The Shadows Within

Closing my eyes, I wished I could stay there with Finn. Even though he was happy, I knew what came next wasn’t. From the conditions in the castle, I knew the coming events were anything but cheerful.

Serah… you told me to stop him, but what if he’s right? What if those who took his smile away deserve nothing more than damnation? What if…

Whatever happened in that dreadful room changed this innocent boy’s life forever to the point that he couldn’t be reached.

“Please stay here,” I mumbled, wishing to hold him in place.

Yet I knew he wouldn’t have wanted me to if I could when he had Lillia in his heart.

She’s probably still in there, even after...

However, the door opened, triggering Finn to phase through me and towards the person who fetched him. I ran behind him, only to try to grab his shirt, but it went right through again.

“Finn, don’t. Please stay with me here.” I pleaded, knowing he was going somewhere I couldn’t help.

However, my eyes widened when I saw it wasn’t the maid who fetched him but Brielle. Reaching the door, the prince chuckled as I recognized her because she looked the same, without a wolf's tail and ears.

Her eyes weren’t yellow but brown.

“Here to see your little cousin get married?” Finn smirked like he was on top of the world

Cousin?! Oh… Oh no… I’ve… Crap… Wait! This doesn’t change the fact that you may be a scorned lover!

“I’m your knight. Of course, I’ll escort you to the throne room to see you get married. I’m happy for you, Finny.” She smiled, nudging the prince.

Finny? Cute…

“Hey, is Felix going to be at the wedding?” he asked, following his knight out of the room.

I quickly followed, wanting to see more of this side of him.

“Your big ass dragon familiar? Nope. No way, he won’t fit with all the people there.” Brielle shut him down.

A heavy sigh left Finn before he grabbed onto Brielle. “He can shrink, and I want him there. It won’t be the same without him, please?” he begged, looking at her with puppy dog eyes.

Her eyes twitched, quickly gazing away.

“Arg, fine, I’ll go get him. Don’t blame me when he eats all the deserts, making the guests cry.” She warned, rolling her eyes.

“Right, thanks, Brie.” He beamed, defeating her right where she stood.

“If Gael tries to kill me if he ruins the desert booth, that’s on you.” She breathed, shaking her head.

The trip to the throne room was swift, and with everything decorated, I could barely tell where I was.

This place is another world compared to the castle I currently live in.

However, I felt my heart drop when we got to our destination. Instantly, I recognized it, thanks to the pillars that still stood there. However, in this memory, everything was cheerful and colorful. The same white theme surrounding the castle was everywhere in this room, from the curtains to the flowers.

The tiles were perfectly kept and colorful, and the same draconic theme was found in Ryzak's room. However, I couldn’t stop imagining the room I had come to know, where people danced and laughed, would soon be full of skeletons and horrors.

Even though I wanted to see more of their cheer before I lost Finn in the crowd, I pursued him. Luckily, I went through everyone. Many people greeted him, congratulating him on his day. The King and Queen were both on their thrones overseeing the entire event.

Finn’s father was just like him, and he probably gave him his black hair, yet his eyes were green. Serah was around the ball looking for her brother, only to be met by Gael, who delivered some treats. He was one of the castle chefs even at a young age, thanks to his father, who worked there too.

Like Brielle, he was the same. His hair was blond instead of blue, and his eyes were green. However, his features were the same. Nyla was serving some guests, while Rizak was one of the guests who was invited to enjoy a cup of tea with some fellows on the side.

Brielle was by the guards while Gael moved between the kitchen and the banquet, bringing food for everyone.

Everyone’s so happy. I… wish they’d stay like this.

I stood by Finn, who found a place to admire everything, beaming like this was the best day of his life. His childhood was one full of love. It wasn’t long before a blue dragon flew over to Finn, landing on his arm, the size of a bird.

“Hey Felix, good of you to make it.” The prince chuckled, feeling the dragon nuzzle his cheek.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” he cooed as those shimmering blue eyes reflected his life partner.

Unlike the demon lord’s form, though, this one had beautiful sparkling scales that reflected any light that hit them and had wings for arms.

Felix’s a wyrm, a dragon resembling a bird more than anything else.

I learned this thanks to Ryzak’s teaching, much like I knew how to identify demons thanks to his bestiary. Even in his demon form, that owl was still the same scholar from before he turned. Watching the prince and his dragon interact reminded me of Solas. This was the first time I had been without him since I got him.

Huh… it feels lonely without you here. How odd…

It was almost as if a part of me was missing. Everything, from the music to the chatter, stopped when the bride came in accompanied by her father, King Ageth. Some maids had commented that her mother was sick, which made her unable to attend the event, though she sent her wishes to the couple.

Lillia wore a beautiful pink dress with her father, whose eyes appeared lifeless. There wasn’t an ounce of joy in that king’s expression compared to the others around us. His smile was forced, as there were no dimples on his cheeks.

From everything I heard from the party guests, this was the first time the two warring countries were united and in one place. Fathal and Traedan were the biggest continents in this realm, separated only by the elven forest in between, known as the Evergreens.

They were both ruled by humans, while the elves kept to themselves in the forests that bordered them. It was the only reason they hadn’t conquered one another since elves. However, all the tensions would finally end in peace with this union.

Or so everyone hoped.

It was also why they celebrated more vigorously. For four entire years, Finn and Lillia spoke through letters alone, only meeting in brief war sessions, where the two nations negotiated a temporary truce. During those times, love bloomed for both, allowing them to bridge the gap between the two nations.

Or so they said.

I watched Finn head to meet his bride. When he saw her, he saw his world in her, which crushed me, realizing I cared for him more than I wished.

Ah… my heart isn’t surviving what the future has in store. Is it?

The demon wasn’t winning.

No, you’ve won. I care about you so much that I… Yet you’ll never look at me like that. I know that… and I can’t hate you for it. Not when you told me straight to my face from day one.

My heart was breaking with a bitter-sweet sensation. It was nothing like I felt when the schoolboy played me. Nor was it as dreadful as when my father beat me. It was a pain that made me feel like I was growing.

The ceremony to bring the two of them together began soon after. Watching him gaze at her, full of hope and love, made me look away. Her expression was one of nerves as anything made her jittery.

Grabbing their hands together, a priest tied their union with a red ribbon before holding onto it. From there, the two exchanged vows, solidifying their marriage. In this world, soul mates were highly believed in, and a marriage symbolized the two forever finding each other in their next lives.

This meant… you…

“Will you take Lillia as your wife for now and forever more?” he asked the young prince.

“I, Finn Dragonheart, here take Lillia as my wedded wife to cherish and love her until death claims me.” He beamed, softening his expression to his beautiful wife.

Forever… you promised her to love her even in death. Ah… This is just killing me.

“Lillia, do you take Finn as your husband for now and forever more?” the priest shifted his question towards the bride.

She nodded, “My forever is yours, Finn.”

“You may kiss the bride! With this union, let there be peace forevermore!” the priest announced as magical spells fired up everywhere.

It was like fireworks erupted as shimmering colors followed the people's cheers. It was a beautiful scene, yet my eyes were on Finn, who shared his first kiss with his wife. Seeing his affection for her made me clasp my chest.

No matter how short it was. He treated her gently and with care. Something very different from the lust he felt for me. Tears welled up in my eyes as the Finn’s father set up a celebratory toast.

I’m always talking out of my ass when it comes to you. Finn, why does my heart hurt so much? I don’t need anything from anyone! Not a single thing… Yet I want… No! I can’t have that! There is no use in wishing for fantasies, Sylvia!

Seeing him smile with her by his side destroyed me in ways I couldn’t understand. However, chaos soon erupted, breaking that moment of cheer when suddenly, some of the people who took part in the toast collapsed around.

Finn’s and Serah’s screams broke my sight from the chaos on the floor. Turning towards where they were, I saw the father bubbling foam from his mouth. He was convulsing, too. Astrid froze in place with everything happening; pupils fully dilated as the color from everyone’s face drained.

Others ran out of the hall before some red knights locked the doors behind them. They had come with the king and bride. Serah tried to help her father, but it was too late. His eyes were fully blown and bloodshot in a matter of seconds.

Finn went to find his wife, only to notice her by her father’s side. At that moment, everything went silent as panic ensued in the halls. Shrieking and screams echoed from the locked door, announcing the slaughter of innocent.

While the ones trapped in this throne room were far from safe, the same red knights took arms against those within the room, slaughtering anyone who got in their way. Soon, the floors and walls where everyone was celebrating were full of blood and pieces of the people who they were cutting into.

From limbs to innards splatter on the floor as the knights took no pity on women or children. Even those who begged for their lives were cut down without a second thought.

“W-What’s going on?” Finn asked, unable to shift his brain from celebration to the pure horror before his eyes.

The poor prince had all his previous color drained from his skin as his lips trembled where he stood.

“Aw, it’s a takeover, boy. It’s a pity Shinra took the easy way out, though. I wanted to see him squirm.” Ageth smirked, gazing at the limp king.

Not everyone who participated in the toast ended up like him, meaning that only some cups had poison laced in them.

What type? I didn’t know.

Nor did it matter. They were dead long before anyone could help them.

“You did this?!” Serah snarled, wanting to hurt him back.

Her magic swirled around her. However, her mother prevented her from stepping towards him by grabbing her.

“No, something isn’t right!” Astrid warned her daughter.

Stepping in front of her kids, she used herself as a wall.

“What are you doing?! Wasn’t this for peace?!” she questioned with visible tears in her eyes.

She had lost her husband, but her children still needed her.

“Peace? No, lovely Astrid. This was for conquest. What’s a better way to kill a foe than when they least expect it? Isn’t that right, Lillia?” Ageth snickered, reaching to his spawn.

All the guards had been on low alert because of the festivities. With all the noise that came from outside, it sounded like a war zone. No one expected an attack from within, especially with the celebrations on hand.

“Yes, father. I couldn’t keep up the act anymore. I almost broke earlier.” She sighed, placing her hands on her hips.

“W-what? Lillia, what are you…” Finn mumbled as more shrieks joined the show of horrors from below.

His brain lagged to understand how the girl he had come to know was a stranger. A hiss came from Felix, who was ready to launch at the intruders.

“Oh, sleeping with you was such a bore. It was so hard to stick that fake blood in there last night, but I needed you to believe I was a virgin like you for a little spell.” Lillia shrugged, snapping her fingers, triggering a pulse of energy to disperse around us.

Unaware of what she had done, I stared at her like she was mad.

“Riding you so passionately was fun, though. Everything we did was a necessary means to seal your magic away. Nothing personal, Finn.” She giggled.

Wait… What?

A second later, my eyes traveled towards the young prince, who fell to his knees, gasping for air.

“Finn!” I dropped on mine, trying to help him but couldn’t.

Everything I did just passed right through him. Serah, however, could.

“Finn?!” she yelled, grabbing him by his shoulders.

I felt helpless.

Just like when my father…

“That’s enough! This is still my home, and you’ll obey my rules!” Astrid made some hand maneuvers to manifest a spell, yet nothing happened.

Shocked, she gazed at her hands. “What?”

Her magic was also gone as more red knights gathered around them.

Where are they coming from?!

It was like they were teleporting in. Yet I didn’t see any vortex open.

“Oh, did I say his magic alone? No, no, I meant all who are united by blood have been neutered by my spell.” Lillia smirked, eyes devoid of any emotion.

Felix suddenly fell from Finn’s shoulder, struggling to find air. Familiars were only alive because of their connection to their summoners; if that was ever cut away, then…

Oh… my god…

“Please stop! You’re killing him!” the young prince screamed, picking up the small dragon from the floor.

Instead of mercy, all he was met with was a boot to the face from a knight.

“Finn!” Serah gripped her brother, who held his dragon close to his chest as the blow left him stunned.

“Oh, husband, what gave you the idea that I care at all?” Lillia smirked, watching the familiar suffocate after having his connection broken.

“You’re a monster!” she snapped before one guard grabbed her by her hair, “Let me go!” she screamed, being dragged away from her brother.

A mage without his magic was easy pickings for these wolves. Ageth walked over to the deceased King, tipping him from the chair he was on. Once on the floor, he kicked the body on the head until it had a dent in it.

“With this, your bloodline will be forever lost, Shinra. Too bad you aren’t here to see it.” He scoffed, turning towards the prince, who struggled to recover from the hit to the face.

Blood dripped from his lip onto the floor. However, his worries weren’t for him, focusing on Serah, who was fighting the knight with every tooth and nail.

“Let her—” he started, only to be met with Ageth’s boot this time.

He stomped the prince’s head onto the floor as a knight went on top of his back.

“Stop!” I yelled, fearing the madman would do the same as he did to the king.

It wasn’t like he could hear me, but he halted as this wasn’t the end he wanted for this prince.

“My men will have a field day with the women in your life. You don’t mind, do you?” The dreadful king informed.

Having had enough, I stood up.

“Stop it and get off him!” I snarled, attempting to shove the knight off Finn, but my hands went right through him.

Nothing… there’s nothing I can do to help you!

“Father, I’ll go ensure that all the vortexes have opened. I placed all the relics myself, but better to be sure than sorry.” Lillia excused herself, handing him a shimmering pendant.

Grabbing Finn by his hair, Ageth turned to her. “Sure, daughter, welcome your real husband to the takeover. He’ll be glad to see his pregnant fiancée.”

Those words were like another stab into the poor prince’s heart.

Pregnant?! This bitch!

Walking past the beaten prince, she smirked. “Sorry, Finn. Perhaps in another life. At least I rocked your world for one night.”

Love and hate were always a fine line. In an instant, his love turned into one of the darkest emotions.

“Lillia!” Finn snarled, trying to get up, only to be dragged by the king to the lower floor by his hair.

There, Nyla, Gael, Brielle, Rizak, and other hostages were held with their hands bound. His cousin was the only one who had significant injuries as she had tried to keep others safe while the rest barely had any. It wasn’t a coincidence that those who Finn and his family had close bonds with were hand-picked to live.

“Oh, by the gods…” Gael gasped, seeing his friend's condition.

Ageth dragged the poor prince, dropping him in a pool of blood from the people murdered there. It was stomach-turning, yet I tried to remain by Finn’s side, who could barely think clearly, retreating within himself to cope.

“For such a pretty boy, you sure are naïve. Falling for a distressed princess whose father is an ogre, right? Such an easy sell.” The king snickered, walking towards the middle of the room.

Finn struggled to sit, only to see his wife walk out of the room and into the castle before the doors closed behind her.

“If only you knew how many men my little Lillia has conquered. Of course, she’ll marry the lieutenant leading my army after you die and have a healthy child while your line rots.” Ageth belittled the prince.

“Fuck you!” the prince snarled, only for his eyes to open wide, noticing Ageth had someone he adored in his grip.

In his hands, he had Felix’s limp body. If he was alive or dead, I couldn’t tell, but it didn’t look good. All the vibrant color from his scales had turned pale.

“I bet the city is a blood bath. Lillia was right, though. The only way to take a fortress down is through the inside. It would’ve taken us years to take it down normally.” Ageth continued to rant, holding the dragon by his neck.

Everything that forsaken princess said was wrong. If anyone was a bore, it was her father. His voice irritated every fiber of my being. Yet I would stand firm, accepting everything Finn would show me even if it would change me.

Once again, I faced monsters that looked nothing like them. No, the true ones were the ones who hid in our skin, waiting to prey on the innocent for their gain.