Chapter 42: Chapter 42

KING ELIOR

When I became king, I swore to protect my people from all the evil that could threaten them, even if it meant sacrificing my own life. The loss of my beloved wife so many years ago broke my heart.

But I had to be strong for my children…my beloved children. We should have been together forever, and yet I was cursed to live this long life without her.

Since her death, every day has been torture. Every morning, she is the first thing I remember…and every night, she is my last thought.

She lives only in my memories. A life full of longing…full of pain.

Because the love for her will never fade…even death cannot prevent it. I will carry this love inside me for all eternity…and the pain.

The birth of my children was the crowning moment of our love. And now they are all that is left of us.

We could have shared so much more with one another. So much love our children will never experience.

And they have had to grow up without their mother. Although I tried, I could never replace her.

But a broken father who had lost his soulmate was the only thing left for my children. I tried to hide my daily torment since her death and just lived every day for my children.

But I couldn’t. What would become of my children if I failed? Without their mother, they were already sad.

What would happen if they stayed without a father too? The pain of losing my soulmate could have killed me or driven me crazy.

But I found a new purpose in life…Ava and Avery. When I realized that Ava had been kidnapped and would probably be tortured to death…I lost it.

This time my soul broke. Ava was trapped in a cruel place, scared and in pain.

How could I leave her there? I had to save my daughter. For two days I prepared everything with Aidan and his companion, Inna.

We not only had to find out where to open our portal. We also had to gather as many warriors together as we could.

Every warrior counted, every weapon was important for us in this battle. But I didn’t want to force anybody to go to war.

And yet everyone came. Every single warrior came ready to give their life for me. My condition was alarming, I lacked concentration, and luckily the two of them took on most of the work.

A whole legion had to be prepared, not only the weapons handed out, but also briefed on the plan. But Aidan did it all.

I didn’t even have to give him an order. And his mate, Inna, was by his side the whole time.

They reminded me so much of us…my mate and me. I listened to Aidan fill me in on the situation.

How many sword combos we had…how many crossbows…arrows and spears… His strategy plan, the organization of our forces.

He looked so much like his father. And he had no idea how proud I was of him.

“That’s all, my Lord…now we wait for Bael to find out where Ava is being held,” he said. “They’re probably in the process of doing so,” he added.

I nodded.

Before dismissing them, I looked to him.

“Your father would be proud of you,” I said.

My words seemed to surprise him. He clenched his jaw to hide the emotion, but his eyes were full of pride.

I had thought through and calculated all the scenarios several times tonight when we were preparing the plan. But there was one thing I kept to myself, and for this one I needed the help of my friend Devas.

Just then I heard a knock at my door, and shortly afterwards Devas came in as requested. Aidan and Inna were just walking out when Devas knocked.

A playful shoving match between the two men made me smile. They didn’t even know how much I admired them, how much I loved those friendships.

In every movement I saw myself and Baldur…in Aidan’s laughter, I heard him. Devas’ face grew stern again as the door closed and he stepped in front of me.

“Sit down and listen to me carefully…old friend,” I said with a trembling voice.

And even though Devas was known for his free will and big mouth…he did as I asked.

“We’ve known each other for so long now…we’ve laughed and cried and fought together. You keep your word, I know that…and that’s why I have to ask you for something,” I said.

I turned away from the window and sat opposite Devas.

“Take care of my children if anything happens to me in the morning…” My wish hung heavy in the air, but Devas’ face grew sad when he heard me.

“If tomorrow is my last day, I beg you, take care of them as if they were your own,” I added.

Devas looked into my eyes and understood that I meant it.

“I will do everything to honor you. I will fight alongside you, my brother…I would even die for you. And if necessary, I promise you…I will look after your children…as if they were my own,” he replied.

Devas’ response came with tears in his eyes. Although he never wanted to talk about his real age, I knew Devas was much older than me.

He had experienced so much before I had even seen the light of day. The father of Iris and Aidan was even older.

Baldur lived so long filled with hate and anger that it seemed almost impossible to feel love. How long must he have waited for his soulmate to be born?

How long was his life so unfulfilled? And yet he broke, falling on his knees in front of her.

A love so big…that people still talk about it today. We all saw how strong a soulmate bond is when he turned away from darkness in order to find love.

But love wasn’t just between soulmates…love was also our friendship. Once opponents, we found each other.

He was so confused that it was almost funny to educate such an old being about love. With him, Devas also came to Antaris.

And although he was a young demon at the time, he was still older than any living creature on Antaris. It didn’t take long before he could feel love.

True…pure love for his family. And everyone in Antaris accepted him.

He wasn’t an outsider…he wasn’t hated or unwanted. He became one of us…a friend.

When Iris’ parents died, a world fell apart for us. So much suffering…so much pain.

I should have listened to him when he suggested raising Iris and Aidan. However, we followed the wishes of their parents.

After Iris was taken away, he retreated to the forest. The once happy Devas, who got along with all creatures on Antaris, became a loner.

It wasn’t hatred he felt…just grief…which raged inside him for a long time. When Iris returned, my first thought was to get him.

But Devas knew she was here as soon as she entered Antaris.

I hadn’t seen him in the community for that long, but when she arrived, his presence was palpable.

Devas was special, a good demon…an even better friend. He’d already lived too long to know any better; nothing could change my decision.

“I knew I could count on you… That’s why you’re going with Iris and Avery tomorrow,” I announced to a confused Devas.

I expected him to refuse to leave my side, or demand to fight with me, but Devas just nodded.

“I understand, Elior… I would stay with you… but if this is your wish, I will be with your children. I promise you we will free Ava… or I will give my life trying. I’ll give you my word,” Devas replied.

Devas’ promise gave me peace, because after everything we had been through together, I knew that he was more than just a friend—he had become like a brother to me.

He would keep his word.

The plan was in place. Everything was prepared, and we were ready to go as soon as we knew where Ava was.

A knock at the door made Devas and me look up.

“My lord…” Aidan interrupted us, standing in the doorway. “Bael knows where Ava is.”

Devas’ gaze shifted from him to me. I could only reply with a brief nod.

My fingers slid over the battle armor as I fastened it on myself. One last time…my last fight.

I walked to my amicus. His thoughts mirrored in my mind—the pain, the sorrow, and love.

“Yes…my friend. You and me…one last time,” I replied.

My last thoughts before the fight went to my children, and I turned around in front of the portal.

Avery and Iris looked at me, and I smiled at them.

~I will protect you. You won’t suffer the same fate as your parents. You will be happy.~

“My king, we have to go,” Bael said to me while he was accompanied by Iris’ amicus.

I gave the signal and the war horn sounded. The first move was made; now there was no turning back…

The battle began.