Kelvin
As the battle raged on, the courtyard echoed with the clash of steel and the shouts of combatants. My sword danced in my hand as I parried blows and struck back against Morgana's soldiers, each movement fueled by a mixture of determination and desperation.
I heard my father cry out beside me as he cut down another enemy soldier with a decisive blow. My father, always the epitome of valor and strength, fought with a fervor that belied his years.
In a matter of minutes, the courtyard was cleared of enemy guards either by deadly force or surrender.
"I've got the courtyard boy. Take a few men and check the castle's interior for enemy guards. The city will be under our full control within a few hours." I gave my father a respectful nod and gestured for Petrov, and we made our way to the castle doors.
It was then that I wondered where Aurora was; she wasn't in the courtyard just now. Had she gone back to camp? For some strange reason, her absence bothered me. Maybe it was a new sixth sense I'd gained by coming back to Juvelia.
Or maybe that weird soulmate thing Ben mentioned is getting to my head.
Leading my men into the castle, we moved swiftly through the dimly lit corridors, our senses alert for any sign of danger. The tension in the air was palpable as we searched the first floor, our footsteps echoing in the empty halls.
But despite our thorough search, the nagging feeling persisted. With a furrowed brow, I realized that I couldn't ignore it any longer.
"Men, continue the search as the captain ordered; I need to check something out."
My lieutenant exchanged a puzzled glance with the others, but they nodded in acknowledgment, trusting my judgment. As they dispersed to resume their search, I made my way back through the corridors, the feeling of unease growing with each step.
As I approached the grand staircase, a shiver ran down my spine. My unease grew with each step as I ascended the grand staircase. The air felt heavy, and a strange green mist clung to the ground, swirling ominously in the dim light.
Instinct urged me to tread carefully, and as I reached the landing, I hesitated, surveying the mist with a wary eye. Something about it felt...wrong.
Without a moment's hesitation, I veered to the right, choosing the fork of the staircase bathed in shadow rather than risk stepping into the eerie mist. My heart pounded in my chest as I hurried upwards, the urgency of my movements fueled by a primal instinct to make sure the Princess was safe.
Shadows danced on the walls, casting twisted shapes that seemed to reach out for me with grasping fingers. I couldn't shake the feeling that danger lurked behind every corner, and I knew that time was of the essence.
A cry pierced the air, echoing off the stone walls. My blood ran cold as I recognized the voice—it was Aurora's. Without hesitation, I quickened my pace, my footsteps echoing loudly in the dimly lit corridor. Urgency propelled me forward, driving me to reach her side as quickly as possible.
As I rounded a corner, I stumbled upon it—Luca, Peter, and a few other men were locked in a fierce spar. Their faces were twisted with rage, and their cries sounded through the hall as their swords clashed. Aurora stood locked in a fierce battle against—Dimitri, a loyal follower of Morgana.
Anger surged within me as I watched them spar, my mind struggling to comprehend the sight before me. Dimitri once thought to be a potential ally, now stood as an enemy, aligned with Morgana and her forces.
Why am I surprised he's sparring with a woman? That man had no honor from the beginning.
With a roar of determination, I lunged forward, my sword drawn and ready to defend Aurora at all costs. The clash of steel rang out in the air as I joined the fray, my movements fueled by a potent mix of determination and fury. Aurora's eyes widened in surprise as she caught sight of me, a mixture of relief and concern flickering in her gaze.
"Kelvin, be careful!" she called out, her voice barely audible above the din of battle. But I paid her warning no heed, my focus solely on defeating Dimitri and ensuring Aurora's safety. With each strike, I pushed myself harder, driving back Dimitri's relentless assault with a ferocity I never thought I was capable of.
"Get away from my girl," I seethed through gritted teeth.
"Your girl?" Dimitri scoffed.
"Yes!" I replied, feigning a strike and then kicking him down to the ground, visibly knocking the wind out of him.
"I never thought you'd stoop so low."
"You always were naive, brother," he retorted, each word laced with venom. "It will be your downfall." Anger boiled within me, threatening to spill over at his callous words.
"You chose the wrong side, Dimitri," I growled, my voice low and dangerous. "Morgana's lies have twisted your mind, but it's not too late to turn back."
"Turn back? And return to what, Kelvin?" he taunted. "A life of servitude to a Queen? Have all my self-respect lost and my title stripped? No, I've made my choice, and I'll see it through to the end." My knuckles whitened as I tightened my grip on my sword, fury coursing through my veins.
"Then we have nothing left to say to each other."
The clash of our swords echoed through the corridor, a symphony of steel meeting steel as Dimitri and I faced off.
With every movement, I could feel the fury coursing through me. Dimitri matched me blow for blow, his skill as formidable as ever, but beneath his façade of indifference, I sensed a flicker of uncertainty.
As our blades clashed, I seized the opportunity to press the attack, driving Dimitri back with a relentless barrage of strikes. But in his desperation, he countered with unexpected speed, his blade finding its mark with deadly accuracy.
The searing pain tore through me as Dimitri's sword pierced my side, a shockwave of agony that left me staggering. My own sword fell from my grasp as I stumbled backward, disbelief washing over me like a tidal wave.
Aurora's cry of alarm pierced the air as she rushed to my side, her hands applying pressure to the wound in a feeble attempt to staunch the bleeding.
Dimitri knelt beside us, his expression a mask of horror as he stared at the blood staining Aurora's hands.
"I didn't mean to stab him!" Dimitri said.
"Get away from him!" Aurora cried as he came closer, and without warning, she punched him in the nose. "You dare come near him after what you've done?" Aurora's voice trembled with fury, her eyes blazing with righteous anger. "You're not welcome here, Dimitri. Leave, before I do something I'll regret."
The sounds of footsteps echoed around us as Luca and the other guards hurried to restrain Dimitri. Despite his protests, they bound him tightly and took him away, ensuring he posed no further threat. With a final glare, Aurora turned her attention back to me.
"Kelvin, stay with me," she pleaded, her voice thick with emotion.
"I'll be okay," I choked out, wincing as she put her hands on my wound again her fingers slick with my blood. Every inhale and exhale was painful as I struggled to breathe, and the world around me began to blur.
"Kelvin, can you hear me?" she asked, her voice soft with concern. "Stay with me, alright? You're going to be alright." I managed to nod weakly, a sense of gratitude swelling within me even as I fell deeper into the fuzz.
As darkness threatened to engulf me, I felt a surge of relief wash over me as Luca returned with reinforcements, their movements and voices fuzzy and incoherent as I faded in and out. Strong arms lifted me gently from the ground, carrying me away from the scene of the battle as my consciousness began to slip away.
Through the haze of pain and confusion, I could hear Aurora's voice, thick with tears, her cries of anguish echoing in the depths of my mind. Her haunting cries pierced through the darkness, tugging at my heartstrings as I drifted into unconsciousness.
***
As my eyes fluttered open, I found myself in a world unlike any I had ever seen. I lay upon soft grass, bathed in the warm glow of sunlight, yet just beyond me lay a stark contrast—a desolate desert, shrouded in darkness, stretching out as far as the eye could see.
Confusion swept over me as I took in my surroundings, the border between light and darkness stark and undeniable. On one side, vibrant life flourished, a grand city rising majestically in the distance, its towers reaching towards the heavens. On the other, nothing but desolation, the bones of unknown creatures littering the barren landscape.
My gaze fell upon a fountain not far from where I lay, its waters shimmering in the sunlight, a beacon of tranquility amidst the chaos. Instinctively, I rose to my feet and approached, drawn by an inexplicable pull.
As I reached the fountain, I hesitated, my hand hovering above the cool, clear waters. A sense of foreboding gnawed at the edges of my consciousness, warning me of dangers unseen.
But curiosity compelled me forward, and with a steadying breath, I dipped my hand into the pool. The water was cool against my skin, soothing in its embrace, yet beneath the surface, I sensed a depth of power that sent shivers down my spine.
My eyes widened in disbelief as I saw Aurora standing within its shimmering waters, her form illuminated by a soft, ethereal light. Her gaze was fixed on something beyond me, her expression a mix of anguish and determination.
"Why won't you let me see him!" Aurora's voice echoed in the air, filled with frustration and sorrow. I turned to follow her gaze, my heart clenching at the sight of Luca, standing at the edge of the fountain, his expression hardened with resolve.
"It is not for a woman's eyes to witness, Aurora," he stated firmly, his gaze unwavering as he spoke.
Aurora's fists clenched at her sides, her eyes flashing with defiance.
"I don't care about stupid tradition," she declared, her voice ringing with determination. "Kelvin needs me, and I won't rest until I know he's alive."
With a sense of trepidation, I withdrew my hand, my mind racing with questions. What was this place, where light and darkness converged in such stark contrast? And how had I come to find myself here, at the border between two worlds?
A chill ran down my spine as I considered the possibilities, the uncertainty weighing heavily on my shoulders. Could it be that I had crossed over into some sort of otherworldly realm? A cold realization settled in the pit of my stomach.
Am I dead...?
The idea seemed unfathomable, yet as I surveyed my surroundings—the grand city bathed in sunlight, the desolate desert cloaked in darkness—it became increasingly difficult to deny the possibility.
As I pondered the mysteries of this strange realm, a voice echoed once more in the depths of my mind, its words carrying a weight of wisdom and significance.
"Welcome," a voice murmured, the sound reverberating through the very fabric of my being. I turned around and found myself face to face with a majestic lion, its golden mane gleaming in the dappled sunlight.
For a moment, I hesitated, uncertainty gnawing at me. Drawing what little courage I had, I approached the lion, a sense of reverence washing over me in its presence.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper in the stillness of the air. The lion regarded me with a piercing gaze, its eyes holding a depth of wisdom that seemed to span the ages.
"I am but a humble guardian of this realm," it replied, its voice a rumbling growl that echoed in the air. "And you, Kelvin, are a guest in a place where truth and falsehood hold equal sway."
How does he know my name? I frowned, puzzled by the lion's cryptic words.
"Where am I?" I asked, my voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.
"You stand at the border between the celestial realm and no man's land," he answered, his voice resonating with a deep rumble. "Here, the forces of light and darkness converge, their eternal struggle shaping the very fabric of existence."
"And what fate awaits me here?" I inquired, my heart pounding with anticipation.
The lion met my gaze with a solemn intensity, then shifted his attention briefly behind me, towards the desolate desert cloaked in darkness. His silent gesture implied that the barren wasteland held a significance intertwined with my fate, a place where the journey of life eventually reached its end.
It was a sobering realization, the notion that the desolate desert represented not just a physical location, but perhaps the inevitable destination awaiting me in the realm beyond.
"What do you mean?" I ventured, my curiosity piqued. The lion's gaze bore into mine, its expression inscrutable.
"You have sworn by a lie, Kelvin," he intoned, his voice resonating with solemn gravity as he made his way over to the fountain. Images flashed in the water, slowly stopping, revealing the moment I'd lied to Rose.
I recoiled, a surge of guilt and shame washing over me at the lion's words. Had I been blind to the deception that had clouded my judgment?
"Every slight and crime must be accounted for," he intoned, its voice echoing with a sense of solemn duty. "For every transgression, there must be consequence."
I gazed out towards the barren expanse of darkness, the bones of unknown creatures scattered like grim reminders of the consequences of disobedience. The thought of being cast out into that desolation, forever severed from the world of light and life, filled me with a sense of dread that bordered on despair.
"My fate can't be sealed! There must be something I can do!"
The lion shook its head sadly and began to walk away; a surge of apprehension gripped my heart. Had I spoken out of turn? Was I truly doomed to an eternity in darkness?
I'll never see Aurora again...
"Follow me," he said, alleviating some of my worry. With a determined nod, I fell into step behind the majestic creature, my footsteps echoing against the shifting sands of the border between light and darkness.
As we journeyed along the precarious boundary, a sense of unease threatened to overwhelm me. The contrast between the vibrant city bathed in sunlight and the desolate desert cloaked in darkness served as a stark reminder of the choices that I had made.
As the lion led me through the shifting sands, an altar gradually came into view, its silhouette rising starkly against the horizon.
As the lion guided me towards the altar, a profound sense of reverence washed over me. The scene unfolded before my eyes like a sacred tableau—the lifeless form of the lamb, its blood staining the stone altar and trickling down to the ground below.
Silent and awestruck, I beheld the solemn sight before me, feeling the weight of its significance settle upon my shoulders like a heavy mantle. The lion's presence beside me somehow grounded me amidst the swirling currents of emotion.
"There is good, and there is evil. It is up to you to decide which side you will be on." There was another moment of silence before he continued. "But you see... There is nothing you can do to earn redemption." The magnitude of my own inadequacy crashed down upon me like a tidal wave. "Only innocent blood can redeem you."
Trumpets blasted from the vibrant city in the distance, and I felt a sense of anticipation.
"You aren't dead, Kelvin; you will live, and your wounds will heal." The lion's reassuring words only served to reinforce the sense of hope that had begun to blossom within me.
Relief flooded through me at his proclamation, a surge of gratitude swelling within my chest. To be granted a second chance at life, to have the opportunity to mend the wounds of the past and forge a new path forward—it was a gift beyond measure.
"Do not take this second chance lightly, Kelvin," he continued, his gaze piercing and unwavering. "The choices you make from this moment forward will shape the course of your destiny."
A sense of solemnity settled over me as I absorbed his words, a weighty reminder of the responsibility that accompanied the gift of life. I knew that I could not afford to squander this opportunity and that I must tread carefully and thoughtfully as I navigated the uncertain path ahead.
"Thank you," I said earnestly to the lion. "For your guidance and wisdom, and I vow to be a new man," I declared with conviction, meeting his gaze.
"May you find the strength to keep your vow," the lion murmured solemnly, a gentle smile playing across his majestic features.
With those words echoing in my mind, I felt a surge of determination coursing through me. I returned the lion's smile with a nod of gratitude, knowing that his guidance would be my guiding light on the path ahead.
***
As I stirred from the depths of unconsciousness, the first thing I saw was Aurora's face, her eyes filled with worry and relief as she hovered over me. Her touch was gentle yet firm as she held me down, her presence a comforting anchor amidst the swirling chaos of my thoughts.
"Aurora..." I murmured, my voice hoarse and barely audible. She leaned in closer, her expression softening with concern.
"Kelvin, you're awake," she exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank God." I attempted to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back down onto the makeshift cot. Aurora's hands pressed against my shoulders, urging me to stay still.
"Easy now," she cautioned, her touch soothing against my fevered skin.
"I told you you'd need to hold him down." I looked to see a man on the other side of the bed, working on a needle and thread. It was then that I also noticed Ben was holding my legs down.
They were about to sew me up.
"Since he's awake, we might need to make some use of the vodka on that veranda." Ben quipped.
"My stab is really that bad huh?" I asked with an awkward smile as Aurora gently pushed my head back to face her.
"It's a nasty wound, Kelvin," she admitted, her voice tinged with concern. "But you're going to be alright. We'll take care of you." I managed a weak smile, grateful for her reassurance in the face of my own uncertainty.
As Ramon handed Aurora the small glass filled with vodka, she accepted it with a grateful nod, her fingers curling around the cool glass.
"Thanks, nurse," I said with a playful wink as I finished the last of the vodka. "If your care is as effective as that vodka, I might just have to get injured more often."
Aurora's cheeks turned a charming shade of pink at my flirtatious remark, and I couldn't help but give her a wolfish grin.
"That was fast..." Ramon interjected with a chuckle. "Forgive him, Princessa; he flirts like a shameless cat when he's had a drink or two." Aurora's gaze met mine, her lips curving into a subtle smile as she shook her head in mock exasperation.
"As long as you get out of this alive," she said, her voice soft yet tinged with a hint of amusement, "I suppose I can overlook your shameless flirting."
I chuckled at her response, the warmth of her smile easing the ache in my chest.
Without warning, I felt a sharp pain where I'd been stabbed as the doctor began to sew my wound together. Without hesitation, Aurora's hands pressed down firmly on both my shoulders, grounding me with her touch. I clenched my jaw, fighting the instinct to flinch away, not wanting to cause her any unnecessary distress.
Aurora's gaze met mine, her eyes filled with concern as she silently urged me to endure the discomfort. Her lips curved into a reassuring smile, the warmth of her expression easing the ache in my chest.
As the doctor worked diligently to stitch up my wound, I drew strength from Aurora's steady presence, her touch a soothing balm against the raw edges of my pain. With each passing moment, the ache began to ebb away, replaced by a sense of calm determination.
And as the last stitch was finally in place, I let out a slow breath, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. Aurora squeezed my shoulders gently, her eyes shining with pride and gratitude.
"You did great, Kelvin," she murmured, her voice soft with admiration. "I'm so proud of you."
But just as I began to relax, a sudden wave of nausea surged through me, catching me off guard. My stomach churned uneasily, and I felt a cold sweat break out across my forehead.
I clenched my jaw, trying not to let the nausea get to me. Especially since moving could create problems for the stitching, the doctor just finished.
Aurora's expression shifted from concern to alarm as she noticed my distress, her hand moving from my shoulder to my forehead, checking for fever.
"Kelvin, are you alright?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. I forced a weak smile, trying to downplay the intensity of my nausea.
"Just a little queasy," I murmured, my voice strained. "I think it's just... the adrenaline wearing off."
"Get him a blanket; he's getting cold!" Ben ran out of the room, and I gave Aurora a look.
"I'll be fine no need to fuss over me."
But my words only seemed to make her more worried. She reached for a nearby bowl, ready to catch any potential vomit.
"Here," she said softly, her voice gentle and reassuring. "Just take deep breaths. It'll pass."
Closing my eyes, I focused on regulating my breathing, willing the nausea to subside. Gradually, the intensity of the discomfort began to diminish, replaced by a dull ache in the pit of my stomach.
"Found the blanket," Ben called as he strode back into the room.
"Thank you," Aurora murmured gratefully as she took the blanket from Ben, swiftly draping it over me with gentle hands. I kept my eyes closed, feeling the warmth enveloping me as Ben and Aurora carefully covered me with the blankets.
With their comforting presence surrounding me, I allowed myself to succumb to the embrace of sleep, the events of the day fading into the distance as I drifted off into peaceful slumber.
***
In the weeks that followed, my recovery was slow but steady. With Aurora constantly at my side, I made gradual progress each day, regaining my strength bit by bit.
After two weeks of rest and recuperation, we made the journey back to Imperia. Despite the discomfort of travel, I was glad to be home.
My strength gradually returned as the days passed. Soon I was able to do everyday things without wincing at every move. Aurora wouldn't let me leave the city though not until things were sorted out with the Nilsen's. Lord Nilsen was still pretty pissed that I'd dumped his daughter.
While I was confined to the castle at Imperia, I got to spend some time with the soon-to-be queen as plans for her coronation were being made. I was really proud of Aurora, she balanced her job so well.
Ramon and I were also making plans of our own. As soon as possible we would be leaving for Marada to free Lance from the Baron's prison. I just hoped Aurora would let me leave Juvelia...