Chapter 79: Chapter 79

“We can’t do it,” Langrion said firmly. He had already made up his mind. He was not going to follow the route Mage Silas and Templar had talked about earlier.

“But -” Shia said.

“No buts, Shia. Did you not hear what the repercussions were? That method is dangerous,” he said back.

Shia sat down beside Langrion and sighed. They went back to the room after staying at the garden of Templar’s villa. It was only a few minutes ago when they listened to the discussion of the method Mage Silas and the Fire God, Templar, had proposed, but their individual opinions about the matter have not changed.

After a few moments of silence, Shia spoke again, taking Langrion’s hands into hers. “Langrey, compared to the risk involved, our gains would be bigger. You would be free from the curse and the prophecy. Don’t you even want that?”

Of course there’s nothing in the world that Langrion could ever want than to be free from his curse, but not at the expense of Shia losing her life – or at least the risk of it.

Two more days after he had woken up, Langrion was finally able to meet the god whom Shia called ‘brother.’ He walked up to them with Mage Silas that morning.

He was clad in an all-white tunic, his golden hair flowing down his back just like that of a maiden. If his chest wasn’t half exposed, Langrion would have really thought that he was a lady. His feathery eyelashes, the soft curves of his cheek, and the ethereal features of his eyes and lips were as comely as a maiden’s. He had actually blushed when Langrion looked at him for a long time.

“Is there anything on my face? You’re staring at it for too long,” Templar said. His subdued voice could be easily mistaken for a girl too.

“Forgive me, but you are too comely...” Langrion said, seemingly taken aback by his beauty.

Templar and Shia laughed together.

“I actually said the same thing,” Shia said, blushing. She had actually called him ‘goddess’ several times before she was able to correct her mistake.

“It’s alright. Freya and I have a similar face, but I like how she looks now. Finally, I can be the only golden-haired beauty among the gods and goddesses!” Templar spoke in jest.

They laughed together again, like two old acquaintances. Langrion smiled. It had been a long time since he had seen Shia laugh so carefree as such.

In contrast, Mage Silas seemed like he was in a surly mood. “Did Shia already tell you why we are here?”

Langrion nodded. “I heard that I can’t stay here because of my curse.”

“Indeed. Teotroly was made to rise from the ground because of Sirion, and since you are the very representation of him, you are not supposed to stay here...” Templar said, turning downcast.

“Which is why you I suggested to Freya that you must perform the cleansing ritual soon,” he continued. He took a sideway glance at Shia who did not meet his stare.

Langrion’s eyebrow shot in the air. “Cleansing ritual? What is that?”

“Cleansing is the act of removing one’s human traces. Teotroly, as you all know, is the Land of the Gods. Only creatures of pure magic can reside here. The only exceptions are the human spouses that Teotrolians take. If a human trespasses in Teotroly, he or she will eventually die unless he or she weds a Teotrolian and consummates the marriage.”

“Therefore, when you speak of a cleansing ritual, you are actually talking about marriage,” Langrion clarified.

Templar nodded in agreement. “Magic has to be passed on to remove one’s human marks, so to be precise, the cleansing ritual involves marriage and the consummation of it.”

“What if the consummation act had already taken place?” Langrion asked. Shia’s face turned crimson, but thankfully, Templar and Mage Silas didn’t seem to have noticed.

“That will depend on the Teotrolian’s race. If you’re to wed a god or goddess, early consummation would slow down the curse, but the marriage ceremony must still take place. The exchange of red laces would suspend the effects of Teotroly’s protection curse for good.”

“There’s also one more thing that such a marriage can do.” Mage Silas’ eyebrows furrowed. “Once a wedding between a human and a god or goddess happens, the bride or groom can ask for a wish from any one of the gods and goddesses.”

Langrion wondered, “A wish? What sort of wish can one ask?”

“Anything can be asked,” Templar said, “Even the lifting of a curse can be requested.”

Langrion’s eyes widened. So the solution that Shia had mentioned before was this – the fulfilment of a marriage wish!

“It’s easy enough to say that, but the god whom you should ask this wish from should be the originator of the curse, and you know damn well, Templar, that Sirion won’t be reached by ordinary means.” Mage Silas said, his face darkening.

“But you are here, Galahad. Surely you can create tears in the fabrics of time and space for that,” Templar said, unaffected by the mage’s darkening look.

“I shall not do it. Freya could die!”

Templar began to speak, “Well, technically, Galahad, we both know that she won’t die. Only the mortal body might get corrupted, but -”

Shia started to nudge Templar lightly on the ribs. “I think that’s enough information for one day, brother...”

Langrion’s clasped his fist tightly. “What do you mean her body will get corrupted?”

Templar sighed. “Freya is a goddess, and a goddess’ spirit does not die. The mortal body is like a shell, so if she crosses voids and gets into any accidents, she’ll still live on in spirit.”

“Then, that means she will definitely die!” Langrion said, his anger getting the best of him.

Templar looked at him in wonder. He had forgotten that Langrion himself was a human in love with Freya’s human form; of course, he’ll react like this. However, can’t he see that her spirit will still survive unscathed? Templar shook his head. Perhaps he would never really understand the complicated emotions humans have.

“The chances of that happening is rare, Langrey.” Shia said, trying to soothe Langrion’s nerves.

“Be honest with him, Freya. The possibility of your mortal form dying is not rare. Your goddess’ form can survive it, but the human flesh might be too weak.” Mage Silas retorted. Shia shot him a hard, disapproving look afterwards.

“Then, that’s a no. We would not go through with a cleansing.” Langrion finally said.

“Langrion, I think we need some time to consider this. Galahad can find a way to safely take me to Sirion. If we don’t wed, then I just might lose you. A cleansing ritual is not such a bad idea to prolong your life, and since I can ask Sirion to take back your curse, I can save you entirely. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Shia said, still not giving up the dangerous idea.

Langrion kept his silence. He had already made up his mind.

“We will come back again soon. You cannot tarry regarding this matter. Your fragile human body will never survive Teotroly’s magic.” Templar said, standing up from his seat.

Mage Silas rose up from his seat as well, never saying a word back, but his face looked a little more relieved than before they started their discussion.

As soon as they left, Shia turned to Langrion.

“We shouldn’t dismiss this option, entirely, Langrey. Isn’t this what you have wanted all along – the freedom from your curse?”

“We don’t have to wed. We can just leave Teotroly and think of other options.”

“And what other options do we have? You are going to turn twenty one soon. Sirion’s curse will be completed by then. Besides, your body is still recuperating from the poison. If we leave Teotroly now, is it a guarantee that you will survive? Plus, where could we possibly go? The protection magic around this place blocks Sirion’s power, so he won’t be able to easily find us here. Sirion is determined to have both you and me. This is our only option!”

Langrion seized Shia by the shoulder. “The Ancient Evil is determined to have ‘us’? What do you mean?”

Shia looked towards the ground, avoiding his stare. He titled her head towards her and spoke once more. “What do you mean, Shia?”

“During the debutant ball, Sirion took hold of Danterion’s body and spoke to me. He also spoke to me while we were running away from Gaulane... He knew we have already been intimate together, so he wants you dead... As for me, I guess he wanted to have me by his side as he wages war on earth...”

She cupped his face in her hands. “We can’t lose like this to him, Langrey. We can get married anywhere, but the moment that he finds us, it will be over. If we don’t take advantage of the cleansing ritual, we will eventually lose each other. Do you want that?”

Langrion released his grip from Shia’s frame. So the Ancient Evil eventually wants him dead, and he was going to take Shia away, no matter what... He had already thought that these scenarios were possible, but still, how can she ask her to put her life at risk like that?

“I am not going to put you in any such danger. Let this thing rest now. There won’t be a wedding – not if it will put your life at risk.”

She glared at him and stomped away, leaving him in a very gloomy mood at the garden.

Templar and Mage Silas have been gone now for an hour, but still Langrion has been adamant with his decision. He would never risk Shia’s life just to cure his curse.

Shia must be thinking the same thing about him. She had promised him that she will change their fates, no matter what, and she probably saw the cleansing ritual as an opportunity to do just that.

They were still engaged in a silent war, brooding at the thoughts that each other had about the cleansing ritual.

After a while, it was Shia who came closer to Langrion. He had now gotten back to his bed. After two days of resting, his health still hasn’t fully recovered yet. Perhaps this was already the effects of Teotroly’s protection magic against him.

She went to him and knelt by the side of his bed. She put her head on his lap.

He patted her on the head, unable to resist being near her even though he was really angry at her earlier thoughts.

“Langrey... I’m sorry I wasn’t being considerate... You probably didn’t want to get married at all, so I won’t push it...”

Langrion wanted to laugh. It wasn’t marrying her that he had been against but her determination to ask for a wish from The God of Darkness and the creator of his curse. If meeting him alone would put her into grave peril, then how about when they meet? Even if she does reach him unscathed, wouldn’t it be possible that he could detain her against her will?

“It’s not the wedding that worries me... It’s you... What if he sways you to come to him?... I’m the only one in the losing end here...”