Chapter 43: Chapter 43

KING ELIOR

When we walked through the portal, we were already expected. Our war cry was heard, and the princes of darkness awaited us.

Their legion was large and powerful, with creatures that were frightening and strong. Everything was exactly as I had remembered it.

The same darkness…the scent of death. Everything was just like back then.

I looked at Aidan, the sight of him…a mirror image of his father. Strong and tall…full of courage and grit.

“I see you’ve decided to bring the prodigy,” Abbadon said and laughed. “But do you really think I’ll let you live?”

His eyes held more than the usual hatred. His gaze slid over my legion, as if he were looking for someone.

But then he seemed disappointed when his eyes returned to me. If he saw through our plan, everything was lost.

“I’m not afraid of you!” I shouted at him.

He tilted his head to the side, a gruesome grin on his lips. “Ava said that too,” he replied with a sneer.

He raised his arm and gave the order to attack.

He never had any intention of making an exchange. What he wanted was to kill Iris, all of us, and we came into his world like animals going to a slaughterhouse.

The earth shook beneath us from the creatures that stormed toward us. Beings like something out of nightmares ran toward us and wanted us dead.

“Kill them all!” Amon shouted.

My eyes locked on him. He got the scar on his face from my wife.

My brave mate…now it was time to avenge your death. I had been waiting for this for so long.

“Hold the line! Don’t take a single step back! Fight! …FOR ANTARIS!” I roared with a thunderous voice, and charged towards the enemy with my blade raised.

The two armies stormed towards each other and clashed in the middle of the battlefield. Our warriors’ courage and inexhaustible will to fight were impressive.

Every one of them trained hard and fought like a perfectly coordinated team. Their bond with Antaris, but especially with each other, was so strong that it could be felt in every stroke of their swords.

One after another, our enemies fell and we were able to fulfill our part of the plan. The enemy focused entirely on us, because they believed Iris was in our ranks.

Bael held back; he and Alatus stood surrounded by our fighters. As if Iris was waiting, as if she was really here.

The defeated face Bael reflected reminded me of her mother. As if they were all here again with me on this battleground.

That brought us the time we needed to rescue Ava. But these creatures were nothing compared to the Lords of Darkness, and as they entered the battlefield, their true power became suddenly clear.

I saw the first of our warriors being wounded. Some fell in battle against the Lords, never to rise again.

When Belial and Amon attacked me simultaneously and I nearly succumbed to the duel, it was Bael who saved me. He allowed his true form to be revealed and protected me from certain death.

“It’s a trap! The prodigy isn’t here!” Belial shouted to his brother, who immediately realized… It was all just a distraction.

Abaddon glared at Bael; there was more than hate in his gaze. He started to walk towards him, ignoring everything around him.

Abbadon was going to kill Bael…I could feel it. My power bounced off of Abaddon as I attacked him, just to get his attention.

Abbadon’s fury was written all over his face as he raised his black mist to destroy me, but at that moment Alatus landed in front of me. The most powerful of all Amicus protected me, showering our attackers with his red fire.

I took the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to Amon with my last ounce of strength. Weakened by the attack, he was at my mercy and I fulfilled my oath of revenge.

I killed my beloved wife’s murderer. The princes stared in horror at their brother as he crumbled into dust.

A furious scream echoed across the battlefield, then they charged towards me.

“They have Ava! I feel it…she’s safe!” Bael shouted.

“Open the portals and save yourselves!” I ordered.

I had to buy time so my warriors could escape. The fight between good and evil had been going on for so long.

Today we would not end it, not under these circumstances. But today, countless lives would be saved if I could secure their retreat.

Abbadon and Belial followed my every step, blinded by hate and anger. I looked over their shoulders as my army worked together, wizards and elves…brothers…fighting side by side.

“Like in the old days, Elior. Only this time you stand alone before us. We killed our own brother who fought alongside you back then… Do you think you have a chance against us?” Belial roared as he stormed toward me.

My shield was cracked. I could only defend myself weakly.

The force of Belial’s attack knocked me to the ground, and he laughed angrily. Pain… I felt so much pain, and yet I had a smile on my lips.

“I don’t need to win… I’ll help my people!” I replied while lying on the floor.

Abbadon and Belial turned around and just watched as our army retreated and jumped through the portal. Bael stood by it and helped the last injured to jump through.

His eyes met mine, and when he started to run toward me, I raised my hand as a signal that he shouldn’t come.

“Tell my children that I love them!” I shouted to him, with the last of my strength, as I pushed myself off the ground to die in battle like a warrior… for good.

Abbadon easily stopped my attack, and I felt the blade of his black sword inside me. The black mist that surrounded the sword sucked all my energy out of my body, and I sank to my knees.

The earth beneath us shook again, and behind them, new creatures came running toward the portal. He had called them… more support to destroy us. But it was too late.

Abbadon pulled the sword out of my body, and I fell to the ground. I saw Bael jump through the portal.

I knew my plan had worked when it closed behind him. Pain rippled through my body, freezing me from the poison spreading through my veins.

“You didn’t make it,” I said with the last of my strength, grinning while tasting the metallic flavor of my own blood in my mouth.

Abbadon screamed bitterly and swung with full force one last time, aiming for my neck.

I knew they were safe. My children were safe.

I saved them… that was what counted. My soul broke free… free at last from the torture of this life without you, my half, my light, my everything.

I did it, my love… Our little ones are safe… I kept my promise.

Now… now I may come. Now I can take you in my arms again.

It was over. All the pain.

All the nights in which I searched for your voice in the silence. All the days in which I thought I saw your laughter in every ray of sunshine.

“I was coming home… to you.”

That was the last thought I had, before Abbadon wiped me out…