Willow paced back and forth in the white stone hallway, fury simmering beneath his skin. His boots echoed down the corridor, red cloak trailing. His heart felt like it might ignite.
The heavy doors creaked open.
A healer emerged, head bowed. "You're here for Aucteros' condition?"
Willow rushed to him. "Is he conscious?"
"No. Still recovering. He needs rest."
Dammit I need answers.
"Tell me the moment he wakes, that's an order."
"Yes, Prince Willow Soluna." The healer bowed.
Willow stormed away, fists clenched. Flame threatened to bloom from his palms.
What the hell just happened?
Willow's thoughts spiraled.
It's been three months since Sylvia's death. Since then, Rhenvar has changed. He started using Souleater, the cursed blade he once feared Sylvia might even touch. Became distant. Hollow.
A group of priest chattered nearby.
"Did you hear? Supposedly Rhenvar turned traitor."
Willow glared at them.
A traitor? No… something doesn't add up. He was a hero.
"What the fuck am I missing?" Willow punched the wall.
"Well I've hardly seen you this angry." A voice mocked him.
Willow looked up.
The same golden hair as Willow's. Judging gold eyes. An elf built like a boar.
Rowan.
"…Brother." Willow's voice hardened. "What do you want, asshole?"
"Still using that human's language to insult me?" Rowan stepped forward his gold cloak waved with him. "Father sent me to retrieve you."
"No! I still haven't killed the Demon Queen! She assassinated Sylvia!"
"There's no proof," Rowan grabbed Willow by his face. "You're the splitting image of our sister, yet you can't see that human lied during his testimony."
Rowan shoved Willow's face to the wall. "You defied father's orders and risk bringing elvenkind into war."
"Rhenvar said- "
"The same human who found Sylvia's body," Rowan's lips curled. "You know I had my own suspicion he was the real murderer-"
"Shut up!" Willow's flames burst from his skin.
Rowan backed off.
"Rhenvar would never harm any of us."
"On that I would sadly agree." Rowan tilted his head. Smile too wide. "Until our spies returned with reports from the war."
Willow tensed.
"How many innocent people did your precious Rhenvar kill, while he followed the other human's orders?"
Willow choked.
"Aucteros was the hero's name? Rhenvar followed him like a dog on a leash." Rowan leaned in. "That must have hurt your pathetic little feelings."
"You don't know Rhen like I do."
"Little brother, your vengeance is making you blind," Rowan smirked. "Sometimes I wonder, is it those cursed red eyes, or the feminine appearance that makes you act this way?"
"One more word and I'll roast your flesh." Willow's hands trembled.
"At least you share Sylvia's boldness." Rowan's gold eyes glowed. "When was the last time I put your face in the dirt?"
"When Rhen beat your ass." Willow snapped back.
Rowan flinched.
"What? Still sour the mighty gold cloak, pride of the elves got his ass beat by a human?"
"About that. That man isn't human," Rowan's composure changed. "Tell me little brother, what are you hiding in those feelings of yours?"
Willow stepped back.
"I wondered for a long time… you've made a name for yourself in the last five hundred years, since you and Sylvia's brought that thing home."
"…"
"Captain of the royal guards, changing the public's opinion from the red eyed omen, to the master of fire and war hero." Rowan glared at him. "It's almost like, you stacked grand achievements for the eyes of one person."
Willow started to shake.
"Then our sister asked for the first binding ever, with a human. It's honestly pathetic-"
"Brother," Willow lit on fire. "Say-"
"Well, we can't have a battle here. The humans will probably declare war if we level half the city fighting. I did as father asked. And I can't stand seeing your pathetic face any more."
Rowan casually walked away.
"When you've finished with this ridiculous vengeance quest, return to Golden Sun. That's an order from father." Rowan said mockingly as he waved him off, walking out of sight.
Willow stormed in the opposite direction.
Aucteros said this paved the way to the Demon Queen, what if he was the one who lied? What if Aucteros was manipulating both of us? Thats the only explanation.
His heart clenched as he walked.
It has to be. The Rhenvar I know would never slaughter innocents. The Rhenvar I know would only beat Rashka when he got annoying. Not kill him.
Willow knew something was wrong. He saw the signs. But he ignored them because he could not lose him, too.
If I had died instead of Sylvia… maybe this wouldn't have happened. She would have done the right thing.
Guilt twisted his chest.
Sylvia warned Rhen about something Aucteros said… Then Rhenvar tried to kill him and I… stopped him.
Willow looked at his hands.
Aucteros… I vouched for him. Trusted him.
His hands curled into fists.
"Come on Willow, think!" Willow slammed his hands to his head. "First Sylvia. Then Rhenvar's devotion to Aucteros. Then the church-"
"Zerva!" Flames ignited around his body.
Nearby priests flinched from the flames.
Willow ran.
****
Holy City's Prayer Room.
Willow kicked the door open. "ZERVA! I NEED ANSWERS, NOW!"
Zerva knelt alone at the Goddess of Light's statue, face filled with tears. She turned slowly, blood shot eyes, shaking.
"Answers?" She whispered. "We were fooled. All of us."
Willow marched forward. "What are you talking about?"
"The Demon Queen… she isn't demonkin. She's a-" Her voice broke. "I- A- Aucteros knew. He always knew."
Willow's chest tightened.
"I don't care." His voice dropped. "Was Rhenvar somehow under Aucteros' control?"
Zerva hesitated, then nodded. "Yes."
"How! How did he make Rhenvar follow him without question!"
"He used a divine artifact." Zerva's voice was barely a whisper.
I knew it. Everything I suspect makes sense now.
"Then why didn't you say anything?" Willow clenched his fists. "No, fuck that. What did you do to him in the church?"
Zerva flinched.
"You're asking about that? Aucteros said- "
"WHAT DID YOU DO?" Willow's voice rose. Flames igniting around him.
Zerva's voice trembled. "We tortured him."
"You what?!"
"Aucteros said it was the only way! He said it would stop him- "
"Stop him?! What did Aucteros promise you? Power?" Willow stepped closer the heat of his flames shimmered. "That was it wasn't it? Rhen's shadow magic?"
"No it wasn't for his power." Zerva looked away. "I didn't want to torture him- "
"Yet you still did it, you're no better than the Demon Queen!" Willow stepped closer, eyes burning.
"The book said he was a devil- "
"The book?! A book! That's your excuse?!" Willow let out a laugh. "He was your friend! He trained you! He loved you like family, and you tortured him!"
"Yes! I know!" Zerva screamed back. "But Willow, you vouched for Aucteros! You stopped Rhen that day! Sylvia knew something was off and you shut her down! YOU LET HIM IN!"
She's right.
"I- I-" Willow staggered.
Rhen, why did you listen to me. Why did I stop you? This is my fault.
"I carry that sin," Zerva wiped her eyes. "but don't pretend you're innocent. You weren't there. You didn't see what Rhenvar really is. If Aucteros was telling the truth about one thing, it was about Rhen- "
"Shut up," Willow growled. "Do you want to die?"
"He's a monster, Willow. He always was."
"Shut up." Willow shouted.
"Rashka didn't just die. Rhen ate his soul- "
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Flames exploded across Willow's hands.
Zerva stumbled back. "I saw him, what's deep inside his soul, the monster he is," Tears filled her eyes. "You didn't see his true form, the black fire, the thousand faces, the chaos. He's not human- "
Willow summoned a fireball and threw it at the Goddess of light's statue. The heat from the blast radiated the room.
The head of the statue rolled to Willow's feet.
"How could you desecrate the- " Zerva was cut off.
"He saved your life," Willow stomped on the head. "He trained you!"
Willow stomped the pieces.
"Willow, you don't think I forgot that! Please listen to me," Zerva pleaded. "I know how you feel about Rhen but Willow please listen-"
"Fuck you Zerva," Willow looked up, eyes glowing with fire.
"Willow-"
"All I needed was to confirm my suspicions. Aucteros is going to die. I'll burn this fucking city to the ground if it means he is under its ashes."
"You can't! The city is holy- "
Willow turned away.
"Really Zerva, after what you did to Rhen. Do you really think I give a shit?!"
He didn't wait for an answer.
He left her there as she cried.
****
Later, Alone.
Sylvia. Rhen. You're all I ever cared for.
I'm such a fool for trusting Aucteros.
A priest ran up to Willow.
"Prince Willow, I found you," She said. "Aucteros regained consciousness."
Willow only smiled.
Aucteros, I'm going to burn you alive.
And I'll enjoy every second of it.