Chapter 97

The group had just returned to Eden, and Cassandra was still unconscious. Hearing this Zack grew concerned, and decided to stay nearby just in case. His healing could work on demons but he was still unsure if it was dangerous on vampires. To be safe he just watched, but if things seemed to worsen he would be forced to intervene. Since Zack wasn't wandering away from the tavern his companions waited downstairs.

Cassandra was in a deep dream state walking around her family home. She was aware it was a dream, but couldn't seem to wake herself. She had been roaming the castle for what felts like days but found nothing.

On occasion, Cassandra could feel something watching her, but nothing could be found. She had given up on finding an escape and was sitting in the courtyard. A dark figure was approaching behind her, and a hand slowly manifested reaching for her shoulder. Cassandra turned around preparing to strike it when she noticed a familiar ring.

"Is it really you?" Cassandra asked as tears began to form.

All Cassandra could hear was a disembodied voice until his figure finished manifesting. Marcus had been watching the entire time, but manifesting himself was tougher than he thought. Cassandra hugged him as the tears began to flow. He slowly wrapped his arms around her to comfort her.

"I'm glad it worked. I was worried it would never reach your hands. How are the others?" Marcus asked.

"Arthur and Madison are alive. In total, we still have twenty clan members. None of it would be possible without the help of Zack." Cassandra replied.

"What were the conditions for the surrender?" Marcus asked.

"Princess Emilia and Zack agreed to do nothing. They understood you acted out of grief, and simply wished to end the bloodshed. He even offered us to live among them, and Madison went to retrieve the others last night. Mother's dream is now closer than ever." Cassandra replied smiling through the tears.

"I'm glad to hear everyone is safe. I wish we had more time to talk, but I have plenty to show you. Unfortunately, it took too long for me to gain control."Marcus stated.

It took another hour before Cassandra finally awoke. As she opened her eyes Zack was handing her a glass of blood. She sat up in the bed taking a drink as the events of the dreamworld returned. Cassandra started crying as she came to terms with her father truly being gone.

Cassandra clung to Zack for comfort, and he was unsure of the reason but still embraced her. When she stopped crying she realized what she did pulling away quickly.

"I'm sorry...How long was I out for?" Cassandra moved the blinds seeing the sun setting.

"I've been here for about two hours so quite some time now. How are you feeling? Anything I can do to help?" Zack asked.

"I'm fine now, but thank you for checking on me," Cassandra replied.

"Wanna come watch the sunset? Be a first for you right." Zack smiled extending his hand.

Casandra nodded following him down the stairs. Seeing her well gave everyone a sigh of relief. They talked about today's events catching her up, and continued their discussion outside heading for the pavilion. The kids were running around playing and charged Zack when he arrived.

"Look!" Ashleigh shouted placing her hands a few inches apart as a trickle of lightning appeared in the center.

Zack was surprised to see this much progress in such a short time. Forming an element between your hand was basic, but she did it while running up with little focus. He patted Ashleigh on the head for praise as a large grin appeared on her face.

"You are definitely talented, and tomorrow I'll be getting some training gear. Then we can take it to the next level." Zack announced.

Ashleigh and the others got excited when hearing this. Tanya saw them gathered and wanted to see the commotion. It was the first time she saw Zack not busy or being led around by one of his girlfriends. Tanya walked up to Zack really nervously, and couldn't stop fidgeting with her two index fingers.

"If you're not working can we play a game?" Tanya asked.

It had been a long time since Zack was able to run around with the kids. Zack placed his hand on her head. He had a serious look on his face, and Tanya expected an excuse coming.

"You're it." Zack smiled before sprinting towards the forest.

Yu got extremely excited holding her hand towards Tanya. Tanya smiled smacking Yu's hand as she rushed off behind Zack at full speed. He glanced over his shoulder seeing Yu closing in fast with a determined look on her face. He pushed forward to create more distance, but Yu called her staff springboarding off the ground soaring in his direction.

Yu was planning to pin him to the ground, but Zack smirked as his eyes flashed gold, and he vanished. Yu landed on the ground glancing around frantically. One of the children caught up pointing towards the forest. Zack was waiting at the forest's edge waving at Yu playfully. She squatted down on the ground with her tail swaying up in the air before she gave chase.

The kids were laughing seeing Zack struggle to dodge Yu. Zack was preparing to run through the forest, but Yu jumped swinging off the tree cutting him off. She landed on him leaning in slowly, and Zack was preparing to kiss her.

"You're it!" Yu jumped off flying through the treetops.

Zack smirked watching her swing through the forest. He turned around looking at the kids as he charged for the center. They all started laughing scattering around him following Yu into the forest. He turned his attention towards Tanya as she attempted to juke him out, but he managed to tap her tail.

Tanya tried to get him back, but Zack was too evasive. She turned her attention towards Lilith and his other companions. Lilith took off flying sticking her tongue out at Tanya.

"No fair!" Tanya shouted hurling a fireball.

Lilith smirked seeing the quality of it as she hurled it away, and landed in the forest. Emilia saw the others playing so carefree. Even Cassandra was getting in on the fun, but having grown up a member of royalty Emilia didn't have many people to play with.

It was forbidden by the court to mingle with commoners limiting the kids Emilia could associate with. Any games they would play in the castle were rigged for her to win. She desperately wanted to be treated as a normal kid in those days.

While thinking of this Tanya looked towards Emilia since she was the only one to not run. Emilia shook her hand towards Tanya like she wasn't playing, but Tanya just smirked slowly crouching as she approached. After being charged by such an adorable child Emilia had no choice but to start playing.

'Everyone is equal here regardless of nobility right?' Emilia smiled chasing to get Tanya back.