Rebirth

10. Spirit

Dear Journal,
I no longer write on your pages physically, so these are my genuine and unfiltered thoughts that are confined to the cage that is my mind. It is the only thing that I deem normal in the world of the bizzare. There is still so much to discover.

- 𝓔. 𝓢𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓮
(1605)

"What?" Emma asked, dubious at the possibility that such information was visible on the scroll.

"More vampires" Elias said as he stared at the scroll.

"A vampire.. is that what you are?" She queried hesitantly.

Elias nodded his response, causing Emma to frown as she turned away from him. She had heard stories from the elders of Gandalwell about this kind of monster. They were described as hideous and untamable humanoid creatures with a thirst for blood.

Elias, ofcourse, was a terrible example of this definition, for his appearance depicted that of a celestial origin. He was infact, an exemplar of an advanced human being. Despite this fact, she was sure that an abundance of creatures like him would be a danger not just to the kingdom, but to mankind.

"Really?" She said hesitantly as she stood up from her stool to sit by her dressing table.

Elias noticed she was barefoot, wearing a white, silk night gown. He watched her as she sat down before her mirror, staring at her own reflection with her face strained and melancholic.

"Your father died... what will happen now?" Elias said as he recalled the events of the night.

"Baltazaar and I will marry soon. We will become the King and Queen of Gandalwell. A report of the incident will be sent to the four prominent kingdoms" Emma said as she brushed the curls out of her hair.

"Are you.. alright?" Elias gulped. He was not new to empathy, but he was rusty after so many years.

"I am fine. He was not necessarily a good man Elias. He was easily angered and just as easily influenced by the his son's wishes. Because of that, Baltazaar had been the king long before he actually died" she told him, growing more despondent.

"Where is he? Baltazaar?" Elias questioned as he stood up from the bed. He placed the grimoire and scrolls on the left bedside table as he stretched his legs.

He had a dull ache in his head which he tried to ignore. It was almost as if someone was calling his name.

"He is trying to fix this mess. The great hall was destroyed, so we will need builders to repair it. He intends to have a calling of the council tomorrow to discuss the arrival of the magical beasts and what it means for the kingdom. He, ofcourse, already knew of the existence of these creatures" Emma said as she finally turned to him on her stool.

"How do you know so much? I do not recall you two speaking much after the.. incident" Elias asked her.

"I am the princess. Ofcourse I know what will happen in times of war" she said simply.

War, Elias thought. He recalled Baltazaar's words whilst they were at the top of the keep. He had said that a war was coming, and he would need people like him to win it. Was this what he had meant? Had he known all this time that an attack was imminent?

In addition to this, Elias had yet to piece together why Odelina had shown herself tonight as well. Was it a coincidence or was she in some sort of allegiance with the monarch? Baltazaar had seemed genuinely surprised by the beast's sudden arrival so Elias's intuition did not ring at the prince's involvement.