Scylla
“WHAT?!? I screamed, as we both looked at him with shock. It's been from one brain bomb to the other.
First it was Remiel turning into a winged body slicing monster and now this??
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A woman sat beside a cradle, softly singing a lullaby to the child nestled within. His bright orange-gold eyes fixated on her lips as she sang, her gentle voice slowly lulling him to sleep. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a tender glow across the room.
“At last,” she sighed with relief. “Gosh, he’s finally asleep. Such a handful,” she added with a tired smile.
A soft knock echoed at the door.
“Who is it?” she asked, rising to her feet.
“Rosa? What are you doing here at this hour?”
“It’s not safe,” Cynthia said, eyes darting.
“I know, Cynthia... but this is urgent.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Come with me.”
“T… to where?”
“Just follow me,” Rosa urged.
Cynthia hesitated but closed the door behind her. They walked silently through the quiet village until they reached a beautifully painted house—one of the finest in town.
“Why are we at your house?”
“Come in first.”
As they stepped inside, the air turned tense. Two men sat across from each other in the living room. One was Rosa’s husband, Daniel, dressed in his nightgown. The other sat cloaked in black, his face hidden beneath a hood.
“You’re back, honey,” Daniel said to Rosa.
“Yes, dear.” She turned to Cynthia. “Please, have a seat.”
“What’s going on, Daniel?” Cynthia asked, her voice shaky as she sat opposite the three.
“He’ll explain,” Daniel replied, gesturing to the hooded figure.
“H-He?” Cynthia glanced at the stranger, fear tightening her chest.
“You don’t need to be afraid, Mrs. Cynthia,” the figure said softly. “I mean you no harm.”
His voice was calm and melodic—unexpectedly beautiful, almost comforting despite his ominous appearance. A wave of calm washed over her.
“A woman sent me to Rosa,” he continued. “Her name is Celina.”
“Oh! I know her,” Rosa said with surprise. “She’s an old friend.”
Cynthia leaned forward, her concern deepening. “Is something wrong?”
“She asked me to give you this.” He held out a basket.
Gasps filled the room as Rosa and Cynthia peered inside. Two babies—a boy and a girl—slept soundly, wrapped in warm blankets.
“Where she lives, men aren’t allowed,” he explained, his tone tinged with sadness. “But she refused to part with her child. She wanted them to live a normal life.”
“So… she sent them here,” he said, turning to Rosa. “To you. Her most trusted friend.”
Silence followed. Rosa shifted uncomfortably.
“I... I don’t know,” she said at last. “It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just…” She trailed off, glancing at her husband. Daniel gave her a steady nod.
Her eyes flicked to the children, then to Cynthia.
“I’ll accept them,” she said with a deep breath.
“Thank you. But there’s one condition,” the figure warned.
“What is it?” Cynthia asked from her corner.
“They must never stay together. Not for more than an hour.”
Daniel frowned. “You want them separated? Why?”
The hooded man didn’t answer directly. “If you wish to remain safe… keep them apart. When the time comes, you’ll understand.”
He rose to his feet.
“I must go now. Good luck.”
He turned and disappeared into the night.
In the depths of darkness, a voice spoke.
“Why would she entrust them to mortals?”
“Father said that was her decision,” the hooded man replied calmly. “And I will honor it.”
“I’ll watch over them... until fate brings us together once more.”
~~~~~~~~~~
“What did I just see?!
This is unbelievable!! Another brain bomb
“You mean my best friend's actually my brother and we're not from the human realm!?
“That’s right, you’re not from that world,” the man replied.
“So why were we sent to Mortalis? And why were we separated?I asked.
I need to know the truth behind all these.
“Unfortunately, I can't answer that. Only my father knows.”
“I knew we weren’t ordinary from the start,” David said beside me. “So what’s your name?” he asked, then blinked. “Oh—that’s right, we don’t even know your name yet.”
Wait a minute… isn't he the hooded man I just saw?
“The name is Seran Xeratheon,” the guy replied.
Seran. Huh. Nice name, I’ll give him that.
“I'm Scylla and — “I'm David and that's my elder brother.” David pointed towards Remiel.
I noticed the look on Seran’s face when he looked at him.
Hmmmm it seems he doesn't know what Remiel is too.
I was a total book nerd back in school—top of my class, by the way—but this? This was way above my “brain grade”.
“So who was that hooded man?” David asked again, practically bouncing with excitement.
Someone's a little too curious today.
I scoffed. “Are you dumb?” I said, staring at him. “Your eyes are sharp as hell when it comes to boobs, but you haven’t figured this out yet?” I smacked the back of his head.
“Ow!!” he winced, rubbing the spot.
That perverted brain of his seriously needs a tune-up.
“Figured out what?” he asked, completely clueless.
“He’s the one in the hood,” I said, rolling my eyes. “It was the same hood he wore when he came to save us.”
A proud grin tugged at my lips. Damn, I’m smart.
“Ohh yeah. That's right.”
“So who's this Celina woman?” I asked.
I've been curious to ask but someone didn't give me a chance.
“I really don't know who she is—probably one of my father's women.”
I'm sorry? Women?
“Women?!” David screamed beside me
“Yeah. You'll get used to it.” he smiled.
“Can I meet him? His eyes lit up
Maybe that's where he got his p*****t genes from.
“He's currently in a meeting right now.”
“Enough of the questions for today. Let me go show you guys around.”
He's such a gentleman.
“Is he going to be ok? I gestured towards Remiel. I could see the worried look on David's face.
“Yes he'll be.” He said as he walked away, with us trailing after him.
~~~~~~~~~
In a realm filled with darkness and an endless black sea, a figure could be seen floating atop the water. His eyes flickered open as he slowly rose to his feet, surprised that he could feel the ground beneath his feet.
He looked around, confused. “Where am I?” he asked himself. “What is this place?”
“This is a hidden realm inside your consciousness, Remiel.” a dark voice answered.
Remiel looked around with fear in his eyes, still unaware of his surroundings.
“Who are you? Where are you? He called out.
“Follow my voice.” another voice answered, but much calmer than the first.
Torn between fear and curiosity, Remiel began to walk, his steps cautious and uncertain. The sea beneath did not ripple as he walked towards the voices.
Soon, he found himself in between two high altars. The one on the left was surrounded by darkness with countless stairs leading to its top while the on
e on the right was so bright with brilliant clouds and golden light that Remiel had to cover his eyes.
“Hello boy.” the dark voice said.
What Remiel saw next struck fear deep into his soul.