Chapter 143 Half-Siblings
Ophelia walked in darkness for an eternity. When Ophelia's grandmother used to punish her by locking the girl in a dark room, she'd bang at the doors and beg for mercy. Yet, the shadows currently present didn't scare her. She was wrapped in warmth, continuing into the abyss without a single thought in her mind. Soon, she grew closer and closer to the flicker of white light in the distance, but didn't dash straight for her.
Without warning, Ophelia saw the ethereal silhouette of a woman in the distance. The stranger was lean and beautiful, but left Ophelia shell-shocked. She bore a striking resemblance to an older version of Ophelia. Or, did Ophelia resemble this woman? Immediately, Ophelia connected the dots as a rush of emotions surged within her. She instinctively rushed towards the figure, slowly but surely, until she broke out in a run and the world around them began to fall apart.
Light poured in from every direction until whiteness filled the entire atmosphere.
"Mother?" Ophelia whispered.
Selene remained aloof, her gaze distant, and her lips pressed together in distance. She cast an irritated glance towards the woman in front of her with a curled mouth in disgust. Starlight seemed to fall from Selene's silvery hair that shimmered and shined with great brilliance. Her amethyst eyes flickered with disdain, despite capturing the entire galaxy within it. She wore a flowy white dress, embellished with golden accessories that seemed to be able to buy a kingdom.
"Who's your father?" Selene asked, her gaze lingering on Ophelia's white hair and violet eyes. "Ah… Aaron. He was quite weak in bed, but loving like a fool."
Ophelia swallowed, her heart sinking as she realized this woman had so many children, that she most likely lost count. "You're my true Direct Descendant, the only of her kind, the purest of merged bloodline, you who shall save the world," Selene mused, a slight smile gracing her face, but not for Ophelia. Almost as if she was pleased by the revelation before she sneered. "You should've been a boy."
"I—"
"This world would never exploit a man the way it would a woman," Selene scoffed. "A son would've been safer. He wouldn't have to spend his entire life in hiding, chased by greedy men who wanted his flesh. He would've ruled the human race."
"You're perhaps right," Ophelia realized. "But I am a girl."
"And that is why I abandoned you," Selene sighed with an irritated shrug. "When I saw the stars aligned with House Eves, I assumed I saw a little Prince. Not a princess. Atas, here you are, a horrible memory of my mistakes."
Ophelia swallowed as a multitude of emotions ran through her veins. Her chest tightened. This wasn't how she imagined her mother to be. "Why… Aaron Eves?"
"House Eves' ancient roots extended to a lineage that intertwined with the creation of the peace treaty," Selene shrugged, her features softening briefly. "Your bloodline traces to the days when the old gods roamed the earth freely. Your ancestry was so special, that I just knew they would be the only family to give birth to my replica."
Ophelia pressed her lips together. Did her mother ever love her father?
"It was such a shame I was bored on my way to finding your great household and tried with another human family and gave birth to a useless product like Roselind," Selene sighed wistfully, as if she was tired, but couldn't be bothered to rest. "Though, that doesn't make you useful, does it? Monsters are attracted to your blood, yearning for your scent, for it reminds them of their creator—me."
Ophelia froze as Selene reached her fingers over, tapping on her forehead. The chilling truth struck her still.
"And now, I see it," Selene whispered, revealing a Cheshire smile. "Your only use in this world."
"I want to get rid of those monsters," Ophelia said in determination, her chest expanding with the realization that her mother could be the answer to everything.
"Of course you do," Selene chuckled, the sound like the most beautiful ring of bells. "It is your duty to wipe them from this earth, it is why you were born, you foolish girl. My intentions were never for monsters to wreak havoc on Earth. They too, are my children, but they are rowdy and hideous creatures that cause destruction."
"How can I get rid of them?" Ophelia asked, stepping backward. Her mother's fingers were warm as if attempting to be comforting, but Ophelia felt like she was beginning to burn up.
Selene burst out laughing, her red-lined lips widening in mockery. She crossed her arms and tilted her head, like a mother teasing her daughter. "Child, you are between life and death. If you are seeing me, then it means your soul has drifted from your body, for your flesh has gone cold, and life has left. Aiding this world is futile in your feeble state."
Ophelia exhaled in denial. She was trapped in a delicate balance between life and death. "So, I am in a coma then. Let me go back to my body. I will fulfill my mission and rid the world of all your worst creations."
Selene snorted. "The solution is in your heart and your will to live." "I don't understand…" Selene pressed a finger into Ophelia's chest, feeling a throbbing organ pump to life. She smiled in satisfaction, staring into the spitting image of herself. "Close your eyes. Think of what you want and hold onto it tightly. It is the only way."
Ophelia exhaled slowly. She obeyed, her eyelids falling shut in an attempt to fathom the desires of her heart. The world around them seemed to grow distant, as warmth spread from her stomach. With the echo of her mother's words lingering in the background, Ophelia slowly began to realize the truth. In the quiet of life and death, Ophelia thought of a single man. Her heart didn't desire for vengeance or eradication. She yearned for the warmth and embrace of a single man who would do anything for her. Who peered down at her with great affection and touched her skin in adoration, like a man willing to kneel and worship the ground she walked on.
Then, Ophelia's palms slid over her womb, almost in realization. Her true purpose in the realm of the living. All roads lead to him.
"I love him," Ophelia realized. "More than anything, more than life itself." The man who always cherished her, who'd lay his life down to keep her safe, and worry for her more than she did herself.
"Interesting…" Selene murmured. "It is no wonder why you're still alive. The other soul you carry with you is fighting tooth and nail to keep your heart beating."
Ophelia gasped, her eyes snapping open as the world around them began to crumble. "Am I with—"
"Hold onto that foolish love and you will be able to channel your all into fulfilling your sole duty on this earth," Selene vaguely said, revealing the saddest of smiles. "And perhaps then, you will not disappoint me."
"I do not need your approval," Ophelia declared with a deep frown. "You never did," Selene mused, revealing a slight smile. "And perhaps that is why you need my love the least, unlike my other demanding creatures."
Ophelia swallowed. "Did you at least love me and Aaron?"
Selene touched her chest almost fondly. "I love all that I've created, each a little less, but my maternal instincts tell me I should adore you the most. Aaron was a loveable idiot like every self-righteous man… I am only here to remind you of your duty."
"Do you know of a spell that can wipe the monsters off of this earth?" Ophelia asked.
"They are your half-siblings, not monsters," Selene teased. "Only families know how to destroy each other from within. And you, my dear, should be an expert in that."
Selene flickered her hand around them, and immediately, the world around them shattered open just as a brilliant light blinded Ophelia.
Ophelia shielded her eyes that stung from the abrupt assault, leaving only one question in mind."Tell me, mother, am I with child?"
There was silence at first before a distant, soft voice called out to her. "You are with everything you wish to have."
Ophelia slid her hands protectively upon her stomach, just as she felt herself beginning to fall. Down into the darkness she went. Down into the same abyss that brought her here. And through it all, she recalled one thing. One face. One name.
Killorn.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m