Chapter 402: || || A Guardian''s Realm


    The glowing blue shine of the crystal illuminated the room as it hovers above the High Lord''s hand. Light dapples on the young aphrodite''s cheeks as he stares silently, watching as Hadrian''s hand approaches the golden orb. Moulin is surrounded by his brothers who were as silent as him. They could not help but throw a worried nce at their unconscious father,id on the soft couch, looking as though nothing could perturb his slumber. He looks so calm like a stillke within a damp and dreary cave, devoid of life. Moulin crushes his thoughts, his heart pounding erratically.


    Chn chants something. It is lower than a whisper, meant for no one, and nothing, except for the ancient mysterious orb, and perhaps, the spirit that lurks within it.


    Click!


    The runes moved, rearranging like a puzzle.


    The glistening runes on its surface seemed like a de''s glinting edge, sharp and deadly. Moulin wanted to rip it open if he could. Take out the writhing spirit who would dare to hurt his family. He exhales. Silver pupils flickering. Frostyered his fingertips before they disappeared within his fists.


    "My Lord." Phaelona meekly raised her gaze to Hadrian who only listened. "When it opens, ce the crystal inside gently and your energy mustn''t be too forceful when you act."


    Hadrian only spared her a nce but Moulin knew he was listening carefully. The she-elf rxed, giving Chn a reassuring look.


    Emlen and Maxille shared uneasy looks as they stood closer to Moulin.


    Click!


    Finally, the final piece clicked into ce. And a small triangr hole revealed itself before their eyes. The interior is simple, embellished with unknown characters, carved out from the golden walls within. It was small enough for the pendant to be inserted.


    Golden eyes glowed faintly. Unhurriedly, Lord Hercullio ced the pendant inside. It fell into the tiny dish within. And with that, a brief sh urred. It is almost blinding. Phaelona was already beside Lord Dontae''s slumbering figure, linking his consciousness into the orb the moment, Chn opened a channel.


    "Now, we wait..." Chn sighed, stepping away from the table. His gaze settles on the Patriarch''s concerned children. "It is all up to his Lordship now..."


    A hand reached for Moulin''s clenched fingers making the youth turn to the person beside him. His eyes are locked on golden irises, flowing with reassurance. His heart pounded violently within the cage of his chest. At least with Hadrian, he was a bit at ease.


    He prayed his father would be alright.


    ...............


    Lord Dontae opened his eyes. The light was too strong so he let his eyes adjust first. Daylight? How long has he longed for it?


    He felt smaller and younger. The freshness of youthyered his bones. Is this an illusion?


    Fresh green weed his eyes. The cool breeze was yful around him, carrying with it the joys andughter of his young years. Grass tickled his ankles and a gigantic tree stood before him. It looked intimidatingly massive like an imprable wall.


    And then a high-pitchedugh had him quickly looking up. He searched and found a beautiful bright smile like the dazzling rays of the sun in spring. Long chestnut hair billowing against the wind. Lord Dontae''s breath seized in his throat. A crushing grip surrounded his chest.


    The young girl stood on the tree branch. The forces of air, doing her bidding, making her look gant and powerful. She was a bright star, captivating and proud.


    "I will tie myself to no marriage." Lady Maxiel dered as she faced the wind. "The world waits to be unraveled by me. I will explore every crevice of thisnd, tame untamable beasts, and let people shout my name as I walk. So much wonder and beauty... I cannot miss it."


    Her eyes met the strict boy below, "Even with this, do you still dare to wait for me?"


    Lord Dontae''s pupils quivered and he spoke without thinking, "I will wait for you until the end of time."


    The girl''s eyes widened briefly. Her ears reddened and a smile bloomed on her gorgeous face.


    The urge ovee his mind and Lord Dontae his reaching a hand towards her, to touch her and bring her into his arms. However, the scenes suddenly vanished before his eyes, dissipating instantly.


    "Do you wish for her love?" An ominous voice whispered to him.


    Ssh!


    A dark crimson sttered on his cheek. Menacing aura filled his soul, pounding needles into his heart. The bloody sight before him could never be forgotten.


    "Father? Mother?"


    His voice is young and trembling. The shock and fear hammered themselves into his body. He couldn''t move.


    Two lifeless bodiesy in the pool of red. Blood oozed beneath them, spreading out as if trying to touch his shoes. Two pieces of his father''s sword remained at his feet. His mother''s pearlsy scattered on the floor. Lord Dontae breathed rapidly.


    Their eyes are wide and soulless, haunting.


    A dark figure stood before his parent''s corpses. Red dripped from the man''s fingers. He was cackling, mana violently overwhelming his reason.


    A murderous gaze fell upon Lord Dontae''s figure. And before he knew it, the man was striding towards him ready for his third kill. Lord Dontae raised his arms in defense.


    sh!


    "Do you wish for vengeance?"


    Fire crackled from the mes of his torch. The warm light highlighted his sharp features. He has grown and so did his curiosities. Lord Dontae couldn''t extract himself from the previous scene he''d dreadfully experienced. His heart drummed violently within his chest. He trembled uncontrobly. Because of this, he failed to be aware of his dim surroundings as well as the smell of smoke and dust around him.


    "Don!" A voice woke him. It echoed from the deep tunnel behind.


    "Don! Where are you?" Maxiel shouted.


    At the sound of her voice, Lord Dontae''s youthful face morphed into concern. He turned his head in the direction of his beloved''s voice but only the darkness faced him. The silence was suffocating. There was a faint breeze and it felt as though Maxiel''s voice was just an illusion.


    "..." Lord Dontae furrowed his brows. A familiar memory arose within the depths of his mind. This scene...


    A chill crawled up his spine as though the devil was tapping on his shoulder. Slowly, he turned his head. Three pairs of stone-cold eyes stared at him. Three serpents gazed at the young man. Their figures protrude from the dusty wall as it sits at the center of a circle of unfamiliar symbols. The aura it exudes is sinister and ominous. Lord Dontae could not turn away from it.


    A demonic altar, hidden beneath his family''s prosperous estate. He unconsciously took a step back. Fingers, tightening around the body of the torch.


    "Is this your family''s retribution?"


    Suddenly, the scene transformed before his wide disbelieving eyes. The dark walls around him dissipated like fading smoke. The lord''s heart drummed as his hands turned empty and the world stretched around him.


    A blurry haze engulfed his being and he felt his head spin. What is happening?


    Suddenly, the quiet returned and all is still. A thick fog gathered around his feet. He could barely see the dark murky ground. And his breath is warm in the cold air. He braced himself. The feeling of being watched overwhelmed his senses


    He need not wait when a dark figure forms from the fog. It towered over him, growing several feet taller until Dontae took a few steps back to look at the creature. Intimidation riddled his bones but he remained steady despite the umting pressure burrowing into his skin.


    The figure looks hooded. Its body seemed to be cloaked in a long dark robe. The only visible thing was its long fingers and sharp lengthy nails. Like it belonged to some monster. The patriarch stared at it uneasily. He would be lying if he said he wasn''t afraid. He was unarmed within a world beyond hismand. Like a feeblemb in a wolf''s den.


    "Mortal..."


    It was the same voice that whispered to him throughout the visions of his memories. That same harrowing voice plundered his ears. Its echoes vibrate into his chest. Dark and ominous like a hungry demon''s.


    The figure continued to look down at the little man before it. "What is it... that you desire in this... realm?"


    When its words ended, a crease appeared between the lord''s brows. He could not mistake the interest in the creature''s voice. Dread instantly filled his chest but he refuse to show any bit of weakness. Somehow the air grew colder.


    .................


    Moulin watched his slumbering father. Worry filled his heart. What could his father be experiencing? He wondered hard but his guesses could never be proven.


    Suddenly, the doors from the adjoining room opened, and heavy footsteps drew close. Varick appeared from the doorway. Everyone turned to him. Unease graced Varick''s elegant features when his eyes finally met Lord Hercullio''s gaze.


    Hadrian slightly narrowed his eyes and turned to the young man standing beside him. "I will return quickly."


    Moulin shook his head. For Varick to suddenly appear in haste, something big must have urred. "Go with him and take your time. Your presence is needed. I will be here waiting. I''ll be alright."


    Hadrian gazed at him for a few seconds before silently agreeing. Moulin reached out to nt a kiss on the man''s lips before their hands slipped away from each other''s grasp. He then watched as Hadrian left the room.


    In the same instant, Maxille filled Hadrian''s spot beside Moulin. His brothers gave him reassuring looks as they waited patiently for their dear father to wake.


    Silently, they prayed nothing bad would happen to their parents.