"LAYLA!!"
"LILY!!"
The older brother and his own voice overlapped as the young girl of nine fell into the lake. Cale's pupils shrank and the image of the nine-year-old girl's fear and the sound of her panicked screams mirrored those he'd heard the night before.
She resembled Lily in nothing but her hair color, but it was enough. It was enough because she was about the age that Lily was when her life was cut short. When Cale failed.
The cries of his siblings and panic that erupted made Cale's chest squeeze and his breathing turned shallow.
That pain. That feeling.
He didn't want to feel it.
His fingers reached up and he unlatched his cloak without much thought. Images overlapped in his mind and he barely heard the surprised call that came from Ron that came when Cale all but shoved him back as he threw the cloak. Running to the broken part, he jumped down, blocking out Eric and Roksu without much problem.
He dove into the water, expression stiffening at the sudden cold that quickly sunk in through all his clothes. Closing his eyes and fighting back the urge to curl up, Cale kicked and dove downwards, searching through the dark water. The deeper he went, the colder it got, but Cale kept kicking. It was blurry under water but he was certain he could make out a human child.
Thankfully, it seemed the girl wasn't too far and Cale managed to see her. He added more strength to his legs and arms, swimming forward at the girl whose eyes were barely open and her flailing limbs were much weaker than before. He pulled her towards his chest, wrapping an arm around her and using his other to help propel himself up. Kicking as quick and as powerful as he could through the cold, Cale's head broke the surface and he gasped. Coughing sputtered from beside him as he had the girl lean against his shoulder and prop her well above the water. Her body shivered and her coughs spat out mounds of water.
Cale sighed in relief, ignorant to the yells and noise coming from the group above. He held the girl up, using one hand and his feet to keep them above the surface as much as possible, "Hey, there. It's alright. Breathe, you're alright. You're alright, darling,"
The girl's eyes opened and she quickly started sobbing from the whole experience. Her small hands wrapped around Cale's neck and she wailed out her emotions. Cale held her close and began to swim towards the shore, muttering soft words and praises, "You were very strong Layla. I'm gonna get us out of the lake now. Alright? Just keep taking deep breaths for me. One at a time, that's it,"
Looking ahead he saw Eric, Roksu, Ron, and the knights at the bank. Standing with them were the two brothers. He gave them all a reassuring smile, "We're fine!"
He turns back to Laylaâmissing the way Ron, Eric, and Roksu were all in disbelief at his responseâand tugged her close as the wind blows harshly, causing waves to splash against them. Layla shrieks as water gets into her mouth and she begins to panic. Cale stops swimming, focusing on her and coughing up a bit of water, "It's okay, shh, Layla. We're alright. Look at me, dear. Breath with me, shhh,"
He tries to get her to focus on something else. He angles them slightly so his back is against the oncoming wind, "Look there. It's your brothers. They're waiting for you,"
The girl whimpers and cries but she turns her teary head. Upon seeing her, the older brother exclaims, "Layla!!!" while the youngest cries, "NOONA!!"
The girl sniffles and she turns to Cale, who smiles gently, "Come. Why don't you tell me something you like?"
He slowly began to continue swimming back. Layla had fallen into the center of the lake, thus with the currents and winds, it was a bit of distance from the shore. Layla sobbed and sniffled, before mumbling, "I like pink,"
Cale smiles in amusement, "Is that so?"
He grimaces at another wind gust, turning and holding Layla as close to him as possible, "Me too,"
"I like oppa and dongsaeng,"
Cale chuckled, "They seem very nice,"
"They're the best!" Layla exclaims, a little bit of light in her panicked eyes now, "Mama made us all shell bracelets before she left!"
Cale frowns a bit, but he responds politely, "A bracelet? How amazing! Can I see it?"
"Yes! Mister I- um- huh?"
"Layla?"
They were close enough to the shore that Cale was able to almost feel the ground. Once his foot made contact, he quickly stood up and held Layla with both hands, holding her well above the waves.
A shrill cry of panic sounded by his head and he flinched in shock. He quickened his pace and began to slowly emerge from the water. His clothes quickly stuck to his skin, the chill becoming worse. As he got to his waist, some of the guards came into the water.
"Young Master Cale!!"
"My cloak! Wrap her in it!" Cale ordered and attempted to hand Layla off. The girl revealed her panicked face and she gripped Cale by the chest, "Mister! Mister! My bracelet! It's gone! I lost it- I lost Mama's bracelet!!"
Cale's eyes widened.
Layla's body was already trembling and her lips were turning lighter due to the cold, but she refused to be taken away from Cale. The second guard quickly pried her hands off, but Cale's eyes remained fixed on her fear and denial. He was guided out of the water and he watched numbly as her siblings surrounded her and Cale's cloak was quickly placed and wrapped around her. The girl repeated shrill bouts of sobs and apologies, while hugging her older brother.
"You're a fool,"
Cale felt a dull heat wrap around him and found Roksu at his side, cloak removed and now placed around Cale. The older had a tight expression, lips downturned and eyes clearly glaring his disapproval. Cale was soaked with icy water and his whole body was shivering, hair and clothes stuck to his skin. His pale skin was turning red in a number of places and his fingertips were stiffening up. Nonetheless, the cold wasn't as painful as Lily- Layla's cries.
"Young Master-nim," Ron stood in front of Cale.
"Wait," Cale mumbled, "Wait, no,"
He reached up and removed the cloak. Roksu's face hardened further, jaw setting, "Cale! What the fuck are you doing?"
"Hold on! I'll be back!"
Both Ron and Roksu felt alarms ringing and they reached out. Cale avoided them both; Roksu was the easiest to avoid with a twist. He avoided Ron by shielding himself while ducking around Roksu's body, creating a physical barrier. Then, he quickly reentered the lake and swam back down, ignoring the panicked and disbelieving yells of everyone.
Beneath the water, Cale mentally apologized. He understood their worry, but there was something they all were missing. Cale wasn't being a good person. He was just being emotional. He had saved her because his mind had warped her with an image of Lily. And now, he would search for the bracelet because he knows how devastated he would feel if he had lost something his Mom had left for him "before she left".
A small part of Cale's mind tells him there's a lack of context, but the emotional chaos of his mind drowns it out.
Cale broke the surface for air, ignoring the chaos he'd left at the bank and swam over the area he had found Layla. Taking a deep breath and bracing himself for the chill, he dove down and swam deeper. As Eric had said, the lake was not incredibly deep.
This made it easier. It was nice to not swim too deep as the colder water and the pressure on his ears and head were causing him great discomfort. He spotted the bottom through his blurry vision and his gloved hands came in contact with gravel and sand. Cale immediately started searching with his hands, feeling around and running over every rock, plant, or useless trinket he'd found. If he did fancy upon a trinket that felt like it could belong to a person, he stuffed it into his coat for now.
As the seconds tick, Cale can feel his chest beginning to heave and his lungs beginning to ache. The cold doesn't help anything. Nonetheless, he keeps looking. As he feels around, he spots a glint away from him. Swimming forward, he feels some sort of object and lifts it up. A small bracelet with an array of cowrie shells lay in his hand.
Just in case, Cale looks for any other bracelets. He lets out a small cough as his lungs burn. Deciding to go with this, he moves to go back up. However, he stops when his eyes barely catch the shape of another pendant. It stood out against the murky floor of the lake, seemingly glowing a light blue. It didn't seem like the bracelet he was looking for, but Cale felt drawn to it as he had with the edge of the bridge.
Diving down once more, his hand extended out and he wrapped his hand around what felt like a leather strap and a glass pendant. The shape in his hands felt oddly like a small bottle. Picking it up out of the dirt, Cale only gets to glance at the blue within the pendent before the water suddenly becomes rougher and Cale chokes. A blue light surrounds him, lighting up the bottom of the lake. A voice arrogant and mocking echoes in his mind.
'What an impulsive person'
Cale shakes his head, lungs aching for air. He kicks off the floor, fighting the rushing currents, only to cough, mouth parting in shock as the water yanks him around.
'You're an emotional child. How utterly pathetic'
Cale swims and he can see the surface. His expression twists and he kicks his legs harder, 'I don't have time for this!'
Breaking the surface, Cale coughs out water, panting and grunting as the current sends him back, his head going under unexpectedly. He coughs up again, expression annoyed and he looks around, finding the group on the shore. There's water in his eyes so he can't make out Eric's pale expression or the stiff way both Ron and Roksu are staring at him. He curses when the rough water sends him off to the side.
"CALE!!!"
Cale coughs and he looks over to where it seems more people have gathered. He holds up the shell bracelet, "Hey! Is it this?"
"No way," The brother's eyes widened, along with everyone else. Eric's voice trembled in disbelief, "Cale, you..."
Layla screams in delight, "MISTER!! YOU FOUND IT!!"
Cale sighs in relief and he begins to swim over.
However, his head begins to pound as that voice booms in his mind again.
'So you are doing a good deed for someone you don't know...How pathetic is this,'
He grimaces and holds his head, shaking it, "Fuck- what the hell?"
'My brother was like you. Impulsive and emotional. Look where it got him. Severed from me and chucked into the ocean,'
Cale grits his teeth and tries to ignore the voice.
'But I also sense an odd power from you...what a peculiar child...'
'Hm...'
'Shall we give you a chance?'
As Cale gets halfway to the shore, everyone freezes as a loud sound of water thrashes about. The wind howled loudly, water sloshing around. Cale cursed and grunted as he was pulled under again, hacking when his head came back up again.
Roksu hears a voice sound in his head, 'Human? What's going on?'
"Young Master-nim?"
Glancing back briefly, Roksu sees Balint quickly heading towards them. The black dragon is most likely flying above. Balint spots Cale and his expression pales, "What is he doing?!"
However, Roksu is taken by the dragon speaking again, 'Human!! It feels like the cave!!'
'The cave?'
"Ah!" Roksu gasps in disbelief. He chokes, heading whipping around and looking at Cale with disbelief, muttering, "Its an ancient power?"
Eric, Ron, and Balint hear him and turn to Roksu in shock. Eric exhales, "What?"
Before they can speak, the crackling sound of water and ice begins to chime. The rough surface of the water began to freeze along the edges and paths around. Along with the currents, ice chunks began to break and freeze over.
Eric watches in disbelief, "This- this-"
Cale seemed to understand as he remained stagnant, only fighting against the current. The dragon had spoken to him too. Seeing the shore, impossibly far from him, he grabs the shell bracelet and with all his might he throws it forward aiming towards Ron. Ron catches it, almost habitually, in shock.
He looks at the piece of jewelry and then up. His eyes shrink and his voice raises in a fit of emotion, "Young Master Cale!!"
The water sloshes and Cale gets pulled under.
"CALE!!!"
Roksu shoves his slightly damp cloak to Eric and orders loudly, "BALINT! Spell! Any spell!!"
Balint quickly grabs Roksu, preventing him from jumping into the water. Roksu pulls against his servant, giving the older man a harsh glare, "Let me go! What the hell are you doing?!"
Eric also grabbed Roksu's arm, despite his fear ridden face, "Stop- stop! One second let's think!"
"Think?!" Roksu turned to him. His red eyes are narrowed harshly at everyone, "Cale could die!"
'It's one thing if it's an Ancient Power, but this sort of test is too dangerous. No, even the 'Vitality of Heart' was decently dangerous. But I had the shield. Cale doesn't have anything to help him against the currents. If Cale failed the test, there was a very high chance Cale would drown.'
That idea made Roksu's jaw clench.
Cale could not die.
Roksu needed Cale alive.
'I'm not handling this alone, you piece of shit!'
"Young Master-nim! If it is as you said, then you won't be able to help Young Master Cale!" Balint hissed into his ear.
Roksu stiffened up. That was true, but the alternative was no better.
He grits his teeth and looks up to where he knows the dragon is. The dragon speaks to him, 'The other weak human is in the center. I can sense him and he's surrounded by some power. Like the cave,'
"Fuck," Roksu grimaced.
He sneered, "Fine. Three and a half minutes. If I don't see Cale break surface in that much time, I'm going,"
"Young Master Eric! We're sending the boats,"
"What are you still waiting for? Just go!!"
Two small boats entered on the rough lake, equipped with knights that had been summoned. By now, the commotion had most likely already reached the Wheelsman Estate. Roksu pulled away from Eric and Balint, standing stiffly as he counted down the seconds.
'Come on Cale. Come on,'
~~~
When Cale's head went under, he just barely managed to take in some air before water yanked him down. The currents swirled around him glowing that same blue light. Cale looked at the necklace he had grabbed, 'An Ancient Power, huh?'
'Water is versatile. It can be calm or angry. Gentle or sharp. It is essential as it is poison,'
The water began to swirl around him, creating a sphere of water with him in the center. He narrowed his eyes, taking in the words.
'Water requires a power of restraint and control. Do you know what happens when water is unmanageable?'
The light shone and the current shoved him back slightly. Air felt like it was sucked from his lungs and Cale felt his head smash into something solid, pain erupting from the back of his head and his blurry vision becoming worse.
That voice demanded.
'Can you control it? Any of it? Can you control yourself?'
Cale's vision went dark and his chest compressed.
'I can't wait to see,'
"HAH-!!"
Cale gasped, eyes snapping open and body heaving as he took in air. The earlier icy chill was gone and the gray light of winter was replaced by a soft white light but there was no definite source. Cale panted, staring up at the crystal like ceiling blankly. He remained laying down, before finally pushing himself up.
It looked like some sort of large cave. He couldn't tell where the light was coming from but he knew the walls resembled glass and an array of white and pale blue crystals. A good distance away from him, Cale spotted what seemed to be a small islet made of a pale blue stone resembling marble. The islet was large enough for four grown adults to sit on it. The floor felt solid, but it also just seemed to be water. His hand wouldn't go under, so it seemed that Cale was resting atop of it. He also wasn't feeling drenched. His clothes remained dry.
"What the hell?"
Cale slowly rose to his feet. He looked around, trying to understand what he was doing. Seeing as nothing was happening, he took a step towards the islet.
Plop.
Cale turned around towards the sound. His eyes widened and he dashed forward, "Lily!?"
His sister was laying in the water on her stomach, brown hair covering up most of her face. Cale crouched beside her and gently moved to lift her, "Lily? Are youâ"
He stopped short.
Lily's eyes fluttered open, dim and pained. His lips let out a gurgling sound, "Ora-beon..i..."
A river of crimson coughed out of Lily's mouth, mimicking the large wound at the top of her head. It looked like a rock had been smashed into her skull. Cale's eyes shook and he trembled, hand reaching up and hovering over the wound, "Li- Lily? What- what is- what happened?"
He was stumbling over words and sentences. His heart was beating loudly and he felt overwhelmed with fear and denial. Lily just coughed and hacked more blood, her blue eyes staring blankly at Cale.
After another violent cough, she shuddered in some air and mumbled, "...why..."
"What?"
"W-why..." Lily hacked, tears filling her dying eyes, "Ora-orabeoni didn't...hak- c-come..."
Cale's body chilled.
Tears mixed in with the blood, "I was calling- blergh- w-why?"
Cale shook but he said nothing. Nothing came out of his mouth and he just numbly listened to Lily's weak demands.
'Why didn't you come?'
'Why didn't you help?'
'Why does it hurt?'
'Orabeoni- Why- why- why-'
When Lily went completely still in his hold, Cale felt like the world was falling on top of his head. He carefully placed her down, hands shaking and hesitantly rose to his feet, backing away. He called, panicked, "B-Basen? Father? Violan- Mother? Mother!"
He didn't have to move very far as their limp bodies were all within view when he turned his head. Basen's leg was twisted into a weird angle and the right part of his face was covered in soot from an explosion. His left hand was missing fingers and his right was an ugly management of burns and blood. Cale stood staring at the limp body with shaky eyes and mutters of denial ringing in his head.
A bit away from the children, the Countess laid just as still. Violan's ever-elegant hair was sprawled and charred at places, body littered in cuts and wounds, her dress stained. The blood that stained the water beneath her was mostly from the hole in the chest and Cale bit back a scream and sob when he realized her eyes were still open. Open and so, so, empty. They weren't firm or calm. They weren't the eyes of his Mother.
His knees gave out and he was trembling as he muttered apologies and desperate pleads, "Mother- mother- I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. I love you, Mother. I do, I really do. Mother, I care about you, I don't hate you. Thank you for taking care of me- of my father- i'm sorry-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please move- please wake up- please-"
His hand was shaking so much as he closed her eyes. His hands, no matter how much blood he touched, did not stain. His hands remained terribly clean.
Not trusting himself to stand, he turned to the final corpse. The one that wasn't even whole. Deruth was missing limbs. Cale sat there beside Violan's body, not able to bring himself closer. With a bleeding heart, he began to crawl over. His hand reached for what was left of Deruth's shoulder. He turned him, trying to look at his face-
Cale broke, turning his head away and gagging.
Deruth wasn't whole.
His Father wasn't whole.
Tears began to leak down his face and he reached again. He didn't try to turn the body onto stomach or back. He did not want to see the missing portion of his Father â why was his face like that? â, not in such detail. Organs and bones were too visible, flesh was mangled and puffed, bleeding and burned. Cale gagged again. He leaned against the bleeding waist and cried, "Father...Father..."
It was the only world falling from his lips. A desperate call for his Father. Cale stared at the blood that refused to stain him.
"What the fuck...damn it...What the fuck is going on?!"
The water beneath him and the corpses began to be covered in red, the metallic scent taking over the calm and beautiful aura that had been. Cale lifted his head after a few sobbed apologies. He backed away and forced himself up. His knees locked and Cale clenched his jaw, hitting his face harshly and forcing himself to move. He wiped at the tears aggressively on his face, skin aching with the amount of pressure he applied.
He was stopped again when he noticed more corpses.
"Ah- ah-"
Cale stumbled back, head shaking, "No. No, no, no, no,"
The corpses were quite the number. He could see corpses in maid outfits and knight clothes. He saw a head of green hair and a long dress, not too far from a noble in dark brown hair. A broken pair of silver glasses were beside a butler with missing hands. The gray and pale blond hair of the people he was having breakfast with just hours ago laid limp and half submerged. An old man with a missing arm, a pair of daggers not too far from him had a sword through his chest. A person with similar features and dressed in black was leaning on a broken greatsword, bleeding from every inch of his body. Closer to where Cale stood, he spotted a man in his 30s with brown hair, blue eyes vacant and leaking blood from his ears. Beside him, a once beautiful woman with blond hair that was cut and a long burn mark stretched over her face and tore at her dress. And the closest, oh the closest to Cale's feet was a person with black hair, his usually emotionless red eyes completely blank and staring at Cale. Blood flowed from his mouth and his skin was seemingly ripped and charred.
Cale stumbled away towards the islet, head shaking and his mouth mumbled in a crazed state. He stumbled, grunting as he fell and pushing himself up. The water behind him was turning a darker red, while the water beneath him was clear and beautiful.
Cale hated it.
"FUCK!"
He hit the water and shook his head violently, "What the fuck is this?! Let me out!! LET ME OUT!!"
Cale held his face, a crazed laugh escaping him and mixing in with his sobs, "It's not real- I know it! This is some stupid hallucination, right?! Let me out! I yield! Alright!? You got to see me in a pathetic state!!"
His voice echoed and echoed, but nothing came about it.
"...Cale?"
Cale's eyes shrank and his body went deathly still, air leaving his lungs.
A silence held delicately in the cavern.
"Cale, sweetheart? It's you, isn't it?"
The gentle voice came from the side. Away from the islet again.
A shudder passed through Cale's body. He carefully turned his head, hands falling to his sides. His pupils shrank.
A woman dressed in a beautiful green and white dress stood at the edge of the islet, her dark green and gold earrings sparkling in the light of the odd cave. Her eyes were a brighter red than Cale's, but her long red hair was of the exact same shade.
She was beautiful.
She was alive.
Very alive.
Cale had looked upon her portraits countless times over the last eight years. He'd seen her face consistently in his mind and heard her voice like a broken record. It was the only thing he could do to ensure the memories would not dull. That he would not lose her image as he had lost her presence.
"..M..."
His voice shook, weak and vulnerable in all the ways Cale Henituse was not.
"Mom?"
The bright red eyes glazed over with tears. A mesmerizing and warm smile came over Jour Thames Hentiuse's lips. Her voice let out a beautiful chime of delight, "My son, my beautiful son,"
Her heels began to click through the water towards him. Cale was faster though. Desperation and grief filled him like it had never before. He launched up and ran towards her, slamming into her and she caught him: warmly and safely. His hands wrapped around her and the two of them fell to their knees. Cale's face pressed into her shoulder and his voice echoed, "Mom, Mom, Mom. You're here- you're- Mom, you're warm- Mom-"
Jour hugged her son, her only child, tighter. Tears fell past her eyes and she pressed a kiss into his hair, "My darling Cale, my precious son. I'm here, my baby. It's alright now, let it all out. Mom is here, darling. Mom is here,"
Cale felt like someone was stabbing him. A pain like no other came over him and he shattered. His face scrunched and tears fell without pause. A heart-breaking wail poured from the 16-year-old boy, his hands gripping his Mom tighter. Jour's expression broke at the violent cries and shuddering that her son let out. She pulled them closer, one hand holding the back of his head. She whispered softly, "I love you, Cale. Let it out. Let all of it out. Mom will fix it, Mom will fix it all,"
Cale sobbed more, burying himself into her warmth. It was like all the suppressed and restrained emotions he had bottled up and drowned were rising and bursting up. Pain and sorrow covered his every being.
It hurt.
It hurt so much.
He weakly opened his eyes, whimpering, "I missed you,"
Jour's eyes shook and from where Cale could not see, regret and pain came over her. She buried her face into his hair, "I know, my dear. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I had to leave you,"
"Wh- why? What was so important about some stupid village?"
Jour hesitated. She smiled weakly, and just pressed another kiss, "I'm sorry. It was important that I couldn't delay it any longer,"
Cale clung weakly, "Did it hurt?"
Jour's eyes widened in shock.
"The guards said- they said- said it was a carriage accident. That it tipped over," Cale recalled the report, swallowing and slightly stuttering over his words, "Did it hurt? You were bleed- bleeding a lot when you came back,"
Jour gave a trembling but love-ridden smile, "Oh, my sweet sunshine," She pulled back and reached forward to look at him. Cale pulled back just enough for her to cup his face, "I suppose it bruised a little...but leaving you hurt far more. That was a pain like nothing else,"
Cale's face crumpled weakly. Jour smiled at him, gently wiping some tears away, "Look at you, my handsome baby. You've grown so much,"
Cale swallowed the guilt in his throat. But because it was his Mom, because it was her, he felt so weak. But so safe. He looked down, "I...I'm not a good person, Mom,"
Jour frowned, "What do you mean, darling?"
"I- I hurt a lot of people, Mom," Cale sniffled. He held her hands and his mouth moved, explaining the last eight years.
He talked about how Father cried and sobbed for days, how Cale didn't see him smile or look normal until Violan. He explained with almost guilt how Deruth had remarried and Cale had two siblings. He paused here, lifting his head to check her.
She was smiling warmly.
"I'm glad that fool Deruth is well,"
Cale smiled weakly at the old nickname. He nodded, "He's well, Mom. I'll make sure he stays so,"
"Is Lady Violan good to you?"
"Yes,"
Jour smiled, in relief. There was no hesitation in that answer, "I'm glad," she then giggled, "But then again, who can resist my cutie?"
Cale flushed, "Mom..."
Jour laughed, placing a kiss on Cale's forehead. He pouted but let her, secretly enjoying the affection. Cale hated to ruin the mood, but he needed to tell her. Tell her that he was sorry she had left behind someone like him.
"Mom..." Cale started shakily, "Mom, the relatives weren't nice. They didn't like Violan or Basen because they weren't nobles. They- it wasn't nice. Father and Aunt Danielle got into a lot of fights and arguments...and the cousins were super mean to Basen! They would bully him relentlessly so- so-"
Cale bit his lip.
Jour looked at her son, for a moment. Her smile had faded into concern. But as she listened and watched the change in expressions, she felt a foreboding feeling. Jour tightened her grip on Cale's hand, "Sweetheart...what did you do?"
Cale flinched.
"I...I wanted to protect them. They made Father so happy," Cale's voice felt oddly weak to his own ears. Why was it so hard to say this? "So- so- I thought that if I took myself out of the equation everything would work out! My presence was of such a hindrance to Basen and by extension Violan, and Father was still healing from you and his workaholic spiral, so- I- I quit. I stopped studying and I became really loud and annoying. I did everything to piss everyone off and- last year, when I turned 15- I- I started to drink alcohol and made messes in bars- but I never physically hurt anyone! I never ever harmed a person! Though- though- I made a lot of people suffer- a-and our reputation fell a bit."
Jour's expression broke, "What? Sweetheart, you started what at 15?"
Cale looked away, ashamed. But he could tell her, could always tell her, "It- It's fine because I don't actually get drunk. I have high tolerance but I flush really easily. So it's easy to fool everyone into thinking I'm drunk! So- Mom, mom doesn't have to worry. I'mâ"
"Why hasn't anyone stopped this?!"
That made Cale go silent for a moment. The worry and pain that was now clouding his Mom's face hurt him. For a moment, he regretted telling her, even though his confession was easing a burden from him, even though he knew he could tell her anythingâ that he owed her his honestyâ, even though no matter how useless or pathetic or terrible he was, her love was the only unconditional thing he knew in this conditional world.
He mumbled, "Pardon?"
Jour swallowed, "Your Father, and Lady Violan. Why aren't they stopping you? Why isn't Ron stopping you? Why have none of the servants tried to dissuade you from this?"
Cale didn't have an answer.
He really, really, didn't.
He'd expected disappointment. A tired sigh or resigned expression. Not...not this.
At his silence and bewilderment, Jour's expression crumpled, "Oh...oh my sweet, sweet, baby,"
Cale was pulled slowly into another hug. He squirmed a little, before going limp and enjoying the warmth. He muttered, "I'm sorry...I'm sorry I've ruined your name,"
"No, oh no, darling. You didn't do anything," Jour stroked his hair. She kissed his hair, "I'm sorry. It's Mom's fault,"
Cale didn't understand. How could it be her fault? His Mom had been nothing but good. An embodiment of the sun. How could anything be her fault?
"It-"
"Hush, my darling. Just rest for a little. You've done a lot,"
Cale's expression tightened but he obeyed. He shifted and laid his head in her lap, her fingers threading through his hair. Jour smiled down at him sadly, whispering into the air, "I didn't think it would become like this..."
Cale flinched, "I'm sorry-"
"Not you, my love," Jour reassured him. But Cale saw deep regret in her eyes, regret and maybe even anger, "I didn't think they would be so cruel,"
Cale realized she must mean the relatives. He smiled sadly. Even though her own husband had moved on and loved another, Jour had clearly already accepted Violan and Basen warmly. His Mom was always so kind, even when she didn't have to be. She didn't have to say anything about them. Basic respect was enough. But to see her lament on what happened ached him yet filled him with so much pride.
"Violan and Basen are good people, Mom. The relatives have tapered off now,"
Jour blinked once before she exhaled, a resigned smile on her lips, "I'm sure they are good people. I believe I'm able to trust Deruth with that much..." she trailed off oddly, and Cale saw her expression pinch up. But he couldn't hear her thoughts:
'Deruth was always so attentive and loving. Surely, he's not just letting our son self-destruct? Deruth loves Cale, I know he does. Cale was his pride. Even if he had two new children, Deruth would not just toss Cale aside...that is not the man I know. Why, then? Why is our baby still going on this path? Why is our sunshine unable to understand that he is being hurt?'
Jour shut her eyes, for a moment. Her fingers played with her child's red hair aimlessly. When she opened her eyes, she raised her head and looked over at the sea of red not too far from them.
She'd been distracted by the presence of her son, by his words, by the thought of her beloved family allowing harm to befall her son. But she'd realized and understood what was going on in this cavern.
"Sweetie,"
"Yes, Mom?"
"Your body. Where is it right now?"
Cale looked up at her, "My body?"
"Yes. Before you came here,"
"Oh,"
Cale finally racked his memories, "Ah- I'm in a lake. It's an Ancient Power,"
Jour's hands paused, "...you're in a lake?"
Cale also rethought that and mumbled, "...I wonder if I've drowned yet,"
A light smack came onto his forehead and he whined, "Ow!"
It didn't actually hurt.
Jour gave him a disapproving look that had Cale wince, "Sorry, Mom,"
"Don't ever speak so lightly about your life," Jour scolded. She then smiled, "It's probably on the islet. You'll go and see it then,"
"Oh. Come with me then," As Cale moved to get up, Jour giggled softly.
Cale looked back at her, "Sweetheart, I can't come with you, remember?"
Cale's heart froze.
That's right.
His Mom had died eight years ago.
Cale's brain seemed to finally understand he looked over at the bloody sight, 'And they are all alive,'
Jour smiled, warm and loving, "I'm glad I got to see you again,"
Cale turned back to her, shaking his head, "No-"
"Cale, darlingâ"
"No!" Cale turned to her, firm denial in his eyes, "I- I'll just stay here with you! Mom, I'll go with you!"
Jour's smile turned sad, "You know you can't, darling,"
Cale grabbed at her skirt, "Why not?"
Jour reached up and stroked his face, a delicate and warm emotion in her eyes, "Cale. You can't stay with me,"
Cale's expression crumpled. Emotions crashed through him and his voice carried an angry edge to it, "Why do I have to go back?! I don't want to!"
What was waiting for him there? It would be the same thing as it had been for the last eight years. A facade and causing everyone trouble and suffering. Nothing else. He'd return to the disappointing thing called 'Living'. He'd already caused many people to lose hope in him and his position. If he died now, the relatives would say nothing, could do nothing. Actually, would it not be easier? The streets and bars would lose the redheaded tornado that wrecked everything and cursed everyone.
If he never returned, who would honestly think of it as misfortune and not karma?
Plus, if he returned now to the lake he'd have to face Ron and Eric and Roksuâ
Cale paused.
'Ah'
"...Roksu hyung,"
If he died, how would he react? Would he be annoyed as Cale could no longer help him? Would he feel regretful for the trip? Would he lament over Cale's actions?
Cale doesn't know why the idea of Roksu's judgment and guilt make him hesitate.
He'd never hesitated before.
Even if it hurt someone, Cale would do whatever he had to protect those he called his. He didn't care for what would happen to him, or the way it would look. It just had to work.
Jour didn't know exactly who 'Roksu hyung' was, but she knew it was someone important to her son. His eyes that were filled with despair and grief, had sparked and cut through the haze. She reached forward and caressed his cheek, "Cale, sweetie. You need to return,"
Cale's body trembled and he held her tighter, "I-"
Jour reached up, pulling him into another tight embrace. Cale clung to her like a lifeline, whispering, "I don't want to lose you again. Please- please stay with me. Let me stay with you this time, Mom. I want to stay with Mom," A weak sob escaped him, "Don't leave me. Please Mom, don't leave me alone again. I hate it, I really hate it,"
Another delicate round of tears threatened to fall. But as a Mother, Cale was her priority. Cale was always her priority. His life and his well being. She wanted to be with him too, but she knew she couldn't. She had relinquished her spot in his life a long time ago. Her lips left a long and loving kiss in the red hair, "My beautiful baby. My precious son. I love you. I love you so much,"
They look at each other, faces so similar staring at one another love and grief coating their eyes. Jour pressed their foreheads together as she whispered, "I'm so proud of you. You've been so strong, darling,"
Cale whimpered, heart breaking into pieces, "I love you..."
"Sweetheart, can you do one thing for me?"
"Anything,"
Jour swallowed a lump in her throat, "Live well and happily. That is all I want for you. To be happy, to be safe, to be who you are,"
Cale looked at her, taking in her overwhelming love. He didn't understand why she was still looking at him like he was some beautiful star. She should be upset at him, and disapprove of the shame he's brought upon them. Why? Why was it still so warm in her arms? Why was a dead person warmer than the living?
He nodded, not trusting his words.
Jour released him, hands falling away. The two of them carefully rose up and turned towards the islet. Jour looked up at her son, who was now taller than her. She smiled, 'That's my little cutie,'
Cale hesitated, staring at her as if afraid she would vanish when he looked away. Jour smiled, warmly and confidently, "Go on. Do not turn around until the end, Cale,"
"..."
Cale killed his urge to cling onto his Mom like a child. He turned his back and restrained himself. Firmly and quickly, he headed towards the islet. Behind him, he could hear a shuddering gasp and the sound of water splashing. He froze, but Jour's voice echoed, "Don't turn around! Sweetheart, it's alright. Keep going,"
Cale trembled, eyes closing at the way her voice was clearly hoarser than before. He inhaled a shaky breath and kept going. Ignoring it all, he reached the islet. On the islet, there was a center rectangular pillar that came up to his naval. On it was the necklace from before.
The arrogant voice from before appeared.
'You do not want to stay?'
"I want to stay," Cale answers.
'Hm?'
"I want to stay with my Mom," Cale repeats, "But I can't,"
'Why not? You so clearly miss and love her. Just look at the tears that filled the ground,'
Cale doesn't look. He doesn't turn even though he wants to. His Mom's voice had not spoken up again.
"Of course I miss and love her. I'd do anything to get her back,"
'You're not making sense,'
"There's other people I love too..." Cale's eyes go distant, "I lost my Mom. I can't lose them too,"
'...'
'You...'
'You're odd. Emotional and Impulsive. But you're smart and have control...how can you be both?'
Cale smiled wryly, "I'm neither. If someone hurts someone I know, of course, I will be angry and curse them out. Impulsive. But I can control myself enough to keep my person safe. No matter how angry, how emotional...I won't hurt an innocent person or anyone I care about,"
'That is a very hefty promise,'
"I've not broken it yet,"
'Hah...you remind me of my brother. He and I were twins that shared a body. Two souls sharing a physical body,'
Cale blinked, "You both possessed a singular body?"
'We were called a freak of nature. An odd and disturbing phenomena. We were twins, separate souls, separate heads, separate personas. But we shared a body, conjoined at the torso,'
'He was emotional. Impulsive. He wanted to help people even if they hurt us, if they looked at us oddly. I didn't get it but when we were sharing a physical body, it was hard. He had strength, you know. Strength that was complementary to mine. A domination. There was not a fire he couldn't put out, just as there was not a body I could not tame,'
'His nature got him in trouble. When we both were sentenced, his damned love and emotions proposed a sentence to spare me. They surgically severed him from me before tossing him into the ocean,'
'I hated him for it,'
'It would've been better to die together. To fall. He should've just let it go. Why did he take it on himself?'
"...because he loved you. He loved you more than he cared about his place in life,"
'...that's not fair. I loved him too,'
Cale smiled sadly, "I'm sure he knew that. Just as he knew that if he told you, you would've stood by him. Perhaps you both would've been sentenced. And the idea of you dying with him was too much to bare,"
'He's selfish,'
"Yes,"
But Cale understood.
"And he knew. Knew it was selfish because it would cause you pain. But he couldn't bring himself to change his mind,"
'You sound like you understand,'
"I do,"
Cale understands very well.
'...Take the necklace...I hope your selfishness does not kill you,'
Cale just smiled.
He picked up the necklace and placed it over his head. A blue light emitted from the pillar and the surroundings began to turn dark. Cale turned just as the light shot towards his chest. When he did, he saw his Mom's corpse in the water, bleeding from a variety of places and blood falling from her lips.
Cale did not have time to grieve.