The Princess And The Lord

Snow fell silently without a sounds then slowly covered the brown, arid ground  including the carcasses of the beasts even the large carcass of Byroft covered completely it became one with the snow.

Thankfully it wasn't long before Cavio woke up, although still a bit weak at least that way they could return to their village if not arthea didn't know how to take cavio home all by herself.

Once they arrived at the village, everyone exhilarated and relief after these few days they have been like headless chicken after  Arthea suddenly disappeared from her house and there's no new news from Cavio, therefore they already prepare for the worst but luckily bot of them returs safely even Demian burst to tears when he saw Arthea and Cavio returns.

Late at night, Cavio was recuperating in his room when arthea came holding Demian who refused to let go, apparently the little boy was traumatized by their departure.

Arthea also really misses Demian so he has no problem carrying Demian everywhere.

"How are you?" Arthea sat on the chair next to Cavio's bed while gently rocking Demian in her arms.

"Much better" Cavio reply softly then his eyes got soften when he see his Son sleeping face "He's already asleep, you should put him in his cribs"

"It's fine, just for a little while..." Arthea also finds it hard to separate herself from Demian.

Cavio understood her feelings so he let go, but something was still bothering him, "Thea...that guy...Lazarus, I don't think we've seen the last of him" he spoke carefully knowing Arthea's relationship with humans.

Arthea glanced at Cavio for a moment then changed Demian's position and patted the little boy's butt lightly, Arthea then sighed heavily.

"He has violated God's rules by attacking you, I don't know what punishment he will receive so I don't think we will meet him again" Arthea turn around then put Demian on his crib then cover the little baby with a knitted blanket.

"You worry about him?" Cavio asks inquisitively.

Arthea took her time before quietly saying, "I  wronged him, Cavi…" her voice was streaked with regret.

"It's not entirely your fault Thea" Cavio comforted her.

"Not?" he smiled bitterly before he returned to his seat beside Cavio's bed "I did make a promise to him Cavi and I did not fulfill it, if all he asked of me was my life I would gladly give him, I am never afraid of death because we know there's a lot worse than dying.." she said with heavy emotion.

"He doesn't want your life, Thea, he wants something more, will you continue to pretend you don't know how he feels about you" Cavio throw a meaningful look.

Arthea bit her lips as she avert her gaze from Cavio.

"Love without understanding and sacrifice will become an obsession and nothing is more toxic than an insatiable obsession," said Cavio.

"I know but he..."

"No, you don't know!" Cavio cut her off "Thea, I have fought with him and I can feel the uncontrollable obsession in his eyes, if he was even willing to sacrifice a little bit for you or try to understand you he would not try to separate you from your family let alone hurt your loved one knowing it will make you sad but he didn't hesitate to kill me even though he knew how much you care for me. Thea, I know you care about him, heck, we both owe him but you can't deny he had ulterior motives to help you maybe his obsession with you had been there from the start, therefore I'm sure he won't stop, not until he gets what he wants."

Arthea was still having trouble accepting the facts "How do you know for sure?" she asked defiantly,

"Thea, you may have the ability to read the future but I can read people's characters better than you that's why I can guarantee that sooner or later he will come, and when he comes, calamity will accompany him"

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Amidst the pitch darkness, Lazarus felt thousands of needles piercing his bones, his body jolted as every joint in his body bent and twisted like an old rag, he could only writhe out of the intense pain he couldn't even contain. the strength to scream only for blood to ooze from his nose, mouth, and eyes, showing how severe the torture he had received.

The punishment bestowed by the Gods on him who dared to interfere in the affairs of other worlds was irrevocable and cruel, moreover, he tried to kill the chosen one, the one who had been chosen among millions of other humans to nurture, lead and protect the world that od had painstakingly made. Therefore, the punishment Lazarus received was far worse than anything he could ever prepare but still, the pain he received from the god still could not compare to Arthea's betrayal.

And the more grievous the torment he received, the deeper his disappointment in Arthea, but all the hatred he felt for Arthea pales in comparison to his hatred for Cavio because he was sure that if it weren't for Cavio, Arthea would have agreed to be with him.

Lazarus regretted he helped Arthea save Cavio if only he didn't tell arthea how to activate the crystal to create a replacement for Cavio then Arthea would have no way of saving Cavio and if only Cavio died perhaps Arthea's connection with her world would not be so strong as it used to be therefore it would be easier for him to persuade Arthea to live with him.

But there was also another problem, that was the gods, he originally thought the gods wouldn't care if he took Arthea with him as long as he and Arthea didn't affect the situation of the other worlds, especially with Arthea's older brother remained as the first king, then her presence in her world will not be significant but he was wrong, the gods wouldn't let his wish come true!

Hence, Lazarus put the gods as well on his list to blame, after all, he blamed the gods for deliberately letting him meet Arthea which as a result made him understand what affection between a man and a woman, he unwillingly learned what longing, joy, and fear felt like, and when he begins to create an image in his head what his life could be like with Arthea, but then the God ruthlessly shattered that dream, they separate him from her just like they separate him from his family.

Just like a joke, the Gods watching everything that matters to him burned and crumbled before him, time and time again the Gods destroyed his hopes and his little dreams as he watched helplessly on the sides like a lowly slave he could only comply, he obeys the will of the Gods…but not anymore.

He would not allow himself to be toyed with by anyone, not even the Gods, everyone who stood in his way would be crushed if he couldn't get what he wanted then he would rather destroy them all, he would no longer be a slave that follows all the god's whims.

A cruel plan took root in his head like a tumor slowly eating away the little bit of conscience he had left, from then on he began to concoct a plan in his head but for now, all he had to do was be patient for he is certain that God's will not punish him forever cause ironically they still need him to guard these damn*d gates, once the God lift his punishment soon he will make the Gods regret ever choosing him in the first place.

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It had been a week since he had last seen Lazarus and from that day on the connection between him and Lazarus was severed. it was as if all possible futures were coming together as a result he always had a terrible headache every time he woke up like someone having a bad hangover.

Today was no different, Arthea woke up before sunrise with a heavy head like someone had put a boulder on her head. Arthea groaned in pain while massaging her temples. luckily the pain went away after a while but she still felt dizzy.

Arthea tried to make sense of the vision she had just seen but the only things she could remember were the amber eyes, fangs, blood, feathers, and thousands of blue flower petals as the wind blew into the dark sky and all of a sudden she was hit by immense pain and sadness that so unbearable that he sometimes woke up with his face wet with tears.

Arthea found it difficult to interpret what she saw in her prophetic dream even though she was sure it was very important.

Arthea then took a deep breath she decided to check on Demian and Cavio who were sleeping in the same room, but when she opened Cavio's bedroom door she didn't find Cavio inside but it wasn't strange because Cavio whose condition had improved just a few days a go later on he grew a habit to left very early and came home late at night when Arthea asked what he was doing Cavio said he was practicing using the seven swords of God to its fullest.

Hearing that, Arthea felt her blood run cold remembering Cavio's words that Lazarus would not remain silent after what happened so sooner or later Cavio was sure that Lazarus would come, therefore Cavio kept preparing himself for that moment.

Arthea honestly hoped she would never meet Lazarus again but not because she feared or hated him but because she didn't want to see her brother and best friend hurt each other or worst of all kill each other! if only there was a way for her to talk to Lazarus she will do it but unfortunately her wish was in vain, like there was a great power blocking her from connecting with Lazarus, Arthea was sure it had something to do with the consequences for what they did causing the God's blocking their connection or whatsoever.