There was a gentle knock at the door while Celeste was bottling potions. She opened the door to Marcus holding a pot of blue tulips.

“I made these as — well — sort of an experiment. I hope you like them.” Marcus said with a proud smile.

Celeste still felt unease around Marcus. It is difficult to adjust to the Shadow King’s demonic aura. Logically she knew Marcus was not the Shadow King, but emotionally the aura still haunts and reminds her of darker times. She had to constantly remind herself that Marcus was not the Shadow King as he approached.

Marcus could only frown at the discomfort shown by Celeste and try to suppress his demonic aura further, it was akin to bottling a storm inside a jar.

“May I plant them for you somewhere? I believe they will help the surround soil as well.”

Celeste nodded feeling slightly better and indicated Marcus could plant them around the house with some of the other flowers she had in her miniature flower bed.

Celeste daughters watched Marcus plant the flowers and looked at the flowers Marcus planted with childhood glee.

“Mum these flowers are pretty.” Page said with a smile.

“Pretty flowers mommy.” Lily said while poking the tulips gently.

Celeste’s expression grew softer looking at her daughters. She and her daughters thanked Marcus.

Marcus nodded at their thanks then he asked Celeste “I was hope you could help me, do you know of any scholars in agriculture and crops?”

Celeste pondered for a moment then replied “I remembered Grey of Armsden who was particularly fond of the study. I use to own a herbal compendium by him, it was very well made.”

“Armsden? That should be north-eastward of here?”

“Yes, but why the odd interest in agriculture?” Celeste quirked an eyebrow. “I hope you are not planning to re-seize the throne.” Celeste said with a chilling tone.

“No no.” Marcus said meekly then explained his motives on wanting to help society through agriculture and political reform.

“Marcus, I’ve seen many foolish idealist. You can sell me on the agriculture. But convincing lords to invest their peasants time for peasants is foolish.”

“Of course, but I’ve met my fair share of silver tongues inciting both peace and violence. Regardless of what I do a storm will come.” Marcus said with determination in his eyes.

Marcus and Celeste had a heated debated in regards to Marcus’ plans, its feasibility and its morality. They continued long into the night after the children was put to bed.

“I think I should compensate you for your time.” Marcus then created a some gold coins with shadow magic.

“I didn’t know shadow magic could do that.” Celeste looked in astonishment.

“Yes it is a very powerful magic, but it’s fuel is nightmarish. It requires souls to refill my mana.”

Celeste then looked at Marcus accusingly.

Marcus shook his head. “It doesn’t have to be human souls, although it is the most efficient. I’ve been hunting monsters to regain my energy. It is a delicate balance though to not spend more than you are earning.”

Marcus then bid farewell to Celeste leaving into the night.

As Celeste watched Marcus leave, she knew now that Marcus is an entirely different person. There is only a physical connection between him and the former Shadow King. She couldn’t find hate in his meek nature. His strangely easy going attitude, and his apparent care for humanity. She still find it hard to trust him, it could be a twisted and elaborate torment method the Shadow King has concocted. Though it was indeed unlikely as Marcus seemed at least to Celeste genuine.

Celeste was indeed exhausted from the discussion, she did believe Marcus will usher in a huge change. Whether it will be for the better or not it is indeed a good question. She doesn’t know if the meek Marcus could make the eventual though choices for the greater good.

Celeste decided it there was no point in losing sleep over what has yet to come. She then drank an sleeping concoction out of the many she had prepared from a drawer out of reach of Lily and Page then snugged in bed with them and let the sleep take her.

Meanwhile in the forest Marcus stood staring at the stars. He felt a sense of loneliness in the world now. Those whom he cared and loved are now lost to the tides of time. He rested in his simplistic wood cabin with no furnishing except a simple bed and Marcus drifted to sleep out of necessity as his mental fatigue was building to a dangerous level. Even during the conversation with Celeste dark thoughts were haunting him and anger was simmering beneath the surface.

***

Marcus looked and saw the Shadow King’s father, Cyril Vezai looming over him. He knew that he was experiencing the vivid memories of the Shadow King again. It is a curse placed upon the former Shadow King’s body that is now inherited by Marcus.

“How are you suppose to rule this fief with such weakness. Your weakness disgusts me.” Vezai said while gripping a barbed whip in his hands tightly.

*crack*

Vezai whipped the Shadow King’s young body and Marcus can feel its stinging pain. Marcus had no control of the body and was only an prisoner experiencing the memories. The only comfort Marcus had was the Shadow King had once experience what he was experiencing. This curse was a small price to pay for being granted a new life. Though it is still brutal and painful.

*crack*

The Shadow King shuttered and choked back tears trying but failed to suppress his whimpering. He was just a boy and his body could not contain the emotions that bubble to to surface.

“Disgusting.” Vezai said when he saw the boy’s display of pain. And then he slammed the Shadow King’s head into the ground.

Marcus felt sharp pain as the world grew blurry and he could smell metal. He knew that the torture will be over so soon.

Yet that relief was misguided as Marcus awoke still in the Shadow King’s body. This time it was looking at a familiar face, Celeste.

‘Oh no.’ Marcus thought while seeing the tortured condition of Celeste. With her eyes hollow and a body bloodied with whip wounds. ‘The curse torments the soul not just the body.’ Marcus realized hauntingly.

*crack*

Marcus couldn’t stop the body from whipping and torturing Celeste. She screamed out in pain but her eyes still dull. It seemed her mind was already broken.

“Now this is growing rather dull. What is the point of this exercise?” The Shadow King said mockingly.

*crack*

“What is the point of torturing a living corpse?”

*crack*

‘Stop, please.’ Marcus begged in his mind as he felt tremendous guilt in the action. He felt disgusted at the emotions running through the Shadow King. Emotions of euphoria and a rising sense of —.

Marcus knew what was about to happen and with strenuous effort he forced himself awake drenched in sweat at the crack of dawn. And suddenly he started violently vomiting black blood. A sign of forceful backlash of the curse. He could feel his life being withered away.

‘What a terrible curse’ Marcus thought as he now understood that it torments not only the body but also the soul directly.

Marcus could not physically move and could only contemplate his life silently as he started blankly at the wooden ceiling. He thought himself to be a strong willed individual, but the strongest will cannot endure certain mental torment. To choose between exhaustion and torment. No wonder the old Shadow King was driven mad. It seems Marcus knew he too will become mad with time. He contemplated an end to his own life while he is still sane and take that as the greatest good deed he could still accomplish.

Unfortunately Marcus knew he couldn’t end it yet. There was much work to be done, there are people he needs to be there for. Like there were people once there for him he wanted to pass on the kindness that he was once shown.

It wasn’t until evening that Marcus could move once again and he was starved. He had to consume life force in order to stay alive. His weaken state would make monster hunting risky and he choices were rather limited in the wilderness. He had an idea of a solution, but he didn’t really want to go down that path.

Marcus strongly believed the best way to avoid becoming evil is to completely avoid the wrong path. But such ideals were lofty and unrealistic, one had to do what is necessary to survive and Marcus grit his teeth and made up his mind.