Unconditionally - DanRos FanFic

Chapter 12

They were ready.  Amihan, Alena, Danaya and Muros were crouched, lying in wait behind some rocks that gave them a view of one of the entry points to Hathoria.  Danaya turned to Alena and they smiled at each other.

Just before they left, Danaya had approached Alena.  She did this, knowing that their secret weapon against Hagorn required complete oneness between themselves, something that they could not achieve if Alena still bore enmity towards her.  Besides which, she sorely missed her sister.  Thank Emre Alena had finally forgiven her.  They had embraced tearfully and finally reconciled.  If only Pirena were as easy to speak with.  In her opinion, they didn't really need Pirena's cooperation but Amihan had insisted.

She glanced at Amihan and then behind her.  The prince of the Sapirians, Ybrahim, was there as well.  It was disconcerting to have him here with both Alena and Amihan but at least the tension among them was no longer felt unlike the past few months.  They seemed to have resolved their differences in private.

Finally, she peeked at Muros, the newly appointed mashna of Lireo.  He certainly looked stern though calm. She knew she had chosen Aquil but she was grateful for Muros' comforting presence last night.  As for Aquil, the pain of his treachery had cut her like a knife.  She was furious with him for betraying their trust and antagonizing Lilasari.    

"Time to move." Amihan whispered and Ybrahim placed his hand on her shoulder while Muros touched Danaya's arm.  They looked at each other for a moment.  He seemed to be searching her face for something but right now, her main concern was ending the battle soon before anyone else got hurt.

The sang'gres with their Mashna and Sapirian prince reappeared together right in front of the entrance and they swiftly disposed of the sentries before they could raise an alarm.

The group hurried inside and at the first crossroad, they paused to nod at each other before parting ways. Amihan, Alena and Ybrahim were to search for Pirena and Danaya with Muros to find Lilasari's child and Aquil. 

Danaya and Muros headed for the throne room.  She remembered a time that they had been there once before, the two of them together.  Was it fate that they were going there together once more?  She wasn't usually so sentimental but today it felt important somehow.

They entered the throne room and ran straight into a group of soldiers.  Danaya and Muros fought their way through them back to back, striking and slashing until the last soldier went down.

There was a stirring in the air and Hagorn suddenly appeared in front of his throne.  "Sang'gre Danaya," he rumbled and smiled menacingly. 

Beside Hagorn, was a dark version of what used to be Paopao's kambal diwa and his spearlike weapon was pointed at a prisoner, Aquil.  The former mashna of Lireo was kneeling with his hands tied behind his back. 

"Aquil! Hagorn, you pashneya!" Danaya screamed.

"It was Aquil who came to me Sang'gre." The king of Hathoria replied.  "He offered Lilasari's location in exchange for peace in the land and my promise to stop the war."

He paused and glared at them.  "Your attack here in my kingdom, however, is not part of the agreement.  That is already an act of war."

"Hagorn!" Aquil shouted in rage and struggled to stand, pulling against his bonds.

Hagorn waved his hand toward the dark kambal-diwa who put his weapon at Aquil's throat.  Aquil grunted.

"Now, Sang'gre," Hagorn gestured to her. "Give me your gem or Aquil dies."

Danaya stared at him with hatred.  Muros was quiet beside her, waiting for her decision. 

Slowly, she walked toward Hagorn.  Aquil looked pleadingly at her, his expression tortured, "Danaya..."

"Stop there, Sang'gre Danaya, and transfer your gem to me."

A few paces away from Hagorn, she summoned her gem and let it hover toward him.  He snatched the gem with maniacal glee and laughed. 

In a flash, Aquil launched a kick at the kambal-diwa.  Hagorn turned furiously and drove his sword straight into Aquil's chest.

Aquil crumpled to the ground as Hagorn and the kambal-diwa used the gems to vanish. 

Danaya and Muros ran to him.  She pulled him up to rest against her arms.  She was crying now.  "Hold on, Aquil.  I will get my gem back and heal you, just hold on."

Aquil coughed and blood leaked from the side of his mouth.  He raised a hand to touch her cheek with trembling fingers.  "Agape avi, Danaya. I am sorry.  I wanted to stop the war whatever the cost.  I overheard you and Amihan.  I did not want you to become queen for I would lose you."  He closed his eyes and whispered. "Forgive me."

He paused, then added, his voice fainter, "Take care of her, Muros."

Muros nodded, "I swear to protect her with my life."

Aquil took one last breath and then went still. 

"Aquil!"  Danaya's scream resonated with pain as she held his body close.  For several minutes, she just held him, while she wept.

Muros was on his knees beside her, head down, shoulders slumped and not saying anything.  All he did was to put his hand on her shoulder.  Their grief kept them from moving.

Minutes passed, perhaps an hour, Danaya lost track of time.  Aquil was gone but she remembered her mission and that her sisters depended on her.  Her gem had to be retrieved so she could protect everyone else. 

She took deep breaths to calm herself.  Gently, she laid Aquil on the floor.  "We will return for you."  She wiped the tears from her cheeks angily.

When she stood up, Muros was ready beside her.  He handed her her arnis sticks.  Aquil would be avenged and Hagorn would pay for all the lives he had callously taken.