CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: FACING MY FEAR.

 AGATHA'S POV.

I widened my eyes in horror, the fact that Drystan would decide to pay back with my home was threatening.

"How terrible is it?" I asked Ariel, my twin sister, taut in fright.

"Very bad, people are dying. Children have lost their mothers, mothers have lost their children, wives have lost their husbands, husbands have lost their wives. Half of the kingdom is dead, and still dying; and now, it's our father's time to die," Ariel whispered in soft sobs.

"Shh relax twinny, he's not going to die. We will find a cure," I argued, attempting to calm both Ariel and myself.

"There's no cure unless we bring down Drystan and summon the Dragon to eat up this life-threatening plague,'' Tempestina butted in.

"Then let's fight and defeat him," I yelled out.

"No, Agatha, you are not ready yet," Tempestina protested.

"So I'm supposed to just sit by and watch my father, alongside the people of my kingdom die of some illness? Because some stupid ancient man is obsessed with revenge? I say we fight back," I screamed, slamming my fist on my sister's shoulder.

"Ouch Agatha… you have gotten very violent," Ariel blurted out.

"I'll say, we go in and find a solution to save people," Lunaria retorted.

"I'll say we eat first. I'm starving," Caspian added.

"And I'll say…you or Kethan is not ready to face Drystan yet, we all can't face him. That's why you need to train harder," Tempestina concluded while Kethan simply obediently followed them in.

Reluctantly, I followed into the dining hall, Ariel commanded meals were served, and we all sat down for dinner.

"So what's the solution?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"I think all survivors should leave this kingdom," Lunaria declared.

"To where?" Ariel asked, surprised.

"Thinking about it now, if they don't and this plague swallows up this city; everyone would die. Including yourself," Tempestina announced.

"A plague?" Ariel asked.

"Yes, the plague is a person and this kingdom is his target," Tempestina declared.

"Everyone needs to evacuate this city," I concluded.

"With immediate effect, so gather the people," Lunaria added.

"Agatha, why do I feel like there's more to it?" Ariel whispered.

"Indeed, but I don't have time to explain right now," I responded with a sad smirk.

Done with dinner, I walked into my father's chamber, he lay there, looking lifeless and cold blue. With my stepmother sitting miles away, staring at him.

With a wide eye, a furrowed brow, and a sense of panic, I stepped closer to the mattress.

"Don't go closer to him. You might get infected also," my stepmother blurted out.

"It's alright," I whispered, smiling at her.

With a scowl, clenched fist, and a sense of frustration I gawked at my father.

"He's going to die right?" My stepmother asked, tears streaming down her face.

A defeated, hopeless look appeared on my face, unable to change the situation.

"Join the others, flee from this kingdom before it's too late," I slowly whispered.

"To where?" She demanded.

"To be honest, I don't know…but, I know the survivors need to leave. Or you all will die too," I declared and she walked out of the chamber.

"Dad…I'm back," I whispered, hoping to get a reply but nothing I hoped for ever came to pass.

"F…ather," I murmured.

"Father?" I called again but even with a glitch, I didn't get it.

Feeling strange I stared closer at him, my expression frozen in denial. My eyes were wide and disbelieving, my mouth set in a firm line, refusing to accept the truth.

"Send in the Priest to check on my father," I screamed in agony.

The Priest walked closer to my father and upon examination he stared at me.

"The King is dead," He coldly announced.

"M-my-my father—dead?" I stammered.

My mouth hung open, a silent scream frozen on my lips, staring blankly into space; my eyes empty and shallow.

My chin trembled like a leaf, my lips quivering as I tried to hold back sobs, my eyes brimming with tears.

"He's…dead," I whispered in agony.

My twin sister, Ariel came closer to me to join in the ceremony of tears.

"Father is dead," she whispered in wimps.

"Make the announcement and gather the people, you are all leaving this kingdom tonight," I declared.

"Tonight?" Ariel argued.

"What don't you understand in the everyone would die sentence?" I retorted, sending her a threatening glance.

"What about you?" Ariel asked, worried.

"I'm going back to the carrier of the plague," I announced.

"Why? You can't do that," Ariel asked in fear.

"I'm going to kill him," I declared.

"You cannot do that," Lunaria blurted out, walking into the chamber.

"We're you eavesdropping?" I asked in shock.

"I overheard while searching for you," Lunaria protested.

"You go wherever I go Agatha," Lunaria stated.

"I'm sorry but no," I insisted.

"Agatha you are not prepared yet," Tempestina joined in, stepping into the chamber.

"Seriously, what's wrong with all of you?" I asked in desperation.

"The problem is…you are willing to kill yourself but we aren't willing to risk you," Lunaria retorted.

"Drystan cannot kill me, I am the only lead to the amplifiers he desperately wants. And that's why I'm going to fight him alone," I yelled.

"Yes he can't kill you, but he can imprison you and then make sure he gets all the amplifiers and then kill you," Lunaria yelled back.

"None of that will happen. Lead the people away, I know where to find you," I declared, launching out of the chamber.

Getting to the kingdom gate, I froze at the sight of Kethan.

He stood there ogling at me expressionlessly.

"Are you trying to stop me too? I'm sorry but you can't," I declared walking past him.

"No, I'm coming with you."