25.2 ▌Origin of the Birthmark

                                    

                                          
PERSPIRATION SHEENED on Elise's paltry skin. Her body convulsed as her fingers clenched. The nails scratched her skin but she could not feel any pain. Her focus was on one single thing.
Endless blood. 
There was nothing in her view but the color of crimson painting her surroundings. She wanted to scream however only silence was there. Sweat and tears had mingled on her face. She was helpless upon watching the scene in her mind.
Aricson's body was dyed crimson. A sword was stabbed in his chest. He opened his eyes and blood flowed on each side. There was no emotion visible on the bloodied face. 
His hand reached out to her yet she did not move. She did not help him just like how she remembered. She stood still as she watched him die. Her heart became heavier, weighing her conscience down. How could she move on if there was a possibility that he died because of her?
She should not have made him come with her. Or better yet, she should not have appeared in front of him. Elise did not regret meeting and falling in love with Aricson but if she was given another chance, she would not hesitate to undo the past.
The past where they would not even meet. She brought danger towards him and that alone could make her restless.  
'I need to see him. Please, please let me go back!' She begged but nobody could hear her. Her persistent pleading continued until the scene changed.
A sense of relief consumed her upon seeing the familiar castle wall. The lawned courtyard was as neatly trimmed as ever. But, it was too early to feel so.
The familiar gray brick stones had become duller from the overcasting clouds. The gloomy atmosphere was not only brought upon by the weather but the people. The white clothing did nothing to brighten the place with all the sullen expressions on their faces.
Her breathing was palpitated as she saw the people gathering at the front. Brennan. Caian. Dryann. Erkhan. Faylinn. Gavirien. Hadrien. Even Orin and Gerald were beside them but the person she wanted to see the most was nowhere.
'No, no, no. This can't be true!' Elise had found herself in a dream but everything appeared so vivid. The faces of the strangers around her were so clear as if they exist, else how could she imagine everyone to have such detail?
She saw Faylinn leaning on Erkhan. Dryann was eerily quiet and the younger twins had somber expressions. There was no change in Caian's grim face as Brennan walked to the center.
"Greetings to everyone who graced us in their presence. With nothing but great remorse, we lost a ruler beloved by the clan. Rei Aricson Flamion—"
Everything stopped when those words were uttered. Her pulse was going quicker by the minute. It was getting harder to breathe. Elise's mind went into frenzy, swirling into the darkness, before finally falling into the serenity of the night.