Seeing Meu Through Marik’s Eyes

Mount Surt was once the heart of this planet. The most delightful flowers, all year round fruits and vegetables, attracted creatures of all shapes and forms. Brimming with life and abundant in resources, the scorpion nation of Solkari kingdom was first to settle. Making us top of the food chain. 

The scorpion king then was a fair leader who didn’t discriminate between beings. This peace went on forever. Or so it seemed. Until Mount Surt was no more.

What was once a center of peace, became a hotspot of disarray. Between the volcanic eruptions, the supernatural rituals, or trafficking of creatures, everyone had their own hell to deal with.

Other tribes were able to relocate and start anew in further islands. The scorpion race, who wasn't able to cope, faced severe famine and devastation. Then I was born.

I am a prince born to a powerful couple leading a starved populace. My father’s intimidation and commanding presence is second to none, that is, on the surface. 

Deep inside, he is a bleeding heart who thinks too much of keeping peace than keeping the kingdom alive. My father only appears kingly. He is actually the most sentimental person.

You would think him heartless if you would base your judgment on his looks. He’s got a stare that can pierce through soul, not to mention his massive stinger that is renowned in the world as most venomous. 

Not only is he king through familial heritage, but he is indeed king in physique and fighting prowess. Not that I have ever seem him use it in actual combat.

My mother, on the other hand, looks like a peaceful cloud. Kind, caring, compassionate, beautiful. Any positive words that one can use to describe an innocent maiden would fit her. Same as my father, that is, at first glance.

My mother, despite not being from any nobility, is renowned as the most influential queen in the kingdom. I have never in my life met a person as conniving and contemptuous as my mother. She did manage to make everyone acknowledge her as a queen candidate despite coming from an insignificant background. 

I admire and abhor my parents at the same.

Myself, disarray, fights between factions, backstabbing, in a literal and in a metaphorical sense have been the result of the union between such two opposite characters. 

I have countless half-brothers and half-sisters whom I do not have any relationship with at all and my mother just keeps on sprouting more. Scorpions have such promiscuous lifestyles. As far as I am concerned, I am an only child.

Why do I yearn for a connection yet not wanting to make the effort at the same time?

As a prince, I can have anything I ask for. Despite my family background, I could still perhaps put in some energy into initiating a connection? By then, maybe I won't be treated like part of the furniture. 

I read in one of my mother's forbidden books that some gems give the power of reading into other people’s hearts. 

Maybe this is what I need. To hell with bonds. The woman bonded to me will only use me. If I can read other’s minds without bonding to them, then I can find out if they are coming with the best intentions in mind.  

Since then, I have started to collect various stones and gems of multiple colors and differing shapes, anything that could potentially give me a shortcut into understanding others.

Why do I even want to understand others who won’t put in the effort in getting to know me?

No luck so far, in fact, it has done the opposite. This hobby had my mother’s other children staying away from me, for reasons I still can’t comprehend. But, it’s been the only thing that’s gotten me going for a while now. The only thing that’s motivated me to go out and enjoy my time outdoors on my own.

Another thing I cannot forget from the old books are intimate movements called dances. Some can do it for fun, some for purposes like rituals, others for mating. I have imagined doing it over and over in my mind. There were some old dance practices in the scorpion tribe but it only led to death.

“Hand to hand, chest to chest, swaying with the music. Twirling occasionally. Looking into each other’s eye deeply.” The book said.

I wish I could do something like that once in my life with someone I can trust. Or someone I won’t meet again ever as it could be embarrassing. But, I did not trust anyone, not even my own parents. So not just not going to happen for me, being a negative unlovable venomous scorpion.

I have collected all kinds of gems that are to be collected in Solkari. I have collected some from nearby landscapes as well, such as the old sand city. But I haven’t gone further than the bull’s territory.

That will change once I find the gem that allows me to see into people’s hearts. Today is the day I will find a magical gem! Any power will do now!

I underestimated the distance. I thought it was a days trip. But it was almost 3 days. I have made my way through the remnants of Mount Surt, around the bull's territory and into the unguarded border between the bulls and lions.

Whenever any bull saw me, they ignored me as if I wasn't a threat. Well, It is the truth anyways. I am there to collect rocks. Plus, this reaction is quite similar to how scorpions treated me. I am happy to continue minding my own activities anyway.

I am further and have not yet entered the forest outskirts of lion city but I can already notice how the environment and air here is cleaner and gentler. There was something about this place that screamed safety.

I do not understand why my mother could hate such a place.

I felt safe enough to sleep under a tree, so safe I awoke late into the night. I was about to leave when it started. The end of the planet. Debris falling from the skies hitting the ground surrounding me.

‘Someone help me’, I whispered. As if someone will actually come. Nobody ever did. Not out of being given a command.

Even in moments like this, I am not able to shout for help. 

How pitiful. My feet eventually started to move and I ran sloppily. 

How lame. Living for rocks and getting killed by rocks…

I tripped on a hole from the impact a tiny falling rock made and fell face down. It took a while to wake myself up completely.

A green pebble? This is what’s going to end me?

I looked around and saw another green rock a bit of a distance. I realized the pebble I first found had broken off the bigger rock. I looked around and saw that the other falling gems had broken down into dust on impact. The moon shining down on the dust made it look like the ground was made of glittering dust. I picked up anything colorful that I could see.

Looking up, I saw that there was one flying debris heading directly to me.

I can’t outrun that…

I stayed still and waited for impact. It doesn't come. When I opened my eyes, it was like I was transported into a different dimension. The oncoming rock evaporated prior to impact and had made all the bright dust scatter in the air, making it snow with colors. 

I was without words for who knows how long, just staring into the air. I picked up a huge red rock that was in the middle of it all, as I looked into the shimmering air.

‘What is your name?’

An unexpected presence almost made me squeal. A little girl appeared in front of me. I was very bewildered, almost scared even.

Someone other than myself was out tonight, let alone a child? Did I hide my fear and surprise well just now?

All three moons are strategically aligned behind her, highlighting her and giving her a mysterious glow at the same time. I couldn’t see her face clearly.

’Are you from around here?’ She said in between laboured breaths.

How lame. I almost pissed myself from shock.

’So you’re not going to answer me.’ She added.

First of all, who are you in return? What is a small girl even doing here? Pfft as if I will talk to the likes of nobody…

I wonder how long she was running for. I was concerned she will pass out from trying to talk while also catching her breath, but she sat down so that’s good.

After paying attention, I noticed that she looked like she’s someone important. Her clothes have been snagged by plants but still looks like something only spoiled kids would wear. I would know, having a lot of half-siblings who only cared for material things. 

Who am I to say anything, I am also spoiled to a degree.

‘Well?’ She pressed me for a reaction, while I tried to hide my grimace.

If this is my way of thinking, no wonder I do not have any friends. Here is a perfectly good chance to start a friendship with someone who doesn't have any hidden motives on me or my status.

‘Whatever. You’re wasting precious time I can use to play under these glitter rain.’ She said as she flicked her head to one side, but was still waiting for a response from me.

‘Cute’, I whispered.

Did I just think a strange girl attractive?

This strange phenomenon must have gotten me confused and disoriented. I looked away and she started to walk, rather, skipping away from me. As I started leaving, I heard her starting to hum and move to her own rhythm. I just wasn't able to resist looking back.

Is she jumping? Is she… trying to dance?

The unknown girl started twirling round and round, as if she was the only person who matters. Who exists.

I hope she can’t hear how fast and hard my heart is beating. But it’s definitely from being hit in the head and being scared by her.

This is nothing. This heart is beating wildly for perfectly valid reasons. 

I watched as the strange girl did a set of movements that reminded me of swans. Her graceful movements gave me a sense of safety and healing. The sudden influx of relief after running for my life just moments ago caught up to me and I slowly fell to the ground.

‘Whew! Just caught you in time!’ She said as she smoothly caught my fall and helped me sit.

What in the! How did she get beside me so fast!

‘Oh no! You’re bleeding!’ She reached out to touch my face and started wiping the moisture I felt on my head away.

I wondered why I just accepted it all. Her sudden appearance, her quick closing of the distance between us, and her kindness. I did not realize my head was in pain until she made it go away with her touch.

’Have you seen enough of me? Are you going to talk to me now?’ She pressed on.

The moons behind her continue to give her a mysterious silhouette. I did not realize I had been staring at her for long.

’Who are you?’ I accidentally responded even when I had no intention of engaging with her.

’So you can speak!’ She beamed, pleased with her efforts of getting a word out of me.

The trace of her shadowy smile made my rapid overworking heart skip a beat.

‘I am Marik, a prince. From the north.’

I did not need any stone to identify the feelings brewing within me. It was love at first sight.