The Dread of Damned

A few days passed in a blur, filled with indulgent moments with my mother and sweet, intimate time with my sister, giving her my essence. But now, I could feel it—something stirring deep within me. My blood ran hot, as though an awakening had begun, marking the time for my departure.

I stood in the grand room, surrounded by my family.

"You must take care," my mother said in her soft, caring tone.

"I will, don't worry," I replied, gently patting her head to ease her concern.

"I hope you'll return soon," Elara whispered, her voice dim with emotion.

I cupped her cheeks, her skin warm beneath my hands. "I will come back as fast as I can. How could I live without my cute sister?" I teased, watching as a blush crept up her face.

"I hope you'll return stronger than ever," my father said, his voice steady and filled with expectation.

"I do too," I replied, feeling the weight of his words settle on me.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I must hurry. The carriage is ready, and I can now feel it, the time is nigh" I said, aware of the restless heat rising in my veins.

My mother and sister enveloped me in a hug, their bodies pressing against me—soft on one side, firm on the other. The warmth made me want to stay just a little longer, but I knew I had to leave now.

"Let him be on his way, women," my father said with a teasing tone. "There are things that need doing."

I smiled, gently pulling myself away and heading to the waiting carriage. Their goodbyes and well-wishes followed me as I stepped into the luxurious white carriage, drawn by six powerful white horses. Another carriage trailed behind, carrying my belongings.

As the carriage began its journey, I stared out at the passing trees, knowing this was the moment that would define everything. I wasn't just leaving for the academy—I was leaving with a purpose. What I had now was nothing but an empty title. To truly claim my position, I had to prove myself, demonstrate my might, and crush those who would dare oppose me. Even in this absolute hierarchical society, there were whispers of rebellion, fools who dreamt of democracy. I would have to show them my power, back up my arrogance with something undeniable.

Father had warned me of ten or twelve elders who were beginning to create trouble, their voices growing louder in the meetings. He had highlighted three names in particular, whose support could quiet those voices down, almost as if they were the leader of the small group. they were the ones who arrived late to the last gathering. Their close allies, currently at the academy, would be my first targets. I would win them over by any means necessary. Only then could I solidify my standing.

But before all that, I had to awaken. Winning them over meant nothing if I couldn't back it up with raw power.

My body was growing hotter by the minute, the silver blood in my veins boiling. I forced myself to focus, trying to calm the storm inside me. After hours of struggle, I finally succeeded, my mind clearing as I glanced outside to enjoy the scenery. Tall trees lined the road, their leaves a vibrant green, while animals darted through the woods. The sound of birds chirping and water crashing against rocks filled the air, bringing me a rare sense of peace. In that moment, I felt one with the forest, like this wild, untamed place was where I truly belonged—where I could unleash my full potential.

"Stop," I commanded suddenly. The carriage came to a halt.

The door opened, revealing a middle aged man.

"What is it, my prince?" he asked, bowing.

"How long has it been?" I asked.

"Eight hours now," he answered, and I realized how long I had been struggling to contain my blood.

"Where is that sound of water coming from?" I asked, listening to the steady rush.

"It's a waterfall, deep in the woods to the west of here," he replied after a moment.

"I want to refresh myself," I said.

"Then we shall adjust our course," he offered.

"No, I'll go alone. Navigating through the forest with this carriage will only delay us," I replied.

"But, Your Highness, I cannot leave you unguarded. The patriarch will have my head if anything happens to you," he said urgently.

"There's no need to worry. I'll be fine," I assured him.

"Then how about this? I'll stay behind with the carriage, and you can go with my wife, who drives the other one," he suggested.

"That will do," I said, ending the discussion.

I stepped out of the carriage, and a woman emerged from the second one. She was average in appearance, her features plain compared to the beauties I had grown accustomed to in the castle. What once might have seemed alluring now felt mundane.

"Keep up," I said, my voice cold as I let the power in my blood flow to my legs. In an instant, I took off, my figure a blur as I raced through the forest. After sitting still for so long, I craved movement, the stretch of my muscles as I wove between the trees with effortless precision.

The forest blurred around me, the leaves and branches snapping in my wake. My white hair streamed behind me, a streak of silver cutting through the dense foliage. My feet barely touched the ground, my rhythm too fast for the eye to follow. I glanced back briefly, seeing the woman struggling to keep up, her breath labored. But I was free, truly alive in this place where I felt that I belonged.

I finally came to a stop before a towering waterfall. The water fell in pure, transparent sheets, crashing against rocks that looked polished by thousands of years of wear. The scene was untouched, ancient in its beauty.

Behind me, the woman stumbled to a halt, a few steps away. She tried to appear composed, but her ragged breathing betrayed her. I turned back to the waterfall, letting the sound and sight of it fill me, the calm before the storm of what lay ahead.