Sinister Bonds

Chapter # 6

After they returned home, no words were exchanged with Amber and Adrian. They went to their respective rooms and went to sleep although Amber was in a dilemma of what she should do, whether she should give up on her love she experienced for the first time or believe in her father’s words which seem to have no reason.

She woke up the next day and went to meet Zaar. His face lit up in happiness when he saw her, “Amber.” He came and hugged her quickly. “You didn’t come yesterday, I was worried. Is everything okay?” He asked in his persuasive voice, cupping her cheeks. She stared in his endearing orbs, not wanting to lose this warmth. 

“Zaar.” She whispered, putting her hands on his chest. Nothing else was making sense except the fact she loves him, wanted to tell him she loves him but couldn’t. “Papa doesn’t like you. He.. says you are not the right guy for me.” She whispered in a croaked voice, taking a step back. “What? What wrong did I do? I love you dearly, I work hard for you, I have become a better man for you… still?” He asked in a broken tone, not understanding why this is happening.

“Why is he doing this?” He asked, holding her wrist and turning her to him, “I don’t know.” She replied truthfully, looking away. “But I love you and you love me… that lone reason is not accepting me?” He asked in a whisper. “How can your Father steal the person you love away from you?” He said desperately, closing the distance between them.

“Your light magic…” 

“What does magic have to do with all this?” He asked exasperatedly, moving away. “I don’t know.” She bit her lips, looking away, hugging her sides. She also doesn't want to lose him. “I love you, Amber, you know it, don’t you?” He began to say in a low tone, his back facing her. “I love you too but-” 

“I lied.” He cut her off, turning to her, leaving her staggered, “What?” 

“Your father hated light magic so I wanted to see if I say I use light magic will he choose his daughter’s love or his resentment and look at what he chose.” Zaar said, leaning back on the tree and sitting down. Amber’s eyes widened in disbelief, not knowing how to react. 

“What excuse is he going to give you for his personal aversion, huh?” He asked mockingly, lowering his head in dejection. Amber stood still, not knowing how to react. Zaar’s words were undeniable because it was told to the kids he hated it.

“Does his hatred prioritize your love, Amber?” He said, holding his hand out to her. A tear sting in her eyes as she took his hand and sat beside him, lowering her head in dolor, her lips were quivering, not knowing what to say.

“I am an elemental user, a fire user.”

“Elemental!?” She asked. “Yes. You saw me using fire, didn’t you?” He asked. She nodded, with her lips forming a thin line. “Promise me you won’t discuss what we are talking about here with your Father.” He said, showing her his pinky finger. “What is it, Zaar?” She asked, making the promise.

“After my Father’s death, I became a thief, I had nothing to hold onto, I didn’t leave the Capital, I ran away from there because they were looking for me. I ran away, I never stopped in my life until I met you. And now I want to stop and start a new life. I want to become a better man, I want to give you a life of happiness unlike mine, I want to do something for you. Please don’t let my dream steal away from me, Amber. Please. I can’t live without you.” He began to cry, hiding his face in her chest, holding her shoulders, wrapping his arms around her, crying in her chest. “Please. I have changed myself for you. I don’t want to fall into darkness anymore, Please, please.” He cried in her chest with tears streaming down, holding her close as his last support. 

“Zaar… it’s okay I am here.” She whispered, rubbing his back, trying to soothe him but he continued and Amber now began to believe that Adrian is doing this because of his selfish gain and it infuriated her.

“I won’t let it.” She snarled, getting up to confront her father but he held her wrist, stopping, “Please don’t go.” Zaar whispered, sniffing and wiping his tears. Her gaze softened, “Why..?”

“This will give him another reason to reject me. Please don’t tell them anything.. You promised.” Zaar said, tightening his grip over her, she lowered her head and grit her teeth, kicking a rock nearby, cursing loudly, “Damnit!”

“Please.. I don’t want to lose you.” His voice was submerged in sorrow, she growled and made a fist, hitting the tree and finally sat down. “Then what should we do?” She asked, looking up at him. 

“I have heard there’s a spell if you unleash it, it will grant your wish.” He said, looking up at her. “Is there a spell like this?” She asked. He nodded. “We can use it, we will win their hearts and start our new life. Are you with me, Amber?” He asked, holding her hands securely and blinded in love, she smiled and nodded, kissing his hands, “Let’s do this.” She said as they both got up and Zaar led her the way.

Back at home, Adrian was pacing around, “Where the hell is Amber?” He asked, tensing about her. “She will be with Zaar, she always forgets about time when it comes to him.” Alyan said casually. “You guys have spoiled Amber.” Zaria mumbled.

“It’s okay, Adrian, I will tell Amber.” Raven said, putting her hand over his shoulder. “Tell her what?” Zaria asked. “Listen Zaria, Alyan, There’s something important I need to tell you guys.” Adrian said, taking a deep breath but their door knocked. “It must be Amber. I will go and get it.” Raven said and opened the door, 

“Raven!” Lylia chirped, hugging her, “How are you? Girl, I haven’t seen you for a while now. God, you look so old.” Lylia said, coming inside. 

“You sure know how to ruin family moments, don’t you?” Adrian said bitterly, looking away. “Oh, shut up, Adrian. Hey kids, how are you?” Lylia said, waving at them. “Hello.” They both waved back.

“Where’s Amber?” She asked, taking a seat. Adrian shrugged. “What do you want? We are discussing something important right now.” Adrian sighed, sitting down as well.

“Nothing much, I just want to know if any of you know an elemental user around? I know they are rare but have you?” She asked casually.

“Elemental?” Alyan asked. “Yeah. You know what they are, don’t you?” She asked, The kids nodded. “Yea… I did see one but I can’t remember where.. Do you remember it, Zaria?” Alyan asked. She hummed, holding her chin, lost in thoughts. She thought and then said, “Oh yeah, I remember now. It’s Zaar. Amber’s boyfriend.” Zaria said. “Zaar is not an elemental user, he is a light user. He said to himself. Have you forgotten?” Alyan asked. “Oh yeah, how can I forget? I just remembered when we first saw him, he used fire but it could be a spell too… It’s no one, Aunt.”  Zaria told them. Lylia’s eyes widened in shock, not knowing what to say. She was lost in her unfathomable thoughts, unsure of how to react. 

It began to make sense now. Zaar is collecting ashes of human bodies to undo a sacred spell… but- 

“Adrian…” Lylia called him, “What?”

“Are you sure he is a Light user?” She asked, looking up at him. “Well.. He is from the Capital and I think his Father was one of the priests so yeah. He must be.” Adrian shrugged. Lylia sighed in relief. It can’t be him then. A smile came to her lips finally, looking up, “Is everything okay?” 

“Yeah. Sorry to bother you, I am looking for a fire user. If you guys find one, do tell me.” Lylia said and left. 

“What happened, Papa?” Zaria asked. “Oh it’s nothing. She is just investigating the occurring deaths in Vronti that’s why.” Adrian said. “I see.” She hummed. 

“You guys were telling us something.” Alyan said. Adrian cleared his throat, “Yeah.. Um. It’s-” Adrian tried to speak but a sudden unbearable pain surged in his body, leaving him unable to move or speak. 

“You guys were telling us something.” Alyan said. Adrian cleared his throat, “Yeah.. Um. It’s-” Adrian tried to speak but a sudden unbearable pain surged in his body, leaving him unable to move or speak. Clutching his chest in pain, he fell on his knees, coughing up blood.

 “Papa!” Zaria and Alyan shouted, rushing to his side. “Adrian, what happened? Adrian…” Raven called him, turning him to her, instant tears came to their eyes, Adrian tried to mouth something. 

“E..lla..v..is.” He trembled and the moment Raven heard it the same sensation rushed in her as well. “Papa, what happened to you, Papa! Papa!" Zaria and Alyan began to cry, not knowing what to do, holding their parents' bodies close.

"Mama!" Alyan called her, sobbing with uncontrollable tears streaming out, watching blood coming out of their mouth, shaking badly as their body was turning cold.

"Please don't leave us, Please, I beg you. We will do whatever you say, Please don't leave us, Papa! Mama! Please!!" Alyan cried, lowering his head and putting it on her chest, wailing, letting out the loudest cries of their lives which reflected their miseries, cracking their heart and submerging them in incomprehensible agony.

"Papa!" Zaria said, pulling his face to her. Adrian lips curled upwards as his eyes made toward Raven, who was holding her chest, he held her hand in their final moments, having the privilege to live and die together.

Raven stopped resisting the power draining her life's breath and looked up at Adrian, smiling back at him.

"No, No, NO! You can't leave us like this! Don't give up! Please!" They cried, tears blurred their vision not apprehending why this happened, how could their perfect lives take such an abrupt turn.

"Mama!" Zaria sobbed, Raven's eyes became heavy, barely managing to say, "We... love... you.." She said before releasing their final years and closing her eyes permanently.

The twins stopped crying, blinking, hoping this was nothing but a nightmare, shaking Raven's lifeless body, whispering, "Mama..."

"Mama.." They moved her harder but no response came and the lump of their throat shattered,

"Mama!!" Zaria cried, thundering her voice could ever go, putting her head over her, screaming to the point it began to sting her whole body. Alyan remained motionless, not knowing how their life could shatter in a matter of a snap. How could things fall apart in a matter of heartbeat?

His eyes gradually fell upon Adrian who was also no longer breathing, hitting him with the painful reality- they are orphans now.

His eyes widened in disbelief, watching his sister losing her sense of intense mourning, crying her heart out. His hand began to tremble whole, holding their bodies, not understanding, how..? Why?

A tear fell from his eyes and his posture broke, unable to keep the grief inside him, it spilled from his eyes in the form of tears, pricking his heart, the pain of losing his parents. He couldn’t bear it. A tear rolled down his cheeks followed by a stream of them along with the scream of anguish, 

"NO!!!"