Ragnarök, Eternal Tragedy.
Chapter 32: A King’s Curse

Chapter 32: A King’s Curse

Erling enters the throne room where’s there’s a line of soldiers holding staffs, at the other end of the room is the king sitting on his throne. Erik is nervously walking next to him biting his nails, when they are close enough, they both go on one knee, not trying to maintain eye contact.

’’Brother... I’ve brought the young prince home.’’

’’You may stand...’’

They both get up.

’’Father, I’d like to apolo-’’

’’Do you know what you’ve done?!’’ His voice echoes through the room.

’’No... sir.’’ Erik starts sweating and his voice is on a higher pitch.

The king sighs.

’’From today forth you aren’t allowed to leave your room and the castle, no friends either.’’

’’But father...’’

’’Don’t dare call me father, I am your majesty to you. Am I clear?’’

’’Ye- yes, your majesty.’’

’’You’re excused.’’

Erling storms off out the room.

’’Now brother... you didn’t have to treat your son like that.’’

’’That boy is no son of mine, no son of mine would act like this.’’

’’Maybe he’s been acting like this because he wants your attention, he needs you to be his father not his king.’’

’’I’ve been his father since the day he came out of his mother’s womb.’’

’’But you’ve failed to acknowledge him.’’

’’Are you saying I failed as a father?’’

’’That’s not what I’m saying brother, I’m just saying you should try understanding him more.’’

’’ There’s nothing for me to understand from a fifteen-year-old boy, what he has to do is understand his role as my son.’’

’’With all due respect brother, that mentality is the reason why he ran away in the first place.’’

’’Someone’s life was sacrificed for that boy!!’’ The King’s voice echoes through the room once more.

’’Brother, do you mean?’’

’’Yes, if I didn’t intervene with my gift, he was going to die.’’

’’...’’

’’You know how much I hate using my gift, but how many times am I going to have to do this for him?’’

’’Brother, I apologize...’’

’’I don’t need your apology Erling, you’re excused.’’

Erling takes a bow and leaves the king on his throne. He goes to Erik’s room and knocks.

’’Who is it?’’

’’It’s me.’’

’’Come in.’’

Erling slowly opens and enters.

’’Hey...’’

’’Uncle... I wanted to say thank you for saving me out there.’’

’’That’s what I’m here to talk to you about... Come let’s sit down.’’

They both go and sit on top of Erik’s bed.

’’Erik... do you know what your father’s gift is?’’

’’Yeah...it’s the ability to change one’s fate.’’

’’Okay, you seem to understand it. But there’s more to it than that. You see, your father’s gift is more a curse than a gift.’’

’’A curse?’’

’’Yes, a curse... When your father uses his gift, he has to make a sacrifice.’’

’’What do you mean by a sacrifice?’’

’’We’ll say you for example. When you were stuck in that pit, if it wasn’t for his gift you would’ve died, which you we are blessed for that... but, the curse is... that when he saved your life, it hindered another person fate.’’

’’Which means... by him saving me, someone else will die?’’

’’We don’t know, but their fate changes, it’s not only one person’s fate but depending on who’s involved it can affect everyone that’s in that person’s life in a positive or negative way.’’

’’So does that mean I could be the reason someone out there died?’’ Erik’s starts shivering and gets scared.

’’That’s not what I’m saying... The reason why I’m telling you this is because I want you to be careful what you do, your father has sacrificed so much for you to be safe. So don’t go running around trying to put it in vain son, okay?’’

Erik nods.

’’That’s great, now give your uncle a hug... your father loves you, he might not show it, but he really does. You’ll always be his son, okay?’’

’’Yes uncle.’’

...

’’Here eat.’’

’’...’’

’’You have to eat if you want to heal.’’

’’I’m not hungry.’’

Amari wakes up from the other side of the room.

’’You finally woke up... please tell your friend to eat his food.’’

’’What’s me telling him going to change?’’

’’I don’t know kid, he’s your friend... He’s been sitting like that for a while, you should try talking to him.’’

Amari goes to seat next to Apollo on the bed.

’’Nana never thought me how to be when she dies... But I’m sure she wouldn’t tell me to be how you are right now.’’

’’What do you know about her... You don’t know Nana so don’t talk as if you do.’’

’’ What are you trying say?’’

’’I’m trying to say that you were never part of my family.’’

’’Apollo-’’

’’Mom should’ve never left you with her, she would’ve still been here!!... If it wasn’t for you!’’

The doctor comes back from the kitchen after hearing the commotion.

’’What’s going on her-’’

She drops her the bowl of soup on the floor when she sees that Amari is choking Apollo with his forearm against the wall. Apollo can barely breath and is still hurt from his wounds.

’’That’s... all... you... know. Being a... wild beast.’’ Apollo utters the words out of his mouth while being choked.

’’HEYY!! Stop it!! Let go of him!’’ Freyr pulls Amari away from him. ’’What is wrong with you?! You were going to kill him!’’

Apollo starts coughing excessively.

’’Exactly, that’s all you are, a killer. That’s why I lost my Nana because of YOU!!’’

Amari storms out of the house.

’’What’s going on here? Why did he suddenly do that?’’

’’Because I told him the truth.’’

Freyr examines body to see if the choking caused any problems.

’’Can you breathe normally?’’

’’Yes.’’

’’Then tell me what happened here?’’

’’Isn’t it obvious he tried to kill me.’’

’’I know that but why, what did you say to him?’’

’’I told you already... I told him the truth.’’

’’You have to explain to me what’s going on here, I won’t be having children trying to kill each other in my house.’’

Apollo looks at her and his eyes start tearing up, but slowly starts to explain to Freyr the whole story of how they got to where they were.

’’And after I saw.... after I saw what I saw I can’t remember anything.’’

’’I wouldn’t wish this on anyone... I’m...’’ Freyr gets up and leaves.

’’Where are you going?’’

’’You need to apologize to your friend; I’ll go get him so you can talk.’’

’’I don-’’

’’You aren’t the only one who’s hurt about this boy! You’ll apologize to your friend, and you’ll heal together that’s final.’’

Freyr leaves to search for Amari