Chapter Text
It was over.
Malleus was back to normal, everyone was awake, Lilia and Sebek were safe—it was all over.
Wasn’t it?
~*~
Silver groaned behind clenched teeth. His head was throbbing, and every pulse of blood was shooting pain through his brain. It took effort to open his eyes, which stung from exhaustion. Once he managed, the world was spotty with colors. Thankfully, the lights were low.
Slowly, he attempted to push himself up. His limbs were shaky, as if he were a baby deer just born.
‘What happened?’ Silver’s expression pinched as he tried to recall. And then he did.
He whipped his head up, a gap escaping his lips. His eyes darted about the Diasomnia hall, decorated with banners and streamers for Lilia’s farewell, looking for--
“Malleus!”
“Lord Malleus!!”
Silver saw his father immediately hurry from his side to Malleus. Sebek was in tow right behind him. Silver felt a warm flow through him at the sight of those he loved most and heaved a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness...”
He last saw them in the dream world. Lilia had stayed behind in his dream to allow them to escape and save Malleus from himself. Then later, Sebek was injured while defending him. And Malleus…
Poor Malleus had been overblotted, falling into despair over the thought of losing Lilia and turning into a powerful foe that Silver and the others were barely able to defeat.
But now it was over. Everyone was safe, and Malleus was back to his usual self.
Heart swelling and eyes glistening with tears, Silver made to join them as the prince began to stir--
Then he stopped, paralyzed by a chill that went through him.
‘Wait…I…’ Memories of his father’s dream swirled to the surface, like a beast from the gloom.
Humans invading Briar Valley, raping the land, and leaving mountains hollow. Destroying the homes of innocent Fae folk. The soldiers attacking the castle where a baby Malleus was sleeping, unhatched in his egg, as his mother sang to him one last time before the Knight of the Dawn arrived and slayed her.
The Knight of the Dawn. His …
Silver turned white as the blood fled from the memory in his head.
“ My sister, your WIFE, Princess Leah, is suffering from the child YOU placed in her,” Silver recalled over hearing in the dream. “Every night, my father prays for her health, but it’s not enough! With the princess’ glow, we might be able to save him . ”
‘The child…’ Silver quivered. It was his fault.
It was for HIM that the humans invaded Brair Valley, the place Silver had the gall to call his home for sixteen years. For Silver, the Knight of the Dawn killed Malenore. who fought for her country and her unborn child. A child she never even got to see.
Because of him.
‘Father—no, General Vanrouge—no—who...who...how... Lord Malleus, I--I--’ The boy couldn’t think. It was all he could do just to breathe. The weight of his guilt was pressing down on him and threatening to crush him to the ground.
He looked at his hand, which was digging into the dark stone floor through the leather gloves. It was shaking as the skin turned pale.
Nausea filled him as the world began to spin. He thought he was going to throw up.
It was too much. It was too much. Silver couldn’t stay. He had to leave. He had to get out of there.
He cast a momentary glance at Lilia and the others, Sebek weeping as Lilia comforted a distressed Malleus. Just as he had done with Silver as a child. Even though Silver--
Body tense, the human stood quietly, not wanting to draw their attention.
~*~
As he wandered down the winding steps, which were bathed in shadows, Silver attempted to process all that had happened.
He still felt ill. He tried to hold back the bile that filled his throat but failed. Less than a moment later, she was vomiting out the window. A dawning realization burned him like fire, even as the cold wind from outside blew against his face.
‘It was all because of me,’ he thought. ‘I was the cause of everything wrong in their lives.’
The Fae lost their land and their homes. Lilia lost a beloved friend, whom he grew up with and suffered undeserved scorn from others. Malleus never got a chance to know his mother or how much she loved him. All because Silver had been conceived and made his mother ill.
If not for him, then the Fae would all be living peacefully.
Princess Malenore would have lived and gotten to raise her child. On top of all that, Lilia would have been praised as the general he deserved, with medals, all the honors he deserved, and more. More than that, he would have been with his friends. And most importantly, Malleus wouldn’t have had to grow up all alone.
But none of that happened. And it was his fault.
‘And father knew it.’ Silver could still recall the look of pure loathing in Lilia’s eyes, masking centuries of pain, when he realized Silver’s true identity as a baby. How Lilia had longed to reach out, to rip out the babe's throat. And he would have too—if not for Lilia’s love for Malleus and possibly his own soft heart.
A heart too kind for someone like Silver.
Hick...
Sliver’s lips pressed, holding back a sob.
“ Hick… Father… I… Hick... ” ‘I can only imagine how you’ve suffered all these years.’ To look at Silver, every day, knowing who he was and that he was responsible for everything wrong in Lilia and Malleus’ lives, must have been agony beyond any wound a sword could inflict. Especially now that Silver had the exact same face as him. The exact same.
It must have been agony to hold Silver at night when he cried, to force a smile for him every moment of every day. And for sixteen years!
And Malleus…
“ I will never forgive you! "
Silver’s strength failed. He fell against the wall, sliding to the floor, even as his finger raked against the edge. The look of pure loathing and pain on Malleus' face burned into his memory and slashed his soul apart like a dark blade.
He was right. Malleus was right. How--
How could Malleus ever look at him again?
Sebek certainly wouldn’t.
‘Sebek…’ He would hate Silver when he figured it all out.
So much had been going on as they traveled, but once Sebek put the pieces together, he would look at Silver with scorn. Sebek loved Malleus, Lilia, and his grandfather, Baul, more than anything.
‘And I hurt all of them.’ Silver could already see the other’s hatred and fury, glowing in his eyes, words of disdain spilling from his lips.
“ Lord Malleus and Master Lilia raised you, and for what?! If it wasn’t for you, then they—and grandfather—wouldn’t have suffered as they did! As far as I’m concerned, you’re no different than the humans who invaded our land!"
Silver’s head fell forward, his palms pressing hard against his face. His eyes were red, lit aflame by the tears.
“I’m sorry,” he whimpered. “I’m so sorry...” It was all his fault. It was all his fault. Even tonight was all his fault.
Had Silver not wept, like he was now, then Malleus wouldn’t have blotted over. Malleus did all this because he saw Silver’s despair and wanted to help him. As a result everyone on Sage Island suffered and Mallues nearly died.
That was his entire existence, wasn’t it? One that brought pain and suffering to everyone. And Silver couldn’t do a thing about it.
There was nothing he could do to make up for the past. To give back what was lost or heal the scars inflicted upon everyone he loved.
Nothing--
“Silver!”
Above him, from the floors above, Silver heard his name being called by multiple people. One louder than the rest;
“Silver!” Lilia’s voice cracked as it carried loudly over the others. “Where are you? Answer me!”
The frantic tone pierced Silver’s heart like a dagger.
Father—Lilia was searching for Silver. He was worried about him. But he shouldn’t be.
Lilia shouldn’t have to worried for the cause of his suffering. She shouldn’t--
Silver shoved himself to his feet, his breath ragged. This morning, he would have hurried to the man. To assure Lilia that he was alright and everything was fine.
Now, however, Silver ran down the steps and to the exit, bursting out the large doors to the outside.
~*~
Silver didn’t have a destination in mind as he ran. He just knew that he had to run to get away from Lilia, Malleus, and Sebek—everyone.
Silver’s legs carried him down the pathway, surrounded by thorns--just like the ones around the stolen castle--and to the mirror. As soon as the glass was in sight, he charged it like a bull. The action flung him through the portal and to the marbled floor.
“Arg!” His knees slammed downs, sending a shot of pain through him. Taking in haggard breaths, one thought blossomed in his mind:
‘I can’t let them take me back.’
They would. He knew they would, or at least Lilia would.
Being as kind as he was, Silver knew Lilia would tell him that the past wasn’t his fault and that he loved him. But that would be a lie.
How could anyone love the son of their enemy? Especially when he--
Knees throbbing, Silver staggered to his feet, the ring around his neck swaying as the stones glittered in the faint light. Once he gained his footing, Silver set out of the school at a run.
Blackthorns still covered the area, though he could see the dome above slowly retreating, revealing the dawn peeking over the college. As Silver made his exit from the building, he prayed that the sun a symbol of a better beginning for Lilia and the others. They deserved it.
‘Did Lord Malleus do all of this?’ Silver wondered as he looked at the vines. ‘Is the entire island covered in them?’ Despite the current situation, he was in awe of his Lord’s power. Only the Witch of Thorns herself had managed such a feat in the past. Truly, Malleus…
Silver shook his head to bring him to the present. He had no time for such thoughts. Right now, he had to get off the island.
‘But how?’ The mirror was controlled by Crowley. A boat would be far too slow. And staying was out of the question. Lilia would find him. He was always good at finding Silver whenever the boy got upset, hid somewhere, or ran. That used to be a comfort to him. Now...
The thudding sound of heavy footsteps interrupted his thoughts, and Silver instinctively hid behind a thick apple tree before peeping out.
‘Those uniforms…’ Running past him toward the school was a group of Styx soldiers, along with a squad of guards from Briar Valley.
He shouldn’t be surprised. Malleus not only overblotted, but his phantom created a dark spell that enveloped the island. It was natural that they would be called and forced to work together.
‘I hope they don’t blame Malleus or father.’ Guilt filled Silver as he realized that, once again, Malleus and Lilia would be punished because of him. Sebek would be as well if they accused him of not doing his job correctly. (An accusation that would wound the boy to his core.) However, the blame didn’t lie with any of them.
‘If I had just been strong like father wanted...’
Silver’s fingers gripped the bark so tight that he tore some off. Lilia had only asked one thing of Silver. One thing; to see him off with a smile. And Silver couldn’t even do that.
“Dammit,” he muttered through his teeth, disdainful of himself. He just kept making things worse and worse, didn’t he? Not just for Malleus, Lilia, and Sebek, but for everybody.
This thought strengthened his resolve, and Silver knew he had to leave before he was discovered. Jaw-clenched, he pushed himself off the tree and set off. But then--
“Silver?” Silver’s voice caught in his throat.
‘That voice--’ He turned and met the multicolored eyes of Baul, Sebek’s grandfather.
When Silver and Sebek were young, the warrior would stop by to check on Sebek’s progress. As such, the two knew each other well enough.
The old man still looked like he had four years ago in Lilia’s dream, as if time didn’t dare touch him. If not for the scales on his face and his sharper features, he would look just like his youngest grandson. The realization hurt Silver.
He was then flooded with regret and sorrow Silver as he recalled the warrior fighting tirelessly to protect his home and kingdom. It was easy to imagine Sebek battling the human invaders.
Invaders who were only there because of Silver.
Silver tensed as the older fae approached, eyes glowing against the dark.
“What are you doing here?” he inquired, his gruff voice hiding his concern as he looked Silver over. “Where're Sebek and General Vanrouge?”
Silver swallowed. He couldn’t tell the truth. Baul would drag him back to Lilia and the others if he did.
“They’re fine. They’re helping Lord Malleus and the others right now at the Diasomnia dorm,” he explained. His gaze dropped as he added, "I was sent on Fa...Lilia’s orders were to check out the island and make sure everything was alright. That way, I could put Malleus’ mind at ease.” The words felt like bile burning his throat. But between this and the truth...
Baul frowned and Silver held his breath. After a second that ticked on forever, the other nodded.
“And Prince Malleus?”
“He’s fine,” Silver said quickly, hoping that wasn’t a lie. “Everyone’s a bit out of it, but no one’s hurt.” Baul sighed in visible relief, his shoulders sagging.
“Everyone on the island is okay as well. Briar Valley and STYX have been working together since the barrier appeared to monitor them,” the other explained.
“Even so, I should see for myself,” Silver insisted. “Orders and all.” Baul numbly nodded, his relief and worry clouding his judgment at the moment. It was clear that he was desperate enough to get to his grandchild that he would let Silver do whatever he wanted at the moment.
“You shouldn’t be alone, orders or not,” he said after a moment, opening his eyes to look at the pale teen. “We have no idea if there’s still any danger from the overblotting.”
“I understand,” Silver said quickly. He worried that every wasted moment was giving Lilia more time to find him. “I’ll go to the Brair Valley soldiers and ask one to assist me.
“In the meantime, please go to my father and Sebek. I’m worried that they might be suffering as well and would feel better if you were there to support them.” While this was to get the man away, it wasn’t a lie. Silver would feel better with the other on his family’s side.
Baul nodded stiffly.
“Go to a STYX soldier instead so they can look you over,” he ordered. Usually, he would insist on escorting the other, but his desire to check on Sebek trumped this action. “If any of the Briar Valley soldiers give you trouble, use my name and collect theirs. I’ll deal with them later.” With his past position as a general and his fearsome reputation, Baul carried a substantial amount of weight and power.
Silver nodded, guilt settling heavily on his stomach.
“I will,” he said, hoping Baul wouldn’t notice how thick Silver’s voice was. Baul returned the nod and then took off in the direction Silver pointed.
Once he was gone, Silver took off running, knowing that his time would be extremely limited.
Though the thought would sadden him later, Silver would admit that Lilia taught him well. By using the skills the fae gave him, he alluded the guards, fae and human, alike.
Despite the risk the soldiers placed him in, Silver was glad he saw them. Their appearance made him recall Ortho’s tale of how Rook and Epel invaded STYX Headquarters by broom. The boy had been amazed and amused by the audacity (and stupidity). This memory was the answer to Silver’s dilemma.
Silver wasn’t sure how far a broom would take him, but he was sure it would take him far enough. For now, at least.
‘At the moment, the important thing is to get off the island. Once I’m far enough away, I’ll be able to think of a long-term solution. Once I leave Sage Island, Lilia will be free.’ Or at least Silver hoped so.
The sports yard was thankfully empty. The biggest obstacle he had to face was tearing away the vines that covered the door. Silver winced.
“Ngh!” He hissed as the large thorns stabbed into his palms. Even so, he continued to yank the plant until the doorway was freed. Then--not having a key--Sliver kicked down the door with a powerful kick.
THUMP!
As the door fell, Silver rushed in, grabbed the first broom in sight. All he need was one that flew, after all.
‘Time to go!’ Silver ran out into the field.
“Hey? Who’s that kid?”
“Oi! Stop right there!” Silver felt his heart jump into his throat.
“Dammit!” He had been spotted. But he wouldn’t be stopped! Not when he was so close! Not when he was so close to freeing Lilia, Malleus, and Sebek from their suffering.
His jaw clenched.
‘This is it!’ No turning back now, he thought. Silver focused his magic on the broom and took off before the guards could reach him. Their cries followed him into the skies as Silver flew into the rising sun, leaving all he knew behind.
He rose so high that he didn’t hear the strangled, desperate cry below.
“SILVER!!”