“So… what in the world was that?” Eevana asked as she, Raymond, Kalos and Peeta made their way back to the camp.

“T- that was Kalosýni’s magical manifestation,” Raymond stuttered.

“What you saw was his magical essence in physical form.” Raymond continued as he walked, with Peeta helping him.

Kalos had subjected his father to a death-like state, so no one was sure if Raymond would ever return to his normal self.

They eventually arrived back at the camp which, to Kalosýni’s surprise, was unharmed.

Well, the land surrounding it was completely scorched but other than that, everything was fine.

Kalos had returned to his normal self, but his hair and eyes remained pale blue, so when Crimwal saw him, his eyes widened slightly.

“If I had a silver coin for every time you guys did weird stuff, I’d be rich by now,” Crimwal said as he hopped off the carriages driver’s seat.

He approached Raymond and saw the terror in his eyes.

“What happened?” Crimwal asked.

“Let’s just say, there was a fight,” Peeta said.

“Between those two? Mmm… explains the beam of doom that threatened to cook us. Luckily for us, Kalos had erected a barrier around the carriage, so we’re fine.” Crimwal said with a sigh as Peeta led Raymond to his tent.

Kalos walked towards the carriage and inside it, was a singing Estella.

Kalos quickly entered the carriage and he sat opposite Estella as she sang to Keema.

“What happened?” She asked.

Kalos deflated as he exhaled.

“Dad and I fought, but we both took things a little too far,” Kalos said as he held Keema’s little feet.

He’d long since absorbed his magic, so Keema wasn’t exposed to any of it.

“Mmm… do you want to talk about it?” Estella asked as she patted the spot beside her.

Kalos moved over and sighed loudly while taking care not to wake Keema.

“Aunt Estella, I want you to know that I care very much about you,” Kalos said.

“I know that,” Estella said as she gently smiled.

“Yes, but I have a feeling that in the days to come, I’ll have to do some bad things to ensure your safety,” Kalos said, his voice low, but non-threatening.

“Kalos…”

“I think that’s what dad was trying to teach me and I’m ready. As long as it’s for you, dad, Crimwal, Eevana, Keema and even Peeta, I’ll do anything and everything required to ensure you’re safe.” Kalos said as Estella ran her hands through his hair.

“Ok, but don’t do anything too reckless,” Estella said before Kalos left the carriage.

He took a deep breath before walking towards Raymond’s tent.

“Dad?” Kalos called, half expecting his father to ignore him.

“Come in,” Raymond said, making Kalosýni’s heart race even faster.

Kalos entered the tent to find his father sitting up.

Kalos sat opposite to him and they both sat in silence for some time.

Kalos, for the first time in a long time, didn’t know what to say to his father and it was the same for Raymond.

“I’m sorry,” Kalos said as he lowered his head.

“No!” Raymond awkwardly yelped as he waved his hands.

“Ahem! No, I’m the one who’s sorry.” Raymond said.

“But I killed you…. Several times.” Kalos said.

“And I almost killed Estella, so I’m the bigger idiot,” Raymond said.

“No, I’m the biggest idiot. What would have I done if my magic couldn’t bring you back?” Kalos asked as tears welled up in his eyes.

Raymond’s face twisted as he held in his tears. He then leapt into his son’s arms and hugged him.

“I’m sorry,” Raymond said.

“I’m sorry too,” Kalos said as they held each other.

“Hey. Wanna bunk here?” Raymond asked as Kalos clung to him.

“Yeah,” Kalos said before the two of them slept the night away.

.

..

Alis woke up and didn’t even bother going to talk to Raymond or his freak of a son.

“Crimwal, let’s go.” He said, loud enough for Crimwal to hear, but not loud enough to wake Keema.

Crimwal emerged from his tent fully dressed.

“Alright,” Crimwal said as Raymond and the other emerged from their tents.

Everyone gathered their things and they began their journey back to Ianndor.

Trevenor rode up to his brother and sighed loudly.

“What do you want?” Alis asked.

“It’s just- Kalos and his father are so powerful. Don’t you think they’d make great allies?” Trevenor asked within earshot of Peeta as they rode behind the carriage.

“Do I think they are powerful? Yes. Do I want to be in the same kingdom as them at any given time? No.” Alis said frankly.

“Oh? So you would prefer them as our enemies.” Trevenor said as Reeca rode up to them.

“I have to agree with Alis on this one. Those two are dangerous. After we return Crimwal to his mother, I suggest we go off on our own.” Reeca suggested enthusiastically.

“No. After this, Trevenor and I are heading our way and you’re heading yours.” Alis said.

“You don’t mean that,” Trevenor said.

“Ugh… what will us travelling together do?” Alis asked before he noticed something in the distance.

“Shit.” He cursed before riding up to the front of the carriage, where Raymond was.

Alis could tell that something had happened just by looking at Raymond.

“Uh- those are a lot of knights,” Alis said as he gestured towards Eslaf’s outer perimeter.

There, countless knights could be seen marching. Several large tents surrounded the capital as well.

“They are preparing for Kraeven’s arrival, huh?” Alis asked, but it seemed as though he was talking to himself.

“What are your thoughts on him? He seemed a little too friendly for someone from Nar' Agrun, no?” Alis asked, but Raymond remained unresponsive.

“Ugh-"

“You’re right. But there’s not much we can do. He has done nothing to show that he wants all of mankind dead yet and he was interested in finding an alternative method of saving the world. Oh, and it doesn’t really matter what the order does. They are powerless in this situation.” Raymond said.

“Mmm…” Alis droned in understanding before noticing something bright in the sky.

“Umm… what’s that?” Alis asked as he squinted.

“Those are beings from Nesrafaar,” Raymond said.

“What do you think they’re doing down here?” Alis asked as the many knights in the distance moved around chaotically.

“I don't know, but I think it has something to do with the fact that I killed a few of them,” Raymond said as he looked above himself, there he saw several other beings of light making their way towards him.

“Everyone stop!” Raymond yelled and they all quickly came to a stop as the beings of light floated above them.

“Umm… what do you want?” Raymond asked, but the humanoid-shaped beings of light didn’t respond.

They all wore a strange-looking white armour that covered their faces and they had swords and shields.

“Should we kill them?” One of the beings asked the one who looked like their leader.

“Definitely.” He said before they all raised their rather large swords. Each of them stood about three meters tall and their swords were about one and a half meters long.

“Wait a minute! Why do you want to kill us?” Raymond asked, but the beings of light were already thrusting their swords in their direction.

Time slowed to a crawl and Raymond made his way towards the carriage. There he found a calm but cautious Kalos.

“What should we do?” Raymond asked.

“Mmm… do you know why they are upset?” Kalos asked as he saw several beings of light descending towards Eslaf, albeit at a snail’s pace.

“I killed a few of them when Kraeven and I fought,” Raymond said as he scratched his head.

“So this is your fault,” Kalos said before sighing.

“Well, we can’t let innocent people die because of your mistakes. Let’s incapacitate these ones and deal with the ones in Eslaf. We'll tell Crimwal and the others to wait for us here while we take care of the ones in Eslaf.” Kalos said and Raymond nodded.

“Oh, I think we should leave that one awake,” Raymond suggested as he pointed at the being with what looked like a crown on his head.

Kalos nodded before jumping out of the carriage. Kalos then began producing some of his magical string.

“Here, tie them up,” Kalos said before he and Raymond completely tied up the six beings of light.

Time then returned to normal and the beings of light found themselves on the ground, bound by a blue thread.

“What?” One of them gasped.

“How are we unable to move?” Another asked.

“Calm down! Our enemy is staring right at us.” The one Raymond assumed was the leader yelled.

“Do you plan on killing us as well?” The leader asked as Kalos pulled off his helmet, revealing a beautiful man with long white hair that was tied in a bun.

Kalos and Raymond exchanged perplexed glances before returning their gaze to the leader.

“Why are you here?” Kalos asked, even though he already knew some of the answers.

“I’m not telling you anything, you vile animal!” The leader spat as his beautiful face twisted into a scowl.

Kalos sighed before turning to his father.

“Dad, apologize,” Kalos said.

Raymond walked up to the leader guy.

“I’d like to apologize for killing your people," Raymond said as he lowered his head.

“What? Do you think that changes anything, you damned monkey!” The leader spat, this time with actual spit.

“Hey!” Raymond cried, but Kalos grabbed his shoulder and turned him towards Eslaf, which was under siege.

Peeta ran to Raymond’s side and Eevana hopped out of the carriage.

“What’s happening?” Peeta asked.

“I just realised that I never know what’s going on,” Peeta said as he looked at the beings of light.

“Relatives of yours?” Peeta asked, referring to their white hair.

Raymond shook his head.

“No. They are from Nesrafaar. They’re upset that I killed some of their people during my trip there and so they’ve decided to wage war on all of mankind.” Raymond said as he wore his pure white armour.

“Oh? That makes sense.” Peeta said.

“No, it doesn’t!” Crimwal cried.

“Anyway, you stay here and keep Estella and Keema safe. We’ll take care of the ones in Eslaf.” Raymond said as Kalosýni’s eyes and hair lit up.

He took off his shirt before two other arms popped out of his back.

“Monsters! All of you!” The leader yelled before Peeta kicked him in the face.

“Hey!” Kalos said before handing over his clothes to Eevana.

“But I want to fight too.” Peeta cried.

“Listen to Raymond.” Eevana said.

“But- err… the innocents! Think about all the other innocent lives that are being lost in other places. Oh, like Tolman. Yeah!” Peeta said.

“Ok, fine. Go see if they need help. Eevana and Crimwal, follow him there. That’ll make the journey to Ianndor much easier.” Kalos said as Alis listened in.

“Ok, move out!” Kalos said before he and his father leapt into the air.

They saw hundreds, if not thousands of beings of light as they killed hundreds of people.

“This is my fault,” Raymond said.

“Sulking won’t change anything. Take the ones to the east, I’ll deal with the ones to the west. Oh and don’t kill any of them or try not to, at least.” Kalos said as he handed his father another line of his magical thread.

Kalos made his way toward the eastern side of Eslaf’s wall.

There he saw about fifty or so beings of light.

Kalos sighed before descending towards nearby knights.

.

..

Peeta rushed towards Tolman at an incredible speed. If there was ever a moment he could be of use to Raymond, it was this moment, so Peeta summoned his Eexel and equipped his dark armour as he approached the town in the mountains.

Upon arrival, he saw several knights battling with beings of light, but theirs was a losing battle so Peeta decided to lend a helping hand.

He spotted about nine beings of light and one of them looked particularly powerful, so he decided to go after it first.

Peeta dashed towards it as fast as he could go and swung his Eexel downward, cutting off its hands.

The being of light screamed out in pain, which strained its soft voice, but Peeta didn’t have time to feel pity. He looked around and saw that many knights were still being killed.

Peeta kicked the being in front of him and began his work on the others.

.

..

“I should have gone back to Tolman with Peeta. “ Neelae said to herself.

“Oh? I thought you cut ties with the order.” Eevana said as she checked if Kalosýni’s barrier maintained its strength regardless of the distance between it and Kalos.

“I did, but still… people are dying right now and I’m here. Cowering.” Neelae said.

“I wouldn’t say you’re safer than those in Tolman yet. Also, look. We have company.” Eevana said as she pointed out of the window.

Neelae looked and saw three beings of light.

The carriage and horses came to a stop. Eevana and Neelae hopped out of the carriage.

“Human’s… filthy, disgusting, murderous humans.” One of the beings of light said as he pointed his sword at Eevana.

“That ones aren't human.” The second being of light said.

“Yes. Beings of darkness have made their way into this wretched place.” The first one said as Eevana formed two black fireballs in her hands.

“Yes… anyway, kill them all. I can feel many of ours dying in that wretched city.” The second one said but before they could even attack, Eevana threw her black fireballs at them and it wasn’t long before their bodies were engulfed in flame.

“Neelae, Alis and your group try to subdue that one. I have some questions that need answering.” Eevana said as the two beings of light shrieked in pain.

One of them tried cutting Eevana to pieces, but Reeca cut off its head swiftly.

Alis, Trevenor and Neelae made quick work of the last one.

Alis leapt high into the air and punched it in the face, sending it straight into the ground.

Eevana walked up to it as it struggled to get up, but Neelae and Trevenor held it still.

“Please don’t kill me!” The being asked as Eevana removed its white helmet.

“We won’t, so long as you stop attacking us,” Eevana said.

“I won’t!” The being yelped.

“Alright. What are you?” Eevana asked.

“I still think we should kill it now before more of its friends arrive. I mean, sure. Three of them are a piece of cake, but I don’t think we’d last of we had to face as many as the ones in Eslaf.” Alis said.

“No! Please don’t kill me. I swear I won’t kill another human.” The being said.

“Alice, I suggest you refrain from commenting until after I finish questioning the captive,” Eevana suggested before sighing.

“Now, what are you?” Eevana asked.

“My name is Rigel.” The being said as it trembled.

“No. I asked what you are. You and your kind.” Eevana said as Crimwal hopped off of the carriage to check on Estella.

A glance is all he needed to know that she was still completely fine.

“We are Elafriá.” Rigel said.

“I see. Why exactly are you so upset with the fact that Raymond killed a few of your kind?” Eevana asked as the second Elafriá she burnt stopped moving.

Rigel swallowed loudly before speaking.

“You didn’t just kill any random Elafriá. You slaughtered the contentum. Our guardians. They have protected our realm for the longest time and you… butchered them.” Rigel said as he bit his teeth.

“Our kind has not known death until now, but like a curse, death has come for us all,” Rigel said.

Eevana and the others exchanged glances.

“Were they the strongest of your kind?” Eevana asked.

“Yes. Arcturus is the only elafriá who comes close to the power the contentum had.” Rigel said.

Eevana paced around as she thought about how to stop this war before too many lives were lost.

.

..

Kalos and Raymond had subdued or killed all of the Elafriá in Eslaf.

All they had left to do was to explain the situation to the emperor.

Several knights were hesitant about the idea at first, but after they saw Kalos and Raymond tear through their enemies lines, things became a bit clearer.

One of the knights walked up to Kalos and said that he’d go call Eminence Vinaar and bring her to him so that talks would take place.

It had been two hours since that knight talked to Kalos. Both he and Raymond patiently waited in a guarded tent for the arrival of Eminence Vinaar.

The knights spoke in hushed tones about the return of Raymond.

Some said that he had risen from the dead while others said that he was frozen in ice. Some thanked him for stopping the rampaging Elafriá, while others blamed him for their appearance, which was true.

Raymond and Kalos heard loud noises and footsteps outside, but they decided to ignore them.

Kalos playfully held Reu as Raymond looked at him curiously.

“How does it feel having four arms?” Raymond asked.

“Mmm… it’s just like having another set of arms. They feel like they’ve been a part of me forever, but they are so much stronger than normal arms.” Kalos explained. He had regained his normal appearance and he had destroyed the other three Reu’s he had.

The flap of the tent was then widely flipped open as a familiar man entered the tent.

“Eminence Vinaar awaits you,” Quintin said. His armour was covered in dirt and his gauntlets were bloody.

Kalos and Raymond exited the tent only to meet the spears of about fifty knights.

Kalos and Raymond sighed simultaneously before noticing eminence Vinaar standing behind her men.

“Let’s get straight to the point. You say that you know why the goddesses wrath falls upon us. Care to share?” Vinaar asked.

“According to the Elafriá Kalos and I questioned, I killed all of the existing contentum.”