Keema eventually fell asleep, but even in sleep, she trembled terribly.

Kalos had placed her in the tent that was near the campfire before using Reu to dig a hole next to the graves where Raymond, Crimwal and Eevana rested.

It took a while, but he finally did it.

He then gently carried Estella’s body and placed them into the grave which he covered before falling to his knees.

Kalosýni’s trembling hands slowly came together as he looked to the sky.

He then closed his eyes.

“E- Eirini… dear goddess-" Kalos stopped himself as he got up.

A gross existence slowly appeared in front of him.

“I’m sorry.” A thing said, but Kalos grabbed Amartia and left the barrier.

“GIVE ME A GOOD REASON WHY I SHOULDN’T CRAFT ANOTHER REU AND SHOVE IT DOWN YOUR THROAT!” Kalos yelled.

“I’m sorry!” Amartia yelped as Kalos squeezed her throat.

“I’m so sorry,” Amartia said.

Kalos grunted before placing the still sharp but broken, Reu on Amartia’s neck.

“Why aren’t you dead?” Kalos asked.

“Saya created two beings when she cursed Theostaltos. Katharos, who would be the vehicle for her revenge and me. Your guilt. Your sadness. Your pain. I am a reminder. The autarch of your despair” Amartia said as Kalos squeezed harder on his neck.

“Saya said Katharos wasn’t a complete autarch. I’m guessing you’re defective as well.” Kalos hissed.

“Yes.”

“Then you are useless,” Kalos said as he dropped the frail creature.

“I know, but there’s still the throne of the lords,” Amartia said, stopping Kalos in his tracks.

“What about it?” Kalos asked as he crossed his trembling arms.

“You could take the title of dark lord. That should give you enough power to protect Keema.” Amartia suggested.

“But I’m human-"

“Exactly. Remember what grandpa said? Humans are a perfect balance between light and dark. If you can command the darkness of Nar' Agrun, I’m sure you’ll be able to rise to the level of autarch again in no time.” Amartia said.

Kalos paced around as a cold, but minuscule something fell on his nose.

He looked up and saw dreadful snow falling.

“Fine. But I want you to do that thing you did with Estella to me.” Kalos instructed.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re already in so much pain… I don’t think adding to that will-"

“Please,” Kalos pleaded. His eyes trembling.

Amartia was taken aback, but she knew better than to continue questioning Kalos.

She slowly reached out and touched Kalosýni’s head as she poured her essence into him.

Kalos felt all of Theostaltos' pain as it poured into him.

His hair sizzled as red sparks popped up around his body.

Kalosýni’s consciousness threatened to leave him, but he stood tall and paced around as his body convulsed.

He gasped as he was hit by what felt like a wall of pain hit him. He squeezed his fists as he and Amartia became one.

He then got up and returned to the barrier where Keema still slept.

Kalos laid down on the grass just outside the tent Keema was in as the morning sun rose.

He slowly closed his eyes before going to sleep.

.

..

“Mmm.” A soft voice sounded, but Kalos was far too tired to have any desire for waking up.

"Mmm!” The voice called out louder as something tugged at Kalosýni’s jacket.

Kalos opened his eyes to find Keema sitting beside him.

“What’s wrong?” Kalos asked as he sat up.

“I’m… hungry,” Keema said softly. Kalos looked at the box of supplies Glass had expertly packed and pulled out some dried meat for Keema.

She gingerly ate away at the meat.

Kalos looked up into the sky before he felt something tugging at him again.

“Mmm?” Kalos noticed that Keema wanted to give him a piece of her meal even though there was an entire box of rations.

“Don’t worry about me, just eat. I’ll be fine.” Kalos said, prompting Keema to finish her meal.

Kalos continued to look at the sky.

He chuckled as the world continued to turn regardless of what he did.

At one point, Kalos could bend time and space to his will, but it would seem that the cosmos didn’t care about what he did.

Time would continue to tick away.

“Where’s mommy?” Keema asked.

Kalos gently placed his hand on her shoulder before looking at the four graves in front of him.

“She’s with the rest of our family,” Kalos said as his chest ached.

“Where are they?” Keema asked.

“Somewhere peaceful and safe,” Kalos said as he rested his head on his hands.

Keema looked around for something before turning to Kalos again.

“Where’s uncle Peeta?” She asked, prompting Kalos to sign up again.

“He- went with mommy to the peaceful place. Actually, I think we should go on a little trip.” Kalos said as he got up.

“Where are we going?” Keema asked as Kalos packed up the supplies.

He then knelt and wrapped Keema in a silky blue scarf. Sure, it was a little dirty, but Kalos wanted her to be warm as the winter winds approached.

She cutely played with the scarf as it was far too big while Kalos lifted her.

They then left the barrier and Kalos charged up his legs.

He felt them tingle as they begged to be used. His muscles ached in desperation as power flowed into them.

“Hold on tight, ok?” Kalos asked as little Keema clung to him.

Kalos then jumped high into the sky, leaving those he loved behind.

Kalos begged himself to remain alert and ready for anything as Keema was all he had left.

He looked into her big brown eyes and smiled as they glided through the clouds.

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

He then raised Keema as they flew. He showed her to the cosmos in proud defiance as they descended into a certain forest far to the south.

Kalos gently landed before placing Keema on the ground.

They then walked towards where Peeta’s body was.

“Close your eyes for a moment,” Kalos instructed as he walked towards a form he hadn’t seen in far too long.

He turned over Peeta’s body to find that the top right part of his head was missing.

Kalos held his tears in as he got to work.

He buried Peeta and at one point, he saw Keema tremble.

She had opened her eyes for a moment, but that only made her close them for good.

Kalos also noticed what looked like a pile of glass shards and dust.

Kalos gently scooped some of it and placed it into a pouch which he placed into the grave.

He then dusted off his hands before walking to Keema, who looked a little sleepy.

Kalos tilted his head in confusion.

He didn’t know that children had to sleep so often, but a smile washed his confusion away as he held Keema’s hand.

“Let’s go,” Kalos said as they began their journey out of the forest.

Kalos needed to get to Nar’ Agrun, but there was no way he was leaving Keema in the mortal realm.

He needed a way to prepare her for their journey into the dark realm, but he didn’t want to train her yet as that had its own problems.

Would Estella have approved?

So much could go wrong.

Kalos scratched his head as he carried Keema on his back.

The sounds of two small pots clanging against each other had a lullaby effect on Kalos and he too found himself dozing off.

Kalos found a nice place to set up camp just beyond the treeline.

He quickly set up the rather small tent and gently placed Keema inside.

Kalos sighed as he sat against a nearby tree.

He looked at his Reu. Well, Reu’s hilt and some of its blade.

The once godlike weapon had been reduced in length, from about a hundred centimetres to about thirty five. It's entirely had a dark charred appearance, although it's edge retained a lot of its sharpness.

Kalos squeezed Reu as his heart ached.

His eyelids slowly closed as he succumbed to sleeps overwhelming power.

.

..

Not thirty minutes had passed since Kalos had fallen asleep and yet something was tugging at his jacket.

He opened a sleepy eye to find a flustered Keema.

“I have to… go,” Keema whispered.

Kalosýni’s eyes widened as he jumped to the conclusion that Keema might want to leave him, but common sense slapped him in the face before he could voice his insecurities.

“Oh?” Kalos sounded as he stood up.

He then held her hand as he led her to a nearby bush.

Kalos slowly paced away as more snow continued to fall.

Kalos squeezed his fists, wishing for the snow to disappear, but it never did.

Keema then appeared beside Kalos.

They made their way back to their little camp and Keema snuck into her tent.

Kalos sat against the tree from before and watch as the grey sky hung above him.

Kalos also noticed that Keema was restlessly rustling around in the tent.

“You ok?” Kalos asked.

“I’m ok.” She replied.

Silence followed as Kalos sat.

He was trying to formulate a plan that would be safest for Keema.

One thing was clear though, he’d have to go to Nar' Agrun at some point.

Yes, he had managed to kill both Anton, Saya and Katharos, but Kalosýni’s existence itself proved that the existence of autarch level beings was still an issue.

He couldn’t allow himself to slip up.

Not again.

"Umm...?” Keema sounded out as she poked her head out of her tent, making Kalos smile.

Normally, Keema wouldn’t speak with him. She spent most of her time with glass, Estella and Peeta so he was the outsider of the group.

“Can’t sleep?” Kalos asked and Keema cutely nodded.

Kalos chuckled before raising his index finger.

Keema looked up and saw that the sun was slowly setting.

“How about I tell you a story?” Kalos asked.

Keema nodded as Kalos took a deep breath.

“There was once a deer..” Kalos ended up reciting the story his father had once told him. This, unfortunately, resulted in Keema hiding in her tent after hearing the gruesome ending.

“What? It’s just a story.” Kalos said with a chuckle.

Keema ignored him as he laughed by himself. He then returned to his previous state of mind.

How to protect Keema while in Nar’ Agrun Kalos wondered as he got up.

He walked up to the tent and crouched beside it.

“Are you still upset with me?” Kalos asked.

Not thirty seconds passed before Keema crawled out from her tent.

Kalos packed their things. He then took a deep breath.

He reached out towards the space in front of him and charged it with his red Autarch energy. Well, pseudo autarch magic.

A red portal opened up, revealing the dark realm.

Kalos gently picked Keema up and looked into her eyes.

“Ok, it's about to get pretty dark and scary, but I’m going to need you to be brave for me, ok?” Kalos asked and Keema nodded.

Kalos kissed her forehead before jumping into Nar' Agrun. He made sure to close the portal behind him.

Kalos and Keema then fell towards the spire of sin.

He looked around and saw that the ocean of darkness that once prominently filled the dark realm was gone. He wondered if his actions had anything to do with it.

Kalos eventually landed on the dark platform before seeing a man sitting next to a pile of corpses.

Keema closed her eyes upon witnessing the dreaded scene.

“Kalos? Is that you?” Kraeven asked as he stood up. His once glorious and tall form had been reduced to a pathetic, small and crestfallen one.

He then slowly walked towards Kalos with a perplexed expression.

“How are you still alive?” Kalos asked.

“I ran away, of course. Into the bosom of my creator and guess what awaited me Kalos?” Kraeven asked with a deranged smile.

“What?” Kalos asked as he squeezed Reu.

“Nothing,” Kraeven said while shaking his hands in a comical way.

“Nar' Agrun truly abandoned me. Even though it birthed me and raised me. It saw that I was incapable of defeating you and so it cut its losses!” Kraeven yelled.

“Oh, but don’t worry. I’m ok. With you around, no one will mess with our world. I can tell by those scars that you’ve fought in many a cosmic battle.” Kraeven said as Kalos walked towards the spire of sin's entry.

“No. I barely got out of a fight against the autarchs alive. I’m not the world's champion after all.” Kalos said as he entered the dark tower.

“Oh? Then it appears both of our destinies were wrong.” Kraeven said as he accompanied Kalos.

“Err… may I ask what brought you down here?” Kraeven asked.

“The throne,” Kalos said.

Kraeven’s eyes narrowed.

“Mmm… I see.” He said before noticing that Keema was peeking at him from within Kalosýni’s arms.

“Hey, I know this little one. She’s grown up so much.” Kraeven said.

“Indeed.” Kalos acknowledged.

He may have failed dismally as this worlds protector, but at least Keema grew up relatively peacefully-

“She’s got such beautiful blue eyes,” Kraeven said prompting Kalos to hold her up.

He noticed that her eyes were indeed glowing blue.

Kalos mentally smacked himself in the head.

He’d forgotten that most magic users awaken when exposed to extreme amounts of darkness.

Kalos then held her tightly again as he sighed.

“Yes, she’s adorable,” Kalos said with a defeated tone.

“Say… what do you plan on doing with the power from Nar' Agrun?” Kraeven asked.

“I’m going to protect Keema,” Kalos said as they made their way to a large chamber filled to the brim with Pulae.

“Mmm… do you mind if I tag along?” Kraeven asked.

“Why? I’m assuming you want revenge for what I did to you.” Kalos said as the Pulae noticed them.

“Mmm… revenge… no. I want a purpose. You see, I too was born like these mutts, but I certainly don’t want to die as one of them. You say you’ll protect this girl, then I beg of you. Let me help.” Kraeven asked.

Kalos squeezed Reu even harder before smiling.

Kraeven trembled as he saw a glimmer in Kalosýni’s eyes that burnt itself into his soul.

“Sure, but if you lay a hand on her, you’ll suffer for it,” Kalos said as he carefully placed Keema on the stairs.

“Stay here. Uncle Kraeven and I are going to hunt a little.” Kalos said before creating a dark red bubble around Keema. The bubble was made from the red particles Kalos was emitting. They seemingly warped space to a degree and so Keema was completely separated from the surrounding space.

Kalos then zapped towards the swarm of Pulae.

He then swung Reu and Kalos could’ve sworn Reu had never felt so heavy.

Kraeven snapped himself out of his daze and joined Kalos in his rampage.

Yes, Kraeven had lost his connection to Nar' Agrun, but he was still one of the strongest creatures in the dark realm regardless. Kraeven summoned his dark sword.

He then charged into the storm and swung his sword, splitting several Pulae in two.

Kraeven snuck a glance at Kalos who zapped across the mucky floor of the chamber, killing tens of Pulae at a time.

Kraeven chuckled before killing more Pulae.

His attacks were precise and his magical output was conservative. There was no risk that he’d lose his magic in a fight against a bunch of Pulae, but after looking at Kalosýni’s broken form, Kraeven decided that it would be best if saved up as much magic as possible in case of emergencies.

Kalos zapped back to the chambers bottom entrance before releasing Keema from her little bubble.

He picked her up and joined Kraeven at the bottom of the upper entrance.

It was about fifteen meters above them, but this was no challenge for Kraeven who jumped up and walked into the upper half of the spire of sin.

Kalos jumped up and joined him for the last part of their ascent.

"Mmm.” Keema sounded.

“Yes?”

“I’m… hungry,” Keema said.

Kalos pulled out some dried meat from his bag of supplies.

Keema ate away at her snack as they made their way to the top floor.

Kalos and Kraeven stopped upon seeing two Saepenar standing by the sides of the throne.

The saepenar looked at each other with confused expressions.

“Which of you is the dark lord?" The one to the left asked in an old tongue.

“Isn’t it that one?” The one to the right asked while looking at Kraeven.

“No,” Kraeven said.

“But that one has no magic.” The left one said.

“True, but he still feels… powerful.” The right one said as her antennae twitched.

Kalosýni’s heart ached a little upon witnessing their dark beautiful forms.

“Can’t I just sit on the throne and let Nar' Agrun see if I’m worthy?” Kalos asked.

“Well… I don’t see a problem with that.” The second saepenar said.

Kalos nodded before walking up to the dark throne at the centre of the chamber.

The entire chamber was riddled with strange golf markings that contrasted with the spire of sins black walls. The whole tower was made from a strange, glasslike material.

“The throne is reserved for the dark lord and the dark lord only.” One of the saepenar said as she looked at Keema.

Kalos sighed.

Then something fell to the ground.

The left saepenar’s eyes widened as it noticed that its left hand was gone.

“You can try to stop me,” Kalos said as both of the saepenar glared at him.

Kalos then sat down on the dark throne and in that moment, the dark realm responded.

It trembled as it accepted its new master.

Kalosýni’s eyes widened as Nar' Agrun gave him every single detail about itself. Everything from how many dark beings existed to the amount of darkness within the dark realm.

Kalos looked down and saw the saepenar kneeling at the foot of the dark throne he say on.

Keema clung tightly to Kalos as she had no idea what any of what was going on meant.

“What now?” Kraeven asked.

“Now… we prepare.”