Chapter 7

Zoe woke up to Achilleas at her side with a tray of Breakfast in hand. She looked around and smiled when she realized she was still in her mum's room. On most occasions, she would have found herself back in her room since it was inappropriate in the kingdom to have the young ones sleep in the same room as the matriarch. She felt something in her palm and unfolded her fist to find her mum's platinum necklace. She grinned and turned to look at Achilleas who sat still waiting for her to acknowledge him.

''I promised my mum I was going to be with you the entire day''

''Yes, she told me to keep you company. You must be starved. I brought you breakfast.''

''Thanks'' Zoe took the tray and settled it on her lap. She frowned when she looked into her meal and gave Achilleas a questioning look.

''No need to tell me, I know it is your favorite'' Achilleas said.

''You do know how to flatter a woman''

''No, no, I do know how to court a beautiful princess'' Achilleas restated.

''You seem to have a solution for everything so tell me, can you help me with a problem?''

''If it does not go against my moral values, then yes, I will proudly help you''

''You speak as if you are indebted to the kingdom''

''I'm not princess, I just know that I have a root which the lions desperately wants to be eliminated and I have to do my possible best to prevent that, if it means setting rules for myself then so be it'' Zoe felt guilty for not standing by her kingdom her entire life when she heard Achilleas.

''I naively got myself a deep wound, an emotional one. Can you help me'' Zoe confessed.

''I do not know why you have this emotional pain but I can assure you that as long as I am here you won't even see the sunset. You will be lost in happiness all your life''

''Maybe you are right. I enjoyed your company the night I tried to test your abilities. Can you give me some lessons today, I will be very captivated''

''It will be an honor to teach you. Although you are not bad at using a sword yourself''

Zoe pulled the sheets from her feet to enjoy the breeze when Achilleas spotted the anklet she had on.

''Where did you get that?''

''Where did I get what?''

''The anklet?''

''Oh, it is very precio...'' Zoe relished Achilles's company that she had forgotten Damianos's betrayal. She took off the anklet and crushed it in her fist.

''You see this'' She said as she showed the anklet to Achilleas.

''It is trash, total trash! I need to burn it!'' she exclaimed and threw it to the floor. Memories of what the brook revealed to her were still fresh on her mind, lingering. In anger, she set the tray aside and moved to the anklet. She looked at it one last time and thrashed it under her feet with revulsion. She had forgotten she had Achilleas in the same room. Achilleas pulled her away from the anklet and raised her chin to find anger blended with pain and tears''

''Hey, what happened to you? What is with the anklet'' Achilleas murmured against her forehead. She felt she was on the verge of a total breakdown. she wanted someone close to her, she needed someone close to her. At that moment, Achilleas was that someone. She buried her face in his chest as he hugged her tight. At that instant, she knew she was safe because she was taking refuge in the arms of one of the strongest warriors in the hyena kingdom. No one could get to her. No one, not even Damianos.

''Do not stop hugging me Achilleas'' She whispered.

''I won't stop hugging you. I promise to be here for you always''

''I do not want to see the anklet Achilleas, please get rid of it.''

''I will but first, you need to lie down''

''No, no. Do not let me go'' Zoe said as she tightened the hug.

''I told you I will not leave you but you have to lie down now'' He took her in his arms and laid her on the bed

''I will get raid of the anklet. I will be right back'' Achilleas took the anklet and headed out of the room.

The war had already commenced and both kingdoms fought vigorously and savagely. Warriors were killed in cold blood and still been walked on. Arrows flew in the sky in search of targets, Axes were been used to dissemble heads from bodies, catapults were been thrown... Nepheli did not care about the threats on her way. She rode her horse as fast as she could to get to Vasilis making sure to cut the head of anyone who served as obstacle-even hyena warriors. As she rod, she remembered every last detail of her husband's death. How Vasilis murdered him in cold blood with no regret in his eyes. She intended to do the same with him. Michael rode behind her as he tried to talk her out of what she had intended. He realized Nepheli was not going to back down and did his best to protect her from behind. Vasilis after finally taking down a leopard, spotted Nepheli and turned his horse to move towards the deep forest. Nepheli understood his flee for privacy and followed him still having Michael on her tail. When Nepheli got deep into the woods, she remembered the location to be the same spot Vasilis ended her husband's life. She also remembered it was the same spot her husband killed Vasilis's wife and not far from now, either Vasilis or her was going to die there.

''You understand me quite well Nepheli'' Vasilis pronounced.

''It's just us Vasilis like always.'' Nepheli reminded him.

''You have a warrior with you'' Vasilis directed to Michael.

''Leave him out of it. You should be concentrating on me because that is what I am doing. Concentrating on you.''

''That is just like you. Arrogant''

''Keep your opinions to yourself Vasilis'' Nepheli said and pulled out her sword.''

''Let's get this over with'' she continued.

''Not so fast Nepheli. You do know at the end of the day it is just one kingdom that will come out victorious''

''Don't be too full of yourself. Let's leave that conversation for the chosen ones. But I plan on making sure you do not live to see the triumphant one even if it costs me my life''

''We will find that out soon'' Vasilis said and pulled out his sword. Michael was about to pull out his sword but was beaten to it when an arrow pierced throw him.

''Are you going to pet your wounded warrior or you are going to fight?''

''If you know me that well you will know I care less for living beings. Why will I cry over spilled milk?'' Michael grunted in pain as Nepheli spoke.

''I'm taking you down'' Nepheli warned and rode her horse toward Vasilis who also headed her direction. They both engaged each other in a fight for a while until things took a turn. Vasilis let go of his sword towards Nepheli's direction. Nepheli quickly jumped off her horse but was lucky when the blade of the sword passed her jawline and cut her hair short. ''A sharp sword you have there'' Nepheli related with great fury in her eyes in the realization of what Vasilis wanted to do. All the while, Michael was almost dead on the ground trying his possible best to move his body. Nepheli planted the sword in her hand on the ground and jumped so she could be on the same horse as Vasilis but unfortunately for her, her move ended up wrong giving Vasilis the upper hand. He slapped her using his super strength and blood begun to ooze from Nepheli's nose, mouth, and ears. He held her hair tight in place as he licked the blood that ran down her neck. ''I'm going to kill you the same way your husband killed my wife'' he whispered in anger into her ears. He had drained enough energy from her with his slap. ''Then I will feast on you. You hyenas have good blood. The best meal a lion can ever ask for.'' Vasilis continued. He bit into her neck and ripped off her flesh. ''Tasty'' he hailed as he turned to see the level of pain in her eyes. His fangs lengthened as he looked closely at her and soon they were far beyond his mouth limit. His hair begun to grow longer and that was when Nepheli knew he was turning into a lion. She could feel his claws in her hair and knew Vasilis had made a stupid move. In his animal form, he wouldn't be able to have a powerful grip on her or use his powers. Nepheli though wounded and weak disappeared from his sight and took form behind him with the sword she planted on the ground. She planted the sword deep into him and he roared in pain. He got off the horse and moved slowly as if stalking Nepheli. Nepheli felt so weak and knew she would have more energy if she also transformed into an animal. She quickly took the hyena form and pounced on Vasilis. Since he had a sword planted deep into him, he could not fight like Nepheli. She moved on top of him scratching and doing her possible best to bring him down. She got hold of his neck and bit into it. They rolled on the ground as they took turns. They both had their way when the other was beneath them. They kept rolling till they got to the sword Vasilis threw at Nepheli. Vasilis then was on top with the sword Nepheli planted in him appearing out of his chest. Nepheli saw he was distracted by the sword that was far from his reach and used the last strength she had to switch sides with Vasilis. He hit the ground hard and the sword appeared more from his chest. Unfortunately for Nepheli, she lost hold of Vasilis and fell to the ground with her on top of him. The sword passed through her and her eyes bulged in awareness. She collapsed on Vasilis and suffered to catch her breath. They both turned human and remained stuck together by the sword. The sword had moved deep into Vasilis to Nepheli, there was no way they could detach themselves. ''I can now die in peace'' Nepheli closed her eyes and leaned into Vasilis who was long dead before he could speak his last words. Michael carefully crawled to where Nepheli and Vasilis lied. ''Que...que...queen'' He said with a throttled voice. Nepheli opened her eyes and looked at him. ''The ancestors won't let me go without leaving a message'' she rustled with her voice trailing off. ''What is your last wish queen?'' Michael asked. ''Luk, Luk, she needs to go to Luk'' she murmured. ''Who needs to go to the other world?'' Michael asked. ''The chosen one. When the time comes, you will be notified. It will be the best for her. Her main destiny will unfold there'' She said and finally closed her eyes never to open them. Michael struggled to his feet and moved to the war zone which was also lifeless. Not even a single breath could be heard from the war scene. The place was now marked by blood and dead bodies. It would take a while before the place could ever be used for war. The last battle between the chosen ones. He unsteadily moved back to where Nepheli lied and separated her body from Vasilis's.. he pulled the sword out of Vasilis's back and Nepheli fell to the ground. He scooped her into his arms and made his way back to the hyena kingdom.

Achilleas and Zoe had a great time together after they both tested their skills in sword usage. They sat together in the castle's resting room after they were done for the day. The room was cozy except for the wind that did not cease to blow toward their direction.

''Mum was right'' Zoe grinned

''Right about what?'' Achilleas asked

''About me having a great time with you'' She confessed.

''Really?'' He asked giving her an I am not convinced look.

''Seriously, Achilleas, I had a great time but I feel something bad is going to happen. My mum gave me her necklace, can you help me wear it''

''Of course, I can't say no to someone like you'' Zoe moved her hair to fall on one side of her shoulder as Achilleas helped her with the necklace.

''I'm done''

''Thanks, Achilleas but, I have one more request'' Zoe stood up and turned to face him as she dressed her hair.

''How does the necklace look on my neck.'' Achilleas stood to admire her.

''Wow! Zoe, it is like you are punishing me. I'm dumbfounded. How can you ask me such a question? What can I say?''

'' I'm not talking of me, I am talking of the necklace. This Stupid air, I'm unable to get my hair in place. One minute Achilleas'' Zoe tried to brush down her hair when Achilleas spoke.

''That is not going to work. Let me help you'' Achilleas took her hand and urged her to sit.

''Okay Achilleas, let's see if you are good with the hair as you are good with the sword''

''There are a lot of things you do not know about me'' Achilleas took hair in his hands and began interweaving it in one piece.

''Wow Achilleas, just by touching my hair, I know you can do a spectacular work with it'' Achilleas was done in no time

''Tada!'' Achilleas exclaimed

''Done?''

''All done princess''

''Can I touch it''

''Of course''

''You are good. This will keep my hair in place''

''Your hair isn't stubborn at all. It's the air''

The reverberations of a huge iron bell were heard throughout the hyena kingdom alerting everyone of a tragedy.

''Was that the bell of doom?'' Zoe asked Achilleas.

''There is only one way to find out. Come with me'' Zoe placed her hand in Achilles's as he led them out.

Damianos paced around his room in confusion and anger. He still could not believe the content of the letter. He felt his dad was right all along. Zoe only played with his heart. he was just a puppet on her string. Always been strung along. He realized after everything, it was not too late. He heard a trumpet echo from afar- the trumpet of darkness. It was only blown when a highly reputed person in the kingdom was dead. He rushed helter-skelter to the balcony where such announcements were made and found the lion council and the royals there. He spotted Halsey who looked like she had been crying for a long time. Halsey rushed to hug Damianos when she saw him. She began to sob against his chest and Damianos did not deny her the comfort she had in his arms. He hugged her back knowing she needed him at that moment.

''Why are they summoning everyone, Halsey?'' Damianos asked as he patted her back.

''I won't be able to break the news to you Damianos'' Halsey shrieked. One royal came behind Damianos and patted his back.

''You have to be strong for what I am about to say king'' The royal said.

''King! What is going on?'' Damianos looked at Halsey and the royal. Halsey released herself from the embrace and braced herself to leave but Damianos held on to her hand.

''I need you here Halsey, I have a bad feeling about this'' Damianos said to Halsey and the man continued to speak.

''Before we tell everyone, we thought of it as wise to tell you first'' The royal continued.

''What is it, Stop beating about the bush'' Damianos demanded

''King Vasilis is dead''

''King Vasilis, my father is in his chamber'' Damianos said.

''You can't escape the truth. Vasilis is dead'' Halsey shrieked.

''He is dead, it is over Damianos!'' Halsey exclaimed

'' No, I have to see...'' Damianos was caught short when Halsey pulled him into a room close to the balcony.

''See for yourself Damianos'' she said.

He moved to the bed that was at the right corner of the room and with each step he took, he tried to convince himself it was not his dad's body. He dropped to his knees when he saw his father's body- so pale and cold. He stared at the body as if it was not there and turned to look at Halsey. She came to his side and knelt beside him. She tried to reach out for his hand but was afraid he was going to reject her. She was about to retreat when Damianos took her hand. ''Don't go'' He said and she nodded. ''I want to know who killed him'' he said. ''Queen Nepheli but she is dead as well'' A lion said from the hallway. ''Never mention that name in this kingdom'' Damianos demanded.

''Leave Damianos and me alone'' Halsey said to the man at the door. The man left as was requested.

''I'm here for you Damianos'' Halsey said

''Yes, I was a fool for not realizing that earlier'' Damianos said.

''It is never too late''

''Lions and lionesses do not cry Halsey, you are the future queen of this kingdom. Women will be looking up to you. Damianos used his thumb to wipe Halsey's tears

''Do you mean what I think you mean?'' Halsey asked.

''Yes, I need you to be my wife now more than ever. We need the chosen one now more than ever. Let's get this thing done tomorrow. Will you be my wife tomorrow?'' Damianos asked Halsey.

''Of course Damianos. I would love to take the hyenas down as much as you want to''

''Our child will bring salvation''

''We will train our child to be heartless, ruthless, ferocious and most of all, have no respect for women'' Halsey looked at Damianos with utter surprise in her eyes.

"Don't look at me with those charming blue eyes. To everything, there is an exception. He is going to respect his mum. We need him that way if the chosen one is going to win the war. I swear I won't rest until we achieve our goal to destroy the hyenas that I promise you father''

''Why is everyone gathered here?'' Zoe asked Achilleas again

''We will find out soon'' Zoe and Achilleas walked to the parade ground only to find Michael and queen Nepheli on the ground.

''Mother!'' Zoe rushed to her mum to discover blood all over her.

''What is going on here?'' Zoe turned around to sort an answer.

''Calm down Zoe'' Achilleas pleaded. Zoe collapsed to her mum's side.

''How can you tell me to calm down. Why is blood all over her dress and your father's?'' Zoe asked. Achilleas checked his dad for signs of breathing.

''She went hunting and killed an animal right Achilleas. Tell me this is the blood of the animal she slaughtered and that she is going to wake up soon. she just needs rest'' Achilleas looked at Zoe not knowing the right words to use to soothe her. Micheal gave a slight cough that got Zoe beside him in no time.

''Please lord, tell me, what is wrong with my mum?'' Zoe pleaded

''She died happy Zoe. Do not worry, She was able to kill the man who killed your father'' Michael said.

'' I do not understand. What is going on here? Who killed my dad?'' Zoe asked Continuously.

''Vasilis but, he is dead now. Your mother asked for one thing'' Michael spoke

''What did she ask for?'' Zoe asked as tears blurred her vision.

''She wants you two to take your child to Luk (the other world) when the time is right. She said when it is time for her to leave you will be informed by the ancestors''

''Who killed queen Nepheli dad'' Achilleas asked.

''Vasilis. He did it. He killed her'' Zoe could not hold back the tears any longer.

''The lions almost ripped off my family race. My brothers, my dad and now my mum'' she said as she sobbed.

''Son take good care of Zoe. Fill her life with happiness. Make sure you send your child to Luk when the time is right''

''I will dad'' Achilleas assured him. Michael died on the stop without another word. Warriors came to the parade ground with golden sheets to carry the dead bodies away. Achilleas caught Zoe in a tight grip before she could run off to the warriors. She tried to fight him but finally gave in when she realized she was emotionally drained to put up a fight. She leaned into Achilleas and cried. That was it for her. She had lost everything. Now her fate was as undecided as ever but she was not willing to give up yet.

'' How could she leave me here all alone now that I need her the most'' Zoe sobbed

"Everything will be okay'' Achilleas assured her.

''Nothing will be the same. I will never be the same. Nothing will be okay until we have our chosen one. That was what my mum wanted. Revenge is a dish best served cold. We need the chosen one to deal with the lions in cold blood. My blood is boiling right now and it is going to stay this way until the lions are under our feet. In the palm of our hands, at our mercy.'' Zoe proclaimed as she wiped her tears.

''Let's get married Achilleas, as soon as possible. I will not rest until the lions see pain and learn to respect it''