Darkness

"Wait". Amari screamed as he pushed through the crowd.

"Why?". The priest frowned.

"The lake it's not safe, the darkness dwells in it". He said.

A gasp tore through the crowd, as panicked murmurs filled the air.

"Dear Nyx we are doomed". Someone said.

"Is the lake infected?". Another questioned.

"I thought they said we were safe from the darkness?". Yet another asked.

"Child do you know what you speak of". An old woman frowned.

"I do, I saw it beneath the lake, it's there, it looked alive". Amari shuddered.

"Enough, be quiet all of you". The priest thundered. "There is no darkness, there never will be, Ikran is safe and protected, how could you all question what has kept us safe, it protected our ancestors, now it protects us and it will protect our generation yet unborn". His voice was firm and filled with assurance.

"No this ceremony can't go on, the lake is not safe_". " Let's go". Donavon interrupted him, finally having managed to squeeze in through the crowd.

"Forgive us, priest, my betrothed was just confused". Donavon apologized.

"Your betrothed? I am only letting this slide because of you Donavon, take him and leave". He said.

"I am sure of what I saw". Amari continued, he remembered the darkness that was intent on gobbling him alive in his dream, if that water was fed to the baby, he wondered what would happen to him.

"Then tell me where it is. Why can't I see said darkness?" The priest frowned.

Amari turned, and the waters were back again to their crystal state, but still, he was sure of what he saw, he ignored Donavon's warning glare. "It's gone, but I assure you it was there". He chewed his bottom lip.

The priest laughed in anger, he noticed the crowd had become thicker, talks of darkness being passed around, this was getting out of hand. "Your claims are outrageous". He spat.

"Leon. Vance". He called, and two shadow walkers stepped out at his call. "Take him to the council hall".

"Priest". Donavon frowned as he blocked Amari with his form. "Your betrothed is spreading undue public unrest, he must be punished for his actions".

The two shadow walkers moved towards Amari, but a sword made of shadows pointed menacingly at their throat stopped them.

"Don't you both dare". Donavon growled, feeling as Amari gripped the sleeve of his shirt.

"We do not wish to fight you, brother". One of them said. "If you don't have such a wish then stay away from my betrothed, unless you have a death wish". Donavon said.

"Donavon, do you want to start a fight, your actions could lead to banishment". The priest said.

The air thickened with a tense silence, and after some time, the sword finally degenerated. "Fine, but no one touch him, I will take him myself". He conceded.

"As you say". The man nodded.

Amari stared at Donavon worriedly. "It's fine, I will be there". Donavon said as he led him away, the two shadow walkers following from behind.

✨✨✨✨✨

Amari had never thought he would be back in the council building so soon, this time they were led to the underground floor, one he never knew the council hall had, but guess you learn something new every day.

The floor was cold, a few lamps were placed on the wall to provide light, still, he could barely see his fingers, the walk was silent and tense, finally, the men stopped in front of a cell, and one of them exchanged words with the guards.

The guard gave Amari a look, that he didn't know what it meant and pulled out a bunch of keys from his pocket, the cell gate opened with a rusting sound, the rusty creak of the iron sounding like a dying man's groan.

"You can't possibly put him in there, it's too cold". Donavon said in disbelief. "Sorry, but we were ordered he would stay here until his trial". One of the men who led them here shrugged, but Amari was sure he didn't sound sorry.

"Fine, but I am staying with him". Donavon said.

"That's not allowed, it's against the rule for you the loiter around the cells". The one who spoke was the guard, his voice stiff and harsh.

"I meant I would stay inside the cell with him. Is that not allowed too?". The guard was conflicted but finally, he replied. "Alright then, go in with him".

Click!.

The cell was locked behind them, he could hear the shadow walker's retreating footsteps as he settled in a corner, shivering from the cold.

"You didn't have to come in here with me". He murmured looking at his palm, why Donavon would choose to be with him in this dark and cold cell was beyond him.

"You are my betrothed, I won't leave you alone". Donavon frowned, unpleased with the fact that Amari thought he would leave him alone

"Do you believe me?". Amari asked after a moment of quiet silence.

Donavon sighed, his gaze settling on Amari. "I don't know what to believe Amari, I didn't see it and the lake has been safe for centuries".

"So you also think I am lying". Amari said he felt hurt for reasons even he didn't know.

"I... just whatever the council questions you about tomorrow, you must not argue with them, tell them you were confused and weren't certain of what you saw".

"But I saw it, I can't just lie".

"You have no proof of what you saw, no one else saw it, don't be stubborn if you still insist you saw the darkness, then you are going to be here for a long time, whatever you saw forget it".

Amari remained silent, huddling into a ball to keep himself warm.

"Come here". Donavon said. Amari hesitated. "Come let me keep you warm". Amari moved closer, gasping when Donavon suddenly pulled him into a hug but stayed silent when he did nothing more, Donavon's warmth soothing and soon he was lulled to sleep.

✨✨✨✨

"Time to leave, it's time for your trial".

Amari was startled out of his sleep, eyes squinting as he removed himself from Donavon's warm chest.

"Stop being so slow, the council is waiting". The same gruff voice of the guard that woke him up said.

"Let's go". Donavon helped him up as they both walked out of the cell, the guard locking the cell behind them as he led them out of the dark passageway.

Amari was used to the stares, his looks attracted attention that he never really wanted to him, but now there was something different about these stares, they were filled with dark emotions as though intent on dissecting his being, whispered words being passed around by the passing crowd, Donavon sensed his discomfort and took his hand in his, the warmth in his palm startled him, but he relaxed softly.

They stopped in front of a black wooden door. "You can't go in, only the guardian is allowed to enter". The guard at the door bared Donavon's entrance, Donavon stopped and let go of his hand after on firm squeeze, his worried look following him through the door.

The door was shut behind him, the room was painted brown and except for a large desk placed on the podium and ten seats placed behind it, it was bare of anything else, his eyes moved to the people who sat behind the desk, they were no strangers, it was the same group of men and women who had been present during his matchmaking, but now there was someone else in their midst.

Her long blonde hair was held into a bun, a few strands framing, her heart-shaped face, her charm necklace, made from purple dream stone gleamed beautifully on her golden brown skin, its color matching her purple dress, she wore a black glove on both her hands, her blue eyes watched him with a piercing gaze, it was Regina, the noble guardian, Amari had only seen her a few times from afar, but no one would forget a woman so beautiful and regal.

"Amari, son of Gareth and Selene, betrothed of Donavon, the priest who brought before us your allegations of the darkness being present in the lake, is what you saw true". A man asked, running a hand through his long grey beard, sharp eyes staring at him.

Amari felt the pressure, so many important people focused on him, he remembered Donavon, his heartbeat calming down for some reason.

"Forgive me for my actions elders, I was confused and spoke foolish words in a moment of inappropriateness". He bowed.

"Foolish and confused? That is your explanation, you caused unrest among the public with your claims, have you ever seen the darkness, if we throw you out of Ikran, you will get to see how it devours". A woman in a brown dress that seemed on the verge of ripping on her large shape said harshly, her dark curls moving with every shake of her body.

"Calm your anger, Clarissa, the guardian has admitted his wrongs, there is no need for such a harsh punishment, he understands the severity of his crime". The calm voice of the noble guardian intervened.

"So he just walks away with no punishment after what he has done". Clarissa rolled her eyes, for some reason Amari felt she didn't like the noble guardian.

"So what do you want us to do, throw him out of Ikran as you suggested? Don't be ridiculous, it's not as if he killed anyone". A man interrupted.

"There is no darkness in Ikran, if there was I would have sensed it, the guardian was just mistaken". The noble guardian said.

"You are free Amari, but be assured that if there is ever a repeat of such action from you, it will be met with banishment". The old man with the long grey beard said.

"Thank you for your forgiveness". Amari said.

"Amari follow me, I want to have a word with you in private". Regina said as she stood up.

✨✨✨✨✨

The room was painted in a rich cream color, the wind moving the purple curtains placed on the window, a flower vase was placed near the window, a brown chair was placed behind, a desk on which some papers were piled, a plush red rug was placed on the floor and a books shelf was placed on the right side of the room, a white couch placed at the right, its softness could be felt even by the eyes, Amari had never seen a room so luxurious.

"Have a seat". Regina said as she grabbed a watering can placed on the floor and walked towards the flower vase.

The couch was just as soft as he and imagined, it felt as though he was sitting on top of a soft cloud. "What type of flower is that?" Amari asked as he watched her water the flower, it was red, but it was shriveled, another petal falling off even as she watered it, he had never seen a flower except for the dearnas.

"It's called fire bloom, and was given to me by a trade carven that visited Ikran, I have tried all sorts of methods, but not even one has managed to survive, I have got only a few seeds left". She dropped the watering can as she gazed out the window.

"Then why do you keep planting it if it never survives?". Amari asked, now relaxed in her presence, there was something about her that was simply calming.

"Maybe it's because Ikran is too boring, same weather, same flower, nothing ever changes, it's always the same, I wish to see something new, I want to see something change". She smiled wistfully. "What of you, don't you sometimes feel that Ikran is too boring?". She asked as she turned to face Amari.

"Care for some tea?" She didn't need his answer for she was already placing a small kettle of water on top of a fire core as she took out two cups from the drawer.

"I am fine". Amari rushed out, panicked by such a powerful figure making tea for him. "It's all right, you will enjoy it, it's fruit tea after all, and I think I am correct when I say you have a sweet tooth". She winked as she busied herself making tea.

A few minutes later she was seated beside him, as she handed him one teacup whilst she drank from the other, Amari stared at the cup it was delicate and decorated with flower patterns, unlike any cup he had ever seen.

"It's porcelain, beautiful right". Regina laughed. "Yes, it's beautiful". Amari nodded and took a sip, it was sweet like he had imagined, the fruity taste a delight for his tongue.

"We are kept from many things here, there is a whole world outside Ikran, don't you want to go?" She asked softly.

"It's dangerous out there, we are protected here". Amari said.

"Protected? They lock us away here, we are only useful to them because bonding with us makes them more powerful, we are goods to them handed out to whoever they deem good enough to be our owners". She said bitterly, her lips curling into a smirk that scared Amari, something about her aura changing.

"Have you heard about our history?" She asked, the change of conversation startling Amari. "Only a little, like the fact that we used to have wings and we possessed magic". Amari said.

"True. It was a time too long ago before the darkness fell, we used to have magic but one day the magic started to weaken and soon it disappeared, when the darkness came, it devoured every creature except the guardians, and we died out from our lack of magic instead, other creatures used to hunt us and use the purity of our soul to fight the darkness, we were weak, a liability until the shadow walkers found us, they protected us and we strengthened them".

Amari watched her not sure where this conversation was going.

"Did you see the darkness in the lake?" Amari nearly choked on his tea as he tried to stutter out an answer. "Don't lie to me".

"I saw it". He said after some hesitation, she watched him with an odd look. "I know I feel it too, the stench of death fills that air, change is coming and no one can stop it, this time the darkness will consume all".

"What do you mean?". Amari asked. "Nothing. I must be scaring you with my words, you should go, your betrothed waits for you outside". She laughed.

Amari stood up, her words unsettled him and he was finally glad to leave. "Thanks for the tea". She nodded and watched him leave.

She removed her glove and stared at their hands, underneath her skin were blobs of darkness, that moved, writhing like living creatures.

It was time to make a choice, if the fire blooms couldn't grow in Ikran, then she would just have to plant them somewhere else, Ikran had always been too boring.

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