Luna Felix

59 | Cost and Consequences

SONG is Black Swan the Orchestral version. I was listening to this on repeat when I was writing this chapter.

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KING'S POV

The recited spells filled the air as I gave them the go-ahead. So I closed my eyes, keeping a tight hold on Felix. Mentally preparing to give up anything.

I tried to mentally call for the goddess to listen to me. I called, I begged, I pleaded. But to no avail.

Time passed painfully slowly, as I felt the last of Felix's heartbeats.

I tried to hold on. I waited for the next heartbeat with bated breath. But when time passed and nothing happened.

I knew she had died. In my arms.

The necklace probably broke as I could hear it clink away. But I didn't open my eyes. I didn't have the courage.

I felt nothing. Didn't even have the energy to call the goddess anymore.

Clutching her harder. Till the cold seeped into my body.

I called the goddess again and again and again. With all my conviction. With all my heart. With all my trust in her.

I could feel the warm tears dripping down my face as I felt my hope die with each passing second.

But I didn't let go of her. I couldn't let go of her. Why should I have to?

No, I deserve this moment of solitude. If I could pause time here, I would.

An obscure part of me wanted to end my existence right this moment.

I wanted to entertain the idea. Is it worth living? Why do I have to live? I was afraid to continue. Afraid I will forget her voice one day, how she smelled, how she felt. Afraid that I would regret every word I spoke to her.

Why didn't I cherish her more? Why didn't I just let her leave? Why wasn't I strong enough that night?

What did all this strength, all this power, all this respect brought me?

Nothing.

She still stood in front of me when I was inches away from death. She still fought till......... the end.

"YOUR MAJESTY"

"ORIEF"

I could hear them, but I still didn't open my eyes.

I could hear them move, but I still didn't open my eyes.

I wish I could close them forever.

But I knew I couldn't do that.

Why didn't the goddess hear me?

What have I done wrong?

Didn't I dedicate my whole life to my people?

All I wanted to do was protect her. All I wanted was for her to live a little.

I was ready to give anything in return.

"ORIEF, OPEN YOUR EYES. YOU NEED TO SEE THIS."

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes which were blurry from my tears.

But instead of sad faces, I saw the wonder on Acimer's face. So I looked down at Felix.

Her cold body was getting warm as blue energy flowed from the holy objects in Tristain's hands back to Felix.

"I don't know what you offered the goddess Your Majesty but the energy is flowing perfectly back into her." Said the Dwarf Leader.

Neither do I. How did this happen?

Tristan called Acimer, "Beta Acimer, do you have any more magic scroll left? We need to get Felix medical attention as soon as possible. I don't know what her situation was but she seems injured."

Right nothing matters now. I will think later.

"The helicopter from yesterday might still be on stand-by here. Ask them to land to the nearest possible location." I ordered.

Acimer nodded, "Yes and the backup team might have arrived too. It can help us round up the immobilized people," he glanced at Conti, "the hostages and the dead."

In a daze, I watched Felix, still not believing anything.

I didn't believe that she was alive when we climbed the helicopter. Didn't believe it when I carried her to the hospital. Didn't believe it when my parents arrived. Didn't believe it when Acimer recounted some details he knew about my parents.

It was when her brother Flynn hugged me, looking like an image of her. He sobbed into my shoulder and I hugged him back my own tears flowing again.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, I couldn't bear to lose another person I love." He whispered to me his tears soaking my torn shirt.

I didn't think much of his words initially but the term 'another person' jolted me out of my state of grief.

"Another person?" I asked scared.

Flynn hiccuped, a fresh set of tears welling up in his eyes, "Mom passed away a few hours ago."

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