Ahe'ey

Marble Garden

MARBLE GARDEN

Sathian was drunk with resentment, anger and pain, but it was mainly remorse and shame that stopped him from hurting the girl. He was fighting to keep what was left of his humanity and, tonight, letting Sky go was his small act of redemption. He touched his disfigured face, knowing all too well that not even his royal blood could regenerate an entire eye. He, the most beautiful creature at Ahe’ey, was now forever disfigured. A fair punishment for the necessary violence he had unleashed on his family. Was it? Necessary?

“Sathian!” He looked back to see who was screaming his name. It was Lucas running in his direction, sword in hand. There was madness in his eyes and in his face, the type of mania that is only present in those who have suffered tremendous loss. The blonde Ange’el barely knew how to hold the sword that he lifted in front of his chest. He seemed committed to avenging the death of his wife, Luna. Sathian knew Lucas wasn’t a warrior, nor had he ever killed any living being, no matter how small. Lucas stopped in front of Sathian, preparing to strike.

“If it’s suicide you seek,” Sathian murmured, unsheathing his sword, “I’m more than happy to oblige.” Sathian rotated his entire body and, in one single blow, decapitated Lucas. As the body of the dead man fell to the ground, Sathian couldn’t help but laugh at the battle that was raging inside his head, the maddening cocktail of mixed feelings that intoxicated his mind. Lucas, the son of the love of his life—Gaia— and of his mortal enemy—Angha. To kill Lucas was to torture a woman he loved and hated with equal amounts of passion and conviction. She’d suffer for the rest of her life, and he wasn’t quite sure she could endure the punishment he’d unleashed on her. Guilt-ridden and conflicted, he laughed and he cried, leaning further into his madness. It can’t be undone. There’s no turning back.

Sathian walked back towards the Ange’el village, roaming the gardens where he had spent most of his youth. The place remained unaltered, as if time had stood still. The statues he had designed and commissioned together with his dearest love stood above him. Their flawlessness was untouched by the heartaches and misdeeds of their creators. The sculptures represented the perfection, purity, and virtue of the Ahe’ey.

“Lieees!” he screamed as he touched the face of a stone winged angel with his bloodied fingers.