Two Forces Align

Chapter XVIII

{Home-Bound}

We'd arrived into a large empty room, with a pool of water in the middle of it. The room was lite with blue beams of light that cascaded over the waters. "Place her in there" The old man spoke, I lowered her down into the pool, she sunk to the bottom "Don't worry, she won't drown. The waters will heal her" he assured my worries, with one last glance I stood. "We thank you for returning her to us"

"Who are you?" I questioned him "She thought you were all dead, why did you never look for her?" I felt slightly annoyed upon finding her home completely fine and well. From behind me a light glowed from the water, I presumed this meant it was working and she would be okay. She man nodded slightly and gestured for us to all leave the room. I felt reluctant, but his hand on my shoulder forced me out as the door closed behind us.

"Yes, I'm sure there are many questions you wish to ask us, and I'm sure she will be the same when she wakes up. But for now, join us as we eat, you've come at a good time as the food will still be hot" Greez made a pleased sound as we was lead into a large room with a long table accompanied by rows of chairs. We all chose a seat, Greez immediately started eating, complimenting the taste. "For your first question, I am King Leiron and this is my son Prince Arius, and you have returned my daughter" myself and my crew shared the same confused expression "I presume the looks on your faces mean you wasn't aware that she is royalty" he chuckled "She has never been one to boast about her title" he sighed "I sent her away because we was under attack from those we believed were our allies. They wanted to kill the royal bloodline, she wasn't safe, she is the strongest  of us all. Her powers have been ever since she was born, she was already glowing as a new born, we couldn't risk anything happening to her. She has always been destined to bring about a new life and beginning for our people" his expression showed nothing but pain and sorrow "We wanted to find her, but no one has ever left this planet and returned to tell the tale, sending her away was a big risk, but I knew she would return someday so we are eternally grateful"

"You daughter has done great things for the galaxy" I spoke "We found her in a fighting arena, where people are forced to fight to survive" I explained "She has helped aid us in the fight against those who seek out the darkness" he nodded at my words "My name is Cal Kestis, this is Cere Junda, Greez Dritus and Merrin" I finally introduced, forgetting about formalities.

"So my daughter has managed to become a warrior" he spoke in thought "She always wanted to be one, her mother tried to make her into a princess, but she has always been more interested in what the men were doing" he chucked "I always said I had two sons, times have changed I see, I have waited too long to see her again"

"What the hell is this?" we all glanced at the doorway as the princess her self stood frozen in shock, she was no longer wearing the clothes Cere had been lending her, instead she was wearing a long white dress. She looked a lot healthier and stronger, her hair was brighter and lay freely around her face and down her back. Her expression showed no happiness, she was hurting "After all these years of torture, you have been alive and well" her voice was quiet, loud enough for us all to hear. She released a harsh breath, her father stood from his seat, but made no attempt to approach "You sent me away, I believed everyone was dead and I blamed myself" her voice began to raise "I prayed every night for you, I prayed for you to rescue me from the place I was forced to fight other, where I was forced to everyday cause harm to those who were just as alone and afraid as I was, but to live I had to do what I needed to"

"Aeryn, I can explain" he finally spoke " Come and join your friends, I will answer your questions once you have eaten" his hand outstretched, gesturing her to join us "I'm sure you have many good stories to tell from your adventures with them" he was trying his best, but I could sense the hurt and anger in her. "We have waited so long for your return"