Scars and Burns (No Light Without the Dark #1)

10. Aeron

10

Aeron

I watched her play in the water with a dangerous serpent. She has no idea how fast she will be dead with one prick of its fangs. She’s a child. So naive and innocent. A little flower to be crushed. Yet, she is so filled with hope.

She comes here every day. I’ve watched her wander and get to know all the animals without fear. I’ve never once spoken to her or allowed her to see me. Using my magic to conceal myself in the shadows.

I don’t plan to reveal myself now but her eyes land on me without warning. Her little ‘friend’ trying to be menacing with its pathetic hiss. It can sense my dark magic. The threat I pose. Though usually they do not approach us. Sensing our magic is similar to their creation. Perhaps, this particular serpent has developed a liking toward the little flower.

A man nearly grown. My childish ways were banished long ago. I’ve killed hundreds now. Leading raid after raid along the borders of our realms. My sword demolishes any other weapon that comes near it. The force of my blow cripples anyone who resists. As I face off, relishing in the sound of steel battering together. I extend my shadow magic. Clouds of black smoke with blue flames swirling within people’s homes. Burning everything. Infecting their minds as they come back screaming. Their souls bleeding into my own. I relish in their demise and nothing is sweeter.

I noticed her taking in the burns on my forearms. The ones so graciously given to me by my Father, or my King, since according to him I still have yet to prove myself as his son.

He is the only one I cannot best completely. Sure, I can annihilate him in combat with a sword. My size and strength demolishing his own. However, his magic still exceeds mine. He’s mastered skills and created even a few unique ones of his own, while teaching me everything I know, as the most powerful shadow magic wielder with his black flames. Decimating anyone else’s magic that attempts to counteract it.

No matter. I will soon learn or create my own skills and over power him once and for all.

Amusing how she has the courage to stand against me for dismissing that dreadful creature.

Asking to know if I am a monster.

I most certainly am but she doesn’t need to know that.

Not yet at least.

I’ll bite though. Occasionally liking a little banter when it’s a one-on-one fight.

I’ve trained since birth to be nothing but a monster. A demon whose reputation has spread throughout the realms. Reaching the ears from peasants to nobles. Even the other rulers fear me. Although their forces together could surely wipe out our own army. They hold back. Not wanting to face me and my Father. Knowing the true power behind the darkness rising in the Shadowlands.

The little flower has no idea what’s coming for her.

Even though, her sister is betrothed to the worthless Prince Proteus of the Celestial Realm, it will not matter. She supposedly bears a complete goddess mark. She has the blood of a very powerful celestial magic wielder on her Mother’s side. While her Father comes from a long line of royal blood. Always possessing great power. I will kill every single one of them. Stealing their power. Adding it to my own.

Killing someone does not give you the power they once possessed. It simply increases yours. That is part of the reason why mine is so great. My skills are unmatched both with magic and a sword. It is true though that the power you gain is dependent on the magical ability of your kill.

Once that task is complete. I will have killed the most powerful magic possessing Fae. I will harness this power and feed it to the darkness. The fire in my soul burning through the last shred of light in the world.

By then the little flower will be long dead.