Reckonings and Revelations

The once foreboding Forbidden Forest now emanates an air of peace and tranquility. Shafts of golden sunlight pierce through the canopy, casting a gentle glow over the moss-covered ground. The dense foliage that once seemed menacing now appears lush and vibrant, with leaves swaying softly in a gentle breeze.

Anastasia chuckled while thinking about something. She couldn't believe how naive she was when she first entered this place.

She was very scared and curious when she was there before.  But now... everything was different.

"So... Coming to the place where you were trapped for centuries, how can you be so calm? If it was me I would have panic attacks." She glanced at Ezen's eyes which showed an unreadable emotion.

"Well... to be honest it feels weird but... it's not that bad. People have it worse. Don't you think?" Saying that, he went to open the place which was ones closed.

Anastasia was not buying that. His face was telling something else while his mouth said something else.

"I am genuinely curious. What did you do to deserve this? Why were you trapped here for so many centuries? What type of punishment were you getting?"

"It's... Very long story." All the memories of the past were coming into his head. But sadly, he can't share it with anyone. "I'll tell you everything later. Right now let's just leave. We are already late." He left the lock he was trying to open.

When he was about to leave, Anastasia held his hand, stopping him from leaving. "Not that easily. We have a matter to take care of." Saying that she glanced at the door, from which different types of cries could be heard.

"Please!! Let me out! I wanna go home."

"I want to die. Please. Let me out!"

"Hello! Anyone here!? I am inside. Someone please take me out."

The cries and screams continued as it banged the door.

For some reason, Ezen started to feel nervous when he heard their screams.

"How long are you planning on running away from your past?" Anastasia asked in a soft voice. "You are feeling guilty, that's why you are running away. Right?"

"What are you talking about? Why would I feel guilty about anything?" Ezen became hesitant.

"So... are you not guilty? Trapping people here for centuries just because they couldn't take you out of that dungeon. Does this sound fair to you?" The souls really didn't deserve that. "Accept it Ezen, you were wrong. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes and it's okay. But... you have to pay consequences for your bad actions. This is how the world works."

While hearing Anastasia speak about this, Ezen started to doubt himself. The thing he did was wrong. But as a demon, he is supposed to do things like that. Then why is he feeling guilty? Why is he feeling something that is unacceptable in his world?

"What do you want me to do?" A question came in his mind that he spoke out.

"Take those souls out of their misery. They are your responsibilities now." She didn't know why she was telling him this. Why would he listen to her? What does it have to do with her if the souls comes out or not?

She knew demons are born malicious. But Ezen was different. Unlike other demons, he didn't once try to harm her. Even now, she was of no use to him. He could kill her if he wanted but still, he didn't. In fact, he is protecting her from his own people. If he was bad then why did he do that?

Anastasia was struggling on her own but deep down in her heart, she wished Ezen would listen to her and release those poor souls. It was very hard to hear the painful screams which were coming from inside.

Ezen also wanted to take the souls out. But it was close to impossible. There was one way to free them but... for that, he needed to give up his most valuable thing. He was hesitant to sacrifice it.

"You seem hesitant to take them out. Is there any problem?" Anastasia's voice took him out of his thoughts.

"If you have to give up a valuable thing for your punishment. Will you do it? What if you were in my place? What would you do then?" He was confused about what to do. Maybe Anastasia can help him find answers.

"Hmm.." Anastasia thought about it. "Of course, giving up my valuable thing would be very hard for me. But... if I ruined someone's whole life then this punishment is very less." In her mind, justice should always be served. It doesn't matter who the person is, if they did wrong. They are supposed to pay for it. "If I was in your place, I would even give up my life to take others out of their suffering. At least my heart would be in peace by doing that."

"That's what I like about you Anastasia." Ezen chuckled. "You are everything that I can never be." He was always told that being selfish would make him reach the top. But now listening to Anastasia he realised, that everything is meaningless if you don't achieve peace in your heart. If he made mistake then it's a high time that he should accept and change it.

His hands were shaking to open the door. The thing he has to give up is his ability to turn around the curse. This was gifted to him by many trials. He was advised to use this ability carefully as it could only be used once.

He kept it safe for centuries to use it in the moment he needs it most. But he didn't expected this day to come like this.

After chanting the spell to turn around the curse he gave to those souls. The door from which the noises were coming got open.

Many little stars slowly came out from the door and started heading upwards to continue their cycle of rebirth.

It was very beautiful sight to see. Tears came from Anastasia's eyes as she saw the souls going upwards. Even she had no idea why she was crying.

"You did it!" She grinned as glanced at Ezen. "I know you might be thinking if you made the right choice or not. But I just wanted to say I am so proud of you. Accepting your mistake is very hard thing to do. I am so happy that you didn't let me down."

When he heard Anastasia say that she was proud of him. His heart skipped a bit. No one ever said him these words. By seeing her happy face, he completely forgot that he was upset seconds ago.

"You know what? I heard when a person dies, he goes to that place over there." She pointed at the place which was shining bright in the sky. "That's the realm where Dahlia was born."

"Dahlia?" His face became stunned. "How did you know where Dahlia was born?" There are many realms in this universe. No one knew exactly where she was born. Then how can Anastasia be sure about that?

"It's a slip of tongue." Even she didn't know why she brought up Dahlia's topic here. "But anyways, forget about that. Just understand my feelings. Those soul is starting a new chapter of their life. They at least deserve a small farewell from me." Saying that she created a big rainbow by the help of her powers. "Isn't it pretty?" She smiled as she glanced at the sky.

Meanwhile, Ezen was lost staring at Anastasia.

For a second, he saw a face of some other woman instead of Anastasia. He was remembering an old memory that he had long forgotten about. Who was the woman he just saw? He could not recognise the face well but she had huge glowing purple eyes with whom she stared at him. This memory really made him upset.

Anastasia also noticed it. "What happened? Are you okay?" She asked him. "I am sorry I made you late for the party. You are upset at me for that. Right? I am sorry. Let's not waste time anymore. Let's go."

"Yeah." Ezen nodded. "Equinox might have been waiting for us. Before some kind of drama happens. Let's go."

***

(Inside the diamond palace)

Equinox entered in the party while wearing a long silver gown.

Entering this place was very uncomfortable for her. But she hid her anxiety and walked with a brave face.

The gazes of the lurking demons were drawn to her as she made her entrance, their eyes filled with great disdain and hatred.

Can't believe that once she was ready to sacrifice her life for people like this. Thinking about it now, she realised how desperate she was to get others approval.

She smirked at the demons who were staring at her and waved at them. It doesn't matter if the other person is being rude, you should always keep your head high and be polite. That's how classy people act.

"Mam please!" A waitress stared at her while holding a bunch of rings in her hand. "You have to wear this."

"Yeah. Sure." She took the ring and wore it on her finger. This was very important thing to do before entering the palace. As many supernaturals enter this place. To avoid fights between them. This ring helps to keep their powers in check.

You can't use any kind of spells or powers while being in this palace. When you go out, the ring will disappear on its own and you will have control over your powers again.

In the crowd, her eyes wandered around to see if Ezen and Anastasia were there or not. But she found them nowhere.

"Where the hell are they?" While she was trying to call them. She got bumped into someone. The person was someone who she hated the most. "You douchebag! You did not find anyone else to bump with?"

"Oh my god" Julian laughed as he saw her. "Equinox! My gosh!" He covered his mouth. "You don't know how happy I am that you came. I know you still loved me." He came forward to hug her.

"Don't you dare touch me!" She pushed him away from her. "I would rather die than fall in love with a person like you!"

Julian smirked. "Come on, don't be like that. After all, I am your ex-fiance. You should at least show your respect."

"We both know under what circumstance we got engaged. She glared at him. "You forced me into that!"

"Okay darling! Chill!" Julian chuckled. "Let bygones be bygones. I know I troubled you a lot at that time. That's why I am trying to change myself.

"You will change yourself?" She snickered. "That's the biggest joke I heard today."

"I am not joking. Trust me." Julian smirked and glanced at the entrance door. "Actually... I have arranged a surprise for you. I hope you like it."

"What do you mean?" Equinox turned around to see what he was staring at. She was shocked to see who had come.

"Look who just arrived. It's Victor! Are you not excited to meet him?"Julian laughed. Everything was going exactly how he wanted it to be.

Equinox's eyes widen in disbelief. Victor? I thought he would not come. Then why is he here?" She glanced beside him and noticed Cassandra was with him too. She didn't know why but her heart felt heavy.

"Now don't be jealous." Julian chuckled. "He came all the way to just see you and you are not even going to meet him? Why? Are you scared that he will find out what you did that time?"

Equinox glared at him. "What do you mean? I did nothing wrong then why should I be scared?"

"If you did nothing wrong then why do you hide yourself in front of him? He doesn't know even know that you are back. Why is that?" He spoke in a taunting manner.

"It's none of your business!" Equinox was already annoyed and this was dude was wasting her time. She turned around to leave but Julian grabbed her wrist harshly, making her unable to move.

"Leave me!"

"Not that easily darling." Julian smirked as he clenched her wrist tighter, enjoying seeing her pain.

Equinox had enough of him. Swiftly, Equinox's hand flew through the air, connecting with Julian's cheek in a resounding slap.

The sound echoed, momentarily drowning out the shocked gasps of onlookers. The slap noise was so loud that it reached till downstairs.

Anastasia looked at the staircase dumbfounded. They just arrived and this is the first thing they heard. "What the hell is happening upstairs?"

"Looks like Equinox is back to her old ways." Ezen chuckled. He somewhat had a hint about what might have happened. "You stay here, I'll go upstairs and check what's wrong."

"Yeah. I'll wait for you here. Call me if you need help"

Before he could go inside, a waitress came towards them while holding bunch of rings.

Anastasia obediently agreed to wear the ring. But Ezen was doubtful. If he wore the ring then it won't come out easily. By that, he also won't be able to use his powers.

If Julian decides to attack he needs to be alert. That's why he acted like he wore the ring and sneakily kept it in his pocket.

It's not safe to enter the lion Den unattended. He has to be extra safe.