As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the land of Tianin, General Adwin arrived with the orb that pulsed with the essence of the sacred energy. The air was thick with anticipation, for Enai had been taken by Tarum, and in his absence, a bond was forming between Adwin and Akilah, one that transcended past grievances and spoke of a future filled with promise.
Each evening, as the stars began their nightly vigil, the silence that once hung between them gave way to shared laughter and tales that flowed as freely as the wine they drank. It was during one such twilight, a week since Enai's departure, that Akilah prepared a feast fit for the gods. The centerpiece was a liliharp, a bird whose succulent flesh was the pride of Gongorian cuisine and it is similar to that of Cornish game hen, accompanied by a medley of fresh greens and an array of dishes that filled the air with mouthwatering aromas.
Adwin's eyes lit up with delight at the sight, a smile gracing his lips as he beheld the spread before him. "Akilah, such a banquet was not necessary," he said, his voice warm with gratitude. Yet, as their gazes met, there was an unspoken acknowledgment of the growing connection between them.
"Your commitment to my son, to our family, is more than I could have ever imagined," Akilah spoke, her voice laced with a newfound respect. "Thank you, Adwin, for everything." As they dined, the flickering candlelight danced in their eyes, and in those quiet moments, a silent understanding passed between them.
Adwin, moved by the depth of Akilah's forgiveness and strength, saw in her the makings of a true Gongorian partner. "You are a warrior, a nurturer, and a culinary artist," he chuckled, his heart swelling with affection. "It is my honor to stand by you and Enai, for as long as fate allows."
Akilah's gaze faltered as doubt crept in, the shadow of fear that Tarum might never return her son. "What if all this is for nothing?" she whispered, the weight of uncertainty heavy upon her. Adwin rose, his touch gentle upon her shoulders, his words a vow. "By Axiel's grace, I will ensure Enai's return, and in doing so, I hope to win your heart Akilah, for since I've been here you been nothing but gracious to me."
They stood together, hands clasped, their eyes locked in a gaze that spoke of a future filled with shared dreams. Adwin's fingers traced Akilah's jawline tenderly. "In your eyes, I find a world of wonder, a love profound and true. When this ordeal is behind us, I wish for nothing more than to call you my betrothed."
In the weeks that followed, Adwin shouldered the responsibilities of the household, ensuring their survival, while Akilah's prowess in fishing and foraging kept them sustained as well. The two of them were a perfect pair and though Adwins past haunted in regards to Akilahs abandonment, he seemed he was making up for past sins. It was during a hunt, a month after Enai's soul was taken, that Adwin spotted a cloud of dust rising in the distance-a harbinger of approaching danger. The soldiers kind Athdar sent on the horizon to the north.
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Racing back, he found Akilah sneaks up behid her as shes gathering snickle berries. He quckily places his hand around her mouth and his other arm around her waste pulling her into the near by bushes while whispering in her ear "quite my love, the royal guard are here." They watched watched in horror as the grew closer to Akilahs cottage where young enai lay helpless. Akilah tries to sprint toward the men, but Adwin stops her from divulging their position. Akilah whispered. "Theyre going to kill my son Adwin." Her eyes begin to water and she places her hand over her mouth in fear. As the kings guard approaches the humble cottage Akilah and Adwin quietly follow behind. Adwin then whispers to Akilah no matter what you remain hidden and ill handle this. Just as the king's guard arrived at the edge of the clearing of the cottage the captain dismount their horses and there are a total of 8 royal guards. Adwin with a swift shot from his bow, he felled one of the horsemen, but the others were quick to dismount and prepare for battle. Adwin loads another arrow letting it fly true and on target hitting another directly in the chest under his breast plate. He then draws his sword and valiantly fends of a few more but Despite his valiant efforts, he is wounded on his side by the blade of one of the guards. the overwhelming numbers forced him to his knees, his sword falling from his grasp. Akilah gave away her position by running out of the bushes with fear in her eyes yet screaming to spare Adwin and Enai. At the same time Adwin was pleading for Akilah's safety.
The young Gongorians, acting as judge and executioner in the name of the king, pronounced their sentence of death upon Akilah and Adwin. As she knelt, tears streaming down her face, Adwin reached out to her, his eyes filled with love and despair. Adwin looks to the captain suited in silver armor and whilst breathing heavily he simply says "Baranthum, you must stop this. You dont undersatand this is bigger than us all. And if you kill this woman and her son than you will have jeopardized all of Salaria." The captain looked down to Adwin and said "You made your choice Adwin and you committed treason against the king and now you must die for you insolence. At that point the guard brought down the tip of his blade down on Adwins neck. His eyes shuttered shut as the blade entered the base of his neck and he was giving a Gongorians final and second death. Akilahs head falls to the ground as the tears flow from her face mixing with the clay soil beneath her.
The captain of the guard signals the executioner with his hand. Akilah there praying and weeping. The royal guard showing no remorse approach her. The young guard takes a step behind Akilah and lifts his blade to the sky as Akilah lay there with neck exposed and hands clasped together in prayer. The blade begins its descension upon the neck of Akilah, a miraculous force intervened, shattering the sword and protecting Akilah from harm. The force of the concussive blast knocked all the guards back several feet and Confusion and fear took hold of the guards, and one by one, they fled, leaving Akilah standing alone, a testament to the true power of Axiel.
With Adwin's lifeless body beside her, Akilah's heart cried out for the return of her beloved. And as if in an answer to her prayers, Enai appeared in the distance, his return a bittersweet moment amidst the sorrow. Akilah's eyes closed, her voice a whisper to the heavens, calling upon Axiel to restore the love that had been so cruelly taken from her.