The Lost Kingdom (The Fifth Element Chronicles)

Chapter 22 "The Truth"

Had it been real or had it all been a dream?

As I fell through the portal I realised something new had begun.

I was still wearing the outfit the Tree had given me, my necklace and ring intact, the sword tied to my belt. It took me a few seconds to realised where I was.

It had been so long that the goblin's cave felt like another life.

I caught sight of Lightning. I ran to him and hugged him. My companion accepted the contact, as if to reply that he had missed me too.

Then I saw Thunder at his side and remembered the most important thing. Would Caelus be alive?

I looked around for him but he wasn't there.

Had the Tree lied?

'You're back.' The goblin came out of the cave, carrying what appeared to be my bag. 'Your things came back before you and I thought you had died.'

'No, I'm still here, barely,' I said carefully, as if I was afraid to utter those words.

'I had faith in you. In the other one... not so much. I was truly surprised to see him come back. When he...'

And with just one sentence, the goblin blocked any chance of me hearing what else he had to say.

'Where is he?'

'The pirate? Perhaps on that ship. He left his horse behind, which I thought was very bad of him. But, I must say, he was completely out of it, as if he couldn't understand what was going on.'

'Thanks, I'll take this,' I said taking my bag off his shoulder, only thinking about finding Caelus.

'So, this is when it all starts,' he said and I knew what he meant.

Searching for the Tree had only been the prelude to many more things to come. This was just the beginning.

'Thank you so much Beaca, for everything.'

'It has been a pleasure your Highness. Good luck, trust me, you'll need it.'

The last thing I saw of the goblin was his smile. A smile full of hope.

I got on Lightning, taking Thunder with me. I just wanted to see him, I just wanted to know that he was real.

Why didn't he wait for me?

Had he come back to life to run in the opposite direction?

When I reached the ship, which was still on the shore of the island, I knew something was wrong. I could feel it in the air.

I helped the horses up and left them aboard. I plucked up my courage and decided to go and look for Caelus, even though it still didn't feel real.

I searched and searched, until I found him.

I opened the door to his chambers and there he was.

My lost man, I had once found again.

His back was turned, so I stood still until he turned around. I needed to know that it wasn't my imagination, that it wasn't a dream, that it was real.

And then, he finally turned around. His blue eyes connected with mine.

Caelus was alive.

I ran to him, and threw myself into his arms, I squeezed him tight, and as I felt him, I breathed in his scent. He was truly alive. The Gods had given me the greatest gift.

Or so I thought.

'What have you done?'

He pulled me away, grabbing my shoulders and glaring at me angrily.