《In Pieces (BL)》Chapter 14: The Reed of Regret.
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“I deserve to die,” said the Prince, burying his face in his hands. He looked nothing like the ice cold, insufferably arrogant young man from before this trip, more like a child who had gone through more than he could handle.
Aidan saw yet once again that pain had power to change people. At least temporarily.
“You need to rest,” Aidan shook his head. He had no desire to play an armchair psychologist right now. If the guy just slept a bit more and maybe ate something, he'd probably get over whatever crisis this was. Physically he already looked much better – his face was a healthier color and he wasn't shivering anymore.
“Just lie down and I'll bring you some food later. Everything will be fine,” said Aidan, as he left the room and quietly closed the door behind him. He wasn't sure, if everything was going to be fine but that's what people said in such situations, right?
He slowly went downstairs, where he was confronted by the corpses yet again. Aidan sighed – something had to be done about those. But not before he got some liquid courage. He reasoned that nobody should do this kind of thing sober. After rummaging around for a bit he managed to find several bottles of “rum”. There were probably more lying around somewhere else but Aidan wasn't that greedy.
After taking a big gulp he slipped the bottle into his boot and finally got to work. Aidan tried not to look at the puffy blue faces, as he took the bodies off the rail and carefully, one by one, placed them on the ground. At that moment he suddenly realized just how many graves he'd have to dig to bury every single person in this village.
“Even for my life that's a low point,” he thought to himself. “Last thing I ever thought I'd be doing was digging mass graves.”
Aidan took another big sip and decided that he at least needed to eat, before starting this hopelessly depressing endeavor, so he picked up the bread and the cheese he had foraged earlier at the nearby tavern. After making a couple of unsightly sandwiches he took them upstairs to share with His Highness.
However, as soon as Aidan entered the room, the dish fell out of his hands. The scene he witnessed made a heart-palpitating chill spread through all his limbs.
The Prince was tying up a noose, his face determined and somehow, in contrast to what he was doing, very serene.
Where did he even get the rope?
“What the hell are you doing...Your Highness?” Aidan asked, almost forgetting his manners from all the shock.
“Taking care of a problem,” the Prince said. “It will be better for everybody, if I die.”
“Why would you think that?” Aidan asked, carefully making his way towards the Prince. It felt a bit like talking somebody out of jumping from a high building. Another thing that Aidan never thought he'd be doing. He always imagined that he'd be on the other side of this dialogue.
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“You'd hate me, if I told you,” the Prince said, looking down.
“Try me,” Aidan needed a couple more steps to reach the guy.
“I let my sister down... Not just once. Many many times,” the Prince said with tears in his voice. “My little sister needed help... and all I did was look away.”
“Even if it's the case, your sister probably wouldn't want you to die,” Aidan made another step.
The Prince shook his head.
“She would prefer me dead. Hell, she would most likely want to join me. Before... you know, before all of this, she was such a happy little girl. So friendly, she always wanted to play with me. She would follow me around everywhere... And then I saw the spark in her eyes slowly disappear, till there was nothing left,” the Prince laughed bitterly. “I knew what was going on. But I desperately didn't want to know. I thought, it wasn't my fight. And maybe... just a little... I blamed her for my mother's death. So I left her alone... to deal with that man.”
“What man?” Aidan asked. One more step and he would be able to grab the noose.
“My uncle,” the Prince sighed. “Do you hate me now?”
“You really should ask your sister that question, so how about you hand me that rope?” Aidan extended his hand towards the Prince. The guy immediately backed away.
“No. You tell me. Do you hate me?”
In all honestly, Aidan did hate the Prince as a concept – a monarch whose power resides solely on blood right was not something that Aidan, as a man from the 21st century, could accept. On the other hand, he couldn't bring himself to hate the Prince as a human. In this regard he could only sympathize with him- he obviously had to grow up very quickly and navigate his way through uneasy circumstances. Not to mention this crazy evil uncle of his. Aidan also didn't want to pass any judgment on him about the matter with his sister. He felt, it wasn't his place to comment on that.
“I don't hate you,” Aidan said finally. “Give me the rope.”
It seemed that the Prince was hesitating, so Aidan used this moment to grab the noose and push the Prince on the floor.
“Please, just let me do it,” the guy cried.
“Not a chance,” said Aidan, tossing the rope out the window. He then proceeded to take out the bottle of “rum” he had previously hidden in his boot. “Here, take a couple of sips. It'll make you feel better.”
The Prince tried to push the bottle away but Aidan was very persistent and didn't give up until the guy had finally gulped down a big portion of the magic liquid.
“Well done, sunshine,” Aidan smiled, as the Prince eventually stopped resisting and became very quiet. They shared the sandwiches which Aidan had dropped earlier and sat there on the floor for a while in complete silence.
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“Why does it stink here so much?” the Prince asked suddenly.
“Oh, about that...,” Aidan decided there was no better time than now to drop the news. He quickly recounted what he had witnessed in the village and took the Prince downstairs to see the corpses for himself.
“I've been thinking, it would make sense to take them all down and give them a proper burial,” said Aidan, hoping that the Prince would be up for some manual labor therapy. In that case he wouldn't have to do all the digging alone.
The Prince paled and suddenly bolted outside.
“Wait! Where are you going, Your Highness?” Aidan followed him, confused.
Just how fragile was this guy's psyche?
Aidan found the Prince standing on the side of the road, holding a couple of long reeds.
“What is that for?” Aidan asked. The Prince was really starting to get on his nerves with all his antics.
“I can't believe, I almost fell for it,” the Prince said incredulously.
“Fell for what?” Aidan inquired impatiently.
“For this!” the guy shook the reeds in his face.
Aidan realized that the Prince had completely lost his mind. And now he had a crazy Emperor-to-be on his hands. What a great trip this was! If Aidan could, he would have rated it zero stars.
“Just put it down, and let's go inside,” Aidan said, slightly furrowing his brow.
“You don't understand,” the Prince sighed. “This is the Reed of Regret.”
“I don't care, even if it's the Mushroom of Misery! Drop it,” at this moment Aidan was very close to losing it.
“Listen to me,” the Prince said calmly. “This is the magic plant from the savage lands. It was planted here deliberately. With murderous intent.”
“What?” Aidan narrowed his eyes.
“This plant produces spores that, once they are breathed in, amplify guilt feelings by tenfold. This usually results in people taking their own lives.”
Oh, so this was the reason for the tragedy. Some kind of reed.
“Why would somebody plant it here?” Aidan asked.
The Prince shrugged:
“The only ones who could do something like that are the savages themselves. This is one of their weapons. You can't argue that it's not effective.”
And this was the moment when Aidan finally understood why everyone in the Empire called these guys savages. This somehow seemed on par with dropping an atomic bomb on civilian cities for no other reason than just to show off your weapons.
“I've read that the savages use it on their criminals. This makes them confess to every single crime they have ever committed. And at the same time it saves everybody the effort of execution – the criminals just off themselves. Clean and quick. All you need – is a reed,” the Prince said thoughtfully. “I have never expected that they would use it against us. But that was very naive of me. Why wouldn't they?”
“So this was why you wanted to kill yourself earlier?” Aidan asked.
The Prince nodded.
“Exactly. And I would have succeeded, if you hadn't intervened,” he gave Aidan a long look. “How come it didn't affect you?”
As if Aidan knew the answer to that question! He thoughtfully touched the scars on his wrists that had reappeared earlier. Was he immune to the reed because he had already tried to get rid of himself before and failed? Or had the dull desire to die and overwhelming guilt become such an ingrained part of his personality that he didn't feel any different under the influence of the spores?”
“I don't know,” Aidan answered honestly.
“Well, we need to burn this place down to the ground or the spores will eventually reach other places in the Empire,” said the Prince. He took the horse and headed towards the gates.
Aidan had no other choice but to follow him.
Once they were outside, the Prince put his palm up, and a small blue light appeared on top of it. He then turned his palm and forcefully pushed it towards the gates. At that moment the little flame flew inside the village, setting everything in its path ablaze.
“It's nice to have my spiritual powers back,” the Prince smiled, revealing the dimple on his left cheek.
Aidan was impressed by the show and then he thought of something:
“If you could do things like that before the savages kidnapped you, then how did they even manage to trap you in the first place?” he asked.
The Prince was looking at the rising flames, his expression suddenly somber.
“They made me see my father – I was fooled by an illusion. But this will not happen anymore, I've learned my lesson,” he said with a sigh.
"Did your father die?"
"He might as well have."
"I'm sorry," Aidan said awkwardly.
"Don't be," the Prince said, his eyes turning cold. He looked at Aidan and suddenly smirked:
“Adnan, how come you keep saving my life over and over again?”
“If I let you die, the Regent would kill me, Your Highness,” Aidan responded.
“Who are you kidding?” The Prince laughed. “You obviously don't care about my uncle and his threats.”
Aidan didn't know what to say to that.
“And why after all of this you still insist on calling me “Your Highness”?” the Prince asked, his voice sad and quiet.
“We can leave now, Kai,” was all Aidan said in response, as he turned his back to what once was a very lively village.
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The Broken Mafia Trampled into Her World
Elsie Miller, just an ordinary girl with a simple life. Her life turned chaotic when she accidentally bumped into a little girl that attached to her immediately after the incident. Little that she know, the little girl brought her closer into the mafia world.Dexter Anderson, the mafia king that lost his family and it turned him into a cold-hearted, ruthless and heartless, and broken mafia. The only family left was his niece, Andrea Smith. He devoted all his love to his niece and willing to do anything to create a smile on her face and she was the cause he trampled into Elsie's world."You can't reject me. Once I decided what I want, no one can say no to me, and you are included. I will make sure you come to me and say yes to my face. Mark my words.""Haha. Very funny mister whatever you are. Let's see how you are going to make me say yes!""Well, challenge accepted." He cut off the line afterward without giving me any chance to argue back. Arrogant and rude. Now, it convinced me more that this was the right decision ever for rejected his offer.
8 124World Quest
Year 3065, after billions of years , the planet earth of milky way galaxy finally dried out of its life . Several human made their new way to another planetary system for another life. Despite of the great voyage, not all of the earths people are granted of a pass. Only scientists, patriots, nobles, government officials, high ranking officials of both military, doctors and educators were prioritized and granted of a pass. Some of the people from lower society have to find their way to obtain pass from the world organization.Riots and Fights arises due to the crisis. In the end, quarter of the lower society were able to get a pass and those quarter were composed of selected couples from different races.Sad reality of life came up.Wailing and grieving resounded when the great voyage started, for not all of the earths people were given a new chance to live their new life.One of those unfortunate is jacob spinger. A teen ager who comes from the lower society. His family were only one of the numbers of casualties that the world government recorded when the global catastrophy happen. Jacob lived all by himself, supporting his daily needs working as call center agent on one of the online shopping companies of the world, Zalada. Despite of his earnings,he didnt have the chance to get a ticket to the new planet.Brought down by his miserable fate, Jacob speak out to his hearts content.jacob: I guess this is it, even the gods of heavens have forsaken me.Claimed by jacob as he made his way out from the crowd. He slowly raises his head as he watched the dark grey clouds from the sky, giving out a weary smile as tears flows on both sides of his eyes.Jacob looks very miserable, as he walks away from the sideline crying in silence. He gripped his hands tightly until his fingers dugged deeply on his palms leaking out traces of blood.An unbearable pain of dying man with out any other choices hits jacobs awareness.Not far from him were hundreds and hundreds of earth people who were crying out for help just like him.Thunder came up and lightning strike the ground near them.Even the Heavens above them cannot help it but be angry with those uncanny officials of the world, saving themselves from the great tragedy. Yet whose to blame for it, that's the reality of life.Jacob walked and walk until he reached the nearby fissure. A gigantic crack because of the dying planet. Underneath were composition of melting lava and boiling magma ready to devour the land of earth. Jacob unable to see his future on the current world, jumped out ,letting himself be free from his miserable fate. As he falls down to the great fire of the earths core, he closed his eyes and wished for a new beginning.Jacob: If heavens would grant me a second life, ill promise to make it even better, ill promise that i will live it to the fullest that everyone will acknowledge the importance of worlds nature. However, i guess its not possible, if not, i wished i live in a new world. Jacob tears floated mid air as his body falls directly down to the fire blazing inferno of the earths core.sfx: Crisp!!!Like a burned paper, jacobs body fell down.Jacob could feel the heat flowing from his body, from his skin, to his flesh, to his bones and finally down to his soul. It was a surge of unbearable pain and heat, that as much as jacob wants to shout he wasnt able to , that even if he wants to move away he wasnt able to. It was a never ending torture for jacob, a literal hell of torture.Darkness covered him up. Jacob Springer died.It is said that once a person is dead, time flows in an imaginary long period. A soul is said to be affected by it, so as once consciousness, and ofcourse memory.Jacobs memory of his past rush out to his consciousness, like he is watching a preview of his past life. He wants to correct it but he can't. He can't even talk nor move. A paralized audience watching a cinematic movie, that's what Jacob is like. For a long period of time Jacob watch the movie of his life. Until darkness once again covered him up. The second death.This time, like a paralityc person, Jacob was covered in darkness. He wants to shout but he can't. He wants to move but he cannot. Time passed, and he finally lost his consciousness in the dark.The last death.It is said that in the world of darkness there is light. In death, there is life.After a very long time of being dead in the dark, a surge of distressing call of nature, rose up on the sleeping Jacob.He wants to pee, and because of it he was able to open his eyes. Light welcomed him up, a vast universe filled with light appears right in his naked eyes.Then a strong force tapped his back and his consciousness was sent flying to the vast universe.This time, a new world appear right before his naked eyes. A world different from the dead earth that Jacob knows.Then once again Jacob felt something that had bumped into him and he felt dizzy and went asleep.Time passed by and finally Jacob Springer woke up. Unable to understand what happened Jacob springer asked.Jacob: Where am i? What happened to me? Arent I dead already.Asked by jacob. Never did he know that his wish before his death was granted by the heavens. He wants to live in a new world, and as of right now, jacob springer, a human from the future earth, was transfered in another world.Transferred to the earth of the ancient times, to the time where magic still exist, to the time where the great flood from the bible has not happened yet, to the time where in ancient bloodline of the world still exist.This is the story of the future earthling Jacob springer in the Ancient Earth.
8 134Pandora's Gift
MHA AU omegaverse where everyone is aged up. Bakugou Katsuki X female OCSakaki Shinzuko a formal omega UA class mate finds herself working with two old friends and alpha's. Will love blossom?Warning: this story will contain mature content such as but not limited to sex, cursing, blood, violence.
8 105Scrapped Metal {Karl Heisenberg X Reader}
DISCONTINUED(This book takes place in a alternate universe where Ethan Winters and his wife never had Rose).After a lifetime running away from those that wish to abuse them, F/N L/N finds themselves running into the arms of someone that's power hungry and handsome. But there's something about him that's so different, just can't put a finger on it.(I'm going to make this fanfiction as gender neutral as possible).
8 201Reborn To Revenge
"Please, let me go"I don't know why she wanted to kill me. I thought she was my best friend. She stabbed the knife into my chest, "He said only if you are dead, he'll accept me"I spatted the blood from my mouth, "H-He?" "Yes. When he confessed his love to you, do you remember how you rejected him?" "I d-did that because I k-knew you like -him""Oh stop your drama 'I am a good girl' show. I have lots of money, I have so many ways to get what I like. But he asked me you to be dead. so of course to get what i want, I'll go to any extreme"Again she stabbed me in the same place, "Be a good a girl and have a Eternal sleep. Don't worry, I'll lead a happy life with the one I love"Before I closed my eyes, I saw her evil smile which pained me a lot. Why I have to die like this? It's unfair for me. I can't accept dying like this. It's really not fair.--------------------------Daily update guaranteed.Please support me.Thank you.
8 195Motorcycle Girl
Love never came easily for Nathan Reed. Growing up, when his friends would get girlfriends, he would always be the single one. He would be the one third wheeling at the eighth grade dance, homecoming, prom, and any other event involving his friends. Whether it was going to the mall with his friend and his friend's girlfriend, or going to the movies, he was single. He was always single. At age twenty three in his junior year of college, he's accepted his fate of being single forever. He stopped having crushes four years ago when she asked him for his best friends phone number. He has never even hugged a girl he likes, and he counts kissing Amanda Baldwin in the second grade as his first kiss. That is until Odeletta Guillotin walks into his French class for the first time, three days after the class already started, late, in a black leather jacket and combat boots. When the teacher talks in French after she's settled in her seat, saying something that nobody understands, Odeletta responds in fluent French. Nathan is promptly intrigued by her. She doesn't even notice him, and he finds himself noticing everything she does, from the way she grips her pen to the way she furrows her eyebrows when she's concentrating. He finds himself wanting to talk to her, but after years and years of rejection, he can't do it. When he finally gets up the nerve to talk to her, he finds there is a lot more to the mysterious French girl than meets the eye.DO NOT COPY THIS STORY, I WORKED HARD ON THIS STORY WITH IDEAS I CREATED FROM MY OWN IMAGINATION IF YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER, WRITE FROM YOUR HEAD, NOT FROM MINEThis is the first book of four.The incredible cover is made by @nerdfpiperIf you need a cover, I highly recommend her
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