SWNOVELS Chapter 33
The loss of my father was a deep blow of fate. Since my mother died, he cared for me and Ava and tried to be a parent to both of us. He regularly relived the memory of our mother, so we never forgot her or her voice. When we were children, we never felt disadvantaged, even without a mother. I learned everything from father firsthand. He tried hard to explain everything to me and prepare me and Ava for life through many conversations. He was a beloved king, respected by his people. His respect for all beings and loving leadership inspired me. He was my idol and I aspired to be like him.
Unlike us, Iris and Aidan had lost both parents and were even separated to protect them. Iris had the added burden of having her memories wiped and not even remembering her own family. Aidan grew up with us, and I loved him like a brother. But his pain over losing his family and the sister he no longer had with him was also unbearably painful for me.
What hurt me the most was when I dreamt of Iris and realized she was likely my soul mate that I couldn't find. Dreams are different for everyone. Sometimes we see the person, sometimes the place they are in, often just the voice. But rarely do we not dream of them at all. Devas and Lilly had never dreamt of each other, but I think that's because of Lilly's immense abilities and her protective shield as an immortal. They were just lucky, or fate led them to each other. Because whether we wanted it or not, we couldn't escape fate.
I had faith and hope that fate would reunite me and Iris, and when it happened, I was overjoyed. The fact that she didn't remember anything never changed my feelings for her because you can never deny the endless love you have for your soul mate. And when Bael helped her remember and overcome the powerful blockade of her memories, I was relieved that she could now experience the same thoughts and feelings as I had.
After she remembered, it was much easier for her. She finally knew who she was and where she came from. Aidan, who had never lost hope that Iris would come back, was finally happy when she could remember again. The memory of his sister gave him hope that they would be reunited at some point. And when that happened, I was deeply happy for both of them. I will never forget the look Aidan and I exchanged as he hugged his sister and looked over her shoulder at me.
Through countless conversations we had with her, Iris learned everything she had once forgotten. She enjoyed listening to us talk about our childhood and the time after her disappearance. Just like her brother, she was robbed of the childhood she could have had if her parents hadn't died. The connection and love between Aidan and Iris were pure and long-awaited by both of them.
In the two years since we were reunited, we have had a lot of adventures. But the love for each other and the close friendship with our friends made many things possible that seemed difficult. When we finally lived the life we deserved with all the lovely people around us, friends and family, the crowning moment of our love was our wedding and the birth of our children.
Now I understood my father and everything he did for us as I held my own children. There is nothing I wouldn't do for my beloved Iris and our kids. The love I felt for Iris only grew stronger through Elyon and Elaria because they were a piece of my beloved wife.
However, our happiness didn't last long. Just after our first hour together, we already faced the biggest threat right outside our home. When Devas showed me the attack and the attempt to break through Antaris' protective barrier, I was amazed. Not only had they found Antaris, but they also found a way to break the barrier. I briefly feared for my family, not wanting my children to suffer the same fate as Ava, Iris, Aidan, and I. But that fear quickly dissipated as I saw the panic among the people of Antaris. They needed me as their king and warlord.
I promised to protect my beloved Antaris and all its inhabitants, and I intended to do so. I quickly gave my orders and prepared for the worst. Everyone stood ready and followed my commands. When the barrier was broken and the Dark World entered our home, I could feel the negative energy spreading through Antaris like fire. The putrid smell of death and sulfur caused unrest among all the residents. Women, children, and older residents were brought to safety, while men prepared for the fight. We had been preparing for this for months. With Lilly's help, we were ready for battle. However, I was not prepared for Abbadon's sword, stained with my father's blood, that he held out to me. Oh Father!
Using dark magic, he found out our location and how to get to us through the blood of the king. Luckily, the barrier only exposed the opening he created with his sword, allowing us to have some control over the situation.
The attack felt like a tsunami of demons and creatures of darkness rushing towards us. The collision with our defenses was enormous, and so we found ourselves in the final battle. It wasn't just about life and death; it was about the existence of good beings.
I saw the brave fighters of Antaris standing beside each other, fighting not just for themselves but for each other. We fought for our lives and our home, and the training we had received since Lilly's arrival seemed to be successful. Together with Lilly, we managed to effortlessly destroy hundreds, if not thousands, of demons in just a few minutes. She was our secret weapon, and with our combined forces, we held the fight with minimal losses. When Abbadon and Belial couldn't find the children, I knew that Jade and Ava had safely led everyone through the portal to a secure location that even we didn't know about, in case we were captured.
Bael and Noah protected each other, keeping themselves safe and under control. Devas helped me, and I felt safe at his side. He was not only an advisor but also my best friend.
When Devas noticed that Lilly had left the line and flew into the air, he brought it to my attention. The battle had forced Iris away, and she was being attacked by Belial and Abbadon. Lilly managed to help Iris when Abbadon attacked her, and I called my amicus Eyon to bring me and Devas safely to them.
With Eyon's help, we made it to the roof of the mansion, guided by Noah. It was then that I noticed the destruction of Antaris. I didn't see many injured or killed, but all our houses and homes were destroyed and burning. Lilly's scream brought me back to reality, and Devas and I climbed through the destroyed roof rails into the Big Court.
Alatus blocked the entrance to the room with his large body, and Iris helped him with her aura. I ran to Iris and used my elf magic to help secure us while Devas searched for an exit. However, it seemed that Lilly had a plan, and Devas didn't like it. The plan was to free the sword, defeat one of the princes of darkness, and destroy him with the sword. Even though it seemed risky and could mean the death of all of us if the sword fell into the wrong hands, I decided to trust Lilly again and take the risk. Devas and Iris kept the door securely closed while I concentrated and used my elven powers to ignite the magic and release the sword from the painting. Lilly immediately took the sword into her hands.
It felt as if all the demonic forces were converging on the mansion to retrieve the now freed sword. We were soon surrounded by an army from the dark side. The battle between good and evil creatures was now decisive. It could mean the death of all of us.