The Devil's Cursed Witch

The black-haired dragon looked at him without a change in expression, and Morpheus could not understand what that annoyingly indifferent look meant. Was that a yes? A no? Probably a 'no', for if Myra had truly returned, then this Black Dragon would not be wasting time like this. His excitement was then replaced with disappointment and annoyance.

"You are wasting my time," he scowled as he turned away from him. "Get your royal self back to your palace."

But Draven spoke again, as if not minding Morpheus' reaction. "A guest arrived today from one of the kingdoms from the other side of the continent."

Morpheus rolled his eyes. "Doesn't concern me--"

"He is a young golden eagle around a century old."

Morpheus stiffened. He felt like he heard something wrong. He quickly looked at Draven with his gray eyes filled with questions.

"That golden eagle is your nephew," Draven added. "He is Myra's son."

Morpheus seemingly forgot to breathe as he wordlessly stared at Draven.

Draven looked back at him, his firm gaze reassuring the eagle that he spoke no lie.

'My sister's son...? That means Myra is...Myra is...'

Morpheus felt a sudden surge of emotions and felt his heart pounding so hard, it was a struggle for him to breathe. His gray eyes turned moist and his throat felt choked as sounds between a laugh and a sob escaped his lips. He didn't know how to react to this. So many decades...more than a century had passed without news of his little sister.

No one probably felt the agony of waiting more than Morpheus. Waiting for a loved one without knowing whether your patience would be rewarded. Hoping despite the loneliness of being alone. Expecting even though his wish might or might not be answered.

Vaguely waiting, wishing, hoping that he would be reunited with his sister in some distant future...

In an instant, Morpheus was on his feet, his majestic gray wings spread behind him as if he would fly any second now. "Myra, my sister, where is she? Why didn't you bring her here?!"

The joy on Morpheus' face was so genuine, Draven knew his next words would break his heart. Yet he did not keep the truth from him.

"Only her son came to Agartha."

"What! Why...Why is she not here? T-Then where is she?"

One could see the agitation on the warrior's body. His voice shook and his body trembled as he spoke.

'If she had sent her son, then she should have come as well unless...' Morpheus' mind started to come up with various alarming thoughts.

"Calm down. Listen to me first," Draven told him.

It only made Morpheus more panicked. "First, tell me if Myra is fine."

Draven sighed. "Will you even hear my words in your current state?"

"Why are you not answering--"

"Sit down, Morpheus, and listen to me calmly," Draven flatly told him. "There is a situation I need to explain to you, and the chances are high that we will get to meet Myra soon."

Not having any other option, Morpheus let out a sigh, barely able to calm himself. As a warrior, he knew that letting himself be ruled by emotions would get himself killed in the battlefield. He was normally composed...but this was about his sister. It was difficult.

In the end, the agitated eagle folded his wings in resignation and returned to sitting on the edge of the cliff. All he wanted was to see his sister once more.

"Tell me what happened."

Draven explained to him why Aureus was in Agartha, including the matters of the Queen of Megaris and Ember, about how the young golden eagle had been living in a human kingdom and had come under the orders of the King of Megaris. He also talked about Black Witch Zaria Lynx, their old enemy who caused the tragedy experienced by the people of Agartha a century ago.

"That witch!" Morpheus clenched his fists upon hearing the news. "This time, I will not let her escape. I will give her a death so cruel that her soul won't dare to be reborn again."

Though Draven did not look as affected, one could see the rage silently burning in his eyes. "She will get the punishment she rightfully deserves."

Morpheus calmed himself down and asked, "But, what about my sister? How is this related to her? Why are you not telling me about her? Is she...that witch..." He stopped. "Tell me she is alive."

Draven didn't say anything and instead pulled out the token that Yorian sent to him.

Morpheus looked at the familiar-looking token. "This is... Yorian's?"

"He is with the King of Megaris at this moment." Draven handed it over to him. "I have erased the protection spell so it won't self-destruct. It is better for you to read the full account than hear it from me."

Morpheus closed his eyes as he injected his magic to read the message hidden inside. It took him a while, and though he did not let out a single sound, one could see the fluctuations of his emotion from the tightening of his grip on the token every now and then.

When he opened his eyes, those gray orbs were dark with rage. "How dare she?! To do this to Myra--!"

Draven put his hand on his shoulder. "Calm down. We are not sure about anything yet. It's just an assumption Yorian made."

Morpheus stood up. "I will go to that side of the continent. Once I find her, then we will be sure. If Myra is truly her captive, I swear to give that witch a hell of a death."

Draven stood up as well. "This is what I don't want. Do not let your anger rule your head. You know as well as I do that she is not so easy to deal with. We need to plan. A single mistake and she might kill Myra in order to survive our attack. If Myra is truly with her, then the more vigilant we should act."

Morpheus was not ready to listen but heard Draven continue, "Her son, he had grown up thinking his mother is dead. We cannot be reckless. Calm down first."

With a shaky breath, Morpheus thought of his sister's child. He got his reason back and asked, "A son...well, if she has a child, then that means she found herself a mate." His eyes narrowed. "Is her mate accompanying her child? Are the two of them your guests?"

Draven shook his head.

"The child is by himself. Neither Yorian nor Myra's son mentioned anything about his father," Draven said, but there was clear guilt in his eyes that he tried to hide.

There were things that were only known to him and he decided to continue keeping this secret, for it was Myra's secret to share, not his.

"Where is her son? Is he still in your palace? I will meet him."

Morpheus finally got on the same page as Draven.

"Indeed. His name is Aureus. He is staying as a guest in the palace. I will arrange for you to meet him. He is yet not aware of the existence of his family members. After you meet him, I will leave it to you to handle his introduction to your clan."

"Aureus!" Morpheus repeated.

He usually didn't agree to Draven but this time he did. "Fine! I will wait for your message."

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A/N- Dear readers, I am meeting my parents after one year. This week I have planned a small trip with them to spend time with them, so there might be less updates. Once I am back, I will make up for it. <3<3