Chapter 422: Judgement

Elian;

The moment I step through the portal, the smell of blood on grass hits me. It’s so strong my stomach churns, and my hand shoots up to cover my nose.

I feel King Wilhelm walk out of the portal behind me, and just then, the portal’s light dies as it closes.

He steps forward to stand beside me, but my gaze is up ahead. The familiar sight of Gravemaw melts my heart, and I feel goosebumps rise along my skin.

It feels like ages since I was last here. Everything looks the same. The streets I walked, the huts I occasionally passed by, the flowers and streams...it all looks the same. Yet, I know some things have changed.

The streets are packed with people—Every corner is packed with clusters of people. They’re all whispering with grim expressions.

This isn’t the Gravemaw I know. The Gravemaw I know is fun. It’s alive, it’s...it’s bubbling. Not this silent, dark atmosphere.

My eyes instinctively search through the crowd as I look for her. The main reason I came back.

I turn towards the castle, and just then, I stop her. She walks out with a troop of guards behind her.

Mother...

Her hands and dress are stained with dried blood. So much blood, it takes up almost the entire skirt of her dress.

Her eyes look lost and tired. My heart stops.

"Mother..." I call out as my heart starts thumping, and her head snaps up.

The instant our eyes meet... Every heavy weight in my heart vanishes.

"Elián?" She calls in what seems to be shock...or surprise, and my vision blurs.

I don’t think. My legs start moving. People quickly move out of my way as I race across the street.

She does the same.

By the time I reach her, she’s already opening her arms. I crash into them, and she catches me so tightly my feet almost leave the ground.

"Oh, Elián..." Her voice breaks. "My sweet, precious child..." she breathes, and I shut my eyes, and I let myself be held by her.

She gently pulls me back and holds my face between both hands. Her fingers tremble as they brush over my cheeks, while she inspects my face like a toddler who came back from a playground crying.

She kisses my forehead, my left cheek...my right cheek, then my hair.

She does this over and over again as though reassuring herself that I’m truly here.

"Let me look at you." She whispers, with her eyes darting across my face. Searching, checking... Making sure I haven’t developed any new injuries since she last saw me.

"When did you get here? Are you hurt?" She questions, and I shake my head in negation.

"No." I croak, and a relieved breath escapes her.

Then, her eyes soften. One of her hands slowly settles over my stomach, and I look down at it.

"...And the baby?" She questions, and I huff a small laugh as my vision blurs again.

That’s right. This is the first time she’s meeting her grandbaby. This is her first time seeing me pregnant.

I got all her gifts, wrote her letters, but nothing beats this. Actually being in front of her, and her hand over my stomach as she feels for her grandchild.

"She’s okay," I reply, and her eyes glisten.

"Koda?" She asks, and I nod.

"He’s fine. I..I couldn’t wait to get him. I just—" I begin, but she cuts me off.

"It’s okay, dear. I’m just grateful to the goddess that you’re all—" She begins, but she’s cut off by a sudden burst of light.

We both look toward it and find another portal opening behind King Wilhelm.

"Mother!!" Koda’s frantic voice comes as he dashed out of the portal.

His eyes instantly find us, and he pushes past Father as he runs over. He throws his arms around her, and I take a step back to give them their moment.

"Oh, mother." He breathes as her holds her dearly. He kisses her hair repeatedly, and I smile as I watch relief settle into his bones.

He pulls back, and Queen Cassia smiles as she reaches up and gently brushes his hair back.

"Thank the Moon Goddess." Koda breathes, and Queen Cassia’s skill grows as she looks at me.

She holds a hand out to me, and I take it. She pulls me closer, and as I stand beside Koda, she looks at both of us.

Like it’s been ages since she last saw us. Like she got to understand tonight that in a blink of an eye she may have never seen us again.

I think I just realised that too.

Her eyes drop to my stomach, and I look down at my little bump.

"So is my grandchild." She whispers, and the warmth in her voice almost undoes me.

I nod, and before I speak, commotion erupts. Just ahead, I see people gathered at the square.

They’re hurling what looks like rotten fruits at—-

I feel everything inside me freeze out, and my legs start moving. Queen Cassia doesn’t stop me. No one does. I walk away from my family, straight for the square, and people make way for me.

I get to the square, and make my way to the front. I stare at the wooden platform. The ropes, soldiers. And... The man hanging from thick iron chains.

Completely naked, bruised, covered in dried blood, and rotten fruits.

Bram.

Warmth vanishes from my heart as I stare at him.

Behind me, I feel Queen Cassia, Koda, and King Wilhelm approach.

I stare at Bram, and as much as I hate my mind for doing it, it happens anyway. Memories I have thought about in a long time come up.

Memories from back on Earth.

Days when Bram found me in the locker room. Days he patched me up after the bullies were done with me. Days he shared my meals with me. Days he insisted on coming home with me, and spending time with me so I wouldn’t feel lonely...Days he’d sit and chat with me while I drew, because according to him, I was too young to be burning myself out with too much work.

He was always there for me. He always had my back. Was always there when I needed to laugh or cry. It meant the world to me. I finally had one true person in my corner. If only I knew better.

Everything about our relationship was carefully mapped by him. He only ever found me in the locker after. AFTER I got beaten up. He never found me before... or while I was being beaten. He always waited. Waited for me to be beaten shitless before he appeared. He only we shared our meals cause mine were always expensive takeout, and he probably hated the warm, simple meals his mother cooked him. He only insisted on coming home with me to show off in front of my parents. He knew they hated me. Every time he came to my house, his persona changed. He became the proper boy. Exceptional at everything and gaining praise from my parents. Praise I never got.

The list is endless. The list of all the horrible things he did to me. Things I didn’t realise until this world.

I stare at his head, which is hanging low. I stare at the unruly blonde hair covering most of his face—At his wrists, shackled high above him, and his feet barely touching the wooden platform beneath him.

Every inch of him screams humiliation. Exactly as it should. But heaven knows...it’s not enough.

Humiliation is not enough.

"You don’t have to see this." Mother whispers behind me as she squeezes my shoulder, and as she says that, Bram’s head shoots up.

The moment he sees me, his breathing becomes louder. Rough and panicked.

His eyes land on me, and every bit of colour drains from his face.

"...E-Elián..." His voice cracks as he stares at me, as though he’s looking at a ghost.

You see...the thing about being with someone too long is that you get to understand them better than others. For years we were... best friends. So...as ironic as it is...of all the people here, Bram knows me best. He knows when...I have everything put together, and he knows when some threads have come loose. He knows when something has shifted so badly inside me that there’s no redeeming it, and I know that right now, he can see it.

And that’s what causes the fear on his face.

"No..." His breathing quickens. "No... No..." He panics as he starts shaking his head over and over.

He licks his dry lips as he watches me.

"Elián...I..." He looks around desperately. At the guards, at Mother, at the people...Searching.

"I never meant for anyone to die!" He screams, and I blink.

"I swear! I—I only wanted a distraction." He continues, and I tilt my head slightly as I listen to his lies.

"I just wanted to escape." His voice grows louder and more desperate.

"The warlock...Everything got out of control. I couldn’t stop him. I—I tried—" He screams frantically, looking around for anyone gullible enough to fall for his charade and take pity on him.

"I...I was scared!" He shouts.

"I was terrified! I didn’t know what else to do!" He continues, and nobody answers.

The square remains eerily quiet. Allowing only Bram’s frantic breathing to fill the air.

"I never wanted this." He croaks—Tears falling out of his eyes as he

looks at Mother.

"I never wanted Queen Cassia dead. I swear it!" He screams, and I shut my eyes as those words strike something deep and raw inside me.

He suddenly starts crying. Real, ugly tears.

"I don’t want to die." He wails.

Nobody moves. Nobody speaks.

"I’ll leave. I’ll disappear. You’ll...You all will never see me again. I swear!" He wails harder, and I open my eyes to stare at him.

"I’ll never hurt anyone again." He adds, as his knees tremble so violently the chains begin to rattle.

"I don’t want to die..." He repeats, and I grit my teeth.

His cries echo across the square. Some people look away, while others simply stare.

I move then. My heartbeat remains steady in my chest as I move. Strangely... I don’t feel angry. Not anymore. Not even when I remember Earth. Or every bruise...Every lie, every manipulation—Every moment I questioned my own sanity because of him.

I simply...feel tired. So unbelievably tired.

How many chances has he been given? How many lives has he destroyed because someone believed he deserved one more chance?

He cries harder when I finally step onto the wooden platform.

"Elián..."

His voice has become almost childlike now when he sees the resignation in my eyes.

Perhaps he can feel it. I was once told a person can always feel when they’re about to die.

"So-someone tell him." He croaks as he looks around wildly.

"Please...I’m sorry! I’m truly sorry!" He screams as I keep walking slowly towards him.

"I’ll change. I swear I’ll change!!" He yells further as his eyes lock onto mine.

I truly look at him. I look at...Bram. A man who has spent his entire life feeding on other people’s mercy.

His crying grows louder.

"Elián...I don’t want to die...I know I’ve been a shitty person, but think about the good times! I was your best friend!!" He screams so loudly, he starts coughing, yet I just hold his gaze.

Silent, and unmoved.

The wood creaks beneath my feet as I move closer to him.

"Elián...please." He whimpers as I stop just before him.

His eyes search mine desperately. Looking for hesitation. For pity...For anything.

"I know..." he whispers through tears. "I know what I did."

"I know I’m a horrible person." His voice cracks. "But people change."

"I can change." He pleads.

"I’ll spend the rest of my life making it right. I swear." He whispers, and I look down at the ugly scar on his stomach.

Evidence of how far he can go to do evil.

"I’m sorry." He whispers, and I look back at him. Holding those endless pits of green he calls eyes.

His words disappear into the wind, and the entire square waits. For me...For him.

For judgement.

A guard standing nearby shifts uneasily, with his hand resting upon the sword hanging from his waist.

Without looking at him... I hold out my hand.

The guard freezes.

"Your sword," I demand, and his eyes instantly dart to Mother. She says nothing.

Slowly, he unsheathes the sword. The blade sings softly as it leaves its sheath. He places it in my waiting hand, and I notice how the metal feels colder than I expected.

Bram’s breathing turns frantic.

"No...No. Elián...Please." He panics as he struggles violently against the chains.

"I don’t want to die. I’m begging you! I’ll do anything. Please!!" He screams, and just then...Behind me, I hear Queen Cassia’s voice.

"Elián."

I don’t turn. I can’t. Not now.

"My child..." She pleads, and I close my eyes.

"...Don’t." The word is barely louder than a whisper. "You’re pregnant."

Those words cause an eruption of gasps, whispers, and muttering from the crowd. I let out a breath then.

"Your daughter...doesn’t need to witness something like this." She adds, and I tighten my grip around the sword as I open my eyes.

"I’ll do it," I reply, and her worried voice follows.

"You don’t have to. I’ll do it. I won’t let you carry this burden. Not while pregnant. You should be around pleasant things right now. Not...this," She says, and this time, I turn slowly to look at her.

There are tears in her eyes. She’s worried about me. But she shouldn’t be. I’m fine. This is something I should do. I must do it.

A sad smile finds my lips as I stare at my family. At her, at Koda, King Wilhelm...and the people.

"I know you’re trying to protect us," I say to her, as my fingers gently brush over the life growing inside me.

"...But I don’t mind doing this while being pregnant," I speak, and Mother’s head tilts a bit as she stares at me. I continue before she can speak.

"I hope my daughter grows up surrounded by beautiful things. I hope she laughs often... I hope she’s loved, and safe." I speak with my eyes, finding Koda halfway through.

A small breath escapes me as I look back at Mother.

"But if one day...someone like him stands before her..." I look back at Bram. "I hope she never mistakes mercy for kindness."

The square falls even quieter than the first time at those words.

"I hope she understands that there are villains...who don’t deserve another chance." I continue as I look back at Mother.

"...because every chance they’re given...becomes someone else’s tragedy," I speak as my eyes hold Mother’s.

"I’d rather my daughter grow up knowing how to protect the people she loves...than spend her life mourning them because she couldn’t," I conclude, and silence settles like a fog.

Koda watches me closely with worry still burning in his eyes, while Mother...She lowers her head.

She doesn’t argue again. She simply closes her eyes.

"...Do what you must." She speaks, and Koda grabs her arm.

"Ma??" He calls in panic, but she looks back up at me with a sad, understanding smile.

"Do what you must." She repeats, and I nod.

I turn back to Bram. He’s crying uncontrollably now. His entire body is shaking.

"Elián...I’ll change. I’ll become a better person. I—" He pleads, and I let out an irritated sigh.

"You won’t." I cut him off, and he blinks at me.

"I trusted you on Earth," I speak as my gaze drops to the beautiful silver blade in my hand, which reflects the full moon.

"You destroyed me for that...I survived...Yet, you followed me here." I continue, and ‌at this point, we are barely an arm’s length apart.

I lean close enough that only he can hear my next words.

"...Pray. Pray that this is the last world you’ll ever know." I whisper, and his eyes widen as a tear rolls down his cheek.

"...Because if you somehow wake up back on Earth...I’ll find you there," I warn, my voice barely a whisper.

"...And I’ll kill you again."

Every last trace of kindness leaves Bram’s face. Because in this moment, he realises that I’m not playing around.

"No..." He whispers, but I’m done listening.

I lift the sword. And he turns frantic.

"Elián! PLEASE! I DON’T WANT TO DIE!!!" He screams, and I scoff.

"Neither did I," I reply dryly, and with that, the blade drops.

With one clean strike, the steel drives through his chest.

His scream cuts off instantly.

For a moment, everything pauses.

Bram looks down. His mouth opens, but no sound comes out.

He looks back, and I watch coldly as he struggles to breathe. Slowly, the light leaves his eyes.

His body hangs limp against the chains, and as his head drops, I let out a breath.

Dead. He’s..dead.

I release the sword, but it remains standing where it impaled him. I yank the blade out, and blood comes gushing out.

It stains my face, hands, and my robe...and I just stand there. Getting covered in his blood.

Why...do I feel numb?

I don’t feel victorious...or sad. I just...I just feel...numb.

I lower my eyes to my hands and clothes.

...They’re covered in blood.

My vision blurs as I try to wipe the blood off my hands, on my already soaked robe, but I’m completely drenched in Bram’s blood.

Just as I keep rubbing frantically, I feel someone rush onto the platform and pull me away from Bram.

"Oh, child." She whispers, and I look up at her.

Mother.

She gently turns me toward her, and without hesitation...she gathers the neat edge of her royal gown into her hands and begins wiping the blood from my fingers carefully—Like I’m made of glass.

She cleans my palms next. Then my wrists.

When she’s satisfied with how my hands are, she reaches up and wipes the blood off my face,

When she’s finished, she cups my face between both hands. Tears are running freely down her cheeks now, but she smiles at me through them.

"My child..." Her thumb brushes beneath my eye. "...You’ve grown so brave."

Something inside me breaks—Like ice finally giving way beneath the warmth of spring.

My lips tremble as everything else disappears. I step forward, and crumble into her.

My arms wrap around her waist as I bury my face against her shoulder, and she holds me.

She just...Holds me.

One hand rubbing slow circles across my back, and the other resting gently over my hair.

Around us...No one says a word.

Maybe because they all understand. Today...Bram died. But something else had died too.

The frightened boy who had once arrived in this world with nothing but hope and naivety...would never return.

Especially not in this world that seems to swallow everything good.

If I’m going to protect the people I love...I need to change.