Chapter 21

"The Hope in the Darkness

When you're alone and miserable.

When you feel that Fate is against you.

Just remember that there is light

In the end of every tunnel. Like a sky full of stars

After stormy days and nights,

The Destiny will find you

Somewhere unpredictable.

And you will find

The great happiness and future.

Just wait, pray and believe that

There is

Hope even in the Darkness"

- a poem

by Ayano_Ann (me)

Minutes before Valentina jumped out of her hiding place, she felt that someone was screaming for help.

"Do you hear anyone shouting? " the girl asked Heiko, who was standing quietly next to her. He looked at her with his eyes full of wonder. He understood what Valentina was saying, but he hadn't heard any screams.

Tina looked around in search of the source. The sense of request for help was coming from the battlefield alongside Eric and Mathias, who had begun the battle. Then she noticed her friend nodding slightly. Valentina followed his gaze. Then she noticed that Ryan was creating three orbs of fire. He was pointing them at Penelope.

Before she knew it, she told Heiko to stand in his seat and ran towards Penelope like a lightning. Moments before the fireballs hit them, stone walls surrounded her and the frightened girl. For a moment, everything from the outside died out.

The girl heard Eric yelled at Ryan to stop the attack and then got into a fight with Matthias again. Even more furious than before.

Valentina looked at Penelope.

'How did you hear me?...' she heard the quiet voice in her mind again.

"Apparently...I guess I can hear the thoughts now. I saw your memories, Penelope. I know what you've been through, but I guarantee you I wouldn't hurt you. So please don't pull the sword. Let's stay at peace so I can help you."

'I…okay…please just help me. Finish our miserable living. Mathias…my dear Mathias would not hurt anyone at his will. His eyes are shining because of the King's desire…he is a mad guy, but we didn't understand it. Mathias, our friends and I. I….I just want to save our baby…,' the girl grabbed her belly.

She had taken off the mask. Her beautiful, tender face was now in tears. It radiated only kindness — thoughts could never be lies.

"Do you want me to tell you if the child is okay? My abilities allow me to feel feelings and thoughts. I think...I can say his gender too."

'I'd be very grateful.'

Tina put her hands-on Penelope's belly and her eyes shone. She felt the silent heart. The child was worried about his mother but at least it was alive and healthy. Tina smiled and tried to feel his soul. She closed her eyes and tears started dropping over her face.

"He's healthy and cares about you."

'So, it's... 'Tina felt hope in Penelope's sad eyes.

"Yes. You're going to have a baby boy, Penelope. A strong, healthy boy who will grow up brave, valiant and good. " Tina hugged her in tears.

' Thank God that he's okay. We…we must tell Mathias. Oh, he will be so happy! He really wanted it to be a baby boy! Could…could he hear my thoughts? Can you do me the favor: Mathias to hear my voice just ones??' Penelope excitedly asked her.

"Well... yes probably. I will try." she turned to the stone, with the hope that they would hear her without leaving the hiding place.

"Eric, stop attacking him! Mathias! Mathias, I know you're thinking of us as enemies right now. But Penelope is here with me and she's fine! I just want to help you. I know that she is mute, but I can hear her thoughts! I might be able to put her thoughts in your head so you can hear her! You want to hear your wife, right?"

From the beginning, there was only a grave silence. Then Tina heard that Mathias took a deep breath. He obviously didn't believe it could happen.

"How do I know you're not fooling me?" He finally asked. But there was excitement and hope in his voice.

"Because I heard your child's heart. He's a boy."

She could hear how Mathias dropped his sword on the ground.

"I don't know what you are up to, Tina, but okay. You can go out." Eric said quietly.

Valentina removed the stone barrier, rose to her feet and helped Penelope. All of Mathias' pawns had stopped fighting because of their Commander's order. He himself looked wide-eyed at Penelope with his mouth slightly open.

"You mean you're telling me... our child..." the so-called brave soldier could barely speak.

Tina challenged all her energy and her eyes shone brightly. She felt the thread between the two lovers' thoughts and connected them.

'Yes, Mathias. We will have a healthy boy. You're not alone in your family anymore,' Penelope said quietly in his mind.

"I can't believe I can hear your voice, Penelope. For the first time since we knew each other," the knight had taken off his helmet. His eyes were no longer glowing. Now they were like a child's— dark and deep, full of hope. " So, he's fine, right?"

'I'm sure he's fine. I feel he's all right. He will glorify our kind. Truly generous and valorous. He won't commit tyranny like us.'

Tears flowed from Mathias' eyes. Valentina felt that for the first time in his life he was crying. He didn't cry even when his parents died in battle or when everyone hurt him mentally and physically.

But now he was crying— not out of sadness, but of happiness and comfort. Then Penelope pulled out her sword. He slightly shuddered from fear that he might have been deceived.

'Matthias, we are not in this world. Our bodies are in prison and our souls are locked here in the Tournament. If we die in this world, we will be alive and well in the real world.

Give to her friend the necklace of summoning Sava. He managed to get away and he will guide them to us.'

At first, Tina was about to ask who Sava was, but then new memories came to her mind: a big wolf as white as the snow, and with eyes blue as ice. It was Matthias's truest animal and it managed to escape from the attack.

'Now, we're going to get out of the prison to our souls, and then of the physical one,' the girl pointed the blade at her heart.

"Are you sure this is the only way, Penelope? We might be able to find a better way."

'If we live now, you can't leave the arena. Anyway, the Guardian of the Shield will destroy everyone from the Darkness,' she tried to calm her down and turned to her husband. 'I'm glad you could hear my voice, Matthias. Before I was very famous for it. Everything will be alright, I promise. I love you, Mathias,' and as soon as she said in his mind these words, she stabbed the blade into her heart.

Mathias jumped towards her. He cried in pain, all the air was filled with his sad screams and weeping as he held her in his arms. Suddenly, her body disappeared. He was left alone on the ground. His whole body was lifeless.

After a minute, the Knight reached into his pocket and pulled out a string with a pinned stone in the shape of a tooth. He handed it to Eric.

"If Penelope is right and is still alive....please, I beg you to return her. Our home is in the Kingdom of Darkness right in the shires near the palace. Sava must be out there somewhere in the woods.

When you approach him, the stone will shine in a light blue like ice. He... he will know by the stone that I'm sending you. Watch it like your eyes!"

"Okay. I will save you. I promise."

"Good. Take care, kid! Take my sword instead of this loose stone weapon. The sword will protect you too. And now I can safely follow my beloved wherever Fate takes me."

And as soon as he said those words, still squatted on the ground, he stuck the big blade in his stomach and disappeared like ashes.