CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: THE NEW KETHAN

 AGATHA'S POV

Lunaria stood there stone cold.

"Mother," I called out, kicking her back into reality.

"H-he-he's alive," Lunaria stammered.

"Yes mother, my husband is alive," I retorted, grinning.

"What about Drystan? Where is he right now?" Tempestina asked, forcing her way through.

"I don't know," I stared truthfully.

"Focus Agatha," Tempestina yelled in spite.

"Don't yell at her," Lunaria cautioned, groaning.

"How did you find Kethan?" Tempestina asked.

"I don't know… I just saw him. It-it just happened," I blurted out.

"You are useless Agatha," Tempestina cursed.

"I know! I'm trying so hard to be useful right now," I retorted.

"Have you ever witnessed the whole world getting destroyed?" Tempestina screamed, clutching onto my wrist.

"No, but I'll put that on my to-do list if only you just stop yelling and let me go," I yelled back, exhausted.

"Find Drystan right now,'' Tempestina commanded in anger.

"Mother I hate her, let's just kill her like you suggested," I pleaded, facing Lunaria.

"No!" Lunaria yelled in disagreement.

"Why?" I asked pouting.

"Get yourself useful… woman," Lunaria scolded.

"You monsters," I whispered under my breath.

A fleeting glimpse of a distant reality flickered at the edge of my perception, a sudden flash of light of insight illuminated my mind's eye like a lightning bolt on a stormy night.

The vision seized me, a powerful and unshakable sense of what lay ahead, in a burst of clarity, the part ahead became clear like a road map unfolding before me, whispering secrets in my ears. A gentle breeze carrying the whispers of the unknown.

"Wait! I think I'm getting useful," I blurted out, making them stop in their tracks.

"What is it?" Tempestina asked, rushing forward.

"I closed my eyes and I saw it: a glimpse of the future yet to be written, the image materialized in my mind's eye like a crystal clear picture of what was to come," I responded.

"Tell us what you saw," Tempestina requested.

"I saw Drystan, ordering his men to find us, and I saw the priest, he told him where we are- we need to leave this place right now," I announced.

"To where?" Lunaria promptly disagreed.

"If we stay here, we get caught," I blurted out.

"You still know where to find Kethan?" Tempestina asked.

"Vividly ma'am, I know exactly where to find him," I replied.

"Alright good, lead the way," Tempestina requested.

"Wait, how did you see this vision, how did you find Drystan?" Tempestina asked in doubt.

"I don't know… it just- I just saw it," I replied.

"You are yet to be useful," Tempestina declared.

"What! I just save your asses…you welcome," I retorted.

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 DRYSTAN'S POV

"Where are they right now," I asked the Priest, alarmed.

"Speak," I commanded, staring at his reluctant expression.

"They left the old house," he blurted out.

"When did they leave," I asked in shock.

"For a while now," he replied in satisfaction.

"And you decided not to let me know? Once I'm done with you…I will feed you to the Scorpions and snakes in the dungeon," I declared in fury.

"Where are they going?" I asked.

"I don't know," the priest responded promptly.

"Then find out," I retorted, yelling.

"Or perhaps you prefer your daughter join you in this suffering," I threatened.

"No- I'll - I'll tell you. They are headed towards a small city, but I don't know what they are searching for…I'm telling you the truth," he pleaded.

"I bet you are. Hm…what are they searching for?" I asked myself, bothered.

"The white deer, they are searching for the amplifier," I announced in anger.

"I doubt that the white deer is probably in the woods, and not a city. It can't be in a city," he declared, positive.

"You are right- so what is my dear Agatha searching for?"

"I think I will have to find that out for myself, please make yourself at home," I responded, will a sarcastic smile.

"Lock up the priest and his daughter, gather the warriors, you all are coming with me. Let's go get Queen Agatha," I announced, walking away.

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 AGATHA'S POV 

We scoured the streets, our eyes scanning every face, every corner, every shadow, desperate to catch a glimpse of Kethan.

The search combed through the city, our lanterns casting eerie shadows on houses as we called out his name in a city that seemed to stretch on forever as we trudged through the dense streets, my heart heavy with worry.

We questioned everyone we met describing his physique asking if they'd seen him, my hope dwindling with each shake of the head.

We ride down the quiet streets, peering into parked carts and side yards, our hope shattering with every false lead.

"You said you knew exactly where he was," Tempestina blurted out, breaking the silence.

"I did, he was in this city," I retorted, certain.

"Where in this city?" Tempestina asked, slamming her eyes shut from exhaustion.

"I don't know… I saw him in this city, I'm sure of it," I responded, positively.

"When you saw him, where exactly was he?" Tempestina requested, taking a deep breath.

"He was by a riverside in this city, and this city only has one river," I replied, in thought.

"So what are we doing here?" Tempestina asked in fury.

"Searching for Kethan," I retorted with the same energy.

"On the Streets? You said you saw him by the river," Tempestina muttered, spanking her forehead in frustration.

"I thought maybe he left there, I mean he wouldn't stay in one place forever right," I thought out loud.

"Just take us to the freakin river right now," Lunaria demanded.

"I know where it is," Caspian replied, trailing in front.

Tempestina stared at me in spite, making me wonder what was going on in her mind.

"What?" I yelled out, rushing after Caspian and Lunaria.

"I just can't believe you are the chosen one," Tempestina whispered.

"Well I'm not, I'm the supporting chosen one," I whispered back.

As soon as we got to the river, a familiar face greeted us and my heart skipped a beat. It was him, standing there after all these years.

The search had taken a while, but the moment I saw his face, I knew it was all worth it, he was alive and found.

Finding him was like finding a piece of myself, a missing link to my past and my heart felt whole again. The connection was still there, strong as ever.

"Kethan," I screamed, running towards him, with tears of joy driving down my cheeks.

I had given up hope, but when I saw him walking towards me, I froze. His eyes locked on mine and my world came crashing back. A mix of tears, laughter, and memories flooding back.

His voice was like a ghost from the past, sending shivers down my spine.

"Who are you?"