Note: Read the continuation of this novel on Literie. It's titled 'BRIDE OF THE SEVEN GODS'.
A very handsome man sat with crossed legs on the opaque glass-like floor. His richly black hair fell behind his shoulder sprawling loosely across his back. However, if one looked closely, one could see several strays of white hairs dangling amidst his richly dark hair. The young man's face was perfectly made.
But his dry lips and colorless face seem to have cast a big flaw on his appearance. The deep dark circles under his eyes were like filth obscuring the appearance of a beautiful painting. The man's eyelid began to move, hearing the sound of footsteps advancing towards his door. However, he remained indifferent and continued on his meditation.
Soon, the figure approaching the door was stopped by the enchantment erected at the entrance.
"Big brother," Sean called out. "Are you in there?"
"What do you want?" The young man opened his eyes, revealing the blue iris that lay beneath.
"I... I just want to inform you that the maidens from the mortal world have arrived at the palace. They're so many, big brother. You should have seen them. I thought--."
"I'm meditating, Sean." The handsome man cut in. "I don't like any disturbance whenever I'm meditating."
"Oh." Sean's tone became sad. "Okay, big brother." He then turned around and walked away quietly.
Vagamound let out a sigh when he heard the receding footsteps. Suddenly, he felt a painful shock in his heart, as if it was being squeed by something.
"Ugh." A groan escaped from his mouth as he clutched tightly onto his chest. "Putui." A mouthful amount of blood spurt out of his mouth. Almost instantly, a portion of his dark hair turned a sliver white.
He was dying. Vagamound knew that. That's why he'd locked himself in for so many years. If outsiders were to discover about his illness, he knew that would be the beginning of chaos in the immortal world. Hence, he could only use seclusion as an act to cover up his injury. But such an act wouldn't last for long before the people discover about his illness.
Now with the divine decree being brought forth to him, he knew that his days were coming closer. A white orbit core appeared on his palm. It was the last of the seven-orbit protecting the immortal world. He stared at it, a painful memory flashing across his mind.
Kira. A name he would never forget even if he were tortured in the seven depths of hell. The six missing orbits were all stolen by her. Kira had approached him, proclaiming her deep love for him. Since she was both beautiful and charming, he seems to have let go of all resistance, falling deeply for her.
Who would have thought that his chase for love would almost bring destruction to the seven realms? What a shameful event. If he could go back to the past, he swore that he wouldn't make the mistake he had made. Instead, he would make sure to kill her, vanquishing her soul to make sure she would never enter the cycle of reincarnation. Never!
His chest tightened again and he coughed out more red blood. With the last orbit still in his possession, he was certain that she would come back for it, ready to destroy both him and the whole seven realms, altogether!
===
A faint snoring sounded from the bedroom. Janice's figure was sprawled across the bed, faintly letting out a snore as she ventured into the dreamland. I waved my hands across her face to ensure that she was deeply asleep.
"Yes." I let out a low sound of jubilation the moment I got no reaction from her. 'It looks like my plan for tonight is going to be successful'. I gently tiptoed out of the room and quietly shut the door behind me in order not to arouse Janice from her deep sleep.
The first mission cleared.
Now here comes the big part. Since this was an immortal palace, I was afraid that there would be some guards patrolling around the place. But it seems like I'd been worrying all for nothing. I didn't come across any patrolling guards from the moment I started walking.
Instead, there was a deadly silence around me with my footsteps being the only sound that echoed in the surrounding. My body instantly felt a chill from the blowing wind.
'Don't tell me there are actual ghosts residing in this place?' My pace hurriedly quickens.
'How am I supposed to find my way to the Emotionless Palace?' This thought came to my mind but I didn't dare slow down my stride. I kept walking towards the desolate area of the palace, in the hope that where I was looking for would be there.
Sure enough, I came across a majestic building that looked even more grandiose than the other buildings I'd seen. The whole building seems to be enveloped in a golden hue. Above the grand entrance was the imposing word that says 'EMOTIONLESS PALACE'.
"Wow." I stared at the view in marveled. After getting out of a trance, my expression became determined. "Let's put an end to this crazy situation of yours, Belia." I walked into the grand entrance and then came across a huge gate. I reached out my hand to push open the gate. But before I knew what was happening, I found myself flying directly into the air.
"Ahhh!" My whole body crashed to the ground with a loud thud. "Aww." I fell a snap below my waist and burst into a cold sweat. I tried to look around my surroundings but my sight was met with a total blankness.
'Huh-huh. Why can't I see anything.' I let go of the pain below my waist and rubbed my eyes frantically but still couldn't see a thing. "Oh no! What happened to my eyesight." I cried out. 'Don't tell me that I've become blind just from a fall'.
"So, it's a girl." Amid my panic cry, a thick male voice floated into my ears.
"Hello. Is someone there? Can you help me, please? I can't see a thing. Are you the immortal lord Vagamound? Please save me." My hand searched around the ground as I tried to pinpoint his direction.
"Oh, I thought it was some rat from the fire realm. You're too weak to be the spy they sent. You couldn't even contend against my enchantment before you were thrown out." There was a bit of mock in the man's tone as he said.
"Please! Please save me!" I begged as tears streamed down my cheeks.
"Ha-ha." A low chuckle rang out from his mouth. "And why would I save you? You entered my residence without permission. Didn't you read the words written above the entrance? I cultivate in the path of the emotionless. Any ties of emotions in the human heart have all been severed by me. So, why do you think I will rescue you from your dilemma when you're just suffering from the aftermath of your actions."
"I..." I couldn't find a way to refute his sentence. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I promised to never come near this place again. Please!"
Vagamound stares at the crying lady before him. His icy blue iris flickered under the night sky. He lifted his foot and slowly walked towards her.
"You must be among the maidens brought in from the mortal world, right?" He leaned before the girl, his white robe grazing across the floor due to his actions.
"Yes, yes. I am." I nodded anxiously at his question the moment I felt his presence before me.
"Hmm." His tone dragged. "Fine, I'll help you this once."
"Thank you. Thank you so much. I'll always remember your kindness in my heart." I lowered my head to the ground in gratitude.
"You won't be able to remember anything even if you want to."
Before I could realize what he meant by that, I felt a solid tap on my forehead and my whole consciousness became blank.