“The Last Requiem Under the Stars”

A forbidden fruit one-shot

© LadyWinchester

The sound of the lyre echoes in the ruined walls of the city.

A boy plays to the tune of the dark sky. He follows the stars as they form a constellation of notes that he was to follow.

He listens to what the midnight breeze whispers in his ear. He then in turn makes use of the breeze’s words as his own but hums in his own melody.

He begins to sing his requiem…

His voice eerily serene and melancholic, calls out to the gods and the darklings that envy his talent.

He waits in the ruins accompanied only by the smile of the crescent.

In the darkness, he sings to the moon hoping to enchant her with his song and let her illuminating shadow extend towards him.

In the darkness, he sings.

In the garden where only his fear and longing could be felt, he waits.

“My Son,” The Lord of infinite darkness exeunts from his dwelling and steps into the finite world to meet with his mortal son.

The Lord of shadows floats through the wet grass, letting only his outline be seen in the darkness.

He makes no sound as he makes his way towards the balladeer.

And the boy, aware of the presence of the god that he seeks, he ceases not to deliver his song.

“My son…” The Lord calls again with his deep entrancing voice. This time, he takes the form of man cloaked in shadows. And with his shadow of an arm; he extends to touch his son’s hand.

The boy now stops his playing but dodges the feel of his father’s hand. “I do not wish to feel anymore cold than I already am.” He states, resisting to lay eyes on his father.

“Very well…” The Lord puts his hand down slowly and walks 3 steps away from the boy. He then looked to his side, commanding his darklings to retrieve his throne and bring one for his son’s own.

The boy watches in silence, least concerned for his father’s unnecessary gesture.

“What does he expect from me after doing that?” He thought in smugness.

His father sat and gestured for him to do the same. But still, he resisted.

The boy first marveled at the long awaited presence of his celestial father. He was starting to gather the courage he long yearned to use. He was sorting his thoughts and thinking of the right things to say.

The Lord in turn shut his beady eyes and rested his chin on one of his fists.

Before the boy could talk, his father breathed in the midnight breeze and took initiative, “What is that you want from me my boy?” He asked in a rather sinister tune, “Do you need my power to aid with a cause?”

“No.”

“Do you wish for something?”

“No.”

“Hm… Ah,” The dark lord etched a grin then leaned in forward to grab a closer look at his indifferent son. “Perhaps… you have decided to join me then? Because if that is the cause, then, you need not speak any longer. I will take you to my dwelling and shall officially make you the prince of my kingdom, and hand down my dominion to you immediately.” The Lord said, etching an enthused look.

His son looked down but did not respond. This disturbed his Darkness.

The Lord frowned, “No? Then what is that you want from me?”

His son sighed deeply and clenched his lyre tight before he replied, “I...” He began but then paused to edit, “Nothing.”

“Nothing? Nothing is what you ask? Think clearly my boy, I could grant you everything and anything as long as my power would will it.”

His son snickered rather sarcastically then shook his head, “No. I meant, I want nothing more to do with you.”

The Lord was silenced but now, his beady eyes glinting with a minute spec of light looked seriously at his son. He was disturbed and deeply saddened by his son’s immediate decision. But, if anyone knew the Lord of Darkness, they would be aware that he was not one to take rejection lightly.

The Lord stood and dismissed his darklings. He then motioned for his son to come closer but still… he didn’t oblige.

The boy turned his back on the Dark Lord and began to walk away.

“Wait!” The Lord called out.

“I am done waiting.” He replied with hoarseness in his voice.

“I know and I deeply regret not being able to father you when your mother died and even before that time. You see...”

“I know as well,” he interrupted. “You are the Lord of Darkness, you have your kingdom to rule. You are a god and she is but a mortal. She was nothing but a temporary lover. And I am the fruit of her foolishness.”

“You dare speak to me in that manner?” The Lord, angered, released darklings to surround the boy. But still, his son stood immobile. Again, he waited for his father to finish.

“I… will say no more. Haunt me, torment me. Send me to your pit if you will it. I am done with you… Lord of Darkness!”

His father deeply stricken by the ill words of his son diminished his darklings and quickly moved to his son’s side.

“Do not address me so formally, I am your father. I ask that you no longer mock my being, or else. You are my son, my responsibility. Do not take this in an ill way, but I am authorized to take disciplinary measures.”

His son now laughed even louder at his father’s remarks. He turned around now to face his father, still laughing, but as soon as he caught glimpse of his father’s eyes that used to reflect the starless galaxy, he halted.

“Why do you torment me my son? I understand that my absence has deeply affected you but, turning back time is beyond my capabilities. Yes, I am a god but I am still prone to wrong decisions. Although, I need to tell you that…

I loved your mother despite her being a mortal and you…. you are wrong…. Yes, she was foolish to fall for the Lord of Darkness but, it was not wrong of her and me to have you.”

His son, now trying to assess whether or not he was angered or moved by his father’s confession, looked steadily into his eyes.

His father continued, “I am the Lord of Darkness. You must accept that, you have said it yourself that I have my own domain to govern. I am not even allowed to show concern and compassion over others, even my own kin. I am betraying my own laws as we speak, yet I am willing to risk a moment with my son just to let him have me as his father.”

“If only you weren’t my father… if only I never knew…”

“Yes, if only. Things would have been easier for you and your mother. But, that cannot be. I govern all shadows… You do not really have much of a choice but to accept me for who I am and most especially who you are.”

“I am your father and you are my son. I am the Lord of the Darkness…”

“And I am your heir… whether I accept or not. I am tainted… I am part of Darkness…”

His father smiled now and consoled his son, “Yes. I have learned to accept myself and as my son, you need to do likewise. Understood?”

“Still…no…”

His father now backed away and turned around refusing to let his son see further of his gloomy face.

The Lord of Darkness began to fade but still, unsettled by his son’s reply, he continued his speech, “I cannot be who I am if I am not able to see myself. It is because of who I am that I am to be. “

“I am made of Darkness and you are partially so as well. But, do not be afraid of who or what you will become…”

“What do you mean by that?! Enough of your riddles!” His son demanded.

“Haven’t you ever wondered why my eyes reflect only a spec of light? The light is surrounded by darkness correct?” He waited for no reply, “My eyes are like this because… I have seen the world… and in the world, I have seen something besides myself. I was able to experience light…”

“And what is that? And how was that even possible?”

“Simple. Your mother.”

“My mother?”

The Lord of Darkness laughed now, “Yes. Hope.”

Then the Lord of darkness disappeared, and the moon refused to shine any more light upon the boy.

The boy dropped his lyre and refused to utter anymore words & hum another tune.

He watched as the fading crescent ate up his shadows and listened to the whisper of the midnight breeze.

But…there was nothing more to be seen and heard.

Just matters to be understood.

“…And it is because of my own blood that I am to be like this…. Human…

Prone to darkness…

…susceptible to light.”

And in that garden where he once sang his song,

He waited and he waited…

And waited still…

AN: Another story I made for our College Pub. This is a possible addition to the pre-P.S stories which may be the explanation as to why 'dirge balladeers' like Spike Ellis came about.

Hope you guys RnR! also, click on my homepage for the preview of the P.S I Bite: TVSC mini-site!

-LW