The Devil's Cursed Witch

Once Erlos and Aureus left, Morpheus finally could not stop himself from asking, "What troublesome thing is going on for someone with your composure to lose your calm like this, Leeora?"

Leeora sighed, helplessness apparent in her bitter smile. "I knew you would notice things after catching me visiting Zelda's home."

"You can tell me whatever it is," Morpheus offered. "Given that you visited Zelda, that means it's serious enough to need her intervention."

Though Leeora did not want to admit it, she had no choice but to let out the truth.

"It is..." she said and then she explained everything to Morpheus, starting from that ominous vision she had while making elixirs this morning, her visit to Cornelia, and as well as why she went to see Zelda afterwards. "...I know that it sounds unreasonable, but I do not want to just let nature take its course, especially after knowing terrible things are bound to happen even if I stand by doing nothing. I know it's a fool's errand but I do not want to experience losing someone important once more...but at the same time, I am scared to see this peaceful kingdom plunge into chaos once again."

Despite her old age, the elf's expression at this moment was similar to that of a young, ignorant child who shed honest tears while shaking in distress.

Morpheus had a grim look as he silently watched Leeora's aggrieved face. He spoke up, unable to bear his old friend's sadness. "The fact that you and Cornelia got these visions meant it's a message sent down to alert us of a future disaster.  Doesn't this mean we have a chance to avoid it?"

Hearing him try to comfort her, Leeora had a complicated feeling. She too wanted to change things, but after meeting the two witches, she lost hope. At this point, she was merely telling this to Morpheus to inform him, not to drag him into attempting to change what can't be changed.

"You know we can't," she said with sorrow in her eyes. "Aldis... despite all our efforts, we could not stop his death."

Morpheus knew this was how these visions worked. Foresight was more a curse rather than a gift. Despite knowing what was to come, it was impossible to change. It wasn't that he was heartless, just that for a warrior like him who's prepared to die anytime, he had long seen matters of life and death with a more open mind. He decided to redirect the conversation.

"Well, the fact that we know, maybe we can make arrangements for that person ahead of time. Ask for his last will and help comfort his family at the very least... so who do you think is the one in that vision? Who is going to die?"

Leeora didn't know how to voice out her suspicions. She felt that they would become reality the moment she opened her mouth. In the end, she gave in to Morpheus' persuasion. "I...I hope I am wrong, but one thing I am sure of is that it involves Ember and..."

"And, highly likely our dear Black Dragon is going to be harmed," Morpheus finished what she couldn't.

"I...am not sure but he is the one, if something happens to him, then this kingdom will be in utter chaos," Leeora replied.

"Sounds reasonable. If it involves Ember then Draven will be involved as well," Morpheus said. "If the sacrificed weapon must fulfill its purpose then...there is no way of stopping it."

"I only hope it's not His Majesty, but the chances are...." She stopped, as she tried to wipe the tears rolling down from her eyes. "Zelda said we can try, try not to let him go to her. She didn't mention a name but I feel it's about not letting him go to Ember's side. If we can stop him, it might change...I don't know what will happen by attempting to change this future. Both witches warned me a worse future will unfold if we try to tempt fate, but...but I want to hope..."

Morpheus chuckled dryly. "How much I wanted him to..." he stopped, "...but not like this. If that vision of death is truly about him, then I will do anything to stop him from going near Ember that day. We must separate them at all costs. Since I plan to escort her, with me staying by her side, I will be able to keep watch. The Ember we know is so naive and silly, it's unbelievable to think she is capable of killing anyone." Then, for a moment, he remembered the butterflies she killed the first time she attempted to use elemental magic. "I might be able to stop whatever will provoke her into losing control over her power."

"Can you do that?" Leeora looked at him with a hopeful gaze.

"Though I am idler in everyone's eyes, I am not that useless yet," Morpheus replied.

"But how do you plan on keeping a pair of mates apart?" Leeora asked.

"Take control over what belongs to me," He replied.

"Are you..."

"Once again, I have to use my authority," he said with a sigh. "At times like this, I wonder if I should be thankful I never found a successor for this position..."

Leeora let out a sigh of relief. "If the Commander makes a reasonable proposal, given the circumstance during the day of mourning, that may truly help to keep His Majesty away from danger."

They continued to discuss what Morpheus had planned to do, which Leeora wholeheartedly approved and supported. As they talked for a long, they did not realize it was already sunset. Leeora turned on the lamps inside her residence.

"Seems like those kids are enjoying sightseeing around the city," Leeora said as she looked out of the window.

"Those two go along really well. Finally found someone of their age that they could talk with freely," Morpheus said. The elf and the shapeshifter both walked out of the door.

Under the soft golden light of the setting sun, the entire city ahead looked beautiful, and even after the sun hid behind the horizon, the numerous sun orbs in each of the Wood Elves' tree houses painted a picture of hundreds of fireflies suddenly appearing in the dark.

"Your nephew, do you know his plans for the future?  Is he planning to live among us or return to that human kingdom?" Leeora asked.

"Hmm, well, he sounds undecided, but he had some urgent matters to deal with back in that human kingdom. Once it's over, I believe he will come back to live in Agartha."

"That's great news. He will have to lead the Divine Eagle Clan as well as all the feathered races."

"Though he's still a kid, I believe he has the basic qualities of a ruler. He is a responsible and thoughtful person, though it bothers me he's kind of indecisive, that's normal given such a young age."

"Indecisive? Sounds like his uncle," she commented.

"Am I? All I know is that I am idler. Shouldn't you say I'm lazy?"

"You? Lazy?" the elf laughed. "To those who don't know your history will probably think so. Sadly, I've known you for hundreds of years. In Aureus, I see that young Morpheus who was the most responsible person I had ever seen in that young golden eagle. Is Aureus not leaving for the sake of the order of that king he vowed to serve? To think your nephew would choose responsibility over family, well, reminds me of a certain someone who is ferocious when the time to fight comes, and steps up in the frontlines when it comes to the people's safety."

"You are praising me to the point I question if you are talking about a real person or some book hero," the shapeshifter laughed goodnaturedly. "That was such a heavy praise for the old me, a remnant of the past. This person is nothing more than an idler right now."

"Do you really have to put yourself down like this?"

"It makes me feel less burdened."

"Or help you run away from the pain?"

The gray eagle stayed quiet and just then they saw two young ones returning.

Morpheus and Leeora went down to the ground and waited for their approach at the base of the tree.

"Did you two have fun?" Leeora asked.

Erlos nodded with a wide smile on his lips, "Yes, Elder," while Aureus replied calmly, "Your city is beautiful."

"Aureus also bought a lot of fancy things," Erlos informed them, being his usual chatterbox self, giving them a rundown of the items the golden eagle bought.

"Really? That's good to know," Leeora smiled, only to hear Erlos continue speaking like a gossip. "I wonder which lucky female will be receiving these gifts."

"Just some gifts for when I go back," Aureus replied calmly, as he didn't wish to specify a specific person.

Morpheus knew the answer but he said nothing about it. "Aureus, I am busy tonight as well. You have to stay in the palace so you will be in the care of Erlos once again. You can also spend a night in Redcrest if you want. Your granduncle will be pleased--"

"Don't worry about me," Aureus replied firmly. He wasn't that interested in talking to other members of his clan, especially since he was unable to forget that impression he had of them when he visited for the first time. Rather than having a decent conversation among family, Aureus suspected he would be revered like a god, with everyone unable to speak in comfort.

Erlos looked at Morpheus. "Yeah, I will take care of my friend. You can go continue idling." The young elf looked at Aureus. "Are you uncomfortable in the palace? Would you like to stay in my house here?"

"Do you have a house here?" Aureus asked in surprise. He thought that since Erlos resided in the palace as an attendant to the King, that was his home as well.

"Of course, I do. I was raised here in Ronan before working in the palace." He then pointed towards one tree house connected to Leeora's home with a hanging bridge. "That is my residence. Oh, do you see that one beside mine? That other one belongs to Miss Ember. She used to stay here as well before moving to the palace."

"I won't say no to your offer. I want to experience what it's like for elves to dwell inside a tree spirit."

"Good. To think I'd be having a friend over like this." The young elf's eyes brightened at the thought. "Wait, I have only one bed there, hmm, I will arrange one more for you..."

"No need. I can manage on the floor."

"Let's go," Erlos offered and looked at Leeora. "We two ate while roaming the city. We will excuse ourselves now, Elder."

"Go ahead," she replied with a smile, looking at those two like a grandmother looking at her grandsons.

Once the two young ones left, Leeora spoke up, "You are right. These two would be good friends."

"Because of Erlos, I see a change in Aureus. He used to be so stiff and composed, pretending to be more mature than he should be, but now he has started to act his age."

"That's good to see."

"I think I should also take my leave as well. I have to start working on our plans," Morpheus said and flew away with Leeora's well wishes in his heart.

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A/N- It's Christmas eve. I wish you all to enjoy and have fun with your family and friends. Merry Christmas everyone. May Santa shower you all with tons of gifts... <3<3