Alastor's words rang through the ears of everyone present. He knew what had to be done and decided to be the one to take action into his own hands. Lilith had stopped swimming to stand in front of Alastor. "You know that is very dangerous. The capital is heavily guarded and not to mention it's a crime in not only their country but in ours as well."
"Lilith, I know how you are feeling but it must be done, not only for our sake but for the sake of the civilians unfortunate enough to live in this nation. I know you have heard the rumors about how they get treated. Would you not free them knowing you had the ability to do so?"
"I do want to help them but this isn't the way. If we mess up this would mean war between the two nations, and war would only cause them to suffer more than they already are." The others agreed with what Lilith was saying.
"Then what do you propose we do? We still have people hunting us down, and the nation is suffering while we sit here and debate on what the next course of action is."
Lilith was trying to think of something to say but she knew Alastor already had something to combat all of the points she would've made. "Fine, tell me what your plan is, and then we'll see if we go along with it."
"I don't have a plan."
"Then why do you want to kill the Council? Going in to kill the leaders of a nation without a plan is the most retarted thing I have ever heard. No matter how much strength you have you can't just kill a government without planning on what to do after. What will happen to the people? The land?"
"Lilith, I don't expect you to understand, but this needs to be done. I'm going with or without you guys. I will liberate us, and this nation."
Lilith grunted. She knew she couldn't stop Alastor, and on top of that, he was their ride out of Sol.
The next day the group set out for the capital which was still a four-day walk. Instead of walking Alastor used his fire to summon horses; the four-day walk turned into a two-day adventure.
On the way to the capital Lilith and the others admired the beauty of Sol, the plant life was very active and so were the animals. The geography was very different from Angel's province. While Angel's province was mostly cities, Sol was mostly wilderness and had very few man-made structures that had scarred the land.
Five miles out from the capital Alastor unsummoned the horses. The walk went by fairly quickly and the group passed the time by talking about the things they saw. Alastor was quiet like always, unlike the others he had been to Sol before.
In time the group had reached the city gates. Unlike some of the towns they had passed, the capital was the pinnacle of wealth. The streets were nicely paved and the houses looked very cozy. In the center of the City was a gorgeous marble fountain with a fancy red carpet leading to the City hall. The City hall was made of marble and the architecture was very fine. The arches and pillars reminded Alastor of a Colosseum. Alastor could tell the finest Architects had put in a lot of time designing it.
By the time the group made it to their hotel, the sun was already setting. The group dropped their things and collapsed on top of the beds. Alastor let the group sleep and left the hotel to go on a night stroll.
Alastor ended up finding himself at a bar that was open all night. He sat at the bar and ordered a pint of beer. Alastor sat around and listened to the locals complain about their living situations. "Hey bartender what do you think about the council?" The bartender responded to Alastor's question, "They are corrupt but they at least provide a safe haven for those who dedicate themselves to the cause."
"What cause?"
"The destruction of Angel's Province."
"Thanks for the drink." Alastor tipped five gold coins and left the bar. Alastor continued his walk around the city talking to every person that looked unhappy with the current state of the nation. Eventually, Alastor made his way back to the hotel where he found Lilith in his bed.
Alastor took off his boots and got into the bed. Lilith turned around and started embracing Alastor. "Where did you go?" Asked Lilith.
"I went to drink at a bar and talk to some locals."
"And you didn't invite me? You're so cruel"
"Not as much as I used to be."
Alastor felt Lilith's hands somewhere they shouldn't be. "Alastor I want to do it with you."
"Where did this come from?"
"I have been wanting to since we went on our date."
"If it's what you really want"
Lilith woke up in the morning, she leaned over to embrace Alastor but noticed he wasn't even in the room. Lilith got up and looked at the room around her. The smell of lavender wafted over from the table that sat in the corner of the room. She noticed the note next to the vase, inside the note was a message from Alastor. "Lilith I went out for a walk and probably won't be back until tomorrow. Try to keep yourself and the others out of trouble."
Lilith was irked but she knew it probably was important. Lilith laid upon the silk covers basking in the warmth. It hadn't been long since Lilith and the others left Angel's Province but she was starting to feel homesick, Lilith looked out the window and wondered how much longer they were going to be in Sol.
Lilith put aside the thoughts of home and decided she would go back to sleep. Benjamin and Leon had finished eating breakfast when Lillia told them that she was going to check out the nearby forests. Lillia wanted to check out what nature had to offer. They told her to be careful and she went on her way.
The walk to the woods didn't take nearly as long as she thought it would take, only forty minutes. Lillia walked around admiring the animals and nature from afar; not wanting to disturb the animals Lillia started traveling on top of the trees. She saw all kinds of different animals that were native only to Sol. She always loved nature and would take any chance to visit the local national parks.
Lillia looked around enjoying the view, but something felt off about the animals. The animals were making the forest lively but now it was completely silent; she knew what this meant all too well, a predator was nearby. She quietly jumped around all over the trees looking for the predator. She wanted to see a predator hunt for their prey, after all the best part of watching nature is seeing how animals survive in their environment.
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Lillia looked around but the only thing she could find was a cluster of carriages. Lillia realized this was why the animals of the forest were quiet. Lillia was about to leave when she saw men taking girls out of the carriage, the girls had their mouths gagged and their wrists bound with rope. Lillia studied the men long enough to know the women weren't prisoners, but slaves.
Lillia knew she had to go get backup but she also couldn't leave the girls alone. She decided to rescue the girls. Lillia patiently waited so she wouldn't alert the men. She counted thirty men, and twenty women, it was possible for her to eliminate them all but she would have to be cautious.
That was the plan until Lillia saw the glint of a blade. Without thinking Lillia fired an arrow. The arrow pierced the man's wrist cutting his ligaments. The men drew their weapons on high alert. The screaming of the man masked the sounds Lillia was making to get a better angle. Once found Lillia fired another arrow killing the man.
Lillia jumped to another tree nearly dodging the incoming barrage of magical attacks. Lillia's heart pounded rapidly after she realized her mistake. She was alone. Lillia didn't have a moment to stop and think but what she could do was keep firing arrows. She killed five more guys before running out of arrows. Lilith let out a sigh and dropped down.
"So you were the one attacking us?" One of the men asked.
Lillia jumped at the men without responding. With her blade in hand, she swung violently causing the men to scatter. "I've got you now." The man standing behind Lillia tried to invoke his magic but couldn't. Lillia turned around and killed the man. Lillia had set up her magic while she was running around, Any magic with hostile intent towards Lillia is nullified.
With no other choice, the men rushed to attack Lillia. They were unable to stop her rampage. With only ten men left the oldest pulled out a white crystal. Lillia could sense immense magic running wild in the gem. Lillia rushed the man but it was too late. The man unleashed the power which amplified the strength of the remaining men.
Lillia rushed the men but it was useless; they overpowered Lillia easily. Lillia tried to retreat to get help but the men were too strong. Lillia was pinned down and defeated. "I say we get a taste of her for what she did to our comrades." The other men agreed.
Lillia let out a cry for help but it was useless. They were surrounded by woods far from any nearby town, and no one would walk into the woods where dangerous animals resided. Lillia started tearing up knowing she was about to get violated. With her last breath, she yelled, "Someone help me! Please!"
The world around her turned black. There was nothing but an empty void surrounding her. A man calmly walked up to her. "I will help you if you agree to certain conditions."
Lillia didn't know what was happening but not wanting to get defiled she agreed without thinking about the possible consequences. "Alright then just conjure a summoning circle, and I shall help you."
The world around Lillia returned to normal. Lillia did as the man told her. The men turned around to see who Lillia just conjured. They weren't fast enough to process who had just killed them. The man walked over to the ladies who were tied up and released them. The man then made his way over to Lillia who was in a fetal position crying.
"Now it's time for payment." The man's words brought chills down Lillia's spine.
"What do you want?" Lillia was scared of what the price of summoning such a powerful man would be.
The man let out a smile and said. "I just want to go on a date. Of course, you can decline and I will leave without question."
Lillia sat up and wiped her tears away. "That's all?" Lillia didn't want to upset the man but she at least wanted to show her gratitude.
"I am a man of my word." The smile the man was giving off gave Lillia a bad feeling but she agreed because she did not want to break the terms of the summon.
"Why do you want to go on a date?" Lillia asked curiously
The two started heading for the nearest town to get food. "I haven't been in the outside world for a long time. I just wanted to stretch my legs and come to see why Alastor decided to align himself with your group."
"You know Alastor?"
"Of course. I have known him since we were children." Lillia relaxed a little knowing she was on a date with someone she had an acquaintance with.
Lillia had stopped walking. "How did you know I was in trouble?"
"I heard your call for help. Plus I have been keeping tabs on Alastor, and by extension your group."
The two made it to the town. The town was significantly smaller than the capital but it looked clean and nice. "So what do you want to eat?" Asked the man
"Eggs," replied Lillia
The two made their way into the nearest restaurant and ordered their food. "I never got your name." The man reached his hand out and said, "My name is Abel. It is very nice to meet you Lillia." Lillia shook his hand and the two went back to talking.
"So where did you come from?" Asked Lillia
"The realm of the dead," Abel replied
"Realm of the dead? What's it like?" Lillia was acting calm and composed but on the inside, she was freaking out
"Well, it's not too much different from this world."
"It's not on fire or anything?"
"That would be hell, and no. The realm of the dead is where lost souls that didn't go to heaven or hell reside. The part I live in is almost the same as this world. No one would want to live in a fiery hellscape."
"Can I ask you another question?"
"Go for it."
"What is going to happen after Alastor finishes his mission? Will things really be the same after he does what he's here to do?"
Abel took a sip of his coffee and responded. "No."
"Why not?"
"Think about it. Alastor kills the council. Starts a war with neighboring allies, and then proceeds to fight a never-ending battle."
"Really?"
"Just kidding. About the war part."
"Stop messing with me." Lillia was getting annoyed.
"Lillia, If I were to tell you what Alastor had in plan then you wouldn't agree to anything. This plan needs to succeed." Abel's voice was gentle. Lillia noticed the difference between Alastor and his friend at that moment.
"If I agree to let the plan happen would you tell me?"
Abel stuck his hand out. "This is a contract you cannot break. If you try then your soul will belong to me."
Lillia shook Abel's hand
The two had finished their food by the time Abel was done explaining Alastor's plan. Abel was surprised that Lillia actually agreed with what Alastor was planning. "The only problem is it's going to break Lilith's heart." Lillia agreed with Abel's statement.
"But Alastor was never meant to be with Lilith." Abel's words kept repeating themselves over and over again inside her head. Abel snapped her out of this state by grabbing her hand and asking, "Want to go flying?"
The two continued their date by flying around Sol, and part of the neighboring city. "The ground looks so beautiful from up here, I can see all the people and towns. I'm glad I agreed to come see this." Lillia's words brought a feeling that Abel had never felt before.
After exploring the whole day Abel dropped Lillia off in front of the city gates. "Lillia, I had a really fun time. I hope we can do this again sometime."
Lillia let out a smile. "I had fun too. I would be happy to do this again sometime."
Abel lifted his palm and a black cloud of smoke appeared. A ring lay upon Abel's hand which he gave to Lillia. "If you're ever in trouble you can use this to contact me. There is also a present on the inside."
Lillia hugged Abel and thanked him for saving her. Lillia turned around and headed for the hotel. "So how long are you going to stand there," Abel asked Alastor
"You're welcome. I was about to save her but I decided to let you have it since I know she intrigues you."
"Thank you." Alastor hugged Abel and then said goodbye. Black smoke enveloped Abel and he disappeared. Alastor made his way back to the hotel where Lilith waited anxiously. "Where have you been? I have been worried sick."
"I wrote it down in the note. Also, can you bring Lillia into the room? I need to talk to her in private."
Lilith left, and not too long after Lillia walked into the room. "Lilith said you called for me?"
"Yeah. I'm sure you're well aware but that ring is not to be used unless it is necessary. Of course, Abel will answer the call no matter the reason but for right now he is busy in the realm of the dead."
"You knew about today?"
"Of course, I need to keep an eye on my friends to make sure they are safe. Also, how did you like the gift?"
"The ring is beautiful." The ring was made of black rock and the purple gem in the center complimented the ring. Lillia couldn't decipher the engravings, however.
"I'm not talking about the ring. I'm talking about what's inside it."
Lillia was confused but with Alastor's help, she found the present. The ring could summon armor that protects Lillia in an instant and can summon a bow with magical arrows that don't need to be replenished. There were also several different types of magical arrows that she could use. She silently thanked Abel.
"Lillia get ready. Tomorrow we go forward with the plan."
Lillia unsummoned her gear and agreed. "Tomorrow we free this nation."