The Red Soul

Chapter Eighteen

As soon as they got back to the castle, Myris walked away. Fyrian and Viera wanted to go after her, but Elyos stopped them. Showing him a thankful look, she started to wander through the corridors again.

There were no tears as Diva’s words echoed through her mind, nor did a single sound come from her mouth. From afar nothing seemed wrong, but from close one could see the slumped figure and dull eyes, indications of what she was feeling as she walked through the hallways like a ghost.

Passing through a hallway, she was thinking of going back to the tower with the white lilies, but all she saw was a staircase going down. Frankly, she did not really care where she went, where she would end up this time. As long as she was alone and no longer in the midst of all the chaos going on here because even though she was in the middle of it all, everything seemed to go around her, ignoring her and confusing her. Leaving her with a lot of questions and insecurities.

She did not realize that there was only one corridor, one staircase, that went far into the mountain. It looked like the hallway leading to the garden, but instead of being cracked and overgrown, this hallway was neat and maintained. It led to a single oak door.

Myris glanced back for a moment, hesitating if she should go back, but she had absolutely no intention to see the others now, and otherwise, she would have descended the whole staircase for nothing. That is why she opened it ajar.

Fresh air entered through the opening. Myris pushed the door completely open and sunlight shone in her eyes. She was on the other side of the cliff, away from the side with the garden, which she just saw on the right side of the water in front of her. A colonnade at the edge of the lake stretched around this side of the cliff. It was decorated with ivy and flowers wrapped around the columns and over the arches. The waterfall was still in sight and pushed the water against the steps of a staircase that entered the lake.

Sighing, she took off her shoes and socks and sat on the stairs. The water swirled around her ankles before retreating, only to come back with small waves. She put her arms around her knees with dazed eyes, resting her chin on them.

She knew she had to like the view, breath-taking even; knew she should be glad that Diva had been willing to co-operate and had given them a key without too much trouble, but she felt not assured. Not when she had seen the shocked expressions of the others.

Never having seen a key like that before, Myris had no idea what it was for nor why the others did not seem happy with it at all. In addition, she had no clue why they talked about a case as if it was of great importance. She had so many questions, and not much had been explained to her yet. But the biggest problem was that of all the things that had been told to her, she did not know what to believe. Was it true what Diva had said? The others would not leave her, right?

She stared at the water, where her reflection was returning her gaze. Instead of her grey-blue eyes, she now stared at red ones every day. Was this the real her staring at her now? Her body was no longer just bone and skin, like her first day in Olèrian, like those two years in the terrible tower. The bags under her eyes had also almost disappeared, but she felt as empty inside as before. She was still broken, and just when she thought the wounds were almost healed, they opened again. She was not a Fae like the others. She had no control over her magic like the others. As Elyos, Diva and more people had said, she was just a useless person. How could she ever be a High Soul like the others? How could she ever mean something to them? She just bothered them all.

From day one, she had been nothing more than a burden. She had robbed them of sleep, destroyed their belongings, and caused them great pain— even nearly killed Cearen, someone she now considers to be the kindest person she had ever met. She would not be surprised if the others did not want her.

She did not want herself either.

The sun was shining on her, but she seemed to be back in the shadows she was so used to. It had become a safe place for her. Dark ignorance always took her hand, even when no one else did. Somehow, she liked the idea that it would become only her and the darkness again. Then she should not have to worry about the others anymore. Then it would be just her and the nothingness.

However, that nothingness did not come and was instead filled with the sound of laughter, which made her look up. It did not sound like a familiar voice, it sounded like an enthusiastic child's laugh. It was combined with a now ticking of a cane. She got up wide-eyed when she saw Amaeron approaching, smiling, with a little girl by his side.

As soon as they caught sight of Myris, the child quickly hid behind Amaeron's legs. The man himself walked quietly to Myris, the ticking from his walking stick, hitting the light grey stones with every step.

“I did not expect to see you here, Myris. Do you mind if we join you?” he asked politely.

Myris mumbled something about having to go, hoping the man did not notice her hoarse voice and the voice c***k. If he did, he did not show it. Amaeron only gave her a disappointed look. “Really? I would be a perfect moment to introduce you to Aeryn.”

The girl looked around curiously, causing Myris to hold her breath. She did not seem much older than four years old. In addition to the two little pointed ears that emerged between her pale blond hairs, she had two big eyes in all the pink hues Myris could think of. She had to be the last High Soul.

Aeryn stepped cautiously from behind Amaeron’s legs, whispering a small ‘hello’ before looking shyly at the ground.

Despite everything, Myris could not help but smile. She tried to make herself look as sincere as possible as she bent down to the girl’s level. “Hi Aeryn, I'm Myris. You must be the High Pink Soul, aren't you?”

It was an almost imperceptible nod, but Myris had seen it before Aeryn turned her head away. She was wearing a cute green emerald green dress and was barefoot like Myris. Myris saw her look questioningly at Amaeron, who was holding the missing white shoes in his hand.

The man nodded approvingly, prompting Aeryn to run down the stairs. Her sparkling smile came back as she stepped into the water with her feet. The bottom of the dress was soon soaked.

Amaeron himself sighed and sat down a few steps higher, his left leg laying stretched out. His eyes continued to follow the girl, and he laughed elatedly at Aeryn's mischievous look as she tried to sputter him wet.

Swallowing, Myris looked back at the door from which she had come, wondering if it would be too rude to suddenly leave.

She blushed when she saw Amaeron staring at her. The man patted on the stone next to him. Diva's words were still tied between her ears. But then she realized that Amaeron had convinced her the first time. If there was someone who could answer all her questions and relief her worries, he would be the one.

“Akratis was not a great success, was it Myris?”

She watched in silence at the girl playing, who had also already put her sleeves in the water and was playing with mud. As she sat down on the opposite side of the stairs, she regretted it. He could perhaps answer some questions, but right now, she did not want to think about it anymore, preferred to pass the rest of this day alone. She did not feel like talking about it yet; did not want to talk at all actually.

When she still did not respond, Amaeron shifted on his place. He grimaced when his leg did not move fully with him.

Myris noticed it. She saw that he struggled to move his leg, but he did not seem to mind. This way he could look at her better as they talked. She did not understand why he was making the effort. Maybe it was just an act, not real, just like Diva had warned her. And yet she knew inside that even the smallest movement hurt him, maybe not even just physically.

It made her regret ignoring him as he was showing effort. So, she casually held up her shoulders. “Diva gave us a key... I am not sure where it is for, but she gave it without resistance, so I think the visit was a success”

Amaeron shook his head slightly. “It's not about the key, it's about you,” he began, worried. “Elyos told me what Diva said. What upset you the most?”

She took a deep breath. “Diva said you only use me. I don't even know what you would use me for, but as soon as I was no longer needed you would leave me. You would leave me because I am human and a worthless Red Soul.” Myris did her best not to shed tears again, surprised that she told him this and had not kept the stabbing words to herself.

Amaeron exhaled heavily. “Of course, she would say something like that… Why should we leave you because you're human? There are plenty of humans in Olèrian. Mynestry is human and he is a good friend of mine. I would never want to harm him, why should want to do that with you?”

Again, Myris had no idea what to say. She thought of how pleasantly Mynestry was with Fyrian and the others, how his eyes sparkled when he looked at Learia. There was no hint of any assumption that the old man was not having a good time here. He even seemed to be in place among all those other creatures. She wished she could find such a place herself someday. A place that could also reassure her. Other than the shadows. Perhaps her fear of loneliness had clouded her judgment again.

There was spluttering and laughter, making Myris look down. Aeryn was now up to her knees in the water. Excited she tried to catch a fish that swam away quickly. Myris was afraid she would fall into the water, not sure if the girl could swim or not, but Amaeron did not seem to be worried. He even looked endearingly at the girl playing.

“Myris ... who do you think Aeryn is?”

She looked confused at the man, who waded through the water with his walking stick. "You mean like High Soul?"

Amaeron laughed softly, “No, I mean… family-wise.”

“She's your daughter, isn't she?”

Myris raised her eyebrows when he shook his head again with a slight smile. Again, her eyes slid between him and the girl. Now that she was quietly studying both of them, she realized that Aeryn did not really have any identical physical features of Amaeron as many children inherit from their parents. But that also counted for Fyrian, Viera and Cearen.

“None of them are my biological children,” Amaeron confirmed. “Fyrian and Viera are not, and Cearen is not mine either. I've only become a father to them.”

“Why? Because they are all High Souls too?”

He grinned briefly. “Elyos only took care of them because they belong to the High Souls. I, on the other hand, took them in because they were all children without parents.”

Myris stared both shocked and questioning at the man, who put his back against the railing behind him and looked up. “I believe Fyrian wanted to tell you why we are all stuck here but did not have the chance yet. So, I think it is best I will tell you now.”

She swallowed. Somehow Myris really wanted to know. She had been wondering about it from the moment Fyrian let it roll over his lips. However, the reluctant look in Amaeron's eyes held her back. Yet, despite her hesitation, she had to hear it, she had to understand what was going on here.

Amaeron saw that she was ready and sighed. “You called Fyrian a monster a couple of times… that term is actually not wrong. The creatures you have seen in Olèrian have been on this world as long as humans, some of them even longer. When humans also came into the world, a distinction had been made between mankind and the other creatures. While your species old is known as humans, the other creatures were gifted the overall term: monsters.”

He tilted his head, making sure Myris followed and understood what he was saying. “Humans were vulnerable to the world and that which hides in the dark, but so were the monsters. That's why they allied. Men and monster helped each other against what took so many lives- special beings. Myris, almost every creature, human or monster, has a soul. But there are exceptions… There are beings that have either a corrupted soul or no soul at all. The corrupted ones are called Zielum. The soulless are named Nairons.”

Her eyes spread open. Never had she heard about a creature which did not have a soul, nor a corrupt one. None of the stories had told her about this. She had been told about some of the monster being soulless, but that was merely to make them sound crueller, more terrifying, not as an indication that those were real- that soulless creatures truly existed. It sounded even worse than she always had been told. Shivers shot through her body.

“However, the monsters had an advantage. Some species had special abilities and some had magic. This was because first only the monsters, in their creation, had all received a coloured light within them, a coloured soul. Man, on the other hand, only had a grey soul. This soul stands for stability, which then existed between them.”

Myris thought it unlikely that man had ever known stability. How could anyone ever find balance in a world that had no rest? She found it unlikely but continued to listen without interrupting.

“Humans, despite the help of monsters, was still the biggest victim of the Nairons," Amaeron continued, “but then it was their turn to receive that beautiful light. Seven people were selected. On the night of the rising star, the night of the Aurum, they gathered and received a colour for everyone with their corresponding magic. With that, they also became Fae, one of the immortal species of all the monsters that resemble humankind the most. From that day, the High Souls would guide humans and monster to maintain harmony and protect them from those soulless and corrupted creatures and other dangers.

A faint smile came to her face. It all sounded nice, but Myris already knew how it went, otherwise there would not have been such terrible stories about the High Souls. She assumed that Amaeron would affirm her thoughts as she noticed him stiffen, but she also could not help but worry about his sudden change of posture.

Before talking further, Amaeron quickly glanced at Aeryn, who was still busy playing. When he saw that she was not paying attention, he resumed his story: “Millenniums of peace passed, and even though most of the Nairons had disappeared or killed, and most Ziellum were either held under control or leaving the world alone, the turmoil grew. The humans, who had rapidly increased in numbers, did not complement each other anymore. The progeny of the first High Souls had also diverged to different countries with their own goals. Thus, the High Souls failed to fulfil their purpose and humans and monsters were once again left to their own devices.”

With eyes lowered, Myris ran a hand through her hair. Amaeron had become quieter. His gaze was blurry as if he were no longer with Myris and Aeryn.

“The humans selected new leaders, the first kings, but they were not descendants from the High Souls and therefore had no magic. They also began to spread more and more, to claim their own territory and to distance themselves from each other. Things went fairly well for decades, but a clear c***k started to emerge. As the human race diverged, the people who wanted to stay together with monsters formed their own group and grew rapidly in numbers. Yet, eventually, they also chose to appoint a king, a leader who would keep them united. That new king was my grandfather, chosen for his loyalty with which he still wanted to pursue the duty of the High Souls. At that time, the world was divided among five official kings.”

Five kings for five kingdoms, four of which today hated the fifth. Somewhere Myris realized how unfair it actually was. Perhaps, for the most part, the stories had been forgotten, many did not even believe in Olèrian anymore, but there were still enough people who knew about it and Myris' experience showed that bitter hatred was still very much present in those people.

However, Amaeron did not seem to think about that. Instead, he seemed to recall a better, more joyful, memory.

“Since my grandfather and later my father ruled an almost uncountable number of monsters and people, they decided they needed help. They wanted to bring the High Souls back together. It just wasn't as easy as imagined. None of them were in the same kingdom and my grandfather was getting old. Since my father had to stay with him to succeed him, they chose me to take on the journey.”

He was silent for a moment, frowning at the ground. Myris wanted to ask what was wrong, but then he looked at her thoughtfully. “I believe... that the first High Soul I found... was your father, Romar Etalliard.”

Myris' heart pounded. That was her father's name. He had known her father. She wanted to ask him so much. She remembered moments when he read her stories just before bed, that he sang songs with her and played with her and teased other people. She was still young the last time she saw him, but she would always remember his face. But that was all she knew about him. She never knew he had been the High Red Soul.

 The only one who might be able to tell her more about him was right in front of her. Maybe Amaeron could even tell things about her mother.

Amaeron smiled at her growing interest and enthusiasm but beckoned her to remain calm so that he could continue talking. “Your father was a good man. He thought the same as me about the High Souls and did not hesitate long about his choice. In fact, like me, he was very excited about this new adventure, but we were both still very stupid and foolish. Your father had only just become the Red Soul and I had to wait a long time for my own title. When we searched for the High Yellow Soul next and eventually found Elyos, he almost became our death. Elyos... was on other terms than us. After him, the others were simple. Slowly, but surely, our own alliance grew again. It was as if the same force that connected the first High Souls flowed through our veins again. We turned from fellow High Souls into friends and our relationship continued to grow. Two souls even fell in love and had children. Fyrian and Viera's parents. Many of us found love. I myself too.”

This time Myris smiled at the happy gaze in Amaeron's eyes. They even started to shine slightly purple and she wanted to ask about the person who made him radiate such joy, but she kept her mouth closed when his eyes immediately dimmed as he continued his story. Not only did his eyes darken, but his demeanour also collapsed and his voice faltered.

“By the time we were reunited as High Souls, the four other kingdoms had been in dire straits. The kings and their people began to see the monsters and other magical creatures as a threat because we as High Souls mainly assisted them. They became afraid of those they once called allies. I must admit that there have been a few events that gave rise to fear of us, but I thought that everything had settled. Unfortunately, I was wrong. People are good at remembering the bad things that happen to them, while good moments tend to fade. And that has become fatal for us. In the blood night, the Stèsaquin, the kings attacked with their armies and pulverized thousands of monster and other creatures into dust and ashes.”

Horrified, Myris clasped her hands over her mouth.

“I have always felt guilty that we as High Souls had let people, mostly humans, down, but I found it worse that they took it out on the monsters and the humans who were friends with those monsters, on my people. Fortunately, the other High Souls agreed with me. We were all on the side of the monsters, which the humans saw as the greatest betrayal.” His eyes got damp and he had to catch his breath before speaking again. “It was the worst week I've ever experienced, even though I'm now over 4,000 years old. That week I officially became the High Purple Soul. That week... that week I lost more than ever. Eventually, along with half of the monsters and some humans, I was trapped here by a giant barrier. The other half was dead.”

All the last traces of relaxation had disappeared. Amaeron's voice was broken at the last word. He raked his hand through his ash-brown hair. Glistening tears at his loss were clearly visible in the corner of his eyes. The pain in them when his leg would not move could not match the look on his face right now. Myris' elation at hearing her father had turned into complete horror. She could barely hear the pain in the man's voice before her, but she continued to listen.

“I only knew Elyos was alive,” he proceeded with telling, eyes closed. “Of the others, I had no idea what had happened to them. Everyone was miserable in those years. We were locked up and separated from the rest of the world. I myself was also about to break. The only thing that kept us from collapsing was Elyos. He... he has never been quite the same as us. As a result, he was less affected than the rest of the monsters. He took over, but instead of retaining power himself, he decided to have the Royal line continued with me as intended. With his help, we managed to build Olèrian as it is now.”

Myris gaped at him, slowly realizing that she was talking to a king and not just any king, but the king of all magical creatures- of the land she once feared with all her heart. And that same king had made her love this country. She had no idea who she had been facing these days, but they could not blame her for it. He had never worn a crown when she was around.

But she was also surprised about Elyos.

After the fiercest battle Myris had ever heard of, he had effortlessly pulled himself together and taken the lead. He could have made this land his own, but he decided to give it to Amaeron and hide in a library. Now she understood why everyone looked at him with such awe. For a person with seemingly no emotions, he contained much greatness.

A gust of wind passed and caused the water to burst against the steps, hitting both Myris and Amaeron. They both turned when a small scream followed. Wet drops slid down Aeryn's face. The girl's face fell, and her lip began to tremble.

Quickly Amaeron stretched his arms out to her and she ran to him, then fell against him.

With wide-eyed eyes, Myris watched all the drops begin to float. Soft purple light glowed around them as Amaeron dried the girl again and threw the rest of the water back into the lake.

Myris only now realized how little she knew about the powers of the other High Souls. She now knew about the difference between the elemental and internal magic, but apart from some souls, she had no idea what those powers were, nor what virtues the souls represented. She knew about both of Viera’s soul powers. The elemental one was confirmed when she saw how Viera had made water float, and the woman had told her about the dreams. In addition, she also knew both of Cearen’s powers, earth and healing. She had even witnessed how Fyrian had made the wind stronger to cool her. However, that was it. Other than those, she did not know the magic of Fyrian’s inner soul or any kind of power of the other souls.

In this case, it was her first encounter with Amaeron’s elemental soul magic, levitation.

The light from his eyes disappeared again with the last drops. He put his arms around Aeryn and started stroking her hair. “I was grateful that I was finally able to bring insurance to the creatures and people who had suffered so much. But they earn so much more than I can give them. They all contributed to building this kingdom... even Akratis.”

That seemed very unlikely to Myris, but she did not object. She had no idea how they persevered after such a horrific moment in their life. Of course, it was a beautiful country and she could not get enough of the astonishing places she had seen, but Amaeron and others had been here for more than four hundred years. No matter how big this country could be, you would feel oppressed if you could never leave. She knew that feeling all too well.

“I was busy making a new start together with everyone, but every day I still thought about the other High Souls ... about your father. I feared the worst. If they were still alive, they would also be in Olèrian and we could hear from each other again in at least a few weeks, but nothing came. I wanted to abdicate every day to look for them again, but I couldn't do that to the people, not now that we found balance again. Fortunately, I was able to convince Elyos to look for them in my place. But as we feared, they were gone.”

There was another short pause, and Myris swallowed. Luckily, Aeryn did not seem to understand exactly what they were talking about, as Amaeron began to speak vaguer in front of her.

“Fyrian and Viera were the first we found. I had seen them before in their childhood. They also seemed to recognize me when we found them. I was very grateful that they made it in any case, despite it being in the nick of time.”

His breathing suddenly grew heavier. Aeryn and Viera both looked at him worriedly. The little girl put her hand to his cheek questioningly. He looked at her with a sad smile and pressed a short kiss on her forehead. Then he turned back to Myris, his voice no more than a whisper. “I had only seen Cearen once before, as a baby. He had a smile that made you spontaneously light up inside. It took decades before we found a trace of the Green Soul, a trace of him. Today, my biggest regret is that I never found it before. It's a wonder he still smiles...”

A single tear escaped from his right eye. He quickly rubbed it away so that Aeryn did not see it. It was clear to Myris that he did not want to go into it. Somewhere she was grateful for that, afraid to hear the cause of his self-blame.

“Aeryn is a completely different story,” Amaeron said immediately to get everything out as quickly as possible. “Her mother showed up herself years later, pregnant with her. I had no idea where she had been, but I immediately understood why she hadn't come before. She was deathly ill and her husband was no longer there. Loreen was her name. A beautiful woman who kept fighting until the last moment. She had given everything to see me and the others one last time. It also broke her when she heard from the others. She only had enough strength to bring Aeryn into the world and whisper her name.”

He went straight on, not giving Myris the time to let everything sink in completely. It was as if he preferred to get everything off his heart as soon as possible.

“I never found out what happened to your father. I didn't even know he was married... And then suddenly Fyrian came running to us with you in his arms. I see him in you. He still shines through in your eyes.”

Now, he paused again and looked at her with a proud smile. Her cheeks flushed with those words.

“And now we are all here, once again united with one another. And this time I want to keep it that way. So Myris, please don't be afraid we'll ever let you down. Not when our family has been fully reunited.”

Myris nodded with relief. She released her bated breath... and with that, Diva's words as well.