Chapter Text
Philip's POV
The curse Philip had hated for so long and fought endlessly to submit began to change and having no earthly idea why or how. Ignoring these changes when the collector informed him that may happen, he said so causally that it lifted Philip's worries greatly. But it came rushing back when he spotted the thing.
And the day was going so well that he decided to reinforce the fake memories of his persona. Making sure if someone was foolish enough to invade his mind, they would find very little. To his surprise, had come across a child staring at a wall, his first though it was one of his memories but that was imposable. Since the palisman souls started to roam his mind along with his curse, making it more difficult for his stronger emotions roam free.
Hating to admit it, it took some time to realize the thing in front of him was the curse as it normally was an animated blob of mud. Now it takes the form of what he had look like as a child with ash blonde hair instead of his auburn, and from its head sprouted horns. Another strange thing is the curse would attack him if he came so much as an inch near it.
Now wondering what had this creature's attention so much walked forward to a better look. What he sees is the image of a younger Caleb bearing the features of the hell spawn his brother had come to love. So much so that he would willing abandon his only family for them. With these passing thoughts and the altered brother's image to look like one of THEM was revolting but it was necessary to pull sympathy from the residents of the isles.
Pushing those thought back when he notices the thing reaching out towards the memory as if to touch it.
Anger overcomes him at the mere thought the thing touching his brother. Before it could lay a finger on the memory reaches out to grab the evil little thing to finally be rid of it, collector be dammed.
As if sensing his intent turns towards him and before he could take a step, leapt into the memory for safety. Philip had to stop himself from entering but it's no matter he will see it again and when he does.
Belos/Curse POV
Tired he felt tired and confuse but why? But that was soon forgotten at the number of paintings that surrounded him. Knowing he should be careful at his unknow surrounding's but at the many different places and people his curiousty won out.
Drawing closer to one that held two people one was a man and woman with pointed ears. Having trouble making out the finer details he reached out to inspect it closer, what he does not intend for was his hand go thru. Interesting he wonder could they all do that?
The next few hours? Days? Whichever it was discover that yes all of these paintings did have the ability to go in and out of them. And what little adventure that was but despite his fun the question return.
Stopping to think for a bit to see if he could figure out anything about this place. Ok he can enter them does that mean their portals but if that was the case how come none of the people in them talked to him. If there not portal perhaps these things are moments in time, does that make them memories then. If so, who do they belong to?
Looking around to see if there could be anything that could be a clue but sadly just more paintings. Well, if this area doesn't have anything maybe if he ventures further back, there could be something.
With the only idea that made sense he started his search; it was slow and long. Much longer than he thought to be honest, but he was able to find a portrait of two boys, looking as if the world didn't matter. For reasons unknown his eyes misted, and a great pain bloomed in his chest, yet another part wanted to look away but couldn't.
Lost in whatever spell the picture had cast he failed to notice a figure walking toward him till an overwhelming fear wash over him. Then a primal part of his mind was telling him something, but what could that be. Turning he soon finds out. Coming face to face with man that processed eyes of blue fire that promised death. Again, that part of his mind before return with vengeance demanded him to run away to get away from this man. Unlike like before he obeyed and jumped into the picture.
Entering the frame in blind fright looking for anywhere to hide, and by luck he spotted a tree with a hole at the bottom. Not checking or caring if he would fit dives toward it.
Darkness engulfs his vision calming him but only for a second as a young voice yell out "come on Belos you have to be faster than that to catch this witch." Caught off guard by the warmth the voice held he found himself halfway out of his spot, stopping thinking 'what are you doing this could be a trap but the voice plus the name Belos sounds familiar.'
Thinking maybe he could check to see who it was and if it was the person from earlier, he could run back to his spot. Shaking his head at the foolish thoughts, returning to his hideaway the voice repeats itself. Again, the voice held so much warmth that it's impossible not to ignore, knowing he's fighting a losing battle. Looking at the direction the voice came from and back to his hole wondering why he's like this before is walking mostly likely his death, oh joy.
What he finds is a small clearing with little streams of light making its way thru the leaves giving the world a golden hue. Examining the area something odd stand out as the trees in the other frames wear a blood red not green. Though he didn't have much time to dwell on this as a young boy wearing a pointy hat burst from a bush laughing and taunting "come on Belos you have to be faster than that to catch this witch."
Not long after comes another boy much younger than the first wearing a mask whined "that's not fair your taller than me." This must have been funny as the oldest bust into a fit of laughing before sending back "that just means you have catch up in more ways than one" and runs ahead, the youngest followed grumbling something about traps. Watching the two he feels a fondness, wanting to follow to see how their little game ends, but doesn't feeling unworthy. So, he ignores the sounds of laughter and makes his way back towards the entrance.
Peeking his head out of the portrait trying to see if the man had been waiting for him seeing no one, climbs down.
Then spotting more memories a spark of excitement returns at the possibility that maybe one these held the answers he was looking for. But no, what he did learn was the two boys he saw where brothers. The eldest Caleb, fell in love with a human woman that almost killed him when they first met. But he couldn't blame her; the poor thing must have been at her wits end, being chased by so many different creatures spouting nonsense about human blood being some key to lost and forgotten magic.
Now watching Caleb trying to sooth Catherine was amusing, since trying was the right word to use as the boy was so smitten with her. That he couldn't get his words to come out or when he did, they would be in the wrong order. Seeing Calebs face when he realized his mistake took everything, he had to hold back his own laughter as Calebs face was a blazing crimson. It also didn't help that Caleb's brother who was named Belos, but something told him that wasn't right but demised it. Was beside his brother trying and failing not to laugh at the poor boy's discomfort.
As much as this moment where heartwarming they didn't have the answers to his plight.
So, he continues his search and still finds nothing becoming desperate searching every nook and cranny until a white seen catching his eye. Intrigued he found a painting with a mother of pearl frame that housed a woman with long chestnut hair with bits of red and gold, but the face was faded beyond recognition the only thing one could make out where the eyes which where an enchanting green.
Curious to know who this was and what had caused the fading he ventured into the memory, seeing fields of wildflowers of every color at its center two people standing in a close embrace.
The woman from the picture spoke to a man he believed to be Caleb's brother Belos.
When she spoke her voice was deep yet ethereal " you know for all its faults I have come to love the human realm" Belos who sat next to her let out an over dramatic sigh. "I know love you tell me that every time we come here" then with a rueful smile continued " you know Lena with the portal my brother and I are working on we could visit anytime you wish right."
Seeing her flustered only seems to make her even more lovely, her eyes shifted to the side with a sharp reply "I know that it's just" the man stopped her knowing where her thoughts were headed. "I know love I only jest" Belos said in a soothing tone, pulling her close, running his fingers thru her hair. Not wanting to intrude any longer turn to leave, but the memory would not leave as it replays over and over in is head. It was happy but it just left him feeling melancholy and annoyed.
Shaking his head to focus, his mind clear he notices that all of these memories held a man named Belos in some way or form, is that who I am? If so, then how did I become this and who was the other that he had first encountered. Trying to think if he was really the man called Belos.
But that all came to a halt when he passes by a painting that he could have sworn that it wasn't there before. It's a pure black that seemed to eat any light that dare go near it, and just where he stands it gives off an icy feeling. Not wanting to be near it any longer makes his way away far away from it.
The memory or nightmare somehow having read his mind, a tar like substance bleeds from the painting, shaping into tendrils before striking towards him.
Moving to dodge but it's no use it was too fast, and he became too slow in his fear. And once he was in its grasp this thing slowly slithers up and around him covering him in black sludge. Then proceeded to drag him closer and closer to the nightmarish painting. Not wanting to be anywhere near it, tries clawing at the ground it.
Hoping to find some way to slow it down or stop it all together but that proved to be pointless, slamming his eyes shut hoping for anything or anyone to save him.
When nothing happens, he slowly opens his eye to see a woman sporting a cruel smile who spoke with a voice that ooze a gleeful malice that sent shivers thru him. "Beeelooos what a... delightful surprise to see you here" Belos approached the woman pleading and begging "Please you have to stop this, Mira." A look of confuse innocent which was clearly fake crossed her face "and why would I do that" sounded like a statement then question. But Belos was quick to answer, "Can't you see your foolish ideas are destroying the land, killing innocent people and for what?". The woman replied with false pity "Oh poor fool it's you who can't see what wonders my little test subjects bring."
Shocked and appalled with the little regard to the lives she had twisted, corrupted, and, broken. Belos went still, his eyes changing from a desperate plea to a burning inferno aimed only for her. When he spoke it started as a whisper that grew in volume "what about your sister was she to nothing more than a pawn in your games."
Mira's demeanor switch from manic to bored in an instant replied in an equally bored tone "must you always bring her up, after all she was just a useless bauble." "She was not a simple trinket; she was a light in this titanless world that you had snuffed out" Belos voice spoke with anger and ended in unbearable sadness that he could feel his own heart break. But that was all broken by Mira's crazed laughter echoing around from every direction as if the very darkness itself was mocking the man's pain "that little light as you call her was a weak pathetic little girl that I created or did you forget that but you-." Even with him being a good bit away from the duo he could still see that other man was done with what she was saying and charged. Ready to end the woman, he was just a short distant away when light erupted from the ground.
A foul green light circled Belos who looked towards Mira in defeat as if accepting his fate asked in an eerie calm "what do plan to do with me?" Her voice was sickly sweet " why spoil the fun dear after all I created this spell just for you." Then those tar-like things that dragged him here, sprang from the ground and dug under the man's skin.
He had to remind himself that this was just an echo of the past and there was nothing he could do but watch. But it was hard to as the man's body contorted, limbs stretching, skin ripping from muscles, and the sounds of bones snaping until the shape was no more. And the screams that fallow was a wail that revival the tortured dead itself, and the wicked woman watch on with a childlike joy.
What seem like an eternity the screams finally came to an end, all that was left was a creature made of swamp mud. Thin boney long limbs with claws that ended in a deadly point, a mock crown of antlers stood on top of its head along with a pure white mane and its face was a mockery of a deer's skull. And the dim blue blubs of light that ran up and down its gaunt body giving it a ghost like quality. That could send the bravest soul to flee in horror. But Mira exclaims of joy brought his attention back to her instead of the living nightmare before him "OH what a lovely sight you make Belos but.... I do wonder is it you or another in there, it's been known to happen in some of my 'volunteers'" and, the nightmare finally ended.
Stunned at what happened, his mind circling back to what the woman Mira had said about another him. If so, does that mean that the other that chased him earlier was a part of the spell she cast? So, he was Belos after all. Even what saw was unnerving he was glad to have a name but if this was his mind then why was he here?
He was becoming tired of all these question that only led to more question though it was a good thing that he was stubborn. If it had been anyone else, they would have given up a long time ago.
Now more determined now than ever to get to the bottom of this venture further to see what was in store for him.
What did find was in his curse form his past self instinctually sought after his brother for help. And somehow, they found a way to return him to his witchlike shape. Well, it was Calebs wife more than anything.
But in his anger and grief towards Mira had led him to start a crusade of some sort to hunt down her forces. It was long and many had lost their live for the cause, but Mira had cross so many making it far easier to gather able bodies for the fights that had come. Titan where those fight awful, so many new spells were created just to harm and some cursing themselves just to get an advantage. What's worst in his opinion, most of the healers who swore an oath to help turn to solders use their talents for bloodshed.
But Mira's death had come to passed and her forces scatter to the winds, it was supposed to bring peace but, in the end, it brought more chaos. The lands and its people had been at war for long, many were not ready to put down their swords. So, nine powerful witches that were masters in their choice of craft banded together to build a strong kingdom.
Then came another problem there was no one to lead them in their time of need, unfortunately they came to him to ask if he would. He can tell you right now that only reason he didn't want the job was because of the headaches it cause. Also, as he was one of the key players in what the people were calling it 'the wild witch's war', he was the best choice apparently. He was smart to decline at first, but they were so stubborn or just plain stupid they hounded him day and night.
Those idiots even went so far as to beg his own flesh and blood to change his mind the good it did them. But he gave in after they came running to him as if chased by death itself, but it was just Catherine with the promise of pain in her eyes. Not that he didn't blame them she was scary on good day. But still these same witches face down hordes of derange witches and demons, but this one human woman sent them fleeing. Now thinking back brough such a proud and gleeful smile to him. His brother had made a fine choice when he married her.
Sadly, the years passed with him being the emperor, he lost his ties with his family. And trying to implement rules so there would not be a repeat of Mira was not easy. The woman had many faults, but he will admit she was gifted in all forms of magic, so gifted in fact that she quickly grew bored and wanted to test her and magics limit. Again, how does one stop that from happening and to prevent another long and bloody war?
Everyone ponder this night and day; many ideas were explored until something was found. One of the nine suggested that if we bond one's magic to one of the core covens of magic it could stop others from going down the same path in theory. How can one stop others from reaching for power that would lead to more fighting by giving them a limit. Of course, many people were skeptical with the shift in power, or the fear of being attack at random by criminals.
The only suggestion that could fix it for a short time was that maybe the witches that guard the castle would be the only one's permitted to the other branches of magic. But they would be watch at all times, you could say that no one liked the idea, and he couldn't fault them. It was the only option we had at the time, and so the coven system was born.