CHAPTER VI #7
“My sister’s value of human life is non-existent,” the Ancient continues, still looking at the Queen in heavy thought, “and it is my deep suspicion that she aims to keep the Old World as is, with the exception of using the humans here for her own malevolent purposes just as she has done and continues to do in Livyatan.”
“So you push for the opposite of that?” Renate eyes Hirovale in curiosity. “It is my understanding that you wish for humans to have access to the magic of the world? To practice it as was the way of old before.”
“That magic has always belonged to them from beginning, Your Grace,” the Ancient smiles in reply. “The access was merely stripped from them.”
Renate hides a scowl, shaking her head at Hirovale.
“Then you would ask for my son to assist in your desire to remake the thousands year old rule that has been the absolute law of the Kingdoms over the years. A rule in which my husband has already lost his life to assist with, and he was only assisting indirectly. Is Keane to stand against the Elder Father and Mother’s decree?
Are you willing to bring him and this Kingdom into their sights as Aireal once was? Just so you can fulfill your desire?”
My brows lift in surprise, never once considering this line of thought.
The Elder Father and Mother were the ones who stripped the magical beings of Aireal of all their summoning abilities to begin with, and what Hirovale now plans to do does go against the Elders decree.
What would happen to those humans who ultimately end up choosing to embrace the mystics?
What would happen to them if the Elder Father and Mother choose to return to our Old World just as the Ancients do now, finding them in violation to their law?
You’re strong, Hiro, I glance at the Ancient with my brows furrowed, but are you strong enough to stand against them? Against the two beings who slaughtered your brother and sister? Have you considered the possibility that your actions might bring along another Kingdom’s downfall?
Hirovale flicks his gaze to mine, his golden eyes narrowing in their intensity. I lift my brows for an answer, feeling the small warning push of power he sends my way before turning back to the Queen.
“Your husband’s death was a tragedy, Queen Renate, one that I did not anticipate would take place so soon…”
The Ancient releases her arm and takes both of her hands in his, continuing with a quiet smile.
“I need you to know that I have helped him move on. Zander rests peacefully and waits for you in his next adventure, though it is my hope that you will stay of this world for a while longer, also assisting your son and my Human Reborn.”
“And the Elders?” she asks, holding back a few tears. “What of them?”
The Ancient smiles at her. “They are not something you need to fear. The Elder Father and Mother are gone. They do not sleep in this Old World any longer, nor will they be making a return any time soon.”
My eyes narrow on the dark-haired Ancient.
How can he possibly know that?
“I know it because I am the Ancient of Death and Exploration, Alex,” Hirovale turns to me with cold pride, his voice hard and losing its previous consoling tone as he drops the Queen’s hands.
“Because you too often forget that I am the strongest of all my brothers and sisters. The first to be brought into this Old World by our Father and Mother. I know of their standing at the moment and where they currently reside because I assisted in their leave.”
Renate watches the Ancient in silent astonishment as her eyes bounce from me and him. Keane grips my hand hard, taking a step closer as his own shoulders stand tall, eyeing the Ancient as well.
“Elena…” the Queen breaks the tension around us. “She told my husband to look after Alexis. She was the one that brought her to us.”
“Yes,” Hirovale finally takes his gaze off me and looks back at Renate. “I have chosen Alexis to represent my interests in the Old World. Your daughter knew of the importance and assisted in her flee from Woodlands.”
“Why her?”
Keane shifts on his feet next to me, narrowing his eyes on his mother as I squeeze his hand hard. I give Renate a small smile, grateful for her to ask the question I still wonder about every damn day.
The Ancient grins, reverting back to his friendly demeanor.
“Because the magic of the Old World lives strong within her. Because I chose her, knowing that she is worthy of that power. Even if she herself does not believe it yet.”
“And my son?”
“A power of force in his own right. The strongest of magical beings to walk the Old World in hundreds of years. One who will stand by my champion and protect her at all costs, because she chooses him and they choose eachother...”
My heart beats fast against my chest, feeling Hirovale’s words so strong in my bones.
I look up to my King, watching as his handsome Discerni features look back at me with intensity, nodding in quiet agreement with Hirovale.
I latch onto that gaze, to the brown eyes that cause me to take a slight inhale of breath every time I see them, knowing that I’ll hold onto them forever.