Romeo
Getting closer to Venecia has made me start to feel, hear, and see things that I don't understand. After having the dream where the name 'Kael' was mentioned, I started feeling extreme pain in my chest, like that of a gunshot. It's weird because I've never been in a crossfire before. Any time I close my eyes; I hear a gunshot. When I look in the mirror, I begin to see blood dripping from my chest. What is happening to me?
'Sigh.... what the hell is wrong with me? I can't breathe because my chest hurts. Help me... someone help me... Aurelia...' My voice was just a whisper.
'Fuck, fuck... I want to sleep so bad without these nightmares.' I felt so tired, so heavy.
So, I put on soothing music to help me sleep, but I knew it was useless. The music was soft, but it couldn't reach the pain in my chest, or the fear in my heart. As soon as I closed my eyes, my mind was invaded by memories centuries old. I just wanted it to stop, to be normal. But it wouldn't. It never did. The music played on, a sad song for a life I didn't understand, a life that wasn't mine, but felt like it was.
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Detailed memory of their third life
The wind whipped across the barren plains, carrying the scent of smoke and the distant echo of cannon fire. Within the Continental Army's makeshift command tent, Captain Thorne leaned over a worn map, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Morrow," he barked, his voice cutting through the tension, "you're to lead a reconnaissance mission into the Velmora Kingdom. We need to assess their defenses, their resources. We need to know everything."
Kael Morrow, his jaw set, and eyes determined, nodded. "Yes, sir."
"You'll be traveling as merchants," Thorne continued, his finger tracing a route on the map. "And Morrow," he added, his gaze hardening, "this mission is critical. Failure is not an option."
"Understood, sir." I've assigned Cassian to accompany you," Thorne said, his eyes flicking to the young soldier standing at attention. "He's proven himself capable, and I trust his judgment."
Kael's gaze flickered to Cassian, a flicker of unease settling in his gut. Loyal, yes. But too eager.
The journey was long and arduous. As they traversed the rugged terrain, Cassian, ever the jovial companion, kept Kael's spirits up. But a shadow lingered beneath the surface, a sense that something was amiss.
"Kael, let's take a rest in an inn. I can't move any longer," Cassian called out, his voice laced with weariness.
"Alright," Kael replied, scanning the horizon. "When we see one, we'll stop by and rest for a day or two. You've done a good job so far, Cassian." He gave his comrade a shoulder bump, the gesture feeling forced.
"I'll do anything for you, sir," Cassian answered, his smile too bright.
They reached a modest inn, its weathered sign creaking in the wind. "Sir, why don't you have a seat inside as I make the preparations with the inn owner?" Cassian suggested.
"Sure thing," Kael said, "and let me know if you need my help." He watched Cassian approach the innkeeper, his eyes narrowing.
"10 vaelins for a night, food and a bath is included. Are you interested?" the inn owner replied.
"Yes, I'll take it for a week. Can you show me the room now?" the cloaked figure said.
When she turned, Kael was struck by her eyes, hazel with a swirl of gold. Beautiful, and intriguing.
After settling into their rooms, Kael and Cassian discussed their plans. That night Kael saw Cassian slipping out and decided to follow him.
He heard whispers coming from the barn and, curiosity piqued, investigated. He found the cloaked figure with a young maid.
"My lady, what are you doing here?" the maid asked, her voice laced with concern.
"I'm just taking a break to cool my head, that's all," the cloaked figure replied. "You didn't need to come all the way from the capital."
"My princess, you can't do that. The King will notice that you're missing after a week," the maid said, her voice pleading.
"Then that settles it. I'll stay here for a week till the Majesty notice my absence."
Princess, Kael thought, his mind racing. This changes everything.
The next morning, the princess sat near Kael and Cassian during breakfast, her presence a silent challenge. Cassian, as planned, "accidentally" spilled food on her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, forgive me, I'm sorry," Cassian apologized, his eyes filled with false remorse.
"It's fine, just be careful next time," she said softly and left, her gaze lingering on Kael for a moment.
Later, Cassian visited her room, his charm turned up to its full effect. "I just wanted to apologize again," he said. "Please, let me make it up to you. I can get you something from the market?"
She hesitated before inviting him in, her eyes wary. "So, traveler," she said, "where are you from?"
Cassian told his tales, and she laughed, her laughter a melody that tugged at Kael's heart. Over the next few weeks, they gathered information about the kingdom, Cassian using his charm to gain her trust. Kael watched, his heart aching with a forbidden longing.
He found himself drawn to her no matter how much he tried to numb his feelings, but as usual, fate is always cruel. So, he gave in to his feelings and both he and Auriella started seeing each other romantically. But what he didn't expect was that his own comrade will betray him because of his love towards Aureilla
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"Aurelia!" A voice called out from behind her.
She spun, her heart leaping. A man emerged from the shadows, dressed in the torn uniform of a Continental soldier. His face was partially hidden by the low brim of his tricorne hat, but his eyes burned with intensity, locking onto hers as though she were the only beacon in the chaos around them.
"Kael..." she whispered, his name falling from her lips like an incantation she hadn't known she remembered.
"You can't be here," Kael rasped, his voice a mix of anger and desperation. He stepped closer, shaking his head as though he could will her away. "Do you have any idea what they'll do to us if they find you?"
"I couldn't stay," Aurelia insisted, her hands trembling. "They expect me to marry him tomorrow. To stand before those loyal to the Crown and bind myself to their chains forever. I refuse to live a lie while you..." her voice broke, "...while you fight alone."
Kael's jaw clenched; his anguish clear in the flicker of his expression. He reached for her, his calloused hands cradling her face. "Aurelia, this isn't about me. It's bigger than us. If they think you've betrayed your family, they'll brand you a traitor. Do you understand what that means?"
"I don't care," she said firmly, tears glistening in her eyes. "I only care about you. About freedom."
Their world seemed to collapse inward as he pulled her into his arms, crushing her against him as if she might disappear. The thunder of approaching hooves broke the moment, Kael's body tensing.
"They've found us." His voice was barely above a whisper, heavy with despair.
Before she could respond, the trees parted, and armed Redcoats on horseback encircled them. Aurelia instinctively pressed closer to Kael, his body shielding her as the soldiers dismounted.
As the Redcoats encircled them, Cassian stepped forward, a smug smirk on his face.
"Well, well," he drawled, his arms crossed. "Looks like I caught a little reunion in progress."
Aurelia's eyes widened in betrayal. "Cassian... You—"
Cassian only shrugged. "I warned you, Princess. You should have chosen me."
Kael snarled, positioning himself in front of Aurelia. "You'll regret this, Cassian."
But Cassian only laughed as the soldiers closed in, knowing that his name would forever be written in history—not as a forgotten soldier, but as the man who shaped the future of Velmora.
One man stepped forward, sneering. "Kael Morrow, the infamous revolutionary. Surrender now, and we'll ensure the lady's safety."
Kael smirked grimly, his arms tightening around Aurelia. "We both know that's a lie."
The soldier's expression darkened. "So be it." He raised his musket, leveling it at them.
The sharp crack of the musket echoed through the clearing.
"No!" Aurelia screamed, stepping forward, but Kael caught her wrist and pushed her behind him.
Kael collapsed, blood blooming across his chest like a crimson rose. The sharp, acrid smell of gunpowder filled the air, mingling with the metallic scent of blood. His fingers weakly sought hers, finding them in a final act of devotion before his body went still.
Aurelia dropped to her knees, the cold, damp earth seeping into her gown. She clutched his hand, its warmth fading rapidly, as the Redcoats dragged her away. Her sobs echoed through the forest, a heart-wrenching symphony of grief, the golden locket dangling from her neck and catching the fading sunlight, its promise left unfulfilled.
Aurelia's mind screamed in horror, a silent scream that echoed through the ages. "No, Kael! No! " The world around her blurred, the faces of the Redcoats twisting into grotesque masks of cruelty. Her heart shattered, each beat a painful reminder of the love she had lost, the future that had been stolen.
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Romeo woke with a gasp, his chest heaving, a cold sweat clinging to his skin. The echo of the gunshot still rang in his ears, and the phantom scent of gunpowder filled his nostrils. He clutched at his chest, the ache a searing reminder of Kael's sacrifice. "Aurelia," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. The pain, the loss, it felt so real, so immediate. He stared at his trembling hands, wondering if he would ever escape the weight of these memories, the burden of a life he never lived, yet felt so intimately his.