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The Eternal Guardians - Earth&Water
Chapter 17: Unexpected choices

Chapter 17: Unexpected choices

Orin and Lysandra stood in stunned silence, their gazes fixed on the Necromancer and Death, who appeared to be old acquaintances locked in a heated exchange. The reality of their situation slowly sank in—they had indeed broken the curse, but Huter remained unconscious. With an air of grim satisfaction, Death explained that because he had not claimed a soul but rather immortality, Huter and his people had fallen into an eternal sleep. The Necromancer, her face contorted with rage, began to argue vehemently with Death. Amidst the turmoil, Lysandra, her voice trembling, asked how they could awaken Huter and the Elves. Death revealed that they needed to uncover the reason behind Huter's suffering for love, a truth hidden deep within his heart.

The Necromancer aided Orin and Lysandra in returning Huter to the royal court. As they traversed the silent, somber realm, they witnessed the eerie sight of the Elves lying in a deep, unending slumber. They knew they had to find a solution and fast. Orin sprinted to the Elves' prison and freed Tio, who had clearly endured torture. Anger simmered in Orin as he vowed the Elves would pay for this cruelty. Dazed and shocked, Tio embraced his friends and inquired about the fate of the Elves. Upon seeing Huter, his heart skipped a beat. "Is he dead?" Tio asked, his voice trembling. Lysandra quickly reassured him, explaining that Huter was merely asleep and relaying the events that had transpired in Death's kingdom and the subsequent confrontation between Death and the Necromancer.

Determined to wake the Elves, the three friends devised a plan. Tio proposed to mind-walk into Huter's subconscious to discover the root of his suffering, the only way to possibly wake him. Orin, concerned for Tio's weakened state, insisted on accompanying him. Lysandra and the Necromancer remained with Huter's body, stationed in his royal chamber. Orin channeled his magical energy into Tio, who with a gentle touch on Huter's forehead, embarked them on the perilous journey into Huter's mind.

Inside Huter's mind, they found themselves in a vast, sprawling library. The endless rows of bookshelves seemed to stretch into infinity, but Huter was nowhere to be seen. They called out for him, but their voices echoed back unanswered. Determined, they began their search, wandering through the aisles. Suddenly, the scene shifted, and they found themselves in a serene garden teeming with vibrant flowers and majestic trees, yet still, there was no sign of Huter. Orin exchanged a worried glance with Tio, who speculated that Huter's subconscious was deliberately keeping them at bay. Focusing intently on Huter’s green eyes and his soft, gentle voice, Tio conjured up memories of the prince. The scenery shifted once more, and they were inside the royal castle, watching a young Huter playfully wielding water magic with his friends. Huter appeared behind them, reminiscing about his idyllic childhood, a time when everything seemed perfect and joyful. However, his tone darkened as he recounted how his father’s death had transformed his mother into an overbearing, control-obsessed queen. With a heavy heart, Huter transported them back to the library, demanding to know why they had intruded into his mind. Orin explained what had transpired since the Necromancer broke the Seraphine stone and the mission they must complete to awaken him and the entire realm.

Huter vanished, unwilling to confront the anguish that should have remained buried deep within him. Orin and Tio found themselves hurtled through a series of ever-changing, disorienting locations within Huter's mind. Orin, momentarily disoriented, suddenly reappeared in the familiar surroundings of the castle, only to realize that Tio was still ensnared within Huter's subconscious. Overcome with worry for his friend, Orin plunged back into Huter's mind, only to find himself chained to the Elves' throne in an empty, desolate room. Meanwhile, Tio, relentlessly searching for Huter, decided to hone in on Huter’s deepest pain and longing. Opening his eyes, he found himself at the edge of a vast, frozen lake atop a mountain. There, he saw Huter’s memories, he was desperate and anguished, looking with his friends to find the Necromancer. In his bid to save Tio, Huter’s suffering was palpable, and Tio realized that an inexplicable bond had formed between them since their first meeting, a connection that transcended mere friendship.

Back in the throne room, Orin remained stuck, still shackled to the throne. Huter appeared, apologetic and sorrowful, “Orin, I am sorry, it’s not me but my subconscious keeping you confined”. Orin, nodded, understanding that Huter was, indeed, keeping him locked. Huter continued “I would rather sleep forever than endure a lonely existence at the Elves’ court”. Orin, taken aback, struggled to find the right words. Just as he was about to speak, Tio materialized, having found his way back to them. “Here you are, finally I found you. Huter please, there’s no need to keep Orin chained, he is no harm, and you know it” Tio pointed out. With a gentle smile, Huter freed Orin with a simple gesture. Tio spoke softly - “Huter, I know now, I feel it too, this profound connection we shared, we could explore and understand it together. But right now you’ve to wake up!”. It was, indeed, time for them to awaken. Huter blushed, nodding in agreement, as Orin looked on, recognizing the potential harmony between Tio’s heartfelt compassion and Huter’s gentle nature. Despite their efforts, Huter remained unable to awaken himself. “It’s not working” - Huter shouted, while Tio was telling him to be focused, Orin urged him to try again but to no avail. Feeling an instinctual pull, Tio rushed to Huter and kissed him, hoping that, as in fairytales it would break the enchantment. In an instant, they found themselves back in Huter’s chamber in the real world, with Lysandra and the Necromancer gazing at them in astonishment. Slowly, Huter began to stir, finally waking from his deep sleep.

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Orin and Tio exchanged relieved glances knowing that they would have talked about what happened in Huter's mind. Although, grateful to be back in the real world, Lysandra, eager for answers, asked how they managed to wake Huter. Tio began to explain that Huter's deepest fear was being and living alone, but Orin interrupted, saying that to prevent his loneliness they had invited Huter to join their journey in combating the encroaching darkness, and he had accepted. Tio looked at his friend with a gentle and thankful glance, he knew that Orin would have always been on his side. As Huter slowly awakened, he gazed at his friends with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, questioning what had happened and why he felt both drowsy and strangely liberated. Orin recounted the events following the Necromancer's destruction of the Seraphine stone, explaining that the curse had been broken. Tio, with concern in his eyes, asked Huter if he remembered anything from his time unconscious. Huter thought for a moment before recalling only the vast, endless library where he had spent his time reading.

Orin, masking a hint of sadness, met Tio's eyes, but Tio responded with a reassuring smile and…collapsed, exhausted from his journey through Huter's mind and weakened by the tortures he endured in prison. Orin, Lysandra, and Huter rushed to his side, anxiously waiting for him to regain consciousness. Orin channeled his Earth magic trying to heal Tio’s wounds and after a few tense moments, Tio's eyes fluttered open. "My mother will pay for this," Huter vowed, his voice filled with determination and anger. They made their way to the throne room, finding the Elves awakening from their cursed slumber. Queen Duhilen, disoriented, demanded an explanation, particularly why Tio was free from his cell.

Orin took a deep breath and began recounting their journey: finding the Necromancer, retrieving the Seraphine stone, and the dramatic events following its destruction. The Queen listened with suspicion, but her doubts were quelled when the Necromancer herself confirmed their story. Relieved, the Queen acknowledged that she felt the curse's grip had lifted. However, the atmosphere quickly shifted when Huter stepped forward, confronting his mother about Tio's torture. “He’s been tortured, he posed no threat to anyone," Huter declared.

Orin and Lysandra supported Huter, demanding a formal apology from the Queen. But the Queen remained unrepentant, insisting that mind-walkers were inherently dangerous and had to be contained. Infuriated by her obstinance, Huter summoned his unexpected overwhelming Water magic, binding his mother in chains of shimmering ice. The Queen, trapped and furious, called for her Raincallers to intervene. Huter's voice thundered through the hall, “Stay back! Let no one dare to interfere with my mother and me, or they will pay the consequences!”, asserting that it was time to put an end to his mother's reign of fear. Orin, sensing the volatile situation, attempted to mediate, urging calm. Yet, before he could open his mouth and speak further, Hvarj interjected, asserting that this was a matter between the Queen and her son. The tension in the room was palpable, the Elves watching in stunned silence as the balance of power shifted before their eyes. Huter's resolve was clear; he was determined to break free from the oppressive shadow his mother had cast over their realm, once and for all.