Guardian(Part IV): Revelation

Chapter 44: Daisy

Nothing could have made me happier than seeing Finn's arrow pierce straight through Shtriga's skull, and after the battle before the Gates of Hell, seeing his corpse pale, and lying in a pool of his own blood. He had killed Marquis, and was about to kill even more people by unleashing an army of demons onto Arcadis if we hadn't stopped him. Now, he was dead. I spat on his corpse before we left the cave. We left Arcadis just a day after we stopped the Gates of Hell from opening. Eris had invited me to stay with herself, Finn, Nato, and Haemon at her house in Chardan, which I accepted, since I probably wouldn't be returning to Illondas any time soon with the King of Aderas launching military attacks on it. I'd had my fair share of war. When we arrived back in Chardan, and almost to Eris' house, Haemon kept insisting that we hang back while he goes and scouts ahead of us. He was saying that it was only to make sure we would be safe, but he kept doing it, even after saying it was safe. It became more frequent the closer we became to the house, and I could tell that Eris was getting irritated by her older son's shenanigans. When he came back to us one more time, she finally expressed it.

"Haemon," she hissed.

"It's safe," Haemon interrupted.

"This is the hundredth time you've said it's safe," Eris reminded.

"Actually, you've only told me..."

"Haemon, you're keeping me from entering my house, and I don't appreciate that," Eris warned.

"But we're not at the house," Haemon corrected.

"That doesn't mean...!"

Eris slapped her hand to her forehead.

"Uh oh," Finn whispered. "Point of no return."

"We're not stopping until we get home," Eris declared. "Now, come on."

Eris angrily walked ahead of Haemon, who had a look of nervousness on his face.

"What are you holding back, Haemon?" I wondered.

"We've had Turmeon... working on something for her since we went to Arcadis," Finn enlightened.

"Really?" I asked, smiling. "That's sweet."

"Well, she's done a lot," Nato reminded. "For everyone."

"So, what's the surprise for her?" I wondered.

"Guys?" Eris called.

"Oh!" Haemon gasped. We quickly caught up with Eris, and we kept moving toward the house. After one more ridge, we were here. There was a large, wooden house built from bricks and wood, with a large storm malakyte generator for electricity, and a greenhouse for fruits and vegetables to be grown there.

"Wait," Eris halted. "That's not..."

Suddenly, Finn, Nato, and Haemon all warped in front of her and shouted, "Surprise!" all at once.

"What?" Eris gasped, with a smile on her face. "You didn't!"

"Courtesy of Turmeon," said Finn. "Who had to go back to Cordinshire before Rionah got suspicious."

The smile on Eris' face was one I couldn't mistake for anything else. She was happier than she had been in a long time. We all went into the house, where Eris stared at everything with her eyes widened as much as possible. I could hardly blame her for her amazement. The house Turmeon built was just like a normal house. There were windows, a proper door, electricity, a fireplace, a dining room with a table and chairs, a kitchen, and bathrooms, and the second floor had bedrooms, and a den with a radio and bookshelves. It almost reminded me of the house Marcel and I shared in Quorias. Throughout the building, I also noticed warding sigils etched into every brick and every plank of wood that made up the structure's integrity. It was hidden from demons and other servants of darkness that would normally be able to find beings as powerful as Eris, Finn, Nato, and Haemon. I was also impressed, since this house was out in the middle of nowhere. There was a view of Soareus Peak on the horizon that was absolutely stunning, and even more so from the balcony on the second floor of the house. A ravine that must have been caused by an earthquake was also visible, right underneath the balcony.