""Real parent would feel pain even after hearing that one hair is missing on the child"s head. The only reason I do not harm these two creatures is for her sake. It"s not on me to judge them."" He just chuckled and turned his head to the portal. ""She lived trough pain that she shouldn"t have. Her life was meant to be happy, loveable and filled with smiles and laughter. Now because of the two of them, she can think of such ugly things like destruction and punishment. I will have to live like that my whole future existence, why does she have to live like that as well? Not her...""Maike finally could see the pain written on his face as a single tear slid down his face and fell on his chest. She suddenly felt stuffy. ""Why... explain to me, why are you so angry...""
""They are powerful beings and could make her into something beautiful, something that could create even more beautiful worlds. But what will happen if she becomes the creator of the dark world, worlds filled with pain and destruction? Worlds filled with darkness that come from her heart. I was against her leaving our world as it is perfect for a child to be raised. It"s safe and happy. And she could learn from the best straight what is right what is wrong. Later when she grew her powers, with few protectors she could have traveled worlds and learned more about other creatures, powers and existences. But they were rus.h.i.+ng to send her so fast away... It is my fault that I didn"t go to protect her. I am not angry at them, or they would have been destroyed. I am angry at myself as I didn"t protect her on time. I was not there and a.s.sumed she had a happy childhood and just wanted to play childish games a little bit longer. I wanted to spoil her and let her be a child longer, but shortly she realized a few things about something and choose to grow up. And all that in a short span of couple dozen years. I lived in realms for half of the millennia before going back home, but she lived just this short time and has so much darkness acc.u.mulated...So much...""
He shook as the tears slid down one by own, wetting his robe.
Maike was shaken deep from the roots of her heart. She understood suddenly his words. Grounding Fairies were usually brought up as small princesses or n.o.ble children. They were extremely protected and were brought up to cultivate in happiness. It was the first time that Grounding Fairy lived a life of a commoner, mortal and on top of that in danger.
""You need to calm down."" Maike wanted to say more but all she could see him staring silently at the portal. ""She is safe now...""
""Take these two away from here and explain to them how much pain they gave that child. If they can"t understand they better not come in front of her eyes. Kendra is not a very forgiving creature. She holds on her resentment for quite a long time. Luckily she is with Isaa. Luckily..."" He waved his hand and the three people disappeared from the spot and he was completely alone.
As slight wind pa.s.sed his body and dried the tears on his cheeks, his eyes became desperate. ""I didn"t know your pain. I thought you have been just spoiled brat, like all other Grounding Fairies. Sorry, Kendra. If you can, stay a bit longer child. Please. This time I really do not want you to grow up. I want you to live happily for a long long time. I can wait an eternity for you.""
As his words disappeared, his eyes again welled up with tears and they started falling one after another while he patted his chest that felt heavy and stuffed. He was a creature that didn"t need to breathe at all, but at this moment he felt like he needed air. He almost felt choking.
Suddenly he felt strange energy appearing next to him and the unfamiliar man looked at him strangely. ""Finally, you show emotions. If you haven"t, I would have done everything to take her away from you. Watch over her good. If you ever harm her, I will come and take her away. And you won"t be able to stop me.""
Taskmaster felt angry and wanted to pressure him but suddenly felt stiff and powerless. ""What... what happened?""
The man stood in front of him. ""You need to learn more and become even more powerful. Yes, you are strong now, but can you win people like me? Not really. By the way, I am Marcus.""
Marcus suddenly smiled as he saw change on his face. ""Oh, she spoke about me as it seems. She must feel disappointed in me and she is right. I lost my memories. When I got them back I realized what I did, but it was too late. She is indeed a person that doesn"t forgive lightly. Your kind is not compatible with her, but when I think about it, who is it actually compatible? Love her, cherish every moment around her and spoil her rotten. She deserves every bit of happiness. I will be watching from far...""
As his warning was left in the air and he disappeared, Taskmaster was free again and realized new facts. He was strong but not the strongest. His eyes turned black and he smiled suddenly. ""It seems I need to become stronger, much stronger. For her sake..""
He waved his hand and suddenly a strange figure made of pure darkness appeared near him. ""Yes?""
""Tell my father... I will grow my powers as he asked me. He is right. I was full of my own power and in my arrogance was thinking that I am strongest. But I met someone who is more powerful than me. Someone who can restrain me and my powers with a flick of a finger. Now I have someone I want to protect. Go..."" His words were heard by the creature and moment later disappeared into nothingness.
Taskmaster waved his hand and in wonder saw a face staring at his direction. ""Fool. If you know how powerful I am, do you think I can"t hear anything? Go to the mountain and wait for me where I need to talk to you."" Kendra sighed and waved her hand making it impossible for him to open sight at her no matter how many times he waved.
Now he understood one more thing. Not only is that person stronger than him. Kendra is stronger as well. His face became frozen but then suddenly melted as he realized something. ""Awwww. She called me to be alone with her. Cutieeee..."" His ears became red again while his eyes shone happily.
What no one knew was that Taskmaster has actually extremely soft personality and heart but has a too serious face and sarcastic answers so everyone was scared at him. He was actually quite cute comparing to Kendra that had literally colder personality but found his cuteness inside his mind quite attractive...
Two bodies with strange characters attracted to each other. Not strange on Earth, but in this world, what is actually strange? Is there anything that can be called strange?