The Devil's Cursed Witch

After leaving Aureus in Erlos' care, Draven did not delay handling the important work he was set out to do.

To inform the Divine Eagle clan of Aureus' existence.

For descendants of divine beasts, it was natural for the divine power in their bloodline to grow thinner and thinner with each passing generation. That was why the existence of a golden eagle was like a miracle for the clan, and it was of utmost priority to inform them of such a person appearing in the kingdom. Moreover, Aureus was not just some random eagle—he was Myra's son.

There was someone who needed to meet Aureus more than anyone else.

Draven had to let Morpheus know first before his entire clan crowded around Aureus. He owed him at least that much. Draven knew where he could find Morpheus at this moment and disappeared from his study.

On the peak of the mountain bordering the Forest of the Elves, Morpheus was sitting at the edge of the cliff silently, his eyes looking mindlessly at the sea of white clouds. After paying a visit to the grave of Isa's older brother, Divine Fox Aldis, he was still unable to shake off the sadness thus he headed straight to this place to have some alone time and reminisce about the past.

'Decades have passed by, but the memories of the past feel like it's only just yesterday since you left us, Aldis. The only person who treats me as an equal…I don't really want to admit it, but I miss how annoying you are. My younger self would have scoffed at this thought…

'I should have treated you nicer…I should have annoyed you less…maybe then, I wouldn't feel this much guilt.

Thinking back, I loved those days. They weren't peaceful, but they were fun because you were there with us. I wish we could continue to annoy and bicker like in the past. You are the only person who listens to me, even though you make me feel bad after sharing things with you, but still… Now I have no one to share it with.

'Aldis…I wish you were still here to listen to me. I don't care if you tease me or annoy me afterwards. You can be a nuisance as much as you want.

'But then again, with the secret, I have this time, I am sure you would have scolded me and called me a fool.'

Morpheus closed his eyes as phantom voices rang in his ears.

"Myra, I am telling you, your brother will die as a lonely single soul. He nitpicks every female he sees, and believes no one is good enough for him. Bah, his 'ideal' mate probably only exists in his imagination."

"Leave Morph alone, Aldis. My brother is waiting for the right one. The day when he finds the right female for him, trust me, he won't let her go."

"Really, you believe that? This conceited guy?"

"Other than my sister and my mother, all the females in my clan are annoying."

"Did you hear that, Myra? Trust me, there is probably no female in this world who is 'not annoying' to him."

"Maybe she's not born yet."

"Bah, at this rate, maybe I will have a child—no, a grandchild first before you start worrying about whether or not your mate is born."

Morpheus sighed with his eyes closed.

'Aldis, the woman I want to be my mate has already been born, the only female I feel is right for me, and I cannot stop myself from thinking about her. She is perfect and there is not a single thing about her I want to change.

'If you were here and I had told you about her, you would have given me an earful. But, even if I lie or hide what I feel, it does not mean my feelings for her will cease to exist. I cannot stop myself from liking her. Her name is always in my mind and I keep chanting it like a spell."

Morpheus opened his eyes at the sea of clouds once more.

'Ember…her name is Ember, Aldis. But she is someone else's mate. I tried to convince myself again and again saying she is just a tool for me to use against Draven. But I can't seem to do that. I cannot let myself or anyone else harm her. All I want to do is to protect her even at the cost of my life.'

He could not help but let out a bitter laugh.

'When I saw that mark on her neck today, I felt…hah…I feel pathetic, Aldis. I want her so badly but I cannot show it to her. She seemed to be happy with him. Well, let her be happy then.' A sad smile appeared on his lips. 'You were right, Aldis, that I will die as a single soul. I will, because there is no one else that I can ever like but her… and she can't be mine.'

Morpheus let out a silent sigh, and as a particularly strong wind passed by, he imagined his regretful thoughts drifting away with it. He was about to lie on his back to enjoy the sun when he sensed a certain person's arrival at the peak of the rocky mountain. It was the presence of the one who he didn't want to see the most.

"This is not a place where you can come whenever you want."

The eagle didn't even turn to look at the newcomer.

Draven didn't mind as he was not expecting any welcoming words from his old comrade. Instead of replying, he walked ahead and sat next to Morpheus at the edge of the cliff, with his legs hanging in the air.

Morpheus said nothing and acted as if it didn't concern him what Draven would do, whether he would sit next to him or jump down the cliff. He would just treat him as if he didn't exist there.

A long, awkward silence ensued between the two men.

It was Draven who broke the silence.

"Thinking about Aldis?" he asked.

"Doesn't concern you."

Draven was used to Morpheus acting this way towards him, so he simply went straight to the reason for his visit. "I have news to share."

"Huh, since when did the Almighty King of Agartha become so bored, he's now doubling as a messenger as well?"

"It's important news."

Morpheus laughed. "There is my uncle, the Chief of the Shapeshifters, and then there are the elders of my clan, who can hear whatever news that is. What are you doing sharing news with an idle nobody like me? Important?  Nothing is important to me as I concern myself with nothing in this kingdom. All the important things in my life had disappeared. Shall I remind you that you are the reason for it?"

Draven held his tongue as he accepted the allegations from his friend. He stared at the sea of clouds in front of them, his red eyes unblinking.

"But not all of them have disappeared," he said, his quiet voice abnormally loud as it was carried by the wind.

Morpheus froze. Like a broken puppet, his body turned towards Draven, his gray eyes wide with disbelief, his heart beating faster at the thought of if…if by chance the important news was about his missing sister.

"M-Myra…are you talking about her? Is she back? Did she return to Agartha?"

Draven's personally coming to see him could only mean this was important personal news for him.