Swift Motion

Liam seethed with anger. He wanted nothing more than to unleash his fury and exact revenge, but he knew he had more important matters to attend to. With a sigh, he rubbed his temples, trying to calm the storm of emotions brewing within him.

It was well past midnight, and the forest seemed alive with activity. The knights could sense movement, prompting them to act swiftly. Liam had only five knights with him. The rest were accompanying Leonel, guarding the town along the potential route of the Ravager.

Earlier, Leonel had overheard children playing near Slumber Shack, mentioning a figure with red and golden eyes lurking in the forest—the Ravager. Upon Liam's return from Albus Hotspot, they devised a plan based on this information.

Liam's fists clenched as he recalled the disturbing scene outside the hotspot. His vision darkened, his body tensing with the memory of Agatha's disheveled state. Sensing the Ravager's presence nearby, he proceeded cautiously.

His primary goal was to end this chase, so he could focus on reaching the Forgotten Fjords to aid in finding Alexa and then speak with Agatha. However, this mission was disrupting his plans and frustrating him immensely.

His irritation grew as he remembered the message from a knight tasked with finding the last Blue Blood of Water Kingdom. The untimely demise of this individual only added to Liam's burdens. He couldn't be king forever, nor did he desire it. He needed to find a suitable successor.

Liam signaled to his men, and they moved with precise and patient determination, strategically surrounding the area where they sensed the Ravager's presence.

They covered all directions, weapons at the ready. Despite the outward calmness of the surroundings—no rustling leaves, tranquil plants, and even the forest animals seemingly undisturbed in their sleep—they remained vigilant.

With careful, calculated movements, they advanced through the blue darkness of the forest. Towering trees loomed around them, obscuring their vision, but Liam could sense the presence of the Ravager in his blood. His gaze darted around, following the invisible trail.

Their attention was drawn to a massive tree, its size and ancient appearance commanding respect. Its leaves were a deep red, reminiscent of blood. They scrutinized the tree, but it appeared empty. A knight descended from the thick branches and shook his head at Liam, indicating no sign of the Ravager above.

Frustration crept into Liam's expression. The Ravager's presence was palpable, yet they couldn't pinpoint his location. They scoured every inch under the moonlit canopy, finding no hiding spot.

Liam signaled to his companions, and they formed a death circle formation, advancing silently toward the tree. As they reached its thick roots, Liam retrieved his dagger, preparing for any sudden movement. He crouched lower, scanning the area for any sign of the elusive Ravager.

As Liam ventured into the darkness beneath the massive tree, he noticed a narrow passage between the large, wrinkled roots. It was dark, damp, and emitted a foul odor. Liam readied his fist and heightened his senses, knowing the Ravager was close. The sensation of the Ravager's presence grew stronger as he ventured deeper into the darkness.

Squinting his eyes, Liam detected a silhouette on the ground, covered by layers of blankets. He raised his dagger, preparing to strike, but hesitated when he noticed something beneath the thick blankets—a pair of small, childlike feet.

Furrowing his brow with curiosity and concern, Liam slowly pulled back the blankets, revealing the boy he had seen with Agatha. Fear was evident in the boy's wide eyes as he met Liam's gaze. Liam swiftly conjured a swirling fireball in his hand, casting light upon his face. Recognition sparked in the boy's eyes, yet he remained frozen in place, unable to move.

"Aiden?" Liam's voice was laced with worry, recalling the name Agatha had called the boy. "What are you doing here? Where's Agatha?"

Panicked by the sudden realization, Liam scanned his surroundings, but all he could see were roots and scattered leaves where the boy lay. A large bag sat nearby, but Agatha was nowhere to be found. Anxiety gripped Liam as he frantically searched the area for any sign of Agatha's presence.

Liam couldn't fathom the idea of Agatha leaving Aiden alone. It seemed impossible, especially after witnessing the deep love and care she had for the boy. He remembered how fiercely she protected Aiden from him when she had mistaken Liam for a threat.

Clearing his throat, Liam spoke gently to Aiden, "Where's your mother?"

Aiden's eyes filled with sadness, leaving Liam even more puzzled. Did Agatha leave him behind? Had she gone with Albus and abandoned Aiden because Albus didn't want him?

Desperate for answers, Liam approached Aiden and embraced him. The boy initially tensed up, but then he relaxed and buried his face against Liam's chest.

"It's alright," Liam murmured, soothing the child. "We're here. Everything will be okay, I promise." He tried to comfort Aiden with gentle strokes on his back.

Liam knew he wasn't adept at expressing himself verbally or being affectionate, but with this child, he felt a connection. He saw himself in the boy and wanted to provide him with the reassurance he needed.

For several minutes, Liam remained seated with Aiden beneath the tree, surrounded by the imposing roots and the faint scent of insects. Aiden stayed quiet for the most part, hardly moving. When one of Liam's knights approached to investigate, Aiden visibly startled, prompting Liam to prevent anyone else from intruding for the time being.

Instead, Liam instructed his knights to scour the area for any signs that might lead to the Ravager's whereabouts. He clarified that the presence they had sensed earlier was actually from the boy, not the Ravager. The knights nodded in understanding, and Liam added, "Let me know immediately if you spot a woman nearby..."

As Aiden's stomach audibly growled, Liam turned his attention to the hungry child. Aiden appeared embarrassed yet hungry, biting his lip nervously.

"Come on, let's find something to eat," Liam suggested, offering his hand to Aiden. However, the boy shook his head firmly and cleared his throat.

Aiden's stomach growled again, and he hugged his blankets tighter.

"You're hungry," Liam remarked matter-of-factly. "Let's go to the town and get something to eat."

Again, Aiden shook his head. "I can't leave," he said in a low, hesitant voice. "Aggie will worry if I'm not here when she returns."

Liam had a multitude of questions swirling in his mind, but he didn't want to alarm Aiden. "Where's Aggie?" he inquired gently, wondering if she was with Albus.

Aiden fell silent for a moment, cautious before answering, "She's looking for food we can carry before we leave."

Liam's brow furrowed in confusion. "Where are you going? Who's with you? When are you leaving? Now?" His questions tumbled out one after another.

Aiden simply nodded, his forehead creasing with curiosity. Then, his golden eyes widened with realization. "I shouldn't have told you that..." he whispered softly.

"Why not?" Liam asked, intrigued. He wondered if Agatha had instructed Aiden not to talk to strangers.

"I don't know you yet, and Aggie told me not to talk to strangers she doesn't know," Aiden explained.

Liam licked his lips thoughtfully and extended his hand. "Well then, let me introduce myself," he said with a smile filled with excitement. "I'm Liam Ragnarrson." He held out his arm.

Aiden hesitated for a moment, studying Liam's hand, before finally reaching out with his own small hand. "Aiden," he said simply.

"Aiden," Liam repeated, nodding. "How old are you?"

"I'm eight," Aiden replied enthusiastically.

"What about Aggie? How old is she?" Liam inquired further.

Aiden's eyes narrowed. "Why do you call her Aggie? Do you know each other? Are you her friend?" His questions came rapid-fire.

Liam didn't have a clear answer, so he just nodded slightly, offering a small smile.

Aiden smirked back and then proudly stated, "She's twenty-four."

Liam's mind raced with questions as he processed the information. Aiden being eight and Agatha being twenty-four indicated that she had Aiden when she was just around sixteen. Liam couldn't help but wonder if Agatha faced any difficulties or complications during the pregnancy. He knew from past knowledge that carrying a child of a Ravager was incredibly challenging. Many didn't survive beyond the first trimester.

"Do you know who your father is?" Liam asked with a firm tone, his curiosity mixed with a sense of urgency. He wanted to know if Aiden had any information about the Ravager's whereabouts. However, he was unsure how Aiden would react if he learned that Liam was seeking his father to kill him. Liam hoped Aiden wouldn't be angry with him, but he also knew that his mission was crucial for the safety and benefit of everyone, including Aiden, himself, and the Kingdom.

As Liam contemplated this, another thought crossed his mind. Would Agatha be upset with him if she found out they were after Aiden's father? Liam felt his anger rising at the possibility. They needed to know if Agatha still loved Aiden's father, if they were still together. If they were, Liam's determination to eliminate the Ravager only intensified.

What kind of husband and father would allow his family to suffer in such a way, making Agatha work in a hotspot just to survive? It was beyond cruel. The Ravager didn't deserve Agatha or Aiden at all. Liam couldn't fathom such neglect. If he were Aiden's father, he'd strive every day to provide a wonderful life for his family, ensuring they lacked nothing. This stark contrast to Agatha's struggles at the hotspot filled Liam with righteous anger.

Aiden fell silent, his demeanor turning serious as he mustered the courage to speak. "I have no father," he stated matter-of-factly, sending a wave of confusion through Liam. If Aiden had no father, then how was he related to the Ravager with red and golden eyes? Why did they share a similar presence?

"He was never a father to me," Aiden clarified with a hint of fury in his voice.

"You're angry with him," Liam stated more as an observation than a question, to which Aiden nodded decisively.

"He desired my mother and abused her. That's why I exist," Aiden explained, his words laden with pain and resentment.

Liam felt a surge of protectiveness and anger. The Ravager's actions were abhorrent, and Liam's heart yearned for justice. How dare he treat Agatha and Aiden so callously? It fueled Liam's resolve to confront the Ravager and make him pay for his sins.

Aiden's voice trembled as he spoke, his lips quivering with the weight of his words. "He hurt us," he began, a tear escaping his eye before he wiped it away. "If we hadn't escaped, we might have..."

He trailed off, his silence filled with unspoken horrors. Liam sensed that there was more to Aiden's story, so he waited patiently for the boy to continue.

"On our last confrontation," Aiden's voice was strained with emotion. "Aggie almost died."

Liam's fists clenched, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He fought to control the fire within him, not wanting to harm the child with his uncontrollable rage. Despite being adept with Water magic, Liam knew that the fiery temperament of the Ragnarrsons also flowed through him. He was both a Water Fae and Fire Fae, a Weaver of elements.

"Is this creature, your father, a Ravager?" Liam asked, seeking confirmation even though the truth was evident. Aiden's horn was a clear indication, a trait inherited from that despicable being. However, Liam needed to hear it from Aiden himself, to solidify the reality of the situation.

Aiden nodded solemnly. "One of his eyes is red, and the other is gold," he confirmed, his voice filled with sorrow and resentment.

Liam's suspicions were now confirmed, fueling his impatience to track down and eliminate the Ravager. He wanted to exact as much retribution as possible on this monstrous being for the suffering inflicted upon Aiden and Agatha.

"How old were you at that time, when you and Aggie escaped?" Liam asked, his tone unusually personal as he sought to understand the timeline of Agatha's endurance. He wanted to gauge the extent of her suffering so he could mete out the same to the Ravager.

Aiden looked up, his expression filled with contemplation. "I'm not entirely sure. I think our first escape was when I was still a baby. He abducted us when I was two years old, and our last escape was when I was four."

The child's face displayed a mixture of anger, sadness, and hopelessness, emotions that Liam recognized all too well from his own childhood. He pulled Aiden into a comforting embrace, wanting to offer solace in the way he had yearned for during his own trials at Aiden's age. Despite knowing the impossibility of his words, Liam whispered, "Everything will be all right in time. You're safe now."

"Are you going to leave again because of him?" Liam asked further.

Aiden nodded against his shoulder. "We know that hiding is pointless because he can still find us as long as I'm alive. His blood is flowing in my body, and he can trace that. And since Agatha doesn't want to leave me, even she is…" The child looked lost.

"Don't blame yourself," Liam said quickly, realizing the child's distress. "Aggie loves you, so she'll never leave you. Even if there's a possibility that you'll be caught because of your blood, Aggie would still choose to stay by your side than to not be with you. It's not your fault. It will never be. It's solely the Ravager's fault. No one else…"

Aiden nodded, but there was still bitterness in his eyes.

"Liam," Aiden asked innocently, "how did you become a Dirty Blood?"

Liam stiffened at the question. He remembered the first time they met when he comforted the child and revealed that he, too, was a Dirty Blood.

In the world of Quailsham, bloodlines and destinies intertwined to shape the hierarchy of beings. At the pinnacle were the Blue Bloods, comprising aristocrats, royals, alphas, leaders, and those of the highest rank. Below them were the Pure Bloods, offspring of the Fated, with pure lineage and heritage. Then came the Poly Bloods, such as Alexa, embodying mixed bloodlines like Witches and Faes. Lastly, the lowest class consisted of Dirty Bloods, born from desire rather than destiny. Their parents lacked a Fated connection and genuine love for each other.

In this realm, creatures often formed Fates with others of their kind, like Faes, Werebeasts, and Wyverns. However, when a child resulted from a union outside of Fate, the Fate Bond weakened. This meant that while individuals might still sense their Fate's presence, the deep connection of the Fate Pull would diminish. Moreover, if someone loved a creature not Fated to them, the Fate Bond would ultimately fade, leading to the loss of their true Fate. This explained why some beings struggled to find their destined partners.

Liam pondered how much of this intricate knowledge Aiden grasped, unsure of how to explain the concept in a way that the child could easily understand.

"My parents weren't Fated, but my father never hurt my mother. They just weren't meant for each other," Liam explained simply.

Aiden nodded slowly, indicating that he was beginning to grasp Liam's explanation.

"Agatha..." Liam started again after a moment of silence. "Has she ever been in a relationship with someone else?"

Liam wasn't sure why he was asking about Agatha's past relationships. It didn't seem particularly important given the current circumstances. Nevertheless, he wanted to know if there were any other contenders for Agatha's affection, even though he was confident that she didn't have feelings for the Ravager considering what he had done to her. Despite this, Liam was curious if there were other potential rivals for Agatha's heart.

As they lapsed into silence once more, Aiden shook his head in response to Liam's question. "She's been too busy taking care of me to have time for herself," Aiden explained.

Liam raised an eyebrow, seeking confirmation. "Even with this guy named Albus?" he asked pointedly.

"If I recall correctly," said Aiden, "Albus is the owner of the hotspot where Agatha works, but I haven't seen him yet. He's always absent, and only Camilla, his sister, is there. I also haven't heard anything about him from Aggie." Aiden shrugged and smiled weakly.

Liam smiled proudly upon hearing Aiden's words. Maybe what the waitress had said wasn't true after all. Aiden seemed truthful, and Liam knew for sure that Agatha wouldn't lie to her son.

When Aiden's stomach growled once more, Liam sighed audibly. "We need to eat, Aiden, or you'll get sick. I can't let that happen."

"But I can't leave, Liam…" Aiden looked distressed, his face flushed with hunger. Liam could tell he had been hungry for a while.

"Don't worry, the town is just nearby and we'll return quickly after we eat. If you're worried that Aggie will be concerned about you missing when she returns, I'll leave a knight to let her know where we are," Liam reassured him. "Besides, she would be even more worried if she returns and finds you sick from hunger. Do you want that, Aiden?" Liam raised an eyebrow.

After a few moments of contemplation, Aiden nodded slowly. "But you promise we'll return immediately?" he asked.

Liam happily nodded. "Of course."

Liam quickly shielded Aiden as they emerged from under the tree. He marveled at Agatha's cleverness in hiding Aiden there, feeling a surge of pride for her resourcefulness.

As they stepped out, the eerie silence of the forest struck Liam. No rustling leaves, no animal sounds, and an absence of his knights' presence. A chill ran down his spine, signaling danger.

His gaze swept the surroundings until it settled on the lifeless bodies of his five knights sprawled on the grass. Liam's demeanor shifted instantly, his protective instincts kicking in. He took hold of Aiden's hand and positioned him behind him, shielding the boy from harm. Aiden, too, noticed the bloodied bodies nearby and trembled in fear, seeking refuge under Liam's protective frame.

With a swift motion, Liam retrieved his weapon just as a shadowy figure emerged from a nearby bush.