IMMORTALLY PROBLEMATIC

Chapter 86: My Way

She explained to them all that had transpired and said that they really need them, even to extent to restoring all their powers and abilities. Prapai stood up and walked out the door slamming it in her face as she tried to speak for him to wait. Payu was left in the quiet room. He looked her dead in the eyes but he still looked absent. The spark in his eyes had died and all that was left was a void that looked really scary. This was the same Payu who after Priscilla died fell into depression but this time it was way worse. He exuded an image like a puppet that was being controlled. The sadness in his eyes and voice could be seen from miles away. He had no strength to fight and no hope of winning. Hearing this from her made him skeptical as he asked
" What's the catch?"
" Huh??" She responded
" What do we or they have to give up? It's always something, every single time. I need them to be...."
Pai walked back inside and he began ranting
" Seven years, seven fucking years. Three of those years we couldn't even remember ourselves. We spent close to a year apart. They got sold and replicas put in their place. Sky has never truly enjoyed me. Enjoyed the privileges that come with being with me. He has to defend me, protect me, keep me from harm and that's not even enough, he has to die for me too. I love him, oh boy do I love Sky and for the last couple of days I've been thinking of what my life would be like without him in it. It sucks, really badly. There is a vacuum that only him can fill. He makes me happy and now you want to bring them back. Fine, no problem. But at what cost because I'm sure the immortal realm wouldn't give us back our happiness without a price... So what will it be?" Prapai finished without taking a pause. There was a lot more to say, but he knew if he did, he would bawl his eyes out. Payu understood very well the pain and despair so he said nothing. The Lord Council Head Lady looked at both men, it was her turn to speak, so she motioned for Pai to sit down which he did. She sighed heavily then began

"I've heard you, loud and clear I heard you now it's my turn to hear me out. After the Lord Protector killed your lovers. The monsters were alerted as the protective walls around Arityl and Carityl fell flat. You are aware that no immortal kills the innocent. But The Lord Protector did that happily feeling there was no consequence. It was an impossible scenario but there were no protectors so it was easy. I fought long and tried my best but my attempts were futile. The Lord Protector hid in his mansion. Knowing that the monsters are in search of him. I told the council he needed to be sacrificed but they all disagreed with my plan as they felt he was irreplaceable.
Pai and Payu. I know you feel a great injustice has been done to you, I agree, and I do not dispute this but please the Realm is far greater than you and I."
" Then let the Realm protect itself." Pai said agitated.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry that we put you through all this, I'm sorry that we could not protect even our protectors. Pai, we've known each other for over three hundred years. And truly Sky and Rain meant the world to both of you. Forgive me, us for not protecting them as you would have liked.
So I give you the free will, rip his tongue from him mouth and I'll give you what you want no questions asked. Get your revenge."

Pai and Payu looked at each other knowingly. She gave them their word and that was all they needed. They didn't mind dying as  long as Sky and Rain would return to them. And they were not going to. They would see this to the end, the very end.
They all agreed and off to their realms they went. Prapai came to Carityl. It was desolate. A place he left not too long ago had become a shadow of itself. He had to get down to business. As he walked towards one of the monsters his outfit changed to the protector outfit but this time it was glowing so much. There was reinvigorated hope. He had a motive a drive and he would fulfil it to the last. As he walked towards the monster which was pretty far away. He was stopped. A girl not more than seven held onto his garment. Pai turned and looked at her. She was an adorable looking girl but dust filled her face. Pai bent down to look at her. " What are you doing here? It's too dangerous."
" Phi, I was hiding then I saw you and came out. I felt safe knowing you are back. It was horrible when you left. Our Protector, why did you leave? " Tears streamed down her face as she said this. She obviously had it difficult while he was away. Pai saw this. He looked as saw little faces hiding in the holes of houses. Peeking through to see if they would be safe. Pai felt the burden again. This burden had been absent for a while since Sky but it returned now. He bent to the level of the girl and placed his hand on her head " I promise I'll protect you as best as I can. You won't need to hide anymore. I'll protect you Tell them I'm back for good, now go and be safe." The little girl smiled and ran into one of the buildings. Hope. Hope... That has always been what Pai stood for you everyone but he had lost sight of this for a while. Even to Sky he was a symbol of hope. He looked ahead. He was going to end everything. He brought out his sword and had a knowing smile on his face, as he charged at the monster while flying. " LET'S FINISH THIS!" His voice roared. He struck it once and it vanished. There was clear difference between a protector and The Protector which Prapai and Payu were. Pai was determined to win. To regain Carityl back for himself and his peace.

Payu stood at the center of Arityl. His once beautiful home. He had missed it so much. There was new vigour in his steps. Maybe because he was going to get Rain back or because he was desperate to win. He looked at the horizon then realized something. He had never truly been happy. Here or there there was always something that came between him and his happiness. It choked him and he couldn't breath. He held onto his chest and sat down. Why was he in this world. He was given a special gift. Many would say he was blessed. But Payu never felt that way till he was given someone to actually protect. He saw his purpose, his reason his existence being important but something was still missing. Payu never learnt to be happy himself, never learnt to know how to be independence. He sought for validation and thinking back now, it broke him down. If Rain actually returned as this the man he would come home to? One broken with many scars.
First he needed to deal with what was ahead. He suited up. He was going to kill them all then decide what he wanted for his life. The people on the Frontline, immediately they saw Payu they got happy and fierce. They knew who stood with them.
Earlier, the Lord Council Head Lady spoke to Payu alone when Prapai had stormed off.
" Who are you actually? You've based your whole existence on tragedy. Tragedy of Priscilla, of Rain, of everything and that became your entirety. Payu. I give you this advice. When Rain returns, what type of man do you want him to meet? The one who can't even provide him with a smile or the one who is content with life. Payu, choose wisely, what do you stand for? Who are you?" Payu pondered on this for sometime then shouted
" Let's do this." Payu shouted marching forward the soldiers hailed him.