Chapter Thirteen - Empress Lilja (Part 1)

"You may place her upon the sacred stone." Castelis gestured towards the altar inscribed with magical symbols and scripted runes. "It's a life stone that tethers the soul to this world. We'll have to rely on its power to keep Akila in this realm while I prepare the remedy to counter the poison. Daragh Madyr will take some time to purge."

Carefully, Zagan obeyed the Dryad's instruction, taking care not to hurt the woman in his arms any further. "Is that what the drug is called? I can smell it in her blood."

Castelis nodded, rolling up his sleeves while he set to work. "Daragh Madyr is a poison used by the Cronoans to kill their enemies. It's made from wild plants that thrive singularly in Bocelus, thus the remedy only exists here."

Zagan appeared grim. Helplessness was not a feeling he was used to, and it grated on his already rigid nerves. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Castelis didn't bother to hide his amusement. The Demon King's uncharacteristic offer was welcome, and he understood the need to be useful, especially if one were the cause of another's...demise. "To start with, you can remove the dagger from her chest. Don't worry, she won't feel the pain or bleed to death not as long as she stays on that life stone."

Without hesitation, Zagan yanked the dagger out in one clean, fluid move and tossed it aside. He then levelled the Dryad a suspecting look. "You know her."

It wasn't a question but a statement.

"Yes, I do." Castelis opted for the truth. "Her mother was a good friend of mine and Akila is a striking resemblance to Empress Lilja."

Zagan's mouth firmed.

Then, was the Dryad aware of Akila's true identity? "How convenient for you to appear in her life after all these years. I may not have met a Dryad before, but I heard that your kind is close to being immortal." His face closed over. "You must be extremely old."

Castelis raised an impervious brow, his hands moving gracefully as he measured, pounded, and mixed a bowl of strange looking plants. "Are you calling me a liar?"

"I am merely protecting what's mine and anyone who threatens her, threatens me." Zagan remarked brusquely, his back straightening, the predator awakening in his eyes.

It was hard not to stare at this beautiful, deadly demon who was fierce in protecting his lover despite the whispers of his heartlessness. Was this the same demon? "Akila is important to me, and I would never harm her. In fact, I have sworn to protect her with my life. After the Empress's death, I was depressed and went into isolation. Obviously, I lost contact with the outside world and now find myself in a bind."

Zagan crossed his arms like an undeterred soldier. "Then, why the sudden reappearance?"

"It's time for me to stop wallowing in regrets and mistakes," Castelis paused, offering the demon a small blade. "Coincidentally, this remedy requires a drop of demon blood to work." Surprise coloured Zagan's usually stoic countenance. "I've lived a long life to know the advantages of demon blood. Rest assured; I won't be selling your secrets anytime soon. Believe it or not, dryads are a peaceful race that is one with nature. We do not interfere with things that doesn't concern us. Though, be warned that every potion has its drawback. Once your blood fuses with this mixture and is absorbed into Akila's body, you'll both be connected forever."

The demon's brows snapped together. "What do you mean by forever?"

"What does forever mean?" Castelis smirked. "That's exactly what it means,"

Zagan didn't appreciate the dryad's dry humour, his frown turning into a scowl.

"It's nothing to worry about, not if what I've witnessed for the entire evening is true." Castelis dismissed him vaguely. "Now, hurry up before the potion loses its power."

Annoyed but his concern for Akila taking precedence, Zagan pricked his finger, allowing a droplet of blood to splash into the murky contents of the dryad's potion. He was amazed when the liquid swirled and gradually evaporated into thin air. He couldn't hide the vague surprise in his voice. "What happened?"

"It means the potion is working. To counter Daragh Madyr, the remedy must be introduced into the victim's bloodstream, yet this particular concoction dissolves into air when it is completed."

"It works through inhalation," Zagan surmised, his gaze fleeting back to Akila's unconscious face, as if he could see the particles at work.

"You're quite smart for a demon," Castelis teased, earning an irate glare. "You have nothing to worry about. This cure only affects those who have been poisoned. It's harmless against us."

"I'm not worried," Zagan remarked, his tone flat. "I find it strange because I've never heard of anything like it."

"Welcome to Bocelus, Demon King. Now that you've seen my portal, I'll let you in on a little secret." Castelis stepped in front of Zagan, his light air dead in an instant. "The reason why Bocelus is difficult for anyone to set foot in is because it's protected by magic, and unless I grant that individual the privilege, no one soul is allowed in." He smiled mockingly. "I believe you're smart enough to know what that means if you try to leave."

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She was floating...as light as a feather...

Her body drifted in emptiness, her arms stretched out as if to reach for something but, only air kissed her fingertips. Groaning lightly, her eyes flickered open, her pupils adjusting to the bright light surrounding her. Suddenly, like a puppet whose strings have been cut, her suspended body dropped, and she landed with a soft thud.

"Are you awake?" A soft, melodious voice greeted her.

Blinking, she twisted her head to encounter a face she had believed she would never see again. Tears filled her eyes, her voice sounding like a child. "M-mama? Is that you?"

Her mother, dressed in a pristine white robe — looking like an angel — spread her arms wide open. "Yes, my darling, it's me."

Ignoring the soreness of her muscles, Akila clambered to her feet and sprinted across the distance, throwing her arms around the solid feel of the woman she missed so dearly. The familiar and comforting scent of roses and powder filled her nostrils. "Mama! I missed you terribly! You don't know what I've been through! There's so much going on and I feel so scared and confused...I-I don't know what I must do to make everything right again!"

"Shh, my darling girl," Empress Lilja cooed, stroking her daughter's hair. "Everything will be fine. I raised you to be strong and I know that you can overcome anything that life throws at you." Holding her daughter at arm's length, she wiped away the tears. "Now listen carefully, there isn't much time for me. I am not truly here but, a figment of a memory that I've placed inside your mind. Our meeting must mean that you're in Bocelus and you've met Castelis."

Akila sniffled, nodding lightly. "Yes, he's the Dryad Lord. But what do you mean that you're a memory inside my mind?" A sick sort of feeling twisted her gut, and her lungs froze. "Am I dead?"

"No, child, you're in stasis. Castelis must have known that I would leave a piece of my soul in you." There was fondness in her mother's voice for the Dryad. "I am sorry to force this on you now, Akila, but you must listen to what I have to say. When you and your sisters were young, I didn't think it was necessary to burden you with the truth of your heritage. Sevia and Errina were blessed not to have inherited my powers. Kyna's soothsayer abilities appeared not long after her tenth birthday, and I swore her to secrecy about never revealing it to the public." Awe replaced calm. "You on the other hand, I knew it the moment you were born that you were exactly like me."

Akila's brows furrowed in puzzlement. "What were you hiding from us, Mama? How am I like you?"

"You're a Sentient, Akila. Do you know what that means?"

"No but, I've been hearing that word a lot. Why is it so important?"

Queen Lilja manifested a looking glass before them, the mirror reflecting an era and a culture that no longer existed – of Knights, lost Kings, and foul evilness. "A millennium ago, there was a Great War between heaven and hell. Many angels lost their lives and that's when God created humanity, his soldiers to fight and win the war. The Devil wasn't without his own ammunition, and he too created an army of demons, his minions to die for him. That's how humans and demons came into this world. However, demons were molded like beasts, possessing superhuman strength that mortal men couldn't outmatch. That's when God bestowed a greater power on a chosen warrior, one who will be sacrificed to bring glory to mankind. That sacrifice was a brave woman named Samoa who used her powers to destroy the demon army, bringing them to heel and allowing God to cast the Devil back into the depths of hell, sealing him for good. Although the war was won, the backlash and consequence lives on until today. That's the true reason why demons and humans are natural enemies. They were born for the sole purpose of killing each other — the inevitable cycle of hate that never desists."

"But how does that concern me? The war has ended a long time ago and everything is in the past."

"The fact that you're here in Bocelus means that something has happened in Cronoa," Lilja stated a matter-of-factly. "Tell me exactly what happened."

Akila retold the tales of her harrowing experience during the castle attack, their family's death and Zagan's appearance in her life, omitting details of their carnal relationship. "But Garrin and Ywain are alive! They are fighting to take back father's throne."

Lilja was silent as she processed the information, her pensive expression tinged with grief. "If your father and sisters are dead, then our souls will be reunited. Do not cry for us, Akila but be warned that you musn't put such blind faith in Ywain. He's not the man you think he is. And I am glad that Garrin is alive to protect you. Although, it seems that this Demon King is an enemy to be dealt with."

"But he has not been unkind to me," Akila defended swiftly, surprising her mother.

Lilja raised a perfectly arched brow, disbelief etched onto her serene features as she studied her daughter. "Child, don't tell me that you care for this demon?"