Terra's PoV
I was staring at my reflection of the mirror, while my fingers are brushing my hair strand. Once more, I saw the short length of my hair and I frowned. It didn't grow much, and it appears as it didn't grow at all. I tucked my earrings which are made of gold, and I let go of a sigh, the day of my doom has now come upon me and it feels like I am trapped again in a cage.
I once believed that after coming home, all the burdens behind my shoulder shall vanish, yet I was wrong. The curse in our land hasn't ceased, Constance the witch already told us what must take place in order to attain the desired peace in our lives. It is to offer my life to death, and steal death's heart, provoking it to beat once again.
"Terra?" I hastily let go of my hair and let it fall down on my shoulders, my platinum hair shines as the sun rays enter the window. I gazed at the doorway when I heard the voice of my Father.
He walks in, and upon seeing me, he smiles. "You look so lovely in that white dress," he commented and I smiled back with bitterness in my soul.
All I have ever thought is, my father would be there in times of my troubles yet it is quite opposite to what is happening. He was the one who pushed me to the ground. All I ever assumed was that he will defend me, yet here I am now—caged in this marriage that I thought would never arise.
"Why do you seem so disheartened, my daughter?" I heard him questioned. I hasten to shift my gazes from him and watch myself in the mirror.
I sigh before answering him, "Nothing, father. It is just that I feel empty, you know in the very first place that I never wish for this to happen."
I heard him cleared his throat, probably displeased upon what he hears. "Terra, the world is drifting away! What else must I do in order to protect you?" He asserted and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"We talked about this, didn't we? I love you, Terra and I know to myself that I cannot safety you. This is my only way to show how I treasure you," he continued and when I glanced at his countenance, he look so disappointed.
Why do I seem like I am being manipulated? Do I appear to be a toy before them? Why does it feels like I'm gradually strangled with their words? The chains were becoming tight and it produces a sting.
"My apology, father."
"Our world is tearing apart, Terra. Think for what is best for you, you cannot incessantly choose what you desires. You need to be greedy in times like this," he asserted and I felt how my shoulders fall. My tears were about to escape from the corner of my eyes yet I simply lowered my head and calmed myself.
"I understand," I muttered and I heard him sighed in dismay.
As minutes passed, I heard him walk away and the door clicked. Once more, I gaze at my reflection and permit my tears to overflow. "What life is this? When shall I be able to taste freedom?" I mumbled.
Sage's PoV
I woke up in the middle of a noisy room followered by tasty smells of dishes. I felt my stomach grumbling in hunger and my throat dried up like river streams that never welcomed a rain. I slowly raised up from laying down and my back felt the roughness of the sacks of flours which I made as my bed.
"I must get out of here before everybody knows my trace," I tiptoed away from the kitchen and lowered my head as possible. The townsmen in this city are violent! I must escape alive.
I took a pan and pretended to look closer at it, scanning the scratches caused by the edges of spatula. Yet when I reaches for the exit, somebody calls me and dragged me towards the other room, and his grip were too tight that I could feel my wrist twitching.
"Let go of me, please." I requested without lifting my face to see him. All I could glance at is his garment, he is wearing a tunic which carried gold lacework and rich embroidery. His cloak as usual, carried the coat of arms in his figure and it clearly depict his elevated status. He also wore belt to hold the trousers in place.
"A royal blooded," I whispered with my eyes widened in surprised. This cannot be! Why would a prince be in this place where servants dwell to prepare meals for them?
"Huwag kang maingay, huminga ka lang ng malalim, hindi kita sasaktan." His voice is deep and I could feel bland authority in him. However, I cannot comprehend what he is trying to speak.
Despite the fright that bothers my entire senses, I take courage upon responding to his words. "My apology, your highness. However, I do not know what you are speaking, I cannot understand your language."
He gaze at me with confusion, and before he could speak once more. A chef entered the room and was about to pass our way when she noticed us and before she could finally react, the prince held my waist and pulled me closer to his chest and he met my lips with his kiss. My eyes rounded in total shock and I barely move, I felt so stunned and blank.
"Ay naku! Paumanhin po, mahal na prinsipe! Hindi ko sinasadyang masaksihan ang inyong sandali ng babae mo!" I heard the woman speak and she felt embarrassed upon what she witnessed.
I heard her walking out of the room and the prince pulled the kiss, he gently pushed me away from his direction and glared at me. "What country are you from? I assume you are an alien who wishes to escape her death? You entered the wrong territory, woman." He leaned his back on a nearby cabinet and I could not move nor speak any word.
What went on earlier was a complete shock!
"Woman, aren't you going to speak? Anong nangyayari sa 'yo?" He retorted once more, all I ever did was to throw a glance at him. Even though I want to open my mouth, no words would come out.
With his brows met, he walks nigher onto my direction and I could sense that he is about to touch me again. Therefore, without hesitation, I lifted my right leg and was about to throw a forceful kick when he averted himself and rushed to grab my arms.
"Let go of me!" I hissed yet I was halted when he leaned his face closer to me. My mouth automatically shut and I felt so weak, incapable of pushing him away.
His stares became serious and I gulped. "Your lips taste sweet, scream again and I'll surely make you quiet by locking your lips with mine." His whisper seems to echo inside my head, it brought shivers down my spine and I no longer controls my knees from falling onto the wooden floor.
"I won't apologize for what I did, woman. I do what I want, and I'm taking you with me."
I felt his hands wrapped my waist and he carried me with him. Out of shame, I closed my eyes and hid my face on his chest. "Please don't kill me," I pleaded and I heard him sigh.
Lorelei's PoV
The rays of the sun bursts its warmth and it gradually coat the atmosphere of the rainforest where I used to stay in with a vulture, Alcott. The fusion of warmth and coolness of the wind were making a relaxing ambience. I tightly close my eyes as I sensed the whispers of the air.
"The princess will be betrothed with the Ambers," I have been waiting for hours of meditating and those whispers were repeating inside my head.
Once more, I listened to the wind and just like what it usually says, it repeats those disturbing phrases. "Terra is going to be married this day, aren't you going to attend the wedding ceremony?" I was paused when I heard a hoarse voice from behind me. I knew it was Alcott all along, he has been tempting me.
"Will you please leave me alone for even just one day?" I retorted yet he simply averted his stares and sat on a nearby rock.
"I know you are somewhat worrying about Terra Elliot, she is not supposed to be betrothed with a mortal. She is fated to be with her death to rule the underworld." His voice became piercing and I wanted to disregard what he says yet a part of me keep on convicting my heart to speak up.
I sigh before answering him, "It was her choice, even though she never mentioned it with her lips, her heart betrayed her. She is in love with that man, and I cannot do anything but to let the two strings attached."
"Then let her be," he muttered while playing the tiny stones with his hand. I felt disturbed upon all of this turmoil. Terra is the one making her own fate, her choices were dragging her into danger. A sweet danger it is.
"What must we do now?" I throw a question at him and Alcott ceased from throwing stones at the clear lake.
"Permit ourselves to witness how her fate takes place. Death has been enticed with her soul, there is no way she is going to flee from what awaits her." With his words, I nodded as I agreed on his plan. He assisted me to stood up from squatting in a huge rock and we led our ways towards the cabin to prepare ourselves.
"We will be witnessing how her wedding turns into ashes," I whispered.
Third Point Of View
The entire hall was wrapped with silence, yet any moment a noise of heavy steps filled the corners of the aisle. A man with a silver tray on his hand walks straight to the room of the king, on his tray was a sharp dagger being wrapped with a white linen cloth. He held the doorknob and as he enters, a weak man greeted his sight. The king was laying on his bed with blankets up to his chest, he feels cold however it is not a good reason to keep still.
"Good day, O king. My daughter and your son shall engaged in marriage this day, do you wish to witness the ceremony?" The captain asks and placed the silver tray on a wooden furniture beside the bed.
The king cough before clearing his throat and had his response. "I already speak with my son, Theodore. They shall only visit me once the ceremony is finish, I have no more strength to come out of this room. My flesh shall soon be found rotten," he stated and the captain chuckled.
"I have something for you, O king. This might help you, you know I cannot afford to see you enduring such suffering," he uttered and took the knife wrapped in a cloth.
"What is that?" The king questioned but the captain respond no more. He led his way toward the bedside and took out the sharp edged dagger.
The king felt surprised, his eyes rounded in horror and he wanted to scream for help yet no words would come out of his mouth for he was stunned. "No, please! what are you planning to do?" He was too weak and he could no longer move his body.
He was shaking in fright yet the man only smiles at him. "I must do this, your highness. Permit me to rule over your kingdom," and with a devious grin, he lifted the weapon on his grip and pierced it through the king's chest.
He did it three times and blood gushes out and floods the mattress. It went all over the bed, and the deep wounds are visible. The king lost his breath, and he perished in the hands of his trusted man—Theodore Elliot.
"Finally, I shall get to taste power in my own hands." His sinister laugh echoes and he left the lifeless body of the king, Theodore locked the room and he went his way to the venue.
Her knees were about to give up as she stood before a huge mirror inside the room. The maidservants were fixing her dress and some did her hair. She appears so lovely yet her countenance fell for her heart does not reflect joy. She was disheartened upon her father's decision, yet even if it takes her to be caged in a dull room, she thought she must heed her father's will.
"Oh dear, what has gone with your countenance? Look at you," one of the maidservants muttered and gently lifted her face to see herself in the mirror.
"No, nothing. I am doing alright," Terra plainly responded and forced a smile on her reflection. As she was watching herself in the mirror, the huge doors before them swung open and one of the male servants entered and reached for their direction with a scroll on his hand.
"My apology for my sudden entrance, however our time is running and the ceremony is about to begin," the man uttered and slightly lowered his head to bow down before the bride.
Her lips parted, and her heart began to throb quickly. The moment has come where she shall be one with the eldest prince. The idea never pleased her, Terra was anyhow forced to agree with her father's request.
The maidservants assisted her for her grand entrance toward the venue, the garden hall of the palace where various flowers bloom. The area was dull and quiet, for there are no people around except for the Queen and her two sons, and Captain Theodore together with Sam Williams. The other servants were outside and some are preparing for their meals. The townsmen are not there to celebrate with them for until now, the nightmare hasn't ended. Their souls are hidden behind the shades and they are crying out for help, but no one shall ever heard them except for death itself.
"I have to do this," Terra whispered to herself, trying to calm down the shivering chills that tingle her spine.
A soothing melody plays and the huge gate of the garden was opened. A woman with her majestic aura greeted the sight of many, her white dress suits her pale skin and the tiny gems on the hem of the apparel were dazzling their best as they were exhibited. Terra heavily breathed before she could take courage to step in the red carpet.
Their eyes were watching every step she took and she was suffocating. The prince was standing by the altar and when their gazes met, Terra felt numb and hopeless. She knew that after all of this, she can no longer escape from the Prince's grip. She once more breathed heavily, assuming it would calm her down yet unfortunately, her heart was thudding even more.
On the other hand, Constance who was standing at one of the seats felt bitter upon witnessing the existence of the woman whom she loathed. The witch could not believe it, Terra actually survived all of the troubles she encountered. Constance could not convince Gohan to choose her, and she nearly thought of stealing the life of her beloved so they could marry in the next life. Her dreadful ideas were attacking her mind and she could not frankly speak it out.
"She looks more beautiful in that white dress," Constance heard the groom and she gritted her teeth in annoyance.
"I cannot see anything else from her that is way better than I, pathetic." The witch whispered in hatred and once more gazed at the bride who finally reached the center of the altar.
"You won't be living a happy life, woman." She mumbled and momentarily closed her eyes. Sensing how the hurls of the wind became heavy, she could sense that there were unexpected people coming into the palace.
Upon arriving at the altar, Terra Elliot seems so bothered. She could sense how she barely gasped for air to breathe and her knees were wobbling—feeling so weak. "Are you alright?" Gohan questioned and held her arms to support her.
"... Ah yes," she simply replied and proceeded to stand straight.
They faced the man before them who was assigned to witness the ceremony of their marriage. "Shall we begin the ceremony?" He asked with a gentle smile, he faced the existence of each individual who attended the event and he momentarily paused upon seeing two more people entering the gates.
The bride shifted her head and turned her back to see the two couple who arrived and her heart felt shattered upon seeing the familiar figure of a woman. "Lorelei," she muttered and her tears subsided onto the corner of her eyes.
Meanwhile, Sam Williams felt dazed the moment he saw the man together with the fallen angel, Lorelei. It feels like the world turned upside down and everything slowed down. "Alcott," he called out and their gazes met.
The man simply let go of a charming smile and Sam felt happy to witness that his long lost brother was finally found.
"Welcome, loved ones! We are gathered here today to join Gohan Ambers and Terra Elliot in holy matrimony."
The solemnity has now began and everybody witnessed the two souls exchanging vows. However, the two brothers who sat near the altar felt the shivering awkwardness upon beholding each faces for the first time. No words would come out from Sam's mouth and likewise went on to Alcott. They sat there in silence, and Lorelei could sense the stilted of their auras.
"It is nice seeing you here, Sam." Lorelei muttered and shifted her gaze to see the man beside her. Sam Williams was sitting on her left side while Alcott positioned himself on her right side.
"I thought the darkness overwhelms you with temptations and you have done nothing but to betray the heavens?" Sam responded which made the woman stiff on her location. She did not expect that to come, she knows she made a mistake.
"Isn't that rude to say in front of her?" Alcott Williams interrupted. Lorelei's eyes widened in surprised upon hearing her man spoke a word. Sam smirks and nodded his head.
"I can see that she disappeared in a blink of an eye and showed up at last, you must have took her with you?" Sam once more uttered.
"I do not hate you, brother. Why do you speak like that?" Alcott retorted and stared at his sibling for a moment.
"You didn't took care of Sage, you left her in the woods crying for help, what do you want me to react?" Sam once more asserted and Alcott kept silence. "I see you as someone who only drags people to fall and be abandoned,"
Before Alcott could finally speak, they heard the screams of the servants from outside and a dark smoke hovers across the aisle and fills the atmosphere. They stood up and Sam hastily run towards the altar to protect Terra.
"What is going on?!" Captain Theodore shouted and they all together heard a sinister laugh.
"Thrille Daven," Lorelei spoke and she froze on her location the moment she heard the rumbling of the shadows.
"What is he doing here?!" Constance blurted out, shivering in fright.
"Terra!"
The princes recklessly ran to protect the bride, however, the dire aura grasp her. The prince of the underworld interrupted the wedding ceremony and caused everybody to fall. They felt her eyelids becoming heavy and their knees were trembling and are about to fall on the floor. They felt the smoke entering their breath and Thrille cause them to sleep until eternity.
"No! Stop!" Terra screamed from the top of her lungs yet it was too late for her. She witnessed how everybody falls on the ground, lifeless.
It feels like a dream, and she desperately wanted to wake up. "What have you done, Thrille?!" She blurted once more and ran towards the altar yet the man held her hand and she felt weak.
"Let go of me, please." She begged for him to let her go yet Thrille closed his ears. He knows Terra never wished to be married to the prince because she is his.
"Where are you bringing me?" Terra once more plead yet the man never answered her. Thrille brought her to the forest where they first met, despite of how it was scorched, the romantic feeling was still there. The river streams began to flow once more and as they arrived, Terra sat on the ground and crying.
"What do you want from me?" She whispers yet enough to be heard. She continued to sob and Thrille simply gazed at her direction.
He opened his mouth and began to speak before her, "You know from the very beginning that all I want is you alone, Terra."
"Stop ruining my life!" She begged. Thrille walks near her and held her arm, he assisted her to stand up and when she finally stood in the ground, he gently darted her onto his chest. He wrapped his arms onto her and he sighed, "You are not destined to live in this realm, milady. You are fated to rule thw underworld with me," he whispered which gave her the confusion.
"What are you saying?" She questioned between her sobs, she let him embraced her. She needed it, and even if she doesn't want him around her—her heart speaks otherwise.
"Live with me, Terra."
"No, I cannot. I do not want to be with you."
"Yet why do your heart speaks the opposite? You chose to call my spirit, everything you do pleases me, woman. Your choices, your decisions, the way you live your life — they all calls for me. This is your fate now, you will live with me." His phrases cause her to be in turmoil, all the words she heard could not process well.
"You know I surrender my heart for you, I tried to neglect the voices that tells me to destroy the world because I love you," he continued.
"You are just losing everything because of me," Terra responded, unable to look at him in the eyes. Thrille had the urge to bite her, whenever he encountered her — the same feeling goes on and on and sometimes, he cannot take control of the thirst.
"I already have, Terra." Thrille breathes heavily before proceeding to say, "I've already lost everything because my everything was you," he confessed and before she could react, he closed his eyes and took the opportunity to sting his fangs onto her neck.
At that very moment, he felt the pang in his chest and he knew his heart is beating once again. Terra felt numb, the sting she felt inside her chest fades right away. Thrille sucked the blood that rushes out of her, and it tasted so sweet that he could not let go.
He wanted to stop already yet he was driven by his thirst, a sensation that only her could satisfy. Terra fell down and collapse whilst Thrille felt the thirst even more.
On the other hand, the kingdom of Glamidale heard of the report that the territory of Thornsfrost has collapsed. The royalties died and all of the men that lives in there. The magistrates calls for a discussion, the entire kingdoms are in chaos for their enemy has finally perished. The warriors are called out to inform everybody that the war shall be cancelled and they had gain the victory.
Meanwhile, Sage Williams bitterly took a glimpse of the man who was standing before her. She could not do anything but to keep in silence while waiting for him to speak, her hands are in chain and she knows any moment she will be dead.
"What now, Prince?" She hissed with a tone of annoyance in her voice.
"Lock your mouth for the meantime, liar." Silas had a great time teasing his prisoner, he decided to lock her inside his closet to prevent anyone else to see her existence.
"What do you want from me? Will you just let me go?" Sage blurted once more and she felt so pissed.
"Why would I let go of an offender like you?" Silas responded and smirks at her.
"Oh come on! You will regret this. I will surely slice your throat once I escape from these shackles!"
"Go on,"
Sage Williams wanted to scream because of anger but she do not want anybody to hear her, she knew she would be dead. She doesn't want to die, however, being stuck inside the prince's closet pushes her to commit suicide. She hated it, she feels like a puppet being thrown out after being played.
"Have you heard of your territory? The king calls us for a meeting, and guess what?" Silas sat on his bed and teasingly stared at the woman who sulks herself at the corner of the closet.
"What?"
"Thornsfrost has now collapse," he retorted which made the woman stiffed on her direction.
Silence envelop the atmosphere and Sage barely move nor speak. "You haven't heard of it, don't you? Poor offender, you are the only one left," he continued.
"Will you go straight to the point? What do you mean?"
"Everybody vanished, that is why the king cancelled the war and claimed our victory. We will send our soldiers tomorrow morning to check the place, what do you think?" And he let go of a grin.
"No, this cannot be!" Sage felt dazed, she do not know what to do or how to react. It feels like she was fooled, and she do not want to believe his words.
"Please tell me that you are lying, don't you ever play a trick on me!" She cries in madness and attempted to break the chains that bounds her. Sage wailed even more and Silas could not take the loud noises, he wanted to keep her mouth shut, however, he feels disturb.
"Just kill yourself, woman. You cannot go back to your own territory, Moresis shall abandoned that place and it will never be called a kingdom ever again."
Uncertainties are what she was seeing, she felt hopeless and she regret a lot of things from the past. All her sins were wounding her and she could barely breathe. "Help me," she whispered and cried once more.
"End your misery," Silas handed her a sharp dagger, and upon seeing the weapon it feels like she has lost her strength. "Do it," the prince comnanded her and she gaze at him with a teary eye.
Sage gritted her teeth in anger and hissed at the man, "You are just like me, a sinner!"
"Ibig mo bang sabihin ay mag kita nalang tayo sa impyerno?" A wide grin escapes from his mouth and he chuckled.
"See you there, woman." The prince closed the closet and went out of his room, as he walked in the hallway, he encountered a servant who greeted him, "Magandang hapon po, mahal na prinsipe." He simply nodded as a response and proceeded to walk with a lofty countenance.
Terra's PoV
I woke up with an unusual feeling, a direful chamber greeted my sight and as I sat on my bed to roam my gazes, I behold the dried trees from outside the window. There I knew I was not in the mortal realm, and I failed to do what I wished to do — to save the townsmen from the curse. Or maybe those are just part of my dreams?
Did I sleep for too long?
It feels like a dream, everything that happens was like a nightmare to me. "What happened?" I questioned myself and tried to get up from bed.
I let my feet walks on the cold marbled floor and I behold myself in front of a huge mirror where most of the expensive stones were being exhibits.
"My hair were as white as snow," I whispered once again. I unconsciously touch the front portion of my hair and I was amazed that it was not chopped.
Those strange images in my head are probably one of the series of dreams I have been seeing whenever I sleep.
"You finally woke up, darling." I heard the familiar voice of a man whom I truly love. When I shifted my glares, I saw him standing at the corner of my room near the doors and he was looking at me with proud.
"It feels odd, did I sleep for decades?" I asked him and he simply chuckled.
"You probably dreamt of the same scenarios all over again? Must it be from your past life?" He questioned yet I only kept silent, I have no idea where all of those scenarios came from but if it comes from my past life, I must have suffered a lot.
"Why don't you have your meal first? Do not overthink too much, it might harm our child." He walked near me and held my hand, he gently touched my belly and kissed my forehead.
"I love you, Terra. Please accept my gratitude for living with me, this is for eternity." He whispered to me and we headed our way outside the bedroom.
If all of those dreams are true, I must say I am more alive by staying here with my husband. I never wish to go back to that realm ever again, I recasted the sweetness of my arrows to those whom I thought are my friends yet I ended up being hurt at the end.