Chapter 13: My Execution

This was the day I was scheduled to depart from this world. My second life will soon be over, would I be reborn into another world, or is this my last chance at life. Would I go to the afterlife, or would I cease to exist? I would soon find out. It was a beautiful sunny day. If I were to go to heaven, I hope that there will be forests I can wander for days. I envy Cloelia, I wish my life was hers, full of magic, adventure, and family. She is respected and loved. I’m going to miss Harriette, and the twins. I won’t get to tell those little ones any more stories, I won’t get to see them grow up into the heroes I know they will be when they are older, that is if they get to grow up.

I don’t know what Aldous has planned, or even if he has a plan. Those kids have been calling him dad, now he learns that they are destined to kill him, like they have countless times before. I ruined something beautiful; I deserve to die. I let my head fall onto the wall of my cell. ‘You won’t live if you think like that.’ A voice in my head suddenly spoke to me.

“What?” I asked, no one could hear me with the mask I had on.

‘You don’t need to die yet, be strong, in your mind.’ The voice told me.

“Alright, I will. I don’t want to die, I still have so much to live for.” This I told myself.

‘They are coming for you. I will give you a gift, no,’ the voice changed their mind, ‘I will let you borrow a gift. This power will allow you to hear and see things that normally would be out of your reach. Not that it will do you any good, since you are literally about to die in less than an hour.’

“I thought you said I didn’t need to die yet?” I questioned the voice.

‘Yeah, you don’t need to, but you will.’ The voice replied.

“Who are you?” I demanded an answer. “Hold on, Cloelia?”

‘Ugh, fine you got me.’ She admitted.

“Were you using a voice changer spell?” I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

‘Maybe.’ I could just imagine the fake innocent face she would be making right now.

“Am I going to die or not?” I prompted angrily.

‘I don’t know.’ I swear could hear her shrug, oh my goodness.

“Well, who am I supposed to ask?” I argued.

‘We will have to see how this plays out, good luck Amice. I will see you on the other side…. Ooooh….’ Her voice faded away. She really helped with my nerves, I was grateful.

“Thank you.” I murmured, hoping she could still hear me.

I’m not sure how much time passed, but now the footsteps of the soldiers coming to take me to my execution echoed through the dungeon. “Goodbye wench, enjoy Hell!” Trockalon called out as the soldiers passed his cell.

I arose, I went to stand in the middle of the cell, yes, I was off to die, but I would die with dignity. The soldiers weren’t forceful, and I didn’t try to run, I knew it would be pointless. A soldier was on my left, and other to my right, gently they took my arms. They slowly lead me out of the dungeon, they were taking their time, they couldn’t save my life, but they could prolong it by a few minutes.

I was led through the castle that I had roamed freely for almost fourteen years. This reminded me of when I moved out of my parents’ place, how I did one final walk through, reliving all the memories. After the stalling, I was led out the front doors of the castle, I was rarely allowed to use these doors, with both of them opening for me, I felt so special. Even though I was about to die, this was the most powerful I felt, like I was lady whose life actually held weight. The warm sunlight hit my forehead, as if the sky was giving me a hug goodbye. We turned the corner of the castle, where the crowd that had gathered parted to let me through. I made my way through the crowd, then I climbed the stairs to the gallows.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Aldous, Harriette, Ignatius and Narcissus watching from a balcony at the top of castle. The power Cloelia let me borrow kicked in. "Don't do this, please." Harriette begged.

"My liege, what has she done?" Narcissus asked nervously. "Wh-what was so terrible that it warranted her death? Did she kill someone? Please tell us."

"All of you, shut up." Aldous growled quietly.

Harriette’s face contorted in anger. “Of course, just when I was starting to like you. You turn around and have my best friend executed. You can’t even make up some excuse, you are just evil, like you always have been and always will be!” She screamed, everyone below stared up to watch. “I hate you!” She pulled her fist back for a punch. No one tried to stop her, she punched Aldous a few times, they did only minor damage, he didn’t flinch he only looked down at her.

Aldous turned to the crowd. “Get on with it!” He ordered.

“Thank you, Harriette, you tried your best. I will miss you.” I murmured, hoping she could hear me in her heart. I looked out to the crowd. Some faces I recognized, the apothecary shopkeeper and his family were here. He seemed so worried, he had told me to stay safe, and I didn’t, another promise I broke. Off in a shady tree I could see Garth sitting on a branch. I feel honoured that he would come to my execution, given his dislike of the people, and that he has lost so many friends before, he would be numb to it. Something that warmed my heart, was seeing humans and monsters standing side by side as one people, maybe my death would help unite them. I guess that is something worth dying for.

The noose was put around my neck. One of the guards reached to take my mask off, but he was stopped by Aldous yelling: “Don’t! No last words!”

The crowd erupted into indistinguishable murmurings. Harriette, Ignatius and Narcissus turned to him. “What!?” All three screamed. Harriette leaned over the wall and cried.

Ignatius then confronted him. “That is too cruel. It’s not like she can spout a curse. Let her speak her final words.”

“Do you want to end up on the gallows next?” Aldous threatened.

“This isn’t like you.” Ignatius muttered as he turned back towards me.

The next thing I saw was in Esmee’s and Biff’s room. The twins were looking out the window, probably against their mother’s wishes. “Is she dead yet?” I heard Camillus ask. He was sitting on Biff’s bed, staring at the floor.

“No, I hope she doesn’t.” Biff answered.

“She will.” Camillus sounded much gloomier than he usually does.

“What if we make a wish,” Esmee suggested, “if all three of us wish really hard at the same time, it’ll come true.”

“Fine, we can try to wish for her to live.” Camillus closed his eyes, tears falling to the floor.

I was brought back to myself. The executioner was at the ready, awaiting Aldous’ order. Then it came, my fate was sealed. “Kill her!" Aldous shouted.

"Goodbye." I told everyone, even though they couldn't hear me.

The lever was pulled, Harriette gripped the stone wall so hard that it cracked. I felt weightless for a moment as I fell, the rope tightened, catching me before I hit the ground. I wanted so badly to pull the rope away from my neck, but my hands were bound, I was slowly choking to death.

"Master!" Ignatius turned to Aldous while slamming is fist on the wall. "Her neck didn't snap; this must be a sign that she should live!"

Everyone watched on in horror. Ignatius put a stat stone up to his eye, watching as my HP drained. Harriette didn't blink as tears ran down her face like a waterfall. Narcissus had covered his mouth with his hands, almost holding his breath. The twins stared out the window chanting with Camillus "Don't die, don't die." Over and over again. I think the children are the reason my neck didn't snap, subtlety they are using magic. I wonder what Aldous has planned for them once I am gone.

My vision started to blur; I could feel my tense limbs begin to loosen. This was it. I began to close my eyes, I heard a voice; "Master! Please!" It was Ignatius, try to save me, I wonder why?

As the darkness started to settle in, the pain went away, I felt like I was going to sleep. "Fine! Cut her free!" I heard Aldous relent as if he was a million kilometers away.

I could feel my body jostle, the blade against my skin. AIR! I inhaled and coughed a few times. I let my eyes adjust to see Ignatius standing over me. The crowd let out a collective sigh of relief, all these people, most of them I don't know, cared if I died. I looked up to the balcony, I thought Harriette was going to fall off, she probably would have if Aldous wasn't holding onto her arm. She was still crying, but there was now a huge smile on her face. My borrowed sight kicked in again, Narcissus had fainted, some servants and a guard came over to make sure he was alight.

What I saw next surprised me. Aldous was crying. I could sense his regret from here. "I forgive you." I muttered. His eyes grew wide, they locked with mine, had he heard me? Right, this is Cloelia’s magic I am borrowing, she is his mother, she wants us to make amends, I think.

Ignatius carried me back to my cell, as soon as he left Trockalon started his squawking. “How are you still alive? Has justice not prevailed? Or perhaps you are to die by my blade for wh-“ He was interrupted by one of the guards banging on the bars to his cell.

“Will you shut up!?” The guard cried out of frustration.

“No.” Trockalon simply stated.

I could hear the guard inhale to yell at him again, but then stopped when we all heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs. The guards all rushed to their proper positions, fixing any mistakes in their uniform, adjusting their posture. I knew he was coming for me, perhaps I was to die by a blade, something more personal, far more befitting. In the games I had lost to Aldous many times, he was always a satisfying final boss. Still, I had killed him more times than he had killed me, every time to him was meaningful, held weight, he actually died, befitting that he should end my life, possibly permanently.

I stood, awaiting his arrival. The air stood still, everyone held their breath, even Trockalon kept his cocky mouth shut, Aldous was here. He took his time walking over to my cell. We stared at each other, not with malice, I had no emotion, his was all confusion. “Open the cell.” He ordered. The guard ran over while fumbling with the keys, eventually he opened the cell to let Aldous in. Aldous had to duck to get in, but he was able to stand up straight again when he got inside. He loomed over me, then he ripped the mask off my face.

I was the one to speak first. “Why didn’t you kill me?” I asked calmly.

“Gah, has anyone told you how creepy you are?” He sneered.

“Yes, also you’re avoiding the question.” I closed my eyes, enjoying letting unfiltered air flow into my lungs.

Aldous squatted down, folding his arms over his knees. “I didn’t want to hurt Harriette. I was hoping that she would eventually get over you, but then I realized you are like family to her. You are very lucky your neck didn’t snap.”

“Yes. The children’s chanting is what prevented that.” I informed him.

He tilted his head. “They were chanting, how did you…” His voice trailed off as he became lost in thought.

“Your mother, Lady Cloelia, let me borrow a power to see and hear things just beyond my normal capabilities.” I then continued as he wiped his face, pulling at the skin under his eyes. “I believe she also allowed you to hear some of my words?” I half asked.

“Yes, she did. Why? Why did you forgive me? I had you hung for a selfish reason.” He was so genuine with his words.

“Ignatius has probably brought it to your attention that I’m not normal. Have you ever wondered why my eyes are orange, only the undead have oranges eyes. Well, when I was reincarnating, something went wrong, or right? It didn’t happen the way it normally does. Instead of being reborn, I was turned back into a teenager and fell from the sky, falling in front of the castle. I still have memories from my past life; I still carry those sins.” I confessed.

“What could you have done, you still died, you didn’t deserve to die a second time for things you did in another life. I made a mistake.” Aldous was regretful and genuine; this broke my heart.

“I’ve killed a lot of people in my past life, and I know you have killed a lot of people in your past lives as well. So, let’s forget all this and move forward. Towards peace.”

“Let’s do that, break the cycle, we don’t need anymore mindless violence.” Aldous stood up. “I can’t let you go, just so you know.” He growled.

“I wouldn’t let me go either. Oh, and just so you know, there are two other people living who know about my odd reincarnation.” I decided to let him know that he wasn’t the only one who knew.

“Ah I see. Harriette and my mother?” He waited for me to confirm. I nodded. He then picked up the mask. “I’m going to put this on Trockalon. I’ve gotten way too many complaints about him. Don’t tell anyone about… you know what. Or I will kill you.” Aldous threatened.

“I won’t tell a soul.” I promised with a smile.