Aftermath_The Armorian Chronicles

by Courtney Beals

  “She was taken by the Demorites almost four weeks ago.” Charles loosened his grip.

  “Is she…”

  “No, I don’t believe so. We are here to find her and get her out.”

  “Let’s go then.”

  Without hesitation, Charles marched out of the cell and began opening cell doors to find her, though he wasn’t even sure if she was being kept in a cell. Along the way, Joseph explained why they were there.

  “We went looking for you guys. We left maybe…” He took a moment to contemplate his answer. “…two weeks ago and headed to the city, thinking we would find you, but instead we were ambushed by Demorites.” Giselle gasped and held her hand over her heart. “Normally, Charles and I would have been able to kill them all, but there were at least twenty of them. Enough for a small army. On top of that…” He began to mumble quietly so Charles couldn’t hear him. “…Charles isn’t the best fighter if you haven’t noticed. I mean he’s good, but he needs to spend more time in the training arena, if you know what I mean. Anyway, they knocked us out and we woke up here, in that dirty old cell.”

  “You poor thing,” said Giselle. “I’m glad you are okay. The best part is you are both here now and can help us fight back by joining the Alliance.”

  “Yes, how exactly did this come about?”

  “No time to explain,” said Thomas. “Our main concern right now is to find Lilly and get back to Lyla. Their pace quickened as they tried to catch up with Charles, who was already far ahead of them.

  Ryan and William continued forward, letting out everyone they could, but for the most part everyone they had let out was ahead of them, doing the work for them. They came to one cell that Ryan recognized immediately. This was the cell his sister had been in the night he escaped many years ago. He did not expect her to be in the same cell, but maybe she was. Ryan opened the cell and a small figure was hiding in the corner.

  “Akina?” Ryan said.

  The girl was so frightened she was trembling and stuttering through her words. She looked like the same person he knew so many years ago, but she was all grown up.

  “W-who are y-you?”

  “It’s me. It’s your brother, Ryan.”

  “Ryan. Is it really you?” She got up and slowly walked toward him.

  “It’s me. I came back for you.”

  She reached her arms around him and embraced him without saying another word. William didn’t say anything. He couldn’t tell Ryan they had to keep moving. This was his sister, and he hadn’t seen her in years. He knew how important this was to the both of them.

  “Sis,” Ryan said, pulling away from her. “I’m sorry, but we have work to do. I need you to come with us.”

  Lilly sat in her cell trying to keep warm, but the cold floor and walls that surrounded her wouldn’t allow it. They had been brought in early from work that day, two hours before the sun went down to be exact. She thought this was suspicious, but she didn’t complain. Her entire body ached from weeks of working twelve hour days with hardly any relief. The small amount of food and water only made matters worse.

  Her grandfather was even in the cell beside her. Some days they did not bring him back, which made her worry, but so far, he was always returned to his cell. She hated that she wanted him to be in his cell, but at least then she knew he was alive and not helping the Demorites with their evil schemes.

  He had grown less bitter since her arrival. She did not think he was completely over her grandmother’s death, and he probably wouldn’t ever be, but at least now he talked to her more than he had. He even talked to Mr. and Mrs. Tucker, who were still being kept across from her cell.

  They had asked so many questions about their son. What he looked like, what his personality was. Everything. They wanted to know every detail about him. She wished Lyla was there to explain, because she would do a way better job. She would probably tell them more than they wanted to know, though, like how dreamy his eyes were and how handsome she thought he was.

  This made her think of Charles. She pulled the coin that he had given her before she left Armoria from her pocket and turned it between her fingers. She remembered the first time they met and how he was such a jerk. Then she spent the day with him, and even though she showed no interest in him, he was persistent. He wanted her more than life itself. She realized how nice he was as the day went on, and he had saved her from those wicked men in the forest. She enjoyed being around him during the tournament and their venture to Dresden. She realized she was smiling as she went through their memories together, and it felt like butterflies were fluttering in her stomach. The whole feeling was new to her, but she liked it very much. Why did she feel this way?

  Noises were growing louder down the hall. Were they coming back for one of them? How could they at this hour?

  She listened closer and realized it wasn’t just footsteps, but loud voices. Cheering? Screaming? As they came closer she made out one of the words they were saying.

  Alliance?

  She went to her cell door and yelled over to her grandfather.

  “Papa, are you hearing this?”

  “Yes,” he answered. “But I have no idea what is going on.”

  “It sounds like they are saying Alliance.” Her excitement grew as she thought of Lyla. Had she done it? Had she saved them all?

  The footsteps and noises grew louder and louder until they were at her door. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She couldn’t believe who it was.

  “Charles?” She backed away from the door and stared. She felt like she was going to faint. Had she finally gone mad and delusional?

  This is a dream. He can’t possibly be here.

  Charles opened the door in time to catch her in his arms as she fell. She looked at him, still fully conscious, and hugged him, mainly so she wouldn’t fall down.

  “It is you,” she said dazed and confused. “I wasn’t sure if you were really here.”

  “It’s me. I’m here and you are safe now.”

  He embraced her, but not too tightly. He noticed how small and frail she was. She felt like he would break her if he squeezed too tightly. Lilly looked up at the people around her. Thomas. Giselle. Joseph. But where were the others?

  Before she could ask, her grandfather and the Tuckers entered her cell. She hugged her grandfather and then turned to Thomas.

  “Thomas, I want you to meet someone.” She pulled him in front of a man and a woman. The man was tall, the woman just a few inches shorter. “Thomas, these are your parents.” She stepped back, expecting them all to embrace one another, but Thomas stood as still as a stone.

  “My parents are dead. These people can’t be…”

  “We are your parents,” Daniel said.

  “You look just as you did when you were a baby, just all grown up,” said Anita with tears in her eyes. “You have your father’s smile.”

  “And your mother’s eyes,” said Daniel.

  “How did you survive the fire?” he said, not sure what else to say.

  “It wasn’t our fault, son. We both loved you.”

  “Then why did you abandon me? Why did you leave me there to die?” His voice grew hard and angry, and he tightened his firsts so tight that he was drawing blood from his nails digging into his skin.

  “The Demorites attacked our home. They took us and set fire to the house. We thought you had died. We had no idea you were still alive.”

  They closed in on him and hugged him. Thomas was still trying to process all of this, but he wrapped his arms around them as the reality of it all set in. His parents were here. His parents were alive. They had been attacked, and it was not their fault.

  Ryan and William had caught up with them. Lilly saw Akina standing next to a boy that resembled her. She turned her attention to William, who ran to her and hugged her. He felt the spine of her back and pulled away. He then ran his hands along her sides and her stomach.

  “My God,” he said, absolutely horrified. “You’re nothing but skin and bo
nes.”

  “I’m all right,” she said. She was embarrassed that she had lost so much weight, even if it wasn’t her fault. “It’s just a bit of malnutrition, that’s all. Look around you. None of us were fed very well.”

  She was right. Everyone around them was not in the best shape. They were all smaller than they should have been.

  “How will you all fight with us when you are so weak?” he said.

  “If we can haul rocks all day long, we are strong enough to fight back.”

  “Good to know. Can we move along here? We have other places to be.”

  Lilly glared at the man who had spoken. The light flickered across his black hair and tan skin.

  “Who is this wingnut?” Lilly said. He looked baffled.

  “Excuse me?” he said in anger. “This wingnut is the leader of the Alliance. The one that came to save you and the same boy you played with as a child.”

  “Ryan?” She stared at him, but then disregareded who he was. “Actually, my sister is the one that came to save me, but I do appreciate you coming to save everyone else.”

  Thomas couldn’t help but let out a loud chuckle. Ryan’s face grew red from huffing and puffing.

  Lilly looked around at all the familiar faces. Giselle. Joseph. Thomas. William. Charles.

  “Where is Lyla?” she asked. They all looked around at each other. Her head grew hot, and she began to yell. “Where is she?” Charles thought she was acting just as he had when they didn’t answer him fast enough about her and was almost amused by how similar they responded. Although, when it is someone you love and care about, wouldn’t anyone that was going through it do the same thing?

  “She went to find Damien,” Thomas finally said.

  “Alone? Are you people crazy? Have you lost your minds?”

  “Well, no one would listen to me,” he said, gazing at William and Giselle.

  “Dad? Giselle? You let her go alone?” Her heart rate was rising and she was becoming angry and frustrated. She feared for her sister. She couldn’t go against that monster alone. Not without her, not without anyone, but she did, and who knew what was happening to her right now. He could be hurting her.

  “Look,” William said. “We came down here to set all these people free, because without them we could not defeat Damien and his army. Now that we have done what we set out to do, it is time to rally our forces and help her as soon as possible, so let’s move. Anyone who is weak, elderly, or too young to carry a weapon can make their way out of the castle and to the city limits.”

  Lilly took a moment to steady her breathing and calm her anger. It was time to fight back. “We need to make a stop first.”

  “We don’t have time for…”

  “We need weapons, don’t we?” she interrupted. She saw everyone exchange glances. They knew she was right. None of the people that were held in captivity had weapons, and unless they brought a wagon full of weapons, which she highly doubted, they needed them. “I know where the armory is. Follow me.”

  Chapter 26

  Demorites filled the throne room in full formation. Every inch was covered, except for the red carpet that led to Damien’s black throne, which is where he was sitting. Lyla slowly walked forward toward the throne. She was trying not to show everyone how she was feeling at the moment. Frightened. Overwhelmed. Weak.

  Be strong. Be confident. Be fearless.

  She said the words in her head over and over again. She looked all around her. This had to be Damien’s entire army as many as there were. That would explain why the Demorites were called to the castle, and why they had not seen any of them wandering the halls.

  This gave her a bit of hope. If the Demorites were all here, then they would not be guarding the cells, giving the rest of them safe and easy passage.

  She noticed a grin creep up on Damien’s face. She adjusted her posture, walking tall and firm. She knew Damien wanted to see her falter and crumble under the pressure, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Just the thought of him made her sick.

  Lyla stopped at the bottom of the steps that led up to the throne and wouldn’t go a step further. She remained unafraid, and Damien’s smile dwindled as he noticed it.

  “Interesting, isn’t it?” Damien said.

  “What is?”

  “In a way, we have met several times, but this is the first time we’ve met in person since you were an infant. I find that rather interesting.”

  “Can’t say I’m too thrilled about it,” said Lyla.

  “I see you have met the deadline I have given you,” he said ignoring her response. “Have you come with what I asked of you?” He was still sitting in his chair with his legs propped up on the arm rest.

  “Shouldn’t you know the answer to that? You seem to know everything else about me?”

  Damien laughed in his seat. “Stupid girl! I am not psychic. I only made you think I knew what you were doing at every moment.”

  Lyla tightened her hands into fists and shoved them behind her back so Damien couldn’t see. She was angry that he made her think that, but she was also relieved. She now knew that he had no idea what was happening in the cells or that an army was marching toward him at that very moment. She released her hands and folded her arms together.

  “How did you know my every move then?”

  His feet hit the red carpet and he was now standing before her.

  “Where else would you go other than that pathetic cottage to find what it is I wanted from you. As you know, that is where it all began. Your dreams have reminded you of it for the last…well for as long as you can remember.” He let out a laugh.

  “I’m glad you are so amused by this,” she said.

  “Oh, yes! I very much am.” Lyla was very annoyed. She hated him so much. “Do you have what I asked of you?”

  “Why do you want them anyway?” She knew the answer, but she was trying to stall as much as possible until the Alliance arrived.

  “You very well know the answer to that question, and you are testing my patience.” He began grinding his teeth together. “Give them to me.” He reached out his hand to her, waiting for her to drop them in his hand.

  “And if I don’t?” His arm fell to his side.

  “Then I will have your sister and grandfather executed in front of you, but before I do, you can explain to them why they are being executed. You can tell them it is your fault that they are going to die because you did not do as I asked. What do you say to that?”

  “I say that is not going to happen.” It was a new joy not being afraid of the man that had haunted her dreams for so long. She could see that her lack of concern was getting the best of him. He was not used to people not cringing in fear whenever he was near.

  He nodded to the guards that were standing in formation closest to her. They grabbed her arms and pulled them back, forcing her to her knees. She struggled within their grasps, but she could not break free.

  “Did you forget where you are?” said Damien, stepping down from his throne to stand in front of her. “You are in my domain surrounded by my people, my army. Did you really think you could defeat me?”

  “Yes, actually, I did.” She grinned. “And I will.”

  Any moment now they would come through those doors. Any moment this room would be flooded with people ready to fight and seek revenge.

  Damien could no longer hide the rage coming from within him. He returned up the stairs and grabbed a box that was sitting next to his throne. He slowly walked down the steps, and opened it, revealing Lilly’s necklace in a box with velvet material covering the inside.

  “Put the crystal and the ring in the box, so that I may spare your miserable life.” His stare could have burned holes right through her. “This is your last chance.” Lyla paused for a moment not knowing if she should agree, but if she didn’t he would kill her.

  “Fine,” she said. “Have your men release me.”

  It took a few moments for him to comply. “Release her.” He waved his ha
nd, and the men stood back in formation until they were needed again.

  Damien held out the box, waiting for Lyla to put the other items inside. She couldn’t wait any longer. If she didn’t give him what he wanted now, then he would kill her and take them anyway.

  She pulled the ring out of her back pocket, and her necklace, identical to Lilly’s, out of her jacket. Damien tried to hide his smile, but was unsuccessful. Lyla stood as he walked up the steps to his throne and sat the box on the small stand that it had previously resided on.

  “This is what we have been waiting for,” he said, yelling to his unmoving army. “This is what will bring us to the next level of power, so we can rule in this realm as well as our own.”

  He grabbed all three items in his hand and mumbled a few words that Lyla could not make out. He paused and said the words again.

  “Why isn’t this working?” he grumbled.

  “Having issues?” Lyla laughed.

  “You,” he pointed in anger. “What did you do?”

  When she didn’t answer, he shot an electric pulse through her body. She fell to the floor in the fetal position, trying not to cry out, but then felt a wave of relief. He was standing in front of her with the three items in hand.

  “Don’t you get it?” she said. “Only Lilly, my mother, and I have the power to bind the three objects. Unless one of us turns evil, there is no chance of them falling into the wrong hands like the poem suggests.” She looked at the items in his hand. “Well, in this case they can, but you have no power over them. You lose.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I didn’t know for sure until now.”

  Lyla was still lying on the floor looking up at him. Damien threw the crystals and ring in front of her. Then he pulled out a knife and raised it above his head ready to end her life, but before he could complete the task, a swarm of people entered the throne room. They all had weapons, and even though they were not all meant to be soldiers, they were there to fight. Damien’s army turned in retaliation.