the devils games

The end?

(Elgremor pov)

It was dark, I couldn't see or hear anything around me. Was this what death for our people is like? Nothingness, it's quite an existence, I suppose. It's strange though, it's rather comfortable here, and warm. Looking at myself I could not see anything around me, It was strange.

While looking at my hand I saw shackles form around them. I watched as chains formed around my body and floated in the air around me. Seconds later, a soft glowing light began to form before me. As it grew stronger I felt my body being pulled towards it. As the light became too bright for me to handle I became forced to close my eyes. When I opened them again, however, the light was less intense though still bright. It was warm and comfortable, I could feel the bed under me, and the blankets that covered me.

Opening my eyes once more I could see my surroundings, my room. I was in my room, yet I could not remember getting here. The events of the battle returned to me as I recall my final moments. I was dying, so how am I alive? Unless this is the afterlife? A false reality? But I am forbidden from the afterlife, it would be impossible. Carefully I lift myself up into a sitting position, letting my mind ponder how this could happen until a thought came to me that scared me to the very core.

Quickly, I find my way out of my bed nearly falling in the process before finding my footing, and run to the door opening as quickly as possible, scaring the poor servant stationed at its side. Turning to the young man a asked him as quickly as I could.

Elgremor: "where is everyone?"

The servant looked in disbelief and simply pointed down the hall towards the throne room. I ran quickly, my bare feet hitting on the cold marble pushing me forward at a quickened paste. I could not help but worry. if I was alive then he had broken the seal, and he knows the consequences that could come of it. A second thought came into mind that made me stop in my tracks. I failed, I lost to a mortal, and by their rules, she would be his, and the only one who would really know would be her. I failed her, I lost her, haven't I?

I could feel the room becoming cold, it's was a slow creep. It reached deep grasping at one's bones. It was numbing. I knew this was all my fault, and what if, he's gone after the others. Have I truly lost everything? Am I now, alone?

From behind me, I could hear movement, but I did not turn,  not right away anyway, not until I heard them speak that is.

Senron: "I'm beginning to think that you getting lost in your own mind is a habit, my king."

I turn around swiftly and look him in the eye, he had released the seal, he was now capable of accessing his angelic power. I made my way to him, afraid that if I move too quickly he might disappear.

Senron: "I have already been to the seer, I am not going anywhere, after all, there was no guaranty that I would die if I broke his seal"

With that thought, I give him a sincere smile, before brought my hand up and punched him in the face. Though it seemed he was expecting it since he recovered quickly, offering a smile of his own.

Senron: "I figured you would do that."

Elgremor: "of course I would! You released the seal, knowing full well what could have happened to you, without thinking that if something happens you are the only one who can protect my family in my place"

Senron: "I knew that full well that's why I brought you back and sent the mortal away saying he won"

Without saying a word I swiftly pull him into a hug. No matter how angry I may be, I am glad that I haven't lost everything yet, I should have known he would do something to protect them. Form behind us, I could hear a soft chuckle.

Allia: "I hope we're not interrupting something"

I turned to face her, she was still here. With a soft smile, I make my way to her, but before I could reach her, my little Zamili ran up to me and huge me tightly, nearly making me fall over. Smiling and knell down and give her a proper hug. My son's followed soon after, the warmth of the room had returned as now I could see everything I love and care for in one room. Allia made her way to me, with a gentle smile.

Allia: "they were all really worried about you, "

Elgremor: "were you?"

Allia: "well, yes, but Senron said that you would survive, and I trust him"

I gave her a soft nod before looking past her seeing my sister and her husband along with Arthur, seeming relieved that I am now awake. though not far behind them, I could see my mother, she looked like she was crying. Carefully I let my children go, asking them to stay here and made my way to her, offering a small hug to my sister as I passed her, before stopping in front of my mother.

Elgremor: "I'm sorry, "

Nalie: "don't you ever do that to me again, do you hear me!"

Elgremor: "yes, I hear you, I'll try not to"

Nalie: "no, don't "try", just don't do it!"

Elgremor: "yes mother, "

With that she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly as she could, I, of course, return the hug. When she let go I gave her a smile before telling her that there was something I need to do. I made my way back to my children and Allia, having my last words to her having been a confession there was something I need to know. I stopped in front of her, my children coming to my side.

Elgremor: "this might be a strange question, but did I tell you how I feel about you?"

Allia: "you don't remember?"

She looked almost sad asking that, I did make me regret asking.

Elgremor: "I needed to make sure I didn't imagine that, unfortunately, I never did hear what you said afterwards"

She gave me a soft, shy smile while playing with her fingers. She then carefully leaned up to me placing both hands onto my chest and kissed my cheek softly, she then looked down shyly before asking.

Allia: "does that answer your question?"

I chuckle softly before wrapping her in my arms carefully and gently placed a kiss on the top of her head before answering.

Elgremor: "yes, yes it does."

I knew she would want to take her time with this newfound feeling, and honestly, I don't really mind that, as long as I had her and my family, I couldn't be happier.

The cursed sword was kept in the one place that no one would ever get to it again. In the hands of my most trusted friend, I sealed off the gates once more and let my people walk freely our lands one again, and from now on if something like this happens again, I will protect the mortal, but they will be free to live as they please, no, tests, no games. I'll make sure of it.