Chapter 2: The Aftermath

In the aftermath of the chaos, the combined forces of the Capitol and the King's guards worked diligently to clean the city grounds. The scorched remains left behind by the Pantianac attack were a grim reminder of the battle that had taken place.

Among the guards, murmurs began to spread. "I never knew Sirius had a son," one of them remarked. "The King has commanded to take the boy to the palace."

With Elysian, who had not stopped crying, in their care, the guards followed the King's orders and brought him to the palace.

King Thorian, his heart heavy with sorrow, looked upon his young cousin and tried to console him. "Child, I am sorry for your loss," he spoke softly. Elysian, overwhelmed by grief and exhaustion, stopped crying momentarily before passing out in the King's presence.

With a deep sense of responsibility, the King cradled the unconscious boy in his arms. He solemnly decided to bring Elysian to his chamber, seeking comfort and refuge for the young prince during his profound grief and loss.

Elysian awoke from a fitful sleep as the morning sun cast its gentle light upon the palace. Weariness weighed heavily on his young shoulders, and he desperately hoped that the previous day's events were nothing more than a terrible dream. However, the pain in his heart and the memories that haunted his mind served as a cruel reminder of the harsh reality.

The comforting scents of flowers and freshly baked bread, so common in the palace, offered little solace for his anguish. Despite his tender age, Elysian understood that he had witnessed the loss of his beloved guardian, Sirius, and it was a pain that could not be easily dispelled.

Soon, a young maid entered his room, her demeanor respectful but with a hint of formality that felt strange to Elysian, who had never grown up in the palace. She addressed him as "young master," a title that felt foreign to him but one he accepted with a heavy heart. With a nod, he followed the maid, who guided him through the palace's grand corridors, leading him to the King's great banquet hall.

Seated at the grand banquet table, Elysian observed his surroundings silently, his young heart heavy with grief and uncertainty. King Thorian, a figure of authority and regal presence, addressed the boy with warmth and concern. "At last, you have awakened!" greeted the King. "How are you, young one?" he inquired, his eyes filled with a gentle compassion that belied the weight of his sorrow.

The King offered freshly baked bread, a simple gesture of hospitality and comfort. "Would you like to take a bite?" he offered kindly. "Oh, where are my manners? My name is King Thorian, the King of Elder Tree Haven."

Elysian's response was measured, his grief palpable. He remained silent, his gaze fixed on the bread before him.

"I am sorry for your loss," the King acknowledged, recognizing that no words could truly console the boy in this moment of profound sorrow.

Elysian finally found his voice, his eyes welling with tears as he asked the question that had haunted him. "Father, is he gone?" His voice trembled with sadness and longing.

The King rose from his seat and moved to console the young boy, his powerful presence softened by a deep sense of empathy. "You know, death is a reality. It cannot be avoided but has to be faced with truth," he spoke gently. "I am sorry for your loss, child." With great tenderness, the King embraced his little cousin tightly, offering what comfort he could in this time of immense sorrow.

"I cannot do anything to bring comfort but rest assured, tomorrow, I will bring you home to your mother," the King promised gently, his words filled with sincerity and reassurance.

Concerned for Lyria, he inquired, "Your mother, Lyria, how is she? Is she fine?" The mention of his mother's name momentarily diverted Elysian's thoughts from his grief. "You know my parents?" he asked the King with a tone of curiosity.

The King nodded, a fond smile crossing his features. "Yes! They are good friends of mine," he affirmed. "Your mother, is she still a doctor?" he inquired.

Elysian's response was unexpected. "Mother is a doctor? She only sells cabbages and potatoes at the market," the boy explained. "But she trains me in magic sometimes."

Elysian's tears subsided in a few moments, and he began to speak more freely. The King recognized the boy's need for rest and offered his guidance. "I will visit her tomorrow with you," he assured Elysian. "So, for now, you should rest for a while."

The morning sun bathed the palace in gentle light as Elysian eagerly prepared to return home to Misthaven. He awaited the King's ride with a sense of anticipation, his heart yearning for the comfort of his mother and their quiet countryside life.

To his astonishment, a massive carriage, unlike anything he had ever seen, arrived at the castle's doorstep. It was pulled by not one but ten sigbin, magical creatures known for their unique appearances and abilities.

Elysian's eyes widened in awe at the sight. He couldn't help but express his amazement to the King, his voice filled with wonder. "We only have one sigbin," he remarked, his curiosity piqued by this grand conveyance.

The King smiled at Elysian's reaction, understanding the young boy's wonder and amazement. It was a small moment of joy amid the recent tragedy, a reminder that even in the darkest times, there could still be moments of awe and wonder.

The King and Elysian embarked on their journey to Misthaven, the grand carriage pulled by the magnificent sigbin making swift progress. In mere moments, the countryside town came into view, and Elysian could see his home in the distance. However, instead of the joy he had anticipated at the prospect of reuniting with his mother, grief weighed heavily on his heart, knowing he must share the tragic news of Sirius's passing.

As they neared the small farmhouse, Lyria, Elysian's mother, spotted the carriage and ran towards it with tears streaming down her face. She embraced her son tightly, her heart heavy with the anguish of believing she had also lost him. "I thought you were dead!" she cried, holding Elysian as if never wanting to let him go.

The King, a source of strength and solace in this profound sorrow, consoled Lyria as she wept. The pain of losing her one true love was overwhelming, and she poured out her grief in the presence of those who had come to bring her son back to her. The small farmhouse, once a place of warmth and happiness, was filled with the weight of their shared sorrow.

Lyria's grief was overwhelming, and she expressed a painful regret that weighed heavily on her heart. "I should have come with them," she exclaimed, her voice filled with anguish and guilt.

The King listened with empathy, understanding the depth of her sorrow and longing for her husband, Sirius. He knew that both Lyria and Sirius were dear to him as well, and he wished he could alleviate their pain.

"Lyria, it is okay," the King said gently, reaching out to offer his support. "You can come with me, with the boy, to the castle. You still have a home in the capital, and you can transfer there with Elysian. Please, let this be a way to honor your husband, Sirius. He was a great aid to the city. You know as well as I do that I owe you everything."

Tears filled Lyria's eyes as she spoke of her husband. "I told him not to be a hero," she murmured, her voice trembling. "But he just couldn't stop, could he?"

King Thorian acknowledged Lyria's deep understanding of her husband with a knowing smile. "You know him too well," he affirmed, his voice filled with fondness for the late commander, Sirius.

The King then extended a practical and heartfelt invitation. "Why don't we come to the castle?" he suggested. "In that way, you can serve me once again as my head doctor, and I am sure you need the protection you deserve. The forces of Bakunawa have been rising once more, and Elysian is not safe here."

"The boy must be kept safe," King Thorian emphasized, his voice grave. "My scouts have indicated that Bakunawa awakened right after the 15th birthday of Elysian, and there is a deep-seated fear in me that the attack was just the beginning. It was luckily that they were in the Capitol that day. Who knows what would have happened if the attack had occurred here? Bakunawa would have killed the true heir to the throne, and it would have been a tragedy to see my late uncle's legacy die in my reign."

Lyria needed no further convincing. With a heavy heart and a deep sense of responsibility, she agreed to accompany Elysian to the safety of the castle, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the need to protect the young prince.

Elysian, too young to grasp the full implications of his identity, obediently followed his mother's guidance. He packed his belongings, ready to embark on a new chapter of his life, filled with unknown challenges and the weight of a destiny he had yet to comprehend fully. With heavy hearts and a sense of duty, they set off once again in the grand carriage, leaving behind the familiar countryside of Misthaven for the safety of the castle.