Legend of Ransera

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Tobias had been taken in that night; he had been bathed and groomed back to the once respectable looking man he was. Yet, there was something there. Trauma. He remained quiet, having the flashbacks in his mind, detailing the cruel and vicious moments of the five years he had endured with the coven. The filthy breath amongst his neck, followed by the forceful nature in which he endured sexual violence. It was all in his head.

Richard made his way through to his room as he sat on his bed. Tobias had laid there all the time despite having proper procedures, he was tired and withdrawn. All he needed was a good night's rest and a proper place to sleep. All he could think about was the way the coven had tossed him from side to side, like a piece of meat. Like he was nothing but a mere piece of entertainment. A fulfillment of their dark deprived needs.

What was Tobias’ purpose now?

He feared for the worse, knowing that what he had done would follow up with severe consequences. Why was he back at his father’s place? What made him go back? Should he go out and hide or should he stay and face the consequences for his actions? Potential execution. So many thoughts raced through his head as he got up from his bathtub and proceeded to change in time for dinner. Strangely, waistcoats, trousers and noble attire in general felt weird to him yet again. He was so used to wearing rags as he clinged to them, hugging them as if they were a memory of happiness.

Tobias came back to the dining table he once used to eat at, now a foreign thing of what he did. He didn’t eat anything for most of the time, yet he wondered if his body had grown used to not feeling hungry again. It was coven life that drove out every emotion within him as he sat down at the table. He stared into space as his father looked up at him "Tobias… Where’s that appetite of your’s gone?" His father asked, watching him with concern on his face. It didn’t seem like he was normal, it was as if he became a feral animal as he watched in shock as Tobias sat there motionless.

From then on, he sighed as Tobias did not answer his question. Richard pinched the bridge of his nose as stress began to settle in once again. Tobias clenched his fist as a tear fell out of his eye straight into the soup bowl in front of him. His salty tears were evidence of vengeance, sadness and deep anguish from within. He took a shaky breath and sighed "I learnt my lesson, father but it’s all too late… What are they gonna do, are they gonna execute me?" Richard became agitated, now in thought of losing his second son, but also his entire family. He was a ninety-three year old Hytori man, scared of living in loneliness. That was his biggest fear. Being alone.

"I… Don’t know Tobias, I really don’t..."

The moment he said that filled Tobias with paranoia, sadness and even deep distress. The anxiety crippled at his stomach, knowing he had one thing to do now. He thought this was the end. I might aswell get it over with, I’ve got nothing to live for now, I’m not gonna live anyway so what’s the point in prolonging the inevitable. Those thoughts in his head, they weren’t normal, since the hope had been sapped from his body, he knew there was only one option that would quicken his soon-to-be fate.

Suicide.

He got up from the table as Richard looked at him with concern in his eyes as Tobias went upstairs to his room. He closed the door for a moment. He sat at his desk as he began to write a note for Richard. A suicide note. He simply dipped his pen in the black ink and sighed in thought as he began writing.

Dear Beloved Father

As you are aware, you know of the fate that comes for me so I must simply thank you for giving me the life you had given me so far. I just wished that it would have never ended like this. If I could go back in time, I simply would erase the things I had done previously. I would have joined the Reconciliation and I simply would not let the coven witch seduce me into their dark ways. If I would have known this fate, then I would have done everything I could to prevent it.

Now I must face the consequences; if they are coming to execute me, I might as well save you the favor of doing it for yourself. I know what you went through with Alabaster and Alice. It would be even more painful if you had to go through it all again, but by your own hand...

I’m sorry, father for being a pathetic excuse of a son.

I hope you’ll find it in you to forgive me.

Your son,

Tobias.

At that moment, Tobias looked at the balcony in his room as he walked towards it, looking out at the rivers and beautiful scenery. The last memory that Tobias was probably ever going to see as he concealed himself in his shadow veil and simply camouflaged himself before quietly heading out.

The accidental slam alerted Richard as he walked upstairs and went into Tobias’ room. It was empty; the balcony shutters were open as he shut them. Richard made his way to Tobias’ desk as he saw the letter. In alarm he picked it up and started reading it.

"Oh no you don’t, Coward!"

The wording upset him. To think his son would commit suicide carried the same amount of pain as he would if he was forced to execute him. There was no way he would let this happen. Richard frantically left the house in search of him.

Meanwhile, Tobias looked at a cliff top view, over the city of Zaichaer. He was ready, but would he do it? A female in a reconciliator uniform approached Tobias as she tilts her head “I know you’re much stronger than that… I can tell by the way you left the place after you escaped.” The vigilant approached Tobias as she stares at him “And you seem troubled, much like when I first joined the Order…”

Tobias was confused. Why was a reconciliator here? What plans did she have for him? His mind circled in a place of negative thoughts. His breathing became heavy, filled with anxiety “Wait, you’re not gonna execute me?”

“I’ve come to make you an offer, a second chance…”

“I heard coven witches don’t get second chances in Zaichaer…”

“I understood your situation, examined the crime scene, it was clear you were desperate to break out…” She paused. “The Order of Reconciliation would like to offer you a chance.”

Just what he needed, Tobias’ face quickly turned from sombre to confused. He didn’t know how to take it. This was his deep climb to redemption; a path that would not be easy for him. To be an ex-coven witch was to still be a traitor amongst the Zaichaeri people. He knew that.

Zaichaer was a very unforgiving place, especially for someone as young as he was when he was first initiated into the coven. He was now truely free from five years of torture, but was his mind free? Richard came running as he saw the vigilant and Tobias conversing. She turned to him and smiled "Seeker Zorrothy, I believe I’ve been of great assistance..."

Richard stared at Tobias for a moment as the worry on his face was apparent. A father wondering what he would do from now on if he had lost his son "Tobias! What were you thinking… Oh dear, I should’ve given you a better answer..." He paused as he looked over at the vigilant "Thank you, Vigilant Eris..."

“There's a lot to do now, Richard… The Order is willing to give your son a second chance after all...

"I’ll do my best, come on now, Toby..."

Tobias sighed in relief. He was lucky this time, he knew now that coven life had burnt him. He’d never go back, not ever. However, he needed to prove that to the people of Zaichaer, starting with the Order.

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"Tobias Speech"
"Richard Speech"