The Grand Duke Seeks Death

As the stars reflect against the sea, Genesis stood still, waiting for the blood that have seep through his armor, to wash away with the waves that crashed back and forth. The fatigue of the recent war they have won was slowly sinking into every fiber of his being. He stared at the sky, feeling the night sea breeze against his face, thinking how much more war must he endure. His mana reservoir was starting to fill up again. At that rate, his fatigue to would seep into his muscles quicker than usual. He purposely tried to deplete his resources when he dealt with all the mages and wizards of their opponent. He fought them alone, wishing it were finally his way to seek death, but the only time he almost closed in on death, was when three of their opponent's strongest priest scratched his cheek.   "You're doing it again!"   Genesis' pensive mood came into a halt as soon as he heard a familiar yet annoying voice.   "Matthew..." Genesis stated with annoyance visible in his tone.   Matthew chuckled as he joined Genesis in the water. "So… We won." Matthew declared dryly.   Genesis sighed in response.   "Still, you could have at least spared the priestess. She was quite strong." Matthew stated.   Genesis cracked his neck, "She was no priestess." He answered.   "Is that right?"   "She was aiming an arrow at you, Your Highness." Genesis emphasized Matthew's title.   Matthew groaned. "You sure know how to annoy me, Gen."   "Surely you don't expect me to speak crudely to my King." Genesis teased.   "I told you, when we’re alone, I want you to call me by my name. And you know better than that. I never would have been made King if-"   "I didn't want to be King, and you know that." Genesis explained.   "And the fact that you didn't want it, makes it feel like the citizens deserved you more."   "You know that's not true. I don't care about them the way you do. And just why are we talking about this again?"   Matthew laughed but fell silent after. The sound of waves crashing, and the guffaw of their men celebrating resonated through the air.   "Man, I'm so freaking tired!"   "I can eat a whole lamb."   "I can't wait to lie down."   The two stood in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the temporary moment of tranquility as they listen to their men's celebration.   Matthew and Genesis have been fighting alongside each other, ever since Matthew found Genesis living in a secluded forest just north of Hydra.   As soon as they met, they knew they'd be inseparable due to their elemental affinity. Matthew, who was still a prince at that time, has been scouring his Kingdom for someone who possesses the Lightning element. It was known through the entire Kingdom that anyone who possesses the power of Lightning is extremely rare. And the fact that Genesis possesses the rarest Lightning of all, black Lightning, Matthew felt like he found his greatest treasure of all time.   It was quite a struggle for Matthew to convince Genesis to come with him. He would visit him every day, never wanting to give up. Genesis, on the other hand, was fed up and just agreed so that he can finally find peace. Matthew was so happy that day, that he proudly declared that he annoyed Genesis into submission.   "Your Highness, I would like to request a week of absence from your council." Genesis stated breaking the silence.   "Why?" Matthew asked.   "I kind of want to sleep."   Matthew sighed, "It must have been hard for you, ten months of war with only so little sleep."   "Mm. I don't know why, but my nightmares appear clearly whenever we're at war."   "You mean... your curse?" Matthew whispered.   Genesis nodded in response.   "I still have no idea what exactly it is, but damn, jealous women are crazy. You must have been a nasty piece of work when that woman cursed you.”   Genesis scoffed. “I wish I were nasty. Then I won’t have any problem accepting my state.” “I sincerely pray that you figure out how break it soon, Gen."   Genesis smiled politely in response, then King Matthew left him alone.   He still remembered the curse like it was yesterday, but truth be told, it has been two thousand years since he was cursed to never die and to never age.   As he closed his eyes, facets of that incident replayed in his mind.   "only...your.. fated...one..." the sorceress groaned painfully, while he strangled her.   Genesis clutched his fist as he still clearly recalled the sorceress' cursing voice. The frustration of not being able to die, the emptiness that never seems to fill up, and the stagnation that comes with it is too unbearable that it rendered Genesis unable to rest well.   The only way he can relax his nerves is when he takes a dip into bodies of waters. It took him centuries before realizing that the most relaxed he has been, was when he took a healing bath back in his country.   The bath that was always prepared and blessed by the Holy Church's Saintess- Klia, temporarily strips away all his fatigue and weary, both physically and spiritually.   "Maybe I should take a healing bath as soon as I get home." Genesis said to himself.   Meanwhile, as the night of the victory celebration hits an all-time high, Genesis along with some of his men stayed sober to guard the premises. On the other hand, King Matthew joined his men on their drinking frenzy.   "Your Majesty! Please drink more." says one of his men.   "Now, now, this celebration is supposed to be about all of you, for lending our Kingdom your strengths."   The men cheered as they roared in delight and chugged the barrels of alcoholic beverages.   "But Your Majesty, we didn't do much. With your Hydra Prowess and the Grand Duke's Lightning, Fuegora did not really stand much of a chance. I'm glad we only had to go for ten months. Usually we'd take years." one of the healers drunkenly stated. Matthew chuckled.   "But those bastards from the Void Kingdom sent assassins to take advantage of the fact that we are tired and low in resources."   "I'm lucky that the Grand Duke was beside me when they attacked. He instantly annihilated those f*ckers."   They all agreed in unison.   Matthew smiled, feeling proud. "He's always alert." he stated.   "Man, even now, he volunteered to stay on guard when he should be resting. No wonder he's called the Mecca of Hydra. It’s like he has endless stamina and mana."   "I wish I could be like him as well."   Matthew smiled, but to be honest, his men’s words of admiration towards Genesis stings a bit. He felt inferior, and lackluster compared to him.   "Your Majesty, would you like to engage in a lowly gossip?"   Matthew's attention was caught. "Oh? I thought only womenfolk enjoy gossips."   The man chuckled, "Surely not Your Majesty. Even common men such as us enjoy a gossip or two."   "I see. Well then, what shall we talk about?" Matthew obliged.   "A few Fuegora ladies were asking about you earlier, Your Majesty."   "Me?" Matthew asked.   "Yes, it seems they fell for your charms Your Majesty."   "Bullocks! Women like those only take interests at us because we now rule their country. You know that better than anyone here!" one soldier interjected.   "I know that! But what you don't know is that I saw one woman emerging from Sir Randall's tent earlier."   "Sir Randall? You mean the Grand Duke's righthand man?" Matthew asked.   "Yes your Majesty. And she was adjusting her skirt as she left."   "Man! Even someone as stiff as Sir Randall craves huh!"   Matthew was pleasantly surprised because he didn't expect Sir Randall to conduct himself in such a way. He is known to be as stiff as Genesis in terms of romantic relationships. The Grand Duke and his retainer were known to be slaves of their work. It was too pleasant of a surprise that Matthew engaged in more gossip as the night deepened.   Meanwhile, Randall joined Genesis who was station by the tree.   "Man, those farts sure know how to empty barrels." Randall said as he stood beside Genesis, offering a piece of bread to him. Genesis stared at his hand and then looked at him with a questioning look.   "What?" Randall asked.   "Surely you know how much I value cleanliness on my bread." Genesis stated.   "This bread is clean, and freshly baked." Randall stated as a matter-of-factly.   "Yes, but your hand isn't." Randall was dumbfounded for a second.   "H-how-"   "Need you ask?"   "Oh. Damn! You and your heightened senses. Honestly, how good is your hearing?" Randall asked rhetorically.   Genesis laughed. "Good enough to know that you're the topic of gossip amongst our men."   "What?! I was careful!"   "Did you honestly think that no one will ever notice?" Randall laughed.   "Well, I am a man, and when a woman presents herself before me, I cave."   "And they thought you were stiff. You sure know how to deceive our troops."   "You should try some yourself. Let out some steam, Your Highness."   Genesis laughed. "Women, huh. It’s not a bad idea." "   Oh? So, you're interested?" Randall smiled teasingly.   "I like my woman pure, Randall."   "Ugh. It’s like you're telling me that you like your sword dull. C'mon your Highness, there's only a handful of virgins, why make it difficult for yourself to indulge? I mean..." Randall closed in, and in whispering voice, "Even His Majesty partakes some of the noble ladies that throw themselves at him."   Genesis chuckled, "well, that's news to me." he feigned ignorance.   As Genesis and Randall continued to chatter, Randall's messenger hawk arrived. The letter that came with the hawk contained information from the scout regimen. It said that the bridge that connects Fuegora and Hydra, which was barricaded before the war, is now clear and is now passable. The scouts also took care of some bandits from nearby towns that took advantage of the chaos to loot and rob the residents of Fuegora. Also, a messenger horse arrived, carrying a parcel that came from the Holy Church, sending healing spells to hasten the healing of the fallen soldiers.   "Time to go home." Genesis declared.   Two weeks after, the Hydra army marched back home to formally celebrate the success of conquering Fuegora, and the first step of the expansion of Hydra Kingdom to the west.