I won't let you go ever again

Atherion ran and jumped between hills, trees, and rooftops without stopping. His sharp sense of smell showed him the direction. The last place where he left Storm.

When he arrived at the place where he was caught by Nefaria's men, he whistled for Storm.

Storm was by his side in an instant, and the two of them immediately sped towards Gina's house.

'I have to be with Camelia,' he thought without paying attention to the tree branches slapping his face and body. Besides, he wouldn't be hurt by trivial things like that.

***

Camelia, Gina, Theon, and the others enjoyed their dinner while joking around.

Theon felt that he was very comfortable being among these rebels, especially with Camelia.

Although he was a little sure that Camelia was The Light. As far as he could remember, Camelia Valois was a very spoiled noble girl. While the Camelia in front of him was a strong and cheerful girl.

His body suddenly stiffened. He felt a very strong dark force approaching this house.

Brakkk!

The door of the house opened wide.

Everyone was shocked and drew their swords including Gina.

But they sheathed their weapons again when they saw who came.

Theon sat stiffly to see Atherion appear at the door. His hands were shaking.

'Scary... This person is very dangerous...'

Camelia who saw Atherion immediately ran to hug him.

Atherion was surprised, but his lips and eyes began to smile and stroke Camelia's head gently.

Theon's eyes, who saw the scene, widened.

The darkness that was so intense emanated from Atherion's body, instantly replaced by shining light.

His hands were shaking even more.

"Atherion! Glad you're back!" said one of Gina's male friends laughing and patting Atherion's shoulder.

Atherion hugged Camelia's shoulder gently, and shifted it a little so that she let go of his hug.

Then he chatted with Gina and her friends.

Camelia, beaming, immediately ran to the kitchen and took a plate of food and a glass for Atherion.

When she returned and placed the plate of food for Atherion on the dining table, she saw Theon who was still sitting with a blank expression.

"Grandpa? Are you okay?" Camelia asked Theon.

Theon recovered from his shock, and replied, "Ah… haha, I'm fine. I was just a little surprised when the door suddenly opened."

Camelia chuckled.

Atherion, who saw Theon for the first time, asked, "Who is that old man?"

Gina replied, "Oh, that old man helped Camelia when we were captured the other day."

Atherion raised his eyebrows, "Were you captured? By the Magic Tower people?" he asked Gina. Now he understood why he heard Camelia's voice calling for help.

'She must be scared,' he thought, glancing at Camelia guiltily.

"Yep." Gina replied.

"But that old man is wearing a Mage outfit. Are you sure he won't betray you?" he asked again.

Theon stood up, and walked towards Atherion while leaning on his wooden staff.

"I am Theon la Brimmick. I have heard a lot about you from Camelia. Nice to meet you," Theon greeted.

Atherion returned the greeting respectfully, "Nice to meet you too."

"Theon la Brimmick is a well-known and powerful mage of Eldrida's Magic Tower," Atherion continued.

Theon just laughed. "That was in the past," he said.

Atherion nodded and understood why Gina let Theon be with all of them.

***

Nefaria, who was now a demon, went on a rampage in her room.

She threw or destroyed all her belongings.

"Fuck! I didn't eat human's souls for a week just to have him as my feast! I am too weak now to chase him." she muttered under her raggard breaths.

However, because she was a demon, the belongings she had fallen victim to were shattered into pieces.

No one dared to approach her room. All the maids and knights, who were actually low-level demons, stood outside the Queen's door with trepidation.

"Call Sarkan here!" the Queen shouted to her maids. "And bring ten male slaves here!"

***

Atherion sat next to Camelia who was lying down in her bed.

His eyes gently looked at the girl who kept telling her story. His lips smiled with a feeling that he himself could not describe with words.

Camelia continued to tell her story until she finally yawned.

"Go to sleep," Atherion said.

He got up, but Camelia pulled his sleeve.

"You're not going anywhere, right?" she asked, pouting slightly.

Atherion took Camelia's hand and pushed it away. He then lay down beside Camelia.

"No. I'm not going anywhere. Now go to sleep." he said.

Camelia smiled. She closed her eyes and fell asleep, smiling.

Atherion whispered in her ear, "This time, I won't let you go ever again."

***

Theon walked a little unsteadily with the help of his staff towards where Atherion was sitting outside the house.

Atherion only glanced at his arrival, then looked back at the mountains in the distance.

"Many are looking for you, and more are looking for the girl," he said when he arrived beside Atherion.

Atherion remained silent and lowered his head slightly.

"I understand now. And don't worry, I won't tell your secret to anyone," Theon said as he sat beside Atherion.

Atherion stayed silent for a few moments.

"The Demon Lord and his people know…" Atherion said in a hoarse voice.

Theon was surprised and turned to him, "What do you mean?" he asked.

Atherion sighed.

"She got me while I was on my way here," he replied.

"She?!"

"Yeah, she. Nefaria's queen," Atherion answered.

Theon stood up suddenly and asked again, "Their Queen is a Demon Lord?"

Atherion just kept quiet and looked towards the mountains again. Nefaria was behind the mountains.

"Camelia is in danger then," Theon said.

"I will protect her," Atherion said firmly.

"Good. I am starting to love her like my own child. I will not stand still either," Theon said, turning and walking towards the house.

Atherion, who was left alone, continued to look at the mountains.

His body still felt the stimulation made by Nefaria.

And what was even more outrageous, he felt the same thing when he was close to Camelia. And wanted to satisfy his lust to her right at that moment.

He shook his head.

"I might scare her, if she knows I am a monster," he muttered, and then glanced back to the mountains.

***

Atherion returned to the room where Camelia was sleeping soundly, when everyone else was already asleep.

He sat beside the bed, watching the girl's angelic face.

Then he lowered his head, and kissed Camelia's lips softly.