PART 16 :-
BROTHER'S RECKONING
Orin perspective :-
"It's too late for that…"
"Wait, Ere—don't kill her!" I finally found him. If he kills a princess, he'll face the death penalty.
"Big brother… it's been a long time since you called me that."
"Don't become what Father always wanted you to be."
"No… you don't get to decide what I should do."
"Then kill me. It should have been me. You became this because I abandoned you."
"I know you hate me. Because of me, you had to suffer—even though you were innocent. Because of my curse, you lost our parents' love. And that's the only reason I won't kill you."
"I never hated you. The person I hate is myself. I always thought you were the reason we lost her. I tried to hate you, but I failed. I tried to care for you, but I failed at that too. But I'm not going to run from my responsibility anymore. You are my brother."
"A little while ago, you hated it when I called you 'big brother.' And now you say I'm your brother? You disgust me. This world means nothing to me anymore."
"Don't forget what she told you. Don't forget your promise, Ere. You don't know how happy she was when you said that to her. Don't let her sacrifice be meaningless."
"She's not with us anymore. Her words are the only thing that kept me alive. But those words are just fantasy—beautiful, comforting lies, not reality. My light died with her. Now only darkness remains. I belong to it."
"Then what about me?! I also lost because of what you did. I suffered too. I don't have anything special—no dreams, no power. I have nothing. The only thing I have left is you… and that promise. You are the light of my life."
[He shouts, his voice breaking with emotion.]
[ In their past memories, ]
[At their mother's final moments]
"Ere… is that you, my son?"
"Mother… what happened to you?"
"I'm sorry… for disappointing you."
"I want to be with you forever. I only feel safe when I'm with you."
"I'm sorry, my son… but I can't stay with you forever."
"Why not?!"
"Ere… listen to her words."
"You see… I won't always be with you. The people you love or hate—it doesn't matter. No one stays forever. You will lose them… and life will bring new people into your world. You will meet new people, make new friends. That is the cycle of life and death.
You carry a curse. If people find out, they may hate you… they may ignore you. But you must stay strong. Don't let yourself break. One day, you will meet people who accept you for who you are."
"No, Mother! I won't eat your meal. I'll always listen to you—just don't leave me!"
"You have to grow up… I'm sorry. From now on, you have to eat your meal all by yourself, you must take care of yourself. I'm sorry for everything you've faced… and everything you will face. And don't forget the promise you made. I will be very happy if you fulfill it."
"Orin… people may call you weak, but always remember—true strength comes from the heart. I've told you so many stories where the weak achieved victory against those no one thought they could defeat. Those stories are true."
"I'm sorry… for being a weak mother. I'm sorry I couldn't give you a comfortable life."
"Whaa—Mother, don't leave us! Without you, there is nothing!"
[He cries loudly.]
[On a rainy day, Latia dies on her bed, hoping for a better future for her children.]
...….
[ In present time, ]
Erebus perspective :-
"Life became hell after that—I agree. But they're not the reason it's hell for us."
Why did you come now?! After Mother died, you avoided me—the only person I cared about. And now you come to stop me?
"Is it my fault that I was born with this curse? Is being unable to tell lies a curse? Is wanting to make friends a crime?!" My emotions spill out.
"Forget what he says. Finish the task. Kill the girl, and I will give you more power—whatever you need. Do it."
That voice echoes in my mind again.
"It's too late, brother. Words can't change my fate."
I raise my black arrow, ready to kill her.
"No, Ere—stop!"
"Don't you dare touch her!"
Bright shouts, his voice filled with overwhelming rage.
...….
PART 17 :-
THE PROMISE SHATTERED BY THE FLAME
MC perspective :-
Who is he…? His brother? I guess so. It looks like Erebus's past isn't just sad—it's dark as well.
Did someone die? Is that why he lost control? I wish I could understand him better…
"You don't know his past—you only know that he's cursed. You don't know what his life is like or how he has lived. To truly understand him, you must first know everything about him. Only then—if you can accept him—can you truly say you understand him."
Juha's words… ha… where are you? I need your help. How do I stop him?
"It's too late, brother. Words can't change my fate."
"No… stop… don't hurt her!"
[He stands up, breaking the Living Prison.]
"Don't you dare touch my girllllll."
[An Azuron appears, its presence engulfing everyone around. Blue flames blaze from his eyes and hands.]
"I won't allow you to hurt any of my friends."
...….
Bond perspective :-
Why do I feel so hopeless?! If I were stronger, we could take him down… I feel so useless.
"Don't you dare touch my girllllll!!!!"
What is happening?! What is coming from Bright's body?! It broke that move—now we're free.
"I feel so relaxed… and warm. It feels like my energy is back."
Dex says it—and he's right. I feel lighter, more comfortable. My wounds are healing.
"It's impossible! How does that boy possess such power?! How can a cursed one have the Eclipse Boon within him?!" the guards shout.
That blue flame—one single strike—shatters the grip holding Minidra, then gently lowers her to the ground. With just one hit, the dark aura disappears. He did in seconds what we had been trying to do for so long.
The flames form a circle of fire—no, a wall. Inside it stand Bright and Erebus, facing each other.
...….
Erebus perspective :-
What is this?! It hurts… it's burning inside me.
"Aaaah… it's too hot… there's light… I can't take it!"
The dark aura inside me is disappearing. I failed again… I'm not worthy of anything.
Am I going to die? Will I be able to see Mother again?
...….
MC perspective :-
What is that!! I can see something in the flames. Is that Erebus memory???
[ In Erebus memory, ]
"Mother, what is a warrior?"
"A warrior is someone who fights for his land."
"There was a warrior who lived in a village. In his early days, he wasn't strong, so people called him weak and a coward. But he never gave up. He accepted his weakness and challenged his problems—he faced them. Then, a time came when he saved the village and earned everyone's respect. From that day on, every child wanted to be a warrior, and warriors were seen as honorable people in society."
"Then… if I become a warrior, will people respect me too? Will Father accept me?"
"Yes…"
"Then I will become a warrior when I grow up."
"It's not as easy as it sounds, Ere. You may have to sacrifice your life, and once you choose this path, you can't turn back."
"It's a promise. I will become a warrior no matter what… and Father will notice me."
"Oh… my son, I know you can do it."
[ A memory of conversation between brothers, ]
"You want to know why she's dying? It's because of you. You were born with a curse—anyone could see that. She used a spell to hide your darkness so you could live a normal life. But that spell made her weaker day by day, and now she's going to die."
"I'm the reason she's going to die!!!"
"If you had never been born, she would have lived a normal, happy life."
[ In the memory where Erebus intract with his friend.]
"Who are you?? I did not notice you. How long have you been there."
"I came here because I want to play with you. Can I also join you??"
"Who the hell are you?? And why should I accept you?? Get lost."
...….
PART 18 :-
MEMORIES CLASHES WITH FLAMES
[ Memory in school, ]
"Hey you— tell me is that your friend did that??"
"Yes…"
"Why don't you lie to the teacher???"
"I can't lie."
"Now you are lying. Who in this world can't lie?? I made you my friend. Everybody avoid you, but I noticed you and you didn't even lie to save me."
"I am sorry… but I can't able to lie although I want to."
"Don't come near me again."
[ Memory in function, ]
"Woo… you can mimic anyone's voice. That's impressive."
"Then you're going to give a heartfelt speech for my wife on stage, mimicking my voice."
"But teacher…"
"What have you done, you idiot? Who told you to say that? Because of you, my wife left me!"
"I can only mimic what has come out of your mouth before. The voice came out from my mouth is your real thought about that person. I can't lie even if I want to."
"You are like a cursed child. You've destroyed my life."
Why is everyone looking at me like that?
[ Bright saw every memories Erebus have. ]
...….
MC perspective :-
He tried so hard, and people treated him like that!?
"Erebus, you are so brave and strong. You've been carrying so much pain inside."
Erebus knelt down in front of me.
"What!? Don't talk like you understand my pain."
"You're wrong. I know how much pain you carry inside, because I understand it. I understand what it feels like to want to be noticed, only to be ignored."
"You asked why I have friends but you don't. But look—you have things far more precious than I do. You knew your mother. You have so many happy memories with her. I don't even know mine… I don't even know her name. I know how people see us—the pain of being invisible to others."
"You have a family—a brother who cares for you, a mother who sacrificed everything for you. I have no one. Sometimes, it makes me jealous… wishing I were in your place. Where I live, everyone hates me. They want me to die. And yet you say I don't understand? They treat me like trash. No one even wants to touch me. The looks they give me… I know every bit of pain you've felt. But if someone had spoken to me the way your mother did, I would have accepted any suffering instead of choosing darkness."
"I understand—not because I'm cursed, but because I've lived it. Bond understands it too, just like Dex. We all know the pain of having no one to guide us. But that doesn't mean I'll choose to destroy everyone who caused my suffering."
...….
Erebus perspective :-
"I'm lost… What should I do? My light is gone."
He came closer to me.
"Forget about others. You have to fulfill your promise. Treasure what you have—there are many people who don't even have that."
He moved his hand toward me. He was shining like the sun. I felt warmth inside me, just like when I was with my mother.
"Come forward. Accept who you are. Your promise is the light of your life—you don't need any other reason."
"I can't… everyone knows about my curse now."
"So they know about me too. Does that stop me? Whenever you need someone, I'll be there for you."
The flame faded, and it healed my wounds.
"Are you guys all right?"
"Yeah… but what about you?"
"I'm gla—" He fell to the ground unconsciously.
"I'm sorry, brother…"
He hugged me. I couldn't remember the last time he did that.
"You don't have to say anything. We're not going to live with them anymore. I'll work harder so you can become a warrior."
"But what about you?"
"I promised Mother that you are my responsibility. I won't let that man touch you again. I'm just glad you're okay… If anything happened to you, I wouldn't have any reason to live."
"I'm glad I have you too."
"Sorry to interrupt, but for now, he's going to jail. You will face trial, and if you are found guilty, you will be executed."
The Night Watchers arrived in greater numbers. It looked like I was going to jail.
"I don't think that will be necessary."
Two men wearing black capes appeared.
...….