12: Darken: Resurrection

Chapter Nineteen: Althaeon

We sat in the council room, anticipation hanging thick in the air as we waited for Thespian to join us. "We need to start the meeting," Astraea spoke, her voice steady and calm despite the tension. "Things are getting too tense, thankfully he has just returned."

The door swung open, and Thespian finally stepped in, taking his seat with an air of apology. "Sorry for being late."

As always, I was amazed at my sister's uncanny ability to know everything that happened in her city. She fixed her gaze on Thespian. "You left the city. Where did you go?"

Thespian took a deep breath, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of weariness and determination. "I had to check on some important matters beyond the city walls."

"Where did you go?" she demanded, this time with no room for evasion.

He sighed, meeting Astraea's intense gaze. "I went to check on Daria."

The room fell into a heavy silence, every council member's attention now fixed on Thespian. Astraea's eyes narrowed, analyzing every nuance of his response. "And what did you find?" she pressed, her voice taut with concern and suspicion.

Thespian straightened, his resolve evident. "Daria is safe for now, but the situation is fragile. Draus is unstable, and his motivations are becoming increasingly unpredictable. We need to act with caution and prepare for any eventuality."

Astraea leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "Very well. Has Draus been harming her?"

"As far as I could tell, no," Thespian answered. "She does, however, think that he is on the verge of a mental breakdown. We can use that to our advantage." He sighed and looked to Alexander. "Any word on Aunt Alana?"

"She is on her way," Alexander replied. "She does not want to teleport here; she has never liked teleporting."

The tension in the room was palpable as everyone absorbed the information. Astraea's eyes flickered with determination. "Draus's instability is a potential weakness we need to exploit. However, we must proceed with utmost caution. Any misstep could put Daria in even greater danger."

Thespian leaned forward, his expression resolute. "We'll do whatever it takes to protect her and bring Draus down."

Alexander nodded, his face serious. "Coordinating with Alana will be crucial. Her knowledge and abilities could make all the difference in this battle."

"How far out is she?" I asked, anxiety gnawing at me as I thought of Alana traveling either by foot or flight.

"That I am unsure," Alexander responded, concern evident in his voice. "She is taking the main path through the dwarven kingdom. I did not tell her what has been going on."

Thorne, talking about his wife, added, "I did not tell Lilliana either. As far as I know, our matters have not left our kingdoms."

The air in the council room was thick with worry. "Maybe some of us should fly out and escort her here," I suggested, my voice tinged with urgency. "I would feel a lot better if we knew she was safe."

Thespian stood, determination written across his face. "I'll go. She will be safe with me."

I nodded, feeling a rush of relief. "I will go as well; two of us are better than one." I looked to Astraea, seeking her permission. "If that is okay with you, of course."

Astraea gave a decisive nod. "Do what you must, just make sure she gets here safely."

With Astraea's blessing, Thespian and I swiftly prepared for our journey. The weight of our mission hung heavily on our shoulders, but we moved with purpose and determination.