Ceremus felt the cool sand on his feet as he walked along the shoreline, the evening air blowing through his hair.
The sun was starting to set, creating a serene picture of the sky and the waters. The sunset reflected on the ocean caught his attention, drawing him closer to its tranquil beauty.
The seas were still, creating a peaceful atmosphere that soothed the turbulence in Ceremus's mind. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath, inhaling the scent of wet sand and salt into his lungs. Ceremus felt serenity and tranquility invading his senses, and he felt himself relax for the first time in a long time. A cold gust of wind blew in front of his face, and he took it as his cue to leave the waters and return to shore.
He sat on the soft bed of sand and leaned his head back as he welcomed the cool air on his skin. Just as he was about to close his eyes, the sky suddenly went dark—the sun vanishing in an instant, confusing the young man, who had just seen the sun peeking over the horizon a few seconds ago.
As Ceremus sat on the shore, the weather took an unexpected turn. The gentle breeze turned into a violent wind, and the clear skies were now obscured by dark, ominous clouds, casting a shadow over the serene scene. That's when Ceremus noticed something from the corner of his eye. His gaze darted towards the sand, where a hole appeared out of thin air, creating a crater where a flower emerged from the earth. The ground shook until the violent shaking regressed to light tremors until the entire earth stood still.
Ceremus stood there, completely taken aback by the sight he'd just witnessed. A flower grew on the dry soil, and the man didn't like the feeling he got from it. But like most mortals who were naturally curious, Ceremus approached the flower. Upon closer look, he first noticed its bright color—white. The flower was between a trumpet and a cône-like shape. The fragrant smell invaded his senses, instantly reminding him of a hyacinth.
As he leaned in, the flower's pure white petals suddenly turned a deep, unsettling black. The once vibrant flower began to wither before his eyes, its delicate petals falling to the sand and disintegrating into the earth. Ceremus felt a dark and foreboding sensation at that moment. Even as he reached out to pick up the fallen petals, They all turned to ash.
The lack of light around him made him feel lost and alone, with no relief in sight. The waves started crashing violently, forming a menacing tsunami, and the waters quickly approached him, a stark symbol of his impending doom. He knew at that moment that he would soon drown in those salty waters and closed his eyes, a sense of acceptance washing over him as he prepared for his inevitable death.
But before the waves could hit him, knocking him into oblivion, he woke up with a start.
Ceremus jolted awake drenched in sweat. He was sweating profusely and his body felt both hot and cold to the touch. Thinking back to the dream he just had, he felt his body shiver unconsciously.
"What in Hades was that?"
He lifted his hands, unconsciously looking for the withered and blackened flower that had fallen out of his hands.
His heart started racing and he was about to get out of bed when he felt movement next to him. He looked down and saw Hael laying next to him. He looked peaceful and his hand was clutching his own in a reassuring manner. Ceremus' let out a small smile as he squeezed the hand holding him. Seeing him laying there made him feel better.
"He must've come in here earlier." He whispered as he observed the sleeping giant.
A few moments later, Hael stirred awake, his blue eyes coming into vision. He had a blank expression on his face for a moment before his face softened as he gazed at the man before him.
"Hello, Ceremus. Did you sleep well?"
Ceremus said nothing as he brushed a loose hair from Hael's face. His hand then travelled to his cheek before squeezing them lightly. This act startled Hael a little bit.
"Don't you have a room of your own mister guard?" He suddenly asked.
A soft blush painted over his warm skin as he darted his eyes away from the King. "I…was worried about you. You looked like you were having a bad dream." He said.
At the mention of the dream, Ceremus' heart sank. He had momentarily forgotten the strange nightmare when he looked at Hael but it all came flashing back.
Hael noticed his discomfort and quickly enveloped him into his arms. Ceremus welcomed his embrace, unconsciously nuzzling his face into the crook of his neck.
"…You really are too good for me." He whispered to himself but Hael who was close to him and had incredible hearing heard this.
A smile bloomed on his face and his embrace tightened around him. "You don't realize that you're perfect for me, just the way you are Ceremus." Hael said.
Ceremus didn't respond to his answer but he clung onto Hael's robe. Never letting go.
~*~
Six days after setting sail, the King and his companions arrived at the Island of Gynē.
According to legend, the island was home to a society of women who devoted themselves to the worship of goddesses, drawing strength and power from their prayers. However, there was one goddess they refused to revere—Irmeas, the goddess of love and sensuality.
It was said that they shunned love entirely, choosing to keep their hearts pure, untainted by desire. Angered by their rejection, Irmeas cursed them, covering their bodies—save for their faces—in grotesque sores.
But the curse was not just for them. It was a lure. Men drawn to the island would recoil in horror at the sight of them, leaving the women to suffer the weight of shame and rejection.
Though few believed the tale anymore, Ceremus found himself intrigued. When the island came into view, he announced that they would be making a stop to replenish their supplies.
None dared to object. The crew merely nodded, hastening to obey.
Hael, however, turned to Ceremus with an expression of both curiosity and unease.
"What about this island intrigues Your Majesty?" Hael asked.
Ceremus cast him a glance. "What makes you think I'm intrigued?"
"I've observed you long enough to recognize your expressions. You look like you're up to something," Hael admitted.
Ceremus raised a brow. "Really? You know me that well?"
"Of course. I've made it my mission to know everything there is to know about you," he said softly.
For a moment, Ceremus felt his heart flutter. He cleared his throat, forcing himself to focus. "…I see. Well, if you must know, I've always been curious about the island. Ever since I was a child, my father told me stories about it. Now that I have the chance to see it for myself, I don't want to let the opportunity slip away."
Hael's lips curved into a small smile. "Then let's pay it a visit."
At the King's command, the ship anchored by the shore, and the men prepared to disembark. The envoy leader, Zenas, motioned for one of his men to scout ahead, ensuring there was no danger before Ceremus set foot on land.
Nearby, a woman crouched by the river, scrubbing her clothes against the smooth stones. The sudden rustling of footsteps and distant voices made her freeze. She lifted her head, brows furrowed in confusion. As far as she was concerned, she and the rest of her "sisters" were the only ones on the island, and none of them made it a habit of travelling to the shoreline.
Abandoning her washing, she stepped cautiously through the dense foliage, pushing aside branches and leaves that obscured her view. As she reached a clearing, her eyes widened in shock.
A massive ship loomed at the water's edge, and beside it stood a group of unfamiliar men.
Her heart pounded.
Wasting no time, she turned and sprinted back toward the village. The elders needed to know. They had visitors.