Nocturne

How far would you go to say goodbye? Genre: Fantasy

Photo by Vivek Doshi on Unsplash

Rain showered a lonesome man sitting on the bench at one end of the ancient bridge within Threshold, a place between Chance and Fate.

With ruffled hair and the look of someone whose been through hell and back, Hiro gazed out into the thick fog that bordered Threshold and Chance. He pressed his palm against his hollowed chest and felt a grim muck cover his core, no longer sitting where it should be.

"Not that it matters now...I have to say goodbye...I must", he convinced himself in an effort to rationalize his earlier impulse at handing out what is pretty much the condensed sum of his soul. "It feels strange to be without it" , he thought.

He looked down at his weathered boots and thought of the long journey he took to get back to this area of Threshold. It was a horrible memory he would rather forget.

"Please, come", he hoped; his cold grey eyes lost to contemplation.

Behind Hiro, a few garland of leaves hanging from the ancient weeping willow, whose branches sweep all the way towards half of the bridge, playfully played with his solemn face. Trickles of rain continued to drench his walnut colored hair and slid down his worn-out leather coat.

He clenched his hand together, bit his cold lips, and drummed his boot to the ground. The wait is tortuous. Symbolic venous markings on his hands continually glowed a bluish-white.

A few passing souls, whose form resemble that of their previous life at Chance, glanced his way.

"He is marked", one soul whispered to another.

"That's crazy", the other nearly exclaimed, then continued in a more muted tone, "He gave up Rebirth here in Fate?"

"Ssshh..", the other hushed, "He might hear you", gave a quick glance at Hiro who never moved and spoke conspiratorially, "Anyway, I agree. It's insane to even think about it."

"Could it be he was damned to the Pits?"

"That’s even more crazy. No one ever escapes the Pits. Back at Chance, my Nanna always told us stories about the Pits. It's a squalid, heavily guarded underground dungeon within a mountain where no light passes. Those condemned to it are forced to work in repentance for their actions at Chance."

"How did your Nanna know about that?"

"It's been a legend passed around our generations for centuries… from since the time when one of the... Marked... broke through Chance"

"That's horrible. Hope I'm not damned"

"You haven't done anything stupid at Chance, have you? "

"Of course not. Did you think I'd be the type to go about doing something stupid as be condemned?"

"No, I didn't think you were", then looking to Hiro once more, "though he'd seem to be the type that might", he concluded, noting the look in Hiro's cold eyes that either had seen too many deaths, dealt many or both.

He spoke in hushed tones once more. "I think he's bad news, that one"

The other nodded subtly in agreement.

Hiro briefly stared their way, his face bore the look of someone annoyed and the two quickened their paces.

When they were out of earshot, the one who told of the legend once again spoke.

"I hope my rebirth is a good one."

"Same here"

They both took one last look at Hiro's marking from the distance, shook their head in pity and crossed the bridge without looking back.

A couple stopped to glance at Hiro as they made for the bridge. Behind them, walked an imposing figure in a dark cloak with an insignia on her left shoulder bearing the emblem of a scythe, forged in the metallic scales of Fire Serpents that lurk underneath the many volcanoes of the Wasteland; a hostile land at the fringes of Fate.

The man saw the Reaper and with panic, tugged at the arm of his lover.

"Let's go, a Reaper's coming", he spoke hurriedly.

"But what if we get separated?"

"There isn't much that can be done. This is Fate."

The woman pouted, she looked again to Hiro whose eyes burrowed into the ground. She shook her head vigorously, trying to shake off the creepy feeling she got from witnessing a marked one, then turned to her lover and asked.

"Have you received your judgment yet?"

"Afraid not. You?"

The woman shook her head with hesitation.

"You two", spoke the Reaper, her eyes shimmered between red and purple. Her long white hair flowing gently with the light breeze.

The two nearly jumped in fright.

"Ye.. Ye.. Yes?" the man quickly pulled his lover next to him. His hand tightly held her shoulder.

The Reaper looked at both of them with the intensity of one who is assessing threat. Her eyes settled to purple and she spoke.

"You both need to move along. You don't have much time. 3 twilights at most and you have lingered here for 2 and a half. Any longer and I shall drag you to Fate's council myself, but not before you serve time at the Burrows"

"Eeek!" both squeaked. "We'll be on our way." the man bowed. The woman mimicked her partner's response and they quickly turned around and crossed the bridge with the swiftness of one pursued.

"You?" the Reaper turned her attention towards Hiro.

Hiro looked up, his eyes defiant.

The Reaper's eyes glowed once more, shimmering between the same colors of red and purple.

"Nearing a fortnight..."

Hiro raised one hand showing the glowing markings, "I made a transaction with Roeg. I believe he is the commander around this sector".

"I see", the Reaper's eyes settled back into purple. She smiled under her cloak. "I hope it was worth it", she mocked. "I'll see you again soon", she continued and as she passed him, he heard her utter the words "Fool".

Hiro pursed his lips. There aren't many who walk around this section of the Threshold from what he's heard. Certainly not when there are Reapers patrolling the area. It is, after all, where the barrier between Chance and Fate is at its weakest. But those that do come this way, often gave similar remarks whenever they caught sight of him.

"Damn Reapers" he spat.

"It doesn't matter. Nothing does. I just have to meet her again", he convinced himself once more. The pitied looks had struck pins on the phantom cushion missing from his chest.

So what if he traded his core for more time? What does it matter to them? Permanent damnation, huh? Damn them all.

The garland of leaves brushed against his face, one string curled and made its way towards his lips. Hiro swiped it in anger.

"Stop it!"

A dryad, who was sitting at the trunk of the ancient tree, giggled. Her long refined ethereal face and iridescent skin, irradiated a warm aura of delight. She whispered something to the air and the sound was carried off through the string of leaves that playfully touched Hiro's ear.

"She isn't coming you know"

"That's none of your business. Leave me alone!", swiping the string of leaves once more.

"You are marked. You don't have much time left. I believe the auction starts when the moon renews"

The words caught Hiro's attention and he looked to the sky. The rain had began to whine down and it was starting to get dark. A tiny sliver of light tracing one side of the moon was slowly swallowed in faded darkness.

"The hell? That's tonight!", he complained, his hands trembling before he clinched it into a fist and regained his composure.

The dryad's ruby eyes sparkled like gleaming starlight as she watched his reaction with interest from the top of the ancient tree. "So you weren't informed?" she thought, amused.

"Why do you wait for her?"

"Again, that's none of your business", Hiro spoke irritably, swiping the garland once more in anger.

The dryad giggled, jumped off the big trunk, her body light as a feather. She landed without a sound, hovering just a finger above the ground as if pillows of air held her and she sauntered towards Hiro. She leaned against his back, her jade colored locks slid gracefully on his drenched coat, they glistened like opaqued emerald threads as raindrops rolled over them. Her warm glowing cheeks touched his cold ones. Hiro chose to ignore her though with slight discomfort.

"I can help you" she offered, her eyes staring blankly at the distant fog towards nothing in particular.

Hiro looked away and chuckled. "Help? What can you possibly do to help? Better yet, let me ask that again. What is in it for you?".

There was no point to fighting a dryad. They are fickle and their energy near infinite. This one might not even be fully one.

The dryad walked around the bench and sat next to him. Hiro tried to move away but she held his hand and pleaded for him to stay. He sighed and sat uncomfortably close to her; fixed his gaze into the foggy borders, with forced effort.

She smiled coquettishly, "It's simple really. You're one who escaped the Pits, weren't you? Offer your soul core to me. I can be a generous master, you know"

"What?" he turned to look at her and she looked back at him with gleaming eyes and a mischievous smile.

"Wouldn't it be better to get a choice than be forced into service through the auction?"

Hiro thought about it, muttered, "I didn't think one had the option of choice". He looked to his hands which still glowed. He had surrendered to his fate. Whoever it was he ended up with didn't matter, what mattered was her.

"I don't care who I end up serving, so why should I pick you among the others?"

"I don't see why you wouldn't? Would you rather take your chances at those who would bid for your core at the auction? I might even consider leaving your memories intact... well, mostly; I can't say the same will happen with the others", she leaned her face sideways, her gaze studying him.

I don't trust her, then again what choice do I have? He looked to the sky once more then directed his hopeful gaze towards the far distant walled fog. Just in case, she doesn't make it in time...

Hiro closed his eyes, took a deep breathe and after a sigh, looked the dryad squarely in the eyes with confidence "Only if you do me two favors"

"Oh?” She looked amused. “You really are outlandish as they say", and she gave a short laugh. "The cards aren't exactly in your favor…", paused to look at his reaction and saw firmed reticence on his face.

"Then I'll take my chances elsewhere"

"You play hard. Very well, tell me and I will decide if it's worth the effort"

The dryad look to Hiro as he uttered his requests and her smile widened. When he was done, she saw his unease mixed in with a faint flash of hope momentarily reflected on his cold grey eyes.

"Very well, I shall indulge you this once but on one condition before we seal the pact", her aura glowed a reddish pink, a hint of playfulness.

"What is it?", Hiro asked with growing unease. Doubts started to seep in.

The dryad whispered something to his ear which made him stand up in astonishment. "What?!"

"A small price to pay wouldn't you think? After all, all the rest of your memory will be kept intact."

"Small price? I am already bartering eternal service. What is so damn small about that?"

"You chose to give yourself up for eternal service! You were also willing to risk forgetting it all."

"That's damn better than...", he pursed his lips. Anger, regrets, and desperation all swelled up in him. His knuckles tightened briefly before they relaxed. His shoulders sagged in defeat. Looking once more towards the foggy distance, Hiro longed to see her at this moment. To see Elena, once more. But if she could not come in time, this was the only thing left to him. He gazed at the dryad who stood up, her head leaned sideways, anticipating an answer .

"I'll... accept..."

She clapped her hands once in exaltation.

"That's good. Let's seal this soul pact."

She flicked her finger and out from nowhere a scroll came into existence. She invocated the terms of their deal into the contract while Hiro listened without much enthusiasm and then touched it with her finger. Her name was automatically written on it in a language unfamiliar to Hiro as signatory.

"Now all that's left is for you to touch it and we have a deal", she beamed eagerly, her aura glowed a faint red.

Hiro took one look at the contract, read it twice and hovered his finger on it, hesitatingly. “Screw it!” he cursed as he touched the parchment. A strong surge of pain stabbed at every fiber of Hiro's soul. The markings on his hands grew like vines crawling through him till it enclosed his soul in invisible chains.

"It feels heavy"

Hiro fell to his knees and curled down in agony. It was over like a flash of lightning but to Hiro, it felt like a long time. And he felt heavy, like he was weighted down with an anchor to the solid ground. This is how it feels to be marked?

A new moon sat high on the sky as a white haired Reaper approached them a few moments later.

"You!", the Reaper spoke brashly, "Come with me!"

"I'm afraid you're out of luck, Leira.", spoke the dryad, who stepped from behind Hiro, with confidence.

"Lady Aster! I had no idea you would be here. Forgive my intrusion, but I have business with this soul", Leira spoke bowing.

"Of course, you wouldn't. I don't permit anyone to know unless I intend to do so. But I suppose, it is only proper that I inform you that your duty regarding this soul is no longer applicable."

"Pardon?", Leira baffled.

Lady Aster? Hiro was caught off guard at the revelation. "A member of the Shadow Council of Fate?", he murmured.

The words caught the attention of Leira who immediately sidestepped Lady Aster, quickly manifested her scythe and pointed the sharp end of it towards Hiro's neck as soon as it was completed.

"How did you know about that? Speak or I'll execute you right now.", her eyes glowed red with murderous intent.

Hiro looked to the Reaper with amusement written on his face, smiled and spoke. "Like I would tell you... Reaper. "

"Silence!" commanded Lady Aster. Hiro felt his throat clamped down by force.

"There is no need for that Leira"

Lady Aster showed Leira the contract which is now chained with a soul core bounded up at its center. Leira looked at the pact with astonishment and stared at Hiro, who looked away. Her scythe disintegrated back into the void.

"I.. I am sorry Lady Aster..."

"It's no hassle. Leave it to me" Lady Aster smiled.

"I shall find out how my servant got that information", Lady Aster spoke in a tone unlike the one she had before; serious and rigid. A cold chill ran through Hiro.

"As you wish Lady Aster. I will leave it in your care", Leira bowed, then without looking at Hiro, walked away disappearing into the distance.

When the cloaked Reaper had gone, Lady Aster turned to look at Hiro. Gone are the soft gentle expressions she had earlier. She looked at him, her ruby eyes appeared darker, more richer than earlier, her face placid and serious.

"Well then. Shall I force it or will you voluntarily provide me the information I need?", she inquired in a business like manner.

Hiro, deciding it was better than that forced feeling earlier, spoke without hesitation.

"Secrets no matter how guarded always finds a way out. I overheard it from another damned soul at the Pits. I believe his name was Zanze. Besides your name and that of Jan, I know nothing else.... Zanze left the Pits before I did", his eyes looked pained at the memory.

"I have heard of another who managed to escape the Pits, but unlike you, he never went back to the Threshold or towards Fate. No one has any idea where he went. Any idea what happened to him?"

"He may have gone for the Wasteland. That's all I know", Hiro clenched his fist tighter.

Lady Aster smiled. She touched his cheeks. "Very well. Let's leave it at that for now. We have a few things to prepare before we leave."

* * *

A few minutes later, a light brunette woman walked within the fog a little confused.

"Hello? Anyone there? Hiro, are you there?", Elena spoke desperately.

A crow appeared in front of her through the thick fog, its red eyes gleamed. On its beak was a scroll which it dropped in front of her before flying away.

"Wait!"

She looked around her, the fog was slowly dissipating but still thick enough that she couldn't make out anything farther than her arm’s reach. She reach down for the scroll, took it and unrolled it. Tears began to gather around her eyes as she saw Hiro's handwriting. She'd recognize it anywhere. The tears started to fall as she read the passage written on it.

Elena,

I am sorry...for all that I have done.

I want you to be happy so please live on without me.

I had and will always love you.

Goodbye, my love.

Hiro

Elena's eyes swolled up with tears as she held the scroll close to her chest. Briefly she stayed that way before she stood up with resolution and ran forwards shouting.

"You idiot! Goodbye?"

Elena ran with fervor. She could make out a hazy silhouette behind the fog as it painfully cleared with the slowness of a sloth.

"Hiro? Is that you? Hiro?"

Hiro was about to turn for the bridge when he heard the faint echo.

Panting with her hands on her knees, Elena yelled his name one more time. The fog cleared and Hiro saw the face of the woman he loved all his life.

"Hiro!", Elena called as she came running towards him.

Though he had been expecting her, he still couldn't believe being able to finally embrace the image that appeared before him. To see her before... Suddenly, the weight that burdened him through his overlong stay at Threshold lifted as she hugged him tightly. Her tears soaked into his arms.

She mumbled something that was muffled by her sobbing.

She pulled herself away and scolded him. "You idiot!", she gave a light jab on his chest. "Goodbye? What do you mean goodbye? I will see you again in Fate sometime. Just you wait. There is...there is..." she wanted to jab him once more before he grabbed her arm lightly and kissed her a bittersweet kiss that seemed to be locked in time.

He smiled, wiped the tears from her eyes and said. "I will always love you", then gave her a parting kiss before letting go of her once more.

"Will I see you again?" she asked.

Hiro smiled, hiding the pain that is growing within him. "We will see". He brushed off her soft brown hair to the side, looked at her, soaking in her image into brief memory and spoke gently. "I have got to go. I don't have much time"

Elena smiled "You idiot! I love you... ", tears gently rolled down her once more.

"Live well Elena", He smiled, turned around to hide the frown growing on his face and started walking towards the bridge.

Elena watched him go, his image became hazy as the fog thickened around her once more. Eventually it swallowed his silhoutte until there was complete darkness.

At Chance, Elena suddenly woke up from her dream. Dried tears made marks on her face. She wondered why that was as she stretched and smiled. Looking to a photograph beside her, she spoke, feeling light and cheerful. "I had a beautiful dream of you. It's been a year since you've gone. But don't you think it's time for a change? A fresh start. Look after me wherever you are, okay?"

* * *

Back at Threshold, Lady Aster broke the mellow that weighed in on Hiro's thoughts as he walked the bridge.

"Are you sure you wanted to leave it like that?"

"She is better off now and can pursue a happier life than what I had given her"

"You are really are outrageous. To take on her burden of grief like that. While it does add weight to your soul, wouldn't it have been far easier to have her forget you altogether?"

Then as if an idea had occurred to her, Lady Aster asked abruptly, "Could it be that you don't want her to forget you entirely?"

Hiro stopped. "Am I forced to answer that?"

"Not really"

They continued to walk quietly until they reached the foot of the bridge on the other end. In front of them stood a misty barrier. The image behind it constantly waved and bobbed like the images one sees through colliding ripples of a wave.

"Once you step foot within this barrier, my terms will trigger. Are you ready for that?"

"It isn't like I have anywhere else to go nor could I."

Hiro took one long breathe. All of a sudden, it felt like this will be a pain harder than the suffering he had at the Pits. He exhaled deeply. His emotions exhausted after the whole ordeal.

"So be it..." and he took one step into the mist and felt something swiped off his soul.

The bustle and hustle of Fate's market street echoed within the dead end alleyway they found themselves in.

Hiro looked around him. Lady Aster, anticipating his question answered, "It switches every now and again. The passages never lead to the same spot everytime but on random rotations. But we must be off, how are you feeling?"

Hiro trembled. Her image... her voice...they're gone...

He bit his lips, he knew the deal but the pain of being confronted by reality had hit him hard. It was a cruel term. Live with the memory of the emotions he had for Elena but never see her or hear her again for eternity. Hiro look to his mistress whose eyes gleamed with devious mischief.

"All Fate's masters are cruel. You must remember that", the old man had once told him, an old forgotten memory recalled by the present horror of the life he had chosen.

"It's cruel..."

"You didn't think I'd go lightly on you did you? I am still one of the Masters of Fate, after all", she proudly claimed. "Now we must be off, there are some places I must go"

Hiro's gaze look downcast. He felt worn down and all the fight within him weakened. "Yes, mistress"

Lady Aster stopped. "This won't do", she murmured.

"I won't have you calling me mistress, makes me feel odd. Call me by my name from now on. Lady Elena Louise Emrett of house Nox Aster. Just Lady Elena, got that?"

An annoyed grin drew on Hiro's face as he nodded. "Yes, Lady E…Elena"

"Fun coincidence isn't it? It's almost as if it was to be", she giggled once again, then with childish playfulness walked backwards, her gaze fixed at him.

"Your just my type too", she blushed, "Anyway, from now on, you will shed your past and go by the name of...hmm...Ah! Nocturne, isn't that what you were previously called back at Chance?"

"How... How long have you been watching me?...", Hiro spoke taken aback, then added, "Lady El.. Lady Elena"

Lady Aster turned around and continued walking. "A master need not answer to her servant"

A few merchants passed, bowed their heads at seeing Lady Aster and continued walking.

"That's the funny thing. Once people are rebirthed at Fate, memories of their past at Chance die off. Those you saw earlier back at Threshold will forget their friendships and their lovers. Whether they will meet again, well that's up to destiny, isn't it? Only a few have the privilege of memory", she spoke contemplatively as they walked.

‘A privilege, huh?’ Hiro thought as he looked down at his markings which have stopped glowing, inked black on his hands, ‘more like a curse. An eternally damned curse’

---

Author’s note:

What started out as just a little romance fantasy snippet is begging me for a bigger story. I am tempted to, when I have the time. Don’t know if you are interested in reading more lore and mystery from the world of Fate though, are you?