Survive As The Brute’s Wife - Chapter 139

Alexandra squinted her eyes and pulled back the flames surrounding Maximus. She could see that he has reached his limit. Her heart started to hurt as she could hear the screams of her soul.

At first, she thought that the darkness has mixed with Maximus’ soul, but she realized that the darkness was not able to get a hold of Maximus’ soul in its entirety.

When she created the Aion stone, she integrated a spell to recognize each other in their next life. An extension of that spell is the one that connects the feelings of each other. Once they use the Aion stone to bound them together, they could feel the intense feeling of the other person. It won’t work on normal emotions but if the other person is in intense pain or suffering, the other can feel a part of that pain.

And that is how she could feel Maximus’ plea. He wanted to be out. He wanted to rid of the darkness. But since the darkness is inside him, mingled with part of his soul, he could not take control.

And he is screaming for help.

The more he wanted to be out, the louder she could hear him. The closer she got to Maximus, she could see the darkness in his soul retreating. But his body is getting damaged by the blue flame. And so she approached him closely using her healing spell along with the blue flame.

But he couldn’t handle it anymore as the darkness had gripped strongly to a part of his soul. She cannot destroy the darkness without destroying his soul. If his soul gets broken, it would cause dire consequences. It could even be fatal for a human to lose part of their soul.

The only thing she could do is to enclose the corrupted part of the soul and hide it deep inside. She should help Maximus deal with it later after he gains his strength.

And that’s what she did.

She enclosed the part of his soul that was corrupted by darkness using a spell and kept it in the corner of his consciousness so that he can deal with it later. She didn’t seal it since Maximus needs access to the darkness to heal himself.

“Lexa…”

Lying on her lap, Maximus finally opened his eyes.

“Ah, I missed you, Tubby.” She kissed his lips. “Welcome back,” she said hugging him.

He had lost his strength and she looked around to see all the spiritual beasts lacking their strength. She lend them her mana and they gained some strength.

“It’s enough, Arimelda.” Kefir stopped her from exerting herself. “We will return to our realm to recuperate. We’ll be fine after some rest.”

Alexandra nodded. “Thank you, all,” she spoke from her heart.

“It’s our honor to serve you, Arimelda.” the beasts bowed in reverence. Alexandra smiled and they left.

She knew she cannot summon them for some days at least until they recover. And she needs to recuperate too. She had over-exerted herself today. It would be better if she eats the food from the heavenly realm. It would help her recover sooner. But there is no possibility for that now that she is in the mortal realm.

And Maximus… needs a lot of help.

As they got out of the forest, Maximus appeared happy. He commended her for releasing the sufferings of the poor animals who were turned into monsters. But he didn’t talk about what was important. He didn’t even mention Morfan or the other spiritual beasts.

“What happened when the darkness contacted you, Tubby?” she asked. The sun was right behind Maximus’ face and Alexandra could not see his expression. He didn’t answer her for a long time and Alexandra turned to look at the front.

She knew he must be traumatized. She didn’t want to force him to open up.

Their horses were strutting away and without the darkness surrounding them, the early morning air in the forest was crisp and pure. The sun was rising and the mist covered the ground painting an alluring picture. The trees shimmered as the morning dew ornated their leaves. And as the branches swayed in the fresh morning breeze, some droplets sprinkled on them. Birds were chirping and fluttering around. Butterflies were flower-hopping and little animals scurried around frightened by the noise of the hooves of the horses.

“I don’t remember,” Maximus said after a long time.

“Alright. But tell me all about it when you remember,” Alexandra said full well knowing that he is lying.

She could hear his heart beating like crazy. She knew he is lying.

“Ithildin would be recovering for a while. So don’t summon him for some days,” she said and he raised his eyebrows. He said nothing and pressed his lips.

“Kefir too,” she continued. “Kefir and Sekwi both were drained. Morfan was pretty strong. He must have fed here for long.”

“Yes…” Maximus said after some contemplation. “You too will be tired. So rest well,” he said and smiled.

“I sure am tired,” Alexandra said stretching herself. “I want to rest. But before that…”

“Let’s take this road. It leads to my private entrance to the city,” Maximus pointed to his left and Alexandra directed her horse to follow Maximus. She could see that he didn’t want to continue talking. Also, he should be very tired. Fighting with the darkness inside him would have taken a toll on him.

“Tubby, ask me if you need anything,” she said and hoped that he would talk to her about his struggles.

Maximus nodded and they reached the small entrance at the north end of the wall pretty soon. Some guards were standing on the watchtower and they signaled the guards inside the gate to open the gates as they recognized their Emperor. They spared the loud cheers and salutations of the Emperor probably because Maximus has forbidden them to not salute him when he is using this gate meant for privacy.

As they were slowly approaching the gates, they noticed a horse carriage approaching the gates. The carriage was well-built and had the flag of the Lukyan family raised and Alexandra wondered who else is allowed through this gate. Looking at the rock-hard face of Maximus,  she leaned towards the understanding that this person should be Theodora.

And she was right!

“Maximus!”

Theodora peeked out from the window curtains of the carriage and shouted at them, waving her hand.

Maximus didn’t even turn to look in her direction and walked closer to the gates that was only raised a couple of feet from the ground.

“Be quick!” he shouted making the men turning the chains panic. The captain of the guards urged the guards to open the gates faster.

Theodora didn’t try to speak any further. Alexandra met with her eyes and she saw hatred as usual. And this time, she returned it. She didn’t find it in her to respect this woman who would kill another woman’s sons so that her son will get the whole inheritance. She never liked the greed in humans’ hearts that pushes them to do abominable things.

The selfishness Theodora must hold to make another woman childless just for her child to prosper… It’s despicable!

From what she heard, Theodora left the city so that Maximus cannot send away the woman. And for her to return now, made Alexandra’s suspicions arise.

[I will have to meet with her!]

She wanted to speak to Maximus about it, but she saw the little box she contained in the deeper parts of his consciousness vibrating as it was touched by the darkness in Maximus’ thoughts. He must be angry at his mother and his anger is making the darkness inside him stronger.

It’s a curse!

Alexandra realized Inanis has put a curse on Maximus. The darkness in MAximus’ heart will continue to expand the more ammunition he gives it. Maximus already had a corrupt soul and with the curse put by darkness, Maximus is in constant danger of getting swallowed by darkness. Unless Maximus keeps himself away from darkness, he will be dying slowly.

Alexandra’s hands trembled. She could not think of anything she could do to counter this spell. It was a good thing she didn’t use the containment spell because she knew Inanis curse would have a counterspell to it that might have destroyed his life by now.

She got closer to him and rubbed his back, soothing him. Like seeing through a glass, she could see his soul and the swirling darkness that was escaping the box retreating. And she saw the size of the box was increasing in size.

It means more of his soul got corrupted.

Dread filled her heart. Each time Maximus lets darkness rule his thoughts, more of his soul will get corrupted with darkness and the size of the box will increase. And it means more of Maximus’ true self will disappear into the darkness.

If Maximus does not have control over his darkness, one day… he will be gone. Only a big box of darkness will be left.

Alexandra rubbed her chest that was hurting so much. She cannot lose her Tubby. She needs to do everything to protect him.

And that means to get rid of everything that causes dark thoughts to appear. She will spare nothing that comes in the way of her happiness with Maximus.

She didn’t forget her father’s lesson. She cannot do anything egregious lest she gets trapped in that dark nothingness once more.

She needs to find a balance.. She needs to find a way.