfroid said.

"But  it could still have bought as a lot, maybe even an entire establishment here in Alfend." Dream Vladstin sighed. "What a shame....."

Sangfroid put an arm on his shoulder and kissed him on the cheek to console him. "We already have a house anyway, in our cottage with the Hermit.... love."

"Well, since you're willing to use such tactics, I don't feel sorry about it anymore." Dream Vladstin squished him in a hug. "Let's now go watch the show so we have something to tell Uela later!"

They nodded, and they soon watched the show.

The performance they watched was colorfully dressed men and women swinging in bars tied on a rope in the air, at a spectacular and daring height. The crowd held their breaths every time one of them was just thrown by their partners to reach the next trapeze, and explode in claps and cheers once they are successful.

Then, bubbles came out of nowhere, and the people in the trapeze disappeared at the same time as spectacular light burst forth, blinding everyone. The scenery has completely changed within a matter of a few seconds. At the center of the stage was a lone figure, sitting on a bunch of rocks arranged meticulously to appeal to the eyes.

A young mermaid sang. She was beautiful, her plump, powdery white cheeks dotted with green speckles that shone puffing up as she took a breath to belt the high notes of her song.

It was enchanting, but also heart-wrenching. 

There were no words, but you can feel her message from her tone. It was about a person missing their home. Wanting to return, yet never able to.

Once the performance was done, many people in the seat were in tears.

The trio talked about the performance they watched happily, and went by to Uela to talk about it again. But Vladstin's mind is still lost on that young mermaid. It felt like that song was something he can hear not from within this dream.....

But from the outside.

If he can reach out to that song...... This endless chain of dreams may be over.




Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!


COMMENTS