anakinkinnie

[anakinkinnie]

(Diora file 2, part 2, unedited)

She couldn't help but ask, one thing in his answer about Elinor, didn't quite add up to her. "Nevan doesn't feel anything romantic towards her but, do you?", Darcy scoffed a chuckle as he stood up and began to walk away, waiting for the next person he would help train. Once again, avoiding to talk about his feelings. Nafre breathed, she breathed loudly for attention and Morgana turned to look at her with question "What? I felt left out." Nafre joked as she looked away but then, she spoke again, "you know, it's a waste of time, he is not going to talk. Just accept him the way he is." Nafre caressed her shoulder "if you want to have deep conversations, Inara and Eamon are the ones to go too" Nafre's eyes seemed so done "they come to me all the time, expressing their own feelings, maybe, just maybe, they could come to you instead. Since you seem like you enjoy those conversations." she continued, mumbling to Morgana.

Nafre stood up as she hesitated and looked back "you don't happen to have any chains do you?" she asked, Morgana shook her head "No, I do not" she answered as Nafre frowned and walked away.

Darcy threw his blades to the sides as he awaited for his next training session, he picked up a long, strong, thick wooden stick. He turned around at the approach of footsteps, his eyes now set upon Lisa. "Ah, no headache?" he asked, teasing her about the night before, Lisa grinned "I do have one, could you perhaps explain this headache?" she teased back "Me? You're the scientist." he spat smirking.

Lisa gripped her sword tighter as she quickly drifter close to him, he dogjed the attack with the stick as he looked down at her, his gaze calm and focused, like her own. This happened quite many times, they both spinned around for a long amount of time. "Watch your legs more" he suggested her gently as he pointed at them. She looked at her feet as she nodded "Do not place your full attention there" he was now breathing right in front of her, inches from her.

She looked up at him, directly into his eyes, air cutting in her lungs. "see I could have killed you." he whispered as he still, teased her, "and why didn't you?"she bit back, he smirked, very slightly.

Lisa placed her pointing finger at the right side of his chest, he rested his weapon at his side as she looked up into his eyes again; they were scanning her every movement, a small mischivious smile on the edge of her lips, he felt rather nervous as she smirked and grabbed his weapon, making him trip on it and fall on the floor, she sat upon him, pointing her sword on his neck, and then, she spoke "Watch your legs more." it came out as a whisper as she leaned towards his ear and then finally stood up, leaving him lying there as he chuckled slightly.

Nevan approached him, he was observing, waiting for Darcy to finally get done with all his practices. He watched as Lisa walked away and then stretched out his hand, helping Darcy up.

"Is Eamon done with his training?" Darcy asked as he peered towards Eamon gathering his stuff "I suppose he did" he then mumbled to himself. Nevan smiled as he looked at Darcy and how, lost he seemed. "That's weird" Nevan spoke, Darcy's gaze turning to him, Nevan was smiling, like an idiot, teasingly.

Darcy raised his eyebrow "what?" he spoke, his metallic voice, low but sharp. "You seem, how do we say it, distracted." Nevan stated "distracted?" Darcy's eyebrows furrowed "yes distracted, did I stutter?" "are you trying to tell me something Nevan?" "You lost, at practice Darcy".

Darcy's gaze relaxed and so did his eyebrows "It's just" Darcy paused, and then, "It feels so weird that they are alive" he continued "two months we thought they were dead, don't get me wrong I'm glad they are not but it does feel weird, it feels like a miracle, since when do miracles happen to us?" his tone was low yet soft.

Nevan was just standing there, perhaps he should have spoken, reassure him that they were not dreaming but instead he nodded slightly. "Woa" Eamon's voice interrupted their thoughts "what happened to you two? You look like a big black cat that's named a panther got your tongues" he smiled proudly of his words.

Darcy grinned as he picked his weapons and wore his gloves back on, Nevan raised his eyebrows looking at Eamon. "You ready?" he asked and Eamon nodded smiling "Got the bait, got the weapons, got you two, let's go." Eamon tilted his head and then turned to walk away, waiting for them to follow "don't rush, we still have time" Nevan spoke loudly "food isn't just gonna wait for us Nevan get your ass walking." Eamon shouted back. Darcy only laughed quietly at the two of them and how regularly they would keep opposing each other just for fun.

The three of them walked out of the forest, ready to gather supplies, food, wood, weapons even. Nafre watched from her tree as she then dropped down wiping the dirt off her clothes. Kenna sitting at the bottom of the tree as she drew in her sketchbook. She smiled while Nafre stood in front of her, "are they out?" she asked, Nafre hummed a nod, Kenna raised her head and put her pen down, her eyes fixated on her partner "tired my love?" her vocals softened, a sound caressing Nafre's ears.

Nafre sat down beside her, a soft, slight smile on her face. Her head leaning on Kenna's shoulder, her eyes closing and her smile still there. Kenna's gaze softened as Nafre's tense body relaxed against hers, she leaned her head on top of Nafre's and she whispered "let's get you to sleep, shall we now?" Nafre hummed again, hummed a no before speaking "let's just stay like this for a bit" she said, her hand reaching for Kenna's. Kenna smiled, squeezing Nafre's hand in between her two. "As you wish, you have been training too much lately, especially with magic. I think you have earned your nature affection" Nafre chuckled at her lover's words. "That teacher of mine keeps making things difficult for me" Nafre teased her, Kenna raised her eyebrows as Nafre was referring to her "what a bitch." she teased back. Nafre's soft chuckle grew "No we like her, we love her actually" she said, Kenna's cheeks turning red, her lips on Nafre's forehead "I love you too, if not more" her words warming Nafre as she slowly fell asleep.

Kenna took her pen and continued to draw, a cheeky smile not leaving her lips.

At Elios, Malachi had spent his entire night, chatting with his friends, going on and on and on for the entire night.

"No, Delmira. I do not agree with your terms." Malachi's fingers surrounding his long glass filled with wine. "And you expect to win, just with your strength?" Delmira spat. "What makes you think I'll lose to some little peasants." "Dear Malachi, it is not only them who are against you, they're not the only enemies that has survived. What makes you think that in this huge land the only survivors are them?" Blyana stated, sipping her own wine, Delmira nodded proudly as she gestured towards Blyana's way.

"I will win." Malachi insisted, his tone, his expression; everything seemed so hollow, everything about him. "And whoever stands in my way shall pay the price."

There was something behind his words, it wasn't just madness and anger, not ego either; it was revenge, vengeance that he seeked and no one understood why, was it pride, was it need? No one knew, except Deimos.

A man chuckled, a psychotic weak laughter echoed in the room. "It is no time to laugh Maven" Blyana turned to the man who was shaking his hand as a gesture of an apology he obviously did not mean. "Sorry, sorry. It's just" the man breathed deeply as he grinned and placed his hands on the table, began to speak "we have been sitting here all night, arguing about how we are gonna defeat that stupid beam" "Light." Malachi corrected him, Maven nodded grinning still "that Light yes. When we still haven't figured out who that Light even is?" he spread his arms open, making Blyana who was seated next to him hiss at him, he chuckled.

"He has a point. We know one of the two  that one that came back from the dead. In addition, we have no clue about the second person" Callum's tone made them shiver, the quiet one had spoken. "Nice voice you have" Delmira threw him a rather seductive glance as she then regained her focus. Maven's grin still curved his lips as he spoke "exactly, and who says the profecy is right anyway? How do we know it's two people? What if the Light is more than two people? What if the other Light fighter isn't even human?"

Malachi's jaw was clenched, it always was; not because he was angry or fighting for control, but because he wanted everyone to know he was always tense, always prepared. The king stared at the table, his blue eyes pierced at the fine wood, losing the light from within second after second. "Easy now my lord" Delmira cupped his chin with her fingers, making him turn to look at her, she frowned playfully as she tilted her head to the side, looking into his eyes "my poor lord, we are gonna figure things out" she squeezed his face before letting go.

Malachi didn't respond, he only narrowed his brows with slight force.

"Do you think the two girls are doing a good job with deceiving the peasants, earning their trust?" Blyana asked "my  girls are doing great, the idiots don't suspect anything." Callum responded. "Good, because we have a deal." Malachi turned to him, Callum nodded.

The door creaked slightly and from the sound that was heard in the throne room, they all turned around except Malachi. The king only shut his eyes for a few seconds, maintaining his calm. "Well well well" Maven's grin grew as he set his eyes upon a woman entering slowly and hesitant. "What do we have here" Maven's tongue traced across his lips his eyes taking their snake form as he scans her.

"Watch it, Maven." Malachi turned to him "this is my meal" he spoke, the woman at the door stood hesitant. "shame" Maven sat back. Callum scanned her and so did Blyana. "Poor taste you've got" Blyana spoke "well it is my choice, allow me to take her back to the dungeons." Malachi stood up and left the rest of them to wait until he would come back.

The woman seemed rather angry and not scared at him, Malachi grabbed her by her wrist and dragged her with him. When he was far enough he pressed her against the wall and looked down at her angrily. "Are you bloody insane?" he asked.

She gasped for air but her eyes were narrowed.

He looked around, making sure they were alone, that no one was around. "I told you to stay in your room" he spoke. She still stood silent, he seemed more scared than he did angry, it confused her and made her breathe more heavily than normal. "If he sees you it's over" he spoke his jaw clenching once again  "if those people in there get to you, you're over. Why can't you just bloody listen to me." he distanced himself, setting her free.

"I am not your prisoner. You brought me here, you disturbed my peace and now you treat me like your little pet?" the woman spoke, her tone sharp and full of emotion "pet?" "Pet." she placed her hand on her chest "I didn't ask for this." she said. "Well I didn't either." Malachi snapped quickly "blame your demon lover." his eyes now darker. "He is not my lover, that is in the past. Besides, you won't even let me see him." she spoke with clear words, a serious and slightly angry tone.

"And I cannot let you see him because if he finds out you're alive he will just take you away and leave me here, he will not cooperate with my plan and he won't help me anymore." Malachi said while he opened the door next to him, gesturing for her to get in and so she did, her head straight and her face stern as she walked into her room; her cage. Malachi stood at the door, watched her as she walked not looking back, not a single time, his eyes narrowed slightly as he tried not to soften up. "So I am just a prize to you?" the woman asked as she looked back at him, he raised his eyebrows lightly, looking curious, she sighed "you only care that Deimos doesn't ruin the deal you have with him, I'm just the prize that he will win if he helps you" she said.

He looked away and then back at her, he closed the door behind him and approached her "his prize?" Malachi grinned "his prize will be rulling over the world if I win. You? You just play a part in our deal, like a seal." Malachi brought his face closer to hers as she took a very small step back, he noticed and he distanced himself. "Look, I don't know if Deimos truly loves you or not, let me make that clear. I just know that if he doesn't find out that I brought you back, he will keep working for me." Malachi distanced himself more scanning the woman, carefully to make sure he hadn't hurt her in any way.

"If you need better pillows let me know" he looked away and began to walk to the door.

She looked at him as his back was turned to her "and how will I let you know if I can't get out of here?" she asked.

"Trust that I've got eyes and ears on you" he snapped his fingers and a crow was heard from outside her window. She looked at the window, seemed disappointed but not surprised. He walked out. Strode his way back to the throne room.

CHAPTER TWELVE : still no titles bear with me.

Lisa had dipped herself into the small bathtub she had in her room, filled with hot water. Her head was thrown back as thoughts kept getting into her mind; like stars in a star fall.

She opened her eyes looking at the ceiling, not moving. After a short while she stood up getting out of the tub reaching for a towel.

"Well curved you are" Bastien's low tone striked her ears as she turned around to look at him, his eyes now scanning her front body. "Care to give me some privacy?" Lisa stood, refusing to do something about the situation,waiting for him to show her respect. Bastien turned around, facing the wall waiting for her to get dressed.

As soon as she got dressed she poked on his back, he turned around and before he could speak a word her fist was on his face. He held his nose with his hands and looked at her. "Alright, alright. I deserved that" he said rubbing his nose bone. Lisa nodded and then handed him a cloth. Bastien looked at her, utterly confused but took the cloth to wipe the blood off his nose anyway "I'm a doctor, wether you are an asshole or not, healing you is my job."

He nodded before speaking "so, I wanted to apologize, Onora told me that she told you. Now I might not be able to tell you any more details, just, sorry." He leaned against the wall. "It's fine. You could have just told me though" "I could not have, I was told not too, I'm glad Onora did tell you though, glad that you didn't find the truth out in a different way." he raised his eyebrows staring at the floor. "Mmm" Lisa nodded and looked him up and down "can I ask you about this though-" Bastien simply disappeared "you fu-" she sighed.

She definitely needed another shower after that.

Kenna had taken Nafre to their cabin, had put her to sleep and was now cleaning the room, she then pressed her lips against Nafre's forehead before walking out of the cabin and heading to the library cabin.

Kenna loved to clean, to tidy things, it scared Nafre sometimes, how much she wanted things to be perfect, so as soon as she finished tiding her cabin she thought it would be a great passage of time for her to take a look at the library, tidy things up in there as well.

It took her hours to make a decent place out of this messy book keeping place and when she was done she noticed a book missing from the shelves, her proud smile dropped as she looked at the books around the missing spot, to check what kind of book was missing. Something clicked into her mind, reminding her Darcy had a botanology book in his room, Kenna ran as if her life was depending on it, ran to his room and found Onora exiting it, Kenna started walking now "what were you doing in there?" she asked, Onora closed the door behind her "I was looking for Darcy, have you seen him?" she spoke.

Kenna looked back at the village's exit "No he is out with the guys, they're hunting" she looked back at Onora and Onora nodded "I'll just ask someone else then" she said Kenna tilted her head "ask me" she said "no it's okay it's about the beast within him, I'll just ask Inara she must know" she smiled at Kenna "I'll see you later, be safe" she waved and walked away, looking around as she did. Kenna waited for her to get away and when she was away enough she rushed into Darcy's room, she picked the book up and ran straight back to the library.

Eamon, Nevan and Darcy were back later the same day, the sun was now setting at the beautiful forest and Morgana was keeping watch.

The boys seemed happier than usual, they seemed excited and as if they were not even trying to hide it, except Darcy; he only had this grin on his face.

"What is it you idiots" Morgana shouted the question as they approached slowly. Eamon chuckled and almost jumped, Morgana blinked several times raising her eyebrows, Darcy's grin faded into calm concern when he looked at Eamon and felt the need to explain his excitement, as he then chuckled weakly "we have news, excellent news" he said and he patted Eamon's back helping him relax. "Shall I gather the others?" Morgana took grip of her arch and arrows, now standing up. Darcy nodded "we will talk about this matter later, when we all are gathered around the fire" he said.

The nights around the camp fire were a daily thing; the part of the days that they all felt safe, warm, at home; home that they had lost, home. And now Morgana and Lisa were part of them nights as well; making home, warmer.

Morgana nodded, she sat back at the tree branch after she climbed there, and with a smile on her face, she continued with her shift of keeping watch, awaiting for the night.

Nevan looked up and smiled, he gestured the other two males to walk away and that he would keep her company. Nevan sat at the bottom of the tree, silent, his face soft; as always, his sight pierced on the horizon, Morgana looked down, noticing him a smile curled her lips and heated her cheeks up. She soon looked in front of her, managing to focus, she was, completely focused. And even if for a moment she was not, Nevan was there, he was focused too, for her.

"It has indeed been weird" Eamon spoke as he began to undress himself to change clothes. "Hm?" Darcy hummed wanting to understand what he had meant, he began to change clothes as well, both of them washing by the river, before they would dive in and swim; float, relax.

"The aura, it has been weird" said Eamon after he had dived. Darcy followed "you mean between all of us and Lisa and Morgana?" he asked, Eamon shook his head "no no, between me and Onora" he said. Darcy stared, blankly, blinking so many times "huh?" he said lowly "you and Onora?" Eamon could swear Darcy tilted his head as he asked that question. "Yeah, haven't you noticed?" said Eamon, Darcy raised his eyebrows "nope, not at all" "really? You haven't?" "Eamon, I literally have no idea what you're talking about" "So you haven't noticed." The silence was loud, Darcy had blinked so many times he had lost count.

Darcy slid his hair back and then got out of the water "look I might not understand what you're telling me, but, do you wanna talk about it?" he said as he grabbed a towel. Eamon laughed weakly "are you trying to comfort me?" he said. Darcy didn't move his head, only his eyes when he looked away "I'm not very good at this" he put his shirt on, Eamon got out of the lake himself, now drying himself "i don't need comfort, just a bit of wine" he winked and began to walk away.

Darcy had blinked so, so many, multiple times during this scenery, like a tick for the confusion Eamon brought him. He wasn't good at providing comfort, he felt like he wasn't good at providing a good company either, except if someone loved sarcasm or silence so much that they felt good around him.

He went back to his cabin, picked a little box up from under his bed and headed out, his steps rather hesitant as he entered the library, he found Lisa seated close to the fireplace in there, although the sun was absent, Lisa's features were being perfectly highlighted by the lighted torches on the walls made of bricks.

Aleksander leaned against the wall, watched her as she read, as she put all her focus on the book in front of her and how her lips parted as she got more and more lost in it. Lisa turned around later on, saw him standing there with his arms crossed, in his fist something held and hidden. "Are you alright? Do you need anything?" she asked, he offered her a very, very weak smile as he took his final steps towards her "happy birthday, angel" he raised his hand presenting her a fine piece of necklace; her necklace; the very necklace she had lost two months ago when she died; except it was shining, clear, looking in a better condition than it ever had.

Lisa's gaze softened as she looked up at him and got up from her chair she slowly took grip of the necklace, wondering wether it was actually her necklace or a new one that was similar. She then opened it and saw the pictures of her husband and son with her. She smiled slightly as her eyes narrowed in soft sadness.

She looked up at him, him who was standing far enough from her, allowing her all the personal space, him who was looking at her face and her face only;her eyes, him who had his hands placed behind his back, him who had remembered how important that necklace was for her, him who had kept it for her despite the fact she could have been dead and never came back.

Her eyes graced his features, the details on his face and his sparkling eyes as they were when he looked at her, his eyes that she thought were always like this because that is the only way she had seen them; warm, calm, dilated. She resembled them with those of a cat.

Lisa took five steps closer to him, closing the distance he had left between them "thank you" she breathed and offered him a smile, her eyes locked on his gaze. Aleksander offered her a smile of his own.

"I know your birthday has passed but-" "No shush, it's okay" she pressed her pointing finger on his lips he withdrew his face a few inches back as he kept on staring at her. She removed her finger from his lips and placed her palm on the side of his face, caressing his cheek, he shivered as his lips parted, she chuckled softly and slid her hand down on his chest, she handed him the necklace and turned around "could you..?" she asked as he hummed a nod. She lifted her hair as he stood behind her getting closer and throwing the necklace in front of her slowly he put the necklace on her.

His fingers were cold and when they graced her neck slightly the coldness made her shiver, he would notice the shiver from the back of her neck and look at her face as he successfully locked the necklace and now he was adjusting the chain to be straight, he then fixed her hair, her lips parted at his touch as breathing became a little more difficult.

"Are you alright there?" he said.

"Yes." she was quick to reply.

"You seem paler than usual"

"I must have caught a cold" she said as she turned around and smiled "thank you for your gift Aleksander" she proceeded to change the subject. The blush on her cheeks made Aleksander worry even more as he narrowed his eyes and placed his hands on the sides of her face, making her eyes open wide as she quivered "wha- what are you-" "checking your temperature" his face was serious and so focused. Her face lit up a darker shade of red, he was so clueless, so innocent; it made her heart leap. "you're burning up angel" he removed his hands from her face as her eyes shuttered for a few seconds.

"I'm alright Aleksander, it's just the heat in the room, I'm alright" she smiled as she looked away.

"Are you sure?" he asked, his tone almost soft. "I am sure love, I am sure" she said and he nodded sort of relieved.

Silence remained afterwards, not awkward, just silence as he kept on staring at her scanning her face for any signs of her well-being not being as she said, silence as she would keep her eyes locked on him, swallowing his image up. "How have you been?" she asked as she tilted her head to the side and her eyes softened. "I've been alright" he lied, he lied and she knew but she could not speak. He opened his mouth to speak but instead shut it and then, he did speak "though" he paused "I missed you" Aleksander breathed "terribly."

Lisa's face didn't soften, Aleksander was about to speak but her face hardened, her focus and determination grew as she put her hands at the sides of his face, grabbing it "shut up." she said and dragged his face, pressing her lips against his, his eyes widened in surprise but he wasn't late to give in to her.

His hands placed at the sides of her waist now tied around it, gently pulling her body closer and closer. Lisa's hands wrapped around his nape. Passion grew from her side as she wanted to absorb every single part of him, show him how much she had craved for this; craved for him. Aleksander gave in to every single movement of hers, he was entirely hers, entirely under her power.

Their faces withdrew from one another, their breaths short yet heavy, hitting on each other's faces. Lisa's eyes scanned Aleksander's face; his half lidded eyes who remained upon her lips, his own lips that were rosy, wet and parted; he seemed so vulnerable, so soft. She smirked softly, her fingers now running through his hair as she leans in once again, kissing him. Their pace well matched, their moves complimenting the other's.

Lisa's hands messing up his hair as she felt the heat rise, wanting more of him. It was as if he had read her mind, he lifted her up, she wrapped her legs around his waist, he placed her on the desk as she now had her hands wrapped around his shoulders. Slowly she dragged his shirt, smoothly lifting it up, hoping to remove it without losing time with all those buttons. He chuckled against her lips and then did the job himself; not losing anytime indeed. She watched, her eyes trailing from his tip to his toes; biting her lip. He looked up at her as he knelt down, his head on the same height as stomach, he unbuttoned her pants, removing them, then turn came for her underpants; which he did remove as well; she rested back watching him as something in her stomach went crazy, as she felt her body's heat rise up. "Are you sure you want this?" he spoke as his eyes locked on hers, making her cunt move. Yet she felt some sort of guilt, some sort of uncertainty about this. "I want to do this but" she paused "what if we're rushing a bit?" she looked away, he smiled at her and then waited for her next words "what if it is too soon, maybe we should give it a try first" she began to cover up, he stood up helping her dress up. She looked at him sort of surprised, touched even, so much content coming from his way. He awaited for her to get up, and when she did, he kissed her forehead, then her cheek, then, her shoulder, softly, gently.

"Angel, I remain yours, no matter if we never lay together, no matter if we lay together every night. I want you, not for what your body can give me, but for what you yourself are."

[anakinkinnie]

(Diora file 2, part1)

CHAPTER TEN : another fucking attack

The man's eyes flinched as they fell upon Aleksander. "He is Bastien" spoke Inara "the friend that sent me and Onora here." she continued. Bastien smiled "as glad as I am to be standing in a room with two kings and two queens—" he paused "Ah who am I kidding I've seen more miraculous stuff" he raised his eyebrows. "Bastien" said Onora "why are you here?" she asked "I have been sent by someone, you need to leave this place" said Bastien.

"Why?" Morgana asked "Look, I don't know why, I don't get paid for that, all I know is you have to get out of here" Darcy narrowed his eyes as he felt a rather familiar aura around Bastien. "We can go to Elios or to Malachi" Nevan suggested "I don't think Malachi is safe" said Morgana, Bastien sighed "no castle is safe" he spoke "all four castles are literally like big red dots on the enemy's map don't you think?" he asked rhetorically.

"The forest" said Onora "we can go to the forest" she said, Inara looked at her offended "oh come on, stop acting as if you hate them" said Onora "I don't–" Inara breathed "I'm not getting Christopher in our forest. He will probably murder everything and everyone." she continued.

"I don't mean to rush you but you really should leave" said Bastien "Like, right now" he added. "Hey, no mean to offend you or anything but we need to arrange stuff first." Nafre spoke to him. "No offense taken sweetheart" Bastien smiled "but you should evacuate the castle, right now" he smiled awkwardly. "Evacuate?" asked Kenna "Yes" said Bastien "why didn't you tell us that since the start?" Morgana asked furious "I thought telling you that you HAD to get out meant something to you all, I was wrong" he frowned "anyway, my part here is done, bye bye" he waved at them "wait—" Kenna spoke as the man disappeared in front of their eyes.

"Wow" spoke Eamon "he must be a powerful sorcerer" he stated.

"He is no sorcerer" said Inara.

Eamon looking as confused as ever.

"Yes all the chit chat is fine but we should really announce an urgent evacuation of the castle" said Nevan "how?" asked Lisa "Are you going to tell the people here that they have to leave their shelter because some disappearing man told us to do so without even knowing why we have to leave?" she stated. Everyone in the room except Darcy, Nafre and Morgana stood silent and blinky. "Yeah" he said.

"We can say it's an exercise" said Darcy "that's perfect actually" said Morgana.

"Someone also get Christopher here" said Lisa as everyone looked at each other "on my way" said Nevan already rushing his way. "Darcy, you make the announcement" Morgana demanded as she and everyone stood up, doing things quickly.

"Grab the things we will need" Morgana said as they all walked in the halls.

"What about Darcy's stuff?" said Eamon.

"I'll get it" said Nafre "go go" she pushed her brother to move faster.

They all met at the entrance of the castle, along with the rest of the people living in it or that were present in it at the time.

Lisa checking to see if everyone was here, taking attendance of every single soldier.

"Guys" she shouted "I still can't see Christopher and Nevan." she said.

"Shall we go in there?" Nafre turned at the rest of them. "She'll go" said Inara as she pointed at Lisa walking towards them. "What?" asked Morgana "I believe she meant to ask, why?" said Darcy. "Christopher is afraid of her, I don't know why but he is" she stated "he pooped his pants earlier when she punched him" she continued "she punched him huh?" Darcy looked over at her with an amused smile. Morgana punched his arm as he looked at her surprised.

"Who's going with her?" asked Onora.

"Kenna." said Darcy "Firstly because she knows the castle better than any of us and secondly because this way, a sorcerer that could create a magic shield any time she might need to, would be in there with them." Morgana nodded at his words. "Alright come" said Lisa as she looked at Kenna.

The both of them running their way into the castle. "May luck be with you" said Onora as she closed her eyes "they'll be fine" said Eamon "those two are actually deadly, no need to pray for them" he smiled proudly. Nafre hit the back of his head "let the woman pray idiot, that is something she chooses to do" she said. Onora giggled at Eamon's expression.

"Christopher what is this nonsense" Nevan spoke.

"I'm not going anywhere" Christopher said "I don't care if this place turns into ashes, disappears, falls down, I am not leaving." he paused "not with them, not with you" he added.

"Come one now" Nevan approached "are you going to leave your men without a king?" he asked "the women too" said Christopher "Why leave? Just because some guy told us to leave? There's no way I believe him." Christopher continued.

Nevan only looked at him "why do you hate them so much?" he asked, his tone soft, his eyebrows slightly raised as his gaze was pitiful, looking right into Christopher's eyes. Christopher looked at Nevan, his stomach twisted at his puppy eyes. "they're evil" Christopher spoke as he looked away, avoiding Nevan's bright blue eyes and the empathy; the empathy Nevan showed towards him. "You should give them a chance" said Nevan, his vocals always soft "they are good people" he added, Christopher grinned very slightly.

Lisa entered the room "Where is he." Christopher flinched at the sound of her voice "Nevan, let's go hide" he grabbed Nevan's arm "Wha–" Nevan began to speak "Keep her away from me." "What is the matter with you?" Nevan looked at him.

Lisa and Kenna stood in front of them "we have to leave, everyone has evacuated the castle" said Kenna "That's great. But he doesn't want to leave" said Nevan as he looked at Christopher and so did everyone else. "He has got a point" said Kenna "how can we know this Bastien guy is telling the truth" she continued "Christopher looked at them "we are leaving." he said as he walked first waiting for the others to follow.

"Are you sure you asked him to leave before?" Lisa looked over at Nevan who stood, error was written all over his face. "I swear I did" he said. "Who cares now, let's leave" said Kenna as they all walked towards the exit. Following Christopher's fast steps.

"Alright all the soldiers have made their way to the village right there" said Eamon.

Nafre stared at the crowd leaving, making a bigger distance with the seconds passing.

Darcy scanned the area around, cautiously checking anything that could mean danger.

He kneeled down placing his hand on a large footprint, one that looked like it had been trying to get erased, he traced his fingers across the foot print, searching for any other ones.

"Guys" Inara spoke "Guys!" everyone looked at her as she was looking at the castle. "Why the fuck is it trembling." said Nafre. The castle began to fall apart as they all freaked out not knowing what to do "earthquake?" said Eamon "and why the hell aren't we moving?" said Morgana.

Darcy sighed so relieved at the view of Kenna having a shield around everyone as they rushed to get out, pieces of stone falling to their sides.

The castle had  corrupted to the floor by now. And as everyone seemed relieved to see they had made it out their hearts dropped at the view of a Dragon emerging from the ground underneath the castle leading to the caves. A humongous, breathtaking beast roaring as it flew up and up taking more of the high ground.

They stood practically jaw-less as they gasped, pathetically for breath.

"I have clear view of the target" the rider of the dragon shouted as he looked at his side, Deimos flying, spinning at times showing off. "you know what to do." Deimos flashed himself further from the dragon.

All of them had froze. Inara and Onora began to chant a powerful protection spell.

"Not enough time for that." said Eamon as he waited for the Dragon to get lower, attacking it with fire.

Nevan and the others approached soon enough, fear in their eyes. The magical attacks weren't strong enough, any attack was not good enough as they all did not have the quality to think straight at the moment.

Darcy jumped clinging onto the Dragon's foot, climbing his way up as the Dragon flew higher.

"We've got visitors my boy." said the man riding the Dragon as he observed Darcy's movements.

Deimos found himself down knocking out Inara and Kenna who casted the protection spells, Onora attacking him with fire and explosions. Maintaining balance in the fight, Deimos smirked, knowing damn well he only needed to occupy her, and to him that was an easy role.

The Dragon fired the floor, not catching anyone as if it was missing aim on purpose. The rider dragged Darcy upon the Dragon, punching his face, Darcy dogjed eventually, looking at the man right in the eyes "Malachi?" the man smirked as his fist fell upon Darcy's face once again. Darcy dojged making the man land a fist on his Dragon, the beast groaned as Darcy smirked at Malachi's surprised face.

Nafre watched as she smiled "Good job beasty." she mumbled as she rushed to Kenna, dropping down on her knees, holding Kenna. "Alright Nafre, you got this." She closed her eyes, as she moved her hands around, a small shiny ball of a magic shield now surrounding them.

"Listen to me" Onora spoke, her voice echoing inside everyone's minds "We cannot win this. We are not ready yet, escape and get to the forest as soon as you can.. Don't die." she finished as everyone seemed to agree.

Darcy looked around him finding himself standing in a dark cold room, reflecting the aura around him. He scanned the empty darkness before he found Malachi standing there, looking at him, his stance proud as bravery and confidence surrounded him "my child" he spoke "please don't tell me you're my father too." Aleksander couldn't help himself but speak sarcastically, Malachi laughed slightly "oh Aleksander, funny boy. You and I are far more similar than you can imagine." he said. "Really?" Aleksander's tone did not change. "And here I am thinking I'm not a mass murderer" he continued as Malachi approached him, the smile from his face fading.

Disappearing and appearing right behind him he grabbed the back of Aleksander's neck as he made him turn his head to look at him. "All you've ever known, ever since you were a child; neglect." Malachi whispered in his ear "feared by everyone while they didn't even bother to ask your name, for they knew it already" he kept going "poor little boy grew up with no friends, not feeling worthy enough to be around anyone for long, even his father" he distanced himself as he put his hands behind his back, still talking.

"left out, finding comfort in being alone. An adult since he was merely a five year old, for everyone's expectations were too high. A king at eleven due to his father passing. Destined to live a life he didn't want, a boy that would love to live as he lusted,  be happy but; that would disappoint everyone, because of that he chose to live for others, hating himself, to keep them happy." Aleksander only looked at him, directly in the eyes "someone who didn't know love, not a single kind of it, dreamt of it as if it was a thing you cannot achieve" Malachi's face serious and rather sad "you're on the wrong side, Aleksander."

he said, his face close to his ear, Malachi inhaled calmly as his hand wrapped around Aleksander's neck.

"I can sense it" he breathed "such divine, menacing power," his grip tightening "oh the lust you must be resisting." His hand now freeing the boy's neck as he takes steps back, distancing himself.

"I can help you" he bragged, as if he was inviting Aleksander over, Aleksander frowned as he shook his head, coldly rejecting his offer.

Malachi said,

"You know where to find me when you understand . The beast inside you knows." he grinned in amusement.

Malachi threw Darcy off the dragon as he had achieved a long height distance from the ground "You'll be fine, think about my proposal." Malachi smiled as he watched, riding towards the center of the battlefield.

Eamon caught Darcy in the air "I got you." he said, only then Darcy snapping out if it. Nafre and Nevan carried Kenna and Inara on their backs "we will meet you there" Nevan screamed. Nafre shielding all of them, exhausting her untrained self.

Deimos smirked as he looked at Onora, he placed his hand on his forehead, saluting her as he winked and disappeared.

They observed as the Dragon flew too close to the ground, Onora closed her eyes as she prepared a large attack. The Dragon was getting closer, closer, closer each second.

Darcy's heart lost count of beats as the beast got closer and closer to Lisa, his eyes widened as he screamed at the view of the Dragon wrapping its teeth around her, tearing her apart. Darcy screamed, shadows emerging off of him, his body shaking as he raged, as he tried to break free off Eamon's hands. Eamon struggled, he struggled dearly but he managed to hold him back. "She is gone. It's over man" he spoke to Darcy, Eamon clenched his jawline, breathed heavily, not wanting to cry.

All of them stood, fear and pain shattering their hearts. "Holy Fuck" Nafre breathed.

"Morgana be careful—" Nevan shouted at the top of his lungs as the Dragon consumed her too. Nevan's whole self froze as he kept on running, not knowing what he was even doing, he was lost. He fell, his body hitting the ground like he had no control of it. "Fuck." Nafre stopped as she waited for him to get up.

Nevan got his shit together, put things aside, he couldn't let anyone else die, he ran, recklessly ran as Nafre followed.

Christopher dropped on his knees, moments flashing before his eyes.

Onora opened her eyes at the moment the beast was about to attack Christopher as he was defenseless, her attack was ready. A massive explosion hit upon the beast's head, making it drop on the ground. Christopher had no clue what was happening, he only stared at the ground with wide eyes as he got paler and paler.

Onora grabbed him and began to speak in everyone's consciousness once again "run." She said. As everyone did so. Getting away from the battlefield.

     Two; there were two losses that day.

Nevan, Nafre, Inara, Kenna, Onora and Christopher were the first to arrive at the forest. Eamon and Darcy arrived later, the day after. Christopher had passed out, and when Eamon arrived he was still asleep.

In the battlefield, there lied Malachi on the floor, laying as he looked up at the sky. "They killed one of my babies" he said now looking at his Dragon. "You mean my babies, I created them." said Deimos "oh fuck off" Malachi rubbed his face, wiping the dirt on it "Let's leave now, our plan worked out." Deimos rose up to his feet.

"So those girls are dead huh?" asked Malachi as he himself stood up. "Yes, the dragon might have been one of my illusions but it did snatch those two didn't it?" Deimos spoke. "Now our plan is far simpler" Malachi grinned "though I could pay a visit to that village before we leave, I'm kind of starving" he said. Deimos scoffed "I'll be in our castle." he said "you go on your blood party" he added as he left.

They both left, Malachi later, and as they did Bastien arrived, looking at the Dragon. The Dragon disappeared shortly afterwards "finally" said Bastien as he kneeled down at the two female's left there. "Ah I don't get paid enough for this." he leaned down towards their way "Hello girls" he spoke at the corpses, the two ripped lifeless bodies in front of him. "I have a lot of work to do with you two." he kept on mumbling to himself as his hand held Lisa's face.

The females woke up in an dark cave, decorated only with candles,torches, a cauldron and a big hole filled with liquid in the middle of the place. Such a disturbing yet warm aura.

Lisa looked around, trying to figure out where they were, slowly the gruesome memory of Deimo's attack clearing out in her head, her eyes wandered around and eventually she looked at Bastien in confusion "did you save us?" Morgana asked. "No you died" said Bastien making them think he was being rather dramatic. He looked at them "oh no you actually died, like dead died" he assured them "the thing is you came back to life." he continued, Lisa and Morgana looking at him as he was spitting nonsense facts. "Congratulations, you're The Light." "The what?" asked Lisa "the Light" said Bastien.

Bastien sighed "please don't tell me I have to explain that too" he scoffed as they both waited for him to start. "The prophecy speaks of a promise to the mighty powers,  two children born and promised to be used for the greater good, the children live their lives but when they die they come back to serve the good, be the Light. They shall fight against the dark to defeat it and in the end one of the two forces gets defeated leaving the other one to fade." he spoke "of course that is not the known legend, everyone knows a different one instead, the Light is two newborns promised to serve the good throughout their life, during that time, they shall face evil and only one force remains." he added "that is the known version, though it is false." he smiled.

"So me and her" Lisa pointed at Morgana "are this Light?" she asked "Yes, apparently the sorcerer that knew both your families promised the both of you to the mightier, perhaps just in case things would not go as planned, you were both born at the same year right?" "1430" said Morgana as Lisa nodded "and the date?" Bastien asked "20th of October?" said Lisa as she looked at Morgana, Morgana nodded. "Then that's it" Bastien said.

"How do we know you're not joking right now?" asked Morgana looking at him. "Well I wasn't lying about the castle was I?" he raised his eyebrows, Lisa narrowed her eyes "Yes, but, how do we know you are not wrong?" she asked.

Bastien nodded as he helped her stand up "could you, think about blasting this tree right there while pointing at it with your pinky?" he said, Lisa nodded doing as he had told her. She flinched at the view of the tree blasting and her finger radiating a laser-like light. Bastien smiled as he began to speak "the fighters of the Light get gifted powers that work with light, for example fire, thunder, lightning, any beam, you know shiny things, while the dark, it usually works with shadow, water." he paused "Ironic isn't it? Since most people portray water as the good element" he raised his eyebrows "And that's not all there is" he spoke "what was your favorite fighting activity before, love?" he asked "combat, swords" Lisa replied, he grinned "now your combat and sword skills will be effective against demons too" he said, same for you he looked at Morgana as he helped her up.

Bastien began to walk away. "Where do you think you're going?" Lisa raised her eyebrow. "Leaving" said Bastien. "I don't think so." she said "you'll be explaining all this stuff to our friends, there is no way we are." , Bastien sighed "about that" he spoke "I have to inform you that you were sleeping for two months." he said "I've put a cloaking spell on us and stayed here with you" he added "two months?" Morgana asked "did the others defeat Deimos?" she continued. "Uh not exactly" said Bastien. "What? Why?" Morgana asked again.

"Well first of all, you were missing" he pointed at Lisa "you were their potion maker, remember? Now they've put someone else to study botanology, with Onora's help" he said "Plush the forest had gotten attacked before they arrived there, every druid is dead, so only Inara and Onora can help them."

"Wait a minute" said Lisa "you mean to tell me all of this was happening and you waited here with us for two months? Waited here with two girls that you weren't even sure would be that Light?" she asked as she narrowed her eyes.

"Listen" Bastien began to speak "I'll explain" he continued "We're listening." said Lisa as she pointed her finger at him ready to blast him, Bastien grinned "I shouldn't have taught you that" he said "speak." Lisa demanded. "You remember the thing we said, about the person who promised the both of you to the Light's purpose? Yeah that was me." he smiled awkwardly "You?" Lisa raised her eyebrow "Yes, I was hired to do so." he said "and honestly I hate the fact I had to travel to this universe so many times." he mumbled.

"Why didn't you say that earlier?" asked Morgana "well obviously because it's not even important." he stated, "Yeah he is right, that is not important" said Lisa "now could you be a gentleman and take us to them" Lisa smiled, as she batted her eyelashes at him, he rolled his eyes.

Bastien showed them the way, took them there, quickly. The women arrived there along with the man escorting them. Onora lurked to see who was invading the forest, her jaw falling as she recognized the two thought to be dead ladies.

"The forest looks like shit" said Morgana "the dragon must have attacked here first, before attacking our castle" she spoke.

Bastien had been ignoring their talking ever since they had started heading there, so he kept ignoring them, once he knew they had reached a spot close to the druid's little village inside the forest he just disappeared "Motherfu—" Lisa sighed and then looked back at Morgana "he is a bloody idiot." she said, Morgana nodded.

Nevan noticed the two of them walking towards the village as he was collecting water from the river, he dropped the bucket and pulled his sword out yelling "who are you???" his eyes softening as he recognized them.

He remembered the day of the attack, how he came here after it, how he began to scream and cry as everyone just watched him with sad eyes, how Eamon held him, trying to make him relax. Christopher only stood there before he walked away unable to see Nevan that way.

Nevan's eyes began to water, as he ran their way, hugging the both of them, jumping on them making them drop on the ground as he held them. Morgana giggles as she sed tears herself, she couldn't understand why but she kept crying, allowing her tears to fall and her breath to quicken.

Nafre and Darcy had been practicing a few meters away; sparring. They had rushed to see what Nevan was yelling about, now seeing him on the floor on top of two other people.

They looked at each other before approaching. Darcy grabbed Nevan off of them as he only observed him, he didn't feel the urge to look at the people on the floor until a familiar aura travelled across his veins, making him shiver.

He mechanically offered his hand to the girl on the right before noticing her and as she grabbed his hand his gaze softened once his eyes fixated on her, the view, his lips parted as he felt deceived at the moment; as if he was dreaming.

Nafre had already helped Morgana up, hugged her even as Nevan stood smiling behind them, overjoyed. Morgana and Nafre looked at Darcy and his reactions, how strange he acted around Lisa, they had noticed before too, now they looked at each other as they raised their eyebrows.

Lisa was looking into his eyes as she was trying not to smile but her eyes did differently, they gave away a slight warmth. "You're" Aleksander paused "here" he spoke.

"Isn't that awesome?" Nevan spoke breaking the moment. Aleksander finally let go off Lisa's hand as he looked away avoiding her image to be caught by his eyes.

Nafre hugged Lisa, Nevan hugged Morgana, once again.

Aleksander had already began to walk away, rather embarrassed, not knowing how to act, heading back to practice, anything that would keep him away.

Lisa melted at the view of a giant scar in the back of his neck. "He got that while preventing himself to turn" said Nafre as she observed Lisa's face. Lisa's eyes saddening slightly. "Why don't we gather everyone and we will tell you what's going on?" said Morgana, changing the subject "perhaps you could tell us what has been going on as well."

                                   V

All of them, Nevan, Morgana, Nafre, Eamon, Lisa, Kenna, Inara and Onora sat around a fire, Darcy wasn't there. Lisa and Morgana explained everything Bastien had told them.

"So he told us we are the Light some profecy speaks of" said Morgana "Yes" said Lisa "though he is not telling us something, I'm sure" she continued "what do you mean?" Inara asked "Well" Lisa began to speak "why choose us?" she said.

Onora narrowed her eyes as thoughts filled her mind.

They kept talking about the prophecy until the subject changed, Lisa and Morgana explained them everything about it, now they were talking about other matters, how the world had changed, how their world had changed.

"Wait, Bastien didn't tell you?" Kenna asked "not only the forest, everything has been attacked" she added. "What?" Morgana turned to her "It's true" said Nafre "the whole land is corrupted, full of monsters here and there, dead people walking, werewolves, vampires, skinwalkers, rippers, demons" Nafre continued. "Yes, people remain alive, but they hide, they are spread all around the Kingdoms." Nevan completed.

"When did this happen?" Lisa asked "around a month ago, maybe two." Nafre replied "Yes Deimos apparently had enough power to free some demons and then when the land was destroyed, slightly, and the rumors spread about the loss of control in the Kingdoms all the monsters felt the confidence to get out, apparently they all are on Deimo's side now" said Nevan "yeah except for the dead people, they don't have minds, they're just dangerous and make people scared so they automatically give strength to their master by producing fear" Eamon spoke.

Morgana nodded in shock, she then narrowed her eyes "where is Christopher?" she asked as they all remained silent for a while "he left us" said Nevan "he wanted to be alone" he added "you know where he is?" asked Morgana "no clue" said Eamon. "And we cannot track him, he either has placed a cloaking spell on himself or someone else has, but that is strange, for him." said Inara. "And Darcy, why is he not here with us?" Morgana asked, everyone turned around, suddenly finding the grass, the trees, the mud, interesting. Everyone except Nevan "Darcy is here" he spoke "you saw him earlier" he added. Nafre slapped her face in disappointment. Inara turning to Nevan and speaking softly said "that is not what Morgana meant." Nevan nodded, confused.

"He is" Kenna paused "busy." She continued. Morgana almost nodded but Nafre spoke, making her rethink her action "must we lie to them?" , Morgana and Lisa looked at each other once Nafre's words were spoken. Kenna sighed as she began to speak "Bastien, visited us while you were gone. He came to speak to Darcy, specifically" "And what did he tell him?" Lisa questioned. "We have no idea" said Nafre, Eamon sighed "I know" he said, Nafre turned to look at him offended.

Morgana raised her eyebrows "And? What did he tell him?" she asked. Eamon looked at Darcy's cabin and then back at the fire "Darcy is cursed, we all already knew that. But what we don't know, and what he didn't know either, before Bastien told him, is that, Darcy isn't only cursed to turn into a beast once in a while, the real curse he carries is immortality. He cannot die, like ever" he said "and how do you know all this" Nafre's tone full of judgement and disbelief "I misheard them talking." Eamon spoke with pride "misheard" Onora mumbled before she scoffed a laugh, Eamon gasped in silence.

Lisa set her eyes upon Aleksander's cabin before, her eyes saddening slightly.

"But yeah, ever since Bastien and him talked, Darcy has been distant, not cold but distant, he isolates himself, more than he used to" Nafre spoke. "I see" Morgana sighed as she sat back.

They all sat in silence for a few more minutes, enjoying the night breeze, the fire protecting them from feeling cold, awkwardness not allowing them to speak more words.

Kenna placed her head on Nafre's shoulder. As Nafre placed her head on Kenna's head, both of them resting. Lisa smiled at the view, glad Nafre's hopes had come true. Nafre would talk about Kenna to her everyday back in the palace, complain about how Kenna made her stomach move and her lungs pop.

After the attack at the castle, when they arrived at the forest, Nafre watched over Kenna until she would wake up. She did wake up, hours later and the first thing she did was to approach Nafre, she held her hand before looking up into her tired eyes, Nafre's cheeks flashing red gave her courage for her next actions, Kenna held her face and kissed her. Not wanting to lose any of the time they had together. Nafre melted against Kenna's lips, she wasn't like that, Nafre had the dynamic, she was the cold and mean but golden hearted kind and Kenna knew just how to make her heart twist, and as hard as it is to believe considering Nafre's personality, Kenna was the one to hold the dominant title in their relationship.

Eamon raised his glass breaking that awfully awkward yet comforting silence "I think it's time we celebrated our friends returning from the dead" he suggested, pouring wine for everyone.

Nafre and Kenna soon excused themselves heading to their cabin, Morgana and Nevan talked for hours, Eamon annoyed Onora and Inara but then they all started telling stories to each other, Lisa was listening too but she wasn't able to focus, wine had practically replaced the blood in her veins.

Lisa's eyes fixated on the cabin that a  light could be seen from, a candle flame burning so bright. Her actions influenced, she stood up, slowly walking toward the candlelight.

She entered the cabin finding Aleksander sat on a desk, scanning pages of some book, he looked so focused he had lost himself in there, entirely absorbed by the information he was reading.

Lisa approached him and he did not even realize she was getting close. She placed one of her hands at the side of his neck making his eyes go wide as he shivered, checking with the corner of his eye who was it that interrupted him, she leaned her face towards the scar on the back of his neck, pecking it softly. Aleksander's skin burned, he melted as he froze, Lisa rested her head on his shoulder as she now pressed a kiss at the side of his neck, closing her eyes as she hugged him.

Aleksander seized her hand off the side of his neck and stood up slowly, holding her gently, she placed her hands on his cheeks as she looked into his eyes, her cheeks were red. She caressed his face, now her hands had made their way on his nape, pulling his face closer to her own, Aleksander placed a hand in front of her lips, not allowing her drunk self to do something she would later regret, not taking advantage of her.

He held her by the hand, preparing her his bed for her to sleep in. He tucked her in, covered her up and made his way back to the desk.

He found the spot where he had been interrupted and kept reading the book, few minutes later Lisa's voice interrupted him once again "what are you reading" she asked, her tone so tired, raspy. "A Book" he said "No shit" she scoffed lightly. "How was your day Lisa?" he asked, trying to make her fall asleep by tiring her. "Good" she answered "Why don't you tell me about it?" he said, Lisa hummed a no but then she also spoke "you won't be listening to me" she said "you just want me to fall asleep as I get more exhausted by talking" she continued.

Aleksander smiled "goodnight Lisa" , Lisa scoffed louder as she fell asleep while observing Aleksander and his insisting focus on that damn book.

She awoke in the morning, a terrible headache making her feel as if the veins in her head were constantly pumping. "I hate wine" she mumbled as she rubbed her forehead, fixed her hair.

Lisa then realized where she was, remembered her actions from the night before, yet she didn't care as she could just pretend she didn't remember anything. Her eyes fell upon Aleksander's body asleep on the chair, his head and hands on the desk, his head specifically placed right next to the opened book.

She raised her right eyebrow, taking the chance to sneak a look at the book he so felt the need to read. The urge to tease him by waking him up just to see his moody face left her body as soon as her eyes read the title, recognizing the book.

"herbs of life" the title read "botanology." she whispered to herself. She bit her lip trying not to smile as she kept digging the stuff he kept upon the desk. Notes, notes everywhere, about herbs that cured, diseases, herbs that lived longer, ones that died faster, about chemistry. Lisa couldn't fight the urge, she sighed a soft smile as her gaze slid on him.

Onora entered the cabin pulling Lisa out of her thoughts "There you a–" "shh" Lisa pointed at Aleksander sleeping, she approached Onora and took her out of the cabin. "What is it?" Lisa whispered to Onora "it's about the prophecy" said Onora as she took Lisa a bit further, so that no one would hear them. "What about the prophecy?" Lisa asked as she followed her,

"There is no such prophecy" said Onora "I wanted to tell you yesterday but I did not want to worry the others about it. The prophecy does not speak of two children that were born to become The Light, it does speak of two people that are destined to become it but it does not mention how they become the Light. Now, I did sense Morgana, she is one of those people" she paused as she looked at Lisa "I don't know what the hell you are though." she continued.

Lisa looked at the sky as she narrowed her eyes "I will definitely blast that guy." she said, Onora giggled "Do not hold a grudge against Bastien, he is only hired to do what he did to you." she spoke, "I thought he could choose to accept the jobs he is offered?" Lisa looked at her "Oh, no" said Onora "Anxos are hired to do some jobs yes but they all have one master, somewhat of a sire. They have to follow everything that their master demands them to, plush they cannot do anything without their master's permission, basically they have no freedom, no free will" she continued, Lisa raised her eyebrows "you don't say."

CHAPTER ELEVEN :  no title for real

At Elios kingdom Malachi strode his way through the halls as he had just got done with another one of his feeding parties. He entered the throne room as Deimos awaited for him, his hands behind his back as he looked at him, Malachi's steps became slower as he approached and halted.

"I'm afraid I have unpleasant news for us" Deimos said as he looked at the miniature of a kingdom he had built to observe the life line's of their enemy. "The two girls are alive" he spoke, Malachi looked at him in anger and question "their presence was here again, since yesterday" Deimos continued "how?" Malachi's anger took over the calmness in his still low tone, Deimos stood clueless. "You mean to tell me that not only the doctor but also one of the two is also alive?" Malachi approached the miniature, stood over it "So now both of that fucking Light people are alive? I should have known better. " he bared his teeth.

"We should have killed both of them back then." he rumbled on. "Why are you freaking out, they're just two people." Deimos stated "One of them just came back from the dead Deimos. And we still don't know who the second person is, it is unclear." Malachi looked at him straight in the eyes "still" said Deimos "Do not underestimate our power, all of the dark side is with us." he added "we shouldn't underestimate them either." Malachi snapped calmly.

Deimos nodded, he smirked "you have me on your side and I will not accept defeat" he said, Malachi looked at him "and don't forget what you promised me for me to accept working with you once again." Deimos grinned "I was fine left alone all those years, it was you who summoned me with a new offer." "Don't fret me, Deimos." Malachi said "A deal, is a deal." he finished.

Deimo's face turned into a pleased one as he began to walk away "we have visitors, fellow friends of yours" he said "Vampires?" Malachi asked as he sat on the throne. "Vampires, witches" Deimos spoke as he left the room. "Have fun with the boring ones, meanwhile I'll be entertaining myself" he continued "and then you call humans sex addicts." Malachi mumbled to himself mocking Deimos. "I heard that." Deimos spoke while fading away.

The sun shined, shined goldly upon the little village into the enchanted forest.

A calming breeze travelled across, from tree to tree, leaf to leaf.

Darcy was practicing near the lake, along with Nevan and another girl, her red hair being complimented by the sun, so shiny.

Morgana and Nafre sat observing, tired by their own practice, they had woken up before everyone else, practicing along with Darcy first thing in the morning.

"Who is that girl?" Morgana leaned and whispered to Nafre. Nafre whispered back "her name is Elinor, she is a witch, she used to work for Deimos, Malachi, for the dark side,but, not surprisingly they did not treat her very well. Darcy found her hurt on his way here, we decided to take her with us." Morgana nodded as she observed.

A playful feeling taking over Elinor as she pushes Nevan into the river, laughing softly. "You don't have to be jealous you know" Nafre mumbled to Morgana "I'm pretty sure she is not interested in him" she continued as Morgana almost gasped at being caught.

Nevan got out of the lake, an angry pout on his face as he managed to keep his cool, Elinor turned around to look at Darcy who very slightly chuckled at her gesture to Nevan. Elinor smiled tenderly as she then looked back at Nevan and helped him find his sword into the lake. "Lisa is not gonna like this" Morgana mumbled to herself quietly "what?" Nafre asked, not having heard Morgana's words. "I said, 'the weather is always like this?' It's lovely." Nafre raised her left eyebrow "Yea, right"

"What are you two fussing about?" Darcy took a seat next to Nafre "fussing? I was not fussing about anything" Nafre raised her eyebrow once again as she threw her eyes on Morgana for a second. "I was only commenting on the weather" Morgana raised her eyebrows "And the weather, is a cloud's name Lisa or something?" Darcy stated smoothly, Morgana's jaw on the floor as Nafre began to laugh not caring about her surroundings, she laughed so hard she ended up on the floor with her hands on her stomach.

"What would Lisa not like?" Darcy asked, not too recklessly, as he cleaned his sword, clenched it with his other blade. Morgana's face fell serious and yet awkward as she spoke her next words "the weather, she would not like the weather."

Darcy grinned slightly as his eyes shifted on her"If I didn't know you liked Nevan I would say you have a thing for the weather" he spoke, his grin still there, Morgana pinched his shoulder as he chuckled. "Do not tease me." she demanded as she avoided eye contact, Darcy sat closer as he eyed her once again "Do not worry about Elinor, she is just glad we saved her and didn't leave her to die. I am sure she has no such feelings for any of us" he paused "As I am also sure Nevan sees and hopes for nothing but friendship with her." a small smile curved on his lips, Morgana felt amused, she hadn't seen that sarcastic man in two months, he hadn't changed, or at least he didn't show he had, like always, hiding his feelings.

[anakinkinnie]

Eamon stayed back with Nevan, watched over him,waiting for him to wake up. A long night awaited for all of them, trying to make things better as they had been destroyed.

Morgana and Nafre scouted the palace for any other victims, wether they were alive or dead.

They stood blankly staring at the corpses around. The brutal image made them shiver, the hair on the back of their necks, raised. "Gods. Look at this mess" said Nafre as she leaned down, tracking down another corpse by following yet another blood trail. "Do you think he knew what he was doing?" Nafre asked as they were on their way back, not finding any survivors. "I don't know" said Morgana "I don't think he did" she added "but I can't know" she said, Nafre looked at her with the side of her eye, saw Morgana's somehow disappointed face "Onora said he is cursed" Nafre said "let's not listen to Christopher's sayings, he hates Darcy" she continued "yeah" Morgana spoke.

Kenna awaited beside Lisa, waited to see if she needed any help.

Lisa had a long way to go with all the wounds she had to clean and patch, she began from the most critical wounds to the less deadly.

"Can I help?" Lisa turned around to see Inara speaking "I have practiced healing." she added. Lisa smiled "of course" she said "help anyone you want, and, thank you" she added as Inara proceeded to smile. "Can you teach me too?" Kenna asked as Inara looked at her "Yes,sure" she spoke, Lisa observed them as she smiled, her eyes catching movement from where Aleksander laid.

Two of Christopher's soldiers had picked Aleksander's body up, carrying it while Christopher gave them orders to take the body to the dungeons. "And make sure to place it on the most secure cell." Christopher demanded "Yes sire." they spoke at the same time.

Lisa looked over at Kenna as she furrowed her eyebrows in question. Inara looking at the two men as she sighed.

Onora seized his hand, making him turn around to look at her, his look rather offended as she touched him "what do you think you're doing?" she asked him, he dragged his hand away from her "the right thing." he replied "And what's that? Imprisoning an ally?" "Imprisoning the enemy." "The enemy? He is cursed." "He is a threat." Christopher snapped at her face "look at what he did" he kept shouting as he raised his hand showing the disasters all around them. "He didn't know what he was doing" "you're not listening to me. I don't care whether he knows what he did or if he doesn't. Who's gonna stop him from doing it again huh? Will you be able to stop him fast enough? Like now? He was out just for a few minutes and look around you, tell me what you see." he looked at her as he was asking rhetorically "so until we figure things out with him, fix him, yes I'm imprisoning him." He began to walk away "you cannot "fix" him." "Then

leave him to rot."

Onora watched him walk away as he followed his soldiers. "I'll fix this" Kenna spoke as Onora looked at her and nodded "once we're done with the people here I'll talk to Christopher" she added as she looked over at Lisa whose eyes were fixated upon Aleksander's body being carried.

She snapped out of it, focusing on the hurt ones once again.

Morgana and Nafre weren't much late to arrive in the yard the others were, trying to help in ways they were asked to. Morgana approached Lisa "how's Nevan?" she asked "he is resting in my chambers, his condition is stable, Eamon is keeping an eye on him." Lisa said as Morgana nodded, Lisa grinned "why don't you go check on him too" she asked teasing Morgana, though Morgana worried as she was did indeed walk her way to Lisa's room to check up on him "well she is not well" Lisa mumbled to herself as she continued patching the injury she had started to.

Christopher eventually got back at the yard with the others, everyone was there except Nafre who had gone for a walk  to ease her mind, Morgana who had visited Nevan, Eamon who had fallen asleep on a chair as he watched Nevan and Darcy sleeping in a cell he was unaware he was in.

Once Nafre came back she rushed her way towards Christopher, he stood confused and scared, not knowing how to react. Nafre pushed him aggressively.

Everyone either gasped or remained still as their lips parted. "You fucking asshole" she spoke as he proceeded to stand up, "language, witch." he spoke. "Are you going to keep me as a prisoner too? Oh I am so scared." she mocked him, his gaze angered "who are you to just take his freedom away huh" she shouted at him, her gaze deadly "how many times has he fucking saved your fucking ass." she kept on snapping, Kenna rushed to her, dragged her hand gently trying to pull her away from him "Who's the one who always, and I mean always gets us out of trouble?"

"Shut up." said Christopher, his tone low "Shut up? What the fuck is this Christopher." She showed him an announcement paper she had found in the hall, Kenna narrowed her eyes as she grabbed the paper taking a better look at it "death sentence?" she looked at Christopher with such disappointment and curiosity. "What." said Lisa "Are you serious?" Kenna asked him "when did you put this up?" she added "once I put him in the cell" he answered as he looked down.

Kenna approached him though she kept her distance "when is this to happen?" she asked, hoping that he was playing an awful joke on them "tomorrow" he spoke "he will be hanged, then burned" he added as he looked down.

Nafre bared her teeth as Inara grabbed her hand, making sure she wouldn't attack Christopher again.

"Christopher you can't do this" Kenna spoke.

"Yes" he said "yes I can" he repeated.

"You cannot."

"I will not tolerate his presence anymore!" he snapped,shouting. "And in my kingdom??" He kept going.

"I have the right to interfere." Kenna snapped back, calmly but her voice cut right through him "as the queen."

He shook his head "no, you're not the Queen, not anymore" he grinned with spite but before he could speak another word he was on the ground once again, a punch so hard had landed on his pretty face as he looked shocked and scared, Lisa's fist making his nose run bloody. 

Everyone stood blinking repeatedly and quickly as they watched Lisa walk away, making her way to the injured ones, ignoring Christopher's presence completely.

Onora turned at Nafre "I thought it'd be you, the first person to punch him, to punch a king" she stated, Nafre raised her eyebrows "I thought so too" she said.

Christopher wiping the blood off his nose, stood up and began to walk away. "This conversation is not over, the other two Rulers shall get to decide too." Kenna spoke to him from afar. Christopher only looked back before leaving.

He made his way in his chambers, locking the door behind him. He rushed to the mirror, throwing the things on the desk off it as he glared at his reflection. "You're doing the right thing" he mumbled as he began to shake and sweat. He clenched his jaw as he took a breath walking away from the mirror. Dizziness taking the lead of his steps and sight, the room began to spin.

He laid on his bed, slowly falling asleep, trying to. Thoughts kept flashing in his mind as he tried to stop them. The thoughts never left, they were his most trusted ally, he could not let them go. They had clung into his mind, not ever allowing him to rest from thinking.

Christopher managed to fall asleep, or rather fall into a trap of his own. He began to dream, to relive his past, his worst memories.

"Haaa I win" he laid on the grass.

His mother panted as she laid next to him, laughing softly "I lost again" she smiled at him "let's go play again!" Christopher jumped up, his mother still laying there "Now Christopher, you have a lot more energy than me, I'm old" she spoke as she kept smiling at him "pft" Christopher laid down again as he opened his arms "mommy, why can't you get out of your room?" he asked as he turned his head to look at her "I am out of my room my love" she replied "yes but you only get in this garden and nowhere else" Christopher stated as he pouted "are you sick?" he asked "no baby, mommy just needs to rest until your sibling is born" she smiled at him once again "when the baby is born, will you be able to run better?", she chuckled "yes, sure" she said.

"And when will the baby be born" he asked again "soon I believe, could be any minute now" she said "good" he smiled as he looked at the sky "then I will be able to play with three people" he added "three huh?" She asked him knowing what his answer would be "Yes! Three!" he said "You, the baby and Kenna" he continued as his smile grew bigger, his mother laughed softly, her hand placed on his head caressing his hair, now his little spikey ears.

"Verena" a male voice shouted the Queen's name "it's time you get inside, dear" he continued "why is dad ruining the fun" Christopher scoffed sadly "now don't be moody my love, you can play with Kenna" she said "okay" said Christopher as he waited for his father to approach them "Hi dad" he spoke, his father smiled as he  looked at the two of them "Kenna is waiting for you my boy" the father tilted his head towards the direction Kenna stood waving at Christopher to notice her, Christopher stood up and hugged his dad, his father staying still proceeding to hug back, Christopher approached his mother, hugging her too, Verena hugged him back tightly, Christopher leaned down towards his mother's belly "you get out of there soon, I wanna meet you" he spoke as his parents looked at him.

Verena placed a kiss on Christopher's forehead and then Christopher walked away smiling, not long after he began to run his way to Kenna.

The two of them played hide and seek, they chased each other in the garden, in the halls, in the great hall even.

They stood breathing heavily at the Yard outside of the palace, watching the knights train in all their aspects.

They lurked as if they weren't allowed to, as if Christopher wasn't the Heir to the throne.

"When I grow up I'll be a Knight" said Christopher.

"A knight? I thought you were going to be a king" said Kenna.

"A king? A king can be a knight" Christopher paused "he can be the greatest of the Knights, the bravest, the kindest, the strongest" he smiled in pride.

"And you're going to be all that?" asked Kenna looking at him.

"Yes" Christopher smiled at her. "What about you? What do you want to be in your life?" he asked her.

"I want to be a strong woman, a happy woman, to live in a beautiful big house and have a lot of pets, a lot of weapons hidden under my bed and a room to keep them, one especially designed for them." she spoke.

"Wow" Christopher breathed "can I borrow your weapons as a Knight?" he asked.

"Nahuhh" she exhaled "my weapons." she smiled "only mine" she pointed at herself.

He frowned "mean." he said.

She chuckled "I'll let you have something" she said.

He smiled.

Kenna's father approached them as he ran. "Sire" he spoke to the little boy "your mother, your sibling is coming." the man breathed as Christopher's face was filled with excitement, he began to run before the man did, the man and his daughter followed.

Verena gave birth to a girl, one that seemed as angelic as her first child, only it looked prettier, even as a baby.

Christopher was asked to wait outside, once the baby was born, he entered the room taking a look at his little sister. A soft smile appearing on his face. "I have a sister" he said as he approached.

His mother sweaty, yet she looked as magical as ever, she was smiling at her newborn, now smiling at Christopher as he held the baby in his arms, carrying it. "It looks so pretty" said Kenna "what are you doing in here?" Christopher asked "me and my mother helped with the birth" she smiled. Christopher looked at her "you wanna hold her?" he asked, Kenna looked at the baby as her lips parted from excitement, she nodded.

Christopher gave her the child. It was crying but it relaxed, Christopher pouted in confusion, Kenna smiled at it as she approached the queen, giving her her baby back.

"Dad" Kenna spoke "I was one of those?" She asked as her father raised his eyebrows "All of us once were" he replied "gross, but cute" she said.

The king entered the room he had exited a few minutes ago, he grabbed Christopher's hand and reached out for Verena's "come with me" he said "I'd like to show you something" he added as the queen and their children followed him.

Kenna's father narrowed his eyes "Hey my love" he leaned down to his daughter "go to mommy and head for bed okay? Tell her I'll be back in a little" he kissed her forehead as Kenna walked to her mother and together they left for their chambers.

He followed the king and his family, the king was taking them to the caves underneath the castle.

There a ritual was set and as soon as the queen entered the room her eyes widened.

"Zayan?" she spoke even though she was hesitating. He only turned to look at them, Christopher stood confused as he held grip of his mother's dress.

Zayan began to speak, to chant something as the lighting in the room changed, fire emerged from six stones which surrounded the family, the heat was emerging as well.

"Immortalem vitam done mihi. O satanas oblationes meas suscipe! Da virtutem, iuventutem, vitam, aeternitatem."  (Rip latin)

(P.S.I'm not summoning you Satan, please don't come at my door at night, thank you.)

"Zayan!" Verena shouted, Zayan's eyes were glowing, so dark yet an even more frightening glow highlighted some sort of lust, she then realized he was not only a king, but also a sorcerer looking for more power. Christopher began to cry slightly in confusion as he hid behind his mother.

Her heart broke into pieces as she looked at her partner. Zayan held a Blade, he cut his palm with it, letting his blood spill into a huge plate as he observed; observed at his family and the fear in their eyes.

He approached them as he grabbed the newborn out of Verena's hands, Verena tried to grab it back but he slashed it right there and then, leaving Verena to drop on her knees in shock, Kenna's father was trying to get to them but an invisible border stopped him from doing so. He screamed to Zayan to stop even though he knew it was pointless, Christopher's eyes widened as he watched his father, he froze unable to do anything he watched his mother breaking.

Verena looked at Christopher as she narrowed her eyes in pain, she ran to him. "Baby look at me" she said "hide, go hide, mommy will figure this out" a tear drop ran down her cheek as she bit her lip smiling at him,Christopher shook his head in fear "everything will be alright baby" she spoke as she kissed his forehead "I'll stop him"  Christopher nodded as he ran to hide.

By the time Verena stood up Zayan had finished with the baby and was now heading towards her way, she looked at him as she bared her teeth looking at him fool of anger, spite.

"Stay away." She demanded.

He did not speak, he only grinned as he moved his hands, red lightning lines surrounded Verena, the lines wrapped perfectly around her holding her as she grunted to get out, he pulled her with him, towards the plate full of his and his daughter's blood.

She grunted as she tried to break free.

"Shhhhh" he hissed "now my love, be quiet." he suggested "you're making this a lot harder, for yourself." he continued as he cleaned his blade. "Bastard." she spoke "Shhh" he placed his hand on her mouth, now holding her, making the lines around her disappear.

She looked into his eyes, as he lifelessly looked into her own. She bit his hand making him groan in pain as he dragged it away and held it "You fucking bitch!" he shouted at her as she wiped the blood off her mouth.

Zayan ran her way grabbing her and turning her around "what are you gonna bite now huh." he spoke as he raised his blade while pulling her closer to the plate. She kicked the area between his legs, making him fold as she freed herself, pushing him to fall on the floor, she sat on top of him and began to brutaly punch and slap his face.

He spat blood on the floor as he looked at her "Verena" he breathed heavily as she kept punching his face "help..me" he continued as he looked at her in fear, Verena's lips parted as she stopped punching him, hesitated to.

"Zayan" she spoke as her eyes saddened.

He smirked as he wrapped his hands around her neck making her choke. He pushed her back, holding her on the floor as he now sat upon her, choking her, she placed her hands on his wrists, trying to make him stop, he only kept on choking her and now he began to hit her head against the floor, leaving her there bloody.

Christopher watched as he covered his mouth not allowing his cries to be heard as his face melted into his hands.

He stood up grabbing his blade from the floor. Looking down at her with such hatred, "Za..yan..." she breathed as he grabbed her and slit her throat upon the plate. Christopher screamed in pain, screamed for his mother as he cried.

Kenna's father stood frozen, still not able, not even with magic, to enter the area and save them.

Zayan looked at his son hiding behind one of the big stones as he now began to walk towards him, the child was crying not knowing what to do, not understanding what was happening, or better, not wanting to understand what he knew was happening.

He grabbed the child by his arm, dragging him towards the plate. Suddenly a small glimpse of light shined into the orange-red area, a human form appeared. A man wearing a tux, so weird to anyone that saw him.

"It took me some time to break through your spell, the.. border one?" the man spoke looking at Zayan, scanning the room "I'm sorry but we do not accept assholes, your offering is declined" he spoke again, Zayan stared at him as he slightly tilted his head in anger "who the hell are you?" Zayan asked "Bastien." the man leaned down towards Verena's way "I would say it's nice to meet you but" with his finger he touched the blood "I'd be lying" he looked at Zayan who looked so irritated.

Zayan ignored him as he dragged Christopher. "Leave the child alone." Bastien demanded. "Or?" Zayan asked raising his eyebrows "or I take it" said Bastien "pft." Zayan grinned. "Fine" Bastien frowned sarcastically.

In a matter of seconds Bastien was standing right next to Zayan, cutting his hand off, freeing Christopher. "Stay behind me" he said as he looked at Christopher and in no time Zayan's head was on the floor. Christopher felt the urge to puke and so he did, he dropped down doing so. Bastien turned around "oh yeah right, sorry about that little man" he patted Christopher's back.

Zayan's border broke as he died and Kenna's father rushed to little Christopher, taking him into his arms, hugging him.

Christopher didn't talk, he was in shock, he was in denial, grieving his family. "Who are you" he asked as Bastien proceeded to clean the mess "I'm an Anxo" he answered "I get hired by mightier powers to do their job, if they pay me and if I accept, you could say I'm sort of a messenger" he raised his brows twice as he went back to cleaning the mess.

"Why didn't you come earlier?"

"I had trouble with this border, it was a strange one, he must have created his own kind of border and not used an already existing one" Bastien replied as he kept on cleaning.

Kenna's father nodded "and now?" he spoke "what will you do?" he added.

Bastien turned around confused "what am I going to do?" he asked.

"The queen and the king are dead? And the way they died isn't really a normal one, if this information spreads then this kingdom will be treated just like Malachi was treated all those years ago." the man stated.

Bastien raised his eyebrows "you're right but, I can't do anything about that." he said.

"I have heard Anxos can shape-shift" the man spoke "maybe you could, pretend to be the king or something" he suggested.

"A king huh? I'll have to ask for grand permission first" said Bastien.

Those were the last words Christopher heard before he passed out into the man's arms.

He woke up gasped and looked around him,understanding he had just dreamed of the past once again. He raised his hands looking at them, seeing how much he had grown since then.

He laid awake for the rest of the night as the others took care of the unfinished business.

Morgana sat with Nevan, many hours had passed, Eamon had left a few hours after Morgana had entered the room, he found himself at the yard with the others.

Morgana had fallen asleep at the side of the bed, she was sat at the floor as her head was on the bed, her hand holding Nevan's. Nevan eventually opened his eyes, finding Morgana on his side, he looked around, trying to understand which room he was in.

"Morgana?" he asked, making sure she was asleep, though she woke up. "Nevan??" she spoke as she wiped her eyes to wake up entirely. "How do you feel?" she asked him as she sat at the chair behind her. "I'm fine, thanks" he said, Morgana seemed disappointed "and your leg?" She asked "what about my leg?" he asked, fear on his face, Morgana sighed "is your leg. Alright." she asked, Nevan's eyes widened "why would it not be?" "Oh my God Nevan. Does your leg hurt?" "No it doesn't, why would it." "Nevermind, if it doesn't hurt that means Inara did a great job." she looked away.

"You seem tired" he said as she looked at him "I am tired" she said as her eyes saddened "Christopher is out of his mind" she stated, Nevan looked at her with question, waiting for her to continue "he wants to execute Darcy" Nevan's eyes widened "How long have I been asleep for?" he asked "why would he want that?" he kept going "remember the beast that attacked us? Yeah that was Darcy" she said.

"Darcy attacked us??" his heart leapt "no, Darcy is cursed, he is a Demon King, he had no control of his body" she spoke "Then why kill him?" "Christopher says he is a huge threat, to all of us" "But, he is our friend" "I know Nevan, I don't agree with the execution either, it's Christopher I'm worried about, he is going insane" "yea".

Nevan placed his hand upon Morgana's, held it, rubbed the back of it, Morgana looked at him with sad eyes, she really was tired. "Come here" he spoke as he opened his arm for her to come into. "Nevan, we can't" she said, he only smiled "come now, hugging and sleeping is a friend thing to do too" he said as she smiled back at him, diving into his arms carefully.

"We will fix this, all of this will be over soon" he said. Morgana nodded as she closed her eyes. "And when we do" Nevan kept talking "I will do what I have always wanted to", Morgana looked up at him, into his eyes "and what is that?" she asked, Nevan smiled softly, his eyes shifting to her lips "Marry you" he replied.

Morgana couldn't help but allow her cheeks to flash red, her eyes sparkl for even a second, she gulped nervously, Nevan still looked at her, his eyes admiring each one of her reactions. "Nevan," she began to express her thoughts but Nevan shook his head making her stop by speaking "I don't care" he simply said "I don't care what they say about me Morgana, I don't care what dirt will be put on my name, I don't care about the fuss." his words flowing out, his heart speaking "I love you, Morgana," he breathed "and I will leave everything behind to be with you."

Morgana's eyes were full of pain, full of sadness yet happiness he allowed his gut to take over his tongue.

She cupped his cheeks, softly and then, she moved her face closer to his, pressed her forehead against his own, finally, kissed him. Nevan returned the favor, his lungs erupting at his such long needs, her lips; her soft, warm lips, pressed against his own.

Morgana withdrew a few inches back "I love you," she whispered against his lips "I love you so much."

Their lips uniting, passionately this time, the heat in the room suddenly rising. The urge to rip each other's clothes off, put a nice end to that awful day.

She moved smoothly, getting on top of him, unbuttoning his shirt as her lips remained upon his. Her hands now on his face, holding it, not able to get enough of his taste, his arms, on her back holding her as she began to grind slightly.

Nevan shuddered under her, his movements rather awkward, unsure.

Morgana asked as she looked down at him "have you never done this before?", Nevan nodded, shyly. Morgana grinned "allow me to take the lead then" Nevan nodded, again, more nervously this time. Nervousness she made sure he would forget.

Darcy laid on the crappy bed on his cell, looking at the ceiling. Waiting for time to pass as he threw little rocks at the wall.

A key dropped next to him. He looked at the bars, finding Nafre standing there, "wake up beasty, let's get out of here shall we?" she spoke as he smiled.

He got outside of the cell handing her the key back. "How come I'm free?" he asked "the two other Rulers didn't agree to your execution" she replied. "I'm glad" he spoke.

"You did one hell of a mess out there, you don't remember anything?" she asked as the two of them walked "No I do remember" he said as Nafre looked at him curious "my body was moving on its own, I was unable to control it, I tried, I couldn't." he added. "So this really is a curse" she said "I'm pretty sure it is one, and I'm pretty sure about what activated the curse in the first place." he said "what?" Nafre asked. "When Deimos stabbed me, he didn't kill me, why? I figured this is it, plush the wound has began to look quite like a mark, a seal" he said "that makes sense" she spoke "yea, but I need more time to figure it out."

"Well for now go rest, you have a lot of shit to deal with tomorrow" said Nafre as she parted ways with him, waving him goodbye.

He walked to his chambers, on his way saw everything he had caused, at least what remained and had not been cleared. His heart tightened suddenly as his jaw clenched, his eyes saddening as hatred began to fill his mind and flow in his chest.

Aleksander always felt like that for himself, he felt hatred; hatred for himself, for his existence, for his life. He was tired, getting more and more tired, each and every day, every single day.

Meanwhile at the other side of the land, in Elios, Deimos had began to rage.

"All of them!" he shouted. "Not a single one of them died!" he kept on whining. The man at the throne placed his gloved hands upon his thigh "Deimos." he spoke "My plans keep failing!" Deimos kept on shouting "They managed to stay alive!" "Deimos!" the man's voice made Deimos tremple "Relax. With or without your plans, my plan is working." said the man as he fixed his hair, Deimos sighed.

"Your son's life line disappeared for a while but I see now that he is still alive? Care to explain?" he asked as Deimos looked at him, his eyes tired, annoyed of the man's knowledge compared to his level "it's the curse I told you about, when he is in the beast, no one can reach his heart, nor can anyone see if a human is in there at all, it's like he disappears, even for our immortal sources." he explained. The man grinned "so your boy will be our weapon against the Will Of The Light" "Oh he will be our ultimate weapon" Deimos said playfully. "Everything will fall in place when we pay our next visit then, right?" the man asked "Yes, I'm positive about that" said Deimos.

"We do have to wait though, let them think they're safe" the man smirked, a smirk so mischevious. Deimos raised his eyebrow "whatever man, I'm going to get some food, need anything?" Deimos asked "eh you know, my favorite type" "B negative?" "Yeah."

Morning came, not everyone had rested properly but it was time they got up, got to work, sorted things out. A kingdom needed saving and they wanted to win as much time as they could.

The Golden Court met first thing in the morning. Christopher looked more dead than he had ever looked.

"Darcy stays free" Nevan stated.

"I agree" said Morgana.

Christopher sighed, tired.

"We have made our decision, it's final" Morgana stated, making sure she had made their decision clear. 

"Good, hear that Christy?" said Nafre as she looked at Christopher. Christopher only looked back at her, he didn't even bother to react, to scold or whine, not getting a reaction made Nafre frown slightly.

"If anything is to happen we will stop him" Inara stated and everyone looked at Onora, waiting to see if she was willing to help, Onora nodded with a smile.

"Do as you like." Christopher got up, his steps faint as he was leaving the room. They all stood looking at him walk away.

"Ah, young men, full of tragedy." a male voice echoed into the room, they all turned to look at the man standing, resting against the wall with his arms crossed.

His clothing rather, strange to them.

Everyone who had a sword took a grip of it, held it, prepared for the worst.

"Who the hell are you?" said Darcy as he 

                  narrowed his eyes.

(End of diora file 1, Diora file 2 next)

[anakinkinnie]

"Is this why you suggested that afternoon meeting?" Lisa spoke, her tone calm. "Yes, you deserve a break" Aleksander replied as she brushed her face against his chest, wiping her tears. Aleksander only stood there, holding her, waiting for her to let go first. "Now, don't just get to your room and fall upon your books again" he said "get some rest, clear your mind" he added.

Lisa pulled away slowly, her hands now on his chest caressing the spot her tears had watered as if she felt embarrassed about it. "Don't bother about this" Aleksander spoke making Lisa's gaze slid up to his once again "and get rid of those tears, either wipe them or let them out. Do not pressure yourself with hiding your emotions" he placed his bare hands on her cheeks and with his thumbs he wiped the rest of her tears, removed the hair that fell upon her face. Lisa shivered the mere moment his skin came in contact with her own "your gloves?" she asked, he grinned slightly "wouldn't want to wet and ruin the leather now would I" he answered as Lisa nodded.

He removed his hands off her face and placed them behind his back, staring at Lisa's eyes trying to stay dry.

"Come on let's take you to your room shall we?" said Aleksander as he offered one arm and she, not long afterwards, took it.

The two of them walked until they finally reached her chamber.

Lisa entered her chamber as she felt her hand slowly drift away from Aleksander's arm; she looked back at him, finding him standing there outside of the room. "Aren't you coming in?" she asked as she raised her eyebrows slightly "I believe you wouldn't be able to fall asleep knowing I'm in there with you" he said; his voice pleasant, she held back a chuckle.

Lisa took a few steps closer to him, now holding the door "thank you" she said, he frowned and so did his eyebrows "for what?" he asked as he smiled "for assuring me" said Lisa, Aleksander stood there curious "for assuring me that I am not alone" she then added as Aleksander's smile became slighter but his gaze softer. "You're welcome love" he said as he leaned against the doorframe, waiting for her to shut the door.

"See you later Aleksander" said Lisa.

"Sweet dreams" said Aleksander before standing straight and the door shut slowly in front of him.

On the other side of the hall, Kenna rushed her way towards Nafre who was heading outside. Nafre turned around looking at the Queen ran towards her way.

Kenna finally caught up to her. Now looking at her.

"You can look at me now? That's progress" Nafre teased her as she grinned, Kenna softly punched her arm as Nafre groaned, Kenna panicked afraid she must have hit an injury from Nafre's visit to Nandor "I'm so sorry—" Kenna spoke as she noticed Nafre laughing, Kenna stood death-staring at Nafre. Nafre looked at her, as she swore this was the most threatened she had ever felt "sorry" she said, looking down at the floor as Kenna's death stare faded.

Kenna smiled as her eyebrows rose "Anyway" she spoke "I came to ask you about the plan" she continued, Nafre looked at her "the plan? Okay bring it on what is it?" she said. Kenna raised the book she was holding up "I know I have to exorcize the demon but" she paused as she handed Nafre the small book "there are many types of exorcism, all of them for different types of demons. Which one am I supposed to perform?" Kenna added. "Looks like we have something else to figure out " Nafre's look turned into a  thoughtful one "but I don't think it is that important which exorcism you will perform since we will weaken him first" "No, if the correct exorcism isn't performed then the demon won't vanish, he will simply just be weaker for the meantime" said Kenna "that's why different types of exorcism were created" she added, Nafre stood there impressed by Kenna's knowledge, she raised her eyebrows and blinked several times before speaking "you are right" she said "we shall tell this to the others in the library later" Nafre implied.

"Do you think we will figure it out?" Kenna asked, Nafre smirked "if anyone could figure this out then it's us" she paused as her smile faded "well Darcy and Morgana not all of us" she frowned in acceptance "but oh well we are a team sooo" she tilted her head, "I see, I see" Kenna giggled as they both made their way to the garden.

Eamon was passing through the hallway, trying to make the time go by faster but ridiculously failing. He stood at the window seeing his sister and the queen laughing together, his eyes widened as he heard his sister's laugh, it was an actual laugh, she was having fun, she was actually enjoying her time here. Eamon smiled as he continued walking around with no destination; peeking around just because he was bored.

Morgana found him spying on Christopher as he meditated in his room, Eamon stood outside but lurking, "ahem." Eamon turned around, his eyes so scared Morgana couldn't help but laugh quietly as she leaned towards his way "you scared the shit out of me" Eamon stated as Morgana still laughed "what are you doing here?" she asked "what is he doing" Eamon answered with another question "umm he is meditating" said Morgana hoping Eamon knew what meditation is. "I know what he is doing, but why is HE doing it" he narrowed his eyes, Morgana frowned in question "what" she spoke, Eamon looked at her and then at him, returning his gaze at her once again "meditating is supposed to keep you calm, why is he still doing it he is obviously failing at it everyday. It doesn't work for him." said Eamon, Morgana blinked "fair point" she said as she lurked into Christopher's room as well.

"Where did he go?" she asked not finding him sat at the place he was sitting. Eamon was quick to reply "Maybe he is done meditat—" the door before them opened as now they looked up at an angry Christopher looking down at the two of them, on their knees peeking through the lock. "See? It didn't work again." Eamon turned to Morgana as he referred at the meditation and his point earlier. "What do you think you're doing." Christopher asked, clearly annoyed "we wanted to see if your lock was a good one" Morgana began to speak as she stood up "You know they say, If the locks are good, you can't peek through them." she added, a tone so serious as if she was telling the truth.

Christopher looked at her and then at Eamon who was constantly nodding. Christopher smiled "Liars!" he shouted making the guards all over the place turn a look his way as he then returned to being calm "who do you think you're joking with" he leaned and whispered to them ,Eamon smiled awkwardly as Morgana still stood serious not accepting she was being nosy.

Christopher narrowed his eyes as he went back into his room. "Phew" spoke Eamon "He totally bought it" he added, Morgana chuckled "he did not" she stated as she walked away laughing "and don't peek" she said pointing at Eamon as he gasped.

"Peek" Eamon mumbled "I don't peek" he paused "I lurk" he said proudly "sometimes" he added as he too walked away.

The sun fell down eventually, it was time for their arranged meeting. Nafre and Kenna were the first to get to the library. They were there hours before, they wanted a quiet place to talk and spend their time so they had decided to spend their time there until the others came to join them.

The two of them got to know a lot about each other, Kenna told Nafre about her favorite books, about her favorite spells and why she loves those spells so much. Nafre talked about her journeys around Diora's land, about weird creatures she had faced and how she took them down. They had a pleasant time with each other.

Lisa arrived second to them, she immediately went off to the books, without waiting for the others to gather. Eamon entered the room and sat with her, mostly observing what she was doing even though she was only reading.

Not long afterwards Morgana entered the room, making her way towards Lisa and Eamon. Getting the book off Lisa's hands, allowing her to relax a bit more until all of them had arrived.

Nevan and Christopher were there shortly afterwards, Christopher and his attitude, his energy could be seen all around the room.

Darcy came last, as he always does. He never even understood why he was last, was it that fact that he was late or that all the others came earlier? He always wondered though he wouldn't share his questions.

And true as it was, all of them came earlier than they were supposed to. Rush filled their veins and as much as they deny to admit it, they like being there; they like being with each other, they like the sense of comfort they feel, the one they can't come to feel when they are separated.

They all sat at different spots of the library yet still close to each other, so that they would be able to share any curiosities that occurred them or any thing they thought could be important.

"Here" Nevan spoke "this could be the kind of demon Deimos is" he pointed at the page of the book he was reading "A Demon King" was the title on top of the page "powerful menacing energy, beholder of darkness, tall dark figures, mostly appear as beasts, usually winged, black with shadows surrounding them" Nevan read and at the next words he narrowed his eyes "No other kinds of information; all victims died facing them?" He raised his eyebrows "it means that all they know about this demon is its appearance but nothing else because whoever tried to learn more got killed, by them" Morgana spoke to him making Nevan understand "I hope that's not Deimos" he spoke; his tone shaky.

"It is not him" Darcy stated "Deimos's face was clear, it did look like a human even though it wasn't a clear view you could see there was a human in there. Plush, Deimos could shape-shift, Demon Kings do not like taking any human form and they can't anyway, moreover he wasn't a shadow, shadows did float around him but he was not like one himself. He was not, Dark" he finished.

"Okay then this one's out of our list" said Kenna.

"Yeah. Thank God." said Nevan with such a relief, Eamon chuckled.

Morgana raised the book she was holding "I'm pretty sure this is what we are looking for" she said as she began to read "a Consus, a powerful demonic power, a demon that was born one like most of them. A Consus is a demon that walks the earth in human form or can take the form of a human for as much as they please as long as they have the power to. Their power comes from different types of energies that they absorb from humans, mostly; for example, happiness, sadness, pain, fear. There has been only one demon for each of those energies and any other energy as they can only exist at once. Some would say they are like the Gods of feelings. In order for them to absorb the energy that they are meant to absorb they have to create it first and then, take it, steal it." Morgana paused "To exorcize a Consus; perform the following" Morgana ripped the page off handing it to Kenna "I believe this is what you need" she smiled confidently.

"Wow you sure are confident about this" Nevan stated. "Well it makes perfect sense" said Christopher. "Also adds some more knowledge on Deimos's motives" Darcy stated "its like he has been planning this ever since Malachi's years" he paused "he wanted to make this last so that he would constantly feed by fear, become more and more powerful with time, no wonder he could perform such a powerful illusion spell on all of us at the same time." he added.

"Then this is it" Eamon said with a tone so excited "we can finish him" he continued. "Not quite" Kenna tore his excitement into pieces "the exorcism is to be performed during a full moon" she stated as she threw a look at all of them "the next full moon is tomorrow, we are not ready yet." she added "We have to wait until next month, until the next full moon." she finished "fantastic." Said Morgana as Darcy threw her a glance of judgement as if she had stolen his line.

"We have to be cautious during the rest of the month then" said Nevan "and we have enough time to get ready" he smiled "we can do this, we will squash him down" he raised his fist up "put your hand down Nevan" Morgana demanded scolding Nevan and his cockiness as he obeyed awfully quickly. "We will send that fucker back in hell" Darcy smirked as he spoke "Darcy!" Morgana scolded him as well.

"Alright fellas" Nafre interrupted them "now that we know exactly what we're dealing with, I believe we can take some kind of a rest" "without letting our guard down" said Lisa, speaking the next of Nafre's thoughts "read my mind right there" Nafre said patting Lisa's back, Lisa smiled. "We must not forget that Deimos is a mischivious one, he could mess us up very easily if we're not to be careful" said Lisa "if any of you feel any kind of sudden negativity flowing inside of you, come straight to me. No matter what time it is, I will be glad to offer my services" she added. They all nodded except Christopher and Darcy. Christopher still not accepting her while Darcy, admiring the scientist's spirit and heart, glancing at her calmly.

They all put their books away, enjoying the silence that was stretching in the room, enjoying the little moment of relaxation they were given.

A blinding glimpse shined in the room, one that reminded of an explosion. They covered their eyes before finding before them two women, standing there as the bright light slowly faded away, making their image clearer.

"Onora" Eamon's face lit up slowly as he looked at her, Nafre sighed "not you again" she scoffed as she threw her head back looking at the ceiling while groaning. "I'm glad to see you too Nafre" Inara spoke teasing her.

Nevan blinked numerous times "excuse me" he spoke "who are you?" he and everyone else turned to Nafre and Eamon "you know them??" Nevan asked another question. "So many, multiple questions" Darcy said sardonicaly as he shook his head slightly. Onora threw a look at him as she narrowed her eyes scanning the energy that radiated from him, her thoughts were soon interrupted as she saw Eamon waving at her as he winked, she widened her eyes before rubbing her forehead with her fingers.

"What are you doing here?" Nafre approached Inara "so you do know them" Nevan asked, again. "Yes I know them shut up" she pointed at him as she raised her eyebrows, hoping he would stop "now you" she pointed at Inara "speak" she demanded. Inara began to look away nervously as she panicked, Onora stood in front of her as she faced Nafre "we will be staying here, until you finish what you ought to start" she stated.

A loud thud was heard in the room as everyone turned to look towards the direction it came from. Finding Christopher on the floor once again, his hand on his forehead as he kept mumbling to himself, words that made no sense the way he put them "sorcery..here user.. home" his color awfully white.

"Ah I love it when this happens" said Darcy as he grinned but rushed to help him.

He leaned down helping Christopher get up, Christopher was quick to slap Darcy's arm and push him away with the amount of strength he had at the moment "get away from me." Christopher whined as he took a few steps back, looking at all of them, all of them looking back at him, concern and question. "No more sorcerers in here" Christopher pointed at them, all of whom he thought were sorcerers. "This is too much" he continued as sweat dripped across his pale face "I don't want any of you here. I want you to get out." such spite visible in his words; in his eyes.

"Christopher,come one now" Nevan approached him slowly "they're only trying to help us" he stated "They don't help!" Christopher snapped "They make things worse. They think they're better and meant to help but they just fuck everything even more than everything is already fucked" he breathed, tried to breathe as he proceeded to continue "Enough" Darcy interrupted him, calmly but his voice striked right through him as Christopher flinched and stepped back, clenching his jaw "when this is all done you will not see them again, they'll not be in your life anymore. Just be patient" said Darcy, calmness not leaving his side.

"When this is all done" Christopher breathed "I will hunt you all down and make sure you leave this land" he stated "and you" he pointed at Darcy "you will regret standing like that before me." Darcy stood, allowing Christopher to freely shout at him as he looked at him expressionless.

"Shut the fuck up" Nafre walked towards Christopher. "Don't you dare speak to me like that" Christopher shouted back at her "Why? Shall I fear you because you wield a crown?" Nafre snapped back "Yes. This crown will help me get your head on a stick. All of your heads" Christopher looked at the sorcerers in the room "the fuck what now." Onora spoke as she narrowed her eyes. "Why don't you go out and breath some clear fucking air. Clear your fucking mind. And realize that you have to get used to us." Nafre spoke calmly but she demanded, Christopher's jaw relaxed slightly as he rushed his way out, shutting the door behind him.

"Wow" Eamon exhaled "that was messy" he continued. "What exactly is his problem?" Inara asked, clearly worried for her presence there at the time "he is just an asshole" said Nafre "has a problem with all us sorcerers and who he thinks is a sorcerer" she added "especially has a problem with him" she raised her hand showing Darcy "honestly how can you deal with this" Nafre asked Darcy.

Darcy leaned against the wall, Lisa following his movements really carefully, since Christopher started shouting at him, as if she was preparing to stand up for him, Nafre did it before she could.

"Have you ever noticed Christopher's ears?" asked Darcy as confusion got the best of all of them. "No he covers them with his hair" Eamon stated, Darcy smiled at him "do a lot of humans have spikey ears" said Darcy as all of them narrowed their eyes and their jaws dropped. "Right" Morgana breathed "he always covered his ears, even as a child" she added. Nevan's jaw dropping the hardest.

"So Christopher is an elf?" Nafre asked "well" said Darcy "but that doesn't explain why he hates sorcerers" said Nafre "we can't know why he hates sorcerers" Darcy spoke as he pulled away from the wall "but we can for certain say there is a reason and until I know that reason, I'm not going to snap back at him, because that reason might be something that he holds dear" he added. "And how are you so certain there is a reason" Onora asked making everyone turn and look at her. "He is too compulsive; when he talks about sorcerery. I have met a lot of people who hate sorcerers but Christopher is a special case, it's like his brain is playing with him, choosing his actions before he actually thinks about them, as if he is brainwashed or he actually believes with all of his mind but also heart that sorcerers are created to be evil" said Lisa, Morgana narrowed her eyes remembered slight memories from their childhood.

"He wasn't always like this" Kenna spoke as the rest of them looked at her with curiosity waiting for her to continue. "One day he just.. changed" she added. "Changed?" Nafre asked "Believe it or not there was a time where Christopher had nothing against sorcery and its users" said Kenna "yes I remember that" Morgana confirmed as she still tried to remember more.

"It all started when his mother and sister passed" said Kenna, leaving everyone in the room speechless "Christopher had a sister?" Morgana asked shaken "the queen is dead?" Nevan asked right after.

"What the" Eamon spoke.

"Christopher's sister died when she was a newborn, same day as the queen did. But the king made a decision, the decision to not speak about their deaths and say that the Queen has retired to live a normal life" said Kenna "and the daughter?how did we not know they had a daughter??" Nevan asked "the king had decided to keep his wife's pregnancy a secret, didn't let her be seen by anyone else except her son, her servants, including my parents and himself" Kenna replied "but why?" asked Morgana "no one knows why he kept the pregnancy a secret and no one knows why he kept their deaths a secret either." Kenna answered. "Except Christopher" Eamon spoke "Yes, perhaps" said Kenna. "Damn" Eamon breathed.

"As much as I love gossiping about Christopher I believe it is getting kind of late" said Nafre "and since my nerves can't deal with this anymore" she looked at Inara "would you care to tell us why the fuck you're here" her look deadly as she stared right into Inara's eyes, Inara slowly hid herself behind Onora.

"We were sent by..." Onora sighed "a friend. He said we better be here, because some kind of danger is upon you and you might need us" she added. "Well a demon is upon us so I guess your friend was right" said Darcy "and what kind of friend is that" Eamon asked as he raised an eyebrow "Friend. Just a friend." said Onora, Eamon shook his hands and head "No I mean, a human, a sorcerer, an elf, a druid like you?" Eamon made himself clear "he is a messenger. A messenger that serves in hell" said Onora.

"Hell exists?" Nevan asked tilting his head.

"Well not exactly, I don't know if hell is real or not, this hell I'm talking about is a metaphor, it's a place where "scary" things and people,demons, angels even, monsters, bounty hunters, sorcerers, evil ones as they say, like to hang at" said Onora. "Ah I see" said Nevan.

"Cool" said Nafre "now good night yall, I'm tired as hell so I'll be getting the hell out of this library and head to my hell of a bed" she spoke as she walked away exiting the room.

And so did everyone else slowly, Nevan left with Morgana and Eamon at the same time with Kenna, Kenna asking him if he could wish his sister a good night from her but he suggested she would do so on her own.

The two druids were given a room, not a separate one as they wished for a common one and then Lisa showed them around, let them know that her door would be open if they needed her or if they needed someone to be there in general, then she greeted them and wished them a good night sleep.

Aleksander remained at the Library as he took a grip of his sword, looking at it and at his reflection on it. "Rough day?" Lisa's voice thundered in his chest attracting his attention. "Nah. I've had worse" he turned to look at her as she was already walking his way, taking a seat next to his.

He looked at every movement she was making, always kept his mind focused on her. She took the sword from his hands as she looked at it and how clean it had been "you sure spend a lot of time cleaning this" she said as she raised her eyebrows "I've never used this" he stated as she turned to look at him in shock and question "I only use the other one, or my hands, actually very effective" he spoke with a sarcastic tone, she kept looking at him with question in her eyes and he couldn't bare but do her the favor of answering to her curiosity "this was a gift" he spoke as she looked at the sword "Hiero gifted me this sword" he said as he smiled looking at it, she looked at him "he gave it to me after I succeeded some trials he had prepared especially for me. I swore that day, that I would never pollute this blade with blood, I swore to keep it clean, for him."

Lisa's eyes saddened "and I did keep it clean" he added as he smiled. Aleksander's tone was soft, she could swear it could break any moment and ruin the perfect melody of his gentle vocals near her.

She handed him the sword and after he took it he placed it on the table in front of them.

"Your necklace" Aleksander said, changing the subject. "Does it have a story?" he continued and Lisa smiled "I keep a picture of my ex-husband and my son in there" she said as she opened it showing it to him "little Adrian" said Aleksander as he looked at the boy in the picture, Lisa's smile still there. "And your husband?" Aleksander looked at her "is he alright?" "Yes, he is alright, he left this place as well" "Mind if I ask why you two separated?" "Time would separate us if we didn't choose to, but he holds a dear place in my heart, so does our boy" "I see" Aleksander smiled "you were a beautiful family" he said and Lisa laughed soflty "yes" she spoke as she kept laughing.

Lisa leaned towards his way, resting her head on Aleksander's shoulder, she closed her eyes, laying there. "Someone is sleepy" Aleksander teased "no, someone is comfy" she said "I don't think anyone is comfy here besides me" he chuckled "oh shut up you have a nice, comfortable shoulder" "Oh yeah, you're definitely sleepy." "Aleksander." "Lisa?" she giggled slightly as she looked up at, looking into his eyes, he looked down at her and her shiny blue eyes as his gaze softened and remained upon hers.

"What do you want to do when you grow up?" he asked.

Lisa giggled "I am grown up" she said.

He only kept on looking at her soflty.

She smiled "I want to be a doctor, a scientist" she spoke.

He smiled.

"I want to be able and see how much of science has been lost in books, how much it has evolved, all of the information that is lost in pages of those old books, the experiments, the technology people have put behind and how much more science can help than it already does." she continued as her smile faded "but I can't" she spoke "I don't have the ability, the comfort to explore all that" she finished.

Aleksander still looking at her, "Why" he simply asked "because I'm just a villager; an exiled villager to be exact" she stated, Aleksander smiled "you're much more than that"

Lisa blushed, something awoke inside of her, her veins flooded with excitement.

Something moved into his lungs, he swore something did, but he let it go as he lost himself into her eyes.

Lisa scanned his dark eyes as she noticed how calm, calmer than ever he looked.

She smiled at him, a smile so soft it made his heart twist.

He looked away after a few seconds as she pulled away and stood up. "I'll see you tomorrow, Aleksander" she spoke "make sure to get some sleep" she smiled at him once again and then she walked away.

CHAPTER NINE :  a threat

It was late night, midnight had passed and time was moving slowly.

Most of the people in the castle were asleep, Kenna was not. She laid awake, staring at her ceiling wondering what would happen if she just went to wish Nafre a nice sleep.

She stood up, not thinking but rather following her heart, her steps took her right in front of Nafre's door. Her hand raised and frozen just a few inches away from knocking. Her chest felt heavy, as if a bird was trapped in her ribcage, desperately trying to get out.

Before she could make a decision Nafre opened the door finding the Queen standing hesitantly in front of her. Kenna's eyes widened as she froze looking at Nafre.

Nafre looked around, checking if anyone else was with her "what are you doing here?" she asked, Kenna seemed clearly embarrassed but then it clicked to her, what her next words would be "where are you going?" she asked as Nafre now seemed embarrassed herself. "I was actually" Nafre paused "coming to you." she added, as she looked away.

"To me?" Kenna's left eyebrow rose "what for?" she asked, Nafre only looked into her eyes nervously, along with that glow in her eyes shining dangerously upon the queen. "Are you drunk" Kenna asked as she looked at Nafre with worry "No I'm not drunk." said Nafre "are you alright?" Kenna asked again.

"Yes love, I'm alright" Nafre assured her.

Kenna seemed confused.

Nafre scoffed "I was coming to wish you a nice rest." she broke the eye contact.

Kenna's eyes widened, softly, and she smiled.

Nafre looked at her, wondering why she was so quiet, finding her smiling right at her, Nafre's cheeks flashed slight red.

"Are—"Nafre coughed awkwardly "um what about you, are you alright?" she asked.

"Yes" Kenna's smile still there "in fact I too came to tell you how I wish you have a nice rest." she paused "Plush I couldn't sleep" she added.

"Ah I see" said Nafre, looking away.

Kenna very slightly tilted her head "May I come in?" she asked.

"No." Nafre replied quickly, trying to avoid the Queen.

Kenna blinked "wait a minute." she said "you were coming to me but now you don't want me to be here? I'm curious, how does that work exactly?" she continued.

"A goodnight wish is a goodnight wish, it doesn't take much time." said Nafre.

Kenna raised her eyebrows as she looked at her. "Goodnight Nafre" she said as she began to walk away.

Nafre scoffed, not sure of her actions "wait." She said, the urge her heart gave away winning over her logic "you can come in."

Kenna turned around, curious.

"I insist you come in" Nafre spoke again, Kenna's gaze softening a bit.

The Queen entered Nafre's room, looking around scanning it as if it wasn't a room in her own castle. She found her way towards the two chairs near the window but before she could sit, Nafre spoke "no not there, it's near the window, it's cold." she said "here, you can sit on my bed. I'll grab a chair and sit near" she added. "You can sit on the bed. I don't bite, plush, the bed is king-sized" said Kenna.

Nafre's heart leapt slightly as she sat at the corner of the bed, leaving such space for Kenna to feel comfortable in.

Kenna sat down herself, she was so awkward, seemed so nervous, made Nafre giggle slightly. "What?" Kenna said in an offended tone, Nafre shook her head as she laughed silently "nothing." she kept laughing. Kenna frowned "stop it—" she said as Nafre laughed harder, Kenna's jaw dropping "Nafre." she whislered loudly as Nafre nodded trying to restrain herself from laughing.

Nafre looked at Kenna and smiled "you know" she began to speak "for a queen you are very and I mean very awkward" she finished. Kenna gasped ironically as she placed her hand on her chest "because I am a queen I cannot be awkward?" she spoke.

"I did not say that" said Nafre as she kept smiling. Kenna raised her brows "even if I am too awkward I am still a queen" she said, sarcastically. "And as your queen, I demand you stop giving me those eyes." her sarcastic tone still there. Nafre returned the energy "Eyes? What eyes?" she asked "deadly, very deadly eyes" Kenna answered "And why would I do that? Why would I want to stop?" said Nafre "You're basically asking for trouble at this point Nafre." "Trouble?" Nafre chuckled as Kenna observed her, smiling at her with a soft gaze upon her face, Nafre looked at her "now you're giving me those eyes."

Before they could continue their talking, their movements, a loud thud made the castle tremble, the noise coming from the hall, Nafre stood perplexed and focused as she grabbed the sword under her pillow, heading towards the door to hear better. Kenna stood, Nafre made a signal to her to approach her with caution, and await beside her.

Nevan was the first to get out as he was awake and alone, checking his papers. He held his sword close to him, walking slowly towards the library.

There he found the door broken, ruins of a column. He held his sword tighter. Behind him there ran Nafre as Kenna and Morgana followed. All of them worried.

"What the fuck is that." said Morgana, making everyone look towards the direction she was looking, their eyes widening at the view of a tall, dark beast, growling very slightly as it stood behind them, its yellow eyes falling upon them, so focused as if it was looking at its prey. "Holy Gods." Nafre breathed "everyone stay calm" said Nevan as he moved he spread his arms, covering everyone as he took slow steps back, making everyone else do the same.

"I'll attack it" said Nevan.

"Are you an idiot." said Morgana "you know nothing of this creature" she added.

"Cover them" Nevan moved his head towards Kenna and Nafre as he spoke "I'll land a hit to it, to see if it's vulnerable and if we're able to hurt it." he continued.

Morgana dragged him from his hand, pulled him behind her as she stood facing the monster. "For now we have to stay quiet and lose it. Buy some time." she turned her head and whispered. "I think it can smell us—" said Kenna "shhh" Morgana put her pointing finger in front of her mouth.

The beast remained looking at them as it slightly walked closer "umm guys" Nevan whispered "what now." said Morgana as she turned and looked at the beast approaching.

The beast roared a weird roar as if it was someone groaning in pain, it raised its hand proceeding to injure them all, they dogjed it and began to run. The monster followed, as it roared following them, destroying many walls and columns windows even.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." Nafre mumbled as she ran recklessly along with the others.

"In that Hall now!" Kenna shouted as she pointed to the left "I'll be there in a few" she added "what—" Nafre spoke but Kenna pushed her to run with the others "Fuck." Nafre exhaled.

Kenna leaned down making a seal with her hands "Glacies." she spoke as she striked the beast with a huge iceball making it slow down as she ran behind the others.

"That was awesome" Nevan breathed as he ran "leave the praising for later" Kenna passed him as she ran.

Morgana was first, she led the way, taking them all to the safest places.

Christopher opened his door, awake as he now was due to the loud noises he saw them ran so recklessly, confusion got the best of him. Wondering why the hell those morons were running like crazy in the middle of the night, until he saw the reason the morons were so scared. He widened his eyes, shutting the door, hiding behind it, hoping the beast had not noticed him.

The beast did in fact not notice him, though it was catching up to the rest of them, closer and closer, quicker and quicker, its claws just a few inches away.

Kenna and Nafre running at the front, trying to ambush the beast, Morgana and Nevan hiding in order to attack it. Though the beast did not pass.

"Did it lose us?" Nevan asked as he looked at Morgana "Maybe it's hiding too" Morgana stated as she scanned the area around them. "Maybe it lost us" said Nevan "stop insisting, we have to be extra careful." "Yes. We do." "Stop agreeing too" "fine, fine" "Oh my God Nevan" "sorry."

Nafre hid behind a column with Kenna, lurking to see what was going on. "What the hell" she spoke "that beast just disappeared" she added.

It was so silent that it was obvious something was wrong, silent until a window's glass was heard breaking and the ground slightly shaked. Nafre looked over at Nevan who nodded at her to come their way, all of them now heading to investigate what had happened.

On their way they found blood trails around, on the walls, remainings of human bodies thrown around, the beast hadn't fed itself, it had just ripped everything off these guards apart. Everyone stood shocked, their faces pale at the view of their lost people.

"Hey" Nafre spoke as she stood in front of the broken window "snap out of it, come and take a look here, I found our friend." she continued.

They all ran to her as their jaws dropped harder, the soldiers fighting as they were being ripped into pieces, injuring the monster but it didn't seem to be bothered much.

Kenna, without thinking jumped into the battlefield, blasting fire and ice on the beast, distancing it from her men, trying to defeat it.

The beast did back off but it wasn't harmed much. "Mulciber" she shouted as flames wrapped around the monster making it groan in pain but it remained there.

The soldiers stood impressed, shocked by the power their queen was hiding in her.

By the time the flames had began to hurt the beast, the others had found their way down, with Christopher Eamon and Lisa too. Inara and Onora following.

"Where is Aleksander?" Eamon asked.

"He was at the library before wasn't he?" Nevan asked back.

"Yes." said Lisa

"The monster attacked the library too" Morgana stated "he must be dead too" she added. Lisa's heart leaping.

"Nah." Nevan exhaled "Darcy could finish this shit." he continued. Lisa's hope not leaving as Nevan's confident words were spoken.

"What the" Inara spoke "Wow" she exhaled as she observed Kenna and her smooth hand movements keeping the beast restrained. Eamon rushed in to help. Using fire himself, keeping the beast even more restricted. The monster groaned, and groaned, it groaned so loudly everyone stood there with their mouths wide open, it was so strong, still holding on, still able to move even after all this. It roared so loudly, a huge amount of shadows exploded from within it, harming many, in those many also Nevan.

Onora looked over at Inara as she narrowed her eyes, Inara nodded.

Nevan fell down as his leg got injured deeply, passing out from the pain, Eamon dropped to his knees catching him before he could hit the ground. "I got ya" he breathed "you'll be fine man, you'll be just fine." he held him as he placed a huge magical shield around everyone.

Onora and Inara began to chant as they held hands, their eyes shined white as a white bright light surrounded the winged beast. Making its huge black shadow-looking body slowly fade.

"Holy Gods." Nafre breathed.

"Darcy." Morgana exhaled.

All of them looking at Darcy's unconscious body at the spot the beast had disappeared.

"Fuck is that" said Christopher "what is this supposed to mean?" he continued "shut up" said Nafre, shutting him up successfully.

Lisa ran towards his way, Kenna followed.

She leaned down towards his chest, placing her head near his heart, trying to find a pulse. She breathed in relief, his heart beating perfectly well.

Morgana looked over at Inara "what was that what did you do to the beast?" she began to speak "what is Darcy doing there?" she added.

"This was a demon king" Onora spoke "and your friend is one" she added. "What." Nafre asked "your friend, has been cursed" said Inara "cursed to be a demon king" "what is that supposed to mean, aren't demons born demons? He was born human." Nafre stated "Demon Kings are not born as demons, not necessarily, the most powerful of them are born as humans that hold the demon curse within them, this way if someone awakened that curse, the human is doomed to become a demon" Inara explained.

"I mean" said Christopher "we can't know if he wasn't born a demon can we now, maybe he was lying since the start." he stated "no, your friend is cursed, I sensed it since the moment I first came here, I just didn't know his curse was that strong" Onora spoke. Christopher scoffed.

Lisa held Aleksander's face as she looked at him, his peaceful sleeping face. She caressed his hair as her eyes had softened since the moment she laid eyes on him.

Kenna leaned down beside Lisa, rubbed Lisa's back "he will need some rest and some, medicine" Kenna spoke, emphasizing the word medicine as she looked at Lisa. "I know, I'll take care of it" said Lisa. "Not to worry" Onora smiled "he will heal himself" she added. "His old scars are opened, I have to treat them. But first," she paused "I have to check him" she threw a look over at Nevan "help me get him to my dorm, him and anyone else that needs medical help" she looked at the soldiers. "No leave them here, it is best for them that they don't move.You will treat them here" Nafre suggested as Lisa nodded.

"I'll help you carry him" said Kenna as Eamon shook his head "you focus on your men, I'll take Nevan" he said, carrying Nevan on his own as he waited for Lisa to show the way, as he didn't remember where her dorm was.

"Meeting." Christopher spoke "right after she is done with the injured ones, we all need to talk" he continued, all of them looked at each other.

Lisa picked her stuff up from her chambers, Eamon carried Nevan to Lisa's room, placing him on her bed as she cleaned and then stitched his wound, very quickly she then rushed her way outside to the others. She checked them all one by one; they were not many since most of them had died. She patched them up, gave them meds if they needed them.

(Part 5 next)

[anakinkinnie]

At the moment she felt hurt, jealous even. But she came to manage and hide her feelings. She took her gaze away, focusing on the window in the room instead, she knew the thing between them two was over but she still had hope, every time they exchanged glances, their skin made pure contact even for just a few seconds, everytime he smiled at her, she felt like nothing was over, not yet.

"Alright let's go" said Nevan, making her snap out of it "are you done?" Morgana scanned his outfit, his awfully combined outfit "Yes I think I am" Nevan smiled an upside down smile "if you say so" said Morgana as she began to walk out of the room. Nevan following her like a lost puppy following the scent of food hoping to find a way towards comfort.

The two of them entered the Great Hall, Christopher looking at them with suspicion and judgment all over his face.

They all had breakfast, parting their ways immediately after.

The two siblings, arrived at the enchanted forest around dawn. The sky held a pinkish color, pretty orange and blue mixed.

"Alright." said Nafre as she stopped her horse "We leave the horses here. Once we get in there, keep your eyes open for blue flowers, a little shiny with noticeable yellow dots in the middle. Then look for the red flowers mom used to decorate our windows with, the ones she claimed to use in order to protect us." she added. "Why are you acting like a commander." Eamon clearly being scathing towards her. "Just do as I say, we will meet here once we're done, I'll go search for the blue honey, if you finish before me, wait for me. If I'm not here by morning take the flowers and leave." she spoke, sharply. "But Nafre-" "don't worry, there must be blue honey somewhere around the forest of Damia too" she interrupted him "No Nafre. It is not the blue honey that I worry about. I'm not leaving you here" Eamon said and for the first time in a very long while Nafre remembered how compassionate and mature her brother could be.

Nafre scoffed as she ignored his sayings. She began to walk away slowly, making her way into deep into the forest, her brother watching, hesitating on whether they should part their ways, Eamon had a feeling, he might not have been the smartest in the group or his family but he had survived as he always followed his gut, it telling him something was wrong meant much to him.

Placing his hand on his chest, he looked at up at the sky "Don't let us lose our way Mother" he softly spoke as he himself followed his own path.

Nafre kept looking around, until she finally found what she was looking for, she was deep, very deep into the forest. There lied a lake, a crystal clear lake, its water so clear anything mirrored on it looked even better. Around it the grass seemed as if it had been taken care of, as if something had gardened the place for years. Nafre's lips parted as she stood mesmerized, her breath taken away, the beauty of nature, the great captures of the setting sun, catching every single detail perfectly.

"Who is it that intrudes my peace." a charming, almost magical female voice echoed in the area, leaving Nafre unable to understand which way it came from.

"Are you deaf my child?" the female voice was heard once again this time making Nafre pout "I'm Nafre." she scoffed. "I'm afraid this is not a proper introduction dear" the woman's voice echoing more. Nafre turning around, searching for the source the voice came from.

"Nafre Elsu. Better?" said Nafre, placing her hand on her sword, preparing herself as the area around her became foggy.

"I am Inara" the voice spoke, sounding as if it had approached. "One of the protectors of this forest. I am pleased to meet you Nafre of the Elsu family."

A shadow emerged from the fog.

Nafre narrowed her eyes. Before her walked a ladylike shadow, a hooded figure and it approached her, closer and closer she got.

The woman took the hood off, revealing her angelic dark features. "Oh Phew." Nafre exhaled "I thought you'd be some sort of skin-less corpse." she added, the woman ignored her comments completely "what brings you here traveler?" she asked.

"Blue honey. I'm here for the blue honey" said Nafre.

"The Zion?" the woman asked, her eyes curious.

"..." Nafre looked at her utterly confused.

"the Zion is the Blue Honey you're looking for" she spoke understanding what Nafre was wondering, now making her understand. "Zion means the highest point. You're planning to use it for your highest point I'm sure, to amplify your powers?" she added.

Nafre crossed her arms "Yes, so?" she asked.

"The Highest Point is a great achievement given easily by the Zion, thus it is not granted that easily, it comes with a price."

Nafre tilted her head, her brows frowned "a price?" "Yes, a price." the woman began to speak and as she kept going she formed little illusions between the space in her hands, showing what she was talking about, figures, images, moving figures and images to be exact. "For starters the blue honey is not how people aspire it to be, at least not anymore. The Zion could be found anywhere in the past, if you were lucky enough to find it. But humans took advantage of it, used it too much, the damage caused on nature's balance was too much, so the druids of Diora decided to put the Zion through extinction. Now it can only be found in cursed forests, there a druid gives it to you if you ask for it. Before you take it with you though, you have to pass a simple yet deadly trial. The druid offers you a drop of the honey, which you have to consume and as it is cursed to be protected and not used for wrong, it will make you lose your senses until it is proven to the spirits of the forest that your soul is pure. If you wake up, then the Zion is yours." the woman snapped her fingers making the illusions disappear.

Nafre raised both of her eyebrows allowing Inara to make sure she was confused. "So you're a druid" Nafre pointed at the woman "I will be trying that" she added as she pointed at the bottle full of zion "and then I will pass out? And how exactly will I wake up, by time or?" she continued.

"I already told you dear" Inara looked at her "you will have to prove your soul is pure, or else you won't wake up. You must restore balance in your mind if it is broken, then you shall be free" she finished.

"Right. I knew I should have told Eamon to go for the Honey." Nafre scoffed. "the Zion" Inara corrected her. "Oh please." said Nafre as Inara smiled in a scornful way.

"Alright, give me that drop" Nafre asked moving her hand towards the druid's way. "Open your mouth" said Inara raising her hand, showing her pointing finger and the drop on it. Nafre looked at the woman's hand as she opened her mouth, her sight following her movements. The druid placed the drop on Nafre's lips, Nafre licked her lips, allowing the blue poison in her system. Not long after she began to feel dizzy, the druid approached her catching her right on time, before she could hit the floor. What could Eamon be doing now where Nafre's last thoughts before losing her consciousness.

Eamon had found himself in a cave, looking, searching desperately in every single corner looking for the two kinds of flowers. "Get the flowers Eamon, she said. I'll get the honey Eamon, she said." He walked around with a lighted torch, spoke with a mocking tone. "Why do I have to get the flowers. It's so much easier to find blue honey, it literally doesn't exist in any other lookalike thing. While flowers. Flowers are all red and blue come on now." he kept whining, mumbling to himself, he breathed out, with his breath worry took off too "I hope you're safe Nafre, for your sake I hope you're safe."

He reached at the deep end of the cave, as he scoffed, but also felt relief there was no more of this frightening, dark tunnel to walk through. Not that he feared the dark, but what could be in it.

Getting out of the cave he heard creaking coming from above his head, putting off the fire of the torch and throwing it away he looked up with curiosity and annoyance.

He gasped at the mere view of a panther, lurking towards his way, its eyes glowing, ready to set the trap for its prey. "That's a fucking huge black cat." Eamon face dropped as his eyebrows he raised "not that I believe in that stuff but, does that also mean huge bad luck?" he kept chatting with himself, keeping himself sane and focused, calm and cool.

The beast moved towards the downway of the tree, slowly and with confident movement, almost swaying like snakes, it approached him, saliva dripping from the sides of its mouth, growls escaped its mouth as it showed his teeth "easy now buddy" Eamon backed off, turning a bit to the left, not entering the cave again "I'm just gonna walk a little" he moved his hands in pause signs hoping to confuse the beast "and then I will find my way towards the way I came from and I will not go that way cause you will chase me and that will take you to my fellow horses perhaps sister too" he spoke awfully quickly, analyzing his next moves "so I'll just run" Eamon started running recklessly "towards you!" Eamon ran past the panther leaving it back, the beast wasn't late to follow, Eamon ran without thinking, screaming his way through the forest.

Down off the branches, up from branches, crawling his way up to trees, jumping down, using his lace to slide safely yet quickly. Eamon knew what he was doing, he had been trained since he was a child, uncountable mischivious adventures with his sister as they would sneak out just to play.

Eamon moved so smoothly, so quickly, he kept a great distance from the hungry beast. Though his luck came to an end soon. As Eamon ran and slid down, before he could get up he bumped on a tree. Falling down as blood slid down his head, dizziness hit him as well, harder than the tree did. He began to lose his senses slowly as he heard the panther's steps approach, unable to do anything he kept fighting the urge to keep his eyes open. Sound echoed in his ears, the volume seemed too blunt for him, like it was fading away.

The last things he remembered before passing out was a strange light beeming towards his way and a female voice chanting some sort of spell.

CHAPTER SEVEN :  accept hell

Nafre was unconscious, waking up in her imagination, into the dark side of her mind. She opened her eyes, a view of a small, wooden house, red flowers on the windows, a woman gardening outside, singing softly to the flowers. "Mother?" Nafre spoke, her vocals softer than dandelions spreading, the woman turned around her eyes glowed under the light radiating from the sun, Nafre stood mesmerized, shaken by the image, she ran her way towards the lady hugging her tightly. "I've missed you so so much" Nafre sobbed not letting go of her. The woman embraced her back, confused.

"Nafre?" she spoke her voice and her eyes concerned as it cracked. Nafre nodded against the woman's chest. "How are you? You're all grown up" the woman distanced herself as she held Nafre's shoulders looking into her eyes. "I have missed you" Nafre sobbed harder. The woman hugged her once again.

"Let's go inside dear" she spoke gently, leading Nafre into the house.

The two of them sat and talked for hours, many hours. Nafre told her stories, she narrated her adventurous as she was on the run, how much her magic had not evolved, told her how much Eamon had grown up.

"I really have missed you,  so much." Nafre stated as her mother placed her hand on top of hers, rubbing it with her thumb. "I should have visited sooner" Nafre added, her sight regretful of the past.

"You couldn't have my child" her mother spoke "For I am dead dear. And I have been for a long while now" she continued. Nafre's eyes narrowed as she tilted her head and clenched her jaw, holding back tears. "No" she breathed out "My love, you have to let me go" the mother paused "you have to understand I am dead" "No." "Yes" "No stop." "You killed me" and at those words Nafre began to shake her head, her eyes wattery "I am gone." the woman added. Nafre allowed her tears to fall "you're not real." said Nafre "you're not my mother." "Yes" the woman said "I am not a mother anymore, for I am dead my child" she placed her hand on Nafre's cheek "you killed me."

Nafre's mother died when Nafre was around five years old, her brother Eamon was two. Nafre and her mother loved to spent time learning spells together, Nafre would get taught little spells everyday and she loved it.

Nafre's father disapproved of those activities, yet he supported their decisions.

"But father, I will be a great sorcerer like you and mother" Nafre raised her hand up, proud of herself "maybe even stronger" Nafre bragged. Her father and mother giggled at her words "right right" her father patted her head. Eamon looked at them, not able to understand what they were saying he only blinked multiple times.

One evening Nafre and her mother had gone to the woods, to practice a spell in the clear view of the full moon. Unlucky they were, they found hunters on their way, bounty hunters to be exact.

The hunters went after them and in her attempt to save Nafre, her mother lost her life. As she took the last remaining hunter's life, he striked her with a blade. Both of them dying. Nafre running back home, tears in her eyes.

Her father opened the door which she had knocked on first, seeing her so uneasy, so scared. He took her into his arms, holding her as he asked her what had happened and where her mother was. Nafre sobbed harder as she tried to speak but could not. Eamon ran towards the door his father and sister stood embracing, confusion filling his eyes. Seeing his sister cry this hard made him hide behind the couch, lurking towards their way. Nafre took her father towards the direction the hunters attacked them. The man stood frozen in shock, tearing up at the view of his beloved's corpse. He took his daughter home, putting her to sleep, before returning to gather the body, giving it a proper burial.

Things changed a lot for the Elsu family, especially for the two siblings, especially for Nafre.

Nafre could not bare to keep living there, feeling as though it was her fault for everything. She blamed herself for her family's loss, she blamed herself for the darkness that had fallen upon her house.

Her father didn't treat her differently, but he was always sad, always melancholic, he used to isolate himself at times too, but he was there, helping in whatever way he could.

She wanted to escape,

she needed to.

She wanted to get rid of the pain,

She needed to.

When she turned fourteen, Nafre left home, she began to move from town to town, visiting them again and again, visiting every place but Nandor. She refused to practice magic ever since the night her mother left them. She never used any spell but the ones she had already been taught to use. On her journeys she only used her combat skills, which she practiced lots all those years, over exercised to cope with her mentality. That is the reason she came looming for the Honey to amplify her powers, because she alone wasn't ready, not as ready as Eamon. She was a strong mortal, really gifted with strength, but a strong sorcerer, that she was not.

All these memories flashed into her mind as her mother caressed her cheek, told her she was the reason she died. Nafre narrowed her eyes, looked at her mother in anger "you're not my mother." she spoke "my mother would never blame me, even if it was my fault." she stated "you're not real." "You killed me." the illusion insisted "I did not. I wish I had died instead of you that night mother and I love you, but this is not you. I did not kill you, they did. And I will never forget that, I will get stronger for you" said Nafre as the place around her began to fade into darkness. "I have to let you go" she spoke "I have to accept that you're gone and that you won't come knocking at my door one day, for you are dead" she sobbed "and I have to accept that. I must." She proceeded to hug her mother as she disappeared into her arms.

When Eamon opened his eyes the view of a woman holding him was the first thing he saw, he pouted and blinked several times "who are you?" he asked bluntly, she smiled "I am Onora" "Onora? Beautiful name." he remained there, in her hands "am I dead, Onora?" he asked. "Dead?" she spoke "I think not, it took me a lot of time to stop that panther and pet it." she said. Eamon stopped looking at his hands and wondering if he was dead as he looked at Onora "so you're not an angel" he said as he got up slowly "an angel?" she stood curious "no I'm no angel" she looked at him "who are you, little man?" she asked him "I am Eamon, Eamon of the Elsu family" he bragged so proudly, Onora laughed. "I am pleased to meet you, Eamon."she kindly smiled at him.

Eamon returned the favor of smiling back, slighty. "So what did you do with that big black cat?" he asked as he began to walk and Onora followed him "I told you I pet it" she replied "no you said that was a panther" "the big black cat is called panther dear" "oh" "yeah".

The two of them kept walking, Onora kept following him "wait a minute" Eamon stood "I don't know where I'm going" he stated "maybe you can help me find those um red and blue flowers?" he turned her way "the blue and red flowers?" she asked "oh wait no, the red ones and the blue ones, separately." he smiled "...there are many red and blue flowers here Eamon" she implied as his smile faded "right" he said "the red ones are called Rune"  he paused "the blue ones I don't know, but I remember Nafre said they shine a little and have yellow dots." he added rubbing his chin "oh you're looking for the Zared flower." said Onora "two of the flowers that get used in order to hide something, Rune meaning secret and Zared meaning ambush" she continued "Yes the Zared, that's the other one. Do you know where I can find them? I mean how would you know, you're lost too." said Eamon, Onora chuckled softly "I am not lost, I live here, this is my home. I am Onora one of the protectors of this forest." Onora spoke as Eamon's jaw dropped. "You good there?" she asked "yes it's just" he paused "I've never met a Protector before, your work is so important to the whole world, you keep the world safe and in balance" he spoke with such adoration, Onora could not help but allow how flattered she was to be seen.

Eamon spoke as if he was a devoted admirer, his words so kind, spilling non stop as the light never left his eyes, calm he remained but the passion he spoke with was more than noticeable. He wasn't a fan of the forest protectors, he was an admirer of their work, someone who understood the impact they left on the world. That made Onora like the man, feel sympathy for him.

"I can help you, yes" she said as she led the way and he followed. "Here" she said as she walked and her hands glowed ridiculously lots, now she held a bouquet full of the two kinds of flowers he was looking for "they're yours" she stopped walking and turned around to look at him, Eamon really sucked at hiding his feelings, especially excitement, and now it was obvious how impressed he was, impressed and glad. "Oh Thank you." He gently grabbed the bouquet, as he proceeded to smile "you've saved my life twice today" he stated as he breathed out "twice? Those flowers were so important to you? Would you die?" she asked clearly concerned. "No no, I wouldn't exactly die but Nafre would kill me" he giggled awkwardly as Onora narrowed her eyes in question "Why would Nafre kill you? You're sweet." she paused "Who is Nafre?" she then asked as she realized she hadn't already. "Oh she is my sister and don't worry, she won't really kill me" he smirked "she loves me" he said confidently as Onora laughed "I see, I see" she said.

Before the two of them could start another conversation a huge amount of blue light radiated in the forest, shining hard, almost blinding them from where they stood. They began to ran slowly towards the way the light came, Onora worried that something might have been threatening the peace in the forest, Eamon worried for his sister.

"Nafre!" he shouted as he saw his sister, pale as she never had been before, pale as she never had been except for that one night of a tragedy. He rushed, his steps quicker dropped down on his knees, holding his sister, close to him, dearest to him.

"Nafre wake up" he demanded as if she was listening, his hands began to shake rapidly as he held her body, clinging to her. "Your sister is fine my child" Inara spoke "she will wake up in a few minutes" she smiled as she looked at him, he looked at her with fear and anger in his eyes "what did you do to her?" he asked "if I tell you, you won't believe me" she paused "why don't you wait a few minutes, she will tell you herself." she added , Eamon's anger eased yet it was still there, he noticed Onora standing right next to Inara "do you know this woman?" he asked "she is my sister" said Onora, Eamon narrowed his eyes "you look nothing like each other, well, except for the hair" he raised his eyebrows, Onora softly smiled, not allowing herself to giggle "We are not sisters by blood. All the protectors of this forest are considered my family" Onora stated as Eamon nodded in an understanding way.

Nafre groaned, attracting everyone's attention. She proceeded to get up "Easy there sister." said Eamon, Nafre pushed him away as she stood up "I'm okay" she said rubbing her forehead "you sure?" he asked "yes." she was quick to reply.

"I believe this is yours now" Inara spoke and Nafre turned to look at her. Inara held the bottle full of zion in her hand, raising it towards Nafre's way "you've earned it" Nafre took it, snatched it slowly. "How long was I unconscious?" she asked, remembering her imagination's trap, how many hours long it seemed like it was. "Five hours." Inara replied as Nafre thanked her while nodding.

Nafre and Eamon turned around, ready to walk away "what are you and the Rulers up to?" Inara asked, interrupting their steps "didn't you already read my mind?" Nafre asked, teasing the druid "I didn't get to dig that far, I got busy with your imagination" Inara stated as Nafre chuckled before tripping on her next steps, dropping on her knees. Onora rushing towards her way, supporting her. "I think she needs to rest" she said as she looked at Inara "we can't let them stay here" said Inara "she is the first one to pass this challenge in many years, do you want her to die too?" asked Onora, forcing Inara to make a decision.

Eamon keeped his distance as the two druids took care of his sister, giving her herbs and keeping her close to a fire. Nafre was asleep, a long awaited rest that she needed.

Onora sat next to him, she didn't speak she only sat there, keeping him company. He turned around to look at her "can I help you?" he asked "Inara managed to read your sister's mind now" she paused "you guys are falling into something deeply dangerous" she added "well, we're going to do it anyway, this demon has got to go." Eamon spoke "demon?" Onora asked "what demon?" "The one we will exorcize" "I didn't know that, Inara mustn't have reached that part of the plan yet." Onora looked at Inara, caressing Nafre's face as she let warm water trail across her cheeks. "Then what were you talking about?" asked Eamon, curious "the Zion part of the plan" said Onora "it is dangerous" "Oh that, I know." he looked down "I mean, your sister hasn't used this kind of sorcery before, maybe it is going to be hard for you two to connect and create that huge thing" she said "yes but, the good thing is that we dont die if we fail the connection, it won't be the non connection that will kill us." "How is that the good thing?" "You didn't let me finish Onora." he paused "if we do make the connection, the demon will certainly die." Eamon smirked "Good point" said Onora "if you need any extra help, know that I will gladly offer it." she stated as she handed him a necklace "wear this and if you need me, I'll know it." she added. Eamon grinned and winked, Onora turned the other way, careful of her feelings.

"Alright, I believe it is time you slept a little" Inara spoke looking at Eamon "here this flower shall help you dream of nice things" she smiled "and please, take care of your sister" she paused looking at Nafre "she has wounds that still haven't been healed" her look a look full of sympathy "do trust that we will help you as Onora said" . Eamon smiled as he took the flower she was offering him, making his way closer to the fire, ready to fall asleep.

"Thank you" he spoke before allowing himself to rest.

"Fuck!" Deimos screamed as he threw things around in the great hall, raging recklessly. "Calm down" said the man sitting on the throne so calmly. "Shut up!" Deimos pointed his finger at him "she survived." said Deimos, his frustration showing clearly. "And?" spoke the man "you think she can take you?" he added scornfully. Deimos frowned in anger "no but, I don't know what they are up to, I just know they survived into the forest." "And how do you know that Deimos?" "I know all of their conditions, wether they're alive or dead, I enchanted the wine they all drank from as I was disguised as Hiero." he stated "Well you have nothing to worry about. We will end them, all of them." said the man "Yes. We will" Deimos paused "but I want them dead already." he clenched his teeth. "Patience friend, just be patient. They'll come to us and they will find their doom" the man grinned in pleasure.

CHAPTER EIGHT :  um yea no

The sun shined, perfectly highlighting the features of the huge castle of Damia. So magical as it is cursed, spoke the maidens that lived there.

Lisa was taking a walk at the royal garden. Fascinated by the beauty of it. "Beautiful isn't it?" a female voice interrupted her thoughts. "Indeed." said Lisa, turning her head to throw a look at Morgana smiling. "You like flowers?" asked Morgana "Flowers, herbs mostly but yes nature in general. Science needs nature to evolve don't you think?" Lisa stated as she smiled slightly, looking at the flowers "couldn't agree more" said Morgana.

Lisa started walking as Morgana followed, the two discussed about the plants they saw in the garden, shared knowledge.

After quite some while, the two of them sat at a bench, looking at the sun and the clouds. Silence accompanied them until Lisa decided to change that "You and Nevan" she spoke "what is going on between you two?" she added, still looking at the sky "Nevan?" asked Morgana, avoiding all about that subject "I've seen the way you look at him" Lisa stated "And because I look at him that means something is going on?" Morgana said quickly "I've also seen the way he looks at you." said Lisa, raising her eyebrows as she looked at Morgana.

Morgana avoided looking at Lisa. "And how exactly does he look at me" she asked "he seems hurt, rather like he is hurting at the time, like a wound is itching and he is fighting with all his strength the urge to touch it" said Lisa "great" Morgana said sardonicaly. "You don't look at him any differently" Lisa teased her, Morgana struggled not to giggle, but she failed. "You're acting worse than Darcy." Morgana spoke sarcastically as Lisa chuckled "really?" she asked "Yes" said Morgana "he is usually the one to just figure things out and then tease you for them" she added "sounds like him from all I've seen" said Lisa "Eh" Morgana exhaled "It's not like anyone has seen much of him." she stated, Lisa looking at her waiting for her next words "he hides. He hides behind that confidence, his jokes, grins and smirks." Morgana added "Yes, so I have noticed" Lisa mumbled as she looked back up at the sky.

"Um excuse us ma'ladies" Nevan's voice was heard, Morgana and Lisa now looking at him "excuse you?" asked Morgana. Him and Christopher standing there in the empty field, shields placed all around as in their hands they held bows and swords. "Are we in your way?" Morgana asked again with a scornful voice. "No" Nevan shook his head, his hand reaching towards Lisa and his other towards Morgana "do you want to practice with us?" he asked as the two women looked at each other, raising one of their eyebrows each while Christopher tried to keep his calm, obviously not agreeing with Nevan's suggestion. "Yes, we'd like to" Lisa stated, hoping to irritate Christopher even more.

The four of them practiced archery, Morgana didn't need to be taught, she knew better than any man in this castle, perhaps in the entire kingdom, not only the bow, her favorite was the sword.

Nevan stood impressed, no matter how many targets he had missed, she always managed to hit them.

Christopher and Lisa stood back and watched. Christopher wasn't as good in archery as he was with a sword or a spear, so he thought he would just watch them. While Lisa had no interest in learning more about the bow she was holding, she decided to observe too. It eventually came to the part where this was no longer just practice but a competition between Nevan and Morgana, of course Morgana won.

"Better luck next time pretty boy" she tossed him her bow as she began to walk away.

Nevan stood speechless, defeated.

Christopher stood behind him and smacked his back, patting it in sympathy "she squashed you, like a bug." he teased him. Nevan frowned, biting his lips "shut up" he said as he chuckled while Christopher laughed out loud.

Morgana sat beside Lisa, enjoying the afternoon breeze. Lisa was looking around scanning the area, she had been doing so ever since they started practicing, looking as though she was searching for something specific, Morgana felt rather curious but then Lisa's words made her behavior clear "Where is Aleksander?" she asked, Morgana wondered for a few seconds "who- oh." she realized, Lisa looking at her waiting for an answer "Darcy said he is busy with some of his paperwork" added Morgana "paperwork?" Lisa paused "what kind of paperwork?" "He is scanning every page of Malachi's diary, hoping to find any clue that can make things easier for us" Morgana said as she looked up towards the direction Darcy's window was.

Lisa looked as well,

never allowing himself to take a rest from thinking, never allowing to show he cares with his words but his very actions show otherwise, she thought to herself.

Morgana observed with the side of her eye, observed how Lisa's gaze changed as she got lost looking at that distant window.

"It is getting kind of late" Christopher spoke to all of them "the two sorcerers are supposed to be back tomorrow morning right? We should be up early, to expect them" he stated. "We need all the rest we can get" said Nevan "I believe we should indeed sleep, but that is not an order. For the moment let's just get inside and settle in our chambers" he suggested as they all agreed.

They all parted their ways not long after.

Each one in their own chambers.

Morning came eventually, it always does.

Eamon and Nafre entered the castle, making their way to the Great Hall, starving.

The four Rulers were expecting them there.

"Before yall say anything" Eamon glanced at all of them as he paused "I want food." he stated, looking directly at the table. Nevan raised his arms pointing at the table "suit yourselves." he said.

The two siblings sat as the Rulers did too. Eamon started to grab and eat before even sitting down. Before he sat down, Darcy looked around, not finding Lisa anywhere in the room. Kenna wasn't there either but she had excused herself a few minutes earlier as she had spilled liquid on her dress and went off to change it.

"I'll go get the medic" said Darcy.

"Oh yes, the herbs are for her to prepare anyway" Nevan stated.

Darcy knocked on Lisa's door, but she did not answer, he shut his eyes as he sighed, not wanting to enter her chamber without her permission first. He opened the door, his brows always frowning, his gaze sort of angry, focused.

Entering the room he found Lisa sitting on a chair in front of the fireplace, a book in her hands, a few more books on the floor, she was asleep. His gaze relaxed when he realized she was in no danger and he began to take some quiet steps, approaching her.

He kneeled down catching one of the books on the floor, taking a look at it "herbs of life" as the title. He took a quick glance at the first few pages, understanding she was reading about biology, science and plants.

He looked up at her before he stood up slowly and quietly. "I think it's time you woke up love" he spoke though she did not hear him. "Lisa" he called out her name, a tone so gentle, keeping his distance, not looking at her "Lisa, love" he paused "time for some fine eggs" he added as she opened her eyes, barely being able to do so, finding him in front of her made her want to act even more moody. "Not now" she mumbled as he turned and looked at her "looks like someone stayed up throwing a book party all night" he said offering her his hand to take, help her get up "lost herself into the warmth of these books, losing her sleep as well" he added, clearly teasing her.

She didn't take his hand, instead she handed him the book she was holding as she stood up rejecting his offer "put that anywhere on the space in those bookshelves there" she said as she pointed, once again leaving the king speechless.

"You know" he spoke "I am a king yet you've never once listened to me, instead you tell me what to do" he paused "you've got me more than just impressed" he continued and she turned her head to look at him. He was standing there, his hands behind his back, his stance proud as always, looking, his gaze a serious one never breaking the contact, never allowing my own eyes to escape, so alluring. Lisa thought to herself.

"I'll take that if you don't" she walked towards him, not only changing the subject but also seizing the book off his hands, taking it to its place. He didn't move an inch, he kept standing there following her movements with his eyes. And as she finished collecting all her books, she stood in front of her door, ready to get out, but then she looked back at him, him who was waiting for her "Shall we?" she spoke, he began to walk towards her as she began to make her way to the Great Hall, he followed.

Eamon ate and he ate and he ate, his movements quick and reckless, all of them looking at him, concerned or rather, shocked. Nafre death-staring at him, waiting for him to get done already, but she knew he had a long way to go before the end. Silence had stretched along with the time not passing as they all observed Eamon. "For God's sake" Nafre pushed his head, smashing it against his plate "there, eat." she said "Now" she looked at the others "where is Lisa" "I'm here" said Lisa, entering the room, approaching the table taking her own seat ; the dark king following just as a dedicated protector, a bodyguard paid to protect her.

Nafre's eyes lingering on the two of them as they sat down, Darcy's plate empty, and him not bothering to fill it but instead filling his wineglass "it's seven in the morning." spoke Christopher "you like eggs in the morning, I like wine" Darcy spoke calmly.

"Anyway" said Nafre "these are the two herbs you asked for" her hands passing Lisa the flowers "thank—," Nevan interrupted Lisa's words "is that blue honey!" he shouted in such clear excitement "yes—" said Nafre but Nevan interrupted her as well "can I try some" the glimpse of excitement not leaving his shiny blue eyes "No, I'm sorry Nevan but no" Nafre replied, almost feeling sorry for doing so; seeing Nevan's heart break through his eyes. Morgana brushed her hand across his back, comforting him.

All of them sat and had breakfast as soon as Kenna joined them. Being very discreet Kenna took a seat next to Nafre, the look in her eyes full of concern and care; Nafre scanned Kenna's eyes as she then smiled slightly at her concerned face, Kenna was quick to turn away; not allowing Nafre to take a look at her now rosy cheeks, not allowing Nafre to grin at her once again. Nafre's eyebrows rose as she turned her sight away from the nervous looking queen as well, focusing on her brother and his dirty face which he still hadn't bothered to clean, Nafre sighed in disappointment.

Eventually they all finished with their own plates, their glasses; full of whatever they had decided to fill them with. They parted their ways, leaving a meeting for the afternoon. One that they would all just be present at the Royal Library, scanning the books; books about magic, the roots of sorcery, demonic power and presence, anything, hoping to find as much help as they could.

That would all happen after the sun would set, for now let's keep it to the present; where the Golden Court was leaving the Great Hall, parting their ways.

Lisa exited the Hall last and as she did so, the minute her steps fell upon the hallway leading to the chambers she began to strode her way to her room, walking faster.

In the Hall, leaned against a column stood Aleksander and as she rushed her way through not even noticing him he called out to her "Wait", she stopped her marching, looked back noticing the dark dressed king, she did not speak, she only moved her brows in a way as if she was asking him what he wanted.

"You seem" he paused "stressed" he added as he scanned her eyes.

She almost sighed; looking at him "I'm fine, Aleksander" she said, ready to walk away.

He interrupted her marching once again "you're not fine, Lisa." he said "wether you tell me what is tormenting you or not, I know you're not fine" he added approaching her, still keeping his distance; careful not to make her feel uncomfortable by his presence.

"What makes you think I'm not fine" she asked looking up to face his face as she took a few more steps getting closer to him. He looked down, allowing her to face him as she wished "Your actions" Aleksander's tone sharp and gentle "My actions?" she asked even after understanding exactly what he meant. "Yes love, your actions, staying up all night, exhausting yourself while learning more about that science you so love, rushing to get back at those books, to exhaust your eyes, again." he paused as he looked away but then his gaze returned upon hers, her heart leapt at the moment. "You feel burdened, you fear that you will mess up and cost us all our lives, you feel pressured, though you will not admit it, for you can't allow yourself to believe that you are doing enough, you are stressing harder and harder, not realizing what you're inflicting upon yourself" he spoke.

Lisa's mouth parted slightly; he saw right through her, her gaze felt weak against his as she held herself from falling apart and she would have been fine if Aleksander kept his mouth shut "Lisa" he said; his tone gentler than before "you are doing enough, you are doing everything perfectly well, but you are not supposed to do this on your own" he paused "allow us to help, to be there" he added, finishing.

In a matter of seconds Lisa drifted closer to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, clinging on him. Aleksander stood perplexed, his hands raised not knowing what to do with them, he hugged her, his right hand going up and down, rubbing her back. Lisa shuddered in his arms, hiding her face on his chest; hiding her tears from him, though Aleksander felt her watery eyes wetting his chest, her warm tears printed against his shirt.

Aleksander placed his right hand on her head, stroking her hair gently. Lisa's breathing slowed down, her body stopped trembling as she melted against the dark-dressed king's body. "You're alright" he whispered to her "everything is going to be fine, you'll be fine." he continued. Lisa's arms held him in a tighter way.

(Part 3, continuing to part 4)

[anakinkinnie]

"Is he alright?" Morgana raised an eyebrow "would you be if your advisor was the only person you trusted and yet turned out to be a demon who wants you and everything you could have possibly ever loved dead, gone, for himself." Eamon spoke awfully quickly yet he was understood, everyone looking at him with their brows raised and their head tilted. Morgana blinked multiple times as she stared at him "how did you know?" she asked. "Eh I connected the dots"

"I'm going to sleep" said Christopher

"And here I thought you were going to a tavern wearing your pajamas" Eamond teased him.

"Fuck you" said Christopher.

Eamon chuckled "now, I'll find my way towards lady Kenna's room" he said as he stretched.

"That's my wife you wanker" Christopher shouted from afar.

"Oh come on" Eamon scoffed.

It was late midnight, outside it rained, the Night was barely passing.

Lisa sat at her bed looking at the fire in the fireplace, enjoying the warmth, lost in her thoughts when a knock on her door made her snap out of it.

She opened the door finding Aleksander standing behind it, his hand on the borders of the door, keeping himself up, he was curled up, leaning down holding his stomach tightly, his gloves spilling blood

"I didn't know where else to go"

Lisa opened the door entirely, allowing the man to enter, lending him some support. He entered the room "close the door" and so she did he rested his back against the door as a groan escaped his mouth.

Lisa froze looking at him that way. She leaned down beside him, trying to support him, get him on her bed. "No" Aleksander said "I'm good here" Lisa's brows narrowed as she took him to her bed, ignoring his whining, the man groaned.

With him allowing it she raised his shirt up "Lay back" she checked his wound, already patched, badly patched. "Asshole" she mumbled "were you too proud to come earlier?" he shook his head "that's not the one I came for, that's an old one" he breathed heavily as he clenched his jaw before he attempted to speak again "no shush, show me don't talk." He raised his shirt from the left side, exposing a huge open wound "Alright I see, the blade was constantly twisting around, this is a fatal injury, if they wanted you dead you'd be dead now" she mumbled to herself not allowing him to hear.

She treated his wound nicely, noticed that he had tried to patch it but the stitches weren't good. She placed a purple colored liquid on it and patched him up after. He had fallen asleep, or rather passed out during the process, she gazed as he laid asleep "what is it that people hate about you so much, I can't see it " she mumbled

She sat on one of the chairs in front of the fireplace, made herself tea. Several minutes later Aleksander opened his eyes, looking at the top of Lisa's bed. His vision blurry and slow for the first few seconds.

He slightly got up, looked around, looked at Lisa sitting on that chair, he stood up slowly, made his way to the other chair.

"How are you feeling?" she asked as she looked at him.

"You have a fireplace in here, nice" he said not looking at her

"Aleksander." he turned around meeting her eyes "how are you feeling?" "Alright" he paused "Thanks to you" "well thanks to my potion, not me" she said sipping from her cup "potion didn't make itself" he stated.

She laughed slightly "how did you get that?" she asked him "Hiero- Well Deimos stabbed me" he answered "wow, he must despise you."

The two started to talk, share stories or just talk, tease each other, joke.

"Why do they call you Darcy?" Lisa asked and the look in her eyes made it clear she really wanted that answer.

"It started off as a joke because I always wore dark colors, mostly black." he smiled slightly, his smile dropping again though "then it came as an insult, for I liked to stay away from lovely stuff as they recall them, because I was quiet and rather distant."

She tilted her head "I think you're fine".

He smiled "you might be the second person to ever call me by my actual name".

She smiled, and her eyes did too.

"What is your story" he asked.

"You know, grew up in Narkissia, became a doctor, got accused of witchcraft and banished in the forest" she said.

"No, not the story everyone knows, the story you want to be known, the part that matters to you."

Lisa's lips parted as she melted slightly.

He looked at her, clueless.

"I have a son, a beautiful great son, Adrian, he is my happiness and I am glad he is happy and not here." she smiled.

"Where is he now?" Aleksander asked

"He is away from here, he is married with a wonderful girl, Aria" she replied.

Aleksander smiled once again and Lisa chuckled . "What?" asked Aleksander "I didn't think you were capable of anything else than smirking and yet here you stand smiling, for the third time in just a few hours" he scoffed as he held himself from smiling while looking away "there it is again" she pointed at him as they both laughed.

Lisa noticed Aleksander's face as he grunted slightly when he stopped laughing "are you alright there?"she asked "yes yes it's just the wound" he said "I know it's the wound, that's why I'm asking Aleksander. " he chuckled slightly.

A little moment of silence, comfortable silence, followed.

"You know" he said "when I knocked on your door and said I didn't know where else to go" she interrupted him "no I  understand, I'm the only medic around" "no" he interrupted her "I didn't have anywhere else to go" he paused "I didn't want to go to anyone else" he stated and Lisa shook her head "they appreciate you Aleksander" she approached him to check his wound once again "you mean more than you think you do" he shook his head "not what I meant" he said as she looked at him with question "I can't find myself trusting anyone else with myself, but you" he looked away avoiding the view of her leaning down towards him, placing more potion on his wound, she looked at him, her gaze softening. He cringed in pain "sorry-" said Lisa "it's okay, it's alright" he assured her as he looked up at her looking at him.

She slowly found herself back to her chair and when she sat they began to talk once again, Lisa eventually fell asleep . Aleksander carried her to her bed, placed the sheets over her, made sure the fire was put out and left, shutting the door behind him slowly.

CHAPTER FIVE : connections

Morning finally arrived and things seemed simpler now, they knew what they were dealing with.

"Who would win in a fist fight." Eamon asked.

"Morgana. Fist fight or with weapons she would squash us like bugs." said Aleksander

"Really?" Eamon asked impressed

"Yes, Morgana is the greatest fighter among us four" Aleksander replied.

"Then why didn't she fight in the front lines the other day?"

"Someone needed to protect the civilians, so we sent the strongest alone"

"You don't say"

The Great Hall's door shut open as a woman entered "where's that shithead." she asked.

"Nafre?" said Aleksander and Eamon at the same time, as they turned to look at each other confused.

"I'm guessing that's Nafre" Lisa said sarcastically

"I think it's Nafre" Christopher went along with the joke.

Nafre looked at Aleksander "Bloody hell what are you doing here?" she asked .

"Then I guess you were calling me a shithead?" asked Eamon.

"Yes." she said "I told you to stop looking for me."

"I did." Eamon lied proudly.

"Yes? Then why did you cast a spell on me, a spell to find your way to me."

Eamon's proud smile fell "that was not me" he lied again.

"Really?" she raised her eyebrow "oh yes I forgot, you're not that strong brother." she teased him and it worked.

He cracked "oh come on, of course it was me" he smirked "who else would want to find you?"

Nevan chuckled as Nafre noticed him too.

"Mind telling me why are there all four of Rulers here?" Nafre asked.

"Mind telling me how you got past the guards?" Christopher asked.

"Nafre has a way with invasions, she is an expert and unless she wants to be seen you won't see her" said Aleksander.

"You know my sister?" Eamon looked at him

"I believe he made that clear when she entered and he said "Nafre" " said Morgana.

"Anyway" said Aleksander "sorry to tell you your guards are dead" he said as he patted Christopher's shoulder.

"First of all don't touch me and second of all" he paused "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE KILLING OF MY GUAR-" "shhhhh" she shushed him quickly "prepare me a bath I have a terrible headache" Christopher stood shocked, a huge continuing gasp followed. "Alright" said Nevan as he pushed Christopher away. "Why are you here?"

"For my brother of course" she said

"Sure you don't want coins?" said Aleksander

"That is in the past you shall forget it"

Nafre said very calmly.

"Did you steal from him too Nafre?" Eamon asked disappointed.

"No." she said

Christopher rubbed his forehead "my castle is filled with sorcerers" he mumbled repeatedly.

"You chanting something darling?" Nafre asked, trying to bother him.

"Now I need a bath" Morgana mumbled to herself.

"How do you know my sister?" Eamon turned to Aleksander. "She invaded my castle two years ago, snuck behind me secretly, placed a knife to my throat and threatened me to give her coins" Aleksander said freakishly calm. "And what did you do?" Eamon asked "gave her coins."

Nafre sat with them, next to her brother as he explained everything to her.

It was a simple day for all of them, less fear, less agony than there usually was.

Lisa approached Aleksander, stood behind him as he was sitting on his chair  "you forgot these yesterday" she handed him over his gloves as she talked lowly, he took them "you washed them?" he whispered "yes I hope that's okay" she whispered back, he turned his head to the side she was standing,  looking up at her as she looked down, his eyes softly gazing into hers. She slightly caressed his shoulder as she walked away.

Nafre raised an eyebrow as she leaned towards her brother to whisper "Lords, is anyone here single?" she chuckled "yes everyone except Christopher" he answered "you really have zero observation" she stated.

"What I don't understand" Nafre added, changing the subject "is why Deimos didn't kill you" she raised her finger pointing at Darcy "I mean he certainly had the opportunity" she raised her eyebrows as she sat, back resting on her chair.

Christopher's eyes narrowed "maybe he wanted to weaken you" he stated.

"No" Darcy spoke "if he wanted to weaken someone he would weaken Morgana, but since he already weakened her" he looked at Morgana's shoulder "the next person he would target would be Eamon or Nafre, but Nafre hadn't even arrived yet." he added

"I am flattered" Nafre spoke cocklily

Confused as she was Morgana spoke "this just doesn't make sense"

Darcy looked down, in his eyes a lost spark as his jaw clenched slightly.

"Yes, the next strongest person would be me" Christopher bragged, pride leading his mind.

Nevan scoffed.

"Maybe he wanted to make us get in an argument" said Eamon "argue about who is the strongest so that he could make our team fall apart" he raised his eyebrows repeatedly.

"You know" Nafre turned looking his way "you seem a lot more clever when you're not talking. Keep it that way." She smiled a smile of disappointment.

"Team" Christopher spoke, barely clear words but an exhale as he scoffed.

Nevan began to speak, changing the subject once again "we will need someone to exorcize the demon once we defeat him" he implied "or rather, exorcize the demon to defeat him" he blinked multiple times, his eyebrows raised, tired from all the thinking.

"I swear to God, if you bring another one of those" Christopher pointed at the sorcerers in the room "in my castle then I'm out"

"Oh please bring another one" Nafre sarcastically begged Nevan.

"I could help with that" a female voice not heard before, was now heard, all of them turning towards Christopher's way, looking at his left.

"She speaks" Nafre clearly teased.

Christopher looked at his wife, utterly terrified what does she mean by that , he thought to himself.

"You can exorcize demons?" Morgana asked worried for Kenna's sake.

"Well this is the kind of" with the corner of her eye she glanced at her husband "sorcery" she spoke with a burden leaving her lungs "my parents taught me to use"

Kenna spoke and along with the burden she carried, Christopher fell too, a thud echoing into the room, everyone turning towards the direction the sound came, finding Christopher's chair empty, him laying on the floor.

"Fantastic" said Darcy

"You don't say" Nafre smirked in satisfaction as she saw him this way.

"You're a sorcerer?" asked Nevan

"Didn't she just say that" Morgana stated as she awaited for Nevan to put his mind to work.

"Yes you're right" Nevan nodded.

Darcy snapped out of his thoughts once again "so we have what we need, we take him down, free the lost souls of our people" he spoke, seeming as if he was in a rush.

"Yes but in order for her to exorcize him we will need to fight and weaken him as much possible" Morgana implied as she grabbed her glass of wine.

Nafre scoffed "me and Eamon can use a spell, restrict his activity and him in a room, this way she can exorcize him as she stands outside the room, where she will be safe" she stated, with question in her words yet confidence in her eyes "there is no guarantee this will work though"

"We shall try" stated Morgana "we will try to weaken him any other way if that doesn't work" she added

"We will also need some of Lisa's potions for this" said Eamon.

"You will need medicine?" Morgana spoke clearly curious.

"Lisa is not just a medic" said Darcy "she is a scientist" he added "her potions are far more than just medicine" he kept speaking as his eyes never left the sight of his glass.

"Yes" said Eamon "Lisa's potion will amplify and bind Nafre's and my powers, so that we can do the restriction spell"

"Plus" Nafre interrupted her brother "we will use another potion, just in case we need to make the demon weaker" she finished.

"There is no guarantee the potion will work on the demon though" said Lisa "unless you're suggesting we blend it with some magic" she stated

"Yes, that's exactly what we're suggesting" Nafre spoke "thank God you're a catcher" she patted Lisa's back.

"What will you need to create the potions?" Nevan asked.

"I have a list" said Lisa "the location these herbs grow, is in Nandor" she added.

"Nothing as sweet as a visit home huh sister" Eamon looked at his sister.

"I can't believe I'm going there again" Nafre sighed as Eamon broke into laughing.

Christopher stood up "this is unbelievable" he stated "how many?" his eyes kept flinching as he was freaking out "how many sorcerers? My castle." he shivered "my wife" he put his hand on his chest as he dropped on the floor once again.

"Does he do that a lot?" Nafre asked pointing at him as her left eyebrow rose.

"Nope" said Eamon

"Perhaps you irritate him" Nevan said pointing at Nafre as he kept looking at Christopher with question

"Please, he is irritated by all of us" Lisa raised her brows, speaking with a tone as sharp as a blade.

"No not just us" Kenna stated "everything irritates him"

"Then he should be on the floor twenty four hours a day" Nafre rolled her eyes "might as well do us the favor of" she flicked her tongue and placed her finger in front of her neck, as she implied he would just die

"Nafre." Eamon spoke "please, behave" he spoke with audacity.

Morgana sat enjoying the show "council is dismissed" she said "once Nafre and Eamon are back, we begin."

Darcy got up first, making his way to his chamber rather quick, in a rush as he was.

Then followed the others, slowly marching towards their own chamber. Nevan carrying Christopher in his.

Kenna heading to the royal stables, escorting the two sorcerers before they would take the road that led home.

"Shall you get any of the horse's killed" said Kenna "I'll have your heads on sticks" she continued ironically but she was serious.

"You can have my head anywhere" Eamon winked. The Queen sighed slightly

"Behave." Nafre glared into her Brother's eyes, demanding him. "Your horses will be returned safe" she assured Kenna as she smiled making Nafre's cheeks slightly turn red.

Eamon observed as he hopped on his horse "oh man" he scoffed.

The two siblings began to ride fast, ready to face anything that could make their road difficult.

The sun began to set, Nevan walking through the corridors, making his way towards Morgana's room.

He knocked as he kept looking around awkwardly, the door in front of him opened as Morgana looked at him curiously.

"Nevan?" she spoke

"Hi" he smiled "I um" he made awkward movements "brought this" he raised his hand holding a little bottle filled with dark green liquid "some potion Lisa gave me" he smiled "for your shoulder" he looked at her shoulder as he said the word.

Morgana smiled "come in" she said and as he entered she closed the door behind him.

"Can you untie this?" She looked at the new cloth she had put on yesterday.

"Sure" he said approaching her

He gently,cautiously removed the cloth, making sure her body wouldn't even flinch from any kind of pain. She turned around looking at his eyes "thank you", her vocals loud yet soft. He nodded as he smiled.

She distanced herself placing the potion on her wound . "Looks much better than the first day" Nevan stated "yes" said Morgana "Lisa is indeed an excellent medic" she continued "you were right about her" "I know" said Nevan "I had to make sure the best of healers would come to us" he added "you made a great decision" she stated "I had to" he paused "you were injured" he said as he approached "allow me." he raised his hand holding a new, cleaner cloth, she nodded allowing him to wrap the cloth around her wound, the warmth of his skin making her blood flow quicker, her skin shiver in excitement.

"I miss you" said Nevan "I miss your touch,I miss your smile against my lips" his eyes and voice full of pain. "I miss you too" she said "but we can't" she added. "I know" he said "I know." he smiled, her hand barely rubbed his as she distanced herself.

"Rest well" he spoke "goodnight my lady" he exited the room as Morgana smiled with pain.

Nevan closed the door on his way out, taking a huge breath in. Outside he found Christopher waiting for him, judgment in his eyes.

"Nevan what were you doing in there" he asked.

"I delivered her a potion, helped her with her wound" Nevan answered

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. This matter has been over, for many years now" Nevan began to walk, Christopher walked alongside him. "I hope for your sake that's true" he said.

"It is true Christopher" said Nevan "you don't have to worry about it"

"I don't worry about it" he paused "I worry about your kingdoms. What will happen if you two get involved?"

"I told you, it's over" said Nevan

Christopher nodded. His sight fell upon Lisa stroding through the halls, he narrowed his eyes but he couldn't care less about where she was headed.

"You shall get married soon" Christopher spoke to Nevan.

"What?" Nevan asked as he stopped walking.

"You heard me" Christopher's face formed an expression, one that awaited for Nevan to see how logical Christopher thought to be.

Nevan shook his head slightly as he chuckled "why get married?"

"Well you must get married sometime" Christopher said as he smiled "don't you think that as a king you shall?"

"Well" Nevan spoke "Darcy is not married, same goes for Morgana."

"First of all, I'm sure there are no volunteers for Darcy." he stated "As for Morgana, she should get married too"

"Yeah well. We still have time" said Nevan as he started walking, faster than he did before.

"Wait" Christopher whispered "wait for me moron!" he whispered louder.

Lisa knocked on Aleksander's door as he shouted "come in" , Lisa opened the door, finding Aleksander sat on the chair behind his desk, papers spread all over it, his head rested on his hand that lied against the hand of the chair, his other hand holding a silver cup that stank of wine, a scent filling the entire room. Perhaps what smelled was Aleksander himself.

"May I help you?" he spoke as he took a sip.

She approached him, taking a look at all the papers on his desk, pages of Malachi's diary, pages of magic books.

Lisa narrowed her eyes "what is it" she paused "what has been bothering you"

He opened his mouth but she interrupted him "and don't tell me about the "I'm fine" bullshit." she snapped as he stood up approaching her "something has been bothering you ever since that demon appeared, you were okay for a while but then there it is again, you're all fake smiles and fake confidence. " he stood in front of her his eyes avoiding hers.

He took a folded paper out of his pocket, unfolding it he showed it to her "does this remind you of someone?" he asked showing her the sketch on the paper. Her eyebrows narrowed as she looked at the sketch "looks like" she paused as she looked at him "you" , her vocals unsure of what she had said. "My thoughts exactly" he said as he gave her the paper, her look confused, clearly confused, she held the paper looking at it her eyes scanning it.

"Apparently Malachi had a liking for drawing, sketching." Aleksander said before he sipped from his glass. "And that thing you're looking at" he paused "is a sketch of Deimos" he raised his eyebrows and shook his head as his voice cracked from pain.

"Is this from Malachi's diary?" she asked as she stopped looking at the drawing, focusing on Aleksander standing behind it.

"Yes" he said.

"And what are you implying?" she asked, suspecting where this was going.

"My mother" he began to speak "she died giving birth to me. My father kept telling me that she was a healthy woman and she had died because of me, that I wasn't supposed to be born" Lisa's gaze softened "I never understood what he meant until a few days ago" "Deimos is your father" said Lisa "that's what you understood?" Aleksander raised his hands up "Bingo" he said as wine fell on the floor.

Lisa's gaze turned into an angry one as she tore the page into pieces. She then approached him, Aleksander stood perplexed, his brows narrowed. "Do you seriously think that it matters who your father is?" she spoke "do you think that will determine who you are Aleksander?" words kept flowing "those thoughts of yours are as good as an arrow meant to go right through your chest." she placed her finger on the left side of his chest, aiming at his heart. "Do you believe that's why he kept you alive? That he is planning to do something with you?" she paused "you are the one who determines who you are."

"Stop it" he said as he withdrawed slightly.

"You're alive, that's what matters, not why."

He seized her hand tenderly, wary not to harm her in any way "Enough" he spoke with a weak tone, looking down into her eyes, his sight lifeless, sorrowful. "I never said I was not fine" he said in a sardonic way.

Lisa saw right through him, he was not okay and there was nothing she could do, that's what she thought.

On the other side of the long hall Nevan entered his room completely ignoring Christopher's puppy behavior as he followed him around.

Nevan shut the door closed behind him, taking his long jacket off, as he unbuttoned his shirt while feeling uneasy he sat at the chair behind his desk.

The fire of the fireplace already heating up the room, waiting for him to find comfort in it.

He rested back throwing his head behind, leering at the ceiling, a mind full of thoughts, a heart full of choices.

Snapping out of it he sat straight, looking at the folded documents he had waiting for him on the right side of his desk.

Christopher's words made him feel troubled.

"What is it with everyone telling me to get married." Nevan spoke to himself as if he was waiting for an actual answer.

Nevan thought about his mother how she would always tell him to find himself a queen, to seal his future. Nevan always scoffed and chuckled at her words, ignoring them. Now she could be gone, or perhaps she was somewhere safe, but there was no guarantee he would see her again.

He began to scroll through the folders full of paintings of women and their info, deals for marriage.

Never before, even as he was meditative, the thought of marriage never even crossed his mind. However his mother's absence along with Christopher's sayings and the fact he and Morgana had no future together made him reconsider.

He fancied thinking about himself as his wife rode with him, as she ate with him sharing her thoughts, embracing her through the entire night as they laid gazing at the fireplace as a fire cracked in the tiled grate. Who he found himself thinking though about was Morgana.

Nevan began to daydream, look back at the times he had to sneak in and out Morgana's room, the rush that filled his veins, his beating heart barely holding on for dear life.That's how much he loved her, dangerously.

Morgana and Nevan got evolved with each other when they were teenagers, they lasted until two years ago at the age of 22 each.

Marrying each other would mean their kingdoms would collide, that would not seem the best for their people as one of the two kingdoms would eventually fade or be rather abandoned.

Nevan rubbed his forehead, throwing the files away, slighty pushing the desk away as a feeling of injustice filled his lungs up.

Walking towards the wine cellars he stood outside Morgana's chamber, fighting the urge to knock on her door. He stood there gloomy, he felt tense after he finally continued his way.

He eventually found himself in the wine cellar, regret consumed him even so he grabbed three of the finest bottles and then he headed back to his chamber, laying on his bed awake all night.

"Kenna is interesting"  Eamon spoke teasing his sister as he rode, chewing the edge of a long, little stick as he rode.

Nafre ignored his comment, not giving any sign that she heard him, ignoring him successfully. Eamon chuckled "what is more interesting is the disease you'll catch because of that filthy stick you hold in your mouth." she said smoothly, sharply as Eamon allowed the stick to drop on the floor displeased as he was.

"When we arrive" Nafre said as she laid a look at the stick they were leaving behind "we will not be paying any visits to any, and I underline the world any, relatives." she finished. Eamon scoffed as he rolled his eyes while he slightly grinned.

The siblings arrived at the village around midnight, they left their horses to rest as they decided to rent a cabin.

"One or two beds?" spoke the tall gray looking man behind the reception desk. "Two." they both replied awfully quickly, the man raised an eyebrow "oh" he paused "we only got rooms with one" , Nafre threw a heavy sack of golden coins on the desk, glazing at the man expressionless. "We can do something about that-" Nafre interrupted him "just take the money and give us the keys" she demanded.

He immediately handed them the keys allowing them to walk away. Eamon leaned towards his sister as they headed towards the hall leading to the cabins "what just happened?" he asked purely confused. "He saw how much we did not want to share a bed, so he thought he would make some money out of that fact." said Nafre.

At the same time at the palace, two of the four Rulers rested as the one drunk through the whole night and the other sat thinking about anything that could drag his mind away from reality.

Nevan drank and he drank, until the three bottles of his were left with not even a single drop of liquid in them. He found himself in his bed, managed to sleep without even realizing it.

Aleksander sat on his chair, sipping from his glass, little by little, drop after drop. Lisa watched distressed, she refused to leave him knowing his mind was that troubled.

Aleksander never allowed what occupied him to occupy others, he never let his personal thoughts be a problem to anyone else, he barely even shared his joy.

Seeing him in that position made her quiver, he showed her weakness, he allowed her near his blind spots. Though she knew for certain there was no way he would have opened up if he wasn't drunk. She did hope though, she hoped he would remember this moments tomorrow.

"Aleksander" she spoke softly "you need to rest" she added.

He didn't even care to stand up, obvious to her that he was dizzy, despite him standing confidently and his movements being smooth, his eyes glowed a powerful glimpse.

Lisa crossed the room, made her way to the desk taking the glass from his hands, holding it. "Now let's go" she spoke as he looked at her unmoved, unimpressed. "It's time for sleep" she pointed at his bed "thanks Lisa" he spoke "but I can make my own decisions, for myself" he rested against the chair "can you now?" she asked raising an eyebrow "now remind me" she placed her pointing finger on her chin, tapping it "is it you who decides whether you are drunk or not, or is it the amount of alcohol you have consumed?" she continued. "well I do decide how much I drink" he paused "so.." he grinned as she scoffed.

He took grip of the wine bottle as she raised her left eyebrow judging him "well" she approached him once again "you can have this" she raised the wineglass she was holding, presenting it to him "if you give me that" with her other hand she pointed at the bottle. "Now why would that benefit me?" his brows he raised "It's about manners" Lisa slightly tilted her head "what kind of a king are you?" she said scornfully. He froze from surprise, how clever, how cunning she was. "Fine" he said "just a glass is fine for me" he added.

He handed her the bottle and as she put her grip around it she downed the drink in the glass, leaving him with an empty glass, Aleksander's jaw slightly dropping. "There you go, just a glass , for you my king ."

And just like that she walked away, taking all the alcohol away from him and his poor, tortured stomach. Aleksander watching mesmerized by her actions and movement.

He eventually allowed himself to rest into the cold, comfy sheets.

On the other side of the huge Land, Elios had fallen in the hands of evil. The castle and the area around it was surrounded and filled with darkness. A dark gray atmosphere making the aura sorrowful, menacing.

CHAPTER SIX : uneasy

"You're late, Deimos." a man's voice, an alluring tone echoed in the dark abandoned, ruined Great Hall. "It's been days since your visit to our four little Rulers."

Deimos had just entered the room.

"I needed to feed" said Deimos as arrogance was noticeable in his tone "besides, casting such a powerful illusion spell was not that easy" he continued as he approached, throwing a glaze towards the throne the other man sat.

"Illusion spell?" the man raised his eyebrows "please, you just had to turn some corpses into elves." he spoke as he smiled deviously.

"I had to find the corpses and bring them to a half alive stage first." Deimos spoke proudly of his achievement "not that I care if you understand that" he added.

"It's been three hundred years Deimos. I think I do understand" the man rested against the throne, putting his one leg above the other.

Deimos scoffed before he chuckled "you don't understand shit, boy. There is nothing that our kind has in common, thus there is no way you can understand the power, the dark sorcery I hold in my hands." he said

"There is" the man spoke "there is more than one thing that our kinds have in common."

"Oh really? And what are those things?" asked Deimos, certain the man would not have any answers.

"Sex. For starters." the man spoke as Deimo's proud face dropped and displeasure and spite took its place "you like sex do you not?" the man ironically frowned as he tilted his head "I mean you did have it with a.. mortal was it?" the man's irony kept flowing as he kept on being scathing towards the demon "oh yes, Queen Yaminah. May she rest in peace."

Deimos stared at the man, unmoved. "Funny." he spoke with a tone so lifeless. The man laughed, a long lasting laugh showing his emotions as he left a breath of pleasure, relief at the end. "But except the act of love, the desire for powerful, pretty women, we have one more thing in common" his face serious out of a sudden "revenge." hatred in his eyes for a split second, spite in his tone as he said the last word.

Deimos still stood there, not caring about the man's sayings, though he knew he was right.

"And how did you feed?" the man decided to change the subject. "You know, the easiest way" Deimos paused "used spiders, they make humans so terrified." he added as the man's face cringed slightly "how I hate spiders." he spoke. "I'll feed off you next time" "I said I hate them, not that I fear them." "Yes yes, whatever you say."

In Nandor things were beginning to look brighter, as the sun was setting, making the beautiful view of the flowers spread in the village even more magical.

"For God's sake wake up" said Nafre with a tone annoyed as she threw water on her brother's face, Eamon jumped awake shaking his head quickly. Nafre watched as she judged him, questioning if they were truly siblings. Eamon looked at her in pure shock and offended "I've been calling your name and shaking you for twenty fucking minutes now. You wouldn't wake up." she spoke as she walked away, already ready for the road, Eamon looked outside calmly, noticed that the sun was still rising, his eyes flicked open "It's 6 in the bloody morning!" he whined loudly, throwing his pillow on his face, laying back.

"Get up lazyass" said Nafre gathering her stuff. "Nah" Eamon practically hissed "I am not asking" Nafre stated, still not looking at him "five more minutes Nafre." he tried convincing her, but as soon as she looked at him he immediately stood up.

"I gathered your stuff already, now we just have to leave" said Nafre , "you gathered my stuff? Then why didn't you allow me the pleasure to sleep a bit more?" he asked raising his hands "what part of we have to go do I need to explain to you?" she turned to look at him "where are we going, why do we have to go so early?" he asked as she blinked multiple times, hoping he would have understood her question was a rhetorical one, "well first of all, where we are going we need it to be day. Secondly and most importantly we are in a middle of a crisis so any time we can save we shall do so." she answered anyway.

He narrowed his eyes "where are we going?" he asked "in the enchanted forest." she replied emotionless as she prepared her weapons "in the enchan-" Eamon shook his head as he blinked uncontrollably "Nafre. We didn't even go there when we were young and foolish, it is dangerous." he stated "you still are a fool, I still am young" she kept answering him, expressionless. "I am younger than you." he implied "well I look younger than you."

And so the two siblings began to make their way towards the little forest into the Nandor village.

As the sun rose higher, the people at Damia started their days too.

Aleksander woke up before anyone else, he went outside to practice his sword skills, his stamina, his endurance first thing in the morning. He then sank his body in warm water, finding relief.

Christopher and Kenna were the first to make it to the Great Hall, before breakfast was served. Christopher kept his distance ever since Kenna announced her secret, he still hadn't spoken to her ever since, the two of them slept in separate chambers.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" asked Kenna

Christopher merely turned his head her way as he clenched his jaw.

"Why is it so bad that I am a sorcerer?" Kenna spoke as she narrowed her eyes.

"You know damn well how I feel about sorcerers Kenna." Christopher spoke "you knew, even before we got together. Yet you deceived me. You kept deceiving me all this time." Christopher looked at her

"I could not choose what my parents taught me as a child, as soon as I got with you I never once lifted a finger towards magic's way." Kenna snapped.

"Why does that matter?" Christopher asked

"It shows that I cared for you." said Kenna

"It shows how you didn't" Christopher thought he had corrected her.

Kenna tilted her head "it is not your fault Christopher" she paused "it is not your fault that you were taught magic is vile, but that is not true. There will come a day where you will understand that." she continued.

Christopher just looked away, ignoring her sayings.

Lisa entered the room, breaking the awful awkward silence. She looked at them curiosity hosted in her eyes before she finally took a seat.

Morgana and Darcy came at the same time, they had met while walking in the hallway. Morgana seems fresh, she must have slept a good long sleep. Aleksander looks fresh himself, though his eyes give it away that his sleep was a terrible one. Thought Lisa as she observed everyone.

"Where the hell is Nevan?" Christopher asked as breakfast had already been served. "That boy. So irresponsible." he added.

"Maybe something happened to him" Darcy stated calmly yet in an sarcastic way.

"he never misses any meals" Lisa spoke, her tone even more sardonic than Aleksander's.

"I'll go check" said Morgana as she stood up quickly, walking out of the room.

Christopher rubbed his forehead as he kept mumbling to himself how stupid everyone was.

Morgana rushed through the halls, curiosity crossing her mind. She burst Nevan's door open as she entered calmly.

She scoffed as she found him asleep on his bed, bottles of wine on the floor, his desk, near his bed. She approached him slowly, her hand she raised towards his way as she felt the urge to gently shake him awake, though she didn't give in.

At the moment she felt some sort of anger towards him, a sense of disappointment perhaps. She smacked the back of his head with her palm as he raised his head quickly. He turned and looked at her in great question, his eyes narrowed. "Morning." said Morgana "..Morning" Nevan replied as he stood up holding the back of his head, Morgana raised her left brow "what is it?" she asked obviously teasing him, the fact she was mad was noticeable. "Nice way to wake up" Nevan faked a smile as he put his thumb up, Morgana grinned.

"You're late for breakfast" she spoke

"What??" Nevan made neurotic, quick movement making his need for food obvious.

"Relax." Morgana interrupted his panicking "the food will still be there when you get ready. It's not going anywhere" she continued.

Nevan formed a slight pout "are you alright?" he asked.

"I am alright" she looked at him "are you?"

"Yes I think I am" he rubbed his nape

"Really?" she asked as she crossed her arms, looking at the bottle right next to his bed "then the drinks did a great job" she stated judging him, very clearly.

Nevan's jaw dropped in realization as he followed her gaze. She caught him looking, her eyes staring directly at his face, making him nervous. Her face emotionless, empty, or rather angry but he could tell only by her eyes.

"I just wanted to drink, really I'm okay" he smiled as he removed his hand from his nape. "I'm sorry" his vocals so innocent.

His smile, his words, making her gaze soften, her whole expression lighten up. "Go grab a piece of clothing and we are going for breakfast" she spoke not too softly but gently as he realized he was missing a shirt.

"Will you" he paused "wait for me?".

Morgana blinked quite a few times "sure" she said.

"Thank you" he said smiling.

Morgana proceeded to smile back "I'll be right there" she pointed at the side of the room where the desk was "but don't take too long, I'm hungry."

Nevan nodded.

On the desk as Morgana awaited for him to dress her eye got caught up on the papers spread on it. The marriage applications covering at least half of the desk. Her eyebrows frowned as she scanned the information.

(End of part 2, continuing)

[anakinkinnie]

CHAPTER ONE : Land of Diora

Once upon a time there was a land, a huge land. A land stuck between war and injustice. A land stuck in years and years of cruel, ongoing War .

The Land knew peace, such few years of peace in hundreds of years of War. For the land was cursed ever since it had been created, ever since its founders were alive.

It all started hundreds of years ago, when four siblings made the decision to rule their broken land, create a better one, for all humans all around the world.

Elio, Damia, Narkissa and Malachi were children of the Queen and King of the Land, the Diora family line was one of sorcerers, though they were obliged to never use magic as they would be considered heretics and that for the royal family was a huge deal, the family had given up practicing witchcraft for centuries now. The Land used to be unknown, such an unknown Land only its people knew it existed, the fact that the living conditions in the Land where terrible thus is no surprise.

Once their parents passed during war, the four siblings all together led their Land to victory against the rebels. Once the war was over, they worked together for the greatest condition of the Land.

They separated the huge Land in four. The part with the most lakes, water that was flowing along with the clearest coast was given to Elios. Responsibility for the greenest part was now Damia. Narkissa took the biggest part, though that was only fair since no important qualities had been held there, for the important quality was the civilians that were so many. Malachi's part was the warmest one, the one near the Volcano. They named the land Diora , like their family's name, and each part of the Land took their names, as they were the founders.

Many years of peace followed until things weren't as pleasing to everyone anymore.

The Volcano wasn't the one to erupt, Malachi on the other side felt left out, didn't feel like he was done justice. Malachi was about to erupt and the eruption would be much worse than any volcano's.

One night Malachi found himself wandering in his castle's library, finding his mother's sorcery books. Soon enough he took it to the dark catacombs under his castle , there he summoned the Devil and made a deal with him. To whomever stands in his way , shall also be his feed.

Malachi started a War against his siblings, driven by hate, arrogance and jealousy he took his sister's, Narkissa's life first, leaving her grown up children alone as he also cruely murdered their father. Elios and Damia fought bravely and well, War continued for the next two years.

The two siblings captured their brother, imprisoned him and put an end to his life . Malachi was twisted, his mind was shattered and driven only by cold emotions they thought.

Malachi after his passing left behind a loving pregnant wife. As his siblings already had children of their own, the youngest being sixteen years old , Malachi didn't get the chance to meet his own child.

War continued, the men of the Malachi kingdom wanted to clear Malachi's name, justice for his action.

Malachi's wife Ilta, wanted blood, she wanted revenge. But she couldn't take it, she couldn't bare to put her son's life through the hell of war, so she decided to sacrifice herself for the sake of peace.

Ilta asked for a meeting with the Golden Court, which would now be Damia and Elios.

Ilta fell down on her knees asking them and her soldiers to stop this war , her men froze and so did Elios and Damia, she offered her life,herself as an apology, an exemplication of regret so that peace could flow again.

Elios and Damia agreed to her terms, they took her life in the main square, burned her alive and stated as a rule that no grudges shall be heard against the Malachi kingdom.

Ilta's death did a great job, peaceful years followed, at least no War was held against the parts within Diora . Malachi, Damia, Narkissia and Elios were now four peaceful pieces of lands , and Diora finally found the sources to be a known great Land .

A hundred of years had passed and still there was not another War to disturb the peace the Queen of Malachi had brought. Though there was always a slight discrimination towards the Malachi people, people called them heretics, always rather feared them. Still the lands were united and that is what mattered.

Four generations after, a great misfortune hit on Diora's door. War, once again found its way into Diora's life. A neighboring country wanted the land of Diora and its magical sights, its great amount of green, the crystal clear shiny water, the endless kilometers of pure, free, empty land.

"My lord" a soldier's tired, hungry for breath voice was heard as he entered the Great Hall "the enemy has moved past us, we could not hold them anymore" the soldier caught his breath.

"Call for the members of the Golden Court" the king demanded ."Call for a meeting, here in Narkissia."

               And so everything began.

CHAPTER TWO : ambushed.

In the Great Hall, at the high table, there sat three of the four members of the Golden Court, descendants of the four founder siblings, rulers of one of each four parts of the Land.

"Shall we get started" said Morgana, Queen of the Elios kingdom.

"Await now,Morgana" spoke Nevan , Ruler of Narkissia. "We're not all gathered yet." he added.

"You invited him?" Christopher, king of Damia, snapped.

"Darcy is coming?" Morgana asked surprised.

"I did invite him" Elios stated "if he comes, that is another matter". he paused "and his name is not Darcy"

"Why?" asked Christopher.

"Because he wasn't named Darcy-"

Christopher interrupted him. "No. I mean why did you invite him"

"He has the right to be invited" Morgana implied

"He has every right" Nevan corrected.

"He is not to be trusted" Christopher got comfortable in his seat "No Malachi villager is to be trusted"

"that was three hundred years ago Christopher" said Morgana "just because Malachi went crazy, doesn't mean every Malachian will as well. Besides, the Queen made sure to make that clear." she finished.

"Darcy has been distant all these years, out of all the kings after Malachi's era, he is the creepiest" Christopher whispered as if he was telling a secret.

"The creepiest?" Morgana asked surprised

"Yes" Christopher replied quickly "we call him Darcy for fuck's sakes"

"Have you met him?" Nevan asked raising his eyebrows

"No" Christopher answered

"Then shut it" Nevan jokingly said "can we stop about Darcy now? It's not like this is the biggest deal that occurs us" he continued.

"Oh by all means" a man's voice echoed in the room "I love hearing me stuff, please continue" he ironically spoke as he walked towards his empty seat.

"Darcy" Christopher sighed, clearly annoyed.

The man sat himself down. And the four of them started discussing about the situation, about the fact they were now in danger after all those years.

"My general brought information, the enemy has invaded" Nevan paused as he pointed on the map "here, Malachi's side. They're getting closer to the castle everyday"

"I have noticed" Darcy stated "though their actions are strange"

"what do you mean?" Morgana asked.

"They have passed the country's border quite for some time now" he paused "but no action has been put against my kingdom, and their scouts seem to be getting lesser and lesser everyday" he put his gloved hand on the map and pointed at the area around his kingdom . "Besides their camp is headed five yards straight away from our main gates" his look, a thinking look

"What is it?" asked Nevan.

"This just doesn't add up" Darcy said "it is as if" he paused "it is intentional" Morgana and Darcy said at the same time.

Christopher's eyebrows narrowed

"They have no reason to invade Malachi, since there is nothing they could win from it, the only thing they will find is civilians, a Volcano and gold. But you don't intend to start a War for just some gold. They intentionally made it look as if they are going to invade Malachi, they want to confuse us, it's an ambush." Morgana said "isn't that what you mean?" she turned towards Darcy's way as he nodded.

"So what are they trying to do?" Christopher asked.

Darcy looked at the window in distance as a light flinched into the room. "Get down!" He shouted kicking the table down, placing it in front of him and the rest of the Rulers.

An arrow hit the window, breaking it. A loud sound of glass breaking and landing on the floor filled the room.

The Rulers stood in shock, calm but in shock .

"They didn't want to invade Malachi, because they wanted to invade Narkissia" Morgana said. Nevan stood up slowly as a few more arrows found their way in "they have defeated my troops" he stated loosing a bit of his cool at the end of the phrase. "Nevan" Morgana spoke "we need to get out of here" she added "you have to keep calm, show us the way. We're gonna fix this" she placed her hand on his shoulder.

Nevan nodded as Christopher supported him, Nevan showing them the way to the underground roads of the castle, leading to an emergency exit through the caves.

They were running, rushing their way towards the stairs to get down, as an arrow flew through the corridor window making its way right across Morgana's shoulder, scratching it deeply.

Nevan dragged her beside him as he kept running in the front, covering her from being a possible target with his own body.

Eventually they reached the underground chambers, reached the caves.

They stopped to take a few breaths.

"Does anyone else except you know about this caves?" Christopher asked Nevan

"No, it is only me who knows" Nevan assured them

Christopher had a moment of relaxation. They all did, Darcy stood calmly, his back rested against a wall, his arms crossed. "We're gonna need a medic" he spoke and Morgana looked at him "A medic?" Christopher said "do you think we can just get a medic?" he continued "Look at what just happened" "will you stop" Morgana said "No let him" Darcy calmly spoke

"What's this about?" Nevan asked, looking confused towards Christopher's way "It's not like he said anything bad, he just implied we need a Medic, for Morgana for starters" he stated "why is the fact he said that so bad?"

Christopher's face formed anger and question, as if he was waiting for Nevan to understand something so simple , Nevan still stood clueless.

"Really Nevan?" Christopher said as he slowly got up from sitting, resting on the floor "he gets here late for God knows what reason, which by the way I can think of plenty. He explains us his theories, which were correct" he put his fingers up saying the word ironically "Surprisingly" . Christopher took a few more steps towards Nevan's way, raising his hand, pointing at Darcy "what if he ambushed us"

Nevan stood silent but his eyebrows narrowed. "That is nonsense, why would he be working with the enemy."

"I didn't say he is working with the enemy Nevan" Christopher quickly responded "what if he, like his ancestor snapped and wants everything for himself now? With or without the enemy's help." He put a dot

Darcy sat back, looked as if he enjoyed the accusations. "Do you really trust him Nevan?" Christopher asked "Morgana?" He turned towards Morgana's way, looking at her. "Ever since we were children, we three did meet, this is the first time ever that he joins us, on anything. " he paused "how can we even know that's Darcy and not an enemy, all we know about his looks is that big painting we haven't even seen since it is in his castle."

Nevan scanned Darcy, almost cracking by Christopher's accusations. "We can't judge him" said Nevan . "Nevan-" Christopher spoke defeated "Enough" said Morgana calmly, gesturing Christopher to stop, he nodded.

"We will need a medic" Nevan spoke after a few minutes of awkward silence, breaking it. "My medic is certainly dead, if not kept captive. Considering the tower they attacked as from were his chambers." Nevan breathed a breath full of stress.

"We need a great medic" Darcy stated "One so good,not only to help with Morgana's wound, but with any kind of wound we might be receiving" he approached the rest of them "this is war we are talking about, we will need the best. Not only of a medic"

Nevan nodded "first we need to get to one of the other villages" he paused "not at Malachi since the enemy is camping there"

"Can't go to Elios either, it is the most exposed since the biggest coast is there." said Morgana. "So we're going to Damia" said Christopher.

"It's settled then" said Nevan "about the medic" he added "There is this woman I know, lives in a forest south from here, close to Elios. She is the best medic in the records of Narkissia, perhaps the most skilled medic in Diora" "You are not seriously suggesting the witch?" Christopher interrupted "there is no proof she is a witch." Nevan snapped calmly "There were accusations, so I banished her". "Sorcery is illegal, a crime. You should have killed her" said Christopher "I could not do that, there was no valid proof and as a king I refuse to kill just for exemplication." Christopher nodded "I understand. But sorcery hasn't led us anywhere good in the past" he said "Lords." Darcy smirked slightly "such an obsession with Malachi's past you have" he paused "I could swear you're an admirer." he mocked as Christopher's face formed annoyance once again. Morgana sighed at the sight of the two arguing men as she distanced herself checking her wound.

"So this medic" Darcy began to ignore Christopher's presence "how do we get to her? What's the plan?" , Nevan approached "I was thinking, Christopher and Morgana should start heading towards Damia first thing in the morning. Considering Morgana is injured and Christopher is the king. Now, about the medic, can you find her and bring her to Damia?" asked Nevan looking at Darcy "Sure if I get the instructions" "Great. I will escord you to the stables when you leave, but I will be going to the village right before the forest, I will bring something useful myself."

Christopher approached Nevan as Darcy made his way towards Morgana.

As he approached, not getting too close, he raised his hand towards her way, handing her a cloth, she looked at his hand holding the cloth then looked at his eyes, surprised as if he was the last person she expected to see, she took the cloth. Unsure of her next actions, as he was walking away "could you" her voice making his steps stop "help me with this?" she pointed at the cloth. He looked at the cloth and then at her "I am not good with these" he stated "I am sure Nevan can help" , Morgana's cheeks flashed slight red as Darcy walked away and Nevan approached confused.

"Can I help you?" he asked, his eyes now getting caught on her wound. He slowly took the cloth from her hand and wrapped it around the deep scratch "this is gonna hurt a little" he tied it up, tightly, in order to stop the constant blood loss.

Morgana turned around, facing Nevan, looking up into his eyes. "Oh for fucks sake" Christopher stood behind them, his tone so annoyed. "Why are you always whining" said Morgana, Christopher ignored her.

A long night followed until the sun finally rose.

CHAPTER THREE : hidden cards

Early morning, the sky still multicolored, Christopher and Morgana started to march their way towards Damia. Nevan and Darcy made their own way to the royal stables, where they took separate ways.

"There you are my girl" said Darcy as he caressed his horse's head. Nevan found his own horse and the two men began to ride their ways.

As the man rode, Nevan's words echoed in his head. Ride deeply into the south, across the dark forest, passing the three magical waterfalls of Narkissia, through the abandoned village, into the next forest. There you'll find one and only one wooden house kept in good condition, surrounded by a big beautiful garden. There, she lives there.

The man left his horse and walked towards the wooden house with the fence, he entered the yard with the big garden and made his way towards the door. Night had fallen, light came from inside the house, he knocked and waited. The door opened, a woman stood surprised yet with fear in her eyes behind it "Lisa Tepes?" asked Darcy, the woman nodded confused "May I know who's asking?" she raised her eyebrows in a sassy way "Aleksander. Might know me as" he paused "Darcy, Ruler of Diora" he looked towards the direction of his kingdom. The woman's eyes hosted fear once again, he noticed "I need your help, we need your help" he said. "You and who else?" "Nevan sent me." "Nevan?" "He says you're the best doctor this land has ever had, and so I have heard myself", Lisa dragged him into her house and before he could make a sound she shushed him.

"Where are you witchling" a loud male shout came from outside "you can't hide from me much longer" the man kept shouting deep into the forest. Aleksander looked confused, Lisa looked worried, stressed. She put off every candle, made the place dark.

She dragged Aleksander closer to her "please, do not make a sound." she asked, but was actually demanding.

"Oh would you look at that!" Another male voice, deeper this time shouted. "Look at this horse!" he added, Aleksander clenched his jaw. "Bloody whore got herself a visitor" the other man yelled "who been boning you sweetheart?" he kept yelling as both of them laughed. Aleksander gently tossed the woman away from him as he exited the house. Lisa stood watching his movements, until she couldn't since he was in the dark. Screams and cries filled the area, echoed in the forest. Aleksander entered the woman's house, a resting expression yet his eyes angry.

"We're leaving now" he offered his hand for her to take "I did not agree to come with you" she spoke "you are not staying here" said Aleksander "whether you work with us or not, I am not gonna allow you to live like this" Lisa looking at him with curiosity .

She hesitated but took his hand, he helped her up his horse, he then started to march it , Lisa looked at him isn't he gonna get on the horse? Her sight insisting, not leaving the view of the dark dressed king.

Meanwhile, Nevan lucky as he was, found himself in the little village named Nandor, as night had fallen and midnight was close.

He entered the tavern right across the main square. His cloak and hood on, avoiding being a possible target for any thieves.

Nevan sat at the bar, putting his hand in his pocket, the man at the bar awaited for his order, the king tossed a little bag full of shiny golden coins and the man's eyes flicked open "tell Eamon to come out." the king demanded and the man obeyed  pathetically quickly.

Not many minutes later, a freakishly tall shredded pale man, sat next to Nevan. Nevan passed him a letter . The man began to read, keeping his calm, not reacting, not attracting any attention.

"And you accept sorcery?" asked Eamon "we are gonna need all of the best." Nevan looked at the man "and besides that, you're the most trustworthy person I've ever met Eamon. We could afford loyalty." the man sipped from his cup full of stinking beer, Nevan waited for his answer "I don't know man" Eamon shook his head biting his lip "when are we leaving?" Nevan chuckled and pat the man's back.

The two men rode, towards Damia.

One horse for each .

"To Damia?" asked Eamon

"Yes." replied Nevan "I believe we have a plan"

"You have a plan?" he teased "I didn't know you could think."

Nevan once again chuckled "well" he paused "I don't have a plan, Morgana does."

"Phew. Her I can trust with plans." Eamon laughed. "How have you been my lord?" he then asked.

"Busy. What about you Eamon?"

"You know, on the run, constantly moving from village to village, town to town. It's not easy being a sorcerer."

"Your parents?"

"Dead."

"Oh" he slowed down "and your sister?"

"Still looking for her."

"It's been three years, still no luck?"

"No but I know she is alive."

"Sibling connection or something?"

"No, magic." Eamon smirked

"You'll find her. I believe you will." Nevan smiled .

As far away Nevan and Eamon were from Damia, Aleksander and Lisa were twice as far.

Aleksander held his horse close, making their way through the forest, slowly and with caution. He glanced over at Lisa, who looked barely able to stay awake. Aleksander made the horse stop, Lisa looking at him confused "Are you intending to spend the night here?" She raised her eyebrows, he wouldn't answer as he was looking around scanning the place, paying close attention. "Of course deaf guy, tough guy. These two go together."

He turned around, hopped on the horse sitting behind her. "Lay back. Rest against my body" he said, serious. ???I do what now? Rest against what?? . He began to ride "you need rest and there is no way I'm stopping until we reach a safe spot" he looked at her as she turned her head to look at him. "What about you?" she asked "Vampires sleep during the day." "What??" "I'm joking" he chuckled as he spoke, an annoyed pout appeared on her face. "Idiot" "I am your king Lisa" he raised his brows "I am banished, Aleksander." his eyes switched from teasing to clearly surprised, and as she noticed her eyebrows narrowed. "Sleep now" he changed the subject looking away. How great. He is either joking or being grumpy, serious all the time.

Not long after, Lisa had fallen asleep, her back resting against Aleksander's front, his hands supporting her from the sides as he held on to the horse's ties.

Nevan and Eamon arrived at Damia first and quickly, they raced their way there, purely out of boredom and impatience.

Aleksander arrived with Lisa the same day, but unlike Nevan, he arrived at noon.

Christopher and Morgana had already arrived, the very same day they left. Morgana settled in her own chamber.

The three Rulers along with the sorcerer awaited for the fourth and the medic at the Great Hall of Damia's castle.

"Took you long enough" said Christopher "she bewitched your ass to be late?" he teased annoyed, once again.

"She is not a witch" said Darcy

"Can you prove that?"

"Why must everyone that is better than you be a sorcerer?" Christopher slightly gasped at Darcy's words

"Aaaalright" Nevan interrupted them. "I believe we have more important matters to discuss"

"Yes, like who the hell is that man?" Christopher asked looking at Eamon

"He is a great friend, fighter and a sorcerer" Nevan answered.

"Oh no take him out of here, Christopher is allergic to sorcerers" Darcy spoke.

"Then why don't we take you and that witch out" Christopher snapped back.

"shut it" said Morgana, referring to the both of them.

"I like her" said Eamon

"Off limits" Darcy said while pointing at Nevan as Eamon gasped.

Lisa watched terrifically confused and worried. These are Diora's Rulers? .

"Morgana what is your plan?" Nevan asked.

"We fight" said Morgana.

"With what?" Christopher began to speak "we can't just put our soldiers in danger, while we don't even know who the enemy is." he stated.

"He is, surprisingly right" spoke Darcy "the enemy is not carrying any kind of a flag, a sign, literally anything. Not on their ships, not on their shields."

"We can't just wait for them to attack us" said Morgana "that's exactly how we will lose."

"I did not say we are going to sit back and watch Morgana." said Christopher "I simply said, we can't risk our armies." he paused "We can risk ourselves"

"Are you insane?" Nevan's voice cracked "and leave your kingdom without its King?"

"There is a solution in between" Darcy implied. "We can't risk the lives of our people, since for starters we don't even know who we're dealing with. We can find out though, with the little help of something named Spying." he added.

"And how exactly is that solution an in between one?" asked Morgana.

"We will be spying on them, not our soldiers." Darcy spoke seriously.

Everyone in the room looking at him, their heads tilted in question. "Ay and then you say I'm nuts." Christopher said ignoring his statement. "What do you think Morgana?" Nevan asked. "We need defenses around the perimeter" she paused "I'll need some more time. And if anyone comes up with a not so risky plan, please share it."

Morgana's movements were slow, she saw black dots everywhere, her skin paler than usual. She began to make her way towards her chamber, before she lost control of her feet and fell, Darcy made his way there quickly, catching her before she could hit the floor. "I think it's time you met that Medic, love"

He carried her to her chamber, placing her on her bed. Nevan stood beside her the whole time, not leaving her side.

"Who tied this here?" Lisa asked looking at the cloth tied around Morgana's arm. "I" Nevan spoke nervously "I did" he smiled, Lisa's face formed pitty as she untied it, Nevan stood confused"Did I not tie it tight enough?". Lisa bit her lips awkwardly "no it was tight enough" she paused "but you're supposed to tie it, up from her wound, not on the wound" she opened her mouth to speak but Nevan interrupted her "Gods, I am so so so freaking sorry" he looked at Morgana, "Honey it's alright, she'll be fine. I'll take care of it." Lisa placed her hand on his shoulder "while you" she paused "stay away from wine for now on. Go rest a bit". Nevan nodded, drunk as he was he obeyed rather quickly, made his way to his chamber.

Lisa cleaned Morgana's wound, everything she needed was in the little bag she was carrying, every kind of herb she might need, she always carried it with her.

Morgana fell asleep not long after her treatment. She slept peacefully as Lisa gathered her stuff. Aleksander stood behind Lisa as he raised his hand, keys dangling from it. Lisa turned around sort of annoyed, or so she wanted him think. "What." she asked with a calm, tired, yet sharp tone. "Your chamber." he spoke as he handed her the keys.

Already walking away her voice made his steps stop "where you watching?" she asked.

"Yes." he stood not turning around, waiting to take another step.

"You don't trust me at all do you?" her tone still sharp.

"Yes."

Hurt by his answer, she managed to hide it.

As she began to walk towards her own chamber slowly.

Morning seemed like it took too long to reach. Everyone at the high table, getting their breakfast served.

"Cousin didn't even care to show up" Christopher whined as he always did. "Did you make your decision?" he added looking at Morgana and Nevan,

Nevan and Morgana stood silent.

"Decision?" Eamon asked "what decision?"

Christopher's face cringed as Eamon spoke. Eamon noticed, obviously.

"I trust him" said Morgana, Christopher's eyes flicked open. "I do too" said Nevan "he did come back with the medic I asked him to bring. He didn't run, why should we not trust him Christopher" he added. Lisa's eyebrows narrowed in anger as more words slipped out of Christopher's mouth "he is always absent." Christopher's tone louder "even in simple things, he is absent" he calmed down, resting against the head of his chair.

Silence filled the room. The door shut open.

"My lord!" A man entered running, falling on his knees as he caught his breath "My lord." he breathed in and out quickly as he looked at the three Rulers, the medic and the sorcerer sitting at the high table, realizing Darcy wasn't there. They all looked at him confused. "Where.. Where is lord Darcy?" . Nevan and Eamon stood up heading straight to the man, Eamon offering some water. "Your king is in his chamber" Nevan answered "I'll have him here in no time sir" .

"Hiero?" Darcy's voice was heard in the room "What are you doing here?", Hiero stood up slowly, an old looking man, built like a bear, tall and shredded as Eamon was. "They invaded Malachi, sire." Darcy looked away, the man kept talking but Darcy heard nothing, all he could hear was sound of words he couldn't even recognize, the room started spinning for a few seconds. "dead" was the last word that came out of Hiero's mouth, the only other word Darcy heard as he snapped back to reality. He put his gloved hand on Hiero's shoulder "go" Darcy said "take my seat, have some breakfast." he demanded his advisor.

Hiero did sit there, served himself breakfast.

Nevan approached Darcy "who is that" Nevan whispered into his ear.

"That is my advisor." Darcy replied "he must be around 350 years old" he added.

"what??" Nevan asked clearly shocked.

"He has been the advisor of the Malachi royal family ever since Malachi's reign, he first was the advisor of Malachi's son, Eden Diora. He is a sorcerer, though he only uses sorcery to remain in life." Darcy paused "and yes, he has never used magic for any other kind of activity. Have my word for it" he finished. "I believe you Darcy" Nevan assured him. "Now if you will excuse me, I'll be in my chamber" Darcy said as he walked away, once again isolating himself.

CHAPTER FOUR : Dread and the dead

That night the palace got attacked.

No one was ready, soldiers screamed, died and many more fleed. Christopher struggled in the first lines, alongside Nevan and Aleksander. Morgana, Lisa and Eamon, helped not only the children but all the civilians flee to the underground base of the castle.

"Elves?" Nevan asked as he rode his horse defensing the entry of the castle.

"Bloody Elves and Bloody sorcerers" Aleksander said as he rode alongside him "of course they didn't use a flag"

The men fought bravely, a long couple of days passed and they managed to win against the attackers, managed to buy time until the next one.

The Rulers gathered for a meeting once again.

"Why would the elves want a war against us?" Nevan asked. "Why do elves exist?" Eamon asked confused. "I thought the only supernatural thing to exist where sorcerers." he added "Elves are not supernatural" Morgana stated "but, why are they working with sorcerers? What could they gain from this?" all of them looked at Darcy, waiting for him to say something, figure things out as he always does. Darcy stood silent as he was all those few last days, his sight insisting on looking at the empty table, not even paying attention to what the others were saying. Worry, or rather curiosity took over them all, even Christopher.

"I believe this is about the lands" Darcy began to speak "elves,sorcerers, both magical creatures, the Land of Diora is a magical land, each four parts have their own quality, a magical land for magical people." he spoke, his sight not leaving the table, still lost "Elves recently lost a war against the druids, the druids kicked the elves out, thus they lost their own land, had to find a new one, what more perfect than Diora, the land magic was born in before it was named Diora." Darcy put the dot quickly.

The people at the high table blinked multiple times "Thus the elves finally got the boost they needed to conquer a new land, after all those years of War between them and the druids for the sake of their Land Avyanna and who will finally claim it, now they're claiming our land" Morgana spoke, making everything Darcy said a bit more clear. "It's settled then" said Nevan "We fight."

The Rulers agreed to fight and war once again, made its way towards the beautiful cursed kingdom.

Nevan, Morgana, Christopher, Hiero and Eamon emptied the room. Aleksander remained in his seat, lost as he had been during the whole meeting. As soon as the others left he started to rub his head with his gloved hand. "Bloody hell" he mumbled rubbing his forehead . "You sure seem alright" Lisa's voice striked Aleksander's ears, making him look at her and after one glance he avoided doing so again, ignoring her presence. "What is it that has been bothering you?" she asked as she approached him, keeping her distance. "Nothing" he replied calmly, "you've been isolating yourself for days Aleksander" she paused "what's the reason behind this behavior?" "I just feel odd, that's it." "Well," she pulled a chair, sat next to him "I'm a doctor, helping you when you're feeling odd is kind of what I do"

Aleksander looked at her, she had a way, she made him want to open up, she was like a miracle, how she always kept the kindness behind her sassy words.

"I am fine Lisa"he stood up "what about you?" he asked "this is not a daily chit-chat Aleksander" Lisa looked at him with compassion in her eyes "you're not well, and I don't mean physically." "I'll be fine" he quickly stated.

The sun rose once again, no surprises yet.

Aleksander went for a ride first thing in the morning, scanning the area for any sort of unpleasant surprises. There he realized something quite interesting.

He called for a meeting, his advisor suggested him not to, said his idea is rather crazy and the others might think of him as a lunatic. Aleksander ignored the suggestion.

"Dead" he said "we are dealing with the dead." "What?" Christopher asked "I went for a ride, noticed that every corpse of the enemy, looks rather rotted, entirely rotted, especially next to the our soldier's corpses." Darcy spoke "That's crazy. Dead elves?" Eamon asked confused "we were not dealing with elves in the first place" as these words were spoken everyone in the room was entirely confused, except Morgana. "Right. The elves just lost a war, lost their kingdom, they were kicked out of their kingdom not from the entire land. They could easily just conquer another kingdom there, at least until they could gather their forces again, which would take time. Why would they sail and risk everything against Diora who is fully supplied while they are missing main forces?" she said "Exactly." said Darcy. "Fancy. The annoying version is back" said Christopher "but his annoyance is forgiven since he is saving our butts right now, right Christopher?" Nevan looked at him. "..Right" said Christopher.

"Yeah but how did we see elves fighting against us?" asked Nevan "Could be poison, that made us hallucinate." said Christopher. "No, and we hallucinated the exact same thing? I don't think so" said Morgana. "Sorcery" said Darcy "it could be sorcery" . "Yes but why? Why would someone want us to imagine fighting elves as we're fighting a dead army?" Nevan asked. "To occupy you" everyone turned to look at Lisa as she spoke. "You don't have the right to speak, dear." Christopher stated. "She has every right" Darcy snapped back at him, calmly. "Please go on" said Morgana as she looked at Lisa. "I believe they want to occupy you, so that they keep you away from their actual plan" the medic spoke and Nevan nodded "right" he said "they have been acting right under our noses, so obvious and we couldn't even realize it" he added . "Mindgames certainly have a huge power." Christopher said as he sat on his chair. "Mind" Darcy chuckled at Christopher's words.

The Council was dismissed and everyone took their separate ways, in their chambers, until they had a new clue about the enemy.

"You did a great job today sire" said Hiero as he stood behind his king, Aleksander attempted to smile as he took his cloak off, throwing it on his bed. "I was worried they would take you as crazy" the man continued "I'm glad they did not" the man finished as he smiled. "I could not have done it without your help Hiero" said Aleksander "you were the one to tell me to go for a ride, ease my mind" he continued as he took one of his gloves off "I certainly did" said Hiero as he once again stood behind him, Aleksander turned around, patted the advisor's shoulder with his gloved hand "that was my mistake" Hiero added as he ran a knife blade in Aleksander's stomach.

Aleksander's eyes flicked open as he held the man's hand, trying to prevent it from getting deeper "I will not make any mistake. Not again" the advisor spoke with spite, his words cutting deeper than the blade. "You'll not catch me, little Aleksander, I have lived too long for you to ruin my plans." "Guards!" Aleksander shouted. "piece of shit" the man spoke playfully before his appearance changed completely.

"Hiero?" Aleksander struggled.

The guards along with Nevan entered the room shutting the door open. Before them a young looking pale man, surrounded by a dark black aura, gutting one of the Rulers.

The man looked at them before he scoffed, "looks like I've got to go" he paused "oh and, call me Deimos." he disappeared before the guards reached him.

Aleksander's jaw clenched as he pulled the knife out, with his hand covering his wound as he stood up slowly.

"Darcy!" Nevan rushed towards his way "we need the medic!" he shouted "No." Aleksander pushed him away "Meeting. In Five minutes." he demanded and Nevan couldn't bare to do anything but nod.

"What is taking him sooo long" Christopher whined.

"It's not easy to patch yourself up you know" said Morgana.

Lisa looked at them confused, not having the smallest clue about what had happened, not her and not Eamon either.

Aleksander entered the room, made his way to the high table. He threw a book on the table, a book already opened in a specific page. "What.. is that?" said Eamon looking at the pages. Aleksander was quick to respond "We're dealing with a demon" Christopher gasped as everyone stood shocked "Deimos. Deimos, meaning dread, was considered as a Saint, a Protector of the weak, while really he absorbed their fear, fed from it, once people put their minds to work, they realized he was the one to cause them fear in the first place, so in the books of dark magic he is the one said to create it. Deimos existed far before the creation of Diora, he created dark magic, but he is not that strong anymore since people know his weakness,  to not be afraid. "

"Wow" Nevan exclaimed

"What could a demon want from us?"Eamon asked.

"Obviously he is causing chaos feeding off of our fear, people's fear" Morgana stated.

"No" Aleksander said "I believe that Deimos is the demon Malachi summoned when he decided to start the war."

"Do you have any evidence on that?" Christopher asked

Aleksander raised his hand, in which he held a diary. "Yes since I found Malachi's diary in Hiero's hand bag." He tossed the diary on the table.

"Is that why you kept us waiting for thirty minutes?" Christopher's voice cracked "you were reading this?"

Aleksander looked at him, blank stare. "Deimos was a demon the parents of our first Rulers had sealed away, in hell" "he just snobbed me?" Christopher said, Aleksander kept going "Malachi knew, since he got his mother's books, along with her diary. So he summoned Deimos and made a deal with him. Deimos could feed from the souls of the dead Malachi left behind and when Malachi would rule all four kingdoms, Deimos would be feared once again and after Malachi's passing of old age, after all his ruling years, Deimos would be the Ruler of Diora. After that Deimos would be freed entirely from the demon world, he would be an immortal sorcerer."

"what a selfish bastard that Malachi was." Eamon said. "Wow" Nevan exclaimed once again. Morgana looking at him with her eyebrow raised, she turned to Aleksander "so Deimos wants to reign and then be entirely free?" she asked " I think he wants to be alive again and for that to happen he would have to sacrifice every single soul in this land." he said "to regain all his power" Eamon said putting the dots together understanding what the dark dressed king was saying "because Malachi didn't win the war, Deimos is still not free, now I get it!" Eamon continued with passion and excitement.

"You do realize you're probably the one to exorcize him right?" Lisa looked at Eamon raising her eyebrows in a sassy way, Eamon's smile dropped.

"So we exorcize him?" Nevan asked

"Yes." said Aleksander

"Oh man" Eamon scoffed. Aleksander chuckled "relax, you won't have to lift a finger" he patted Eamon's shoulder "good." Eamon said "can we go to sleep now? Cause like you kinda ruined mine with your shouting.. oh and why were you shouting?" he continued "Eamon, go to sleep" Aleksander walked away heading to his chamber.

(continuing)

[anakinkinnie]

CHAPTER ONE : new beginnings

   A week was about to pass right just after Ares' death . Cleopatra still hadn't mummified her partners body , denial didn't allow her to .

  She would wait for him to wake up one day and as she is enjoying the view of the front yard from her window he would wrap his hands around her leaving a gentle kiss on her shoulder .

   She was waiting for something she knew

                     was not possible .

  She wouldn't allow anyone see his corpse , not even herself . His body was slowly rotting in his chamber , or at least that's what she thought .

  Ares' corpse had been taken away , by the second day after his passing . Sekhmet , The Godess of Chaos had decided to give Ares the chance of immortality , the chance of living with or rather for the gods of Egypt .

               "would you look at that?

she spoke as she laid eyes on the warrior's

                             corpse .

               "what a loss to humanity."

                           she added

  His body she grabbed and she took with   

          her to the other mighty Gods.

    

      And that is where everything began

                 Or rather , continued .

CHAPTER TWO : Deal and bargain

"What is that." Ra , the godess of the sun spoke , almost in a disgusted and confused tone as she pointed to the warrior's corpse lying next to the godess of Chaos .

Sekhmet was standing in the center of a circle , at the judgment place the God's owned .

Ma'at , the godess of truth and justice raised her hand as a gesture for Ra to wait , to be patient "First things first" Ma'at spoke "why did you wish for this meeting" she continued as her hand she put down and Ra raised her left eyebrow , slighty smirking with amusement . "What is it that you wish to judge , Sekhmet?" Ma'at continued .

Sekhmet stood in front of the corpse , she smirked and looked around glancing around , looking at all the Gods . They all stood senseless , as if they didn't care but Sekhmet could smell the worry filling their godly lungs .

        "Look at what humanity has lost"

Sekhmet started to talk , as if she was doing a presentation , as if she was putting on a great show . Her hands moving around as she also did , a smirk , a cunning smirk never leaving her lips .

        "A Great Great Warrior" she said

"The kind to slaughter hundreds only having himself " she kept going as passion was now visible in the way she talked . " a weapon , a miraculous machine , a horrifying soldier . " she stopped and stood looking down at the lifeless body , her smirk growing "wouldn't it be a shame to let this one" she leaned down on her knees , her nail caressing his cheek "go to waste?" her voice tone grew more cunning .

              "I like where this is going"

      Ra sat back and enjoyed the event .

      "What are you suggesting" Isis ,

        the godess of magic , spoke.

"It's simple . Why don't we use him , his talent , to our advantage . Use him as our guardian , a messenger , guardian of the temples when they need the help , our soldier when we need him , a boy , a man of chores ." The godess of Chaos stood up.

"Are you suggesting we use him as our slave ." Nepthys , the godess of Harmony and peace , was now heard in the room .

The gods turned to look at her and then look back at Sekhmet , waiting for more answers .

                 Sekhmet stood silent.

"Are you? Suggesting that ?" Ma'at asked

     "No . Of course not" Sekhmet spoke  

  "Working for us is an honor , not slavery."

"Still we can't trust our work to a human"

Seth , the God of War spoke ."He won't be a human if we bring him back." Isis said. "My point is not what he will be but what he once was" Seth snapped "do you think this weakling will deal with the cruel errands we will put him through gladly ?" he stopped . The Gods all mumbled , he is right , he is not wrong , he was a human.

"Enough" all heads turned to look at Ra

"We all have been really busy ever since Osiris became king of Hell , that is understandable since we need to adjust to the new circumstances and all the new information , thus , Sekhmet's idea is a great idea for us to help the greater evil become lesser ." Ra implied .

Ma'at glanced around the room "Any objections?" she Raised the gavel . "No? Then we shall move forward." Ma'at striked the desk with the gavel . "Sekhmet , godess of chaos , your suggestion has been accepted. Ares of Calix and Morana , the dark knight of the Mediterranean and terror of Romans , is now devoted to exist as an immortal , guardian of humans , protector of the weak , tool of justice , messenger to the gods of the ennead ." Ma'at spoke as she wrote everything down on her papyrus , sealing the deal.

Ares' body floated in the air , raised as he was resurrected by the power of Osiris . Gold bright colors surrounded his naked corpse , and a light tracing over his body as his bruises disappeared and his body healed . On his back there grew wings , big white feathery wings , his body now surrounded by clothes . The Gods were not impressed , they were Gods after all , what is there to be impressed about .

Sekhmet's smirk slowly began to fade as she walked out of the room "oh the Chaos I'm about to witness" Sekhmet mumbled to herself with amusement .

CHAPTER THREE : ummmm

The days were passing , Ares did his duty , he wasn't a slave , he wouldn't accept to be treated as one .

Ares wasn't happy , nothing could ever let him be happy , except , Cleopatra .

He found himself wishing she'd find a lover and that he himself wasn't her true love as the poets often said . He wanted her to be happy , forget every single detail about him , every single moment . He'd wish she would find him in someone new .

Cleopatra wasn't happy , for months she avoided public places as much as she could , it was hard , considering she was a queen and she had to put her people above everything . She began to play with Mark , hopefully , she thought , this way she would forget . It all started with Mark as an advantage to her kingdom , but Gods know what kind of magic Antony had in his hands , that he made Cleopatra eventually fall for him .

Ares watched , he always watched when she was alone . He watched her when she would smile while looking at the wall , when she had her papers spread on her desk , all the papyrus she had to read . He watched her when she sat at her window and gazed around admiring Egypt . He watched as she still sat at her window and tears began to drop , he would send her one of his feathers as she cried , trying to let her know she wasn't alone , she would catch the feathers and each time she would think she was insane for thinking those mean something .

Ares was happy , knowing she found love again , his wish had been granted , she had found happiness in another .

During the times he spent with the gods , the one that he bonded with the most was Nepthys , she was like an opposite of his , she would keep him sane and calm . For Ares had one weakness , Isis . Ever since he saw her he was never able to get Cleopatra's image out of his shattered mind . Cleopatra looked incredibly much like her , their characters were also similar . Ares knew how much Cleopatra admired Isis , and that fact did help in forming his weakness . He could never say no to her , no matter the danger , if he betrayed her it would feel as though he had betrayed Cleopatra .

Osiris observed from the underworld and he did not fancy looking at the young Warrior looking at his previous partner like that . Simply Osiris loathed Ares .

   The days were passing and everything

               passed along with them .

One cold Night Ares found himself in the drinking room . He emptied every bottle that stinked of alcohol , until he himself smelled like a full one . Time wasn't moving , but nothing bad was happening either . Ares felt alone , he was alone .

He was on the floor , he sat back  , his wings disappearing as his back touched the wall , his head doing the same . He closed his eyes embracing the odd kind of warmth that the walls held .

Memories , so many memories flashing through his mind,  one by one , seconds , few seconds of each capture of Cleopatra's smile , her hands tracing on his body,  caressing his scars , caressing his lips , kissing his lips , her hand holding his , her lips , her lips on his forehead , her lips on his cheek , her body laying asleep next to his , embraced by his . All of which made Ares , unable to control that ridiculous urge to softly grinn .

"What could you be thinking about now" Ares found Isis' figure as he turned around .

She approached him slowly , sitting right next to him .

Ares didn't speak , he barely even looked at her as soon as he realized who she was .  He couldn't bare to do so , he would crack .

"Rough day?" Isis said , noticing how he completely , entirely , avoided any kind of contact with her . Her eyebrows narrowed as the look of pure sympathy she hosted in her eyes . With her hand she reached for his shoulder affectionately stroking him . He closed his eyes , clenching his jaw as he shook his head slightly , worry and confusion took over Isis , she tilted her head to the side . "Leave me" he spoke lowly , not opening his eyes , not giving rest to his clenching jaw "Are you not okay?" she gently said.

                       "Please Leave"

                 he quickly responded .

"What is it dear?" Isis spoke with a tone so soft . "Talk to me" she dragged her hand away giving him a proper amount of space . Ares stood up slowly , making movements that made the fact he was drunk perfectly clear . He softened his grip on the bottle and let it hit the ground , the sound of breaking glass echoed in the room . Ares took a slight deeper breath as he began to walk away , Isis stood up following his lead , keeping her distance , only behind him , making sure he doesn't end up on the floor . Ares' steps got faster as soon as he found himself in the long corridor , Isis always on his back , rather quite a few steps behind .

"Ares" Isis tried keeping her steps slow and smooth "Ares slow down." she demanded . "You're gonna get yourself hurt" she continued "Ares I'm not asking . I'm demanding." she implied .

Ares' steps had now stopped , he stood there for several seconds before he turned around walking towards Isis' way . Looking down , not allowing his sight to meet the view of the goddess standing right in front of him . She tilted her head in confusion "you really obeyed?" she asked , before she could take another breath , Ares wrapped his hands around her waist , pulling her into an act of embrace . Isis froze before the decision to hold him back was made .

From the depths of his heart , from the depth of hevean and hell , Ares craved for this , he wanted this , he needed this . Ares had missed  this .

He had missed Cleopatra .

Isis knew . She knew everything , she just wanted him to share his pain , make him feel better .

Osiris didn't like that , he didn't like anything about Ares , from the very first moment , he had started to loath him and now he wanted him gone .

CHAPTER FOUR : rise of the fall

Days and Days passed , Ares was looking over Cleopatra , he would wish for her success , though she didn't really need it , she was a genius and she sure was strong enough to achieve anything she wanted to .

Cleopatra would get annoyed at Mark quite easily from time to time . She would feel anger more often , not because Antony was bringing her anger , but because she felt melancholic . Mark managed to help her with that just by being there , offering her a shoulder to cry on , Ares was glad , Ares was happy , Ares was gracious , thankful for Cleopatra's stable mental health .

One hot evening Cleopatra sat under the stary sky , gazing up at them . Her hands touched the ground , she felt the warmth radiating from it , an oddly relaxing shiver travelled across her skin as soon as she made contact with a cold stone, reminding her of the way her past lover's hands felt.

Ares watched in mere confusion as Cleopatra smiled with her eyes shut  . "does he make her that happy?" he thought to himself and he smiled , he softly smiled .

Little did he know .

Ares had to leave , his duty , was now calling for him , the blood of the innocent had been shedd once again and Ares had to take care of that .

Every single day that passed made Ares lose a little bit more of contact with his Queen , he would be away for longer , he got busier and all that made sense since there was another civil war between the Romans . Antony and Octavian , had officially started a war over the full leadership of Rome .

A few days , a few deaths and Ares could see how hard it was getting for Antony to win this war " strongest man in the world . That's what you called yourself Mark." he mumbled under his breath as he observed Mark and his desperation taking over him .

     But that is war . War is cruel , unfair ,     

               ruthless . War is despair .

Cleopatra and Antony did work alongside each other , it was certain that Cleopatra wanted her lover to win this war , not only for her sake but also for his own .

Everything was going fine , that's what Mark thought , for Octavian had plans Mark couldn't even see coming in his nightmares .

Maybe Antony was being all cocky . Or maybe , he was trying to keep his army calm and safe , away from those foolish negative thoughts .

Unfortunately , the rise of the Golden Roman era , was soon gonna be over for Mark , but not for Rome . But let's not rush things , yet .

Things were clearly getting worse , but then they got better , hope for Mark , there was so much potential at that point until there wasn't. 

           Ares watched , he disobeyed

                      and he watched .

Cleopatra was getting worse and worse , she would distance herself from the gatherings , or rather , she'd be a lot more quiet . Ares noticed as he always did , she was sad , she was tired , she looked like a flower in great need of the sun , not on the outside but on the inside , he could see the exhaust in her eyes , she was sick of war , she lived her whole life fighting and now she saw everything going downhill .

      Her condition , was getting worse .

Ares didn't hesitate as he soon called for a meeting at the court of the ennead . He had a suggestion that he needed the Gods to hear , no matter how foolish it might have seemed as a suggestion  he didn't care , he wanted to be heard .

"What did you call us for angel?" Ra asked

Ares smirked as he glanced around the room , filled with the mighty Gods of Egypt .

"Surprised that Gods heard my calling" Ares raised an eyebrow "and they actually showed up too " he continued .

" Your point?" Ma'at asked.

"Oh I've just missed this image" Ares smiled sarcastically "reminds me of our first meeting" he looked over at Sekhmet "I do remember even though I was dead half of the time" he finished .

"You Mad? honey?" Sekhmet said

"No" he shook his head "thanks to you I've got wings" .

Ma'at coughed ironically "may we know why we're here Ares?" . " I have a suggestion , an offer , a deal , for you mighty ones" he said . "We're all ears" Ma'at implied .

"I ask , for something simple yet , something,  that cannot just be given away , but you are Gods , for you it is as simple as a snap of your fingers . I ask for nothing else but happiness . " Ares stood there with his face expressionless . Everyone started looking around at each other , with confusion , lots of confusion.

"I am asking you , mighty ones , to allow the Queen of Egypt to live a long , happy life ."

"I like where this is going" Ra mumbled .

Ma'at approached Ares "what is it that you're trying to say Ares?" , "I want you , to let happiness stay in Cleopatra's life" He didn't move an inch , always stood , his head high , his stance proud , his face serious .

"You know very well her happiness is not

               up to us" Seth implied .

  "We both know that's a lie" Ares snapped.

    "Sure , you can't just bring happiness"

                          he paused

  "but you sure can prevent misfortune. "

                           he stated

            "can't you ? Mighty ones ?"

A moment of complete silence followed

              

"You expect us to give her good fortune , just because you ask us to?" Ma'at asked .

Isis looked at the way Ares' expression changed slightly , his eyes filled with cunning thoughts , a sort of satisfied look .

"Of course not" Ares spoke as he turned serious . "No" Isis mumbled under her breath . "I will give you something in return" Ares added . Ra smirked with satisfaction .

"And what are you offering Warrior?" Ma'at asked calm as always . "I offer my services , for eternity , to any of you , for any errand , anything , everything . " and as these words left Ares' mouth Isis kept mumbling , more now "No no no" . "Are you saying you're selling your soul to one of us?" Ma'at asked , checking Ares' statements "yes." Ares was quick to reply .

Nepthys shook her head as she looked at him . "Now" Ares sarcastically spoke " who will buy ?" He raised his hands presenting himself .

Isis was about to raise her hand , claim Ares . After all , Ares would only be safe as her own slave or Nepthy's , but Isis knew well her sister would never enslave anyone , she was the godess of peace after all . Isis raised her hand before Ra's could drag it down . Isis turned looking at her way , Ra was smirking but she wasn't raising her hand , she just wanted to stop Isis from doing so .

"It's Sealed then?" Ma'at said looking at Ares waiting for him to agree .

Isis turned around quickly , trying to see who was the one that claimed Ares . Her eyes falling upon her Husband Osiris , his eyes mischievously glowing . Isis' heart leapt and that was noticeable by the look on her face , the pain in her eyes , her eyebrows narrowed , she turned around looking at Ra with anger and question . Ra was smiling . "What is it dear?" Ra ironically said "it wouldn't be fun if I allowed you to do it would it?" Ra continued "and I like fun" she put a dot , looking back at the center of the room where Ares was .

Isis knew Osiris would use this for his benefit , he would make his life a deadly hell .

    "Your vows. Boy." Osiris demanded.

  Ares opened his mouth ready to speak . 

   "This is only gonna work if you kneel

                  darling ." Osiris spoke

      "Kneel." he demanded once again .

Ares kneeled as his jaw clenched " I Ares , first of my name , son of Morana , Warrior of the desert , commander of the Egyptian coast guard and first Regiment , Heir to the throne of Sparta " Osiris interrupted him "and it's King's bastard." Ares' jaw clenched more "bastard of the king and the Dark Knight of the Mediterranean , offer my life , my soul and heart , my will and doing to Osiris , God of Life and king of the underworld , to serve him through my whole lifetime , life or death , through eternity , to do his errands , follow his orders , work for him . Until he no longer needs me , until he is satisfied by my services . Until he wishes to . In exchange I ask for good fortune and a long lasting life for the current queen of Egypt , Cleopatra daughter of Ptolemy . " Ares bowed his head , Ma'at raised the gavel waiting for Osiris' words "I accept your terms." he said and Ma'at sealed the deal .

Isis sat back rubbing her forehead .

Ra sat back amused .

"Oh angel you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into" she spoke clearly and loudly , still no one heard her .

"Though" Osiris interrupted the weird atmosphere in the air . "You forgot one tiny detail about your terms my little angel" he paused "you didn't mention where you will be living as long as you're serving me" he stood up walking down the stairs , his steps slow , making his way towards Ares. He stood next to him and grabbed his wing "no more gazing at her beauty as she stands at her window , no more sending her feathers to see her lips grow into a smile" he put pressure on Ares' wing causing him to groan in pain as his other hand wrapped around his neck , putting him down . "No more visiting your queen , I am your king now." His voice full of spite , his aggressive whispers cracking Ares' heart of stone slowly as he kept groaning trying to set himself free . Ares' wing bone cracked  , he groaned loudly and whimpers of pain left his mouth , all the Gods stood , Isis trying to get to them , her son keeping her away and safe "and you'll be only seeing her , from afar , really really far." Osiris smirked as he sent Ares straight to hell , really really far .

Ma'at sat back , a look of disappointment in her eyes  . "My angel." Sekhmet thought as she angrily looked towards Osiris .

CHAPTER FIVE : down down and below down

The Knight was now doomed for eternity , to serve the dark in the shadows , spread the shadow further , collect it too .

Ares had been urged to gather the souls of the dead that didn't want to find their way to hell , ghosts as everyone fancies to call them . He had orders to bring them to the depths of hell , by fighting with them or not .

It all adjusted perfectly to his character , a Warrior and a punisher , doing the exact same thing even in his death .

Meanwhile the War between Antony and Octavian seemed to be going perfectly well from Antony's side , which made Ares feel relief considering Osiris was not breaking his promise .

Mark sat down at the head seat of the Knight's table as he raised his hand holding a glass full of wine "to victory my brothers!" Mark raised his voice , full of confidence .

                     Cleopatra smiled .

They soon returned to their palace in Alexandria , celebrating their recent wins.

Everything was going well , everything was flowing as well as the river Nile at its finest.

One long night , the winged-man visited the Queen's dreams once again , his figure in front of a darker background this time though the atmosphere and aura was as warm as it used to be before .

The shadow seemed as though it was looking at her , its eyes glowing red and golden .

Cleopatra jumped awake , her breath heavy and her face sweaty , she tossed the blankets covering her away towards Antony's side . She slowly stood up throwing her night cloak on herself . She eventually made her way towards her bath , preparing herself for one moment of relaxation . Allowing herself to sink in the warm well smelling water , she closed her eyes .

With her hand she traced her finger across her arm , now caressing her shoulder , moments later her head leaned towards her shoulder as she gently stroked her arms , her eyes still closed .

          She was thinking about Ares

His cold silver ring making her shiver , his

              hands making her quiver

            His touch making her melt

                     despite the cold

She opened her eyes blank staring into nothing . She grabbed her towel getting out of the bath , dried herself and headed to her bed , though she would not sleep  thinking kept her awake the whole night .

How was it , she thought , everytime something was going good in her life she dreamed of him , she sighed , "is it you,Ares?" she whispered .

Ares was collecting lost souls at the time , a group of dead soldiers , he felt a long lasting shiver as he heard someone whisper his name , a whisper that seemed like it was breathed right next to his ear .

                A whisper so familiar .

He came to his senses , his thoughts interrupted by the pained screams of the dead , dragging him right back at doing his job .

Ares was like Thanatos , like Anubis , but he was sent to deliver the ones in denial , the unwanted ones .

His aura was so strong and disturbing , sometimes the mortals swore they saw his tall dark winged figure dragging evil souls to hell .

"The dead walk among us" old men spoke spooking the others at the tavern and all taverns "they walk towards hell" they continued . "I heard his horse" some mumbled as if afraid to be heard . "I heard his steps" some others said "I saw him" their eyes wide . "the dark knight" a mature looking woman raised her hand , her voice shaking as much as her raised pointing finger "is punishing them" she pointed outside .

           "For even in death you shall

                  fear the Dark Knight."

People locked their doors , shut their windows well at nights , didn't leave any candle lights on . Thinking he was choosing who to take , thinking they could be next . But who can blame them , they thought he was there to haunt them .

days and days passed and since the war was going well for them , people had relaxed and had started to feel calmer and safer . Mark was leading them to victory .

"my love" Antony said while approaching Cleopatra . Cleopatra sighed and walked away pretending not to have heard him, her dreams made her feel weird around him . He reached for her hand and stood with her , she stopped walking and turned towards his way , facing him "oh hello darling" she said and he smiled putting his hands on her face , caressing her cheeks "you seem busy want me to leave you alone?" he asked , she shook her head "no no I was just heading towards the dining room" she implied . "I almost got the idea you were avoiding me " he ironically said and she chuckled before he kissed her lips .

Ares watched from the underworld , he sat back on his throne next to Anubis' one , his hand on the hand of it and his forehead rested on his pointing finger , he was confused "why are you acting weird Cleopatra" he thought to himself .

"So how many children do they have? One ? Two" Osiris said interrupting Ares' thoughts "three." Ares said quick hoping to shut him up . "Three?" Osiris asked in a fake offended tone "when did they have the third?" the fake act continued "after your death?" he frowned mocking Ares "right after you died?" he placed his hand on his chest "I cannot believe my ears" he kept going "you were the only one talking" Ares snapped calmly "you cannot believe your own words?" he finished . Osiris' look turned into an annoyed one .

Anubis chuckled as he threw himself back at his own throne .

Osiris threw another annoyed glance towards Anubis .

"You can't say we are not having fun in here" Osiris stated . "Yeah hearing desperate and painful screams all day is very pleasing to a sadist like me" Ares said with an unbelievably sarcastic tone but a face so serious . Osiris started laughing as he hit Ares' shoulder repeatedl "oh stop it you funny man!" Ares' expression the same , only now more annoyed . "Oh Gods" Anubis rubbed his forehead "I hate you" Ares calmly said to Osiris , Osiris stopped laughing and he smiled "tch tch tch" he moved his finger right and left "my boy what way to talk to your king is that" he raised his eyebrows "shut up" , Anubis chuckled once again "Ares! Show me respect , please for heaven's sake" Osiris turned around looking in front of him .

And like that the days kept passing , chaos mostly filled the atmosphere , Sekhmet would love it here .

Meanwhile things for Mark weren't going that well , but Ares thought that one defeat was not something that bad as long as Mark was alive , pleasing Cleopatra.

CHAPTER SIX : the fall

Ares was preparing for his patrol , putting on his long black cloak his black gloves , his shiny silver ring , his long black boots , picking his spear up .

"All that for the dead to see you?" Osiris stood behind him "it makes me feel comfortable" Ares replied . "I didn't know you could feel that sort of feeling " Osiris paused" or any kind of feeling besides rage" he took a breath "then I'm sorry for this my darling angel"

Osiris grabbed Ares' hands and chained them , dragging him behind him , Ares froze , his eyes wide . "You see angel , Mark's loss the other day" he kept dragging him more aggressively "wasn't as unimportant as you thought" Osiris entered an empty cell throwing Ares in , hitting his face so that he faints .

Ares woke up chained up , his wings cut off , Ares tried breaking the chains with raw strength "pointless" Osiris stated "you can't break those" he added .

He stepped towards Ares caressing his face with his nails "you see , boy. I have other plans for you , turns out using you as my personal slave isn't enough for my satisfaction" he paused as he tightened the chains "first you make my wife forget about me while she watched your mortal self be all perfect and admired you , then you die and come live with us , you befriend her , she completely forgets about me , you disrespect me with your jokes , your attitude " he tightened the chains even more , Ares held a groan back "sorry about the wings , had to make sure you wouldn't use them to escape" Osiris said calmly as he stood right before Ares

"As we talk , right now , Antony is about to have his worst of luck" Osiris smiled "aw look at your face , and that non stopping jaw clench of yours. Maybe I Should set you free of those chains already" he teasingly touched the chains "nah" he put his face in front of Ares' "I want to see you suffer" he grabbed Ares' face , Ares spat right at him . Osiris threw Ares' face out of his grip as he chuckled wiping the saliva off his face . "That's okay , you'll pay for that soon"

Ares watched as Osiris walked outside of the cell , closing the door behind him . A big shiny ball of glass floated in front of Ares , showing him everything that was happening in Alexandria right now .

Antony had thought Cleopatra has taken her own life , so with a knife he striked his own body , to be united with Cleopatra . He raised his hand and quickly his stomach was hit by the blade . "No" Ares breathed out "No , no , no" Ares began to freak out "Mark you fool!" Ares' scream echoed in the empty room , as the maids were dragging Antony's dying body towards Cleopatra's chamber . Ares screamed ,  tried to break free , his screaming so loud , his tone so painful , despair was noticeable .

Mark was now dying in Cleopatra's arms , she broke down , screaming over his dying body . Ares groaned "Osiris!" he screamed on top of his lungs as he began to cry along with his screams "you made a promise!" Ares' veins could pop at the moment , his whole body could break from the despair his screams were leaving behind . He kept screaming and crying as the ball of glass has disappeared .

After a long time of desperate screams and pointless efforts to break free , Ares allowed his body to just hang there , to be kept up by those chains . 'I'll kill you" He began to breath , hardly breath "Im going to kill you."

Ares laid there , bloody and alone , unable to do anything , for now .

Osiris sat on his throne , enjoying every single moment of Ares' pain , his voice , his movements , his eyes . "I am" he paused "satisfied." Anubis turned to look at him "this wasn't right father" he spoke "shush now Anubis , he is a sinner , who got immortality , he deserved it" "he got eternal punishment , this one was unnecessary" Anubis interrupted and Osiris turned towards his way "I didn't see you do anything about it son." He stated making Anubis go quiet .

CHAPTER SEVEN : awake

A couple or triple of days had passed and Ares was still locked in his cell . Not having heard a single word from the world outside , neither Gods nor mortals .

"Cleopatra must be in Octavians arms right now" he thought and everytime he had that thought he felt defeated . The prophecies were true , Cleopatra would find her end in the 31 BC .

Ares thought he could prevent it though it seemed like not even Gods can prevent the power of fate .

Meanwhile ,

"Still not a word from him?" Isis asked Horus , "No mother , Osiris won't tell us where he is" Horus replied . "We must ask for Anubis' help then" Isis implied "we might be visiting the underworld . " she added.

"Oh please I killed the boy" Osiris said "Isis I finished him , Ares is dead" he continued "so you will find him in the underworld , as his dead self." Isis looked at Osiris "Im no talking to you. You're a disgrace for us Gods." she stated . "I am your husband" Osiris said "No , you're a liar" Isis snapped. "tell Anubis to bring me the boy." she ordered Horus . 'Yes mother."

Anubis found Ares in the very same cell his father had placed him , he leaned towards his way and carried his weak body with him , back to the other Gods .

Let's not rush things over though , before all this happened , after Mark's death as Osiris sat on his throne enjoying the suffering he had brought , a light so bright shined and Osiris found himself in the center of the circle , of the judgment place the God's owned . Confusion surrounded him .

He couldn't help himself but ask "fellow Gods why am I here?" Silence followed before Ma'at approached him .

"Osiris , God of Life and king of the underworld" she stood "you have disobeyed the terms of your deal with Ares , angel of Nut , thus you are now in trial for a hundred years of imprisonment ." she paused "As a God , your word should be kept . You're at wrong , as you are putting dirt in the names of the Gods of the ennead . "

Osiris was found guilty , getting himself imprisoned for a lifetime , one hundred years . Though he would not tell anyone where he kept the boy he had betrayed. 

Back to now ,

Anubis had brought the warrior's unconscious body to Isis' chamber . He gently threw him on the floor as Isis watched , she thanked him and demanded him to leave  .

Isis turned towards Nepthy's way "you know what to do now , I'll tell you when he is awake" she said and then Nepthys left the room .

Ares wasn't late to wake up , Isis' magic surely helped in that part . His vision was blurry , moving slow , until he got used to it , he woke up with his head resting on Isis' thighs . She smiled , looking into his tired , red eyes . She helped him stand up slowly but he ended up falling on his knees . Isis approached him , lending him some support , he very carefully and gently pushed her hand away . She gave him sometime as she also observed all the bruises Osiris had given him , not only he had crashed him emotionally but also physically .

She noticed his broken , blood stained  wings , his black eye and bloody nose and she knew there was more to see under his clothes .

"Are you" she approached him "in need of any help?" She slowly threw her hand towards his way , to help him get up . He took her hand and stood up slowly , she led him to her bed , letting him sit there alone as she kept her distance .

However Ares sat down at the floor , far from the clean bed . Isis raised her eyebrows "you missed the bed" she said . "I cannot sit there" Ares said . "Yes you can" she paused "I want you to do so Ares" , he shook his head "I'm okay here , I already feel comfortable" he stated .

Isis scanned the warrior's body once again "what did he do to you?" she asked "nothing , it is not important , it doesn't matter" he replied "it surely does" she quickly responded "he can't harm you now , you can talk" she added , he shook his head "he didn't harm me" he looked at her "I do not care what happens to me" he turned his sight away from her.

Ares smiled , a smile of realization. He thought to himself , Osiris was just like he had imagined his father would be cruel, deceiving.

Before Isis could speak another word her door burst open "Ares" a familiar tone striked his ears making his eyes go wide and his face to freeze in shock , goosebumps tracing through his whole body.

                         "Cleopatra?"

Ares stood up and as soon as he did Cleopatra had thrown herself on him , her hands wrapped around his nape , his own now without hesitation wrapped around her waist .

Isis turned towards Nepthy's way , "I couldn't make her wait" said Nepthys .

Cleopatra distanced herself just a few inches , taking a careful glance at the warrior's body , she landed her sight on Isis , questioning how did the man end up so bruised . Isis shook her head and with her hands she made a gesture making it clear she didn't know what had happened.

Cleopatra's hands softly placed on Ares' cheek , Ares still in denial , he thought he had been dreaming once again , the pain he felt on his tired body though assured him this was no dream .

Isis quietly dragged Nepthys outside of the room , leaving Ares and Cleopatra alone in her chamber along with a prepared bath to clean his wounds and mind .

The past lovers stood there embracing one another for quite some time.

"Cleopatra?" Ares asked

"Hm?"

"You being here, does that mean you're dead?" he slowly drifted away,his hands holding her shoulders

she smiled "No Ares, I am not dead" she stated.

his eyes hosting confusion yet he looked grateful she wasn't dead

"Isis and I made a deal" she added

"Gods , what is it with Gods always making deals" Ares mumbled confused and Cleopatra chuckled "she said she would explain it to both of us later" she paused "after I am done treating those wounds" she scanned him as her hand traced down from his shoulder now holding his hand slightly , dragging him closer to the bath .

Ares was confused,entirely,completely confused . Why was she here, he was happy,glad, delighted to see her but one thing didn't add up quite right to him. Why was she here? Why was she not with Mark if she could see someone dead? Why was she touching him like Mark never even existed to her ?

Her hand holding his made him melt,though he couldn't hold himself back from asking.

"Why are you here?" he very gently dragged his hand away "Why are you not with Mark?"

"Mark?"

"Yes Mark. Tall Handsome Brunette Roman boy." he stepped towards her "you are here with me,hugging me, holding my hand"

"what's this about."

"Cleopatra you have a child with him" he paused "you mean to tell me you never loved him?"

"I did" she said "I did love Mark" she added "I loved him a lot"

Ares looked away as she looked at him "you should have been with him right now, your happy ever after" he said

"there is no happy ever after there for me Ares , there is no happy ever after there" she placed her hand on his chest with caution

he looked at her his face full off pain, he thought she was happy with Mark , he thought his prayers were working, he thought she had found her peace, yet he was wrong.

"If you don't want me here then that's another thing" she said pulling her hand afar from his chest "I can leave"

"No,stay"

she looked into his eyes , already looking at hers.

he stood silent

"Ares I'm not someone who your prayers will save , you may be half of what a God is but you can't just give happiness away"

"How did you-" she interrupted him "Isis told me everything" their eye contact never breaking "all about you ever since you" she paused "left"

Ares looked defeated , last thing he wanted was for her to know.

He looked away in embarrassment, the atmosphere became less red, more calming, though a few seconds of total silence passed.

She put her hand on the lace holding his cloak together "May I?" she said asking for permission to remove it and his other pieces of clothing . He nodded and she slowly,carefully undressed him. None of them spoke a word.

Every item of cloth she removed made Ares burn from the inside , trying to keep himself still, not allowing the pain to be released.

Cleopatra grabbed a cloth and dipped it into the warm water, with it she caressed the few scars on his chest and stomach , the dark purple bruises Osiris made sure would appear daily. She traced her hand across his collarbone

he watched mesmerized by her concentration, her gentle brush against his skin, her eyes moving quickly making sure her movements weren't incorrect, her lips parting from the focus she gave away , her breaths deep but slow , he noticed every detail.

Her hand made the way towards the deep blade cuts he had received, some older some more recent, making her think what the lord of the underworld had been doing to him all this time.

He watched her expression change,her eyes shutting slighty as she felt pain for him. He looked away not wanting to see her hurt face.

"Can you sit down for me?" She asked softly , he looked at her as he nodded with a little delay. She sat down behind him, now putting her focus on his back.

She slightly gasped at the view. His wings broken, their white color stained with dark red blood. Around the place his wings grew there lied black bruises as if someone had tried to rip them off. Slowly her hand with the wet cloth made contact with his less critical bruises, treating and cleaning them, taking her time with it.

Ares closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of her skin slipping away from the cloth from time to time. He smiled as he began to dream.

He dreamt of his mother, treating the wounds on his scratched knees telling him he shall be more careful, telling him to stop exploring and find himself some friends. She thought of her and her reaction when she found him with a broken nose because he had fallen from a tree , landing on his face .

Cleopatra watched his face,his little smile, enjoying the rare view on his lips.

"Ares" she whispered "Get in the water, let's get you washed up" she continued

Ares sinked into the water taking a deep breath. She leaned down near the bath , waiting for him to get done, she turned her head the other way.

Eventually Ares got out of the water , Cleopatra knew what his movements where thanks to the sounds his wet body was making, he reached out for a towel , making himself dry and wrapping around his more personal area. Cleopatra still hadn't turned around to look at him, she awaited until she was sure he was covered.

A long lasting amount of silence made her worry that he had left or lost his consciousness , she turned around quickly finding him trying to bandage himself.

"Ares." She stood up "You can't do this alone , let me help you" he turned to look look her as she walked towards his way . "Allow me" she said as she reached for the bandage he was holding , he did allow her .

She bandaged all of his wounds capable of being bandaged. He remained calm, patient, still .

"Are you feeling alright?" She stood in front of him looking into his eyes "did I tie anything to tightly?" , he shook his head and she smiled slightly .

"Thank you" he said as he smiled

his smile making her smile.

CHAPTER EIGHT : uhhhhhhhhhhhhh

The Queen and the Warrior spent their evening talking , Cleopatra talked about her children and how troublesome they could be, Ares talked about stories of himself as a child , this way allowing Cleopatra herself to share too .

They laughed a lot, they shared jokes, mocked each other, exchanged uncountable glances, smiled at one another as the other wasn't looking.

They were sitting next to one another, their backs against the wall , Ares completely ignoring his wings as he couldn't make them disappear unless they healed first.

"About Mark" said Cleopatra

Ares shook his head, gesturing that it wasn't necessary for her to talk about him.

Cleopatra ignored his gesture, "I did love him" she said "love comes in many forms, I don't know which way I loved him but I know that he wasn't you" Ares looked at her "he made me feel excited, like I was in danger, adrenaline from the fear and the unpredictable surprises, though he never made me feel safe, he never made me feel happy, so many other things, but what I found myself realizing too late , the most important thing was that" she paused "he wasn't you."

Ares stood silent , turning his head towards her way, he reached for her hand, his pinky caressing the back of it as his eyes were upon hers , he pressed his forehead against her forehead , his hand on her cheek, oddly warm , making her melt against his hand, he tenderly pulled her face towards his,  kissing her lips.

"That seemed like you missed me" she teased him.

"I have" he said

"I wish I'd find you sooner"

"It's not your fault" he shook his head

"I was supposed to be dead"

"Well it's not your fault either, you weren't able do anything in order to find me"

"I tried" he said "every single time I saw you I tried to get to you"

she smiled "the feathers?"

"yes" he smiled back

"I knew they meant something"

he chuckled "I know you knew, I saw your lips forming slight smiles" he teased her and she teasingly punched his arm in return making him groan , she quickly turned his way  "oh gods I'm so sorry-" he chuckled as she frowned "idiot." she bit her lip trying not to scold him . "Sorry" he said as he struggled keeping himself from laughing harder. The mere view of his laughing face made Cleopatra melt and she couldn't help the urge to smile.

"Sorry to interrupt" Isis entered the room, both of them mesmerized by her haunting beauty, a godess standing right in front of them, Ares even after all these years still couldn't believe they were real, he couldn't even bring himself to believe all this was happening to him.

"I believe you have some questions?" said Isis as she looked at Ares. Ares nodded, "what is it that you want to start with?" the godess asked, "How can Cleopatra be here if she is not dead?" Isis approached them as Ares slowly stood up "Osiris did not follow the terms of your deal, he broke his promise, for a God to break a promise, wrong a deal, especially since it has been written and sealed on Ma'at's papyrus, is a great disgrace not only to himself but to all us Gods. While you on the other side, always obeyed to him" she paused "I think it is only fair we offer you an opportunity to live" Isis finished. "A life?" Ares asked "I'm Alive?" he continued "like ? A mortal ?", "No not exactly, let me explain a little further. "Cleopatra is to die, though we decided to make a deal with her, she will live, but away from her palace, away from her duty as Queen, this way she keeps her life, wins against fate." Ares looked at Cleopatra, would she choose him over dying as a queen? His heart leapt.

Isis kept going "you are not a mortal though, your deal is a hundred years of life more and if you don't live as much then you will be breaking your own deal meaning not only you'll set Osiris free but you will also die, thus, you will live for the next hundred years as an immortal, your wings will disappear though, but I don't think that matters since you're gonna live through her" she pointed at Cleopatra "whole lifetime."

Ares looked at Cleopatra "do you want this?" he softly said "Yes" her voice full of passion, calm, her vocals sure of her answer.

The past lovers sealed the deal.

Ares and Cleopatra lived a long life away from war, away from the problems that occurred society.

People thought of Cleopatra and her children as dead, considering their disappearance, especially since Octavian did not make it clear that they had gotten away from him, that they had mysteriously and suddenly vanished.

Ares, Cleopatra and their children, as Ares loved them as his own since the start, lived in a forest in Greece, a big empty castle with very few neighbors, empty for hundreds of years now, yet it was in perfect condition as it was the castle in which Ares and his mother used to live in, before her passing. The castle seemed and felt like a comfortable cottage, a huge garden in which they grew herbs and different kind of flowers, the very same Garden they spent most of their mornings finding calm and peace at. A small lake a few yards away completing a magical view.

The kids loved it there, they lived peacefully away from the must to grow up faster. Ares left at evenings, he gathered wood for the fireplace, food too sometimes, other times he made his way to the closest town, buying more supplies by selling herbs. Cleopatra loved association with nature, she loved taking care of the flowers and the herbs they grew, she loved occupying herself watering the plants, decorating the garden, as she grew to love cooking when she cooked, for Ares loved to cook for her.

Eventually the children took their own ways, they left home young, leaving plenty of time and years for the lovers to spend alone. And they didn't waste their time, they enjoyed every moment, every little or long conversation, laying on the couch in front of the fireplace, next to the humongous window, rain drops sliding their way down.

                      And, they lived.

[anakinkinnie]

CHAPTER ONE :  title of chapter

The knight of the Night , the dark knight .

Born in 69 BC in the Mediterranean world

Nicknamed after the God of War , Ares . His will strong , his name meaningful . By the age of fourteen he had made a name . Terror filled those whose ears had been struck with the sound of his name . By 54 BC at age fifteen his name started to travel the whole Mediterranean world .

"To be in his way means doom , to fall in his path is a curse , certainly death will you meet " spoke the gray men at the taverns "if the Night Knight ever will you see." The crowd would gasp .

The Knight traveled across the world , barely on foot , always with his horse , Big , black , fast horse . No one really knew the name of the horse , no one knew anything about its rider . For when they heard the fast riding noises , the heavy steps . People in Alexandria , locked their doors and stayed in .

Even the sons of the Wolves , the Romans . Worried for themselves , for amid the man was raised in the world's finest destination , Alexandria .

By 52 BC , as Ares was seventeen . His name grew bigger , yet his appearances weren't as common as they had been the previous years . But the Romans knew better now , that if the Knight stood before them , they would not stand a chance .

Cleopatra was seventeen herself , and ever since the stories first started being told , when she was fourteen , she heard them all . She was surprised by the boys achievements , not because she knew his age or origins , that was something no one knew , but because his name was growing with every single blow of wind . She would find herself quite annoyed , having an image of the knight as someone rather arrogant , she wouldn't allow herself to cling to those thoughts , as she was busy thinking about the empire she was dreaming to be Ruler off .

Quite a few times she found herself thinking about the fact that there weren't new information of him in days , and when there were she would hate the way her heart wanted to know it all .

Was it hatred ? Was it surprise? No one knows .

CHAPTER TWO  : the song of the Night

It was a cold , calm night of 51 BC . And the now Ruler of the Two Lands , Cleopatra was not able to put herself to sleep .

Her rest was bothered by her dreams .

She had recently started having dreams of a tall man with wings , his face unrecognizable , his form a shadow . Isis was always there , behind the man , even though she stood far from him , looking at him .

The Queen decided to disguise herself and sneak out of the palace . This idea hadn't been the best of her before , considering her escape to get to the Great's tomb .

Late midnight , the darkness of Alexandria was as beautiful as ever . There was no one outside  , a couple of drunks perhaps .

Cleopatra looked around in confusion , though , she kept walking trying to ease her mind , calm herself.  She walked all night , the sun was now nearly seen , it was getting up .

The sky was still dark but the sun highlighted everything into a dark goldish color .

The sound of heavy Horse feet hitting the ground slowly , as if the horse was marching,  as if it was on patrol .

Cleopatra hid in an alley , she stood behind a bench . Just a few seconds later her eyes were fixed on a black-clothed rider on his black horse . His one hand grabbing the lace of the horse,  slightly , allowing the horse to move freely . His other hand holding his sword , as if he was always prepared for unpleasant surprises.

The Queen narrowed her eyes trying to see the man clearer but she couldn't,  all she could see was his back and his sharp jaw .

The man wore a black cloak . There was something that captivated Cleopatra's sight the most , how his silver ring , was shining even in this little sunlight . The way he moved , to her , was alluring . His little humming noises , humming to his horse, she found so interesting , her skin shivered and a wave of fear travelled across her body. Suddenly the man with a pat ordered the horse to run and Cleopatra's daydreaming along with her fear and curiosity was gone .

Cleopatra was fast at the palace . In her room , ready to start her day , an exhausting,  full of responsibilities day .

At night she slept , dreamed of the winged-man once again .

CHAPTER THREE  : title

After her Brother's death and Caesar's win against his army , Cleopatra was able to sit on the throne again , leaving the Two Lands with a worthy Queen and her dream of empire was closer to her achievement.

Caesar remained to Alexandria for quite a time after his victory , enjoying the company of the beautiful Queen . In the meantime , he met with the terror of the Mediterranean world , the Night Knight .

Caesar shook the hand that the young boy had stretched out towards him , while bowing his head . Julius raising an eyebrow in curiosity asked the man why he was bowing , "nothing but respect for you , sir" the young man replied his tongue sharp , his voice captivating , like it was filled with gold , his accent clear , his head still bowed . " I am Ares , first of my name , they know me as The Dark Knight of Alexandria." . "I know who you are no need to introduce yourself." Caesar slowly dragged his hand back patting the boy's shoulder .

Ares raised his head and gazed into the Roman's eyes with confidence and yet , respect .

"You're risking your life by being in public my boy" the commander spoke

"I wanted to greet our savior , beside" the boy paused "no one would dare put me in danger"

Caesar laughed as the boy slightly grinned .

"You should greet and thank the Queen too , then " he spoke again "I would if I ever met her . " the knight's look was now serious and Caesar knew he wasn't dealing with some sort of an arrogant imbecile , but rather someone who knew what respect was , someone who was capable to follow his own morals .

The commander invited the knight to the palace , with caution , he took him to his chamber , interested in some sort of what we today call an interview .

As the two men walked in the corridors of the palace , towards the room of the general , alongside with the general's guards , Cleopatra awaited outside Caesar's room . When the men arrived , Caesar greeted her right after he sent the boy and the guards into the room . Cleopatra took a glance into the room , wondering who the dark-dressed pale boy was . He seemed familiar , she had seen him before , then she recognized him , by his jaw , his hair , the very same cloak he was wearing that night she sneaked out .

"We shall talk at dinner" Caesar's words awoke her . "I'll be here in a bit again,right here" the Queen said , Caesar nodded and closed the door .

He sat down offering a sit to Ares , pointing at the couches "make yourself comfortable" . The knight sat down and so did the commander . The two of them talked for their lives , not personal stuff , just philosophical stuff .

"So you came back to Alexandria , news said you were at Rome the last time you traveled."

"I had to come back , where my roots needed me , I recently arrived " he paused "if I were there earlier I would have helped however i could" at these words Caesar did nothing but nod , trying to show that he understood .

The boy got up , waiting to be escorted to the exit by the guards .

"If you ever need my help commander , send me a letter. I would be more than just glad to help if you ask me for it ."

"How will I know where to find you?"

"You will know , rumors travel fast"

Caesar nodded , he then frowned "you are misunderstood my boy" he approached Ares "that might be the death of you."

The commander put a hand on the boy's shoulder . "The guards will escord you out"

They greeted each other , not with goodbye , they were both optimistic .

Outside the door as Ares exited , there awaited Cleopatra , his eyes immediately locked with hers as he approached her with slow smooth movement , she was looking at his every move , with caution , her defenses up , he looked at her hand "I would kiss your hand but my hands are dirty , my Queen" he bowed but his eyes widened as she raised her hand towards his way , he looked at her hand waiting for him to kiss it . "Allow me to clean them" she spoke as she raised her head .

Her charm was unimaginable , no poet ,no singer ,  not any kind of a writer could captivate her beauty in simple foolish words .

"I cannot allow you to do that, you are my Queen" he spoke softly

"Because I am your queen , it is my duty to keep my empire clean , to keep you clean"

his hand took hers gently , as he pressed his lips against the back of her hand , looking up at her .

Through Cleopatra's skin , ran a cold shiver .

A silence so loud filled the room , everybody turned around . Cleopatra raised her head as a gap was formed in her lips and her eyes hosted amusement . Ares raised his head . The two of them never broke eye contact .

Ares saw before him , a promising woman , the most detailed definition of a Queen , a godly beauty , the will of Alexander , the warmth of a well written book , a loved daughter , a honest human. He saw a point , he found another purpose .

As for Cleopatra , she saw before her , a young , charming man with battle scars , a man of war capable of manners , a dangerous man with unlimited potential , a loner but a leader . And if Caesar was the strongest man in the world right now , he should fear the Dark Knight .

The Knight left the palace , as he rode on his horse , Cleopatra watched from Caesar's window .

The following day Ares received a letter

From Caesar , an invitation for a celebration .

Before night fell and the time for the celebration came , Caesar had demanded Ares's appearance before the sun fell .

Ares was present . Caesar awaited for him in his room , there he excused himself due to personal matters , leaving the boy with his Queen . Cleopatra learned all about him . She had a way , a way that made him wanna share everything with her , every sin and every good deed . Cleopatra had now grown fond of the boy . Caesar didn't know it but he had done them both a favor .

Dinner followed , uncountable glances, exchanged between the boy and the queen . She would try not to laugh at the boy's jokes , she failed . Maybe it was the drinks , maybe it was the heat , but Cleopatra's cheeks had never looked more red . She suggested that the knight made some sort of a contract with the kingdom . And so he did .

CHAPTER FOUR  : let the fire burn

It was early 44 BC , Cleopatra had been in Rome , before Caesar's assasination .

All those years The Dark Knight traveled across the Mediterranean . His name grew and Cleopatra's craving grew with it . They had only met for a few days , she even had a child ,little Caesarion , yet her mind could not leave out the pretty scarred face of that lonely man .

Right after Ares heard about Caesar , he finally returned to Alexandria . Even away he fought for the benefits of his roots . Reporting , or rather , putting through extinction anyone who dare threaten his Queen . 

Cleopatra found herself back to her home as well . At the palace had the little knight boy been . Waiting for her .

When he saw little Caesarion , his brows he raised , multiple times did he blink . He had been far , but he hadn't been informed about anything besides content of war . His gaze softened as he looked higher and his eyes found the face of his beloved , Cleopatra .

Her eyes wide as she approached him , going for a hug . She grabbed his body and wrapped her arms around his waist . A hug so tight he couldn't help but hug her back .

"I see you've got a little boy" his voice soft

She pulled away looking at him with confusion "you didn't know?" She tilted her head "unluckily , i have only gotten reports of.. death not birth" , Cleopatra was smiling , she was smiling , despite everything that had happened , now she was smiling .

Days and days passed by , Cleopatra found herself in her daily busy schedules once again . Her days were filled with activities regarding to her kingdom , but she knew that in order to make her dream come true , everything was worthy .

She usually spent her evenings with her son , or with Ares .

Ares was now always by her side , not because she put him there . Because he wanted to .

On a late evening , as her son was sent to sleep , she approached him , she took a deep look into his eyes and stood next to him , facing him , her hand brushed his face , she placed it on his cheek , and with two of her fingers she caressed the scar across his eye . "What have your poor eyes seen all those years" she spoke , her voice soft and low . He closed his eyes , enjoying the warmth of her hand on his face , her smooth , soft skin . "Share with me" she said "share the pain with me" "I burn , for you." he said "you burn? For me?" "Only for you."

Her hand moved down to his nape , rubbing his neck , her other hand from his chest , moved towards the side of his heart . She approached his face with her own "share with me" she whispered "share everything with me" she looked into his eyes , then his lips . Her hand now she placed to his chin , caressing his lips .

Their breathes heavy , hitting right to each other's lips , his hands on her waist . Finally , they leaned towards each other in sync , their lips collapsed gently , he pulled away , just to take a look at her before she also opened her eyes , his eyes were glowing , as if the source of life itself was standing in front of him , she softly grinned as their lips collided .

His hands reached hers , both slowly undressing each other , agony and desire all over the atmosphere .

And in that night , they both tamed the burnt .

From now on they found home to each other , not a place but a person , not a place but a feeling , not the act of love but love itself .

CHAPTER FIVE :

The next morning , she woke up as Ares was missing from the left side of her bed .

The morning after that too.

And the following ...

And the following ...

Ares was constantly gone at nights , his duty he said , could be waiting for him .

Cleopatra considered that the man's duty meant more to him then her but again , her kingdom meant more to her than he did . She didn't really believe that . Her kingdom came first and Ares knew that . Little did she know , all of Ares's secrets .

"Stay," she said as his finger traveled across her bare skin "stay for the night."

"I shouldn't do so" , he spoke softly "I demand you" "you can't." "I am your Queen."she grinned , he softly chuckled .

And so he did , he stayed the night .

Making love to her , making her laugh , sharing his heart .

They were getting closer , and closer , and closer . They would talk about books , plays , gods , music , architecture together they would admire . He wrote , she read . They went to trips together .

Everybody in the capital knew of the two lovers , the great knight and the queen , the great knight , not the dark knight .

His nickname changed , no one dared call him anything that could make him seem dangerous , not now that the Queen had him . Even If he was a criminal , the Queen must have known more .

The two of them had nothing serious , Ares was missing most nights , sometimes he had to leave Alexandria too .

Months passed and he was still in Athens .

Once he got back , he found Cleopatra with two little babies,  twins . His heart dropped as he heard whose the kids were . He knew there was no chance they were his kids , he was careful , and she would have told him . As he also knew Cleopatra wasn't his , and she wouldn't just wait for him when he would always be gone .

"Sir , the council is calling for you"

"I have barely arrived and yet you all are driving me crazy."

The guard stood silent

"I will be right there" Ares stated .

Once he entered the room the Queen and everyone else were on their seats "you're late" the lieutenant said "I beg your pardon?" Ares snapped back . "Please be seated" a kind old man suggested "I was gonna sit , thank you" Ares replied kindly to the man as he threw a hateful look over at the lieutenant . He glanced over at his Queen , as she was already looking at him . He slightly smiled at her , causing her to look away while trying not to laugh , covering it up with a sigh .

"You haven't aged a day" Cleopatra said as Ares entered her room

"My Queen , you summoned me?" He ignored her comment

"Yes , there is a matter I would like to discuss with you" she walked towards her desk as he followed keeping his distance .

"It's about" she paused "what happened to your eye?" she put the scrolls down and stood beside him . "I fell asleep" he replied "sleeping gave you this?" She raised her eyebrow as she pointed at his black eye .

"An accident , because I fell asleep,  my Queen" he said "so now you can't even sleep? What's next? Not eating because you will be afraid of poison?" Cleopatra said "for how long were you keeping yourself awake before you fell asleep."

"around a week" "and where did you fall asleep." "Enemy territory" the silence that followed was awful "but this woke me up"he pointed at the bruise on his face as he smiled . "That's not funny Ares." her gaze avoiding his "you could have died"

"but I didn't , I'm right here , alive." "Ares,"

she spoke "you must be more careful" "I am careful" "are you now."

"could this be you worrying for me?" he softly grinned "this is not funny" "hey , I can handle this, you know I can , have I ever failed you?" "You have not" "exactly , that is my duty , I know what I'm doing"

Cleopatra stepped away "your duty?" She raised her eyebrows "killing people is your duty ?"

"Surviving is my duty"

"Don't you see Ares , there is something that sounds wrong about that ." She paused "it shouldn't be duty , your survival ."

"That is on me , you shouldn't interfere"

"I will interfere when you're being reckless , which is now "

"reckless ? I've done everything for you"

"For me ? You survive for me?"

"I kill for you. Heaven I would die for you"

her gaze softened, 

"Ares , why did you start living like this in the first place?"

"for Glory." he stated .

"and why do you continue , you have certainly earned your glory ." she asked

"for you." his voice gentler

she tilted her head slightly , she reached his hands and removed his gloves , intertwining her fingers with his own .

"to me your hands are clear"

he looked into her eyes

"you're not a bad person Ares" ,

she added , looking right back .

"My Ares" she held his face and kissed him .

The night was long but neither of them slept . They staid up , laying in her bed , sharing stories , he told her jokes , even some riddles , for him the sound of her laughter was heaven , the sound of her voice alone was enough to make his tiny heart race .

Her head on his chest , his hand stroking the back of it , the fingers of his other hand , tracing all around her shoulders, caressing it . Her soft breathes , as she laughed , hit against his chest , made him melt and smile like a mock .

"Isn't it great when you stay the nights?" she spoke , he chuckled "indeed it is" he softly said .

"then stay every night"

"you know i can't do that"

"why not"

"you've changed everything" he said ,

"you've consumed my thoughts, Cleopatra"

"then stay , with me" she placed her hands on his chest

"you don't get it"

"No , I believe I do"

"It's not just my mind that you own , but also my heart" he paused , her eyes on his

"you've totally , entirely , consumed me , every single inch of me "

she sweetly pressed her lips against his , her hands tracing their way up to his face , holding it . "stay, forever" she whispered against his lips .

Cleopatra eventually fell asleep between his arms , and when he was sure she was asleep , he pressed a gentle peck on the top of her head "I love you." he said and he stayed the night , he stayed every night .

CHAPTER SIX : title

Ares would constantly wake up early , if he slept . He found himself training in the backyard of the palace , he did go out at nights , sometimes , but once he got into Cleopatra's room , he didn't leave if she didn't wake up in the morning first .

He didn't want her to wake up alone , he didn't want her to think she was alone .

She didn't want him to think he was alone , she didn't want him to be alone .

Ares was said to be the strongest man in the whole world by now . The deadliest man , the most dangerous one . Egypt now , with Cleopatra and with Ares , was always safe .

Mark Antony was to return to Egypt , Ares knew all about him , Cleopatra had told him , the relationship between Cleopatra and Ares was confusing , Ares wanted her more than he wanted to be alive , but he also wanted her to be happy , so along with a lover he gave her a friend . Ares was always there , listening to her , supporting her every decision , he didn't care if plans didn't go well , he was there , glad to fix things .  Cleopatra was more than happy to have him by her side , not only her kingdom did he support and her dream of an empire he helped her achieve , but also her he made happy , entertained her , and he didn't demand her to change for him , or obey to him .

Antony wanted to meet the Dark Knight , the God of War . Ares didn't want to meet anyone , he didn't like meeting people , he would rather just run into them , whatever wasn't arranged seemed simpler to him . Antony would still see the knight , in a dinner that the Queen herself would be . In one room , Cleopatra and the two strongest men in the world .

When Antony came and he saw the twins , a smile that reached his ears appeared on his face , he immediately acknowledged the children as his own , not caring about any effects that would bring .

All of them now at the table,  Ares shook Antony's hand as he entered the room,  both sitting far from each other , the Queen had personally asked the knight to sit on her left side , he was surprised but still Ares took the seat , he leaned towards her ear "what is this about?" he whispered , she leaned his way , scanning his face with a slight grin "just want to keep you close" and then she whispered "my jealous boy" his eyebrows he raised now as he looked in front of him , sitting straight .

They all started to chat , Antony already asking for drinks .

"Tonight we have the world's strongest among us" an old looking man spoke , Antony smirked as he looked at the Queen "both of them!" the old man continued and the smirk from Antony's face disappeared,  Ares grinned for just a second , Antony raised his glass "it's an honor , to have the second strongest here with me today" his glass now raised towards Ares's way "indeed it is" Ares paused "we are indeed happy to have you here" he snapped right back , Cleopatra's eyes flinched in surprise , turning towards Ares's way .

Antony placed his glass on the table , " is the little lonely fox , trying to downgrade the wolf?"  he said , Ares raised his head "I beg your pardon?" he kind of sarcastically raised his eyebrows and as soon Antony started to speak , his face was serious and rested again "is lonely little fox also deaf?" "I dare you to say that again." Ares's voice extremely sharp but gentle . "Scared because you're actually alone my boy ?" Antony took his glass , Ares did not hesitate to reply "see that is quite the difference between you and me" he said , Antony once again left the glass "excuse me ?" he asked demanding an answer "we are both considered the strongest , humans" he paused "yet you have an army and I am entirely alone , notice the difference" Ares continued , under the table Cleopatra put her hand on top of his , trying to give him a signal, make him stop . "Do you dare to stand up against me , boy?" Antony paused "one against one?" , Ares didn't even flinch "do you?" , "you can't beat me" Antony stated , "is that a challenge?" Ares returned once again , Cleopatra squeezed his hand .

"Do you dare to try?" Antony spoke

"oh I would be pleased"

"You really think you can win?"

"No" Ares replied , "I was joking , sir" ,

Ares wasn't joking , he just didn't need to prove anything to anyone .

Antony laughed as he raised his glass again "I like this boy" he took a sip .

Cleopatra's thumb brushed Ares's hand slowly , caressing it . Ares returned the favor and held her hand between his own hands .

"We shall celebrate tonight , dress up" Antony suggested "everyone is welcomed"

"What would the theme be?" Cleopatra asked ,

"Masks." Antony said "any kind of masks"

And so that night everyone in the palace wore masks , men and women were singing , it was as if music itself was in the room , people were dancing .

Cleopatra and Antony danced a few , she could clearly dance better than Antony , with her , elegant , smooth movements , Ares thought as he observed for a few seconds , then he returned to drinking and keeping distance. 

A few minutes later Antony made his way to the drinks , and the flower-masked Cleopatra a man approached. A mask covering the upper part of his face , Cleopatra recognized him just by looking into his eyes , not even looking at the other parts of his face , a second mask , the same as his he held on his hand , he gently took the flowery mask off of Cleopatra's face and to her face he adjusted his second mask , "may I have this one dance, m' lady ?" Ares spoke , she raised her hand , he took it .

The two danced as if the room was empty , as if no one was looking or better , as if everyone was .

Once the dance was over , Ares kissed her hand and he disappeared for the rest of the night .

The celebration went on , it wouldn't stop just because he was gone.

Cleopatra spent her time with the Roman man , drinking and talking , before he , now at a table again , gave the Queen , some more of land .

Cleopatra's empire was now growing .

That night Cleopatra in her room returned , happy,  excited , but Ares was not there . She assumed he had left her some space,  or he was still out but she didn't see him .

Ares had been walking , his horse was resting in the palace , so walking was his only choice , he found his way back to the palace I'm the morning.

He soaked himself into a tub , not the big one that was for his Queen but another one . He rested his head back , humming groans , and shutting his eyes hard , washing the pain of the bruises , the cuts,  he had received at night .

"Ares?" Cleopatra's voice echoed into the empty room , he didn't respond , he found himself too comfortable,  falling asleep , or rather trying not to fall asleep .

Cleopatra , approached as she kneeled outside of the tub , she noticed deep cuts and once again a black eye on him . She held his face , slapping him awake gently "heavens"he spoke before his eyes flicked open , she smiled "what happened to you" she asked , "I detected some bandits" "Ares, you were unarmed" "Yes I know , that's why I got some bruises" "did you kill them?" "Not all of them" "you chose or you couldn't?" , Ares looked at her with a smile "you chose" she said as her gaze softened while looking into his tired eyes .

She hugged him and kissed him .

Ares had killed 21 , all of them together were 43 . He had knocked them all out , as he was unarmed . The ones he killed were either cruel murderers , rapists , or traitors .

He knew everything , he always chose , he was a killer , but he didn't care as long as he killed the threats , the sources of sadness , even if it meant he was the one people feared . That's what he did , he killed those who in his morals didn't even deserve to live .

"Go rest in our bed"

"Our?" He softly grinned

"Did I stutter" she spoke

CHAPTER SEVEN :

Everyday they laid together. Her kids loved him , all of them , little Cleopatra Selene though seemed to have a weakness when it came to Ares .

Ares was very gentle with her kids , very friendly and very caring , he would make them laugh,  even if they didn't quite understand much of what he said . Seeing him like that awoke something in Cleopatra , sometimes she would wish she would carry his child .

Ares loved her children , not because they were hers , but because they were just children , they were innocent and brought harm only if they were taught to . He never hurt children , he might have been a murderer but never did he kill any children.

Seing Cleopatra and how affectionate she was with her children , sometimes made him want a child of his own , though he didn't want to bring a new "him" to the world , and he didn't think any woman deserved to go through that kind of pain for him to have a child .

One evening as he stood at her window she approached him from behind , wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him , her head pressed against his back . She traced her hands up to his shoulders , to his collarbone , unraveling the string that kept his cloak from falling , she removed his cloak and softly pecked his back . He turned around and took a hold of his cape , he wrapped it around her and brought her into his arms , embracing her warmly .

"I've missed you" she spoke almost under her breath , and he heard her .

Ares had left the previous day  , early morning he kissed her forehead and whispered he would be back soon . It's been two days but for the first time in a while Ares was missing from Cleopatra's bed . Now he was back , the sun was going down .

His thumb brushed her cheek as he smiled softly , having her quiver in his arms . "I always miss you" he stated .

"Where did you go?" She said trying to stop smiling , "I went outside of town , I had information for some sort of pirate attacks" he replied never looking away from her eyes . "caused you any trouble?" she asked as she locked eyes with him "not a single scratch ,love" he answered .

"promise me you'll stop going on battle alone." she held his hands "worried about me?" he raised his eyebrows as she frowned , getting more serious "this is not something to be cocky or funny about" she stated , seing her like that , serious , with anger and worry in her eyes , he couldn't resist the ridiculous urge to smile . "Ares."she paused"why are you smiling"

"You're so beautiful" his vocals soft , her lips parted as her gaze softened , "you're the most beautiful , passionate , strong  person I have ever met" he continued , her eyes sparkled "I am never alone" he paused "I always have the thought of you with me" he raised his eyebrows as his own gaze now softened , looking at her , directly into her eyes .

His words were simple , yet they managed to change everything , everything she might have felt for him , as a child she loathed him , If her past self knew how she felt now , she would loathe her too . She mechanically threw her arms on his shoulder , looking in his eyes as long as he was looking in hers . "Are you hungr-" "shh" she shook her head "don't speak , look at me" she paused "just look at me the way you did before." His breath got heavier as he blinked a couple times more than he should have .

                          "I love you."

      Cleopatra said , with a tone so soft

Ares's heart skipped several beats . His lips parted as he felt desperate for extra air.  Cleopatra's heart leapt the moment he didn't say the words back . "I love you." ,

Ares said , before he could take another breath , their lips hungry for each other's .

Their hands desperate for each other's skin

Their hearts so desperate for each other's

                               touch  .

Hours and hours passed , once again they didn't sleep , not at least halfway through midnight . "survive for me , for us" she said "Cleopatra , I would do anything if it was to keep you safe" he said and she smiled as his head rested on her stomach .

Meaning he would die for her

She tossed his head to the side gently , she crawled next to him , she sat on his laying body , he reached for her hands , she held them .

"The children adore you" she said "they do?" , she nodded "especially Cleopatra Selene" he raised his eyebrows "huh would you look at that" , she laughed and caressed his cheek "you are great with kids" she paused "that's the truth" , "what can I say , I could be a great hands maiden" he teased , she chuckled and bit her lip slightly , "that you could be a great father was my point" , "and what woman would I have to put through hell for just a petite me?" sarcastically he said , "who wouldn't want a petite you?" she teased him "to hug that lonely little hurt boy , embrace him warmly , feed him anything he desires , help him wash his back , keep him away from harm , hold his little hand and assure him he is not alone" she was looking into his eyes , she was being serious , he could see it , he knew her , he knew that she was assuring him that he was not alone , and that she would love a little version of him .

"hmm" he hummed ,

"and who would that woman be?"

She grinned , the look in her eyes mischievous . She laid on top of him and not long after they both had fallen asleep .

The days were passing , their love must have grown , thought the maidens in the palace , Ares would be seen in the palace at daytime from time to time , not just outside of it , he joined them to dine , to have breakfast , the Queen personally asked he would be seated as close to her as possible , "I must keep an eye on him" she would say , as an excuse .

It would be an absolute disaster if the rumors were confirmed to be true , so Cleopatra thought,  let the rumors be rumors , all we need is an act of hatred .

The whole Capital knew , there was no evidence . And it didn't matter if there were . The two fit perfectly fine for the whole empire .

For many years Cleopatra herself was never in danger , not just because she could protect herself , but also for Ares was always there to defend her with his life. 

And as if he was only one man , many had tried to take his life , but he did have a reputation that was not just to scare people , it was actual reality . Ares against combat with one hundred soldiers opponents and if in his side he only had twenty soldiers , could easily finish the sixty , by himself . He could beat all hundred .

CHAPTER EIGHT : the song of the dark knight .

Ares had heard , right outside of the capital there was a group of bandits and pirates , threatening to invade Alexandria , just about a hundred and twenty men . He thought it was time for him to take action , before they hit first .

One morning he fetched his horse , he got dressed and decided to strike next morning , early morning . He got ready and made all the preparations he needed . He would leave at noon .

Once the sun fell down Ares got to his horse , the knight was about to leave before he noticed his lover's figure behind him , he turned to see Cleopatra wearing a cloak , a hood covering her features .

"Good luck" she spoke as she took his hands , she always did that , she always wished him luck .

He leaned towards her and kissed her lips softly , "Be careful my Ares"

"I will" he said , brushing her cheek , then kissing her once again , he smiled and got on the horse , riding away .

Ares was there by morning , he was ready to strike , though when he arrived at the destination no one was there , it seemed as if the place had been abandoned , recently.

Someone must have alarmed them he thought . He rode down the hill , left his horse somewhere behind and approached the fires that seemed to be put out more recently .

With his glove he made sure the fire couldn't have been put out more than a few minutes ago , if the men have left he would have seen them .

From afar a neigh echoed , his horse escaping is all he saw , he stood up his head looking down as if he was disappointed but surely not surprised,  he turned around , the entire place was filled with men , more and more coming out , he couldn't understand , where they were hiding , but they had him cornered . Not that running was an option Ares ever gave himself .

"don't flee" he always told himself

He clenched his jaw , acknowledging the fact he had been ambushed .

He took his sword out and he shut his eyes as he took a deep breath .

In a matter of seconds he striked his first kill , he would absolutely slaughter his way through them . Leaving trails of blood everywhere . His sword had changed color .

He groaned in pain as an enemy managed to stick a sword on his stomach . A scream so painful as he tossed the sword away . He picked it up . In his advantage they gave him another fine sword. 

Ares was quick , Ares could think fast , act fast , strike fast , he could defend , flawless defense , he wasn't just gifted , he had strength , will . He had stamina .

He slashed

And he slashed ...

And he slashed ...

There was no ending , they kept coming , just like hungry prey who has nothing to feed on except.. other prey .

He had slashed half a hundred men already , he did more .

He slashed

Again ...

And again ...

The gods were with him.

He had killed half of four hundred men already , some enemies fled , some hid .

But most fought as if their life depended on it , and it did .

For hours and hours did Ares manage to hold the upper hand , that was until the arrows started .

Ares could avoid them but at what shake , he also had to avoid the swords .

Ares had thousands opponents around him , around two or three thousand he could see , there must have been at least ten or five archers as well .

He kept the good defense up , not wasting any chance he had to kill though .

There was one man , whom he spared , someone he recognized , he was from a group of bandits that was in the walls of Alexandria , Ares had spared him his life before because the man had family , he wasn't bad , he only wanted money . Ares had his information he knew what he was doing . Ares spared him again and the anger in the man's eyes suddenly left , he fell on the floor as he lost grasp of his sword .

Ares kept going , ignoring the man , allowing him to flee . The Dark Knight kept fighting , slashing his way around , and again , and again , he had an arrow stuck on his left shoulder, two on the right , but as long as they stayed there he was fine .

He tried to make his way up the hill , to take out the archers first , it was hard but he had to make it .

Ares's spirit didn't leave , he kept fighting, slaughtering , slashing his way through the battle , soaking himself with blood .

Men were shrieking , terror filled them , what if the Dark Knight had been on his horse ? How many of those still standing would have screamed their way to death?

They now understood , how scary to dance with the devil was , how scary the pure melody of the song of the knight was .

Ares managed to kill at least six hundred men before someone landed a critical hit on his stomach leaving him to burn on the ground , he was in fact the sixth hundred sixth man that Ares killed . He striked him down as soon as he hit him . Ares left the dying man behind , headed for a corner to regain more strength.

He fell on the ground struggling to get up , he eventually managed to , swinging his sword behind him , killing another one. 

His jaw clenched, his steps steady as he swinged his sword smoothly , leaving trails of his own blood dripping behind .

Ares passed out , he needed food , he was dizzy . He was thirsty .

A hand dragged him away from the battle field .

When he awoke he was laying next to a fire . He looked around finding a standing man looking at him .

"You're awake" the man said

Ares shut his eyes for a few seconds , looking down with his blurry vision he figured where his injuries were , his hands were bloody , shaking , his vision getting blurrier,  he shut his eyes once again , his vision looking better .

The man kneeled next to him giving him some water , Ares accepted the offer . He turned his head slowly , and looked at the man , he recognized him as soon as he saw his face .

The man he had spared his life two times had gotten him away from chaos . The look on his face though didn't look so , happy .

"Sir , I think you are running out of time" the man paused "your injury is vital" he continued

Ares started breathing heavily , he shook his head trying to stay awake .

Meanwhile in the Palace ,

It's been two days since Ares left , Cleopatra had figured he would be back the day after he left , noon or night , he should have been back . Just a hundred men and it took him so much ? This wasn't typical Ares behavior , Cleopatra was worried .

She soon persuaded herself to think he had already won , and he just found himself somewhere to get some rewarding drinks .

That second day at night , midnight,  a man arrived in the palace.

A man on a horse , carrying someone with him . Cleopatra recognized the man he was carrying , as soon as she laid eyes on him . It was her boy , and he was home . She smiled and some sort of relief filled her lungs , she allowed the man to enter as she waited in her room , waited for her beloved to return in her arms .

The stranger entered her room , Ares thrown on his back , he was carrying him , the look on the strangers face nervous , he was panting , he gently threw Ares's body on the floor . Cleopatra's heart leapt as soon as she saw his dirty , pale face .

She kneeled in front of him , her hands shaking , heading towards his face . She looked up at the stranger in confusion and fear .

"he called your name" he hesitated "after I asked him what would his final need be"

It was true , the stranger wasn't lying . He had  asked Ares what could he have done as a favor to him , as a last wish.  Ares's only words were : Cleopatra .

The stranger explained his situation and Cleopatra ordered him to leave her room , and ask for a chamber to stay until she needed him again . The stranger left the room , leaving the lovers alone .

Ares was barely awake , his eyes almost entirely shut , his lips purple . Cleopatra took his head and with slow , cautious movements she placed it on her thighs , with her robe she wiped the sweat and blood off of his face . "Ares" her voice cracked "Ares" she bit her lip "open your eyes , look at me" . Ares's panting got heavier as he opened his eyes and saw his Queen's teary eyes looking at him .

He licked his lips before speaking "my love" he spoke .

Cleopatra shook her head as tears started to run down her cheeks , a smile appeared on her face , his voice,  she heard his voice , he was speaking .

Ares raised his hand for her to grab , she held his hand "forgive me" he said , she shushed him "shut up , shut up , I'll get you to the greatest doctors of the Mediterranean . Just , hang on " she took a breath "please" .

Ares raised his other hand , wiped her tears . She rested her head on his hand , his skin was cold he was running out of time . Cleopatra sobbed .

She cupped his face "I love you" he said , his voice weak , his jaw clenching "stay with me" she muttered "stay with me" , blurry vision was it again for Ares . He gulped, opened his eyes and looked into hers , he groaned as he flashed her a weak smile , her gaze softened , her heart sinking "live a grand life" he spoke "your dream of a life" he slightly gasped for air , he groaned as he raised his hand and once again placed it on her cheek "do not grieve , not for me"  she smiled at him , tried to at least .

She leaned towards him and pressed a gentle kiss against his lips , a kiss he did return , she pulled away slowly , she put her hand on his head , running her fingers through his hair,  he closed his eyes enjoying his last few seconds .

Soon enough he was dead , Cleopatra's tears continued to fall , she pecked a kiss on her lover's forehead,  held his body close to her,  hugging it .

She remained there the whole night , she did not sleep .

The first time she slept , the day after , it was the first time she didn't dream of the winged-man . When she awoke , she woke up with tears . The winged-man in her life , was Ares . She had figured , quite a long time ago . Not dreaming of that man again  , only reminded her , he was gone .