Quiescence

Prologue

2015, December 24th, England

I stared at the lifeless woman, lying on the cold marble floor, her eyes wide open, and her pupils turned all white from once vibrant blue specs. I covered her naked body which had become pale white, with a white cloth.

"Now, you are purified, my love..." I whispered coldly and smiled without humor at the cold body that was once warm with a burning desire for me during our copulation. All humans were born to be filthy and sinful and this lifeless woman was not different. An adulterer. A lustful, dirty woman. The moment she saw my deceitful beauty, she did not hesitate and jumped on my bait even when her husband dearly loved her. She had gotten what she deserved. I did not feel pity or any remorse as I took her soul without mercy even when she begged. She should be grateful as I had freed her from this sinful world. For countless decades, I had roamed the earth collecting the souls of immoral women. I could not even remember how many had I collected and how long had I been doomed to do this hideous task. The only consolation I had was I did not feel anything, no pain, nothing, but a big empty hole inside me. I had no soul but I did not know if I had a heart. I did not feel it beating since a myriad of years ago. However, I did detest mortals as they could feel something whereas, I, could not. I specifically loathed women as I was once betrayed by a woman, not a mortal, but a Titanian Goddess of the moon, Selene. A very beautiful woman with a pale face and long, lustrous black hair, with long wings and a golden diadem, and she shone the brightest. I no longer feel anything for her, though I had once when I was a mortal. I was her lover and I did adore her but her greed was boundless and made me an immortal without my knowledge as she thought she wanted to be with me for eternity but then she was arrogant as she was a Goddess. She got tired of me and had a tryst with different men and Gods. Eventually, she had forgotten that what she had asked had a consequence that I would have to bear alone for eternity, my soul, was bound to sleep somewhere in the dark abyss in return for my immortality which I had not asked for. At first, I did not hate Selene as I thought it was a rare present to have for a mere human like myself but as time went by, all my family, the people I knew, disappeared one by one and all that was left was me without a soul. I grew to hate her each passing day, month, and year but I had no power to hate her and so I turned my hatred to mortal women as they were weak. As time went by, I was lured into the darkness and was granted power or a curse that doomed me for an eternity of collecting impure women's souls. 

"Pardon me, My lord, shall I dispose of the body of that woman?" Lucas, my loyal servant, interrupted me. I nodded impassively. Lucas already knew what to do as he had done it countless times. For he was bound to be my servant as what his ancestors once were and so his descendants would be. Lucas bowed and walked away without delay. I went to the big, old window of my enormous manor and stared down the garden which already had been covered with thick snow. My brow furrowed as my gold eyes came across a girl with long dark hair, pulling a very young boy with her. The boy was giggling while making a ball out of the snow then he threw it to the dark-haired girl. I could not see her face as her back was on me. Then, I heard her hearty laugh. It was fascinating and I got appalled as her laugh made me curious. I went to the glass door of the balcony and opened it. Afterward, I slowly went down the brick stairs, staring intently at the girl who was throwing snowballs at the young boy who seemed to be enjoying it. As I got nearer, I finally could see her beautiful, innocent face. She looked so young, probably fifteen or sixteen. I did not understand why I got fascinated by this little girl. Is it her blue vibrant eyes, beaming brightly as she giggles? Or is it her cheerful laugh that is slowly warming my cold heart? My eyes squinted as I came to realize that absurdity. I was heartless. It was impossible to feel anything and to this mortal girl at that. My thoughts were disrupted when something cold and soft hit my face. I touched my already wet face as the snow slowly melted. I heard giggles and so I shot them my cold stare.

"Oh, we are very sorry, Sir!"

The girl ran towards me but stumbled on something and fell on her face. I just stared at her lying on the snow with her face partly buried in the snow. Then again I was astounded when she raised her head, looked up at me, and laughed. I could not apprehend why I did not get mad but instead, I looked at her with curiosity as I surprisingly offered my hand to help her stand.

"Thank you, Sir." She smiled at me. A pure smile like an angel while she took my hand. I felt a brief warmth and something I couldn’t comprehend with that brief contact.

"What are you doing in my yard?" I asked her with a serious look. She then stared at me, finally taking in my beauty, with a mixture of fear, wonder, and admiration. My eyes became colder as I realized she was a mortal girl and could easily be charmed by my deceitful handsome face even at such a young age. There was no difference. However, I was surprised when she smiled at me innocently while gaping at me.

"You have beautiful eyes, Sir. They look so kind," she said naively and I did not know how to react to her unusual remark. My eyes were nothing but kind. They looked ruthless and cold.

"You are talking nonsense, little girl," I said coldly.

"My name is Dahlia not little girl." She pouted. I gazed at her with awe. This girl just talked to me fearlessly even when I gave her my dangerous stare. The young boy went to her, suddenly grabbed her long skirt, and wept, looking scared by my dark stare.

"Hey, hush now, Angelo. Why are you crying?" 

"H-he s-carry..." The little brat sniffed and pointed his small finger at me. 

"Don't be scared. He is not bad. Look, he has gold eyes. Aren't they beautiful?" The girl cajoled and the boy stopped crying. He then stared into my eyes, looking amazed.

"Waaah... Gold! I want gold!" The boy jumped and clapped his tiny hands.

"I'm sorry, Sir. We didn't mean to trespass on your property. We got a bit lost. We will go now." The girl smiled at me once more and started to walk away. I did not know why, but I felt lonely when she disappeared from my eyesight.

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"Dahlia..." I whispered her name out of the blue.

"What is it, my lord?" Lucas eyed me curiously.

"Nothing. Leave me." I ordered him and he left me at the long dining table, thinking of the little girl but then he came back a few minutes later. I scowled at him.

"My lord, there was a girl looking for you outside. I told her to go away but she insisted to give these to you before she left,” said Lucas uncomfortably and handed me a basket. I stared at it nonchalantly.

"Cookies?"

"Yes, My lord. She said to tell you to read her message."

"What message?"

"She put a note in the basket." I idly took the basket and found a folded white note. I opened it curiously.

Dear Sir with beautiful golden eyes,

I apologize again for our misbehavior.

My aunt scolded me already so I guess

you don't need to be angry with me and my 

baby cousin. I baked you some cookies to

show that I am really sorry and also Merry 

Christmas! I made you a cheap present. I

made it so it's priceless. Hope you like it.

Remember my name is Dahlia, the beautiful 

flower that means Dignity and Elegance.

I saw Lucas staring at me, awed as for the first time, I smiled, a genuine smile after reading the note with a flower scribbled at the end of the note that maybe was a dahlia by the shape of it. That girl was definitely not elegant but her name was as beautiful as her.

"Let her in," I commanded.

"Ah, S-she left already, my lord." Lucas looked baffled when he realized he did something that might anger me. I stood up and hurriedly went out. I could not help but sighed a relief when I saw her not very far away. I moved inhumanely fast and she was surprised to see me in front of her.

"Whoa! You scared me, Mister."

"My name is Endymion."

"Endymion..." She whispered my name softly like she was in deep thought. "Your name sound familiar... Aw, crap! I can't remember it." She slapped her forehead in frustration.

"Do you want to come to my house?" I could not comprehend why I was being drawn to this little girl. Her innocence and honesty were making me want her. 

"Um, I'm sorry but I can't. My aunt will be worried. She doesn't know I went here." She giggled and stared at me with those innocent bright blue eyes. My heart beat again for the first time after countless years and suddenly I lost control. I forcefully grabbed her waist and pushed her onto the tree nearby. She gasped, looking surprised but I did not give her an opportunity to protest or to think, I roughly claimed her mouth like a savage who had captured his young prey. She was appalled but then I heard her moan then I felt her mouth open and her sweet tongue met mine. I got more drawn to her as her kiss was innocent and inexperienced. I wanted to teach her more as her lips kissed me back with fervent desire and full of innocent curiosity. I had never felt this hungry for any woman but this girl. I roamed my rough hands on her young body, her blossoming breasts were reacting to my warm fondling. I ran my fingers down her thigh and massaged it gently then I touched her already wet core. I grabbed both of her thighs and raised them up so they are locked on my waist. I could no longer contain it anymore as my arousal was aching to take her innocence.

That's right, Endymion. Take her innocence and take her young soul... The evil within me whispered and I was thankful as that made me wake up. I stared at Dahlia and then closed my eyes tightly calming myself and when I opened them, my eyes were glowing bright gold. I stared at her surprised blue eyes as I willed her to forget everything.

"Forget what has happened here and forget about me. Go and live a cheerful life as you shine bright like the moon when you smile," I said gravely and stared at her dazed expression while she slowly drifted away from me... I turned my back on her, afraid that I might lose to my evil self and take her and her soul. She was young and pure and I did not want to take her soul.

I went back to my empty house and stared at the bracelet made of black beads with a Silver Star pendant hanging from the clasp. I grasped the cheap bracelet on my wrist, smiling bitterly, as I realized I was not human and I should not feel the way they feel...

"Endymion, I am disappointed. Why did you let that girl's soul come to waste?" The dark lord which whom I had a contract, appeared in front of me, giving me a menacing smile.

"I cannot take it as she is pure." I smiled at him derisively.

"How long can you control yourself, boy? I know you lust for her body. I will watch you suffer as you control your cravings for her body and soul." He sneered and disappeared. I was left furious and unsure as what he said was true. I now craved for that girl and I did not know how long would I last controlling my lust...

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