Malion: Royal Blood

Exhausted

It had been a week since Baal was banished... Everything seemed as normal as living in a castle with servants could be, when you're used to living in a mining village and in the wild...
Just when that routine was starting to become habit, we'd decided to head back to the Skladmir Region. The change wasn't overwhelming, but it was straining nonetheless. And just when I'd started to rekindle the bond between my parents broken by that attack.

"Decoda, are you sure you want to leave? Life is comfortable here! You'd have everything you could ever need!" Mom said with a sad smile. I sighed and wrapped my arms around her.

"Sorry mom... I might have everything I could need, but that's not what I want." I said. I kissed her cheek and stepped back towards my group.

"Well in that case, I'm happy to have packed extra clothes and supplies for you. If your shoulders get sore, hand it over to Kaylum. You both are somewhat equal in strength anyway." She said with her proud smile.

"I'll miss you!" I said as I turned, "I love you both!" I said, my throat beginning to burn. I hated that I had to leave them behind again. Suddenly I was on the ground, Baron's arms wrapped around me in a tight hug.

"You have to stay at least a little bit longer, I insist!" He said, burying his face into my shoulder.

"Baron! Your skin is gonna get all red and blistered!" I yelped, trying to push him away.

"I do not care! I am not letting go until you allow my company!" He exclaimed, gripping tighter. I heard a hiss from his arms and chest. I shoved him off to see blood only just starting to break out. I pulled him to his feet and pressed his hand into my cheek in an effort to comfort him.

"I'll let you visit as much as possible, ok? You should be able to fly through The Beneath pretty quickly. I love you, Baron." I told him when he sniffed. His big amber eyes had glazed over with tears and a few had already started to roll down his cheeks.

"Do you vow?" He asked, wiping the tears away with his free hand.

"I vow, my lovely brother." I said with a smile. He pressed his forehead against mine and blinked more tears out of his eyes.

"I love you, Decoda." He mumbled before stepping back towards my parents. I waved at them before turning and heading back the way Dad had lead us.

~~~

After a few days of traveling across Aslen, we'd made it to the Berrow Region. After that was the Ramir Region and then we'd finally be back in Skladmir. As we made our way through that haunting birch forest, I heald tightly onto Elliott's hand and listened to another one of Anthony's wild theories. Alex laughed and commented on them behind us. Kaylum made snarky remarks at him - probably as some kind of payback. His hair had grown to the point of him being able to put it up into a small bun.

I looked over at Herross. He hadn't said a word since Baal's banishment. Selvan would only comment occasionally but without his brother's input, he was much quieter than usual. A sinking feeling filled my chest and I tightened my grip on Elliott's hand. He leaned his head on mine.

"It's alright, my Lethallin. I'm sure they're just drained. They're Gods after all. Not everyone can open a secure dimentional barrier." He mumbled with a small smile.

"You're just happy I'm more talkative than usual..." I whispered as we continued. I looked forward to see Herross tap Selv on the shoulder and nod.

"Alright everyone! We're ready." Selvan called out. We gathered around them, making sure to only touch one of the two Gods. Selvan disappeared first, taking half thr group with him. Then Herross did the same, but he appeared in the desert much farther behind Selv. He groaned and pushed forward. They did this once a day around noon, traveling maybe 10 kilometers every time.

"Are you sure you can keep doing this?" I asked the God. He grunted and gave me a nod. My eyes fell to the ground and I sighed.

Once we caught up to the others, Selvan took his brother by his shoulders.

"Herross, you're going to drain yourself to death. Calm down and we can teleport every second day if it helps." He insisted. Hero growled as he glared at Selv. He stepped back, shoving him away.

"I can do this. There's no need for you to worry about me. I know when I am draining." He hissed. His voice was deep and grating, as if he'd just woken up from the longest nap but was still sleep deprived.

"Brother, please! I care about you! You're going to kill yourself if we do this a few more times getting to Skladmir!" Selv warned.

"Care about me? Since when did you care about me? You trapped me in that dead realm for an eternity and now you claim to love me! Leave me be you malignant man." He growled, hatred broiling in his voice. He stormed off towards Ramir and I ran after him, hearing Selv shoute Herross' name from the party. When I caught up to him, he'd stopped outside the wall, leaning against the red bricks. He looked exhausted, as if he would collapse or scream at any time. He sighed with his eyes shut. No glow came from behind his eyelids.

"Hero?" I whispered as I warily approached. He opened his now grey eyes.

"Oh... hello Decoda." He said. His eyes were only half open and seemed to stare through me. Then all brightness faded from his eyes, turning them into pitch black empty sockets. He stepped forward and I took a hesitant step back but he locked his hand around my neck before I could get any farther back. His fist kept closing and squeesing around my neck... I clawed at his skin until he pulled me close and whispered something horrifying:

"Be quiet, little one. I will save you."