Abyss

Chapter 39

Calista's embrace was a waking call for Darius. He ran swiftly, kneeling next to her as she gasped and coughed the remaining waters in an attempt to regain and stable her breath.

Her lips curved into a weak smile, her eyes meeting Darius' with a mixture of exhaustion. You could already tell that she was grateful to see him again, almost as if it was her second chance. Tears streamed down both of their cheeks as Darius held her tight, his voice choked with gratitude and desperation.

He grasped the woman in his arms tightly as Calista gasped and coughed the remaining waters in an attempt to regain and stable her breath. 

"Thank the gods you're alive," he whispered, his voice hinting his worry. Under his eyes were dark circles that showed his restless nights.  

Calista's fingers brushed against his cheek, wiping away his tears even as her own fell freely on her cheeks. 

"I promised you I wouldn't leave, remember?" she said, her voice a tender reassurance.

Darius could almost feel like he was choking as he whispered sweet words back to his lover. Calista clung into his arms, kissing softly the hands that she once held before she got pulled by the rough waves.

It was a traumatizing experience for her but all of it came to a blur when she had felt the arms of Darius once more, even if it was a temporarily escape from the nigtmare.

The man's soft whispers echoed as he had pulled her tighter in his grasp. "Calista...God, can't believe you're really here. I thought I had lost you to that creature."

Calista's fingers gently traced his hand, her eyes finally looking up at his, a faint hint of gratitude in them. "I thought so too. But I fought to stay alive, Darius. For you, for us."

He pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the space between them. For a moment, Darius could almost feel as if he was given a second chance to have his wife in his arms.

The crew's gaze never left the pair as they stared at them with their lips curling into a smile. Their reunion was unexpected but they were still glad it turned out this way. If it hadn't, god knows what Darius could've done. Mediterranean might not sail or worse, they'd lose their captain due to him longing to be with his wife. They'll never know but it was best to forget the thought.

Darius finally pulled back slightly, his hands cupping Calista's face as he gazed at her, his voice trembling. "I can't lose you, Calista. You mean everything to me."

Her eyes glistened with tears, her smile almost luring him out of his fear. "And you mean everything to me, Darius. I'm not going away anymore."

In that moment, as the sun set on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the ship and its crew, Darius and Calista held onto each other. Arsen and Elysaria smiled as they saw the two in a distance. 

The ship sailed forward on calmer waters until the two ships finally docked back at Arkenheilm. The crew finally put down the anchors as they finally put down the stairs. As the crew got out and fixed the ships, Darius approached Arsen with a mixture of gratitude and respect.

"Thank you, general," Darius said, his voice sincere. He softly sighed and looked at the Medusa. "If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have been with my wife."

Arsen's only smiled, a rare sight for the Arkenheilm leader herself. Her eyes had been cleared of all the weariness that she wore before. "No problem, Darius. We just did what was needed to be done."

Her gaze then went straight at the Regimere. "Our alliance is what gives us peace. It's truly disappointing that Everfrost had not thought the same."

Darius nodded, understanding the weight of her words. His attention was once again drawn to the waters below. The journey back to Ravenbourne was easy considering that the way was finally clear from the Seraphius himself.

Though, he thought of going back to Arkenheilm. The people rather seem welcoming and it would possibly help them rest. Another reason Darius even notes was the fact that Calista was still shaken up from the incident.

It would be best she would have a secure place with a lot of security she needs just in case her sister visits her. Darius knew there was still a growing tension between the two so this was the safest option.

The wind flowed through the air, the familiar smell of the fishes and the port almost made the crew smile. Elysaria led her crew back while Arsen made sure to put Darius' crew into one of the famous inns and check them there.

Darius watched as the crew joyfully went in while he, Calista, and Aloysius followed Arsen with the scrolls on their hands.

The doors of the office opened and the older officials stared as Arsen walked in. Even the researchers had stopped working as their leader finally sat in her seat with Darius and Aloysius putting the scrolls on the table.

With no hesitation, the researchers quickly compiled and rushed to get the documents back in the archives and the newer records quickly on their working tables.

Solstice, the lead researcher, glanced at Arsen and bows respectfully. "Welcome back, general Arsen."

Arsen nods as she and Darius discussed a few matters at hand, leaving Aloysius standing silently. His eyes studied the woman as Solstice fixed her glasses, shyly looking away from the man. Words weren't exchanged but from the gaze they both threw each other, it was enough for their lips to curl into a smile.

Darius looks at the two for a moment and couldn't help but smile as well, knowing the growing feelings of the two that are currently left unspoken. But he knew that by due time, Aloysius too would be like him and Calista.