CHAPTER 195
A NEW CHAPTER
The explosion hit them, shockwave after shockwaves. Their barriers broke one after another, leaving them wonder what might have happened if all of it fell here. Even the Spirit king Tarragon’s shell broke. With their last line of defence gone, the inevitable was greeting them.
However, a shadow flashed before them and a voice echoed amid the chaos.
Deathlessness
An eighth circle spell conjured beneath the group, and a tug of war between its healing and the Celestial weapon began. The people there experienced their flesh tearing and regenerating at the same time. It continued for a while giving them a pain of there lifetime.
However, it didn’t take long to see which was the winner, since all came out unscathed. “Why is that blasphemous thing fell here.” The spell caster who need no revealing, revealed herself asked. She was gasping, Deathlessness was a spell that continuously drained her mana. If it wasn’t for the spirit king’s armour taking most of the brunt she was sure the explosion would have outlasted her. She again pointed at the celestial weapon remains, “why is that thing here?”
As none answered Sierra, they were in no condition to entertain their saviour. Only Hans was standing tall, as if he didn’t got to experience the pain. The moment he accepted himself as Prince. Its command centre changed and regained all its functionality. But he was in daze, only mumbling, “I killed him..no..he recognised me…even as undead…he was in control…I killed my father…”
Hans fell on his knees, his eyes enlarged as he began to pull his hair like a lunatic. “Why? He could’ve lived so why did he pushed me—”
“Hey! Hans, you okay. child! ” Sierra shook him and he finally saw her. He looked like his whole world was taken from him. Apologetically, he began to wail, “Im sorry grandma…I didn’t want to do that to him. He was conscious…I didn't know.”
“Its okay, child. Its okay.” She caressed embracing him as she looked over the once serene resting place in ruins. A sombre panorama of shattered debris and scorched earth. Dust and smoke still hung thick in the air, casting an eerie gloom over the desolation.
Rescue teams, comprised of knights and mages, jumped in one after another. Many bystanders were caught in the explosion as the icy walls destroyed and damaged the surroundings.The rescuers moved cautiously through the debris, high mana warnings serving as a stark reminder of the lingering danger. Survivors, faces etched with grief, navigated through the wreckage, seeking signs of normalcy.
Hans who had lost the lustre from his eyes was moved to a nearby shelter with other children. He was not out cold like them, but was not faring any better. His mind was in chaos, questioning a lot inside, but not even one answer came through. Many people tried to talk to him, but he was on vacation with his gloom. He didn’t talk to anyone.
After a day or two, he didn’t know how much time had passed. He was sitting on his bed, lost in the sight of moon and starry sky. “What’s eating you idiot.” Delimira who doesn’t seem to leave him alone asked, not expecting the answer, but Hans spoke, “I killed him, he could have lived, he was in control. Even as undead, he could’ve lived—”
“Hans, you don’t have guilty conscience. Its what makes you, YOU. And you can’t just kill what is already dead, you stupid.”
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Hans remained silent, but Delimira knew him well and had a perfect question to distract him. She just needs Hans to speak once. “It was you, who give you that sword to Xandor. Didn’t you?” She questioned jolting him..
“What the?” Hans snapped.
“Yes, you made me an accessory because I brought that damn thing from Alliance treasury.” Delimira finished, with a fake frown.
“I have no idea what you are babbling, Winters. Shoo.” Hans gestured her to go away.
Giggling, she responded, “Welcome back stupid. And stop lying, you are not very good at it.”
Hans looked here and there, no one was listening, “Who spilled it, Dijkstra?”
“Nope. You just confirmed it.” She chuckled.
“Damn it Winters. Who was the one saying, she doesn’t want to get involve—”
“I also said, it will eventually come to bite you in the ass. Didn’t I? ”
“Oh, quit yapping.” Hans became annoyed, prompting her to smile.
Seeing him troubled, she relieved, the Hans she knew was back. “Listen Squeaky—”
“You really want me to rile up, don’t you.” Hans showed her his clenched fist.
“FIne! FIne! Prince—”
“Ah damn it. I forget that.” Hans started pulling his hairs. He didn’t want to accept it because he knew, once he does. He had to bear the responsibility of every Parvian. His carefree life was over, now he had to watch his every step so it could not hurt the dignity of being an imperial. It now became his duty that he just couldn't wing it. He was in his world of regret, but Delimra shook him off once again.
“Here, listen. It wasn’t your fault—”
“Of course it isn’t. Do you think, its a blacksmith’s fault for every life that his sword takes. No, its the wielder’s. ” Hans refuted.
“See.” Delimira gestured, “you are already out of your woods. So why the long face. Do you have any idea how many people you got worried with your depressed state.” She scolded.
“Yeah, but Samson..no..my father—”
“It was Xandor, not you. How many times do I have to say it. You messed up, now you have to make amends.” Delimira stressed.
“You don’t suppose I have to help these people—”
“No," she shook his head with a weird expression, "Thats not your nature. It is to take the head off of Xandor for disrespecting your father.” She said, infuriated. Her anger was something Hans didn’t understand. It was normal for him to feel angry, but he wasn’t feeling any.
“Hey Deli, help me out here.” Hans gestured, “My mind is haywire, I can’t focus. You heard his last words, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, he was happy seeing you and was proud of you—”
“Yeah, what did he meant?” Hans asked dumbfounded while Delimira’s response was the same for the obvious reason.
“What is so hard to understand, he is your dad, of course he was happy to see you alive and well. Heck you even fought him well. He was proud—”
“You think so?” Hans asked puzzled.
“Since when do you seek acknowledgement of others…or your daddy is different?” She sneered.
“Yeah he is.” Hans said indifferently but his demeanour changed next moment. “Yeah he was different.” He showed a wide smile for the first time as his eyes began to moist. Delimira quickly hugged him as he continued mumbling.
“He was proud of you Hans.” She said patting his back. They remained like that for a while till Hans, asked, “Why the sudden hug?”
“It felt you needed one. So etched this in your memory; me showing compassion is only a one time thing.”
“Whatever, Winters—”
“Ahem! Ahem!” Arat coughed from behind and Hans slowly let her go, “You got him talking, good.” Arat nodded to Delimira and then focusing his gaze, he knelt with his widely known bad knees. “Forgive me my prince—”
“Ah, dang it. I’m in no mood for theatrics. Mr PM.” Hans refuted as Arat’s act was giving him goosebumps of regrets.
“You must have questions.” Arat asked, hinting Delimira to give them some privacy.
“No she is staying.” Hans said gesturing her to sit.
“But prince—”
“There is no point, she will eventually get this out of me. And my brain is not functioning right now. I need a second opinion.”
“As you wish, my prince.” Arat conceded.
“And please, can’t you drop the formal tone.” Hans asked, frowning.
“You should’ve thought that before declaring yourself—”
“It was for saving our asses. Old man.” Hans frowned.
“Whatever your reasons were. Now you’ve accepted it. There is no running away now.”
Hans nodded sighing, as his pupils regain the golden lustre. There were many things in his mind, the seed of night which his father coined, the solar mage book he now possessed, the Elven Lies which Xandor was after, and a bad feeling that he missed something in the chaos. He took a long breath in, and said in a deep tone, “So when are we leaving for Parv.”
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