Chapter Text
Kanata is hungry. He would dare to say that he has not been this hungry throughout his miserable life, to the point where he could feel his stomach retracting and his skin rubbing against the edge of his ribs, which, right now, seemed sharper than the blade of daggers. and maybe it was that, which made it hard for him to move around. But what bothered him most, the pain that clogged his throat and allowed no food or drink to go down, and instead poured poison in his stomach, was neither his hunger nor his thirst, but it was that he’s not alone in experiencing this torture.
Laid on his shoulder a head of lavender locks, similar to his own, only in curls and shorter. Nothing could be heard from him, except the rale in his even breathing that bounced on damp and dark walls of the dungeon and mingled with the drip of drops falling from a crack in the ceiling into a waterworn pit in their cell. The only thing that pushed Kanata away from falling off the edge of sanity up to this moment, the sign that tells his twin’s heart remains beating still.
In the dark hole they are imprisoned in, there was nothing to do but sleep and await the dawn they were destined to see the sun one last time, and therefore they kept watch in turns while doing the former. Fortunately, unlike Kanata, sleep came to Nayuta in a blink, a gift or curse that came with the condition of his health. He slept for hours longer than Kanata, something that made him feel guilty, but the older twin glad. The more he remained unconscious, the less he had to endure three days of hunger.
It was three days ago when some knights of the lowest ranks came and took them away for being the culprits of the unforgivable sin of sorcery and attempt of endangering the life of the king or his minister, and threw them in the dungeon of king Yeon the Great’s castle. They were here for a sin that even a peasant like Kanata knew its verdict: burning at the stake.
But despite this, three days had passed and both of them remain alive, a fact that was supposed to put their minds at ease, but filled their hearts with terror instead.
Before the end of the second day of their imprisonment, when Kanata woke up to take his turn in keeping watch, Nayuta whispered to him: “maybe they’re thinking of a punishment worse than burning us at the stakes, Kanata. Maybe that’s why they’re keeping us alive.” And dared not to say anything more, only enough to make space for mania and foolish thoughts to not overwhelm him, and yet enough for Kanata to weave the rest of the unfinished thread in his head. He suffered from the selfish act he had committed, but was still happy to feel less lonely.
And Kanata thought of it all the time he was awake, of all the things they could do to them, all the scars that could be embedded into his brother’s feeble body. In his mind he imagined a map of pale scars, short and tall, alongside burns that have become a faded pink. A map which humans had drawn on their father’s, Haruomi’s body.
“avoid humans, Kanata. Good or bad, they’re nothing but trouble for us.” Is what his father would say with an alarmed tone in his voice, and an anger mixed with fear that ran not only in their veins, but in the veins of all mages.
If their fathers were to know that their sons are captivated by humans, what would they do? would they help them? would they break all rules they have set ever since they took them in, for their own survival, in order to save them from the fate of their ancestors? Or would they watch from first row of the crowd that gathers around the hill of Witch’s Furnace with a look of rebuke in their eyes, as if wanting to say: we warned you, now you see the consequence of your disobedience.
If Nayuta were awake to listen to his thoughts- which he often did without permission- he would surely give him a taste of his fist and would say: “you know dads. They would never do that. don’t you remember what father said? “rules are made for your own safety, but they’ll never become more important than you.” that’s what he would say.”
Thinking about their fathers is useless, and so is reckoning on their help. Right now, they are somewhere far beyond their reach, somewhere along the steep shores of the Silver Dragon’s vale, in search for something neither had revealed to them.
Before leaving, Chisei had forced them to go over the rules and recite them from memory:
No.1: Avoid humans.
No.2: Do not trust humans.
No.3: Do not tell anyone your true name.
No.4: Do not use magic in the presence of humans, unless there is nothing else you can do to save your life.
No.5: do not use forbidden magic, not even if death is at your doorstep.
Kanata told him what he’s doing is stupid and unnecessary, and said they are old enough and no longer need their protection. Chisei had laughed in response, and his eyes that were the same shade as the most desirable clusters of amethyst lightened up with something akin to thunder, so bright that the gold of his hair looked dull in comparison.
“my little thunderlings, maybe you count as grown-ups in human years, but in mage years you’re not even teenagers yet!” and he ruffled their hair to the point where he could hear their yell of protest. Then, with a benediction which he sealed with a kiss on their foreheads, they left, and went on their journey neither knew when they would return from.
how useful that was. Was the thought that filled Kanata’s mouth with a bitter taste. He tried to swallow his saliva, if to quench his thirst even a little, but it only made his lips dry. He felt like it’s been a day since he had anything to drink, but Kanata had no sense of time in this cursed place. Here, underground, there was no window to the outside world for light to make its way inside, and the torches were the only present source of light. another form of torture to make their waiting seem longer.
The thread of his thoughts, and the symphony of Nayuta’s breathing and the dripping of water, was abruptly disturbed by light steps. His brother snapped out of his restless slumber, and it was like the fire of torches shivered from the new comer’s presence.
Kanata stopped himself from saying thank god in his mind. First he imagined it’s a guard, bringing them water. They did not feed those who were sentenced to death, but did not deny them some water in a dirty dish that they would pour from between the bars into their mouth with. But when he focused on the sound of the stranger’s approaching steps, Kanata noticed a lack of rattling of an armor accompanying him. whomever was coming down the stony staircase, was not a guard.
Fear began to spiral in his head, his body became tense, and Nayuta’s hand whom he knew was scared as well took a hold of his own, as if they both knew finally death is coming to take them away.
The stranger did not stop before any of the other barred holes that had been made in the wall. Instead, he walked with firm and long steps towards the twins. The only thing visible in the feeble light of torches, was his leathered boots that came ahead of himself and the old brown cloak that its hood covered his head and was fastened around his neck with a brass pin. His attempt of keeping his identity a secret went no further than fooling aristocrats, for his cloak may be one that belongs to a servant, but his boots, although old and weathered, remained desirable and in good shape. It was of a quality that only those with money that came from heritage or fame, or at least a wealth enough to keep a mouth well fed, can afford.
When he came to a stop before them, he looked tall. The torch that burned behind him casted a long shadow on the twins, in a way that drained their hearts of bravery. But if he really had such intentions, he did not know who’s he messing with. Whilst he squeezed Nayuta’s hand in his and kept them hidden between their bodies, Kanata frowned, and growled like a trapped beast in bounds, baring his teeth. The new comer showed no sign of acknowledging his rudeness.
Then, to their surprise, he took off the hood and revealed his face. for a moment they had to squint, as if the sun itself has appeared in front of their eyes, for the red hair of the new comer looked as if it was on fire from the light behind him, and made it hard to watch. When their visions adjusted, the stranger was kneeling before them on one knee to be on the same level. Kanata felt a small satisfaction from this scene.
“greetings. It’s nice to meet you.” Kanata’s frown deepened. It was the first time they were seeing or hearing him. he was neither of the guards that brought them here, and he was not one of the knights that were responsible for their imprisonment. And if this wasn’t enough, he was being polite to them, to them, who in the eyes of his kin did not deserve to even breath. He was already suspicious if he had any tricks up his sleeve or not.
“can I ask for your names?” his voice was like his steps and stance, firm. Kanata perceived that he must possess quite a status in the castle. Not only was he here without guards, but by the looks of it he carried no armor or weapon, and yet they let him through. But his face looked so young. In fact, he did not look like he had seen many winters more than the twins.
“what’s it to you?”
Rule No.1: Avoid humans.
“well…I believe it is my business, sort of. My guards informed me that you had given no name or mentioned any family members in your three days of imprisonment here, and local reports state you are not from town.”
Rule No.3: Never give your real name to humans, unless there is a special circumstance.
“so these fuckers work for you, huh? Aren’t you a little young to be a commander?” Kanata gave him a derisive smirk. He wanted to anger him, didn’t like the friendly mask he wore on his face. those who show their true, ugly colors are more respectable in comparison to those who use tricks and try to be something they’re not: a friend. This stranger, even if Kanata managed to hurt his pride, allowed nothing but a smile to adorn his handsome face.
“I hear that a lot. It’s not a compliment, but I take it as one. Thank you.” not only did his plan fail, but he responded with a counter attack, and now it was Kanata that frowned and bristled with anger. Before he can think of a response, or say something to seal their death sentence, Nayuta interrupted him.
“so? Does it matter? What difference does it make if you know our names? We’re going to get executed anyways.”
“you’re not going to get executed.” His words were honest, dangerous, and of hope. He said them with such a commanding voice that made them both jump with surprise. From that, and the hard look in his eyes. Not even Kanata saw it in himself to cover his astonishment.
“what are you talking about?” the stranger’s brows furrowed, shifted on his knee to lessen from the weight it was forced to bear. His narrowed eyes and the wrinkles that appeared on his nose could be seen on his forehead as well, and the fire that casted a shadow on his face made him look more like a general. Kanata noted that he does not like this expression on him.
“both of you were arrested for sorcery and attempt at taking the life of his majesty or his minister. Both are heavy accusations, and should not be treated lightly. Until I have solid proof for them, I will put off your executions as far as I have the power to.” Kanata looked in his eyes, in search for something in his determined stare to give away his lies or reveal his tricks, but not for a single moment did he turn away from Kanata’s gaze. More than making him feel at ease, his words angered Kanata. He hated his iron stance, that unbreakable mask he wore on his face. or if there was no mask, he hated that gullible belief that made him think he could save them.
He wanted to use his magic, to make him reveal his true intentions with his own tongue, but Nayuta, whom could hear his thoughts, squeezed his hand instead. it was forbidden to use magic in front of humans.
“why should we believe you?” it was Kanata who spoke this time, an invitation to a duel, for this baby knight who refused to look away. Kanata was not willing to lose this fight.
“I’m not here to ask you to believe me, because you believing or not is not crucial in changing your final sentence. My knights brought you here, and I’m not going to let them take you away until I can make sure of the righteousness of the accusations. If you are executed without proof, we will never learn the truth behind this and whoever is behind the attempt is free to roam around and try again, and succeed next time.” He turned away from Kanata to give his attention to Nayuta instead. “this is what I told the council and in the presence of the king, but if I’m going to be honest, the accusations don’t make sense to me.”
“you don’t look like you got anything else but muscles up there.” That was what Kanata said, but truth is, his body under the cloak did not look broad or muscular. Despite this, he couldn’t have become a high ranking knight just through connections.
The stranger ignored his comment, and continued talking to Nayuta, whom in his mind he had decided is the more mature twin: “first, about the attempt. The booth was set on fire when the minister has had yet to arrive, and his majesty was not in the carriage that was coming to town. If the suspect wanted to harm either of them, he should’ve waited for their arrival. And about the sorcery, I did some research around the area and found a half-burned torch nearby, only a few feet away behind the booth. Although this does not clear the accusation of sorcery, finding the real culprit will mean you will be free to go. you were reported as the last people who bought something from that booth.”
“we just wanted to buy some fruits, which they all got ruined when your knights jumped us. Is buying fruits in the land of the almighty king Yeon considered an attempt?” Kanata interrupted him again. the redhead looked at him, but paid no mind to his words. Kanata wanted to spit on him.
“also, from what the locals said, you are occasionally seen in town, but no one knows who you are. There are a lot of people like this in this town, but there is no denying that this still played a part in determining your sentence.” He placed his hand on the iron bars that separated the twins from the outside world, and held their gaze with the same unwavering determination that made his red eyes burn brighter than any torch. “I wouldn’t let them execute you without proof. I promise you that.”
Something trembled in Kanata’s chest, an increasing rage that threatened to erupt like a volcano, warmed his skin and made his fingers tingle with the urge to use his magic. If it weren’t for Nayuta, he would’ve allowed it to flow freely from his hands and tongue, to kill this blinding light and darken it forever. how dare he hold his head high before them and make an oath with his sinful tongue? The punishment for such sin is greater than anything Kanata can come up with.
“this is all I came here to tell you. this is probably the last time we meet. Although, there is something more.” His hand reached under his cloak, and pushed it back a little. For the first time beneath his ragged cover, he saw the handle of a sword, gleaming with a clear light that could only be from silver. from under it, he took out a piece of clean cloth and placed it inside their cell from between the bars, and from the cloth, two loaves of bread came in sight. “we’re not allowed to feed you, but I don’t know how long my investigation to find the culprit would take. if this goes on, there won’t be any need for an execution.”
This was the last straw, and Kanata did not bother try to control his rage, nor his tongue.
“we don’t need the lies and false promises from the kinds of you! you think you can buy yourself conscience by taking pity on us? You and your kind are the reason we’re thrown in here to rot! And because of what? for buying fruits! You think you can make us forget all the suffering you caused by giving us some food?! You royal pigs are all the same, dirty piles of filth! But you, pretending you’re anything but that disgust me the most! Fuck you and the filthy food you throw at us like we’re animals!” he felt no fear in raising his voice and allowing his words to bounce from the walls and reach the ears of the guards upstairs. Nayuta tried to stop him, to calm him down, although it was clear he agreed with his brother.
Despite all his screaming and yelling, the knight before them did not seem to be offended by his insults, only if it weren’t for the slight frown between his eyebrows which gave away the tiny bit of unease in his red eyes.
For a while, the sound of the dripping water and the rale of Kanata’s harsh breathing was all that filled the silence, until finally the knight rose from his knee and casted his tall shadow on them once more, who remained trapped in their cell.
“as I said, I came here for these two reasons, and now if you excuse me I have other matters I need to attend to. For now, farewell. Maybe we’ll meet again in the future, under better circumstances.” He pulled the hood of his cloak on his head again, and his face and red hair disappeared into nothingness once more. At first, his steps were the same as when he came down the stairs, firm and practiced. But he had only walked a short distance away when he came to an abrupt stop, back still to the twins.
“what you, the kinds of you, or those who you believe are of my kind think, doesn’t matter to me. I didn’t reach where I stand today with the thoughts and beliefs of others, just to change with them now.” He allowed the reverberation of his words to haunt Kanata for hours after he left by climbing up the stairs that led to dark corridors and stone hallways above their head. For a long time, their suspecting eyes watched the cloth-wrapped breads, until Nayuta could bear hunger no more and reached for one of the loaves. Kanata was fast to take it from his hand, saying it may be poisoned. Nayuta didn’t care, said even if they are, he could try them and if they weren’t, they could eat together. and so, upon meeting his brother’s stubbornness, Kanata bit into one which he was met with Nayuta’s protest, and the taste of butter in the fresh bread. His brother tried to pry his mouth open, but Kanata who was always physically stronger, did not allow him.
After sometime of bickering and wrestling that ended with a solid punch to Kanata’s arm, they figured the breads are safe to eat, and each grabbed a loaf and bit into. In Kanata’s mind passed a thought that the baby knight has brought them his own breakfast, for the bread had not lost its freshness and the butter was soft and full of taste, but he paid no mind to it.
***
Four days passed like this, which, for the twins who didn’t have a sense of time, went on like years. The general, whom through the servant he had assigned to bring them food the twins learned is a lord and is known as Sugasano, had ordered him to secretly bring them food anytime he could so they would not lose strength from hunger. Kanata hated tolerating such behavior and their pity, but had no choice but to endure, for sating his brother’s hunger matters more than anything, even his own pride. And finally, it was in the morning of the fourth day that a guard arrived at their cell and opened the door.
“good morning. It’s finally time to clear your bill, you’ve been our guest here for long enough.” When their stiff legs refused to help them rise, he came in, forced them on their feet by pulling on the collar of their tattered clothes and pushed them forward. Nayuta fell to his knees from the force, but before Kanata can entangle with the guard he was back on his feet again.
It’s finally time, Kanata. He heard Nayuta’s voice in his head, and felt an anxious wave coming from him, although no sign of it could be seen on his pale features.
That damn baby knight failed, huh? He tutted, making the guard walking behind them push him forward a bit which was met with Kanata’s protest. I should’ve cursed him for that damned oath so he wouldn’t be able to sleep for the rest of eternity, to the point he starts hallucinating and be driven to insanity. Damn him. damn all of these fucking knights.
They climbed the high steps of the spiral stairs until finally, after a week of imprisonment, they could see the first pale and weak rays of summer dawn crawling in from beyond the sealed windows to touch their ashen skin. The twins always looked pale, but now after a week of no sunlight they appeared the same as the dead, except for blood and magic flowing in their veins and making their skin bright, which glimmered like the surface of pearls in the morning sun.
Nayuta, whom walked ahead with chained hands towards his destiny, stared at the grey dawn. His brother, ever since he could remember, was enamored and entranced by the sky and all that belongs to it, loved the magic emitting from the moon and stars more than he loved any other type of magic, and was naturally gifted in putting them to use, for they loved him as much as he did. His heart hurt for his brother, for what he loved was taken away from him so cruelly.
What are we supposed to do, Kanata? Use our magic and run? Nayuta’s voice, mingled with sorrow rang in his head, and if he wasn’t sure of his plan, now he knew what to do.
As soon as we step out of his damned castle, we use our magic to create illusions and make ourselves invisible long enough to get away, open our cuffs and run before we get to witch’s furnace. I don’t care what dads would say. On his left side to the east, he could see a green hill with a large platform build upon it and the stakes from the window that looked grey in the pale light. beneath the stakes were yet to be covered with hay, and there was no sign of a crowd. Kanata thought it’s still early to gather, although no one opens their shops on the morning that an execution is meant to take place.
They turned in the hallway and Kanata understood they are going towards the gates, so they could be walked to witch’s furnace from the road that leads to town, for their hanging heads and their begging sobs to escape death to be a lesson others could learn from. If that’s what they thought of him and his brother, then they were making the biggest mistake of their life.
When they arrived at the iron gates of the castle, the sun had rose from behind the eastern mountains and had gained enough strength to exhale its warm breath upon their cold bodies. Nayuta let out a sigh of relief, delighted to feel the warm and regenerative nature of sun’s magic on his skin, and so was Kanata, although the sun does not affect him or his magic the same as Nayuta.
Just as he expected, a crowd consisting of old and the young, men and women, boys and girls was beginning to gather around the square. His indifferent gaze met them one by one, head held high, as if wanting them to know of how little they are worth compared to them, even when they are in chains. When he heard the rattling of armor behind him, it was his cue to begin walking again, but a knight held him in his place and to their surprise, began unlocking the cuffs around their wrists and ankles.
…Kanata, did you do something? He heard Nayuta’s voice, just as bewildered as the expression on his face.
No? before they can exchange anymore words, the hopeless shouts of a man were heard from the cobblestone street leading to the main square. The crowd eventually parted, revealing four knights approaching, among them were two who grabbed to the arms of one of the townsfolk and dragged him towards the gates in an undisturbed array. The man plead, begged for their mercy, swore on the life of his wife and two daughters and son that he’s no more than a simple farmer and before he could dare to make an attempt at his majesty’s life, he would cut his own hands off with his shovel. His shouts were futile, nonetheless. No matter how much he struggled against their hold, or dug the sole of his shoes into the cracks of the cobblestone path, they dragged him along and if saw fit, poked at him with the tip of their swords to make him walk.
“you’re lucky.” Said a guard eventually. He too, looked at the man that was nearly being carried towards the castle. “if it weren’t for lord Sugasano, you would’ve gotten executed already. But he persisted that you cannot be burned at the stakes without proof, for it would be murder of innocent people. and, well, unlike what everyone thought, his investigations proved him right. Apparently, this guy is the neighbor of the farmer that owned the booth, and he’s also a farmer. Unlike his own, his rival’s harvest this year was good and heavy and he thought if the king saw his products, the royal court may want to offer him a deal, that’s why he set his booth on fire. But the dumbass left the torch there and that’s what got him caught, which of course, benefited you. if I were you, I would’ve remained grateful for the rest of my life.” and left to join the rest of the knights to accompany the new prisoner to his cell, leaving them both behind.
The twins had nothing that can be taken, so there was nothing that can be returned to them. soon, in the time where the brothers remained shock from the miracle that had saved them, the crowd began to scatter and finally, gave path to a bystreet they could step on and get away from the castle. There were unpleasant whispers all around them, grumbling about the lack of a proper execution.
Maybe the prayer their dad blessed them with was not useless after all.
“well, Kanata, I think even if you did curse that redhead lord, it wouldn’t have made a difference.” This time not in his head, but his twin told him with a cocky smirk on his lips and the only thing he got in response was the incoherent grumbles of Kanata, which turned Nayuta’s smirk into gentle and relieved laughter that blessed Kanata’s ears and heart.