An Alliance

Overnight, Christopher avoided making love with Amanda. He dozed off after their conversation, saying he was exhausted again. He realized that the more intimate they were, strangely, the more often the seal would reappear.

Perhaps it was a coincidence? Christopher wasn't sure.

The next day, he left for Plethora with Kyle and some of his men. Given that they were to meet with the Oscorian troops nearing the said nation, it was to Christopher's best interest to form an alliance with Plethora.

In case they would ever need their aid, Plethora could assist them.

Christopher was unsure if it was even possible. Since Diana's departure from Aeros, there had been no communication with the Plethoran leader and Theo. The only exchange their men had with the nation was in relation to the payment for their water.

So far, however, Plethora had not cut their water. Thus, Christopher hoped, they could still maintain an amicable relationship with Diana and her father, despite not pushing through with the wedding.

With the help of their wings, Christopher arrived at Plethora at night.

Fortunately, Diana's father, Mahak, welcomed them in his fortress. From the great hall, Christopher and Kyle spoke to Mahak of their request.

"Lord Mahak, thank you for meeting us on such short notice," said Christopher.

"Of course, Christopher. Anything for Aeros," responded Mahak. He reflected a neutral expression before asking, "What can I do for you?"

Christopher and Kyle were standing in front of Mahak, together with some of his soldiers and advisers. They looked at each other for a second before Christopher said, "Lord Mahak, we have a request from your nation."

"You may not know this, but the prominent healer named Basalt has been taken by the Oscorians. In exchange for his release, we wanted to release a prisoner of our own, an Oscorian leader," explained Christopher.

"The Oscorians have agreed. However, the exchange place is the old puzzle wood forest. They did not agree with any other meeting place... That is the reason why we are here. We are... asking for your help."

Christopher watched as Mahak's advisers whisper to his ear. After a few minutes, Mahak spoke, "I see. So that is the reason why you have come here?"

Mahak's brows drew together before asking, "And do you think that with what happened to you and my daughter, I would agree?"

Christopher had to swallow his pride. He had to ask the help of Plethora for this meet. It was just too far away from their nation. He sighed and said, "Lord Mahak. I am... terribly sorry, but no matter what. I could not find it in me to like Diana in the way that a man appreciates a woman."

"Moreover, the matter about the killing of two Plethoran guards and her abrupt departure from Aeros was due to her own wrong actions."

Christopher further revealed their side of what had happened to Diana back in Aeros. While they sent a sealed letter explaining the same, he wanted to elaborate on it again.

When he was done with his tale, Kyle inserted, "Lord Mahak. More than just the small misunderstanding between Diana and Christopher, our nations have one enemy. The Oscorians will continue to harm, wage war against other nations - They have already attacked Plethora years back for your water."

"It's just unfortunate that the Oscorians seem to be more interested in defeating us... for now," added Christopher. "But what we are saying is, they may not attack you now, but eventually, they will be your primary enemy and it is in our best interest to help each other and be allies."

Mahak scoffed and said, "We were supposed to be allies if not for what happened to Diana."

Christopher thought it was a losing end, but eventually, Mahak spoke again, "But, I agree. The Oscorians need to be dealt with."

"I will offer my help with the exchange. I know that Basalt can help open a gate for us to another world. I heard he can do this very easily. We only have one gate to the earth and another one would be more beneficial for us," said Mahak.

"So I will help you. In fact, I will have fifty of my best men accompany you to this meet. That should be enough to help you. And Should you need more help, one of your men can just fly back and ask for more aid."

It was because of Mahak's offer that Christopher became confident that the exchange will happen successfully.

He returned to report to his father the good news, and only then did Theo order for the preparation of the exchange.

It would not have been a risk that Theo wanted his son to take, but he also feared the evil magic inside of Christopher. It was because he witnessed it for himself when his son cried an unexplainable amount of water during his wife's burial.

Moreover, the eyes of his son glowed in light blue, all the more suggesting it was supernatural.

While healers such as Basalt had witnessed miraculous powers, it was the first that they had heard of one living inside a being's body. Thus, it further strengthened their belief that it was in fact, evil.

When the advisers and the local healers suggested that it was such, he could only acknowledge for it was unexplainable. No one could give them the right reasons for his strange symptoms.

A night before their journey to the old puzzle wood forest, Theo and Christopher spoke in their family's sitting area.

It was there that Christopher revealed how the seal had been reappearing more often.

"Son, I would sacrifice anything for you to get better. However, I hope that this exchange does go peacefully so no unnecessary fighting would happen," said Theo. "I can't have the advisers question you again due to that strange force inhabiting inside of you."

Christopher nodded and said, "Yes, father." He sighed and added, "After this. I can return to my normal routine without worrying about the seal."