Waylinn nodded without a word, understanding the depth of Heka's fear. The act was not just about avoiding the sight of the knife but about bracing himself for the pain and the sacrifice it represented.
He went to his room. The door closed softly behind him, leaving a heavy silence in the air.
The weight of what was to come pressed down on him. It filled the space with a tense anticipation.
Moments later, Heka emerged. He held an eye mask in his hands. His expression was calm but resolute as he approached.
Without a word, Heka gently placed the eye mask over his eyes. It shut out the world around him. He said quietly. His voice was steady despite the tension that lingered beneath. "Well, you can start."
A sharp, teasing voice cut through the quiet. "Coward."
For Heka, the accusation was reasonable. He was just an ordinary human. After all, he was not a warrior nor a hardened soldier. The unfamiliarity with stab wounds made the task even more daunting.
The thought of piercing his own flesh was enough to send a shiver down his spine. Pain was a natural deterrent. No one wanted to hurt their own body. Especially in such a deliberate and intimate way.
Except, for people who want to commit suicide.
With the eye mask shielding his sight, Heka let Waylinn did. The darkness behind the mask was both a comfort and a challenge, forcing him to rely on his other senses and his inner strength.
He took a deep breath, steadying his trembling hands. Then he was ready to face the fear that had held him back for so long.
Waylinn's hand was steady as he brought the knife down, scratching the blade lightly but firmly into Heka's palm. The sharp sting of the cut was immediate. A sudden burst of pain radiated through Heka's hand.
Though the wound was shallow, the sensation was overwhelming. His breath hitched.
And before he could stop it, tears welled up and spilled over, tracing hot paths down his cheeks. The pain was more than physical. It was a raw, piercing reminder of his own vulnerability.
He tried to hold back the tears, to steel himself against the discomfort. But it was impossible.
The tightness in his chest grew. The tears came freely, betraying the strength he wished he had.
"Open your eyes." Waylinn said softly but firmly. His voice was calm and steady.
Heka shook his head. His voice trembled with pain and fear. "It's better if my eyes are closed. I don't dare to see it at all."
The thought of looking at the wound made his stomach churn. He couldn't imagine the jagged shape the knife had left behind.
The idea of confronting that sight was unbearable. The wound was a stark symbol of his sacrifice. And seeing it with his own eyes would make the pain all too real.
Because Heka didn't want to open his eyes, Waylinn finally lifted the eye mask from his face. Even though the mask was removed, Heka kept his eyes tightly shut. He was unwilling to face what lay before him.
Tears still lingered, but now they were mixed with a quiet pride. He had taken the first step, and though the path ahead was uncertain. He knew he was no longer alone.
"Open your eyes." Waylinn urged gently but firmly.
Slowly, hesitantly, Heka peeled open his eyelids. What he saw made his breath catch. His own blood was running down the crystal flower.
The delicate snow lotus-shaped crystal that had been given to him earlier. The pistil of the flower, once a soft brown, was now slowly turning a deep, vibrant red as it absorbed the blood.
The crystal itself seemed to glow with an inner light, radiant and mesmerizing. It was beautiful in a way that was both haunting and captivating. Heka found himself fascinated. Momentarily, he forgot the pain in his hand as he stared at the glowing flower.
Waylinn carefully wrapped Heka's injured hand with a clean cloth. Then, without a word, he handed Heka a small box. He said simply. "This is from Marchio."
Curious, Heka opened the box to find two large diamonds nestled inside. Each was about fifteen centimeters in diameter. It sparkled brilliantly even in the dim light. The sight of such valuable gems made Heka's eyes widen in surprise.
"Thank you." Heka said quietly. He was touched by the unexpected gift.
"Tell him by yourself." Waylinn replied. His tone was curt.
Heka hesitated for a moment before asking. "If I don't have money, can I sell this?"
The thought struck him suddenly. He hadn't worked in a long time, and if things continued this way, he might soon struggle to survive.
Waylinn's response was blunt, almost harsh. "It's none of my business."
Though Waylinn's words were sharp, Heka found them preferable to sweet lies or empty reassurances. There was a certain honesty in Waylinn's straightforwardness that, while tough, felt more genuine.
"My lord needs a rabbit and a reindeer. Don't disappoint him." Waylinn added. His voice carried the weight of command.
Heka promised, determination flickering in his eyes. Then, curiosity got the better of him. "Don't worry I will never disappoint or betray him. Anyway, how did you become his servant?"
Waylinn's gaze darkened slightly. The silhouette crossed his face as he considered the question. because the answer was not simple.
The story behind his loyalty ran deep rooted in duty and sacrifice. Perhaps there was something more personal.
Waylinn sat at the dining table. The flickering light cast across his eyes as he began to share the tragic tale that had shaped his life. Heka sat opposite him, listening intently. The weight of the story settled heavily in the room.
Waylinn sighed. "It's a long story. The story I never told anyone before. Even for once."
"Do you mind telling me... please… furthermore we are on the same side. Both of us will serve Marchio." Heka pleaded.
A faint smile crossed his lips. A real smile, not forced, or just for acting to be polite. He was aware that it had been a long time since he had felt pleasant.