5 years ago...
"Mr. Moralez. The heart transplant was a success, and your child is doing very well. His new heart is beating strongly and his immune system doesn't seem to reject it, what an unbelievable kid! Don't worry, we'll be here in every step of the way during his recovery." The surgeon greeted the father of the patient with joy and relief.
For the man is their employer, the CEO of Zeworld's Hospital, one of the many medical institution of Zeworld's Pharmaceutical Company Inc.
A company that thrived in the industry of medicine in just a year.
"Thank you, you can leave us for a moment!" Mr. Moralez thanked the surgeon as he enters the I.C.U (Intensive Care Unit) to check on his son.
"With this, you might get save!" He whispers as he stare at his son, still unconscious.
"You thought you can save your beloved just by replacing his heart? Are you gonna keep replacing his heart until his body rejects the next one?" An old man, carrying a statue of a serpent walk into the room.
"Master Goodway?" He looked at the old man, confusion drawn on his face.
"The Curse was bestowed upon your Soul, and to those around you, you already exposed him to your toxic energy throughout these years, this method couldn't possibly keep him safe!" The Elder stated as he stroke on the statue.
"What should I do next? Should I just isolate him away from me?" The man asked, full of desperation.
"That might be the only way, replacing his heart for the third time wouldn't be safe for the Young Master, we should take him on an island, where I could place a barrier on. That way, we can keep him safe and away from your curse!" The old man explained as his statue's eyes lit up.
"I'll buy an island near the city, that way I could still reach him if I want to-"
"Take cover!" The old man pushed his employer as his statue's eyes glowed brighter.
"A Serpent Priest, what do you think your doing?" A growly woman's voice suddenly appeared as black smokes covers the boy's body.
"Silvia!" The man screamed the name of the mystical woman.
"Bahaha, it's nice to see you suffer... I sure hope my original can see this demise!" The woman laugh as she floats around the boy's body.
"Serpent God, heed my call, invoke thy venomous Spirit and free-" The old man started his incantation yet a strong force threw him off his feet.
"Serpent God? What can that God do to me?" The woman yell as dark powerful smoke pushes the old man out of the room.
"Silvia, if you want to kill me, do it, I won't fight back. Just don't hurt my son!" The man pleaded, kneeling with both hands on the floor.
"I told you, I'm not the Silvia you knew, you're late, she's already dead and on the afterlife! If you want the curse to be lifted, quench our people's thirst, suffer to ease her anger! Suffer hard!" The woman's voice echoed on his ears as she vanish into the thin air.
"I can't lose my son, I can't lose my remaining loved one!" He cried, pleading into the universe for some help.
But deep inside he knew, he deserved such punishment, but does everybody else had to suffer just because of him?
***
Uther's P.O.V
"Young Master, are you ready for your morning walk?" Irene walked into my room and opened the curtains.
"The chef cooked some Spanish lamb, we need to replenish your blood after last night's session!" She continues to talk as she offer her hand to me.
"Get out!" I glared at her.
"It's good to see that you still have energy to argue, now stand, the Shaman told us to keep you active throughout the day so that the Purification won't lose its strength!" I can't spook her, she's too confident that she won't lose her job.
She's the only one who can piss me off this much!
"Can we stop the Bloodletting?" I told her after we got out of the house.
"No can't do, your health's slowly improving since this Shaman arrived, just a few more sessions and you'll be back on your full health!" She smiled as she support my every step.
Stupid curse! Stupid father! Stupid Irene!
Can they not see me weakening day by day? They should be focusing on finding my father a new wife to make another heir! Why are they wasting their time and resources on me?
"What other methods do I need to endure for you to finally accept my fate?" I stopped.
"Young Master, don't say that!" She immediately tried to persuade me.
"No, can't you see? I'm next, father needs to accept tha-"
"Young Master, calm down, your heart won't take the stress!" She immediately helped me to sit on the grass to catch my breath.
Fuck! This second heart seemed to be a bit more delicate than the other. I can't stand this anymore!
"I'm so weak!" I whispered as I watch her fuss about my situation.
"Skies above, grant me the power to-" I heard the Shaman casted her spell, yet a dark smoke covered her mouth.
"Watch out!" Irene blocked my eyes as I watch the woman's head twist.
*Thud* All I can hear is her body dropping on the ground.
"We better go back, I don't think the barrier outside's strong enough!" Irene helped me getting up and forced me to run back inside.
"What happened?" Oliver, the newest guard helped me getting up the stairs.
"Silvia's near, get him inside his room, she won't reach Young Master there!" Irene screamed as she grab different kinds of totem that's displayed across the villa.
Days passed and I remained on my room, unaware of what is happening outside.
"I thought I was ready to die?" I ask myself in the mirror as I stare at the huge scar on my chest and abdomen.
This second heart, I just got it but it felt like it's already a part of me- this must be what the doctors are saying, my body has the ability to not reject any body transplant I get... Must be nice for others, but it scares me. What if, in the end, I might turn into a Frankenstein? Driven by my father's efforts at keeping me alive, he'll do everything for me, he'll even go to unlicensed surgeons to change my rotting insides!
"I'm lucky that the Maiden only targets hearts!" I tried to make fun of my situation.
A sudden loud banging on my balcony caught my attention.
"Fuck!" I heard a man's voice.
I immediately dressed up and ran to my balcony, luckily it was locked.
"What should I do?" I heard him say as he sat on the floor.
How did he get in there? The other room's empty after the last Shaman died, he couldn't possibly walk into my room without me knowing?
The door's also locked- did he flew? There's like 3 meters of distance between our room's balconies, who is this guy?
"Who the hell are you?" I said after opening the glass door.
He lifted his head, and the pounding of my heart drowned out the world around me. Time stretched, each second crawls as I locked eyes with him.
"How did you get here?!" I snapped back in reality.
What happened to me?
"I-" He started.
I can't stay staring like this at his eyes, I grabbed his collar out of frustration. I don't know what has gotten into me, I just can't stay looking at him!
"Fuck!" I whispered as we both lost our balance.
I found myself lying on the cold floor, his weight pressing against me. The chill seeped into my skin, yet all I could focus on were his eyes, locked onto mine, unreadable, relentless.
"Yo- You're not one of Manager's men, are you?" He tried to cover the undeniable tension in the air.
"No?"
"Then, help me get out of here!" He said as he stood up, lending out his hand to offer help.
"Where are you going?" I asked before grabbing.
"You're also a prisoner here, am I right?" He said as if he just realized it.
Prisoner? I guess I'm somewhat like that? Is he a new guard? He seemed strong, he could lift me like I was nothing- but with that kind of body build, I don't think he is!
"That damn CEO!" He scoffed, cursing my father.
That was the moment where I found him amusing, he speaks what's on his mind without fear. He surely does not know who I am, if he just realize what he said in front of me, he'll probably lose blood on his face!
A silent giggled, I just found myself giggling at the thought alone-
"Wait here!" He told me as he push me to sit on my bed.
I watch him slowly reach into my door, trying to peak on the peephole.
"Now what?" I whispered on his ear, trying to tease him.
This is the first time where I get to be myself again, who is this guy? Why is he so easy to be with?
"I told you to wait there!" He faced me with haste.
With our faces close to each other, I can finally see him clearly, he's definitely not my new body guard, who's employee is this? Irene or Ricco?
"Where are you planning to take me?" I smiled, shoving the thoughts away.
He stayed silent, his breath got heavy as he continues to stare at me with those furrowed brows and puppy eyes.
"Are you thinking about me?" I don't know why I just said that, but my smile just grew wider.
"No- No! Are you mentally challenged? I- I'm just strategizing our escape!" He pushed me away and went back to peeping.
"No one's outside, I'll open the door and we'll ru-" A sudden knock interrupted him.
"Hide!" We said in unison.
In that moment, I couldn't figure out why I was too anxious on whoever's coming, but I just found myself dragging him with me into my bed, both covering us under the blankets.
"Shh!" I wrapped my hands around him when he was about to get up.
A silent befall on us as we both stared at each other, the time slowed again.
"Young master, I have someone to introduce to you later. Please get ready!" It's just Ricco, why did I panicked?
"Give me ten minutes to prepare!" I said as I remain my eyes on his.
Why can't I take off my eyes from him? There's like a magnet that keeps me from looking away!
"Understood, we'll be waiting next door." My smile faded as I heard Ricco's last words.
Next door, that means he found a new Spiritual Healer-
"Wait… Are you?" He whispers.
It can't be! I can't let him stay near me any longer!
"Get out!" I yelled as I get out of the bed.
I tried my best to keep my distance from him, but the heavens seemed to have other plans.
"He's improving?!" I yelled in dismay.
Ricco's tests are a hundred percent accurate, if he continues to show the aptitudes of a person with a Gift, that means he'll be in great trouble!
"Why do you have to improve that fast?!" I whispered as I watch him running outside the house.
Any normal human being cannot possibly grow that much stamina in just a few days, it's known that he was an athlete back in when he's in Highschool, but he cannot possibly doubles his record in this short time!
"I suggest we move to our next phase, if we cannot let his power show by training, we must resort to force-" Ricco
"No, that's enough, kick him out, he's not it!" I remained cold, stopping them from involving another innocent person.
For the first time in my life, I was relieved, at least, just this once. I finally had the guts to save somebody!
"Tsk, rich people and their view against poor people... You're unsalvageable!" His eyes filled with furious.
He's mad, I guess it's my way of saving him? At least I can save his life, I can't let him be part of this curse-
"Young Master? How did you know that this could release his power?" Irene interrupted, showing signs of excitement from the scene that unfolded in front of her.
"Wha- What power?" I looked at her.
"This, look?" She smiled as she points at the sky.
The sky, once a tranquil blue, grew a restless, dark clouds. Coiling like beasts on the horizon, their grumbling voices heralding the fury of the impending storm.
"Where's Achan?" Ricco run outside, as if he knew who called out the storm.
"He ran there, don't worry, as if he could get out of the barrier without our permission!" Irene points towards where Achan ran to.
But the tide's rising, if he went there-
"Young Master, where are you going?!"
I didn't mind them, I started running around the island as the rain starts to pour.
"Stop! You cannot stay outside, grab him!" Ricco stopped me as his men forcefully pulled me out of the rain.
"He might get stuck on the cave!" I yelled.
"I'll get him, please, just rest inside!"
Luckily, Ricco managed to get him back safely.
"Young Master, how are you back in shape? Weren't you just in pain last night?" Irene asked as she help me put on a sweater.
"I don't know, might be his doing!" I mumbled.
Gladly, she didn't hear me.
"I told you, that kid's the real deal!" Irene smiled as we both look at the boy running outside.
Almost two weeks had pass after he got in here, and this day was his last, until.
"No, he's nothing but a Weathermaster. Take him off my island and find a real one!" I stood my ground, despite all the proof Irene shows me on her tablet.
"But why did you let him wear one of your bracelet?" Irene said that made me glared at her.
"What do you think of me? A heartless host? He's our guest, remember?" I sighed after knowing that they took him by force.
After all the things I said, I can't take it back now, at least after this day, we won't be seeing each other anymore-
"Sir Brian? That Maiden's Remains, is it connected to the Young Master?" I overheard him shouting as I wend down to grab some drink.
Maiden's Remains?
"You do Practice?!" Brian
"Fuck that, tell me the truth first!"
After what I heard, I cannot possibly let him go now, he knew the curse, he do Practice-
"Excuse me?!" He said after I grabbed his hands to pull him aside.
Why do you have to be too nosy? Mister Allare, you could have returned to your normal life if you just shut your mouth!
"How do you know about my curse?" I asked after I pulled him away from the line of sight of any security cameras.
"I guezz? T'was- *Hick* my feathers gore tew feaguwe out vat- *Hick* coursh!" He muttered.
He drank an entire bottle of vodka, yet he's still awake?
"A curse was placed upon my father, and now its effects have fallen upon me. Tell me, how can we break it? How can you set us free?" I couldn't stop myself anymore.
After I found out his identity, I wanted to ask for his help. But when he said he hates his father, hates his work and their family's Practice, I stopped myself. I wanted to respect his wish to go back to his home.
Did he purposefully tried to persuade us into thinking that his father's not real, for he knows the danger of Silvia?
But when he immediately stated Silvia's Curse without any signs of fear, I felt a flicker of hope.
Is he the answer to our prayers?
"Wow, earlier- *Hick* you just hate me, now- *Hick* you wanna *Hick* talk to me? How much of a playboy are you, Manager?" He smirked as he reaches for my face.
Manager? He mistook me for Ricco? What a funny drunkard!
"Can you just focus!"
"How come- *Hick* you never told me that- *Hick* you have this hunk of a body... I thought you're more of a nerdy type-" I- Is he burying his face on my chest?
"Stop it!"
"Ugh, fine! *Hick* Anyway, about that dumbo's curse... All I know is that that- *Hick* curse was made by a witch's cry for help against- *Hick* man she thought who loved her- *Hick* sucks to suck i- *Hick* love!"
He do know Silvia's Curse- and he's not showing any fear?
He may be drunk, but any person with a Gift that tries to learn about this already know the danger of Silvia's hatred, she'll try to devour everyone who tries to mess with her Curse!
"Tsk, go back to your room, we can talk about this tomorrow!" I tried to stop him.
I know Irene told me about his powerful protector, but we cannot risk it, I better talk to him when he's not sober-
"Naurrrrrrr!" I felt a sudden bite on my neck.
My body froze, nobody ever made me feel this way before. Is it because he put a spell on his bite? That's why his teeth on my skin felt good?
"The fuck?!" I pushed him away.
"Let go!" He jumped on my back.
"You're not gonna stay unharmed for tonight!" He continues.
What is this feeling? Why does his skin felt too warm on mine?
"You made my life a living hell! Made me- *Hick* fall on you then you break me just like that? *Hick* What a fucking bitch!" He screams as he tries to bite my ear.
"Don't you fucking dare!" I yelled at him as I try to get him off of me.
As I try to get him off of me, we fell into the floor, prolonging this feeling on my entire body- no, it got worse. Why do he have to put me under his spell?
"Wha- *Hick* you did to your hair?" He giggled as he plays on my hair.
It- It's not a Spell Uther... He's not that talented.
"You reek of alcohol!" I finally had the strength to move away, thank goodness!
"No shit sherlock!" He laughed after pulling me back closer, his arms wrapped on the back of my neck.
"Can you get off of me?" I whispered.
"Pfft, shouldn't I- *Hick* be the one saying that? You're surely taking your time!" He played on my cheeks and smiled.
"Are you falling?" I told to myself.
"Oh *Hick*, you thought? I'm sorry sir but my heart's not available! I'm not falling for a Stockholm's- *Hick* Stockholm's Syndrome dude!" He burst out laughing, making a fool of me.
"Let's take you to your bed, it's getting late."
Why am I feeling such disapointment?
"Wha- What?!" He tried to get off when I carried him but I just tightened my hold on him.
"I still don't wanna sleep, I don't want tomorrow to arrive!" He continues to scream as we go to my room.
His room is laced with security cameras and microphones, it's safer to keep him on my room, now that he's talking about Silvia's Curse, I'll just return him when he's asleep!
"Nu uh, stay!" I blocked him when he was about to run back out.
"Ugh fine, i- *Hick* of you're that eager to get rid of me!" He screamed before jumping back to bed.
"Good!" I chuckled as I watch him sleeping soundly.
"Fuck!" I screamed after realizing what had just happened.
Now Achan, you're stuck with me on this island!
"You better have a God backing you up, or I'll forever regret falling for your trick!" I mumbled as I lean towards his face.
I stayed there for a moment, watching him sleep in silence...