Heritage

Aura and I entered the dining hall together and sat at Gardenia’s table. I refused to look over when Paradox called for me to sit with him. Gardenia frowned at me.

“You should sit with the Prince,” she said.

“Yes I should but I don’t want to,” I smiled forcefully.

“Your Highness, as flattering as it is to have you sit with us,” Gardenia’s dark yellow eyes darted around the table where other elves wearing golden attire and serving their food onto their gold plated dishes “It would be more appropriate to sit with the royal family and their guests.”

“Well, I would prefer to sit down here,” I shrugged it off and picked up a bunch of grapes that looked like the ones I had for my breakfast “Here, Aura, try these.”

“Ah, thanks, Your Highness,” Aura muttered as he took them from me timidly.

“Aura,” I sighed.

“Your Highness, you may have lived with humans most of your life and have found Aura before you found out that you were a princess. But please, as you are a princess and as you’re engaged to the Prince…”

“I’m not marrying Paradox,” I said dismissively and the hall went silent.

“But…” Gardenia looked lost and she glanced up at Paradox apologetically.

“Please, Gardenia,” I smiled softly to the knight “I would like to spend time with Aura and either I eat here or Aura comes with me to Paradox’s table to eat there.”

“Your Highness, our rank is much lower than yours and we must respect you properly…” I raised my eyebrow at her clipped tone. But before I could open my mouth to retort back, a hand landed on my shoulder gently.

“Zelda, a word,” Paradox said from behind me.

I gritted my teeth together softly before rising from my seat and following him out of the dining hall. I jogged lightly after him and kept my eyes trained on his heels. I could lift my eyes and see the ends of his long dark hair just barely reaching his hips. My hair was just as long but I couldn’t help but wonder. Wasn’t it inconvenient for him? When engaged in battle, does he just let it hang loose or quickly ties it up so it won’t get in his eyes? Or is there some sort of elven trick to keep it in place? I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice Paradox stopping and my head smacked into his back. I jumped back, startled, and looked up at the prince as he turned and looked down at me. His face looked solemn until he smiled.

“Zelda, is this about my earlier outburst?” he asked and I stepped away from his outstretched hand towards me “I’m sorry if I made you upset. You had quite the temper tantrums when you were just half a decade old. Always storming off and hiding in your mother’s favourite hedges…”

“I don’t want to marry you,” I said in the bluntest way possible. Paradox’s smile faltered and he frowned.

“Is this because you don’t remember me?” he asked slowly “I know, it’s been thirteen years and I’m quite sure…”

“It’s because I don’t want to get married in two years,” I decided to try to be more sensitive “That’s too soon. The past eight years when I was trapped in Zack’s care even have been a blur for me.” OK, I admit it, that was a pretty horrible lie. Paradox frowned deeper.

“Well, why not?” he asked “Is it because you’re uncomfortable with sleeping with me?” Oh God, I was so not thinking about that until you mentioned it! I couldn’t repress the shudder and stepping back a couple of paces, nearly tripping over on my kimono. Paradox gave an encouraging smile and stepped forward. “It’s alright,” he said “I wouldn’t force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

“That’s not my main issue,” I said firmly “At least it wasn’t.”

“Then what is it?” Paradox pressed on. Oh gee, how do you break news to a person who seems to have strong feelings for you that you don’t want to marry them? I swallowed as I folded my kimono more across my chest. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to help relax myself.

“I don’t want to marry because it will hold me down and stop me from travelling around Ethylias.”

“After dealing with Brodka and resolving the Prebeta conflict with Envy’s Embodiment, we can go travelling,” Paradox promised me and I pulled away from his hands that reached out toward me.

“I don’t want to marry you,” I repeated, running out of things to say “Because…because…” My mouth opened and closed as my brain refused to function. I lowered my gaze as Paradox’s aura felt a bit darker.

“You hate me,” he accused.

“Scared of you,” I corrected “Scared…of you…” I saw his shadow over me when I fixed my gaze to the wooden floorboards.

“Scared?” he echoed. I nodded slowly and winced when his blue fingers came under my chin and stroked my skin softly.

“When…you killed those men…” I murmured softly “It was…it was terrifying with that cold look you possessed. I can’t possibly marry someone who is so cold-blooded…”

“Cold-blooded?” I cringed at his choked hurt tone. Paradox tilted my chin up and I was forced to meet his gaze. “How could you call me cold-blooded when you know what Brodka has done?”

“You refused mercy to those who begged for it,” I argued.

“They’re humans, they deserved it!”

“Then you’re no different to Zack!” I snapped and slapped his hand away “Yes, they may be humans, yes I understand how you feel against them after what Zack has done but no matter what you think, they are part of life too. Those men you killed, they have loved ones back in Aurallion. And with the way you killed them, the humans will only build up their prejudice against us.”

“Humans are a waste of space,” Paradox snarled and turned away, storming to the other side of the room “How can you take their side? They are mortal, they are easily corrupted and they are nothing but filth.”

“Humans have potential to be great and it’s amazing with what they can achieve in such a short lifespan!” I argued.

“They want to wipe the supernatural races out because they feel intimidated by us!” Paradox raised his voice.

“That’s only Zack and his conspirators!” I barked “And Zack’s only taking action because of Canna-!” My hand flew up to my mouth and I bit down on my thumb hard to avoid saying Cannabec’s name out loud. I glared at the floor as Paradox turned and advanced towards me.

“He killed your family.”

“I know,” I said around my thumb before pulling it out “But hating humans won’t bring them back.” I looked up at his cold blue eyes as he stared me down. He sighed softly.

“Zelda…I can change if you really wish it,” he said “Forgive me for scaring you and going against what you believe, had I known you’d be frightened…”

“Please, stop it,” I interrupted him “My mind’s made up, I won’t marry you.”

“I can change!” Paradox insisted “And we can travel to anywhere you wish on Ethylias after we marry.” There was just no clarifying with this elf, is there?

“I don’t want to marry you,” I pushed on and turned away as Paradox got onto his knees and clutched my shoulders.

“Zelda, I can be the husband you want, I promise you!” he implored me and grabbed my chin to direct my face to his.

“Paradox, I don’t want to marry you,” I repeated “I mean, come on! It’s been what, thirteen years since we last saw each other? What if I’m not the wife you want?”

“We have two years to get to know one another better,” Paradox tightened his grip on my shoulder “And to help recover your amnesia. Please, Zelda, don’t do this to us…”

“Us?” I repeated as I raised an eyebrow.

“Our marriage will bring hope to the elves, we can restore the elven kingdoms and fix all the damage the humans have done together. Zelda, if you won’t marry me for love, then do it for the public.”

“That is ridiculous!” I protested as I slapped his hand away from my face “I am not marrying you because that’s what the general public want!” Paradox opened his mouth to argue before his eyes scanned mine. His grip loosened.

“It’s about Aura, isn’t it?” his voice dropped and I could hear a dangerous rumble in his throat “You don’t want to marry me because you’d rather marry him.” Well that hit the nail on the head pretty solidly. I took in a deep breath and nodded. Paradox stood and hung his head. “I can’t believe this,” he muttered as he walked off “Someone from a knight’s family, ridiculous…”

“Status isn’t an issue of mine,” I folded my arms with narrowed eyes glaring at his retreating back “Where are you going?”

“I’ll challenge Aura to a duel.” Oh God, why are the males always the stupid ones?! I hastily stepped forward and teleported in front of Paradox, shoving a hand on his chest to halt him. I glared up at him as the petals fell around us.

“And what makes you think I’m going to change my mind over such a dispute?” I asked with a soft snarl “Aura can barely stomach the sight of a vampire feeding of a rabbit, let alone being able to get caught up in a bloody duel!”

“Then what do you suggest for me to do?” Paradox snarled back.

“Accept the fact that I’m not going to marry you in a million years!” I raised my voice “You’re a nice elf, Paradox, but I can’t see myself being your wife!”

“But I am far better than him!” Paradox hissed “I can protect you better than he can protect a mouse!”

“I don’t even care about protection, I can take care of myself!” I shouted at him.

“You won’t need to take care of yourself with me!”

“I! I! Ugh!” I threw my hands up. “That’s it! I give up! Boys! I’ll never understand them!”

“Where are you going?” Paradox demanded as I stormed off.

“Out of the palace grounds where I can think!” I shouted over my shoulder.

“Zelda, no!” I heard Paradox shout as I imagined the orphanage and in the blink of an eye, I was standing amongst the charred ruins. I looked down and flinched, stepping away when I saw that a burnt arm had been lying across my foot. I looked around the smoking remains and grimaced at the pitiful sight.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered to the dead. There were bodies everywhere. Charred, black, nothing but ashes. I felt sick. I retreated into the woods and to the open plains outside, seeing the grooves embedded into the grass where Cannabec’s feet have been after he had transformed to chase after me yesterday. Not far away were the trees that had been sliced in half by his sickle. I made my way to the bank of the lake, taking off my kimono before stepping into the water. I splashed some water on my face, bringing me to focus on my thoughts.

What was wrong with Paradox? What good could ever come from fighting? I don’t understand it, I like Aura, I like him a lot. It doesn’t give the green flag to Paradox to go up to him and challenge him to a duel though. Or was that some sort of traditional thing amongst elves? If so then that’s ridiculous. I can have a say in who I would to be with for the rest of my life, right? My decision can’t be made just because of some petty duel. Ugh! I dove into deeper waters before surfacing, running my hands through my hair. I need a swim.

There was a small island in the centre of the lake so I swam towards that. It felt good to release some tension from swimming. It felt especially nice to swim in the nice cool lake under the summer sun too. I reached the bank of the island and looked back across the lake with a wistful smile. We normally came here for swimming lessons at the orphanage. The younger ones would play around in the shallows, the slightly older ones would play in the deeper waters, the eldest would swim to the island and back and then the ones who were particularly athletic would lap around the lake. I lay myself out on the grass underneath the massive tree and took a deep breath of fresh air, listening to the birds and phoenixes sing their songs.

I must have drifted off because when I opened my eyes the next time, the sun was setting. I sat up and looked around, smiling as the fireflies and evening faeries began to come out to enjoy the night. I stood up and focused on the spot where my kimono was. The petals fell in a neat circle around me as I bent down to retrieve the kimono and lay it across my arm. I gazed back at the setting sun and grimaced. I didn’t want to go back to the palace, I didn’t want to face Paradox. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth when I remembered another issue. This whole being Prebeta’s Chosen Hero. As if I didn’t have enough on my plate!

“Prebeta,” I called out. Nothing. I stood there, feeling a bit awkward. “Prebeta?” I wanted to have answers. I thought she would be able to come and answer them but if she isn’t answering my call… “Prebeta!” Not even one sign or a hint that she was listening or coming! I took a deep breath and pulled out my fans from the sleeve of the kimono. I opened them and briefly mediated in front of the setting sun to clear my mind. When I felt the last of the sun’s rays leave, I took another deep breath and exhaled slowly, my heart picking up its pace. “Cannabec.”

“You called?” I did not jump. I opened my eyes and saw Cannabec lazily sprawled out in front of me, a wicked smile adorning his face. “What can I do for you?” he purred.

“I want to know more about this conflict between God and Satan,” I replied.

“You’re going to have to ask the right questions,” Cannabec shrugged. I breathed in softly and sighed.

“How long has it been going on for?” I asked and Cannabec sucked in a sharp breath.

“Let’s see…” he hummed “I believe the whole argument began five centuries ago, perhaps? I don’t know, I’ve never kept much track on events. But I do remember that it was four centuries ago when my brother, Soraco the Embodiment of Gluttony, chose the first of Satan’s Soldiers. So for the Ethylians, it’s been four centuries for them.”

“And this is very important to Ethylias?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Well your little prince probably went a bit overboard with the explaining,” Cannabec shrugged nonchalantly “It’s only to determine the ratio of light and darkness on Ethylias. God thinks light is the best element he’s ever created and didn’t bother to create something to counter balance it. Satan, at this time he was one of God’s closest servants, created darkness to balance the light. As a result, he was sent down to Hell where he now rules over.”

“So all of this has to do with Satan creating darkness?” I said “That sounds a bit petty.”

“Zelda, what do you find is wrong with darkness?” Cannabec asked. I opened then closed my mouth. He grinned. “Exactly, there is nothing wrong, it’s perfectly fine!”

“But it can be used for horrible things,” I argued.

“Please, that’s the people who are using the darkness, not the darkness itself,” Cannabec scoffed “And if it weren’t for darkness, there’d be no vampires and you would have never met Dune who helped you out when you were in a bind.” OK, he got me there. I sighed and shook my head.

“What happens when you choose your Soldier or when Prebeta chooses her Hero?” I asked.

“Things are a bit different between the way we choose our Ethylians,” Cannabec said as he sat up “We, Satan’s Sons, tend to choose the ones who have potential and ask them to become our Soldier.”

“But you…”

“You asked a question and I’m answering it, so zip it, missy!” I closed my mouth and glared at him. “We make our mark on them and give them a little boost in power to help them fight against the Ethylias Hero they’ve been paired up with. Normally it would be someone close or against them in every way possible.”

“So if you chose me…” I trailed off.

“Then Prebeta might choose someone like, I don’t know…Aura?” I tensed and moved back slightly. Cannabec grinned. “Just pulling your leg, dear,” he said and tossed his hair out of his face “Anyway, God’s Guardians, they go about it a bit differently. They observe us with our choosing and select candidates to become one of Ethylias’s Heroes. When one of those candidates kills our Soldier, they get split into seven different souls and are scattered around the seventh that they’ve been assigned to protect, lying in wait for the grand finale.”

“When they kill the Soldier?” I repeated “So your Soldier…is guaranteed to die?”

“Well, yes,” Cannabec shrugged “But they get reincarnated over and over with their power intact, ready to be called upon when Ethylias’s Sentence Day arrives.”

“And when is that?”

“Eh, eighteen years after the seventh Soldier and Hero have been decided,” Cannabec shrugged “There are five altogether so far. Opitham, the Embodiment of Pride, and I still need to get a move on with our choosing.”

“You still haven’t chosen yet?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Well you haven’t said yes yet,” Cannabec pouted.

“I’m not ever going to say yes,” I narrowed my eyes at him sternly. Cannabec sighed heavily.

“Such a pity,” he mumbled.

“And when chosen as your Soldier, it’s a one way ticket to Hell, isn’t it?” I murmured.

“Look, Hell is a place to punish souls who have sinned heavily,” Cannabec raised his hands “But that’s only a part of Hell. The other part is for Satan’s worshippers. That’s where Satan’s Soldiers will go, if they succeed.”

“And if they don’t?” I raised my eyebrows in alarm.

“We’ll see what Dearest Daddy does with them,” Cannabec grinned and I shivered.

“That doesn’t sound very appealing,” I commented.

“Hey, it helps get them be more aware of the situation that’s at stake,” Cannabec sniffed. I sneered before shivering and rubbing my arms when a cold breeze passed by. I jumped when I smelt burning and felt a warm fur cloak land on my shoulders. I began breathing deeply when Cannabec’s clawed fingers buttoned it up around my body.

“What…why?” I whispered as he patted down the green flames.

“You’re welcome,” Cannabec muttered sarcastically “I thought it’d be a nice look to you and you looked cold.”

“…Fur.”

“It died of old age.”

“…You’re a demon.”

“Yes, indeed I am,” Cannabec smirked.

“…This is a technique to try to tempt me to become your Soldier.”

“Damn it, found out,” Cannabec huffed and folded his arms “It’s not fair, Soraco found his straight of the bat, Alcorence managed to scare his to the point where he agreed, Hendroid befriended his, Morphen chose a Satan worshipper and Ecodemo found someone in a vulnerable position.” I narrowed my eyes and took the cloak off.

“I’m leaving,” I stated as I took my fans and kimono, handing the cloak back. I focused on the palace grounds and the last thing I saw was Cannabec’s smirk before arriving at the palace grounds. There was a clatter of metal and I turned to see Aura had been training with a sword again.

“Zelda!” he exclaimed and ran over “Where have you been?! There have been search parties going out looking for you and everyone’s been in a panic since you disappeared from Paradox and…” I threw myself at him and hugged him tightly. I buried my nose into his hair and breathed in the vanilla scent he possessed.

“Mmm, you’ve bathed recently?” I murmured softly with a blush.

“Uh…uh…yeah…”

“With vanilla and…Fruma berries. My favourite combination.”

“R-Really?” Aura stuttered.

“Mm-hmm…” I closed my eyes and relaxed into his hold. I didn’t let go, I didn’t want to let go. I just wanted to stay here and be with Aura. Just forget about everything apart from Aura.