Hiding In Plain Sight
Ian stood on his flaming throne, watching Iris and Gaelin celebrating their union. He hadn't moved from his throne since Nobos had left. Now that his minions were gone, he had no one else but himself and the screams that echoed through the realm from the torture chamber at the foot of the mountain.
He watched her smile and enjoyed herself in the company of her kind. She looked happy. Remembering when Iris had said to him that she was happy, glowing brighter than the sun itself. It looked nothing like the one she was wearing at that moment.
What are you thinking? Iris looked distant, she spoke to people, but her mind wasn't there. She had that look, feigning a complacent smile and nodded, pretending to listen, just playing her part. Another sharp pain shot through his shoulder, and his hand flew to it, trying to soothe the sore spot. What was happening to him?
Since Nobos had clearly stated his intentions, he wasn't sure if he should mention anything about it to him. It was a weakness. Suppose he felt the pain that meant a sliver of his soul still clung to him. And that made him weak and in danger. If the Hollow Lords find out he is weak, they won't hesitate to put a sword through him. The pain subsided, and he returned to watching what Iris was doing. His memories hadn't faded, not even in the slightest, and that was another clue. Still couldn't feel anything else other than the pain in his shoulder. The love that he had felt for her had dissipated just as fast as it appeared. It was gone with one puff of smoke.
He waved his hand, and the image on the obsidian wall dissipated into nothing. He had seen enough. He felt the urge to speak with Iris, but he knew he was disgusting. He was a shadow of himself. Ian pushed himself off the flaming throne and walked to his favourite spot, where he liked to sit and watch what was happening in his realm. Just the usual, tortured souls screamed after being seared in the eternal flames, lashed, and torn limb from limb. It was a gory sight but soulful. There was a constant that hadn't changed.
" You haven't moved !" Nobos voice rang behind him startlingly as he approached at an even pace.
" Do you ever knock?" Ian flatly questioned, gazing into the distance, somewhat disingenuous.
" I would, but you have no doors!" Nobos pointed out, waving his hand towards the arch" No windows either!" he chuckled, but he didn't see the humour in his words.
" What brings you here?" Ian bluntly asked, wasting no time with fitful talk.
" Well, not much!" Nobos said with a shrug, " As you requested, we have tried to make N'gatarkan talk, but he is not saying anything! But he can scream pretty loud. I'm sure you've heard him!" Nobos sat down. His feet dangled in the air as he was on the cliff's edge, eyes fixed in the distance.
" Yes! I have! Can you make him scream louder? It soothes me to hear him scream!" he took a deep breath reliving the memory, savouring it and took sat next to Nobos
Nobos shrugged " No harm in trying!" his greyish forehead wrinkled, and he turned to look at him with lifeless eyes.
" What is it?" Ian bluntly asked again, gauging his reaction.
" You've been spending a lot of time watching the woman! How come you still remember her?" Nobos looked at him with a piercing gaze, measuring his reaction in turn.
" I don't! It's just a habit!" Ian lied with a straight face even though he was capable of facial expressions. It was a dangerous move.
Nobos fell silent, but he hadn't taken his dull eyes off him. Nobos was becoming suspicious. He needed to find another way. Nobos nodded after a long silence.
" The Hollow Lords will convene again after three Gali suns have passed. You should join us and properly acquaint yourself with them! You'll be here for a long time!" Nobos broke the silence.
" As you said, I will be here for a long time! I'm in no rush! And you're always here whether I like it or not!" Ian looked ahead, avoiding looking at Nobos.
"The veil between Hollow and the rest of realms ", Ian paused for a moment " How does it look? Has it deteriorated any further?" Ian asked without taking his eyes off the horizon.
Nobos hummed " The magic in this realm is more potent than in any other realm! We have managed close most of the portals. There is still one left that we are trying to close down. It leads to Ellora. " Nobos informed to the point.
" The source of the disruption!" Ian stated, and Nobos hummed.
" I'm sure that the boy, once the source accepts him, will settle down, and all this chaos will end! A lot of magic has leaked into other realms. Forbidden magic. I'm certain that sooner or later, will birth unspeakable things!" Nobos said with a frown. He seemed concerned with what would come of it.
Ian hummed " The boy" Ian paused " Is he still inside the source?" Ian asked, still looking over his domain. It was within his abilities to see everything, yet he spent all his time watching the woman he once loved. Unable to let go.
" You can see within each realm, and you're asking me!" Nobos asked incredulously, turning to look at him, frowning again. Surprisingly calm and forthwith expressing his thoughts on the matter.
" I'm telling you ....that woman you've been staring at for so long! You must let it go! It doesn't bode well!" Nobos warned and took his leave. Leaving behind a cloud of smoke that lingered in the air for far too long.
A sharp pain reshot through his shoulder, and he had to lean against the wall. The pain was so intense that he felt his knees go weak. This isn't good! Whatever is happening to me, it won't end well. He needed to find out more, but he couldn't ask the Hollow Lords, and Seth wasn't speaking. Maybe it was because he couldn't let go of Iris. He found himself craving to be near her and touch her soft skin again. Another sharp pain shot through his shoulder, and he slumped on the obsidian floor, huffing. Gripping tight on his shoulder, he felt the spot that hurt burn so hot that even his rotting hand felt the sting of the burn.
The pain was so muscular that he felt the need to rip his shoulder off just to get rid of it, but he knew it would be no use since he had already tried that, and his arm reattached itself to him.
Maybe that was a curse that his kind had to suffer through. Not dead, but not alive either.