Chapter 8 "Who" Are You? Part 1

There was not a single interruption or any unpleasant feeling the moment Faustina entered the castle. An enormous and a luxurious room was given to her, a change of clothes, food to eat and a treatment for her wounds. The day she arrived to the castle, only service and luxury awaited her.

Faustina was sitting across the mirror, staring at the courtyard below. Her dirty black hair was braided into a beautiful braided bun with blue flower-ornaments complimenting her locks. She was wearing a dress, a color the same as the king's eyes. At first, she was uncomfortable and baffled why she had to dress like that—given that she believes she was too unbefitting to dress so fashionably like a noble.

But the king insists, says the people. Some maids even brand her as his 'concubine,' or so she had heard. Some even said that she may be a Heilen whom the king bought in order to be his consort.

It confused Faustina, of course. Having to think that maybe she would be traded and branded as a slave after she was groomed, or be fed to the lions because (maybe) they already found out that she is useless.

But nothing came for days. Then weeks.

Although strange enough, even with the outrageous rumors at the place, there was one thing that made her extremely flabbergasted.

There was no King Alexander who came to her chambers.

Not a glimpse of the shadow of the two knights,

Or a news about Eula.

The night where her master died felt like a whole year of mourning her death. It was perplexing even for Faustina how she was back on track again. Although there were so many questions left unanswered and tasks she needs to fulfill, she still finds herself being better every day.

Until a knock came.

"Lady Faustina?"

The door creaked open, revealing four maids.

"The King summons your presence."

**

"King Alexander," says Faustina as she bows, "glory to Feuersturm Empire."

The king smiled, sitting on his throne with the back of his hand supporting his cheek. He was staring at Faustina with eyes hinted with undistinguishable emotion.

'it feels strange,' Faustina says to herself, 'seeing him again. The last time I had an audience with the King, I acted so rude. Now I'm back to my senses, I know I could get my head cut off if I don't watch my words,'

"My fair lady," the king says, his eyes gleaming like the sun reflected against the blue ocean, although she noticed that he looked quite different from before.

"I am pleased to see that you are doing well."

"It is because of your generosity, Your Majesty." Faustina answers, "I could not thank you better, for letting me have the privilege to be bestowed with such kindness."

"Is that so," the king chuckles, "then I guess it is time to repay such kindness, hm?"

Faustina blinked in surprise, as she watched the King slowly changing his expression. From a smile to an arctic twitch on the side of his lip. A change of a calm turquoise-blue sky to a dimming grey storm. The light on his eyes were crystal-clear, but no longer kind.

"The Heilen bloodline, such a mysterious race." He says nonchalantly. "The rumors state that every noble family has at least a single Heilen slave in their clan; however, the investigations say otherwise. Most slaves were peasants with hair dyed black. There were no redeeming qualities with them, all seemed like a sloppy imitation in order to display 'power,'"

The king smiled, no—he smirked. His eyes were now sharp without an ounce of warmth. The eyes of the one that night was no longer there. Faustina felt like she was speaking with a completely different person—although she barely knew the king, there was definitely something off with the one she is speaking with now.

"You are the only one left." The king says. "The carrier of the Heilen blood. The special 'treasure,' the 'chosen one.'"

"W-what do you mean, Your Majesty?"

"Do I need to speak in circles?" He says in an uninterested manner. "You are the only living Heilen in the entire Feuersturm—worst, the entire continent …as of now."

Faustina felt a shiver run down her spine. Her heartbeat sped up like horses galloping as he spoke the last word with such a sharp slick of silence. Like a piercing mumble.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself." He suddenly says, as he stands. Light from the sun's rays lighted his blond locks. His blue eyes looked like sapphire.

"...I am Octavius. Alexander Octavius Ein Feuerkrieger." He says. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Faustina of the Heilen blood."

His voice is enough for Faustina to bow herself on her knees. She felt an overwhelming sense of fear. It felt like she was kneeling before someone of great power. There was not a hint of softness to his stoic yet smirking face. Her heartbeat was ringing to her ears.

"Raise your head."

"Y-yes."

He stared for a second, "I am certain you drifted. The sorcerers told you about the reason why you are summoned here at the palace, is that correct?"

"Y-yes, Your Majesty."

"Very well. Do you agree with the terms?"

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"Pardon?" Faustina asks in confusion. "T-terms?"

The king stared; his eyes void of emotion. "I suppose there was not a single thing discussed. Very well, I will state my purpose; but first, do you know the disease 'Nightmare'?"

"As I recall, Your Majesty, Nightmare is a disease that is only present in the royal family. No one knows what the symptoms are and where it originated. The royal family and only selected doctors and sorcerers know of this."

"Hm. You are correct. Nightmare is an illness present with the royal family, and the public are not aware what it does. Some doesn't even know its existence. However, there is one thing that is discovered by the early sorcerers researching about the disease...."

"It lives up to its name. Nightmare. It haunts and kills the dreams of its host and everyone around him. The dream signifies the persona—the soul, the body and mind of the person. It kills everything. It shreds every piece of its host. Making the soul unable to go to the Heavens."

Octavius walked towards Faustina, kneeling before her, as he lifts her chin to meet his eyes.

"It is what killed my real body. Now I am able to live by borrowing this child's vessel."

Faustina stared at the king's expressionless eyes.

"Vessel...?"

"This body is a mere vessel that I inhabit in this current generation." He says slowly. "A body that is also being killed by Nightmare."

"W-who are you?"

"I am Octavius," he says, "the first king of Feuersturm."