"So this is how it is," Villers despairs.
"I guess it is," Line says. "I'm sorry."
"But I'm sure Tyle would make sure that the great grand-kids would be fine. Spythun and Skyto. Even if… even with his life," Tony frowns.
"I wish it didn't have to be that way… can I know how they look? I never got to see Lithin, to start with."
"One's got blue eyes, black hair. He seems like a leader, like Rusty. And Spythun's got the looks, the blond hairs, the light-brown eyes… and the liveliness and curiosity."
Villers just nods to that.
"The kids will be fine, I know it, Ivor," Tony says.
"I'm sure so will Rusty. Wherever it is that he is. I'm just a little worried is all, I'm fine."
We just silently stand there… mourning everyone's deaths.
"And where…" Line breaks the silence, "is Fara?"
"Oh right, we should get her out of the rubble," I say.
"Genius here wanted to bb Rahambose alongside Fara. And forgot that he was a freaking red. The equation messed up and only Fara died. At least Fara has more lives."
Line scoffs loudly. "I know someone who forgot about reds' powers too."
"Yeah, alright. At least something good came of it."
Line and Tony move through the rubble, after putting out some sparks and little flames. And start looking at the place we tell them she was at.
"Are you guys sure this is where she was?"
"Unless she got blasted from the blast."
"What was you go to plan after this?"
"Getting her to a safer place. But now that you are here…"
"We can't take her to The Empire, did you forget the whole Rahambose part? The castle would be in pieces."
"No, not there… Yjale didn't want us to go ask his help, because it'll be easy for Saturn to eventually get to Fara, one or the other way. But you guys can help us, I mean."
"Alright, where?"
"There's a diary around there, which Tarragon would write on. We got some places on there."
"Also remember those… but yeah, actually, I have the diary right here with me," I hold my diary up.
Villers scales me up and down. "Why do you care for it more than you care for Fara?"
"Let's… not, ok?"
"Why did Hate want to kill her, catch anything?"
"Not sure… something about being drawn."
"And connected something."
"Did he… mention a Rahambose-Killer?"
"Oh, so that's what it was. Yes, seems that might have been what I… what's wrong?"
Line puts his hand on Tony's shoulder and rubs. "Even if he has any ideas… we'll make sure to halt it for a while."
"We have to," Tony sighs and nods shakily.
"Guys?"
"We are fine."
"No… I'm glad. But… that was what Fara was wearing, I think." And it was right where the two are standing… barren of its owner.
A scary thought rises in me. Neither the old, nor the young Fara was here. How much did we even know of Fara's reincarnation? Had the event… put an end to it.
***
I enter the majestic castle of the Altar of Rahambose. Finding the sole ruler sitting at the throne, makes me shudder and bow down to him… with respect.
"My gracious King."
"That is of no necessity, Hate. No need for formalities. I'm what I am, because of you."
I stand up straight and look at him with pride dwelling off my face. "So am I."
"I see you've grown a better liking about your this form," Lithin points at me, still from the throne.
"Indeed it is… tempting.
"I understand."
"No one… will throw stones at us, for what we are, now."
"That'll come. Even with such power… threats aren't zero, my friend."
"You mean the ghosts? We can-"
"-we cannot. And they aren't the problem."
"Then I'm confused, your Highness."
"Our team in itself… Rahambose can kill a Rahambose. We cannot trust them, my friend. Be very careful."
"I understand. One of them died, as you know. And another shows determination, even after she lost her arm to a kid… she might've been a good choice."
"Trinity… from Nightrale after all."
"But this forgetfulness after leaving Nightrale… is not digestible to me."
"Indeed. Her on the planet and now… is quite different. But it is possible."
"Still…"
"If you have doubts… clear them, my friend. I trust your decisions."
"I shall see to it."
"Fara is finished, I believe?"
"The idiots let her bomb herself to take me down… but yes."
"Idiots?"
"Ivor Villers and Tarragon."
He scoffs. "One denied power. Another is the age old prophecy… they won't make it for too long, don't you worry."
"But killing her… what was the exact purpose?"
"So that she knows. That I'm here. So she tries to stop me."
"I understand."
"Is Elena alive?"
"Just as you asked."
"With what you decided for Wise, I thought you might have ideas."
"He… had to be put down."
"Very well. I have enough brothers and sisters now. Or will have. So shouldn't be sad. Go fetch me Elena."
I bow lightly, turn behind, and start walking away.
+
As Hate leaves me, I hear rustles again. I find a shady figure from the corner of my eye. Right as it nears, I punch towards it-while jumping up.
"Who's that?"
"I must ask you that… this is my throne," a lady's voice whistles.
But I find no one.
"Show yourself… now!"
"Well, well, well, you seem to have some enormous amount of energy within you," she says, and I find nothing again. "Give it to me…" she whispers from right near my ears.
Nothing.
"Your kind it is… the ghosts."
"We never named ourselves. None dared ask us who we were, but they labelled us. You won't blame us for that puny title now, will you?" her voice echoes near me.
"You think I care about what your kind is called?"
"Well, you were the one who asked who I was. Or are you just interested in me and only me?" she laughs.
"Would you show yourself if I were interested in you?"
"You've got a way with your words. Never have I ever talked to your kind so much. What do you call yourself? Primevels…?"
"Another label of course… I have a better one, Rahambose."
I push my arm in a curve and grab something. As iStart spreading out fire, it escapes.
"Almost got me" she laughs. "If you promise to not get jumpy… here I'm."
At a distance I see her. A foggy figure, barely what could be considered a 'form'. Yet beautiful, as far as beauty goes. An illusion. With her feet in the air, and floating.
"You seem shook," she giggles.
"I believe I don't know you. What is it they call you, besides a ghost?"
"Achlys is a name I gave myself. Found on my… travels."
"Achlys… my name is Lithin."
"Besides Rahambose…?" Achlys giggles.
"A label… just as I said."
"I take it as an offense when someone sits on my throne," Achlys looks at the throne behind me.
"How could I have known it had an owner? Your kind ran as I arrived."
"Well, it is your aura within you. It is fascinatingly… terrifying."
"You seem to be brave enough to come and stalk me yet."
"You seem to be brave enough to try and attack me. Well, I succeeded but the same can't be said about you," Achlys giggles.
"Why are you here…?"
"Well, it is my palace and place. Why are you here?"
"The place does have my name. Took the palace with it."
"You dare mock me?"
"You can't harm me… and lucky for you, same goes for me to you."
"Oh I can harm you in different ways."
"Come here, when you actually can."
Achlys vanishes for good. Not stalking… just goes away.
+
"I guess our parents telling us that story started this," Elena says as the first thing to Lithin.
I just step behind, holding her chains.
"Yes, it did make me realise of how weak the heroes were. Surely they were The Imperfects."
"No one is perfect, Lithin."
"My excuse too. Whatever I'm doing is according to my way of thinking, Elena. If it succeeds then good. And if not, well, I wasn't perfect truly. In the end it is just an excuse."
"Wow, you went on to be a philosopher like my father," Elena scoffs.
"He was one influence too. He did give me his daughter, but he also tried to stop me."
"I don't care about that part. I just want my kids safe!"
Lithin comes closer and holds her chin, while smiling. "No promises."
Lithin's hands start glowing with fire. The fire starts engulfing Elena. Elena shudders and shivers, but doesn't let out a cry. She seems to try and resist the flames… but it engulfs her whole… and she struggles on the ground.
"Come, Hate… let's give her some time."
I somehow take my eyes off of this, and follow Lithin.
We close the door behind us, after making sure the flames are still on Elena.
"Are you sure if she is worth it?" I ask.
Lithin looks at me, and then at the door. "I am… or at least she will be worthy now."
"And I've been thinking… what if your kid comes after us? After what happened to Trinity…"
"Don't you see? I want them to."
"Why?"
"They will train their little arms now. After they are strong… they need to come to me. And if my son is worthy… he'll join me. Just like his mother."
"And his friends…?"
"The more the merrier… his two friends were weak and unworthy of being me. The others might teach him some skills or maybe even if strong enough, they may join me. But, do keep an eye on them. Kids can be a pain sometimes. Especially the one who cut off Trinity's hand."
"Tyle's kid…" I nod. "What of the same way, they come hard at us?"
"Isn't it simple? Just end them… even if it is Spythun or even Wise's that kid, doesn't matter to me."
"What next, my lord?" I ask.
And a shriek… a kind of roar, come from far away.
Lithin grins.
"The protector. Let's get ready for the Jiant."
***
I gasp for air, after holding it for so long. And flames not dying down.
"Help," I whisper.
I was desperate… but I was sure something or someone was watching.
"With what, my darling?" a beautiful illusion of a lady squats down to my level. "Embrace it. Then I promise we will help each other."
"But it hurts," I tear up, but the flames dry it up.
"It'll hurt worse when I start helping you. So get used to it."
"You need to warn the Queen of Pluto. Please."
"I like travelling. But I don't do messages. Primevels aren't listeners."
"I'll… do ANYTHING."
She forms a grin. "Consider it done, my sweet darling. Just for you."
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Author's note:-
And that's the last chapter of volume-1. Epilogue will be out this week. And after a brief break, I'll be back with the story of The Six Empire's Dragons.