Chapter 8: Liberation's Reckoning

I left the room, hastening toward the origin of the explosive disturbance, clinging to the hope that no tragedy had unfolded.

"Your Majesty! Wait for me," Glenmore pleaded, chasing after me in despair.

Even the explosion had roused the previously unconscious Seraphina. She awoke sobbing, rendered speechless, still reeling from her husband's attempt on her life and ashamed to meet her daughter's gaze.

"Aria, where is your father?" Seraphina asked, her voice trembling and her eyes searching the ground.

Aria, tears streaming down her face, replied, "He went to the source of the explosion with His Majesty."

Seraphina's shame transformed swiftly into concern upon hearing Aria's words. Swiftly, she got up, followed by Aria, and began running in our direction.

Upon reaching the floor's end, where the basement passage commenced, I observed guards and servants strewn on the ground—a testament to a forceful attempt to breach the basement.

Descending the stairs to the basement lobby, I confronted near-complete darkness, with only a few candles offering feeble illumination. Fortunately, my Lion lineage endowed me with the ability to see well in the dark. Advancing cautiously, I spotted Stalworth lying lifeless.

"Stalworth! My Friend!" I exclaimed in fear as I approached to assess his condition.

"Do not fret; I haven't killed him yet," a deep, malevolent voice echoed through the dark basement. Turning, I discerned Caussius, the Duke's son, strolling toward me, a sinister smile on his face, amused by Stalworth's prone form.

"What have you done to Stalworth, you wretch!" I rebuked, brandishing the sword I had taken from Glenmore earlier and adopting a combat stance.

As Caussius neared, I detected an ominous aura emanating from him, distinctly different from the Caussius I had encountered before. A dark, malevolent energy enveloped him, akin to the one exuded by the spirit that had drained Stalworth's mana.

"So, it's you again!" Unlike the prior encounter, I could now sense his aura, likely due to Elysia's blessing.

Caussius regarded me with amusement, laughing. "My, my, you keep accumulating blessings, now even blessed by the light?" His countenance shifted from amusement to seriousness.

"Yes, it's me, Erebus! I finally managed to forge a contract with this human, or rather merged with his animosity towards his sister."

I smirked, employing my nature's spirit power to ensnare him. Thorny vines sprouted from the ground, coiling around Caussius' form.

Erebus, infuriated, burned away the vines with his dark aura. "Stop your interference, beast! Allow me to deal with the girl, and I will permit your departure."

"Son, halt!" A resounding voice echoed as Glenmore, Seraphina, and Aria entered the basement, encountering Caussius in my company.

"No, Glenmore! Withdraw; this is not Caussius. Go and..." I began, urging them to retreat, but Erebus, within Caussius, lunged at Glenmore, sword drawn!

"Brother, my son, stop..." Seraphina and Aria shrieked in despair.

"Halt, Erebus! Abandon this..." I dashed toward Erebus, invoking the spirit of light to aid me in combating the darkness.

"I see you remain utterly ineffectual." A familiar voice reached my ears as the basement brightened. Elysia manifested, restraining Erebus and seizing his sword.

"Now, Sorcarius, amalgamate your strength with mine to expel this malevolence from the human vessel," Elysia commanded, maintaining her hold on Erebus.

I nodded, concentrating on channeling the power of light and nature. My body emanated a brilliant white and light green aura, causing Erebus to screech in pain.

"Your time is over, Erebus." Channeling the aura into a radiant sword, I advanced and slashed through Caussius' form. The Aura Sword, harmless to Caussius' actual body, proved potent against Erebus, a dark and malevolent aura.

"You wretched beast..." Erebus whimpered and screamed as the Aura Sword cleaved him before dissipating into the air.

As Erebus vanished, Caussius' body slumped to the ground. The atmosphere lightened, and breathing became easier. Witnessing Caussius' collapse, Glenmore, Aria, and Seraphina broke down, prostrating on the ground in tears.

"You did it, Sorcarius." Elysia settled on my shoulder. "He is finally vanquished. The dark spirit that plagued this place has been eradicated." I smiled at Elysia. While true, I remained concerned about Stalworth and Caussius. I approached Stalworth, offering him some of my mana, hoping for his swift recovery.

"Fear not; they shall recover. With Erebus's defeat, his curses will dissipate. Additionally, the intense hatred harbored by Seraphina and Caussius toward Aurelianne will vanish, but their personal animosity shall persist," Elysia reassured me.

"I've expended much of my energy combating the dark spirit. I shall return later." Elysia spoke before vanishing, leaving the room.

"Your Majesty, please! Help our son! I don't understand what happened to him or what the white orb from before was, but please, Your Majesty, save my son," he implored. His voice, wrought with fear and uncertainty, echoed through the dimly lit basement, his gaze fixed upon the ground.

"Please. Take my life, but spare my son! I pledge to endure any punishment you decree, Your Majesty..." Seraphina rushed in, also falling to her knees, their eyes red from incessant weeping.

"Cease, both of you! I shall aid you, so rise," I assisted them in standing and approached Caussius, sharing some of my mana.

"His frame was evidently unprepared for the incorporation of the dark spirit," I murmured sympathetically, making the onlookers feel perplexed.

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?" Glenmore queried as he neared me, seeking an explanation.

Observing their confused countenances, I decided to elucidate the entire situation from the commencement, awaiting Caussius and Stalworth's revival. I recounted the existence of Erebus, his dominion over Seraphina and Caussius, and Caussius serving as a vessel for Erebus.

The more I expounded, the more Seraphina's guilt intensified. It became evident that, freed from Erebus's malevolent influence, she now comprehended the gravity of her misdeeds, breaking down uncontrollably.

Glenmore, rendered speechless, stood in abject sorrow, grappling with the magnitude of his crime. He too acknowledged that his obliviousness toward his daughter had contributed to the current calamity.

Once my explanation concluded, I observed Stalworth slowly regaining consciousness, followed by Caussius. Rushing toward Stalworth, I sighed with relief, a tear escaping my eye.

"My friend, you have finally awakened!" I embraced Stalworth, feeling a profound sense of relief and tears streaming down my face.

"Your Majesty," Stalworth attempted to rise, but I restrained him, seating him against a wall.

"Halt your movements! It is a royal decree," I commanded, glancing at Stalworth, who lowered his gaze, filled with worry and sorrow.

"Your Majesty, I apologize; I have failed you once more. I succumbed again to that spirit," Stalworth clenched his fist, tears welling up in his eyes.

I grasped his shoulder, embracing him for comfort. "Cease this, Stalworth. The blame lies not with you! What matters is your safety. Now, cast away that despondent countenance and smile." I briefed Stalworth on the situation, seeking to assuage his concerns.

Stalworth looked up at me, a soft smile playing on his lips, though the lingering distress from recent events was evident. "Your Majesty... What about Lady Aurelianne?" Stalworth inquired, still worried, as he endeavored to stand.

"Fear not, Sir Stalworth. The spirit could not harm her, thanks to your courageous intervention," a gentle voice reached our ears as young Caussius approached, kneeling before me.

"I have committed numerous transgressions, Your Majesty. Not only did I inflict harm upon my sister, attempting to end her life, but I also allowed Erebus to seize control of my body, resulting in harm to the servants, guards, and Sir Stalworth. I deserve punishment, but permit me to extend my apologies."

Stalworth, still harboring resentment, scrutinized Caussius as I reached out to lift him. Similar to Seraphina, Caussius' malevolence and hatred towards Aurelianne, fueled by Erebus, had vanished.

"Rise, Caussius. You are correct; punishment is warranted, but you are entitled to offer your apologies. Not to me or Stalworth." Caussius looked at me with a mix of confusion and sorrow. I smiled softly, casting a glance at the Glenmore family members.

"All of you must apologize, but it is to your daughter, Aurelianne, and not to strangers like us." My words prompted them to lower their heads, realizing the time had come to face Aurelianne and seek redemption. Together, we proceeded toward the end of the basement. With each step, the scent of Aurelianne became more pronounced. I sensed the fragrance growing stronger.

Finally, we stood before the door leading to Aurelianne. My heart raced, and nervous perspiration coated my body. Was it truly time? Could I finally behold her—the one I yearned to meet, who saved my life, whose scent lingered in my memory, the catalyst for peace between humans and beastfolks?

Stalworth chuckled softly, understanding my sentiment. If anyone comprehended my emotions at that moment, it was him. He knew how long I had anticipated this encounter.

"Your Majesty, the moment has arrived. Shall we proceed?" Stalworth spoke softly, placing his hand on the door handle, awaiting my approval.

I smiled gently at Stalworth. "Indeed, my friend. Let us enter." Stalworth and I shared a brief moment, while the Glenmore family observed us, bewildered.